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April 11th
On this day in history in ....
1943 - One of the all time great NWA World champions and one of the toughest men to ever walk Planet Earth, Harley Race is born.
1945 - Earl McCready defeats Dean Detton for the San Francisco Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in San Jose, California, ending Detton's sixth reign.
1955 - Ed Francis defeats Baron Michele Leone in Tulsa, Oklahoma to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title.
1955 - Black Butcher Johnson defeats Norman Wash for the United Kingdom's World Light Heavyweight Title in Edinburgh, Scotland, ending Wash's second reign.br />
1955 - Jack Allen and John Simms win the Rocky Mountain Tag Team Title in Albuquerque, New Mexico, possibly by winning a tournament.
1956 - George Gordienko defeats Lou Newman to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title in Regina, Saskatchewan.
1957 - Don Curtis and Dizzy Davis defeat Great Bolo and Kurt Von Poppenheim for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Title in Amarillo, Texas.
1963 - Buddy Rogers is officially presented the WWWF World Heavyweight Title belt in Washington, D.C., after his having won a fictitious tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rogers had been billed as "World Champion" since the Northeast office of the NWA, headed by Vince McMahon, Sr. and Joseph "Toots" Mondt, left the NWA and became the World Wide Wrestling Federation.
1967 - Frank and Jack Dalton defeat Danny Little Bear and Bobby Fields to win the Gulf Coast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, beginning the Daltons' fourth reign.
1967 - Enrique and Ramon Torres defeat Gene and Lars Anderson for the Georgia NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Savannah, Georgia.
1969 - Dustin Rhodes is born in Austin, Texas.
1969 - Alfonso Dantés and Mil Máscaras defeat The Black Angels for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California.
1969 - Raul Mata defeats Dr. Wagner to win the vacant Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title.
1970 - Dale Lewis defeats Bob Orton for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Jacksonville, Florida, ending Orton's fourth reign.
1972 - Balls Mahoney is born in Nutley, New Jersey.
11972 - Teri Byrne, better known as WCW Nitro Girl Fyre, is born in Pensacola, Florida.
1973 - Don and Ron Wright defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent) to win the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title in Knoxville, Tennessee, ending the Kangaroos' second reign.
1976 - Dr. Wagner defeats Alfonso Dantés for the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title in Guadalajara, Mexico, beginning Wagner's second reign.br />
1977 - Jerry Lawler defeats Rocky Johnson to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his ninth reign.
1977 - Shinobu Aso and Yumi Ikeshita defeat The Beauty Pair (Jackie Sato and Maki Ueda) to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Hiroshima, Japan. This was a rematch of their match on March 18, when the Beauty Pair were champions.
1979 - Perro Aguayo defeats Gran Hamada for the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1981 - Jay Youngblood wins his third NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Buddy Rose's fourth reign.
1982 - Sangre Chicana defeats Atsushi Onita for the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Title in Guadalajara, Mexico.
1982 - Bruce Reed and Sweet Brown Sugar defeat Dory Funk, Jr. and David Von Erich to win the Florida NWA North American Tag Team Title in Orlando, Florida.
1982 - King Kong Bundy and Bugsy McGraw defeat Kerry Von Erich and Al Madril for the World Class American Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.
1983 - Bob Armstrong defeats Ken Lucas for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title. This ended Lucas' third reign and began Armstrong's fifth.
1985 - Bruiser Brody jumps from All Japan Pro Wrestling to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
1987 - Tui Selinga defeats Strong Machine I to win the NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii, beginning his fourth reign. Selinga was the final champion, as the title was abandoned in 1988 when NWA Polynesian Wrestling closed.
1992 - Doug Masters and Ron Starr defeat El Bronco and Ciclón Salvadoreño for the WWC World Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
1993 - Dynamite Kansai and Mayumi Ozaki defeat Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.
1995 - The NWA held an eight-team tournament to crown new NWA World Tag Team Champions at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas, during Jim Crockett, Jr.'s short-lived tenure as promoter there for the NWA Dallas promotion. The title had been vacant for 19 months, since Arn Anderson and Paul Roma were stripped of the title when WCW left the NWA in September 1993. The results were:
First round:
- The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) defeated The Interns.
- Chavo and Hector Guerrero defeated Black Bart and The Scorpion.
- Al Perez and Greg Valentine defeated Killer Tim Brooks and Hercules.
- Dick Murdoch and Randy Rhodes defeated Sam Houston and The Masked Marvel.
Semifinals:
- The Rock 'n' Roll Express defeated Chavo and Hector Guerrero.
- Dick Murdoch and Randy Rhodes defeated Al Perez and Greg Valentine
Finals:
- The Rock 'n' Roll Express defeated Dick Murdoch and Randy Rhodes to win the vacant NWA World Tag Team Title. This began their fifth overall reign as champions, with the other four being the Mid-Atlantic/WCW version of the title. This was their first as "undisputed" NWA World Tag Team Champions, as this was now the only, and now, official NWA-controlled version of the title.
1997 - Big Van Vader is detained in Kuwait after he attacks Bossam Al Otham, host of Good Morning Kuwait, after taking offense to Otham's questions.
1998 - The James Gang (Hoss and Ricky) are awarded the Southern Michigan Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Michigan Center, Michigan, after Otis Apollo and Bobby Clancy had vacated it. SMCW was renamed NWA Michigan in May, during their reign.
1999 - WCW held the fourth, and third-annual, Spring Stampede pay-per-view before 17,690 fans at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The show got a 0.6 buyrate, and the results were:
- Juventud Guerrera pinned Blitzkrieg, after a Juvi Driver from the top rope, to become #1 contender to Rey Misterio, Jr.'s WCW Cruiserweight Title.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Hak (with Chastity) in a hardcore match, after a Death Valley Driver through a table.
-- Scotty Riggs pinned Mikey Whipwreck after a Clothesline.
- Konnan pinned Disco Inferno after a Last Dance.br /> - WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Misterio, Jr. pinned Billy Kidman with a top rope hurricanrana to retain the title.
- Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko (with Arn Anderson) defeated Raven and Saturn, when Malenko pinned Raven after Benoit's diving headbutt.
- Scott Steiner pinned Booker T after hitting him with a foreign object to win the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Title. This was a tournament final to crown a new champion after Scott Hall was stripped of the the title on March 18 due to injury. Steiner had defeated Chris Jericho and Meng on his road to the title match, and Booker had defeated Saturn and Jericho.
- Goldberg pinned Kevin Nash (with Miss Elizabeth and Lex Luger) after a Jackhammer.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Sting in a Fatal Four-Way match, by pinning Flair after the Diamond Cutter, to win the title, ending Flair's sixth reign. Randy Savage was the guest referee.
1999 - Tiger Mask (IV) defeats Jason Cross in London, England for the vacant British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title.
2000 - The WWF taped the April 13 SmackDown! and April 18 Sunday Night Heat at the Ice Palace in Tampa, Florida. SmackDown! scored a 4.7 rating on UPN. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Scott Vick pinned Stevie Richards.
- Scoot Andrews pinned Mike Sullivan.
Heat:
- WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko pinned Scotty 2 Hotty with a roll-up and tights to retain the title.
- D-Von Dudley (with Bubba Ray Dudley) fought Test (with Albert and Trish Stratus) to a double-disqualification when Bubba Ray and Albert interfered.
- Taka Michinoku (with Funaki) pinned Essa Rios (with Lita) after the Michinoku Driver.
- The Godfather and Val Venis fought to a no-contest after both men left the ring to attack Kurt Angle, who had come out and said on the mic that both lacked morals.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit pinned Hardcore Holly with a bridging German suplex to retain the title.
SmackDown!:
- Rikishi defeated WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero (with Chyna) by disqualification. Guerrero retained the title.
- The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit and WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko.
- Perry Saturn defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly to win the title, ending Crash's fourth reign.
- Tazz pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Perry Saturn to win the title, beginning his third reign.
- Crash Holly pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Tazz to win the title, beginning his fifth reign.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian defeated Kurt Angle and Big Show by countout, after Show attacked Angle on the floor, to retain the title.
- Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von Dudley) pinned Albert (with Test and Trish Stratus) after a one-man 3D.
- The Kat and Mae Young defeated The Fabulous Moolah and Terri. when Mae pinned Moolah after an elbow drop.
- Road Dogg and X-Pac (with Tori) defeated Chris Jericho in a handicap match, when Road Dogg got the pin after X-Pac hit the X-Factor.
- The Big Bossman, Bull Buchanan and WWF Champion Triple H (with Shane McMahon and WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) fought The A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Faarooq) and The Rock to a no-contest, after A.P.A. fought Bossman, Buchanan, Road Dogg and X-Pac out of the arena, Rock gave Shane a Rock Bottom through the announce table.
-- The show also featured the debut, and only televised appearance of, WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley's "personal trainer", Muffy Mower. Her gimmick was dropped in the coming weeks, and she was released from the WWF in September. She now works as a stuntwoman in Hollywood.
2000 - Leatherface defeats Moondog Manson for the ECCW Hardcore Title in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, ending Manson's second reign.br />
2001 - AJPW Triple Crown Champion Genichiro Tenryu defeats Taiyo Kea in Tokyo, Japan to win the annual Champion's Carnival tournament.
2002 - Brickhouse Brown and Brother Love defeat Porkchop Cash and John Saxon in Cleveland, Mississippi to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
2003 - OVW held its second-annual Spring Breakout event at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. The results:
- Chris Cage and Mark Jindrak defeated Orlando Jordan and Mark Magnus, when Jindrak pinned Jordan.
- Nikita pinned Passion.
- Nova pinned Christopher Nowinski.
- OVW Southern Tag Team Champions A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Ron Simmons) defeated Lance Cade and René Duprée, when Bradshaw pinned Duprée, to retain the title.
- WWE World Tag Team Champion Kane pinned Matt Morgan.
- Chris Benoit, Nick Dinsmore and Johnny Jeter defeated Rob Conway, The Damaja and OVW Heavyweight Champion Doug Basham in a 30-minute Iron Man match, 2-1. Conway pinned Dinsmore, Benoit made Damaja submit, and Jeter pinned Basham.
2005 - WWE held a live RAW at the MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois, which got a 4.1 rating on Spike TV. Sunday Night Heat was taped beforehand, and got a 0.8 on Spike on April 17. The results were:
Heat:
- Viscera defeated Val Venis.
- Simon Dean and Maven defeated CM Punk and Russell Simpson.
- World Tag Team Champions William Regal and Tajiri defeated La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) to retain the title.
RAW:
- Christy Hemme and Victoria defeated Molly Holly and Trish Stratus, when Christy pinned Molly. This was Molly's last match in WWE.
- Triple H defeated The Hurricane and Rosey in a handicap match.
- Chris Masters defeated Seth Skyfire.
- Daivari (with Muhammad Hassan) defeated Shawn Michaels.
- Christian (with Tyson Tomko) defeated Chris Benoit.
2006 - WWE taped the April 14 Friday Night SmackDown! and April 15 Velocity at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. SmackDown! got a 2.5 rating on UPN. The results were:
Velocity:
- Gunner Scott defeated Simon Dean.
- Orlando Jordan defeated Adrian Lynch.
- Vito defeated Chris Guy (Colt Cabana).
- The Pitbulls (Kid Kash and Jamie Noble) defeated Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty.
SmackDown!:
- Brian Kendrick (with Paul London) defeated Johnny Nitro (with Melina and Joey Mercury).
- Paul Birchill (with William Regal) defeated Rasche Brown.
- Matt Hardy defeated The Road Warrior.
- WWE United States Champion JBL (with Jillian Hall) defeated Chris Benoit in a steel cage match to retain the title.
- The Gymini (Jake and Jesse) defeated The Mexicools (Psicosis and Super Crazy).
- Kurt Angle defeated Randy Orton in a King Of The Ring tournament first round match.
2007 - Paul "Big Show" Wight, at the time not under WWE contract, was announced as replacing Jerry Lawler in a bout against Hulk Hogan promoted by Cory Maclin's Memphis Wrestling at the FedEx Forum. Lawler pulled out of the date due to pressure from WWE, which led to a lawsuit filed by Maclin. The suit would later be settled out of court by WWE.
2008 - TNA President Dixie Carter, who was in town for TNA's Lockdown PPV in New England, attended a Ring of Honor event in Boston, MA. Carter, who sat in the audience watching the show, was greeted warmly by ROH officials. Christopher Daniels and Homide, former ROH stars signed to TNA, also attended the show.
Rob D'Iarmi filed the following results of the show
I have never been to an ROH show before so I wasn't totally familiar with everyone. Thanks to some of the people around me, I was able to do a report for the site.
I want to start by saying that if ROH comes to your town, go. Wow, what a great show. Here's what happened.
As I got there, Bob Evans was beating Kyle Durden.
Ernie Osiris beat Alex Payne and Rhett Titus.
Erick Stevens won a four way over Roderick Strong, El Generico and Rocky Romero to get a title shot later in the night.
Chasyn Rance beat Mike Bennett pretty quickly and looked good.
Eddie Edwards also won a quick match over Jigsaw. After the match, Edwards aligned himself with Larry Sweeney.
Jigsaw got some heat back teaming with Jack Evans to beat The Briscoes. This was excellent.
They ran an angle that led to Delirious, Claudio Castagnoli, and Pelle Primeau winning an elimination six man over Larry Sweeney, Chris Hero and Brent Albright. It came down to Castagnoli beating Albright.
Davey Richards beat Ibushi. I never saw either of these guys before but I will be going to ROH's website to buy DVDs to see them again. This was great.
Nigel McGuiness made Erick Stevens submit.
The main event was sick as Kevin Steen beat Necro Butcher in a match filled with barbed wire, thumbtacks and more. There were lots of Holy S*** moments here.
Overall, it was a great show!
2008 - WWE ran Liverpool, England. James Johnson filed the following live report:
Hey guys, just got back from the Echo Arena in Liverpool. I'd give more details on the matches but the sound of kids screaming really screws around with your memory! With that said, apologies if anything is missing.
Brian Kendrick d. Paul Burchill
Pretty entertaining match, everyone was really into it as it was the first match and the kids went nuts for Kendrick's backflip. Burchill was pretty good on the mic - he got some good cheap heel heat by mocking the Liverpool accent which was just hilarious. Kendrick won with Sliced Bread #2.
Maria & Micke James d. Beth Phoenix & Katie Lea Burchill
Val Venis was the special guest referee, he actually got quite a pop when he came out too. Typical women's tag team match really with the heels dominating Maria. Mickie James with a Tornado DDT to pick up the win.
"Canadian Bulldog" D.H. Smith d. Santino Marella
Santino is gold on the microphone! He told us about the 4 special people who came from Liverpool, who had a huge impact on music...he said he loves The Monkees! He also started talking about how a monkey sat on his uncle's shoulder once and did it's business down his back. GIVE THIS MAN MORE TIME ON RAW! D.H. Smith came down and told Santino that nobody wanted to listen to him talk (speak for yourself dude) and shoved him to start the match. Actually cannot remember the finish to this match but D.H. Smith went over.
CM Punk d. Carlito
Punk was pretty damn over with the crowd as was Carlito. Pretty standard match for these two but still entertaining, CM Punk gets the win with the GTS.
Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes d. The Redneck Wrecking Crew (Cade & Murdoch) to retain the World Tag Team titles.
I missed the beginning of this and didn't think too much of it, the crowd was noticeably quiet for this match (in comparison with other matches). Holly gets the Alabama Slam on Murdoch to get the win. Afterwards Cade & Murdoch argue in the ring, Murdoch leaves the ring and leaves Lance Cade alone to receive a "Who Are Ya?" chant (usually done in "soccer" at a big name player who screws up).
INTERMISSION
Kane d. Chavo Guerrero to retain the ECW title.
Kane was super-over with the crowd after the break. Chavo spent much of the beginning of the match outside of the ring. At the first sign of a lock up Kane teased a chokeslam. Chavo spent most of the match working on Kane's legs which Kane did a great job of selling. Watching Chavo trying to suplex Kane was pretty funny, kind of like back when The Hurricane tried chokeslamming everyone at the beginning of his run but never could. Kane gets the win with a Chokeslam.
Randy Orton comes out and cuts a promo about how he loves that nobody expects him to win, how he thrives off of it and it makes him a better wrestler and that nobody in the locker room can defeat him; the only reason he came was to show the people what a true champion looks like. William Regal comes out and says that as GM of Raw it's his job to make sure the people get the best show possible which leads us into the next match.
Randy Orton d. William Regal to retain the WWE title.
Very good wrestling match, a lot of mat wrestling and holds. The crowd was about 80/20 for Regal. He came close with the Regal stretch but Orton picks up the win with an RKO out of nowhere.
After the match Regal got a microphone and said "You know, I've been in this business for 25years now...maybe one day I'll actually win one!" He thanked us for coming out to see Raw.
MAIN EVENT
HHH & Chris Jericho d. Snitsky & Umaga
HHH & Jericho did the old DX "rock paper scissors" to decide who started. HHH locked up with Snitsky before backing off and grabbing a microphone and telling Snitsky to "Brush your teeth!" - this became the biggest chant of the night throughout the match. He also begged for freshmints or something, anything. Jericho hops out of the ring and gets a stick of gum from a fan. HHH offers it to Snitsky who proceeds to slap it away into the crowd. In what has to be the funniest moment all night, Umaga went hunting for the stick of gum, proceeded to tear off the wrapper and start chewing it which got a huge laugh from everyone! He went on to check his breath with Snitsky who said it was fine, Snitsky checked his breath and it damn near knocked Umaga off of the ring apron! Finish comes with Jericho getting the Codebreaker on Umaga and then Snitsky, before HHH gives a Pedigree to Snitsky to win the match.
My first experience of WWE and I was impressed - the merchandise was overpriced (seriously, £15 for a freaking program!?) but overall it was a great night out.
BIGGEST POPS
HHH
Chris Jericho
William Regal
Kane
CM Punk
BIGGEST HEAT
Snitsky (seriously, the "Brush Your Teeth" thing went on for the whole match)
Randy Orton
Chavo Guerrero
Santino
Paul Burchill (when he was ripping into Liverpool)
2009 - In a blog on her Myspace account, former WWE Diva Victoria discussed meeting TNA President Dixie Carter at a UFC event. The meeting, which eventually led to Victoria coming to TNA as Tara, following former WWE executive Bruce Prichard introducing the two. In her blog, Victoria noted that Prichard was now working for TNA, the first public acknowledgement of that. She would later edit the blog to remove the reference to Prichard.
2010 - The Big Show, The Bella Twins and R-Truth guest starred on an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover - Home Edition.
2010 - Texas Stadium was imploded on. While famous as the home of the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium also hosted World Class Championship Wrestling's Parade of Champions events, including Kerry Von Erich's 1984 NWA World championship win over Ric Flair. With the destruction of the Stadium, all of the major Dallas arenas that WCCW called home have been destroyed.
2011 - Reigning WWE World champion Edge announced on Raw that due to medical tests showing that the severity of his neck problems had gotten so bad that he would be risking paralysis and death to continue performing as a pro wrestler, WWE would no longer medically clear him to wrestle. Edge announced in a tearful speech that he would be retiring and vacating the World title. Edge would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in March 2012 and since retiring, has done a number of acting appearances.
2011 - Alex Whybrow, professionally known as Larry Sweeney, was found dead after taking his own life in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he had been residing as well as training and wrestling independently. The following is PWInsider.com's original piece on his passing:
The news, which was a major topic of conversation among those in the independent wrestling community this morning, was broken by Chris Hero, who had been one of Sweeney's closest friends via Twitter, writing:
"We lost a dedicated friend and an overwhelmingly talented performer this morning. Alex Whybrow aka "Sweet & Sour" Larry Sweeney has passed. We spent a few yrs together on the road & Alex was gifted beyond measure. He could enthrall you with colorful stories from his personal life or he could captivate thousands with his undeniable charisma. I loved him & my heart is with his family, friends & his countless fans. First he was my student & he transcended that almost immediately. I will forever cherish our in depth conversations & time spent together."
In speaking to a number of Sweeney's friends, I can confirm the cause of death was self-inflicted. Sweeney, who was only 29 years old, had very publicly and privately dealt with being bi-polar.
In speaking to number of people who were close with Sweeney and had worked with him in different promotions, the common theme that came up was just how eclectic and creative he was as a person and what a life he had lived, even outside of professional wrestling. For every insane road story that wrestlers had to share, Sweeney could discuss what it was like living and wrestling in India. The same adjectives kept coming up in the conversations – one of a kind, driven, creative, genius, cultured, unique.
What made Larry Sweeney, the persona, such a great talker and over time, a very good worker, were the same things that drove Alex Whybrow as a performer. Like many in the business who want to make it so bad that they drive themselves harder than anyone outside of their immediate world can understand and appreciate. At times, you couldn't even separate the two sides. It's going to be debated whether the business had anything to do with Sweeney's passing, but the reality is his personal problems pre-dated anything to do with professional wrestling.
There's no denying Sweeney fought with problems stemming from being bi-polar. At times, he blogged about them, dating them back to a car accident from years ago. His ROH run was cut short after an out of nowhere departure, which led to rambling, angry statements being made about the company. While pop culture has embraced Charlie Sheen for similar antics in recent months, Sweeney was way ahead of that curve.
What was entertaining for some fans was worrying for friends, but like so many others who have dealt with bi-polar behavior, there was no way to reason with someone when they are in that "zone", because to them, they are right and everyone else are the ones who just don't understand. There's also no way to know when to step in, because of the eccentric nature of the personality. One day, it could be some minor personality quirk. The next, it's something explosive. There's no way for anyone on the outside to predict or know when true help is needed.
It's going to be very easy for some on the outside to dismiss Sweeney as someone who had problems and fell to them but as someone who's known many people that have dealt with bi-polar issues, every last one of them were conflicted, complicated and in many cases, genius-level personalities who were their own best friends and worst enemies. There was no in between and there was no barometer for when and why things would go one way or the other.
In speaking to Sweeney's friends today, that is exactly what many of them were going through. It's a rough situation for anyone to deal with, because you never know how far the person suffering might take their issues.
While Sweeney's most high profile run was working for Ring of Honor as the nucleus of "Sweet and Sour, Inc." as a heel sports manager (think Jerry Maguire), he had been part of a generation of talents that were working just about every independent they could find, working everywhere (and I mean everywhere) from CHIKARA to Action Zone Wrestling in Hawaii to Pittsburgh's IWC to NWA Upstate to promotions so small, you probably never heard of them. He was everywhere, to the point that even in the day of the Internet, you heard his name before you actually saw his work.
Sweeney initially debuted in 2000, working the Chicago independent wrestling scene. As a wrestler, there was nothing special about him - at first. When he was given the chance to speak, however, there was magic. The first time I heard Sweeney speak, I immediately had visions of Bobby Heenan. There was that perfect blend of comedic wit with serious delivery. You didn't look upon him as someone playing a character but as someone who lived what he was doing and believe me, there's a huge difference between the two.
Sweeney eventually migrated to CHIKARA, where he honed his training under Chris Hero, who was his closest friend in the business and Mike Quackenbush, among others. Over time, Sweeney's in-ring work caught up to his promo skills and he exploded, working everywhere and beginning to build attention for himself. Hero and Sweeney were soon working everywhere together with Sweeney as the mouthpiece as Hero evolved as a performer inside the ring. He was as important a piece when it came to building CHIKARA’s unique cult following as anyone.
Soon, Sweeney began carrying and defending The ICW-ICWA Texarkana Television Championship on all sorts of independent events. I have no idea what the origin of the belt was but it was a great nod back to the days of the traveling champion and someone who took their belt from group to group to prove he was the best. During a time period where everyone was about the strong style of indy wrestling or playing off an ECW thread, Sweeney had a nice throwback quality to his work.
Sweeney was soon managing Hero and Claudio Castagnoli, The Kings of Wrestling, in ROH. The Kings, who were already garnering momentum on the independent scene, hit ROH in a big way. ROH had grown from just being an independent group to one of the more well known staples. The Kings and Sweeney had been one of the hotter things on the indy scene during that time period, so when they finally moved over into ROH, it was a major deal for those who had followed them.
Sweeney's delivery was pitch perfect in ROH where the in-ring work was always good but great promos were immediately noticed, especially in places like NYC that had become an important market for the group. In keeping with his character, Sweeney announced he was creating a hostile takeover of the company. He was the perfect foil for the storyline, bringing in names like Adam Pearce and Brent Abright and even Daniel Puder into the fold. Sweeney’s abuse of hapless, overweight Bobby Dempsey resulted in making Dempsey one of the most sympathetic characters in the promotion. For several years, Sweeney was a major part of the ROH machine.
Then, he was gone. There were issues behind the scene and concerns about his behavior. Sweeney publicly announced he was quitting and demanded all sorts of money owed. Some fans thought it was an angle and loved it but the reality was Sweeney was dealing with far more than a wrestling storyline. Some of his friends wanted to help and others even tried, but when an adult wants to live their life how they see fit, how do you force them not to, even if you are worried for them? That was among the comments several friends made today.
The legend of Sweeney seemed to follow him in the months after he left ROH. He was, allegedly homeless. Then, he popped up at Wrestlemania in Houston, offering to wrestle in a parking lot for money. Fans paid, loving the craziness of the situation. Sweeney was all over radio shows and the Internet, and depending on what side you were on, you were either loving the out of control aspect or you were worried for the guy.
At some point, the burnt bridges were repaired, because Sweeney returned as an announcer for the company’s first Internet PPV. But, then he never appeared for ROH again. Sweeney was back all over the independent circuit again with all sorts of stories following him. What were true and what were rumor, I couldn’t begin to tell you.
Sweeney, who in recent years, had talked of running promotions, had been training and wrestling for independents in the New Orleans area. According to one friend, Sweeney had been arrested for a DUI recently and missed his trial date. Of late, he had been worried about the possibility of going to jail. But, no one that had spoken to him in recent days could have predicted that he was coming close to ending his own life and they, like everyone reading this, wishes that there was something they could have done.
On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, we send our deepest condolences to Alex Whybrow’s family, friend and fans. He was a personality that, like everyone in life, was flawed, but also one that was deeply loved - the name Larry Sweeney is already trending worldwide on Twitter. I can't say I knew Sweeney on a deeply personal level, but I sure hope that he knows how much he's going to be missed by his friends.
2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Bridgeport, Connecticut and your announcers are Jerry ‘Good thing there are no elections for King’ Lawler and Josh ‘Which one of the Tough Enoughers is gunning for my job’ Mathews. Joining them from his please let it be hermetically sealed Skinner Box is Michael ‘Let’s see if this box will float since we are in Bridgeport’ Cole.
Cole makes his way to the ring and he enters his protective area so Jerry Lawler doesn’t disembowel him.
John Cena comes out to the ring.
Cena says that it is a great time to be in the WWE Universe. He says that it is chaos and excitement. It is energy because an announcement was made that turned the WWE upside down. An announcement that needed a full year for the WWE Universe to digest.
He mentions that a match was made for Wrestlemania 28 that puts icon against icon and generation against generation. It will be the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment. He says that everyone has their calendar’s circled for April 1, 2012 when John Cena faces the Rock.
In a match of this magnitude, it can’t be two competitors fighting for bragging rights. The main event of Wrestlemania 28 will be for the WWE Championship. Cena says that if it is the biggest match, it has to be for the biggest prize in Sports Entertainment.
In order to be for the title, the guy who fights every week has to capture the WWE Title. Cena makes a challenge to the Miz. It is time for another Wrestlemania moment.
Instead of the WWE Champion, Randall Keith Orton makes his way to the ring in near record time.
Orton tells John that with all due respect, he thinks that any business that Cena had at Wrestlemania has been settled. Cena can blame the Rock and make as many matches for next year’s Wrestlemania, but it doesn’t change that Cena lost.
Orton tells Cena that he should step aside and give someone who actually won at Wrestlemania a shot at the title.
Cena is interrupted by John Morrison who makes his way to the ring. John apologizes for interrupting and he says that we would see the two of them arguing about who the number one contender is. Morrison says that is a good show, but not as good now that John Morrison is involved. Morrison says that if there is a discussion of Miz’s next opponent, it must include John Morrison.
Vickie Guerrero interrupts with an Excuse Me and she comes to the ring with Dolph Ziggler and she says that someone new should get a Championship opportunity. Vickie points out that she pinned Morrison a few weeks ago. The next person who should be in line for a WWE Title match is here. Vickie says that she was joking and she says that it should be Dolph Ziggler.
Ziggler says that he didn’t come to Raw to waste his time with Snooki. Dolph says that he is the most talented person in the ring. Dolph says that he has never faced the Miz for the WWE Title so the line starts behind him. Dolph says that they will all get their chances.
R Truth’s music plays and he comes to the ring and he wants to know ‘What’s Up’. He says that the truth is that he never got a one-on-one WWE Title match. He says that is the truth and that is what’s up.
They all argue and then we see the lights go out and we hear the dingy dingy before the dingbat reads the e-mail from the General Manager. He says that they have made compelling arguments. He will give them all an opportunity. It is a five man gauntlet match. Two men will start and then the winner advances to the next superstar. The man who goes the distance will be the number one contender at Extreme Rules.
We go to commercial.
We are back with someone playing with a doll where we only see the side of their head. Then the head is flicked off. We hear laughing. [Hello whatever Amazing Kong is going to be called].
Match Number One: Brie Bella with Nikki Bella versus Eve Torres
Eve wants the referee to put a mark on Nikki’s hand so they can’t do the switcheroo.
Brie with forearms to the head followed by an Irish whip and a clothesline to the back of the head. Brie with kicks to Eve followed by a snap mare and then she sends Eve’s head into the mat. Brie with a side head lock. Eve with a running bulldog and then she hits a drop kick followed by a knee and kick. Eve with a clothesline followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall.
Brie backs into the corner and avoids a splash into the corner. Eve puts Brie in the Tree of Woe and then hits a drop kick. Eve kicks Brie and then Nikki pushes Brie out of the ring. Nikki has trouble getting up and Eve with a drop kick and the referee sees the mark on the hand. The referee sends Nikki out of the ring and Brie hits Eve with an X Factor for the three count.
Winner: Brie Bella
Sin Cara is putting his mask on in the back because he will be wrestling next.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE can spin their ratings.
Eve is in the locker room and Gail says that she got the short end of the stick. Eve says that she knows how the Divas Locker Room works because everyone wants their shot at the title. Natalya tries to comfort her and Eve says that she doesn’t want to hear it. Natalya asks Gail if they are like that and then Tamina walks in and out.
Match Numero Dos: Sin Cara contra Primo
Primo dives for Sin Cara’s feet and then they lock up. Primo works on the arm and puts him in a hammer lock. Sin with an elbow followed by a snap mare and Primo rolls to the apron and back into the ring. Primo pie faces Sin Cara and then Sin Cara kicks Primo. Primo with a kick and forearms.
Sin Cara with a flip off Primo’s chest followed by a monkey flip and drop kick that sends Primo to the floor. Sin Cara with a slingshot rana to the floor. He returns Primo into the ring but Primo with a baseball slide when Sin Cara takes too long to return to the ring. Primo rolls him back in and he kicks and chops Sin Cara. Primo with a drop kick and then he gets a near fall.
Primo with a chin lock and he sends Sin Cara to the mat. Primo with a chop and Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner. Sin Cara with chops followed by a springboard head scissors take down followed by another head scissors take down. Primo stops Sin Cara and then he tries for a power bomb but Sin Cara counters with a sunset flip and he gets a near fall.
Sin Cara with an Irish whip but Primo gets his boots up. Sin Cara with an enzuigiri when Primo tries to go up top. Primo sends Sin Cara to the floor. Sin Cara with another kick and then he goes back up top and Sin Cara hits a C4 from the turnbuckles for the three count.
Winner: Sin Cara
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Last week’s face off and attempted attack by The Corre.
The Corre are in the ring and Wade has something to say. Last week, John Cena and the Rock made WWE history when they agreed to a match at Wrestlemania 28. Barrett says that they were going to attack Cena and the Rock, but it was to no avail. Barrett says that was through no fault of his own. Barrett looks at Slater and Gabriel. He says that he saw them as equals, but if they aren’t going to hold up their part of the bargain, there is no need to move on as a group.
Gabriel says that his 450 is what puts everyone out. He is a three time tag team champion. Slater points out that they are three time tag champions. No one is going to take their success. Jackson says that he made them credible by slamming a 500 pound giant.
They are interrupted by Santino Marella who is with Mark Henry, Evan Bourne, and Daniel Bryan. Santino says hello and he presents ‘The Apple’. Allied People Power Loathing Everything (that they stand for). Their implosion will continue because Team Apple, in the name of Vladimir Kozlov challenges them to a fight. This fight will not keep the doctor away.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Santino Marella, Evan Bourne, Mark Henry, and Daniel Bryan versus Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, and Ezekiel Jackson in a Our team’s name is worse than your team’s name Match
The match is joined in progress and Gabriel and Jackson choke Bryan in the corner. Gabriel tags in and he hits a jumping spin kick followed by a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head and he gets a near fall. Gabriel with a forearm and Jackson tags in and he connects with a forearm and then he slams Bryan. Jackson with an elbow drop for a near fall.
Barrett tags in and he kicks Bryan and punches him. Slater tags back in and then he kicks and slams Bryan. Gabriel tags in and he hits a slingshot senton onto Bryan. Slater tags back in and he puts Bryan in a reverse chin lock. Slater with an elbow to Bryan followed by an Irish whip but he gets his foot up and then he hits a Yakuza kick and both men are down.
Bryan kicks Slater off and Santino tags in and he punches Slater followed by a forearm and reverse atomic drop. Santino knocks Gabriel off the apron. Santino with a split and a hip toss followed by a diving head butt and he gets a near fall. Henry knocks Jackson down and then Bourne with a flying double knee strike on Barrett. Bryan with a suicide dive onto Barrett. Gabriel hits Santino from behind while he tries for the Cobra and Slater with a DDT for the three count.
Winner: Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Ezekiel Jackson, and Wade Barrett
While Cole and Lawler talk about the next match, Jim Ross makes his way to the ring and Michael Cole gets to do his stand up routine. Jim Ross hits Cole with his hat and then it is time to shake the Cole Slaw container. Jack Swagger tries to attack Jim Ross but he misses and Lawler goes after Swagger. Referees make their way to ringside to bring some order.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Jerry Lawler versus Jack Swagger in a What Happens to Michael Cole’s Career Match
They lock up and Swagger with a back body drop and then Swagger does laps for no reason. Cole reminds Lawler to protect the ankle. Lawler with a punch to Swagger and then Lawler runs like Swagger. Swagger with punches and kicks to Lawler. Swagger with a side head lock. Lawler with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold.
Swagger goes for the leg and he tries for the ankle lock and Lawler gets to the ropes. Swagger finally releases the hold before the referee has to disqualify him. Swagger sends Lawler’s knee into the mat. Swagger with a key lock but Lawler gets to his feet. Swagger back Cole into the corner and then he connects with an elbow.
Swagger sends Lawler into the turnbuckles but Lawler gets that Memphis fury going and he takes down the strap and it is time for some Lawler punches. Swagger with a boot to the midsection and then Swagger gets Lawler up for a power slam but Lawler gets free and he hits a drop kick to the back.
Cole gets on the apron and Lawler sees him up there. Cole doesn’t want it to be like this. Swagger recovers and takes Lawler down with a clothesline. Lawler pulls Cole off the apron and Swagger grabs Lawler. Lawler with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Jerry Lawler
Cole and Swagger argue in the ring. Cole reminds Swagger what the result is. He wants to know if Swagger is an idiot and then he yells at Swagger. He says that he paid him good money and then he slaps Swagger.
Cole gets out of the ring before Swagger can hit him back.
Now it is time to find out what the stipulation for Lawler/Cole II . . . Isn’t that One Too Many at Extreme Rules. Jerry says that he has a good idea for the match. It should be a tag match. Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross against Michael Cole and Jack Swagger. Lawler reminds Swagger that Cole slapped him earlier in the night.
It is time to get comments from the WWE Superstars about the Undertaker/Triple H match from Wrestlemania.
John Cena and Edge are in the back and they shake hands before Edge starts walking to the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Edge to make his way to the ring.
Jim Ross has joined Jerry Lawler at the announce table.
Edge says that you may have to bear with him because he is going to ramble. Some people think that the WWE doesn’t hurt and what they do is done with smoke and mirrors. Anyone in the locker room or anyone who has laced up the boots know that isn’t true. Eight years ago, he broke his neck and he had spinal fusion surgery. Because of that surgery, he was wrestling on borrowed time. Edge says that over the last little while, he has been in a lot of pain. Edge says that he has been losing feeling in his arms. He passed the strength tests and at Wrestlemania, he was okay. He had some more tests and the MRI and results show that he has to retire. Edge says that it isn’t his choice. Edge says that he has no choice. Edge says that because of that he won’t have to end up in a wheelchair.
The fans in Bridgeport applaud Edge while he shows some emotion.
Edge says that this is tougher than he thought. The fans chant ‘Thank You Edge’. He says that it has been an emotional rollercoaster.
He says that he talked to Christian, who has been his best friend for 27 years. Edge says that he was angry at himself and his body because he felt that he was letting people down. Edge says that he did not like that he wasn’t ending things on his terms. Christian reminded Edge that he has been competing his entire career on his terms. Edge says that he is a huge fan of the WWE. Every month, they used to go to Maple Leaf Gardens to watch their favorites and be enthralled. Then he went to Wrestlemania VI and saw the Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan and he wanted to do that. Then he would main event Wrestlemania against the Undertaker. He says that he never would have believed that he would hold more World Titles than anyone else. He never would have dreamt of having his final match as one of the main events at Wrestlemania.
Edge says that he has been doing it for 19 years. His first match was in 1996 in Hamilton. He was 23 years old and he feels like he has grown up in front of everyone. He has become a man in front of everyone. He has gone from being the silent guy in a trenchcoat, to a pseudo vampire in the Brood, to one of the funny goofy guys with Christian who was posing for those with the benefit of flash photography. He was one of the most despised guys and was thrown into the Long Island Sound. He had a live sex celebration with Lita, and thankfully not Vickie Guerrero. Edge says that he hopes that he has earned the respect of everyone in the locker room and everyone in the crowd. He says that he tried to give everything he had every night.
Edge says that he is going to miss all of this. He is going to miss the shot of adrenaline when he hears his music and goes through the curtain. Edge says that he won’t have to wear tights tomorrow and he can eat a lot of ice cream.
Edge says that if he would do it all again with all of the surgeries, injuries, and miles traveled, he would do it in a heartbeat. Edge thanks everyone and he leaves the ring one last time.
He walks up the ramp and to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know WWE has a lot of Facebook friends.
We see Edge walking through the Gorilla Position as everyone applauds his speech.
Jerry talks about the show of respect that everyone showed for Edge. Jim Ross says that he never thought he would have heard Edge retiring when he was on his way to Raw tonight.
Miz comes to ring with Alex Riley and he joins Jerry, Josh, and Jim at the announce table.
Match Number Five: #1 Contender Gauntlet
Segment Number One: Randall Keith Orton versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero
They lock up and Ziggler with a fireman’s carry. Orton with a European uppercut for a near fall. Ziggler with a Fameasser and then he punches Orton and gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Orton falls to his knees because Ziggler knows how to apply a reverse chin lock. Orton with an arm drag and clotheslines followed by a power slam. Ziggler tries to get to the apron but that only means it is time for the IEDDT and Orton hits it.
Orton turns into the push ups and that can only mean RKO time. Ziggler get so his feet but Nexus appears and Ziggler gets the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga attack Orton and then Mason Ryan comes into the ring and he connects with a big boot to the head. They yell at Orton and then Ryan picks up Orton and hits a power bomb.
We go to commercial.
Segment Number Two: Dolph Ziggler versus R Truth
Ziggler attacks Truth and punches him in the corner. Ziggler with more punches and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a snap mare and a leaping elbow drop. Ziggler with an arm bar and chin lock on Truth and he turns it into a side head lock. Ziggler sends Truth to the mat and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Ziggler returns to the reverse chin lock.
Truth with punches but Ziggler with a knee and Irish whip. Ziggler misses a splash into the corner and Truth with an uppercut followed by jabs. Truth with a kick and sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Ziggler sends Truth into the turnbuckles and then Ziggler continues to work on the neck with a neck breaker and he gets another near fall.
Truth with a leaping flatline for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
Segment Three: John Morrison versus R Truth
Truth with punches to Morrison and he gets a near fall with a sunset flip but Morrison with a near fall. They exchange covers and get near falls. They shake hands and Morrison tries for a rollup. Truth with a kick but Morrison with a flapjack and then Morrison kips up and hits the pommel horse leg drop for a near fall.
Morrison with a reverse chin lock. Truth with a punch but Morrison with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Truth with a punch and then Morrison clotheslines Truth over the top rope. Truth pulls Morrison to the floor. They each go for clotheslines and both men are down. They both get in at nine. Truth with a double sledge followed by punches. Morrison with clotheslines followed by a leg lariat for a near fall. Truth with a suplex into a stunner for a near fall.
Morrison holds on to the ropes and then he connects with an elbow. Morrison with a springboard round kick and then he pulls Truth into the corner while Miz wonders why he didn’t go for the cover. Morrison shows that he should have gone for the cover and misses the split legged corkscrew moonsault. Truth with the leaping flatline for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
Segment Four: John Cena versus R Truth
Cena goes for the arm followed by a gutwrench suplex for a near fall. Cena with a drop kick for a near fall. Cena waits for Truth to get to his feet and Cena with a kick and suplex for a near fall. Cena with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Cena with a power slam for a near fall.
Truth tries to get to his feet and Cena with another suplex and he gets another near fall. Cena goes to the turnbuckles and he waits for Truth to get up and he hits the Rocker Dropper for a near fall. Cena cannot believe that Truth has fought through this so far.
Truth with a punch and both men go down. They get to their feet and Truth with a few clotheslines followed by a hip toss and he hits the flying twisting forearm and he gets a two count.
Truth waits for Cena to get to his feet but Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle as we finish the Legendary sequence, but he tells Miz that he can’t see him. Cena gets Truth up and then Miz and Riley attack Truth and Cena and the referee calls for the bell.
Double Disqualification
Miz and Riley survey the damage as we wonder what this means about the title match.
Miz says that means that both Truth and Cena are losers.
Miz says that they can both go to the end of the line because there is no number one contender.
We go to dingy dingy land and Jerry decides to read from the laptop of doom.
There is no number one contender for the WWE Title. There are now two number one contenders for the title. Extreme Rules will see a Triple Threat Match with Miz facing R Truth and John Cena. Truth and Cena attack Miz and Riley. Cena gives Riley an Attitude Adjustment.
Truth and Cena stand in the center of the ring and since there is no Extreme Rules sign to point to they shake hands and then they playfully push each other as it escalates until Truth leaves the ring.
We go to credits.
2012 - Jim Cornette issued the following statement to PWInsider.com this morning in regard to a Vince Russo Youshoot live event being produced by Kayfabe Commentaries:
"It has come to my attention that I was referred to in a "trailer" for Vince Russo's latest attempt to rape the wrestling business, a "You Shoot" video and IPPV with Kayfabe Commentaries to take place in June. I was alluded to in such a way as to make prospective viewers/buyers believe I would be submitting questions or even appearing via video or in person.
Let me state this clearly. I have worked with KFC in the past, and have been treated well and enjoyed my experiences with them. However, this trailer was shot without my knowledge. I was contacted by KFC to participate in this project, and my response was, in no uncertain terms, that there has not been enough money printed yet for me to add an ounce of credibility or an iota of entertainment value to this blithering cretin's continued attempts to sh** on our profession. I further think that any promoter who books him, wrestling fans who spend money on anything he has something to do with or anyone else who enables him to continue to haunt our sport should be ashamed of themselves if they truly love wrestling.
So let me clarify this--if you are buying a ticket to see this, or the DVD or IPPV of this horsesh** expecting to see, hear or hear FROM me in any way, shape, or form, you will be disappointed and your money is being taken under false pretenses. I will have no involvement in this whatsoever. I am offended that my participation is being alluded to with the goal of putting even one more penny in this flaming a**hole's pocket, and I beg everyone who loves the sport of wrestling to boycott this and any future "appearance" of Vince Russo in connection with pro wrestling, so as not to encourage him to continue to offend all of us who would just like to see him crawl back under his rock so that the industry can try and heal itself from the wounds of his unfortunate involvement in it."
Jim Cornette
2012 - WWE broadcast WWE NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are wild, young, and live on tape on the internet from Hampton, Virginia and your announcers are William ‘I wish I was watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ Regal and Josh ‘Can we leave Michael Cole in Europe’ Mathews.
Match Number One: Percy Watson versus Johnny Curtis with Maxine
Percy Watson wants to know why Maxine is coming out with Johnny Curtis. He says that he thought they were broken up. He then talks about how she is always causing problems when she comes to the ring.
William Regal tells Maxine to stay away from the ring.
Watson tells Maxine to have a doughnut.
They lock up and Curtis with a waist lock take down and he slaps Percy in the head. Curtis retreats to the ropes while Maxine makes her way over to the announce table. They lock up again and Watson with a side head lock and take down but Curtis with a head scissors and escape.
Curtis with a head lock and shoulder tackle. Watson with a drop kick and arm drag into an arm bar. Watson returns to the arm bar and Curtis with a punch and Irish whip. Watson floats over and Curtis goes into the turnbuckles. Watson with a reverse atomic drop and then he stomps on the abdomen followed by a leg drop for a near fall.
Watson with an arm bar and Maxine gets closer to Regal and whispers something in his ear. Curtis with punches to Watson and he sends Watson into the turnbuckles followed by a hammer lock suplex and Curtis gets a near fall. Curtis with a baseball slide to send Watson to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Curtis with a near fall. Curtis with a key lock while Maxine is still talking to Regal. William Regal mentions that there is a problem regarding Matt Striker. Watson with shoulders in the corner and then he tries for a splash but Curtis gets his knees up. Curtis with a leg drop from the turnbuckles onto the arm for a near fall. Curtis kicks Watson in the shoulder as he continues to work on the arm.
Curtis with a knee drop to the arm before he returns to the key lock. Curtis punches Watson and gets a near fall. Curtis with an arm bar and Watson tries to get back to his feet. Curtis returns to the turnbuckles for another leg drop but Watson punches Curtis and chops him. Watson with forearms and then he hip tosses Curtis to the mat. Watson with punches followed by a drop kick or two. Watson with a flying clothesline and then he hits a hip toss slam. Watson sees Maxine leaving with William Regal and that allows Curtis to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Johnny Curtis
Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins are in the back and they see Maxine walk by. Curt asks Maxine if she did that thing. Maxine brings up the Regal and Striker thing. Maxine says that she spoke with Regal and he had some interesting things to say about them and she says that Regal will be finding him shortly. Tyler says that she doesn’t get Striker until they know if Maxine double crossed them.
Tyler and Curt say that they pulled the rug over him and swept the floor with him.
Tyler and Curt leave and Maxine puts some water on her face.
Kaitlyn and Derrick come into the area and Maxine starts to ‘cry’ and try to get some sympathy from her former fiancée. Derrick and Kaitlyn won’t have anything to do with her. Maxine wants Derrick to help her. She says that Hawkins and Ryder were harassing him and she says that Tyler and Curt are going to attack him. Derrick agrees to help Maxine out.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Tamina is in the hallway. Tamina tells Titus not to touch her because of what happened last week. Titus says that he has a peace offering for Tamina. He got Tamina a coconut tree. Tamina likes the gift and Tamina kisses Titus.
Darren sees Tamina with the tree and he wants to know where the tree came from and she tells him that Titus gave it to her. Darren realizes that it was his gift to her. Darren yells at Titus for giving her the tree. Titus says that he is not that interested in Tamina, but he wanted to show Darren that he is better than him. Titus says that he is the playa from the Himalayas.
Kaitlyn and Derrick are walking and she wonders if the challenges were better. Kaitlyn tells Derrick that Maxine lied again. They hear someone screaming and they find Matt Striker and he is screaming for help. Derrick wants to know what happened and Kaitlyn points out that he is holding Curt Hawkins’ cane.
Matt says that he will handle this even though Derrick wants to take him to get medical assistance.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks are looking for Curt’s cane. William Regal says that he underestimated them and he owes them an apology. He says that he called them bunglers, oxygen thieves, and fools. Regal wants to know where Matt Striker is. Regal tells them if anything happens to Matt Striker, there will be serious consequences.
Tyler says that they are going to look into that. Curt and Tyler talk about how Regal knows about it. Curt says that they are going to pin it on Maxine and Johnny Curtis.
They open the closet and Striker isn’t there.
Maxine and Johnny Curtis appear. Maxine says that she doesn’t know where Matt Striker is. Maxine suggests that their little plan didn’t work out.
Tyler says that if Maxine and Johnny don’t have Striker, where is he?
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Michael McGillicutty versus Tyson Kidd
Kidd with a waist lock and Michael with a standing switch. Kidd escapes and works on the wrist but Michael reverses and Tyson with an arm drag. Michael with a forearm and kick to Kidd. Kidd with a kick and he goes to the apron then he slides into the ring and clotheslines Michael over the top rope and then he hits a baseball slide. Kidd goes for a pescado but Micahel pulls out the ring skirt and Kidd crotches himself. Michael sends Kidd into the announce table and we go to commercial.
We are back and Michael with a reverse chin lock. Michael with a knee and elbow but he tries for a Saito suplex but Kidd with a lateral press to counter and he gets a near fall. Michael with a knee to the head followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Michael punches Kidd while he keeps him in the ropes. Michael gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock.
Kidd with punches but Michael with a clothesline to the back of the head. Michael kicks Tyson on the mat. Michael taunts Kidd before kicking him. Michael returns to the reverse chin lock. Michael with knees and forearms. Kidd with an arm drag and then both men go for a clothesline and both men are down.
Kidd with a forearm and kicks followed by a jumping back heel kick and a drop kick to the head for a near fall. Kidd tries for the Sharpshooter but Michael is able to force Kidd to the floor. Michael tries for a baseball slide to Kidd but Tyson stops him and then he puts Michael in the ring skirt and Kidd punches him.
Kidd with a blockbuster for a near fall. Kidd is sent to the apron but Kidd with a kick. Kidd goes for a springboard move but Michael counters with a drop kick for a near fall. Kidd counters the running neck breaker into a back slide for a near fall. Michael with a Saito suplex and then he tries to add insult to injury by trying for the Sharpshooter and he applies it.
Kidd thinks about tapping out but he is able to crawl to the ropes to get the hold broken. Michael with forearms to the back of the neck. Michael sets for the Perfectplex but Kidd is able to counter and then he applies a triangle choke and Michael taps out.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
2013 - WWE signed Irish talent Rebecca Knox to a developmental deal.
2013 - Courthouse News Service reportEed that Andrew Green is suing The Big Show and WWE in Maricopa County (AZ) Court, claiming that Show choked him and hit him in the face during an interview for WWE.com. Green, who worked for the website at the time as a "producer", claims that another producer told him to get an interview with Show on January 27 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ.
His claim is that Show initially refused to do the interview until Green told him that then-WWE senior vice president Eric Pankowski wanted it done.
According to the complaint, "In response, Big Show stated with the use of profanely indecent language that if Green wanted an interview then he would give him one, and to turn on the camera." It adds that Big Show became irate after that, cursing at Green and it was caught on tape for the interview. He claims that Show then asked to redo it, which he did. Green then claimed Triple H ordered a third retake because the second one lacked the emotion of the first (when Show was legitimately upset according to the suit).
The suit says that Pankowski said that the third interview lacked emotion, so they posted the original one. It was on the website until 1/29.
Green claims he was unable to continue working after Jan. 29 because "he was uncomfortable working around Big Show and the other wrestlers, nervous, and had 'a ton of anxiety' as a result of the attack."
Green also says in the complaint that WWE had previously "suspended or terminated Big Show's employment because of his behavior, including his engagement in violent and/or unlawful and/or improper activities outside of the wrestling venue."
2013 - TNA Impact Wrestling was broadcast on SpikeTV. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Impact Wrestling!
We start off with a video package hyping tonight's Full Metal Mayhem main event between Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Title, and also Taryn Terrell's match with her #1 antagonist, Gail Kim!
Speaking of Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan catches him on his way into the building and he tells Hardy that this match is his, and he's going to get that title back tonight. That's much nicer than at the PPV when he said Jeff Hardy made for a good transitional champion.
Chavo Guerrero, Jr & Hernandez make their way out to the ring for their title shot, but Bobby Roode and Austin Aries jump them on their way to the ring to get a cheap early advantage. They head inside, and we're off!
TNA World Tag Team Title Match, 2 of 3 Falls: Bobby Roode & Austin Aries vs Chavo Guerrero, Jr & Hernandez
Roode whips Aries into a dropkick in the corner on Chavo, then Roode snaps Chavo over with a spinebuster and gets the first fall.
Roode tags Aries, who takes his time going to the top for a frogsplash, but Chavo rolls out of the way and Aries hits the mat. Chavo quickly cradles Aries and gets 3 to even the match up and totally defeat the purpose of the stipulation.
Roode tags back in as soon as the bell rings to start the third fall and puts the boots to Chavo in the corner. Roode distracts the referee so Aries can choke Chavo from outside the ring, then Roode covers for 2. Aries slingshots into the ring with a rolling senton to Chavo, then stops to play to the crowd before going back and raking his boot heels across Chavo's face. Roode comes in and charges Chavo, but Chavo gets the boot up and hits a tornado DDT to even the odds. Hernandez is just now climbing up onto the ring apron and he gets the tag, slingshots into the ring with a flying shoulderblock, and goes about destroying both opponents. Pounce for Roode, press slam for Aries, then Hernandez goes all the way up the ramp and sprints down to the ring and dives over the top rope with a double clothesline that takes out both Aries and Roode. We're at commercial!
We're back, and now Hernandez is in trouble on the floor after apparently getting his butt kicked by Aries during the break. Aries rolls Hernandez inside and Roode covers him for 2, then he hits the Perfect Necksnap before Aries comes off the second rope with a rolling back elbow for 2. Roode takes a free shot at Chavo as he pulls himself to his feet on the apron, then he goes to the eyes of Hernandez. Hernandez plows through both men with a double clothesline and then it's Chavo coming back in and trying to rally the team to victory. Chavo sends Aries to the floor and then pulls out some lucha offense on Roode to send him out to the floor as well, then Chavo takes both of them out with a dive through the ropes. Chavo counters a brainbuster attempt by Aries to the Dos Amigos, then gets three more of his uncle's famous suplexes before signaling that he's going to the top for his uncle's finish. Aries shoves Chavo off the top rope and Roode gets a rollup with a handful of tights, but Chavo kicks out at 2, so Roode goes to a crippler crossface instead. Hernandez is in, he gets dumped to the apron by Aries and lands on his feet, and he tries his charging dive again but accidentally nails Chavo. Aries dumps Hernandez to the floor as Roode covers Chavo for 2, and the surprised champions hit the dropkick in the corner and try for the spinebuster, but Chavo counters that to a DDT for 2. Aries puts Chavo in the corner, Hernandez grabs him and goes for a Border Toss, they stop him and go for a double suplex, but Hernandez double suplexes them and Chavo hits Roode with a frogsplash for the win.
Winners and New TNA World Tag Team Champions: Chavo Guerrero, Jr & Hernandez
Chavo and Hernandez regain the title to pop the crowd in their home state, then some dude comes in with the Texas flag to celebrate. I hate when people mess with the 2/3 falls stip by winning the first fall in like ten seconds, which seems to happen all the time, but I H-A-T-E-D that they blew through the first two falls in under a minute because they might as well have just done a one fall match for all the difference it would have made.
Brooke Hogan and her nipples are backstage when Joey Ryan comes in and says that he's got his referee outfit on in case she needs him to referee the Knockouts match tonight. Brooke says she's got somebody already, and says the way he behaved last week was ridiculous. She talked to her dad and says that Joey's got a match tonight and he'll prove who the bigger man is. Joey asks who could be bigger than him as Brooke walks off, and I guess we'll find out...LATER!
Aces & Eights arrive at the Impact Zone and are totally psyched to get down to business tonight.
Joseph Park comes out and says he got approval from TNA officials to say that he has an issue with Aces & Eights, specifically with Bully Ray. What Bubba and his band of hooligans have perpetrated on this company is felonious and wrong, and it stops now. He's not out for revenge, he's out for justice and it will be served when Jeff Hardy brings the title back to TNA and the fans. Park also says that he's well versed in divorce law and marital code, so he put together a writ of annulment that will officially end the marriage of Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan. Devon apparently doesn't appreciate Park messing with his brother's loving marriage, because he comes out, grabs the annulment out of Park's hand, and tears it into pieces. Devon says that if he has a problem with Bubba, he has a problem with Devon. Park had better crawl back under the rock he came from and he'd better stay out of family business. He doesn't care what Park's thinking, he's been warned. Devon goes to leave as Park picks up the pieces of the document, but he turns back and punches Park in the ribs before telling him again to stay out of family business.
We look back at when Brooke Hogan fired Taryn Terrell as a referee and hired her as a wrestler, and we'll see Terrell take on Gail Kim...NEXT!
Gail Kim vs Taryn Terrell
Our special referee is...ODB! Yeah, Gail doesn't look happy about that. Terrell goes after Gail like a house of fire, pummeling her almost more quickly than Gail can get back to her feet, but Terrell goes to the second rope and Gail yanks her off by the ankle and Terrell lands on the back of her head. Gail starts dishing out punishment of her own, but ODB warns Gail to back off and gives Terrell a chance to try and mount a comeback. Gail shuts her down before too long and dumps Terrell on her face with a firewoman's carry dump, then she chokes Terrell on the second rope until ODB physically forces her to break. Gail leapfrogs Terrell going into the corner and gets an O'Connor roll with the tights, but ODB catches her this time and stops counting. Gail argues with ODB, Terrell rolls Gail up, and we have a three count.
Winner: Taryn Terrell
Gail is not happy with the outcome of that match, but Terrell is the winner and Christy asks her how she feels after winning her first match. Terrell says she's been waiting a long time to get physical with Gail, and now she wants to know who wants to get physical with her.
Adam Pearce and Magno are backstage, and we'll find out the results of the Gut Check...NEXT!
We look at the Gut Check judges backstage discussing last week's matche between Adam Pearce and Magno, and the only thing they seem able to agree on is that this is going to be a tough choice. They then bring Pearce and Magno in to pick who faces the Gut Check tonight, they say that Magno has his entire career ahead of him, but Pearce has seventeen years behind him and he's going home tonight. His exit seemed to indicate that we haven't seen the last of him, and I hope we haven't because he's a real good hand and I think he brings a hell of a lot more to the table as a worker than Magno.
We see a video package looking at the recent history of AJ Styles, then we go backstage to Hulk Hogan who says that he's going to deal with AJ Styles right now, but refuses to answer any questions about Sting.
AJ Styles is arriving at the building and blows off the dumbass cameraman's questions, but Ken Anderson comes up and hands AJ another Aces & Eights getup and says he knows AJ will do the right thing.
We see a video package hyping tonight's Full Metal Mayhem match, then we're off to the ring to hear from the Hulkster, DUDE. He says a lot is going on tonight, but there's one man he wants to hear from and that's AJ Styles, who better get out there right now to find out WHERE HE'S AT, BROTHER. AJ comes out and Hulk asks him pointblank WHERE HE'S AT, and AJ finally speaks! He's gonna tell Hogan, BROTHER, that he doesn't respond well to ultimatums. James Storm's music hits and he comes out before we can get more of AJ's thoughts on that, and he says that he's not here to find out what side AJ's on, he's here to fight AJ. They go face to face, but Bad Influence's music hits and they come out to the ring to interject themselves. Kazarian tells "Toby Keith" to step aside, and says they're not here to start a fight, they're here to mend fences. He and Daniels are Sexual and Intellectual, and he tells AJ that Thunderlips is going to convince him to join his team because Aces & Eights have totally dismantled his team. Aces & Eights are also in a war, so it makes sense that they would try to recruit TNA's #1 guy for eleven years. Daniels tells AJ that Hogan's choice is lose-lose because no matter which side he picks, he's getting used. Daniels and Kazarian have a proposition for him: they want AJ on their side, and he knows that AJ thinks the whole Claire Lynch thing was bad, but it had to be worse when Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan, and the fans stopped trusting him. Daniels tells AJ not to stand with these guys, to stand with his brothers. He lists all the titles they've held between them, and says it would be great if it was the three of them against the world. Storm slaps the microphone out of AJ's hand and they get in each other's faces again as the crowd chants for Hogan. AJ leaves the ring, stops to stare at Daniels and Kazarian, then walks to the back by himself. Hogan says that since AJ won't make a decision, Hogan will make one for him: AJ will face James Storm next week on Impact Wrestling.
Joey Ryan is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
Kurt Angle is backstage saying the war between TNA and Aces & Eights will turn directions when Jeff Hardy beats Bully Ray for the TNA World Title, and he asked Hulk Hogan to face Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff in a handicap match next week so he can show those ungrateful punks a wrestling lesson.
Joey Ryan vs Rob Terry
Really? Joey's going to put this stiff over? ARGH...fine. Joey tries a shoulderblock and bounces off, so Terry hits one of his own and nearly drives Joey out of the ring. Terry picks Joey up and tosses him clear across the ring, then hammers Joey with chops. Joey has gotten no offense in at all as Terry slams Joey, blocks a double boot attempt, and clotheslines Joey. Terry hits a running powerslam, picks Joey back up, and hits the fireman's carry into a spinebuster for the win.
Winner: Rob Terry
The Warlord wins another one. Joey is flat on his back in the middle of the ring as Magno paces around backstage. We'll find out his fate...NEXT!
Hulk Hogan is backstage trying to talk business with Brooke, but she says she can't think about that because she has to face Mark in the ring. Hulk tells her to be safe, and she says not to worry because she'll have Ronnie from Atlas Security with him. Matt Morgan comes in and asks Hogan if he's really going to do that, and says he's making another Hogan mistake. He says to keep making them because one day, they'll all come crashing down on him.
Jeremy Borash is in the ring and introduces the Gut Check judges, then he calls Magno down to the ring to face the judges. We start with Danny Davis, who says that it seems like the fans in Corpus Christi like him, but he hasn't made one quite yet. He could make him a star in Louisville, but we're nationwide on Impact, so he has to agree with the fans and say...no. Wait, that's not what the fans were saying. Magno has one last chance to plead his case, but the fans don't appear to appreciate his broken English and boo him as he says he knows the fans want him on Impact Wrestling. We go to Bruce Prichard, who tells Magno that he has his whole career in front of him, he has a marketable look, but his inexperience in the ring can cost him, and he's not going to speak for Al Snow, but he thinks they have to agree that he needs some more seasoning, and he answers in both English and Spanish and says his answer is no. Well, looks like nobody wins Gut Check this month. Too bad.
Aces & Eights are in the parking lot, and Anderson reminds Bubba that when you run with the Aces & Eights, you never walk alone. Bubba says that he needs to walk alone tonight, beat Jeff Hardy on his own, and shove it up his ass and Hogan's. He makes the rest of the gang swear that he'll do this by himself because he's not just doing it for him, he's doing it for all of them. The gang revs their bikes in agreement, and Jeff Hardy is backstage and he's...WALKING, so it looks like we're ready for our main event...NEXT!
TNA World Title/Full Metal Mayhem Match: Bully Ray vs Jeff Hardy
Brooke Hogan is sitting front row and appears discontent with what she sees as Bubba comes out to the ring and gets in her face. Ronnie keeps a watchful eye as Brooke kicks at Bubba before he leaves to get in the ring and face his challenger. There's all kinds of deadly implements surrounding the ring as Hardy hits a Twist of Fate and a charging forearm in the corner as soon as the bell rings. Hardy gets a chair and starts just unloading on Bubba with it, he brings a ladder into the ring and leans it in the corner, then whips Bubba into it. Hardy sets the chair up and uses it to hit Poetry In Motion against the ladder, then sets the ladder up in the middle of the ring and starts climbing. Bubba brings Hardy down, but gets mule kicked in the face. Hardy takes a charge at Bubba, who backdrops him out onto the ramp with an audible thud, then takes his chain out and uses it to work Hardy over on the ramp before setting the ladder up in the ring and starting to climb. Hardy is up and they fight their way to the top of the ladder, Bubba gouges Hardy's eyes and suplexes Hardy off the ladder. Both men are down as we go to commercial.
We're back as Hardy is pounding on Bubba with a chair, then he sets up the ladder upside down next to a table and tries to suplex Bubba onto it, Bubba blocks and goes to the mat to slow Hardy down. He asks Hardy if this is what he was going to do to him, then he picks Hardy up and hits a gourdbuster onto the uprights of the upside down ladder. Brooke is incensed as Bubba does the Hogan ear wave before going back to stomping on Hardy, he brings another ladder into the ring and yells at the referee and the fans as Brooke looks angry at ringside. Hardy's not ready to call it quits yet, and he comes back with a quick series of moves and a pseudo-conchairto that drives the champion all the way out to the floor. Bubba happens to crawl over near Brooke and dodges a charge from Hardy, who crashes to the floor right in front of Brooke. Brooke desperately begs Hardy to get to his feet as Bubba gets in her face, they take a lot of time to yell stuff at each other before Brooke slaps her, giving Hardy an opening to ram Bubba into the steps and ram him through a table at ringside. Hardy brings another table down to ringside and goes back to brawling with Bubba. Hardy hits another Twist of Fate and Bubba falls onto the table, Hardy goes to the top rope and hits a swanton through the table to the floor, and both men are DEAD. Hardy slowly recovers and heads back into the ring, and Taz slips the hammer from the ring bell to Bubba as Hardy climbs the ladder. Bubba goes back in and climbs the ladder, he trades blows with Hardy at the top before nailing Hardy with the hammer to knock him off the ladder and through a table. Hardy is out as Bubba reaches up and grabs the ladder to retain.
Winner: Bully Ray
Really good mnatch, and I'm glad to see Bubba go over without any (real) help from his fellow Aces & Eights teammates. Speaking of Aces & Eights, they rush into the ring to celebrate with the champion. Bubba says to shut the music and says they are the Aces & Eights, he is the World Champion, and when you ride with the Aces & Eights, you never walk alone. Bubba stands over the fallen former champion as the EMTs attend to him, and with that, we call it a week.
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