1/5 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: RVD DEBUTS IN ECW, TNA HEADS TO PORTUGAL AND MORE
By
Mike Johnson on 2015-01-05 08:00:00
January 5th
On this day in history in ....
1948 - Orville Brown defeats Sonny Myers in Des Moines, Iowa to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title for the second time. The current National Wrestling Alliance would be founded in July of that year, with Brown recognized as the champion.
1950 - Frankie Talaber wins his seventh Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio, defeating Cyclone Anaya.
1951 - Danny Savich defeats Danny McShain to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas, ending McShain's fifth reign.
1956 - Zack Melkov and Tony Toss defeat Jack Allen and Jerry Woods for the NWA Illinois Midwest Tag Team Title in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1957 - Mick McManus defeats Jack Dempsey to win the British Welterweight Title in London, England, ending and beginning each man's second reign.
1958 - Yvon Robert and Billy Wicks defeat Don and Jackie Fargo for the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending the Fargos' third reign.
1962 - Dory Dixon wins the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating Jack Dalton (Don Fargo) in Houston, Texas.
1965 - Fritz Von Erich defeats Pepper Gomez for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title.
1966 - Nick Kozak defeats Killer Kowalski to win the Hawaii version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title. At the same event, Ron Reed defeats Luther Lindsay for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title.
1967 - Tony Borne wins the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title for the eighth time, ending the second reign of Paul Jones.
1968 - Stan Stasiak defeats Moondog Mayne to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign and ending Mayne's second.
1968 - Alberto and Enrique Torres defeat Butcher and Stan Vachon for the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia. This ended the Vachons' third reign and began the Torres' second.
1968 - Frank and Jack Dalton defeat Don Carson and Dick Dunn to win the vacant NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama. The title was held up after a match between then-champions Randy and Rip Tyler and Ramon Perez and Eddie Sullivan in Mobile on November 2, and vacated when the champions no-showed a scheduled November 8 rematch.
1970 - Former nWo girl, WCW interviewer and 2000 Miss WCW, Pamela Paulshock, is born in Baltimore, Maryland.
1973 - Kurt Von Hess and Karl Von Shotz defeat Fred Curry and Tony Marino in Detroit, Michigan, to win the Detroit version of the NWA World Tag Team Title for the second time.
1974 - Jimmy and Johnny Valiant defeat Dick the Bruiser and WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino for the World Wrestling Association World Tag Team Title in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1974 - John Quinn is awarded the Superstar Championship Wrestling Western States Heavyweight Title, after previous champion Bob Mongol (Bull Johnson) left the promotion.
1976 - Don Leo Jonathan defeats Gene Kiniski in Vancouver, British Columbia for the Vancouver version of the NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title, ending Kiniski's fifth reign and beginning Jonathan's fourth.
1978 - The Samoans (Afa and Sika) defeat Animal Hamaguchi and Great Kusatsu to win the International Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.
1980 - Steve Travis defeats Austin Idol to win the NWA Georgia Television Title.
1983 - The Fabulous Kangaroos (Johnny Heffernan and Don Kent) defeat Ron Bass and Barry Windham for the NWA Florida Global Tag Team Title in Miami, Florida.
1984 - Adrian Street defeats Relampago Leon to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title in Beaumont, Texas.
1986 - Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura, who had defeated Antonio Inoki and Seiji Sakaguchi in the finals of the 1985 IWGP Tag League in Sendai, Japan, are officially recognized as the first IWGP World Tag Team Champions, with the reign beginning with the victory over Inoki and Sakaguchi on December 12.
1986 - The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki) defeat Bull Nakano and Condor Saito in Tokyo, Japan to wint he vacant WWWA World Tag Team Title.
1987 - Soul Train Jones defeats Big Bubba for the CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1988 - Jack Victory and John Tatum defeat Skip Young in a handicap match to win Young and Tony Atlas' World Class Texas Tag Team Title in Fort Worth, Texas. Atlas no-showed the event.
1988 - Hurricane Castillo, Jr. defeats Galan Mendoza in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title for the second time, ending Mendoza's second reign.
1989 - The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeat Johnny Ace and The Terminator for the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in Nassau, Bahamas.
1989 - In Tokyo, Japan, Chigusa Nagayo wins her second International Wrestling Association of Japan Women's Title from Madusa Miceli, just one day after Miceli won the title from Nagayo.
1990 - Kerry Von Erich defeats Jerry Lawler to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning his second reign.
1991 - The WWF runs an event at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- Jimmy Snuka pinned Greg Valentine.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma) to retain the titles.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Kerry Von Erich pinned Virgil to retain the title.
- Jake Roberts defeated Rick Martel by disqualification.
- The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated The Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka).
- Hulk Hogan and Tugboat defeated Dino Bravo and Earthquake.
1992 - Sakie Hasegawa and Debbie Malenko defeat Takako Inoue and Mariko Yoshida for the AJW World Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1994 - Kouji Ishinriki defeats Ultimo Dragon to win the UWA World Middleweight Title in Osaka, Japan, ending Dragon's fourth reign.
1996 - ECW holds "House Party '96" at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- 911 and Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The Eliminators (Kronus and Saturn), when Misterio pinned Saturn.
- Rob Van Dam pinned Axl Rotten in his ECW Arena debut.
- 2 Cold Scorpio pinned ECW World Television and World Tag Team Champion Mikey Whipwreck to win the Television title, ending Whipwreck's second reign and beginning his fourth.
- Taz defeated Hack Myers by submission.
- Buh Buh Ray Dudley pinned Jimmy Del Ray.
- The Bad Crew and J.T. Smith & Tony Stetson fought to a no contest.
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion The Sandman defeated Konnan by TKO.
- Sabu pinned Stevie Richards.
- The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed), when Rock pinned Saed. This was Public Enemy's last ECW match before leaving for WCW.
1996 - Jason the Terrible and Super Leather defeat Horace Boulder and Hisakatsu Ooya for the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1996 - D'Lo Brown defeats Bobby Blaze in a tournament final to become the first Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Champion in Fort Wright, Kentucky.
1998 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro's 4.3 rating defeating WWF RAW is WAR's 3.3 rating.
WCW Monday Nitro's results from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia:
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chris Jericho.
- Goldberg defeated Stevie Ray.
- John Nord defeated The Barbarian.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated Psychosis.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Prince Iaukea.
- Ray Traylor and WCW World Tag Team Champions The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) defeated Buff Bagwell, Konnan and Scott Norton.
- Rick Martel defeated Brad Armstrong.
- Scotty Riggs and Perry Saturn defeated Chris Benoit and Steve McMichael.
- Lex Luger defeated Randy Savage.
WWF RAW is WAR's results from the New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut, taped December 30, which featured many Stone Cold Stunners:
- Ken Shamrock defeated Faarooq by submission, after The Nation's interference backfired. Steve Austin came out and gave both The Rock and Shamrock Stone Cold Stunners.
- Jeff Jarrett pinned Barry Windham to win the vacant NWA North American Heavyweight Title. Austin again came out and gave Jarrett a Stunner after the match. Before the match Jim Cornette came to the ring with NWA President and Vice President Howard Brodie and Dennis Corraluzzo to announce the match was for the title. This began the "NWA Invasion" angle.
- The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball and Skull) defeats The Truth Commission (Recon and Sniper).
- Owen Hart pinned Savio Vega.
- Marc Mero defeated Tom Brandi by disqualification when Austin interfered and Stunnered Mero.
- Flash Funk defeated The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust by disqualification after Luna pushed Funk off the top rope.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) in a non-title match, when Gunn pinned Mosh.
- The show closed with The Undertaker popping out of a DX-graffitied casket and stuffing WWF Champion Shawn Michaels inside.
2000 - Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeats Masato Tanaka for the WEW Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2001 - Damien Steele defeats Eddie Colon, Richie Santiago, Black Boy and Rockero in a five-way match in Ponce, Puerto Rico to win the vacant WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title.
2005 - Eddie Colon defeats Titus (Ryan Wilson) for the vacant WWC Universal Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2006 - Cerebro Negro, Scorpio, Jr. and El Veneno defeat Negro Casas, Felino and Heavy Metal in Naucalpan, Mexico for the IWRG Intercontinental Trios Title.
2006 - TNA debuted in Lisbol, Portugal. Daniel Held filed the following live report:
I attended the "TNA - Impacto Total" House Show in Lisbol, Portugal. Overall I would say it was a good show. The workers were trying real hard to entertain the fans. The Crowd went ballistic some times, but a lot people people (many kids around the age of 10) had no sense what was really going on. I expected more fans from the rest of Europe, mainly the UK (I didn't see one). I guess I was the only one from Germany. One negative thing in my opinion was that the show went a little too long with nearly 3.30h (incl. 10min break).
Here are the results:
Brother Runt b. Jerry Lynn clean with the Acid Drop.
Johnny Storm won a 4Way X-Division Title No. 1 Contenders match against Jodie Fleisch, Spud and Pac. - A great Match, one of the best Highflying-bouts I have ever witnessed live.
Team 3D over VKM. The crowd was big into 3D, they hated VKM after some Portugal shoots.
Abyss defended his NWA World Title against Christian with the Black Hole Slam. Gigantic heat for Christian after he ripped into the Portuguese soccer team. Even though after a few minutes they chanted for Christian again.
Rhino gored AJ for the win. Both played a Babyface. Good bout.
Mad Dogg (I guess you write him that way) won a 10men Battle Royal. I didn't know any of the Wrestlers (maybe some Portuguese local workers). The match was that bad, I can't even describe it. Worst fight I have ever seen.
Chris Daniels defended his X-Title against Johnny Storm. Great Match, Daniels beat him with the BME.
Christy Hemme defeated Gail Kim.
Kurt Angle won against Samoa Joe via Submission. Angle came out with the Portuguese flag and got the biggest pop of the evening. Real good match.
As I said, a good show, with the 4Way, AJ vs. Rhino, Daniels vs. Storm & Angle vs. Joe you had a bunch of great Matches.
Jeremy Borash announced that they will come back to Portugal.
2007 - Mr. Big wins his second IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title in Isabela, Puerto Rico, defeating Chicano, ending his third reign.
2008 - WWE ran a pair of shows at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. Erick Sturrock filed the following live reports:
WWE Raw House Show results from Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY Afternoon show
Before the show I stood in the back to get autographs. Brian Kendrick & Ashley Massaro stood outside for about 10 minutes signing autographs. Snitsky and Referee Mike Choida showed up together and went inside. Nick Nemeth came back outside and moved their car to parking lot. Charlie Haas & Hardcore Holly show up and Haas and they head inside. Super Crazy shows up alone and heads inside. Charlie Haas came back out and signs everyone autograps and takes personal pics with people for over 20 minutes. Ashley then comes back out and signs everyone's autograph and takes some pics for about 10 minutes. Mr.Kennedy, Randy Orton, Trevor Murdoch and someone with a ski mask over their head show up. They all head inside.
Super Crazy & Ref Mike Choida come back out and signs everyone's autograph for over 20 minutes and took personal pics. Tripe H's bus then comes in. I was getting an autograph with Chodia and good thing someone yelled duck to me and Choida or we would have been hit by HHH's bus side mirror as the bus backed up. Jeff Hardy stops and asks the fans where to park and we all tell him. Jeff signed autographs and took pics for over 30 minutes he got every single person. HHH during this time gets out of bus and heads inside.
Sign Guy was in crowd in the front row.
WILLIAM REGAL VS. DH SMITH
Tony Chimel is our ring annoucer and he heads to ring. William Regal comes out and talks a bit. Regal has word with Sign Guy, and then says he dressed to defeat some newcomer. DH Smith comes out. DH and Regal have a nice technical match with a lot of holds. Regal ends up rolling DH up cleanly for the win. as DH leaves Regal grabs him and brings him into ring. Regal puts out his hand and DH shakes it and Regal holds DH's hand in the air and leaves.
SUPER CRAZY & BRIAN KENDRICK VS. NICK NEMETH & CHARLIE HAAS
Nemeth was introduced as from Hollywood, CA. The match saw Haas and Nemeth getting many tags keeping Kendrick down. Crazy gets in and they take him down Kendrick gets back in and with Crazy taking out Haas, and Kendrick hitting Sliced Bread #2 on Nemeth for the win. After the match, Crazy and Kendrick head to the back. Haas acts mad at Nemeth and leaves him but come running back and gives him a big hug and Nemeth smiles.
VLADMIR KOZLOV VS. CODY RHODES
Vladmir grunted during the entire match. Vladmir's trunks have the Russian star with the soviet union flag inside of it. Vladmir got offense in the beginning and Cody finally got some offense and hit the DDT for the win.
JILLIAN HALL VS. MARIA
Jillian comes out and sings but is interrupted by Maria's music. The mic was so loud that Jillan voice hurt your ears so bad. Maria screamed with every move she did. Maria messed up a lot in the ring. Jillian and Maria then rolled around the ring, Maria hit the bronco buster and another move for the win. Beth Phoenix's music hits and she comes out. Jillian ducks out of ring and Beth destroys Maria. The referees then help Maria to the back.
SANTINO MARELLA VS. ATLAS DABONE
Ashley Massaro comes out and says its good to be back and that she will stay and watch the rest of the show with us. shley sits next to Chimel. Santino comes out and says to Ashle, "Ii know you like me but I have my Maria so I can't be with you." Santino talks about Beth destroying his Maria and says that he and Beth are the same size and that someday "I'm gonna beat you up." Santino would say something to Ashley and she would turn away. Santino said "I'm Gonna win! Bring out the loser."
Atlas DaBone comes out. Atlas has a big afro type haircut and is tall. Ashley stands up as soon as he comes out. Ashley kept acting out with her hands what Dabone was going to do right as he did a move. DaBone hits Santino with a move kind of like Abyss black hole slam for the win. Ashley gets on the ropes and hold the ropes open for Atlas and he catches her when she jumps into his arms. They walk out holding hands and waving to Santino. Santino gets on mic and says he's the winner. "Santino wins!"
Tony Chimel says its time for intermission
SNITSKY VS. DREW MCINTYRE
Drew got some offense in but it was mostly Snitsky controlling the entire match. Snitsky wins with the pumphandle slam. Drew takes awhile to get up and had no reaction at all. nobody cheering him.
TREVOR MURDOCH VS. HARDCORE HOLLY ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFING MATCH
Good match. Murdoch ripped up a sign at ringside. Holly and Murdoch went back and forth . Holly slapped Murdoch in the ring, out of ring, then back in the ring which had Murdoch's chest bright red. Holly hits the Alabama Slam for the win. The head of Raw security gives Signguy back his ripped sign.
MR. KENNEDY & RANDY ORTON VS. JEFF HARDY & TRIPLE H
Kennedy made Chimmel hand the mic over his head to do his ring intro. When HHH came out, he got a monster pop. Kennedy took off his hat and slammed down on Chimel's head, then tossed his shirt over Chimel's head. Chimel sat down with the shirt covering his face.
Nice 10 minute match with HHH spending most of match on outside. Hardy did the Swanton and Orton broke it up and Kennedy went for the Kenton bomb and missed. HHH went for pedigree on Kennedy but Orton broke it up but was tackled by Hardy, and Hardy chased Orton to the back with a steel chair. Hardy returned to ringside and HHH hit the pedigree on Kennedy for the win. HHH and Hardy spent some time in ring after.
Overall, quick show lasted 2 hrs.
Biggest Pops
#1 HHH
#2 Jeff Hardy
#3 Cody Rhodes
#4 Hardcore Holly
#5 Ashley
Biggest Heat
#1 Randy Orton
#2 Jillan Hall
#3 William Regal
#4 Santino Marella
#5 Trevor Murdoch
WWE Raw Results from Poughkeepsie, NY 1/5/08 Evening show
As I walked into the arena I noticed WWE Ref Marty Elias selling programs I walked over and said "Hey Marty" he was very nice and signed my ticket for me. He said this was his 1st Autograph in 2008. Also Tony Garea was walking around the arena checking with the spotlight guy he walked by me twice.
Tony Chimel was ring announcer and Sign Guy was in crowd again as he was this afternoon he had the same seat). The show was SOLD OUT! and the crowd was a lot hotter then earlier which made the show funnier
Raw GM William Regal came to ring and he ran down the events card.
VLADIMIR KOLVOZ vs. BRIAN KENDRICK
Vladimir powered Kendrick through most of match. But Kendrick jumped off top rope caught by Vladimir and Kendrick was able to roll up Vladimir for the win. Crowd chanted USA during match.
SNITSKY vs. DH SMITH
Crowd after a while started to rally beside DH, but Snitsky mostly dominated and won with the pump handle slam.
ATLAS DABONE VS CHARLIE HAAS
Ashley comes out to ring and gets on the mic and says it great to be back. She loves NY and she will SPEND THE REST OF THE SHOW WITH US. Charlie Haas's music hits.....but Atlas comes out. Atlas is a face but acts a little heelish as he acts as he's the greatest. He takes a towel and dries himself off and throws it to the crowd. Atlas then gives his necklace to Ashley. with Haas's music still playing, Charlie Haas comes out. Haas says to Atlas, "One thing you have to get right is not to jump the gun. You came out to my music!" Sign guy had a sign that read "HaasHole" and Atlas took it from him and it started a loud "HaasHole" chat towards Haas. Ashley kept getting the crowd rallied up for Atlas.
In the end Atlas kind of does acts kind of like Diamond Dallas Page did the diamond cutter logo and then said bang! Atlas does something and goes bang! Atlas had Haas down and ran off the ropes jumped up and made a pose in mid air like a dolphin jumping up and hit a splash for the win.
NICK NEMETH vs. SUPER CRAZY
Super Crazy got a ECW chant as Poughkeepsie is a former stomping grounds for ECW. Nemeth won using his hands on the rope. Chimel yelled at the referee afterwards, saying Nemeth's hand was on the rope.
BETH PHOENIX vs. MARIA WWE WOMENS TITLE MATCH
OK match with Beth dominating but Maria gets some kicks in and tries for the bronco buster. Beth moves and Beth uses her finisher for the win. As Beth makes her way up the ramp Santino Marella music hits. will Santino hit Beth like he said he would next time he sees her at the earlier show today) Santino confronts Beth but steps out of her way and comes to Maria in ring. Santino says how can something this bad happen to his Maria and he gets on his knees in the ring. leading to....
SANTINO MARELLA & TREVOR MURDOCH vs. CODY RHODES & HARDCORE HOLLY WWE WORLD TAG TITLES MATCH
Trevor Murdoch comes down to ring. Murdoch says Santino needs to get into the game as they have a title shot next. Murdoch says Holly & Rhodes took out his tag partner Lance Cade and that Murdoch wants payback. Santino says someone owes him back pay....2 months of back pay. Murdoch says, "Payback." Santino responds, "No, Backpay." Funny stuff with them going back and forth arguing.
Murdoch says they need to win to get this monkey off his back. Santino says when he was four his dad gave him a pet monkey and it liked to climb on his back. Very funny stuff with these two.
Rhodes & Holly come out. Santino & Murdoch were funny in the match with Santino getting pushed to start match then tagging out and Murdoch tagging back out. Santino smacks Murdoch on the shoulder. Murdoch tags back. Murdoch tells Santino to give him five. Santino smacks his hand and Murdoch jumps off apron and Santino looks bewildered in the ring. The crowd was laughing a lot. Holly gives Santino 12 chops, 3 in each corner which had Santino's chest red. Crowd was with Cody. Holly wins with the Alabama Slam on Santino.
JBL vs. DREW MCINTRYE
Jillian Hall's music hits and she comes out in a dress to ring and says everyone came to see her sing and she sings. JBL's music hits and the crowd booed loudly Jillian goes to hug JBL and he pushes her away and says her singing is horrible and he orders her to get out of his ring. BL says that he never wants to ever be in a rundown city like Poughkeepsie. A funny note on the 12/18 Smack down! when JBL was in ring he said he's was not going to RAW to be the opening match in Poughkeepsie, NY. I guess he really doesn't like Poughkeepsie. JBL says this moment will be the best moment he ever will have seeing a wrestling god in JBL. JBL says he will put on a wrestling clinic and orders out the loser.
Drew McIntrye comes out. JBL has gained some more weight since his last TV in ring as his "manboobs" are bigger as is his stomach. JBL still put on a ok match but used a sleeper hold which got a boring chant. JBL won with the clothesline from hell. Drew only got a kick in for offence in the entire match.
MR. KENNEDY vs. TRIPLE H
Kennedy comes out and crowd cheers and grabbed the mic out of Chimel's hands and talked a bit, some funny stuff. Triple H comes out to a big huge pop that lasted 5 minutes! HHH soaked it up going from corner to corner. Kennedy clapped for HHH as it lasted awhile. HHH pointed towards Kennedy and crowed booed. Kennedy pointed towards HHH and crowd went crazy. HHH to Kennedy gets boos and HHH shrugs his shoulders at Kennedy. good match last 15 minutes about with William Regal running down to ring and having HHH throw Kennedy into Regal knocking himl off the apron. Kennedy then fell into the pedigree for HHH to get the win.
HHH soaked in the cheers a little more. Then tried to gets girls to flash. HHH got a girl to flash her bra but then her and her friend flashed HHH. HHH took it in awhile then went to back. HHH then came back out pulling Mike Chadian along and Chimel followed them over as one of the two came to the front row and flashed them again. Cameras were going crazy. HHH then walked over and gave the girl a kiss on the lips. is Steph happy about that?
JEFF HARDY vs. RANDY ORTON WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The match lasted about 7 minutes; seemed very quick. With Hardy got some offense in but Orton mostly had the match controlled. The finish came with Orton going for the RKO but it was reversed into a twist of fate, which was then reversed into a RKO. Orton wins. After the match, Orton goes for the kick to the head but Hardy moves and hits the twist of fate to end the show.
Great show. I liked it better than the show earlier and the 12/26/07 for Smack down/ECW in Alban, NY as tonight's show was funny and good wrestling.
Biggest Pops
#1 HHH (huge pop!)
#2 Jeff Hardy
#3 Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly
#4 Mr.Kennedy's entrance
#5(tie) Super Crazy & Atlas holding the "HaasHole" sign from Sign Guy
Biggest Boos
#1 Randy Orton
#2 JBL
#3 Beth Phoenix
#4 Mr. Kennedy
#5 Jillian Hall
2009 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last week we found out that John Bradshaw Layfield will be the man to face John Cena for the World Title at the Royal Rumble. Maybe we will find out who some of the Raw brand participants will be in the 30 man 'duck and boost' invitational. Tonight we will see two titles defended as CM Punk gets his shot at William Regal's Intercontinental title while John Morrison and the Miz face Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio for the tag titles. Will we see Mike Knox during this match to get revenge for being pinned by Mysterio last week? What will happen when Kelly Kelly faces Jillian Hall? Will Manu be the only one to leave The Legacy or was Randy Orton's loss exempt? Will Kane seek revenge against Randy Orton for stealing Kelly's heart? Did you know that there is a DVD release tomorrow for Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia? Will Ken Kennedy talk about the DVD? What will happen when Melina and Goldust team up to face Beth and Santino?
Make sure to check out Mike Johnson and Mike Epsenhart’s post-Raw audio featuring potential Shamwow references. Also check out Dave Scherer’s audio thoughts on Tuesday and Buck Woodward’s written thoughts about the show. Maybe we will also have Michael LeBlanc’s Wringer Report on Raw.
We start off with Shawn Michaels’ speech when he admitted that he is having a hard time financially and he is not going to become Randy the Ram. He has received a bailout package from John Bradshaw Layfield. We move ahead to last week when Shawn Michaels, after a lot of discussion with Bradshaw, decided to take the Clothesline from Wall Street to allow his boss to face John Cena at the Royal Rumble.
We are live from New Orleans, Louisiana and your announcers are Michael 'Sixteen Yards Short' Cole and Jerry 'Waxman On . . . Waxman Off' Lawler.
Randy Orton and Chris Jericho are in the ring and they have mics. Chris says that Randy and him are here to address the atrocity that occurred last week. The rules of a Fatal Four Way match state that it is every man for himself, but it was obvious that Shawn Michaels was working in collusion with John Bradshaw Layfield. Chris says that they have filed a formal protest. Randy says that they feel that Bradshaw should be removed from the title match at the Royal Rumble. Randy says that Shawn should not be allowed to compete for the title again. Randy says that they have agreed to face each other with the other earning that title match against John Cena. Chris says that he does not care if the fans like them or hate them, but you have to accept the fact that him and Orton fought an honest match last week while Bradshaw and Shawn Michaels fought a corrupt match. Chris says that they are not going to leave the ring.
John Bradshaw Layfield’s music plays and the JBLimo comes out and Bradshaw and Shawn Michaels emerge and they walk to the ring.
Bradshaw and Shawn both have mics so they are going to respond to Orton and Jericho. Bradshaw says that they can protest all they like but it won’t matter because he will be facing John Cena at the Royal Rumble. He tells them to lose with dignity. He says that they have the audacity to cast aspersion at him knowing their track records. He says that they would have done the same thing if they had the resources. Chris says that they don’t deal with dishonest people. Chris asks Mr. Wrestlemania how he feels. Chris says that he was thrown under the bus for calling Shawn a sellout and a phony, but Shawn’s actions have made him a prophet.
Shawn says that the one thing that allows him to sleep at night, it is that he personally made sure that Chris and Randy would not fight for the World Title. Randy tells Shawn that he can try to justify it all he wants. Randy tells Shawn that he has to understand that he has taken a turn for the worst. It turns out that Ric Flair’s career was ended by a weak pathetic sell out. Randy says that once their protest is heard, it will be overturned tonight.
Stephanie McMahon’s music plays and she has legs. Stephanie says that Shawn Michaels did not lie down and he was pinned by the Clothesline from Hell so Bradshaw will wrestle John Cena for the title. Stephanie says that it is her show and her decision stands. Stephanie says that Randy and Chris are in the Royal Rumble match and if they win, they can be in the main event at Wrestlemania 25.
Chris says that they should be in the Royal Rumble match, but Shawn Michaels does not deserve to be in the match unless Stephanie wants to poison the Rumble match. Stephanie tells Chris that it is not her decision.
Bradshaw says that Shawn will be in his corner at the Royal Rumble and that will be his only function. Stephanie accepts that from Bradshaw. She is going to talk about tonight. She says that she could make a tag match for tonight, but that would be too simple. Stephanie announces that Chris Jericho and Randy Orton will face Shawn Michaels and John Cena.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Melina becoming the number one contender for the Women’s Title.
Match Number One: Goldust and Melina versus Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella
The women start things off and they lock up and Melina with a waist lock but Beth with a head butt and she lifts Melina up and Melina punches Beth. Beth with a back elbow and then she lifts Melina up by her arm. Santino tags in and he grabs Melina’s arm but Melina slaps her. Santino turns around and Goldust is there. Goldust with a slap and an arm drag. Goldust with a wrist lock but Santino with a forearm and snap mare followed by a forearm to the back. Santino with a reverse chin lock but Goldust gets to his feet and then he hits the drop down uppercut followed by a reverse atomic drop. Goldust with a leaping butt bump and Beth breaks up the cover. Santino goes to the floor and the women return to the ring. Beth sends Melina into the turnbuckles and then she follows with an Irish whip but Melina kicks Beth. Melina with a modified X Factor from the top followed by a jackknife cover and bridge for the three count.
Winners: Melina and Goldust
After the match, Rosa goes into the ringside area and she attacks Melina. Security tries to separate them and Melina goes after Rosa. Melina returns to the ring and poses as Goldust appears to have disappeared.
Todd Grisham is in the interview area and he is joined by CM Punk. Todd asks Punk about what happened last week and how he is doing. Punk says that he is stoked after winning three matches to face Regal. He has always wanted to be Intercontinental Champion and he mentions some past champions. Punk reminds everyone about the King of the Ring finals that he lost to Regal. He says that he is looking forward to starting off this year with a bang by winning the Intercontinental Title.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage from after the match between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk when William Regal attacked Punk.
Match Number Two: CM Punk versus William Regal with Layla El for the Intercontinental Title
They lock up and Regal backs Punk into the corner and he connects with a forearm. Punk responds with forearms and a kick followed by a snap suplex for a near fall. Punk with more knees to Regal followed by an Irish whip but Regal goes to the apron when Punk tries for the running knee into the corner. Punk kicks Regal and Regal goes to the floor. Punk sets for the suicide dive but Regal pulls Layla in front of him. Punk goes out of the ring and Regal pulls Punk off the apron. Regal with a knee to Punk and then he punches Punk for a near fall. Regal with another near fall. Regal with knees to Punk’s head followed by an Irish whip and forearm. Regal gets another near fall. Regal with a half nelson and he turns it into a full nelson. Punk with a series of back fists but Regal blocks the kick. Regal cannot avoid another kick and Punk gets a two count. Punk with the knee into the corner, but Regal avoids the bulldog. Punk gets Regal up for the Go To Sleep and Regal grabs the ropes and then the referee. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: CM Punk by disqualification
We see Stephanie McMahon on the TitanTron and she says that she cannot let the first title match of 2009 end that way. There will be a rematch and if Regal is disqualified, he will lose the Intercontinental Title.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the first of many Barry O Moments about the Raw rating.
Bradshaw is telling Shawn Michaels that things could not have worked better. He says that making John Cena his partner, it worked perfectly. Shawn is offered a number of bonuses if certain things happen during the match. Shawn stands up and stares and wants his moment on The Soup. Bradshaw says that he hired Shawn to get him to Wrestlemania as the champion and the returning hero in Texas as the World Champion. Bradshaw says that it means financial security for the rest of his life. He will never have to worry about a bill for the rest of his life. He tells Shawn that Shawn won’t let him down.
Randy Orton is in the hallway and he tells Cody and Sim that since they won last week, they passed phase one. If they win tonight, they are in. Randy points out that both of their parents were Hall of Famers. Manu stops by and he wants another chance from Randy. Manu points out that Randy lost last week. Randy yells at Manu and says that he gave him the opportunity to be a part of the group. What has Manu done? Randy says that Afa was nothing compared to his father, or even him. Randy says that Manu has the audacity to call him out. Randy says that Manu will never be the part of his group and he never wants to see Manu’s face again. Cody and Sim follow Randy to leave Manu alone to breathe heavily.
Dolph Ziggler introduces himself to Mickie and we see Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio walk past as we go to commercial.
We are back and John Morrison and the Miz are in the ring. Miz boos the fans. Morrison says that the number one city for murder has the right to say things to them. Miz apologizes for being the tag champs and two time Slammy Award winners. They tell everyone to be jealous.
We find out that Rey Mysterio is in the Royal Rumble as he mind melds with some of the kids on the way to the ring. We see Rey pinning Mike Knox last week.
Match Number Three: John Morrison and The Miz versus Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston for the World Tag Titles
Miz and Kofi start things off and they lock up. Miz backs Kofi into the corner and he tries to punch Kofi but Kofi blocks it and he punches Miz. Kofi with a cross body and arm drag but Miz goes to the floor to regroup. Kofi teases going to the floor and it gets Miz to flinch as we go to commercial.
We are back and Miz with an arm bar and cross face on Rey. We see footage during the commercial when Miz drove Rey into the mat to counter a rana. Rey with a punch as we return to live action but Miz with forearms and a knee to stop Rey. Miz with an Irish whip but Rey floats over and he sends Miz into the turnbuckles with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Kofi tags in and he hits a drop kick after a double sledge. Kofi with a forearm and then he pulls Morrison to the floor. Kofi punches the Miz and the referee was distracted as Morrison knocks Kofi off the turnbuckles. Miz works on the knee and he tags in Morrison who continues to work on the knee. Morrison pulls Kofi down and uses the apron to continue to work on the knee. Miz is tagged back in and he kicks Kofi in the leg. Miz with a boot to the solar plexus followed by kicks to the hamstring and an elbow to the knee. Miz with a front face lock but Kofi tries to get to the corner to tag in Rey but Miz is able to keep Kofi away and Miz punches Rey. Kofi with a back body drop but Rey is not in the corner when he gets there. When Rey returns to the apron, Kofi is not there. Morrison tags back in and he punches Kofi. Morrison with a Shining Wizard but Kofi kicks out at two. Kofi kicks Morrison off and hits a head scissors but Morrison keeps Kofi from making the tag.
Miz tags back in and he drops an elbow on the knee. Miz puts Kofi on the turnbuckles and he sets for a superplex but Kofi punches Miz and pushes him off. Kofi with a missile drop kick but Kofi is still feeling the effects of what Miz and Morrison have done to the knee. Morrison and Rey tag in and Rey with kicks to Morrison. Rey with a rana to Morrison. Morrison with a sunset flip but Rey rolls through into a drop kick for a near fall. Rey tries for a wheelbarrow move but Morrison drives Rey into the mat for a near fall. Rey with a DDT with help from the ropes for a near fall. Miz tries for a back breaker but Rey gets to the apron and Kingston with a cross body that takes him and Miz out of the equation. Rey with a drop kick that sends Morrison into the ropes into the 619 position and Rey hits it. Miz tries to stop Rey from the springboard senton but Rey stops him. Rey comes off the ropes but Morrison with a spin kick and the three count.
Winners: John Morrison and The Miz
After the match, Mike Knox comes into the ring and he attacks Rey and hits a catapult in the ropes. Knox kicks Kingston off the apron and then he returns to Rey and he drops Rey on the top rope and then he hits a bicycle kick that sends Rey to the floor.
Shawn Michaels is in the locker room getting ready and John Cena stops by. John asks Shawn if he is fighting two or three guys. He wants to know if he is getting HBK or JBL’s puppet. Shawn says that he is no puppet. He tells John to think about what he should expect from Shawn based on history. We go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage from last week of Randy admitting to a one night fling with Kelly.
Match Number Four: Kelly Kelly versus Jillian Hall
They lock up and Jillian with a waist lock but Kelly with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Jillian puts Kelly on the apron and Jillian lets Kelly back in and holds the ropes open but it was a trap and Jillian kicks Kelly. Jillian with a snap mare or two followed by a kick and a near fall. Jillian with a knee to the back and a kick to the back. Jillian with a boot to the head and then she puts Kelly in a partial camel clutch. Jillian slams Kelly’s head into the mat. Jillian tosses Kelly by the hair and then Jillian bellows for the fans. Jillian with a near fall. Jillian with a full nelson but Kelly will not give up. Kelly with a jaw breaker to get out of the hold followed by a series of kicks. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and then she goes to the turnbuckles for a cross body and she gets a two count. Kelly with a series of flying clotheslines and a drop kick for a near fall. Kelly with forearms and she goes for a victory roll but Jillian blocks it and gets a near fall. Jillian with a forearm followed by an Irish whip. Jillian gets ready for the handspring back elbow but Kelly blocks it and hits a leg drop for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
After the match, Jillian attacks Kelly and that means that Kane is coming to the ring. Jillian leaves the ring and Kane checks on Kelly. Kane has a mic and he says that the truth finally comes out. Kane says that Kelly never liked him and she was protecting Randy Orton. Kane asks Kelly if it feels good that Randy rejected her. Kane says that he is going to back to doing what he feels good. Kane says that he will be eviscerating people again and he will face Randy next week. He tells Kelly that she can watch.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talk about the Triple H Triple Jeopardy match this Friday on Smackdown.
Match Number Five: Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka versus Cryme Tyme in a Phase Two Who Wants to Be In the Legacy Match
JTG and Sim start things off and they lock up with JTG getting a waist lock but Sim with a standing switch. JTG with an elbow and kick to Sim but Sim with an inside cradle for a near fall. JTG with a side head lock but JTG with a flying shoulder for a near fall. Shad tags in and he hits a running shoulder tackle. Shad with an elbow in the corner and JTG is tagged back in. Shad sends JTG into Sim and then JTG punches Cody. Sim with a back kick and a forearm. JTG with a clothesline and drop kick. Sim with a knee and then he tags in Cody. JTG with a punch but Cody with a knee and he sends JTG to the apron. Sim pulls JTG down to the apron and then Cody with boots to JTG and a near fall. Cody with a boot to the back and a punch to the head. Cody with a slam and then Sim is tagged in. Sim with a fist to the head for a near fall. Sim with an elbow and a reverse chin lock. JTG with punches to Sim but Sim with punches of his own. JTG with a clothesline to Sim and both men are down.
Shad and Cody both tag in and Shad with a clothesline or two to Cody. Shad with a back body drop and then he knocks Sim off the apron. Shad with a slam and then does the Money Money Elbow but Sim breaks up the cover. Shad clotheslines Sim over the top rope to the floor. Cody moves when Shad charges into the corner. JTG tags in and he gets a two count with a sunset flip. JTG with knees to Cody but Cody with a version of Roll the Dice for the three count.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka
Bradshaw leaves Stephanie’s office and he has a smile on his face as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to look at Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia. Did you know that it is coming out on DVD, along with Pineapple Express and Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica?
Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka are happy as they walk in the back. Randy tells Sim that he is out because Cody won the match. Sim points out that it was a tag match and only one man could get the pin. Randy says that he was trying to find the weak link. Cody says that he won the match and he walks away with Randy.
Santino wants to know why Rosa Mendez is banned. Stephanie says that Rosa is out of control for attacking Melina. Santino says that it is not her fault that women are attracted to him. Beth thanks Stephanie and takes Santino out of the office.
Chris Jericho comes in the office and he wants to know if Bradshaw was paying her off and Stephanie says that she does not need his money. Chris says that he gave the protest to Vince. Chris says that he got a call from her father’s office. In two weeks, Vince is going to return to Raw. In two weeks we will find out whose show it is.
John Cena walks in the back and he is alone. We go to commercial.
We are back with Barry O Moment Two showing how many homes can watch Raw.
We are told that the Intercontinental Title rematch between William Regal and CM Punk will take place next week on Raw.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton and Chris Jericho versus Shawn Michaels and John Cena
Jericho and Cena start things off and they lock up with Jericho applying a side head lock and a take down. They return to their feet and Jericho with a shoulder tackle but Cena with a side head lock take down. Michaels makes the blind tag and Cena has Jericho up for an FU but Jericho gets out of the hold. Michaels sets for Sweet Chin Music but Jericho avoids it. Michaels and Cena clothesline Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Bradshaw comes into the arena and we go to commercial.
We are back and Orton with a side head lock on Michaels but Michaels with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. We are told that Bradshaw returned to the back. Cena tags in and he hits the flying shoulder tackles and then it is time for the Blue Thunder Bomb and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets Orton up for the FU and Michaels punches Jericho but Orton with a rake of the eyes. Cena can’t see Michaels and tries for the FU on Michaels but Michaels yells at Cena. Orton with a clothesline to the back of the head and then Orton and Jericho double team Cena.
Jericho slaps Cena and then he punches Cena in the corner and chokes him with his boot. While Jericho talks to the referee, Orton hits Cena. Jericho with a drop kick that sends Cena out of the ring. Jericho slams Cena’s head into the announce table. Jericho with a slingshot splash for a near fall. Jericho with a reverse chin lock with the arm isolated. Cena escapes the hold and gets Jericho up for the FU but Jericho counters with a DDT and a near fall. Orton tags in and he punches Cena and continues with forearms to the back. Orton kicks Cena and turns it into the Garvin Stomp with the knee drop to finish it off for a near fall. Orton with a boot to the solar plexus and then he does it again. Orton chokes Cena in the corner with his boot. Shawn gives Cena some words of advice. Jericho tags in and Cena punches him but Jericho with a sleeper and Cena tries for the ropes or a tag. Cena moves to his corner and Jericho pulls him back.
Cena powers out of the hold and he kicks Jericho. Jericho with an Irish whip and running clothesline. Jericho puts Cena on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a superplex but Cena pushes Jericho off. Cena with the leg drop from the top turnbuckle and both men are down. Orton makes the tag and he keeps Cena from making the tag. Orton gets a near fall and he follows it with punches to the head that stagger Cena. Cena holds on to the ropes when Orton tries for a drop kick. Cena powers his way back to his feet and he jumps to make the tag. Michaels punches Jericho and then he hits the flying forearm and kip up. Michaels with a reverse atomic drop but Jericho sends Michaels to the mat. Jericho tries for the Lionsault but Jericho gets his knees up. Michaels with a slam and then he goes up top for the elbow drop but Jericho gets his knees up to block the move. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Michaels with an inside cradle for a two count. All four men are in and Orton with a back breaker to Cena. Michaels with a super kick to Orton and then one to Jericho and Michaels makes the cover for the three count.
Winners: Shawn Michaels and John Cena
After the match, Cena goes to the apron while Michaels remains in the ring. Michaels stares around the ring looking for Bradshaw’s presence. We see Bradshaw in the back and Todd Grisham asks Bradshaw how he feels about Shawn’s integrity. Bradshaw says that he was proud of his employee. Shawn will face John Cena next week and Bradshaw says that he will be in Shawn’s corner to ensure that Shawn maintains his integrity. Shawn and Cena stand face to face as we go to credits.
2010 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with highlights of CM Punk and Mark Henry since they will be meeting in the ECW Homecoming Tournament a-go-go.
We are live on tape from Louisville, Kentucky and your announcers are Josh ‘Did anyone remind Abe that he shouldn’t wear Kentucky colors tonight’ Mathews and Bryon ‘I thought you were going to tell him’ Saxton.
Christian comes to the ring and he has something to say. He says that it is fitting that they are in Louisville, Kentucky because they are in the homestretch for ECW Homecoming to see who faces him at the Royal Rumble.
CM Punk interrupts Christian and he comes out with Luke Gallows. Punk says that while he is positive that what Christian had to say was important, nobody can say anything more important than what Punk has to say right now. Punk wants to know why Christian is grinning since he hasn’t really said anything. Christian tells Punk that last night he saw something that he would never see with Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels hugging in the ring. He is now seeing something he never wanted to see and that is CM Punk back on ECW. Punk says that being back on ECW is something Christian better get used to. Punk says that Christian’s title is why he is here. Homecoming is about former champions and stars coming back to get a chance to win the ECW Title. Punk says that he will win tonight and next week to face Christian at the Royal Rumble and win the title. Punk says that he will prove that by winning the ECW Title, he is better than everyone. He says that he is everyone’s savior. He says that he is a natural born leader. Punk says that ECW is home to the brightest, youngest, and newest stars. Punk says that he will be the shepherd and a role model for all of them. He will show them how to live the straight edge way.
Christian asks if the straight edge way means that you look like you haven’t taken a shower in two weeks. Christian says that Punk might be speaking too soon because of the people who have qualified already and he mentions that Shelton Benjamin will be facing Chavo Guerrero to try to qualify. Christian asks Punk who he is wrestling and then he says that Punk will be beaten by the World’s Strongest Man. Christian says that Punk won’t smoke, drink, do drugs, or face him for the title at the Royal Rumble.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that the Europe graphic still works in 2010.
Match Number One: Shelton Benjamin versus Chavo Guerrero in an ECW Homecoming Court Qualifying Match
Chavo with punches to Shelton and the referee pulls him out of the corner. Benjamin sends Chavo into the corner and he punches him until the referee stops him. Benjamin with a back elbow for a near fall. Benjamin misses a charge into the corner and then Chavo goes for the Three Amigos but Benjamin blocks the third one and hits a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Benjamin punches Chavo and then he sends Chavo to the apron but Chavo with a kick to the knee as he tries to negate Benjamin’s aerial moves. Chavo continues to work on the leg. Chavo with a slingshot senton onto Shelton’s leg for a near fall. Chavo continues to work on the knee. Benjamin with a kick followed by a dragon whip but he still favors his leg. Benjamin with punches and a back body drop. Chavo with punches but Benjamin sends Chavo into the air and gets a near fall. Chavo with a single leg crab but Benjamin countes. Chavo with a satellite head scissors and then he goes up top for the frog splash and he rolls through when Benjamin moves. Benjamin hits Paydirt for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
We go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look back at the final match for Tommy Dreamer in any ECW entity followed by Dreamer’s comments.
Zack Ryder comes out with Rosa Mendes. He says that we have seen enough of the fat loser blubbering. He says that Tommy Dreamer is dead and gone. He says that they should talk about the man who is still here. He did something bigger than winning ECW Homecoming or winning the ECW Title. He stopped the heart of ECW and changed the tone of the show. ECW is now about one man . . . Zack Ryder.
It is time for a Raw Rebound.
Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov are walking in the back in split screen as we go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Ezekiel Jackson with William Regal versus Vladimir Kozlov
They stare at each other before locking up. Kozlov with an arm drag and he wants Jackson to come at him. Kozlov with a waist lock take down into a front face lock. Kozlov releases the hold when Jackson makes it to the ropes. Jackson with a punch but Kozlov with a kick that sends Jackson to the floor. Kozlov with a series of kicks but Jackson blocks it and then he works on the leg. Jackson with a forearm and then he puts Kozlov’s leg in the ropes. Kozlov with a forearm but Jackson returns to the leg with a kick. Jackson tries to use the apron but Kozlov fights him off. Jackson slams Kozlov’s leg into the apron and then into the ring post. Jackson continues to work on the leg with an elbow drop. Kozlov kicks Jackson off but Jackson returns to the leg and Kozlov tries to fight off Jackson’s attack. Jackson drops Kozlov’s knee onto his shoulder. Jackson works on the leg. Kozlov sends Jackson to the floor and then he kicks Jackson and slams Jackson. Kozlov follows that with an Irish whip and running clothesline followed by another Irish whip and shoulders in the corner. Jackson with a kick to Kozlov followed by a lariat. Jackson with a brainbuster to Kozlov followed by the uranage for the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
After the match, Regal verbally berates Kozlov while Jackson holds Kozlov and then he sends Kozlov face first into the mat.
Mark Henry is in the locker room and Tony Atlas stops by to say hello. Tony says that they should relive old times and he could accompany Mark to the ring. Mark thinks about it but he hears Tony laugh and Mark says no. Tony says that he is there for Mark and he laughs us into commercial.
Match Number Three: CM Punk with Luke Gallows versus Mark Henry in an ECW Homecoming King Tournament Qualifying Match
Punk avoids Henry and cowers into the ropes. Punk with a waist lock but Henry pulls Punk’s arms apart and hits a hip toss. Punk with a series of kicks to Henry but Henry stays on his feet. Henry grabs Punk’s leg on a kick and then he throws Punk over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Henry with a clothesline but Punk rolls to the floor to stop Henry’s offense. Henry goes after Punk on the floor but Punk with a drop toe hold to Henry and Mark goes into the ring steps. Punk with a kick to Henry when he rolls back into the ring. Punk with a series of knees to the head. Punk gets a near fall. Punk with punches to Henry as he continues to wear down the big man. Punk with a neck breaker for a near fall. Punk with a figure four head scissors on Henry. Punk gets a near fall on Henry after a few kicks. Punk pulls down the knee pad and he continues with knees to the head. Henry shows no effect from the last set of knees and he Marks up and connects with head butts that rebound Punk off the ropes and then Henry with clothesline. Punk gets splashed in the corner. Henry with a forearm to the chest and then he gets ready for a running splash into the corner but Punk moves out of the way. Punk with the running knee into the corner and he tries for the bulldog but Henry pushes Punk away. The referee is out of position and Luke kicks Henry in the head and Punk with a roundhouse kick for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
Josh and Byron run through the eight men in the Over the Top Challenge to see who faces Christian at the Royal Rumble. They are Evan Bourne, Vance Archer, Ezekiel Jackson, Kane, Yoshi Tatsu, Shelton Benajmin, Matt Hardy, and CM Punk.
2010 - The Daily Mail in the UK reported that during filming of a fight scene with Steve Austin for their new film The Expendables, the action was so realistic that it left Stallone with a hairline fracture in his neck. He needed to have emergency surgery and a metal plate was inserted in his neck following the scene. Stallone was quoted as saying, "Actually, my fight with Stone Cold Steve Austin was so vicious that I ended up getting a hairline fracture in my neck. I'm not joking. I haven't told anyone this, but I had to have a very serious operation afterwards. I now have a metal plate in my neck."
2011 - New Japan Pro Wrestling announces it will institute a new belt, the IWGP Intercontinental championship. MVP would win a tournament to become the first champion several months later.
2011 - During an interview with Sirius Satellite radio show "Busted Open", WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff announced he was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, Orndorff would defeat the disease.
2011 - Dragon Gate USA aired its Freedom Fight 2011 PPV event. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Jimmy Jacobs vs. Arik Cannon
We open the PPV with Jimmy Jacobs heading to the ring in Rahway, NJ. I was at this taping live and the venue looks way better on TV than I would have expected.
Your announcers, as always, are Lenny Leonard and Chikarason. The fans chant for Jacobs when he hits the ring and he acknowledges them. Cannon hits the ring and is looking to go with no fanfare. They ring the bell. The announcers noted Jacobs' big win over Jon Moxley the night before. They lock up and Jacobs is caught in an armbar. Jacobs suplexes him over and cinches in a hammerlock. Cannon floats around and reverses it.
Jacobs makes his way to his feet but is caught in a side headlock. He shoots off Cannon into the ropes and uses a Maple Leaf style Boston Crab takeover. Cannon escapes and cinches in a modified Indian Death Lock to try and force a submission before he turns it into the Oriental Torture Device. Jacobs fights his way to the ropes, breaking the hold, but gets chopped hard for his troubles. They go back and forth battling until they face off, which the crowd applauds.
Jacobs uses a bulldog and Cannon rolls to the outside. Jacobs misses a slingshot plancha and gets a kick to the gut for his troubles. Cannon sends him into the railing and chops him. Jacobs reverses and charges down the aisle. Cannon backdrops Jacobs into the ropes but Jacobs catches himself on the ropes and bounces back down into a headscissors takeover on the floor. Nice creative spot. Jacobs then hits a dive to the outside.
Jacobs rolls Cannon back into the ring but Cannon gets his shoulder up at two. Jacobs sets him up and drills him into the mat with a curb stomp. He works over Cannon in the corner with a chop. Cannon reversed a whip and nails a neckbreaker for a two count. Good back and forth match so far. Cannon snapmares Jacobs over and dropkicks him in the back of the head for another two count.
Cannon and Jacobs battle for positioning in a suplex attempt, so Cannon just runs Jacobs into the corner. He attempts a superplex on Jacobs but Jacobs foughts him out and uses a swinging DDT out of the corner for another near fall. Jacobs unloads with some uppercuts and a headbutt to the mid-section, then drives him down head-first into the ring. Jacobs hits a charging spear in the corner for another two count. The crowd starts clapping to rally Cannon.
Jacobs sends Cannon into the turnbuckle and nails a back elbow, but Cannon grabs Jacobs as he's climbing the ropes and nails an exploder into the corner. Jacobs began grabbing at his bad knee. Cannon peppered Jacobs with a series of headbutts, busting open Jacobs, who the announcers had noted lost heavy blood the night before. Jacobs tried to rally himself as he realized he was bleeding and nailed a lariat, then an attempted sliced bread 2. Jacobs nailed an Ace Crusher and nailed a back senton splash for a two count.
Jacobs went for his End Time submission but was shoved off and nailed with a superkick and Cannon's finisher, Total Anarchy. Jacobs kicked up at the last second, Cannon nailed a brainbuster but Jacobs kicked up at the last second again. Cannon was shocked and really, that easily could have been the finish. Cannon sent Jacobs into the ropes for a move but Jacobs evades it and cinches in the End Time submission. Cannon taps.
Your winner, Jimmy Jacobs!
Good opener. The announcers did a nice job explaining the backstory of Jacobs' cut, making him the underdog here. Cannon has really come into his own over the last year and had a good showing, so the loss wasn't one that hurt him in the least. There may have been a few too many kickouts at the end, but DGUSA is about putting on the Japanese style back and forth competitive bouts and you'll see that here. Good way to kick off 2011 for the company.
We go to a promo with the newest DGUSA stable, The Ronin of Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann and Chuck Taylor. They were in a hallway. Taylor was trying to get a vending machine to work and it wouldn't. Gargano introduced them and told everyone watching "They are screwed." Swann said that it didn't matter who they were because Ronin were the only stable that mattered. I'm a big fan of the group but didn't think this was a strong promo.
BxB Hulk & Homicide vs. Jon Moxley & Akira Tozawa
Moxley and Tozawa were representing Kamikaze USA. Hulk was representing World-1 with Homicide coming in as his partner as he and Moxley are pretty much married on the independents, feuding everywhere right now. When this was taped, it was one of their first meetings. This is Homicide's first PPV appearance since leaving TNA.
Homicide and Moxley locked up with Homicide cleaning house. Tozawa attacked Hulk on the apron then went after Homicide. Homicide avoided their attack and Hulk hit a double missile dropkick. Hulk did some sweet athletic Lucha style moves and takedown to control Tozawa. He cinched in a rear chin lock and stomped on Tozawa.
Hulk cinched in a cravate, then snapmared him over. He continued to contol Tozawa and tagged Homicide. Homicide bulldogged Tozawa and Hulk dropkicked him in the head. Homicide continued the assault until Tozawa nailed a lowblow and tagged out. Moxley began choking the hell out of Homicide in the corner and worked him over. Moxley kept Homicide in Kamikaze's corner and worked him over. Tozawa began kicking the hell out of Homicide, Moxley choked Homicide against the apron. Tozawa nailed a back senton splash for a two count.
Homicide was tossed into the corner. Moxley rubbed his forearm in Homicide's face. Moxley nailed a running forearm in the corner, then dropped down for a Tozawa leaping attack. Moxley used several headbutts and forearms. Homicide began absorbing them and fired back. Moxley bit Homicide in the face and choked him against the ropes. Outside, Tozawa went after Homicide, but ate a headbutt for his trouble. Moxley covered Homicide but Hulk broke it up.
Hulk was tossed out to the floor. Homicide whipped Moxley into the corner but Moxley cut off the assault. Homicide came back with a shoulderblock off the ropes but Moxley grabbed a leglock to prevent Homicide from crawling over to make the tag to Hulk. Tozawa tagged in and dropped Homicide on his head. This pissed off Homicide, who fired up. He was taken down with a headbutt and Kamikaze USA continued the beating.
Moxley pulled Homicide up and snapped him into a superplex. Moxley didn't go for the cover, instead screaming for Homicide to get to his feet, wanting to punish him. Moxley went for a lariat but Homicide ducked and nailed an Ace Crusher. Homicide went for his own lariat but Moxley ducked. Moxley grabbed an armbar but Homicide escaped and tagged Hulk. Tozawa tagged in but Hulk sweeped his legs for a two count.
Hulk kicked Tozawa across the top of the head but Tozawa came back to run Hulk into the corner. Tozawa goes for several splashes but Hulk rolled out of the way. Tozawa went for a senton but Hulk got his knees up. Hulk went for the BxB Star Press but Tozawa escaped.
Homicide and Moxley began brawling out of the ring. Homicide dove out on Moxley. Tozawa went for a dive but Hulk cut him off and nailed a jumping kick to the head. Moxley sent Homicide into the guard rail. Tozawa and Hulk battled back and forth with forearms. Hulk nailed several kicks but was caught with a Pump Kick. Hulk came back with a lariat.
Outside, Moxley hit a Russian legsweep into the guard rail on Homicide. Hulk drilled Tozawa with First Flash and XTX for the pin.
Your winners, BxB Hulk and Homicide!
Decent tag match, although it was weird to see Hulk so early on the card. This was obviously designed to build Moxley.
Moxley took the mic and asked if that was all the great Homicide had to offer. He said that he's been watching Homicide since he was 12 years old and he's not that impressed. As this was going on YAMATO attacked Hulk and laid him out with his own Open the Freedom Gate title. Homicide seemed confused as to what he should be paying attention to. YAMATO went to the back. Homicide made sure Hulk was being helped to the back and asked Moxley if he wanted to still go.
Homicide hit the ring but was cut off by Moxley. They battled back and forth. Moxley tossed him hard out of the ring to the floor. Moxley began slamming his head into a chair and then whipped him into the railing. Homicide sent him over the rail into the crowd, then followed to continue the beating. Homicide whipped Moxley into the wall and then across a row of chairs. Homicide began tearing at Moxley's face but Moxley made a comeback and slammed him into some bleachers, then smothered Homicide's throat with his boot.
Moxley grabbed Homicide for a suplex on the floor but it was reversed. Homicide nailed Moxley with a trash can, then took the bag out and tried to smother Moxley with it, wrapping it around his throat. He then tossed Moxley onto a small set of bleachers with Moxley taking a back bump down them. Homicide came off the bleachers with an elbow. Homicide and Moxley continued battling back and forth. Moxley forced him back into the ringside area and stomped a chair on Homicide's shoulder. He then locked on a hammerlock and used the chair for more leverage as Homicide screamed and cursed at him. Moxley rammed him shoulder-first into the guard rail, then continued beating him with a chair.
Several staffers and undercard wrestlers came out to break it up but were unable to. Moxley continued beating Homicide with a chair and slammed a ring barrier piece on him before walking out, laughing. With the exception of a minute or so where they were in an area too dark to really register what was going on, a good angle. The idea here was to use Homicide as the grizzled veteran and Moxley as the younger, brash jerk who doesn't care and wants to destroy him. In other words, Moxley is who Homicide used to be. A nice first chapter.
Homicide went after a cameraman on the way out and was hurting, selling the attack.
Backstage is the debuting Austin Aries, Ricochet and Genki Horiguchi . He said that at Code of the Warriors a group of upstarts tried to make a name at their expense, so tonight, they were coming for them. Good, basic promo, getting over the background of the bout later tonight with the Ronin.
Shingo vs. CIMA
CIMA controlled his arm early but Shingo locked on a hammerlock. CIMA escaped and they went back and forth with some good mat wrestling. Shingo drilled him with a shoulderblock and locked CIMA in a body scissors. CIMA and Shingo jockey for position but CIMA kicked Shingo in the leg and began stomping him.
CIMA grabbed Shingo's leg and yanked it, then took him out with a back heel trip and cinched in a leglock. Shingo escaped and locked in a headlock, punching CIMA in the head. Shingo then nailed a kneedrop and rubbed his boot in CIMA's face.
Shingo continued the assault with a chop to the face, then nailed an Uranage into a backbreaker. CIMA rolled out of the ring but Shingo followed and whipped him into the railing. Shingo beat CIMA with a chair on the outside and tossed him onto the apron. Shingo then stepped on CIMA's back, crushing him underneath. CIMA was pinned in the corner and beaten with a series of shoulderblocks. Shingo picked up CIMA and slammed him down over Shingo's knees and nailed a back senton for a two count.
Shingo applied a camel clutch, continuing to focus on CIMA's back. Shingo tried to whip CIMA out of the corner but CIMA cut him off and nailed a double stomp out of the corner. CIMA uses a series of kicks, then uses the ropes for leverage as he slingshots himself into the ring for a short dropkick. CIMA whips Shingo into the ropes for a running dropkick. CIMA nails a rolling senton for a two count. Really good stuff here.
CIMA goes for the Perfect Driver but his back wouldn't allow it, so he goes for a guillotine choke instead. Shingo tries to fight him off but gets caught back in the choke. Shingo comes back with a Fisherman's suplex to escape. Both men struggle to recover with Shingo getting first blood when he makes his way to his feet, beating CIMA's back. Shingo was caught with a spinning kick but then nailed a sideslam. CIMA comes back and nails a sitdown Michinoku Driver for a two count.
CIMA went to the top and nails a springboard dropkick. He goes for a superplex and instead goes for and nails a Super Perfectdriver off the top. He went to the top but missed his move and Shingo drills him with a running lariat in the corner. The exhausted Shingo pulls CIMA to the top and nails a top rope Death Valley Driver for a two count. Really, what more can you do to these guys when they are kicking out of these moves?
Shingo grabbed CIMA and went for Made in Japan but ate an elbow. CIMA tried to leapfrog Shingo but was caught with a Burning Hammer and a lariat for another two count. Shingo went for Made in Japan and finally nailed it but CIMA kicked out. CIMA came back with several strikes and kicks, but only gets a two count with a superkick and a Kryptonite Krunch. OK, this is getting a little ridiculous.
CIMA came back with a glancing kick, then powerbombed and double stomped Shingo. CIMA came off the top with Meteroa, a double knee drop strike from the top and scored the pin.
Your winner, CIMA!
I want to say that live, I loved this but watching the presentation on TV, there were probably too many near falls coming off moves that should have killed the opposition. I know these are two of the top talents in the company, so they should be hard to kill, but it got to the point where you felt like they were Terminator vs. the T-1000 as they were hitting blows but nothing was the final straw. The early part of the match told a good story with Shingo working on CIMA's back but as it went on they were just drilling back and forth.
After the match, CIMA took the mic and thanked everyone for coming and announced they would be crowning their first Tag Team champions in January, Opening the United Gate.
Backstage, Jimmy Jacobs cut a promo, saying that when people speculate over who the next Open the Freedom Gate champion might be, no one thinks of him. Jacobs said that he doesn't even think people believe he's in contention. Jacobs said his comeback isn't complete until he wins his first major singles championship. He said that tonight it was hard but no one said it would be easy or something that could happen overnight. At the end of the road, though, he sees himself as the new champion. Good promo.
Rich Swann & Chuck Taylor & Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Aries & Ricochet & Genki Horiguchi
This is Aries' PPV return as he teams with members of Warriors. This is the PPV debut for Ronin as a group. Ronin's interactions and facial expressions as the kids that just don't care about anything is great. Big chant for Aries before the bell.
Taylor and Ricochet start off. Ricochet used a single leg takedown but was caught with a kick to the gut. Ricochet used a Lucha takedown to grab Taylor with an armbar and worked on Taylor's arm. Taylor kicked at his hip to break the move and nailed a kick, only to be caught with a rana and a big dropkick to the head.
Taylor backed off into Ronin's corner, dazed. Gargano and Horiguchi tagged in. They locked up and Gargano shoulderblocked him down. Horiguchi nailed a dropkick that sent Gargano scrambling, then challenged Swann. Swann did some dancing to try and psych out his opponent, so Genki began dancing. That popped the crowd.
Swann tried to kick Genki low but was caught. Aries tagged in but Swann ducked out of the ring and tagged out to Gargano. Aries forced Gargano into the corner and slapped his hand to Swann's chest, making a tag against their will. They explained that Aries offered Swann the chance to be his protege only to have Swann disrespect him. Swann controlled Aries with a handstand hammerlock. Aries escaped and they faced off. Aries began working over Swann's arm with a series of wringers and dropped a knee across it.
Aries continued working on the arm but Swann grabbed the hair and reversed. Swann came back with a dropkick but was shoved aside. Swann grabs a head scissors, but Aries escaped and drives Swann into Genki's boot. Horiguchi tagged in and worked over Swann with a back elbow. Swann cuts off Genki and Ronin works him over in their corner. Ronin puts the boots to him.
Genkio finally comes back with a hiptoss on Taylor and tags in Aries. Aries cleans house and drills Swann with a leaping elbow for a two count. Swann is sent to the outside and teases the heat seeking missile, but Gargano speared Aries. Swann came off the top with a frog splash for a two count. Swann choked out Aries, then stood on his back, strangling him against the ropes.
Ronin took turns working over Aries. Gargano and Taylor Beel tossed Swann onto Aries. They trapped Aries in the corner but Aries fought his way out. Aries struggled to go make the tag and makes it to Ricochet, who takes down Taylor and Gargano with several ranas. Taylor eats another head scissor. He hits a standing moonsault on Gargano for a two count but the other members of Ronin break it up.
Ricochet goes for a victory roll but is nailed with a flapjack. This leads to a crazy sequence where everyone but Swann locks on a submission all at once, which is too insane to describe. Swann finally breaks it up and it comes back to Aries and Swann. Swann hits a dive on Ricochet. Aries hits a heat seeking missile on Ronin. Ricochet hits an insane looking high flying knee strike on Gargano for a two count.
All hell is breaking loose now with fast sequences and back and forth spots. Really good but hard to follow when you are doing PBP! Aries drills everyone with forearms but succumbs to the triple team. Aries rebounds off the ropes but is caught with a spinebuster. Swann hits a running shooting star press on Aries and Taylor turns him into a Boston Crab. Aries is pinned and kicks out at two. Ronin continues to triple team him in the corner.
Warriors save Aries and its Swann left with them. He's hit with a backslide driver by Ricochet and then a kick by Ricochet. Genki hits a spinning DDT on Gargano. Aries nails Taylor with an STO. Ricochet nails a Pele Kick on Swann then hits a crazy twisting dive over the top on everyone battling on the floor. Insane.
Gargano drills Ricochet with a superkick as he charged and lawn darted him into the corner. Swann kicked him in the face. Ronin destroyed him with a sequence of triple teams and scored the pin.
Your winners, Ronin!
Ronin is officially on the DGUSA map with one hell of a six man tag. This was far and away the most entertaining thing so far on the show with just insanely innovate sequences and flurries of offense. A few years from now, we're going to look back at the talents here and know it all started at this moment. Breathtaking stuff. The show went from good to thumbs up on the back of these six.
Backstage, Moxley said that he always knew one day he'd cross paths with Homicide, but now that they've locked up. He said that after everything he's heard about how bad, how mean, how nasty Homicide is, but it really didn't mean anything when they got in the ring. He said that if Homicide is the baddest man in the barrio, what does that make Moxley, since he put Homicide on the shelf in one night. He told YAMATO to end tonight on a high note.
YAMATO vs. Masato Yoshino
Some good back and forth near falls and mat wrestling early. The storyline was that Yoshino was going to take care of YAMATO for World-1. Yoshino caught YAMATO with head scissors and began focusing his attack on YAMATO's arm. Yoshino locked in an armbar submission but YAMATO eventually got to the ropes.
They took the battle to the floor and batted back and forth. YAMATO made a comeback with chops and then focused his attack on Yoshino's legs. YAMATO began beating him down and stomping the hell out of his legs. Yoshino tried to mount a comeback but YAMATO worked him over.
Yoshino finally avoided a charge and nailed the Slingblade. He drilled YAMATO with a running dropkick, but missed a double stomp. YAMATO drilled him with a lariat but Yoshino came back and used his abdominal stretch variation. He scored a two count after working YAMATO into a pinfall combination.
YAMATO went for a superplex but was fought off and nailed with Slingblade off the top rope. Yoshino went for another arm submission but YAMATO escaped and locked on an abdominal stretch attempt, which was turned into a DDT variant.
Yoshino drilled him with a missile dropkick. He went back to the top buty YAMATO dropkicked him down and he ended up crotched. No babies tonight. YAMATO nailed a top rope superplex but Yoshino kicked out at the last moment. YAMATO nailed a brainbuster for another two count.
Yoshino kicked out of the Galleria but then caught YAMATO with a submission hold and finally got YAMATO to submit.
Your winner, Masato Yoshino!
Technically, very, very good but couldn't follow the crazy flurry that was the Ronin six man tag. Still, with an effort like this, you have to be happy. I wouldn't have placed this as the last match but that's subjective.
Overall, a very good show. Ronin are going to be a major franchise here. The influx of Homicide and Aries provides some veteran American talent and endless new possibilities here. The usual crew did their usual good job and I liked the live promos as they added a smoother feel to the show. If you are looking for a few entertaining hours of professional wrestling that's guaranteed to give you your money's worth, this will do it for you, especially if you enjoy the harder hitting Japanese style with the fighting spirit and crazy, innovative moves. Yet another good chapter in the DGUSA storybook.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We start off with a recap of recent weeks as Bobby Roode knifes all his friends in the back and lays out Sting and Jeff Hardy to send a message. Speaking of Sting, he kicks off the show with this week's opening promo and asks Jeff Hardy to join him in the ring. I guess he's coming apart. HAHAHAHAHA. Stint tells Jeff he's been very impressed with the way he's rebuild the bridge of trust after his return from all the personal issues, and they have a lot in common because Sting's been there and made bad chances too. Sting was given a second chance and did everything he could do with it, and he's been literally watching creatures come out of the woodwork. Yes, literally. Sting gives Hardy his 100% endorsement, but the lovefest is interrupted by the World Champion, as well as Kurt Angle and Bully Ray, who showes off his thick muscular legs to the camera and proclaims that Dusty never needed abs. Roode says he doesn't know aboot Angle and Bubba, but he almost threw up back there and asks Sting if he's kidding and wants to know why he's endorsing Hardy and not Bubba, Angle, or himself. He gets in Hardy's face and mocks him until James Storm comes out with Abyss. Storm says it's fine if Angle makes fun of him since people have been doing it since day one, but if he wants to go to Storm's hometown and beat up his friends, he wants to say that he looked into Angle's eyes a few weeks ago and saw a man who wasn't intimidated by anything, but now he looks into Angle's eyes and sees that he's scared because it only takes one Last Call superkick to knock him out. Abyss likes beer too, and he snatches the microphone out of Angle's hand and tells Angle and especially Bubba to shut up because he and the rest of Immortal took advantage of him and now they realize they need him, but he doesn't need Immortal anymore because all he needs is Bubba in the ring at Genesis. He's got Bubba in a Monster's Ball match and he's going to make him pay an suffer for all the sins of Immortal.
Sting says that it looks like we have a main event, a six man tag with the three babyfaces against the three dastardly heels.
Also coming up tonight, Rob Van Dam takes on Gunner, and the finals of the Wild Card tag team tournament! Plus, the Knockouts Tag Team Title is on the line...NEXT!
Madison Rayne and Gail Kim are checking each other out in their bikinis at the pool earlier today when they find Traci Brooks hanging out in the hot tub. Madison gets in her face and Traci attacks her, but Gail jumps into the pool and the two of them try and drown her until Mickie James, also clad in a bikini, jumps in and chases them off. I don't think they could possibly have gotten more gratuitous than that.
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Gail Kim & Madison Rayne vs Mickie James & Traci Brooks
Traci goes after Gail and knocks her out to the floor before the bell and then goes outside herself to pummel her while Mickie and Madison duke it out in the ring. Traci whips Gail hard into the steps as Mickie gets a hanging neckbreaker and dumps her out to the floor while Traci sends Gail back inside. Mickie and Traci ping pong Gail with right hands until Traci lays her out with a clothesline. Gail rolls out to the apron so Traci launches Madison at her in such a way that she spears Gail out to the floor and the heels are in trouble as we go to commercial.
We're back and Mickie is casually monkey flipping Madison out of the corner, then snapmares Madison and blatantly runs right over to Gail so she could kick Mickie from the apron. Traci runs over and yanks Gail off the apron and lays her out again as Madison ties Mickie up with a three quarter nelson in the ring. Madison goes for some kind of kick, but Mickie catches her foot and yanks her down into an awkward split. Gail runs in to try and make the save, but Traci spears her out of her boots and Mickie gets an O'Connor roll for 2. Madison shuts Mickie down with a rear chinlock and Mickie tries to escape, but Madison takes her out with a bulldog and tags out to Gail, who comes in and cheapshots Traci off the apron, but Mickie slips past Gail and makes a hot tag. Traci comes in like a house of fire and throws Gail across the ring by the hair, then nails a series of clotheslines and flattens Gail with a clothesline for 2. Madison comes in to interfere, so Mickie comes off the top rope and takes her out with the flying crotch to the face as Gail hits Eat Da Feet on Traci for the win.
Winners: Gail Kim & Madison Rayne
Ric Flair is backstage telling Gunner how awesome he is and what a star he's becoming because he puts people in ambulances. Tonight, they're going to put someone in the hospital again, and...oops, Sting pops up from behind and says that RVD is going out to the ring alone and tells Flair he can't go out with Gunner. Flair says Sting's pushing his buttons, so Sting says that's what he's trying to do and they can watch the match together from the back.
Eric Young is frantically searching around for ODB because they're in the Wild Card Tournament tonight and they're two crazy kids in love. The Mystery Cameraman says they're out of the tournament, but EY just runs off looking for ODB again. Speaking of the tournament, the finals to determine Matt Morgan & Crimson's challengers at Genesis is up next, and Magnus is backstage firing Joe up by saying that there's no more being overlooked because they're going to go out there and win tonight. AJ and Kazarian say that unlike all the other teams in the tournament, they like each other and will have each other's backs and that's how you win tag team titles.
Garett Bischoff is backstage telling Sting how much it means to him to be in the same ring with the TNA wrestlers and he'll make Sting proud tonight. Sting asks him why he's wearing a referee shirt and he says because he's going to referee the next match. Sting tears the shirt off him and asks what he's thinking, and he says Garett's not a referee...he's a wrestler. He hands Garett a pair of boots and welcomes him to the roster.
Eric Young is still backstage looking for ODB and wanders into Gail Kim and Madison Rayne's locker room. They yell at and eventually attack him, so Young stuffs Madison into a locker and runs off.
Gunner vs Rob Van Dam
Feeling out process to start but Gunner quickly drives RVD down with a shoulderblock and takes his head off with a clothesline. RVD with a high kick to the face and a springboard thrust kick followed by an Asai moonsault for 2. RVD comes off the ropes, but slides outside the ring to throw Gunner's flow as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Gunner is still working RVD over with heavy hitting blows. He whips RVD to the corner, but charges right into Van Dam's boot and eats another top rope thrust kick. Gunner quickly regains control and chokes RVD on the ropes, but RVD gets the stepover leg lariat and comes back with a quick flurry of kicks and a clothesline, followed by a standing moonsault for 2. Gunner starts to fire back but RVD just dropkicks him square in the face and hits Rolling Thunder. Gunner rolls outside the ring before RVD can go for a cover, RVD pops out to the apron and Gunner goes to do the spot where he yanks RVD's ankle and RVD falls face first on the ring apron, but RVD gets his foot caught in the ring apron on the way down and falls backward in a really sick bump. Gunner pulls back the ring mats as the bell rings...
DOUBLE COUNTOUT
...but RVD backdrops him right onto the concrete in another sick bump. He slings Gunner over the guardrail and goes for the leg lariat off the apron, but Gunner moves out of the way and RVD goes splat again in sick bump #3. Gunner tries to make it four by going for a piledriver on the floor, but D-Lo Brown, Al Snow, and Pat Kenney come out and stop him and send him to the back.
James Storm, Abyss, and Jeff Hardy are backstage and Storm says they have the advantage tonight because they're not scared of Angle, Bubba, or Roode. Hardy says that tonight's going to be a great warmup for Genesis, and Abyss says he's gladly out of Immortal and will take care of them tonight. Meanwhile, Roode, Angle, and Bubba are elsewhere backstage throwing out a similar promo and then Bubba pops me by plugging tomorrow night's house show where he's going to take care of RVD. I love it when people make house shows seem important, big thumbs up for that one.
Back to the ring for our next match...
Austin Aries & Kid Kash vs Zema Ion & Jesse Sorensen
These are the four men who will be in the X Division Title match at Genesis. Ion and Sorensen argue until Kash jumps Sorensen from behind and unloads on him. Sorensen comes back with a forearm off the ropes, a high knee, and a dropkick, but Ion tags himself in and totally snaps Sorensen's momentum. Kash congratulates him on his excellent strategy by beating him up and tagging out to Aries to hit a double foot sweep and then just pummel Ion with punches. Ion gets up and yanks Aries down before stomping on his face, but Aries pops up and just launches Ion out to the floor and nearly blows through him with the heat seeking missile. He jogs around the ring with his hand raised in victory as Kash hits a somersault dive and sends him back to the inside where Aries hits the pendulum elbow for 2. Ion scoots over to his corner and tags out to Sorensen, who takes Aries out with another high knee and dropkick. Kash comes in and nails Sorensen from behind, then tags in and puts the boots to Sorensen in the corner and hits a release vertical suplex for 2. Sorensen ducks a double clothesline and sends them crashing into each other, then Ion hot tags himself back in and comes over the top rope with a tornado DDT on Aries. Ion with a twisting crossbody out of the corner for 2, then Sorensen tags himself in and takes Aries and Kash out with a double crossbody off the top. Sorensen with a neckbreaker for each man, sends Kash out to the floor, and nearly overshoots a slingshot crossbody and brains himself on the floor, but regains control before hitting Kash and then comes back in and lays Aries out. He goes up top, but Ion tags himself in yet again and misses a 450 splash, so Sorensen tags himself in. Aries didn't see the tag and goes for the brainbuster on Ion, but Sorensen comes in with the twisting DDT thing and pins Aries.
Winners: Jesse Sorensen & Zema Ion
AJ and Kazarian are backstage getting ready for the match and Kazarian looks torn about something, but AJ tells him it's time and they leave. After they're gone, we're still in the room and see a pleased looking Christopher Daniels come out from where Kazarian was and apparently knowing something we all don't...but can probably suspect.
EY finally finds ODB backstage and tells her to get ready for their match, and ODB says it's like March Madness: one and done. Young says it's not March, it's January and to get her gear on. ODB grabs EY and takes him down, straddles him, and then kisses him before getting up and walking off. EY is smiling ear to ear and says "I KNEW IT!"
Wild Card Tournament Finals: AJ Styles & Frankie Kazarian vs Samoa Joe & Brutus Magnus
AJ and Joe start us off and Joe easily backs AJ to the corner and opens up with straight right hands and puts the boots to him as well. Joe tags out to Magnus, who comes in with right hands of his own and then a side backbreaker for 2. Joe back in and lays in a hard chop, kneestrikes to the ribs, and twists AJ into the abdominal stretch. AJ escapes and tags out to Kazarian, but Joe lays Kazarian out and tags Magnus in. Kazarian and AJ hit a double team leg lariat and AJ covers for 2, then comes off the ropes with the leaping kneedrop for another 2. Kazarian in with a textbook dropkick for 2, then AJ in again and hits a snapmare and indy kick to the back, then Kazarian in again and he gets caught as Joe hits an inverted atomic drop, Magnus with a big boot, and Joe with a back senton for 2. Joe unloads with more right hands and does the snapmare, chop to the back, kick to the chest, and leaping kneedrop for 2. Magnus in and whips Kazarian hard to the corner, but misses a charge and Kazarian manages to tag out to Magnus. He hits a series of clotheslines and the springboard forearm, Magnus blocks the Styles Clash but AJ hits the Pelle Kick as Daniels comes out to the top of the ramp. AJ goes to make the tag, but Kazarian drops off the ring apron and Joe immediately charges in and hits AJ with a leaping kneestrike in the corner, then snapmares AJ for a top rope elbowdrop from Magnus and covers AJ for 3.
Winners: Samoa Joe & Brutus Magnus
A very conflicted looking Kazarian goes back up the apron and walks off with Daniels as AJ lays at ringside staring after them in disbelief.
We go backstage to Matt Morgan and Crimson, who say they're glad the tournament is over because now they know who's signing their own death certificate at Genesis. Joe and Magnus walk in and tell them to kiss already and get it over with, and Joe tells Morgan to get a nice case for the belt because he doesn't want Morgan getting any scratches on it before Joe takes it home. Of course a brawl breaks out, and D-Lo, Snow, and Kenney pull double duty by coming in to break them up and tell them to save it for the PPV.
Mike and Taz run down the card for this weekend's Genesis PPV, then we're off to the ring for our main event!
Jeff Hardy, Abyss & James Storm vs Robert Roode, Bully Ray & Kurt Angle
Storm and Bubba start us off and Bubba quickly backs off through the ropes to avoid the aggresive nature of Storm, and then cheapshots Abyss out on the apron. He finally ties up with Storm and takes him to the corner, tries to cheapshot him, but Storm ducks and nails Bubba. Storm starts working over the arm and tags out to Abyss, and Bubba quickly backs off to a neutral corner. He tags out to Roode, who looked none too pleased to be getting in the ring with the big guy, but comes in nevertheless and spits at Hardy out on the apron. Roode with a kick to the gut and some right hands to Abyss, but he can't whip Abyss to the corner and instead runs right into a big boot from Abyss. Abyss goes to the ropes but Bubba kicks him from the outside and Roode is able to ram Abyss to the heel corner where he is pummeled by Bubba and Angle as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Angle is working over the knee of Abyss and drives him down to the mat by simply kicking the knee out from under him. Roode comes in for a double team, but Abyss fights them off and takes them out with a double clothesline. Abyss tags out to Storm and he comes in and cleans house, then pairs off with Angle and takes him out with a flying forearm. Storm boots Roode in the face and charges Angle, but Bubba takes him out with a clothesline from the apron. Bubba tags in and rams Storm to the corner and lays a hard chop into Storm's chest. Bubba with a delayed vertical suplex for 2 and then hits a big elbowdrop for another 2. Angle tags in and goes for a clothesline, but Storm boots Angle's arm and hits a Russian legsweep and both men are down. Angle tags out to Roode, but Storm makes the hot tag to Hardy and now Hardy is in the ring cleaning house on Roode. Hardy hits the Twist of Fate but Bubba breaks up the cover, and now all hell has broken loose in the ring with all six men going at it. Finally the referee has enough and calls for the bell.
DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION
The fight continues as Abyss rams Angle into the steps on the outside and Storm batters Bubba, but Roode and Hardy are alone in the ring and Hardy hits another Twist of Fate and goes for the Swanton, but Bubba shoves Hardy off the corner and crotches him on the top rope. Storm comes in and hits a Codebreaker on Roode, but Angle comes in and lowblows Storm before he can hit the superkick. Angle hits a crappy superkick of his own, but Abyss comes in and flattens both Angle and Roode, yet falls victim to Bubba as he comes in from behind and lays Abyss out with the heavy chain. Now the heels are firmly in control and are just stomping the faces into mere smudges on the mat. Bubba dumps Abyss to the floor and hangs him with the chain from inside the ring as Roode locks Hardy in the Crippler Crossface and Angle has Storm in the Angle Lock, and we're off the air.
Really good episode this week, tons of great wrestling and a terrific go home episode going into Genesis this weekend
2013 - The judge overseeing the bankruptcy of WWE licensee THQ would not grant an easy sale to the Clearlake Capitol Group LLC, noting that ten potential buyers have contacted the court about their interest if there was time to peruse the books, including Warner Bros. Entertainment.
There are also shareholders who believe there is more money to be made by selling pieces of the company's licenses and businesses off, instead of a straight sale.
WWE was owed $45 million according to documents and have already stated they "anticipate" the company will be actively participating in the proceedings. In the end, WWE helped maneuver their rights and the WWE game team over to THQ.
The situation lead to the eventual dismantling of THQ as a company.
2013 - WWE broadcast Saturday Morning Slam. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
It is a new year and Saturday Morning Slam has a brand new episode. We will have the tag team champions in singles action against members of 3MB.
Daniel Bryan and Kane are former World Champions, but the members of 3MB are not to be taken lightly. These three men were not having success on their own, but they joined forces and became successful.
Kane and Daniel Bryan have had a rough journey as well. They had to go to Anger Management and then formed a tag team to become champions. They still tried to one up each other and proclaim that they am the tag team champions. Eventually, Bryan and Kane realized that it worked better to be on the same page rather than fighting all the time.
Natalya is with Daniel Bryan and Kane in the interview area. She asks them about wrestling in singles matches. Kane says that they are the tag team champions and Daniel agrees. Daniel wants to know if they are a band because they have never seen them play an interest. Kane says that he is ecstatic about wrestling on Saturday Morning Slam. Bryan says that he does not know when Kane is serious or not.
Bryan says that he will be watching his tag team partner in his match, and then he asks Kane if he will be watching Bryan’s match. Kane says maybe and Bryan wants to know what Kane will be doing. Kane says that he will be scaring people, creating havoc . . . the usual.
Bryan wants to know if Kane will watch his match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and your announcers are Josh Mathews and Booker T.
Match Number One: Kane versus Jinder Mahal (with Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater)
Mahal with a side head lock but Kane with a shoulder tackle and Mahal goes to the apron. Kane hip tosses Mahal back into the ring and he follows with a snap mare and drop kick to the head. Mahal retreats to the corner and he kicks Kan in the leg. Mahal goes to the turnbuckles and is met with an uppercut. Kane with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner. Kane with another Irish whip and clothesline followed by a side slam. Kane sets for the choke slam but Mahal goes to the apron.
The members of 3MB discuss strategy. They decide to do what did not work last time they were on Saturday Morning Slam. They get on the apron . . . but Daniel Bryan’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring to support his tag team partner. The referee tells Slater, McIntyre and Bryan to get to the floor.
Mahal argues with the referee and Kane goes up top and hits the clothesline and gets the three count.
Winner:Kane
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan (with Kane) versus Heath Slater (with Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal)
The referee starts his count while Slater is on the apron talking to McIntyre and Mahal. Slater pushes Bryan. Slater avoids locking up with Bryan and Slater plays some air guitar to celebrate. They lock up and Slater with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Slater with a knee to the midsection followed by a kick to the back and then he drops a knee and gets a near fall.
Bryan works on the wrist and Slater with a reversal. Bryan with a reversal of his own and a drop kick. They appear to go for a Greco Roman knuckle lock but Slater with a kick and then he drops a few knees to Bryan’s chest. Bryan with a single leg take down and then he sets for the surfboard and then he rakes the eyes.
Bryan returns to the arm and he applies a hammer lock. Slater escapes the hold but Bryan with a drop kick for a near fall. Slater sends Bryan over the top rope to the floor and Mahal and McIntyre move towards Bryan but Kane protects his tag team partner and Jinder and Drew back off as we go to commercial.
We are back and the action has returned to the ring. Slater stretches Bryan but Bryan with a back slide for a near fall. Slater with a leaping leg lariat for a near fall. Slater with more air guitar and a punch to the midsection. Slater with a few hard Irish whips and Slater gets a near fall. Bryan gets back to his feet and he kicks Slater. Slater with a kick to the chest and Slater follows with what appears to be a clothesline. Slater with knees to Bryan and he gets a near fall.
Slater with a body scissors on Bryan. Slater with a gator roll and he maintains the body scissors. Slater with an Irish whip but Bryan flips over Slater and hits a flying clothesline. Bryan with a running drop kick into the corner and he gets a near fall. Bryan with kicks to the chest but he misses the round kick and Slater gets a near fall with a rollup.
Slater avoids the No Lock and Mahal’s attempt at interference fails. Kane takes care of Drew. Slater tries for a suplex but Bryan escapes and he applies the No Lock and Slater taps out.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Natalya is with Damien Sandow in the interview area. She is stopped by Sandow. He says that he is usually a post meridian superstar. He will grace the fans ante meridian. Natalya points out that most people call it a.m. and p.m.
Sandow will perform next week on Saturday Morning Slam to clean up the rubbish. He will compete in the ring and implement a rigorous syllabus of English, Science, Astronomy, Spelling . . .
Randy Orton interrupts and he has a spelling lesson for Damien and he spells out RKO. He says that he will be happy to teach him in the ring next week.
Orton leaves and Sandow says that does not spell anything.
2014 - WWE ran Fairfax, VA. Lee Petry filed the following live report:
he Usos vs Rowan & Harper of the Wyatt Family. The heels attack from underneath the ring while the lights are blacked out. Usos with the win after rolling up Harper after he missed a big boot.
NXT Non-Title Match, Champion Bo Dallas vs R-Truth starts with good mic work from Dallas and ends with Truth pinning the NXT Champ.
The Primetime Players vs Jinder Mahal & Drew McIntyre of 3MB. Young pins Mahal after a gutbuster slam.
Fandango w/ Summer Rae vs The Miz. Great back and forth match that sees The Miz force Fandango to tap to the figure four leg lock.
AJ Lee & Tamina vs Natalya & Emma. Natalya forces AJ to tap to the sharpshooter.
Inside a steel cage, Bray Wyatt vs the newest member of The Wyatt Family, Daniel Bryan. Bryan is dressed in a blue jumpsuit to fit in with the family.
Wyatt explains to the crowd that he will teach Bryan a lesson and show him who his true master is. Lots if chants of 'YES' to try and break Bryan of The Wyatt's spell. And after trying to escape the cage, Harper slams the cage door on Bryan's head leading to Wyatt hitting Sister Abigail for the pin. Bryan leaves with The Wyatt's after shaking Bray's hand.
Justin Gabriel vs Bad News Barrett starts off with Barrett bad mouthing everything in sight. However, Bad News picks up the win after catching Gabriel with a forearm as he was coming off the top rope.
Intercontinental Title Match, Champion Big E Langston vs Damien Sandow. Langston drops the straps and hits the Big Ending to beat Sandow and retain.
CM Punk vs The Shield in a 3-1 handicap match ends with a GTS On Rollins to send everyone home happy.
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