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December 28th
On this day in history in ....
1876 - James Owens defeats James McLaughlin in New York City, New York to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title, ending McLaughlin's second reign.
1949 - Leroy McGuirk defeats Billy Goelz for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Des Moines, Iowa, ending Goelz's second reign. McGuirk had already been recognized as champion by the National Wrestling Association since 1939.
1959 - Mike Clancy defeats Jackie Fargo to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama.
1960 - Pancho Villa defeats Lee Fields for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending Fields' third reign and beginning Villa's second.
1961 - Whipper Billy Watson and Yukon Eric defeat Chris and John Tolos to win the Toronto version of the NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario.
1963 - Chris and John Tolos defeat Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon for the WWWF United States Tag Team Title IN Teaneck, New Jersey.
1963 - Bob Orton (grandfather of Randy Orton) defeats Eddie Graham in Jacksonville, Florida for the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Graham's fourth, and final, reign. This was the first of three runs with the belt for Orton.
1968 - The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser win their fourth AWA World Tag Team Title and third World Wrestling Association Tag Team Title, defeating Mitsu Arakawa and Dr. Moto (Tor Kamata) for both in Chicago, Illinois. This ended Arakawa and Moto's second WWA reign.
1970 - Gene Kiniski defeats Don Leo Jonathan for the Vancouver version NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Jonathan's second reign and beginning Kiniski's second.
1971 - Dutch Savage defeats Jonathan Boyd to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Boyd's second reign and beginning Savage's third.
1972 - Rip Hawk defeats Jerry Brisco for the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina, ending Brisco's second reign and beginning Hawk's fourth.
1973 - Archie Gouldie wins his seventh Stampede North American Heavyweight Title, defeating Omar Atlas in Calgary, Alberta. Due to that win, Gouldie's Eastern Sports Association North American Heavyweight Title was vacated, ending his third reign with that belt.
1975 - Bob Sweetan defeats Rip Tyler for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Pensacola, Florida, ending Tyler's second reign.
1980 - Angelo Mosca defeats Hussein Arab (The Iron Sheik) in Toronto, Ontario to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title, ending Arab's second reign and beginning his own second run with the belt.
1980 - Kerry Von Erich (subbing for his injured brother Kevin) defeats Gino Hernandez in Dallas, Texas to win the vacant NWA American Heavyweight Title. The title had been held up on December 20 after a match between Kevin Von Erich and champion Hernandez.
1984 - Ron Garvin defeats Bob Roop in Saginaw, Michigan to win the Georgia version of the NWA World Television Title (formerly NWA Georgia/National Television Title), beginning his fourth reign.
1984 - Terry Taylor defeats Eddie Gilbert to win the CWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Gilbert's second reign.
1987 - The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) defeat Tom Brandi and Prince Mike Kaluha for the International Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title.
1988 - Two International Championship Wrestling titles change hands in Augusta, Maine. Jonathan Boyd ends Joe Savoldi's third ICW Heavyweight Title reign and Robbie Ellis defeats Eric Sbraccia to win his second ICW Light Heavyweight Title.
1989 - Phil Apollo and Eric Sbraccia defeat The Undertaker (Henchman and Punisher) for the ICW Tag Team Title in Portland, Maine, beginning their second reign.
1990 - Super Astro wins his third UWA World Middleweight Title in Tijuana, Mexico, ending the second reign of Yoshihiro Asai.
1992 - WCW held Starrcade '92 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Omni, using the "BattleBowl/Lethal Lottery" concept again of having "random" tag team matches with the winners moving on to a battle royal. The show also featured several non-Lethal Lottery matches. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Brad Armstrong defeated Shanghai Pierce.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, Van Hammer & Danny Spivey defeated Johnny B. Badd & Cactus Jack when Hammer rolled up Jack for the pin after Badd hit Cactus while they were arguing.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, Big Van Vader & Dustin Rhodes defeated Kensuke Sasaki & The Barbarian when Rhodes pinned Barbarian after he collided with Sasaki. After the match, Vader attacked Rhodes.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, The Great Muta & Barry Windham defeated Brian Pillman & 2 Cold Scorpio when Muta pinned Scorpio with a moonsault.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, Steve Williams & Sting defeated Jushin Liger & Erik Watts when Williams pinned Watts with a Hot Shot.
- NWA & WCW World Tag Team Champions Shane Douglas & Ricky Steamboat defeated Barry Windham & Brian Pillman when Douglas pinned Windham with a belly-to-belly suplex.
- Sting defeated Big Van Vader to win the King of Cable tournament by powerslamming Vader as he jumped off the top rope.
- WCW World Champion Ron Simmons defeated Steve Williams via DQ. The match ended in a double countout, but the referee disqualified Williams after the bout for continuing to attack Simmons.
- NWA World Champion Masahiro Chono defeated The Great Muta via submission with an STF.
- The Great Muta won the Battlebowl battle royal by eliminating Barry Windham with a dropkick. The match also included Steve Williams, Sting, Big Van Vader, Dustin Rhodes, Van Hammer and Danny Spivey.
1992 - Ron and Don Harris defeat The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) for the USWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending The Moondogs' second reign.
1997 - WCW held Starrcade '97 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., featuring the long awaited showdown between Sting and Hollywood Hulk Hogan after over a year of building to it. Here are the results:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko with a frog splash to Malenko's injured knee.
- Scott Hall was having an in-ring interview, with the Giant attacking him. The Giant was supposed to wrestle Kevin Nash on the show, but Nash wasn't there (which was never quite explained).
- Randy Savage (who was subbing for Konnan), Scott Norton & Vincent defeated Ray Traylor and Rick & Scott Steiner when Savage pinned Scott with a top rope elbow.
- Bill Goldberg defeated Steve McMichael with a jackhammer.
- Perry Saturn (subbing for Raven, who came out and said he didn't feel like wrestling) defeated Chris Benoit in a No DQ match after Raven DDT'd Benoit.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Lex Luger after Scott Norton knocked out Luger.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated Curt Hennig with a Diamond Cutter to win the WCW United States Title.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Eric Bischoff via DQ to take control of Monday Nitro. Bret Hart was the guest referee.
- Sting defeated Hulk Hogan via submission to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Hogan actually won the match via a fast count from referee Nick Patrick after a legdrop (although it didn't look fast at all, it was sold as being fast, which came across very poorly to the audience). Bret Hart came out to restart the match as referee, saying he wasn't going to let anyone get screwed, and Sting won via submission with the Scorpion Deathlock. The match, the pinnacle of the NWO vs. WCW feud, was considered a disappointment, with the screwy ending annoying many fans who had been waiting over a year for Sting to score a clean win over Hogan in his return to action.
1997 - Yuko Kosugi and Jaguar Yokota defeat Cooga and Leogna in a tournament final to become the first JDStar TWF World Women's Tag Team Champions in Tokyo, Japan.
1998 - The Monday Night Wars continued on. The ratings were very close that night, with WWF RAW is WAR's 4.9 rating edging out WCW Monday Nitro's 4.6. RAW in Albany, New York's main event was WWF Hardcore Champion Road Dogg defeating Mankind after an interfering Rock hit the Rock Bottom on Mankind. Vince McMahon fired WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels after the match. Nitro was in Baltimore, Maryland, and its main event saw Ric Flair defeat Eric Bischoff to become WCW President for the next 30 days. Also, Scott Steiner defeated Konnan to capture his second WCW World Television Title.
1999 - At a SmackDown! taping in Richmond, Virginia, a title match between WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho and Chyna results in a double-pinfall, after Jericho back suplexed Chyna onto a chair, with two referees counting both competitors' shoulders down for three. Stephanie McMahon would rule on the January 3 RAW that Jericho and Chyna were co-Intercontinental Champions.
2001 - Glacier and Jason Sugarman defeat The New Heavenly Bodies (Casanova Chris and Vivacious Vito) to win the NWA World Tag Team Title in Deland, Florida.
2001 - Wrecka defeats Ron Zombie for the Assault Championship Wrestling Hardcore Title in Meridan, Connecticut, ending Zombie's second reign.
2002 - Ring Of Honor held their "Final Battle" event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, headlined by a 45-minute draw between Low Ki, Steve Corino, Samoa Joe and American Dragon in a four-way match.
2002 - Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling holds "Year End Mayhem" at Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Josh Daniels defeated Matt Striker.
- Jason Knight defeated The Blue Meanie.
- Rob Eckos defeated Damian Adams.
- Kid Kash defeated Syxx-Pac.
- Roadkill defeated Rockin' Rebel.
- Joey Matthews defeated Nosawa.
- Abdullah the Butcher defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
- Gary Wolfe defeated 3PW Heavyweight Champion Sabu to win the title, beginning his second reign.
2002 - Shark Boy defeats Danny Daniels for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Clarksville, Indiana.
2002 - Rainman defeats Tony Mamaluke in a tournament final to win the NWA Wildside Television Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2002 - Club International (Seth Knight and Skag Rollins) win their second ECCW Tag Team Title, defeating Larry Blackwell and James Watkins at a Bay Area Wrestling event in Hayward, California, just one day after Blackwell and Watkins won them from Club International.
2002 - Spazman Anthony and Kevin Featherstorm defeat The Highwaymen for the National Wrestling League Tag Team Title in Hagerstown, Maryland, ending The Highwaymen's second reign.
2002 - Ray Idol wins his third Southern States Wrestling Young Guns Television Title in Kingsport, Tennessee, defeating Rick Karloff.
2006 - Phat Blues, Inc. (Kelly Bell and Buzz Stryker) defeat The Bruiser and Genesis for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Dundalk, Maryland.
2010 - During a live edition of Raw from Hartford, Connecticut, Vince McMahon officially announced Bret Hart as the Guest Raw Host for the 1/4/10 Raw in Dayton, Ohio. During the announcement, McMahon played an awesome video feature on Hart before bringing up the Montreal Screwjob in 1997, the last time Hart appeared in a WWF ring. At that point, McMahon began heeling Bret to play up the heat from the Screwjob and build their new storyline and declared Hart will "never" be a Guest Host on Raw. This led to Shawn Michaels coming to the ring and Michaels goading McMahon into officially announcing Hart would return next week, promising McMahon, "Only good things will happen" when Hart returned.
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are Wild and Young and on the internet. Your announcers are Matt ‘Pulling Double Duty’ Striker and Josh ‘My Favorite Announcing Job because I get to talk’ Mathews.
Matt is in the ring and he welcomes everyone to this week’s show. He says that New Year’s is right around the corner. In three weeks, it will be NXT’s 100th episode and he says that it is thanks to the WWE Universe. So many superstars got their starts on NXT. Matt mentions Daniel Bryan. Matt brings out one of the most beloved and captivating superstar whose career was cultivated on NXT. Matt brings out Justin Gabriel.
Matt asks Justin about how it feels to be working on Raw and Smackdown and Justin jokes about wondering what shows Matt is watching.
Before Justin can continue, he is interrupted by the music for his former tag team partner, Heath Slater.
Slater tells Justin that he hasn’t done jack since leaving this miserable place called NXT. He says that he carried Justin through NXT, he carried him when they were tag champions, and he carried Justin when he drank one too many apple martinis.
Justin wants to know what a One Man Southern Rock Band is because he doesn’t play any music.
Heath and Justin argue back and forth and Matt says that this is what NXT is all about. Matt wonders if the people in Indianapolis want to see a match between Justin and Heath.
Match Number One: Heath Slater versus Justin Gabriel in an Alumni Classic Match
They exchange some words and Slater pushes Gabriel but then he retreats into the ropes. Gabriel with a wrist lock and Slater with a reversal. Gabriel with another reversal but Slater with a punch and he works on the wrist.
Gabriel with an arm drag and drop toe hold into an arm bar. Gabriel with a side head lock and an arm drag after a cartwheel. Gabriel with an arm bar on Slater. Gabriel with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Slater with a hip toss but Gabriel lands on his feet and he gets a near fall after a leg sweep.
Gabriel with an arm bar. Gabriel with a knee drop to the arm and then he returns to the arm bar. Slater with a slam but Gabriel holds on to the arm bar. Gabriel with an arm bar take down and then he applies a wrist lock into a top wrist lock and key lock. Gabriel with and elbow to the head.
Slater sends Gabriel to the apron but Gabriel returns to the ring and then he clotheslines Slater over the top rope to the floor. Gabriel with a plancha onto Slater and we go to commercial.
We are back and Slater punches Gabriel but Gabriel with an STO and he goes to the apron and turnbuckles but Slater gets up and he crotches Gabriel on the turnbuckle. Slater punches Gabriel and he falls to the apron. Slater with a baseball slide that sends Gabriel to the floor.
Slater goes to the floor and he hot shots Gabriel on the apron. They return to the ring and Slater gets a near fall. Slater with a boot to the head and a punch. Slater with a knee to the back and a reverse chin lock. Gabriel with an elbow and kick but Slater with a back body drop.
Slater gets a near fall followed by a kick to the back and chest. Slater seeks the appreciation of the crowd but they are not complying. Gabriel with an inside cradle to counter for a near fall. Slater with a boot and punches to Gabriel until the referee warns him. Gabriel with chops to Slater but Slater with a kick and punch.
Slater with a knee to the back followed by a reverse chin lock. Gabriel with an elbow but Slater with a forearm and a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Slater with kicks and punches in the corner and the referee stops him. Slater misses a splash into the corner and Gabriel with a kick to the leg followed by one to the chest and a jumping back kick.
Gabriel with a back round kick and a cross body into the corner. Gabriel with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Gabriel with a side Russian leg sweep and then he goes up top for the 450 splash and this time Slater gets up and he hits a power slam from the turnbuckles but Slater can only get a two count.
Slater punches Gabriel but Gabriel punches back. They exchange punches until Slater with a back heel kick. Gabriel with an inverted DDT into an elbow drop and then he hits a top rope quebrada for a near fall. Slater with a spinebuster for a near fall. Slater puts Gabriel on the top turnbuckle and sets for a superplex but they exchange punches. Gabriel drops Slater on the top rope and then Gabriel recovers and hits a springboard 450 splash for the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Derrick Bateman is a little bummed out and he sees Maxine and he knows that she doesn’t want to see him. He says that they are both crazy and they both love each other. Maxine says that their weekends consisted of pillow fights and watching Titanic while Derrick cried and snot rolled into her popcorn. Derrick says that he did not cry. Maxine tells Derrick that he should be preparing for his match with Johnny Curtis. Derrick says that he will defeat Johnny and they will get their love back on track so they can be the power couple in WWE. Derrick tells Maxine that he has one more thing and he kisses Maxine. Maxine slaps Derrick and Derrick likes it.
As Derrick walks away, we see that Johnny was listening in on the conversation.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Darren Young is at the announce table and he is not wearing a sling this time. We see the footage from last week when Darren attacked Titus O’Neil last week in his match against JTG.
Match Number Two: Tyson Kidd versus Percy Watson
They lock up and Watson with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Watson blocks a hip toss and hits one of his own followed by a slam. Watson with a back body drop after trapping the arm and he gets a near fall. Kidd with a kick to the knee when Watson was distracted by Young at the announce table. Kidd chokes Watson with his boot and then he snap mares Watson and kicks him in the back and gets a near fall. Kidd with an elbow to the head.
Kidd with a front face lock and forearms followed by a kick to the chest. Kidd with a reverse chin lock. Kidd turns it into a side head lock and Watson lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Watson with an enzuigiri.
Watson with punches and a drop kick or two. Watson with a flying clothesline to Kidd but Kidd rolls away from Watson. Kidd with an elbow when Watson charges into the corner. Kidd comes off the turnbuckles and Watson with a drop kick and Watson with the Showtime Splash for a near fall.
Young gets up from the announce table and he distracts Watson. Kidd with a kick and a corkscrew brainbuster for the three count.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
After the match, Young gives Watson the alley oop gutbuster and he tells Percy to give a message to Titus.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Maxine is walking in the back and Aksana says that she tells Maxine that she was looking for her because she had something to show Maxine. Aksana shows Maxine an e-mail that Derrick sent to Teddy where he did not want Maxine on Smackdown with him.
Maxine wants to know if Johnny Curtis put her up to that. Aksana says that she is trying to help.
Match Number Three: Johnny Curtis versus Derrick Bateman in the Who Does Maxine Hate More Bowl
The referee has to hold Bateman back before the bell. Curtis with punches and European uppercuts after the bell rings. Curtis punches Bateman in the corner. Curtis with a hard Irish whip and suplex for a near fall.
Derrick with a clothesline and punches to Curtis as Johnny retreats into the corner. Bateman with a chop to Curtis followed by a drop kick and punches. Bateman gets a near fall. Bateman puts Curtis in the ropes and he punches Johnny while the referee warns him. Bateman sends Curtis over the top rope to the floor.
Derrick goes to the apron and he hits a running drop kick off the apron and both men are down. Bateman sends Curtis back into the ring and Curtis rolls out of the ring on the other side and he punches Bateman and then goes up top for a clothesline and gets a near fall.
Maxine makes her way into the arena and to the ring while Johnny punches Derrick. Curtis with a cravate and we go to commercial.
We are back and Curtis punches Bateman and he applies a side head lock. Derrick tries to get out of the hold but Curtis holds on. Curtis chokes Bateman in the ropes. Curtis with a snap mare and a reverse chin lock. Bateman with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Bateman with a clothesline and back elbow followed by another clothesline.
Bateman with the running drop kick into the corner and then he hits a leaping swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Bateman runs into an elbow in the corner and Curtis with a discus clothesline for a near fall. Curtis tries for a suplex but Bateman lands on his feet and he sends Curtis into the turnbuckles and he gets the three count on a rollup with a handful of tights.
Winner: Derrick Bateman
After the match, Bateman looks at Maxine and gets on his knee. Maxine walks into the ring and she walks right past Derrick and leaves the ring. Derrick gets back on his feet and he turns around and watches Maxine walk up the ramp. Maxine sees Johnny at the top of the ramp on the stage.
Maxine walks up the ramp and she starts to walk past Johnny but she tops and slaps Johnny in the face. Apparently Johnny likes it rough because Maxine kisses Johnny and they leave.
We go to credits.
2012 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
There have been fifty-one episodes of Smackdown in 2012, but will the final episode make an impact as we get ready for 2013 and the build to Royal Rumble. After Alberto Del Rio almost killed Santa on Monday night, what will he do to make up for that near disaster? Will the Shield show up? Make your resolution to watch tonight’s episode to find out.
Previously with the World Title. Big Show suffered the wrath of Sheamus. What will happen tonight after their match on Monday? Is the couple of the last few weeks of 2012 going to be the couple of 2013? What about their chaperone, Big E Langston? Will Dolph Ziggler uphold the honor of his (earmuffs) ‘crazy’ girlfriend against Miz?
This week, we are in Rochester, New York and your announcers are John ‘Did you know that Cal Ripken played in this town’ Layfield and Josh ‘If I had a dime for every time I heard a fact more than once on commentary, I would have as much money as my broadcast partner’ Mathews.
Sheamus makes his way to the ring and he is in a festive mood. Sheamus says that he hoped everyone had a Merry Christmas. Sheamus said he had a great time. It is a special time of year for him. He drank gallons of egg nog flavored ale. He says that he got a load of dodgy sweaters and ties that he will probably never wear. He got a year’s supply of sunscreen from his mom. The biggest present he got was a victory over Big Show in the Lumberjack Frost Match. Sheamus figures that this would be a good time to become the new World Champion because the New Year is so far away.
Sheamus tells Big Show to come to the ring. He wants to face Show for the World Title, in Rochester. If Show thinks the beating he faced on Monday was bad, wait until you see what he will do to Show tonight.
Big Show makes his way to the ring.
Show has a question for Sheamus and then he tells the crowd not to boo him. Show wants to know if he looks like Santa Claus to him.
The crowd chants ‘Yes’ and Sheamus agrees, but Show is way fatter.
Show chuckles and he says that is so cute. Maybe Sheamus should make a New Year’s Resolution and go into stand up comedy. That career will be as good as his chance to get another title match. Either Sheamus has amnesia or is in denial. He beat Sheamus on pay per view when it counted. Show says that he was on vacation mode on Monday. That match did not count. Sheamus comes up short when it counts.
That is why Sheamus will never tell him when and against whom he defends his title against.
Sheamus tells Show that he is a seven foot, five hundred pound coward who is afraid to fight him. Sheamus says that Show’s pride was on the line.
Show tells Sheamus that when it was important, he came up short.
Sheamus says that he pushed Show to the limit and he beat him. Sheamus says that he came here for a fight and the championship. Sheamus says that if he isn’t going to get a title shot, he is still going to get a fight.
Booker T’s music plays and he comes out and he is indignant. He tells Sheamus that Show is right. Show beat Sheamus at the TLC pay per view. Show tells the Ginger Snap to get to the back of the line. Booker reminds Show that Sheamus beat him on Monday.
Show says that he is done with Sheamus and Sheamus is not worthy at another chance at his World Title. Show says that there is not one single athlete in the locker room who is worthy of a title match. When he walks through the locker room, it reeks of inferiority. No one is worth his World Title.
Booker tells Show that he will be in action tonight.
Show wants to know who he will be facing.
Booker says that he has been working on a plan all week. Every Superstar will come out and their names will be placed in a tumbler, including Sheamus. Booker says that he will pick the person to face Big Show tonight.
Booker wants Teddy to bring out the Superstars.
Show complains about how Booker is playing with his championship. The collection of losers will not be for a title match. It will be a lottery to see who gets knocked out. Show promises to knock that person out.
The official Smackdown Tumbler comes out on the official tumbler holding table.
Eve and Teddy argue over who picks the man who will face Show. The tumbler falls on the floor. Teddy puts it back on the table and Booker makes the selection.
The winning bingo ball is Santino Marella.
Santino is in shock that he got picked and Show is laughing uncontrollably. Santino does the trombone dance and then he turns around and sees Big Show.
Santino wants to make sure that he was picked.
Show asks Santino if he wants a chance at the title and then he laughs and walks away.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Primo (with Epico and Rosa Mendes) versus Brodus Clay (with the Funkettes)
Epico distracts Clay and Primo goes for the back of the legs. Primo with punches and double sledges to Clay. Primo with a kick when Clay holds the ropes on an Irish whip attempt. Clay with a chop and then he catches Primo on a cross body attempt and Clay with a power slam. Clay calls his mama but Epico gets on the apron to distract Clay.
Clay stops Epico and knocks him off the apron. Clay with a head butt to Primo’s sternum followed by the splash and the three count.
Winner: Brodus Clay
After the match, Rosa yells at Clay and Cameron and Naomi with kicks to Rosa followed by a double suplex and a double split leg drop on Rosa. Now it is time for Brodus and the Funkettes to dance with the children of the WWE Universe.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is trying to give Santino Marella some tips on how to beat Big Show. Santino wants Sheamus to paint a masterpiece on him. Sheamus tells Santino that the Brogue Kick is the only thing that can take Show down. Santino wants to learn the Brogue Kick. Santino says that when he adds the Brogue Kick to the cobra, Sheamus will never win the World Title. Santino with a few kicks that are not up to par, but the third one is enough to injure Santino’s hamstring and he is paralyzed in pain.
Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston, Daniel Bryan, and Kane versus Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, and Wade Barrett
Bryan and Cody start things off and Bryan with a hammer lock and drop toe hold but Cody escapes. Bryan with a kick to the chest and then Bryan catapults Cody into a boot from Kane after Kane makes the tag. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Sandow tags in and he punches and kicks Kane in the corner.
Kane with an Irish whip and side slam for a near fall. Kofi tags in and he goes up top and hits a double sledge to the arm. Kofi with a wrist lock but Sandow with a forearm and Cody is tagged in. Barrett tags in and he punches Kofi while Cody holds him. Kofi with a side head lock and Barrett with a shoulder tackle.
Kofi with a leaping back elbow followed by a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Kofi with a front face lock but Barrett backs Kofi into the corner. Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise and all six men get into the ring and we have a standoff as we go to commercial.
We are back and Cody and Damien make a wish with Bryan’s legs. Sandow with a side Russian leg sweep followed by the Elbow of Disdain. Barrett tags in and punches Bryan and puts him in the ropes for a series of knees to the chest and then he connects with a more knees before kicking Bryan to the apron with a boot to the chest. Barrett gets a near fall.
Barrett with a rear chin lock. Bryan with elbows but Barrett with a hard Irish whip. Cody tags in and he kicks Bryan. Cody with a snap mare and an arm bar and chin lock. Bryan punches Cody and hot shots him onto the top turnbuckle. Both men are down and Kofi and Barrett tag in. Kofi with a springboard clothesline followed by a double leg take down and punches to Barrett.
Kofi misses a splash into the corner but Kofi hits a pendulum kick and then hits a cross body on Barrett for a near fall. Cody and Damien break up the cover. Kane takes care of Sandow and Rhodes on the floor for a moment but they send Kane into the ringside barrier. Bryan with a running knee off the apron to Sandow. Rhodes hits Beautiful Disaster using the apron on Bryan.
In the ring Kofi avoids the Bullhammer and gets a near fall with an O’Connor Roll. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise on Rhodes when he tries to interfere but Cody is not the legal man and Barrett is able to hit the Bullhammer for the three count.
Winners: Wade Barrett, Damien Sandow, and Cody Rhodes
John and Josh mention that Santino is out of the match against Big Show.
Booker and Show are in the hallway. Show is broken up that Santino is unable to wrestle. Show says that he must have the night off. Booker says that there will be a World Title Match. Booker says that we will pick another opponent in the tumbler. Teddy the Tumbler Wrangler brings the Tumbler and Booker says that Show will find out soon who his opponent is and we go to commercial.
We are back and Show complains about needing to know so he can get ready for his opponent. Teddy brings Ricardo and Booker wants to know if Teddy told him. Show laughs even more than he did when he found out he was facing Santino.
Show asks Ricardo if he wants to be the World Champion. He puts the title belt on Ricardo’s shoulder and asks how it feels. Show wants Ricardo to announce himself as the new World Champion.
Ricardo starts to announce himself as champion but Show punches Ricardo and knocks him out.
Booker says that this is ridiculous. Show stares at Booker and walks away.
Match Number Three: Zack Ryder versus Antonio Cesaro
They lock up and Cesaro backs Ryder into the corner and he kicks Ryder and connects with a European uppercut. Cesaro with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Cesaro slaps Ryder in the head and applies a reverse chin lock. Ryder with a punch but Cesaro with a head butt to the midsection. Cesaro pulls Ryder’s arm against the ropes and then he kicks the ropes.
Cesaro with a dead lift side salto for a near fall. Cesaro with a head butt and then he punches Ryder in the corner. Ryder with a head but to the midsection but Cesaro with a slam and then he leaps onto Ryder’s chest and gets a near fall. Cesaro with a waist lock and Ryder gets to his feet. Ryder drives Cesaro into the mat and then he connects with boots to Cesaro when Cesaro charges into the corner.
Ryder with a missile drop kick followed by a running forearm into the corner Ryder tries for the Broski Boot but Ryder misses. Cesaro with a European uppercut to the back of the head and then he hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
Josh and John wonder if Cesaro can hit the Neutralizer on Khali.
We go back to last week’s Smackdown when AJ Lee, Dolph Ziggler, and Big E Langston were on MizTV. Ziggler and Miz will battle tonight.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: The Miz versus Dolph Ziggler (with Big E Langston and AJ Lee)
They lock up and Miz with a side head lock and take down. Miz with a shoulder tackle and side head lock take down. Ziggler escapes but Miz with an arm drag and side head lock take down. Ziggler with a top wrist lock and then he punches Miz and connects with an elbow to the back of the head.
Ziggler with a punch and side head lock. Ziggler with a shoulder tackle and AJ approves. Miz with a flapjack to Ziggler and then he sends ZIggler over the top rope at Langston and Langston catches Ziggler.
Ziggler returns to the ring and Ziggler with a kick and neck breaker for a near fall. Ziggler with a snap mare and a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock and Miz tries to escape. Ziggler with an abdominal stretch on Miz but Miz with an arm drag and double leg take down. Miz punches Ziggler and goes to the apron and he connects with a shoulder.
Miz goes up top but Ziggler gives Miz a drop kick when he comes off the turnbuckles and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock but Miz gets to his feet. Ziggler with an elbow to the head but Miz with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Ziggler misses a charge into the corner but Ziggler with a kick. Miz with a back elbow and then he tosses Ziggler into the air. Miz with the Reality Check and he gets a near fall.
Miz runs into a back elbow and Ziggler tries for a sleeper but Miz escapes and then hits a DDT and gets a near fall. Miz misses a running kick and Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler misses the Fameasser and Miz sends Ziggler into the corner for the Awesome Clothesline. MIz goes up top and hits a double sledge to the head after making sure that Langston and AJ were far enough away to do any damage.
Miz blows a kiss to AJ and Langston climbs the steps to distract Miz. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Miz tells AJ to face it. No matter which WWE Superstar you are with at New Year’s Eve, we all know it is going to end with a bang. Miz wishes AJ a Happy New Year and he calls her sweetheart.
Ziggler goes to the ring but Miz attacks Ziggler. Langston with a running body block to Miz followed by the Big Ending. AJ enters the ring and does laps around Langston and Miz.
Josh mentions that Ricardo is now out as Big Show’s opponent for tonight.
Booker wants to know if Ricardo will be okay. The medical trainer says that he will be okay but Ricardo will not be able to wrestle.
Brad Maddox enters to check on Ricardo’s condition. Brad wants one more chance. Booker tells Brad to get out of his sight. Booker tells Brad it is not the right time. Brad demands one more chance and he asks Booker if he can dig that suckaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Booker tells Brad that he gets one more last chance. Booker tells Brad that his match is next.
Alberto enters the trainer’s room to check on Ricardo. Alberto tells Booker the moment he sees the Big Show, it will be like a giant piñata.
Booker tells Alberto that he will give him the title match against the Big Show.
Alberto tells Ricardo this one is for him and he gets ready for his match.
We are back and Brad Maddox says that he has a New Year’s Resolution and that is to become a WWE Superstar. Every resolution has come true. He has a resolution for everyone. They will remember Brad’s name and it will be easy after this match.
Match Number Five: Brad Maddox versus Sheamus in a Last Chance Match . . . this time and until the next time Match
Brad thinks about leaving but Sheamus wants Brad to try to get that contract. Brad with a side head lock. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle and Brad goes down. Brad with a waist lock but Sheamus with a hip lock take down. Sheamus says something to Brad. Brad works on the arm. Sheamus with a side head lock take down.
Brad gets to the ropes and Sheamus releases the hold. Brad slaps Sheamus and Brad gets to the floor. Maddox returns to the ring first and he kicks Sheamus and punches him in the corner. Brad tries to Irish whip Sheamus. Sheamus sends Brad into the turnbuckles and he connects with forearms to the back and a short arm clothesline.
Brad kicks Sheamus in the leg and he tries to get out of the ring but Sheamus stops Brad and Sheamus with ten forearms across the chest. Sheamus with White Noise and then he bloodies his chest to prepare for the Brogue Kick and Brad’s face meets Sheamus’ boot with the Brogue Kick. Sheamus gets the three count.
Winner:Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Six: Jimmy and Jey Uso versus Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Jimmy and Darren start things off and Young with a single leg take down. Jimmy kicks Darren away but Young with a shoulder tackle. Jimmy with an uppercut. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and double elbow drop for a near fall. Jey with a head butt but Young with an elbow. Jey with a kick. Young sends Jey into a boot from Titus.
Titus tags in and he kicks Jey. Titus with a short arm clothesline. Young tags back in and Jey sends Titus into Young. Jey misses a super kick. Young with the gut buster from the shoulders and Young gets a near fall. Titus comes in and goes after Jimmy. The referee sends Titus to the apron and Jimmy switches with Jey and Jimmy gets the three count with an inside cradle.
Winners: Jimmy and Jey Uso
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to hear from the Shield. They introduce themselves. Dean says that another year ends, but it was like no other year. Seth says that it was a year that will go down in history. A year that will be remembered for the scar that they left. Reigns says that this was just a start.
Ambrose mentions that they warned everyone and shined a big, shining light on the injustice in the WWE. Seth says that they didn’t just talk about injustice. He rhetorically asks Ryback, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Randy Orton, and Miz if they just talked about it.
Reigns says that they rectified it.
Ambrose says that one year ends and another one begins the mission stays the same. Rollins says that 2013 is the year that the Shield will cleanse the WWE of the disease of injustice.
Ambrose says that they have no friends or allies. They don’t want any and they answer to no one.
Reigns says that in 2013, Justice Lives. They tell you to believe in The Shield.
Big Show is in the interview area. Matt Striker asks Show about facing Alberto Del Rio. Show says that this is ridiculous. Booker feels that he has to appease the WWE Universe. Show mentions that he had two opponents already. One pulled a groin and the other got knocked out. Now he has to face Alberto Del Rio. Show says that everyone was a loser, a reject, a wannabe, or a nobody. He meant Alberto Del Rio. He will make it a trifecta if Alberto goes to the ring tonight.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Big Show versus Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Title
Del Rio with kicks and punches but Show with a head butt. Del Rio with more punches and kicks but Del Rio is sent to the mat. Show sets for the shhhh chop but Del Rio with punches and kicks. Show with a chop after the referee pulls Del Rio out of the corner. Show with a forearm to the back. Del Rio with head butts.
Show with a hip lock take down into a side head lock. Del Rio with a head scissors but Show escapes. Del Rio with kicks and punches but Show with a forearm to the back. Show chops Del Rio against the ropes. Del Rio with punches but Show pushes Del Rio to the floor. Show goes to the floor. Show Irish whips Del Rio into the ring steps.
They return to the ring and Show with an arm bar. Show with a shoulder tackle and then he walks across Del Rio’s chest. Show with a slam and then he tries for an elbow drop but Del Rio moves. Del Rio with a series of kicks to Show to keep Show off his feet. Del Rio with a super kick to the head but Show kicks out.
Del Rio gets back to his feet and he works on the arm to set up for the cross arm breaker. Del Rio with an arm bar and he tries to apply the hold but Show sends Del Rio to the floor. Show rolls out of the ring on the other side and he has had enough.
Show gets counted out by the referee.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio (by count out)
Sheamus attacks Show on the ramp but Show fights him off and Show walks to the back. The rest of the locker room comes out and they force Show back to the ring. The losers, nobodies, and wannabes send Show back into the ring. Del Rio with a step up enzuigiri and Sheamus with a Brogue Kick.
2013 - WWE ran Detroit, Michigan. Chad Mosher filed the following report:
WWE had another stop on the WWE Live Holiday Tour tonight in Detroit, MI at the Joe Louis Arena. The floor and lower bowls were 80-90% full, whereas there were only a handful of people sprinkled in the upper bowls. The stage was decorated for the holidays and the entrance video monitors (along with the overhead screen) were showing off #WWEDetroit tweets and pictures.
A half hour before the show, the ring announcer announced that Mark Henry and Fandango were going to face off tonight, and we could text our votes to decide if it was a regular match or a dance-off. At one point, match had a 70% to 30% lead over dance-off, but we were given periodic updates throughout and it continued to become closer. We kicked off with the National Anthem and an intro video designed to mimic the ones that open up the TV shows. A lot of the babyfaces had colored steam coming out of the stage during their entrances.
Match Number One: Dolph Ziggler vs. Ryback
Ryback dominated most of the match, but the tide turned when he went to the top rope and jumping off met a Ziggler superkick. Ryback eventually regained control and went for Shell Shock, but Ziggler wiggled out and rolled Ryback up to win the match.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Match Number Two: AJ Lee (with Tamina Snuka) vs. Natalya in a Non-Title Match
Before the match, the ring announcer declared this as a match for the Divas Championship, but before the match AJ said as an “early Christmas gift from those in charge,” she didn’t have to defend it. There was a lot of technical wrestling and submissions in this back and forth match. Tamina tried to distract Natalya as she was going for the Sharpshooter, but she knocked Tamina off the apron. AJ attempted to retaliate, but Nattie locked AJ in the Sharpshooter for the win.
Winner: Natalya
As the ring announcer was describing the perks of a WWE VIP ticket, Bad News Barrett interrupted via the video screens and said a couple of disparaging things about Detroit from his podium.
The crew brought in two chairs and draped the “M” logo on the ring ropes as it was announced it was time for a special “holiday” MizTV. The Miz came out and brought out Kofi Kingston, who discussed their issues in recent weeks. Vickie Guerrero came out, who got the loudest negative reaction of the night, and told them they had to team against the Primetime Players.
Match Number Three: The Miz and Kofi Kingston vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
The Players started the match by shaking Kofi’s hand, but wouldn’t shake The Miz’s. The match was standard tag team fare. The finish came when Kofi went to give Miz the hot tag, but Miz jumped off the apron. Kofi got the upper hand in the match, and gave Titus the Boom Drop. He went to the corner to set up for Trouble in Paradise, but Miz hopped back up and tagged in. He argued with Kofi for a minute, and then Kofi hit the Paradise on Miz. Titus did the Clash of the Titus to get the win over Miz. They brought Kofi back in the ring and did their “millions of dollars” taunt together.
Winners: Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
The Shield did a very quick backstage promo saying they would take care of CM Punk tonight.
Match Number Four: Bad News Barrett vs. Tyson Kidd
A lot of people were using this as their restroom/concession break in the crowd. Kidd pulled out a lot of cool moves in this match, like the Tarantula and a leg drop while Barrett was face down of the apron. Barrett had early control and Kidd gained it later. Tyson blocked the Bullhammer and jumped from the top rope, but Barrett caught him with the elbow to win.
Winner: Bad News Barrett
Our attention was directed to the screens to watch some video packages as the crew assembled a steel cage in the ring.
Match Number Five: Daniel Bryan, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs. Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper in a Six-Man Steel Cage match
This match was an escape-only contest. The first team to have all members exit the cage wins. One of the Usos climbed out of the ring very early in the match, and later Bray Wyatt escaped through the door. Lots of Daniel Bryan/Yes chants began around this point. Simultaneously, the other Uso and Erick Rowan escaped on the same side of the cage, leaving Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan in. Rowan countered Bryan’s chest kicks by turning it into a sit-out powerbomb. At one point, Bryan hit Rowan with the running knee and attempted to leave via the door, but a waiting Wyatt slammed it on him. Later, Rowan nearly escaped the cage but Bryan pulled him back in, crotching him on the ropes. Bryan was climbing out when Wyatt came over with a steel chair. The Usos took him out, though, allowing Bryan to exit and win the match. Afterwards, The Usos and Bryan traded “Us-O!” and “Yes!” chants with the crowd.
Winners: Daniel Bryan, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
An intermission allowed us to keep track of the Fandango/Mark Henry voting, which crept closer, at one time being a 50-50 deadlock.
Match Number Six: Damien Sandow vs. R-Truth vs. Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston in a Triple Threat match for the Intercontinental Championship
Sandow cut a negative promo on the way to the ring. In the beginning of the match, Truth and Langston teamed up early, but Big E got knocked out of the ring and spent much of the match out there, leaving Truth and Sandow to do much of the action. Sandow took Truth out, but Langston snuck back in to clothesline Sandow and deliver the Big Ending to win.
Winner: Big E Langston
Next, Fandango came out with Summer Rae followed by Mark Henry. The drum rolled and we saw via the video screen that the results were 51% dance-off to 49% match, which was met with very heavy boos from the crowd. Fandango and Summer Rae did some light ballroom moves to their theme music. Henry then took the spotlight and “Billie Jean” blasted through the arena. As Henry put on a Michael Jackson glove and tried the moonwalk, the crowd went bananas, probably getting the biggest positive reaction of the night. Fandango attacked Henry, but he retaliated and hit the World’s Strongest Slam. He did a little more dancing to “Billie Jean” and exited.
Finally, the main event was on as CM Punk walked to the ring, KOing a poor inflatable snowman on the stage in the process. The Shield also came to the ring through the crowd, starting at the upper bowl.
Match Number Seven: CM Punk vs. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match
The Shield had to tag in and out throughout the match, and they all had their fair turns in the early and middle of the match. It was slow, methodical and very back-and-forth. A ton of “CM Punk!” and “Go Punk Go!” chants throughout. In the middle of the match, Punk threw Roman Reigns into the ring steps and Reigns didn’t get back into the ring until 9, selling the injury for the rest of the match. The match ended when Punk put Ambrose into the Go to Sleeps and Reigns attempted to spear Punk, but Punk put Ambrose in front of Reigns instead. Punk then kicked Reigns out, threw Seth Rollins out of the ring over the top rope and connected with the GTS on Ambrose to get the win.
Winner: CM Punk
Punk thanked the crowd after the match, saying Detroit is one of his favorite cities, even if we have differences of opinion in hockey.
Many times throughout the show, it was noted that WWE is coming back to the Joe for a SmackDown taping on March 4th, with pre-sale code “SMACKDOWN.”
It was a good show, but I don’t think it would kill them to freshen up some finishes on a live event loop instead of doing the same carbon copy matches night after night. Staying away from previous results posted online will make the experience much more enjoyable.
2013 - WWE ran Newark, NJ. Mike Carrol filed the following TV report:
WWE ran in Newark with a good house show that drew about 8,000 (lots of production kill and the entire 200 level at Prudential Center was empty on both sides.
Real Americans beat Los Matadores and 3MB (McIntyre and Mahal) in an elimination match for a shot at titles later in the show. The Matadores pinned Mahal after hitting their finisher, and Swagger tapped one of the Matadores with the ankle lock. Real good match with lots of action.
Sin Cara defeated El Local (Ricardo Rodriguez under a mask doing his NXT and Saturday Morning Slam persona) with a roll off the top into a pin. Good match.
Brie Bella beat Alicia Fox in a Lumberjill match with the X Factor. Everyone got into a melee, with the highlight being the two match participants getting into a catfight. OK for what it was.
Great Khali defeated Curtis Axel with the chop. Lots of stalling by Axel but the kids were into it.
WWE Tag Team champions The Rhodes Brothers defeated Real Americans to keep titles when Cody broke the anklelock, sending Swagger into the ropes and a Goldust punch from the outside, leading to Cross Rhodes for pin. Excellent tag match with Goldust playing Ricky Morton. The place exploded for the hot tag. This match was a great example of doing a tag match right.
Zack Ryder beat Brodus Clay with a Rough Ryder off the top rope. Basically a squash until the finish.
The Big Show defeated Kane via KO punch in a cage match. Guest referee Booker T missed his cue to come out at the start of the match and his music went seemingly forever. The finish was screwed up as a Show chokeslam got a 2 count but the timekeeper rang the bell. They then went to the actual finish. Booker entertained the crowd with a Spinaroonie afterwards.
John Cena & Rey Mysterio defeated WWE World Heavyweight champion Randy Orton & Alberto Del Rio when Mysterio hit the 619 on Del Rio and he bounced right into the AA for the pin. Good house show match but a slight disappointment after the awesome match Orton and Cena had at MSG.
Overall, I think I got my $25 worth tonight.Taz made a rare house show appearance, cutting a promo, since he lives in the general vicinity of the venue.
Former TNA talent Rosita was visiting at the show as she lives in the NYC area.
Results from the show:
*TNA X-Division Champion Austin Aries defeated Chris Sabin.
*Lei'D Tapa defeated Velvet Sky
*Ethan Carter III issued an open challenge, which was answered by Tommy Dreamer. Carter won.
*TNA Tag Team champions The Bromans defeated Eric Young and Joseph Park. The finish was changed on the fly as Jesse Godderz tweaked his knee suplexing Park.
*TNA champion Magnus defeated Samoa Joe.
*Mr. Anderson defeated Bully Ray in a short Tables Match.
*Kurt Angle defeated Bobby Roode with James Storm as special guest referee. Storm nailed the Last Call superkick on Roode after the two got into it to set up the Olympic Slam.
2013 - Extreme Rising ran an iPPV in Philadelphia, PA at the 3200 Arena that turned out to be the final event for the promotion as the other announced dates ended up canceled. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Before the show, Extreme Rising head Steve O'Neill announced that their TV debut would be delayed because their planned announcer had travel issues and wasn't able to do production two weeks in a row, so the show is delayed but will instead have Matt Striker and Joel Gertner as the hosts.
They held a 10 bell salute in honor of Scott Epstein's passing.
Thomas Roman, dressed as Santa Claus, came out with Cripple H. Robby Mireno laid them out and cut a good heel promo. Blue Meanie came out but then Manscout Jake Manning came out. They had a three-way with Manning going over. I missed some of this but the crowd was into it.
Rich Ortiz vs. Homicide
The crowd was all over Ortiz, chanting "F*** you Ricky." Welcome to Philadelphia. Nice response for Homicide. They had some nice, slow back and forth wrestling early. Ortiz missed a football tackle and went through the ropes to the floor. Homicide hit a tope con hilo to the outside and landed in the crowd. The place chanted "ECW."
Back in the ring, Ortiz cut him off with a chair and controlled the action. He nailed a superplex for a two count. The fans chanted, "Cena's better" at Ortiz. That was funny, Homicide came back with a DDT and an Ace Cutter for a two count.
Ortiz began focusing on Homicide's shoulder and finally scored the win. I missed the finish.
Your winner, Ricky Ortiz!
Ortiz remained in the ring heeling it up to the fans. They chanted he was an a***ole.
Solid match but Ortiz absolutely had a good debut here and unlike a lot of people, actually got some heel heat in Philly because the audience saw him as a WWE guy they didn't respect.
Matt Hardy and Reby Sky came out. Instant heel heat. Hardy came out and said that tonight was an important night because Extreme Rising was debuting in the ECW Arena. He said the greatest ECW champions of all time were here...Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Shane Douglas and now the greatest ECW champion of all time, Matt Hardy was here. Uh, yeah.
Out came Luke Hawx who ripped Hardy on the mic and said that tonight, all that was going to happen was that Hawx was going to kick his ass and shut his mouth. Homicide was hit Hawx. Hardy and Hawx went back and forth on the mic tearing each other down. Homicide grabbed Sky from behind by the hair and slammed her to the mat. Hardy checked on her and said Hawx wants to run with a pack so he wants a match where there's no interference. He challenged Hawx to a steel cage match tonight.
Crowbar vs. Rhino
This is a rematch from the title tournament.
They went back and forth early. Rhino tossed Crowbar to the floor and slammed him into the ring, then whipped him into the guard rail. The crowd chanted ECW for them fighting on the floor. It's a pretty easy to please crowd.
Crowbar took control, then bridged the ring and a chair with a piece of guard rail. He went to get Rhino but was fought off and suplexed on the floor. Rhino pulled a table out from under the ring and went to slide it into the ring. Crowbar cut him off on the floor.
Rhino was tossed back into the ring but cut off Crowbar with a clothesline. Rhino pulled Crowbar to the ropes for a Rhinodriver but was fought off. Crowbar nailed a top rope rana into the ring for a two count. He choked Rhino against the ropes.
Crowbar brought some chairs into the ring but Rhino met him with a series of chops and clotheslines. Crowbar cut him off and nailed a low legdrop between the legs. He piled the chairs in the ring and went back to the outside. He grabbed the table but it broke before he could bring it in.
Crowbar returned to the ring and worked over Rhino, burying him under some plunder. He went to the ropes but Rhino caught him worked him over and nailed a belly to belly supex. Rhino unloaded with clotheslines and a tackle in the corner, then wedged a chair between two turnbuckles. Crowbar cut off Rhino with a jawbreaker and sent him into the chair.
Crowbar brought the table in and laid it in the corner of the ring. The table looked like it was left over from when they closed this place two years ago. Crowbar went up andover but was caught by Rhino in an over the shoulder powerslam position, then slammed him over the top to the floor onto the bridged guard rail. That was a ridiculous spot for a guy returning from a triceps tear. Rhino then hit a slingshot pescado to the floor. The place erupted with a big "ECW" chant.
The crowd chanted for a Gore. Rhino teased driving Crowbar into the table but Crowbar escaped, drilled him with a chair and then sent Rhino into the table, covering him for the pin.
Your winner, Crowbar!
Good back and forth slugfest with some insane spots.
The crowd chanted "Thank you Rhino" after.
I am told the mystery opponent has arrived at the Arena and it's someone from the original ECW. No idea who yet.Papadon vs. Hijo del Rey Mysterio
Papadon worked over Mysterio early. They did some nice back and forth wrestling. The crowd chanted, "Where's my gyro" at Papadon since he's Greek.
They went into a test of strength. Papadon gained control but was sent into the ropes. He shoulderblocked Rey down and began working over his shoulder. Mysterio came back by countering an Electric Chair into a rana. Papadon ended up on the apron and was sent into the buckles and then dropkicked off.
Rey placed him in a chair at ringside and teased a dive, which was an old Psicosis vs. Rey Jr. spot. Papadon moved but was caught with a leaping rana into the railing. Rey went for a springboard but Papadon yanked him down to the floor hard.
Back in the ring, Papadon backdropped Rey onto the apron but was caught with a kick. Rey used a springboard into a head scissors takedown. They battled on the outside and Papadon ended up in a chair. Rey did a crazy twisting dive down on him. The crowd chanted "ECW" and "Holy sh**."
Back in the ring, Papadon regained control and drilled Rey with a running knee in the corner for a two count. He worked over Rey and tossed him to the floor.
Papadon worked him over with stiff kicks. He rebounded off the ropes with a clothesline while Rey was in the sitting position and locked in a side chinlock. Rey made a comeback and scored several two counts. Papadon nailed a neckbreaker and an uppercut.
Rey came back with a whirling DDT after spinning about Papadon with a number of rotations for a two count. Papadon drilled him throat-first into the ropes. He drilled him with a tiltowhirl backbreaker. Rey went for a schoolboy but Papadon rolled through and scored with a kick to the face.
They battled back and forth with forearms with Papadon nailing a spinkick to the bread basket. He went for a suplex but Rey landed on his feet. Papadon nailed a jawjacker elbow off the ropes for a two count. They went back and forth until Papadon scored the pin.
Your winner, Papadon!
Solid match. The crowd didn't seem familiar with them so they were sort of watching and trying to see what to make of them, but they didn't turn on them like they did Ortiz. Lots of good work here. Best Hijo del Rey bout here yet, although I still am waiting for him to break out somehow similar to his more famous family members.
Hardcore Match: Balls Mahoney vs. Too Tough Tony
This match is brought to you by Lou Thesz' autobiography Hooker.
They tested each other and went back and forth with some chops and slaps. Balls sent him to the floor. Balls nailed him with a fan's drink. Tony caught him with a chair, a headbutt and tossed Balls into the railing. The crowd chanted ECW.
Balls was slammed into the railing again. They battled back into the ring Tony sat Balls into the ropes and went for a flip onto Balls but it went bad and looked worse.
A trash can full of weapons was brought into play and Balls began beating Tony with a trash can lid. He placed it on Tony and dropped an elbow. Balls did his usual plunder and series of punches. Balls whipped Tony into a corner where a trash can was placed. He then charged and Tony moved so Balls nailed it.
Tony poured liquid on his hand, set it on fire and hit a discus punch for the win.
Your winner, Too Tough Tony!
This was exactly what you expect it would be.
After the match, Balls was pissed he lost and teased hitting Tony with a chair but dropped it and offered his hand. He then mocked the Juggalos and went to nail him with a chair. Matt Tremont hit the ring and attacked Balls, grabbing the chair and killing him with it. Balls absorbed it and attacked Tremont.
They brawled up the aisle and out of sight.
They are taking an intermission as there were complaints of fans parking in the wrong areas so they want to give them a chance to move their cars. That's a first.
Sabu vs. Facade.
This is billed as legend vs. next generation. Big reaction for Sabu obviously.
The story early on was that Facade had scouted Sabu's moves and was younger and faster. Sabu missed a clothesline. Facade rolled him up for a two count. Sabu finally caught him with a springboard into a DDT.
Facade went to the floor and Sabu threw several chairs at his face. Facade was cut off as he returned to the ring and drilled with a chair to the chest. Sabu nailed Air Sabu off the chair in the corner and then snapped Facade down with a drop toehold into the chair.
Sabu locked in a rear chinlock. He went for another Air Sabu but missed. Facade dumped him down and scored a two count. Sabu came back and sent Facade to the floor and hit a springboard dive to the floor.
Back in the ring, Sabu drilled Facade with chairs and pulled a chair out from under the ring. He went to set it up but Facade attacked him and nailed a splash for a two count.
Facade worked over Sabu but was cut off and nailed with an Arabian Facebuster. Sabu went to the top and nailed another one. Sabu set up the table and tossed a chair at Facade, who went to the floor. Sabu went to use a spike but was nailed.
Sabu grabbed a chair but Facade went to the top and hit a springboard dropkick into the chair. Facade used a sitdown Michinoku Driver for a two count. Facade grabbed a chair and tossed it at Sabu, then hit a Van Daminator for a two count. The crowd booed that.
Facade tried to suplex Sabu onto a chair but Sabu reversed and suplexed him onto the chair. Sabu placed Facade facefirst on a table and hit the Arabian Facebuster through a table but Facade kicked out. That should have been the finish. Sabu nailed another one and scored the pin.
Your winner, Sabu!
The crowd came to see a Sabu nostalgia show and that's what they got here.
They shook hands after. The crowd paid respect to Sabu and chanted "Hall of Famer."Super Crazy & Pesadilla vs. Damien 666 & Bestia 666
Damien and Bestia attacked their opponents at the bell. All four brawled in the ring at the same time. Crazy and Pesadilla reversed whips and sent Damien into his son. They all battled on the floor.
When they returned to the ring, Pesadilla and Bestia had a nice back and forth sequence of moves. Bestia cut off Pesadilla and placed a chair on him, then hit a legdrop off the ropes. Damien 666 entered the ring as did Crazy. Crazy psyched him out then hit a dropkick to the mush.
They all battled to the floor. Crazy set up a table in the corner of the railing on the floor. Back in the ring, Pesadilla nailed a superplex on Bestia. Damien put Crazy through the table outside but the pinfall was broken up. Bestia was nailed with a missile dropkick but it was broken up. Pesadilla nailed a belly to belly suplex on Bestia. Damien hit a sliding kick on Crazy.
Damien and Bestia double teamed Pesadilla. Crazy and Pesadilla made a comeback. Damien backdropped Crazy to the apron. He charged and was hiptossed over the top to the floor. Bestia drilled Pesadilla with a move but Crazy broke it up. Pesadilla superkicked Bestia out of the ring, then hit a moonsault to the floor.
They battled back into the ring. Bestia avoided a clothesline and hit a dive to the floor on Crazy. Pesadilla battled with Damien and was crotched on the rope. Damien grabbed him for a muscle buster and nailed it for the pin.
Your winners, Damien 666 and Bestia 666!
This had to be seen as disappointing. It was just OK. Crazy never really cut loose the way he used to and the younger talents never really broke through and shined the way they needed to really make an impression.
BLK OUT came out. Jeez took the mic and said he didn't know what was worse, the fact this building was back or the fact fans are still chanting for ECW. He ripped on Hat Guy as well. Fans called for New Jack and Ruckus said F him, you and ECW. Pitbull Gary Wolfe came out and challenged them. Jeez said it wasn't 1995 anymore and no one is scared of him. They said they run Philly.
Wolfe hit the ring but was overwhelmed. Da Hit Squad made the save and brawled with BLK OUT. They teased a superbomb but BLK OUT escaped. The crowd didn't like like that.
Extreme Rising champion Stevie Richards vs. mystery opponent
The mystery guy was Steve Corino. He cut a promo as he walked to the ring. He said that for a long time, he's waited for the chance to wrestle Richards. He said that unlike the other whores in the back, he bided his time. He said there have been reunions and homecomings and he said "No."
He said that he waited 12 years for one thing that he's never gotten to do. He said when you talk about Steve Corino, legend comes to mind. He said that unlike Richards, he was the World champion in this Arena. He said that when you think of the Arena, you think of Eddie Gilbert, Public Enemy, Chris Benoit, Pitbull2 and Terry Funk,...and the common denominator is they are all dead.
He said that they all died entertaining these people and they all died for nothing. Fans yelled Funk isn't dead and Corino said he should have died 25 years ago. He said he hates the "Green Lanterns" that pay to come to this building and the people that come here to re-live the past. He said there's only one way to end this and that's winning the belt, because when he becomes a champion, "companies go down."
Corino said when it's dead and the building is gone, all these drug addicts will have nowhere to go. Corino said he hates Stevie most of all, looking for his DDP Yoga and Stevie being in shape and wanting to get reTweets. He asked Richards how it felt being the cause of Crash Holly's death.
Richards attacked him and beat him up on the floor. Richards tossed him into the ring and then a chair. He worked over Corino but was nailed with a Side Russian Legsweep into chair. Corino worked over Richards with the chair. Corino nailed a drop toehold into the chair.
Corino choked away at Stevie Richards. He worked over Stevie and locked in an abdominal stretch, then stuck his thumb in Richards' rear. Corino nailed a sideslam. The crowd chanted "Worse than Cena" at Corino.
Corino nailed the Old School Expulsion but Richards kicked out. The began slugging it out. Richards took control with several clotheslines. He nailed a sideslam of his own for a two count.
Richards went for the Steviebomb but Corino slipped out and drove Richards to the mat headfirst. Corino went for a move but Stevie drilled him with the Steviekick for a two count. Richards locked him in a submission and Corino tapped.
Your winner and still Extreme Rising champion, Stevie Richards!
Richards did a thumbs up and down with the crowd, then returned the thumb in the bum.
Solid match. Corino's mic work was freaking stiff.
Matt Hardy vs. Luke Hawx: Steel Cage Match
They brawled back and forth in the cage. Hardy caught Hawx with a Side Effect for a two count. He went for another but Hawx fought him off with elbows, dropped him and nailed a series of kneedrops.
Hawx charged Hardy and was backdropped into the cage. Hardy tossed him into the cage several more times. Hardy raked Hawx's face against the cage.
They battled to the top rope. Hawx attempted a superplex but Hardy fought him off. They battled on the top rope and I kid you not, one of the supports holding the cage popped off. They smartly did a spot where they crashed off the ropes into the ring. They battled back and forth with punches in the center of the ring.
Hawx launched Hardy hard into the cage several times. Hardy came back and nailed a series of legdrops for a two count. Hawx was tossed into the cage but came back with a spinkick and covered Hardy for a two count. Hardy cut him off and strangled him with his boots on Hawx's throat.
Hardy came off the ropes with an elbow off the ropes. Hawx did a kip up and spinkicked Hardy. Reby Sky slipped Hardy a chair and he used it to work over Hawx's back. Hawx's low blow stopped the assault. Hawx nailed a powerslam for a two count.
Hawx followed up with a belly to belly suplex. The crowd chanted for blood, loudly. Hawx went to the top but Hardy met him and suplexed him into the ring. Hardy put Hawx on the top rope. He went for a move but Hawx knocked him into the ring. Hawx nailed a Buff Blockbuster off the top of the cage.
Reby Sky got into the cage somehow and helped Hardy work over Hawx. Homicide hit the ring and nailed Ace Crushers on Hardy and then Sky. The crowd chanted "ECW".
Hawx went to the top, mocked Hardy's mannerisms and hit a top rope legdrop on Hardy for the pin.
Your winner, Luke Hawx!
Good main event.
Stevie Richards hit the ring and Steviekicked Homicide, then Luke Hawx. Hardy embraced Richards but Stevie Steviekicked him as well, which popped the house. Richards pointed at Sky and Steviekicked her as well. The crowd chanted ECW for that...and that was it.
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