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November 18th
On this day in history in ....
1938 - Jim Londos defeats Bronco Nagurski for the World Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani, which he would hold until retirement in 1946.
1983 - Ted DiBiase defeats Brett Wayne Sawyer for the Georgia National Heavyweight Title in Cleveland, Ohio.
1992 - WCW's Clash of the Champions XXI was held in Macon, Georgia at the Macon Coliseum. Here are the results of the show, which aired live on TBS:
- Brian Pillman defeated Brad Armstrong in less than a minute.
- Scotty Flamingo defeated Johnny B. Badd via knockout in the second round of a boxing match after hitting him with a wet glove.
- Erik Watts & Kensuke Sasaki defeated Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton when Watts forced Eaton to submit to an STF.
- Ron Simmons & 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Tony Atlas, The Barbarian & Cactus Jack in a Handicap match when Scorpio, in his WCW debut, pinned Atlas with a 450 splash.
- Madusa vs. Paul E. Dangerously ended in a five minute draw after Madusa just beat on Dangerously for most of the time limit.
- Sting vs. Rick Rude ended in a twenty minute draw in a King of Cable Tournament match. Sting advanced via judge's decision, two votes to one.
- Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas defeated Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes to win the NWA & WCW World Tag Team Title when Douglas pinned Windham with a belly to belly suplex.
1995 - ECW held their November to Remember event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- The opening match between Don E. Allen and the Broad Street Bully never actually took place, as special guest ring announcer Buh Buh Ray Dudley, unable to do the introductions without stuttering, took out his frustrations on both men, powerbombing and pinning them himself.
- Paul E. Dangerously comes to the ring, and after apologizing for the "fire incident" from the previous show, has the lights turned out for a surprise. The lights come back on, and Sabu, who was fired from the company six months earlier for missing the Three Way Dance show, stood in the ring.
- Konnan defeated Jason with a crucifix powerbomb. Taz, still recovering from his broken neck, came to the ring and announced that he was going to be a referee, since he wasn't cleared to wrestle. Jason mocked Taz, and Taz punched Jason, setting up for a ten second victory for Konnan.
- Stevie Richards defeated Pablo Marquez with a superkick. Prior to the match, The Blue Meanie makes his debut as a "fan" in the crowd, giving Richards a Flock Of Seagulls T-Shirt. During the match, Richards had Meanie come into the ring to attempt (and miss) his first Meaniesault.
- The Pitbulls defeated The Eliminators with a Superbomb on Kronus.
- Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psicosis in a Mexican Death Match. Rey pinned Psicosis with a rana for the first fall less than a minute into the match. Psicosis then pinned Rey twice with a moonsault and then a powerbomb. Psicosis got another pin with a senton, then a moonsault with a chair for yet another fall. Each time, Rey was back to his feet by a nine count. They fought into the crowd, and Rey gave Psicosis a rana from the top stage onto the bottom stage, getting his second, and final pinfall of the match, as Psicosis was unable to answer the ten count following this fall.
- Jason came to the ring and offered to manage Rey, which resulted in Rey going at it with the Eliminators, until 911 ran in for the save.
- ECW World Tag Team Champions 2 Cold Scorpio & The Sandman defeated The Public Enemy when Sandman pinned Johnny Grunge after Rocco Rock accidentally gave him the Drive-By (senton). As a result, Sandman received a World Title match with Mikey Whipwreck later in the show. This match was proceeded by one of the more unique moments in ECW history, a "dance off" with 2 Cold Scorpio and Rocco Rock, which ended up involving The Sandman and Woman as well.
- Bill Alfonso defeated Tod Gordon. Beulah was supposed to be the guest referee, but Alfonso knocked her out early in the match. After brawling around the ring, and at ringside, Gordon hit Alfonso with a frying pan, and had the pin. Taz, still in his referee's gear, came down and counted two, then turned on Gordon, knocking him out and putting Alfonso on top for the pin. Taz then got on the microphone and ripped into the fans and Paul E. over not caring for him when he broke his neck. Taz claimed that Bill Alfonso was the only person who called him when he was injured. Fans chanted "Sabu" but Taz said "He's not coming". This heel turn was the beginning of the Taz vs. Sabu feud that would culminate in ECW's first Pay-per-view, Barley Legal on April 13, 1997
- ECW World Champion Mikey Whipwreck defeated Steve Austin. Austin attacked Sandman as he made his entrance, and took his place in the title match. Austin mocked Hulk Hogan during the match, doing a big boot to the face followed by a legdrop. In the end, Austin hit a stun gun, but while showboating, Mikey rolled him up (with a handful of tights) for the pin.
- Sabu defeated Hack Myers with an Atomic Arabian Facebuster.
- Tommy Dreamer & Terry Funk defeated Raven & Cactus Jack when Funk pinned Raven after a Dreamer piledriver. Cactus wore a T-Shirt with pictures of WCW's Dungeon Of Doom on it to infuriate the ECW fans, and when that was ripped off, it revealed a shirt with Eric Bischoff on it, and the words "Uncle Eric, Please Forgive Me". A violent, bloody brawl, the match also featured what I believe was the first "E-C-F***ing-W" chant.
2001 - WWE's Survivor Series were held in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum, and was headlined by the finale of the Invasion storyline with Team WWE vs. Team Alliance. Here are the results from the show:
- Raven, Lance Storm & Justin Credible defeated Albert, Scotty 2 Hotty & Spike Dudley.
- Christian defeated Al Snow with the Unprettier.
- William Regal defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri with a double underhook powerbomb.
- United States Champion Edge defeated Intercontinental Champion Test in a unification match with a rollup out of a full nelson slam.
- WCW Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy in a unification match in a steel cage when Bubba pinned Jeff after D-Von moved out of the way of a swanton off the top of the cage and Jeff crashed through a table.
- Test, after attacking Scotty 2 Hotty to take his spot, won a battle royale. As a result, Test was given "immunity" and couldn't be fired by whatever faction controlled the company after the main event.
- Trish Stratus defeated Lita, Jackie, Ivory, Molly Holly and Jazz (making her WWF debut) to win the vacant WWF Women's Title by pinning Ivory with a bulldog.
- Team WWF (Rock, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Kane, Undertaker) defeated Team Alliance (Steve Austin, Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle, Booker T & Rob Van Dam) in an elimination match for control of the company.
- Shane pinned Big Show with a top rope elbowdrop after Show was given an Angle Slam, a Booker ax kick, and an RVD five star frog splash.
- Jericho pinned Shane with a Lionsault after a chokeslam from Kane and a tombstone from Undertaker.
- Van Dam pinned Kane with a top rope kick.
- Angle pinned Undertaker after Austin gave him a stunner.
- Rock pinned Booker T after ramming Booker into Van Dam.
- Jericho pinned Van Dam after putting his knees up on a moonsault attempt.
- Rock made Angle submit to a Sharpshooter.
- Austin pinned Jericho with a rollup.
- Rock pinned Austin with a Rock Bottom after Angle, turning on Austin, hit him with the World Title belt. As a result, the Alliance was forced to disband.
2007 - WWE held the Survivor Series in Miami, FL. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
Survivor Series opened with a video putting over the history of the event, then focusing on the traditional Survivor Series match, the WWE Title bout, and the Hell In A Cell match.
Joey Styles and Tazz welcomed us to the show, as the ECW Title match is the first bout of the evening.
ECW Champion CM Punk vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison.
CM Punk came out first, then Miz and Morrison had separate entrances, each brandishing their WWE Tag Team Championship belt. At the bell, Miz and Morrison worked over Punk in a corner. Punk managed to kick Miz in the head, then rolled Morrison into a sunset flip for a two count. Morrison catapulted Punk into a corner, but Punk jumped onto the ropes and launched into a bodypress on Miz. Punk kicked Morrison in the head, then threw both men to the floor. Punk hit Miz and Morrison with a tope. There was a "CM Punk" chant. Punk put Morrison in the ring and set up for a springboard, but Miz hooked his leg from the floor and Morrison nailed him with a punch. Morrison and Miz hit a double suplex then worked over Punk with punches. Morrison then set up for a springboard kick, but Miz knocked Morrison off the ropes, sending him in the floor.
Miz gave Punk a back suplex for a two count, then put him in a camel clutch. Morrison got on the apron, but Miz knocked him down. Punk gave Miz an enzugiri, then Morrison gave Miz a slingshot kick to send him to the floor. Morrison hit a backbreaker, then a STO for a two count. Morrison applied a cobra clutch on Punk, but Punk fought out of it and hit some kicks. Morrison poked Punk in the eyes and threw him out of the ring. Punk grabbed the ropes, but Miz yanked Punk to the floor. Miz got on the apron and Morrison suplexed him into the ring for a two count. Miz came back with a legsweep for two, then hit his clothesline through the ropes in the corner for a two count. Miz ran into a Morrison kick, and Morrison hit a split legged corkscrew splash. Punk broke up the cover. Punk hit Morrison with some chops, then gave Morrison a top rope rana. As Morrison flipped off the ropes from the rana, Miz grabbed him and powerbombed him. Punk broke up Miz' cover with a dropkick to the face.
Punk hit a series of kicks on Miz, then a jumping knee in the corner. Punk bulldogged Miz for two count. Punk gave Miz a double underhook backbreaker, but Miz kicked out at two. Morrison rolled up Punk from behind and hooked the trunks for two. Punk hit Morrison with a series of kicks to the head, then went for the GTS, but Morrison grabbed the top rope and pulled himself to the apron. Punk hit Morrison with forearms. Miz went to hit Punk, but Punk moved and Miz knocked Morrison off the apron and to the floor. Punk scooped up Miz and hit the GTS for the pin at the eight minute mark.
Winner: CM Punk.
Michael Cole and JBL welcomed us to the show, and discussed the MVP-Matt Hardy situation from this past week on Smackdown. Backstage, Anastasia interviewed MVP and asked him why he turned on Matt Hardy. MVP said that Matt Hardy would not be competing tonight, and that he couldn't walk without a crutch. MVP said Matt's whole career was based on having a crutch, either his brother Jeff or MVP. MVP said he is better than every wrestler in the building and ripped on the crowd as well.
Beth Phoenix, Layla, Jillian Hall, Melina & Victoria vs. Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Torrie Wilson & Maria.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler got to call this one. Each woman had their own separate entrance. Melina actually slipped off the apron during her trademark leg split. She actually laughed it off, then went back on the apron and did the split again. Kelly and Michelle went for the cheap pop by wearing Miami sports jerseys (no, not the Dolphins). Michelle started with Victoria, hitting a Northern Lights suplex, for a two count, then hitting a boot to the face for another two. Torrie tagged in and hit a clothesline and pair of forearms on Victoria. Victoria came back with a fireman's carry into a side slam for a two count. Layla tagged in and kicked Torrie in the gut. Layla missed a spinkick and Torrie suplexed her for a two count. Kelly tagged in, but so did Jillian. Jillian kicked Kelly in the gut, then smothered her with her breasts. Jillian went for a handspring elbow, but Kelly kicked her in the back and rolled her up for a two count.
Maria tagged in and kneed Jillian in the gut. Maria hit a handstand kick, but Phoenix got a blind tag and powerslammed Maria. Layla tagged in and rammed Maria into the mat, then Melina tagged in and poked Maria in the eye. Melina missed a straddle attempt on the ropes. Mickie James got a hot tag and gave Melina a Thesz Press, and also worked on knocking opponents off the apron. Phoenix grabbed James from the apron, but Torrie & Michelle clotheslined her away. The women started fighting on the floor, except for Mickie and Melina in the ring. Mickie gave Melina a kiss, then hit a back heel kick for the pin at the four minute mark.
Winners: Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Torrie Wilson & Maria.
Backstage, William Regal and Jonathan Coachman were smirking, while Hornswoggle paced the floor, looking concerned.
They showed a pre-taped interview with Randy Orton, who claimed that by taking away the superkick, he took away Michaels' "only chance at survival". We then heard from Shawn Michaels, who said that Orton had made his family suffer, so tonight he was going to take the WWE Championship.
World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs. Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes.
As Holly & Rhodes came out, they showed how they earned the tag title shot by winning a Triple Threat match over the Highlanders and Brian Kendrick & Paul London. They noted that Rhodes was about to get the win, but Holly tagged himself in so he could give Robbie McAllister and get the pin.
Rhodes started off with Cade, who grabbed a side headlock, then hit a shoulderblock. Rhodes leapfrogged Cade, but Cade reversed a hiptoss attempt. Rhodes hit a dropkick and grabbed an arm wringer, then hit some elbows to the arm. Cade went for a backdrop, but Rhodes hit a sunset flip for a two count. Rhodes grabbed a side headlock. Cade shoved it off and missed an elbow, but caught a Cody bodypress and hit a backbreaker. Murdoch tagged in and slapped Rhodes across the back. Murdoch went for a back suplex, but Rhodes floated over and slapped Murdoch in the back. Holly tagged in and hit a back elbow, then chopped Murdoch in the corner. Murdoch grabbed Holly's trunks to ram him into the turnbuckle, then tagged in Cade.
Cade ran into a Holly boot, then Holly hit a kick to the gut and clotheslined Cade to the floor. Murdoch ran in, and Rhodes threw him out of the ring, onto Cade. Holly threw Cade back into the ring, and there was a chant for Holly. Holly hit Cade with some chops, then dodged a charge after Cade reversed a whip and rolled him up for two. Cade managed to make a tag and grab Holly in a reverse atomic drop, and Murdoch followed it with a boot to the face for a two count. Murdoch worked over Holly in the corner. Murdoch slammed Holly, then tagged in Cade, who dropped Murdoch into a legdrop on Holly. They kept with the quick tags, and Murdoch applied a overhead wristlock/chinlock combo on Holly.
Holly fought out of it, blocked a Murdoch suplex, and hit one of his own. Murdoch tagged Cade, who tried an elbowdrop, but Holly moved out of the way. Cade was able to hit a clothesline, then tagged Murdoch for the legdrop move again. This time Holly moved and Cade dropped Murdoch to the mat. Rhodes got the tag and cleaned house, sending Cade from the ring. Rhodes backdropped Murdoch, then hit a bulldog. Rhodes hit a top rope dropkick, but Cade broke up the cover. Holly clotheslined Cade, and both men fell to the floor. Rhodes grabbed Murdoch, but Murdoch reversed positions and gave Rhodes the Code Red/Canadian Destroyer/flip powerbomb for the pin at the eight minute mark.
Winners: Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.
Holly yanked Rhodes up off the mat rather firmly, then said something to him and patted him on the shoulder before leaving the ring.
he three announce teams discussed the Survivor Series elimination match. They noted that Matt Hardy was injured, and that Triple H's team would go in one man down.
They interviewed Triple H's team. Jeff Hardy said MVP had painted a huge bulls-eye on him. Rey Mysterio said he wasn't worried about it being four-on-five, as he said he is always an underdog. Kane interrupted, and said he is never an underdog. Kane then brought up that Triple H once accused him of being a murderer, then had sex with a mannequin he pretended with his dead girlfriend. Triple H said "Sorry". Jeff Hardy noted that Triple H once sent him to the hospital. Triple H said "My bad". The comedy continued, with Triple H saying Survivor Series was the one day a year where people who have done terrible things to each other could get together to do terrible things to someone else. That seemed to unify the team.
Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy (injured, not participating), Rey Mysterio & Kane vs. Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Big Daddy V (with Matt Striker) & Finlay in an elimination match.
Each wrestler had their own entrance. All three announce teams are calling this one together. Rey Mysterio started off with Kennedy. Kennedy took Rey down with a waistlock and applied a front facelock, but Rey reversed into a hammerlock. Kennedy went into a wristlock, but Mysterio flipped out of it, only to be hit with a Kennedy forearm. Kennedy missed a clothesline, but hit a shoulderblock. Rey hit Kennedy with a boot to the face, then hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Rey slid under Kennedy's legs and gave Kennedy Trevor Murdoch's finisher move, but only got a two count. Jeff Hardy tagged in to a pop, then jumped off Mysterio's back into a leg lariat on Kennedy in the corner. Hardy went for a Twist Of Fate, but Kennedy shoved it off and hit a clothesline for a two count. MVP tagged in and pounded Jeff Hardy on the mat. MVP kicked Jeff in the back, and acted like his knee was hurt. Big Daddy V tagged in and knocked Hardy to the mat. Big Daddy V headbutted Jeff, then hit a forearm to the chest. BDV stood on Jeff's chest. Big Daddy V chopped Hardy, but Hardy stopped himself as BDV whipped him across the ring and tagged Kane. Kane ran in, and BDV hit a belly to belly suplex. Kane kicked out at two, then hit some right hands. MVP ran in, and Kane gave him a side slam. Kane went to the top rope and hit BDV with a clothesline. Kane called for a chokeslam. Finlay ran in, and Kane chokeslammed Finlay. Big Daddy V grabbed Kane and hit a Samoan Drop, then splashed him for the pin at the six minute mark.
Kane is eliminated.
Triple H came in and went at Big Daddy V, hitting a facebuster on the knee, but getting knocked down by the big man. Umaga tagged in and gave Triple H a belly to belly suplex, then dropped a headbutt on him. There was a big Triple H chant. Umaga went for a second rope headbutt, but took way too long, and Triple H rolled out of the way. Mysterio was tagged in, and he hit Umaga with forearms. Rey tried to slide under Umaga, but Umaga stomped him. Umaga went for a sit down splash, but Rey dodged it and hit a dropkick to the face. Umaga kicked out at two. Rey tried a springboard rana, but Umaga caught him. Rey managed to double pump it and send Umaga to the ropes. Rey hit a 619 and a springboard senton, but Umaga kicked out a two. Rey went for a springboard bodypress, but Umaga hit him with a swinging side slam, then hit the Samoan Spike for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Rey Mysterio is eliminated.
Everyone looked like they were going to go at it (as Finlay kicked Rey to the floor), but the referee managed to get wrestlers back out of the ring. Kennedy tagged himself in off of Umaga. Jeff and Kennedy went at it, with Jeff going for a slingshot kick in the corner, but MVP pulled Kennedy out of the way. Hardy crashed to the mat, but grabbed the bottom rope to break up the cover. MVP tagged in and pounded Jeff, then put him in a chinlock. MVP switched to a sleeper, but Hardy broke out and they exchanged punches. MVP grabbed a fireman's carry and dropped Jeff to the mat. MVP missed the running kick and Jeff hit the Twist Of Fate for the pin at the thirteen minute mark.
MVP is eliminated.
Kennedy ran in and tried to get a quick pin on Hardy, but was given an enzugiri and Triple H tagged in. Triple H gave Kennedy a facebuster to his knee and a clothesline. Kennedy fought back, but was given a spinebuster. BDV ran in and tried to elbow Triple H, but he moved and BDV dropped it on Kennedy instead. Triple H then dodged a charging BDV and pulled down the top rope so he would fall to the floor. Triple H pinned Kennedy at the fifteen minute mark.
Kennedy is eliminated.
BDV pulled Triple H to the floor and pounded him. Hardy tried to jump off the apron, but BDV caught him and threw him into the post. Back in the ring, BDV put Triple H and Hardy in the corner and tried to avalanche him. They moved out of the way, and Hardy & Triple H gave BDV a double DDT. Triple H pinned BDV at the sixteen minute mark.
Big Daddy V is eliminated.
Finlay attacked Triple H, working him over with punches and stomps. Finlay went to the second rope, but jumped into a boot by Triple H. Jeff got tagged in and went to work on Finlay with punches and kicks. Hardy hit a splash in the corner, then a slingshot kick for a two count. Hardy rammed Finlay into a corner and hit some punches from the second rope. Finlay shoved Hardy to the mat hard. Hardy ended up on the apron, and Umaga blasted him with a kick to the face. Finlay hit a short arm clothesline for a two count. Finlay hit some elbows to the shoulder and headbutts, but when he went for a whip in the corner, Hardy climbed the ropes and hit the Whisper In The Wind. Umaga tagged in, and Hardy hit him with a mule kick. Umaga tagged Finlay and Hardy tagged Triple H. Triple H missed a clothesline, but hit a jumping knee. Triple H went for a backdrop, but Finlay kicked it away. Finlay ran into a Triple H spinebuster. Triple H went for the Pedigree, but Umaga stopped it with a kick to the face. Finlay knocked Jeff off the apron. Finlay went for the Celtic Cross, but Triple H floated out and hit the Pedigree for the pin at the twenty two minute mark.
Finlay is eliminated.
Umaga beat Triple H down in a corner, but missed a charge. Triple H made a blind tag to Hardy. Umaga charged Triple H, who kicked him in the gut and hit a Pedigree. Hardy followed it with a Swanton Bomb for the pin at the twenty three minute mark.
Umaga is eliminated. Triple H and Jeff Hardy are the survivors.
Triple H and Jeff Hardy celebrated in the ring, while Umaga stared at them from the floor, before leaving.
Backstage, Hornswoggle was still pacing. Regal told him to sit down and rest his legs. Vince McMahon entered, and Hornswoggle hugged his leg. Vince asked Regal and Coach to leave. Vince talked about the reasons people said he made this match (he wants to see a trainwreck, he doesn't like Hornswoggle, etc.). Vince said he made the match because Hornswoggle is "a McMahon" and because of that, he would win. Vince said he was an underdog against Time Warner and against the government, and he won. Vince gave Hornswoggle a big pep talk, saying they had "grapefruits the size of the Grand Canyon". Vince said that McMahons "stick together", and Hornswoggle seemed confident.
Shaquille O'Neal was shown in the crowd.
JBL and Michael Cole were discussing Hornswoggle vs. Khali when Shane McMahon's music hit, and he came to the ring. Shane then introduced his fater, and Vince came to the ring. Shane and Vince hugged, then Shane introduced his "little brother" and Hornswoggle came out, looking motivated. Vince and Shane applauded him as he came to the ring.
Hornswoggle vs. Great Khali.
Khali came out, and stood in front of Vince and Shane, who slowly backed away and exited the ring. They took seats at ringside. Runjin Singh got on the mic, and said that since this is a sanctioned match, the referee should explain the rules. This allowed for another of those "Khali is a lot bigger than Hornswoggle" shots. Fans were chanting "We Want Shaq" as he had just been shown at ringside during the previous break. I guess he stood up, because the crowd reacted. Vince got on the mic and said it was "too damn bad" what they wanted, and said they needed to start the match. Hornswoggle got psyched up and took off his jacket.
Hornswoggle kicked Khali in the leg. Singh was yelling at ringside, so Hornswoggle ran over and kicked him in the head. Horswoggle went and kicked Khali a few more times in the legs. Khali yelled at Hornswoggle and he ran out of the ring. Hornswoggle, from the apron, spit green mist at Singh, then gave him a Thesz Press off the apron and hit some punches on him. Khali came to ringside and Hornswoggle went under the ring. Hornswoggle came out the other side with a shillelagh. Hornswoggle went to use it, but Khali grabbed it from him and threw it out of the ring. Khali slapped Hornswoggle to the mat. Khali called for the Vice Grip. Finlay ran out with a shillelagh and hit Khali in the leg with it, Hornswoggle was disqualified at the four minute mark.
Winner via DQ: The Great Khali.
Finlay hit Khali in the leg several more times with the shillelagh, dodging his attempted punches. Singh ran in, and was thrown down by Finlay. Finlay cracked Khali in the head with the shillelagh, then got Hornswoggle out of the ring. The fans popped when they realized Finlay really was helping Hornswoggle escape. Vince seemed annoyed, Shane confused, as they exited.
A video package on the WWE Title match was shown.
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
- If Michaels uses the superkick, he is disqualified and will not get a return match.
- If Orton gets disqualified, he loses the title.
They locked up and Michaels grabbed a side headlock, then switched to a hammerlock, then a cravate. Michaels took Orton down to the mat with the hold and got a two count. Michaels snapmared Orton and maintained the cravate. Orton punched and tried to slam out of it, but Michaels maintained the hold. Orton backed Michaels into the corner to force a break. Orton hit a series of right hands to the head, then slapped Michaels and trash talked him. Michaels shoved Orton, then seemed to be poised for a superkick, but took Orton down instead and hit a series of punches. Orton shoved Michaels to the ropes and dropped down, but instead of jumping over him, Michaels dropped onto Orton and put on a rear naked choke with a body vice. Orton tried to stand up, but Michaels switched into a front facelock. Orton tried to stand up, but Michaels drove his knee into Orton's head. Orton got to his feet and tried to lift Michaels, but Michaels wouldn't release the hold and hit a series of knees to the head again. Orton managed to get his body under the bottom rope and went to the floor.
Michaels hit a baseball slide kick between the middle and bottom rope. He teased a pescado, and Orton ducked, but Michaels landed on the apron and hit an Asai moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Shawn Michaels went for a flying bodypress, but Orton rolled through it for a two count. Orton hit a forearm uppercut, then delivered another one. Orton went for a kick to the gut, but Michaels grabbed it and tripped Orton to the mat. Michaels applied the Sharpshooter. Happy Anniversary! The crowd reacted to the move being applied, but didn't boo it. Orton struggled in the hold, and made the ropes for the break. Orton rolled to the apron and poked Michaels in the eyes. Orton yanked Michaels' neck across the top rope and he dropped to the floor. Back in the ring, Orton stomped Michaels to the apron, and hit a series of punches. Orton hit a DDT with Michaels' feet hanging on the second rope. Orton scored a two count.
Orton applied a rear naked choke and a body vice. Michaels fought to his feet, broke out, and hit a chop. They traded chops and punches. Michaels got the better of it, and hit a flying forearm. Michaels kipped up and gave Orton a reverse atomic drop. Michaels hit a series of punches, but Orton avoided another reverse atomic drop and hit a standing dropkick for a two count. Orton went for another dropkick, but Michaels avoided it and rolled up Orton for a two count. Michaels slammed Orton twice, then went to the top rope. Michaels hit the elbowdrop, then started stomping in the corner. Instead of a superkick, Michaels grabbed Orton with a small package for a two count. Michaels went for a sunset flip, but Orton sat on him to get a two count. They got up, and Michaels took Orton down with an arm-trapped crossface. Yes, the old Crippler Crossface. The crowd reacted to that one too. Certainly didn't expect to see that move again this year on a WWE show. Orton made the ropes to break the hold. Michaels went for it again, but Orton rolled through it and hit a clothesline.
Orton hit a side backbreaker, then measured Michaels for the RKO. Orton then changed his mind and set up for a kick to the head. Orton went for the kick, but Michaels caught it and put Orton in an ankle lock. Hi Kurt! Orton went for the ropes, but Michaels pulled Orton back into the center of the ring. Michaels added a leglace to the ankle lock. Orton managed to turn in the hold and kick Michaels in the head to escape the hold. Orton went to kick Michaels, but Michaels caught the kick and tripped Orton. Michaels went for a spinning toe hold, but Orton kicked Michaels away. Michaels went over the turnbuckles and hit his head on the ringpost. Orton went for an RKO, but Michaels shoved Orton away. Orton went to lift Michaels for a slam, but Michaels floated over and was about to go for a superkick, then stopped himself. That hesitation allowed Orton to hit the RKO for the clean pin at the nineteen minute mark.
Winner: Randy Orton.
Orton started to leave the ring, then went back in and pulled Michaels up off the mat and propped him in the corner. Orton slapped Michaels and said he wanted Michaels to say he was the best. Orton kept bragging, and slapping Michaels. Orton then went to pick up his title belt, and when he turned back around, Michaels decked him with a superkick. Michaels then rolled out of the ring, leaving an unconscious Orton in the ring. Eventually, Orton got up, was announced as the winner, and left.
One of those "Save Us" videos aired. It looked like it will be revealed tomorrow on Raw (in case you didn't know).
Batista was shown in the back, as they began lowering the Cell. They then aired a video package on the main event.
World Champion Batista vs. Undertaker - Hell In A Cell.
Batista grabbed a headlock at the start, then hit a shoulderblock and a clothesline. Taker hit some punches, but Batista returned fire. Batista missed a shot and Taker went for a chokeslam, but Batista elbowed out of it. Undertaker hit a clothesline for a two count. Fans seem to be behind Taker more than Batista. Taker kicked Batista in the head and hit an elbowdrop, then rammed Batista into a corner. Undertaker threw Batista into another corner and hit Snake Eyes, then delivered a big boot that flipped Batista over. Undertaker got a two count, then went under the ring for a chair. As Taker got into the ring with it, Batista hit a spear. Batista charged Undertaker with the chair, but Taker booted it into Batista, then hit a clothesline for a two count. Undertaker went for a triangle choke, but Batista quickly avoided it and rolled to the floor. Undertaker rammed Batista into the steps and hit some punches on the outside.
Undertaker raked Batista's head against the steel fence. Undertaker put Batista in the ring and hit the apron legdrop. Undertaker put a chair under Batista's chin and rammed him into the ringsteps. Batista grabbed at his throat and had blood flowing from his mouth. Taker then jabbed Batista in the ribs with the chair and threw him back into the ring. Undertaker scored a pair of two counts, pushing on Batista's throat on the cover. Undertaker rammed Batista into a corner, then hit some short arm shoulderblocks. Undertaker went for the Old School rope walk, but as he jumped off the ropes, Batista caught him and hit a spinebuster. Batista crawled onto Undertaker for a cover, but he kicked out. They traded punches, with Batista getting the better of it. Batista hit a clothesline for a two count. Batista hit some shoulderblocks in the corner, then a clothesline in the corner. Batista hit a running powerslam for a two count.
Batista threw Undertaker out of the ring and rammed him into the ring steps. Batista threw Taker into the steel fence, then nailed him with a clothesline on the floor. Batista went for a whip, but Undertaker reversed it and sent Batista into the ring steps. Undertaker kicked Batista, then put him over his shoulder and ran him headfirst into the steel fence. Batista was busted open. Undertaker hit Batista in the head with a chairshot. Insert joke about Vince telling CNN they wouldn't be doing those anymore here. Undertaker rolled Batista into the ring for a two count. Undertaker went for the rope walk again, but Batista knocked Taker down on the top rope and set up for a superplex. Batista nailed it, but as he went for the cover, Undertaker grabbed him with a triangle choke. Batista grabbed the ropes and the referee called for a break. The announcers wondered what the referee could do, seeing as he couldn't disqualify anyone. Undertaker jumped through the ropes to the floor to give Batista a bodyblock. Batista was a bloody mess.
Undertaker picked up a section of ring steps and went to hit Batista with them, but Batista kicked the steps back into the Taker. Batista rammed Undertaker head first into the ringpost, then hit him twice with the steps in the head. JBL earned a bonus by saying Taker "may have hurt his hand" when Taker, in clear view of the camera, reached into his glove (presumably to get a blade). Batista rolled a now bleeding Undertaker into the ring and stood on the second rope and bit him. Taker pulled Batista off the ropes and powerbombed him for a two count. Undertaker then delivered a chokeslam for a two count. Undertaker called for the tombstone. Batista floated over it and hit a spinebuster for a two count. Batista hit another spinebuster, then went under the ring and pulled out a table. He slid it into the ring and set it up near a corner. Batista went for a powerbomb, and hit it, throwing Taker through the table. Batista had to pull Taker away from the wreckage of the table to cover him, and Undertaker got his shoulder up just before the three count.
Batista brought a section of the ring steps into the ring. Batista set up for a powerbomb, but Taker backdropped him onto the section of ring steps. Undertaker covered Batista, but Batista grabbed the bottom rope to stop the count. Undertaker lifted Batista and hit a tombstone. Batista got his shoulder up before the three count, and Undertaker's eyes bugged out. Undertaker gave Batista a tombstone piledriver on the ring steps. Undertaker covered Batista, but the referee was pulled from the ring by Edge, (who apparently was masquerading at a camera man or was under the ring all night). Edge entered the ring and hit Undertaker with a television camera. Edge then took Undertaker and put his head on the ring steps. Edge then took a chair and hit a Conchairto, sandwiching Undertaker's head between the steps and chair. Edge then took the unconscious Batista and put him on top of Undertaker. The referee had no choice but to count the pin at the twenty two minute mark.
Winner: Batista.
Edge exited, and Undertaker was starting to get up, so Edge went back to the ring and blasted Undertaker in the head with a chair. Edge started to exit again, and started at Undertaker, who was slumped against the bottom rope with his eyes rolled back. Batista was still unconscious, and the announcers wondered why Edge targeted Undertaker as the show ended.
2009 - As a media stunt to hype the "Hulkamania" tour of Australia, Ric Flair attacks Hulk Hogan during a press conference, leaving him a bloody mess. Amazingly, but The Herald Sun and The Daily Telegraph report the angle as if it was a shoot. A Reuters report not only recognizes it as an angle, it states "The staged fights and fake blood are a normal sight for fans of professional wrestling, and the audience of up to 200 fans along with media were not disappointed." The stunt did not help ticket sales, as the tour was considered a disappointment. The tour saw Ric Flair return to the ring for the first time since his Wrestlemania retirement match with Shawn Michaels, disappointing many who felt it tarnished the sendoff he had been given.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
Match Number One: JTG versus Chavo Guerrero in a Yes, they are on the Roster Match
Chavo wants JTG to take off his sunglasses but JTG takes his time and then he puts them on the referee and he kicks Chavo. JTG with a side head lock and JTG with a shoulder tackle. Chavo tries for a kick but JTG blocks it and JTG with a clothesline followed by a forearm. JTG with a sliding punch to Chavo and then he drop kicks Chavo out of the ring. Chavo returns to the ring and he drop kicks JTG in the knee and then he kicks JTG in the ribs. Chavo with punches in the corner while JTG tries to get back to his feet. JTG with punches but Chavo with a knee to the midsection. Chavo with a forearm to the back and then he connects with a Latino uppercut. JTG punches Chavo after blocking a punch but Chavo is able to take JTG down and he connects with a series of blows and then puts JTG in an arm bar. Chavo with a front face lock and JTG gets to his feet. JTG with a back elbow and a forearm to the top of the head. JTG with jabs and then he finishes it off with a roundhouse punch. JTG with a flying flip clothesline. Chavo with a knee but JTG with a back body drop and then he leaps into the corner and hits the Mug Shot for a near fall.
Chavo with a modified Liger kick and then he gives the Guerrero shimmy and it is time for the Three Amigos but JTG blocks the third attempt. Chavo with an elbow and he goes up top. Chavo points to the heavens but JTG is able to get to the turnbuckles. JTG tries for a superplex but Chavo drops JTG on the top rope and then Chavo goes back up top and hits the frog splash and gets the three count.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero
It is time for the Wrestlemania on-sale celebration video package.
Match Number Two: Curt Hawkins versus Trent Barreta in a They were all Dudebusters in FCW Match
They lock up and then Hawkins with a kick to the midsection followed by a side head lock. Hawkins with a shoulder tackle but Trent responds with a running back elbow and a senton splash for a near fall. Barreta misses a charge into the corner and he goes over the top rope to the floor. Hawkins with a kick to Barreta on the floor. Hawkins sends Barreta back first into the apron. They return to the ring and Curt gets a near fall. Hawkins with knees to the back and he puts Barreta in a reverse chin lock. Hawkins trips Barreta as he comes off the ropes and then he kicks Trent before hitting a suplex for a near fall.
Curt returns to the reverse chin lock but Barreta with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Trent with a series of forearms followed by a flying clothesline. Trent with a running knee into the corner and then Trent goes to the apron and hits a springboard drop kick to the back but Hawkins is able to kick out. Curt with a suplex for a near fall. Hawkins punches Trent but the referee warns him. Hawkins goes to the top turnbuckle but he takes too long and Trent stops him. Trent tries for a superplex but Curt pushes him off. Trent hits a Frankensteiner followed by a tornado DDT for the three count.
Winner: Trent Barreta
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw half of the show and joining Scott Stanford at the announce table is the three time Straight Edge World Champion, CM Punk.
Match Number Three: Yoshi Tatsu versus Primo with AJ in an International Flavor Match
They lock up and Primo with a side head lock but Yoshi with a hip toss and Japanese arm drag. Yoshi with a rollup for a near fall followed by a side head lock take down. Yoshi holds on to the side head lock but Primo with a chop. Yoshi with a series of chops to respond. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Yoshi with round kicks followed by running knees into the corner. Yoshi with a handspring back elbow for a near fall. Yoshi with a drop kick that sends Primo to the floor. Yoshi with a drop kick that knocks Primo off the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Primo is in control of the match and he puts Yoshi in an arm bar. We see Primo hitting a clothesline during the commercial break. Primo punches Yoshi but Yoshi with chops. Primo with a drop toe hold and then he hits a splash and then he goes through the ropes to the floor and he celebrates with Punk on the floor. Primo with a kick to the back followed by an elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Primo with a punch but Yoshi with chops and punches followed by a cross body for a near fall. Primo with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Primo with a head butt to the ribs and then he kicks Yoshi. Primo sends Yoshi into the corner and puts him on the top turnbuckle. Primo with a chop to the chest and then he tries for a superplex but Yoshi blocks it and head butts Primo off the turnbuckles. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick for the three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu
We go to commercial.
We are back with the ‘What will John Cena’s Future Be After Sunday’ video package.
Match Number Four; Melina and Gail Kim versus Alicia Fox and Maryse in a Hello Other Divas Match
Melina and Alicia start things off and they lock up and Melina with a split arm drag and drop kick. Melina with knees to the back and she gets a near fall. Melina with an arm bar and she tags in Gail and Gail with a drop kick after a snap mare by Melina. Gail sends Alicia into the turnbuckles but Alicia blocks a second one and connects with a forearm. Gail with a sunset flip for a near fall. Gail with an arm drag and Maryse tags in and she runs into a drop kick. Gail with forearms and Irish whip followed by a cross body into the corner. Gail knocks Alicia off the apron and then she gives Alicia a rana to the floor. Maryse takes Gail down and gets a near fall. Maryse sends Gail into the turnbuckles and gives Gail a snap mare.
Alicia tags in and they lift Gail into the air and drive her to the mat and Alicia gets a near fall. Maryse tags in and she kicks Gail in the midsection and gets a near fall. Maryse slams Gail’s head into the mat and tags Alicia back into the match. Alicia with a reverse chin lock but Gail with elbows to get out of the hold but Alicia pulls Gail to the mat. Alicia misses a punch and Gail hits a neck breaker and both ladies are down.
Maryse and Melina tag in and Melina with a matrix followed by a clothesline or two. Melina with a spin kick followed by forearms. Maryse with an Irish whip and Melina with a kick and Thesz Press but Alicia with a kick to break up the cover. Gail takes care of Alicia. Maryse misses a kick and Melina with a screaming rollup for the three count.
Winners: Melina and Gail Kim
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com! I'm doing something a little different here tonight, since Dave Scherer and I aren't doing our usual postgame audio show tonight, I'll be putting a lot of the thoughts and analysis we talk about on the show in tonight's report, so extra bonus for you guys and a bit of a sample of what we do in the Elite section for you free site readers out there. Remember, you can try it for three days free!
We open with a video package looking at the Jeff Hardy heel turn, him receiving the new TNA Divas Title belt, his new feelings towards the fans, and his attack on Matt Morgan last week.
We head to the Impact Zone where Ric Flair comes out to the ring for our opening promo. Flair has a message for Matt Morgan: he's complained about the officiating, he made the mistake of punching out Fortune, so Flair and Bischoff have decided on a special referee for his rematch with Jeff Hardy: it's Ric Flair. Flair wants Morgan to bring his "big lanky ass" out to the ring so he can talk to him face to face. Morgan and his big lanky ass stroll down to the ring, and Flair says that Morgan can't call him Naitch anymore because he's not his friend anymore. He tells Morgan not to look to the fans for support, and not to turn his face away from God. Flair lays it out for Morgan and says that he could have Fortune come out here and kick his ass right now, but being Ric Flair, he's never asked anyone to do anything he couldn't do, so if Morgan doesn't like the referee decision then he'll have to beat Flair right here tonight. Crowd chants at Morgan to do it, and Morgan says that wrestling Flair is number one on his bucket list so he's on. Flair takes exception to the bucket list comment and discusses his previous evening's exploits, then says he's going to embarrass Morgan tonight and make him regret walking away from Fortune, and says that if Hogan was standing in the ring he would have bitchslapped Morgan. Flair says that he'll see Morgan in two hours, and Morgan says he's going to let his actions do his talking when he takes his size 18 and shoves it up Flair's ass.
Really? We're really going to have to watch Flair wrestle again? I get that the guy needs money and thinks he can still do it, but this is Ric Flair we're talking about here, and I've talked at great length about how depressing it is to watch him "wrestle" at his age, but can't it at least be saved for PPV or somewhere else it's going to mean something instead of on a throwaway TV match? And since Flair said he'd see Morgan in two hours (putting it at 11:08pm), I guess that means we're just accepting that Impact runs until 11:15 every week and Reaction is a 45 minute show.
Generation Me are backstage, and they're...WALKING! Tara comes out and wishes them luck, then gives them both a slap on the butt. That's kind of gross, kind of like your friend's mom hitting on you.
Tonight: Jeff Hardy wrestles Raven, and if Raven loses, he gets fired. Also, Flair vs Morgan and Abyss will compete in an Open Casket Challenge, whatever that is.
To the ring for our first match...
Velvet Sky, Motor City Machine Guns & Jay Lethal vs Generation Me & The Shore
Lethal and Max Buck start the match and Lethal armdrags Max around a bunch and then tags in Alex Shelley, who comes off the top with an elbow to the arm, and Max finds himself in the wrong corner and gets beat up by everybody. The boys hang Max upside down in the corner and run over to the heel corner and distract the ref, so Velvet climbs up and steps on Max's groin while Sabin comes back with the hang time dropkick to Max's face. There's some teamwork. Shelley gets tossed to the outside and gets pummelled by Jeremy Buck & Robbie E, then they roll Shelley back in and Max covers for 2. Cookie tags in and stomps Shelley a few times and then tags out to Robbie E, who catches Shelley with a back elbow and tags Jeremy in. Shelley fights his way free and almost makes the tag, but Jeremy catches him and the Bucks hit the neckbreaker/backbreaker combo for 2. Robbie tags in and takes an enziguiri and Shelley makes the hot tag and Lethal comes in and cleans house on everybody. Lethal with the handspring elbow takes out both Bucks, then he pulls Robbie E into the ring and nails him. Cookie comes in and takes a slap but Lethal blocks the shot and gives Jeremy the Lethal Combination. Tag to Chris Sabin who comes in with a springboard clothesline, but only gets 2 and now everybody in the ring. Velvet with a flying headscissors on Max Buck and then the Guns hit a series of double teams in the corner and hit the Skull & Bones on Jeremy as Velvet beats up Cookie in the corner. Referee is distracted by people fighting everywhere and doesn't see Max spraying something aerosol in Sabin's eyes, allowing Jeremy to roll Sabin up and hook the tights for the win.
Winners: Generation Me & The Shore
The underlying story here that Taz and Mike Tenay kept referring to the fact that Sabin and Velvet are an item outside the ring, and it went from them vaguely alluding to it to them beating us over the head with it. The other main point here was that Velvet screwed up and cost herself another match by distracting the ref while her boyfriend was getting sprayed in the face. Good match though, tons of action going on and when it's this hard for me to recap it, you know the Guns and GenMe are in the ring.
Jeff Jarrett is backstage in MMA gear and he's...WARMING UP!
We go to GenMe as they're backstage congratulating themselves for beating the Guns, but the Guns crash the party and say they didn't beat anyone beat anyone, and they're the champions because they don't need cheap tactics like that, and they suggest that the four of them settle it tonight on Reaction. Good idea, take two of the best teams in wrestling and use a confrontation between them to get people to tune in to Reaction.
We go to Jeff Jarrett with Gunner and Murphy, who says that MMA is his new thing and he wants them standing outside to keep Kurt Angle out of the building. He says Kurt is not a man of his word because he said he'd retire but he still comes around breaking windows and attacking him. He tells Jeremy Borash to come over and hands him a piece of paper and tells him that he'd better read it right this time. He smacks Borash and tells him that he'll have six students in the ring and he'd better describe the pain they're in. Borash asks what happened to the Jarrett he used to know, and Jarrett smacks him again and says that he's tired of people looking at him like he sold out because everything's right now, and he, Hogan, Flair and Bischoff are finally going to make the company profitable. He shoves Borash out the door and stares after him.
I liked this segment up until the very end when Jarrett dropped the profitable line. So once again, TNA is basically coming out and saying they suck and this latest plan is going to make everything work. Okay, how about this: no more talking about how the company's not profitable, because all the viewers hear is "We suck so bad that nobody wants to buy what we're selling." Also, instead of talking about how you're going to turn things around, you just turn things around and DON'T TALK ABOUT IT! You never saw Vince McMahon going on TV in late 97-early 98 saying "Well, we've had a rough time and haven't made much money for years now, but we're working to change things and with Austin leading the way, he's going to take us back to the number one spot in the business!" It just makes TNA look so bush league.
Kurt Angle video package to remind us he's alive, then we're at commercial.
We're back and Jeremy Borash is in the ring, informing us that it's time for the...
Double J MMA Exhibition
Jarrett is escorted to the ring by six alleged MMA fighters. Borash informs us that what we are about to see is an exhibition being performed by professionals, and Jarrett grabs the microphone and orders the truck to put a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen to not try this at home. The first move Jarrett demonstrates is a Jujigatame, or cross armbreaker to you laymen. Jarrett describes the mechanics of the move, down to putting the knee into the solar plexus, then torques it until the guy taps. The next move is a Japanese knee lock, which he helpfully reminds us is something his buddy Frank used to tap out a big guy named Brock. Move #3 is one familiar to all of us...the Ankle Lock! Jarrett says his friend used this to become a champion all over the world, and he used it to become a World Champion here in a TNA ring, and it took him years to learn it but Jarrett learned it in a matter of weeks. That's right, he learned it from his friend...Ken Shamrock. He demonstrates the move and the guy taps. Next move is the rear naked choke, which he learned from his good friend...Royce Gracie. He gets the rear naked choke on the guy and won't let go, and now Samoa Joe's music hits and he comes out and says to stop wasting everybody's time and just spar with him. Jarrett says he's got two students left, and if he goes through them, he'll face Joe one-on-one in a submission match right here tonight. Predictably, Joe comes out and goes through both of them in mere seconds, so now he's earned himself his match with Jeff Jarrett, so I guess we've got...
Submission Match: Jeff Jarrett vs Samoa Joe
Jarrett just tosses the students at Joe and Joe plows through all of them while Jarrett runs. The big one he tappes out last suckerpunches Joe from behind and tells him to come on, so Joe destroys him and lays him out with a Muscle Buster. Okay, well I guess it's...
No Contest
I really enjoyed this, it was such a classic "antagonistic heel pushing the babyface's buttons then heading for the hills" moment, and it was informative on top of that! Also, it's fun watching Joe tear through six guys by himself.
Raven and Stevie Richards are backstage, and Stevie says that he knows everyone is trying to screw them, but this is a huge opportunity for Raven. Tommy says that Raven has the opportunity to show what a leader he can be, so Raven stands up, flips the double bird at the camera (directed at Immortal), and heads out the door. Yep, Tommy and Raven beat each other bloody at Hardcore Justice, and once again they're all buddy buddy. This is why I give up every time I think about writing a wrestling history book.
TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy vs Raven
Jeff Hardy has a cool new entrance, and his new belt GLOWS IN THE DARK! Isn't that cute? Jeremy Borash does a great introduction where he announces Hardy's hometown and weight, then calls him the Charismatic Enigma, the Antichrist of Professional Wrestling, and the TNA World Champion, and then says, "And his opponent...Raven." Raven tosses Hardy to the floor to start and gives him a Russian Legsweep into the guardrail, then tosses him back into the ring. Raven with a bulldog off the top and covers for 2 then wedges a chair between the top and middle ropes and goes to whips Hardy into it, but Hardy reverses and Raven crashes into the chair and tumbles out to the floor. Hardy goes out after him and rams him into the apron, then tosses him back in the ring and goes for the Whisper In The Wind, but Raven dodges and hits a discus clothesline, a clothesline in the corner, and a bulldog and covers for 2. Raven is starting to look more and more like Jimmy Valiant. Hardy gets the Twist Of Hate out of nowhere and hits the Swanton for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Raven's outta here, and the remaining members of EV2.0 come out to join Raven in the ring, but Hardy pauses at the top of the ramp as Hulk Hogan comes out to share his thoughts. He says this is quite appropriate for the occasion because Dixie Carter said that EV2.0 meant the same to wrestling as Hogan did. Raven gets out of the ring to go after Hogan, but the rest of EV2.0 hold him back, so Hogan says "You're fired, Raven. Quoth the Hogan...nevermore."
Decent enough for what it was, I don't think losing Raven is exactly going to send this company spiraling into the abyss, and at this point it's pretty clear they're working the ECW guys out one by one. Hardy finally got a chance to come out and squash someone, but he's still standing in the background while Hogan talks and he's not even being portrayed as amongst the leadership of the group with Hogan, Flair and Bischoff. I don't get what the point of the Hardy heel turn was if they weren't going to run all the way with it. And the Borash introductions were hilarious, I love the way Borash is selling being forced to do these ridiculous introductions and announcements with a straight face.
Speaking of EV2.0, after commercial we come back and Tommy Dreamer is in the ring calling Rhino out because, much like Lucy, he has some explaining to do. Rhino tells Dreamer that all the members of EV2.0 at Turning Point knew that after the PPV was over, his contract expired and nobody cared...except Eric Bischoff. Bischoff gave him a choice between employment and unemployment, and he's got to be honest with Tommy: at first he told Eric he could kiss his ass, but he soon realized that he was here years before Tommy and RVD, and when they came to TNA they stole the spotlight and all the glory, and Rhino became an afterthought. He hopes his actions last week made Tommy realize that he doesn't take a backseat to anybody. Tommy says he doesn't think Rhino takes a backseat, he considers him one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. He then says that he and RVD came to TNA because Dixie Carter offered them contracts and they wanted to be a part of TNA. Contracts expiring is just a part of the business and he and RVD had nothing to do with it, but Rhino did what they all swore they would never do, he sold out for the almighty dollar. Rhino asks if he and RVD are going to support him and his little girl, and said that they never thought of him one bit and all Rhino is going to think about from now on is himself. Tommy says that Rhino's right, he gets the part about being a father, but look what happened to Sabu and Raven. They're all at Hogan and Bischoff's mercy, but Sabu and Raven went down with a fight, but Rhino just quit on them and all the people. Rhino has finally heard enough and yanks on Dreamer's dislocated wrist and attacks him, and RVD runs out to make the save, but stops to check on Tommy and gets gored.
We then go backstage to Abyss, who is pushing the casket out for his match, which is up next.
Really good segment, I know I may be in the minority here but I consider Tommy one of the best promo guys in the business, he has a way of conveying the emotion behind his words and making you care about his story like few other people in the business today can. I didn't like how they cut backstage to Abyss almost immediately after Rhino hit the gore and didn't allow it time to sink in before hitting us over the head with the next segment. But great promo, and it illustrates the motivation behind Rhino's actions, and anything that gets him on TV in a position of some importance is okay by me.
We go backstage to Matt Morgan, whos says that if he has to go through Ric Flair to become a World Champion, then so be it.
Time for our next match...
Open Casket Challenge: Shannon Moore vs Abyss
Now wait, Abyss was pushing the casket out from the back, but when we come back from commercial the casket's already at ringside and Abyss is nowhere to be found. What, did Abyss push it out to ringside, then return to the back so he could make his normal entrance? Moore dodges and ducks, but Abyss picks Moore up and goes for a powerslam. Moore ducks out the back and lays in a few shots at Abyss, but he's like 1/4 the size of Abyss, so Abyss catches him on a leaping something into the corner and dumps Moore out to the floor. Abyss goes after him and tries to toss him in the casket (I guess that makes this a Casket Match), but Moore slips away. They head back in the ring where Abyss goes for the Choo Choo, but Moore moves and tries a charge of his own, but gets backdropped to the floor, so he climbs to the top and hits a bulldog and then points to the casket. He rolls Abyss over to the casket, but Abyss comes to his senses and punches Moore in the face and stands up. Moore continues trying to knock Abyss off the apron and into the casket, but Abyss grabs him in a clawhold (he must have been watching his World Class tapes) and tosses Moore to the floor again. Moore fires at Abyss and slumps him over the side of the casket and then slams the lid down on him and hits an Asai Moonsault onto Abyss on the floor. That brings back some fond Ultimo Dragon memories. Moore tries to get Abyss in the casket again and gets him most of the way in, but Abyss kicks him off and slides back out. Abyss grabs him by the head and rams him into the guardrail, they head back in the ring and Abyss tries to chokeslam Moore, and Moore escapes but runs right into the Black Hole Slam. Abyss drags Moore like a dead deer to the casket and opens the lid, and Pope is laying inside. He does the Undertaker situp and viciously attacks Abyss until Abyss rolls out to the floor, grabs Janice, and heads up the ramp where he stares down Pope. Referee called for the bell when Pope went after Abyss, so let's say...
Winner By DQ: Abyss
Much better match than I would have expected, I was thinking total squash, but Moore kept it pretty competitive and they had a great big man/little man match with the casket twist thrown in. That said, the casket gimmick really belongs to the Undertaker and I think everyone watching thought the same thing, but I'll let it go.
Angelina is backstage saying she's the leader of the Knockoots locker room, and she knows Mickie is a great wrestler, but if she thinks she's just going to come into TNA and take over the Knockoots Division, she's got another thing coming.
Mickie James vs Angelina Love
Angelina with a go behind takedown and a cover, but Mickie escapes and gets an Oklahoma Roll for 2. Mickie with an O'Connor Roll for 2. They share a nice handshake and tie up again, and Angelina gets a side headlock, Mickie tries to send her into the ropes but Angelina hangs on to the headlock so Mickie rolls her way out, but Angelina goes right back to the headlock. Angelina into the ropes and takes Mickie down with a shoulderblock and tries a hiptoss, but Mickie reverses to a monkey flip and a dropkick for 2. Tieup again and Angelina takes Mickie to the corner and give her an elbow in the jaw and follows it up with a flying clothesline for 2. Angelina with a front powerslam for 2 and then gets a sleeperhold, Micke goes for a back suplex but Mickie rolls through and Angelina tries the Botox Injection, but Mickie dodges and Angelina looks frustrated. Mickie extends the hand again and Angelina takes it, then yanks Mickie down by the hair and covers for 2. Now Mickie's pissed, and she takes Angelina to the corner and rams several shoulders to the ribs, but Angelina with a really nice leapfrog into a schoolgirl rollup for 2. Now Mickie catches Angelina with a flying headscissors and a neckbreaker for 2. Mickie goes up top, but Angelina dodges whatever she was going for and hits the Botox Injection, but hesitates before going for teh cover and only gets 2. Angelina picks Mickie up and goes for a uranage, but Mickie fights out and gets the DDT for the win.
Winner: Mickie James
With this win, Mickie will now go on to challenge Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title. I thought this was a really good match, and Angelina showed better psychology and workrate in this match than I think I've ever seen out of her. I was really impressed.
Brother Ray is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We go to Angelina Love backstage, and she's so pissed off over losing that she trashes the backstage area and starts crying. Winter comes over and puts a hand on Angelina's shoulder, and she says that all this was meant to happen and is happening for a reason. She says that things are going to start falling into place, and it's time the two of them get to know each other.
We go back out to the ring with Brother Ray, and he says everybody wants to know why he turned on Devon. The answer is because he can, but because he's in a good mood he'll give us a better explanation. 15 years ago, he created the greatest tag team move in history, a move that can beat any team, a move that won him 23 World Tag Team Titles. That move was the 3D, and everyone has fallen to the 3D, and rolls off the names of about a zillion people he's beaten after giving them the move. He says nobody ever kicked out of it until Chris Sabin did it at Turning Point, but he didn't kick out because he was so tough, he kicked out because Devon was weak. Devon has always been weak, and the weak link in the team. He was the star of Team 3D, Devon was a co-star. Devon never stood by his side, he always stood two steps behind him where he belonged. He says that he'll put it simply so someone as simple-minded as Devon can get it: Brother Ray is the Shawn Michaels, and Devon is the Marty Jannetty. And for all the people who don't know who Marty Jannetty is, that's exactly his point. Any of the Dudleys could have been his partner: Brother Runt, Big Dick, anyone, because all Devon ever was to him was a guy who got his tables.
Wow, just wow. AWESOME promo, I loved it and it made sense becuase it's what we've all been thinking for years, but it's still so jarring to hear Bubba actually come out and say it. I loved the references to Marty Jannetty, Spike, and Big Dick, and I'm actually okay with him name dropping WWE guys here because he wasn't JUST name dropping WWE guys, he mentioned a bunch of ECW and TNA guys as well to illustrate that for their entire career as a team through all three companies, the 3D always beat everyone until Devon dropped the ball at Turning Point. Great stuff.
It's main event time!
Ric Flair vs Matt Morgan
The bell rings, and I look at flabby, 63 year old Flair standing across the ring from 7 foot tall Morgan and think "Yeah, he has a shot here." They tie up and Morgan shoves him off. Flair manages to take Morgan to the corner and lays in several chops, but Morgan shoves him off into the corner and gives Flair a much bigger backdrop than he ought to be taking at his age. Morgan whips Flair to the corner again and gets the machine guns elbows, and Flair comes out of the corner and does the Flair Flop. Morgan goes for the elbows again but Flair shoves Morgan off and into the referee, who tumbles out to the floor. Flair takes the opportunity to kick Morgan in the groin and pound him with punches and chops, but Morgan goozles Flair from his knees and stands up, but Flair sticks a thumb in his eye and tosses him to the floor. Flair goes out after him and chops him against the guardrail, but Morgan fights back and rams Flair into the guardrail and then repeatedly punches him in the head, and guess what? That's right, Flair is bleeding. Can this guy get through one damn match without getting juice anymore? Morgan tosses Flair back in the ring and Flair begs off, but Morgan nails him anyway and leans him in the corner and repeatedly drills Flair in the face until Flair Flops again. Morgan with a side suplex and a chokeslam, but now Fortune all come running into the ring and beat the Bischoff out of Morgan. Williams appears hesitant and AJ tries to force him to join in the beatdown on Morgan, but Williams instead suckerpunches AJ and lays out all the rest of Fortune, then makes his own exit, leaving Flair and Morgan alone in the ring. Flair gives Morgan his best shots, but Morgan no-sells and whips Flair into the ropes and hits the Carbon Footprint for the win.
Winner: Matt Morgan
Williams stands at the top of the ramp looking really pleased with himself as the rest of Fortune stands there making angry faces at him. Morgan will now challenge Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Title, presumably at Final Resolution, with Ric Flair as the special referee. Good enough match considering that Flair's way too old and limited to be taken seriously as a wrestler, and he's lost so many matches over the last few years that a win over him means nothing, which is just ridiculous to think about. But Williams is out of Fortune, which we all saw coming, and will presumably now be Morgan's ally to counteract Flair at Final Resolution.
Overall, I thought this week's show was a definite step up from the last several weeks. I hate seeing Flair wrestle, but I loved the Dreamer and Bubba promos, Mickie vs Angelina and Abyss vs Moore were both unexpectedly great matches, I enjoyed the mixed tag, and really got a kick out of the Double J MMA Exhibition. There were little details throughout the show that drove me crazy, but in terms of the broad picture, I was happy that it was a step back in the right direction and, for the first time in weeks, I didn't feel stupid just for watching the show. I think we ought to start setting up and announcing matches for the next PPV, but we've still got time. Thumbs up this week.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Bridgeport, Connecticut and your announcers are Booker ‘Why did they call what Rock did on Monday a Rock Bottom, it was a Bookend’ T, Michael ‘I still can’t announce with my arm tied behind my back’ Cole, and Josh ‘I am sitting between two candidates for the Hall of Pain’ Mathews.
We start off and Mark Henry is choking Daniel Bryan in the back and then he sends him into a storage case and the wall. He yells at Bryan for disrespecting him. Henry carries Bryan through the back and to the ring. Henry throws him to the ground and then he head butts Bryan on the way to the ring. Henry finally brings Bryan into the ring and Bryan with a kick but Henry blocks a second one and he sends Bryan to the mat. Henry yells at Bryan again about disrespecting him and Henry with a back fist and then he hits a splash on Bryan. Henry with a World’s Strongest Slam to Bryan. Henry picks up Bryan again when referees come to the ring. Henry argues with the referees and then hits another World’s Strongest Slam on Bryan.
The referees are able to get Bryan out of the ring and Henry demands a mic. He asks everyone if they saw that. He says that man is in pain. Henry says that he promises that there is more where that came from. Mark says that Big Show felt the pain, but apparently it was not good enough so Show has to get some more. Henry says that at Survivor Series, one of them will be carried out of the building. Henry says that it won’t be him because he is going to leave as the World Champion.
Henry leaves the ring and he sees Bryan on the ground next to the ring and he asks Bryan if he has had enough.
Josh mentions that Big Show is not scheduled for tonight’s show.
Before our first match, Vickie introduces the only superstar who will appear in two matches at the Survivor Series. Vickie throws out a few excuse mes. Not only will he lead Team Barrett to victory, but he will defend the United States Championship against John Morrison.
Match Number One: Sin Cara versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero
The lights go down and Ziggler with a waist lock take down and then he floats over and slaps Cara on the head. Ziggler slaps Cara again and goes to the apron. They lock up again and Ziggler with a fireman’s carry into an arm bar. Ziggler with a kick to the ribs followed by another kick and elbow to the back fo the head. Ziggler with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Ziggler comes off the ropes and he sees Cara ready for offense and Ziggler stops.
Ziggler with a kick to Cara and Cara responds with a handspring elbow followed by a head scissors take down and Ziggler goes to the floor. Cara with a suicide dive onto Ziggler. Ziggler is sent back into the ring and Ziggler kicks Cara when he returns to the ring and Cara goes back to the floor.
Ziggler rolls Cara back into the ring and Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop and then he kips up. Ziggler with an arm bar with elbows to the head and shoulder. Cara with kicks to Ziggler and then he uses the ropes for a double jump corkscrew arm drag and then he hits an enzuigiri from the apron.
Cara goes up top for a swanton but Ziggler moves. Cara with a victory roll but he can only get a near fall. Ziggler counters and he gets a handful of Cara’s tights for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Ziggler celebrates his victory and he has something to say to Cara. He pushes Cara but Cara with a rana and drop kick. Cara kicks Ziggler and Vickie calls for reinforcements and Swagger hits the ring and he clotheslines Cara and punches him. Swagger and Ziggler hit a wheelbarrow Fameasser.
After celebrating what they did to Sin Cara, the festivities are cut short by Mason Ryan’s music and he makes his way to the ring and he sends Ziggler high into the air and back to the mat.
Ryan stares at Swagger and then goes to check on Sin Cara. We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Mason Ryan versus Jack Swagger
This match is joined in progress and they lock up with Ryan backing Swagger into the corner. Swagger goes into the ropes and Ryan with a break. Swagger with a kick and forearm. Swagger with a waist lock but Ryan powers out of the hold and takes Swagger down with an arm drag followed by a shoulder tackle. Ryan runs Swagger into the corner and then he Irish whips Swagger and hits a shoulder into the corner. Ryan with a short arm clothesline.
Ryan gets Swagger up for a running power slam but Swagger escapes and sends Ryan into the turnbuckles. Swagger clips Ryan and then he hits a double jump Swagger Bomb to the back and he gets a near fall. Swagger kicks and punches Ryan in the corner and is warned by the referee. Swagger with a running clothesline into the corner a few times. Swagger traps the arms and Swagger with a knee when Ryan looks like he might escape the hold.
Swagger tries for a suplex but Ryan blocks it and hits a suplex of his own. Swagger with kicks and punches but Ryan with a clothesline and Irish whip. Ryan with a running knee into the corner followed by a big boot. Ryan with a running power slam for a near fall. Ryan tries for the full nelson but Swagger escapes. Swagger goes to the knee and then he tries for the Doctor Bomb but Ryan blocks it. Ryan with a full nelson and then he hits the full nelson slam for the three count.
Winner: Mason Ryan
Justin Gabriel and Alicia Fox are in the back and she talks about how she would like to go to South Africa, but they are interrupted by Zack Ryder to sign his online petition to get a United States Title Match. Gabriel agrees to do it for a t-shirt. Show says that he hasn’t signed it yet and he agrees to do it.
Zack tells Show that Mark Henry beat up Daniel Bryan and it was a statement to Show for Sunday. Show asks where Mark is and they don’t know but Justin tells Show that Bryan is in the trainer’s room.
Show leaves and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ted DiBiase and Hornswoggle are in the back playing WWE ’12 (available on Tuesday and can be purchased in the PWInsider Amazon Store). Teddy Long enters the room and Teddy tells Ted that he has been impressed with his recent winning streak as well as the DiBiase Posse.
They are interrupted by the seductive sound of Aksana’s horn section and she says hello to Teddy and both Ted’s respond. Teddy says that she is talking to him and Ted walks away with Hornswoggle so Teddy and Aksana can have privacy in front of the camera. Aksana says that she heard that someone was playing the new WWE ’12 game and she loves video games. She says that she learned how to become an expert at handling a joystick. Teddy gets nervous and he says that he has a show to run but he invites her to play together later.
Aksana leaves and Teddy tells himself not to give himself another heart attack.
We are back and Christian is on his way to the ring and he has a crutch and his neck brace. He says two weeks ago on Smackdown he was brutally choke slammed by the Big Show for no reason. That led to a serious neck injury. Instead of taking his claims seriously, Teddy Long books him in a match against Sheamus last week. Christian says that he could have run away, but he stayed and fought Sheamus like a man. Christian says that he fought Sheamus all over Europe and to compensate for his neck, he severely injured his ankle.
Christian shows us a photo of his ankle and he says that he might be out of action for a few months. Christian does not know if he will be the same again. The fact is that he is no longer on the Survivor Series and he is off Team Barrett. Christian says that he will continue to support Team Barrett on to victory. Christian says that he is special and he inspires everyone to be better.
Christian says that normally he would be asking for ‘One More Match’ for the World Title, but now he would like just one more match . . . any match. That dream has been taken away by Teddy Long and his incompetence. Christian talks about the lack of respect from the WWE Universe. He wonders if they even care that he is injured. Christian asks the simpletons one more time if they care that he is injured. Christian wants to know if they care that he is walking around in constant pain. Christian says that he is a human being and he has feelings.
Christian tells Teddy Long that there will be severe consequences for what he did. Christian says that he has never been more embarrassed for a collection of people than what he is looking at tonight. Christian tells them all good riddance as he hobbles to the back.
Daniel Bryan is in the training room getting medical attention and AJ is by his side. Big Show enters and he says that it is his fault. He says that he needs to find Mark and he needs to find him now. Show leaves and AJ asks Bryan if he needs anything. We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to the Goldman Box for a message from Derrick Bateman and Maxine. Derrick mentions that they are NXT’s power couple but tonight they are bringing their love to Smackdown.
Match Number Three: Ted DiBiase versus Derrick Bateman with Maxine
Ted with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Ted blocks a hip toss and connects with a hip toss of his own. Ted with a drop kick and back elbow and gets a near fall. Maxine gets on the apron and she distracts the referee long enough to allow Derrick to drop Ted across the top rope. Derrick with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Bateman with a neck breaker for a near fall.
Derrick sends Ted into the corner and kicks and punches Ted. Ted with punches and kicks in the corner. Derrick with a hard Irish whip and he gets a near fall. Bateman with a quarter nelson and chin lock but Ted with punches and a snap mare. Ted with a reverse atomic drop and punch followed by a flying knee. Ted with a rebound clothesline to Derrick but Derrick with a kick.
Ted hits Dream Street for the three count.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
After the match, we get our first ‘trending’ comment from Josh.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Big Show kicks in the door to Mark Henry’s dressing room but no one is in there. Show walks down the hall and he stops as he sees Jinder Mahal and Tyson Kidd. Show asks if anything is funny and then Kidd says that Henry has left the building. Mahal says something to Show in Punjabi and Show wants him to repeat it in English. Mahal doesn’t want to repeat it so Show punches Mahal and Mahal goes down and he goes down hard. Kidd walks away before Show decides to take out any more frustration on anyone.
We have an Earlier Tonight Moment of Mark Henry’s attack on Daniel Bryan.
Big Show makes his way to the ring and he has something to say. Show says that it is too bad that Mark Henry left the building because they could have had their Survivor Series match tonight. Show says that he needs to keep focused on the fact that if he goes into Survivor Series with all of the rage and anger in his heart, he is going to get disqualified. That is not what we want because we want Big Show to beat Mark Henry to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. Show says that he goes everywhere with a piece of footage and we see the footage from Money in the Bank when Mark Henry injured Show.
Show says the footage is a reminder to keep him focused on the goal of what pleases Mark Henry the most, the World Heavyweight Championship. Show says that he heard that Mark Henry said that someone is going to be carried out of Survivor Series. After all of the atrocities, Show vows that Mark Henry will be carried out. Henry will lose the World Championship to him.
Show tells Mark to look real close at his fist. Show says that it’s coming for him.
Before the match, Hunico has something to say and he addresses the Connecticut crowd in Spanish.
Match Number Four: Kofi Kingston versus Hunico
Kofi with a waist lock but Hunico works on the wrist. Kofi with an arm drag into an arm bar and a near fall. Hunico with a knee and Kofi tries for a monkey flip but Hunico with a drop kick to stop him. Hunico with a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Hunico with a modified STF into a reverse chin lock.
Kofi with forearms and then he slides through Hunico’s legs for a near fall. Hunico with a kick to the midsection and then he chokes Kofi in the ropes. Hunico with more kicks and then he gets a near fall. Hunico with an over the shoulder cross face on Kofi and Kofi is able to escape. Hunico sends Kofi to the mat.
Hunico kicks Kofi and then he chokes Kofi in the corner and the referee warns him. Hunico gets a near fall. Hunico with elbows and punches. Kofi with elbows followed by a spinning fireman’s carry slam and then he tries for a quebrada but Kofi moves and Hunico lands on his feet. Kofi with a drop kick followed by the double chops and a drop kick. Kofi with a superman punch and then he goes for the Boom Drop and hits it.
Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise but Hunico ducks it and he kicks Kofi. Hunico with an Irish whip but Hunico runs into a Pendulum Kick and then Kofi goes up top for a cross body but the momentum rolls Hunico on top and he gets a near fall. Hunico argues with the referee and that allows Kofi to recover and hit the SOS for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We go to another Ezekiel Jackson video package.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Beth Phoenix and Natalya versus AJ Lee and Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn and Beth start things off and they push each other. Kaitlyn iwht a forearm and drop kick followed by a knee into the corner. Kaitlyn with forearms but Beth tries for a slam and Kaitlyn escapes. Beth with a hot shot and kick to Kaitlyn followed by a forearm and she gets a near fall.
Natalya tags in and they pick up Kaitlyn for a double electric chair drop for a near fall. Natalya with another near fall. Natalya asks Kaitlyn if she wants to cry and then she kicks Kaitlyn followed by a forearm to the back of the neck. Natalya with an abdominal stretch but Kaitlyn with a hip toss. Natalya with a slam but misses a leg drop and AJ tags in.
AJ with a cross body followed by forearms and a kick. AJ tries for a sunset flip but Natalya with a kick and then she puts AJ in the Sharpshooter and Natalya bridges back and it is too much for AJ as she taps out.
Winners: Beth Phoenix and Natalya
After the match, Kaitlyn wonders what happened in the match as the BFFs are not so BFFy.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see what happened on Monday night between Rock and John Cena (featuring cameos by Miz and R Truth).
We go to commercial.
We are back and before our main event, Cody Rhodes visited the Goldman Box to tell everyone that Wade Barrett has asked him not to let his personal feelings towards Randy Orton to get in the way of the mission for tonight and that is to get momentum going into Survivor Series. Cody says that there are no personal feelings and Cody lets out the laugh of ‘Pure Evil’
Match Number Six: Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton and Sheamus
Sheamus and Rhodes start things off and they lock up. Sheamus backs Rhodes into the corner but Rhodes with kicks to the knee and he applies a front face lock but Rhodes is tossed to the mat and he retreats into his corner and he tags in Barrett. Barrett with a kick to the midsection followed by punches and knees. Sheamus with punches of his own but Barrett with punches too. Sheamus with a back elbow and he gets a near fall.
Sheamus puts Barrett in the ropes and he connects with a series of forearms across the chest. Sheamus with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Barrett with a back heel kick and a flying forearm to Sheamus and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a knee to the back and he connects with forearms and knees. Barrett with a surfboard but Sheamus gets to his feet. Sheamus with elbows and he backs Barrett into the corenr and connects with an arm drag.
Orton is tagged in and he hits two clotheslines and then Orton avoids a clothesline from Barrett and it is power slam time. Orton sees Barrett on the apron and he tries for the IEDDT and he hits it. Orton stares into the crowd and then he twists into position as he pounds the mat for the RKO.
Cody Rhodes tries to attack Orton from above but the viper senses the predator and he turns around and kicks Cody as he comes off the turnbuckles and then Orton gets Cody on his shoulders and hits a neck breaker driver. Barrett with a big boot to Orton and we go to commercial.
We are back and Rhodes is in control of the match with punches and a gourdbuster for a near fall. We see that Christian has come to ringside. Barrett tags in and he punches Orton and connects with elbows. Barrett with more punches but Orton with a punch of his own. Barrett with a kick but Orton with punches. They exchange punches until Barrett connects with a knee to the midsection.
Rhodes tags in and he stomps on Orton’s head. Rhodes with a double under hook but Orton gets out of the hold and he hits a back body drop. Barrett tags in but Barrett knocks Sheamus off the apron to stop Orton from making the tag. While the referee deals with Sheamus, Barrett and Rhodes double team Orton. Barrett with a neck breaker followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Barrett with a reverse chin lock.
Orton with punches to get out of the hold and Orton hits a neck breaker and both men are down. Rhodes tags in and so does Sheamus. Sheamus with running double sledges to the head and then he sends Rhodes into the corner and he connects with forearms followed by a running clothesline into the corner. Sheamus comes off top and hits a flying shoulder tackle. Sheamus knocks Barrett off the apron and Sheamus sets for the Brogue Kick but Christian hits Sheamus with his crutch and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Sheamus and Randy Orton by disqualification
After the match, Rhodes hit Beautiful Disaster on Sheamus. Orton closes in on Christian but Barrett hits Orton from behind and Barrett sends Orton into the ringside barrier. Rhodes and Barrett double team Sheamus in the corner. Christian hands Barrett his crutch and before Rhodes can use it, Sheamus with a Brogue kick to Cody. Sheamus picks up the crutch and he hits Barrett in the ribs a few times and then the back. Orton with an RKO on Barrett. Sheamus gets Cody and he hits the Celtic Cross.
2012 - WWE broadcast the Survivor Series. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing WWE Survivor Series 2012 coverage from Indianapolis.
Here is the online pre-game show:
Pre-Game Show coverage
Matt Striker and Scott Stanford are the announcers.
They talked about the injury to Cody Rhodes. They had a vignette where David Otunga was added to Team Dolph Ziggler. No one on the team liked the addition. Ziggler talked up the team saying they were going to be dominant and the match was theirs to win. The rest of the team didn't seem to be behind him.
They aired a video feature on Big Show vs. Sheamus for the World title. 3MB's Jinder Mahal & Heath Slater vs. Cobro's Santino Marella & Zack Ryder
Ryder and Mahal started out. Mahal worked over Ryder early and took him down with a shoulderblock. He shows way more personality in this role. Ryder caught him with a hiptoss and tagged in Marella. Marella used a takedown and locked in a side headlock. Mahal slipped out and took down Marella with a right hand. Slater tagged in but was caught with a hiptoss into an armbar.
Ryder tagged in and continued controlling Slater, covering him for a two count. Slater cut him off and began stomping away at Ryder. He brought him back into 3MB's corner where he and Mahal took turns working him over. Marella tagged in and tried to use the Cobra but Slater cut him off and tore it from his hand. He whipped Marella into the corner and dropped an elbow. Mahal began stomping away.
Marella ducked a clothesline but 3MB avoided a double flying clothesline. They covered Marella for a two count. Slater locked in a headlock but Marella fought to his feet and nailed a back suplex. Slater landed near his corner so he tagged Mahal. Mahal prevented Marella from tagging but Marella escaped and finally made the hot tag.
Ryder took control and nailed a missile dropkick on Mahal, then nailed the Broski Boot on him. He covered Mahal but Slater broke up the pin at two. Marella was tossed out of the ring but Ryder nailed the Rough Ryder on Slater. Drew interfered, allowing Mahal to lay waste to Ryder and score the win.
Your winners, 3MB!
OK match. You can see 3MB is getting over with the crowd as an undercard act.
They plugged the WWE '13 videogame. That is actually a hell of a fun game.
Video feature on the Vickie Guerrero allegtions.
Josh Mathews interviewed R-Truth. Mathews tried to talk to Little Jimmy and Truth asked him if he was trying to say that he trying to talk to imaginary people. Truth cut a decent promo about bringing the U.S. title back to America. Mathews was shocked that Truth said Jimmy was an imaginary character but Truth stopped him and asked what he was talking about because Jimmy was in the bathroom. He demanded Josh to apologize to Jimmy. Up until that, it was a good promo.
Video feature on the WWE title bout.
Rene Young debuted on the PPV channel pre-game show, discussing the show with Scott Stanford.
WWE Survivor Series 2012
The announce team was Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler.
Survivor Series Elimination: Brodus Clay & Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara & Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd vs. Tensai & Epico & Primo & The Prime Time Players
Kidd started off with Epico. Kidd took him down with a side headlock. Epico reversed it but Kidd leapt out of the move and locked in another. They went back and forth with some good near falls. Kidd maintained control and tagged in Gabriel who sunset flipped Epico for a two count.
Gabriel worked over Epico and scored several near falls. Kidd and Gabriel nailed several tag moves and tagged in Rey. Rey nailed a dropkick but was cut off and dragged back to Tensai's team. Darren Young tagged in and worked over Rey. Mysterio used a drop toehold into the corner, then kicked Young hard in the leg.
Sin Cara and Primo tagged in. Cara hit a slingshot elbow off the ropes, followed by a top rope cross bodyblock for a near fall. Cara hit a Code Red for a two count but was cut off by a Primo clothesline. Tensai tagged in and slammed Cara several times. The crowd booed when he was tagged in and chanted "Albert."
Titus O'Neal tagged in and used an uppercut to lay out Cara. Primo tagged in and drilled Cara with a big legdrop for a two count. He cinched in a camel clutch. Team Tensai continued taking turns working over Cara. Cara finally nailed an enziguiri on Tensai and tagged in Clay. Clay cleaned house with a rhino headbutt on Titus and Young and a splash in the corner on Tensai.
Everyone started brawling. Gabriel and Kidd hit stereo dives. Rey and Cara then hit stereo Asai moonsaults to the outside. This left Clay and Tensai in the ring. They went back and forth. Clay flapjacked Tensai. Tensai shoulderblocked him down and nailed a back senton splash for the pin.
Clay is eliminated.
Gabriel and Tensai went back and forth with Tensai drilling him with a big back elbow. Titus tagged in and locked in an abdominal stretch, trying to force the submission. Tensai's team continued working over Gabriel. Gabriel rolled out of the way of a back senton splash and rolled him up, scoring the pin on Tensai.
Tesnai has been eliminated.
Titus immediately cut off Gabriel and choked him against the ropes. Epico nailed a double arm underhook suplex for a two count, then cinched in a side chinlock. Gabriel fought his way out but missed an enziguri. Kidd finally tagged in but was cut off by the former Team Tensai.
Primo kicked away at Kidd in the corner. Kidd fired back with a series of right hands. Titus tagged back in. This has been a decent match so far. Kidd ducked a charge and O'Neal crotched himself. Kidd used the ropes for momentum and rolled up O'Neal with the Backlund Bridge for a three count.
Titus O'Neal has been eliminated.
Epico, Primo and Young all took turns working over Kidd. Epico nailed a series of back suplexes on Kidd, but Kidd slipped out of a third and locked on a Sharpshooter. Epico tapped.
Epico has been eliminated.
Primo jumped Kidd from behind and locked in a side chinlock. He worked over Kidd and went to the top for a move but was dropkicked on the way down. Kidd crawled over and made the hot tag to Rey Mysterio.
Rey kicked Primo away and nailed a flying headscissor takedown, then a kick to the head for a two count. Mysterio ascended to the top but was cut off by Primo. Primo set up for a superplex but Rey nailed shots to the mid-section to ward him off. Rey came off the top with a seated senton and used a Lucha armdrag to set up for the 619. Primo slipped out and went for a backstabber. Rey held onto the ropes and used a rolling pinfall combination for the win.
Primo has been eliminated.
This left Darren Young against the other four. Rey drilled him with the 619. Cara came off the top with a moonsault. Gabriel and Kidd each hit top rope dives. Rey came off the top with a big splash and scored the pin.
Your winners and Survivors, Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara & Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel!
Really good opener. Lots of good wrestling here and some flashy moves and sequences. This was a rare case of the added bonus match actually adding something of worth to the show. Thumbs up to all involved.
Kaitlyn was walking backstage when a hooded woman in a blonde wig attacked her. She fought off the attacker and ripped off the wig. It was Aksana who scampered away. Eve showed up and faked concern so Kaitlyn shoved her down and stormed off.
WWE Divas champ Eve Torres vs. Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn came out with the blonde wig and used it on Eve as a weapon. Torres was trounced early and tried to run into the crowd but was pulled back.
Kaitlyn beat Eve's head into the mat several times. Torres kicked her in the gut and then in the head before slamming the challenger's head into the mat over and over. She covered Kaitlyn for a two count.
Eve choked Kaitlyn while in the corner. She dropped an elbow across Kaitlyn's back and locked her in a triangle style headscissors. Eve went to the top but was shoved off, nearly killing her. She was then shoved off the apron, which looked equally scary.
Eve was tossed back in the ring and began backing off. Kaitlyn slapped him and used a hair mare, which looked awful. It was so bad, they did it again and it looked worse. Kaitlyn used a shoulderblock and a gutbuster for a two count.
Kaitlyn grabbed at Eve's legs while Eve held onto the apron screaming. She kicked off Kaitlyn and left the ring, nailing the challenger when she followed. Kaitlyn was tossed back in the ring and nailed with a neckbreaker for a three count.
Your winner and still WWE Divas champion, Eve Torres!
Not a good match. Eve had some good facial expressions and they tried but this wasn't good.
Backstage, Team Foley were all arguing amongst themselves. Foley told them they were all survivors and they needed to work together. Foley tried to get them to all say "Bang Bang" together and they all begrudgingly did, except Randy Orton. Foley asked Orton if he was ready. Orton responded, "I hate you" and walked off. Ha! Foley said that meant he was ready. Really?
WWE United States champion Antonio Cesaro vs. R-Truth
They started off strong with some really good near falls. Cesaro cut off Truth with several headbutts and a clothesline. Cesaro nailed a running knee in the corner. He locked in an armbar. The crowd was really into chanting "USA."
Cesaro cut off Truth's cutoff and nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner. Truth was slammed down and covered for a two count. Cesaro used a waistlock takedown to ride Truth to the mat and force the air out of him. Truth fired back but was nailed with a running knee to the mid-section.
Cesaro nailed a series of suplexes and went back to working over Truth with a reverse bearhug. Truth made a comeback and scored several two counts. Truth missed the scissor kick and hurt his leg. Cesaro pounced with a big uppercut and nailed the Neutralizer for the win.
Your winner and still United States champion, Antonio Cesaro!
Nothing much here. It was more of a showcase for Cesaro than a competitive bout where you believed the champ was in jeopardy. Still, Cesaro looked good and Truth was fine in his role. This feels like they are still establishing Cesaro more than anything else.
WWE reviewed the AJ Lee-John Cena scandal video.
AJ came out to cut a promo. She said that she has been trying to figure out why Vickie Guerrero has been trying to make her life a living hell. At first, she thought it was because she was a witch. The, she realized Vickie was trying to accuse her of something that she herelf was doing.
Guerrero came out and cut her off, questioning who AJ thinks she is. AJ said she was a seeker of the truth who was sent this photo - it was a photo of Vickie having dinner with Ricardo Rodriguez. She then showed one of Vickie and Jim Ross with Vickie having BBQ sauce smeared on her face. Guerrero told her to stop pushing it because none of this happened.
AJ said rhat if it didn't happen, why is she so worried. They showed a photo of Vickie in lingeries dancing with Brodus Clay in what was obviously a photo shopped photo. Vickie said it was ridiculous. AJ said that was ridiculous is all Vickie's evidence that proves nothing. She said she wanted Vickie to feel like she has felt the last few weeks and to feel reality slap her in the face. Vickie said reality won't slap her, she will.
AJ acted like they were going to fight but then began laughing. AJ said that she wouldn't put a hand on her because she'd lose her job, but so would Vickie, so she asked what Vickie was going to do. Out of nowhere, Tamina Snuka returned and laid out AJ with a Samoan Drop and a Superfly Splash off the top.
Guerrero laughed at the beaten AJ and walked off.
WWE Attitude Era DVD. They pushed that it was TV-14.
Josh Matthews interviewed Paul Heyman. Josh asked if CM Punk had anything left in his tank. Heyman said that he was the 8th longest reigning champion of all time. While John Cena is chasing AJ, Punk is busy beating Cena beating him more often than Heyman can count. When Ryback was busy being a caveman, Punk was making history by being the first man to beat him. He said that Punk was ready to thrive against them both. He said Punk was not only the defending champion but the best in the world. Heyman is freaking awesome and delivers his promos in a way that no one else does today. So great.
World champ Sheamus vs. Big Show
Sheamus took it right to Big Show early, which was great since the storyline is that he's pissed off at Show. Unfortunately for him, Show quickly cut him off and drilled him with chops and punches, using his power.
Show nailed a back splash in the corner and rebounded to nail another one but was shoulderblocked by Sheamus. Sheamus tied him up in the ropes and worked over Show. He beat Show across the chest. Good way to set up that spot.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick but Show rolled out of the ring. Sheamus tackled him with a leap from the apron to the floor. He worked over Show and tossed him in the ring. Sheamus went to the top for a shoulderblock but Show speared him in mid-air. Sheamus rolled out to the floor, hurting.
Show worked over Sheamus on the floor and back in the ring. He focused on Sheamus' shoulder, beating on it and throwing him hard into the corner. Sheamus tried to fire back but was cut off with a sideslam for a two count.
Sheamus kept trying to mount some sort of comeback but Show maintained control. Show whipped him into the corner but was kicked off during a charge. Sheamus leapt on his back and cinched in a sleeper. Show backed him into the corner but Sheamus held on. Show finally tossed him over his shoulder to break it.
Sheamus, undaunted, continued working over Show with a series of punches and strikes. He charged the champion in the corner but Show sidestepped, causing Sheamus to hit his shoulder on the ringpost. Show slammed Sheamus down for a two count.
Show climbed to the middle turnbuckle to attempt a Vader Bomb but Sheamus slipped underneath with the Electric Chair. The crowd really thought that was the finish but Show kicked up at the last second. They recovered and battled back and forth on their knees. Sheamus nailed a high knee and a running clothesline.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick but it was blocked. Show went for the chokeslam but Sheamus slipped out and nailed White Noise for a two count. Good stuff.
Sheamus set uo for a Brogue Kick but the champion pulled the referee in front of him and Sheamus nailed him instead. Sheamus checked on the official, who was out. Several other referees and trainers came out to check on him. Show stalked Sheamus from behind and nailed the KO punch. He covered Sheamus and another referee made the count.
Another official then decreed that Show had been DQ'd for pulling the referee into Sheamus. Show began arguing with the official while Sheamus was recovering behind them. He grabbed a chair and nailed Show with it and began beating the hell out of him with the chair. Show begged off but Sheamus kept beating him. He targeted Show's leg and Show begged off.
Sheamus told him he was pathetic and demanded he beg. Show asked him again to stop. He threw the chair down and teased walking out, then nailed him with the Brogue Kick in the aisle. Pretty frenzied scene to build to the next chapter of their feud.
The match wasn't as good as last month but they worked really hard and it was entertaining.
Survivor Series Elimination: Team Foley: Randy Orton & Miz & WWE Intercontinental champion Kofi Kingston & WWE Tag Team champions Daniel Bryan & Kane vs. Team Ziggler: Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio & David Otunga & Wade Barrett & Damien Sandow
Foley was limping TERRIBLY when he came out. I hope none of this is leading to him wrestling again, because he shouldn't...ever. I love the guy and everything he has ever done but no more. He's given enough of himself.
Massive Ziggler chants. How is it that WWE doesn't hear them?
Kingston and Otunga started. Otunga retreated from an attempted kick so Kingston nailed a dive off the ropes to the floor. He tossed Otunga into the ring and scored a two count.
Daniel Bryan tagged in. Massive "Yes" chants. Otunga nailed a powerslam but tagged in Sandow. Sandow nailed a Russian Legsweep and an Elbow of Disdain. Sandow missed a charge in the corner. Bryan scored with a series of kicks to the chest but missed a KO kick. Sandow rolled out of the ring, wished his team luck and walked out.
Kane grabbed him and tossed Sandow back in. That was stupid. Why wouldn't you want to easy win? Kane tagged in and chokeslammed Sandow and pinned him. Yep, that was pretty stupid.
Damien Sandow has been eliminated.
Bryan and Kane began arguing and shoving each other. Kane shoved Bryan over the top to the floor. That allowed Ziggler to nail the Zig Zag and pin Kane.
Kane has been eliminated.
This all caused Randy Orton and Miz to argue. Orton shoved Miz out of the way of a Ziggler attack and worked over Ziggler. He whipped out the Tully Blanchard SLINGSHOT SUPLEX!! Kingston tagged in and worked over Ziggler. Ziggler reversed a whip into the corner but was caught with a twisting monkey flip.
Kingston tagged in Bryan, who nailed a series of European uppercuts. Ziggler cut Bryan off with a knee and tagged in Barrett. Barrett beat down Bryan in the corner but was nailed with a drop toehold in the corner. Bryan missed a charging dropkick in the corner and bounced out hard. Barrett set up Bryan on the ropes, where he kicked him out to the floor.
On the floor, Barrett continued working over Bryan before bringing him back in for another two count. Team Ziggler took turns working over Bryan. Otunga nailed a pair of clotheslines for a two count. Bryan caught him in the No Lock and tapped him out.
David Otunga has been eliminated.
Del Rio entered the ring and worked over Bryan, cinching in a side chinlock. He followed up with a tiltowhirl backbreaker. Del Rio went to the top but was shoved off to the floor by Bryan. Bryan tagged in Kingston, who nailed a springboard missile clotheslineand then the Boom Drop.
Kingston set up for Trouble in Paradise, but Ziggler distracted him. Kingston still nailed a reverse high cross bodyblock for a two count. Ziggler tripped Kingston as Barrett tagged in, setting up the Black Hole Slam. Barrett hit the Bullhammer on Kingston and pinned him.
Kofi Kingston has been eliminated.
Orton hit the ring and dropkicked Barrett. Barrett fought back with shots to the mid-section but Orton regained control. Barrett kicked him off during a charge. Barrett went for a suplex but Orton reversed it. Bryan tagged in and nailed a ton of kicks and a missile dropkick for a two count.
Bryan nailed a series of kicks but was clotheslined over the top to the floor. Del Rio tagged in but Bryan immediately tried to tie him up into the No Lock. Del Rio scrambled to escape before it was locked in and drilled him with a series of kicks to the ribs. Del Rio drilled him with the cross armbreaker and Bryan tapped.
Daniel Bryan has been eliminated.
Miz entered the ring for the first time and worked over Del Rio. Orton tagged in but was cut off. Team Ziggler took turns working over Orton in their corner. Ziggler rebounded off the ropes but Orton shot him up high into the air, with Ziggler crashing down.
Miz made the hot tag and worked over Barrett. The crowd was into Miz's offense. Miz nailed a leaping clothesline in the corner, took out Ziggler on the apron and came off with a flying axehandle. Miz was cut off and Barrett went for the pump handle slam but Miz slipped out and nailed the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin.
Wade Barrett has been eliminated.
Miz immediately drilled Del Rio for a two count. Del Rio cut him off and went to the top but Miz swept his legs out from under him. Del Rio crashed rudely into the ring. Miz missed his charging clothesline and was caught up in the corner. Del Rio nailed a backstabber and pinned Miz. That was a mistake.
Miz has been eliminated.
Orton was left against Del Rio and Ziggler.
He and Del Rio battled back and forth. Orton tried to nail Ziggler, allowing Del Rio to get the better of him. Ziggler tagged in and nailed a neckbreaker for a two count.
Del Rio tried to come off the ropes but was dropkicked in mid-air. Orton nailed a series of clotheslines and a powerslam. Ricardo tried to interfere, so Orton grabbed him for the hanging DDT. Del Rio nailed the backstabber but Orton kicked up at two. Foley put Mr. Socko to Ricardo outside.
Del Rio went to pick up Orton, who grabbed him for the RKO. Ziggler went for a superkick but Orton allowed him to nail Del Rio instead. Orton nailed Ziggler, sending him into the buckles and RKO'd Del Rio.
Del Rio has been eliminated.
It's down to Orton vs, Ziggler. Orton went for the RKO but Ziggler held the ropes. Orton crashed down and Ziggler drilled him with a leaping neckbreaker for a two count. They battled back and forth. Orton, bleeding from the lip, nailed the hanging DDT.
Ziggler was out and Orton stood there. He set up for the punt kick but was caught with a superkick and Ziggler scored the pin.
Your winner and Survivor, Dolph Ziggler!
Some of the early booking made me scratch my head but a really good, hard fought match overall. Ziggler getting the must deserved clean win over a big name like Orton was way overdue and one can only hope this means they are finally going to go with the flow. Lots of good work in this one.
WWE champion CM Punk vs. Ryback vs. John Cena
Ryback gets the final ring entrance.
Punk is chased around the ringside area and right into a Cena punch. Punk got worked over. Cena and Ryback went face to face and Punk shoved Cena into him. He nailed Ryback but was kicked down with a big boot to the chest.
Cena nailed a running bulldog on Punk. Punk rolled out, leading to the first ever physical meeting between Cena and Ryback being teased. They faced off and locked up. Ryback won the first lock up, tossing Cena down hard.
Cena grabbed a side headlock but was shot into the ropes and shoulderblocked Ryback down. Cena went for the AA but Ryback slipped out and shoulderblocked him. Ryback stomped him in the corner and kicked him out of the ring.
Punk returned and attacked Ryback from behind and suplexed him. Ryback rose up and pressed and slammed Punk for a two count. Cena grabbed Ryback and locked on a side chinlock. Punk came off the top with a flying axehandle. Punk nailed another on Ryback.
Punk went for another but was caught and tackled into the buckles. Punk caught Ryback with a leaping leg lariat. Ryback rolled to the outside, Cena rolled up Punk for a two count. Punk caught him with a DDT for a two count. Punk locked in a Last Chancery on him but Ryback grabbed Punk and lifted him into a running powerslam.
Cena nailed a suplex on Ryback but it had no effect. They battled back and forth, slugging it out. Cena nailed a shoulderblock and went for another but Punk grabbed him and pulled him to the outside, then threw Cena hard into the ring steps.
Punk nailed a flying clothesline on Ryback and locked in a chinlock, riding him on the mat. Ryback fought back with a series of backdrops and a spinebuster. He set up for the Meathook clothesline and nailed it. He went for the Shellshock but Cena nailed his legs from behind and locked in the STF on Ryback.
Ryback held on as Punk went to the top and came off the top with the flying elbow on both. Punk immediately sold that he hurt his arm. He pulled himself up and called for the GTS. Punk slipped out and they exchanged punches and strikes. Ryback charged and clotheslined them both.
Ryback threw Punk and Cena both out of the floor in front of the announcers. He tried to set up for Shellshock on both on the floor. This led to Punk and Cena teaming to work over Ryback before realizing what they were doing. They finally silently agreed to continue and both set up for a double suplex through the announcer's table.
Cena and Punk returned to the ring from opposite ends. Punk missed a clothesline and Cena nailed a series of tackles and a powerbomb. He went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and nailed it. Punk recovered and nailed the GTS but Punk kicked out at the last second. Cena caught Punk with the AA but he kicked out at the last second as well.
Punk and Cena recovered and exchanged kicks. Cena pulled him down for the GTS but Punk escaped and kicked him off in the corner. Punk nailed the high running kneelift in the corner. Punk went for the bulldog but Cena cut him off and locked in the STF in the center of the ring. Ryback, recovered, pulled Cena out of the ring and clotheslined him on the floor.
Punk pulled himself up only to be nailed with the Meathook. He nailed Shellshock but Cena broke up the pin. Ryback overpowered Cena and nailed him.
Three guys dressed identical - Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose from NXT - all hit the ring and worked over Ryback. They dragged him out and hit a triple powerbomb through the other announcer's table.
Punk covered the beaten Cena and scored the pin.
Your winner and still WWE champion CM Punk!!
Real good match. I guess I won't have to get any more emails asking when Ambrose and Rollins are debuting.
Punk was limping on the way out.
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