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January 29th
On this day in history in...
1981 - Junkyard Dog & Killer Karl Kox defeat Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown in Biloxi, Mississippi to win the Mid-South Wrestling Tag Team Title.
1983 - Pierre Martel defeats Mad Dog Lafaib in San Juan, Puerto Rico to win the WWC North American Heavyweight Title for the third time.
1989 - Lioness Asuka defeats Chigusa Nagayo to win the World Women's Wrestling Association World Title iN Tokyo, Japan. Asuka actually won the belt from Nagayo on August 25, 1988 in Kawasaki, Japan, but refused to accept the title, since Nagayo was wrestling injured. The belt was declared vacant until this rematch took place.
1993 - The Bad Breed (Axl & Ian Rotten) defeat John Hawk (now known as JBL) & Bobby Duncum Jr. in Dallas, Texas to win the Global Wrestling Tag Team Title.
1996 - Konnan defeated the One Man Gang for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight title.
1998 - Steve Corino defeated Joey Matthews for the SCW Light Heavyweight title.
1999 - Baldo (later known as Albert/A-Train) defeats Jerry Lawler in a tournament final in Memphis, Tennessee to become the first Memphis Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
1999 - Trent Acid & Billy Reil defeated The Nation of Immigration for the Jersey All Pro Tag Team titles.
2000 - Jake Lawless defeated Mike Modest for the XPW Heavyweight title, but sold it to Damien Steele for cash.
2009 - The Associated Press reported the following:
Doctor to late wrestler pleads guilty in drug case
NEWNAN, Ga. (AP) — The personal doctor to a professional wrestler who killed himself, his wife and their 7-year-old son in 2007 pleaded guilty Thursday to illegally distributing prescription drugs to patients, one of whom died.
Dr. Phil Astin, 54, pleaded guilty to a 175-count federal indictment charging him with illegally distributing prescription drugs and conspiring to distribute prescription drugs.
Astin also admitted that prescriptions he issued resulted in the overdose death of a female patient in 2007, though attorneys did not specifically name any patient or link the physician to World Wrestling Entertainment's Chris Benoit.
More than 50 of the counts carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The others carry a lesser sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, said Patrick Crosby, spokesman for U.S. Attorney David Nahmias.
Astin did not comment Thursday after the hearing. His sentencing is scheduled for May 12.
In June, Astin pleaded not guilty to the charges. Thursday's change was part of a 12-page plea bargain negotiated by defense attorney Natasha Perdew Silas, who acknowledged her own investigation's findings in the case matched those of federal prosecutors.
She told U.S. District Court Judge Jack T. Camp that Astin wasn't guilty of prescribing medicine in exchange for personal gain, but rather was a "country doctor" who treated many patients suffering from chronic pain.
"In chronic pain cases, Dr. Astin, more often than not, would simply accede to the patient's request that they needed strong or stronger medicine to handle their pain," Silas said in a written statement. "As the years went by, Dr. Astin became more and more willing to bend the rules."
The indictment against Astin involves hundreds of prescriptions written for 19 patients between May 2002 and July 2007.
A federal investigation found Astin wrote prescriptions without conducting physical exams and sometimes gave patients as many as four simultaneous prescriptions for "cocktails" of drugs like Percocet, Oxycontin, Vicodin and Adderall.
Investigators cited one case in which an unidentified female patient began receiving a combination of drugs that included Xanax from Astin in 2002. She died in June 2007, the same month authorities discovered the bodies of Benoit, his wife and son in their suburban Atlanta home.
Benoit strangled his wife and son, then hanged himself in their home in June 2007. A medical examiner couldn't say whether the steroids Astin prescribed for Benoit played a role in the deaths.
Silas would not confirm that Astin played any role in Benoit killing his family and then himself.
In court Thursday, Astin told the judge he suffered from depression and anxiety since his arrest in 2007. Silas described a man who inherited many patients from his father's medical practice after the elder Astin committed suicide in 2005 as a result of depression over his own chronic pain.
In a written statement, Silas described Astin as "sorry for the cases in which he did not provide appropriate care," but added they were a fraction of his overall practice.
"A larger portion of Dr. Astin's patients were treated commendably," she said.
2011 - Roddy Piper battling Terry Funk during a Battle Royal and Jake Roberts' official retirement match highlighted a PWG event held as part of WrestleReunion in Los Angeles, CA. Mike Johnson filed the following live report of the show, which is available via DVD from Highspots.com:
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla started with WrestleReunion promoter Sal Corrente announcing that Ken Patera and Jim Neidhart would not be working the Legends Battle Royal and would instead be replaced by Chavo and Mando Guerrero, who are legitimate legends in the Los Angeles area.
PWG owner Excalibur came to the ring and joked with the crowd that he just arrived from throwing rocks at the military. He noted that the show is starting a little late and "you should be so lucky that we start on time." He thanked everyone for coming and asked everyone to enjoy the show.
Cedric Alexander, Brandon Gatson, Candice LeRae, & Willie Mack vs. Peter Avalon, Caleb Konley, “The Manscout” Jake Manning, & ODB in an eight person tag.
ODB replaced Christina Von Eerie.
Manning and Alexander started with Manning eating several dropkicks Gatson tagged in but Manning faked him out and tagged out to Konley. Peter Avalon and Willie Mack each tagged in, which the crowd loved. Mack killed him with a big shoulderblock and slam. He dropped a series of knees on him but Avalon retreated to his corner and tagged in ODB.
ODB challenged Mack but he instead tagged in LaRae. LaRae pushed ODB but got punched down and then slapped across the chest. ODB tagged in Avalon, who went to piledrive her but LaRae backdropped him and worked him over with stomps and kicks in the corner, She dropkicked him low, then nailed a drop toehold on Manning, who crashed atop of Avalon.
Alexander tagged in but missed a charge in the corner and was clotheslined by Manning from the apron. Manning began dropping bombs on him but Alexander mounted a comeback. Manning cut him off and whipped him into an Avalon hiptoss into the corner. Avalon nailed a big leaping kneedrop for a two count. ODB tagged in and chopped Alexander in the corner. Avalon tagged back in and rubbed his face in the ropes.
Manning tagged back in and continued the beating on Alexander. Alexander went for a hiptoss but Manning stopped him and nailed a nice butterfly suplex. ODB tagged in but missed an Avalanche in the corner. The crowd rallied Alexander and he made the hot tag to Gatson. Gatson whipped Manning in the corner then Avalon atop of him. He whipped Mack into a splash in the corner, then hit a Stinger Splash on the whole pile.
Mack grabbed Avalon and threw him out of the ring atop the other members of his team. Alecander hit a running dive over the top to the floor. LaRae prepared to do one but ODB tripped her. Gatson hit a space flying tiger drop over the ropes onto everyone. Willie Mack went to the top rope but was cut off by Avalon, who went for a superplex. LaRae came from behind and slammed him off the ropes. Mack hit a BIG frog splash off the top.
Team Mack all worked over Avalon until Gatson forced him to tap out with an armbreaker.
Your winners, Cedric Alexander, Brandon Gatson, Candice LeRae, & Willie Mack!
Rey Bucanero vs. Mr. Aguila
Aguila is best known to American fans from his stint in the WWF as Essa Rios. Fans chanted "Lucha Libre" at the bell. Bucanero did several takedowns but couldn't get a pin on Rios. Essa nailed a spinkick, sending Rey to the floor. He went to do a dive but the referee stopped him. So, Rios hit a flip dive out of the ring to the floor.
Back in the ring, Rios drilled Rey with a clothesline for a two count. He kicked Rey several times. Rey sent him into the ropes and caught him with a Backcracker. Rios went to the floor, where Bucanero hit a dive. They battled around ringside. Rios was crotched on the railing and chopped away by Bucanero.
As they returned to the ring, Rios caught Rey with a kick to the chest. Bucanero threw him out of the ring and hit a beautiful running dive over the corner and the ringpost to the floor on Aguila. Fans loved that. They fought in the crowd but I couldn' see from my vantage point. Bucanero put Aguila in a chair and did a running dive over the railing to him.
Back in the ring, they each missed a clothesline attempt and went for a high cross body at the same time, crashing into the other. As the referee counted them down, the fans chanted in Espanol. Bucanero locked on a variation of the Lion Tamer. Aguila fought back and nailed a springboard off the ropes into an armdrag, slammed Bucanero, then hit a moonsault for the pin.
Your winner, Mr. Aguila!
Really fun Lucha match.
Joey Ryan vs. Shane Helms (with Amber O'Neale)
Ryan came out to EMF's "Unbelievable", so he's over with me forever. Ryan took the mic and said that tonight, his opponent is Shane Helms. The place booed Helms. He said that he knows everything about Helms - his sweet dance moves from Three Count, his superpowers as the Hurricane and his ability to "talk sh**" on the Internet. The crowd chanted "HBK." Ryan said he was on a quest to prove he was the greatest wrestler to ever "lace up Nikes." He told Helms that not only has to deal with someone with movie star charisma and good looks, but a Hollywood submission machine. He told Helms that he's got a lot of sweet dance moves but all he needs to know tonight is a tap dance, because he's going to tap out.
Helms came out wearing a t-shirt that said "PG Sux." So does spelling. There was a huge "HBK" chant. Helms took the mic and said that we had a rowdy little crowd. The fans chanted for Helms to "shut the f*** up." He said he needed to comment on a few things Ryan had to say. He said that he's had 12 years of TV time and no one that's anyone in the business "knows who the f***" Ryan is. He said, "Starrcade, Wrestlemania" as he pointed to himself, then pointed to Ryan and said, "Backyard." He then intimated Ryan was gay and that's why he liked Shawn Michaels. He then told the crowd that they could say anything they wanted but none of them would do anything about it in the ring. He was announced as Shane "Supernatural" Helms. Good mic work by both men.
They locked up and Ryan slapped Helms when he trapped him in the corner during a tieup. Ryan shoulderblocked Helms down but stopped when Helms went for a chokeslam. Ryan retreated to the floor. Helms tossed Ryan out of the ring and nailed a plancha.
Back in the ring, Helms grabbed for Ryan but was nailed with a jawbreaker. He tuned up the band, HBK style and nailed Sweet Chin Music, but Helms no sold it and slapped Ryan in the face. Helms locked on a figure four leglock. Helms went to the top but was nailed on the way down by Ryan shot to the gut. Ryan worked over Helms.
Helms started to mount a comeback but Ryan nailed a sunset flip. Helms rolled through, grabbed Ryan's legs and locked him into a Sharpshooter. Ryan escaped and nailed a hammerlock slam. Ryan grabbed the mic and told everyone to pay attention. He said that he was putting on a technical masterpiece and if they didn't have ADD, they would respect him and what he is doing. The fans chanted, "This is awesome."
They battled around the ring with Ryan and Helms exchanging chops. Back in the ring, Helms went for a neckbreaker but Ryan turned it into a one-armed DDT. Ryan locked an armbar. Helms broke free and they battled back and forth. Helms hit an inverted DDT for a two count. Ryan cut him off on the top rope, where they battled. Ryan got knocked off and Helms nailed a flying bodypress for a two count.
Helms went for the chokeslam but couldn't Ryan. Ryan caught him with an exploder suplex. He charged the corner but Helms cut him off. Helms missed a kick and was caught in a slam for a two count. Ryan went for the armbar but Helms slipped out and nailed a neckbreaker for a two count.
Helms went for an inverted DDT but Ryan scissored him in a standing position for a submission attempt until Helms got to the ropes. Ryan rebounded off the ropes and was caught with a chokeslam for a two count. Ryan caught Helms in a submission and Helms, trapped, was forced to submit.
Your winner, Joey Ryan!
An entertaining match. I thought Helms and Ryan were both gold on the mic and their work was good as well.
The fans chanted "Don't come back" at Helms. Helms took the mic and said he got into wrestling when he was 13 years old and worked his ass off to get where he was. He said that he wasn't someone who got into the business and then became a dick. He then said he knows what it's like to be on the other side of the rail, but the bottom line is "I've made millions and you ain't made sh**."
Low Ki vs. Davey Richards
They did some great mat and counter wrestling early.
Ki came out to his old theme music and got a monster pop. Fans chanted "Welcome back" when he entered the ring. They had a long staredown as fans did the dueling chants. They locked up and Low Ki ended up taking Richards to the ropes. Clean break. Ki began beating Richards with chops and kicks.
Richards tried to take Ki down but couldn't get him and they ran into the corner. Ki hit a Mule Kick out of the corner. Richards knocked Ki out of the ring and went for a dive but Ki caught him with a kick as he dove out. Ki worked over Richards on the floor and controlled him on the mat when they returned to the ring. Ki used elbow strikes in the corner but Richards took out his leg.
Richards stalked Ki and beat him down with a back suplex. He cinched in a cravate but Ki began fighting back. Richards elevated him into an inverted atomic drop and tried to muscle him over into a Boston Crab, finally turning him.
Ki made it to the ropes and nailed several chops but were cut off with a backbreaker. Richards nailed Ki with a hard spinkick. He mounted Ki and began beating him with punches and strikes. Richards locked in a side chinlock. Ki mounted a comeback with a series of hard chops. He drilled the hell out of Richards with chops and nailed a running kick in the corner.
Ki destroyed Richards with a series of kicks to the chest. He drilled Richards with a double stomp. KI was caught in the corner with a running forearm and a back suplex for a two count. This match is awesome and there's no way I could keep up with it.
Richards tried to grab Ki's ankle after working on it but Ki chopped him away. Ki hit a leaping double stomp to the leg and then a rolling kick in the corner for a two count. Richards locked in a anklelock but Ki escaped and locked in a Dragon Sleeper. Richards slipped out and nailed a belly to back suplex then a kick to the head for a two count.
Ki went for a rolling kick but Richards avoided it and clotheslined Ki for a two count. Richards pulled Ki up for a superplex but Ki fought him off and hung him off the ropes. He went for the Warrior's Way but Richards tossed him pff. Richards went for a shooting star press but Ki moved and nailed the Warrior's Way for the pin.
Your winner, Low Ki!
A hell of a return to the independents for Low Ki. Really, really, really awesome. They beat the hell out of each other.
Richards flipped off Ki after the match. Fans chanted "PWG" after the match and gave Ki a huge ovation, chanting for him to return.
Jake Roberts vs. Sinn Bodhi (with Stacy Carter)
Obviously, this is booked as Robert's retirement match. Roberts received a huge standing ovation. Fans chanted, "Thank you Jake" after the ring introductions, then chanted for the DDT.
They went to hug but Bodhi immediately attacked Roberts with punches. Jake retaliated with a series of jabs and a knee lift. Bodhi rolled out to the floor. When he returned, they locked up and ended up in the corner, so Bodhi broke clean to mess with Jake's head.
They locked up again with Jake working over Bodhi's arm. Jake nailed him with a punch and went for the DDT but Bodhi slipped out of the ring again. They locked up again when he returned and Roberts nailed him with a series of elbows in the corner and whipped Bodhi to the opposite side. Bodhi cut him off and nailed a running legdrop.
Fans are now chanting "Hall of Famer" at Roberts.
Bodhi covered Roberts for a two count. Bodhi continued stalking him as fans chanted for Jake. JJake mounted a comeback, blocking punches and nailing his own. He tried up Bodhi in an armwringer into a short clothesline, then nailed the DDT for the pin.
Your winner, Jake Roberts!
Roberts put the snake on the former Kizarny. Fans chanted for a speech but Roberts simply waved and walked out.
A nice moment for Roberts. '
We are now at intermission. Back with the Battle Royal soon!Legends Wrestle Royal
Bill Apter came to the ring and introduced Gene Okerlund. He explained the rules. Okerlund introduced Paul Orndorff, who came to the ring. Okerlund then introduced Harley Race and the Iron Sheik. All three received monster pops. Okerlund then introduced Mr. Saito, who got a nice pop. The fans chanted Saito's name. Number one was Danny Davis. He wore his old WWF outfit. Mike Graham was number two. They locked up and Graham shoulderblocked Davis down. Davis cut him off and kicked and stomped away at Graham in the corner.
Number three was Jimmy Hart, who was announced as demanding he was included. Hart nailed Graham with the Megaphone as he was working over Davis. Hart and Davis choked out Graham with wrist tape. Fans chanted for Hart.
Number four was Tito Santana. Tito nailed Hart as Graham unloaded on Davis, who then staggered into a Tito right hand. Graham and Santana worked over Davis and Hart with turnbuckle smashes at the same time.
Number five was Barry O (Orton). Orton slipped leaping over the top rope into the ring. He wore street clothes. Graham immediately began working over him. Hart attacked Graham. Orton saw Tito and begged off, then attacked him. Tito whipped Orton into the ropes and nailed him. Davis and Hart tried to toss Graham out.
Number six was The Barbarian. He wore the old facepaint. No antlers worn to the ring. Barbarian locked up with Tito. Fans chanted, "Lets go old school." Barbarian tried to toss Graham over the top but couldn't get him over. He finally clotheslined Graham over the top to the floor.
Number seven was Los Angeles territory vet Rock Riddle. He was the first name not to get a big pop. Orton and Barbarian worked over Tito. Riddle wandered around the ring, not getting in. Barbarian and Santana whipped Davis into the other's clotheslines. Orton and Hart were in the corners watching. Riddle spent the entire time on the outside of the ring. He finally entered the ring, where Barbarian and Santana worked on him.
Number eight was Shane Douglas. Davis and Barbarian tried to toss Riddle. Douglas got a monster "ECW" chant when he hit the ring. He and Davis went at it. Barbarian muscled Riddle into the corner. Barbarian lifted Orton's shirt and tried to chop him but Douglas nailed him from behind. Everyone continued to fight.
Number nine was The Warlord. Douglas and The Barbarian teamed to toss Santana over the top, followed by Barry Orton. Warlord went after Hart, who jumped over the top rope to the floor to escape certain death. Warlord then ran Davis into the turnbucklle. Douglas tossed the Barbarian out, so we don't get to see the Powers of Pain working together. Douglas and Davis battled while Warlord beat down Rock Riddle. Warlord kicked Douglas low.
Number ten was Chavo "Classic" Guerrero. Rock Riddle tossed over Davis, who landed on the apron and was then shoved off by Riddle. The fans all chanted for Chavo. Chavo unloaded on Douglas.
Number eleven was Shane Helms, back out as the Hurricane. Chavo chopped away on Riddle. Douglas beat the hell out of Helms in the corner and yelled, "I'm not Shawn, b****." The crowd popped for that.
Number twelve was Bob Orton. Chavo and Riddle battled on the ropes. Orton attacked them with the cast. Warlord battled Douglas.
Number thirteen was Cruel Connection (Gary Royal). People were confused until they saw the outfit and then those who remembered the team on TBS popped and chanted. Connection did jumping backs in the ring and was attacked by Royal. Some fans chanted "Super Dragon." Ouch!
Number fourteen was Mando Guerrero. Mando went right after Douglas and Connection. Orton popped Chavo with a right and then laughed at him.
Number fifteen was Terry Funk coming out to Desperado. Douglas and Funk went at it as people chanted for ECW.
Number sixteen was Savio Vega. Funk peppered Helms with punches and tossed him to the floor to a huge pop. Cruel Connection was also eliminated. Mando chopped away at Riddle.
Number eighteen was Roddy Piper who received a monster pop. Piper and Funk went face to face but others attacked them. Piper poked Orton in the eyes. Vampiro, Sean Morley and Tatanka were out to end the entrances.
Everyone battled. Fans chanted "This is awesome." Riddle and Guerrero were tossed. Vega and Vampiro went at it but Vamp nailed a spinkick and tossed Vega out. Orton and Funk battled in the corner. Funk tossed Orton over.
Piper worked over Val and tried to force him over the top. Vampiro and Douglas worked on Chavo, who tried to call for time out. Douglas attacked Funk and beat him down in the corner. Morley went after Piper but got it in the eyes. Vampiro clotheslined Morley over the ropes.
Douglas working over Funk busted him open. Chavo sat on the corner so Piper punched hgim and he took a bump to the floor. It came down to Funk, Douglas, Vampiro and Piper. Douglas continued working on Funk who started mouthing off and making a comeback. Douglas kept working him over and Funk went nuts slapping and windmill punching Douglas. Douglas cut him off with a punch.
Vampiro joined in the assault and splashed Piper in the corner. He tried to whip Douglas into Terry in the corner but Funk moved. Funk took down Vampiro with a series of punches but Douglas lowblowed him. Tatanka finally hit the ring and chopped away at Vampiro and Douglas. He clotheslined both men and did a war dance. He charged Vampiro and Douglas but they ducked and he went over the ropes.
Vamp and Douglas went at it so Piper and Funk tossed them out. It's down to Piper vs. Funk! I am so glad I am in LA! Fans chanted "This is awesome."
They faced off. Terry took the mic. He said that he wanted to thank everyone who was in heaven for everything they did for the business and he wanted to thank everyone for coming out. He said that he wanted to say a prayer asking that everyone would be safe on the way home. He asked Piper to bow his head for the prayer. Piper bowed his head and Terry said, "Lord, please let me...win" and nailed Piper with the mic. CLASSIC. Funk screamed "Amen" over and over and then forced the mic in Piper's face, demanding Roddy admit Terry is the better man.
They battled out of the ring and into the crowd. Funk berated Piper as he beat him with the mic and said, "This is real ECW, you pig." He dragged Piper back in the ring and tossed him over the top but Piper landed on the apron and returned. They battled back and forth with punches. Piper got Terry over the ropes but Funk grabbed the ropes and held on for Dear life. Piper finally punched and punched until Funk landed on the apron and then forced him out to the floor.
Your winner, Roddy Piper!
Funk tried to get back in the ring but was held back by the referees. He tossed a chair, which Piper grabbed. Funk raised his arms to the crowd then gave Piper the finger. Piper led the fans in a chant for Funk. Everyone gave the Funker a nice ovation on the way out.
A hell of a fun match and My God, Piper vs. Funk. So much fun, even at their advanced age. I loved the hell out of all of this. Such FUN.Steen took the mic and asked, "Are you ready to see a f***ng PWG show." They went back and forth early. Hero went for a shoulderblock but couldn't budge Steen. Hero rolled him up for a two count. Hero began working on Steen's arm but Steen reversed it. Hero returned the favor.
They went back and forth until Hero drilled Steen with a roaring forearm smash. Steen went to the floor and dared Hero to follow him. Steen grabbed a weapon from a fan but Hero nailed him from behind and began chopping away. Steen whipped Hero into the railing but Hero leapt it and landed in the crowd. Steen followed and they brawled around the building. Steen climbed a lighting tower and dove off on Hero. in
Back in the ring, Steen worked over Hero and nailed a moonsault for a two count. Steen peppered him with punches. Steen covered Hero but Hero kept kicking out. He unloaded with a series of forearms and chops. Hero started to make a comeback as Steen chopped away at him and nailed a leaping leg lariat.
Both men were down as the referee was counting them down. Fans began singing El Generico's theme and Steen yelled at them to shut the hell up. Hero mounted his comeback but was nailed with a double sledgehammer. Hero kicked Steen out of the ring then dove through the middle and bottom ropes with a kick that looked awesome. He followed up with another then tossed Steen back in the ring.
Hero nailed several right hands but was whipped into the corner. Hero nailed him with a knee to cut him off and then hit Diamondust out of the corner for a two count. The fans clapped and chanted for Hero. Hero chopped away at Steen but Steen caught him in the ropes and nailed a hanging DDT. Steen charged and nailed a cannonball splash in the corner.
Steen went for an exploder but Hero avoided it. Hero went for a pump kick but was caught with a TKO for a two count. Fans began the dueling chants. Steen went for a suplex but Hero halted it and nailed a nasty looking exploder. He hit an explosive charging dive into the corner but was caught and powerbombed by Steen, then locked in a Sharpshooter.
Hero fought his way to the ropes. Steen placed him on the ropes and went for a belly to back superplex. Hero fought him off with elbows and kicked him to the mat. Hero went for a moonsault but Steen moved. Hero landed on his feet but was hit with a lungblower. Steen went for a moonsault but Hero moved and they went back and forth in a great sequence. They started beating the hell out of each other and Steen began dropping Hero on his head with a sleeper suplex.
Hero kicked out and Steen charged, only to be nailed with Hero's roaring forearm smash and pinned.
Off the charts awesome match.
The Cutler Brothers (Brandon & Dustin Cutler) vs. The Fightin’ Taylor Boys (Brian Cage-Taylor & Ryan Taylor) vs. RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson aka TNA's Generation Me) for the first spot in the DT Tournament
Before this even starts, I am going to say that there is absolutely no way I am going to be able to keep up with this one, so I'm just going to give you highlights and the finish.
A hell of a match with all four doing some great high flying spots. At one point, all eight men were using a submission hold at the same time, creating some insane human centipede of submission. There was a hesitation superplex. The Young Bucks were heeling it up bigtime. The finishing sequences were just insane. Just get the DVD.
In the end, The RockNES Monsters did an insane move where one hit the Death Valley Driver on the other onto their opponents.
Your winners, The RockNES Monsters.
Kevin Steen hit the ring and destroyed the Monsters. Steen took the mic and said that he warned everyone that there were going to be two killer matches and he was right because he just killed them. He named himself as the second entrant in the DT Tournament, saying he didn't care who his partner was or if he even had one. He promised that at the Tournament, "Everybody dies!" Killer Promo.
PWG champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. PWG Tag Team champion El Generico
Generico received a hero's welcome. Castagnoli's theme music is awesome. They did some good back and forth wrestling early. Generico failed to shoulderblock down Claudio several times, so he chipped him and went for another but was taken down. Generico caught Claudio in an armdrag takedown.
Claudio regained control and cinched in a chinlock, then stomped Generico down. Claudio missed a charge in the corner and Generico worked him over with punches on the turnbuckle. Claudio went for a powerbomb but Generico landed on his feet and turned it into a spinning head scissors takedown.
Generico went to the top but was cut off by Claudio wth a series of European uppercuts. Generico fought him off and came off the top with a leaping rana. Generico nailed a sliding kick outside of the ring. He went for a plancha but was caught and slammed on the apron oiutside. Claudio slammed his leg into the ringpost and once they were back in the ring, continued the beating, kicking and stomping away.
Claudio continued the assault and attempted a Boston Crab. He ran Generico headfirst into the turnbuckles, then pressed and dropped him into Snake Eyes on the turnbuckles. Claudio teased tearing off Generico's mask and cinched in a side chinlock.
Generico fought back but was caught with a powerslam for a two count. Claudio began focusing on Generico's legs. Generico tried to kick him off and went to the corner but Claudio yanked him down, sending him crashing hard to the mat. Claudio continued the beating as the fans sang "Ole Ole" and Generico fired himelf up, Tommy Rich style.
Generico got some offense in but missed a dropkick and was chokeslammed hard for a two count. Claudio suplexed him for a two count. Generico fought back and nailed an elevated dropkick, Claudio charged but Generico ducked down and Claudio went to the floor. Generico hit an awesome flip dive off the top rope to the floor.
Back in the ring, Generico worked over Claudio until he was kicked off. Claudio mounted a comeback with a pump kick for a two count, then cinched in the Boston Crab. Generico fought his way to the ropes but Claudio pulled him back to the center. Claudio pounded Generico with rights and forearms, screaming at him to stay down.
He just massacred Generico and killed him with a running kick in the corner. Generico charged him but was caught with an elevated forearm smash for a two count. Generico drilled Claudio with a Code Red for a two count.
Claudio was caught with a kick while on the ropes and Generico went for the brainbuster. Claudio beat him down and tried for the Ricola Bomb off the ropes but Generico fought back. Claudio wore him down and went for the powerbomb but it was turned into a rana. Generico nailed a brainbuster for a two count.
The crowd chanted, "This is awesome" and they are right.
Claudio nailed an awesome airplane spin while holding Generico in the Torture Rack position. Two count. Ricola Bomb. Two count. He nailed a one legged spin into a Boston Crab, then turned Generico into another leg submission and got the tap out.
Your winner and still PWG champion, Claudio Castagnoli!
An awesome match.
Joey Ryan attacked Claudio but Chris Hero hit the ring from the crowd to make the save. They went back and forth on the mic to close things out. Ryan ripped on them and said he was going to get his title back and make them tap. Claudio dared him to get back in the ring and kick his ass all over the place. He was hilarious ripping on Joey, saying Pepe Le Pew wanted his haircut. Castagnoli said that he just had a great title defense and lead everyone to go "Hey" for El Generico, Chris Hero and WrestleReunion. He said it was one of the best weekends ever and thanked the crowd for being one of the best crowds he's performed in front of in a long, long time.
Claudio also noted Hero would be his partner in the DT Tournament. PWG did a nice job of setting the stage for their next big event.
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME SHOW.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's Kurt Russell Reunion 3 opened with WrestleReunion promoter Sal Corrente welcoming everyone to the show and thanking PWG for having such a major role in why they have continued to run in Los Angeles.
Xcalibur, the liason to the PWG Board of Directors, came to the ring. He welcomed everyone to California and said that the place is a change from their usual home in Resesa in that the staff is actually nice and helpful and they have a high ceiling. He said that had a few bits of business to take care. He announced that Harry Smith would be replacing Eddie Edwards in the tag match against The Young Bucks today due to Edwards' travel issues.
Chris Cadilac & Famous B vs. The Fighting Taylor Boys (Ryan Taylor & Brian Cage-Taylor)
Ryan and Cadilac went back and forth before tagging out to their partners. Brian shoulderblocked B down. They went back and forth until B ran Taylor out o the ring. Ryan tried to attack B but he was dropkicked out of the ring by Cadilac, who then hit a dive. B then did a running backflip to the floor out of the ring onto The Boys.
Back in the ring, Brian and B went back and forth until Brian caught B with a hiptoss, sending B across his knee. Ryan tagged in and nailed B with a kick. Brian returned and elevated B, dropping him across Ryan's knees. Ryan controlled B and slammed him for a two count. The Taylors cut the ring out from B, tagging in and out. Brian nailed a long standing vertical suplex on B, then locked in a Camel Clutch.
Taylor was caught in a jawbreaker to free B. B rebounded off the ropes with a bodypress but was caught by Brian and slammed down across his knee. Ryan tagged in and drilled B with a series of chops in rhe corner. B came back with a bodypress to set up the hot tag. Cadilac hit the ring with a series oif kicks and drilled Ryan with a back suplex for a two count.
B and Cadilac worked over Brian in the corner and Cadilac did a running shooting star press into a cannoball in the corner. The Tayors fought back but B was caught with a leaping leg lariat. The Taylors came back with a move that saw Cadilac on Brian's shoulder standing on the apron and Ryan hit a dive into a flying clothesline to take him out.
Ryan finally nailed a Canadian piledriver to score the pin.
Your winners, The Taylor Boys!
Decent match. They were trying to do a lot and some of it didn't work but the effort was there. The Taylors are a nice team and I loved the diving clothesline but beyond that, it wasn't fluid.
BxB Hulk vs. Jimmy Susumu
They did some nice mat wrestling early. Jimmy took control and scored several two counts. Jimmy sent Hulk into the ropes but Hulk stopped short and kicked him in the back of the head. Hulk worked over Jimmy with dropkicks and a cravate. Hulk began focusing on Jimmy's back, locking him in a half crab while kicking away at him with the other leg. He tried to force the submission but Jimmy made it to the ropes.
Hulk unloaded on Jimmy in the corner with a chop then tried to whip him out, but Jimmy held on. Jimmy then reversed a whip. He missed a clothesline but caught Hulk leaping into the ring with a springboard move and caught him with a big suplex. Hulk broke the momentum with a big kick but was caught and suplexed into the buckles. Hulk tagged him with a kick to the chest and a standing twisting splash for a two count.
Jimmy fired back with palm thrusts but was cut off with a kick by Hulk. Hulk went to the top but Jimmy cut him off...and spanked him? They battled on the top and Jimmy set him up and nailed a big overhead superplex for a two count. They went back and forth with a series of near falls, including a Hulk move that looked to be a three count that got the crowd going. Hulk worked over Jimmy, who came back with a pair of lariats for a two count.
Jimmy finally hit a Jay-Driller and scored the pin.Davey Richards came out and talked about Eddie Edwards missing tonight due to travel issues. He said that the American Wolves were inspired by another team, The British Bulldogs and last night, he wrestled the son of a Bulldog and they stole the show. Richards said that he'd like everyone to welcome Harry Smith for his PWG debut.
The Young Bucks vs. Harry Smith & Davey Richards
Richards and Nick Jackson started out. They locked up and ended up in the ropes. Clean break. They locked up again and this time Jackson slapped Richards when they brole. Richards looked bemused. The crowd chanted, "Davey's gonna kill you." Richards worked him over and tagged Smith, who overpowered Nick, throwing him around and slamming him. Richards tagged back in and came off the top with a double axehandle, then used a running boot to kick Matt off the apron
Smith held up Nick Jackson for a 37 second delayed vertical suplex as Richards dispatched Matt again. The crowd loved that, chanting for Smith. Richards tagged back in but was overwhelmed by the Bucks. Matt slammed him down but it hurt his back to do the slam. Matt worked him over with a series of rights but Matt came back with a leaping kick.
Nick tagged in and stomped all over Richards. Nick used a slingshot splash for a two count. He continued working over Richards, focusing on his arm, then took him to the mat trying to force a submission. The Bucks hit stereo backflips into dropkicks for a two count. The Bucks controlled Davey in the corner, stomping and choking him. Richards drilled a series of kicks and an enziguri to break free and finally tagged Smith.
Smith hit the ring with a series of clotheslines and an awesome over the head belly to belly suplex. Smith then drilled the Bucks with superkicks for a two count on Nick. Nick tried to come back with a bodyslam but was caught and nailed with an over the shouder powerslam. Davey exploded with an insane series of offense, kicking the Bucks in the face each, then killing Nick with a double stomp for a near fall.
Richards grabbed an ankelock on Nick but Matt locked him in a sleeper. Harry broke it up but was sent to the outside. The Bucks drilled Richards with a double superkick for a two count. Richards and Nick exchanged nasty kicks toi the head. The Bucks dispatched Smith, then nailed More Bang For Your Buck and scored the win.
Your winners, The Young Bucks!
No way I could have kept up with all this. It was AWESOME.
Willie Mack vs. Narui Doi
Mack just got off a plane from Canada about two hours ago. They had some great back and forth sequences early. Mack nailed a big sitdown slam and went to the top but Doi attacked him and crotched him. Doi went for a superplex but Mack fought him off. Mack was still caught and superplexed in.
Doi went to the top and hit a massive flying elbowdrop. He drilled another off the top, but only received a two count. Doi fired with a series of chops but Mack went nuts on offense and drilled Doi with a big standing powerbomb for the pin.
Your winner, Willie Mack!They locked up and ended up in the ropes, but they broke clean. They locked up again and again broke clean. Mochizuki threw a kick but Strong ducked and chopped him. Mochizuki nailed a series of kicks but was caught with a tilowhirl backbreaker. Strong stomped away on him in the corner and locked in a rear chinlock.
Mochizuki made a comeback and swept Strong's legs out from under him on the apron and then kicked him off to the floor. He followed to the floor, where he worked over Strong. He slammed Strong's knees on the apron of the ring. Mochizuki unloaded with the offense, kicking the hell out of Strong with a series of ki
He picke up Strong and drilled him over the knees, then chopblocked him. Strong took a backwards bump. Mochizuki cinched in a leglock. He kept kicking and working over Strong's leg while daring him to show how hard he can chop. Strong fired back but was kicked again in the leg. Strong was tied up in an anklelock but fought to the ropes. Strong tried to pulled himself to his feet.
Strong elbowed himas Mochizuki charged into the corner, then unloaded with some hard chops and strikes. Strong nailed a big belly to belly overhead suplex, then a fallaway slam for a two count. They went back and forth with some stiff strikes. The battled on the top. Strong used a backbreaker on the top rope for score a two count.
Mochizuki stalked Strong and drilled him with kick after kick, then a sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Mochizuki continued to beat Strong like he owned him. They went back and forth until Mochizuki finally got the pin.
Insanely stiff contest. These guys are going to feel it tomorrow.
Pac & Maato Yoshino & PWG champion El Generico vs. Super Dragon & Akira Tozawa & Kevin Steen
Generico and Dragon started out going back and forth. Generico grabbed a front chauncery but Dragon pushed him into the corner. Dragon chopped away at Generico. Generico came back with a series of armdrags. Tozawa and Pac tagged in. Pac nailed a springboard missile dropkick. Team Pac all took turns working over Tozawa's arm. Steen was killing the crowd with zingers left and right.
Pac chopped aty Tozawa in the corner. He whipped Tozawa into the ropes but Tozawa avoided him and nailed a basement dropkick. He was sent to the floor, where Tozawa nailed a series of dives. Generico kicked Tozawa off the apron with a big boot. It ended up with all six brawling around ringside. Steen powerbomed Generico on the apron.
They continued working on Generico's ribs when they returned to the ring, with Tozawa biting and stomping on them. Generico tried to go for a tag but was pulled to the center. Steen tagged in and bit Generico on the ribs and kicked and stomped away. Super Dragon tagged in and tried to unmask Generico. Team Steen continued beating down Generico. Tozawa used the rapid fire chops in the corner.
They continued beating on poor Generico. The crowd chanted for Generico and he finally made the hot tag to Yoshino. He went wild with offense on Tozawa but was then unable to get Steen up for a brainbuster. Pac and Yoshino were able to make it happen. They all battled to the outside, where Pac hit a crazy springboard moonsault.
Pac and Yoshino did a series of crazy tag moves. Steen missed a swanton on Pac when Pac pulled his knees up. Generico laid waste to Dragon. Team Pac each took turns charging and clotheslining Dragon. Team Steen came back with a series of cannonballs in the corner and a Doomsday Device on Tozawa that looked scary as hell.
Dragon nailed a spinning sit down powerbomb off the ropes. It turned into super psycho six man with all sorts of insane spots that popped the crowd huge and led them to chant "PWG" after everyone was out and spent from the moves. It came down to Steen and Genericho beating the hell out of each other. He nailed the Package Piledriver on Steen but Pac broke up the pin. He nailed an enziguiri on Dragon. Generico nailed a brainbuster and Pac hit a crazy flip dive off the top onto Dragon and scored the pin.
Incredible six man tag.
Your winners, Pac & Maato Yoshino & PWG champion El Generico!
World Title Match in Steel Cage: Daniel Bryan vs Mark Henry vs Big Show
Daniel Bryan headsfor the hills and tries to climb out as soon as the bell rings, but hegets dragged back down before Show and Henry go at it. Show takes Henry down with a shoulder tackle and then splashes him between the ropes and the cage. Bryan tries to go over the cage again, but Show grabs his ankle and slams him back into the ring. Show with a big chop in the corner, Bryan again tries to climb out but gets dragged back down and smashed with another chop. Bryan tries to fight back, but his offense is completely ineffective and Show goes for the big right hand, but Bryan moves and Show hits the cage. Bryan tries to go after him again, but Show manages to shrug him off until Bryan dropkicks his legs out from under him, then does the same to Henry. Bryan with hard kicks to both men and he heads for the door,but Henry grabs him and drags him back in, unloading with big right hands and grinding his face into the cage. Henry continues unloading on Bryan but turns around right into a superkick from Big Show. Show repeatedly runs Bryan into the cage, and Bryan tries to fight back, but Show viciously destroys him with forearms and a big slam. Mark Henry recovers and goes back after Big Show and lays him out with a big clothesline, then stands on Bryan's chest before ramming him into the cage. Bryan dodges a chargeand Henry crashes into the cage, then Big Show spears Henry and Bryan covers Henry for 2. Show with a series of clotheslines to Bryan and then rams him over and over into the cage before dropping him with a kneelift. Show goozles Bryan, but Bryan manages to kick his way out of the move and hits a tornado DDT on Big Show. Bryan cover for 2 but then goes right into the LeBell Lock on Show. Henry breaks it up before Show has a chance to tap out and then rams Bryan into the cage. Show knocks Henry out with the big right hand and covers, but Bryan breaks it up at 2 and then goes to climb out of the cage. Show goes up after him and holds him by the head to keep him from dropping down, Bryan tries to drop but Big show grabs him and starts pulling him back up with one hand, but Bryan fights him off and manages to drop to the floor to win the match.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
We go to a video package hyping John Cena vs the Rock, and we see a montage of interviews with fans who alternately talk about what a phony loser he is and what an awesome role model and leader he is. We see him posing a lot with soldiers and children and talking about how he doesn't pander for approval but still stands up for what he believes in ever though some people get bored with his act, and also that Wrestlemania means everything to him.
Beht Phoenix, Natalya Neidhart & the Bella Twins vs Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Tamina & Eve Torres
Natalya and Tamina start off and Natalya takes her over with a side headlock, but Tamina shoots her off into the ropes and a shoulderblock results in nobody moving. Tamina takes her down with another one and tags in Eve for a standing moonsault that apparently now has a stupid name. Beth tags in and Eve takes her down with a running clothesline and goes for a rolling senton, but Beth gets the knees up and then punts Eve in the ribs. Beth with a series of elbows to the ribs and another cover for 2, then tags in one of the Bellas, we'll just call her Nikki. Nikki chokes her on the ropes and then boots her in the face and covers for 2. Nikki with a rear chinlock, but Eve snapmares out and tags out to Alicia Fox, who nails a series of dropkicks and the puts the boots to Nikki in the corner. Nikki chokes Alicia on the ropes and snaps her down to the mat by the arm before tying her up in a seated abdominal stretch. alicia fights her way out and tagsin Kelly,and she gets a big flying headscissors on Nikki anda handspring elbow into the corner followed by a bulldog for 2. All heck breaks loose as all the girls wind up fighting on the floor except for Kelly, who comes off the top rope with a crossbody the wipes out her opponents, as well as her partners while she's at it. She rolls Nikki back in and Beth tags herself in and hits the Glam Slam for the win.
Winners: Beth Phoneix, Natalya & the Bella Twins
Zack Ryder shows up backstage, and he's met by an enthusiastic John Laurinaitis, who has set Zack up with his own dressing room and everything. Eve shows up and tells Laurinaitis to get lost because he's going to get fired after tonight, then wheels Ryder into the locker room after Zack says "Woo woo woo, you know it!"
John Cena vs Kane
Cena goes right after Kane as soon as the bells rings, but Kane quickly turns the tide andbeats Cena down. Cena fights back with a series of right hands and clotheslines Kane to the floor, but Kane drags Cena under the bottom rope and lays him out with a chop to the throat. Cena reverses a whip and sends Kane crashing into the steps, then they head back into the ring where Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but collapses and Kane lands on top of him. Kane continues dishing out right hands in the corner and hits a running boot off the ropes for 2. Kane with a rear chinlock, but Cena fights his way out and they go toe to toe but Kane comes out on top and covers Cena for 2. Kane with a vertical suplex for 2 and then he goes back to the chinlock, but Cena fights out and gets laid out again with another right hand. Kane whips Cena into the corner and follows in with a runningclothesline, but another charge sees Kane take a drop toehold into the second turnbuckle. Cena goes for a bulldog but Kane shoves him off and Cena rolls out to the ring apron. Cena snaps Kane down on the top rope, but rolls into the ring and gets laid out with a clothesline. Kane goes for the smother hold, but Cena blocks it. Cena fights, but Kane finally gets it and Cena goes down to his knees. Cena suddenly slides out and catches Kane in the STF, but Kane simply powers out of the hold and hits a side suplex. Kane goes to the top rope and comes off with a flying clothesline, then sets up for the chokeslam. Cena ducks and hits Kane with a pair of shoulderblocks and a Blue Thunder Driver, then sets up for the Five Knuckle Shuffle as he gets booed out of the building. Kane catches him with a choke before he can hit the move and hits a big boot for 2, then continues unloading on him in the corner. Kane puts Cena on the top rope and goes for a superplex, but Cena fights him off. The crowd boos him as he goes to the top rope and does you can't see me before coming off the top rope with a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Kane fights his way out, so Cena baseball slides his knees out from under him. Kane kicks Cena out to the floor and goes out after him, ramming him into the ring apron, then continues beating him up into the aisle until they both get counted out.
DOUBLE COUNTOUT
As soon as the bell rings, Cena suddenly gets his second wind and starts fighting back, and the two of them battle backstage where, conveniently, there happens to be a cameraman right where they wind up fighting. Cena fights back and rams Kane into a bunch of garbage pails, but Kane gets a chair and rams it into Cena's ribs, then smashes him over the back with it. Kane with another chairshot and a final one right over the head. Kane stands over the motionless Cena and realizes he's right outside Zack Ryder's dressing room and smashes the door in. Ryder tries to fight him off, but Kane smothers him unconscious, then wheels Ryder out of the dressing room, through the backstage area, and back into the arena where he dumps Ryder out of the wheelchair and then rolls him into the ring. Kane goes after him but Eve Torres runs in and begs for mercy. Kane considers it, then picks Ryder up and hits the Tombstone. Eve iscrying as Kane stands up and goes after her, but Cena runs in and goes after him, trying to hit the Attitude Adjustment but KAne blocks and lays him out with a chokeslam. Kane leaves the ring and heads to the back as Eve sits there crying because her boyfriend got beat up.
Ryder is put onto a stretcher and carried out as Eve and Torres look on sadly.
We go to a video package of the Rock that covers him talking about growing up in the business, being a superstar, and not leaving the business quietly but instead becoming this huge movie star. Basically, the whole thing turns into a big commercial for Journey 2 while hyping the Rock to build to Wrestlemania.
Drew McIntyre vs Brodus Clay
Brodusshakes his ass as the matche starts, but Drew in unperturbed and goes right after him, unloading with right hands and boots to the midsection, but Brodus no-sells everything and Clays up. Brodus with a headbutt to the chest that flattens Drew, then he hits a t-bone suplex and a splash in the corner, followed by a running crossbody off the ropes for 3.
Winner: Brodus Clay
John Laurinaitis comes out and says that he's not going to be inside the ring refereeing this, he'll be on the outside as an enforcer referee.
WWE Title Match: CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler with special referee John Laurinaitis
Vickie Guerrero gets kicked out of ringside before the bell rings, and we're off. They both go for their finishers early, but Punk gets the advantage early with a series of kicks to the leg. Ziggler dodges a kick to the face and struts Ric Flair style. Ziggler goes for Punk's legs but Punk leaps over him into a sunset flip for 2 and goes for the Anaconda Vice but Ziggler quickly goes to the ropes. Punk catches Ziggler in an abdominal stretch and rams elbows into the ribs opver and over before letting him go and picking him up for a suplex before just dumping him on the top rope. Ziggler tumbles out to the floor, but Punk follows him out with a dive through the ropes. Punk dumps Ziggler back inside and goes up top, but Ziggler pulls his ankle and Punk lands back first on the top rope. Ziggler gets a 2 count off a cover and follows up with a neckbreaker and a series of elbowdrops for 2. Punk with a back suplex and then they go toe to toe in the middle of the ring but Ziggler ducks a clothesline and gets a sleeper. Punk slips out and goes for the Anaconda Vice, but Ziggler reverses back to the sleeper. Punk slips out again but gets caught square in the face with a dropkick from Ziggler for 2. Ziggler goes for a Frankensteiner but Punk counters to a sitout powerbomb for 2. Punk unloads on him with hard strikes and a leg lariat, followed by a neckbreaker. Punk with the running knee in the corner and the running bulldog, then signals for the Go To Sleep. Punk goes for it but Ziggler fights his way out and catapults Punk into the corner, but Punk catches himself and comes out of the corner with a crossbody, Ziggler rolls through and holds the tights but only gets 2. Punk with a high kick to the head and covers for 2. Crowd chants for Punk as he slams Ziggler and heads to the top, stopping long enough to stare down at Laurinaitis at ringside, and he hits the Macho Man elbow for 2. Crowd chants for Randy Savage as Punk picks Ziggler back up and goes for Go To Sleep again, but Ziggler slips out and shoves Punk into the referee, who bumps out to the floor. Ziggler goes for a whip, but Punk counters into a judo throw and goes right into the Anaconda Vice. Ziggler starts tapping, but Laurinaitis is checking on the referee so Punk drops the hold and goes to have a shouting match with Laurinaitis. Ziggler gets an O'Connor roll and Punk reverses for about a 45 count, but Laurinaitis is again checking on the referee and does nothing. Laurinaitis rolls the referee into the ring and again gets into a shouting match with the referee, but Ziggler charges and Punk picks him up in a fireman's carry. He swingsd around and accidentally knocks Ziggler's legs into Laurinaitis, knocking him to the floor, and hits Go To Sleep. He gets in another shouting match with Laurinaitis since the referee still hasn't recovered, then goes for another Go To Sleep and Ziggler counters to the Fameasser for a close 2. Ziggler pounds away with right hands and stomps to Punk and repeatednyl rams elbow into Punk's skull, then goes for another Fameasser, but Punk ducks, hits a catapult into the corner, and hits Go To Sleep. The referee starts to count, and Laurinaitis quickly slides in and counts 3 with the referee.
Winner: CM Punk
Laurinaitis takes the WWE Title belt and hands it to the referee so he can hand it to Punk, then heads up the ramp looking very satisfied with his performance tonight.
We go a video package detailing the history of the Royal Rumble match and some of the records that have been set over the years, and then it's time to Rumble!
Royal Rumble 2012
The Miz comes in at #1 as a result of his loss to R-Truth on Raw, and cuts a prematch promo saying that everybody thinks he's intimidated by drawing #1, but they're the same people who thought he'd never main event Wrestlemania or win the WWE Title. He's proved everyone wrong, and tonight will be no different because h'es the Miz and he's awesome. #2 is Miz's former protege Alex Riley, and they stare at the Wrestlemania banner before going toe to toe. Riley gets the advantage and takes out Miz with a clothesline. He tries to dump Miz, but Miz elbows his way out of Riley's clutches and hits a running boot to the face. Miz tries to dump Miz, but Miz stops himself on the apron and pulls down the top rope to send a charging Riley to the floor. Miz takes a bow with the Wrestlemania banner in the background as we count down to #3, who just happens to be R-Truth. Truth takes Miz down and unloads with right hands, does the split to duck a clothesline and hits a leg lariat. Truth with Miz in a fireman's carryt and dumps him out to the apron, but Miz shoulderblocks Truth's ribs and slips back in. They both block each other's finishers, but Truth with a boot to the gut and went for a vertical suplex, seemed to lose him, and turned it into a slam. Miz is back on the apron as #4 omes in and it's Cody Rhodes. Rhodes comes in and hits the Beautiful Disaster on Truth,followed by a gourdbuster, then holds Truth so Miz can hit him. Miz enjoys it so much, he holds Truth so Rhodes can takes some free shots. Rhodes hangs Truth on the ropes and kicks him low, but gets dumped to the apron. Truth tries to go back and forth attacking both men but Miz hits a neckbreaker as Justin Gabriel comes in at #5.
Gabriel goes at it with Rhodes as Mizand Truth fight in the opposite corner, and then Primo comes in at #6. He goes after Rhodes and sweeps his legs and hits a standing moonsault, then whips Gabriel to the ropes and hits a headstand Frankensteiner out of the corner as Truth hits a rolling forearm out of the corner on Miz. Miz quickly recovers and dumps Truth over the top rope to eliminate him, but Truth drags him under the bottom rope and hits a Flatliner on the floor. Mick Foley comes in at #7 and he's looking like he's seen better days. He unloads with right hands on Primo and backdrops him to the floor, but Rhodes goes after him and they duke it out in the corner with Foley coming out on top and beating him down. Foley with a running knee to Rhodes and he hits the Cactus DDT, then tells Gabriel to help him dump Rhodes. We count down to #8 and it's last year's winner, Alberto Del Rio. Actually, it's not, it's Ricardo Rodriguez, and he drives into the arena in a beat up old car with the back window duct taped on. The crowd actually chants for this guy as he makes buddies with Foley and Gabriel before going to work on Rhodes. Gabriel dropkicks him and Rodriguez starts firing back, and he and Foley dump Gabriel, then Rodriguez runs around the ring celebrating before Santino Marella comes in at #9. Rodriguez tells Foley he'll take him, but gets backdropped, then Santino hits an atomic drop, an inverted atomic drop, and leapfrogs him across the ring into the second turnbuckle. Santino gives Ricardo a wedgie and then eliminates him. It's down to Santino and Foley and the crowd chants for Socko, so Foley takes him out and puts him on as Marella puts on the Cobra sock. They circle until the clock counts down to #10 as Epico makes his entrance.
Epico doesn't last long as Foley gets the Mandible Claw and eliminates him, then Santino and Foley lock socks until Miz and Rhodes finally get back in and eliminate both Santino and Foley. Mizand Rhodes stare each other down, but the clock counts down and Kofi Kingston comes in at #11. He dives through the ropes and takes both men out, hitting the pendulum kick on Mizand an enziguiri to Rhodes, then wiping both men out with a double dropkick. He does his stupid Boom Drop, then dumps Miz out to the apron. He keeps trying to dump him but Rhodes comes from behind with a dropkick. We count down to #12, and Jerry Lawler's music starts playing. He gets up from the announce table and comes into the ring where he takes out both Rhodes and Miz with right hands and dropkicks. Lawler goes to the second rope, pulls the strap down, and hits a fistdrop before Rhodes eliminates him. Rhodes goes back after Kofi as Ezekiel Jackson comes in at #13 and grabs Rhodes by the throat, sending him to the throat and rolling over him witha shoulderblock. He takes both Rhodes and Mizout with multiple clotheslines and then puts the boots to Miz in the corner. Zeke's looking like he's gotten a bit jiggly in recent months, but hits a side suplex nonetheless on Kofi before beating Rhodes down in the corner. Jinder Mahal comes in at #14 and slowly makes his way down to ringside before coming in and hitting a high knee on Kofi. Mahal with a neckbreaker to Zeke and goes back after Kofi as #15 already comes in and it's our old buddy the Great Khali!
Khali goes after Mahal and destroys everyone else, then dumps Mahal, clotheslines Zeke out of the match, and chokes Miz in the corner with his boot as Kofi dumps Rhodes out to the apron. Hunico comes in at #16 on a gold plated bicycle, then takes out Kofi, Miz,and finally Rhodes with anAngle slam. Khali flattens Hunico with a chop and then goes after Kofi and Miz in the far corner. Booker's music hits at #17 and now he gets ujp from the announce table, and he goes right after Cody Rhodes, then lays out everyone else before going face to face with Khali. Khali headbutts Booker and puts the boots to him in the corner as the crowd goes nuts for Booker. Khali turns his attention to Rhodes with a big chop to the chest, and Miz dumps Kofi to the floor, and he braces himself with his hands, and Miz tried tossing his hands off but Kofi did a handstand and walked backward on his hands until he could land on the steps and come back in. Okay, that was a bit ridiculous. Dolph Ziggler comes in at #18 as Hunico barely saves himself from being dumped by Khali, but winds up taking a Harlem side kick from Booker. Khali lays Ziggler out with a headbutt as we count down to #19 and it's HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN! He lays everyone in the ring out with right hands and goes HOOOOOOOOOO!!! before leading the crowd in a USA chant. Duggan misses a charge in the corner however, and Rhodes dumps him from behind. Khali tries to dump Booker, but Rhodes sneaks up from behind and dumps them both out as Michael Cole becomes the entrant at #20, singlet and all.
Cole comes in wearing his headgeat and singlet and dances around while pointing at the Wrestlemania banner, but doesn't make contact with anyone until #21 counts down and it's Kharma! She comes in and takes Cole right out with a clothesline, and Cole hops over the top rope to the apron to try and reason with Kharma, and Lawler and Booker jump up from the announcer booth and pull him down to the floor to eliminate him. Kharma follows up by laying Ziggler out and then dumping Hunico, but Ziggler sneaks in from behind and eliminates her as Sheamus comes in at #22. He lays out everyone in the ring with clotheslines and hits a series of windmill slams on everyone. Kofi goes for a spinning kick, but Sheamus catches him and dumps him to the floor to eliminate him, then ties Rhodes in the ropesfor the rapid fire forearms to the chest and then does it again to Miz. Ziggler goes for the Zig Zag on Sheamus but Sheamus blocks as the Road Doggcomes in at #23. He unloads with right hands on Rhodes, dances, and then lays out both Rhodes and Miz befopre hitting the shaky legs kneedrop on Rhodes. Road Dogg with a pump handle slam on Miz and then goes back after Rhodes as Jey Uso comes in at #24. Uso with a spinning forearm to Road Dogg and a superkick to Miz, followed by the running ass splash to Road Dogg in the corner. Sheamus, Ziggler, and Rhodes are all going at it in the corner as Miz and Uso fight it out across the ring, and we count down to #25 as Jack Swagger makes his entrance.
Swagger comes in and goes after Uso as Rhodes hits a gourdbuster on Ziggler. Wade Barrett comes in at #26 and he goes after everybody in the match and eliminates the Road Dogg. Barrett and Sheamus go at it in the corner as Ziggler hits Uso with a Fameasser, and David Otunga comes in at #27. He goes after Barrett next and lays in shoulderblocks in the corner then winds up fighting it out with Rhodes as Randy Orton comes out at #28 to a thunderous ovation in his hometown. He goes right after Barrett and destroys him with punches before hitting a big snap powerslam. He goes for the RKO but Rhodes nails him from behind, so he dumps Rhodes and Ziggler out to the apron and hits a double hanging DDT. Orton tosses Uso, then hits the RKO on Barrett and dumps him. The lights go out for #29, and here comes Chris Jericho as he physically competes for the first time in nearly two years. He immediately dumps Otunga, then goes after Ziggler as Sheamus chokes Swagger with his boot and Rhodes and Miz double team Orton in the corner. We count down to this year's lucky #30 entrant, and it's the Big Show, he pulls Swagger out from the floor before even getting in, then knocks him out with a right hand. Show gets in the ring and goes at it with Sheamus before dumping both Miz and Rhodes, then quickly afterward dumps Ziggler.
We're down to Sheamus, Jericho, Orton, and Big Show in the final four. Everyone goes after Big Show, but he fights them all off and hits Jericho with a running clothesline in the corner and a chokeslam. Orton catches Show with an RKO out of nowhere, then Orton and Sheamus pick Show up and try to dump him, Show fights Sheamus off but Orton dumps show and then Jericho dumps Orton. We're down to Jericho and Sheamus, and they do the obligatory pointing at the Wrestlemania banner party, then Sheamus takes it to Jericho with right hands. Jericho goes for the bulldog but Sheamus shoves him off into the corner and Jericho nearly goes over the ropes and Sheamus goes right after him, but Jericho fights his way out and hits a dropkick off the second rope. Jericho puts the boots to Sheamus, but comes off the ropes and runs right into the Irish Curse. Sheamus goes for the Celtic Cross but Jericho slips out and clotheslines Sheamus to the apron. Jericho comes off the second rope with another dropkick and tries to kick Sheamus out to the floor, but Sheamus fights Jericho off and picks himself back up and slingshots over the top rope with a shoulderblock. Sheamus picks Jericho up and tries to dump him, Jericho slips out the back, but runs into an elbow from Sheamus. Jericho ducks the Bro Kickand gets the Walls of Jericho. Sheamus goes to the ropes, but it doesn't force a break in this match. Jericho holds his fist high and charges Sheamus, but gets backdropped over the top rope and he barely holds on and makes it back to the apron. He and Sheamus go to the top rope and Jericho tries to suplex Sheamus to the floor, Sheamus fights him off, and they both tumble to the ring apron. They both roll back in under the bottom rope and Jericho hits the Codebreaker and goes for a cover for a second, but quickly realizes he can't go for a pinfall and instead kicks Sheamus square in the chest. Jericho shoves Sheamus backward over the top rope and again tries to dump him, but Sheamus saves himself so Jericho just smacks him repeatedly in the face until Sheamus snaps and grabs him by the throat. Jericho goes for a Codebreaker, but Sheamus holds himself up and dumps Jericho to the apron. Jericho holds on, so Sheamus hits the Bro Kick and Jericho hits the floor.
Winner: Sheamus
Sheamus celebrates as fireworks go off and the winner of the Royal Rumble admires the Wrestlemania banner as the show comes to a close.
We have been working on details for the last 24 hours (as Dave Scherer and I noted on our respective Elite audios earlier today), but the belief among those who are willing to talk about the situation is that Punk is no longer factored into company plans. Punk is under contract to WWE through July.
Punk was slated to face Triple H at Wrestlemania 30. This past Monday's Raw instead began teasing Daniel Bryan vs. HHH down the line, possibly for Wrestlemania.
We have heard from several sources that the original script for yesterday's Raw called for Punk to wrestle Antonio Cesaro and lose after Kane interfered, allowing Cesaro to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. It should be noted that another source has denied that and claimed that Punk was never booked to wrestle last night and was only booked to do a promo that would follow up on Kane causing Punk's elimination from the Rumble. But, Punk was originally slated to be on Raw and those segments were yanked. He was not backstage during the taping and was not backstage at Smackdown.
It is believed that when Vince McMahon had the writers re-write Raw late yesterday (6 PM for a taping that was scheduled to start at 7:45 PM), it was because Punk had informed the company he was going home and wouldn't be back.
While we cannot 100% confirm why, the belief among wrestlers backstage is that Punk leaving was not an injury issue. It was described to us as more likely a case of burnout and unhappiness with the overall direction of the company. Punk had been very vocal in the past about the usage of returning and "part time" stars being pushed beyond wrestlers who were working full-time for the company.
In his interview with Ariel Helwani last week, Punk talked about the crazy schedule he's held up working for the company over the last decade. 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.
Punk, who worked about 50 minutes in the Royal Rumble match was described as "pissy" after the PPV, although that wouldn't be an unusual description of Punk's demeanor backstage.
One source believed that since Punk's last goal was to work a Wrestlemania main event, it may also be a situation where Punk realized it wasn't going to happen this year and with his WWE deal expiring in July, that may have weighed down upon him because he was so goal driven and this was one he couldn't accomplish because of elements that were outside of his control.
In the interview with Helwani, Punk was asked about WWE killing his momentum at times and why such things happen. Punk responded that 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 claimed 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.
Yesterday, Punk wrote on Twitter, "Thanks for all the support. Keep being you guys, it's pretty cool."
Depending on how you read the statement, it could be taken as a cryptic farewell.
We'll obviously update more as we confirm additional details."
Match Number One: R Truth versus Alberto Del Rio
Truth dances around but Del Rio with a kick and punch. Del Rio with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Del Rio wants to know what’s up and Truth with a hip toss to Del Rio. Truth with a punch but Del Rio with a kick. Truth sends Del Rio over the top rope to the floor. Truth does a split in the ring before hitting a pescado.
Truth sends Del Rio back into the ring and Del Rio with a drop kick to the head when Truth gets back into the ring. Del Rio chokes Truth. Del Rio chokes Truth in the ropes. Del Rio misses a charge into the corner and Truth with punches in the corner. Truth with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Del Rio wants Truth to stop and Truth punches Del Rio.
Truth with more punches to Del Rio. Del Rio with an Irish whip and an enzuigiri to the ribs. Del Rio punches Truth in the head. Del Rio chokes Truth in the corner. Del Rio climbs the turnbuckles and he hits an elbow and gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock.
Truth with elbows and he gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Del Rio with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Del Rio goes for a splash in the ropes but Truth moves and Del Rio goes through the ropes to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Truth with an Irish whip but Truth misses a splash when Del Rio moves. Del Rio drops Truth on the top rope and then he kicks Truth and Truth falls to the mat. Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Truth with punches but Del Rio with head butts. Del Rio sends Truth into the corner and he runs into boots from Truth.
Truth with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a single arm breaker for a near fall. Del Rio chokes Truth in the corner until the referee warns him. Del Rio puts Truth on the turnbuckles and then he puts him in the tree of woe. Del Rio with a kick and punches to Truth while hanging from the turnbuckles.
Del Rio sets for a shoulder but Truth pulls himself up and Del Rio hits the ring post with his shoulder. Truth with a missile drop kick and both men are down. Del Rio misses a clothesline but Truth does not. Truth with a drop kick followed by a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall.
Truth goes for a suplex into a stunner but Del Rio lands on his feet and he hits a lungblower for a near fall. Del Rio pulls down the knee pad but he misses a super kick. Truth with a punch and DDT for a near fall. Del Rio with an Irish whip but Truth with an elbow.
Del Rio with a step up enzuigiri to knock Truth off the turnbuckles, but Truth kicks out at two. Del Rio points to the Wrestlemania sign and he sets for the float over but he takes too long. Truth with a scissors kick for a near fall. Truth puts Del Rio on the turnbuckles and he punches Del Rio. Truth goes for a superplex but Del Rio with punches and then he gets Truth hanging from the turnbuckles and Del Rio with the double stomp for the three count.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Alicia Fox and Aksana are trying to talk to Tamina but The Bellas and Natalya stop by and Nikki points out that they are looking at the losers who were giving Brie a tough time last week about Daniel. Brie says last week was such an easy victory that she forgot they had a match.
Aksana tells them that their time is coming.
Natalya tells the Bellas they don’t have to lower themselves to their level. She wishes Tamina luck in their match. Alicia interrupts and she calls Natalya a senior citizen.
Tamina asks Natalya if she ever saw Old Yeller.
Natalya reminds Tamina that she is older.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Natalya versus Tamina Snuka (with AJ Lee)
Tamina throws her vest at Natalya and then connects with shoulders in the corner. Tamina with kicks to Natalya. Tamina with a catapult but Natalya lands on her feet. Natalya with a clothesline and Tamina goes to the floor. Tamina trips Natalya and slams her leg into the apron. Tamina sends Natalya’s leg into the apron.
Tamina gets a near fall. Tamina kicks Natalya in the hamstring and then she tries to hyper-extend the leg. Tamina with an elbow drop to the leg. Tamina punches Natalya in the knee. Natalya kicks Tamina in the face while she struggles to get back to her feet.
Tamina kicks Natalya and she snap mares Natalya and her leg hits the ropes to add more damage. Tamina with a Samoan drop and she picks Natalya up by the leg and Natalya misses an enzuigiri.
Natalya with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Natalya
After the match, AJ attacks Natalya at ringside and then she rolls Natalya back into the ring and Tamina hits Natalya with a super kick. Cameron and Naomi come to the ring and they attack Tamina because AJ got out of the ring before they could do anything. Tamina falls victim to a double suplex and the Rear View from Naomi. Naomi says something to AJ.
It is time for the (almost) weekly interview with Triple H. This week, Michael Cole asks him about Brock Lesnar’s actions. He asks Hunter about the tag title match and what Brock did to Goldust and Cody Rhodes. Will they get another rematch? Hunter says that Goldust and Cody Rhodes will get their rematch on Raw and it will be inside a steel cage.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at what happened at the end of Raw in the main event.
Match Number Three: Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Big E Langston versus Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre
Slater and Jey start things off. They lock up and Slater with a waist lock. Jey with a wrist lock but Slater rolls through and reverses the wrist lock. Jey with a waist lock of his own. Slater with a boot to the foot and a side head lock. Slater with a shoulder tackle and he plays air guitar. Jey trips Slater and he punches Heath. Jey with a flying shoulder tackle for a near fall. Jimmy tags in and they hit a double back elbow followed by a double elbow drop for a near fall.
Slater with a forearm and he sends Jimmy into the turnbuckles. Mahal tags in and he connects with shoulders in the corner. Jimmy with a crucifix cover for a near fall and he follows with an uppercut. Jimmy with a chop and back elbow. Jimmy with a shoulder in the corner and Langston tags in.
Langston with a back breaker combination to Mahal. Langston gets a near fall. Langston with a shoulder in the corner and then he sends Mahal into the corner for another shoulder. Jey tags in and hits a splash in the corner followed by a snap mare and clothesline. Jey with a top wrist lock and Jimmy tags in and he connects with a double sledge to the arm.
Langston and Drew tag in. Drew with a front face lock but Langston with an arm drag and back body drop. Drew with a back elbow and he kicks and chops Langston in the corner. Langston sends Drew into the corner and he connects with punches and shoulders. Drew with a kick and punches.
Langston with a body block and Drew goes to the floor. Slater and Mahal are sent over the rope to the floor. The Usos with planchas while Langston spears Slater to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jey with a double sledge to Drew. Jey with a punch to Drew and he mocks Slater with some air guitar. Drew with an Irish whip and Jey tries to float over but Drew waits for him and kicks Jey in the midsection and gets a near fall. Slater tags in and he kicks Jey. Slater with some air guitar.
Slater kicks Jey and he tags in Mahal. Mahal kicks Jey. Mahal with a neck breaker for a near fall. Mahal with a reverse chin lock. Jey runs Jinder into the turnbuckles and Jey drops Mahal on the turnbuckles. Jimmy tags in and he hits a Bubba Bomb followed by a seated splash and diving head butt for a near fall.
Mahal with a side head lock and Drew makes the blind tag but Jimmy fights off Drew and Jinder. Slater drops Jimmy on the middle rope and he makes a tag and gets the near fall. Slater with a clothesline and forearms to the chest. Slater with a reverse chin lock. Jimmy with punches but Slater with a neck breaker for a near fall. Drew tags in and they hit a double slingshot suplex for a near fall.
Drew punches Jimmy and then he stomps on Jimmy’s head. Drew draws Jey in but Jimmy sends Drew to the apron. Jimmy with a dragon whip and Drew falls to the floor. Slater brings Drew back in and Jinder tags in and he keeps Jimmy from making the tag. Mahal gets a near fall. Mahal with knees to Jimmy and Drew tags back in.
They send Jimmy into the corner but Jimmy with a corkscrew senton and everyone is down. Langston and Slater tag in and Langston with clotheslines. Langston with a splash to Drew and then Slater misses a charge. Langston with a shoulder to Slater and then he hits a belly-to-belly suplex followed by the Ultimate Warrior Splash. The Usos take care of McIntyre and Mahal with super kicks. The Usos with superfly splashes onto McIntyre and Mahal while Langston hits the Big Ending on Slater for simultaneous pins.
Winners: Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Big E Langston
We go to credits.
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