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October 17th
On this day in history in ....
1961 - Jackie Fargo & Lester Welch defeat Great Mephisto & Dante to win the Southern Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee.
1961 - Mr. M defeats Hard Boiled Haggerty in Minneapolis, Minnesota to win the AWA United States Heavyweight Title. He would be the final champion, as the title was abandoned a few months later.
1982 - Bret Hart defeats Bad News Allen (later Bad News Brown in WWF) to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title for the fifth time in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
1982 - Jimmy Valiant defeated Ivan Koloff in Toronto, Canada to win the NWA Television Title.
1985 - Sherri Martel defeats Candi Devine in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to win the AWA Women's World Title for the second time.
1988 - Forbes Magazine reports that the World Wrestling Federation (then a privately owned company) was worth $100 million. At the same time, word begins to circulate that Ted Turner would be purchasing Jim Crockett Promotions, a purchase that will be completed the following month, when Turner buys the company and renames it World Championship Wrestling.
1991 - Tatsumi Fujinami & Big Van Vader defeat Riki Choshu & Masa Saito to win the Super Grade Tag League tournament in Tokyo, Japan.
1992 - Todd Champion defeats Butch Reed for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Cleveland, Ohio.
1999 - WWF held their No Mercy Pay-per-view at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Here are the results:
- The Godfather defeated Mideon after hitting the Ho Train.
- The Fabulous Moolah defeated Ivory to win the WWF Women's Title and become a seven time Women's Champion.
- Hardcore & Crash Holly defeated The New Age Outlaws via disqualification.
- Chyna defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Good Housekeeping match to win the Intercontinental Title. The rules of the match stated that household objects could be used in the match. Jarrett beat Chyna after hitting her with the Intercontinental Title belt, but the match was ordered to continue, since the belt was not considered a household object. The match was restarted, and Chyna defeated Jarrett after hitting him with a guitar. This was Jarrett's final WWF match, as his contract had already expired, and he was heading to WCW. WWF and Jarrett came to an agreement for him to make this final appearance and drop the title. WWF's side of the story was that Jarrett "held them up" for money, while Jarrett's version was that he simply wanted PPV bonuses he was due for past shows up front (PPV bonuses are usually paid several months after the event, once revenues have been collected).
- The Rock defeated Davey Boy Smith with a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow.
- Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Edge & Christian in a Ladder match, winning $100,000 and the managerial services of Terri Runnels.
- The Rock issued a challenge to the winner of the main event, then was attacked by Triple H.
- Val Venis defeated Mankind with a testicular claw.
- X-Pac defeated Faarooq, Kane and Bradshaw in a Four Corners match. Kane eliminated Bradshaw with a chokeslam, X-Pac eliminated Kane with a spin kick off the top rope, and X-Pac pinned Faarooq with an X-Factor to win the match.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Triple H defeated Steve Austin in an Anything Goes match, when Rock, while going after Triple H, accidentally caused Austin to be hit with a sledgehammer.
2000 - BJ Payne & Flash Flanagan defeat the Disciples Of Synn (Slash & Damian) to win the OVW Tag Team Title in Louisville, Kentucky.
2005 - During an edition of Raw from the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, Stone Cold Steven Austin appeared and demanded that Vince McMahon come to the ring to address the firing of Jim Ross as the play-by-play announcer on Raw. Stephanie McMahon came out instead, and told Austin that if he defeated Ross' replacement, Jonathan Coachman, at Taboo Tuesday, Ross would get his job back. The match would never happen, as Austin would (again) walk out on WWE when he didn't like the planned storyline for the match.
2006 - WWE broadcast ECW. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last week we saw ECW take strip poker to the "extreme" and we got to see digitized women rolling around on the floor "naked" while an exhibitionist covered her breasts. What is next for ECW as we approach the Cyber Sunday pay per view for the Big Show to face John Cena and King Booker; and December to Dismember? Will Matt Striker be able to defeat Sandman in a Singapore Cane on a Pole Match? Will Kelly continue to chase CM Punk and how will Mike Knox react to that?
We are live on tape from Jacksonville, Florida and your announcers are Tazz and Joey Styles Styles.
We are told that tonight will be the rematch from the RVD/Big Show match from July as we see highlights of the match.
We see highlights from Big Show's match from three weeks ago against Sandman when Striker took away his Singapore cane. Then we see highlights from two weeks ago when Big Show helped Matt Striker defeat Sandman.
Match Number One: Matt Striker versus Sandman in a Singapore Cane on a Pole Match
Striker goes for the turnbuckle with the cane, but Sandman stops him and he chops Striker. Striker chops Sandman and he goes for the turnbuckle again. Striker works on Sandman's leg before he goes to the turnbuckle one more time. Striker punches Sandman while Sandman continues to stop him. Striker returns to the knee as he weakens Sandman's leg, but Sandman gets back up and he punches Striker. Striker dives at the knee and then he goes up to the second turnbuckle and tries for an elbow to the knee, but Sandman moves. Sandman climbs the turnbuckle and he tries to go up the pole, but Striker stops him. Striker sends Sandman to the mat and he gets the cane. Striker hits Sandman in the head with the cane twice. Sandman ducks the next attempt and he hits Striker with the cane three times and Striker is bleeding. Sandman misses when Striker goes outside the ring. Striker is not happy to see his own blood as he goes to the back and he is counted out. We go to commercial.
Winner: Sandman (by count out)
We are back with footage of fan comments about The Marine.
Match Number Two: CM Punk versus Rene Dupree
Dupree slaps Punk before the bell and he retreats to the ropes and apron to avoid Punk. Dupree drops Punk across the top rope and then he punches Punk. Dupree with a flying back elbow for a two count and punches. Dupree with an Irish whip and clothesline as Punk comes out of the corner. Dupree with a neck vice and a back elbow for a two count. Dupree slams Punk twice and then he tries for a power slam but Punk escapes the hold and he punches Dupree followed by a jumping leg lariat. Punk with a series of slaps, a round kick, and uranage. Punk applies the Anaconda Vice and Dupree taps.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, Mike Knox tries to attack Punk, but Punk stops Knox before he can get into the ring. Punk wants Knox to come into the ring, but Knox goes to the back.
Rebecca DiPietro is with Rob Van Dam and she asks Van Dam about his match with Big Show. Van Dam says that this is his one and only rematch and he has been waiting for it. Van Dam says that he has been working his way from the bottom. Van Dam says that he is the best in ECW. He says that he has what it takes to slay the dragon. If he only has one chance, that is the only chance that he is going to need to prove that he can beat the Big Show. Eventually Show will have to put his title on the line against him. We go to commercial.
We are back and Test is on the mic in the ring. He tells everyone to feast their eyes on the Impact Player of ECW. He is the most ruthless competitor that ECW has ever seen. He says that everyone might remember the match between Bob Holly and Rob Van Dam and we see footage of Holly lacerating his back on the table. Test talks about the next week when Holly put his hands on the man who hired him, the man who inspires him. . . Paul Heyman. What is a ruthless man to do in that situation? We see Test attack Bob Holly two weeks ago. Test says that when Bob Holly comes back, he will make an example of him because his ruthlessness has no bounds.
Balls Mahoney comes out and he says that Test knows that Bob Holly is medically suspended, but if Test wants some competition, he is challenging Test.
Test tells Mahoney that he would love to fight him, but not tonight.
Match Number Three: Test versus Balls Mahoney
Mahoney punches Test and then he Irish whips Test followed by a running clothesline into the corner. Mahoney with another Irish whip but Test moves when Mahoney charges. Test with kicks to Mahoney's head and then he sends Mahoney shoulder first into the ring post two times. Test slams Mahoney's arm into the ring apron and then he puts Mahoney in a key lock but Mahoney will not tap. Mahoney punches Test and then he Irish whips Test, but Test with a boot and then he drops down with Mahoney's arm dropped on his shoulder and then he returns to the arm. Test with a knee and Irish whip. Test charges into a back elbow and Mahoney with two clotheslines. Mahoney with a series of jabs and a sit out spinebuster for a two count. Balls with more jabs but he misses the roundhouse punch and Test with a running big boot. Test with a TKO for the three count. We go to commercial.
Winner: Test
Match Number Four: Shannon Moore versus Sabu
Sabu dives at Moore, but Moore moves out of the way. Moore misses a dive at Sabu, but Sabu moves and he hits a leg drop. Sabu punches Moore after trying to apply the camel clutch. Sabu with a spin kick for a near fall. Moore with forearms to Sabu but Sabu with an Irish whip and a springboard clothesline. Moore goes outside the ring but Sabu with a somersault pescado. Moore returns to the ring and Sabu with an Irish whip and a clothesline for a two count. Moore with a moonsault for a two count and then he works on Sabu's arm with an arm bar. Sabu gets back to his feet and he punches Moore. Moore with a back elbow and then he goes up top but he misses a corkscrew splash from the turnbuckles. Sabu with a slingshot leg drop for the three count.
Winner: Sabu
Rebecca DiPietro is in the back with Big Show. Show says that this is a beautiful day and a grand day for Rob Van Dam. He thinks that he is walking into the ring with the ECW Champion, but he is stepping into the ring with the Champion of Champions. He will prove it at Cyber Sunday. He threw Cena and Booker around the ring and that was only the beginning. He will show that he is the most dominant giant in the business. He says that there is only one person for Van Dam to thank and that is Big Show. He says that he is not ducking Rob Van Dam. Tonight, Van Dam steps in the ring with the Champion of Champions and the Giant of Giants. If Van Dam can win this non-title match, he will get a title match. Tonight, Van Dam's dreams stop. We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Big Show versus Rob Van Dam in a non-title match
Van Dam gets in Show's face and Show pie faces Van Dam. Van Dam with punches and kicks and then he hits a drop kick to Show's knee. Van Dam with more punches and kicks, but Show with a big boot as Van Dam comes off the ropes. Van Dam goes to the apron and he punches Show and drops Show on the top rope. Van Dam hits a somersault senton from the top turnbuckle for a near fall. Show drops Van Dam on the top rope and Van Dam rolls outside the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Show with a head butt that sends Van Dam to the mat. Show with elbow drops and a lazy cover for a two count. Show with a chop in the corner and Van Dam goes down. Show chokes Van Dam in the ropes as the referee warns him. Van Dam with the Shhhh chop in the corner as he stalks Van Dam. Van Dam with elbows and punches but Show with a clothesline for a two count. Show slaps Van Dam but Van Dam punches back and he hits a jumping spin kick. Show grabs Van Dam by the throat for a choke slam but Van Dam with a kick and then he hits a side kick from the top turnbuckle and Show goes down. Van Dam hits Rolling Thunder for a two count and Show with an emphatic kick out. Van Dam punches Show and Show responds with a spear for a two count. Show pulls Van Dam towards the corner and Show goes up for the Vader splash from the second turnbuckle, but Van Dam rolls out of the way. Van Dam with a running spin kick into the corner but Show catches him. Show with a clothesline that sends Van Dam into the turnbuckles. Show with a splash that accidentally takes out the referee. Van Dam counters a choke slam with a DDT. Van Dam goes up top and he sets up for the Five Star Frog Splash but Test comes out and he knocks Van Dam off the turnbuckles. Test kicks Van Dam and then he goes for a chair and he jams it into Van Dam's ribs. Bob Holly comes out and he drills Test with the chair. Show grabs Holly, but Holly hits Show twice with the chair and Van Dam hits the Five Star Frog Splash and he gets the three count. We go to credits.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
2007 - The Atlanta-Journal Constitution ran an article noting that in the wake of the Benoit family tragedy, the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission was seeking to oversee professional wrestling. "I'm going to make sure we have a way to protect folks in Georgia from the shenanigans of the WWE, " said Commission board member Cary Ichter, who was also representing Chris Benoit's father, Michael, legally at the time. WWE Attorney Jerry McDevitt commented on Ichter's plans, stating, "Gee, surprise, surprise. Wonder why he's doing that?" WWE is the lone sports-entertainment entity that runs in Georgia that is currently exempt from the Commission due to a rule that exempts organizations with total assets over $25 million. Ichter was seeking to close that loophole in the State's rules. In the end, there was no change.
2008 - In an interview with the Daily Star in the UK, Ric Flair claimed that his son Reid was a year away from making his WWE debut. Sadly, Reid would never debut for the company, instead passing away in 2012.
2008 - WWE issued the following:
WWE is saddened to learn of the death of one of its former announcers, Jack Reynolds. Reynolds passed away on Oct. 16.
Reynolds joined WWE’s broadcast team in the early 1980s, and assumed the role of play-by-play announcer for the then-All-Star Wrestling telecasts, teaming up with Canadian football legend-turned-wrestler Angelo “King Kong” Mosca, and later Jesse “The Body” Ventura. And it was Reynolds and Ventura who became the original hosts of Prime Time Wrestling when it debuted in 1985 on USA Network.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Jack Reynolds.
2011 - WWE broadcast Raw from Mexico for the first time. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Mexico City, Mexico and your announcers are Michael ‘Why is everyone offering me water’ Cole and Jerry ‘Mantiquilla’ Lawler.
John Laurinaitis is introduced and he makes his way to the ring and Mexico does not love the General Manager. We have a video package.
John throws out a que pasa and then he introduces himself to the people of Mexico City. He says that tonight marks the return of Rey Mysterio. Rey returns to San Diego to meet with his doctor about rehab. Laurinaitis says that the Mexican people don’t have a sense of humor. John says that he will do whatever it takes to maintain honor and integrity to Raw. He says that he will not let the board down and he will not let the fans down.
John says that he will make some mistakes and he asks for their understanding. John says that he made a mistake last week by firing Jim Ross. John says that he received a number of tweets about it. As a result, he listened to the fans and he is going to do this for the people. He is bringing back Good Ole JR.
John wants Jim to come to the ring for a public apology. John hugs Jim and Kelly Kelly has a warm feeling someplace because she started the hugging. John says that he shouldn’t have fired Jim Ross like that last week. He says that it was unprofessional so he wanted to bring him back. Jim will not be on commentary tonight.
John says that he has something to show Jim. We see Michael Cole, Alberto Del Rio, and Ricardo Rodriguez and Cole serenades JR.
We see Cole laughing at what he did. John says that he doesn’t know what the issue is between Jim and Cole, but everything should be settled tonight on Raw. The main event will be Michael Cole and Alberto Del Rio versus Jim Ross and John Cena.
We are back with the Slam of the Week. Randy Orton getting the World Strongest Slam from Mark Henry last Monday night and Cody Rhodes hitting Cross Rhodes.
Match Number One: Randy Orton, John Morrison, and Sheamus versus Cody Rhodes, Mark Henry, and Christian
Christian and Orton start things off but Sheamus wants to get involved. Orton wants Rhodes to start, but he stays on the apron. Christian with a kick and punch but Orton with a clothesline and he puts Christian in the corner and he punches Christian followed by a European uppercut. Sheamus tags in and Christian goes to the floor and he tags Cody into the match.
Rhodes with a side head lock but Sheamus with a shoulder tackle. Sheamus sends Rhodes into the turnbuckles and he follows that with punches and kicks in the corner. Sheamus with an Irish whip but Rhodes with a kick and punches. Sheamus with punches but Cody with a kick and then he knocks Orton off the apron but doesn’t worry about Morrison. Sheamus with a back body drop and Henry is tagged in. Meanwhile on the floor, Orton clotheslines Rhodes and they fight at ringside. Rhodes runs to the back and Orton stops him and he punches Cody. Cody is able to escape.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Morrison punches Henry but Henry with a head butt and Christian is tagged in. Christian goes up top but he misses a cross body. Morrison hits a springboard cross body for a near fall. Morrison with a punch and a leg lariat for a near fall. Christian tries for the Killswitch but Morrison avoids it and he hits a C4 for a near fall. Christian with a neck breaker and he tags Henry back in.
Henry with a kick to Morrison followed by a head butt. Henry stands on Morrison’s chest and then he kicks Henry. Christian tags back in and he prevents Morrison from making the tag. Christian with a punch and he works on the neck. Morrison with a punch and enzuigiri to get away from Christian. Henry tags in and he stops Morrison from making the tag. Henry with a bear hug and he runs Morrison into the corner. Henry runs into an elbow and then Morrison with a kick and he tries for a tornado DDT but Henry puts Morrison on the apron. Morrison drops Henry on the top rope and then he hits a drop kick to the knee but Christian pulls Sheamus off the apron.
Sheamus and Christian fight into the crowd while Henry and Morrison remain in the match. Morrison with a kick and punches. Henry tosses Morrison into the air and after making a fair catch, he hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.
Winners: Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes, and Christian
We go to commercial.
We are back with a new Brodus Clay video package.
John Laurinaitis is on the phone and the Bellas interrupt and John hangs up. John can’t tell which Bella is which. They want to remind John how important they are to Raw and then they kiss John and leave.
John gets back on the phone and he shuns Ricardo away as he introduces Alberto Del Rio. Alberto says that teaming with Michael Cole against John Cena and Jim Ross is crazy. Ricardo agrees. John says that Alberto has to understand him. The winner of the match gets to pick the stipulation for the match on Sunday at Vengeance.
Match Number Two: Eve Torres with Kelly Kelly versus Natalya with Beth Phoenix
They lock up and Natalya runs Eve into the corner and connects with a European uppercut. Eve with forearms and a kick followed by a bicycle kick. Natalya with a clothesline for a near fall. Natalya with an abdominal stretch. Eve with a forearm and then she tries for a sunset flip but Natalya does not go over. Natalya takes Eve to the mat and she yells at Eve. Natalya slams Eve’s face into the mat.
Natalya with a kick to the midsection and then Eve misses an enzuigiri. Natalya tries for a slam but Eve with a clothesline that sends Natalya to the mat and then Eve goes up top and hits a moonsault for the three count.
Winner: Eve Torres
After the match, Beth tries to go after Eve but Eve gets out of the ring.
We go to commercial.
Miz asks Punk if he is having flashbacks. On the outside Punk might be smiling, but on the inside he is sweating because of the beating that Punk took from them at Hell in a Cell. Miz wants to know if it hurts more that Punk won’t get a WWE Title Match for a long time or does it hurt that Miz and Truth were able to remove HHH as the person in charge of Raw.
Truth says that they cannot stand someone who runs their mouth. Truth says that Punk won’t be smiling with Miz beats his ass tonight or on Sunday when he wipes Punk’s face in the mat on Sunday.
Before the match starts, Triple H makes his way to the ring to stand at Punk’s side.
Match Number Three: CM Punk versus Miz with R Truth
Punk with a take down and he works on the legs and he has Miz in a modified bow and arrow before Miz gets to the ropes. Punk with a side head lock into a waist lock and take down. Punk gets a near fall before putting Miz in a front face lock. Miz with a side head lock and take down. Miz with a shoulder tackle but Punk with a drop kick and Miz goes to the floor. Punk hits a suicide dive and then he salutes the crowd.
Punk goes to the apron and hits a slingshot senton as a tribute to Eddie Guerrero and he gets a near fall. Punk with a chop in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Miz moves and Punk tries for the knee into the corner. Punk goes to the floor and Hunter gets between Truth and Punk.
Punk drops Miz on the top rope and then Punk with a springboard clothesline for a near fall. Punk sends Miz into the turnbuckles followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Punk with a chop and elbow to the head. Miz with boots to the back and ribs. Punk with kicks to the legs followed by a double chop and more kicks.
Hunter gets in the ring and that delay allows Miz and Truth to double team Punk. Miz with a running boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Miz with a reverse chin lock. Punk with a rollup to escape but Miz with a clothesline and then he sets for the Awesome Clothesline and he hits it. Miz goes up top and hits a double sledge to the head.
Miz with elbows and forearms to the upper chest. Miz with a reverse chin lock but Punk gets to his feet and he hits a belly-to-back suplex. Miz with a boot to Punk when he charges into the corner. Miz goes up top but Punk with a back heel kick to take Miz down.
Miz sends Punk to the floor and Miz talks to the referee to allow Truth to hit Punk with a bottle of water. Hunter chases Truth to the back and John Laurinaitis comes out and he says to stop the match. John says that he has an immigration problem. John shows Hunter the papers and Hunter does not want to leave.
Truth signals Hunter to the back and Hunter punches Truth before leaving.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage from the commercial break when Hunter was told that he had the wrong paper work. John says that he will help Hunter after the show. John and Otunga watch it and John texts his mystery friend.
The match continues and Miz with a reverse chin lock. Punk with kicks to Miz and then he connects with clotheslines and a neck breaker. Punk sets for the running knee across the ring and he hits it. Punk with a short arm clothesline and then he goes up top for the Savage Elbow drop and Punk hits it. He signals that it is time to go to sleep and Punk punches Truth on the apron. Miz blocks the attempt and Miz tries for the Skull Crushing Finale but Miz is sent into Truth and Punk with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, Miz and Truth attack Punk and Miz with a running boot while Truth holds Punk. Miz holds Punk and Truth with kicks. Referees come to the ring and Miz and Truth throw up their arms and leave the ring like a Good Miz and Good R Truth. It was a trap and Truth returns to the ring and hits the Shut Up on Punk. While the referees escort Truth to the back, Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the Spanish Announce Team at ringside.
Cole and Lawler talk about the WWE Network and the first Wrestlemania Themed Show will be AirBoom . . . I mean Wrestlemania Rewind.
Michael Cole does some stretching before his match.
Vickie Guerrero comes to the ring with Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler and Vickie throws out a few excuse mes. She says that even though she lives in El Paso, she is considered a goddess in Mexico. She says that she is the Angelina Jolie of Mexico City, except without the adopted brats. Vickie says that she is more than a pretty face. Due to her business acumen, her two clients will have a tag match against Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne. for the Tag Titles at Vengeance.
Dolph says that there are many who wish that they could leave Mexico and never come back, just like he is. Dolph says that it is fitting that he is the champion of the greatest country in the world. He says that they will never make it. Tonight they get to see the All American American American Jack Swagger and him in action.
Jack tells everyone to rise so he can sing America’s National Anthem.
Match Number Four: Jack Swagger with Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero versus Zack Ryder
They lock up and Swagger with a take down and clothesline into the corner. Swagger punches Ryder and the referee pulls Swagger out of the corner. Ryder with a knee and Rough Ryder for the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder
Mason Ryan comes out and he comes to the ring with a purpose. Mason wants to know where Ziggler is going because they have a match next.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Mason Ryan with Zack Ryder versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger
The match is joined in progress and Ryan sends Dolph to the mat and Dolph goes to the floor. Ziggler with punches but Ryan with a shoulder tackle and Dolph goes to the floor again. Ryan sends Ziggler onto the top rope and then Ryan knocks Ziggler to the floor.
Ryder with a kick and punches followed by a drop kick but Ryan does not go down. Ryan picks up Ziggler and slams him. Ryan with a boot to the head. Ziggler starts to crawl up the ramp and Vickie gets in the way. Vickie slaps Ryan and Ziggler returns to the ring and Ryan returns to the ring and he connects with a clothesline.
Ryan sends Ziggler into the corner and then the he kicks and punches Ziggler but he does not hear the referee’s count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler by disqualification After the mathc, Ryan presses Ziggler over his head but he sees Swagger come to the ring so he drops Ziggler and then Ryan takes care of Swagger. Ryan with a power slam.
John Cena and Jim Ross are in the locker room. Ross says that he doesn’t want to screw things up for Cena on Sunday. Cena says that JR is the greatest voice in WWE history. Cena tells JR that he can just stand in the corner while Cena takes care of Del Rio. Ross says that he would like to get his hands on the sniveling rodent-like, smarmy son of a bitch. Cena says that he will do that for Ross.
Michael Cole takes his chance to address Jim Ross’ comments. He says that he will take JR and his egotistical body and put him out of his miseries. He says that he might even do something to John Cena. Cole mentions that his wife is Mexican so they have to cheer for him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh Mathews joins Jerry Lawler at the announce table. We see that Smackdown is now the second longest episodic television and Raw will hit 1,000 shows in less than a year.
Match Number Six: John Cena and Jim Ross versus Alberto Del Rio and Michael Cole in a Winner Picks the Stipulation for the WWE Title Match on Sunday Match
Cole wants to start the match against Ross, but Cena is staying with his game plan, or maybe not. Ross starts off and Cole has something to say to Ross and Ross with a punch. Del Rio and Cena tag in.
They lock up and Del Rio with a side head lock and hip toss for a near fall. Cena with a side head lock. Del Rio with a hip toss of his own and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Cena with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall and then Cena with a reverse chin lock. Del Rio with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall.
Del Rio with a reverse chin lock but Cena with a gutwrench suplex for a near fall. Cena goes into the corner when Del Rio moves and Del Rio with kicks to Cena. Del Rio sends Cena into the turnbuckles and he hits Cena in the kidneys. Cole with a forearm to the back when the referee is not looking. Del Rio chokes Cena with his boot and then Cena goes to the apron. Del Rio with a punch to Cena and the referee warns him. Del Rio gets a near fall.
Del Rio from the turnbuckles with a double axe handle and he gets a near fall. Del Rio mocks Cena’s you can’t see me before he continues to work over Cena. Cena powers out of the chin lock but Del Rio with a kick. Cena gets Del Rio up for an Attitude Adjustment but Del Rio counters and hits a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Del Rio kicks Cena in the back.
Cena with a drop toe hold and he tries for the STF. Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and he gets a near fall. Del Rio hits the running enzuigiri in the corner and he gets a near fall. Del Rio goes up top but he misses the back senton and both men are down.
Cena with the flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then he sets for the Attitude Adjustment but Del Rio is able to tag in Cole.
Cena brings Cole into the ring and Cole begs for mercy and he wants Cena to shake his hand. Cena shakes his hand and then he puts Cole in the Attitude Adjustment and he hits it. Cena thinks about the STF but he sees Ross on the apron and Jim is tagged in. Ross puts Cole in the ankle lock and Cole taps out.
Winners: Jim Ross and John Cena
After the match, Del Rio pulls Cena to the floor but Cena gives Del Rio an Attitude Adjustment on the floor. Cena takes the mic and he counts to ten. Del Rio gets up and Cena with a clothesline and then he grabs the steps and he hits Del Rio in the head with them. Cena announces that the stipulation for the match at Vengeance will be a Last Man Standing Match.
2012 - he National Wrestling Museum announced the following for their 2013 Thesz/Tragos Hall of Fame:
Ric Flair, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor to enter Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame
WATERLOO, Iowa—The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum selected the Class of 2013 for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Ric Flair, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor have been chosen by the selection committee.
The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend will take place July 12-13 in Waterloo, Iowa.
Criteria for induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame include substantial impact on professional wrestling, general respect within the profession, and a strong amateur wrestling background. The selection committee includes all living hall of fame members as well as a select group of wrestling historians.
Flair has one of the longest and most distinguished careers in professional wrestling. He was a 16-time world champion with titles in the NWA, WCW, and WWE. Watts was a successful wrestler and promoter. He was ranked in the top ten worldwide for over 25 years.
Taylor was an NCAA champion for Iowa State in 1972 and 1973, and a bronze medalist at the 1972 Olympics. He had a three-year career with the AWA beginning in 1974. Taylor died at the age of 29 in 1979.
Winners of the Frank Gotch Award, Lou Thesz Award, George Tragos Award, and Jim Melby Award will be released on November 12. A full schedule of events will be released at a later date.
2012 - Radio show host Bubba the Love Sponge appeared on The Howard Stern show on Sirius/XM Radio, discussing the lawsuit Hulk Hogan had filed against Bubba. The conversation was also simulcast on Bubba's radio show in Florida.
The appearance started with a song Bubba playing that ripped on Hogan for suing him.
Stern opened up by saying that Bubba used to tell him that Stern and Hogan were the only people he'd let sleep with his wife. Bubba said he always said that in jest because he knew Stern wouldn't do it. He said it all started at his wedding when the preacher "fretted" over his then-wife Heather and they would make jokes and parodies about it. Stern said that she was a beautiful woman.
Stern said "man to man", he couldn't believe Bubba wanted to share his wife with another man. Bubba said, "You're probably right about that." Stern asked what went on with himself to allow that. He said that Bubba's scene seemed "pretty dark." Bubba said he's more conservative than people would think and was in a "different spot" in his life at that point. He said that he couldn't go into what "spot" he was in. He admitted he was insecure and depressed. Bubba said at the time, Hogan's marriage was crumbling and he was depressed too. Bubba said, "None of it makes sense, Howard. None of it makes sense."
Stern said that it wasn't a secret and they were all in on it. Bubba agreed to that. Stern asked him what it was like knowing Hogan was sleeping with his wife and then walking out and saying, "OK man, see you later." Bubba admitted some anger and jealousy. He said the situation was deep and "unexplainable." Bubba said "It's not right in any capacity and I'm not proud of it."
Stern asked Bubba if he and Hogan ever discussed the situation. Bubba never really answered that but admitted it was both "weird and business as usual" when he would see Hogan afterward. Bubba said he didn't want to go too deeply into that conversation.
Stern noted that in the song Bubba played, Hogan was called a "scumbag" for suing Bubba and his ex-wife. Bubba said the reason he's so mad is because they were friends. He said that all parties knew everything.
Stern asked if Hogan knew about the tape. Bubba responded, "All parties knew about everything."
Bubba said when he was going through child custody issues, his attorneys advised him to "camera up" his home so there could be no allegations that he did anything to his kid that he couldn't disprove. Stern compared it to Richard Nixon, saying he made the "classic mistake" like Nixon, who "taped everything he did and that's what did him in." Bubba said that unlike Nixon, there are "no holes" in his tapes.
Bubba said Hogan lived with him for three months. He said that for 15 years, he's been Hogan's "insurance policy to cover his ass for everything" and that's why he's angry.
Bubba then made is personal, bringing up the Nick Hogan arrest and jail sentence. He said that when Nick Hogan did what he did and the "media was going insane" because a "marine is a vegetable for life." He said that when Hogan spoke to Nick in jail, he didn't say "we just have to get through this", he blamed John Graziano for the accident and began playing clips from the jailhouse conversations.
Stern cut Bubba off and noted that he was "right there" through all of that with Hogan. Robin Quivers commented that Bubba "can't change [his] mind now." Bubba said he can change his mind when he took care of his friend when it wasn't a popular stance. He said he looked like a dumb-ass for defending Hogan and taking it "soft" on him when his son acted like a "dumb-ass and didn't learn his lesson".
Bubba continued, noting that now "when we are in the trenches for something this bad", they could have talked about it but instead he named Bubba in a $100 million lawsuit. He said "no one held a gun to [Hogan's] head" and the real problem is who leaked the tape. He said that's the problem.
Stern said that Hogan thinks Bubba leaked the tape. Bubba said that he didn't and doesn't know who did. He said that he wishes he could help Hogan and Hogan could help him. He was asked who has access to those tapes and said he didn't know. Bubba said he's never seen the tape. Stern asked where the tapes were held. He said that he wasn't going to go into the particulars, because he was just served with a cease and desist from Hogan's attorneys on the subject.
Bubba said it was amazing because when he was needed to bury Randy Savage and Hogan's ex-wife Linda and anyone else who wronged Hogan, he used Bubba's show as "his poison pen", that was fine but now that there's a situation about something that they've been through, Hogan instead files a $100 million lawsuit.
Bubba said that he and Hulk Hogan have spoken and spoke before Hogan appeared on Stern's show last week. He said that his opinion is that since Hulk can't "play the victim card to save his marriage" and to save "whatever he is trying to save", Hogan has switched gears and all bets are all, "all friendships are off" and he's "trying to cover his ass." Bubba said he's seen it happen before with Hogan, but he's never been the brunt of it. Bubba said that he's not a "flip-flopper" or a bad guy. He's just not going to take it "anymore."
Stern theorized that Hogan is upset because the tapes are his and he didn't destroy them and is assuming Bubba is the one putting them out there. Bubba said that when none of that proves to be true, Hogan will have now ruined an incredible friendship. He said that Hogan was his best man and the Godfather of his son and now it's all done.
Bubba said that the real victim in this is his ex-wife, even though they didn't divorce amicably. Stern said she comes out looking bad. Bubba said that Hogan doesn't care about her or him, just about himself. He said that he's heard rumors there are other tapes of them but he doesn't think that there are. He said whoever has the tape has probably cut it up and made it a "Best of Series."
Stern read from a piece he said was on Philly.com which quoted a source claiming they had seen other videos with Hogan and Heather as well as tapes with "B and C List celebrities". Stern said this was proof that she was getting hurt from the publicity. Bubba said that he didn't know of any other situation.
Stern continued reading, noting that the story claimed Hogan was seen using the "n" word in a derogatory way on the tape as well. Bubba said that he hasn't seen the tapes and wished he could "give a better testimony" as to what's on the tapes to validate people's opinions. He said he's never seen the tapes of Hogan and his wife.
Stern asked Bubba if it was a situation where he was "getting off" on their tryst. Bubba said it was a situation where all three were up "to speed" on what was going on and his deal was "not getting off at all." Stern asked him what he was getting out of the situation and Bubba immediately said, "Nothing! You know what I got? I got made out to look like a stupid-ass chump." He asked Stern if he thought that if Bubba had anything to do with the tapes leaking, wouldn't he edit himself out so he didn't look stupid?
Stern asked him if he was on the tapes looking stupid. Bubba said he guesses he is because there are accounts that he's on the tape saying that if they were wanted to retire, the footage of Hogan and Heather would be "their ticket to whatever." He said that Hogan was in earshot of that and if they were going to release that, why would he let that out there. He said if he was going to rob a bank, he's not going to call them and say he would be there in 20 minutes, he would just to the bank. He wouldn't leak something like this and make himself look bad in the process.
Bubba said he's never seen the video and the cameras all went to a master hard drive. Stern theorized someone got into his hard drive. Bubba said he didn't know the logistics. Stern asked him if he thought Hogan leaked the tape. Bubba said he didn't want to say anything about how it may have happened because there are attorneys sitting on every word "which is just idiotic".
Stern said that Hogan claimed he was "so hurt" by the entire situation. Bubba said that he is as well, then pointed out that Hogan lied to Stern in April when he stated he had never had sex with Bubba's ex-wife. Stern said that Hogan claimed he was trying to protect Heather and Bubba. Bubba said that if that was the case, he's no longer trying to protect all three sides, just himself.
The remark about retiring was brought up again. Bubba said he was just being a smart ass. If he wanted to do that, he would have just sold the tape for a lot of money and edited himself out, so he didn't look like a moron.
Stern noted that he wanted Hogan and Bubba to both come in and take lie detector tests together. Bubba said "no problem" and he would do it. He said that people are now in the "cover their ass mode" to protect their marriage but what's important is who leaked the tape top The Dirty and Gawker.
Bubba said he would do anything for the guy but he's not going to be pushed around legally when he's done all Hogan's "dirty work" for years. Robin asked why they haven't hired a private detective. Bubba said he's done a lot of things to find out what's going on. He said he's trying to protect himself and his family and Heather, but now one party is only out for themselves. He repeated that "no one put a gun to" Hogan's head.
Stern said that may be true, but he didn't expect his sex to be "all over the world." Bubba responded, "Nor did I. Nor did I." Bubba said he's hurt that he believes Bubba was involved. He also said he believes that Hogan's attorney David Houston just loves the PR limelight (noting he just repped Girls Gone Wild's Joe Francis) and isn't even licensed to be in Florida. Houston is just "churning Terry" and whipping things into a frenzy.
Bubba said that if Hogan had shut up and realized it was three people involved, they could have gotten to the bottom of it. Bubba said that he's been keeping his mouth shut all this time and Hogan brought the story back to live. Bubba said he offered to open up his home and business to let them find anything they need to help track down the leak and then he's hit with a lawsuit.
Stern theorized that no one believed Hogan's claims and thought he and Bubba were in cahoots together. So, this is Hogan's way of saying it's for real. Bubba said it's Hogan's MO. He said in Minnesota in 1999, a woman claimed Hogan sexually assaulted her in a hotel room and Hogan sued her. Bubba said, "it backfired and he ended up paying her millions of dollars."
Stern said that if Hogan was all these things, why did Bubba want to befriend him in the first place. Bubba said he was warned by his friends that Hogan wants things one way. He said that he was always told that Hogan was about what they could do for him and they used to joke he was "one way." Bubba said Hogan "is a friend and I put up with it."
Stern said he's going to reach out to Hogan and to Bubba. He said he believes if he can get them into the room together, Hogan would drop the lawsuit. Robin Quivers noted that Hogan's lied so many times. Stern noted that everyone knew that Bubba taped everything in his home.
Gary noted that was a Radar Online report that Bubba regularly brought the sex tapes into the studio to show people. Bubba said he would take a lie detector test. Bubba said he's never shown anyone the tapes and has never, even seen them himself. He again said that if he had, he would have deleted himself from it so he didn't look like a dumbass. Stern said that Bubba would have shown him the tapes because Stern would have been "tickled pink." Bubba again said he would have, but he would have edited himself off.
Bubba was asked again if there were any other tapes. He said there are not, but his speculation is that whoever has possession of the tapes has made various edits and clips. He said they may have taken the tape, as long as it could be, into different tapes. He said there are no other tapes because he doesn't know any other celebrities beyond Hogan and Stern.
Bubba was asked again about letting Hogan sleep with his wife. He said that perhaps he can talk to Stern privately about it, but didn't want to get into it on the air except to say he is "thoroughly embarrassed" by the situation. He said there were no other women that this happened with. They did the entire "did you want to sleep with Heather deal" as a joking thing. Stern said that he told Hogan he shouldn't have done it, because a situation likes that always ends in misery and ruins friendships.
Bubba said that he even told Hogan that if Hogan needed to play the victim card, that Bubba would take the heat. Stern tried to get into the sexual life of Bubba and his ex-wife when the Hogan trysts were going on. Bubba said he couldn't believe Stern was digging that deep. They were amazed Bubba was backing off, because that's not what he would do as an interviewer. Bubba said that like Howard, there are things he can't answer about his ex-wife. Howard theorized that it excited Bubba, and Bubba said he was wrong.
Robin said that Hogan claimed Heather was really into it and pushed it. Bubba said, "No. No one was any more over the top than anyone else. It was three consensual adults and everyone knew what the deal was." Bubba said that it's not fair that he and Heather are being thrown aside like this now that it's a "whodunit." He said that he told Hogan he would take the rap and let Hogan play "the victim card" but asked for Hogan to keep him up to speed and to "not blindside him" with anything and now there's a $100 million lawsuit.
Bubba said he didn't know about the lawsuit until it was announced publicly. He said he's not scared because he didn't do anything wrong. The $100 million number and hiring counsel doesn't have any bearing on him, because he didn't do anything wrong. Stern said that the bottom line is no one likes litigation or going to court.
Bubba was asked if this was effected his job and Stern joked that it made the radio show owners love him "20 times more" because they are like vampires and want to get everything they can and this gives them publicity.
Bubba said the lawsuit and the sex tape situation has had an effect on him personally. He has a child and he's embarrassed because for a week and a half, he got to have the chump title a week. He said he was called a sellout and rat for "doing [the sex tape] to his friend" and all sorts of other names and allowed it, for Hogan so he can save his marriage and whatever else he's trying to save, and then Hogan blindsided him with the lawsuit.
Stern asked if Bubba had any remorse for things he said about Hogan's family yesterday on his radio show. Bubba immediately said, "No." Bubba said, "All bets are off at this point, man. If you are going to put me into litigation and you're going to do that to me. I have had your back for this many years in this town and delivered all your messages of hate. Buried Macho Man. Every time your wife was seen with her little 23-year old boyfriend, you'd call the show..."
Stern asked if there was any way to save the friendship. Bubba said that he texted Hogan yesterday and told him that all this will go away and they don't have to be best friends, but they can still be cordial if he would take Bubba and Heather off the "dumb-ass lawsuit." He said Hogan responded, "Sorry. It goes far deeper than that."
Bubba said that it probably means there are other tapes that could make Hogan look bad. He said that he doesn't know because he hasn't seen any tapes. Stern said that Howard was told by Hogan that there was at least one other instance of Hulk sleeping with Heather. Bubba was asked about that and said, "I'm not familiar with that, no." Bubba was asked if he thought Hogan was sleeping with Heather behind his back. Bubba said there is so much he doesn't know obviously, given that he's hearing so much and someone is calling Radar Online every two minutes.
Stern asked someone named Brent from Bubba's cast what he thought of the situation. He said that Hogan needs to take responsibility for what happened and called Hogan a dirtbag. Bubba said that Hogan screwed Brent out of "hundreds of thousands of dollars." He said that they found out about Post Cereal doing a commercial for their Flintstones cereal as a takeoff on Hogan using the name "Hulk Boulder." They realized that was Hogan's name when he wrestled in Memphis and took it to Hogan. Hogan promised to give Brent "ten points" of the lawsuit settlement (they played a clip of Hogan saying that) and then when it was settled, Hogan acted like he knew nothing about it.
Stern said that he believes this is the tip of the iceberg of what Bubba was up to sexually. Bubba said that he'd have to talk to Howard privately about the place he was in at the time. Stern said there was no place he could be in that he'd want his wife Beth making love to anyone else. Bubba said, "That's how men should be. I am that way." Bubba said he may have gotten caught up in a lot of things. He said he was trying to help out a friend "in a really stupid, overly friendly way." He said if someone would have shut up, it would have gone away.
Bubba said that Hogan should shut up and focus on where Gawker got the tape and sue the hell out of them. "They are public enemy number one." Bubba said Hogan should say he was a responsible guy and knew what was going on. Bubba said it's a "he said-she said b**chfight" and Hogan isn't the only victim. He said there's a woman who is a mom. There's himself, a public figure and a father and at the end of the day, it was three consenting adults and none are in a good place right now.
Stern asked Bubba if he ever had any conversations about what it was like for Heather in bed with Hogan. Bubba said no. The Stern crew was amazed by that and asked what he was doing when all this was going on. Bubba said he was probably online looking at car parts websites. Someone joked he was looking for a new Muffler. Stern asked how this could be going on and he didn't ask. Bubba said that Stern was weird about certain things and Bubba "was" weird about stuff. Stern said this was beyond weird. He said he never saw the tape. Stern said knowing he was in the next room had to have been torture for Bubba.
Stern asked if he really loved Heather. Bubba said he did. He asked if this was something Bubba did to make Heather happy. Bubba responded, "I liked to make Heather happy." Stern asked what his reaction was when Heather asked to sleep with Hogan. Bubba said it didn't necessarily go down that way and he couldn't go into particulars like that. Stern told him he had to and "what was one more lawsuit?" Bubba said he wouldn't. Stern said he was going to bring Bubba in and pump him full of truth serum.
Stern asked Bubba if he would come in if Stern could get Hogan to come in. Robin said that Howard would never see Hogan again. Bubba said he would not be afraid of Howard, coming in or telling the truth. He said he's just trying to stick up for Heather and himself because "we are not the only two bad guys in this situation" and they aren't using the legal system to cover their asses like Hogan is. Bubba said that he isn't afraid of anything.
Stern said that he was going to end the lawsuit. Robin joked he was also going to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. Stern said he could end this lawsuit first.
Bubba said that Hogan wants to send cease and desists so Bubba can't even discuss the situation on his show, noting they just received one. Bubba said he hates this and it's the worst time of his life right now. He said that had Hogan shut up after his Stern show appearance, all of this would have gone away. He realizes Hogan had to promote his wrestling PPV and he appreciates that. By going to the federal court house at 5 PM and calling for a press conference, he's not letting it go away. Stern said that with all the rumors of the "n word being said" (Bubba responded, "But, he said it!") and the tapes and he's ashamed (Bubba said he was too), so the only way to get people to shake in their boots is to litigate. Bubba agreed but said, "You throw me to the wolves as well?"
Stern and Bubba talked about Bubba taping everything in his house and Bubba said it was well known and he talked about it all the time. Bubba said he's been very vocal about everything. Stern said you always run the risk of things ending up out there but he knew he was being taped. Stern asked if Hogan ever asked Bubba to delete tapes. Bubba said, "We have not had that conversation because no one's seen it."
Stern asked if the taping equipment erased itself after a certain period of time. Bubba said he wasn't going to go into his systems but said they have changed over the years. Stern said that six years ago, the hard drive could only store so much. Bubba said he doesn't know and that validates his claims. He said he doesn't have a company that services the equipment regularly. Stern said that perhaps someone else was in on it. Bubba said someone else had to be because it wasn't one of them that leaked it.
Stern said they wanted to figure it out. He asked who could it be. Bubba said he doesn't know and for all he knows Hogan leaked it. He said if he could see the tape, he might have a better idea of the who, what, where and how. He said there were three people involved and now two of them are being thrown out to dry.
Robin Quivers noted that Hogan tried to bring criminal charges and was told there were no grounds. Bubba said that's why they are changing their gears. Bubba said that people don't know if it's a work or a shoot because Hogan has spent his life doing promotional stunts. Robin asked how Bubba keeps his child from being aware of all this. Stern joked his kid released the tape.
Bubba's sister Tara was asked what she thought of her brother now. She said, "If only I could comment." Bubba told her to say whatever she wanted. She said he's equally embarrassed, disgusted and ashamed. She said that she didn't know about the situation and she would have been totally disgusted. Bubba said he was disgusted. Stern said he was a freak. He said he's sorry Bubba is in pain because he loves Hulk Hogan. Bubba said he's been turned on but if he's got to be a bear, he's got to be a grizzly. He said he's defended Hogan through it all and now he's got to defend himself that he didn't break man code or do something wrong.
Stern asked if the "Love Sponge name" was forever sullied (that cracked me up). Bubba said that it is.
Bubba said that he was given a cease and desist today. Stern said he can understand why Hogan is so upset and pissed. Bubba said he was too. Bubba said he never lied to Howard and Hogan did. He said his credibility is at question. He said that he's always had Hogan's back and it was up to Hogan to have his back too - but instead Bubba finds out on the news that his best friend is suing him.
Bubba said most of his rooms are not taped. The taping was going on because of the child custody issue.
Bubba was asked if Hogan used condoms. Bubba said that he didn't know and hasn't seen the tape.
Howard and Fred noted that they were the only ones who believes Hogan and Bubba were not complicit in the tape. It turned into Robin and Bubba ripping on each other because of comments Robin made when he got married.
Stern asked Bubba if he was going to be OK or have a breakdown. Bubba said he's been on the verge a few times and went to see a psychologist. He said he's never felt suicidal and to do so would be admitting he did something wrong. He said he wasn't going to say anything until he filed a lawsuit against him. He offered to be the bad guy and even talk to Hogan's wife, but when you blindside someone with a $100 million lawsuit after years of defending Hogan.
Robin said that defending himself now doesn't mean he's recanting things he said in the past. Bubba said he does because he's not a politician and he was wrong and can flip flop.
Stern asked him if he would be willing to get part of the profits if the tape was sold and Bubba said no. Bubba said someone would have to talk to Heather. She's the one who needs to be taken care of and she's not a public figure and is a mom. He said Heather has moved on and is a great Mom. Bubba said he's moved on and is with a great person and the reality is that no one has thought of what Heather is going through. Bubba said that Hogan is being selfish and guesses he is being selfish as well. He said that his attorneys have reached out to her attorneys. Bubba said they would never get back together romantically. Bubba responded asking if Howard would get back together with his ex-wife. Stern said he wasn't trying to attack Bubba.
Stern said he purposely hadn't called Bubba because he didn't want Bubba to think he was prying. He just sent an email saying he hoped Bubba was OK. Bubba responded he just didn't want to lose Stern's friendship. He didn't ask Stern to do anything when Hogan was on the show.
Stern joked his wife wanted to sleep with The Iron Sheik. Bubba said that as long as they didn't tape it, they'd be OK.
They all joked about Bubba returning to Sirius/XM. Bubba then said that he wanted to see Stern and management for Sirius needed to get along. Stern joked that Bubba and Heather would be back together first.
The conversation floated away from the Hogan situation at that point. Before Bubba left, Stern said he was going to work on getting Hogan to drop the lawsuit. It ended with Stern asking Bubba that they get better cameras in his home. Bubba said if they were trying to tape to distribute, he'd have had a better camera set up with a three camera shoot and fluff girls.
Bubba said Howard knows Hogan is listening. Stern said he wanted Stern wanted to put the two of them, no lawyers, in a room. He said if Hogan could listen to what Bubba had to say and Stern could keep everyone calm and "translate", it would be a hell of a thing.
2013 - TNA cancels Impact Wrestling tapings in Baltimore, MD and Chattanooga, TN.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report on PWInsider.com! Tonight, TNA puts the final touches on the build to this Sunday's Bound For Glory PPV.
We look back at last week when Kurt Angle returned to TNA and challenged Bobby Roode to face him at Bound For Glory, a rift began to form between Brutus Magnus and Sting, and AJ Styles took a beating from Bully Ray after defeating Garett Bischoff and Knux by himself.
We go to the arena where Dixie Carter and her shitty entrance music make their way to the ring, escorted by Atlas Security and a big ol' briefcase. She knows what Michelangelo felt like when he finished the Sistine Chapel because works of art take a long time to come together, but Michelangelo didn't have to deal with AJ Styles splattering paint all over his masterpiece. And speaking of splattering, Bully Ray splattered and destroyed AJ, who was too dumb not to stay down. Dixie says her other job is to evaluate talent, and tonight, she's got a big thing planned: the contract signing for the main event at Bound For Glory, but what if AJ Styles didn't make it to that contract signing because another talent stepped up to impress her, take AJ's place, and made himself $50,000 richer by making tonight AJ's last night in the company? AJ may have walked away from the money she offered her last week, but there is someone who won't repeat his mistake, and when that happens, AJ will NOT be in the main event of Bound For Glory because a spot will have opened for someone else because making opportunities and making people rich is what she does. She has Atlas Security open the briefcase and show off the $50,000, but Bully Ray's music hits and he comes out with Brooke in tow. Bully tells Dixie that they haven't seen eye to eye, and he's not exactly on Team Dixie, but $50,000 buys a lot, and since he took AJ out for free last week, he'll do it again tonight and collect the 50 grand. Magnus comes out to the ring and asks if he's got this right: twelve men put everything on the line for three months in the Bound For Glory so that Dixie could try and give the chance away because she doesn't like AJ Styles? Magnus hates to be insubordinate, but it's no wonder everyone thinks Dixie sucks. The sheep in the audience start chanting Dixie sucks, and 50 grand may be chump change to Dixie and the champ there, but it's not to the people in Oklahoma, and she wants her to know that he will fight Bubba tonight for free. Bully asks if Magnus knows who he is, and he has heard that Magnus is the future of pro wrestling, he's tough, he can fight, he has heart, and all the fans seem to like him a lot, they believe in him, Sting believes in him, but now he's going to tell the truth: Magnus is a fraud. He's just a big pretty boy who doesn't have a tough bone in his body, he's known Magnus since the day he stepped foot in a wrestling ring, he's a loser and a fraud, and probably the biggest disappointment he's ever seen, such a big disappointment that he might as well be from Oklahoma. Magnus knocks Bully on his ass with a right hand, and Bubba rolls out to the floor and tells Magnus that if he wants a match against him, he's got it.
Kurt Angle is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
Bully Ray is backstage with Garett Bischoff and Knux and says that last week felt like old school Aces & Eights, and he told them he'd give them the spotlight and the glory, and they took it. Tonight, Knux gets another chance at the spotlight and $50,000, and he knows Knux has one half of the tag champs tonight, but he's got their back just like they have his. You know, I liked the old Aces & Eights clubhouse a lot better than just whatever random backstage area they set up shop in now.
Four Corner Match: Christopher Daniels vs Eric Young vs Hernandez vs Robbie E
Each man will be one half of a team competing in this weekend's pregame show match at Bound For Glory, with the winning team challenging for the TNA World Tag Team Title on the PPV. Robbie E gets beat on by Young and then Hernandez, but he tags Daniels in and skips off to the floor while Daniels yells at him. Hernandez runs over Daniels with a body tackle, gets an overhead release choke suplex, press slams Daniels across the ring, stops to nail Robbie E off the apron, and gets knocked to the floor by Daniels while he has his back turned. Robbie lays in some shots on the floor before rolling him back in so Daniels can dish out more punishment. Daniels with a leg lariat for 2, then Robbie comes in and hits a second rope kneedrop for 2. Hernandez takes both Robbie and Daniels out with a double clothesline and makes the tag to EY, who takes both Daniels and Robbie out with a missile dropkick before going to town on both men with boots and slams. Daniels hits him with an STO, but Robbie breaks the fall at 2. Daniels and Robbie get in each other's faces and don't notice Hernandez charging down the ramp to hit the flying shoulder tackle to Daniels, then Pounce Robbie into next week. Daniels dodges a charge in the corner and Hernandez tumbles out to the floor, EY comes in and lays Daniels out with a belly to belly suplex, hits the top rope elbow, and gets shoved out to the floor by Robbie, who immediately covers Daniels and gets the win.
Winner: Robbie E
Robbie E just pinned Christopher Daniels...the damn Bromans are winning the tag title...why...
Jason Hervey asks AJ Styles how it feels to be walking around with a bounty on his head, and AJ barely says two words before Jessie Godderz jumps him. AJ lays Godderz out, turns back to Hervey, and says it's going to be a long night.
AJ Styles comes out to the ring and says Dixie Carter reeks of desperation if she's putting a bounty on his head, and he's flattered, because that means Dixie knows he's going to win at Bound For Glory and is scared to death because he's going to win that title and make her pay. AJ tells all the people who want to cash in on the bounty that he's not going to run or hide, and to come get paid. Knux and Garett Bischoff come out, and AJ takes off his leather jacket to get ready to fight. Bischoff and Knux beat him down, but James Storm and Gunner run out and chase them off, and Gunner vs Knux is up after this commercial break!
Gunner vs Knux
Knux gets an early advantage after Bischoff grabs Gunner's leg from the floor, but Gunner powerslams Knux and hammers him with right hands. Gunner fires back, but Knux nails Gunner with a huge clothesline for 2. Knux slams Gunner and chokes him with his knee, then goes to a rear chinlock. Knux misses a legdrop and then he and Gunner wipe each other out with a double clothesline, and both men are down. Bischoff is getting in Storm's face on the ramp, so Storm spews his beer in Garett's face as Gunner starts running Knux over with clotheslines before picking Knux up, holding him up, and hitting a fallaway slam. That was very impressive. Gunner goes for the Gun Rack, but Knux blocks and catches Gunner with a short crossbody for 2. Knux yells up the ramp to Bully Ray to come help him, but Bubba never shows as Gunner spears Knux and covers for 3.
Winner: Gunner
So much for Bubba having his back!
Chris Sabin is backstage with Velvet Sky saying he's going to collect his $50,000 and get into the main event of Bound For Glory, and when Velvet tries to stop him, Sabin says he'll get her something nice and runs off.
Knux is backstage complaining to Garett that Bully Ray didn't have his back and next time he needs their help, it's going to get real damn interesting.
We look back at the last two weeks as Lei'D Tapa, who went on a rampage as she destroyed both Velvet Sky and ODB. Speaking of ODB, she's defending the Knockouts Title against both Brooke and Gail Kim this weekend, and Gail comes in to try and talk about Tapa with Brooke, who is taking pictures of her ass with her cell phone. Gail wants to make an alliance, and Brooke says she's not helping her because she only answers to one person.
We see a video package looking at the five participants in this weekend's Ultimate X match, then we see Chris Sabin stalking around backstage looking for AJ Styles. He ends up running into Samoa Joe, who says he's on the wrong side of town because he may be looking for AJ Styles, but he should be worrying about facing him tonight in the ring, then facing him again at Ultimate X. Sabin slowly backs away, but they'll be facing each other...NEXT!
Magnus is backstage, and he's...WARMING UP! We'll see more of him later tonight, but first, we have a preview of Ultimate X...
Samoa Joe vs Chris Sabin
Sabin gets the drop on Joe early on, but Joe starts firing back, pummeling Sabin with strikes until he goes out to the floor to seek the comfort of Velvet Sky. He, can't blame a guy. Joe drags Sabin back in, and Sabin tries to nail Joe with a series of jabs, but Joe shrugs them off and hits a big chop that sends Sabin back out to the floor where he grabs Velvet and starts heading to the back. Joe goes after Sabin, who pulls Velvet in front of him as a human shield, then nails Joe while his guard's down and gives him a DDT on the ramp. Sabin runs back to the ring and tells the referee to count, and Joe just barely beats the ten count, but puts himself right in the line of Sabin's fire as he goes back to pummeling Joe. Sabin with a charging forearm in the corner and then goes to the eyes for the heck of it, but he tries another corner charge and gets caught with the STJoe. Joe begins his usual comeback, but Sabin goes to the eyes and catches Joe with a tornado DDT for 2. Sabin goes for an O'Connor roll, Joe counters to the Kokina Clutch, and Sabin taps out immediately.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Austin Aries runs down to the ring as soon as the match is over, hits Joe with a missile dropkick, and yells at him for interjecting himself into his match. Heff Hardy runs out and hits Aries with the Twist of Fate, then pulls a ladder out from under the ring, sets it up in the corner, and starts to climb. Sabin drags him down as Manik comes out to the ring and takes both Aries and Sabin out with a crossbody off the ladder. Manik celebrates as we're told there's a disturbance backstage.
We go backstage where Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian are beating AJ Styles up, but AJ gets away and sprays a fire extinguisher in their faces, then disappears before the cloud dissipates. Daniels and Kazarian lost AJ...for now.
Ethan Carter III is backstage getting photos taken, and he's coming to Bound For Glory!
TNA World Champion Bully Ray vs Brutus Magnus
They tie up and jockey hard for position, but neither man can get an advantage, so Bubba runs Magnus over with a shoulderblock instead. Bubba picks Magnus up and slams him hard, then waits for Magnus to get to his feet so he can take his head off with a big clothesline. Bubba hits some big chops in the corner, but Magnus fires back with some right hands and backdrops the champ before running him over with a clothesline. Magnus goes to the top rope, but Bubba shakes the ropes to make Magnus lose his balance, then he hammers him with a big right hand as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Bully is still in control, but he misses an elbowdrop and gives Magnus the room to get back to his feet and trade blows with Bubba before picking him up and slamming him. Magnus with a big boot and then he goes up top and hits the elbowdrop, but Bubba is out at 2. Bubba pulls the referee in harm's way as Magnus charges him, then once the referee is out, Bubba grabs the chain and prepares to nail Magnus with it. Sting comes down to ringside and grabs Bubba's arm, and the referee is so distracted by Sting that he doesn't notice Bubba turning around, nailing Magnus low, and covering him for the win.
Winner: Bully Ray
Oh, I bet Magnus will be real mad about this one. Indeed he gets in Sting's face, and Sting says he tried to save Magnus because Bubba was trying to use the chain. Sting extends his hand to Magnus, but Magnus just walks off and a frustrated Sting follows him to the back.
Kurt Angle is backstage, and he's...WALKING! We'll find out what's on his mind...NEXT!
Sting finally catches up with Magnus backstage and asks him what the hell is going on, and Magnus freaks out because he wound up on the losing end again because of Sting. Samoa Joe comes out and gets between then, and Sting says that Magnus will be alone this weekend when they face each other.
Speaking of the Main Event Mafia, Kurt Angle (who doesn't appear to be part of the group anymore), comes out and tells Bobby Roode that he's one of the most talented wrestlers he's ever seen, he reminds Kurt of himself five years ago, but when he tried to rain on Angle's Hall of Fame induction, he made it personal. Roode may be one of the best today, but he will never be Kurt Angle. Roode comes out and tells Angle that he's right, he'll never be Kurt Angle, but he's okay with that because he doesn't want to be Kurt Angle even though he used to. Angle used to be the be all and end all of professional wrestling, but he's the be all and end all now, and he's more worthy of a Hall of Fame induction than Angle is. Roode tells Angle to tell him what he's done lately, and it's been a whole lot of nothing for years now. The last thing he remembers Angle accomplishing was when he beat him at Bound For Glory two years ago, but that woke him up, created the It Factor of Professional Wrestling, and led to him becoming the longest reigning champion in company history. He's going to be Bobby Roode this weekend, because Bobby Roode is going to beat Kurt Angle. Angle asks how he's going to beat him when he's busy tapping, but Roode ays he's not going to tap because...oh wait, he suckerpunched Angle and is putting the boot to him. Angle picks his ankle and goes to the anklelock, but Daniels and Kazarian run out and beat Angle down before ramming his shoulder into the post. Roode tells them to get off of Angle because he's got this, and get puts Angle in the Crippler Crossface. He lets the hold go and finishes his earlier thought: he's not going to tap because he'll be busy tapping Angle out.
Dixie Carter is backstage, and she's...WALKING! We'll get the contract signing next!
We're back with Jeremy Boash and Dixie Carter in the ring. They introduce Bully Ray and then AJ Styles, who takes his time before getting in the ring to go face to face with Bubba. Borash tells them it's time to make it official, and asks Bubba to go first. Bubba signs the contract, then tells AJ that he'll make this real simple: AJ can't beat him because he doesn't have the brains in his head, the passion in his heart, or the thunder in his fists to beat him. He'll give AJ a little history lesson: in 1985, a man named Ric Flair destroyed, maimed, and took out Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes came back a month later and talked about how Ric Flair put him, the fans, the wrestling industry, and his family on hard times, but if you fast forward nearly 30 years, Bully Ray has put the wrestling world on hard times. He started with Jeff Hardy in a cage at Lockdown, he defeated Sting and made sure he could never be a World Champion again, he ran Chris Sabin back into AJ's X Division, and make no mistake, he's the guy who ran Hulk Hogan outta here and put him on hard times. AJ may be wondering what this has to do with him, but in three days at Bound For Glory, he's going to beat AJ and put him on hard times, he'll put AJ's fans on hard times, and he'll put AJ on such hard times that he'll send AJ home a defeated man with no contract or championship, and when AJ gets back to that trailer park, he wouldn't be shocked if AJ's wife and three kids aren't even there anymore. He's the Darth Vader of the wrestling business, and AJ is no Luke Skywalker. AJ says he can appreciate Bubba's story, but Bubba is no Ric Flair and AJ is no Dusty Rhodes. That was the past and they're in the future, and Bubba thinking he can compare himself to Ric Flair is pathetic because Bubba is nothing but a big dumb bitch who has no idea who he's getting in the ring with. He has nothing to lose and he has to win to make Dixie beg, to take Bubba's title, and is the most intense and desperate man Bubba has ever gotten in the ring with. He will beat Bubba, he will make Dixie pay, and he will be the next World Champion. AJ signs the contract, and Bubba tells Dixie to hold up for a moment: he's taking it back and won't put his World Title on the line because he's cashing in on those 50 Gs right now. Bubba tries to attack AJ, but AJ takes the briefcase, smashes Bubba in the head with it, then tosses the briefcase at Dixie and sends money flying everywhere. AJ gets in Bubba's face and says that belt will put food on his kids table, Bubba says he's taking AJ out, and AJ says Bubba will have to kill him.
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!
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