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January 24th
On this day in history in ....
1939 - Dean Detton defeats Oki Shikina in Honolulu, Hawaii for the Hawaii Heavyweight Title.
1948 - The first World Heavyweight Champion of the current version of the National Wrestling Alliance, Orville Brown, dies at age 72.
1950 - Ray Eckert wins the San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title for the third time, ending Sandor Szabo's 13th reign, in San Francisco, California.
1956 - Buddy Rogers defeats Karl Von Albers for the Eastern Heavyweight Title in Baltimore, Maryland.
1963 - Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Rogers in Toronto, Ontario to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title for the third time. However, Northeast promoters refuse to recognize the title change since it was a one-fall match (title matches back then were two out of three falls), and break away from the National Wrestling Alliance to form a new organization, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (later WWF, now known as WWE). As an interesting aside, Thesz beat Rogers in a three falls rematch on February 7, 1963 in Toronto, a result often forgotten.
The real reason for the split was because Northeast promoters Toots Mondt and Vince McMahon, Sr. controlled Buddy Rogers' bookings, and wanted to keep Rogers (and the title) in the Northeast. The other NWA members were not pleased with the situation, and this led to the split. Rogers dropped the NWA Title to Thesz (and got back his deposit on the belt), and the Northeast promoters used the one-fall match as the reason for the split from the NWA. To clear up a common misconception, Rogers was not immediately named WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. He would not be declared champion until April 29, 1963, having won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rogers would then drop the title a month later to Bruno Sammartino in less than a minute.
1963 - Don Curtis and Mark Lewin defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) for the Florida NWA World Tag Team Title.
1965 - Michael Alfonso, better known as two-time ECW World Champion Mike Awesome, is born in Tampa, Florida. Awesome is also known for his work in FMW in Japan under the name The Gladiator.
1966 - The WWWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Angelo Savoldi and Pete Sanchez fought to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
- Antonio Pugliese (Tony Parisi) defeated Smasher Stone by submission with a Boston Crab.
- Tarzan Tyler pinned Miguel Perez.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna by disqualification, after Scicluna threw Sammartino on top of the referee.
- Prince Curtis Iaukea defeated Magnificent Maurice.
- The Beast (subbing for The Mongolian Stomper) defeated Chief Big Heart.
- Bobo Brazil and Johnny Valentine defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champions Bill and Dan Miller by referee decision, after the match stopped due to MSG's 11:00pm curfew.
1967 - Mad Dog Vachon defeats Hans Schmidt in Chicoutimi, Quebec to win the International Wrestling International Heavyweight Title, ending Schmidt's fifth reign.
1968 - Danny Hodge defeats Lou Thesz for the International Pro Wrestling TWWF World Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1968 - Clayton Thomson defeats Mick McManus to win the British Middleweight Title in London, England, beginning Thomson's second reign.
1969 - Paul Jones and Nelson Royal defeat The Medicos for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
1969 - Flash and Rocket Monroe win their second NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama, defeating Don Carson and Dick Dunn, ending their second reign.
1970 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- Ivan Koloff defeated Willie Farkas.
- Little Beaver and The Jamaica Kid defeated Billy the Kid and Sky Low Low.
- Jean DuBois and Pete Sanchez fought to a draw.
- Joe Crugnale defeated Lou Albano.
- Bulldog Brower and Prof. Toru Tanaka fought to a double disqualification.
- Ernie Ladd and Waldo Von Erich defeated Gorilla Monsoon and WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino in a two out of three falls match.
1972 - Bob Brown and Gene Kiniski win their second Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, defeating Mark Lewin and Steven Little Bear.
1972 - Bob Kelly defeats Eddie Sullivan to win the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Laurel, Mississippi. This ended Sullivan's third reign and began Kelly's eighth.
1972 - Gene Madrid defeats Jimmy Jones for the West Virginia Heavyweight Title in Bluefield, West Virginia.
1973 - Jacques Rougeau, Sr. defeats Waldo Von Erich in a tournament final for the vacant National Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title in Buffalo, New York. The title had been stripped from Johnny Valentine.
1973 - Masked Lee and Princess War Star defeat Mariko Akagi and Jumbo Miyamoto in Yokkaichi, Japan to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title, ending Akagi and Miyamoto's second reign.
1976 - Frankie Laine defeats Gilles Poisson in Edmonton, Alberta for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
1977 - Bill Dundee and Ricky Gibson defeat Dutch Mantel and David Schultz to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1977 - Jim Breaks wins his sixth European Lightweight Title in Bradford, England, defeating Bobby Ryan.
1980 - The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) defeats The Avenger for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
1984 - Two historic events took place at a WWF television taping in Allentown, Pennsylvania. During the taping of one show, The Iron Sheik defeated Steve Lombardi. As he was exiting the ring, Sgt. Slaughter, at the time a heel, was coming out for his match with John Callahan (which he won). The two started to argue, and referees separated them. At the taping for the next episode, the two had another run-in, this time ending with Slaughter getting on the microphone and making a speech about his love for America before challenging the Sheik to a match. This started Slaughter's celebrated babyface turn. Also on the show, Roddy Piper, who had been managing and doing Piper's Pits, wrestled his first televised match for the WWF, teaming with David Schultz to defeat John Callahan and Frankie Williams.
1988 - Jim Crockett Promotions holds their second ever pay-per-view, The Bunkhouse Stampede, live from Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Much like their first PPV, Starrcade '87, there were several factors working against the show. The WWF once again provided competition, although not with a PPV event (Survivor Series) at the same time (cable companies refused to allow WWF and the NWA to have head-to-head PPV events again after the Starrcade-Survivor Series fiasco in November). Instead, WWF offered the first Royal Rumble on USA Network, opposite the PPV. Also, Jim Crockett Promotions held the event outside of their usual strongholds in the South, infuriating fans that were already insulted by Starrcade being held in Chicago the previous year. On top of that, a ticketing snafu resulted in many tickets being printed with incorrect start times. A majority of fans walked into the building during the next-to-last match on the show, and the entire card was under two hours long, annoying the live audience.
The results of the show were:
- In a dark match (that was actually carried on many cable systems, as cameras were rolling), Jimmy Garvin and Sting defeated The Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) by disqualification.
- NWA World Television Champion Nikita Koloff fought Bobby Eaton to a 20-minute time-limit draw to retain the title.
- Larry Zbyszko (with Baby Doll) pinned NWA Western States Heritage Champion Barry Windham to win the title, after hitting Windham with Baby Doll's shoe.
- Road Warrior Hawk defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair by disqualification, after Flair hit Hawk with a steel chair.
- Dusty Rhodes won the Steel Cage Bunkhouse Stampede battle royal, last eliminating The Barbarian. Also in the match were: Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Ivan Koloff, Lex Luger, Road Warrior Animal and The Warlord.
1988 - In direct competition to the NWA Bunkhouse Stampede pay-per-view, the WWF presented the first ever Royal Rumble, aired live on USA Network, from Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The show featured the contract signing for WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant's title match to take place at February 5's Main Event, as well as Dino Bravo attempting to break the world benchpress record of 712 pounds, which he did, with help from Jesse Ventura. The results were:
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Rick Rude by disqualification, after Rude pulled the referee in the way while Steamboat jumped off the top rope.
- The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki) defeated WWF Women's Tag Team Champions The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin (with Jimmy Hart)) in a two out of three falls match, to win the title. In the first fall, Martin pinned Yamazaki after a reverse powerbomb. Yamazaki pinned Kai with a sunset flip to win fall #2, and Tateno pinned Martin after a double missile dropkick for the third fall.
- Jim Duggan, entering from the #13 spot, last eliminating the One Man Gang (#19) to win the Royal Rumble match. This Rumble match, unlike all the others, had only 20 entrants. Bret Hart (#1) lasted 25 minutes and 42 seconds in the ring, the longest to be in the ring.
- The Islanders (Haku & Tama) defeated The Young Stallions (Jim Powers & Paul Roma) in two straight falls of a three fall match.
1990 - Jerry Lynn defeats Johnny Love to win the Pro Wrestling America Light Heavyweight Title in Red Wing, Minnesota.
1992 - Eddie Gilbert defeats Terry Garvin (Terry Simms) for the vacant GWF Television Title in Dallas, Texas. The title was held up a week earlier after match between them. This began Gilbert's second reign.
1993 - The WWF holds the fifth-annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California, which earned a 1.25 buyrate. The results were:
- In a dark match, Doink the Clown (Matt Borne defeated Jim Powers by submission.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated The Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake), when Scott pinned Blake after a Frankensteiner.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels pinned Marty Jannetty after the superkick to retain the title. Before the match, Sensational Sherri came out in a neutral role. She later tried to hit Michaels with her shoe but ended up hitting Jannetty with it by accident.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned The Big Bossman after a diving headbutt.
- WWF Champion Bret Hart defeated Razor Ramon by submission with the Sharpshooter to retain the title.
- #27 entrant Yokozuna last eliminated #30 entrant Randy Savage to win the Royal Rumble match. Savage hit his elbow drop from the top and then instinctively went for a pinfall, despite pinfalls not counting in the match. Yokozuna kicked out of the pinfall, launching Savage over the top rope. #2 entrant Bob Backlund broke the longevity record, lasting 61 minutes and 10 seconds, breaking Ric Flair's record from 1992, 59 minutes and 26 seconds. Before the match, "Julius Caesar" and "Cleopatra" came out to promote WrestleMania IX at Caesar's Palace, which had an ancient Rome theme. Caesar read a proclamation announcing the stipulation of the winner receiving a WWF Championship match at WrestleMania. This Rumble match also featured the debut of Giant Gonzalez (formerly El Gigante in WCW), not as an official entrant, but to attack The Undertaker, eliminating him. This would eventually set up their match at WrestleMania IX.
1994 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Owen Hart defeated Jim Powers.
- Sparky Plugg defeated Bastion Booger.
- Jeff Jarrett and Marty Jannetty fought to a draw.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels in a ladder match to retain the title.
- The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu) defeated Men on a Mission (Mo and Mabel).
- Crush defeated Randy Savage by countout.
- Lex Luger and Tatanka defeated Kwang and WWF Champion Yokozuna.
1996 - Gary Albright and Stan Hansen defeat Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title in Matsumoto, Japan, ending Kawada and Taue's second reign.
1998 - WCW held its second-annual Souled Out pay-per-view at the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio, earning a 1.02 buyrate. The results:
- Juventud Guerrera, Super Calo, Lizmark, Jr. and Chavo Guerrero, Jr. defeated La Parka, Psicosis, Silver King and El Dandy, when Guerrero pinned Psicosis after a Tornado DDT.
- Chris Benoit defeated Raven in a Raven's Rules match, when Raven passed out while in the Crippler Crossface.
- Chris Jericho defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Misterio, Jr. by submission with the Liontamer to win the title. This ended Misterio's third reign and began Jericho's third.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T pinned Rick Martel after a Harlem Hangover to retain the title.
- Larry Zbyszko (with Dusty Rhodes) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champion Scott Hall (with Louie Spicolli) by disqualification, after Spicolli interfered. After the match, Rhodes turned on Zbyszko and joined the nWo.
- Ray Traylor and The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott (with Ted DiBiase)) defeated The nWo (Konnan, Scott Norton and Buff Bagwell (with Vincent)), after Scott pinned Konnan after a Steiner Screwdriver.
- WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash (with Eric Bischoff and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan) pinned The Giant after a (botched) Jackknife Powerbomb. Nash dropped Giant on his neck, injuring him.
- Bret Hart defeated Ric Flair by submission with the Sharpshooter.
- Lex Luger defeated Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) by submission with the Torture Rack.
1998 - Emi Motokawa defeats Momoe Nakanishi in Tokyo, Japan for the AJW Singles Title.
1999 - The WWF holds the 11th-annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California, which earned a 1.88 buyrate. The results were:
In matches airing on Sunday Night Heat:
- Christian pinned Jeff Hardy.
- Bob Holly and Scorpio defeated Too Much (Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor), when Holly pinned Christopher.
- Mankind pinned Mabel. After the match, Mabel hit Mankind with a splash to soften him up for his title match later in the night.
In pay-per-view matches:
- The Big Bossman pinned Road Dogg after a Bossman Slam.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock defeated Billy Gunn by submission with the ankle lock to retain the title.
- WWF European Champion X-Pac pinned Gangrel after the X-Factor to retain the title.
- WWF Women's Champion Sable defeated Luna in a strap match to retain the title, after a fan (to later be known as Tori) attacked Luna.
- The Rock defeated WWF Champion Mankind in an I Quit match to win the title, beginning his second reign. Rock won after placing the microphone by Mankind's mouth and letting the words "I quit" (taken from a previous Mankind promo) play out on the speakers. This match was featured in the documentaty "Beyond the Mat", showing Mick Foley's wife and kids panicking over the amount of violence displayed.
- #2 entrant Vince McMahon won the Royal Rumble match, last eliminating #1 entrant Steve Austin. Vince snuck out of the ring under the bottom rope during the match, with Austin chasing him afterward, through the crowd and out of the arena. The two brawled into a bathroom but The Corporation was waiting inside and attacked Austin. Austin was then taken away in an ambulance. McMahon came back into the arena and actually joined Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary during the match. Austin returned to the arena, driving the ambulance he was taken away in. McMahon won when The Rock interfered and distracted Austin, letting McMahon eliminate him from behind. Austin and McMahon, as the first two entrants and the last two in the match, were in the longest, for 56 minutes and 38 seconds. Austin had the most eliminations, with eight.
1999 - Lioness Asuka defeats Kyoko Inoue in Tokyo, Japan for the Jd' TWF World Women's Title, beginning her fourth reign and ended Inoue's second. At the same event, Megumi Yabushita wins her second Jd' Junior Title, defeating Sumie Sakai.
1999 - Professor Maxwell defeats Colonel Payne for the vacant NWA Michigan Television Title in Brownstown, Michigan. The title was vacated when Skull Ganz won the Michigan Heavyweight Title on December 26.
2000 - WWF RAW is WAR defeated WCW Monday Nitro, 6.7 to 3.1 in the ratings in this week in the Monday Night War.
WCW Monday Nitro was held live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and featured the first matches in a tournament for the WCW Cruiserweight Title, vacated one week earlier by Oklahoma. The results:
- In a tournament match, Psychosis pinned Kaz Hayashi.
- The Wall pinned Kid Romeo.
- Norman Smiley defeated Shannon Moore.
- Tank Abbott defeated Al Greene.
- Terry Funk defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in a hardcore match.
- Sid Vicious pinned Don Harris.
- Billy Kidman pinned Vampiro.
- Lex Luger defeated Booker T.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny the Bull), defeated Fit Finlay and WCW Hardcore Champion Brian Knobbs.
- Sid Vicious pinned Kevin Nash to win the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Title.
WWF RAW is WAR was live from the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one night after the Royal Rumble at Madison Square Garden. Matches for the weekend's edition of Jakked were taped as well. The results were:
- In a dark match, Papi Chulo (Essa Rios) pinned Jason Goodnight.
Jakked:
- Albert pinned Gangrel.
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher).
- Funaki pinned Joey Abs.
- The British Bulldog pinned Julio Fantastico.
RAW is WAR:
- Edge and Christian vs. Al Snow and Steve Blackman ended in a no contest, after Edge suffered an injury from a double team legdrop.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho pinned Hardcore Holly with the Lionsault to retain the title, after Chyna interfered and hit Holly with a Pedigree on a chair.
- Crash Holly and Viscera defeated Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty), when Viscera pinned Grandmaster Sexay with a legdrop.
- Kane (with Tori) defeated X-Pac by disqualification, after X-Pac used a chair.
- The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy (with Terri Runnels)) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn) by disqualification, when The Dudley Boyz prevented the pinfall after Jeff hit the Swanton. The Dudleys then 3D'd both Hardys and superbombed Terri through a table.
- The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) defeated D'Lo Brown and The Godfather, when Bradshaw pinned D'Lo after the Clothesline from Hell.
- The Big Bossman defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Test by disqualification, after Test used the Bossman's nightstick.
- The Rock and Rikishi defeated WWF Champion Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) and Big Show by disqualification after the New Age Outlaws interfered, with Cactus Jack making the save.
2002 - Pantera defeats champion Último Vampiro and Pentagón in a three-way match in Naucalpan, Mexico to win the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title, ending Vampiro's third reign.
2004 - Jack Tunney, the figurehead WWF President during the 1980's wrestling boom and into the 1990's, passed away at the age of 68.
2004 - Los Boricuas (Hurácan Castillo, Jr. and Miguel Perez, Jr.) win their fifth IWA World Tag Team Title in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, defeating Chicago and Stefano. At the same show, Slash Venom wins his second IWA World Hardcore Title, ending Vampiro's fourth reign.
2004 - Shane Matthews defeats Jammer to win the NWA Main Event X Division Title in Columbia, Tennessee.
2004 - Johnny Kidd defeats Cameron Knite in a tournament final in London, England for the vacant British Middleweight Title, as recognized by Real British Wrestling.
2005 - Oklahoma governor Brad Henry declared it "Jim Ross Day", as WWE RAW was being held in Oklahoma City that night at the Ford Center. During an in-ring celebration with Stacy Keibler and Danny Hodge, Ric Flair and Triple H interrupted Ross' speech. Flair gave Ross a low blow and he and Triple H attacked Hodge until Randy Orton made the save. The event, which also featured a taping of Sunday Night Heat, which was only shown outside North America due to the coming Sunday's Royal Rumble, had the following results:
- In a dark match, Chris Masters defeated Chris Simpson.
Sunday Night Heat:
- Victoria pinned Molly Holly after the Widow's Peak.
- Simon Dean defeated Jerry Steele by submission.
- The Hurricane and Rosey defeated Chad Collyer and Jeremy Young, when Hurricane pinned Collyer following a neckbreaker/Samoan drop combination.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin pinned Rhyno after the Exploder suplex.
RAW:
- Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels defeated Christian, Edge and Tyson Tomko, when Benoit pinned Tomko with a roll-up after Tomko missed a big boot on Benoit and got hit with Michaels' Sweet Chin Music.
- Viscera defeated Tajiri in an over-the-top rope Royal Rumble Qualifying match.
- Batista defeated World Tag Team Champions La Resistance (Rob Conway and Sylvain Grenier) in a handicap Royal Rumble Qualifying match, by pinning both men after hitting a spinebuster on Conway on top of Grenier.
- Muhammad Hassan (with Daivari) pinned Val Venis after the Flatliner in a Royal Rumble Qualifying match.
- Kane defeated Maven and Gene Snitsky in a three-way match, by pinned Maven after a chokeslam.
- Randy Orton pinned Ric Flair (with World Heavyweight Champion Triple H) after the RKO.
- In a dark match after the show, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton defeated Batista, Edge and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H.
2006 - WWE tapes the January 27 edition of Friday Night SmackDown! and the weekend's edition of WWE.com Velocity at the BI-LO Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The results:
- In a dark match, William Regal pinned David Flair after a running knee to the head.
Velocity:
- The Gymini (Jake and Jesse (with Simon Dean)) defeated Jason Jones and Ditzy Moore.
- Bobby Lashley pinned Brad Attitude after the Dominator.
- Jamie Noble and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kid Kash defeated Brian Kendrick and Paul London, when Noble made Kendrick submit with a dragon sleeper.
SmackDown!:
- Mark Henry (with Daivari) pinned Rey Mysterio after a powerslam.
- The Mexicools (Super Crazy and Psicosis) defeated The Dicks (Chad and James) and The FBI (Nunzio and Vito) in a three-way Royal Rumble Qualifying match, when Crazy pinned Nunzio following a wheelbarrow/facebuster double team.
- Chris Benoit defeated Randy Orton by submission with the Crippler Crossface in a no holds barred falls count anywhere match.
- JBL (with Jillian Hall) and Scotty 2 Hotty fought to a no contest.
- World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle defeated WWE Tag Team Champions MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro (with Melina)) in a handicap match, by making Mercury submit with the ankle lock.
- In a dark match after the show, World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle defeated Mark Henry (with Daivari and WWE Tag Team Champions MNM) by disqualification after Daivari and MNM interfered as Henry was in the ankle lock. Rey Mysterio made the save for Angle.
2007 - Boris Alexiev (Santino Marella) defeats Mike Kruel, who was defending for champion Eddie Kraven to win the OVW Television Title in Louisville, Kentucky.
2008 - Three members of the same family were charged with murder in the death of Canadian independent wrestler Ivan (John) Radocaj, who performed as "The Croatian Giant." Donald Richard, 31, Daniel Richard, 22, and Timothy Richard, 20, were arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder after an extensive police investigation. Radocaj's family claimed that his ex-wife, Melody Sanford, had threatened Ivan's life several weeks prior to the murder and that she had coerced him into a three-week marriage to get her hands on an insurance settlement stemming from a car accident that left him with a broken neck.
Sanford denied those claims and there's no clear-cut explanation as to any relation between she and the Richards. Sanford claimed she and Radocaj had reconciled before his death, something his family says they know nothing about. Radocaj was killed this in September 2008. As it turned out, his ex-wife began a plot to have the others carry out his murder and then split a settlement that would revert to her. There were a number of convictions made in the case.
2009 - TNA drew the biggest crowd in their history up until that point during a live event at the Wembley Arena in Great Britain. Martin Bentley filed the following live report:
Tonight's TNA show at Wembley Arena was the biggest attendance for a TNA show in their history, as stated a few times throughout the show. That being said, part of the arena was cordoned off, but every seat available was being used. I guess about 8,000 fans were there. It was also one of the loudest house shows I've ever been to, and certainly puts WWE's house shows and some TV tapings to shame. Amazing for a company that puts on a TV show like Impact.
(1): Alex Shelley b. Doug Williams, Eric Young and Jay Lethal to retain the TNA X Division Title
Big pops for Jeremy Borash coming out, and "You Screwed Bret" chants for Earl Hebner. Williams was naturally the fans' favourite in this match, which went shorter than I'd have expected. Williams hit the Chaos Theory on Young (I think), but Shelley came in and hit the Sliced Bread #2 to retain the title. Fans seemed to like the match, but I felt if it was in a promotion like Ring of Honor, they'd have given it at least 20 minutes. Here, it felt like just four guys doing a rushed match.
(2): Scott Steiner b. Consequences Creed
Creed got a good reaction, but the crowd were really into Steiner. He really enjoyed playing it up as a heel tonight, shouting at fans, and even doing press ups after a pin attempt. Creed made a good comeback, but Steiner eventually caught him and made him tap with the Steiner Recliner. A better match than anything with Steiner in it has a right to be these days, and they should put it on Impact and give Creed as much offense as he got tonight.
(3): ODB & Taylor Wilde b. The Beautiful People
Angelina and Velvet appeared on the Sky Sports show Soccer AM this morning and were amazing on it, and they were amazing here as well. Most of the spots included ODB depantsing Sky and touching Love's breasts, and Wilde was flying round the place like a mad woman as well. ODB pinned Angelina for the pin, and after the match, Love claimed that they would never wrestle in London again. Sky then claimed that "soccer" sucked, probably put off by having appeared on the very surreal Soccer AM this morning. Oh, and I envied the front row completely who got to sit right in front of Sky on the apron, only Mickie James rivals her for the best arse in wrestling.
(4): Brutus Magnus b. Sheik Abdul Bashir
The fans seemed to be into Magnus initially, and they bought into Bashir as a good heel, but I'm not really convinced that Magnus will last the course beyond being a promotional tool for this tour. He has his fundamentals down, and he can work a good match, but I'd like to see him in something more substantial than what I saw tonight. The finish came when Bashir rolled Magnus up and had his feet on the ropes for the pin, but Hebner came out and overruled the finish, and Magnus rolled through a Bashir dive from the top rope for the pin.
(5): Team 3D b. Beer Money Inc in a non title London Street Fight
Team 3D were hugely over tonight, with fans chanting "3D", "ECW" and "Get the Tables" at them. They paired off and went into the crowd, with Bubba throwing Roode through one of the arena doors. Bubba then drank a pint to the fans enjoyment - he better have paid for the fan's next pint. Beer Money got their heat back and worked over Bubba for most of the match, but Devon made the comeback, they got a table, and put Storm through it with a 3D for the win. After the match, Bubba said how this was the largest show in TNA's history, and how much it fired them up to perform in front of that many fans. They got a young boy called Harry into the ring (an Arsenal fan, good boy), and gave him a piece of the broken table to take home.
After the intermission, Borash brought out Dixie Carter, who talked more about how this was TNA's biggest ever show, and name checked some Bravo executives at ringside. She then did a Cryme Tyme and thanked the fans for spending their hard earned "dollars" on TNA, and got booed for it. Carter then brought out Mick Foley to a monster pop, and Foley told a story about how he met a girl with a tattoo that said "Live for Something or Die for Nothing", and decided to get his own tattoo, which turned out to be the lyrics from the song Randy "The Ram" Robinson sang to Cassidy in The Wrestler. Foley then said TNA's goal was to get a PPV or a Bravo live special from Wembley Arena, and thanked the fans for spending the first full day of the British Recession on going to TNA.
(6): AJ Styles & Samoa Joe b. Abyss & Matt Morgan
Even though most of the pops were for the ex-WWE guys, both AJ and Joe were massively over with the fans as well. We even did the "Joe is Gonna Kill You" chant, which I heard hadn't been done by fans on some of the shows on this tour. Styles was worked over for much of the match, but started the comeback with the Pele Kick, tagged Joe in, and Joe destroyed both guys, leading to knocking Morgan down, tagging Styles in, and Styles hit the Spiral Tap for the win. After the match, Morgan shoved and slapped Abyss, and Abyss fought back, but Morgan ran away before Abyss could do more damage, which disappointed those who were chanting for the Black Hole Slam.
(7): Jeff Jarrett b. Kurt Angle
There were dueling "Let's go Angle", "Let's go Jarrett" chants in this match, as both men put on a good, fun main event match. Angle was more over than Jarrett, but I guess that was down to Jarrett's prolonged sabbatical and Angle being slightly more familiar with the casual fans. Jarrett locked on the Figure Four Leglock halfway through the match, with the inevitable Flair "wooooooooooo" from the fans, but Angle came back, tried for the Angle Slam, Jarrett then attempted The Stroke, before Angle locked in the Ankle Lock. Jarrett got out, hit The Stroke, but only got a two count. Jarrett whipped Angle into Hebner, leading to Scott Steiner coming out with a steel chair, but Jarrett blocked the attack. Mick Foley then came out, gave Angle the Socko Mandible Claw, and broke off for Jarrett to hit Angle with the guitar for the pin.
After the match, Foley brought out all the faces, and Bubba Dudley then proceeded to kiss Taylor Wilde. Mick Foley in response kissed ODB, saying he wouldn't let Bubba one-up him. Jarrett then thanked all the fans for making TNA the most pleasurable experience he's ever had in wrestling. Samoa Joe was playing Jarrett's broken guitar during all this as well.
BIGGEST POPS
1: Mick Foley
2: Team 3D
3: AJ Styles
4: Samoa Joe
5: Jeff Jarrett
BIGGEST HEAT
1: Kurt Angle
2: Scott Steiner
3: The Beautiful People
4: Beer Money Inc
5: Earl Hebner
2011 - Former Minnesota Governor and WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura filed a lawsuit against the TSA today, reported The Huffington Post. Ventura filed the lawsuit in Minnesota, alleging "full-body scans and pat-downs at airport checkpoints violate his right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures". Ventura had previously stated that he now refuses to fly due to the changes in TSA regulations, noting that his hip replacement now sets off metal detectors and under the more stringent regulations, he is subject to more invasive searches. The case was eventually thrown out of court as Ventura was told it was filed under the wrong jurisdiction.
2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Detroit, Michigan and your announcers are Michael ‘And I Quote’ Cole and Jerry ‘What is a Royal Rumble without a King’ Lawler.
We begin this week’s Raw with the World Champion from Smackdown. Edge makes his way to the ring. Edge puts his title belt on the turnbuckle and then he tells Miz that he does not feel like waiting tonight. He takes off his shirt to reveal taped ribs. Edge says that he doesn’t have a lot of patience. He doesn’t like waiting at the DMV, or the supermarket while someone pays with a check, or seeing someone in line at the airport who realizes that his metal belt has metal in it. He is tired of Michael Cole to stop being a tool. He does not feel like waiting now. He tells Miz to come out now so they can . . .
Be interrupted by the most electrifyingly annoying noise in the world. The general manager’s computer makes noise too. Michael Cole asks Edge if he misses this before he quotes. Edge is very anxious to have his champion versus champion match but it is scheduled for later tonight. The GM has not forgotten the lack of respect that Edge showed . The person who throws Edge over the top rope will be number forty in the Royal Rumble.
Match Number One: Can You Eliminate Edge Challenge
Edge spears Swagger and tehn he punches Drew McIntyre. Kidd with a punch but then he gets power slammed when he tries for a springboard move. Kidd is thrown over the top rope to the floor. Drew with a kick to Edge and then he tries to throw him over the top rope. Swagger stops Drew and sends him into the turnbuckles. Edge sends Swagger over the top rope to the floor. Edge sends Drew over the top rope to the floor.
Winner: Edge
Edge thanks the anonymous general manager for getting his juices flowing. Edge says that he will get ready for his match with Miz, but he has something to do first. Edge says that it is something that he did the last time on the show. Edge wants to know if people want to see a smashed laptop.
Cole stands in front of the computer to save it and then the music for Nexus plays and all five men come to the ring.
Punk takes a while before he starts to talk and he says in this world only the strong survive. The strong survive just not from being strong or from sheer willpower. They survive because they evolve. The Rumble match will now have forty participants to become the largest in Rumble history. Punk says that as he sees his surrounds change, he adapts. If the Royal Rumble expands, Nexus evolves. We saw it expand with the inclusion of Mason Ryan, who was hand picked by him.
Mason says that he only has one thing to say. Faith.
Punk says that he couldn’t have said it more eloquently. Faith. These men you see before everyone in the ring are bonded by faith. Unlike John Cena and unlike that faithless and fake poor man’s Nexus, The Corre. Their faith on Sunday night will be rewarded. They will unite for the common good. CM Punk become the winner of the 2011 Royal Rumble match. When he wins the Royal Rumble, not only will he go on to main event Wrestlemania, the Nexus will become the most powerful group in WWE history.
The Corre comes out and they look like they are ready for a fight.
Barrett says that he wants to clarify things. The poor man’s Nexus is what is standing before him. Barrett says that they are nothing like the Nexus. It is not a brainwashing dictatorship.
Jackson says that at the Royal Rumble, they will unite and make sure that they eliminate Punk.
Mason Ryan gets between Zeke and Punk.
Time to kill the mood with the dingy dingy and its official reader. If Smackdown superstars are going to be given an open invitation to appear on Raw, he has the authority to make this match because Teddy Long is not available. Wade Barrett will face CM Punk. The loser of the match will be out of the Royal Rumble along with their group. The guest referee for this match will be someone they are both familiar with. That person is John Cena.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Sheamus battling with Mark Henry last week and the weekly appearance by Alberto Del Rio.
Alberto Del Rio drives to the ring in a Bentley despite being in Detroit.
Match Number Two: John Morrison and Mark Henry versus Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio
Morrison and Del Rio start things off and they lock up with Del Rio backing Morrison into the corner. Del Rio with a kick to the ribs and then he sends Morrison into the turnbuckles. Del Rio with kicks to Morrison in the corner and then he sends Morrison into the turnbuckles again to tag in Sheamus. Sheamus with a kick and he tries to send Morrison into the turnbuckles but Morrison blocks it. Morrison with a kick and then he floats over and takes Sheamus down with a head scissors and connects with a drop kick and gets a near fall. Del Rio tags back in and he kicks Morrison. Morrison with a clothesline and a leg lariat. Morrison follows with a side Russian leg sweep and then Sheamus pulls Del Rio out of the ring when Morrison tries for the corkscrew split legged moonsault. Morrison lands on his feet as we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio has Morrison in a rear chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break when Sheamus pulled Morrison off the apron and then Del Rio sent Morrison into the ringside barrier. Back to live action and Del Rio gets a near fall. Morrison tries to make the tag but Del Rio keeps Morrison from making the tag and hits an elbow to the back. Sheamus tags in and he kicks Morrison in the back.
We see Michael Tarver watching in the locker room as the match continues.
Sheamus with a short arm clothesline and then he has Morrison in an arm bar and chin lock combination. Sheamus with a knee drop to the head and he gets a near fall. Morrison punches Sheamus but Sheamus with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus waits for Morrison to get to his feet and Sheamus misses the pump kick but Morrison hits an enzuigiri and both men are down.
Del Rio and Henry tag in and Henry with a punch followed by head butts. Henry with a body block for a near fall but Sheamus breaks it up. Henry gives Sheamus a head butt followed by an Irish whip. Henry remembers that Del Rio is the legal man so he gives Del Rio a clothesline. Morrison with an enzuigiri to Sheamus and then Morrison with a corkscrew pescado onto Sheamus. Del Rio with the cross arm breaker on Henry and Henry taps out.
Winners: Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus
After the match, Rodriguez applauds his boss’ performance while Del Rio and Sheamus celebrate in the ring.
Natalya and Melina are walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Melina versus Natalya for the Divas Title
They lock up and Melina backs Natalya into the ropes and then she hits a shoulder block that sends Natalya to the floor. Melina punches Natalya and then they return to the ring. Melina slams Natalya’s head into the mat and then she curb stomps Natalya and gets a near fall. Melina with a full nelson using her legs. Natalya is able to get to her feet and then she runs Melina into the turnbuckles. Natalya with forearms in the corner but Melina with a screaming boot to the head. Natalya with a hip toss and then she tosses Melina by the hair. Melina with a screaming forearm to the head. Melina continues to raise the decibels with boots to the midsection followed by a leg drop to the midsection but Natalya turns it into the Sharpshooter and she lays all the way back and Melina taps.
Winner: Natalya
After the match, two of the top Divas on a show not known as Raw comes out and Michelle McCool and Layla come out. Michelle tells . Layla tells Nattie that she will lose some weight in six days. Michelle tells her that she will still have to shop in the plus size section. Layla says that they never got their rematch so Michelle says that they will take the Diva Division from being Classless to being Flawless.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at the devastation that Nexus Red has caused. We go to last week when Mason Ryan made his debut on Raw.
The members of Nexus are in the locker room talking about the possibility that they might not be in the Royal Rumble. Punk says that they have all made great sacrifices to be part of Nexus. Punk says that he sacrificed by being kicked in the face by Mason Ryan to beat John Cena. Punk says that everyone will make sacrifices on Sunday to ensure that Punk wins the Royal Rumble match. Punk says that after he main events Wrestlemania their lives will be changed. Punk sees Husky with a confused look on his face.
Husky says that there are forty men in the Rumble. What if Punk is number one and nobody else in Nexus comes out until twenty and he is eliminated. Mason says that Punk will not be eliminated. Punk tells them to keep Corre from being involved.
Michael asks about Cena because of what they have done to him. Punk says that Barrett has been the one who is giving Cena problems. Punk tells them to have faith. Punk tells them to take a knee.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with John Cena. Josh asks John about the main event and what he will do as referee. Cena says that he is known for doing the right thing as an official. Cena says that if Punk wins, he has faith that he will eliminate every member of Nexus. Cena says that if Barrett wins, he will take care of the members of Corre. John comments on the spelling of Corre. Cena says that he learned that the extra R stands for . . .
We hear ‘really’ from the side. Miz says that what Cena, Punk, Del Rio, and everyone else needs to know that winning the Royal Rumble is the worst thing that could happen to them if they challenge him for the title at Wrestlemania. Miz says that he gave Orton the worst beating of his life last week and he will do the same thing to the second rate champion.
Cena tells Miz to try to give him a beating tonight. Miz won’t do it. Cena says that Miz glommed onto his time. Cena says that if Miz loses on Sunday and loses his rematch, he won’t get to the main event of Wrestlemania. Cena leaves.
Miz asks Josh if he thinks he will lose at Wrestlemania. Miz says that actually he doesn’t care and he tells Josh to leave. Miz asks everyone if they think Orton will win. Miz let’s his minion introduce the tape of the attack from last week.
Cole gets on his soapbox and says that people need to show Miz some respect.
Match Number Four: Miz with Alex Riley at ringside and Michael Cole at the announce table versus Edge in a Champion versus Champion Non Title Match
Before the match starts, Dolph Ziggler comes out with his girlfriend and acting figurehead of Smackdown, Vickie Guerrero. They come to the announce table.
They circle each other and then Miz misses a kick when Edge moves out of the way. Miz misses another kick. Edge blocks a kick and he punches Miz a few times. Edge with a kick in the corner followed by more punches. Edge with a back elbow followed by another kick. Edge with a head butt. Edge with a wrist lock but Miz with elbows. Edge with a take down and then he clotheslines Miz over the top rope to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Edge with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Miz with a knee to the midsection and then he stomps on the midsection to work on the injured ribs. Miz with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Miz with a rear chin lock and then he continues to kick Edge in the ribs. Miz with another kick but Edge with a swinging neck breaker. Edge sets up for the spear but he hasn’t pulled the hair so it was too soon. Miz goes to the floor but Edge follows after him.
Miz with a punch and kick to the ribs. Miz gets Irish whipped into the ringside barrier as Alex Riley does his best job to protect something besides Miz. Edge sends Miz back into the ring and he goes up top but Miz stops him. Miz tries for a superplex but Edge holds on to the turnbuckle. Edge punches Miz and head butts him to the mat. Edge with a cross body for a near fall.
Edge with an Irish whip or two. Edge with kicks in the corner and then he misses a charge into the corner when Riley pulls Miz out of the corner. Miz with a kick and then he drops Edge on the top rope. We go to commercial.
We are back and Miz gets a near fall on Edge and then he punches Edge before getting another near fall. Miz with more punches and kicks but the referee pulls him away. Miz takes the tape off Edge’s ribs and he puts Edge in a body scissors. Edge gets to his feet and he hits a belly-to-back suplex. Edge follows that with a flapjack while Cole tries to say how great he thinks Miz is. Edge with a running forearm and clothesline followed by a half nelson face driver for a near fall.
Miz runs Edge into the corner and he connects with shoulders in the corner. Miz sets for the Awesome clothesline but Miz misses and Edge gets a near fall with a rollup. Riley distracts Edge after Miz kicks out and Edge goes after Riley. Miz with an inside cradle for a near fall. Miz with a kick to the midsection and Edge with a baseball slide to Riley. Edge with an Impaler DDT. Edge sets for the spear but Dolph Ziggler leaves the announce table. Edge pulls at the hair and Ziggler trips Edge and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Edge by disqualification
After the match, Ziggler gives Edge a Zig Zag. Randy Orton comes tot eh ring and he goes after Miz and Riley. Orton gives Ziggler a power slam. Orton goes after Miz and he connects with punches and a European uppercut. Orton with an RKO to Riley and then to Ziggler. Miz hits Orton in the back of the leg with the Mongo McMichael Halliburton and he heads up the ramp to the stage.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Wade Barrett is in the interview area with Josh Mathews. Josh asks Wade about the difference between Nexus and Corre. Wade says that Nexus was supposed to be for the group but as he came closer to the WWE Title, he became obsessed with beating and humiliating John Cena. That is how he lost Nexus. Now he is a member of The Corre. Wade says that they have no issues with Cena being referee or with leadership issues because they are all equals. Josh asks Wade about what happened to Teddy Long last week on Smackdown. Wade says that he hopes that Teddy has a quick and speedy recovery. Wade says that their goal is to make sure that Cena and his misfits don’t make it to the Royal Rumble. He knows that John Cena will never like him, but he hopes that John Cena will respect him like he respects Cena.
Match Number Five: Daniel Bryan, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella versus Ted DiBiase, Maryse, and Alicia Fox
Bryan and DiBiase start things off and DiBiase with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bryan with a hip toss but Ted kicks Bryan away. Maryse tags herself in and she yells at Ted. Nikki with an Irish whip and flying mare followed by a clothesline. Brie gets a bit too cozy with Bryan on the apron and Maryse gets the three count with a rollup.
Winners: Maryse, Ted DiBiase, and Alicia Fox
After the match, Brie and Nikki argue and Cole celebrates with Maryse while the Battle of the Bellas continue. Bryan tries to be the peacekeeper. We go to commercial.
We are back and Cole and Lawler talk about the Royal Rumble match, so it is time to look at the card for the pay per view.
The Bellas continue to argue and they walk past Michael Tarver and conveniently stop right by him. Nikki says that Daniel will want to console her tonight at dinner. Brie points out that Nikki lost the match. They walk into Bryan’s locker room and Bryan is with Gail Kim. The Bellas wonder what is happening and Daniel says that Gail is his girlfriend and they have been seeing each other for six months. They ask Daniel if he is . . . and he says that he is vegan. Gail says that Daniel felt sorry for them because there are no guest hosts around. They call Gail an afterthought and then the afterthought slaps Nikki and Brie. We have a full blown brawl with referees pulling them apart.
Nexus comes to the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back and Did you Know that Smackdown had its biggest audience last week.
Vickie Guerrero has announced that Edge and Randy Orton will face Miz and Dolph Ziggler on Smackdown (like you didn’t expect that to happen).
Match Number Six: Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris with Mason Ryan and David Otunga versus Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella with Tamina
Kozlov and McGillicutty start things off and Michael with punches but Kozlov with a waist lock take down and Marella tags in. Santino punches Michael and works on the arm and takes him to the mat. Marella with a side head lock but Michael with a punch and knee to get out of the hold. Santino tries to float over but Michael anticipated it and he hits a clothesline to the back of the head. Harris is tagged in and he kicks Marella. Harris with a slam and then he gets a near fall.
Harris with a reverse chin lock but Santino with an arm drag. Harris with a kick to the head followed by a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Harris with a punch to the head and he puts Santino in an arm bar with a chin lock.
Santino with a jawbreaker but Harris recovers and knocks Kozlov off the apron. Harris misses a splash and clothesline and then he kicks Harris in the leg. Santino tries for the cobra on Michael and he misses. Harris with a clothesline and then Harris with a swinging reverse DDT for the three count.
Winners: Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris
After the match, David Otunga has something to say. He wants everyone to give props to the new Nexus. Otunga says that he wants everyone to give a warm welcome to the man who sacrificed so much for and the man they will sacrifice for at the Royal Rumble. He brings out CM Punk.
John Cena gets his referee shirt from someone in the back and he gives him his dog tags in a Mean Joe Greene/kid in the concourse with a Coke moment. We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: CM Punk with Husky Harris, Michael McGillicutty, David Otunga, and Mason ‘Notista’ Ryan versus Wade Barrett with Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, and Ezekiel Jackson with Guest Referee John Cena in a Loser (and his group) Leave the Royal Rumble Match Match
Before the match starts, John Cena decides to send the members of Nexus to the back. Cena then decides to send Gabriel, Jackson, and Slater to the back.
Cena gets between Barrett and Punk and Cena pushes Punk down. Cena reminds Punk that he is the referee. Cena then slaps Barrett. Punk hits Barrett from behind and then he kicks Barrett in the corner. Punk throws Barrett over the top rope to the floor and he tells Cena that is what is going to happen to him on Sunday. Cena sends Punk over the top rope and he wants to hit Cena but he can’t. Barrett hits Punk from behind and connects with an elbow and hits a belly-to-back suplex. Barrett has a cover but Cena was at ringside signing autographs.
They each hit clotheslines and Cena calls for the bell. Cena calls it a double disqualification due to excessive profanity.
Double disqualification
Cena announces that both teams are out of the Rumble match.
To ruin the fun of Cena, the most annoying noise in sports entertainment interrupts. Cole says that what we have seen is a blatant abuse of power. The referee’s decision cannot be changed, but he can change the consequences. CM Punk, Wade Barrett and their teams will be in the Royal Rumble match. If John Cena does not go into the ring to apologize to both men, he will be out of the Royal Rumble match.
Cena removes the referee shirt so he is a superstar again. Cena goes into the ring and he apologizes to Punk and Barrett. Then he punches both men. Cena sees Corre come to the ring and Cena leaves. Nexus Red comes to the ring as well and they check on CM Punk.
With both groups in the ring, McGillicutty and Harris go after Cena.
Big Show’s music plays and everyone else scheduled for the Royal Rumble comes to the ring. We have a Pier Six Slobberknocker as we go to credits.
2012 - TNA ran Brussels, Belgium. Joreon filed the following report:
Here are the results from TNA in Brussels:
1. In a 3 way match for the X division title Austin Austin Aries defeated Alex Shelly and Mark Haskins who was introduced as being from Brussels.
- Earl Hebner comes to the ring to various ' you screwed Bret' chants. He then takes off his referee shirt to reveal a ' Damn right I did' shirt underneath.
2. Gunner defeated Doug Williams.
3. Crimson defeated Samoa Joe.
4. Mickie James and Tara defeated Madison Rayne and Gail Kim. During the match they did a funny spot where Madison falls into referee Earl Hebner's arms and he then kisses her and acts like Ric Flair afterwards.
- Intermission
5. AJ Styles defeated Bully Ray in what was probably the best match of the night.
6. In a 3 way match for the TNA World Title Bobby Roode defeated James Storm and Kurt Angle.
There were about 1,500 to 2,000 people there. It was a great crowd. Christy Hemme was the ring announcer for the evening. During intermission Mickie James signed autographs at the merchandise stand. After the show Tara did the same. I really enjoyed the show but was rather bummed Sting, Jeff Hardy and Abyss weren't there.
2013 - TNA ran Nottingham, England. Adrian Cook filed the following live report:
8 Attendance was small, less than 1900 (ask security, they usually have the numbers!) this is substantially less than last year's event and probably why Nottingham isn't part of the 2014 tour. WWE usually attracts 5,000 to the same venue.
Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez beat Bad Influence. A nice match with a few comedy spots.
Rockstar Spud and Marty Scurll fought in a match billed as a British Bootcamp rematch. I believe Spud won but Scurrll apparently was dominating the fight.
The Blossom Twins beat Gail Kim and Tara after being beaten up on all match thanks to a roll up. The heels laid into the twins only to be saved by referee, Velvet Sky. Jeremy Borash asked the crowd if they wanted to see them on the roster full time which brought a large pop and hinted at a season 2!
RVD beat Zema Ion. Five star frog splash straight over Earl Hebner, who was in front of RVD while he was on the ropes. Pretty cool finish.
Bobby Roode, Austin Aries and James Storm was turned into a tag match when Storm brought Magnus in as a partner. Storm and Magnus won after a spot where Roode went to spit beer in storms face but storm ducked. Roode was cleared from the ring and Aries received a superkick. Storm went into the crowd while the cage was brought out.
Jeremy Borash desperately filled time for fifteen minutes until they were set up for the main event.
Devon and DOC came out followed by Kurt Angle and Sting. Angle was beat up outside by Mike Knox leading to a 2 vs. 1 situation. Angle eventually made it in and as he was dominating a masked aces and eights member came out and attacked Kurt and Sting with a hammer. Angle kicked out of a pin and a table was brought in to the ring. Bully Ray ran out to make the save a wassup headbutt was nailed on Devon and DCOC was double chokeslammed through the table for the three count.
Bully went on to cut a promo and give a kid from the audience a piece of the table, and that pretty much brought the show to a close. Bully received by far the biggest pop. It feels wrong to see him as a face.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling on Spike. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's Impact Wrestling Report!
We start off by looking back at last week when Taz ruined Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan's wedding, leading Aces & Eights in an attack on Bubba, Hulk, Tommy Dreamer, and Brother Runt before Sting made the save. We then see scenes from after the show as Hulk and Bubba are both helped to the back.
We go out to the broadcast booth as Todd Kenealy and Mike Tenay welcome us to the show and address the absence of Taz. Tenay has never been more shocked than he was last week when Taz joined Aces & Eights, but Taz will explain his actions a little later tonight and Tenay can't wait to hear what he has to say.
We don't have to wait long, as Taz comes out with the entire Aces & Eights group and says that life is about opportunity, and he couldn't pass up the opportunity to be part of a group that had an agenda to get revenge and redemption. He also couldn't pass up the chance to be a part of the vision of a higher power, and the opportunity to stand on Hogan and Bubba's faces and make a statement. Dixie and everyone else in the TNA office needs to read his contract a little closer because he's bulletproof, and if anyone puts their hands on him, he'll own the place. Taz says that TNA can deal with the carnage that Aces & Eights will deal out, and that Bubba and Brooke were just collateral damage.
Jesse Godderz is backstage giving Tara a pep talk as she prepares to defend the Knockouts Title against Velvet Sky. That match is up...next!
We see a video package looking at Christopher Daniels' history in TNA and hyping this up as his first shot at the TNA World Title (which I don't believe it is), then we go to Daniels' locker room as we find out that Kazarian has secured a manager's license for the evening.
Taz joins Mike and Todd at the broadcast booth, then it's time for our first match!
Knockouts Title Match: Tara vs Velvet Sky
Velvet is very aggressive at the start, going after Tara as the bell rings and going for several pinfall attempts. Velvet misses a shoulderblock, but follows up with several clotheslines and a Russian legsweep. Tara rolls out to the floor to catch a break, but Velvet grabs her by the hair and drags her back inside before taking Tara out with a basement dropkick to the chest and another kick that sends Tara to the floor. We're at commercial.
We're back, and Velvet is still on the offensive as she rams shoulderblocks into Tara's midsection in the corner. Velvet goes for a monkey flip, but Tara holds onto the corner ropes and Velvet crashes hard. Tara tries a cover for 2, then rams Velvet's face into the mat and follows up with a snap suplex for 2. Tara gets a rear chinlock, then picks Velvet up and tosses her across the ring by the hair. Tara goes up top, but takes too long and Velvet is able to get up and toss her off the corner. Now they're on their knees trading right hands, then they get up and Velvet connects with several clotheslines and a flying headscissors. Velvet with a rolling facebuster, but Jesse distracts the referee as Velvet tries a cover. Velvet goes after Jesse, Tara tries to backjump her, but Velvet moves and rolls her up for 2. Velvet tries a suplex, but Jesse trips Velvet from the floor and holds onto her ankle while Tara pins Velvet with her feet on the ropes.
Winner: Tara
Open Fight Night returns next week, and for the first time, will be coming to you from the United Kingdom! Plus, Sting is backstage and has nothing to say to CameraDork! He'll say all he has to say in the ring tonight.
Kenny King is backstage admiring himself in the mirror, then he tells Zema Ion that it's all about the X Division Title and looking good, and to just hang out on the apron and let him do his thing.
Joseph Park comes out to the ring and says that contrary to popular belief, he's not the most graceful person in the world. He tells us about his athletic past in third grade at Catholic school, then says he finally realized that his place isn't in a courtroom, it's here as a member of the Impact roster. He knows his debut match didn't go quite as he had hoped, he fought hard and lost, but it made him realize that he is here to be the best that he can be. Next week, Impact Wrestling emanates from Manchester, and it's Open Fight Night, so being that he's as committed as he is, he's ready to go to Manchester and compete in his first Open Fight Night. The only question is who to choose as his first opponent, and he doesn't want to kay-fab everyone, but he's going to take a week to deliberate, and he'll render his verdict next week in Manchester. The one thing he can tell us is that next week, the US, the UK, and the world will witness the debut of Joseph Park. He's going to hold his court, and he's going to get that W.
X Division Champion Rob Van Dam & Christian York vs Kenny King & Zema Ion
RVD and Ion start off, and RVD casually disassembles Ion before tagging York in to lay in some punishment as well. RVD comes back in and give Ion such a huge monkey flip that he does a full rotation and nearly lands on his face. RVD follows that up with a running kick in the corner, then takes a swipe at King on the apron and gets hung up on the top rope. Now King tags himself in and snap suplexes RVD into a mount and does ground and pound before covering for 2. Ion whips RVD hard into the corner and comes off the top with a 450 splash, but RVD moves out of the way and Ion hits hard. Ion still manages to grab RVD's ankle before he can make a tag, but RVD nails him with an inverted enziguiri and tags out to York. York comes in and tears through Ion, then catches King with a flying kneestrike for 2. York clotheslines King to the floor and goes out after him as RVD goes for a split legged moonsault, but King rams York into the post and trips RVD as he goes for the move. King goes for a suplex, RVD fights King off, but Ion knocks RVD off the top rope and to the floor. Ion tags himself in and tries to catch York with a tornado DDT, York shoves him off and then gets caught with a Blockbuster from King, but Ion steals the pin on York.
Winners: Zema Ion & Kenny King
King doesn't look pleased at having his spotlight stolen as we go out to the parking lot where Brooke and Bubba are just arriving at the Impact Zone. The CameraDork tries to ask them about the wedding, but Bubba tells him to get the camera out of his face right now as they walk past him.
Samoa Joe is getting into an argument with Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff backstage about who gets to be Kurt Angle's biggest fans, but Angle comes back and says he's not 100%, but he knows what he has to do as a man. He's happy to see his crew, and we'll find out what's on his mind a little later.
We look back at last week's wedding angle again, then Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan come out to the ring to talk about how the greatest night of their lives was ruined. He didn't expect that from Taz, he calls Taz a coward, and he says that the only man who trusted him this whole time, Sting, got hurt. The man he's been trying to get to trust him, Hulk Hogan, also got hurt. But the one who got hurt the worst was the woman he loves, and how dare Taz ruins their biggest day. The things he is going to do to Devon, Taz, and every other member of Aces & Eights are things he can't even say on national television. Aces & Eights better sleep with one eye open because he guarantees that he won't sleep one wink until he kicks every one of their MFing asses. He can't do any of that unless Hulk lifts his suspension, and he knows that Hulk is home resting up, but he begs Hulk to lift his suspension. Sting comes out to the ring and says that everyone knows Hulk Hogan doesn't do anything halfway, but he knows Hulk is watching and he says that Hulk has only come halfway because he walked his daughter down the aisle and gave her to his new son-in-law Bully Ray. Now it's time for Hulk to go all the way because he's the best of all time, and next week in the UK, he believes that Hulk will announce to the world that Bully Ray will be reinstated.
Last Thursday, Bobby Roode and Austin Aries got into it with Chavo Guerrero Jr & Hernandez, and we go backstage to Aries and Roode as they decide which of them is going to take on Hernandez. Roode says Aries is so good, he ought to take on Hernandez. Aries can't disagree with how good he is, but Roode is the power guy on their team and he ought to go against the champs' power guy since he's such a better wrestler than Hernandez. Roode says that Aries beat him, and Aries says he beat him twice, but since Roode says it was a fluke, he'll admit that Roode's the better man and should take on Hernandez.
We see a video package looking at Jeff Hardy talking about what the TNA World Title means to him and what he thinks of Christopher Daniels, then we head back to the ring for...
Bobby Roode vs Hernandez
Roode tries unsuccessfully to match power with Hernandez, so he tries instead to kick Hernandez in the breakbasket and unload with forearms. Hernandez shrugs that off, then nearly backdrops Roode to the moon before holding him in a vertical suplex for about thirty seconds before dropping him. Roode takes Hernandez down and tries a cover, but gets bench pressed off during the kickout, so he snapmares Hernandez and hits the Perfect Necksnap instead. Roode connects with a back elbow and coers for 2, then drops a pair of elbows and a knee for 2. Roode gets a rear chinlock, Hernandez gets out and gets backdropped to the apron, but comes back in with a slingshot shoulderblock and hits an over-the-shoulder backbreaker. Hernandez wipes Roode out with a Pounce that sends Roode to the floor, but Aries runs out of the back and saves Roode from a dive. Roode doesn't appreciate the help and argues with Aries, but then Aries and Chavo get in a brawl at ringside as Roode comes back in and bulldogs Hernandez for the win.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Kurt Angle is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We see a video package looking at Kurt Angle getting laid out by Aces & Eights and the situation with Ken Anderson, then we go back out to the Impact Zone as Angle returns to share his latest musings. He says he thought Aces & Eights would be a short lived thing, but they've stuck around and he's tired of them. He calls Anderson out to the ring, so Anderson comes out and asks Kurt if he wants to fight him next week. Anderson doesn't want to fight Angle next week...because he wants to do it now. Anderson suckerpunches Angle and unloads with right hands, but Angle lays him out with a clothesline and goes for the anklelock. Anderson quickly slides out to the floor, so Angle tells Anderson to keep running because there won't be any cheapshots next week. It'll be one on one, Angle vs Anderson, one more time, in a steel cage!
We go to the Aces & Eights clubhouse where Devon is telling Ken Anderson to relax and not worry about next week, and to just enjoy life in the clubhouse with the...uh, ladies.
Don't forget that Open Fight Night is next week! Oh yeah, and it's main event time!
World Title Match: Jeff Hardy vs Christopher Daniels
Daniels takes Hardy to the corner, but breaks clean. Daniels whips Hardy back to the corner, but Hardy catches him coming in with a flying headscissors, then dumps him in the corner and goes for the springboard basement dropkick. Daniels rolls out of the way and Hardy hits nothing, then Daniels quickly slides back in and tosses Hardy out to the floor. Kazarian comes in the ring to celebrate with Daniels as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Daniels is back in control after Kazarian interfered on his behalf during the break. Daniels gets a back suplex and an elbowdrop for 2, then he ground and pounds Hardy before just putting the boots to him. Daniels puts Hardy in a Tazmission, but Hardy gets out and begins his comeback with the usual. Hardy comes off the second rope with a howling splash for 2, but Daniels catches Hardy on another attempt at a headscissors and counters to a death valley driver for 2. Daniels gets Hardy in the Koji Clutch, but Hardy makes the ropes so Daniels takes him back to the corner and puts him on top, hits the palmstrike, and goes for a top rope Frankensteiner. Hardy fights Daniels off and hits a top rope gourdbuster, then makes a cover but Daniels gets his foot on the bottom rope at 2. Daniels blocks the Twist of Fate and hits Angel's Wings, but Hardy kicks out at 2. Daniels drags Hardy into position and goes for the BME, Hardy moves, Daniels lands on his feet and charges into Hardy's elbow, Hardy goes for the Whisper In The Wind, but Daniels moves out of the way and Hardy crashes and burns. Daniels cradles Hardy and stacks him right up on his shoulders, but Hardy still kicks out at 2. Daniels goes for another Angel's Wings, but Hardy counters to a headscissors, hits a Twist of Fate that sends Daniels stumbling into Kazarian and knocking him off the apron, Hardy hits a second Twist of Fate, and finishes Daniels off with the Swanton.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Excellent match! Taz gets up from the broadcast booth and congratulates Hardy for retaining his title, then asks him what's going to happen when Aces & Eights destroys everything around him and takes his title away. Hardy is focused on Taz and doesn't see a member of Aces & Eights come out of the crowd and take his knee out with a tire iron. Hardy is down on the mat holding his knee as we call it a week.
Thanks for reading this week's Impact Wrestling Report, I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!On his then-current contract, Punk said it expires in July and he hasn't spoken to anyone about a new deal. He said his boss changes every few months and he doesn't even know who his current boss is. On whether he will stay after his contract expires, Punk said he didn't know and "everything is up in the air." He said three years ago, he was 100% out of the door and to avoid repeating himself, he's going to say "he doesn't know."
Punk said he goes through periods where he keeps to himself and then there are periods he realizes he has a direct line to Vince McMahon. He said they are both insomniacs and will text each other at 4 AM in the morning.
Punk was asked about his attempts to change the company and he said that he doesn't know if he did it. He was asked if he feels he failed to change the company and he said he's asked that sometimes and said that he's still close to the situation so he doesn't know if he can really answer the question. He said he's the type of person who always feels that he can do better if he gets "a second shot at things."
Punk noted that he asked Vince McMahon if he could induct The Ultimate Warrior in the WWE Hall of Fame but doesn't believe he will be the one to do it. He said "popular opinion" seems to be that Hulk Hogan will do it but noted that they don't like each other. He said he and Warrior are a lot alike in that they don't like each other.
On the return of Batista, Punk said he was critical of The Rock coming back because he doesn't believe you should be in the business part-time and take a Wrestlemania spot from someone who deserves it, but in the case of Batista, he's in "for the long haul" as he's signed a long term deal.
On the WWE schedule being crazy, Punk said that he's been doing it ten years and doesn't know anyone else who can say that. He said that he's only taken time off for injuries and that when he took two months off in 2013, it may not have been long enough. He said some days he really feels his body hurting and some days he feels great.
On the idea of Brock Lesnar returning to UFC Punk thinks that there's "unanswered questions" in Lesnar's mind becaus he spent half of his UFC career sick with diverticulitis. He said that Lesnar is a freak of nature. Punk said he doesn't get the sense that Lesnar is going to return to UFC but he gets the sense that he certainly would want to.
On the idea of himself doing MMA, Punk said the number one reason to do something is for someone saying you can't. He said that's why he owns his house and has been in WWE for ten years. He said that makes him wants to climb the mountain and whether he gets to the top is up to him. He said that he's 35 and has never competed so he doesn't know if he'd be good enough. He said that he has interest but he's never had discussions about anyone to fight. He's never approached Dana White about it because once you do that, it becomes real. He said he'd be willing to do The Ultimate Fighter but who knows if that would ever happen or if it would draw ratings. He said even the idea of him doing something would make people go nuts on the Internet about how he doesn't fight. He didn't downplay doing a smaller show but said he does has a presence so "do you then even put me on a smaller show?" He said he gets punched in the face four days a week and there's similarities.
Punk was asked about Triple H and Stephanie McMahon taking an interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he got the impression that was more for "their kids" and it wasn't something that HHH was really trying to take up. He joked they were "biting his style."
Punk said the Michelle Beadle thing was a "bunch of horsesh**." He said that he thought he and Beadle were pals and backstage, she walked past him at Tribute to the Troops "with a group of women" and said "some disrespectful sh**" and "I was like, whoa." He said "his girlfriend" went to Beadle and the same group of women and introduced herself and pulled her aside and told her not to speak that way to her boyfriend and Beadle said, "OK." Punk was asked how something like that leaks out and he said that he doesn't know. He said that it was made out to be salacious and that's why it was picked up.
On what Beadle did, "She said, 'What's up f***face' and high-fived the girl next to her."
On whether he was excited for the WWE Network, Punk said that he wouldn't know "until he gets his PPV checks." He said it's great for the fans and that he would have killed for that in 1997, but for the boys, he doesn't know how it will effect their pay. He said the company didn't tell the boys about the Network before it was announced but they sort of knew since it was supposed to launch a few years ago.
Punk was asked if putting Wrestlemania on The Network was a bad idea, he said no and that Vince McMahon is really good at doing things that people doubt and going forward with them.
On Daniel Bryan taking the "Yes" from Diego Sanchez, Punk said it's up to Bryan to credit him. He said with smart phones and the Internet, everything is easily accessible to figure out where things came from. Punk said that Bryan gets the best "crowd reaction, hands down" but he doesn't know if Bryan is the most popular guy. He said he's really happy for him and he likes getting to watch what happen for him happening for Bryan.
Punk was asked why the WWE killed his momentum. Punk said he'd like to think they don't make those decisions on purpose and it's more they wanted to go in another decision. He said it's a different era and different time and it can't be looked at the same way he did when he was a kid.
Punk said that it's been two years since he was in the actual Royal Rumble match and asked how he felt about starting at number one. He said he prides himself on being an Iron Man and joked he could show off his Chicago Marathon medal.
On Wrestlemania 30, he said that you "might know" who he's fighting but a lot can happen in six weeks.
You can watch the complete 31 minute interview with Ariel Helwani at this link.
DiBiase had been wanted on an outstanding warrant where police were notified of where he was located. DiBiase had allegedly been seen trying to break a wall between two businesses in the building where he was located.
DiBiase refused to come out and turn himself in and due to the fact that he was believed to have access to weapons that were in the building, the SWAT team was called in and there was a long negotiation. He was finally apprehended after they tear gassed the building and discovered him hiding under cardboard boxes. The entire process took 7 hours.
DiBiase was charged regarding warrant and for hindering apprehension.
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