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August 30th
1969 - Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeat Crusher & Dick the Bruiser for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Chicago, Illinois, ending Crusher & Bruiser's fourth title reign.
1993 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Owen Hart defeated Barry Horowitz.
- Razor Ramon defeated Ted DiBiase with the Razor's Edge. This was DiBiase's last U.S. PPV match as a wrestler.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Heavenly Bodies (Jimmy Del Ray & Tom Pritchard) when Rick pinned Del Rey after Del Rey accidentally moonsaulted Pritchard, and Scott gave Del Rey the Frankensteiner.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig via countout after Diesel pulled Hennig from the ring and rammed him into the ringpost.
- Irwin R. Schyster defeated The 1-2-3 Kid with a clothesline.
- Bret Hart defeated Doink The Clown via submission. Doink was replacing Jerry Lawler, who claimed to have a broken leg. However, as Doink was submitting, Lawler ran into the ring and hit Bret Hart with his crutch. WWF President Jack Tunney ordered Lawler to then wrestle his scheduled match.
- Jerry Lawler defeated Bret Hart via disqualification. Bret won the match via submission with the Sharpshooter, but refused to release the hold, so the decision was reversed, and Bret was disqualified. As a result, Lawler was able to proclaim himself the "Undisputed King Of Wrestling" (Bret had won the King Of The Ring tournament that year, and Lawler attacked him).
- Ludwig Borga defeated Marty Jannetty via submission with a torture rack.
- The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez in a Rest In Peace (No DQ, no countout) match with a top rope clothesline.
- The Smoking Gunns & Tatanka defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & The Headshrinkers when Tatanka pinned Samu after all three members of the Headshrinkers/Bigelow team missed top rope headbutts.
- Lex Luger defeated WWF World Heavyweight Champion Yokozuna via countout after hitting him with a forearm that sent him from the ring (Luger has a steel plate in his forearm). Post-match, there was a huge celebration, as this was the culmination of the "Lex Express" summer bus tour of Luger traveling all over the U.S. that was designed to get Luger over as a patriotic babyface. However, the celebration made no sense, as Luger didn't win the belt, and it had been made clear that he was not going to get another title match after Summerslam (he would eventually, at Wrestlemania X). The whole push of Luger was a disaster, as he never got over the way WWF wanted him to, and stars like Undertaker and Bret Hart were obviously much more popular.
1993 - Dustin Rhodes defeats Rick Rude to reclaim the WCW United States Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The title had been vacated since May, following a bout between the two, and several rematches were held before a clean win took place here.
1996 - Sid Vicious defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, starting his second reign with the gold, and ending Lawler's 23rd run with the belt.
1998 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City. Here are the results:
- In matches shown on Sunday Night Heat:
- Too Cool defeated LOD 2000.
- Gangrel defeated Dustin Runnels.
- DOA defeated Bradshaw & Vader.
In matches from the PPV:
- WWF European Champion D'Lo Brown defeated Val Venis via disqualification when Venis hit the referee.
- The Oddities (Kurrgan, Golga, & Silva) defeated Kaientai (TAKA Michinoku, Men's Teioh, Sho Funaki & Dick Togo) in a handicap match when Golga splashed all of Kaientai for the pin. The Insane Clown Posse performed The Oddities theme song live.
- X-Pac defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Hair vs. Hair match after X-Pac hit Jarrett with his own guitar. Post match, Jarrett had his head shaved while the Headbangers and DX held him down.
- Sable & Edge defeated Marc Mero & Jacquelyn when Edge hit Mero with the Downward Spiral and tossed Sable on top for the pin.
- Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart via submission in a "Lion's Den" match with an anklelock. This match was held in a UFC style cage that was set up at The Theater, a smaller venue within the Madison Square Garden complex. Several thousand fans bought tickets to see the Lion's Den match live, and watch the rest of the PPV on a giant screen.
- The New Age Outlaws defeated Mankind in a Falls Count Anywhere match to win the WWF World Tag Team Title after a spike piledriver. Kane, Mankind's partner, abandoned him and the belts before the match, then showed up with a sledgehammer afterwards to attack Mankind.
- Triple H defeated Rocky Maivia in a Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Title after Chyna gave Rock a low blow to allow Triple H to climb the ladder and get the belt.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Steve Austin defeated The Undertaker with a stunner after blocking the Undertaker ropewalk.
2007 - Huge day for the WWE Wellness Policy.
WWE posted the following on their corporate website:
WWE Statement On Performer Suspensions
STAMFORD, Conn., August 30, 2007 - Based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County, NY D.A.'s office, WWE has today, under the penalty provisions of its wellness policy, issued suspension notices to 10 of its performers for violations. It has been WWE's practice not to release the names of those who have been suspended, but notice has been sent to all WWE performers that names of anyone who is suspended under the Wellness Policy as of November 1 will be made public.
Following WWE's announcement that it had suspended 10 stars for Wellness Policy violations, the New York Daily News ran an article online listing the names of WWE stars that were identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by law enforcement agencies in February for distributing drugs (including steroids) to clients that had not been examined by doctors. The newspaper later added Eddie Fatu (Umaga) and Shoichi Funaki to their list of WWE wrestlers that were clients of Signature Pharmacy.
The same day, Sports Illustrated posted an article online, part of their ongoing investigation of the illegal steroid business in Florida, listing what drugs WWE performers received from the pharmacy that federal agents raided this past February. The list not only includes the substance the wrestler received, but gives dates as to when the wrestler received them.
Three of the wrestlers on the list are deceased:
- Chris Benoit, received nandrolone and anastrozole in February 2006.
- Eddie Guerrero received nadrolone, testosterone and anastrozole two weeks before passing away in November of 2005.
- Brian Adams (Crush) received nandrolone, testosterone, and somatropin in December 2006. He was not employed by WWE at that time, and hadn't worked for the company for several years.
One of the wrestlers on the list no longer works for WWE:
- Sylvain Grenier, who received somatropin, nandrolone, genotropin and stanozolol from February 2005 through July 2006.
The other ten wrestlers on the list are all currently employed by WWE (although some are out injured). Remember, WWE started their Wellness Policy on February 27, 2006.
- Chavo Guerrero received somatropin, nandrolone and anastrozole from April 2005 through May 2006.
- Shane Helms received testosterone, genotropin and nandrolone from November 2003 through February 2007.
- Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol form September 2004 through February 2007.
- John Hennigan (Morrison) received somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin from June 2006 through February 2007.
- Ken Anderson (Kennedy) received anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone from October 2006 through February 2007.
- Shoichi Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.
- Charlie Haas received anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin from August 2006 through January 2007.
- Edward Fatu (Umaga) received somatropin between July and December 2006.
- Darren Matthews (William Regal) received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin and anastrozole between November 2004 and November 2006.
- Adam Copeland (Edge) received somatropin, genotropin, andstanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007.
In the end, all of the named wrestlers were suspended, while Bucci (who publicly maintained that he was undergoing testoscerone replacement therapy after retiring and not being under the Wellness Policy, as he was now a WWE employee and retired as a performer), was let go by the company. The lone talent not suspended was Randy Orton, who had already served a suspension stemming from the issue.
2007 - WWE signed former WCW star Johnny Stamboli for the second time.
2007 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We approach the home stretch for the No Surrender pay per view in a little more than a week and tonight we will find out who will be Kurt Angle's tag team partner to face Pacman Jones and Ron Killings for the TNA Tag Team Titles. Will A.J. Styles become a tag team champion one more time or will he be forced to lay down for Christian Cage? Will one of Angle's best friends, Samoa Joe be the man who accepts tags from Angle? Will we see an icon join the Olympic gold medalist and have Sting be the tag team champion with Kurt Angle? We already know that Kurt Angle will be wrestling three times at No Surrender but what other matches will we see on the pay per view? Will we see the next challengers for Kurt Angle's titles emerge on this week's show? Will Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko continue to go after Samoa Joe this week? What will Karen Angle be wearing this week? Will we finally see the vein on Jim Cornette's head explode after everything that has happened over the last few weeks?
We start off tonight's show with a look back at last week. We see Eric Young get spray painted by Pacman Jones. We then see Christian unable to appear on Impact only to ambush Samoa Joe from behind. We hear comments from Team 3D that they were sorry, but they were only sorry that they did not attack the Steiners earlier as they helped Kurt Angle defeat the Steiners and save Karen Angle from five minutes alone with Rick and Scott.
Ron Killings and Pacman Jones are walking in the back with Crystal behind them. She asks Killings about the rumors that he is trying to clean up Jones's image. She wonders how spray painting Eric Young's back is cleaning up his image. Killings says that it was charity. Jones asks Crystal if she knows how much he charges for an autograph and then he says that he gave Young a free autograph. Jones says that he could have received five hundred grand for that autograph. Jones says that tonight there is going to be another charity autograph as he shakes the can of spray paint. Crystal asks who it will be.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don "Deal" West.
Don and Mike talk about the main event where Kurt Angle's tag team partner will be determined in a four way match between Samoa Joe, Sting, Christian Cage, and A.J. Styles.
We go to Jeremy Borash in the back and he is in Kurt Angle's locker room with Kurt, his Wife Karen, and his Svengali Kevin Nash. Kurt says that this does not feel right as he looks at promotional photos of his four potential co-holders of the TNA Tag Team Titles on the wall. He says that none of these guys are suitable to be his tag team partner. He says that they are going to try to hurt him and not look out for Kurt's best interests. They hate him. Nash tells Angle that they don't hate him. Nash points out that Angle is an Olympic gold medalist and hating Kurt is like hating the flag. Nash says that they don't know how much money Kurt gives to charity on a weekly basis. They all start to laugh and Karen says that everything was taken care of last week by Kurt so she is going to take care of things this week. Karen says that she will go out there and do her magic. She tells Kurt to put his feet up, relax, and have a cold drink with Kevin. She says that she is going to pay the usual suspects a visit. Karen leaves the locker room and then Kurt wonders if she is going to talk to Joe.
Team 3D comes to the ring for their match with the Motor City Machine Guns. We see footage of Team 3D attacking Rick Steiner last week and putting him through a table with a power bomb from the second turnbuckle. Before Shelley and Sabin can enter the ring, Scott Steiner comes to the ring. Team 3D wants Scott to come into the ring. Scott comes into the ring and Brother Ray attacks Steiner as he rolls in. Scott with a double clothesline to Ray and Devon. Steiner with an exploder suplex to Ray and then he hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Devon. Scott goes under the ring for a table and he brings it into the ring. Scott gives Ray an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Devon hits Steiner from behind as he gets the table set up. Scott falls victim to the 3D and then Brother Ray gets on the mic and tells the loser to get up. Brother Ray says that it is sorry that he almost destroyed Rick last week. Brother Ray keeps the referees at bay and then he puts a chair on Scott's throat and Devon hits the chair with another chair. Brother Ray tells Scott that it is time to go back to the hospital. Security and EMTs come to check on Scott. Brother Ray gets the hammer from the bell and security leaves the area and Devon helps hold them at bay and attacks a few members of security. Scott is rolled back into the ring and they set up the table but nobody is able to stop Team 3D. Brother Ray power bombs Scott through the table from the turnbuckles. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment from the commercial break where we saw Scott Steiner taken from the Impact Zone on a stretcher and taken from Universal Studios in an ambulance. We also see footage of the attack again.
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are in the ring and Alex is on the mic. He says that if there is one thing he learned and that is that TNA needs heroes just like Detroit needs heroes. They want a match so the Motor City Machine Guns can pump up the ratings.
Match Number One: Motor City Machine Guns of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley versus the Voodoo Kin Mafia of Kip James and BG James (with Roxxi Laveaux)
As we see Roxxi walk to the ring, the action has already started in the ring with all four men exchanging punches. Sabin is thrown out of the ring by Kip and Shelley is sent into the turnbuckles by BG. Kip chokes Shelley while the referee is focused on Sabin and BG. Sabin hits a springboard drop kick while Shelley hits a Flatliner on BG. Sabin and Shelley follow that with Sabin hitting a running drop kick to Kip off Shelley's back that knocks Kip off the apron. Shelley with a drop toe hold to BG followed by an elbow drop from Sabin. Shelley holds BG's head up for a running drop kick from Sabin. Shelley slides between Kip's legs on the apron and he pulls Kip off the apron. Kip blocks a punch from Shelley and responds with a punch of his own before Kip sends Shelley into the guardrails. Kip gets in the ring and he misses a clothesline on Sabin but he does not miss the Cobra Clutch Slam and BG covers for the three count.
Winners: Voodoo Kin Mafia
After the match, Kip gets on the mic and he says that now that the "Ticket Ride" is over, he wonders if there are any other worthy tag teams in the building who are worthy of the VKM? The Latin American Xchange comes out to the ring. LAX is not the only team who wants a piece of the VKM as we see the team of Elix Skipper, Christopher Daniels, and Senshi emerge from the Chute of Heelish Impact. There is one more team who wants to get involved and that is Shark Boy and Eric Young.
Kip wants all of them to come to the ring and we have all nine men battling in the ring. Homicide and Senshi battle in the ring while Kip takes on Eric Young. Hernandez and Christopher Daniels battle in the corner while we see Elix Skipper, BG James, and Shark Boy fight. While all four teams battle in the ring, we go to the back to Jeremy Borash.
Jeremy is walking in the back with Karen Angle. Jeremy tells Karen that he does not think it is a good idea for her to go into Samoa Joe's locker room. Karen asks Jeremy why and Jeremy reminds Karen about Hard Justice. Karen says that she was not the one to hit Joe with the chair. Jeremy says that it was two weeks ago, but Karen says that Samoans have short memories so it will be fine. Karen knocks on Joe's door and enters and Joe is on the phone. Joe is surprised that Karen is in his locker room. Joe asks Karen if she realizes what she did to him and what he should be doing to her right now. Joe sees the piece of paper in Karen's hand and he says that she should have come in with a SWAT team. Joe tells Karen that before he does something that they will both regret, he tells her to leave or make it quick. Karen tells Joe that she knows that Joe hates her husband and that he probably hates her too, but she wants to know how long this war is going to go on. They could buy this company ten times over. She wonders who is winning this war. She says that it is only dividing the two most powerful forces in wrestling today. She says that this is crazy and none of them are winning. She says they can make it work if they work together. Joe tells Karen to close the door so they can talk about it. Joe says that when you take the emotion out of it, they could be unstoppable and they could run the world. Karen agrees with Joe and says that is what she has been telling Joe. Joe says that he wants to be Kurt's partner in the worst way. Joe says that he wants Karen to be there when he dismembers Kurt and tears him apart piece by piece. Joe says that he is going to take her husband's broken body and lay it at her feet as he backs Karen into the door. He tells Karen that she will know that she caused this. He then tells Karen to tell Kurt that he will see him soon. Karen and Jeremy leave as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is in another locker room with Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko but before Jeremy can ask his first question, Karen Angle enters the locker room. Karen asks what is going on and Christian says that they are a little busy and he wants to know if Karen is in the right place and Christian points out that the strip club is down the street. Karen and Christian yell at each other and A.J. reminds Christian that Karen is a lady. Karen appreciates A.J. defending her. Christian wants to know what is on Karen's mind and she says that she says that she is here for business. She says that she has an offer that she does not think Christian can refuse. Karen says that she helps Christian win the match tonight and then Christian becomes Kurt's partner. Together they successfully defend the tag titles at No Surrender. Christian asks what is in it for him and Karen tells Christian that he would get a title match against Kurt. Christian says that he is not biting at something that easy. Christian says that the only liar bigger than Karen is himself. Christian tells A.J. that tonight they are going to take care of Samoa Joe and Sting and then it will come down to the two of them and the best man is going to win. Christian and Tomko leave and Karen talks about their attitude problem and A.J. asks if the deal was for both of them. Karen says that the offer applied to A.J. as well. A.J. says that he is not gullible or stupid and he leaves. He comes back and asks if Karen is serious. A.J. wants to make sure that he understands the deal. A.J. wants to know if he needs to help Christian win or if he has to win; and Karen tells A.J. that all he has to do is win the match. Karen kisses A.J. on the cheek and leaves. A.J. says that Karen wants him so bad, but then he tells Jeremy not to tell Kurt.
We are back with Don and Mike and they talk about No Surrender and how Kurt Angle will be defending all three TNA titles. We will also see Robert Roode face Frankie Kazarian at the pay per view.
It is time for the latest Cowboy Pub Crawl in search of Rhino. We go to James Storms' vehicle where he says he made a mistake last week by going to bars that were too high class for Rhino. We go to Bullseye Sports Bar. Storm says that there are some ugly people in the bar. Storm wants to know if anyone is aware of where Rhino is. He says that if nobody talks up, he will whoop everybody in the bar. Storm leaves the bar and says that he wants to talk to the owner. Storm was told that they heard about what happened last week and don't want the same thing to happen there. Storm asks if Rhino was there and he is told that Rhino was there yesterday. Storm says that he is going to find Rhino and wants to know if Rhino is coming back. The segment ends with a graphic stating “Have you seen Rhino? If so call 1-888-HAVE-A-BEER."
Before Sting goes to the ring for the main event, Karen and Jeremy are backstage to talk to him. She talks about how Sting and Kurt have a lot in common. They have great family morals and both stand up for what is right. Karen asks Sting what is better than for him to stand side by side. She tells Sting that they can change the world together for the children. Sting tells Karen if she cares so much about the children then she should change her dress.
After all of the wrestlers come to the ring, we see Kurt and Karen Angle rise in the Angle-Vator and come to ringside with the TNA Tag Title belts.
Match Number Two: Christian Cage versus A.J. Styles versus Samoa Joe (with Samoan Dance Troupe) versus Sting to determine the other half of the TNA Tag Team Titles
The match starts with Joe and Sting in the ring and A.J. and Christian on the floor. Joe and Sting attack Christian and A.J. as they enter the ring. Joe punches and kicks Christian while Sting works over Styles. Styles with a double thrust to Sting's throat to stop his offense and Styles starts to work over Sting with a series of punches. Styles attacks Joe and Christian helps with the double team. Christian kicks Joe while Styles returns to Sting and then we cut to the Angles watching from ringside.
We return to the ring where Joe is punching Christian in the corner but Styles comes from behind and hits Joe. Styles and Christian throw Joe out of the ring and they turn their attention to Sting. Sting fights off both men for a few seconds but Christian hits Sting. Christian and A.J. alternate holding Sting for the other to punch Sting. We return to Kurt and Karen watching the match while Kurt holds his title belts.
Back to the ring, and Christian and Styles punch Sting and then they come off the ropes but Sting with a double clothesline. Sting throws Styles out of the ring in front of the Angles. Christian with a boot but Sting with a drop kick. Sting tries for the Scorpion Death Lock but Christian makes it to the ropes. Christian with a kick to Sting followed by a punch and chop. Sting with a kick and bulldog but Styles pulls Sting out of the ring. Sting is sent into the ring steps by Styles, but in the ring, Joe comes up behind Christian and puts him in the Choke. Styles comes in to make the save and Styles kicks Joe in the back. Styles punches Joe but Joe punches and kicks Styles and Christian. Joe hits a running clothesline into the corner on Christian and then he Irish whips Styles into the corner and then he hits a running back elbow and a jumping spin kick. Joe sets for the running boot to Christian with the face wash and he turns around and he sees Styles coming at him. Joe with a kick and then he sends Styles into Christian's nether regions head first. Joe with a belly-to-back suplex on Styles but he can only get a two count. Joe puts Styles on the top turnbuckle to set up for the Muscle buster but Christian hits Joe from behind. Joe slaps Christian and then Styles hits the moonsault into an inverted DDT on Joe. Sting goes up top and he hits a double cross body block on Christian and Styles. Sting throws Christian over the top rope to the floor and then Sting sends Styles to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Sting and Joe are in the ring and Sting is punching Joe. Joe with a jumping spin kick to Sting. We see footage from during the commercial break of Sting pressing Christian and dropping him to the floor as well as Joe dropping Styles on the top rope sending A.J. to the floor. We return to the live on tape action and Joe catapults Sting into A.J. on the apron and A.J. goes to the floor. Joe with a powerslam for a two count on Sting. We go to the reaction from the Angles. Joe with jabs to Sting followed by an Irish whip but Joe misses an elbow when he charges into the corner. Sting tries for the Stinger Splash but Joe moves out of the corner. Joe goes to the apron and then he climbs to the top and sets for an Island Driver but Sting hits a superplex. Styles covers Sting and gets a two count. Christian covers Joe but Styles breaks up the cover. Christian yells at Styles and then Styles with a small package for a two count on Christian. Christian and Styles alternate near falls on each other. Christian kicks and chops Styles and then he chokes A.J. in the corner. Christian with shoulders in the corner followed by an Irish whip. Styles with a boot to a charging Christian and then he goes to the top. Christian charges into the corner and Styles leaps over Christian. Styles with a kick and then he sets for the Styles Clash. Sting misses a clothesline on Styles but Styles does not miss with the Pele kick. Joe and Styles each hit clotheslines and both are down. Christian goes up top for a Frog Splash but Styles and Joe both move out of the way. All four men are down and the referee starts his count. Sting is the first to his feet followed by Styles. Sting sends Christian to the floor but Styles sends Sting to the floor. Joe sends Styles to the apron and then punches him off the apron. Joe hits a corkscrew plancha onto all three men and we go to commercial.
We are back and Christian kicks and chokes Sting in the ring. We go to footage from the commercial break when Christian gave Joe an Unprettier on the floor. We return to the live on tape action and we see the Angles watching from their chairs at ringside. Christian and Styles with a double suplex to Sting and Christian and Styles choke Sting. Sting punches Styles and Christian and then he sends both men into the corner and he sets for a Stinger Splash on both but Christian moves out of the way. Christian sets for the Unprettier but Sting counters into the Scorpion Death Drop but Styles breaks up the cover. Styles tells Christian to get a chair but Joe takes the chair from Christian and he tries to hit Christian with the chair but Christian moves out of the way. Joe and Christian fight to the announce table and to the back. Styles goes for the turnbuckle and the referee tries to stop him. With the referee out of position, Tomko comes to the ring and hits a big boot on Sting. Styles can only get a two count when he covers Sting. Styles goes for a springboard move but he is met with a reverse atomic drop and then Sting puts Styles in the Scorpion Death Lock and Styles taps out.
Winner: Sting
After the match, Kurt and Karen Angle go into the ring to celebrate with their new tag team partner. Karen holds the ropes for Kurt and then Kurt stares at Sting. Karen gives one of the TNA Tag Team Title belts and hands it to Sting. Kurt offers his hand to Sting and they shake hands in the center of the ring while Karen applauds the new alliance. Karen holds up both men's arms before the Angles leave the ring.
As the Angles go up the Ramp of Heelish Impact, Ron Killings comes into the ring and he attacks Sting from behind while Pacman Jones walks down the Ramp of Facial Impact with the can of spray paint for another charitable autograph. Killings hits the axe kick and then Pacman spray paints Sting's back. Kurt Angle comes back to the ring to make the save for his new tag team partner. We go to credits.
2008 - WWE Hall of Famer Walter "Killer" Kowaslski, one of the top heels of his era before becoming a top flight trainer, passed away. WWE issued the following statement:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) is saddened by the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Walter “Killer” Kowalski. Kowalski, who was an in-demand performer in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, was a former WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) Tag Team Champion in the late-1970's. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996. He was instrumental in the training of many WWE Superstars, including current WWE Champion Triple H. WWE extends its condolences to the Kowalski family.
2008 - WWE ran Jonesboro, Arkansas, despite a power outage. Brian Thompson filed the following live report:
WWE SmackDown!/ECW Live
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Arkansas State University Convocation Center
Jonesboro, Arkansas
World Wrestling Entertainment fans were treated to an interesting evening of wrestling action with an old school feel. Why you ask? I'll have more on that in a moment!
Crowd looked to be in the 3,700 - 4,000 range. This was the second time that WWE has held a house show in Jonesboro this year. The first was a January SmackDown!/ECW card.
The Big Show defeated Carlito in the opener. Crowd popped huge for Big Show after many around me seem dumbfounded by the new "old" hairstyle of Carlito. Some thought it wasn't even him, thinking it might be his brother.
R. Truth defeated The Brian Kendrick by disqualification when Ezekiel Jackson interfered. It was during this match that the power in the building went out. Those of us in Section B of the arena later learned that power was out all over town.
Ring announcer Justin Roberts was forced to introduce the next match using a bull horn, straight from Jimmy Hart's closet. Okay that was lame, but he really did introduce the next few matches with a bull horn. Also for the next few bouts, participants had to come out to no music. Was definitely an "old school" feel with no music and no overhead ring lights working.
WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool & Maria defeated Maryse & Natalya in a Divas tag team match.
Vladimir Koslov defeated Super Crazy. Pretty much a squash here. Lots of people took bathroom breaks and visited the merchandise tables or concession stands during this one.
Finlay (with Hornswoggle) defeated Kenny Dykstra.
WWE Tag Team Champions Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins defeated Jesse & Festus to retain their titles. The lights came back on during this match.
Jeff Hardy defeated MVP in a "No Disqualification" match. The match did not start out this way but after a brief brawl on the floor, Hardy got on the house mic and made the challenge. MVP acted like he didn't want to do it and ended up arguing with and then shoving referee Mickey Henson. The referee, after the shove, declared the match to be a "No DQ" contest.
Main Event: WWE Champion Triple H & The Undertaker defeated The Great Khali & WWE U. S. Champion Shelton Benjamin.
The Undertaker, Triple H and Jeff Hardy received the biggest pops of the night. Undertaker was tops with Triple H and Jeff Hardy close seconds. Big Show was next in line.
There was no intermission as it appeared that they were trying to get through the show before dark, in case the lights never came on. The show started at 5 p.m.
Original main event, as advertised, was scheduled to be Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP. Also, originally set was Shelton Benjamin vs. Jeff Hardy. Guess those were changed last minute. In addition, Matt Hardy was scheduled to challenge Mark Henry for the ECW Title. That match did not happen.
2009 - WWE's Raw brand ran Valparaiso, Indiana. Matt Carter filed the following live report:
I thought I would send along a quick live report from the WWE RAW House Show on 8-30-09 in Valparaiso, Indiana
This was originally to be a Smackdown/ECW show earlier this year but was postponed because of the commercial free RAW on USA.
I think that is the reason the attendance was very high. Last year's house show at this venue wasn't half as full as today. From what I could tell, it was sell out.
I arrived after the start of the first match...so I didn't catch the name of the new ring announcer lady. She didn't do a bad job at all.
Match 1
Evan Bourne def. Chavo Guerrero
Ending saw Hornswoggle come from under the ring and distracting Chavo...that lead to the Shooting Star Press
Match 2
Primo def. Alex Riley
No one knew who Alex Riley was at all. He did some great heel mic work prior to the match about being from Boston College and being better than everyone. He comes to the ring in a sleeve-less letterman's jacket with an "R" on it. No one seemed to know who Primo was either. Decent match. Primo wins with high cross body off the top rope.
Match 3
Chris Masters def. Santino Marella
The crowd was WAY into Santino. Santino did some opening mic work about getting beaten up by Masters a few years ago. He said that his ex girlfriend Beth Phoenix taught him how to lift weights and he is no longer a rookie. Some fun comedy to start and Masters wins with a Masterlock.
Match 4
6 Diva Tag Team Match
Mickie James/Kelly Kelly/Gail Kim def. Beth Phoenix/Alicia Fox/Rosa Mendez
Match was ok for what it was. What stuck out to me was 2 things. Alicia Fox is getting much better in the ring...she may have that "it" factor. Rosa Mendez doesn't. She looked WAY out of place and very green. She almost killed herself taking a flying head scissor from Mickie James and took a Thez press all wrong. I forget who pinned who...I think Mickie pinned Rosa but not 100%
Intermission
Match 5
Fatal Four Way for United States Championship
Kofi Kingston def. Carlito/The Miz/Jack Swagger
Carlito came out to a lot of cheers. Guess the universe missed the memo. Swagger and Miz got some nice heat. Kofi wins with Trouble In Paradise on Carlito (I think).
Match 6
Special Challenge Match
The Big Show def. Mark Henry
We were never told what the special challenge actually was. After watching the match, the challenge was staying interested. Big Show came out to a pop...again the universe missed the memo. Big Show wins with the knock out punch.
Main Event
John Cena/HHH def. Legacy (Rhodes/DiBiase)
I thought this was a REALLY weak main event. A funny note, when WWE was in Valpo over a year ago....Cena and HHH teamed up for a win. Same thing here with almost the same finish (19 months later). Pedigree and Attitude Adjustment at the same time and Cena pins Rhodes.
Tons and tons of kids. Nice hot crowd. Pretty weak (read safe) wrestling here. I think my ticket to DGUSA for next Sunday will be a whole different experience.
Best Pops:
1. Cena
2. HHH
3. Hornswoggle
Best Heat:
1. The Miz
2. Jack Swagger
3. Chris Masters
2010 - TNA signed Mickie James, although they did not publicly announce it immediately.
2010 - Raw broadcast its milestone 900th episode. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Boston, Massachusetts and your announcers are Michael ‘Official voice of the Raw General Messenger’ Cole and Jerry ‘The King of the 900s’ Lawler.
Bret Hart comes to the ring and he has something to say. Bret says hello to the people of Boston and says that it has been a while. Seventeen years ago, a new show debuted called Monday Night Raw. Bret says that back then, he wondered if the show would catch on. Thanks to everyone, seventeen years and 900 shows later, it looks like it is doing pretty good. Raw has the most shows in the history of primetime television. Bret says that he was there for the very first show. There was only one other wrestler here who was there on the first show as well. That man is the Undertaker. Bret says that it would be appropriate . . .
For Kane to come out and interrupt Bret. Kane mentions the Undertaker. He says that there is no Undertaker any more. Kane says that thanks to him physically decimating him and leaving him to rot in a vegetative state, the Undertaker is a phenom no longer. He is not phenomenal in any way. Kane says that Taker is just a man. Kane says that the man Bret once knew is like Bret. He is weak, feeble, scraggly, over the hill, and irreversibly damaged. The last time that the Undertaker was truly the Phenom it was at Wrestlemania when Taker ended the career of Shawn Michaels. Kane asks Bret if he liked that. Bret made amends with him, but he utterly despised Shawn. He must have enjoyed seeing Shawn laid out to rest.
Bret says that he will savor it when Kane loses to the Undertaker again. Kane tells Bret that he sounds like Taker. Kane says that the only thing he ever wanted was to break out of his brother’s shadow to prove that he is the devil’s favorite demon. Undertaker took out an icon in Shawn Michaels. Kane says that means that he needs to do the same. He needs to take out an icon of his own. Kane says that he needs to take out Bret Hart.
Kane grabs Bret by the throat and the Hart Dynasty comes to the ring. Kane fights off Kidd and Smith. Hart punches Kane but Kane grabs Hart again.
The lights go out and the Undertaker is in the center of the ring when the lights go back on. Kane stares down his brother and he leaves the ring. Kane tells his big brother ‘not yet’.
The General Messenger makes his presence known and Michael Cole gives us the most electrifying introduction in e-mail reading history. Cole tells us that he sees this iconic moment take place. In honor of Raw’s 900th episode, there will be a main event befitting this historic occasion. Bret Hart versus the Undertaker.
We go to a Raw Moment: Footage from the first episode of Raw in January 1993.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you Know that Raw has had more original episodes that a few reality shows combined.
It is time for another Raw moment. Episode 279 when Steve Austin drove a zamboni into the arena in 1998.
Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston and Michael McGillicutty versus Daniel Bryan and Kaval versus The Miz and Alex Riley
Riley, Bryan and Kofi start things off and Riley attacks Bryan from behind and then he knocks Kofi away. Kofi with a drop kick but Bryan breaks up the cover. Bryan with a European uppercut but Kofi with a kick. Bryan with a kick to Kofi and then Bryan punches the Miz. Bryan punches Riley and kicks him in the corner. Kofi with the SOS to Bryan for a near fall. Riley breaks up the cover and he hits a Michinoku Driver on Kofi for a near fall. Riley with an elbow to the head. Bryan with a knee to Riley but Kofi with a forearm to Bryan. Kofi with the Boom drop to Riley but Bryan breaks things up. Kofi with a cross body to Bryan and all three men are down. Kaval and McGillicutty tag in and Michael with a kick but Kaval with a Dragon Sleeper but Riley hits Kaval from behind. Riley punches Michael and Miz tags in but Kaval with a drop kick to Riley and Miz goes to the floor. Michael with a rollup for a near fall on Kaval. Kaval with a Liger kick and then he goes up top for the Warriors Way and he hits it but Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winners: Miz and Alex Riley
After the match, Bryan kicks Riley off the apron and then Miz returns to the ring and he hits Bryan in the head with the briefcase.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Melina defeating Jillian last week only to have Michelle and Layla interrupt Melina’s celebration.
Michelle and Layla are in the ring.
Match Number Two: Melina and Eve Torres versus Michelle McCool and Layla
Michelle and Melina start off and Melina with forearms and Melina knocks Layla to the floor. Michelle with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Layla tags in and she tosses Melina by the hair. Layla is sent into Michelle and Melina with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Melina featuring Eve Torres
After the match, it is time for some Real Talk. Michelle says that this victory is a lot like Melina, completely forgettable. Layla says that we need to know who the real champion is in WWE. They challenge Melina to a unification match against Melina at Night of Champions. Michelle and Layla ask Melina if they have a deal.
Melina says that she figured they were going to propose something like that, but she will accept only if it is a lumberjack match.
Michelle and Layla accept the stipulation.
The other Divas still in the company come out to show Michelle and Layla who the lumberjacks are.
Time for the next Raw moment: Episode 889 when Nexus was formed and John Cena fell victim to an eight on one attack.
The five remaining members of Nexus are in the locker room. Tarver says that people are saying that they aren’t the same. Otunga says that they are just trimming the fat and he tells Tarver to go if he doesn’t think that way. Wade says that they will be the biggest stars in the WWE tonight and in three weeks, he will become WWE Champion. They need to do something that will be unforgettable and have people talking about them forever. Wade says that he knows what they can do and we go to commercial.
We are back with another Raw 900th Episode flashback. Episode 850 from September 2009 when Bob Barker was the guest host.
Chris Jericho is in the interview area with Josh Mathews. He asks Josh what the future holds for him. Chris asks if people think it is a gimmick when he says that he is the best in the world. He says it because it is true. Jericho says that he is going to take matters into his own hands. He had an epiphany that he is the greatest performer. If he does not win the WWE Title at Night of Champions, it will be the last you see of Chris Jericho in the WWE. Josh mentions that Jericho has been kicked out of the WWE a dozen times. Jericho says that he wants Josh to see what he is going to do to prove that he is the best in the world at what he does.
Match Number Three: John Morrison and R Truth versus Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre in a Number One Contender Match for the WWE Tag Titles
Cody and Truth start things off and Truth gets the crowd into the match. Rhodes with a kick but Truth with a hip toss and then he does a split for no reason. Rhodes with a forearm to Morrison but Truth with a forearm to the back. All four men are in the ring and Drew and Cody are in control for a moment. The referee loses control and he calls for the bell.
No Contest
Truth with a suicide dive onto Rhodes while Drew kicks Morrison on the floor. Morrison with a drop kick that sends Drew into the computer.
We are back and did you know that people in WWE have a lot of free time to figure out when Jersey Shore would hit their 900th episode.
It is time to go to episode 867 on the Greatest Night in Wrestling History on January 4th when Hell Froze Over when Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart buried the hatchet after something that happened in Canada a few years ago.
Match Number Four: Bret Hart versus Undertaker
Before the match can start, Wade Barrett comes out and he tells Bret and Taker to hold their horses because this match is not going to happen. When people talk about the 900th episode of Raw, they don’t want to talk about two legends, they want to talk about the future and that is Nexus. Wade said earlier today that he was going to do something unforgettable. He will do it by delousing Bret Hart and proving that the Undertaker is indeed a dead man.
Barrett goes after Taker but Taker punches Barrett. Taker with a big boot to Barrett and Barrett is clotheslined over the top rope to the floor.
The lights go out and when they go back on, Kane is in the ring and Kane punches Taker but Taker punches Kane back. They stand toe to toe in the ring with Kane punching Taker.
The lights go out again and when they go back on Taker is the only person in the ring.
Nexus music plays again and the other four guys make their way to the ring. They join Barrett and circle Taker’s yard. Taker punches Tarver off the apron and then he takes care of Slater and Otunga. He has Barrett by the throat and the lights go out.
The lights go back on and Barrett has Taker on his shoulders and he hits the fireman’s carry slam.
Kane stands on the stage and watches what Nexus is going to do. They pull Taker towards the corner for the World’s Most Hesitant 450 Splash.
Take tries to sit up like he used to in the day but Kane might be right and he is no longer the top dog in the eyes of the devil.
We go to commercial.
We are back and there’s Fenway Park.
It is time for a Moments Ago Moment of Kane overshadowing Nexus’ plan to take care of the Undertaker and then Kane’s light switch gimmick helped Nexus.
Jack Swagger comes out and he says that they should hail the returning conquering All American Hero. Jack says that when he left Raw he was an All American American American American. He returns a former World Champion. Jack says that he might know why Johnny Damon doesn’t want to return to Boston, but Jack has no problem bringing a little swagger to Monday Night Raw.
Match Number Four: Jack Swagger versus Evan Bourne
Swagger with a kick and forearms to the back. Swagger sends Bourne into the turnbuckles and then Bourne with a kick to the leg and Alberto Del Rio interrupts as he drives into the building.
Swagger with an Irish whip while Ricardo Rodriguez introduces Alberto. Swagger with shoulders in the corner. Swagger tries for a running power slam but Bourne escapes and he hits a back kick. Bourne goes up top for the shooting star press and he lands on his feet when Swagger moves. Swagger clips Bourne and he puts Bourne in the ankle lock and Bourne taps.
Winner: Jack Swagger
Alberto Del Rio introduces himself and he says that the little Chihuahua Rey Mysterio won’t be here tonight. Alberto says that the only place you can see Rey is in the hospital. What he did to Rey last week was phenomenal and incredible. Alberto says that he is not completely happy because the audience on Raw did not see what happened. Alberto says that he is going to recreate that magic moment, but with a different Chihuahua. He goes into the ring and he attacks Evan Bourne and puts him in a cross arm breaker. Alberto kicks Bourne out of the ring and then he puts Bourne’s arm in the chair.
Mark Henry runs to the ring and he punches the chair. Alberto thinks again about going back to the ring.
Michael Cole talks about the first WWE show in China and we have a video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back with another Raw Moment: Episode 331: The Rock “This is Your Life” segment that was the highest rated segment in Raw history.
The Straight Edge Society comes out and they are one member short. They pose in the corner before Punk takes the mic. Punk says that he is better than the Rock. He doesn’t drink. He doesn’t smoke. He doesn’t make crappy movies like the Tooth Fairy. Punk asks if the fans like the Rock. Punk asks if they miss the Rock on Raw. Punk says that he doesn’t miss the Rock. It is because the Rock epitomizes the septic tank of a show that is Monday Night Raw. 900 shows is a milestone, but for 900 shows, Raw has been promoting poor family values. Punk has two words for us: Katie Vick. Punk says that it will drive you to drink, but he will save you. Punk says that he is here to show four of the most atrocious acts committed on Raw. They are not pretty and tonight he is Raw’s judge, jury and executioner. Exhibit A: Property Damage from Episode 824 when Triple destroyed Randy Orton’s house before Wrestlemania. Exhibit B: Irresponsible and Reckless Behavior: Edge and John Cena fighting into the water in Bridgeport in Episode 691. Punk says that he would never throw anyone into a body of water because it is bad sportsmanship. Exhibit C: Trespassing: Episode 257: Invading Nitro in 1998. Exhibit D: Excessive Use of Alcohol via firehose: Episode 304 in 1999 when Steve Austin had the beer hose and unleashed suds on the McMahon family.
Punk says that he cannot find the words that describe the shame that he feels for them. He says that he is ashamed to see the fans cheer someone like that. Punk says that everyone would pay their hard earned money to see Steve Austin walk down the ramp and spray CM Punk with beer via a fire hose.
Glass breaks and Punk has played the crowd because Steve Austin is not coming out. Punk gets a good laugh out of it and he asks if the people of Boston are disappointed and angry with him. Punk says that he is always that disappointed when he comes here to see each and every one of them. He says that he is happy that they are disappointed. Punk says that he has one more clip to leave on a high note. Punk has a clip from a show called Smackdown. We see the 199th episode of Smackdown when Brock Lesnar superplexed Big Show and imploded the ring. Punk says that he could watch that clip over and over because it represents everything he could never be. He could never be criminally obese. He says that Big Show is so big he broke an entire ring.
Big Show’s music plays and he comes out.
Punk mentions that they play Steve Austin’s music and no one comes out, but they play Big Show’s music and we get Captain Insano.
Show is insulted that Punk would make a fat joke. If Punk wants to embarrass him, he can talk about the chronic diarrhea when Eddie Guerrero gave him a tainted burrito. Or the time that he had to do the sumo wrestling thing. That was embarrassing. Show says that Punk should have brought up Show kissing Vickie Guerrero. Show tells Punk that he loves making people laugh. Show says that he does impersonations. Show does a Straight Edge Hogan promo. Punk says that was boring.
Show sulks a little and then Show says that Punk was being mean. Punk says that there is nothing ‘high’ about the straight edge society and that is what makes them better than Show. Show says he is not high, he is just tall. Show chops Punk. Luke punches Show but Show punches back. Show with a forearm to the back and then he clotheslines Luke over the top rope to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that Monday Night Football wishes they have had more games than episodes of Raw.
Time for another Raw moment: Episode 450 in 2002 when Triple H returned from his quad injury.
Josh Mathews brings out Sheamus. Josh asks Sheamus about his match in three weeks, but Sheamus takes the mic. He says that it is a celebration tonight, except for one person, Triple H. He isn’t here because of Sheamus and Triple H is never coming back. Sheamus says that is why he is being punished by having to defend his title against five people. Sheamus wants to know how this is fair. He calls everyone a bunch of Plastic Paddys. He says that he is the only true Irish man. In addition to the match at the pay per view, he has to team with four of his opponents at the pay per view. One of his partners is Randy Orton, the man who tried to end his career. Sheamus says that this is discrimination.
Before the ACLU can come to his side, Edge’s music plays and he comes out. He says that Sheamus is giving him a headache fella. Edge says that since he debuted on Episode 265, he has been thrown into the Long Island Sound, had weddings broken up, had deranged ex-employees come through the crowd and attack him, and hit him with chairs. For everything that has happened to him, he has thrown back three times as many. Edge says that he has won 29 titles. He has won the Royal Rumble, King of the Ring, and Money in the Bank. Edge says that he will win the Six Pack Challenge. He tells Sheamus that he can go back to the lab with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Last week when the Six Pack Challenge was announced by the General Messenger via his spokesman Michael Cole and then the Barrett beat down and finisher-a-palooza.
Match Number Five: Edge, John Cena, Sheamus, Randy Orton, and Chris Jericho versus Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, and Michael Tarver in an Elimination Match
Jericho and Cena have some words as Jericho tells John that he is starting. He will face Michael Tarver. They circle around the ring and then they lock up in the 900th main event on Raw. Jericho decides to leave the ring and he thinks about going back into the ring, but he walks to the back and gets eliminated.
Edge is the next to try to do something, or will he? He pushes the referee and gets disqualified.
Nexus get a good laugh while Cena decides to actually wrestle someone. Cena punches Tarver and sends him into the turnbuckles. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog. Cena punches Tarver and he tags in Sheamus who attacks Tarver in the corner and kicks him. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Slater tags in and Sheamus with forearms. Sheamus with a suplex for a near fall. Sheamus punches Slater and sends him into the turnbuckles. Sheamus with knees and they force Slater to the apron. Sheamus with an elbow to the throat and he throws Slater back into the ring and he gets a near fall on Slater.
Otunga tags in and he puts Sheamus in a side head lock. Sheamus tries for a shoulder tackle but Otunga stays on his feet. Otunga poses and Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus with another clothesline to Otunga. Sheamus kicks Otunga in the corner and Otunga with a hard Irish whip and he punches Sheamus. Slater tags back in and he kicks Sheamus. The referee warns Slater. Gabriel tags in and he kicks Sheamus and punches him. Gabriel tags in Barrett and he kicks Sheamus and punches him. Slater tags back in and he kicks Sheamus. Slater with a surfboard. Sheamus with a boot and Gabriel stops the Celtic Cross. Slater with a boot to Sheamus followed by punches. Sheamus fights out of the corner but Gabriel with a kick and Slater with Sweetness and he pins Sheamus.
Cena with the flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the Attitude Adjustment and he pins Slater.
Barrett attacks Cena and he punches and kicks Cena. Barrett throws Cena to the floor and Tarver, Otunga, and Gabriel attack Cena before Barrett goes out to bring Cena into the ring. Before they return to the ring, Barrett slams Cena’s head into the announce table and he gets a near fall. Barrett kicks Cena and punches him. Gabriel tags back in and he hits a jumping back heel kick. Barrett punches Cena on the apron while Gabriel distracts the referee. Gabriel gets a near fall on Cena. Gabriel with a cross body into the corner for a near fall. Otunga tags in and he tries for a suplex and Cena blocks it and Cena hits a suplex of his own. Otunga knocks Orton off the apron to prevent Cena from making the tag. Cena puts Otunga in the STF and Otunga taps.
Gabriel hits a 450 Splash and he pins Cena. Orton with an RKO on Gabriel to eliminate him.
Tarver misses a Superman punch and Orton with an RKO to pin him. Barrett with the fireman’s carry slam on Orton for the three count.
Winners: Nexus
Matt Striker welcomes us to NXT and he says that we are going to have a break from this season and take a look at some of the people from NXT who have made it in WWE on Raw and Smackdown.
Matt mentions Justin Gabriel, Brodus Clay, and Daniel Bryan.
The first person is Wade Barrett who won the first season of NXT.
We go to Wade’s comments from last Friday’s Smackdown when he talked about the things that he has done while in the WWE as the leader of Nexus and the Corre when he walked out of his scheduled match.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Brodus Clay video package.
Matt talks about Brodus Clay and he says that he is big as an ox.
It is time to talk about Season Three of NXT when Michael Cole was at his Cole-ish best. We even had a wedding. During that season, we met AJ Lee. Matt reminds us that she is on Smackdown and we go to a match from Smackdown two weeks ago.
Kelly Kelly and AJ Lee versus Natalya and Alicia Fox
Natalya and AJ start things off and they lock up. Natalya blocks an arm drag and AJ tries for a rollup but Natalya stays on her feet. Natalya picks up AJ and sends AJ into the corner. AJ kicks Natalya in the corner and she tries for a cross body off the turnbuckles but Natalya catches her. AJ with a head scissors take down. Natalya with an Irish whip and she sends AJ into the ropes and then Natalya drives AJ into the mat.
Alicia tags in and Alicia with a snap mare and Natalya with a kick to the midsection. Alicia with a knee to the midsection followed by a reverse chin lock. AJ with elbows but Alicia pulls AJ to the mat. Natalya tags back in and they hit a double suplex. Natalya gets a near fall. Natalya with a slap and then Alicia is tagged back in.
Alicia sends AJ into the corner and she chokes AJ with her boot. AJ fights out of the corner and she tags in Kelly. Kelly with a Thesz Press and then she spanks Alicia Kelly with a spinning and screaming head scissors take down followed by a bulldog. Kelly with the stink face. Kelly with a rana to Alicia for a near fall that is broken up by Natalya. Natalya and AJ fight on the floor. Alicia misses the Scissors kick and Kelly with a Fameasser for the three count.
Winners: Kelly Kelly and AJ Lee
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package about Justin Gabriel’s return to his native land of South Africa.
Matt mentions that Justin is emerging as a superstar on Smackdown. Matt mentions that his sister called him wanting to know about Justin Gabriel when he debuted on NXT.
We see footage of Justin Gabriel and the 450 splash. We go to his match from Smackdown a few weeks ago against Tyson Kidd.
Justin Gabriel versus Tyson Kidd
Kidd with a waist lock take down into a side head lock. Kidd with a shoulder tackle and he tries for a hip toss but Gabriel lands on his feet. Gabriel with an arm drag into an arm bar. Kidd backs Gabriel into the corner and Kidd with punches but Gabriel with an Irish whip. Kidd floats over and he sends Gabriel into the turnbuckles with a head scissors. Kidd with a snap mare followed by a drop kick to the back of the neck and he gets a near fall.
Kidd with an elbow to the back of the head and he hits a running back elbow for a near fall. Kidd with a surfboard with his knee on Gabriel’s neck. Gabriel flips out of a belly-to-back suplex and Gabriel misses a spin kick but he hits an enzuigiri. Gabriel with kicks to Kidd ending with a jumping back kick. Gabriel with a spinning heel kick followed by a roaring elbow for a near fall.
Kidd with an Irish whip but Kidd misses a charge into the corner. Gabriel with a springboard cross body but Kidd rolls through and tries for a Sharpshooter but Gabriel counters and gets a near fall. Gabriel with an STO and then he goes up top but Kidd recovers and he tries for a superplex but Gabriel knocks Kidd off the turnbuckles. Gabriel sets for the 450 splash and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
We go to commercial.
We have an Alex Riley video package.
Matt mentions that Alex had to get away from the Miz, but he wasn’t the only rookie to have to get away from the Miz. We see footage from Daniel Bryan during season one. He mentions that Bryan won the United States Title from Miz. Bryan also won the Money in the Bank match with other NXT alumni.
Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder Match (Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Kane, Sheamus, Sin Cara, and Wade Barrett )
The wrestlers pair off with Kane battling with Gabriel and Slater while Sheamus takes care of Rhodes and Bryan. We have the three big men in the center of the ring as Barrett and Sheamus kick Kane and Kane with a double clothesline and then he does the same to send them over the top rope to the floor. Kane goes to the floor and he grabs a ladder but Bryan with a drop kick to the ladder to knock Kane to the floor.
Bryan brings the ladder to the apron and Slater and Gabriel do the same. Sin Cara slides under the ladder and Gabriel and Slater hit Cara with the ladder. Slater is pulled to the floor but Gabriel grabs Slater and kicks him in the head. Slater hops the ladder but Bryan with a missile drop kick. Rhodes sends Bryan into the ladder and Cody climbs the ladder but Sheamus stops him. Cody with Beautiful Disaster to Slater before Sheamus takes care of Bryan and Rhodes.
Sheamus throws the ladder at Rhodes and then he puts it in the corner. Kane grabs Sheamus and Rhodes and sends them over the top rope to the floor. Barrett hits Kane from behind and Barrett with punches. Kane Irish whips Barrett into the ladder in the corner. Kane throws the ladder onto Sheamus and Rhodes on the floor. Kane with a side slam to Slater and then Kane goes to the turnbuckles for a clothesline but Cara comes in and hits an enzuigiri to send Kane to the floor. Bryan with a European uppercut to Gabriel followed by a suicide dive to Barrett. Gabriel with a flip dive onto kane. Slater with a plancha onto Rhodes and then Cara with a double jump splash onto Sheamus.
Cara with a springboard cross body to Bryan and then Gabriel tries for a belly-to-back on Cara but Cara escapes and he hits a drop kick on Slater. Cara with a rana to Gabriel and he goes to the floor. Cara with an enzuigiri to Bryan on the top turnbuckle and then they fight on top and Cara hits the C-4.
Cara looks at the briefcase and then he looks for a ladder and he gets one from in front of the announce table, but he has trouble bringing the ladder into the ring. Barrett with a boot to Cara and then Barrett throws the cover off the announce table. Barrett lays the ladder across the apron and announce table. Cara sends Barrett’s arm into the ring post and then Sheamus with the Brogue Kick to Cara when he turns around.
Sheamus stands on Cara’s head and then he goes to the apron with Cara. Sheamus with a power bomb through the ladder and the ladder is bend in half. The referee checks on Cara after the impact and the medical staff comes over to check on Cara as he appears to have spasms.
Sheamus hits Slater with a ladder as we see a stretcher come to get Sin Cara. Kane punches Sheamus in the ring and then he pushes Sheamus to the floor. Kane picks up a smaller ladder and he drops it on Sheamus. Kane joins Bryan and Rhodes in the ring with ladders and Bryan and Rhodes join forces to deal with Kane. Bryan and Rhodes exchange forearms while Kane takes time to pick up a ladder and hit Rhodes and Bryan.
Kane puts a larger ladder under the case and he climbs the ladder. Slater and Barrett stop Kane and Gabriel joins in. The three former Corre members go after Kane while Cody takes advantage of the situation and he tries to climb the ladder. The Corre pull Cody off and they work him over in the corner. Daniel Bryan tries to do the same thing that Kane and Cody tried but he suffers the same result.
Barrett, Gabriel, and Slater stand in the ring and they discuss strategy. Barrett climbs the ladder and then Slater and Gabriel pull him off and then Heath and Justin work over Barrett. Slater and Gabriel throw Barrett out of the ring and then Gabriel and Slater race up the ladder. They fight on the top of the ladder and Cody pushes them off. Cody hits Cross Rhodes on Slater and then Cody puts the ladder in position.
Cody climbs up but Barrett pulls him off. Barrett climbs but Cody pulls him off and Cody hits Cross Rhodes on Barrett. Sheamus stops Cody’s climb and Sheamus hits the Irish Curse back breaker. Sheamus climbs the ladder but Daniel Bryan grabs at Sheamus’ leg. They fight on the ladder and Bryan sends Sheamus’ head into the ladder. Bryan climbs over Sheamus and Sheamus gets Bryan on his shoulders.
Kane goes up top and Kane hits the Doomsday Device. Sheamus takes Kane down with a boot. Sheamus punches Kane and then he moves the ladder and he kicks Kane in the ribs. Sheamus grabs another ladder and he puts it between the turnbuckles and main ladder. Sheamus tries for a uranage onto the ladder but Kane stops him. Kane gives Rhodes a choke slam. Gabriel comes off the top rope but Kane grabs Gabriel by the throat and hits a choke slam on Gabriel.
Kane climbs the ladder and Bryan stops Kane’s momentum. They fight on the ladder and Bryan with elbows to knock Kane off. Kane tries for a choke slam but Bryan tries to use the LeBell Lock with help from the ladder. Bryan with a cross body but Kane catches him. Bryan counters with a DDT on Kane.
Slater makes his way to the ladder and he is almost to the top but Bryan stops Slater. Bryan with elbows as Slater has his hands on the ladder. Slater with a neck breaker off the ladder and both men are down. Slater crawls to the ladder and he is in the ring alone until Barrett pulls him off and Barrett with kicks to Slater. Barrett misses a splash and then Slater gets crotched by Barrett. While Slater and Barrett fight, Sheamus comes into the ring and Barrett stops Sheamus.
Barrett brings another ladder into the ring and Barrett and Sheamus hit Slater with the ladder on the top turnbuckle and then they send Slater off the top of the ladder onto Kane on the floor. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Barrett and then one to Rhodes. Gabriel misses a springboard move and Sheamus with a clothesline to Gabriel.
Sheamus puts a ladder on the top rope and then he kicks Gabriel. Sheamus adjusts the ladder that was in the corner and then he sends Gabriel into that ladder. Sheamus gets Gabriel on his shoulders and he hot shots Gabriel on the ladder and then he hits a Brogue Kick. Sheamus points to the case and he starts his climb.
Sheamus is to the top of the ladder but Kane is up there too and he stops Sheamus as Sheamus had his hand on the case. Kane and Sheamus with punches and Sheamus knocks Kane off. Kane tries to pull Kane off the ladder and he pulls him into position for a choke slam and Sheamus bounces off the ladder propped between the turnbuckles and the ladder in the center of the ring.
Sheamus falls to the floor and Kane goes up top but Barrett, Bryan, and Rhodes stop Kane. Cody with Beautiful Disaster off the ladder to Kane. Barrett hits Kane with Wasteland and then Bryan signals to Gabriel and Gabriel hits a 450 splash off the ladder in the corner.
Barrett kicks Gabriel and hits Wasteland on Gabriel but he sends Gabriel onto Slater on the floor. Barrett with a pump handle power slam to Rhodes. Barrett climbs the ladder and he has his hands on the case but Cody pulls him off. Rhodes clotheslines Barrett over the top rope to the floor. Bryan climbs the ladder and Rhodes tries to stop him. Bryan kicks Rhodes to the mat but they fight up the ladder. Rhodes punches Bryan on the top of the ladder. Barrett climbs the other side and Bryan has Rhodes in a guillotine choke. Bryan knocks Rhodes off the ladder. Barrett gets Bryan on his shoulders and he tries for Wasteland onto the ladder but Bryan with elbows to the head and Barrett staggers onto the ladder. Bryan kicks Barrett off the ladder.
Daniel Bryan grabs the briefcase.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Matt mentions that it was a career making victory for Daniel and he reminds us that Bryan is going to cash in the briefcase at Wrestlemania.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt talks about the Rookies from Season Five who want redemption. Matt mentions that the seven participants were previously eliminated. It is time for a video package to look at the participants from Season Five.
2012 - WWE ran Brisbane, Australia. Matt Buckley filed the following live report:
Brisbane House Show Results 30/08/2012
Justin Roberts welcomed us to the show and then gave us a spiel about the social networks as he did during the show as well.
Brodus Clay defeated Jack Swagger.
Swagger came out to unanimous boos from the crowd. Brodus celebrated after the match dancing with kids in the ring.
Zack Ryder defeated Daniel Bryan.
Good match with lots of crowd interaction from Bryan. He stopped the match several times to yell no at the crowd and even got the announced to say he doesn't have a goat face. Ryder won with the Ruff Rider and celebrated after
Miz came out and cut an excellent promo saying he flew out here just to get booed and that he was OUR champion.
Miz defeated Alex Riley to retain the Intercontinental Title.
Good match with Miz winning with the Skull Crushing Finale. After the match TENSAI came out and choke bombed and splashed Alex Riley. He got the mic and asked anyone for a fight saying he will be here all night before walking to the back
Kofi Kingston and R-Truth defeated Primo and Epico with Rosa Mendes to retain the Tag Team Titles.
Kofi and R-Truth won after AJ restarted the match a False Finish because Kofi Kingston leg was on the rope.
Intermission
Layla defeated Rosa Mendes to retain the Diva Title.
Layla pinned Rosa after a lot of dancing with a little bit of wrestling at the end.
Santino Marella defeated David Otunga.
Otunga was on top most of the match while taking breaks to pose. Santino won after he hit The Cobra. While Santino was celebrating with the crowd TENSAI came out again and and attacked Santino. Brodus Clay, Kofi, R-Truth, Alex Riley all came out for the save.
Main Event: CM Punk defeated Big Show and John Cena to retain the WWE Championship
Great 20 minute match with CM Punk hitting John Cena with the Title after Cena had AA'd the Big Show.
John Laurinaitis music hit and he came out with steel chair. He hit Cena once then got AA'd from Cena.
Cena then thanked the fans and promised to do his best at Night of Champions.
Great show with John Cena and CM Punk getting the best pops of the night.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report on PWInsider.com!
We start off by looking back at last week's wild episode when Claire Lynch sent her attorney to reveal Daniels' sinister blackmail plan, Robbie E pinned Rob Van Dam to earn points in the Bound For Glory Series, and Aces & Eights tried to break the arm of TNA World Champion Austin Aries.
Speaking of Aries, he kicks us off this week and says he gives credit where it's due, and recognizes that Aces & Eights pulled out all the stops last week by creating the diversion so they could attack him. People have asked if he's going to have to forfeit the World Title, and while he hasn't been medically cleared to wrestle tonight, he doesn't need to be medically cleared to fight. Also, he's left handed and they smashed his right hand, so he's going to challenge whoever is behind Aces & Eights to come out to the ring and fight him, and he'll sit in the ring until someone answers his challenge. Hulk Hogan's music hits,and out he comes with Sting and a pair of baseball bats. Hogan says he's back as GM and thanks Sting for holding down the fort while he was gone, but now things are going Hogan's way, and since Aces & Eights have messed with him, his business, his family, and the boys in the back, he's here to give them the bloodbath they want. Hogan tells Aries that they're only there for support, and whatever the champ wants, Hogan's there for him, BROTHER. Aries says he wants to get his hands on Aces & Eights, and it doesn't matter if it's the leader, the biggest one, or whoever, he wants someone one on one in the ring to fight him. Aces & Eights pops up on screen and they thank Hogan and Sting for making their job easy, then the leader says they'll be down there a little later tonight so everyone can see what Aces & Eights is all about.
Rob Van Dam and James Storm are backstage, and they're...STRETCHING!
We look back at last week as ODB, like many a wife before her, repeatedly called her husband Eric Young to find out where he was even though he never calls her back. ODB finally says he'd better be at Impact next week, which is tonight.
After a look at the Bound For Glory Series leaderboard to see who is above and below the dreaded Red Line Of Death, we're off to the ring for a match that will practically ensure that the winner will be in the semifinals...
Bound For Glory Series: James Storm vs Rob Van Dam
They tie up and go back and forth with some chain wrestling as Mike Tenay reveals that whoever is in first place when we get to No Surrender gets to choose who their semifinal opponent will be. Storm and RVD are at a complete stalemate as they dodge each other's best moves until Storm finally gets a hard clothesline and unloads with right hands. RVD returns fire with right hands of his own, then dumps Storm out to the apron and high kicks him to the floor. RVD slingshots over the top rope and takes Storm out with a dive as we go to commercial.
We're back as Storm gets a running clothesline for 2 on RVD, but RVD counters a kick to the gut with the stepover leg lariat. RVD with a charging leg lariat in the corner and slingshot thrust kick, followed by Rolling Thunder. RVD takes too long to cover and only gets 2, and Storm has recovered enough to hit a kick to the gut and come off the ropes with a really nasty looking spike DDT and cradle RVD up for a very close 2. RVD is dead weight as Storm picks him up, but Storm manages to get RVD up and hit the Eye of the Storm, but RVD somehow kicks out again at 2. RVD is still holding his head, he might have gotten dinged for real on that DDT. RVD recovers and whips Storm to the corner and hits the monkey flip, but then he goes for another monkey flip and leaps right into the Last Call, and Storm cradles him up and gets 3.
Winner: James Storm
Storm maintains his first place standing in the BFG Series, and Christy Hemme catches up with him on his way to the back to congratulate him and get his thoughts. Storm says he did exactly what he said he was going to do, which was win the BFG Series and the World Heavyweight Championship. Well, he MIGHT do that, but he hasn't exactly done it yet.
Madison Rayne is backstage, and she's...PREENING!
We go to commercial, and Taryn Terrell is in the ring when we come back as Madison Rayne makes her entrance. Madison says she got an email from the "almighty Brooke Hogan" that she would have a match otnight on Impact, and obviously Brooke has come to her senses and will get her rematch for the Knockouts Title that SOMEONE cost her a few weeks ago. So without any further ado, Madison would like the champion to come out here so she can take back what's rightfully hers. ODB comes out, but stops in the aisle and tells Madison that she's got some bad news: she got an email from Brooke Hogan too, so it looks like it's going to be them tonight and the BITCH IS BACK BOOOOOOM!! Madison wants to hold on for a second because she's not ready for this yet. She tells Hot Pants (Terrell) to get ODB back and ring the bell so she can make this trailer park trash famous for a few minutes. ODB spits her drink in Madison's face, Terrell rings the bell, and we're off...
ODB vs Madison Rayne
ODB runs over Madison with a series of clotheslines and hits the BAM, and that's all she wrote.
Winner: ODB
Eric Young's music hits, and out he comes in a suit and sunglasses, with a bucket of fried chicken, and a personal keg of Heineken. ODB takes a piece of chicken as the fans chant for EY, and she asks where the hell he's been because she sent him for chicken and beer months ago. He said he's been in Hollywood and is a huge success now, but he got beer and chicken for his love, and they're outta here. ODB asks who the hell he is with all this fancy crap, and wants to know where the husband she married is. EY says she's right because this doesn't look or feel right, he starts the fans clapping and begins stripping in the ring. ODB looks dumbfounded as he tears his clothes off to reveal USA underwear and does a kip up, after which ODB jumps on him for a big, hot makeout and chicken session.
We see a video package looking at the history of the Claire Lynch storyline, culminating in her attorney showing up last week to reveal that the whole Lynch thing was blackmail and that she wasn't really pregnant. AJ is glad it's over and all this is behind him (he's not the only one), so now he's got to get into the top four of the BFG Series, which is no easy task because he's up against Samoa Joe tonight.
We see the Gut Check judges backstage discussing last week's edition of the Gut Check, and we'll find out their decision tonight!
Bruce Prichard, Al Snow, and Taz are in the office discussing the merits or lack thereof regarding this month's lucky contestant in the Gut Check, then we go to Hulk Hogan and Sting talking about how they smell blood tonight and we might see a little Hollywood tonight. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian to tell the Hulkster and "Heath" that they have ironclad contracts and they can't be fired, plus they're the tag champions and they're all friends. Hogan gets in their faces to tell them that they're not friends, he can't stand them, and AJ Styles wants to get ahold of them. By the way, they're the champions and they need to do their job, and Hogan's going to make them defend those titles and they had better be ready.
Time for the next match in the BFG Series!
Bounf For Glory Series: Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles
I'd actually consider Raw watchable if these two wrestled on it each week. They very carefully feel each other out before Joe nails him and hits the ropes, but Styles slides out to the floor to break his momentum. Styles takes his time getting back inside and again is very cautious about getting too close to Joe. Styles finally goes to a side headlock, but Joe fires him into the ropes and gets a shoulderblock. Styles pops off his back and headscissors Joe into the corner, but Joe keeps a low bum when AJ tries a vertical suplex, then Joe nails AJ with a back elbow when he hits the ropes. Joe tries a charge, but Styles dodges and ties Joe's leg in the ropes, fires a few kicks at Joe's knee, then dropkicks him out to the floor. Styles tries to slingshot himself over the top rope, but Joe sees him coming and drives a BADASS kick into AJ's ribs on the way down. Joe rolls AJ into the ring and hits the chop/kick/kneedrop combo for a short 2. AJ tries to get away, but walks right into Joe's snap powerslam for 2, then they wind up trading forearms in the middle of the ring until Joe chops AJ into next week. AJ tries the headscissors from his backagain, but Joe blocks this time, swings AJ's legs away from him, then drops on top and traps AJ in an STF. AJ reaches for the ropes, so Joe catches his arm and turns it into the Rings of Saturn. AJ fights like hell and finally gets his foot over the bottom rope to force the break, so Joe hits an inverted atomic drop, running boot to the face, and tries to finish with a senton, but AJ moves out of the way and Joe hits the mat. Now AJ fires off right hands at Joe, then goes out to the apron and hits the slingshot forearm backinside. AJ measures Joe and goes for a fireman's carry, Joe slips out the back, but AJ hits the Pelle kick to Joe's injured arm and rolls him into a cross armbreaker. Joe locks his hands and gets his foot over the bottom rope, but AJ keeps up the pressure with a leaping forearm in the corner. AJ tries another one, but gets planted with the STJoe. Joe tries the Kokina Clutch, AJ reverses to a victory roll, Joe kicks out, AJ tries an O'Connor Roll, Joe rolls him through it and gets the Kokina Clutch, AJ reverses and this time gets the cross armbreaker, but Joe simply shifts his weight, circles AJ's head, and cradles AJ to his back to catch the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Great match and an awesome finish! These guys are gold together, awesome stuff.
We look back at tonight's opening promo, then we see Kris Lewie backstage getting ready to hear the judges' decision. We'll get that next!
Kurt Angle is backstage talking about what a great athlete Jeff Hardy is, but he's been in situations like this before and he has to win to stay in the BFG Series.
We go to the ring as Jeremy Borash introduces our Gut Check judges: Taz, Bruce Prichard, and Al Snow, and then introduces this month's contestant in the Gut Check: Kris Lewie. Lewie's wife and child are at ringside as JB asks him if he felt like he put forth his best effort in the Gut Check, and he said he did but he gets better every day. We go to the judges, and Taz says he respects anybody who tries to make a career as a wrestler and comes out here on worldwide TV to take on Gunner, he has an interesting life that he exposed to the world, but he doesn't think he's quite ready for Impact Wrestling. Bruce Prichard says that everyone understands what this is, and it's Gut Check, and you have to dig down deep and get one shot to prove to not just the judges, but everyone watching, that they belong here. Prichard appreciates his backstory, and he knows it was his dream to get to TNA, but it's time to wake up from the dream because the answer is no. Borash tells Lewie that he's sorry, but there will be no contract with Impact Wrestling. The judges go to leave the ring, but Joey Ryan is at ringside with a megaphone shouting at them for playing with peoples' careers. He throws his drink on Al Snow, and Prichard tries to hold him back, but Snow goes over the rail and chases Ryan to the back, with Prichard trailing behind.
Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
Joseph Park pops in on Hulk and Sting to say that Aces & Eights have committed multiple criminal offenses and asks for permission to look into the group. Hogan says anything he can do to help them would be great, and Sting says kayfabe to Park. We then look at the BFG Series leaderboard one more time, then we're off to the ring for our final BFG Series match of the night!
Bound For Glory Series: Kurt Angle vs Jeff Hardy
Angle with a go behind and a takedown right off the bat, Hardy tries to get away but Angle keeps ahold of him. Hardy sends Angle to the ropes, but Angle counters a hiptoss to a fireman's carry and bars the arm. Hardy sends Angle to the ropes again and Angle gets a shoulderblock, but then Hardy gets an armdrag and tries to keep Angle down with an armbar of his own. Angle easily gets to his feet and takes Hardy to the corner and unloads with kicks and punches, he whips Hardy to the corner and charges in, but Hardy leapfrogs and catches Angle by the head, headscissoring him into the corner and dumping him out to the floor. Hardy comes over the ropes with a dive and wipes Angle out, then sends him back inside and unloads with punches and kicks of his own in the corner. The referee backs Hardy up, but he shoves past him and hits a charging forearm, but whips Angle across the ring and Angle uses the momentum to come out of the corner and take Hardy out with a clothesline as we go to commercial.
We're back as Hardy hits a clothesline on Angle and then keeps the pressure up with a running forearm, inverted atomic drop, double legdrop to the crotch, and diving dropkick for 2. Hardy sets up for the Twist of Fate, Angle shoves him off into the ropes, and hits a trio of rolling German suplexes. Angle waits for Hardy to get to his feet and goes for the Angle Slam, but Hardy slips out the back and hits the Twist of Fate for 2. Hardy comes off the top rope with the Whisper In The Wind for 2, but hits the ropes and runs right into an overhead release suplexby Angle. Angle hits the Angle Slam for 2, then goes to the anklelock but Hardy counters to a cradle for 2. Hardy hits another Twist of Fate and goes up top, but the Swanton only gets 2. Very close count there. Angle gets the anklelock again out of nowhere, Hardy kicks him off and hits the inverted enziguiri, Angle tries to stop Hardy from going to the top again, but Hardy shoves him off and hits a second Swanton (dropping all his weight right on Angle's ribs) and covers for 3.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
This was Angle's last BFG Series match, so he's completely out of the running. Angle looks stunned that he's lost and takes a good long time to wrap his head around it before rolling under the bottom rope and heading to the back. Jeremy Borash introduces us to the Final Five: James Storm, Samoa Joe, Rob Van Dam, Bully Ray, and Jeff Hardy. One of them will be eliminated next week because, while James Storm is already in the Final Four, next week will see Jeff Hardy take on Samoa Joe and Bully Ray face Rob Van Dam and one of those four men will not be going to Bound For Glory.
Austin Aries is backstage, and he's...WALKING! We'll find out if Aces & Eights will answer his challenge next!
Austin Aries tears his jacket off as he comes down to the ring, handing the jacket and belt to a ringside attendant, then gets in the ring to tell Aces & Eights that if they're done swilling beer and having a good time, to come down to the ring and get their ass kicked. Nobody responds, so Hogan's music hits and the Hulkster comes out with Sting and the Final Five from the BFG Series. Hogan repeats that they're just there for support because they're all in it together in the Impact Zone, so if Aces & Eights are what they say they are, he wants to see what they're all about and see all their faces. Aces & Eights comes out through the crowd, and Hogan says they're here to settle the score and their finest is in the ring right now, so let's see what they've got by sending their best into the ring to face him. Two skinny members open the guardrail as a big dude gets into the ring to go toe to toe with Aries. The A&E guy gets a big right hand and knocks Aries on his butt, but Aries double leg tackles him and starts unloading. Aces & Eights rush the ring, but the TNA crew flies down the rampway and neutralizes them as Aries hits a missile dropkick in the corner on the guy he was fighting and tries to pull his mask off. Before he can, someone else jumps out of the crowd, pulls a mask over his face, and hits Aries in the back of the head with...A SLAPJACK? STEVIE RAY LIVES!!! Aces & Eights heads for the hills as Bully Ray comes in to check on Aries and tell everyone else what just happened.
That's it for this week, thanks for reading and I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!
Match Number One: Ryback versus Johnny Curtis
The crowd wants to be fed more before Curtis and Ryback lock up. They finally lock up and Ryback with a clean break and Curtis backs into the ropes. They lock up again and Ryback with a clean break but Curtis with a punch and Curtis goes to the floor. Ryback follows after Curtis but Johnny with kicks and punches.
Ryback with a shoulder tackle followed by a biel across the ring. Ryback runs into an elbow from Curtis and Curtis with a clothesline from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Curtis with punches to Ryback followed by a front face lock. Ryback tries to get out of the hold but Curtis holds on and he takes Ryback to his knees.
Ryback finally gets out of the hold and Ryback runs Curtis into the turnbuckles and connects with shoulders. Ryback with a delayed back drop followed by a running boot to the chest. Ryback does the arm gesture and then he hits a clothesline. It is time for things to be finished and Ryback with the marching muscle buster for the three count.
Winner: Ryback
We are back and it is time for the Raw portion of the show and your announcers are Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews.
We take a look back at Triple H’s big announcement that he will maybe possibly could retire as a result of what Brock Lesnar did to him at SummerSlam.
Match Number Two: Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes) versus The Usos
Epico and Jimmy start things off and they lock up. Epico with a waist lock but Jimmy works on the arm and then he takes Epico down with a side head lock. Epico escapes a head scissors but Jimmy with another side head lock take down and head scissors.
They lock up again and Epico works on the arm but Jimmy with a wrist lock and Epico gets to the ropes. Jimmy with a break. Epico tries for a kick but Jimmy blocks it and he connects with an uppercut. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow followed by a double elbow drop and Jey gets a near fall.
Epico tries for a drop kick but Jey swats it away. Primo tags in and Rosa bounces around. Jey with a side head lock take down but Primo with a leg sweep for a near fall. Primo with an arm bar. Jey runs into a boot from Primo. Jey wends Primo into the corner and he does a headstand. Jey takes care of Primo and Jimmy tags in and they hit a double head butt.
Jimmy with a chop but Primo with an Irish whip. Jimmy with a chop followed by an Irish whip. Primo gets his boots up and then he kicks Jimmy. Primo with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Primo with a reverse chin lock. Primo pulls Jimmy down by the hair but he misses a springboard senton. Jey tags in and he hits a few running forearms followed by a savate kick and a spinning forearm. Epico is sent to the floor and Jimmy takes care of Primo.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Epico tries for a head butt to Jey but you do not head butt a Samoan. Jey with a head butt of his own. Epico with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Primo goes after Jey on the apron and Jey takes care of him. Epico takes care of Jey.
Primo tags back in and he kicks Jey and hits a slingshot senton back into the ring. Primo with a reverse chin lock and body scissors. Jey gets to his feet and he punches Primo but Primo with a drop toe hold and Epico tags in and he kicks Jey.
Epico with a belly-to-back suplex and he holds on and hits a total of three and gets a near fall. Epico with a reverse chin lock. Jey with punches and he gets a sunset flip but Primo makes the blind tag and he hits a drop kick. Jimmy tries to get into the ring and Primo works him over. Primo with a cartwheel and he tries for a punch but Jey blocks it.
Primo with a kick and Irish whip but he misses a drop kick into the corner and Primo is caught in the turnbuckles. Epico gets Primo from the turnbuckles and Jimmy and Epico tag in and Jimmy with punches and chops. Jimmy with a forearm and savate kick followed by a Samoan Drop.
Jimmy sets for the running butt splash and he connects and gets a near fall. Primo pulls Jey from the apron. Jimmy with a savate kick and he goes up top for the Superfly Splash and he hits it but Rosa distracts the referee. Primo with a lungblower and Epico gets the three count.
Winners: Primo and Epico
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Raw Rebound looking back at CM Punk and Jerry Lawler.
Match Number Three: Alex Riley versus Jinder Mahal
Riley with a side head lock and then he has something to say to Jinder. Mahal works on the arm and wrist but Riley with a reversal into a side head lock. Riley holds on to the side head lock when Mahal tries for an Irish whip. Mahal with shoulder tackles but Riley with a hip toss into a neck breaker. Riley with a side head lock. Mahal backs Riley into the ropes and Riley with a clean break but Mahal with a kick to the midsection.
Mahal with forearms to the back but Riley with a sliding punch to the midsection followed by a sliding kick to the head. Mahal with an Irish whip but Riley floats over. Mahal takes Riley down in the corner and then he kicks Riley and hits a baseball slide that sends Riley to the floor.
Mahal goes to the floor and he Irish whips Riley into the ringside barrier. Mahal gets a near fall. Mahal with kicks to Riley and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Riley gets to his feet and he punches Mahal but Mahal with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Mahal returns to the chin lock. Mahal with a quarter nelson and chin lock. Mahal with a knee to stop Riley’s offense. Riley counters a belly-to-back suplex with a lateral press and gets a near fall. Riley with a drop kick and both men are down.
Riley with an elbow and clotheslines. Riley runs into a boot but Riley with a spinebuster and he hits an Impaler DDT but only gets a two count. Riley goes up top but Mahal hits the ropes and Riley lands on his ribs and lands hard on the mat. Mahal with a running knee to the head and he applies the camel clutch and Riley taps out.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
2012 - Hulk Hogan appeared on FOX & Friends on the FOX News Network as they were on location in Tampa for the Republican National Convention.Hogan, who has lived in Florida his entire life, said that the Convention was a big deal and there are a lot of people with small businesses who are paying close attention. Hogan said he didn't like the President Obama's comments on small businesses because what America is about is taking something and making it your own. Hogan noted that he now owns a beach shop in Clearwater, so he's a small business owner now, joking that he can't wrestle until he's 90 and has to reinvent himself.
Hogan also noted that the company he's with now, Impact Wrestling, started out a small business a decade ago and worked hard to get into over 100 countries with their broadcasts. He said that he's on live tonight on SpikeTV from 8-10 and then he wants to turn on the TV and see what Mitt Romney has to say at the Convention.
Hogan said he was a supported of Obama previously but "actions speak louder than words" and he hasn't seen any change. Hogan said the country can't take four more years of that and this country is ready for a change. He said that we can't keep living with this economy.
Hogan discussed his own issues over the last few years and said you have to take responsibility for your own issues and problems. The FOX anchors joked that he never asked for a bailout.
Hogan plugged that his beach shop "Hogan's Beach Shop" will open next week.
It was a pretty normal discussion that ended with a Hogan promo rant.FTC, who approached WWE in 2000 about licensing and selling the replica belts, signed a new agreement with WWE in 2010, which was amended in 2012. As part of their deal, WWE would license the replicas to FTC for FTC to sell themselves to retailers. WWE would also purchase replicas of the different titles to sell themselves at live events and online.
In a 14 page filing, FTC claimed that on 8/8, WWE informed them that they were terminating the deal, alleging that FTC had a "pattern of repeated failure to make timely delivery of sufficient quantities of the Licensed Products to customers or retailers." Since FTC had allegedly done so, they had hurt the royalties that WWE could make off the replica belts, which retail anywhere starting at $249 on up to $750, depending on the belt and the level of replica that it is.
In the lawsuit, FTC is placing the blame on a new buyer working for WWE, June Jack, who they believe has worked for other toy companies and has a knowledge of "working directly with Chinese manufacturers." FTC's claim that Jack communicated to them numerous times during dealings that she was unhappy about the 2012 Amendment the company had signed with FTC before she came on board and felt that WWE could get a better deal elsewhere from a Chinese manufacturer that they could obtain the replicas from at a lower price point.
FTC then alleged that Jack devised "pre-texts" to put WWE in a position where they could eliminate FTC and "steal the license" for the belts back for themselves.
There were several issues that set the termination into motion, according to FTC's lawsuit filing. We will break them down:
SPINNER BELT REPLICA ISSUES
In the lawsuit, FTC claimed they had been informed that WWE was removing the "spinner" from its storylines and off TV, so they lowered the amount they kept in stock, claiming that once a belt was removed from TV, it's sales "drastically" dropped. WWE then ordered 100 of the belts to be sold at their house shows in September 2012 - a month after FTC was informed the "spinner" was removed from TV. FTC informed WWE that they did not have a large amount of stock on hand and would fill the order ASAP.
FTC claims they explained to WWE that they did not have the belts at hand because WWE had told them the "spinner" was being retired the month before, so FTC had allowed their stock to "draft down." FTC claimed that WWE understood that they had placed FTC in that position. FTC claimed they delivered 50 of the belts in December 2012 and another 50 belts in January 2013.
FTC also alleges that on 11/14/12, they informed WWE that they had not placed their usual order for the holiday shopping season. WWE then placed a massive order with a number of items, including 100 "spinner" belts. FTC claims to have filled all other aspects of the order but again informed WWE that they had a low stock on the "spinners" and would fill the order ASAP. With the exception of the "Spinner" belts, the remainder of the order was filmed the same day and FTC had the "spinner belts" flown to WWE at FTC's expense by 12/17/12.
WWE cited late delivery of the "Spinner" belts as one of the reasons for termination, according to FTC. FTC claims that WWE had purchased additional items from FTC in 2013 and never once voiced any issues about the shipping issues.
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP BELT ISSUES
There were also issues with WWE placing a large order of the "current" WWE title belt, which FTC explained is a very hard, intricate design that features over 100 jewels that have to be hand-placed during replica production.
WWE placed their first orders for the new replica belts, according to FTC, in January 2013 and they were delivered without any issues.
On 2/26/13, WWE then placed an over for over 1,000 replicas of the current championship belt, which FTC noted was three times the amount of any order ever previously made by WWE for any replica title belt.
In the lawsuit, FTC wrote, "FTC notified WWE that this type of unexpected, unplanned demand for the championship belt would place tremendous pressure on FTC’s Chinese manufacturer, but that it would use its best efforts to deliver the products. FTC delivered these products on or about March 21, 2013. Because of the unprecedented magnitude of the order, which was both unplanned and unexpected, there were some quality issues with the belts that were delivered in March 2013. FTC used its best efforts to acclimate to handling this unprecedented volume of orders for a handmade piece that required the placement by hand of more than 100 different jewels."
WWE placed additional orders in April 2013 and Jack informed FTC in May that each championship belt now needed to be inspected for "quality", which had never been required in the 13 years that WWE and FTC had worked together.
FTC alleged the inspections were, "Based on subjective determinations made by WWE staff - applying alleged standards of “defectiveness” never provided to FTC and never applied in the past – WWE rejected some of the belts that were delivered in May and June 2013. Many of these rejections were not in good faith and were merely a pre-text to make a claim for termination."
FTC claimed that by August of this year, they had not only resolved any issues with deliveries but had also resolved any quality issues for the "Current" championship belt replica, even under the newer, harsher WWE quality standards that were now being enforced.
FTC claimed that on 8/7, they reached out to Jack about the most recent "current" WWE championship belt replicas that had been delivered. Jack, according to FTC, said all but one had passed their inspection and that "additional orders would be forthcoming." FTC claims she did not voice any issues with FTC's product at that time.
FTC then noted that WWE claimed the issues with the quality of the "Current" championship replicas was one of the reasons they Terminated FTC.
WWE'S TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT
On 8/8 (the day after FTC spoke with Jack and was allegedly told there would be more orders coming), WWE informed them that they were terminating their Licensing contract to produce the Replica belts.
Prior to that day, FTC alleges that WWE never informed them this was a possibility or that they felt there "was a pattern of failure to make timely delivery" or that FTC had a "adverse effect on the WWE Licensing program", which WWE claimed in their Termination notice.
FTC is also claiming that WWE is attempting to terminate the deal by citing issues FTC had delivering to "its customers or retailers" but WWE would not fall under either category, therefore they have no legal right to terminate the agreement. It's not spelled out in the lawsuit, but it would appear FTC is claiming that since WWE is the Licensor, they cannot also be considered a customer legally. [Note from Mike: If that is indeed the case, it looks to be a stretch. If WWE was purchasing material, they were a customer.]
FTC also alleges that WWE's Jack "placed additional orders for millions of dollars" worth of Licensed Product, knowing she planned to Terminate the Agreement with FTC. FTC allege that Jack did this knowing that the manufacturing process had already begun, allowing WWE to put themselves into a position where they could now scoop up the items for a quarter of the cost for the latter part of 2013.
FTC noted that the end of their WWE licensing deal means they will have to let employees go and "suffer significant damages" as well as suffer "irreparable repair" of their goodwill and reputation within the industry. They also noted that WWE has already enforced that third-party retailers advertising in their magazine can no longer advertise FTC-produced items, hurting FTC's customer base.
FTC also alleges that WWE has met with the Chinese manufacturer of FTC's replica belts and intends to just purchase the FTC-Licensed belts directly from the manufacturer, cutting out the Licensing costs and keeping a far larger profit for WWE. They claim that would be in direct violation of their Agreement with WWE. They are also claiming WWE has caused "Torturous Interference" with their business
In the lawsuit, FTC wrote, "An actual controversy has arisen and now exists concerning the termination of the Agreement. WWE has purported to terminate the Agreement, and asserts that FTC may not continue to manufacture or sell the Licensed Products. FTC contends that the purported termination is ineffective because no grounds for termination exist under the Agreement, and that WWE is breaching the Agreement by attempting to manufacture and sell Licensed Products for which it has granted to FTC an exclusive license, and by notifying FTC’s customers that they may no longer advertise FTC’s licensed products."
FTC has petitioned the court for a Jury Trial, that the court rule there is no basis for WWE to Terminate their agreement, that the court issue an injunction preventing WWE from interfering with the agreement (including ordering vendors not to advertise FTC products in WWE's publications), that the current Agreement remain in full force and that WWE pay damages for the entire situation.
The lawsuit was later withdrawn.
2013 - Pro Wrestling Guerrilla held Night One of Battle of Los Angeles 2013. Jon C. filed the following results:
John C. called in the following results from night one of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's Battle of Los Angeles tournament in Reseda, CA:
*Kevin Steen defeated Chuck Taylor via a package piledriver. The match was loaded with comedy spots including doing moves to a fan's San Francisco Giants hat.
*Brian Cage defeated Tommaso Ciampa. There was a very, very scary moment as it appeared Ciampa botched a powerbomb on the outside the ring and dropped Cage on his head. You could see how bad Ciampa felt and it was extremely scary. He told the ref to count Cage out. Cage stumbled back into the ring and Ciampa rolled him up, expecting cage to actually take the pin but Cage kicked out. A ton of heart showed by Cage but obviously I hope injury is not serious.
*Johnny Gargano defeated Willie Mack via submission.
*Roderick Strong defeated AR Fox.
*Drake Younger defeated Joey Ryan via cop killer onto a pile of candy and Legos. The match started normal but then turned into comedy spot with wrestlers selling the bag of thumbtacks gimmick but actually pouring candy and Legos into the ring.
*ACH defeated Tony Nese. Solid match. ACH hit his Fisherman's DDT suplex deal for the win.
*Kyle O'Reilly defeated Trent Baretta with an armbar submission. Best match of the night thus far.
*Michael Elgin defeated Rich Swann with a spinning powerbomb. Another great match.
*Adam Cole & The Young Bucks defeated The Forever Hooligans & TJP. Amazing match.
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