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August 26th
On this day in history in ....
1975 - Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan defeat Irish Pat Barrett & Dominic DeNucci for the WWWF Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Barrett was a substitute for Victor Rivera, who had left the company while holding the belts with DeNucci.
1979 - Harley Race defeats Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Title in Orlando, Florida. Race begins his third run with the belt, ending Rhodes' first World Title reign after only five days.
1991 - WWE holds their Summerslam Pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Billed as "The Match Made In Heaven/The Match Made In Hell" the show actually ended with the "wedding" of Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. The wedding went off without incident, and WWF gave their viewers a "happy ending" to the show, instead choosing to do an angle with Jake Roberts and Savage at the "wedding reception" which would air on television the following weekend. Here are the results from the show:
- In a dark match, Koko B. Ware defeated Kato.
- Ricky Steamboat, Davey Boy Smith & Kerry Von Erich defeated Paul Roma, Hercules Hernandez & The Warlord.
- Bret Hart defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig with the Sharpshooter to win the WWF Intercontinental Title, Hart's first major singles championship in the U.S.
- Irwin R. Schyster defeated Greg Valentine.
- Earthquake & Typhoon defeated The Bushwhackers. Andre The Giant, in his final WWF television appearance, was in the corner of the Bushwackers.
- Big Bossman defeated The Mountie in a Jailhouse match. As a result, the Mountie was locked up in a New York City jail for the night.
- Virgil defeated Ted DiBiase to win the Million Dollar Belt.
- The Legion Of Doom (Road Warriors) defeated The Nasty Boys to win the WWF World Tag Team Title, making Hawk & Animal the only tag team to ever hold the AWA, NWA and WWF World Tag Team Titles.
- Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior defeated Sgt. Slaughter, Gen. Adnan (Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie) & Col. Mustafa (The Iron Shiek) in a handicap match. Sid Justice (Vicious) was the special referee.
1991 - The Dragon Master defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's ninth reign with the belt.
1999 - ECW held a TV taping for the second edition of "ECW on TNN" at the Elk's Lodge in Queens, New York (aka, the Madhouse Of Extreme). The first edition of the show was an "introduction to ECW" special. At this event, Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley defeat Spike Dudley & Balls Mahoney to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship for the eighth time, shocking the fans, since it was known that this was the final ECW event for the Dudleys before going to the WWF. However, at the end of the show, the Dudleys came back out and goaded an injured Tommy Dreamer into fighting them. Raven, making his return to the company after leaving WCW, ran to the ring and won the belts with his longtime rival Dreamer. After the TV cameras were turned off, the fans chanted "Dudleyville" and gave Bubba & D-Von a standing ovation as a farewell.
2000 - On the second night of ECW's two consecutive shows at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom, Tony Marmaluke & Little Guido defeat Yoshihiro Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck for the ECW World Tag Team Title, ending their title reign after one day. Also on the card, Kid Kash defeated Rhino for the ECW World Television Title.
2002 - WWE broadcast Monday Night Raw from Madison Square Garden. Tim Whitehead filed the following TV report:
The 8/26 episode of RAW IS UNABLE TO FOLLOW UP ON THE MOMENTUM FROM SUMMERSLAM aired live from New York's Madison Square Garden. After scoring a home run with an excellent PPV based around wrestling, they turned to gimmickry again for RAW. There were a couple of good earlier matches where the guys worked hard but mostly the show was heatless, and the main event was very weak.
Eric Bischoff came out to welcome everyone to his show. He announced that Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer would face one another later to unify the IC and Hardcore belts. That continues the trend toward phasing out some lower rung titles. He also announced that a WWE Hall of Famer would be honored later on the show with a lifetime achievement award. Luckily, it wasn't the McMahon family limo driver. Bischoff then introduced the new WWE Undisputed World Champion, Brock Lesnar. Bischoff seemed happy that Lesnar is now champ since it allows him to appear on RAW again. A "Rocky" chant started, about 24 hours too late. Lesnar came out with Paul Heyman. Heyman said it was great to be able to stand on the hallowed ground of the world's most famous arena and proclaim Lesnar the new top man in the sport. He said that Bruno Sammartino, Superstar Graham, and Hulk Hogan combined couldn't equal Lesnar. He started doing the "I told you so" routine, reminding everyone that he said Lesnar would win King of the Ring, would destroy Hogan, and would down Rock for the world title. Lesnar got on the mic and said he just turned 25, making him the youngest ever WWE World Champion. He said he can't be beat. Shawn Michaels' music suddenly began playing. But instead of the Heartbreak Kid, it was Triple H coming out, mocking HBK's "sexy boy" dance. HHH boasted that that was the last time anyone will ever hear HBK's music since he crippled him last night at SummerSlam. He said that not only will Michaels never wrestle again, he'll probably never even walk again. On the mic, Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler feared that HHH may be right. JR called HHH a sick and horrible human being. HHH continued on down to the ring. He said that at such a young age, Lesnar is really just a boy. He took credit for softening Rock up last week for Lesnar. He added that Lesnar thus owes him a favor, and asked if Lesnar is ready to play the game. At this point, Undertaker came out. He said he deserves the first shot at the "young blood". He got in Lesnar's face and asked if he's the next big thing, or just the next big bitch. HHH attacked UT from behind. As he was pounding UT, Lesnar joined in. With UT down in the corner, HHH and Lesnar got in each other's face. But UT suddenly rallied and became Superman. He went after both HHH and Lesnar and had both reeling. He sent HHH over the top with a lariat. He then slapped Lesnar a few times, doing the "punk out" routine, before sending Lesnar out to the floor with a big boot to the face. Heyman did his usual gimmick of running to Lesnar and hurrying him out of there. HHH got back in the ring, but then backed away from UT and left.
After the commercial break, Bischoff announced that the main event would be HHH vs. UT, with the winner being the #1 contender for Lesnar's title.
Booker T beat Christian in 3:14. Footage aired from a recent NFL exhibition game where Levon Kirkland of Dave Scherer's Philadelphia Eagles did Booker's gimmick of holding out five fingers and shaking his arm. That's what Booker does right before the spinaroonie, though Kirkland didn't do the spinaroonie part. Booker attacked but missed on a scissor kick. Christian choked Booker. Booker threw a ton of chops. Christian tried to use the ropes to score a pin but Goldust broke it up. Lance Storm ran in but Goldust cut him off. Booker won with the scissor kick.
Footage aired of Kurt Angle, Rock, Edge, and Governor George Pataki at the patriotic rally in New York earlier in the day.
Christian threw a tantrum backstage over losing. Storm reminded him that they're still the tag champs. Test told Christian to calm down. He said he had a plan to do something people will be talking about for years. He had an American flag, so you could guess what was coming.
The Dudleys beat William Regal & Christopher Nowinski in 3:15. They aired footage from earlier where Nowinski asked Molly Holly to accompany him to the ring. Victoria was there and she expressed concern about Molly being near the Dudleys, given their track record of putting babes through tables. But Molly agreed to go with Nowinski. Victoria wished them luck, and Nowinski predicted he might get "very lucky". The match began, and Molly kept interfering. She helped Regal crotch Spike on the post. She ended up trapped in the ring and the Dudleys gave her the wazzup. Spike went to get the table but Nowinski laid him out on the floor. Bubba still scored the pin with a Bubba Bomb on Regal. Afterward, the Dudleys caught Molly and were going to put her through the table but Nowinski rescued her. Poor Regal ended up being put through the table, on the second try since it didn't fully break the first time. Nowinski carried Molly to safety, acting like her knight in shining armor.
Bischoff told the Hall of Famer, who was out of camera range, to be ready to come out to the ring when his name is called. JR & Lawler speculated on who it was, and kept mentioning Bruno's name.
Damsel-in-Distress Molly thanked Nowinski for saving her and for being such a gentleman. She said if there's anything she can do for him, to just let her know what it is. Nowinski, with a smirk, said he'd think of something.
Bischoff got in the ring and called out the Hall of Famer. It was Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka! He got a good pop coming out. Bischoff put over Snuka as a WWE legend and had a tribute video aired. It was a good video, with footage from Snuka's WWE prime, including the famous leap from the cage top onto Don Muraco at the Garden. Bischoff handed Snuka a lifetime achievement plaque. Snuka wanted to say a few words of thanks to everyone, but Bischoff suddenly grew arrogant and wouldn't let him have the mic. He invoked the dreaded term "three minutes", saying that Snuka's three minutes were up. So in came the Island Boyz for yet another double team squash job. Snuka actually held one of them off for a few seconds until falling victim to the two-on-one. Snuka was left laying.
After a commercial break, Chris Jericho came out to the ring. Snuka was being helped out by some officials. Jericho jumped Snuka and put the Walls on, adding further insult to injury. Jericho got on the mic and called Snuka a Madison Square has-been. He said just because guys like Snuka and Ric Flair were popular with ass clown fans for 75 years doesn't mean they should receive awards. He said he is the one who should get an award, and claimed to have been cheated at SummerSlam. He aired footage that showed Flair tapping to Jericho's figure four, though only after Flair made the ropes. Jericho threw a tantrum, screaming "why, why, why, why" over and over about the SummerSlam ref's decision not to count Flair's tap as a submission. Jericho said he'll destroy Flair's little buddy Jeff Hardy (whom he was scheduled to wrestle) to get even with Flair. Next, Jericho brought up how Flair interrupted his Fozzy concert last week, so he said he'll sing "New York, New York" this week to make up for it. He then began singing, in a deliberately bad singing voice, and he also changed some of the words in the song so they were negative towards New York instead of positive. They cut to a commercial break.
When the break was over, hour two was beginning, and Jericho was finishing up his horrible song. Jeff Hardy arrived to start the match.....
Jeff beat Jericho by reverse decision DQ in 10:47. Jeff went after Jericho but got lariated. Jericho bumped out and Jeff dived on him. Jeff did his rail run but Jericho caught him and slammed him on the floor. Jericho choked Jeff and taunted him. Jeff hit a dropkick on Jericho as he came off the second rope. Jeff did the twisting moonsault. Jericho went for a lionsault but Jeff got his knees up. Jeff scored with a swanton but Jericho got his foot on the ropes to break the count. Jeff went for a huracanrana but Jericho blocked it and forced Jeff to tap to the Walls. However, Jericho refused to break the hold afterward. The ref finally reversed the decision and DQ'ed Jericho. It took a bunch of refs plus Sgt. Slaughter to pull Jericho off Jeff. Good match, but not much crowd heat.
Terri asked Lesnar if he has any preferences about who wins the HHH vs. UT #1 contenders match. He said it doesn't make any difference to him who wins. She asked again, and he said the same thing. Heyman just laughed at her for asking such a stupid question.
The Unamericans revealed that they were going to burn Old Glory. They came out to the ring with an American flag and a blowtorch. Test said it's time for Americans to see what the rest of the world thinks about us. They were about to ignite the flag when a loud Kane promo exploded onto the Titantron. This scared the hell out of the Canadians until they realized it was just a promo, like we've seen regularly the past few weeks. They were about to light the flag again when Booker & Goldust ran in. The Canadians were winning the brawl with their three-on-two advantage when Kane really did arrive, getting a good pop for making the save. Kane no-sold a chairshot from Christian, rescued the flag, and cleaned house on the Unamericans, who fled. This was a pretty good way to reintroduce Kane, and it also ends speculation he would return on Smackdown. Booker did a spinaroonie, but afterward Kane said Booker's spinaroonie wasn't the only thing the fans came to see. He then did a Kane-A-Roonie! Cool!
RVD beat Tommy Dreamer to unify the IC & Hardcore Titles in 8:05. It was fought under hardcore rules. They did a sequence where each evaded the other's move, leading to an "ECW" chant. This was the only thing on the show the fans seemed to really get into. Dreamer used a cane. He got a ladder but RVD kicked it into his face. RVD sent Dreamer off the apron onto the ladder. In the ring, RVD did a split-leg moonsault but Dreamer caught him with a chair. Dreamer dropped RVD on the ladder. They each scored some twos. A lot of it looked legit painful. Dreamer went for an elbow drop but missed RVD and hit the ladder. RVD did the rolling thunder on the ladder on top of Dreamer. Dreamer got crotched on the ladder. RVD did a Van Daminator followed by a frog splash and scored the pin. RVD and Dreamer hugged afterward. This ended a 30 minute period (Jericho vs. Jeff, Kane's return, and this match) which was the good part of the show.
Lilian Garcia beat Ron Jeremy, uh, I mean Howard Finkel, in a tuxedo & evening gown match in 1:27. For the record, Finkel was in the tuxedo. Stacy Keibler came out. She said she was there to keep Trish Stratus from interfering. Finkel said Stacy was interfering with something in his trousers. Lilian arrived and Finkel said he thought Rudy Giuliani banned hookers from the city. The "match" began and Finkel kept shoving Lilian down. He said it's appropriate for a blonde to be flat on her back. The other two blondes at ringside, Stacy & Trish, took offense at this, as did Lilian. So all three babes jumped Finkel and stripped him to his underwear for the win. On the surface, this was better than the notorious Pat Patterson vs. Gerald Brisco evening gown match, since at least there were three babes present for this one. On the other hand, none of them got stripped, so what was the point? Finkel fled afterward, all hunched over, with it being portrayed as if he had been, shall we say, aroused. This was a pretty bad segment.
Footage aired of a Good Morning America report on magician Chris Angel's stunt at WWE World, where he'll attempt to stay underwater for 24 hours.
HHH beat Undertaker in the #1 contenders match in 8:35. A dull match with zero heat. Lilian did the intros, back in her position as announcer. They brawled on the floor before the bell. UT hit a flying lariat. HHH sent UT into the stairs. In the ring, they slow-brawled and slugged it out, each scoring a few near pins. Referee Earl Hebner got bumped. UT chokeslammed HHH, but, naturally, there was no ref. Lesnar then came out and got on the apron. UT slugged him. HHH got up and tried for a pedigree but UT backdropped him. Lesnar then walloped UT with the title belt and HHH pinned him as the ref revived. It was portrayed as if Lesnar was getting back at UT for booting him out of the ring so hard in the opening angle.
Bischoff spotted Stephanie in the parking lot, next to her limo. He boasted to her that he now has the #1 contender on his show, plus he has Lesnar back on RAW now that he's the Undisputed Champ. Stephanie just laughed at him, saying HHH is top contender to nothing because Lesnar won't be back on RAW anymore. Bischoff said that as champ, Lesnar appears on both shows. Steph said that under the rules the champ can appear on both shows if he wants, but it's his own decision, and that she's paid Lesnar a good fee not to ever again appear on RAW. Lesnar & Heyman joined her in the limo and the all drove off together as Bischoff looked distraught.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Did Steph get that idea of monopolizing the champion from her late grandfather's handling of the Buddy Rogers title reign?
Did Frank Sinatra ever go on a TV show and get dissed as a lousy performer?
Wouldn't it have been a nice touch for Roddy Piper to have busted a coconut over Snuka's head in a run-in?
Have Bischoff & The Island Boyz ever heard that old wrestling expression about going to the well once too often?
Is Molly still a virgin after that wazzup?
How dull was that main event?
Prior to Raw, WWE held the following matches:
Dark Match: Shelton Benjamin defeated Shawn Stasiak with a spinkick to the face.
Heat Taping:
Goldust defeated Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli with the Curtain Call.
Steven Richards defeated Crash Holly with the Steviekick.
Bradshaw defeated Justin Credible with the Clothesline From Hell.
D-Lo Brown, who was commentating and left his position to wrestle, pinned Raven with the Sky High.
2002 - WWE held their final ever event at the New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, CT, a building they ran for decades and the place where Howard Finkel and Vince McMahon first met. Rich Casiglip filed the following live event:
I just got back from the WWE Smackdown house show that was at the New Haven Coliseum tonight. It was the last event ever at that building and it is now officially closed. An overall good show. Not bad for a house show, but the ending was worth the price of admission. Some of the wrestlers came off like they weren't giving their best effort, but other gave it all. I had great seats and could see the action well. I've been to many house shows, Raw shows and Smackdown shows at the building and I'm sorry that this will be the last one.
I came in late during the first match, which was Tajiri vs. Funaki. The crowd really wasn't into this match at all booing and yelling "Pin Funaki already." and things like that. They did get lively at the end when both wrestlers started whipping moves out fast. Tajiri got the pin after giving Funaki that kick to the head Tajiri's always doing. There was some girl at ringside throughout the match that left with Funaki. When I asked the people around me who she was the best response I got was "Some local girl."
Match two was Reverend Devon vs. Randy Orton. Devon got on the mike before the match to berate the crowd saying, "If you people don't give me the respect I deserve, I'll go out there and beat the holy hell out of you." Orton was sloppy during the match, visibly screwing up twice. Once when he & Devon were on the ropes together in the corner and he either jumped to early or fell off (it looked like he fell off). The crowd gave him lip for it both times ("You screwed up!"). Devon won the match. I don't remember with what move.
The third match was Albert vs. Hardcore Holly. Holly got a pretty good pop when he came out, but the crowd audibly moaned when Albert was announced. During the match the crowd started chanting at Albert to, "Shave your back!" The chant visibly upset Albert (or he's a good actor). Albert proceeded to then do a really good looking move where he picked up Hardcore like he was going to give him a suplex, but then dropped Holly onto his shoulder like a back breaker. Albert then told the crowd to, "Shave my hairy ass!" Hardcore eventually made a comeback and won with a pin after an overhead slam. Holly then left a dazed Albert in the ring. Albert stood up, looked around the crowd, turned his back to my section (opposite the entranceway) and proceeded to moon us. No, I'm not kidding.
Next up it was Batista vs. Bull Buchanan. Yep, Bull's back and he's wearing tights now! The crowd once again moaned, this time when Bull's name was announced. The crowd (what had not gone to the restrooms or refreshment stands) was really not into this match, booing and yelling the whole time. Batista won with a slam. Bull did do one cool move during the match. He was lying up against a corner when Batista came charging in. Bull kicked Batista while still lying in the corner, then grabbed the top ropes with his hands and flipped himself so he was sitting on the top rope. It looked cool, especially considering how big he is.
A tag team extravaganza was next as Billy & Chuck, with Rico, took on The Hurricane & Shannon Moore. Hurricane & Moore got the first really big pop of the night, while Billy & Chuck got the first really good boos that weren't because the crowd didn't want to see them. Match was good. It ended with Hurricane getting a choke slam on Billy (which Billy went really high for) and getting the pin. After the match Chuck and Rico went to check on Billy who was still out face down in the ring. They tried to pick him up but he couldn't stand. Then Rico stepped over Billy so his legs were on either side of him, put his arms around Billy's waist and tried to lift him up (use your imagination here). Billy finally was able to stand and Rico started getting into the two of them for losing. Chuck then kicked Rico in the stomach. Chuck then put Rico up on his shoulders and Billy climbed the top rope and clotheslined Rico off Chuck's shoulders (ala the Road Warriors old finishing move). Crowd pop HUGE for that. Billy & Chuck then left. The ref supported Rico on his shoulder to the back. Rico grabbed the refs butt on the way.
Following that up was Chris Benoit vs. Rikishi in what was billed as a, "Kiss My Ass" match. I have no idea what that is since the match ended with a regular pin. Benoit got a good series of boos on his way into the ring. Crowd popped big time for Rikishi. The match was as good as it could be considering that there were two conflicting styles at work here. Benoit won it with Rikishi tapping to the Crossface, but not before Rikishi got a stinkface in.
Then it was intermission time. After intermission, a group of guys from the radio station 106.9 WCCC got in the ring. They had a winner of a contest in the ring (I think they said it was a trivia contest). The winner then had to have his head shaved to win the prize of going backstage and meeting Kurt Angle. They started to shave his head but the clippers weren't working well so the DJ only got the top of the guy's head shaved.
First match after the break was the one almost everyone was looking forward to. Dawn Marie vs. Torrie Wilson in a bra and panties match with Nidia (*sigh*) as the referee. The match actually went quite a bit of time, with actually wrestling moves used before the clothes started coming off. Torrie got Dawn's shirt off, and then Dawn got Torrie's off. They wrestled a bit more like this, but then Torrie finally got Dawn's pants off. Dawn Marie left as Nidia was raising Torrie's hand, but then Nidia attacked Torrie. Torrie fought back though and managed to get Nidia's pants off. Jamie Noble then charged into the ring, but surprisingly Torrie took care of him too with five or six clotheslines. Jamie fell out of the ring and left with Nidia in disgust. While Torrie was fighting Jamie a fan tried to run into the ring but security mauled the guy.
The Cruiserweight title was on the line next as Jamie Noble (with Nidia) defended against Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero in a triple threat match. So much was happening in this match that I couldn't get notes down without missing anything. Nidia took a good bump off the apron onto the floor. Noble won with a backslide pin while his feet were on the second rope. Afterwards Kidman seemed to be upset with the ring announcer (who was sitting at ringside). He walked over to the announcer but the announcer moved away. As Kidman was leaving he kept pretending to come back every time the announcer was going to enter the ring.
The second to last match had Matt Hardy taking on John Cena. Matt was out first and got one of the biggest pops of the night. Cena then came out to a chorus of boos. Realizing the problem, Matt Hardy went into full heel mode. He grabbed the mike and said to Cena, "I realize we're both (he does the quote marks signs with his hands) good guys, but it's obvious from that response who these people came to see." From that point on both guys got about 1/2 cheers and 1/2 boos from the crowd. During the match Matt had Cena down. He pointed to the corner and asked the crowd if they wanted him to go up top. Crowd went nuts so Matt climbed to the top turnbuckle, but then acted like something was wrong with his back and slowly climbed down. Great bit that got some serious crowd heat. At one point in the match Cena lifted Matt into a suplex but held Matt up for about ten or fifteen seconds before finishing the move. Really great show of strength which the crowd gave him props for. Matt eventually pinned Cena with the Twist of Fate.
The ring announcer then said that this would be the last event ever at the New Haven Coliseum, which the crowd booed big time. He thanked everyone on behalf of the WWE for all the many years that the WWE was able to run here, both in good times and bad, which the crowd pops for. He then reminded the fans that they would be in other CT. cities still, such as Hartford, Bridgeport and the Arena at Mohegan Sun Casino, which Smackdown will be recorded at tomorrow night. The crowd booed big time.
The final match of the night was a tag match that had Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero taking on Rey Mysterio and Edge. Rey & Edge both got huge pops. Angle got great heat on the way in, with, "You suck!" being sung along to his music. Angle is most certainly the best in the game right now. He's got the ring skills, the mike skills and he knows how to read a crowd and work them. The match was starting with Rey and Angle but then a huge, "You suck" chant started up. Angle got angry and pretended to start to leave. The chant died down and Angle started back to the ring but then the chant started up again and Angle pretended to leave again. He did this about 4 or 5 times. He finally got into the ring and started to move to collar & elbow with Mysterio, but then Angle stopped and got down on his knees to get to Rey's height and started to move in again. Great stuff man! Match went pretty well, with the heels having trouble getting an advantage on the faces and getting frustrated. They eventually isolated Rey and beat on him a while until Rey made the hot tag to Edge. All four were in the ring then. Chaos ensued until Rey hit the 619 spin on Angle. Angle got up, only to get speared by Edge for the 1 - 2 - 3.
After the match Angle and Eddie left. Rey & Edge were posing in the corners. Edge grabbed the mike and said he was sorry to see the Coliseum closing, so he wanted to do something special tonight. "I don't know if you remember but a while back, I used to be in a pretty popular tag team with a guy named Christian." The crowd booed to which Edge said, "Well, we've all got our crosses to bare. Well, we used to do something special which the crowd really liked and, if Rey wants to do it with me tonight, I'd like to do a five second pose!" The crowd went nuts! Edge asks Rey if he wants to do it and Rey says, "Hell ya!" Edge tells everyone to get their cameras out and just as they're about to do the pose, Angle and Guerrero come out. Angle's got the mike and he's like, "Whoa whoa whoa whoa WHOA! You want to do something special for the last night of the New Haven Coliseum and your going to do a five second pose?" Eddie then takes the mike and mumbles something that nobody can understand, so the crowd goes, "What?" Angle asks, "Could you repeat that again and this time in English?" Eddie sheepishly says, "Never mind." Angle tries to talk again but the, "What?" chants have started, which Angle worked with pretty well. Angle and Eddie then get into the ring with Rey and Edge. Angle proposes that instead of the pose, they all do imitations of popular catch phrases. Edge and Rey agree suggesting that Eddie start. Eddie takes the mike and does the worst Hulk Hogan impression ever saying, "Whatchu gonna do Esse when Latino Heat runs wild all over you." The crowd gives him heat for the bad imitation. Angle takes the mike and says, "That stunk Eddie. It was too spanishy. Try another one." Eddie takes back the mike. He then gets down on one knee and looks at his hand ala Booker T. I thought we might actually get to see a Latino Heataroonie, but he then gets up and says, "Can you dig it, HOMES!" Edge takes the mike and says, "It's sucka, not homes!" Eddie hangs his head in shame. Angle then takes the mike and says that Rey should go next. Rey takes the mike and starts' hopping in a circle on one leg like Angle does. He then looks at Angle and says, "You suck! Oh it's true! It's true!" Crowd goes ballistic for that one. Angle grabs the mike and says that he doesn't. Then he looks Rey in the face and says, "Well at least I've GOT a catch phrase!" Crowd laughs. Angle then says it's his turn and he asks the crowd, "If you think Eddie and I kicked these guys' asses, give me a hell ya!" Crowd starts yelling "What?" at him instead. Angle then gets into a what battle with the crowd, repeating what every time the crowd does. Angle then says it's Edge's turn. Edge takes the mike and asks the crowd it there's anybody good left? A big, "Rocky!" chant starts up. Edge lifts his head up to the ceiling and yells, "If you smeeeeelllll what Edge is cooking!" Crowd pops big time. Edge then says he's got some beer in a cooler at ringside and suggests the four of them toast the crowd and the building in the middle of the ring. Angle takes the mike and meekly asks Edge if he's got some milk. The crowd gets on Angle. Angle turns to the crowd and goes, "Hey, C'mon. I don't drink beer." Edge goes and gets his beers and grabs a bottle of water from the announcer. He gives the water to Angle and the rest beers. The four men lift their bottles and clang them together and drink away. Suddenly, Edge and Mysterio attack Angle and Guerrero. Angle & Guerrero leave in pain as Edge and Rey shake hands with everyone at ringside. A good ending to a nice card and a good building. As we were leaving, the coliseum people handed out certificates to everyone that said they attended the last New Haven Coliseum show on August 26, 2002 with a spot to put your ticket stub into. A fine memento.
2007 - WWE holds their Summerslam event in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here is the original report from the show.
Summerslam opened with a video highlighting Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero, Batista vs. Great Khali, and Randy Orton vs. John Cena, in that order. They went into a music video, but it was interrupted for a video package highlighting Triple H vs. King Booker. That should tell you where things stand on the WWE priority scale for this event.
The three announce teams then welcomed us to the Continental Airlines Arena. The stage area is decorated like a beach party, with surfboards and tiki torches.
Kane vs. Fit Finlay.
Kane came out first, his ribs taped. Kane immediately decked Finlay at the bell, then worked him over in a corner. Kane hit a back elbow, then dropped an elbow, but hurt his ribs in doing so. Kane slammed Finlay, then delivered a right hand to the jaw. Kane choked Finlay against the ropes, then delivered some knees to the midsection in the corner. Kane hit an uppercut, then kicked Finlay in the gut and hit a shoulderblock in the corner. Kane choked Finlay against the middle rope, but Finlay booted a charging Kane. Finlay went to the second rope, but Kane punched him over the top rope and Finlay fell to the floor. Kane went outside as well and hit a boot to the face. Kane threw Finlay back in and went to the top rope, but Finlay knocked his legs out and Kane fell gut first across the ropes. Finlay knocked Kane to the floor, and as Kane rolled into the ring, Finlay went after the ribs with kicks and knees. Finlay hit a back splash for a two count. Finlay applied a single leg crab, stepping on Kane's back as well. Kane managed to get to his feet and hit an enzugiri.
Kane hit a boot to the face, then hit a clothesline in the corner. Kane hit a second clothesline, then dropped Finlay with a side slam for a two count. Kane went to the top rope and hit a clothesline. Kane was favoring his ribs. Kane missed a charge in the corner, and Finlay hit a sit-down splash on Kane's ribs for a two count. Finlay went to ringside and pulled out Hornswoggle. As they got in the ring, Kane sat up and Hornswoggle ran away. Kane hit Finlay with a boot to the face, then went to ringside and kept Hornswoggle from getting back under the ring. Kane tossed the Cruiserweight Champion into the ring. Kane went for a chokeslam on Hornswoggle, but Finlay ran over to stop him. Kane grabbed Finlay by the throat as well, and threw away Hornswoggle. Kane couldn't get the chokeslam off because of his injured ribs, and Finlay kicked Kane in the gut and hit a DDT for a two count. Finlay pulled the turnbuckle pad off in one corner, and as the referee fixed it, Finlay grabbed the Shillelagh. Before he could use it, Kane knocked him down. Kane stood over Finlay and went to pick up the Shillelagh. The referee turned back around and took it away from Kane. As the referee put it back at ringside, Hornswoggle handed Finlay a second stick. Finlay nailed Kane in the ribs with it, but couldn't get the pin. Finlay missed a charge in the corner, going shoulder first into the turnbuckles, and Kane hit the chokeslam for the pin at the nine minute mark.
Winner: Kane.
Backstage, Jonathan Coachman, William Regal, Armando Estrada and Theodore R. Long were partying backstage. Vince McMahon entered and commented on "four guys partying together". Vince sent Armando out with orders that if the mother of his illegitimate child shows up, to let him know. Santino Marella entered to stake his claim as Vince's son, but was sent out by Regal. MVP entered, noted he didn't know if he was Vince's son or not, and said he wanted to issue a non-wrestling challenge to Matt Hardy. After MVP left, Regal said that Vince's son might be "more regal" and walked off. Vince commented to Coachman that he wouldn't do an English woman with Coach's equipment.
A video hyping Rey Mysterio's return later tonight was shown.
Intercontinental Champion Umaga vs. Carlito vs. Ken Kennedy.
Kennedy came out first and declared himself the "next Intercontinental Champion" during his entrance. Carlito was out second, and the two argued a bit until Umaga came out. Kennedy and Carlito both tried to convince Umaga to work with them, but Umaga decked both of them. Umaga went back and forth between his opponents, knocking them down with ease. Carlito and Kennedy ended up on the floor as Umaga cleared the ring. Carlito and Kennedy bickered a bit on the floor, then Kennedy tried to distract Umaga while Carlito went for his leg. It didn't work, as Umaga swatted Carlito away and knocked Kennedy back to the floor. Umaga was setting up for the posterior charge on Carlito, but Kennedy hooked his leg from the floor. This allowed Carlito to dropkick Umaga to the floor. On the outside, Kennedy kicked Umaga's head into the ring steps.
With Umaga down, Kennedy got back in the ring and Carlito rolled him up for a two count, but the referee saw Carlito grabbing the ropes. Kennedy fought back, but Carlito hit a springboard elbow for two. Kennedy came back by reversing a whip into the corner, then hitting a forward legsweep. Umaga was up on the floor and Kennedy went to kick him, but Umaga grabbed his leg and yanked him to the floor. Umaga then got into the ring, slammed Carlito and hit a second rope headbutt for a two count. Umaga went for a charge in the corner, but Kennedy pulled Carlito out of the way and Umaga went over the turnbuckle and into the ringpost. Kennedy grabbed a TV monitor and hit Umaga in the head. Carlito then knocked Kennedy off the apron and covered Umaga for a two count.
Kennedy got back in the ring, and Carlito convinced him they needed to take out Umaga first. They tried to double suplex Umaga, but Umaga reversed it and suplexed both of his opponents. Umaga gave them a double clothesline, then went back and forth decking his opponents. Carlito was given a Samoan Drop and Kennedy a spinning side slam. Umaga covered Kennedy, but Carlito broke it up. Umaga gave Carlito a superkick, then the posterior charge in the corner. Umaga then charged at Kennedy, who ducked and pulled down the top rope. Umaga fell over the top and to the floor. Kennedy then picked up Carlito and gave him the forward flip Samoan Drop and covered him. However, Umaga got back in the ring and picked up Kennedy and nailed him with the Samoan Spike. Umaga pinned Kennedy at the seven minute mark.
Winner: Umaga.
They showed a video hyping the return of the Undertaker at Unforgiven.
A video package on Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero was shown.
Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero.
Chavo wore a poncho to the ring that said "Warrior". Rey Mysterio came out wearing silver pants and mask, and silver body paint covering his chest, arms and back. Wow, they didn't do a very good paint job, as it looks like someone applied silver suntan lotion and forgot to rub it all in. Rey is a lot less toned than he used to be as well. They went nose to nose at the bell and shoved each other. There was a "Chavo Sucks" chant. Chavo went for a leg, but Rey stepped away from him before he could grab it. Rey took Chavo down with a legsweep, and they went for a test of strength on the mat. They flipped each other over while maintaining the hold, then Rey released and grabbed a bodyscissors, then switched into an armdrag. Chavo fell to the floor and regrouped. They locked up when he returned to the ring and Chavo attacked the leg, kicking it and wrapping it around the middle rope. Chavo went to dropkick it, but Rey moved and Chavo slid through the ropes and to the floor. Rey went outside after Chavo and rammed him into the ringsteps. Rey tossed Chavo back into the ring and went after his leg with kicks. Rey hit a rana off the second rope, and then went to the top rope, but Chavo knocked his leg out and Rey got hung in a tree of woe. Chavo hit the leg repeatedly, then went to the floor and whipped Rey's leg into the ringpost.
Back in the ring, Chavo kicked Rey's leg repeatedly, then dropped several elbows on it. Chavo applied a torture rack to Rey's leg, but Rey managed to hook Chavo with his other leg and headscissor him to the mat. Chavo came right back with a dropkick to the leg, and told Rey he should quit. Chavo applied a stepover toehold, then bridged back. Chavo applied a leg stretch, then drove his knee into Rey's leg, telling him again that he should quit. Rey managed to hit an enzugiri, and Chavo fell in 619 position. Rey went for the move, but as he ran across the ring, he leg gave out. Chavo put Rey in a single leg crab. Rey managed to make the ropes. Chavo hit a forearm uppercut, then went for a slam, but Rey shifted his weight and landed on top for a two count. Rey went to the apron, but Chavo grabbed him and pulled him near the ropes for a possible superplex. Rey fought him off and pulled Chavo into a tree of woe. Rey hit some shots on Chavo's leg. When Chavo got down, he grabbed Rey and tried to push him out of the ring, but Rey reversed and shoved Chavo to the floor.
Mysterio came off the apron and gave him a seated senton. Back in the ring, Rey hit a springboard senton, but was favoring his leg. Chavo went for a sunset flip, but Rey rolled through it and hit a kick to the head. Rey went for a springboard moonsault, but Chavo caught it and as going to slam Rey, but Rey floated around him and hit a DDT for a two count. Rey went for a top rope bodypress, but Chavo ducked and Rey crashed to the mat. Chavo hit Rey with the Gori Bomb, but Rey kicked out at two. Mysterio hit two kicked to Chavo's gut and tripped him into 619 position. Rey went for the 619, but Chavo ducked it. Chavo grabbed Rey for the Three Amigos, but after two suplexes, Rey blocked the third and tripped Chavo into the ropes. Rey hit the 619, then delivered a springboard splash for the pin at the twelve minute mark.
Winner: Rey Mysterio.
They hyped that Raw is on SciFi tomorrow night.
Todd Grisham interviewed King Booker & Queen Sharmell. Booker noted that Mysterio's win was a "fairytale dream come true" but Triple H's return would be a Shakespearean Tragedy. King Booker said he knew Triple H would have a grand entrance, and said that the entrance would be the highlight of his night, because in the end, he would bow down to King Booker.
Diva Battle Royale - Winner to receive a future title match.
Candice Michelle came out to ringside to watch the match. She has new theme music. The Divas in the match are Maria, Beth Phoenix, Melina, Jillian Hall, Mickie James, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Kristal, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Brooke and Layla. Everyone went right at it, and the rules were that both feet had to touch the floor to be eliminated, no over the top rule. Brooke was the first to go out, and actually went over the top rope. Jillian Hall knocked Maria off the apron with a shoulderblock to eliminate her. Melina flung Layla between the ropes to eliminate her. A lot of generic brawling and struggles by the ropes, but no big spots to speak of. Kristal kicked Victoria between the ropes to eliminate her. Mickie James put Kristal on the apron. Michelle McCool knocked Kristal to the floor in what looked to be a poorly timed attempt at an "accidental" punch. Kelly Kelly was tossed out by several women. Mickie James tried to rana Jillian Hall to the floor, but they got caught in the ropes. Torrie knocked Jillian to the floor, then Melina knocked James to the floor.
It was down to Torrie, Melina, Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool. Michelle and Torrie teamed up and eliminated Melina. Torrie and Michelle double clotheslined Phoenix. Phoenix survived the double team and flung Torrie through the ropes and to the floor. Michelle and Phoenix went at it, with Michelle hitting a few shots, but Phoenix just lifting Michelle and easily depositing her over the top rope to get the win seven minute mark.
Winner: Beth Phoenix.
Almost instantly, MVP's music hit and by the time he got to the ring, the Divas had vanished. MVP had some officials bring a cooler to the ring. MVP said no one paid to see the Divas, they paid to see him. MVP said that when he was younger he "opened a 40", but now he enjoys finer beverages, like champagne. However, he said he would "lower himself" tonight to the level of the fans, and that he would have a beer drinking contest with Matt Hardy. Hardy came out, and they opened a couple of Miller Lites. Before they drank, Matt said that he is proud to be a "common man" like the fans. Matt said he knew he could outdrink MVP, but tonight he wasn't even going to try. Matt noted that when they were supposed to have a boxing match, MVP picked a substitute. Hardy said that for tonight, he has a substitute. Fans were already chanting "Austin" before the music hit. The star of The Condemned came out, and Matt Hardy had a toast with Steve Austin before leaving. Austin then "warmed up" with some push-ups and jumping jacks. Austin handed MVP and beer, and they were about to drink, when Austin kicked MVP in the gut and gave him a stunner. With MVP laid out, Austin then had a beer bash in the ring.
Backstage, Theodore R. Long was pleased with Austin besting MVP, while McMahon, Coachman and Regal were ticked off. Cryme Tyme came in, and said one of them might be Vince's son, noting they like to make money, just like Vince. Long and Coach joined Cryme Tyme in the "Money, Money" dance. Regal even joined in on the fun eventually. Ron Simmons appeared in front of the dancing Regal and said .... Damn.
Kat DeLuna, who did the Summerslam theme song, was shown at ringside.
A video on the CM Punk-John Morrison feud was shown.
ECW Champion John Morrison vs. CM Punk.
Punk grabbed a double leg takedown at the bell and Morrison squirmed out from under him. Punk hit a hiptoss and bodyslam on Morrison. Punk put Morrison on the apron and then hit a second rope springboard dropkick. Punk went for a suplex, but Morrison blocked it, then kneed Punk as he tried a shoulderblock between the ropes. Morrison then hit a neckbreaker from the apron, jumping to the floor and driving Punk's back into the ring apron. Morrison got a two count, then whipped Punk hard into the corner. Morrison hit a pair of forearms, then applied a half-nelson with a chinlock. Punk punched out of it and hit a hard slap. Morrison tripped Punk into the ropes, then hit a hard kick to the chest for a two count. Morrison applied a rear chinlock, but Punk battled out. Punk grabbed a sunset flip out of the corner, but Morrison kicked out. Morrison went for a catapult into the corner, but Punk jumped onto the second rope and hit a bodypress for a two count. Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, then went for a bulldog, but Morrison blocked it. Punk hit an enzugiri for a two count.
Punk hit a Ted DiBiase-style powerslam for a two count. Punk went for a short-arm clothesline, but Morrison ducked it and hit a backbreaker/neckbreaker combo for a two count. Morrison went for his flipping neckbreaker, but Punk blocked it and hit a clothesline. Punk hit a moonsault for a two count. Morrison whipped Punk hard into a corner. Morrison charged and Punk lifted him and crotched him on the top rope. Punk hit a second rope clothesline on Morrison for a two count, then grabbed a small package for another two count. Punk hit a kick to the head, then sat Morrison on the top rope. Punk went for a top rope rana but Morrison held onto the top rope and Punk crashed to the mat. Morrison cradled Punk for the pin, putting his feet on the ropes for leverage (which he had trouble doing) at the seven minute mark.
Winner: John Morrison.
Batista and Great Khali were shown in the back warming up for their match later.
Triple H vs. King Booker, with Queen Sharmell.
As Booker made his entrance, recent events between Booker and the Raw announce team were shown. They did a video package on Triple H being "bigger, stronger, and faster" after Booker's entrance. They had Triple H yell "Are You Ready?" before playing Motorhead's "The Game". Tons of spotlights for his entrance. Triple H stepped out, and was noticeably grinning. From that point on, it was just a typical Triple H entrance, with the crowd popping huge and him soaking it in. Triple H looked in great shape, but not freakishly muscular.
Booker kicked Triple H in the gut at the bell, but Triple H fired off some right hands and clotheslined him over the top rope and to the floor. Booker regrouped, but when he stepped back into the center of the ring, Triple H hit some punches and whipped Booker across the ring. Triple H ran into a Booker elbow. Triple H reversed a whip, and Booker grabbed the ropes to stop himself from bouncing off. There was a pause, then Triple H clotheslined Booker over the top rope to the floor again. Triple H went outside and punches Booker and rammed him into the guard rail. Back in the ring, Booker hit a few shots, but Triple H hit the facebuster on the knee. Booker came back with a knee to the gut, and Sharmell hooked Triple H's leg as he came off the ropes, allowing Booker to dropkick the knee. Booker stomped the leg, then went to the floor and rammed it into the ring apron. Back in the ring, Booker went for a slam, but Triple H floated over it and hit a chopblock.
Triple H applied a figure four leglock, but Sharmell reached in and raked Triple H's eyes to break the hold. King Booker hit a superkick for a two count. Booker hit a series of rights on the mat, then stomped him in a corner. They traded punches, and Triple H got the better of it and threw Booker over the top rope and to the floor. Triple H rammed Booker into the ring steps, then whipped him into them. Triple H rolled Booker back into the ring and hit a clothesline in the corner. Triple H went for a backdrop, but Booker kicked it away. Booker then ran right into a Triple H spinebuster. Triple H set up for the Pedigree, but Booker hit Triple H's leg to break out.
Booker ran into a Triple H elbow, but then kicked Triple H in the gut. Booker went for the ax kick, but Triple H dodged it, only to be caught with a Bookend for a two count. Booker hit some knees, then planted him with a side slam. Booker went to the top rope and went for the old Harlem Hangover, but Triple H moved out of the way. Triple H gave Booker a crotch chop, then went for the Pedigree. Booker popped out of it and went for a spinkick, but Triple H ducked and hit the Pedigree for the win at the nine minute mark.
Winner: Triple H.
Triple H celebrated and smiled as he bowed to the fans.
They hyped Undertaker's return at Unforgiven again.
They showed a video package on the Batista vs. Great Khali feud.
World Champion Great Khali vs. Batista.
Khali shoved Batista in the corner at the bell and stomped him down, then hit a series of right hands to the head. Batista fired back with punches, but Khali just shoved him back into the corner and hit some elbows. Khali hit a clothesline, then a short-arm clothesline. Khali kicked Batista in the head, and he fell through the ropes and to the floor. From the apron, Batista pulled Khali throat first across the top rope. Batista got in the ring and hit two clotheslines. Khali blasted Batista with a chop to stop his momentum and got a two count with his foot on Batista's chest. Khali pounded Batista some more, then applied a double nerve hold. Batista made the ropes for a break, and Khali hit a forearm to the back, then shoved Batista into the ropes and hit another forearm to the back. Khali applied the double nerve hold again.
Batista started to pass out in the hold. Fans chanted "boring". Batista powered up and hit a jawbreaker to break out, but Khali hit a boot to the face, and got another two count standing on Batista's chest. Khali went for the head vice, but Batista blocked it and gave Khali a spinebuster. Batista set up for the Batista Bomb, but Khali shoved it away. Batista hit an elbow to the mouth, then went to the top rope. Batista jumped into a Khali choke. Khali hit the double handed chokeslam for a two count. Ranjin Singh slid a chair in to Khali. Khali shoved the referee to the side and hit Batista in the back with the chair. Khali was disqualified at the eight minute mark.
Winner via DQ: Batista.
Khali went for a post-match chairshot, but Batista ducked it and hit Khali with a spear. Batista grabbed the chair and hit Khali repeatedly in the back with the chair until the referee finally pulled it away from him.
They promoted the DVD release of The Condemned.
Backstage, Vince McMahon was chatting with Jonathan Coachman. William Regal said a woman had arrived. Before Regal could explain, Vince told him to bring her in. Regal brought in Mae Young and the Fabulous Moolah. Regal explained that Mae didn't give birth to Vince's son, but she wants to give birth to one. Mae tackled Vince and put him in a liplock. Regal and Moolah eventually pulled Mae out of the room. Vince spat and complained about the taste in his mouth. Coach offered him a Tic-tac. Vince suddenly realized he liked the taste, and said that Mae had turned him on. Coach said that was disgusting, and Vince said "Old chickens make good chicken soup".
Jim Ross announced that there were 17,441 fans in attendance at the Continental Airlines Arena tonight.
A video package on the John Cena-Randy Orton feud was shown.
WWE Champion John Cena vs. Randy Orton.
Mixed reactions for both men as they came to the ring. They locked up and jockeyed for position. Cena grabbed a headlock and Orton struggled in the hold. Orton shoved him off, but Cena hit a shoulderblock and applied the headlock again, taking Orton down with a side mare. Dueling chants for Cena and Orton. They went to the ropes, and as they broke, Orton grabbed a headlock. Orton hit a shoulderblock, then he grabbed a side mare and kept Cena in a headlock. Cena shoved it off and hit a drop toe hold, then went for an STFU, but Orton made the ropes. Orton decked Cena with a punch, then stomped Cena down on the mat. Orton hit some punches, and Cena sold it like he was totally dazed. Orton hit an uppercut, but Cena reversed a whip into the corner and hit a bulldog for a two count. Cena went for a backdrop, but Orton kicked it away and hit a forearm to the back of the head for a two count.
Cena hit some shots, but missed a flying forearm when Orton dropped down and crashed to the mat. Cena rolled to the apron and Orton hit a shoulderblock, sending Cena off the apron and head first into the announce table. Orton rolled Cena back into the ring for a two count. Orton applied a chinlock, more like a rear naked choke, and Cena began to slump to the mat. Cena got back to his feet and hit a back suplex to break out. Cena missed a charge and ran into the turnbuckles. Orton covered for a two count. Orton stomped Cena's left shin, then the right shin. Orton kept stomping Cena's extremities, but took his time between stomps. Orton stomped the side of Cena's head, but then missed a kneedrop after taking another long pause. Cena bounced off the ropes, but Orton hit a powerslam for a two count.
Orton applied a rear chinlock on the mat, as the fans were doing chants for both men again. Cena powered up and got out of the chinlock, but Orton nailed him with a dropkick for a two count. Cena and Orton traded punches, then Orton applied a sleeper. Cena tried to suplex out, but Orton turned it into a side mare and clamped on a side headlock. Orton rolled into a sleeper, and wrapped his legs around Cena with a bodyscissors. Cena got to his feet and rammed backwards into the corner to break the hold. Cena hit some punches and a pair of shoulderblocks. Cena hit a back suplex into a powerbomb, then did the "You Can't See Me" gesture. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop. Cena went for the FU, but Orton hit a pair of elbows to the head to break out of it, and then hit Cena with a side backbreaker. Cena rolled to the apron and Orton dragged Cena in, so Cena was hanging off the second rope by his feet. Orton hit a DDT and got a two count.
Orton began measuring Cena for the RKO. Cena slowly got up, and Orton went for it, but Cena shoved him into the ropes. Cena charged, but Orton dropped down and pulled down the top rope. Cena fell to the floor. Randy went after him on the outside and whipped him into the ringsteps. Orton rolled Cena back into the ring and covered for a two count. Orton ran into a Cena elbow. Cena hit a Throwback, although it ended up more like a hangman's neckbreaker. Cena went to the top rope, but Orton crotched him. Orton hit some forearms, then set up for a superplex. Cena blocked it and shoved Orton to the mat. Cena hit a top rope Rocker Dropper then went for an FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope. Orton pulled himself to the ring apron and then dropped down to the floor and pulled Cena throat first across the top rope.
Cena was down, and Orton measured Cena for the RKO again. Cena wasn't moving, so Orton instead prepared for the kick to the head. Cena started to move, and Orton went for the kick, but Cena dodged it, gave Orton a drop toe hold and applied the STFU. Orton struggled in the hold and made the bottom rope. Cena released the hold and staggered back. Cena moved forward and Orton grabbed him and hit the RKO. Orton held his knee, then crawled over to Cena and covered, but Cena kicked out at two. Orton went to pick Cena up off the mat, but Cena popped up and grabbed the FU for the pin at the twenty-one minute mark.
Winner: John Cena.
2008 - John Cena underwent neck surgery in Pittsburgh and shocked the WWE crew taping TV there by coming right to the Smackdown/ECW taping after surgery to visit.
2008 - B. Brian Blair defeated his primary opponent with approximately 64 percent of the votes in a primary election for County Commissioner in Hillsborough County in Tampa, FL.
2008 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Mike Odd filed the following TV report:
ECW starts with Tiffany introducing Teddy Long who proceeds to announce that anything Raw and Smackdown can do, ECW can do better so ECW will be having a Scramble match at Unforgiven and all the matches tonight will be qualifiers.
Match # 1
Matt Hardy vs. John Morrison
Hardy starts off with control, Morrison hits a neck breaker followed by a split legged corkscrew moonsault which he calls The Starship Pain. Hardy avoids that and hits a side effect for a 2 count. Hardy goes for The Twist of Fate, Morrison blocks and throws Hardy from the ring.
We go to commercial.
We come back with Hardy in a chinlock. We see during the break that Morrison threw Hardy into the steel steps. Hardy fights out of the chinlock but Morrison maintains control. Morrison hits a side Russian leg sweep and goes for The Moonlight Drive, Hardy counters, he attempts it again, and Hardy counters again. Morrison stays on the offense, catches Hardy in a sleeper hold, Hardy fights out, hits a bulldog for a 2 count, and hits an elbow off the 2nd rope. Hardy attempts a Twist of Fate, Morrison counters, Hardy attempts another Twist of Fate, and Morrison counters again. Morrison goes for a crucifix, Hardy counters for a ton of near falls culminating in a double clothesline that puts them both down. Morrison goes for The Moonlight Drive which Hardy fights out of and hits a Twist of Fate for the 3 count.
Winner - Matt Hardy
Mark Henry approaches Teddy Long in the back and says The Championship Scramble is not fair and Teddy tells him life is not fair.
We to to commercial.
Raw Rebound with Rey Mysterio replacing John Cena.
Match # 2
The Miz vs. Evan Bourne
Bourne starts the match off with a quick 2 count, Miz overpowers him, and Bourne fights back for another 2 count. Bourne puts Miz in a hammerlock, Miz gets to the ropes, and Bourne hits Miz with a powerslam for another two count. Bourne with an arm bar; Miz fights out but Bourne stays on the offense. Miz takes Bourne to the outside and rams him into the apron and throws Bourne back into the ring for a 2 count. Miz hits a reverse suplex and hooks Bourne in a scissor lock, Bourne powers out, hits a few high kicks and a hurricainrana for a 2 count. Bourne hits the standing moonsault a continues kicking Miz. Bourne goes for a top rope 'rana,Miz moves, Bourne bounces off the turnbuckle, and Miz hits The Reality Check for the 3 count.
Winner - The Miz
Chavo and Tommy Dreamer are shown walking to the ring split screen style.
We go to commercial.
Match # 3
Chavo vs. Tommy Dreamer
Dreamer with an early offense, Chavo uses his speed to fight back and catches Dreamer in an abdominal stretch. Chavo attempts an axe handle slam off the top rope, Dreamer counters and hits a bull dog for the 2 count. Dreamer hangs Chavo in The Tree of Woe and hits the drop kick. Dreamer attempts The Dreamer Driver and Bam Neely gets on the apron. Chavo uses the distraction to to counter Dreamer and hit The Frog Splash for the 3 count.
Winner - Chavo
Josh Matthews is shown at The Democratic National Convention with Batista and Candice Michelle.
We go to commercial.
Match # 4
Finlay vs. Mike Knox
During the entrances we see Knox attacking Finlay on Smackdown. Knox overpowers Finlay early on. Finlay throws Knox outside, Knox goes for a clothesline against the post but Finaly moves and Knox hits the ring post. They return to the ring as we go to commercial.
We come back to Finaly working over Mike Knox's arm, Mike Knox rolls out of the ring, Finlay gives chase, and Knox hits a powerslam on the floor. Back in the ring, Knox continues to beat down Finlay and Knox hits a big clothesline for a 2 count. Knox goes after Hornswaggle, Finaly clotheslines Knox outside of the ring, throws him back in and attempts The Celtic Cross. Mike Knox counters and hits a boot for 2. Finlay attempts to hit Knox with the shillelagh, Knox counters, the ref takes the shillelagh away and Hornswaggle throws a 2nd shillelagh to Finlay which he uses to hit Knox for the 3 count.
Winner - Finlay
This was a fantastic episode of ECW and this report does it absolutely no justice. If you missed it, go out of your way to check out the replay tomorrow on WWE.com.
2009 - Ian Rotten's IWA Mid-South Wrestling, which had been running on the brink of death (and had teased it was closing up shop prior to this) for some time, officially announced today that they would be shutting down all operations following a final show scheduled for this Friday 8/28.
According to the announcement, the planned Ted Petty Invitational Tournament next month has been canceled.
Rotten formed the promotion in 1996 after departing Extreme Championship Wrestling in the fall of 1995. The promotion was first built around crazier death match style main events using the likes of Madman Pondo, Cpl. Robinson and Rotten himself but also became a breeding ground for a number of strong talents ranging from CM Punk to Chris Hero to Colt Cabana to Nigel McGuinness prior to those talents heading into more prominent roles on the independent scene and national companies.
Controversy often followed the promotion, which would move out of its original home in Louisville, Kentucky to different areas of Illinois and Indiana. There was often a backlash from communities about the bloody product that was often the norm for the earlier days of the promotion, although over time there was a lot of extremely strong in-ring wrestling that led to the product doing well for itself via DVD sales through Smart Mark Video.
In a lot of ways, there were two sides to the promotion, one of which was great wrestling, which was showcased by the Ted Petty Invitational and the other, blood and guts and dangerous gimmick matches, which were showcased by different Tournament of Death style events. Neither ever drew huge crowds (it was commonplace to watch a DVD of a show and see 20-80 people at some events) but the DVD sales helped the company struggle on.
There had been financial issues for some time (which was well known) and at different points Rotten had threatened he was close to being done and/or announced they were closing.
2010 - TheDay.com featured comments from Harley McNaught, the father of the late Lance "Cade" McNaught, who passed away several weeks ago at the age of 29, responding to Linda McMahon's statements about Lance.
"I've been with him on two different WWE functions where she came up to him and knew him by name. She disrespected him," McNaught said. "She disrespected my family."
Linda McMahon claimed to media that she "may have met him once" in regard to Cade.
The article also featured quotes from Lance Cade's interviews regarding his own steroid use and subsequent claims that he was fired from WWE after asking for help via the company's Wellness Program, culled from an April 2010 interview with this website and another with Kenny Bolin on Tommy Fierro's Who's Slamming Who website.
Ed Patru of Linda McMahon's political campaign commented, "WWE has nearly 600 employees and about 140 performers, and I think it's understandable that Linda may not recollect every interaction she's had, particularly given the fact that she's personally met with thousands of voters since resigning her position at WWE in September. Linda's a very kind and sympathetic person, but she is human."
Patru noted that her comments "certainly wasn't Linda's intent to diminish any additional interaction she may have had."
Harley McNaught commented that Lance, "would have cut his arm off for Vince McMahon, but it wasn't there in return. [Vince] don't care any more than the man in the moon for them, other than as dollar signs."
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact on SpikeTV. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We open with a video recap of the formation of Fortune, their attacks on nearly everyone in TNA, and Dixie Carter's announcement of EV2.0 getting contracts, followed by Abyss interfering in last week's AJ Styles-Tommy Dreamer match. We then go backstage to Eric Bischoff pleading with Dixie Carter to be able to go out to the ring with her, but Dixie refusing because she wants to do this herself.
We head out to the ring where Dixie Carter, complete with her own entrance music, comes out with a microphone. Oh, and by the way, in case you didn't know, you can follow Dixie Carter on Twitter! Dixie says that a lot of great things have happened since she's been involved with TNA, but there have been challenges as well, and it's through these challenges that TNA has become stronger and become a family. She talks about far outlasting the critics' predictions, the countless people who have helped build TNA into what it is today, and she vowed back then that she would never let anyone or anything hurt this company, and she plans to keep that promise. She calls Ric Flair out to the ring for a stern talking to. So Cal Val, who they sorely need to get on TV more, holds the ropes open for Flair. Flair tells Dixie that she is drop dead gorgeous, almost to the point of being sultry, and he suggests they go back to the hotel and resolve this like two grown adults. Dixie says that she was excited when Flair came to TNA because he said he was going to be a leader and help coach the young guys in the locker room, and he has failed them. Hulk and Bischoff said Flair was no good, and she didn't want to believe them, but his actions since Hardcore Justice have been deplorable. Dixie respects Flair's legendary status, but Flair will be treated the same as every man and woman in the back, and unfortunately, she's suspending Flair for 90 days without pay. Dixie asks if she's suspending Fortune too, and she says no, only him. Flair responds by saying that he and Fortune are as one, and calls Fortune out to the ring. They come out in suits and join Flair in the ring. Flair says these are some of the greatest professional wrestlers Flair has ever seen, and Dixie says she agrees, but they were all with her building TNA before Flair came to TNA. Dixie asks if this is Flair's idea of mentoring, and AJ points to the TV Title belt as proof of the value of Flair's guidance. Dixie says that while Flair is sidelined, Fortune will all be wrestling but he won't be with them. Flair is aghast at being put on the sidelines, and takes his jacket off and says that he's going to show her what Naitchin' is all about. Suddenly Dixie's husband jumps in the ring and gets his ass kicked. Hogan's music hits and he comes out with Angle, Jardy, Anderson, and Pope, and Hogan says to tell his boys to let Mr Carter go or he's going to stick his size 15 up Flair's ass. Flair doesn't back down, so Hogan and company surround the ring. Hogan gets in the ring and tells Flair that the smartest thing for his guys to do is listen to him: when Hogan started in TNA, he promised that they would run the company 50-50, and now that Dixie Carter is up to her neck in crap, he's going to override her and unsuspend Flair. After Fortune beat him down last week, that would be way too easy because Flair has really pissed him off. One thing Flair needs to realize is that his guys are the whole show and the real TNA. Flair says his guys are taking over, and they're going to do it on his terms and it won't be tonight. Hogan asks why, and Flair says it's because he's not ready. Hogan says if Flair doesn't want to do it tonight, then why not put four of his guys up against his four tonight? Gee, I wonder who's going to win this match? As Flair and Fortune make their way up the ramp, EV2.0 comes running out and brawl with Fortune.
We go to commercial, and when we come back we see a recap of the opening segment, and then we go backstage to Kurt Angle, who says that the TNA World Title is the most important thing to the four of them, but tonight it's about TNA. The opportunities Dixie, Hulk and Bischoff have given to them are important, and they're going to kick Fortune's asses.
Let's head to the ring for our opening match...
Orlando Jordan vs Samoa Joe
Orlando Jordan molests a Samoa Joe action figure on his way to the ring, then grabs So Cal Val and fondles her as well. Joe goes right to work on Jordan, repeatedly punching him in the face and then beating him down in the corner. Joe charges in with a running forearm and a standing enziguiri, then locks in the Kokina Clutch but Jordan rams him into the corner...and lapdances him. Jordan uses the distraction to catch him with a back elbow and unload with punches and kicks. Jordan continues the assault and whips Joe into the ropes, catching him coming off with a back elbow, and then takes him to the corner where he goes up with a corner mount, but instead of punching him, he grabs the Joe action figure off the ringpost and licks it. This infuriates Joe, who absolutely decimates Jordan with a series of big moves, then sets Jordan up in the corner and hits the Muscle Buster for three.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Jeff Jarrett's music hits after the match, and he comes out and joins Joe in the ring. We'll find out what's on Jeff Jarrett's mind...after this commercial break!
We're back, and Jeff Jarrett says it's been five years since Joe joined TNA, and Jarrett knew from the first time he saw Joe on the independent scene that he wanted him in TNA. Jarrett says everyone knows it, he's come a long way in five years, and Jarrett feels like he's been a big part of that. He's not out here to ask Joe any favors, but is proposing that tonight, Joe be in Jarrett's corner when he takes on Kevin Nash. He says that Sting and Nash are trying to tear down what they all built, and they're all about greed and they're pissed off because they're not the top dogs anymore. Jarrett says that he'll take care of Nash in the match, and asks Joe if he'll take care of Sting if he gets involved in the match. Joe takes a mic from So Cal Val and says that Jarrett needs to understand that Joe doesn't choose sides because he doesn't have to, and Joe only knows how to play for one team: his own. Joe walks off and Kevin Nash's music hits. I guess we're going right into our next match...
Jeff Jarrett vs Kevin Nash
Nash grabs a chair from ringside, but Jarrett steps on it, so Nash grabs him by the ankle and drags him to the floor and whips him into the guardrail and into the crowd. Nash rams Jarrett into the ring apron, then the stairs, and then rolls Jarrett into the ring. Nash continues pounding on Jarrett with big right hands, then sends him into the corner and rams knees into his gut. Nash follows that up with his patented back elbows in the corner, and I bet he'll choke him with his boot next...YEP, THERE IT IS! Nash goes to grab his chair, but the referee takes it away, so Nash takes the turnbuckle pad off the corner and tries to ram Jarrett into it, but Jarrett reverses and rams Nash into the exposed turnbuckle instead, then catches him with a flying elbow off the second rope. He goes up for a second, but Nash catches him with a goozle and rams him into the exposed turnbuckle, and then follows that with a chokeslam for a very close 2. Jarrett ducks a clothesline and gets a sleeper, but Nash rams Jarrett into the exposed turnbuckle AGAIN...oh wait, the referee got caught in there and he went into the turnbuckle. Jarrett rams Nash into the turnbuckle again and hits the Stroke, but there's no ref to count. Instead, Sting comes in to try and help out by nailing Jarrett with his bat a couple of times and leave him laying. Nash crawls over and covers Jarrett, and the referee conveniently revives just in time to make the three count.
Winner: Kevin Nash
Sting comes back in the ring and goes after Jarrett again, but now Hogan's music hits and...oh, it's Eric Bischoff. Bischoss asks if this is really what Sting's come to and if this is how far he's fallen. He says Nash couldn't handle Jarrett, so Sting came out. Sting says he wants Hogan, but Bischoff says Hogan is busy, and then asks if Hogan is what Sting really wants, and to be careful what you wish for, because once in a while you might get it. Bischoff says Sting isn't man enough to understand that, and...ah, Hogan comes out of the crowd with a chair and nails Sting from behind, then grabs Sting's bat and chases Nash off.
We go backstage to Hogan and Tommy Dreamer, and Hogan says that whether they like it or not, they're on the same side. Hogan asks Dreamer to take out Abyss tonight, and Dreamer says he'll do it.
Beer Money vs Tony Luke & Guido Maritato
Beer Money immediately jump the FBI and just destroy them with a series of double team moves. Storm chokes Guido on the ropes and then beats him down in the corner. Storm hits Guido with an enziguiri and then Roode lays him out with a lariat and sucker punches Tony off the ring apron. Guido starts firing back, but Roode gets a full nelson slam. Guido gets a small package out of nowhere for 2, and then makes the hot tag to Tony Luke, who comes off the top rope and gets caught in a spinebuster. Beer Money hit him with the DWI and that's all she wrote.
Winners: Beer Money
Guido attacks Roode after the match and Storm cracks the beer bottle over his head. Roode picks Tony Luke up and holds him so Storm can superkick his head off, then Storm grabs a piece of the broken glass and gouges Guido's head open with it. They pick Guido up and just drill him with the DWI before flashing the Fortune sign.
Angelina Love and Velvet Sky are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
Dreamer is backstage and asks the rest of EV2.0 if they saw what just happened to the FBI, and that Hogan wants Abyss' head on a stick tonight. Stevie Richards says if that's what he wants, he's got it.
We head back out to the Impact Zone, and Angelina Love and Velvet Sky make their way out to the ring. Angelina says that they've both made a lot of mistakes, and she felt like when they went their separate ways, something was missing, and Angelina knows that she's not always a perfect little angel, and she can be a pretty mean bitch, but she does value their friendship and thinks they should just forgive and forget. Velvet takes the mic and says there's no sense in rehashing the past, especially with that monster they created in Madison Rayne, and they should let bygones be bygones so they can again dominate the Knockounts division. Velvet says holler and they hug. The Beautiful People music plays again, and out comes Madison Rayne on the bike with Dumpy Ass. The two of them get in the ring and Madison says that if she weren't such a lady, she would barf in the ring right now. Madison says she's going to sue both of them for copyright infringement for coming out to her song and referring to themselves as the Beautiful People. She's the only beautiful person in the ring right now, and she's all natural unlike those two silicone whores. (her words, not mine) Madison first tells Angelina that she doesn't know if the botox went to her brain, but it was Angelina who brought her to TNA because the Beautiful People needed some class. And to Velvet Sky, Madison wants her to know that she is and has always been one thing, and that's her little bitch. Velvet flips out and attacks Madison Rayne, and Dumpy Ass tries to intervene, but Angelina goes after her until Overzealous Security Inc runs out to pull them apart, but they break free and the brawl breaks out again.
Backstage, the Motor City Machine Guns show off the copy of Rock Band that they got for free, then talk about their match tonight with Generation Me and other teams breathing down their necks and trying to follow in their footsteps. They're going to relax a bit, and then go out for their match...next!
Earlier today, Brutus Magnus and Desmond Wolfe are coming into the mall to look for some new threads. Chelsea wants to stop and get some food, but Desmond says no because she ate yesterday. Brutus hands his no limit credit card to Chelsea, who decides to wander off and do some shopping of her own.
Back to the ring for our next match...
TNA World Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns vs Generation Me
This ought to be good. Jeremy and Sabin start and Jeremy gets a quick rollup right off the bat but only gets 1. Sabin fires Jeremy into the ropes and takes him down with a shoulderblock. Jeremy responds with a drop toehold and la magistral cradle for 2. Sabin sends Jeremy into the ropes but Jeremy made a blind tag and Gen Me with a double hiptoss and double dropkick for 2. Sabin and Max reverse waistlocks and Sabin gets a blind tag and the MCMG hit a series of double team moves on Max. Shelley with a kick to the ribs of Max and a big slam, then gets a half crab while stepping on Max's face. The ref counts even though that isn't technically illegal, so the MCMG with another double team and Sabin covers for 2. Sabin rams Max into Shelley's boot, then tags Shelley in, and Shelley with a snapmare and kneedrop for 2, then keep going for the cover a couple more times but can't get the fall, so instead he gets a three quarter nelson. Sabin tags in, but Max is able to fight his way clear and roll into his corner to make the hot tag to Jeremy, who comes in and cleans house on Sabin with dropkicks. Shelley kicks Jeremy from the outside, but Jeremy nails him and Jeremy with a springboard X-Factor for 2. Gen Me with an amazing assisted springboard moonsault onto the MCMG on the floor, and Max hits Sabin with a spear as he gets back in the ring and then Gen Me with a moonsault/splash combo on Sabin and they go for More Bang For Your Buck, but Sabin holds onto Jeremy and Max moonsaults onto him. Shelley with a double stomp on Jeremy, a lungblower on Max, and the Skull and Crossbones for the win.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
The two teams shake after the match and they all raise their hands in a nice show of sportsmanship.
Backstage, Ric Flair is ranting that he and Fortune don't take orders from anyone, and his guys are the heart and soul of this company, and tonight they find out why Fortune is TNA. Sting and Nash come up from behind and Sting chokes Flair with his bat, and he says that after they get done with the big problem around here, they're coming for him.
We go to a bizarre video package that just informs us that The Shore is coming soon.
Coming up at No Surrender, AJ Styles faces Tommy Dreamer in an I Quit Match, the Motor City Machine Guns defend the TNA World Tag Team Title against London Brawling: Brutus Magnus and Desmond Wolfe, as well as the semifinals of the TNA World Title Tournament, and...wait a minute, something's going on backstage! We go to the back where Stevie Richards is attacking Abyss backstage. Richards gets the early upper hand, drilling Abyss with rights and ramming him into a crate backstage, but Abyss tosses Richards into some garbage pails backstage and stomps him out before choking him with his boot. Abyss asks Richards if he wants to join his buddy RVD, and Richards says "screw you!" and Abyss goes "screw this!" as he continues to pound on Richards. Abyss grabs Janice and swings it at Richards, but Richards moves and starts firing back on Abyss. Richards tosses him into some segments of guardrail backstage and chokes him, but Abyss fights back and then rams him into a table. Abyss tells Richards to tell the rest of the EV2.0 guys that what happened to RVD is going to happen to them.
We're at commercial!
Okay, now we're back from commercial, and Rhino is in the ring calling out Abyss. Abyss comes out with Janice and Rhino goes right after him when he makes it to ringside. Rhino pounds Abyss and rams him into the ring steps, and then he goes for the Gore but Abyss boots him in the face and then begins unloading with rights of his own. Rhino fires back, but Abyss whips him into the guardrail and they continue trading blows past the Spanish broadcast table and Abyss goes to chokeslam him onto the table, but Rhino fights out and they end up on a ramp and Rhino rams Abyss into the scaffolding. Rhino sets for the Gore and this time he hits it. He seems to have done something to his ankle on that one.
We go backstage to Fortune, and AJ Styles talks about how he built this company, and these guys with him are his guys. It was AJ that gave Dixie the opportunity because he made this company and he made Dixie, and if he has to he'll tear it down too.
It's main event time!
AJ Styles, Frankie Kazarian, Matt Morgan & Douglas Williams vs Kurt Angle, The Pope, Ken Anderson & Jeff Hardy
The bell rings and Anderson and Kazarian tie up. They trade wristlocks but Kazarian smacks Anderson in the face, then comes off the ropes with a shoulderblock. Anderson responds with a hiptoss, slam, and then slaps Kazarian in the face and tags in Pope, but Kazarian goes to the eyes and tags in AJ, who comes off the ropes and eats a flying forearm from Pope. Pope with a series of Dusty Rhodes elbows and a double axhandle for 2. AJ rams Pope into the corner and tags in Williams, who nails Pope and then tags Kazarian back in. Kazarian beats him up and tags in AJ, who lays in a series of chops, then gets a snapmare and indy kick to the back. AJ tags in Morgan and Morgan says he wants Hardy, so Pope obliges and tags out to Hardy. Hardy with a duck under into a waistlock, but Morgan just shrugs him off and tosses him into the corner, but Jardy dodges a charge and just beats Morgan down in the corner, then comes off the ropes with a forearm, but AJ grabs Hardy's leg from the floor, allowing Morgan to take Hardy out with a clothesline. Morgan chokes Hardy in the corner and tags in AJ, who slams Hardy and comes off the ropes with the Fancy Kneedrop for 2. Morgan tags back in and gets the rapid fire elbows in the corner, then gets a big vertical suplex for 2. Williams tags in and just barely manages to hot shot Hardy on the top rope, and then Flair trips Hardy from the outside and pulls him out to the floor where he kicks him in the groin. Hardy makes it back in the ring where Williams hits a kneedrop for 2, then gets a three quarter nelson. Williams lets him go and comes off the ropes, but Hardy with a clothesline and he makes the hot tag to Kurt Angle, who comes in and cleans house on the heels. It's Angle and Kazarian, and Angle with a German Suplex and then locks in the Ankle Lock, but AJ off the top rope with a flying clothesline, and then everyone comes in and starts hitting their big moves on everyone, ending with Angle hitting the Angle Slam on Kazarian, but he didn't notice Pope tagging himself in, and Pope runs in and steals the fall on Kazarian.
Winners: Kurt Angle, The Pope, Ken Anderson, and Jeff Hardy
Pope and Angle get in each other's faces, but not for long as Fortune all run in and lay the faces out. AJ and Storm set up a table at ringside and are about to put Hardy through it, but EV2.0 run out and go after Fortune, returning the favor for last week's attack. Sabu puts Williams on the table and comes off the apron, putting Williams through the table with an Arabian Facebuster as we go off the air.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week with the Raw brand and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
Match Number One: Goldust versus ‘The 2008 King of the Ring’ William Regal
They lock up and Goldust with a side head lock and shoulder tackle followed by a quick cover for a near fall. Goldust with a side head lock take down but Regal with a wrist lock on Goldust. Goldust reverses and turns it into a hammer lock. Regal gets to the ropes and he wants Goldust to release the hold. Regal and Goldust with a Greco Roman Knuckle lock but Regal with a hammer lock on Goldust and Goldust gets to the ropes. Goldust with elbows but Regal with a kick and a knee drop. Regal with an arm wringer that sends Goldust into the corner. Regal with a European uppercut followed by an arm bar take down and a knee drop to the biceps. Goldust with a side head lock and misses a cross body and goes to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Goldust suplexes Regal from the apron back into the ring. Goldust with a punch and then he mounts Regal in the corner and finishes it with an uppercut. Regal begs for mercy from Goldust and Goldust thinks about it and stomps on his hand. Regal with an Irish whip and forearm to the head. Regal with a knee drop to the head and he gets a near fall. Regal with a few more near falls but Goldust kicks out. Regal with forearms to the head and a rear chin lock. Goldust with a punch but Regal with European uppercuts followed by a kick and he gets another near fall. Regal with a key lock on Goldust and he turns it into a reverse chin lock. Goldust with a punch but Regal with one too. Goldust with uppercuts while Regal with punches of his own. Goldust staggers Regal with punches and then he hits the drop down uppercut and a clothesline. Goldust with another clothesline and a punch followed by a bulldog for a near fall. Regal drops Goldust on the top rope and then Regal with a running knee to the head and he gets the three count.
Winner: William Regal
It is time to take a look back at the Rookie Jeopardy segment from NXT.
We go to commercial.
We are back with photos from the Chinese tour by the Raw brand.
It is the Smackdown part of the show and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
Match Number Two: Curt Hawkins and Vance Archer versus Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft
Archer and Barreta start off and they lock up and Trent is sent to the mat. Archer backs Trent to the corner and Curt is tagged in and he punches him. Hawkins with an Irihs whip but Trent with a baseball slide and a drop kick. Croft tags in and they hit a double punch and tehn they send Curt to the mat. Croft with a leg drop for a near fall. Archer tags back in and Archer with punches and a forearm to the back. Archer misses a short arm clothesline and Croft with a drop kick to the knee. Croft punches Hawkins on the apron but that allows Archer to clothesline Croft over the top rope to the floor. Hawkins tags in and he runs Croft into the apron. Hawkins with a near fall. Hawkins with a chin lock. Croft with punches but Hawkins trips Croft and gets a near fall. Hawkins sends Croft into Archer’s boot. Archer sends Hawkins into the corner and he connects with Croft. Archer with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Archer chokes Croft in the ropes and then Hawkins kicks him in the head. Archer with a clothesline and he gets another near fall. Archer with a chin lock but Croft with a jawbreaker. Archer misses a charge into the corner and Croft is able to tag in Barreta.
Trent with punches and then he connects with a sdouble sledge and a knee into the corner. Barreta goes to the apron and hits a springboard drop kick to the back and he gets a near fall. All four men are in the ring and Croft sends Hawkins to the floor. Archer with a boot that sends Croft to the floor. Archer with a forearm to Barreta and then Trent hits a tornado DDT for the three count.
Winners: Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft
We go to commercial.
We are back and in case you missed it, Undertaker will be on Smackdown tomorrow.
It is time for the Raw Rebound with the greatest ten seconds in Zack Ryder’s life.
Match Number Three: Drew McIntyre versus Chris Masters
They lock up and Masters backs Drew into the corner and Drew pushes him out of the corner. They lock up again and Drew works on the arm and wrist. Masters reverses but Drew with a forearm and a front face lock. Masters tries for the Master Lock but Drew gets to the ropes. Drew with a kick and forearm to the back. Drew with punches and kicks in the corner and the referee warns Drew. Masters takes his turn and he chops Drew followed by forearms. Drew runs into a boot from Masters and Masters with a flying shoulder tackle form the turnbuckles and then he clotheslines Drew over the top rope to the floor.
Masters goes to the floor and he connects with a forearm to Drew and then he tries to send Drew into the ring post but Drew escapes and he sends Masters into the post. Drew sends the leg into the ring post and he wants the referee to count Masters out. Masters rolls back in and Drew kicks Masters and he drops elbows to the injured leg. Drew with a boot to the knee and then he gets a near fall. Masters with punches followed by a chop. Drew with a kick to the injured knee and head and he gets a near fall. Drew continues to work on the knee as he also works on the ankle. Masters with a punch to get out of the hold but he cannot walk to the corner. Drew with a kick to the leg followed by a dragon screw leg whip and we go to commercial as Drew plans his next area to attack.
We are back and Masters is being choked in the ropes while Drew continues to work on the leg. Masters is unable to get up but Masters fights off McIntyre with his good leg. Drew with a drop kick to the knee as Masters goes back to the mat and Drew gets another near fall. Drew with a kick to the head and then he stomps on the hand. Drew with a European uppercut and Masters goes to the mat again. Drew with a kick to the hamstring and then he drives the leg into the mat. Drew with a spinning toe hold on McIntyre and Drew gets a near fall. Drew with a kick to the leg and then Masters sends Drew to the floor. Masters with a desperation Samoan drop but Masters still struggles to stay on his feet for more than a few seconds. Masters with an elbow and kicks from the corner followed by a running clothesline and back elbow. Masters with a spinebuster and he gets a near fall. Masters with a chop. Drew with a neck breaker after Masters collapses on an Irish whip. Drew gets a near fall and then he stomps on the knee. Drew takes off the knee pad and Drew stomps on the knee again. McIntyre sets for the Future Shock but Masters with an inside cradle for a near fall. Drew with a kick but he runs into a power slam and Masters tries to set for the Master Lock. Drew blocks the Master Lock and they go through the ropes to the floor. Masters has Drew in the Master Lock on the floor but Drew backs Masters into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Drew with a kick to the knee and Drew with the Future Shock DDT for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
2011 - TNA Knockout Cookie was released by the company.
2011 - Former WWE stars Luke Gallows and Cliff "Domino" Compton were scheduled to tour and work cards in Nigeria but found their shows canceled following a bombing of a United Nations building in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja that left at least 20 dead. The entire ordeal ended up creating something of a cult following for Compton after he shared the story with fans online.
2011 - Hunico began performing as Sin Cara while WWE toyed with releasing the original Cara. In the end, the original was brought back, setting the stage for a feud between the two. Ironically, the original Cara had replaced Hunico as Mistico in Mexico.
2011 - Donna Christanello, who was a top flight performer in The Fabulous Moolah's troupe of female pro wrestlers and worked for WWF as well as number of other promotions, passed away. Christanello was found at home in Pittsburgh, PA and it is believed that the cause of death was a heart attack. She was 69 years old.
Discovered working as a waitress in a restaurant by several male wrestlers, Christanello was recruited and eventually made her way to The Fabulous Moolah's training center in South Carolina. From there she was a regular part of Moolah's troupe, being booked around the world by Moolah during the time period that Moolah controlled the flow and booking of much of the female wrestling scene.
Christanello held the first recognized WWF Tag Team championships with Toni Rose. The duo actually won the belts in 1970 when they were billed as the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship. The belts were defended in several different territories and promotions across the country and eventually were changed to the WWF distinction.
Christanello made one lone PPV appearance, working on Sherri Martel's team against a team of female babyfaces led by The Fabulous Moolah at the first Survivor Series PPV in November 1987.
Christanello had a hand in training a number of female stars, including the late Sherri Martel. In recent years, she had been working for the Wal-Mart corporation in their accounting department.
Our deepest condolences to Christanello's family, friends and fans.
The Keystone State Wrestling Alliance in Pennsylvania posted the following remembrance of Christanello:
The greatest female professional wrestler Western Pennsylvania ever produced, and one of its most sincere souls, has died.
Donna Christiantello, who could still command respect and admiration from a room full of pro wrestling fans (and wrestlers alike) in 2011, was 69.
In the heyday of when women could brawl with the best of men--and still look fetching in a swim suit--there were few who could emote or grapple like Donna. Christiantello worked alongside the biggest names ever in women's professional wrestling--Leilani Kai, Peggy Lee, The Fabulous Moolah, Wendi Richter--and helped pave roads for today's Divas and Knockouts.
But through it all, Donna Christiantello was a woman who loved the world's greatest sport. In 2010, Donna was deservedly selected to be the first female inducted into the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) Hall of Fame. The designation was kept secret to her, as the legendary Dominic DeNucci was advertised and promoted as that year's inductee. During the induction ceremony, Donna's family held tight as a video featuring Christiantello started to play on a big projector screen. Christiantello, hands folded on her lap, smiled from ear-to-ear and started to talk with her family.
DeNucci came out and hugged his friend and two of Pittsburgh's classiest legends were inducted into Pittsburgh's pro wrestling Hall of Fame.
After that moment, people slowly walked over to Donna and she kept court as wrestling fans, young and old, stopped to say hello. Little girls, with show flyers in hand, walked up for an autograph. Donna smiled and had a quiet, warm word for each.
Christiantello would later attend several KSWA events as a fan, customarily in the front row. Every time she would be introduced from the ring and she'd stand and wave. Pittsburgh pro wrestling royalty. Slowly more fans would walk over to greet her and ask for autographs.
Clearly, Donna enjoyed the recognition. As well she should.
Donna Christiantello was a villain after such talent as Wendi Richter. There's a Youtube video in which Richter and Lee take on Susan Starr and Christiantello in tag team competition. Christiantello paces as the ring announcer makes his introduction. She's a caged tigress, ready to pounce. And tellingly, Christiantello is introduced last, a custom long-used to showcase the biggest name in the match. She wasn't. Richter, a former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, was the most popular wrestler that day, but that didn't matter. Christiantello was as good as anyone in that or any other day. She could lay a forearm smash perfectly and with vicious veracity. Later, she helped train Sensational Sherri Martel, one of the biggest personalities ever in the women's division.
In recent years Christiantello would routinely travel to pro wrestling Hall of Fame events and often be the hit of the festivities. Along with Martel, Donna even welcomed her real-life niece Marie Minor (ring name Angie Minelli) into the rough-and-tumble world of professional wrestling. The often attended wrestling shows together. They were inseparable.
Select KSWA Megastars get teary-eyed when they talk about Donna and how her spirit touched them as a friend and mentor, although they didn't know her for a long time. Some remained close friends with her to her final days. KSWA Megastar Shawn Blanchard, who would talk with Donna often, said her last words to him were, "I love you."
Donna Christiantello (Alfonsi) wrestled from 1963 to 1991. She and Toni Rose comprised the then-WWWF's first women's tag team champions. Christiantello also held a host of other titles, mostly as a tag team wrestler.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with a look at the Battle Royal from last week that saw Mark Henry become the new number one contender for Randy Orton’s World Heavyweight Title.
We are live on tape from Calgary . . . Alberta, Canada and your announcers are Josh ‘I’m wearing pink tonight’ Mathews, Michael ‘Why are people yelling at me, I’m still wearing my Oilers jersey from Monday’ Cole, and Booker ‘Why is there a 55 yard line here’ T.
Since we are in Calgary, we start off with Bret Hart making his way to the ring. Josh is excited to see Bret and so is Booker, but Cole is bored at Bret’s presence in the ring.
Bret says that due to unforeseen circumstances, Teddy Long will not be able to appear tonight so Triple H appointed him the special guest general manager of Smackdown tonight. He says that there will be a live Super Smackdown with Raw and Smackdown superstars on the same show. Bret says that the best part is going to be the main event. The Number One Contender Mark Henry will face Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship.
That announcement brings out one of eastern Canada’s favorite sons Christian out. Christian tells Bret that he wants to make something perfectly clear to Bret and the entire world. Christian says that it wasn’t his fault that he lost at SummerSlam. He blames one person and that is Bret’s friend Edge. Christian says that he couldn’t concentrate after the things that Edge said to him so it cost him the World Heavyweight Championship.
Christian says that everyone seems excited that Bret is the guest General Manager tonight, but Christian reminds Bret that as the former World Heavyweight Champion, he is entitled to an immediate rematch and he gets one more match. Christian says that he wants that match on Tuesday’s live Smackdown.
Bret says that he has noticed that he doesn’t listen to his friend’s advice because he thought that Edge said something very important. He told Christian to stop being a crybaby because Christian is becoming an embarrassment to his friends, his family, the WWE Universe, the World Title, and worst of all, he is becoming an embarrassment to Canada.
Bret tells Christian to do everyone and especially himself a favor and grow a set of gennies and be a man. He tells Christian to start at the bottom and work his way up like a man.
Christian asks Bret about his comments not to embarrass himself and then Christian decides to turn the tables on Bret. He says embarrassing is people like Bret and people like Edge unable to cope with the fact that when their career is over, it is really over. He points out Bret’s leather jacket and his greasy hair like he is twenty-five years old. He tells Bret to let it go. Christian says that he hopes that Edge is hearing this too. Maybe they cannot stand the fact that he is the only Canadian who is still relevant in the WWE. Christian says that he figured that Bret would have the same business acumen as Teddy Long so he brought something with him. Christian has a note for Bret to read.
Christian tells Bret that it is a court ordered legal document created by his legal team stating that no WWE Superstar will have a championship match before Christian.
Bret says that he cannot fight the law and it looks like Christian has a World Title match next week.
Christian wants Bret to confirm that he has the title match. Bret says that the big question is the type of match for the guy who has nothing but excuses. Bret announces that next week, we will have a steel cage match so there will be no more excuses for Christian.
Christian tells Bret that he can’t do this.
Mark Henry’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Mark tells Bret that he has been with this company for fifteen years and he still has to deal with this blatant disrespect. Mark reminds everyone that he earned his title opportunity last week and if he doesn’t get it, somebody’s gonna get hurt around this place.
Bret starts to say something but Mark tells Bret not to speak until he tells him something. Mark says that he wants the winner of the cage match. He says that as much as what Bret has done for this industry, he cannot be held responsible when he gets angry. He doesn’t know what he might do to Bret or anyone else.
Bret wants to know if Mark is trying to intimidate him.
Mark says that he doesn’t have to intimidate anyone.
Sheamus’ music plays and he makes his way to the ring, but on his way, he has a story for the fella. Sheamus talks about his Uncle Mick O’Connor used to own a farm. On that farm he had a mean, ugly black bull. It was so mean it would chase the other farm animals away. His uncle had enough so he had the bull castrated. Sheamus says that he doesn’t want to have to do that to Mark.
Sheamus comes into the ring and he goes after Mark and he hits him with a series of double sledges to the head and eventually Henry goes to the floor and walks away and he will wait for their match later tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and before our first match, we have a Daniel Bryan video package.
Match Number One: Christian versus Daniel Bryan
They lock up and Christian with a side head lock and he misses a kick when Christian holds on to the ropes. Christian with a kick and slap to the face. Christian with an Irish whip and a monkey flip but Bryan lands on his feet and he hits a Dragon Screw Leg whip followed by a running drop kick into the corner and he gets a near fall.
Christian with a slap and then he slingshots to the floor but Bryan knows what is coming next and he blocks the uppercut. Bryan with a kick to Christian and he sets for the suicide dive and he hits it and both men are down. Bryan returns Christian into the ring and he tries for a surfboard and he applies it to Christian and then he gets a near fall. Bryan with a European uppercut followed by an Irish whip but he runs into boots from Christian. Christian kicks Bryan but Bryan with a series of kicks. Bryan misses a charge into the corner and Christian hits a pendulum kick and then he sends Bryan over the top rope to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Christian with a snap mare and he works on Bryan’s neck. Bryan gets to his feet and he connects with elbows. Christian with a back elbow for a near fall. Christian chokes Bryan with his boot. Bryan punches Christian and connects with a few European uppercuts, but Christian with a kick and he sends Bryan over the top rope but Bryan lands on the apron. Bryan goes up top but Christian stops him momentarily. Bryan knocks Christian off and then he hits a missile drop kick and both men are down.
Bryan rolls over to get a near fall with a single arm cover. Bryan with another series of European uppercuts and a flying clothesline. Bryan with kicks to the chest but he misses the round kick. Bryan misses a charge into the corner and Christian tries for another pendulum kick but Bryan knows what is coming and he blocks the kick. He keeps Christian in the ropes and he kicks Christian in the back and then he hits a knee drop from the second ropes while Christian is in the ropes and Bryan gets a near fall.
Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock but Christian with an arm drag to escape. Christian with a drop toe hold that sends Bryan into the ropes and then Christian chokes Bryan by standing on his back. Christian slingshots to the floor and he connects with an uppercut. Christian with a back elbow from the turnbuckles and then Christian sets for the spear but Bryan with a kick to the head. Bryan misses a moonsault when he is a little off target and Christian with a kick followed by a springboard sunset flip but Bryan rolls through and he kicks Christian in the head.
Bryan gets a near fall on Christian. Bryan puts Christian on the top turnbuckle and then he goes up top for a super hurricanrana but Christian holds on to the top rope and he hits a tornado DDT but he can only get a near fall. Christian yells at Bryan and he sets for the Killswitch but Bryan counters with the LeBell Lock and he applies it but Christian gets his foot on the rope. Bryan misses the running drop kick into the corner when Christian moves out of the way and he hits the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian
We go to commercial.
We are back and Wade Barrett is in the ring with his opponent. He says that he has orchestrated attacks on everybody from John Cena to the Chairman of this company to living breathing legends themselves. He says that he has shaken the WWE to its very foundations on more than one occasion. He calls this an insult to himself saying that it is beneath him to face a dreg such as the man who stands across the ring from him. Barrett walks out of the ring and to the back.
Booker and Cole both agree with what Barrett said and did.
It is time for the Raw Rebound.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Sin Cara versus Heath Slater
Slater attacks Cara before the match and then he punches and kicks him. Slater with a slam but misses a knee drop. Cara with a head scissors take down followed by a drop kick into the corner and he hits a cannonball into the corner. Cara goes to the apron for a springboard head butt and he gets a near fall.
Slater punches Cara and then he sends Slater to the apron and then he sends Slater to the floor with a drop kick. Cara goes up top for a cross body onto Slater. Cara rolls Slater back into the ring and hits a springboard senton followed by a quebrada for the three count.
Winner: Sin Cara
Josh mentions what happened last week with Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes when they interrupted Randy Orton and we go to the footage.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cody Rhodes comes to the ring with Ted DiBiase and his bag man. Cody says that he sees Randy with the World Heavyweight Championship and that means that he is the best at what he does. Cody says that he does not do what Orton does. He says that he performs miracles. He is resurrecting the status of the Intercontinental Championship and he is resurrecting the career of his friend Ted DiBiase. He says that he hopes Randy believes in miracles because he does.
Match Number Three: Randy Orton versus Ted DiBiase with Cody Rhodes
They lock up and Orton with a hammer lock into a side head lock and take down. Ted with a head scissors but Orton escapes. Ted with a side head lock take down but Orton with a punch. Ted with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Ted with a side head lock but Orton with a side head lock of his own followed by a shoulder tackle. Ted with a kick but Orton with a drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Ted with a side head lock but Orton escapes and he applies a wrist lock on Ted and then turns it into a side head lock. Ted backs Orton into the corner and he kicks Orton until the referee warns him. Orton with a kick and Ted with an Irish whip but Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Orton with a kick to Ted and then he stomps on the abdomen. Orton with a reverse chin lock on DiBiase.
Ted with an elbow but Orton with a forearm. Ted with a short rebound clothesline followed by a knee drop and punches. Ted with a snap mare and kick to the head for a near fall. Ted tries for a standing drop kick but Orton blocks it and he catapults Ted into the turnbuckles. Orton with a few clotheslines followed by a Thesz Press and punches to Ted.
Orton sets for the IEDDT but Rhodes gets up on the apron and Orton punches Cody. Orton brings Ted into the ring and then Randy goes to the floor and he tries for an RKO on Rhodes but DiBiase with a baseball slide to save Cody. Ted checks on Cody as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ted with a side head lock but Orton with a punch. Ted with a neck breaker and a drop kick for a near fall. We see footage during the commercial when Ted worked on Orton’s back against the apron. Back to the live action and Ted goes up top and Orton stops him and he punches Ted repeatedly to disorient Ted. Orton with a head butt and then he hits a superplex and gets a near fall.
Orton and Ted struggle to get back to their feet and Orton with a kick to Ted followed by clotheslines and a power slam. Orton runs into the a boot in the corner and then he tries for a back breaker but DiBiase blocks it and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Ted with a sit out spinebuster for a near fall.
Ted waits for Orton to get up and he sets for Dream Street but Orton is able to escape and he connects with a European uppercut. Ted is forced to the apron and Orton hits the IEDDT and then Randy looks at Cody for a moment before Randy twists into the RKO push ups and he goes for the RKO but Ted is able to avoid it and Ted tries for Dream Street but Orton with a snap mare. Orton misses a clothesline and Ted misses a short rebound clothesline. Orton hits the RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Orton leaves the ring and walks up the ramp while Cody stands in the ring with Ted still on the mat. Cody tries to wrap his head around what just happened and then he offers Ted his hand to help him up. Cody helps him up but then he sends Ted to the mat with Cross Rhodes.
Cody gets a paper bag and he puts it over Ted DiBiase’s head.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we get comments from Natalya while Kelly Kelly makes her way to the ring for her match with Tamina. Natalya says that Kelly is the WWE’s Barbie doll. She has the curvy little body, the sparkling white smile, and gorgeous face. Natalya says that Kelly is a doll and she doesn’t play with dolls.
Match Number Four: Tamina versus Kelly Kelly
They lock up and Tamina backs Kelly into the corner but she misses a punch. Kelly with forearms and kicks but Tamina pushes her away. Kelly with the Thesz Press and she slams Tamina’s head into the mat. Kelly spanks Tamina and then she hits the screaming head scissors take down that sends Tamina to the apron. Kelly with a handstand to choke Tamina on the apron. Tamina drops Kelly on the top rope and then she kicks her in the midsection. Tamina with a slam and then she applies a hammer lock but Kelly with a snap mare to escape.
Kelly with a kick to the knee and then she slams Tamina’s head into the mat and hits a bulldog. Kelly puts Tamina in the corner and she hits the handspring back elbow. Kelly with the stinkface and then she goes to the turnbuckles but Tamina catches Kelly. Kelly gets out of the hold and Kelly hits the Fameasser for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
We go to the interview area where Matt Striker is with Jinder Mahal and Great Khali. Matt asks Jinder about his promise from last week when he vowed to win the battle royal. Last week was a clear case of when the servant disobeys his master’s orders. Khali has been re-educated so that his only mission is to serve Jinder. Khali’s mission is to dominate Ezekiel Jackson.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Great Khali versus Ezekiel Jackson
They lock up and Khali sends Jackson to the mat and Khali raises his arms for his accomplishment in the match. Jackson with forearms but Khali with a chop. Khali with a chop in the corner followed by a clothesline. Khali with a nerve hold on Jackson. Jackson gets to his feet and he connects with elbows and a clothesline that sends Khali into the corner. Jackson with a splash into the corner but Khali with an elbow and a kick. Khali signals for the Khali Krush but Jackson powers out of the hold but Khali reapplies it. Jackson gets to the ropes and Khali releases the hold. While the referee deals with Khali, Mahal gets on the apron and he attacks Jackson.
Khali tries to chop Jackson, but he misses him, but he does not miss Mahal who gets knocked off the apron. Jackson gets Khali up in the torture rack and Khali taps out.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
We go to commercial.
We are back and Todd Grisham is in the locker room with Randy Orton and he asks Randy for his thoughts on his match on Tuesday. Randy says that Christian is like a reoccurring nightmare and when he thinks he has finally gotten rid of it, bam it comes waltzing back again. There are a few special challenges facing Christian in a steel cage, but it is nothing that he cannot handle. He has taken his title back. All that Christian has left is his pride. After taking that from Christian, he has Mark Henry to deal with next. Orton says that he is not underestimating Mark Henry after his path of destruction. Orton says that his opponents should not underestimate him.
We have a video package for Mark Henry and his reign of terror over the Smackdown brand.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look back at what Mark Henry did to Sheamus at SummerSlam.
Match Number Six: Mark Henry versus Sheamus
They have something to say to each other before locking up and Henry sends Sheamus to the mat. They lock up again and Sheamus is sent to the mat one more time. Sheamus with forearms to the back but Henry with an Irish whip. Henry runs into a boot from Sheamus and Sheamus clips the knee. Sheamus with forearm and kicks to Henry and then he hits a running knee into the corner. The referee warns Sheamus and then Sheamus gets a near fall. Sheamus with a kick but Henry with a boot to Sheamus.
Henry with a splash into the corner and then he hits a back breaker and he gets a near fall. Henry kicks Sheamus and then he Irish whips Sheamus sternum first into the turnbuckle. Sheamus stands on Sheamus’ chest as he tries to disrupt Sheamus’ breathing. Sheamus with punches to Henry but Henry with a head butt.
Henry stands on Sheamus’ hand and then he applies a bear hug but Sheamus tries for head butts to get out of the hold. Henry sends Sheamus into the corner but Sheamus with an elbow. Henry tries for a press slam but he takes too long and Sheamus counters with a DDT. Sheamus with running double sledges to Henry but he cannot knock Henry off his feet. Sheamus with a flying forearm and Henry goes to his back. Sheamus puts Henry in the ropes and he connects with forearms across the chest. Sheamus goes to the apron and he hits a series of knee lifts to stagger Henry. Sheamus goes up top and hits a flying shoulder tackle and gets a near fall. Henry goes to the floor and he snap mare Sheamus through the ropes to the floor.
Henry sends Sheamus into the ringside barrier and then Henry decides to rearrange the announce table. Henry sets for the World’s Strongest Slam through the announce table. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick over the announce table and then he drops one of the announcer’s chairs on Henry.
Sheamus gets back into the ring while the referee continues his count. He makes the ten count and Henry does not get back into the ring.
Winner: Sheamus by count out
After the match, Henry shows his frustration by pushing over the announce table. Henry returns to the ring and he gives Sheamus a head butt, but Sheamus with a kick that sends Henry to the floor. Sheamus comes off the apron but Henry catches him and he sends Sheamus into the ring apron. Henry tries to send Sheamus into the ring post but Sheamus escapes and he sends Henry into the ring steps. Sheamus tries to use the steps on Henry but Henry moves. Henry with a clothesline to Sheamus and then he hits the World’s Strongest Slam on the ring steps.
Henry stands over Sheamus and we go to credits.
2011 - The following statement was released by Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment, LLC, which represents Ric Flair. There was no lawsuit ever filed:
“Mr. Fliehr has declined to comment on the “Grantland” story published this week, as he has consistently with media inquiries regarding legal affairs. While the information gleaned from courthouse records may be credible, Mr. Fliehr is currently evaluating his legal options with respect to falsehoods in the story, specifically the untrue statement that he suffers from alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Our client understands that these allegations are part of the territory when you are not only famous, but a living legend. Ric Flair is a sports entertainer, which has been a lifelong passion that he still enjoys delivering to his fans today, along with his work outside of the ring with various charitable causes. We will be sure to advise Mr. Fliehr against running for County Treasurer and instead to continue entertaining his millions of fans all over the world as he has been doing for the past 35 years."
2012 - ROH was broadcast on the Sinclair Broadcast Group networks. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s show starts off with the determination of the man who will challenge Kevin Steen for the Ring of Honor World Title at Death Before Dishonor on September 15th when Rhino defeated Eddie Edwards on last week’s show.
We are live on tape from Baltimore, Maryland and your announcers are Nigel McGuinness and Kevin Kelly.
Match Number One: Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander versus The Young Bucks in a First Round Tag Team Tournament Match
Matt and Nick shakes hands with each other but refuse to shake hands with their opponents.
Matt and Alexander start things off and Matt pie faces Alexander. Alexander pushes back and connects with a drop toe hold and head scissors take down. Alexander with a sunset flip but Matt rolls through and Cedric with a rana. Alexander with a suplex and Coleman tags in. Matt gets his knees up for a slingshot senton.
Nick tags in and he snap mares Coleman and rakes the eyes with his boots. Coleman with a drop kick to Nick for a near fall. Matt interferes and sends Coleman to the apron. Alexander stops Nick and hits a hesitation drop kick to Matt.
Nick sends Alexander to the back and then Nick with a back elbow. Coleman backs Nick into the corner and hits a series of rolling Northern Lights suplex and a near fall. Nick with an Irish whip and Matt takes care of Coleman on the turnbuckles and Coleman lands on his neck.
Nick with an elbow to the back of the neck and we go to commercial.
We are back and Nick with a gut buster to Coleman and Matt with a swinging neck breaker that allows Nick to get a near fall. Nick with a back rake and he does it a second time. Matt tags in and Matt with a back rake of his own. Matt with a double sledge to the back and a rake of the eyes. Matt with shoulders in the corner. Coleman slaps Matt but Matt with a modified jackhammer for a near fall.
Nick tags in and Matt with a snap mare and Nick with a slingshot senton. Alexander is drawn in and Nick chokes Coleman. Matt tags back in and he connects with a forearm. Coleman knocks Nick off the apron but Matt with a rake of the eyes. Coleman with a boot to Matt and then he drops down and Nick goes to the floor. Matt stops Coleman from making the tag. Matt runs into a boot and then Caprice leaps over Matt but Nick pulls Alexander off the apron.
Matt and Nick with splashes onto Coleman for a near fall. Coleman with a kick to Matt and a tornado DDT to Nick. Coleman tags in Alexander and Cedric with a clothesline and back elbow followed by another clothesline and a kick tot eh head. Alexander with an enzuigiri to Nick. Alexander with a running drop kick into the corner on Matt. Nick goes to the apron and Alexander knocks him off the apron. Alexander with a flip dive onto Nick and then he follows up with a springboard clothesline to Matt.
Alexander with a full nelson sit out gourdbuster followed by a leg drop from the top by Coleman but Matt kicks out at two. Coleman puts Matt on the turnbuckles and he tries for a leaping rana but Nick holds on to the feet. Matt with a super kick to Alexander and Nick with a slingshot X Factor. Matt with an Ace Cutter from the top on Alexander but he can only get a near fall.
Matt with a buckle bomb into an enzuigiri from Nick. Coleman stops Nick on the turnbuckles. Coleman with an STO on Matt and Alexander with an enzuigiri on Nick followed by a leaping rana from the turnbuckles on Nick by Coleman and a splash from Alexander for the three count.
Winners: Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander
Veda Scott is in the ring with Coleman and Alexander. She asks them for their thoughts on the victory. Caprice says that they came to ROH as virtual nobodies but Baltimore has made them somebodies. They want to be the ROH Tag Champions when they come back for Fan Appreciation.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kevin Kelly is in the ring with Charlie Haas and Charlie demanded some interview time. Charlie wants Jim Cornette to come to the ring because he wants to talk about the Tag Team Tournament and he says that this tournament is bulls***.
Jim Cornette comes to the ring and he tells Charlie that he has known him for fifteen years but he is tired of people hijacking his show.
Charlie tells Jim that if he has something to say and is not telling the truth, he tells Jim that Jim can stop him, but until then, he tells Jim to shut up.
Charlie says that the All Night Xpress has destroyed the tag team division in Ring of Honor. They pissed all over Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team’s legacy and all of the legacies of the tag teams behind them. Charlie says that Rhett Titus is a joke and he beat Rhett within an inch of his life. Charlie says that he tripped on the ropes and stumbled over Rhett’s feet and Rhett was able to get the three count in a fluke.
Charlie says that he is not done. Then they confront the All Night Xpress and demanded a rematch but were refused. Shelton hit Kenny with a chair and Kenny left the company.
Jim says that it was excessive violence and warrants a suspension.
Charlie says that with no Kenny King, Shelton has to be reinstated. Then Jim put a tournament in place. He says that they should have had him wrestle Rhett Titus with the titles on the line.
Jim starts to tell Charlie what they are going to do, but Rhett Titus’ music plays and he comes to the ring.
Rhett says that Charlie is out here whining and complaining but if anyone has the right to come out and complain, it is him. He says that he worked hard to become the tag team champion. Rhett reminds Charlie that he pinned Charlie to win the titles.
Charlie says that it was a fluke and even Rhett’s son knows it. He says that Rhett is a disgrace to the tag team division.
Jim tells them that they have the right to pick a tag team partner.
Charlie says that he wants Shelton reinstated and part of the tournament.
Rhett says that he has faced adversity before. He says that he will find a new tag team partner and become the new Tag Team Champion.
Charlie says that he has the partner who is the best fit for Rhett. He says that this man is in the back and he may show Rhett about wrestling. Charlie says that he is daring Rhett to pick him as his partner. Charlie says that they can work through the tournament and become Tag Team Champions. Then they can fight over the titles.
Jim says that Rhett isn’t going to fall for this. He says that he will not let this go on.
Rhett says that he likes the idea. They are going to win the tournament and he is looking forward to kicking his ass at the end.
Rhett says that he will team with Charlie, but he will not call him his partner.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Tadarius Thomas versus QT Marshall
Marshall misses a kick and Thomas with a back elbow. Thomas with a kick but he misses a flip leg drop. Marshall backs Thomas into the corner. Thomas with a cross arm breaker in the ropes. Marshall with a kick to Thomas followed by a punch and kicks. Marshall with a slam and elbow drops and then he walks across Thomas’ throat.
Thomas with a forearm but Marshall with a kick. Marshall with a cravate. Thomas with a cartwheel out of a snap mare. Thomas with a kick but Marshall with a clothesline for a near fall. Marshall with a suplex for a near fall. Thomas with punches but Marshall with a drop kick for a near fall.
Marshall with punches in the corner but Thomas with a chop. Marshall with a punch and Irish whip. Thomas with a kick and running forearm followed by a punch and kicks. Thomas misses a round kick but he connects with a second kick and running forearm. Marshall with an Irish whip but Thomas leaps over Marshall and hits a wrap around clothesline for a near fall.
Marshall grabs Thomas by the throat and Thomas avoids a choke slam and Thomas with a series of kicks. Marshall runs Thomas throat first into the ropes and Marshall with an Alabama Slam for the three count.
Winner: QT Marshall
We go to commercial.
We are back with Inside Ring of Honor.
Our first topic is the condition of Eddie Edwards after he was GORED through a table. Eddie Edwards has cracked ribs and a bruised sternum so he will be out of action in September.
Kevin Steen says that he is ready for Rhino. In 1999, Steve Corino discovered Rhino and introduced him to ECW. In 2004, Steve Corino discovered Kevin Steen in Quebec. Kevin asks Jimmy Jacobs what the fans say when they see Rhino and Jimmy responds with GORE GORE GORE. Kevin asks them what the people are going to say when he meets Rhino on September 15th and he says that they are going to be screaming for help for Rhino.
We will see the semifinals and finals of the Tag Team Tournament. We see the brackets and now that Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander have moved on to the semifinals, we also know that Charlie Haas and Rhett Titus will face The Guardians of Truth. We go to comments from Truth Martini.
Truth says that hate is a counter productive emotion. Charlie Haas and Rhett Titus hate each other while the Guardians of Truth show honor, respect, and loyalty to each other. Next week, The Guardians of Truth will face Charlie Haas and Rhett Titus. He tells Charlie and Rhett to learn to love each other or that will be their downfall.
Who will face the Bravados next week in the other first round match?
Jay Briscoe talks about the tournament. They are the Michael Phelps of Ring of Honor. Jay cuts off Mark and he says that they are on their way to Chicago.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Roderick Strong (with Truth Martini) versus Jay Lethal versus TJ Perkins versus Mike Bennett (with Maria Kanellis and Bob Evans) versus Tommaso Ciampa (with RD Evans) versus Mike Mondo in a Number One Contender Match for the ROH Television Title
As we await the possibility of a six man Code of Honor compliance handshake, Ciampa goes after Lethal and the match begins. Strong goes after Perkins while Mondo goes after Bennett.
Perkins and Strong start off in the ring while the other four men batltle around the ring. Perkins with a head scissors take down. Strong with a knee to Perkins and he tries to send Perkins to the floor. Perkins hangs in the ropes and Strong goes to the floor. Bennett comes in and Perkins with a drop toe hold and he sets for a step over toe hold. Strong comes in and chops Perkins and when Perkins goes to the mat, it adds pressure to Bennett’s legs.
Perkins with a Northern Lights suplex on Strong while maintaining the leg lock on Bennett. Bennett with a knee followed by an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner. Bennett with a leaping neck breaker and Perkins goes to the floor. Lethal and Bennett exchange punches but Lethal with a kick and he wants to hit the Lethal Injection but Bennett grabs Lethal’s trunks and sets for a belly-to-back suplex but Lethal lands on his feet. Bennett is sent to the apron and then Lethal with a springboard drop kick to send Bennett to the floor.
Ciampa comes into the match and he hits Lethal from behind. Lethal with a hip toss and cartwheel but before he can try for the drop kick that follows, Ciampa tries for a drop kick but Lethal blocks it. Lethal with a chop and punch. Lethal tries for the handspring back elbow but Ciampa sees it coming and he drop kicks Lethal before he can hit the ropes.
Mondo enters the match and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Mondo with another rollup for a near fall. Ciampa and Mondo try for rollups but they both escape. Mondo with a snap mare into a rollup for a near fall. Mondo with a snap mare driver and he knocks Strong and Bennett off the apron.
Ciampa and Mondo exchange punches. Ciampa kicks Mondo to the apron and then Ciampa with punches. Mondo avoids a shoulder and he hits a swinging neck breaker in the ropes. Strong enters the ring and he goes to the floor. Strong chops Mondo on the floor and Strong rolls Mondo back into the ring. Strong with kicks and chops. Mondo with an Irish whip but he misses a kick. Strong with an enzuigiri and he gets Mondo on his shoulders but Mondo gets to his feet.
Strong with a roaring forearm to Mondo followed by a leaping knee to Lethal. Mondo drops Strong on the mat and hits a curb stomp. Bennett takes Strong’s place in the match and Mondo tries for a butterfly suplex but Bennett escapes and he punches Mondo and follows that with a spinebuster. Perkins with an octopus to Bennett but Ciampa with a boot to Perkins. Lethal with a super kick to Ciampa and five men are down in the ring.
Strong tries for a discus forearm on Lethal but Lethal blocks it and hits the Lethal Combination. Lethal says that he is going up top for the elbow drop but Ciampa pushes Lethal off the turnbuckles. Perkins with kicks to Ciampa but Ciampa pushes Perkins down and connects with a kick. Perkins with a Detonation Kick on Ciampa.
Perkins with European uppercuts to Strong. Strong avoids a kick. Strong with a roaring forearm and then he hits a suplex into a back breaker on Perkins. Bennett breaks up the cover. Bennett and Strong with forearms. Bennett with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Bennett with a spear but Mondo breaks up the cover. Mondo with punches to Bennett while Strong goes to the floor. Mondo looks at Maria and so does the camera man so we miss what Bennett did to Mondo in the ring.
Bennett punches Mondo but he misses a punch and hits the mat. Mondo with a kick and a double underhook DDT for the three count.
Winner: Mike Mondo
We go to credits.
2013 - We are in Phoenix, Arizona and your announcers are Jerry ‘A story of a boy’s love for his mother’ Lawler, John ‘A story of tag team partners who have had enough . . . until they realize the parts are better together than apart’ Layfield, and Michael ‘A story of a family looking to connect with their father’ Cole.
The Shield are in front of the ring and they are introduced by Justin Roberts.
Triple H makes his way to the ring and he passes his new security team.
Hunter wants to take everyone back to an epic moment. One that you will not forget if you were there live. It was a paradigm shift. It was the start of a new future.
We see the footage from SummerSlam.
Hunter says that was business. That was what was best for business. It was nothing personal. Hunter wants us to take a look at how Raw ended last week.
We see Hunter encouraging Daniel Bryan to come to the ring and his assault at the hands of the Shield and Randy Orton.
Hunter says that was personal. He embarrassed and humiliated Daniel Bryan because of his actions. Every action has a consequence. Daniel made it personal. At the start of last week’s Raw, Daniel insulted his wife, himself and his family. That is the personal response that you get for doing that.
Hunter says that he is willing to let water run under that bridge as if nothing happened. He is willing to be a business man with Daniel. It is up to Daniel.
Hunter says that the ratings were through the roof. The Social Media buzz. The word on the street. Every indicator says that business is booming. It is all due to one man. One man who is the new face of the WWE.
Hunter wants everyone to show respect to the man who is their champion, their future, and what everyone deserves . . . Randy Orton.
Hunter wants to take a second to congratulate Randy into breathing new life into the WWE. He congratulates Randy for breathing new life into the WWE Championship. As COO, he wants to reward someone who excels. Someone who will grasp that brass ring and run with it. He has a gift for Randy. Hunter says that he did this out of his own pocket.
Hunter brings out a Cadillac Escalade for Randy.
Randy says that he doesn’t know what to say, but he thanks Hunter for the very generous gift. He wants to thank Hunter for having the vision and the business acumen to realize that the only person who deserves the title of Face of WWE is him.
Daniel Bryan comes out and stares at the Escalade.
Daniel comments on Randy’s sweet ride. It is much better than his Honda Fit. Randy worked really hard for that WWE Championship. While Randy is out here making thank yous, Daniel says that he has a few of his own.
Daniel says that it would be an opportune time to thank everyone here and in the WWE Universe. He might not be the biggest, the strongest, or the prettiest. That title goes to Twinkletoes Orton. Daniel says that the people have believed in him and supported him. He say that means a lot to him.
Daniel says that he wants to thank John Cena. He thanks John for the opportunity to wrestle in the main event of SummerSlam for the WWE Championship because Triple H never would have given him that opportunity.
Finally, he wants to thank Triple H. He thanks Hunter for ending the charade and showing his true colors. He showed that what is best for business is as narrow minded and misguided as Vince McMahon. He tells everyone to look at Hunter. He was the rebel in a leather jacket who used to thumb his nose at authority is now a sell out in a suit. Now he thumbs his rather large nose at everyone in the WWE Universe.
Orton tells Daniel to remember who he is talking to. Daniel needs to show them the respect that they deserve. Randy says that he is the Face of the WWE.
Daniel tells everyone to give it up for the Face of the WWE. At Night of Champions, when he gets his rematch, that face will be rearranged. Daniel says that Hunter’s vision of the future will be rearranged because he will become the WWE Champion.
Hunter says that is a sweet little fantasy as he calls Daniel ‘Jiminy Cricket’. Hunter starts to sing When You Wish Upon a Star. In the real world, it makes a difference who you are. It makes all the difference in the world. Daniel is not an A Player. Randy is an A Player. Daniel is a B at best.
Daniel will get his chance when he goes one on one with Seth Rollins. Since Daniel is so big on his work ethic. If he beats Seth Rollins, he will face Dean Ambrose. If he can get past Dean Ambrose, he will face Roman Reigns. He will give Daniel the gift that keeps on giving. He will give him the gift of Justice. He will give him the gift of the Shield in a gauntlet. Hunter tells Daniel that he believes in him.
We see footage of what happened between CM Punk and Curtis Axel last week on Raw. Tonight, they will meet in a match. We get to vote on the Stipulation for the match on the WWE APP.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Damien Sandow is at the announce table with the ChocoCase.
Match Number One: Cody Rhodes versus Fandango (with Summer Rae)
They lock up and Fandango with a hammer lock. Cody with a reversal and front face lock. Fandango backs Cody into the corner and punches Cody. Cody with a back elbow and kick to the midsection. Cody with a gourdbuster to Fandango and Fandango rolls to the apron and he kicks Rhodes.
Fandango’s music plays and Fandango is confused. Miz and Rosa Mendes come out and ‘dance’. That distraction allows Cody to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Fandango attacks Cody and Sandow joins in. Miz comes out and he goes after Sandow and Fandango.
Brad Maddox comes out and he says that we will have a tag match and he reminds everyone that this will be Cody Rhodes and Miz versus Fandango and Damien Sandow.
Match Number Two: Cody Rhodes and Miz (with Rosa Mendes) versus Fandango (with Summer Rae) and Damien Sandow
The match is joined in progress and Sandow with a knee drop to Cody for a near fall. Fandango tags in and he punches Cody. Fandango with a hard Irish whip and he tags Sandow back in and Damien with a head butt and elbow drop for a near fall. Sandow with a quarter nelson. Cody with a punch but Sandow with a side Russian leg sweep followed by the Elbow of Disdain. He gets a near fall after telling everyone “You’re Welcome”.
Sandow with an Irish whip but Rhodes with a boot. Both men go for a clothesline and both men are down. Miz tags in and hits a double sledge from the top followed by a knee lift and boot to the head. Miz with an Awesome Clothesline to Sandow and a boot to Fandango on the apron. Miz gets a near fall.
Miz puts Sandow in the corner and he kicks Sandow in the hamstring while Fandango and Summer leave. Miz sets for the figure four but Sandow escapes. Rhodes trips Sandow and Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winners: Miz and Cody Rhodes
After the match, Fandango reminds us how to pronounce his name.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Los Matadores video package.
Josh Mathews is with Christian in the interview area. Josh asks him about the announcement of the Gauntlet Match for Daniel Bryan. Chrisitan says that it is hard to say anything bad about the current regime because you end up with dire consequences. Christian points out that he survived the Attitude era and the McMahon-Helmsley regime. He talks about how history has a habit of repeating itself.
randy Orton stops by and he says that Christian is angry because he lost at SummerSlam while Orton won. Randy tells Christian that he will lose when he gets taken out with an RKO.
Christian says that Hunter likes sledge hammers and he has found a new tool.
We are told that Paul Heyman has a reaction to the stipulations on Tout.
Speaking of the WWE App, CM Punk talked about the stipulations. Punk says that he wants to get his hands on Paul Heyman. Even though he got in one shot and applied the Anaconda Vice, Heyman deserves more.
We go to Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel and Paul talks about how Punk is begging for votes to get his hands on Paul. Curtis says that he has it taken care of. Punk has to outwrestle him. The situation is better than perfect. Curtis asks Paul if he trusts him and Paul says he trusts him with his life.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Curtis Axel versus CM Punk in a This Stipulation is brought to you by the WWE APP Match
Paul Heyman is on the stage and Jerry Lawler announces Paul’s fate for this match. Paul will have to be in the ring with Punk if Punk wins the match.
They lock up and Punk with a side head lock. Punk gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Punk with a rollup for a near fall. Punk gets Axel on his shoulders and Axel goes to the floor to regroup.
Punk goes to the floor and he goes up the ramp. Axel hits Punk from behind and he punches Punk as they return to the ring. Axel slams Punk’s head into the apron. They return to the ring and Axel with kicks and a slam to Punk. Axel with a forearm to Punk for a near fall. Axel with a reverse chin lock. Punk with an arm drag to escape followed by a knee into the corner and a short arm clothesline. Punk goes up top for the elbow drop but Axel rolls to the floor and Punk goes to the mat. Punk with a suicide dive onto Axel.
Punk looks at Heyman at the top of the ramp and we go to commercial.
We are back and Punk with chops and punches to Axel. Axel slides into the corner on an Irish whip. Axel misses with a clothesline but he connects with a Northern Lariat for a near fall. Axel with a drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Axel tells Paul that Punk is nothing and Paul makes his way closer to the ring. Punk with kicks to Axel. Axel blocks a kick and he catapults Punk into the turnbuckles but Punk lands on the turnbuckles and hits a cross body but they roll through and Punk gets a near fall. Axel with a kick to Punk and Punk falls into the corner. Axel with a bouncing Saito suplex for a near fall.
Axel hits another bouncing Saito suplex and he waits for Punk to get up. Punk avoids the snap neck breaker and Punk with a swinging neck breaker of his own and he gets a near fall. Punk goes up top for the elbow drop and he hits it and he gets a near fall.
Punk signals that it is nap time for Axel and Paul has a scared look on his face. Axel escapes and he kicks Punk and hits the snap neck breaker but Punk kicks out at two. Axel slaps Punk in the head and shows him no respect. Punk gets Axel on his shoulders and hits Go To Sleep for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, Paul is paralyzed with fear and Punk is excited for the opportunity to face Paul. Heyman tries to go to the back but the officials send Paul back to the stage and tell him to make his way to the ring.
Punk leaves the ring and heads up the ramp. Paul runs to the back and now security takes Paul to the ring.
Punk sends Paul into the ring and then he grabs Paul by the neck. Curtis Axel with a low blow to Punk. Axel and Heyman stand over Punk. Paul hands Curtis handcuffs and Axel cuffs Punk’s hands behind his back.
Heyman slaps Punk while Axel holds Punk.
Paul says that he is going to do this to him and there is nothing he can do about it.
Punk kicks Axel in the head and Axel goes to the floor. Punk with kicks to Heyman but Axel stops him with the chair.
Axel with a forearm to the back and then he checks on Heyman. Axel goes to the floor and he looks under the ring for something. Axel gets a kendo stick. Axel tells Punk that he is nothing. Axel stands over Punk with the kendo stick but he decides to give it to Heyman. Paul winds up and he hits Punk in the back with it, after Punk tells him to make it count. Axel holds Punk against the ropes and he tells Punk that he loved him before he hits Punk.
Paul continues to hit Punk with the kendo stick when Punk is on the floor. Paul says that he gave Punk his heart and Punk broke his heart. Paul tells Punk that he loved him.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at what we just saw between Curtis Axel, Paul Heyman, and CM Punk.
We take a look at footage from the commercial break and we see blood on Punk’s back from the kendo stick attack.
We have a guest ring announcer for our next match and it is JoJo Offerman.
Match Number Four: Natalya (with Cameron and Naomi) versus Brie Bella (with Eva Marie and Nikki Bella) in a Total Divas Attraction Match
Natalya runs Brie into the turnbuckles and she kicks Brie. The referee warns Natalya and Brie avoids Natalya and Natalya goes into the turnbuckles. Brie with a knee to the back. Brie pulls Natalya to the mat. Brie with a modified abdominal stretch but Natalya gets to her feet and she gets Brie on her back and Natalya with a merry go round side slam followed by the Sharpshooter. Eva Marie distracts the referee and Nikki pulls Brie out of the ring.
Natalya is tripped and Brie hits an X Factor for the three count.
Winner: Brie Bella
After the match, AJ Lee comes out and she says that she just watched Total Divas and it was insane. The Bellas were dealing with their daddy issues. The Funkettes broke up and then got back together. Natalya’s man is not there for her. And the other two were there.
AJ says that when she looks in that ring, she sees a bunch of cheap, interchangeable, expendable women. Women who have turned to reality television because they aren’t good enough to be actresses. Women who weren’t talented enough to be champions. She has done more in one year than everyone did in their entire careers. She has saved the Divas Division and shattered the glass ceiling.
AJ says that they cannot even go backstage and shake her hand because of what she had to endure. They were given fifteen minutes of fame. She did not get here because she was cute, was part of a famous family, or sucked . . . up to the right people. AJ says that she got here because she is good and she earned the title. None of them will be able to lace up her Chuck Taylors.
AJ says that they are all worthless excuses for women and they will never be able to touch her. AJ says that is reality.
We take a look back at the issues between Rob Van Dam and Alberto Del Rio.
Rob Van Dam and Ricardo Rodriguez are in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the moment when Alberto Del Rio showed that he would not be needing Ricardo’s services.
Match Number Five: Alberto Del Rio versus Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez) in a Non Title Match
Van Dam with kicks and a shoulder in the corner. Van Dam with an Irish whip and monkey flip. Van Dam puts Del Rio on the top rope and Van Dam with a kick and punches. Van Dam goes up top for a side kick and Del Rio falls to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with a rear chin lock on Van Dam. We see footage from the App when Del Rio Irish whipped Van Dam into the ringside barrier. Van Dam with punches but Del Rio with a head butt. Van Dam with a corkscrew drop kick and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a German suplex and he gets a near fall.
Del Rio with a kick to the back followed by punches to the head. Del Rio goes to the turnbuckles but he is met with a spinning heel kick and both men are down. Del Rio and Van Dam exchange punches. Van Dam with clotheslines and he avoids a clothesline from Del Rio and he hits a thrust kick and then he hits Rolling Thunder for a near fall.
Del Rio with elbows and forearms. Del Rio tries to send Van Dam into the turnbuckles but Rob blocks it and he kicks Del Rio in the head and then he hits a split legged moonsault for a near fall. Del Rio with an Irish whip but Van Dam with an elbow and a thrust kick. Van Dam goes up top but he takes too long and Del Rio crotche Van Dam. Del Rio with a step up enzuigiri for a near fall.
Ricardo gets on the announce table and Del Rio gets distracted. Van Dam with a body scissors roll up for the three count.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
We go back to last week’s Raw when John Cena made the announcement that he would be taking time off for elbow surgery and the recovery.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh Mathews is with Ryback. Josh asks Ryback about his recent actions and he asks Ryback if he thinks he is a bully. Ryback laughs off what Josh says . . . at first and then he grabs Josh by the face and he pushes him to the ground. He tells Josh to look at him. He says that he finally found a way to shut Josh up.
We take another look at the Axel, Punk, and Heyman situation.
Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman walk in the back and Renee Young asks Paul about his reaction when Curtis Axel lost tonight.
Curtis says that what happened next is something that CM Punk will never forget. Paul says that CM Punk is like a petulant child who needs to keep getting punished and punished and punished. He says that he feels like a man. A man who put his prodigal son in place. His prodigal son was humiliated by his own father figure. Now his prodigal son will learn that Paul Heyman is the last person he should ever come up against.
Paul and Curtis get in their car and they are driven away.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton versus Christian in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Christian with a rollup for a near fall. They lock up again and they go around the ring. Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Orton with a kick and punch followed by a head butt and European uppercut. Christian with a drop toe hold and he goes to the floor but Orton moves on the punch.
Christian with a back body drop that sends Orton to the floor. Christian with a baseball slide to Orton and it sends him into the ringside barrier followed by a punch. They return to the ring and Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall.
Christian goes up top and Orton avoids Christian. Orton with a drop kick and he punches Christian. Orton with a boot to the head and then he choke Christian in the ropes. Orton drops Christian on the top rope and Orton with a knee lift that sends Christian to the floor.
Orton poses and then he returns to his opponent. Orton brings Christian back into the ring and he does the Garvin Stomp followed by a leaping knee drop for a near fall. Orton with a reverse chin lock. Christian with elbows to Orton but Orton with a kick. Christian escapes a slam and he tries for another inverted DDT but Orton with a punch and head butt.
Orton gets a near fall. Orton with forearms across the chest. Christian with elbows but Orton with a head butt. Christian with a punch and then they go back and forth with more punches. Orton with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Christian goes to the turnbuckles but Orton pushes Christian off the turnbuckles and to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Orton with a reverse chin lock on Christian. Christian gets back to his feet and he punches Orton. Christian with a kick to Orton and he goes up top. Orton stops Christian on top and he punches Christian. Orton with head butts followed by a European uppercut. Orton sets for the superplex and he hits it.
Christian with an inside cradle for a near fall. Orton with two clotheslines and he avoids one from Christian. Orton tries for a power slam and Christian avoids it. Christian sends Orton into the turnbuckles and he punches Randy. Christian with an Irish whip but Orton comes out and hits a clothesline. Christian drops Orton on the top rope and Christian goes up top for a cross body and he gets a near fall.
Orton with a jackknife cover for a near fall but Christian reverses and gets a near fall. Orton with head butts and then he goes for the IEDDT but Christian gets into the ring. Orton with punches. Christian with boots to Orton and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a Tornado DDT and he gets a near fall.
Christian with a slingshot to the floor and he punches Orton but Orton recovers and hits the IEDDT. Orton looks around and he finds that spot to twist to the mat and he does the RKO push ups. Orton tries for the RKO but Christian pushes him away. Christian sets for the spear but Orton with a leap frog. Christian is able to hit the spear but Orton kicks out at two.
Christian avoids an RKO and he tries for the Killswitch. Orton sends Christian into the referee and Orton with a thumb to the eye and he hits an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Daniel Bryan appears on the TitanTron and he was impressed with Randy’s performance. He tells Randy from a B guy, that was an A+ performance. Daniel talks about the pretty car for the pretty man.
Daniel wonders what would mean if he beats Randy Orton at Night Of Champions? Would he be the face of the WWE?
Daniel shows the Escalade and it is covered with Yeses.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Brad, Hunter, and Randy are looking at Randy’s vehicle. Hunter tells Brad that this car is his personal property. He gave it to Randy Orton. That title belt is his personal property and Randy is holding it. If everyone wants to make it personal. Hunter tells Brad to go into the locker room and march them to the stage so they can watch and see what happens to Daniel Bryan tonight. Hunter tells Brad that if anyone thinks about getting involved or interfering, or crosses that line will be personally fired by him.
Randy tells Hunter that Daniel Bryan is going to pay for this.
Zeb Colter says that they have had some victories stolen by the PrimeTime Players. He says that they are a bunch of buffoons who make fools of themselves. Zeb says that they need to draw a line in the sand. He has a few words for people in a different type of lines. He has a few words for people on government assistance and says that Darren and Titus’ moms were among those people.
Match Number Seven: Titus O’Neil (with Darren Young) versus Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter and Antonio Cesaro)
They lock up and Swagger with knees and he backs Titus into the corner. Swagger with a running knee into the corner followed by a short arm clothesline and he gets a near fall. Swagger with a punch and shoulders in the corner. Titus with a kick and European uppercuts to Swagger. Swagger with a knee to the midsection and he hits a KneeDT. Swagger chokes Titus in the ropes.
Swagger with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Swagger with a key lock. Swagger misses a splash in the corner and Titus with a few shoulder tackles followed by a fallaway throw and Titus barks. Titus misses a boot to the head and Swagger with a dive at the knee. Swagger with the ankle lock but Titus rolls over and kicks Swagger away.
Swagger with boots and then he uses the ropes for extra leverage but Darren pushes him off the ropes. Swagger gets distracted by Young and Titus hits Clash of the Titus for the three count.
Winner: Titus O’Neil
We see photos of what happened to Kane at SummerSlam.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Wyatt Family. He talks about the good old days. She taught him. She taught him from a young age. She told him that the snake’s skin is the same color as the leaves. Fire is your friend. The world is an evil place. He was there when she took her final breath. They chose him before he even came into existence. Her touch could save the world. Her kiss sends them to the ground. He says that he loves her . . . Sister Abigail.
We go back to the opening segment of Raw when Triple H showed Randy Orton the Escalade of Escalades.
Brad Maddox is with Dr. Sampson and CM Punk enters. Brad tells Punk to seek medical attention. Punk says that he wants a match where Paul Heyman cannot get away. He does not care about his well-being or career.
Brad gives Punk a match against Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman. It will be a handicap elimination match. If Paul tries to get out of the match, we will never see him again. Punk tells Brad that if Paul backs out of the match, we might never see Brad again.
The wrestlers come to the stage and we go to commercial.
We are back with a Los Matadores video.
Renee Young is with Big Show. She asks Show about his recent comments about SummerSlam and then being put in a Handicap Match. Show says nothing. She then asks Dolph about what happened to him last week and Dolph says nothing. Renee asks Miz for his thoughts since he is one of the most outspoken people. Miz says that what happened last week and what will happen to Daniel Bryan is . . .
Match Number Eight (Part One): Daniel Bryan versus Seth Rollins (with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose) in the Shield of Bryan Gauntlet Match
They lock up and Bryan with kicks in the corner. The referee pulls Bryan out of the corner and Bryan takes Rollins to the mat and he puts Rollins in a surfboard and he adds a chin lock. Rollins with a punch to the head to escape the hold. Bryan with kicks to the midsection. Bryan with a knee to the midsection and he connects with a European uppercut.
Bryan with a Mick Foley clothesline and both men go over the top rope to the floor. Reigns and Ambrose surround Bryan and that allows Rollins to recover and he sends Bryans into the ringside barrier and apron.
Rollins brings Bryan back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Rollins with kicks and he chokes Bryan. Bryan punches Rollins and Rollins with a kick and chop. Rollins with an Irish whip and Bryan flips over and he hits a flying clothesline. Bryan with kicks to the chest. Bryan misses a round kick and Rollins goes to the apron. Rollins drops Bryan on the top rope.
Rollins with a springboard knee but Bryan with a Maple Leaf and Rollins is able to get to the ropes. Bryan with a baseball slide that sends Rollins to the floor. Bryan with a suicide dive that sends Rollins over the announce table.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins with a Cobra Clutch on Bryan. We see Rollins sending Bryan into the turnbuckles on the WWE App. Rollins slaps Bryan. Rollins with a running forearm into the corner but Bryan starts to get a second wind. Rollins slaps Bryan some more and he hits another running forearm into the corner. Rollins slaps Bryan again. Rollins goes for a third one but Bryan recovers first and hits a running drop kick into the corner and both men are down.
Rollins with punches but Bryan punches back. Rollins with more punches but Bryan with kicks. Rollins with a sunset flip but Bryan drops down and gets a near fall. They alternate near falls and then Rollins with an enzuigiri followed by an inverted suplex for a near fall. Rollins runs Bryan into the corner and he punches Daniel.
Rollins puts Bryan on the turnbuckles and he goes for a superplex. Bryan escapes and he crotches Rollins. Bryan with a German Superplex and both men are down. Bryan with a flying knee (possibly) for the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Match Number Eight (Part Two): Daniel Bryan versus Dean Ambrose (with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) in the Shield of Bryan Gauntlet Match
Bryan puts Ambrose in the Yes Lock and Reigns attacks Bryan and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (by disqualification)
Match Number Eight (Part Three): Daniel Bryan versus Roman Reigns (with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins) in the Shield of Bryan Gauntlet Match
Bryan puts Reigns in the Yes Lock and Bryan is attacked and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (by disqualification)
After the match, Rollins and Ambrose hold up Bryan for Reigns to give him a spear.
Triple H’s music plays and he looks at Big Show and Dolph Ziggler. Triple H gives The Shield the signal and it is time for the Cerberus Bomb.
Randy Orton’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. Ambrose and Rollins hold Bryan up and Orton says something to Bryan and he gives Orton an RKO. Orton and Hunter walk through the sea of Superstars as they part.
We go to credits.
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