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May 15th
On this day in history in ....
1953 - Frankie Talaber wins his ninth Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio, defeating Joe Scarpello in a tournament final.
1955 - George Dussette and Luther Lindsay defeat Bulldog Curtis and Tommy Martinez to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1957 - Kevin Von Erich is born in Belleville, Illinois.
1957 - Ed Francis defeats Luigi Macera for the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title, ending Macera's second reign.
1958 - Former WCW World Champion and WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons is born.
1958 - Verne Gagne and Leo Nomellini defeat Doc and Mike Gallagher for the Minneapolis NWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1963 - Rocket Monroe (Bill Fletcher) defeats Joe Scarpa (Jay Strongbow) and Pancho Villa in a three-way match to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.
1963 - Bruno Sammartino & Apollo defeated the Kangaroos in the main event of a WWWF event in Staten Island, NY.
1964 - WWWF ran Harrisburg, PA at Zembo Mosque with the following results:
-Tony Marino defeated Frank Hickey with an abdominal stretch at 17:12.
.-Pedro Rodriguez fought Duke Miller to a 30-minute draw.
-Smasher Sloan pinned Sonny Love at 7:06 -Ernie Ladd defeated Klondike Bill at 20:14 with a dropkick and splash.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino fought European Champion Hans Mortier to a no contest at 20:04 when both men failed to get to their feet after a collision in the ring.
1965 - Mighty Igor Vodic defeats Mad Dog Vachon for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Omaha, Nebraska, ending Vachon's second reign.
1965 - The WWWF ran Pittsburgh, PA at The Meadows with the following results:
-Johnny DeFazio defeated Ron Romano.
-Mr. Kleen defeated Jim Grabmire.
-Bob Nandor defeated Arnold Skaaland.
-Sonny Boy Cassidy & Irish Jackie defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low.
-Don McClarity defeated Smasher Sloan via disqualification.
-Chief White Owl defeated Waldo Von Erich via disqualification.
-Bill Watts & Bill Miller defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil.
1967 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Smasher Sloan at 18:21.
-Irish Jackie & Billy the Kid defeated Little Brutus & Fuzzy Cupid.
-Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated the Ox via submission with a sleeper.
-Bobo Brazil pinned Bull Ortega at 7:23.
-Sprios Arion & Antonio Pugliese defeated Luke Graham & Baron Mikel Scicluna in a Best 2 out of 3 falls. match, 2-0; both falls were earned respectively by Arion and Pugliese using backbreakers.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Gorilla Monsoon by kicking off the ropes while caught in a bearhug and falling backwards on top of the challenger for the pin.
1969 - WWWF ran The National Arena in Washington, D.C., featuring:
-Haystacks Calhoun defeated Guillotine Gordon.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Arnold Skaaland.
-John L. Sullivan defeated Lou Albano.
-Bulldog Brower defeated Pete Sanchez.
-Sky Low Low & Little Brutus defeated Cowboy Bradley & Joey Russell.
-Bill Miller defeated Tony Altimore.
-Rocky Johnson defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification.
1970 - Mark Lewin and Antonio Pugliese defeat Swede Hanson and Rip Hawk to win the International Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia.
1970 - Donna Christantello and Kathy O'Day defeat The Fabulous Moolah and Toni Rose to win the NWA World Women's Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California.
1971 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- NWA World Women's Tag Team Champion Donna Christanello and NWA World Women's Champion The Fabulous Moolah defeated Sharon Joy and Vicki Williams.
- Manuel Soto defeated Manuka Akim.
- Jimmy Valiant defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Beautiful Bobby defeated Mike Pappas.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Juan Caruso and Vincente Pommetti in a handicap match.
- Tarzan Tyler defeated Tony Marino.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Bulldog Brower by disqualification.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales defeated Blackjack Mulligan to retain the title.
1971 - Red Bastien and Hercules Cortez defeat Butcher and Mad Dog Vachon to win the AWA World Tag Team Title in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ending the Vachons' second reign.
1972 - Boris Malenko defeats Bearcat Wright for the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title in Orlando, Florida, beginning his eighth reign.
1973 - The California Hippies (Mike Boyette and Mickey Doyle) win their second Gulf Coast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending The Mongol and The Rugged Russian's second reign.
1973 - Sandy Parker defeats Miyoko Hoshino for the WWWA World Singles Title in Choshi, Japan.
1974 - WWWF ran Pittsfield, MA at the Boys Club, drawing 500 fans with the following results:
-Ed Sullivan defeated SD Jones at 1:35.
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Johnny Rodz at 10:20.
-Nikolai Volkoff fought Tony Garea to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
-The Fabulous Moolah & Peggy Patterson defeated Debbie Johnson & Sharon Brooks in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1.
-Chief Jay Strongbow fought Killer Kowalski to a double disqualification.
1975 - Paul Jones and Wahoo McDaniel defeat Gene and Ole Anderson to win the NWA World Tag Team Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
1976 - The WWWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
-Jose Gonzalez pinned Johnny Rodz at 10:29.
-Rocky Tomayo defeated Johnny Rivera via submission at 11:11.
-Susan Greene & Vivian St. James defeated Paula Kaye & Kitty Adams in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match.
-The Executioners defeated Pat Barrett & Kevin Sullivan in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0.
-Ivan Koloff fought Billy White Wolf to a 20-minute draw.
-Stan Hansen defeated Haystacks Calhoun at 1:59.
-Superstar Billy Graham defeated Gorilla Monsoon (sub. for WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino) when the bout was stopped due to blood at 12:57.
1976 - The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the Detroit NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan, ending and beginning both men's ninth reigns.
1976 - Tony Garea and Pat Patterson defeat Invader I and Don Muraco to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in San Francisco, California.
1977 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
-Johnny Rivera defeated Jan Nelson at 9:35.
-Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow at 9:20.
-Rocky Tomayo defeated Ted Adams at 7:15.
-Johnny Rodz fought Don Serrano to a 20-minute draw.
-SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna at 11:25.
-Pete Doherty defeated Tony Altimore at 8:50.
-George Steele defeated Bruno Sammartino via disqualification at 13:45.
-WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Tony Garea at 8:43 after Garea missed a charge and hit the corner; one of the challenger's feet was outside the ring during the cover but the referee failed to notice.
1978 - Maple Leaf Wrestling held an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
Billy Red Lyons fought Chris Tolos to a 20-minute draw.
Dewey Robertson defeated the Wildman via disqualification.
Kim Chang pinned Claude Dionne at 10:30.
Billy Red Lyons & Rufus R. Jones defeated Super Destroyer (Sgt. Slaughter) & Lord Alfred Hayes at 18:17. when Jones pinned the Destroyer.
British Champion Billy Robinson defeated Angelo Mosca via disqualification after the challenger hit the referee.
AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel fought Jim Brunzell to a double disqualification at 18:44 when both Bobby Heenan and Rufus R Jones interfered.
WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham via count-out at 10:28.
1978 - Gene Kiniski defeats John Quinn for the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Quinn's second reign and beginning Kiniski's seventh reign.
1979 - The WWF ran South Plainfield High School in New Jersey, featuring:
-Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw.
-Tito Santana defeated Jose Estrada.
-Greg Valentine fought Ivan Putski to a double count-out.
-Frank Williams defeated Allan Coage via disqualification.
-Tiny Thumb & Cowboy Lang defeated Butch Cassidy & Little Tokyo.
-WWF North American Champion Ted Dibiase defeated Nikolai Volkoff via disqualification.
1982 - The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) defeat Eddie and Tommy Gilbert in a rematch from a week earlier, to win their second WWC North American Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1983 - Former MLW Champion and current New Japan Strong Champion Tom Lawlor is born.
1983 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Charlotte, NC at the Coliseum with the following results:
-Kelly Kiniski & the One Man Gang defeated Rick McCord & Vinnie Valentino.
-NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. defeated Mike Rotundo.
-Jimmy Valiant, Rufus R. Jones, & Bugsy McGraw defeated the Great Kabuki, Gary Hart, & the Magic Dragon.
-NWA U.S. Champion Greg Valentine defeated NWA TV Champion Jos LeDuc.
-Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood and Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle in a round robin tournament; the Briscos defeated Steamboat & Youngblood via disqualification in the final match.
1983 - Roddy Piper and Terry Funk faced off for the first time in Toronto, Ontario at Maple Leaf Garden with Piper winning by countout in 11:14. Other results from the event saw:
-Bob Marcus pinned Ricky Harris at 9:21.
-Iron Mike Sharpe pinned Joe Marcus at 8:09.
-Gene Kiniski & the Executioner defeated Salvatore Bellomo & Nick DeCarlo at 15:04.
-Canadian TV Champion Pvt. Nelson pinned keith larsen at 14:06.
-North American Champion Johnny Weaver defeated Leo Burke at 18:52.
-Rocky Johnson defeated WWF IC Champion Don Muraco via count-out at 11:21.
-Canadian Champion Angelo Mosca defeated Bob Orton Jr. at 10:12.
1984 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran Kummamoto, Japan with the following results:
-Pat Tanaka defeated Naoki Sano.
-Norio Honaga fought Black Cat to a draw.
-Kengo Kimura & Fumihiro Niikura defeated Osamu Kido & Shunji Kosugi.
-John Quinn defeated Fujiwara.
-The Masked Sueprstar, Ken Patera, & WWF Tag Team Champion Dick Murdoch defeated Animal Hamaguchi, Yoshikai Yatsu, & Kuniaki Kobayashi.
-Mr. Saito defeated Otto Wanz.
-Andre The Giant & WWF Tag Team Champion Adrian Adonis defeated Seigi Sakaguchi & Tatsumi Fujinami
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Riki Choshu via count-out.
-Antonio Inoki defeated Big John Studd.
1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Columbia, SC with the following results:
-Barry Hart fought Jeff Sword to a draw.
-Keith Larson defeated Doug Vines.
-Rufus R. Jones defeated the Great Kabuki.
-Ron Garvin defeated Jake Roberts.
-NWA World Tag Team Champions Don Kernodle & Ivan Koloff defeated Pez Whatley & Mark Youngblood.
1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Raleigh, NC at the Dorton Arena with the following results:
-NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard defeated Vinnie Valentino.
-Dick Slater defeated Brian Adidas.
-The Outlaw fought Angelo Mosca Jr. to a draw.
-Adrian Street defeated Jimmy Valiant.
1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Raleigh, NC at the Dorton Arena:
-Buzz Tyler defeated Ron Bass.
-Buddy Landell defeated Gene Ligon.
-Krusher Kruschev defeated Sam Houston.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Superstar Billy Graham.
-Dusty Rhodes defeated Tully Blanchard via disqualification.
-NWA World Tag Team Champions Ivan & Nikita Koloff defeated NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA & Dick Slater.
1985 - WWF ran Southhampton, NY at Southampton College, featuring S.D jones wrestling THREE times on one card:
Jim Powers defeated Steve Lombardi
Jim Neidhart defeated Paul Roma
S.D. Jones defeated Barry O
Bret Hart defeated Gama Singh
S.D. Jones won a 10-man battle royal
Mike Rotundo & S.D. Jones (substituting for Barry Windham) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik via countout
1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Lovington, VA, headlined by NWA World Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey defeating Manny Fernandez & Hector Guerrero in a non-title match.
1986 - The Midnight Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) defeat The Batten Twins (Bart and Brad) to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas, ending the Battens' second reign.
1985 - WWF ran Southhampton, NY at Southhampton College featuring:
-Jim Powers defeated Steve Lombardi.
-Jim Neidhart defeated Paul Roma.
-SD Jones defeated Barry O.
-Bret Hart defeated Gama Singh.
-SD Jones won a 10-man battle royal.
-Mike Rotundo & SD Jones (sub. for Barry Windham) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik via countout
1987 - The WWF debuted at the Houston Coliseum for the first time. The venue was a long-time stronghold of promoter Paul Boesh, who did commentary for the event. Ted DiBiase, who had just signed for the Million Dollar Man role, made his first appearance in seven years for the WWF here, cutting an in-ring promo announcing he was now part of the company. The One Man Gang came out for his match and a physical issue was teased, since DiBiase had been a babyface in the market and hadn't yet been introduced as the persona he's known worldwide for these days.
Partial results from the show, some of which aired on Houston Wrestling locally and some of which was used on Prime Time Wrestling on the USA Network, saw:
-Paul Roma & Jim Powers defeated the Shadows at 13:46 when Powers scored the pin as Roma held the other Shadow's foot from the outside
-WWF Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah pinned Angie Minnelli after reversing a powerslam into a small package
-Sam Houston pinned Iron Mike Sharpe with a bulldog at 5:03
-Nikolai Volkoff (w/ Slick & the Iron Sheik) pinned Jim Duggan at 3:28 after Sheik tripped Duggan from the outside; after the bout, Duggan was triple-teamed until he was able to scare the opposition away with his 2X4; after the bout, Paul Boesch interviewed Duggan who promised to bring someone to be in his corner when he returns for the next Houston show to face Volkoff in a rematch
-WWF Intercontinental champion Ricky Steamboat pinned Randy Savage (w/ Miss Elizabeth) at 10:57 after Savage accidentally hit himself in the head with the timekeeper's bell after missing Steamboat and hitting the turnbuckle instead.
-Others on the card included Hillbilly Jim, The Iron Sheik, Butch Reed and Tito Santana, among others.
1988 - WWF ran the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, featuring:
-George Steele defeated Jim Neidhart via countout.
-Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell.
-The One Man Gang pinned Bam Bam Bigelow at 8:55.
-Haku & Sivi Afi defeated Don Muraco & Hillbilly Jim when Afi pinned Jim.
-Jake Roberts fought Rick Rude to a double countout.
-Koko B. Ware pinned Bobby Heenan.
-Ted Dibiase defeated WWF World Champion Randy Savage via countout at 15:09.
1989 - WWF ran Stevens Point, WI at the Quant Fieldhouse, with the following results:
-Greg Valentine defeated Jim Powers.
-The Honkytonk Man defeated Hillbilly Jim.
-Bad News Brown defeated the Blue Blazer.
-The Barbarian defeated Jim Neidhart.
-Rick Martel defeated Tito Santana.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition defeated the Big Bossman & Akeem.
-The Ultimate Warrior defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Rick Rude via disqualification.
1991 - WCW ran Johnstown, PA ar Cambria County War Memorial with the following results:
-Ricky Morton pinned Dr. X at 9:57.
-Tommy Rich pinned Joey Maggs at 11:01.
-Tracy Smothers pinned Black Bart at 15:33.
-WCW U.S. Champion Lex Luger fought Nikita Koloff to a double count-out at 10:09.
-Rick Steiner pinned Dan Spivey at 12:42
-El Gigante defeated the One Man Gang via disqualificati.on at 7:39 when WCW World Champion Ric Flair, -WCW World TV Champion Arn Anderson, and Kevin Sullivan interfered.
-Sting & Brian Pillman defeated WCW World Champion Ric Flair & WCW World TV Champion Arn Anderson at 19:04 when Sting pinned Anderson.
1992 - AAA (Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion) held their first show at Auditorio Benito Juarez de Veracruz featuring the main event of Perro Aguayo/El Fantasma/Mascara Sagrada vs. Los Hermanos Dinamita (Cien Caras/Mascara Ano Dos Mil/Universo Dos Mil) and lucha libre would never be the same.
1992 - WWF ran Houston, TX at The Summit drawing 4,300 fans:
-Kerry Von Erich defeated Skinner.
-Jim Powers defeated the Brooklyn Brawler.
-Virgil defeated Bob Bradley.
-The Natural Disasters defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Ted Dibiase & IRS via countout.
-Kamala defeated Sgt. Slaughter.
-The Undertaker defeated the Mountie.
-WWF World Champion Randy Savage defeated Ric Flair via disqualification.
1992 - WCW ran Fayetteville, NC at the Civic Center, drawing 1,500 fans:
-Big Josh defeated Richard Morton.
-Firebreaker Chip & Todd Champion defeated Thomas Rich & Tracy Smothers.
-Nikita Koloff defeated Steve Austin.
-Ron Simmons defeated Diamond Dallas Page.
-WCW U.S. Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Terry Taylor defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.
-WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyszko (substituting for Bobby Eaton).
-WCW U.S. Champion Rick Rude defeated Ricky Steamboat.
1993 - The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) defeat The Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane and Tom Prichard) in Johnson City, Tennessee for the SMW Tag Team Title. This began the Express' fourth reign and ended the Bodies' fifth reign.
1993 - USWA ran Nashville, TN, headlined by Papa Shango fighting Jerry Lawler to a Double DQ. Undercard results saw:
-Miss Texas, Steve & Bill Marino defeated PG-13 & Brandy Wine.
-Jeff Gaylord defeated Johnny Polo.
-Wolfie D defeated Master of Terror via disqualification.
-Koko B. Ware & Frank Morrell defeated Brian Christopher & Frank Hickey.
-Jeff Gaylord & Jeff Jarrett defeated Rex King & Steve Doll via disqualification.
1993 - Three West Coast Championship Wrestling title switch in Cloverdale, British Columbia. Michelle Starr defeats Mighty Quinn for the WCCW Heavyweight Title, Al Tomko wins the WCCW Mid-Heavyweight Title from Firefighter Adrian, and The Beautiful Bodies (Rocky Dellaserra and Ole Olson) defeat Firefighter Adrian and Timothy Flowers to win the WCCW International Tag Team Title.
1993 - WWF ran the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA, drawing 4,000 fans with the following results:
-Virgil pinned the Brooklyn Brawler at 12:16 with a sunset flip out of the corner.
-Bob Backlund pinned Damien Demento at 11:26 with a small package.
-Tatanka pinned Razor Ramon at 6:00 after lifting his shoulder out of a back suplex.
-Yokozuna pinned Jim Duggan at 6:56.
-Bret Hart defeated Lex Luger via disqualification at 15:53 when Razor Ramon interfered while Bret had the Sharpshooter applied; after the bout, Hart was double teamed before Luger accidentally knocked Razor out with a running forearm; Razor and Luger then ended up brawling with Razor clearing Luger from the ring; Luger was forced to wear a protective pad across his forearm for the duration of the bout after coming out earlier in the show and posing in front of a mirror and then being told by the referee that he had to wear the pad or he couldn't wrestle.
-Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Kamala at 6:25 with a roll up after Kamala was distracted by the referee
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Ted Dibiase & IRS via disqualification at 15:40 after IRS hit Scott with the briefcase which the Brooklyn Brawler brought to ringside moments earlier after the referee had ordered the briefcase be taken backstage before the bout began.
1993 - WCW ram New Orleans, LA at the Municipal Auditorium, drawing 1,000 fans with the following results:
-Keith & Kent Cole defeated the Wrecking Crew.
-Maxx Payne defeated Steve Regal.
-Arn Anderson defeated Erik Watts.
-Davey Boy Smith defeated the Barbarian.
-Rick Rude defeated Kensuke Sasaki.
-Dustin Rhodes defeated WCW World TV Champion Paul Orndorff.
-NWA World Champion Barry Windham defeated Ricky Steamboat.
-Sting defeated WCW World Champion Big Van Vader in a non-title strap match
1993 - NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling ran its second event ever at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA. The TV taping featured the following results:
Ivan Koloff & Vladimir Koloff defeated Herve Renesto & Glenn Osbourne
Larry Winters fought Tony Stetson to a double disqualification
Salvatore Bellomo pinned Rick Michaels
The Sandman defeated Johnny Hotbody
Terry Funk defeated the Canadian Wolfman via submission
Tommy Cairo defeated ECW TV Champion Jimmy Snuka via disqualification
Ivan Koloff pinned the Sandman
Eddie & Doug Gilbert defeated JT Smith & Glenn Osbourne
The Super Destroyers defeated ECW Tag Team Champions Chris Michaels (sub. for Chris Candido) & Johnny Hotbody to win the titles when an interfering Candido was pinned
ECW Heavyweight Champion Don Muraco & Eddie Gilbert, & the Dark Patriot defeated Glen Osbourne & Tommy Cairo & Larry Winters when Patriot pinned Osbourne
Salvatore Bellomo defeated Chris Candido via disqualification
Johnny Hotbody & Rick Michaels defeated ECW Tag Team Champions the Super Destroyers to win the titles when Hotbody scored the pin
Larry Winters pinned the Rockin Rebel
Terry Funk fought ECW TV Champion Jimmy Snuka to a double disqualification; after both men knocked out the referee, several wrestlers appeared and brawled at ringside, with Road Warrior Hawk making the save for Funk; Tod Gordon called for the double DQ and was knocked out by Salvatore Bellomo and then taken backstage on a stretcher
ECW TV Champion Jimmy Snuka (w/ ECW Heavyweight Champion Don Muraco & the Dark Patriot) pinned Pennsylvania State Heavyweight Champion Tommy Cairo at around the 4:30 mark with the splash off the top
1994 - Chi Chi Cruz defeats Stan Saxton to win the West Four Wrestling Alliance Canadian Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba, beginning Cruz's third reign.
1994 - WWF ran San Jose, CA with the following results before 7,200 fans:
-Adam Bomb defeated the 1-2-3 Kid.
-WWF Women's Champion Alundra Blayze defeated Leilani Kai.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Headshrinkers defeated the Smoking Gunns.
-Lex Luger defeated Crush.
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Doink the Clown.
-IRS defeated Tatanka via disqualification.
-Yokozuna defeated Earthquake.
-WWF World Champion Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart.
1995 - Ernie Ladd, Ivan Putski and Antonina Rocca's inductions into the WWF Hall of Fame were announced for the June 1995 induction ceremony in Philadelphia, PA.
1995 - Reggie Bennett defeats Manami Toyota for the IWA Women's World Title in Niigata, Japan.
1995 - WWF broadcast Raw as part of a three episode TV Taping in Binghamton, NY. The taping featured Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the future Triple H, in his Raw debut as well as a vignette where Bob Backlund announced he was going to run for President:
-The Smoking Gunns defeated Men on a Mission.
-Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett & the Roadie when Smith pinned the Roadie with the running powerslam.
-WWF World Champion Diesel & the Undertaker defeated Psycho Sid & Kama.
-Bret Hart defeated Hakushi via submission with the Sharpshooter.
-WWF Tag Team Champion Yokozuna defeated Nick Barberry & Bill Weaver in a handicap match.
-Man Mountain Rock defeated Iron Mike Sharpe via submission with an arm bar.
-King of the Ring Qualifyer: Bob Holly pinned Mantaur (with Jim Cornette) with a missile dropkick and crossbody off the top at 5:29.
-Bam Bam Bigelow (w/ WWF World Champion Diesel) pinned IRS (with Ted Dibiase) at 7:04 with a falling headbutt after ramming IRS into an exposed turnbuckle; prior to the bout, Bigelow announced Diesel as being his surprise cornerman for the match; Ted Dibiase escorted IRS to the ring before the match but was chased backstage early on by Diesel; after the match, Dibiase returned ringside alongside Psycho Sid & Tatanka.
-Razor Ramon (with Savio Vega) pinned Mike Bell at 4:17 by shoving Bell to the mat and placing one foot on his chest after seemingly changing his mind about hitting the Razor's Edge, moments after a back suplex off the top.
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned John Chrystal at 3:10 with a standing Diamond Cutter.
-Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith defeated Tony Devito & Bill Payne at 2:56 when Smith pinned Payne with the running powerslam.
-Kama (with Ted Dibiase) defeated Barry Horowitz via submission with a modified half crab at 2:21.
-King of the Ring Qualifyer: Shawn Michaels pinned King Kong Bundy (w/ Ted Dibiase) with the superkick at around the 8-minute mark.
-Psycho Sid (with Ted Dibiase) pinned Mike Khoury with the powerbomb at 1:20; prior to the bout, footage was shown of Sid hitting the chokeslam and powerbomb on WWF World Champion Diesel at In Your House to explain Diesel's arm injury.
-Adam Bomb pinned Bob Cook at 2:04.
-Hakushi (with Shinja) pinned John Snakowski at 2:34 with a somersault splash.
Men on a Mission defeated Gary Scott & Aaron Ferguson at 3:46 when Mabel pinned Scott with a splash in the corner and a belly to belly suplex.
-King of the Ring Qualifyer: The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett (w/ the Roadie) at around the 10-minute mark in a non-title match following a chokeslam and the tombstone.
1995 - During the Monday Night Raw taping in Binghamton, New York, Bob Backlund announced that he was contemplating running for president, setting of a string of "Mr. Backlund For President" vignettes. The campaign, obviously, was not legitimate.
1996 - Karis la Momia defeats Blue Demon, Jr. to win the Mexican National Cruiserweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.
1996 - WCW taped WCW Saturday Night in Montgomery, Alabama drawing 2,085 fans with the following results:
-WCW World Tag Team Champion Sting defeated Meng.
-Jushin Liger (w/ Sonny Onoo) pinned Steve Doll with a splash off the top at 2:04.
-Chris Benoit & Kevin Sullivan defeated Mike Hayner & Rick Fargo.
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Billy Kidman.
-The Barbarian defeated Jim Duggan via disqualification.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Scotty Riggs.
-The Booty Man defeated the Gambler.
-Harlem Heat defeated Men at Work.
-WCW World Tag Team Champion Sting defeated Lord Steven Regal.
1997 - AAA held the Young Stars Tag Team Tournament in Toluca, Mexico. This tourmament was set up similarly to AAA's Gran Alternativa where a top wrestler would team with a younger wrestler and the winning youngster would be promised main event matches in the future. The results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Picudo and Loco Valentino defeated Máscara Sagrada (AAA) and Fuego Mágico.
- Heavy Metal and Venum defeated May Flowers and Pentagón.
- Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced defeated Kick Boxer and Octagón.
- Héctor Garza and Super Nova defeated The Killer and Abismo Negro.
Semifinals:
- Heavy Metal and Venum defeated Picudo and Loco Valentino.
- Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced defeated Héctor Garza and Super Nova.
Finals:
- Fuerza Guerrera and Mosco de la Merced defeated Heavy Metal and Venum to win the tournament, as well as the Mexican National Tag Team Title, which had been vacated after Fuerza and Juventud Guerrera had left AAA. Obviously, Fuerza came back, but Juventud had left for WCW.
1997 - The American Kickboxer defeats J.C. Ice to win the IWA Mid-South Lightweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky. The title had been vacated that day when Bull Pain didn't make the 200-pound weight limit.
1998 - WCW held their only live event at the Auditorium in Bangor, ME with the following results:
-Hugh Morrus pinned Scott Armstrong with the moonsault.
-Kidman & Sick Boy defeated High Voltage when Kidman scored the pin with the Seven Year Itch.
-WCW World TV Champion Fit Finlay pinned Chris Adams with the tombstone.
-Disco Inferno pinned Alex Wright with the swinging neckbreaker.
-Diamond Dallas Page pinned Raven with the Diamond Cutter in a Raven's Rules match.
-WCW U.S. Champion Bill Goldberg pinned Perry Saturn with the Jackhammer.
-The Giant fought Kevin Nash to a no contest.
1998 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held "UFC 17: Redemption" at the Mobile Civic Center, in Mobile, Alabama. The results:
- Chuck Liddell defeated Noe Hernandez by unanimous decision after 12:00 in a bout between Middleweight Tournament alternates. This was Liddell's very first MMA fight.
- Andre Roberts defeated Harry Moskowitz by unanimous decision after 15:00 in a heavyweight exhibition bout.
- Dan Henderson defeated Allan Goes by unanimous decision after 15:00 in a Middleweight Tournament semifinal bout.
- Carlos Newton defeated Bob Gilstrap by submission (triangle choke) at 0:52 in a Middleweight Tournament semifinal bout.
- Mike Van Arsdale defeated Joe Pardo by submission (keylock) at 11:01 in a heavyweight superfight.
- Tank Abbott defeated Hugo Duarte by TKO (strikes) at 0:44 in a heavyweight superfight.
- Dan Henderson defeated Carlos Newton by unanimous decision after 15:00 to win the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament.
- Pete Williams defeated Mark Coleman by knockout (kick) at 12:38 in a heavyweight superfight.
- UFC Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock defeated Jeremy Horn by by submission (kneebar) at 16:30 to retain the title.
1998 - As part of a week-long WWF developmental training camp, a live event was held by the WWA in Lynn, MA featuring a number of talents WWF was looking to use with the following results:
-The Irish Assassin (Mic Tierney) defeated Shawn Stasiak.
-The Bulldozer defeated Steve Bradley.
-Emory Hale & Andrew Martin (the future Test) defeated Vic Grimes & George Phillips.
-Paulo Silva defeated Dr. X (Tom Prichard).
-Tiger Ali Singh defeated the Mongolian (Matt Bloom aka the future Albert).
-The Gargoyle (John Tenta) defeated Jim Cote.
-Erin O'Grady (the future Crash Holly) defeated the Vampire Warrior (the future Gangrel)
-Bart Gunn & Bob Holly defeated Darren Drozdov & Fatu.
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Mike Hollow.
1998 - WWF ran San Jose, CA with the following results:
-The Headbanger defeated Savio Vega & Jesus.
-Bradshaw defeated Barry Windham.
-Steve Blackman defeated Kama Mustafa.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Billy Gunn & the Road Dogg defeated the Legion of Doom
.-Bradshaw defeated Owen Hart via countout.
-Kurrgan defeated D-Lo Brown.
-Terry Funk defeated Marc Mero.
-Vader defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion the Rock via disqualification.
-The Undertaker defeated Kane via disqualification.
-WWF World Champion Steve Austin defeated WWF European Champion Triple H.
1998 - Extreme Championship Wrestling drew 2,200 fans to the Hamburg Fieldhouse in Hamburg, PA with the following results:
-The FBI, Tracy Smothers & Little Guido fought the Blue Meanie & Super Nova to a no contest
-Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney defeated Tracy Smothers & Little Guido.
-Mikey Whipwreck defeated Mike Lozansky.
-Chris Candido pinned Chris Chetti.
-Al Snow pinned Danny Doring.
-Bam Bam Bigelow pinned John Kronus.
-ECW World TV Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Jerry Lynn.
-Sabu defeated Lance Storm via submission.
-Buh Buh Ray, D-Von, & Big Dick Dudley defeated Tommy Dreamer, the Sandman, & Spike Dudley.
1999 - Shane Douglas' association with Extreme Championshp Wrestling ended when Douglas made it clear to ECW he would not be working their Hardcore Heaven PPV due to money owed by the company and was fired by the company. "The Franchise" and first-ever ECW World champion would never return to ECW.
1999 - 2 Tuff Tony wins his second IWA Mid-South Hardcore Title in Bloomington, Indiana, ending Madman Pondo's second reign.
1999 - Tony Kozina defeats Disco Fury for the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Title in Powell River, British Columbia, beginning his fifth reign.
1999 - Lady Apache defeats La Diabólica in Naucalpan, Mexico to win her second CMLL World Women's Title.
1999 - Three Pennsylvania Wrestling Alliance titles change hands in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patch wins his second PWA Heavyweight Title by defeating Ty Street and Tony Nitro defeats champion El Monstro and Mr. Arrogance in a three-way match for the PWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. D-Sex (Shane Golden and Hunk Heiser) defeat The Original Mercury and Flexx Wheeler for the PWA Tag Team Title, ending and beginning both teams' second reigns. D-Sex issued an open challenge for the title after their win, accepted by B-Pac and Big Nasty, who won the title. They also issued an open challenge, which was accepted by the original champions at the beginning of the night, The Original Mercury and Flexx Wheeler, who won the title and began their third reign.
1999 - WWF ran Baltimore, MD -at the Arena with a sellout crowd of 12,020 with the following results:
-Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor at 7:10 following a double legdrop off the top onto Scott Taylor.
-Test pinned Prince Albert at 6:16 with an elbowdrop off the top.
-WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow pinned Hardcore Holly at 13:44 after using a chair.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion the Godfather pinned Goldust at 5:40 with the Pimp Drop.
-Kurt Angle pinned Terry Taylor at 12:04 with a Russian leg sweep.
-Road Dogg pinned Owen Hart (w/ Debra) at 7:10.
-Val Venis & Jackie defeated D-Lo Brown & Ivory at 9:55 when Jackie pinned Ivory with a bulldog.
-Ken Shamrock (with Test) defeated Skull (with 8-Ball) via submission to the ankle lock at 4:31.
-The Big Show defeated Mark Henry in a slam match at 1:19.
-The Rock pinned the Big Bossman at 8:10 with the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow.
1999 - WCW ran Omaha, NE at Aksarben Arena with the following results:
-Hugh Morrus defeated Jerry Flynn.
-La Parka & Silver King defeated Super Calo & El Dandy.
-Chris Adams defeated Vampiro.
-Raven defeated Hak in a hardcore match.
-Konnan defeated Disco Inferno.
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. & Billy Kidman defeated Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko.
-Sting defeated Ric Flair.
2000 - The WWF RAW is WAR's 6.1 rating solidly won this week of the Monday Night War over WCW Monday Nitro's 3.2 rating.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. The results were:
- Sting defeated Vampiro in a House of Pain match.
- KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Shane Douglas and the Wall (subbing for Buff Bagwell) to win the title.
- WCW Hardcore Champion Terry Funk defeated Juventud Guerrera, Konnan and Rey Misterio, Jr. in a handicap match to retain the title.
- Crowbar and Daffney defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch, when Daffney pinned Sytch. The match stipulation was that the male member of the winning team would be the champion, so Crowbar won the title.
- Elizabeth and Madusa fought to a no-contest in a House of Pain match.
- Kevin Nash defeated Mike Awesome in an ambulance match.
- Horace defeated Hulk Hogan and Billy Kidman in a three-way match.
- Ric Flair defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett to win the title, ending Jarrett's second reign and beginning Flair's seventh.
WWF RAW is WAR was live from Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The results:
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated Steve Blackman and Al Snow, when Snow was pinned after the 3D. Road Dogg, Tori and X-Pac ran in after the match, and Tori put Bubba through a table.
- Rikishi defeated Kurt Angle by disqualification when Edge, Christian and Pat Patterson interfered, with Too Cool making the save.
- One of The Godfather's Ho's (Cynthia Lynch) pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly to win the title after D'Lo Brown interfered in Crash's defense against The Godfather and gave Crash the Sky High.
- Crash Holly pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Godfather's Ho with a roll-up to win back the title.
- Hardcore Holly pinned Chris Jericho in a hardcore mtch after a chair shot, after Chris Benoit put Jericho in a Dragon sleeper.
- The Big Show besiegt T&A (Test and Albert) (with Trish Stratus and Pat Patterson) in a handicap match by disqualification, when Shane McMahon hit Show with a chair.
- Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn defeated Chyna and WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero, when Saturn pinned Guerrero after Chyna accidentaly gave Guerrero a low blow.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian defeated The A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Faarooq) and The Hardy boyz (Jeff and Matt) in a triple threat match, when Christian pinned Matt after the Unprettier, to retain the title.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Vince McMahon and Triple H) defeated WWF Champion The Rock in a submission match, when Vince McMahon stopped the match as Benoit has Rock in the Crippler Crossface.
2001 - The Minnesota Stretching Crew (Shelton Benjamin and Brock Lesnar) defeat The Disciples of Synn (Damian and Payne) to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Title in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning the Crew's second reign and ending the Disciples' second reign. The match took place at a WWF house show at Freedom Hall.
2001 - WWF ran TV Taping in Louisville, KY at Freedom Hall with the following results:
-Randy Orton pinned Rico Constantino with a wheelbarrow suplex.
-Brock Lesnar & Shelton Benjamin defeated OVW Southern Tag Team Champions the Disciples of Synn to win the titles at 6:11 when Lesnar pinned BJ Payne with a Shooting Star Press after spraying Synn's perfume in his eyes.
Sunday Night Heat:
-Test pinned Billy Gunn at 5:12 with a boot to the face.
-The Dudley Boyz defeated the Goodfather & Bull Buchanon at 6:29 when D-Von pinned Goodfather following the 3D.
-Val Venis pinned Steve Blackman at 5:02 when the momentum of a crossbody by Blackman put Venis on top.
-X-Pac, Albert, & Justin Credible defeated Raven, Taka Michinoku, & Sho Funaki at 4:59 when X-Pac pinned Funaki with the X-Factor.
-WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno pinned Grandmaster Sexay at 4:21 in a non-title match with the Gore.
Smackdown:
-Eddie Guerrero, Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko, & Jerry Lynn.
-Bradshaw (with Farooq) defeated the Big Show.
-Chris Benoit & Rikishi defeated Kurt Angle & William Regal.
-WWF Women's Champion Chyna defeated Molly Holly & Ivory in a non-title handicap match.
-Edge defeated Chris Jericho.
-Hardcore Holly (with Crash Holly) pinned Spike Dudley (with the Dudley Boyz) with the Alabama Slam moments after Spike sent Hardcore into Crash on the ring apron; after the bout, Hardcore briefly argued with Crash over Crash trying to involve himself in the match; moments later, after Hardcore left the ring and made his way to the stage, Crash sustained the 3D from the Dudley Boyz.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon) fought the Undertaker to a no contest in a no holds barred match.
2002 - Nova defeats The Prototype (John Cena) for the OVW Heavyweight Title in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Aaron Wilson filed the following live report from the TV Taping:
A very tide turning night in Ohio Valley Wrestling with the debut of a new major OVW superstar/former ECW star. Before the show Jim Cornette announced that OVW will be moving to a new location (thank God) in 6-8 weeks. The building is an 8000 sq. ft. building with an estimated crowd capacity of about 600 people. An excellent step in the success of OVW.
Shelton Benjamin & Redd Dogg vs. Mark Magnus & Johnny Jeter
A good match with Redd Dogg and Magnus starting things off. The team of Dogg and Benjamin basically dominated the entire match, proving they are worthy tag team title contenders. The team of Jeter and Magnus did get some offense in, but not much. Towards the end Shelton pulled off a nice double cross body block, followed later with his walk of the ropes into the lariat. Redd Dogg then came in and delivered a bit more punishment just before Shelton pulled off the pinfall after a Russian leg sweep to Magnus, to pick up the victory.
Winners via pinfall: Shelton Benjamin and Redd Dogg
Jim Cornette was then joined by "Satan's cheerleader herself" Synn. Cornette ran down a few things that happened at the Mt. Washington show this past Saturday night. Apparently Leviathan "let down" Synn by not winning the OVW title from Prototype. Synn also mentioned the fact that Payne suffered a severe neck injury and will be out for months. Synn then went off on Leviathan saying that he couldn't get the job done, which brought Jim Cornette to his next question. Cornette acknowledged that Leviathan was recently seen on WWE Smackdown as Deacon Batista and was wondering how D-Von picked up Leviathan's contract. Synn explained that she was free to send Leviathan wherever she pleased and since he let her down she sent him away to D-Von Dudley and the WWE. Cornette considered that appalling and slave-like and said Synn should be ashamed for herself. Immediately Leviathan, now known as Deacon Batista in the WWE, made his way to the ring and attacked Synn, just before he could deliver a powerbomb to Synn, Damien ran in and stopped him. This was no match for Leviathan as he threw Damien down again. He attempted to powerbomb Damien, but Synn threw powder into the face of Leviathan just as Seven, who is brand new to OVW, came down to the ring. Seven actually took down the "Demon" and continued to pummel him while he was down. Synn got out her whip and viciously attacked Levithan with it. The refs made their way down to the ring to rid the Disciples of Synn as Leviathan eventually made it back to his feet. Leviathan then got up as the Davis Arena crowd erupted assuming this may be the last OVW appearance in a long time from Leviathan.
Jim Cornette came back down to the ring to introduce his next guest making his OVW TV debut, that being Nova. Cornette spoke greatly of Nova and explained he has been wrestling for quite some time. Nova brought up the fact that he and Prototype had some bit of a quarrel a couple of years ago, which brings Prototype down to the ring with his manager, Kenny "the King" Bolin. Cornette said that Nova was the "Next Big Thing" in OVW and Prototype replied that Brock Lesnar may be the "Next Big Thing" in WWE, but the "Next Big Thing" in OVW right now was in Prototype's pants. He also claimed that he himself was by far the "Next Big Thing" in OVW and has the title to prove it. Nova, after a few exchanged words, called out Prototype and challenged him for a title shot which was accepted by Prototype and booked on the spot by Jim Cornette to take place immediately.
Nova vs. Prototype w/ Kenny Bolin
OVW HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
An incredible match to say the very least with Prototype taking the upper hand from the tie-up throwing Nova down to the canvas. Nova although early on pulled off a two count with a standing huracanrana turning the tides on the OVW champion. Prototype although came back strong delivering a rock solid spinebuster to the back of the OVW newcomer Nova. It almost seems as Prototype is delivering punishment with ease to Nova, but Nova came back strong with a headlock takedown. Nova then whipped Prototype into the ropes, but was reversed, Nova ducked and came back with a cross body block, but Prototype moved to avoid his attack and Nova laid out senior official Robert Briscoe. Prototype then got the Bolin Services briefcase from Kenny Bolin and delivered a hard shot to the back of Nova. With the senior official down, Ray Ramsey made a run in, just a second too late for Prototype as he only managed to count to two before Nova courageously kicked out. Prototype then delivered a solid lariat to Nova, but only gained a two count, followed by a excellent stalling suplex, in which Prototype had time to flex, and still only managed to pull off a two count. Nova was then the recipient of not one but two atomic drops and was bumped into referee Ray Ramsey, sending him out cold. Bolin came into the ring to attack Nova with the BS Case, but Nova layed out Bolin sending him back to the ringside floor, and followed by attacking Prototype. Phil Phair came in to replace Ramsey as the match continued. Nova then pulled off a picture perfect inverted leg sweep followed by a huge top rope elbow drop, but only managed to pick up a two count against the reigning champion. The crowd started to chant "Novacaine" calling for Nova's finishing move, but moments later was bumped into referee Phil Phair sending him out cold as well. Sean O'Haire came in and attacked Nova, but Nova prevailed and cleared the ring of the big man. Phil Phair made it back in to the ring to referee and Nova was able to pull off the Novacaine and finally pick up the pinfall and the OVW heavyweight title to a tremendous ovation as the Davis Arena crowd chanted "Nova" as Prototype kicked and stomped in the ring. Defenite ***** match.
Winner via pinfall: Nova
After the match, Prototype came back to the ring and demanded to talk with Cornette in the ring immediately. Cornette made his way into the ring and Prototype demanded a rematch because he didn't know how good Nova was. He claimed it was a set up and deserves a rematch against Nova. Cornette, extremely confident in Nova, grants Prototype the match, which will take place on 5/31 at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Cornette then went on to say that he wanted to clear any dispute and said that he will assign Mick Foley the duty to officiate the match at Six Flags, which should be huge. After Cornette left, and Bolin and Prototype continued to whine in the ring, the crowd went on to throw twinkies at Bolin, which really upset the big man.
Nick Dinsmore vs. Sean O'Haire
DARK MATCH
A fairly decent match, nothing too special and overall basic start. Sean O'Haire is still sporting the newly dyed red hair. Dinsmore and Conway take on Damaja and Machine for the OVW Southern tag titles this Friday at the WWE house show in Louisville, which I will be covering. The match ended as Dinsmore threw O'Haire over the top rope, which is a feat in itself, but was disqualified due to the OVW rules.
Winner via DQ: Sean O'Haire
Rob Conway vs. Trailer Park Trash
TV MAIN EVENT
The two opened off with a strong tie-up as the two attempted to work on each others arm. TPT got the early two count after a school boy roll up. Conway got the headlock on TPT and pummeled him in the corner. He tried to get ten shots to the head, but TPT stopped Conway's attempt and took him down. After a suplex Trash only managed to pick up a three count. Trailer Park Trash then went for a top rope leg drop on Conway, but missed. Flash attempted to get into the ring, but Nick Dinsmore, who was ringside with Conway stopped this and brawled with Flash on the outside. The referee was distracted by this, which allowed TPT to pull out a metal chain and hit Conway square in the face as he then gained the pinfall and the win.
Winner via pinfall: Trailer Park Trash
2002 - NWA:TNA announced that Ken Shamrock was announced for their debut PPV, where he would win the NWA title in the main event.
2003 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Buck Woodward filed the following TV report:
Smackdown for May 15th began with Vince McMahon coming down to the ring. McMahon talked about how Mr. America was Hulk Hogan, and how "Mr. America" had poor values, since he was deceitful about who he is, and that he was greedy for collecting paychecks as Hogan and America. The fans were giving him the "What" treatment, and McMahon yelled at them to shut up. McMahon then said that Mr. America batters women, blaming him for Stephanie McMahon getting hurt last week. McMahon followed a replay of the incident by saying Stephanie was partially to blame as well "for bungling" his plan. Vince then said there was an open contract for someone (or some group) to take Hogan on at Judgment Day. Vince said after whoever volunteers beats Hogan, he himself will unmask Hogan.
The FBI came to the ring, interrupting McMahon. Nunzio took the microphone, and pointed out that the FBI specialized in taking out people. They then aired a highlight video of the FBI taking down Rikishi, The Undertaker, Nathan Jones, and Chris Benoit, as well as footage of last week when they trapped Brock Lesnar in a dressing room. Vince agreed to go talk things over with Nunzio in the back, while Palumbo had his match.
Rikishi came to the ring, glaring at McMahon and Nunzio as he passed them.
Chuck Palumbo defeated Rikishi in 3:33. Towards the end, Rikishi went for the Stinkface, but Johnny Stamboli got on the apron. Rikishi pulled Stamboli into the ring, then superkicked him out of it. However, this allowed Palumbo to hit a superkick for the win.
After the match, Palumbo and Stamboli were stomping Rikishi, as Brock Lesnar arrived. Brock headed right for the ring, taking down Stamboli and giving Palumbo the F5.
We saw that during the break, Stephanie McMahon approached Brock Lesnar, and told him that what he did to the FBI was impressive. She then told him he needed that intensity for his stretcher match with Big Show this Sunday. Brock just smiled.
They showed Mr. America making a visit to a military hospital.
Torrie Wilson came out on the top stage wearing a robe. She talked about her bikini challenge with Sable at Judgment Day, and said she was going to show one of the bikinis that she was considering for the contest. She disrobed to show a blue bikini, then said she was going to wear something "more revealing" at the PPV.
Stephanie McMahon went into her office, where there were two bouquets of roses for her. Stephanie thought they were from her father, but her expression changed when she looked at the cards. Vince McMahon showed up, and told Stephanie he "accepts her apology" for bungling his plan. Stephanie said she thought the roses were an apology from Vince, but they were from Hulk Hogan and Mr. America. Stephanie said they were "two different bouquets from two different men". Stephanie told Vince since he had things under control, she was leaving. Vince, enraged, threw the vases of flowers against the wall.
They showed footage of Rey Mysterio arriving earlier in the day.
Cruiserweight Matt Hardy, with Shannon & Crash, defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri to retain the title in 4:07. Towards the end, Tajiri got the Tarantula, then measured him for the roundhouse kick. Crash jumped on the apron, and Tajiri kicked him off, but that allowed Matt to hit the Twist Of Fate for the pin.
After the match, Matt Hardy got on the mic, and said he had the "Mattributes" to beat Mr. America at Judgment Day. While he talked, Tajiri got on the top rope and dove to the floor, taking down Hardy and Shannon.
Eddie Guerrero was in the back talking to the Kurt Angle portrait, and wearing the gold medal. Eddie mentioned that Chavo was "injured overseas" so he was all alone. Eddie said he was taking on Shelton Benjamin tonight, but that "Angle" would be in his corner. Eddie put a moustache and goatee onto the Angle portrait.
Mr. America was shown arriving, and passed Stephanie as she left. Stephanie thanked Mr. America for the flowers, and told him to thank Hulk Hogan for her. Stephanie kissed Mr. America on the cheek and walked off.
John Cena came to the ring, and did a rap about how he can beat Mr. America. He then did a rap about Chris Benoit, his opponent tonight.
Chris Benoit defeated John Cena in 11:16 (including a commercial break) by DQ. The FBI came down to ringside a few minutes into the match. Towards the end, Benoit hit the top rope headbutt. Nunzio ran in, but Benoit sidestepped him and flung him over the top rope. Cena went for the Death Valley Driver, but Benoit blocked it and procured the Crippler Crossface. Stamboli ran in and kicked Benoit for the DQ.
Post-match, Rhyno ran in and gored Stamboli. Nunzio took a chair and hit Rhyno in his injured knee. Spanky ran out and dropkicked the chair into Nunzio. Cena grabbed Spanky and went to powerbomb him, but Spanky turned it into a rana, sending Cena from the ring. Spanky, Rhyno and Benoit were left in the ring, as the heels trash talked from the ramp.
The Kurt Angle promo about how he is battling back from his injury was shown.
A video package on the Smackdown tour of Scotland, England and Ireland was shown.
Rowdy Roddy Piper & Sean O'Haire came to the ring for Piper's Pit. Piper talked about Vince McMahon's open contract to face Mr. America. Piper said while others wanted to take on Mr. America to impress McMahon or further their careers, Piper wanted to do it because he hated Mr. America for twenty years. Piper demanded that he be allowed to take on Mr. America at Judgment Day. Mr. America came out, waving an American flag, which he handed to a fan at ringside. Piper told Mr. America if he was that ugly, he would wear a mask too. Mr. America said he would be happy to face Piper at Judgment Day. Piper pointed out that Hogan has never pinned Roddy Piper in the center of the ring. Mr. America said Piper never beat him (Mr. America). Piper yelled at the fan at ringside to stop waving the flag. Mr. America said the fan as the right to wave the flag as much as he wants. Piper sent O'Haire after the fan, distracting Mr. America, and Piper ambushed him. America hulked up and knocked Piper down, then knocked O'Haire off the apron. Mr. America gave Piper the big boot, but O'Haire tripped him as he went for the legdrop. O'Haire blasted Mr. America with a chair three times across the back. O'Haire then held Mr. America while Piper slugged him. Piper went for Mr. America's mask, and the fan ran in and hit Piper with the flagpole. O'Haire speared the fan to the mat, and Piper started to pound on him. Security ran over to pull the fan out of the ring, but Piper shoved them away. Piper then yanked on the leg of the fan, and pulled it off. Piper was standing in the ring, holding a prosthetic leg. O'Haire threw up his hands and left the ring. Piper, looking stunned, placed the leg down in the ring and left as the fans booed loudly.
After the break, they replayed Piper pulling the prosthetic leg off the fan. We saw that during the break, Mr. America had helped the fan into the back.
As Shelton Benjamin and Eddie Guerrero got ready for their match, we saw that Vince McMahon was blasteing Piper and O'Haire over what had just happened. McMahon said that it was bad publicity and there could be a lawsuit over it. Piper and O'Haire bickered as McMahon left.
Shelton Benjamin defeated Eddie Guerrero in 3:40. Towards the end of the match, Eddie hit three consecutive vertical suplexes, but Charlie Haas ran out with a ladder. This distracted Eddie, and Shelton Benjamin hit a superkick for the pin.
After the match, Haas and Benjamin prepared to hit Eddie with the ladder, but Guerrero dropkicked it into them. Eddie then took the Kurt Angle portrait and broke it over the head of Benjamin before leaving.
In the back, Vince McMahon told Piper that he has known him for a long time, and that he knows Piper has no remorse for what he did. McMahon said that because Piper was so evil, he would be the man to face Mr. America, since he could give Vince what he wants.
They re-aired the Confidential piece on the death of Miss Elizabeth, including the Lex Luger 911 call.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio was getting ready for his interview.
They showed a "Tale Of The Tape" for the Torrie Wilson vs. Sable bikini challenge. Sable then came out, and said told Torrie she would be better off not wearing something revealing, implying that she was fat. Sable then showed off her black thong bikini.
Michael Cole & Tazz went over the Smackdown matches for Judgment Day, then they went to the WWE studios, where Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross went over the Raw matches for the show.
Rey Mysterio did an interview with Tazz & Michael Cole, talking about wanting to come back and win the Cruiserweight Title. Big Show grabbed Rey and dragged him to the ring. Show beat up Rey in the ring, including giving him an F5. Show was going to then give Rey a chokeslam, but Brock Lesnar ran out and started hitting Show with a stretcher. Lesnar then laid out Big Show with the F5. Lesnar left, and Show slowly got up in the ring. Rey blindsided Show off the ropes, knocking Show down. Rey headed up the aisle, and Brock lifted him on his shoulder. Big Show glared at them and screamed as the show ended.
2004 - ROH held "Round Robin Challenge III" at the National Guard Armory in Lexington, Massachussetts. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Ring of Honor debuted at the Lexington National Armory on Saturday 5/15, drawing about 500 fans for the promotion's third-ever "Round Robin Challenge." That crowd was a good turnout for the promotion considering they had a venue change and there has been much less of a buzz surrounding the company as of late.
The show featured the return of early ROH standout Spanky, the build to Homicide's 5/22 challenge of Samoa Joe for the ROH championship, three title changes, and in perhaps the most newsworthy event of the show, Ricky Steamboat becoming the most physically involved at a wrestling show to date since suffering his career ending back injury in 1994.
The complete results of the show saw:
*In the first Round Robin Challenge bout, Danny Maff & BJ Whitmer defeated CM Punk and Colt Cabana to win the ROH Tag Team championships after Whitmer hit Cabana with his finisher, an Exploder for the pin. Allison Danger looked smoking hot. Punk and Cabana tried to walk out of the match but Ricky Steamboat, who in storyline has some power to oversee matches, stopped them in the aisle and forced them back to the ring. Punk and Cabana attacked Steamboat in the ring after the match. They brought a table in (it broke when they tossed it in) and placed it in the corner, running him into it twice. They didn't get the reaction or visual they wanted, so a second table was brought in. Steamboat was placed on it. Punk went for a top rope legdrop, but as he jumped, the table collapsed. He still hit the move and put Steamboat through the rest of the table. The other officials hit the ring and Steamboat was helped out. They couldn't do anything to control the tables but their lack of assistance hindered the angle, which ROH management knew and wasn't happy with. The match was solid.
*Alex Shelley pinned Matt Stryker. The storyline is they are having a Best of Three Match series but Shelley, being arrogant, only signed for two matches because that's all he needs to win.
The Carnage Crew & Dunn and Marcos defeated Prince Nana & Josh Daniels & The Outkast Killahs.
*ROH champion Samoa Joe defeated the Havana Pitbulls' Ricky Reyes, who came out with Homicide and Julius Smokes. The storyline is Reyes turned off the lights at ROH's Minnesota event during Joe vs. Homicide to set up Homicide throwing a fireball. The Havana Pitbulls are the newest Rottweilers, a faction that was originally going to be Homicide's crew but stalled right out of the gate. Joe looked to be slowed considerably, possibly from his match the night before with Low Ki at USA Pro. They beat the crap out of each other, with Joe striking with a slap so hard the entire building winced. The crowd didn't seem to know who Reyes was, which makes sense since he's never worked in the Boston market.
*CM Punk and Colt Cabana came out to cut a promo, bragging about sending Ricky Steamboat to the hospital and declaring that they would defeat the Briscoes for the belts if they held them later in the night. In the second Round Robin Challenge bout, Mark and Jay Briscoe defeated Dan Maff and BJ Whitmer to win the ROH Tag Team championships when Mark cradled Maff from behind. Briscoes looked good. Mark mistimed a flip off the ropes and nearly killed himself crashing down on his head. That was scary.
*Josh Daniels pinned Special K's Dixie with a Fisherman's Buster. Angeldust was wearing a neck brace to sell his Scramble Cage II piledriver. Ox Baker showed up at ringside with Special K as well.
*Hometown boy John Walters defeated Trent Acid, Roderick Strong, Special K's Izzy, Special K's Hydro, and Masada in a "Six Man Mayhem Match" after pinning Izzy following a Top Rope Hurricane DDT. This was just an insane collection of spots and crazy moves. Walters really got over with the Boston crowd here. Everyone looked great here.
*Homicide pinned the returning Spanky with a lariat. At one point, Spanky hit Sliced Bread #2 on the floor. Spanky had the pin but Smokes pulled the referee out. What happened to the Code of Honor? The early portion of their bout was similar to their match in WORLD-1. Lots of two counts. Samoa Joe came out to confront Homicide and was laid out. Homicide declared that he was going to be the next ROH champion when they face off on 5/22. Good match.
*CM Punk and Colt Cabana defeated Jay and Mark Briscoe to regain the ROH Tag Team championships after Cabana pinned Mark Briscoe with a top rope frog splash. They did the "pull the referee out during the 2 count" bit here too, which seemed weird as it was done twice in a row on the same show. They continued to brawl after the finish with everyone doing dives. When Punk was left in the ring, Ricky Steamboat hit the ring and went nose to nose with Punk. They exchanged chops and Steamboat went to the top and hit his old finisher, the flying bodypress. The place went nuts, with the show ending with Steamboat's theme music playing as he saluted the fans. If Steamboat isn't going to have a return match, ROH has done a good job of sure making it seem like it's going to happen. This was a nice sendoff moment to close the show.
Notes: The Round Robin Challenge ended in a three-way tie with each team attaining one victory....They announced an August return to the Boston market featuring Doug Williams....Bobby Cruise worked as ring announcer as regular ROH announcer Stephen DeAngelis missed the show due to a family commitment....The heat and humidity in the building was insanely stifling.....The live crowd was into everything on the show....ROH returns to Philadelphia at the National Guard Armory with ROH champion Samoa Joe vs. Homicide and ROH Tag Team champions CM Punk & Colt Cabana vs. Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer with Ricky Steamboat as the special referee on 5/22.
2004 - Hurácan Castillo, Jr. defeats José Rivera, Jr. for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, ending Rivera's eighth reign and beginning Castillo's fifth.
2004 - Sabotage (D.C. Dillinger and Eddie Edwards) defeat Magic and Suba for the New England Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Framingham, Massachusetts, beginning their second reign.
2004 - 3PW held "Not Enough Time" at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Rob Eckos defeated N8 Mattson.
- Ruckus defeated Damian Adams and Mike Kruel in a three-way match,
- Rockin' Rebel and Jack Victory defeated Don E. Allen and Rob Zombie.
- C.J. O'Doyle defeated Gary Wolfe.
- Roadkill (with Jasmin St. Claire) defeated The Blue Meanie.
- Jerry Lynn defeated 3PW Heavyweight Champion Joey Matthews by countout. Matthews retained the title.
- April Hunter and Slyck Wagner Brown (with Tod Gordon) defeated Matt Striker and Talia (now known as Velvet Sky) in a mixed tag team match. Talia turned on Striker after the bout and left with Gordon.
- Christopher Daniels and A.J. Styles fought to a 30-minute time-limit draw. They wrestled another 5 minutes but that also ended in a draw.
2004 - Whiplash defeats Matrix to win the vacant NWA Xtreme Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbiana, Alabama, beginning his third reign. At the same event, Johnny 8-Ball defeats champion Death Row, Dilemma, Filthy McNasty and Hott Tubb for the NWA Xtreme Iron Man Title.
2004 - WWE Raw ran Spokane, WA, drawing 3,100 fans with the following results:
-The Hurricane & Rosey defeated Sylvian Grenier & Rob Conway after Eugene came ringside and Conway sustained the Samoan drop / neckbreaker combo.
-Chuck Palumbo pinned Steven Richards with a boot to the face.
-Garrison Cade pinned Val Venis with a roll up after Venis became distracted by Jonathan Coachman at ringside.
-Matt Hardy pinned Albert with a roll up after Albert hit the corner.
-Batista pinned Shelton Benjamin by blocking a sunset flip and holding onto the ropes for leverage.
-Chris Jericho defeated Tyson Tomko (sub. for Christian) in a steel cage match by escaping over the top after knocking Tomko off the top of the cage to the mat.
-WWE Women's Champion Victoria defeated Gail Kim, Jazz, and Molly Holly in an elimination match; Victoria pinned Molly and Gail pinned Jazz at the same time; Victoria pinned Gail with the Widow's Peak.
-WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton pinned Edge with a roll up and using the tights for leverage after Edge hit the spear on an interfering Batista.
-Lita pinned Trish Stratus with a DDT.
-World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit defeated Kane via submission with the Crippler Crossface.
2004 - WWE Smackdown ran San Bernadino, CA at the Cousoullis Arena drawing 3,800 fans with the following results:
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Rico & Charlie Haas defeated Billy Gunn & Hardcore Holly when Haas pinned Gunn as Holly was distracted by Jackie Gayda.
-Mark Jindrak defeated Orlando Jordan.
-Billy Kidman & Paul London defeated Doug & Danny Basham after Kidman hit the Shooting Star Press.
-Mordecai pinned Sho Funaki with the Crucifix.
-Booker T pinned Johnny Stamboli, despite interference from Nunzio.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jackie defeated Chavo Guerrero by pinning an interfering Chavo Guerrero Sr..
-WWE US Champion John Cena pinned Rene Dupree with the FU.
-Dawn Marie defeated Sable in a tiny teddy contest.
-Rob Van Dam & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated the Dudley Boyz in a No DQ match after both men hit their respective finisher.
2005 - TNA held its first-annual "Hard Justice" pay-per-view at the iMPACT! Zone in Orlando, Florida. The event was dedicated Chris Candido, who died on April 28 of complications from an injury suffered at TNA's "Lockdown" pay-per-view on April 24. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Dark Segment: NWA Tag Team champions The Naturals came out and discussed the passing of Chris Candido to the fans in attendance at Universal Studios and asked everyone to remember him and keep him in their thoughts. I was told it was a nice, classy speech.
Pre-Game Show: Jeremy Borash and Don West introduced the show and discussed the Jeff Jarrett vs. AJ Styles main event.
They brought in Mike Tenay and discussed Tito Ortiz as the special referee and went to a series of clips with Ortiz discussing UFC, his love of wrestling growing up, the NWA title, Jeff Jarrett, TNA, and AJ Styles.
Mike Tenay and Don West, now at the commentary booth, previewed the championship matches.
Shark Boy vs. David Young =- Winner Enters Gauntlet for the Gold
Young looks to have really been working on his physique and now has a shaved head. Shark Boy got a big pop. Young tried to overpower Shark, who took him over with a hiptoss and an armdrag. Shark worked over Young's arm.Young hit a running clothesline in the corner. Shark Boy took a bite out of Young's rear. Tenay called it “that famous bite." Young retreated to the floor. Shark Boy slingshot himself out of the ring but was caught and dropped over the railing. Young went to the top but missed a moonsault. Shark Boy came back and drove Young down into his knee. Boy got a two count with a neckbreaker. Shark pounded Young with ten punches in the corner. Shark came off the top with a missile dropkick for a two count. Shark Boy hit the Dead Sea Drop for the pin and advances to the Gauntlet for the Gold tonight at Hard Justice.
Jeremy Borash did a hard sell for the PPV, flanked by "TNA Girl" SoCal Val (a real hottie who works for NWA Florida and PWG in California) before going to an amazing AJ Styles video feature.
Teryr Taylor interviewed NWA champion Jeff Jarrett. He said that to the untrained eye, it would seem he's in a lot of trouble, but he's a survivor and named stars he's defeated. He said that tonight will be no different. Jarrett said that Tito Ortiz is a survivor as well and doesn't care about anyone but himself, which is fine for Jarrett, but said that means Ortiz doesn't care about Styles either. He said he will use that to his advantage and asked where Ortiz' locker room was, then walked off.
They did a quick hard sell to end the preview.
The TNA Hard Justice PPV opened with a tape of a darkened Arena with a 10 bell salute in honor of Chris Candido, with the NWA Tag Team championships, a photo of Candido, and Candido's trademark white towel on a chair inside the ring.
The TNA Hard Justice PPV then went to a video feature discussing Justice in America's past with the theme that today's Justice is doled out. Yet another tremendous video feature by producer Dave Sahadi (who by the way is now writing columns on TNAWrestling.com)
Team Canada vs. Sonny Siaki & Apolo
Team Canada's Eric Young and Petey Williams attacked Siaki and Apolo, who quickly cleared the ring and dared the Canadians to return. Siaki and Yougn started the bout with Siaki hitting a neckbreaker. Siaki lit up Young with some chops. Apolo and Siaki hit a double backdrop on Young. Petey Williams came over the ropes with a guillotine legdrop on Apolo who was pulled through the ropes by Young. Williams hit Apolo with a series of punches to his kidneys and choked him in the corner. Apolo made the hot tag to Siaki who took down Young with a flapjack. Siaki hit a backflip for a two count but Young broke up the cover. Siaki suplexed Young into the ring. D'Amore pulled his leg and Williams got a two count. Apolo chased D'Amore around the ring. Williams went to the top but Siaki tried to cut him off. Williams knocked him to the mat then hit a flying headscissors off the top on Apolo. Williams went for the Canadian Destroyer but Apolo broke free. A-1 hit the ring as the referee was distracted and hit a jackhammer on Apolo, then put Williams atop for the pin.
Your winners, Team Canada!
They showed clips of NWA champion Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, and referee Tito Ortiz all arriving at the building. In a cool clip, they showed Styles entering and walking past a long row of fans, which looked cool because it showed this throng of fans waiting for the show, all cheering for AJ. Jarrett was shown walking with a huge entourage.
Michael Shane & Trinity vs. Tracy Brooks & Chris Sabin: Mixed Tag
Tracy Brooks was wearing fuzzy boots, I guess in honor of ROH's Jimmy Jacobs or something. Brooks chased Trinity around the ring at the open of the match. Sabin nearly got a quick pin with a rollup. Brooks and Trinity tagged in and they rolled around in a small package, reversing each other. Trinity hit a crossbody on Brooks, who rolled through for a two count. Sabin hit a German suplex on Shane. Sabin went for the Cradleshock, but Shane shrugged him off and went for a superkick but Sabin blocked it. Shane slammed Sabin down for a two count after a distraction by Trinity. Shane tagged in Trinity who hit a missile dropkick. Shane covered him for a two count. Shane locked on a rear chinlock, but Sabin fought to his feet with a series of elbows. Sabin and Shane slugged it out in the center of the ring. Sabin hit an elbow out of the corner as Shane charged him. Sabin hit an enziguiri after failing at a tornado DDT attempt. TNA showed an instant replay of the kick. They hit a hot tag to the women. Brooks hit a clothesline and back elbow. Brooks came off the ropes, driving Trinity into the may headfirst for a two count. Trinity tossed her out of the ring to the floor. She followed Brooks to the aisle, chopping her and slamming her head into the entrance ramp. Trinity slammed her on the ramp. Sabin came up from behind. Trinity backed off. Shane tried to sneak up on Sabin but got clotheslined. Sabin hit a springboard dive on Shane on the floor. Brooks tackled Trinity and they rolled around outside. Trinity tossed her into the ring and went for a top rope hurancanrana. Sabin shoved her out of the way and Trinity hit him with the move instead. Sabin got in Trinity's face but Tracy turned on him, hitting him low. Michael Shane superkicked Trinity, then hit Sabin with one as well for the pin. Brooks and Shane reunited and celebrated. Don West declared that they set everyone up.
Your winners, Michael Shane and Trinity!
Mike Tenay and Don West plugged the Third Anniversary PPV on 6/19.
Backstage, Terry Taylor interviewed Team Canada. Petey Williams declared that Team Canada is back on track to show their dominance in TNA. D'Amore said that it was a great start to a great night as there'a a 20 Man Gauntlet with all four members of Team Canada later tonight. D'Amore said you'll see Team dominance over individual selfishness. Bobby Rude complained about being the first in the Gauntlet, blaming biased American officials. Terry Taylor said he knew who the second man in the gauntlet was and D'Amore scoffed when he saw the name.
Tito Ortiz met with TNA Director of Authority Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes thanked him for coming to the PPV. He said that when he needed someone, he went to the Huntington Beach Bad Boy. He warned Ortiz that Jeff Jarrett has a way of twisting things his way, so if things get out of hands, Ortiz has permission to do what he needs to do. Ortiz said that if Jeff Jarrett gets in his way, all Dusty will need to do is call an ambulance.
Terry Taylor interviewed Raven. They noted that Jeff Hardy isn't there and Sean Waltman (who Raven called X-Pac several times) is his replacement in the House of Fun match. Raven said its pathetic that Hardy was too hurt to show up, that TNA is putting over Tito Ortiz as the baddest man in the world when it's Raven. He promised to hurt Waltman and said that he's a human cancer is out to destroy someone tonight.
The story on Hardy is that he never showed up. If that's the case, drop him.
Raven vs. Sean Waltman
The ring was set up with cage walls on two sides and chains holding weapons. Waltman (showing up in actual tights for the first time in this TNA run) attacked Raven from the heel dressing room and slammed him into a cage wall that was set up. He rakes Raven's face into the cage, busting him open. Waltman was preparing for the Bronco Buster but Raven cut him off with a trash can. He tossed Waltman out of the ring. He raked Waltman's face in the cage wall and Waltman was quickly bleeding as well. Raven grabbed a bunch of weapons from a chain above the ring ropes and began beating them over Waltman's head. He slammed two trash can lids over Waltman's head at the same time. Waltman took him down with a clothesline. Raven came back with an ankle lock submission. Raven is bleeding a ton. Raven went for the drop toe hold into the chair but Waltman grabbed it and threw it into Raven's face. Waltman hit a series of spinkicks on Raven. He hit the bronco buster in the corner. Waltman hit the X-Factor. Waltman set up a table outside and put Raven atop of it, pummeling him with punches. Waltman stood atop the ringpost and hit a flip off through the table on Raven. Raven and Waltman headed up the aisle, where Raven through him off the rampway through a table, which was a good 4-8 foot drop. Raven came down for a pin but got a two count. Raven dragged him back to the ring. Raven started looking for something under the ring but couldn't find it. He finally found a pair of handcuffs. Raven handcuffed Waltman's hands together around the ringpost and began caning him. Raven kept asking Waltman if he had enough (think the classic Sandman vs. Tommy Dreamer caning angle in 1994 from ECW) but Waltman cursed him out and at one point said, “Is that all you have, you P*ssy?" over the ring mic. Dusty Rhodes came out and got Waltman freed. Waltman came back and got the cane and began beating Raven with it. Waltman grabbed a staple gun and stapled Raven in the forehead. He did it again. He charged Raven who backdropped him into the Cage wall. The wall gave way and crashed to the floor. Raven pounced on Waltman and scored the pin.
Your winner, Raven!
If you liked ECW, you'd love this one. It got really good as it went on.
Backstage, Tito Ortiz was instructing AJ Styles about the rules of the NWA title match tonight.
They aired a video feature on Monty Brown and The Outlaw vs. 3 Live Kru.
Terry Taylor interviewed Diamond Dallas Page. His partner BG James was nowhere to be found. Page showed Taylor a text message from James which said he was “en route but was having trouble." Page said that he's angry that he was asked to get in the ring with Brown and the Outlaw by Jammes and was stood up. He said it was "Bullsh*t"Â Lots of cursing and edgy language on this PPV. Ron Killings came out and said that at least DDP got a text message because he didn't get anything. He said that he has a problem with the Outlaw and offered to be Page's partner. Page accepted and they were off.
Monty Brown & The Outlaw vs. Ron Killings & Diamond Dallas Page
Don West said that there were no coincidences" when it came to James and Outlaw pertaining to James' not being at the building “in time for the match." I'm sure this is storyline, which is fine, but makes TNA look completely bad when they do this a segment after Jeff Hardy doesn't appear without previous warning during a live pre-game show.
They went back and forth with an OK match. DDP hit a big boot which knocked Brown to the floor. Phi-Delta Slam hit the ring and attacked Page. He got out of a powerslam attempt by one and hit a a reverse DDT. He hit a diamond cutter off the ropes on the other and was pounced from behind by Brown.
Your winners, Monty Brown and The Outlaw!
I apologize for the short PBP for this bout but had a PC freeze and for some reason it didn't save the text for this bout.
Mike Tenay interviewed NWA Tag Team champions The Naturals. They brought up the passing of Candido with The Naturals saying that he brought them back to the top and they wouldn't be Tag Team champions without him. Tenay said that the question remained whether they could remain champions without him. They said that they would and that they have a new outlook, and are humbled by all the support they have had the last several weeks from the fans, the wrestlers, and a legend they thought would never give them the time of day. Tenay asked who the legend was but they said it was personal. I wasn't thrilled with them using Candido's passing as a storyline point. Way too early to do that in my opinion, although TNA has tried to be very classy in dealing with his death.
Mike Tenay announced the NWA Tag Team title bout and the Hard Justice PPV was dedicated to the memory of Chris Candido.
NWA Tag Team champions The Naturals vs. America's Most Wanted
The Naturals placed Candido;s trademark towel in a chair positioned where Candido sat when they won the NWA Tag Team belts. The fans chanted Chris Candido" for much of the early portions of the match. They went back and forth in the ring and then brawled into the crowd and around ringside in a fun brawl. They did the Tower of Doom pileup suplex, which the crowd popped huge for. Harris hit the Catatonic but Andy Douglas broke it up. The Naturals went for the Natural Disaster but they broke it up. They rolled up James Storm for the pin, with Tenay saying they did it the way Chris Candido would have wanted them to. The Naturals left celebrating with the belts and Candido's towel. The crowd chanted Candido's name as AMW watched the champions leave.
Tito Ortiz tried to get into NWA champion Jeff Jarrett's dressing room but was stopped by Davif Young. He said Jarrett was relaxing and Ortiz obviously didn't know what it was like to be a champion. Ortiz tried to push past him but Young said, "Tito I don't want to, but I will stop you." Ortiz grabbed him by the throat. The door opened and Jarrett and Monty Brown were there. Jarrett introduced them and Brown and Ortiz stared each other down. Brown walked off as Jarrett told him it was cool. Jarrett invited Ortiz into his locker room, saying they had a lot to talk about.
They aired a video feature on Christopher Daniels vs. Shocker.
TNA X-Division champion Christopher Daniels vs. Shocker
Mike Tenay explained Shocker's international background and noted that he missed Triplemania for this event (Konnan is working the AAA show, which is why he missed this PPV). Daniels and Shocker started off fast teasing several dives, although they avoided each other's first attempts. Shocker hit a tope suicida through the ropes to the floor. Daniels came back with a neckbreaker as Shocker was entering the ring. Daniels snapped Shocker's neck. Daniels worked over Shocker's neck and back. Shocker fought back with a series of rights. Daniels was browbeating Shocker. He continued to work over Shocker's back but Shocker hit a powerbomb. Shocker sold that his back was too injured to follow up. Shocker and Daniels exchanged chops and punches. Shocker hit a clothesline after rebounding off the ropes and hit a Yakuza kick. Shocker went to the top and hit a frog splash for a two count. Shocker pulled the “out cold" Daniels to his feet but Daniels fooled him and hit a STO. Daniels went for the Best Moonsault Ever but missed. He jumped up with a split-legged moonsault on Shocker for a two count. Shocker went for a Lucha takedown, turning it into an inside cradle for a two count. Daniels and Shocker did some back and forth pin attempts with Shocker coming out of one with a dropkick to Daniels' face. They battled into one of the corners. Daniels went for a superplex but Shocker reversed it and dropped him into the ring with a front suplex standing on the middle turnbuckle. He locked on an STF variation with Daniels' leg grapevined and a crossface across Daniels' face. Daniels bit Shocker's hand to make him break. Shocker locked on a Camel Clutch. He put Daniels on the top turnbuckle and climbed up to set up a move but Daniels cut him off and hit Angel's Wings off the top rope for the pin. Great, great match.
Your winner and still TNA X-Division champion Christopher Daniels!
Daniels grabbed the ring mic and said "Mr. TNA just defeated Mexico's greatest Luchador." He demanded everyone pay tribute to the best X-Division wrestler in the world today, Christopher Daniels.
They aired a video feature on the Gauntlet for the Gold.
Gauntlet For the Gold
The first man out was Bobby Rude. The second man in the Gauntlet was former WWE star Zach Gowan, who worked briefly in TNA as Tenacious Z before going to WWE. Gowan got a nice pop. Rude got the prosthetic leg and tried to hit Gowan but Zach ducked and hit a leg lariat. Gowan hit an inverted DDT. #3 was Team Canada's Eric Young, so it's two on one on Gowan. Rude did a giant swing on Gowan holding his one leg. Gowan fought back but was beaten down. #4 was Cassidy Riley. He took both members of Team Canada down and chopped away at Young. Gowan dropkicked Rude. #5 was Elix Skipper. #6 was Shark Boy. Shark took turns biting everyone and when he bit Gowan, Gowan went over the ropes and was eliminated. Shark beat down Young with punches in the corner. #7 was A-1, so there were now three members of Team Canada in the ring. Team Canada worked over Shark, Skipper, and Riley. #8 was Chris Sabin. Sabin hit an inverted atomic drop, a spinkick and a tornado DDT on Rude. As he spun in the middle of the ring, Sabin took down several of the other wrestlers with kicks. #9 was Petey Williams so Team Canada was now complete. Williams tossed Shark Boy but he landed on the apron. A-1 knocked him off the apron. Eric Young skinned the cat the eliminate Riley. Sonny Siaki was 10th out.
The Gauntlet continues....
The Gauntlet continues....
Elix Skipper tried a rope walk (in a battle royal??) but crashed and burned, landing inside the ring. #11 was Lance Hoyt who cleaned house on everyone and tossed out Eric Young. The place went nuts for Hoyt. #12 was Michael Shane. Shane superkicked Hoyt. Sabin hit a running clothesline on Shane and they both crashed over the ropes to the floor and brawled to the back. Siaki was eliminated by Team Canada. #13 was Jerelle Clark who dove into the ring taking out Williams and Rude. Rude hit the Northern Lariat on Clark. Williams hit the Canadian Destroyer with his partners giving him extra momentum on Clark, who bounced off the mat and out of the ring. That was awesome. #14 was Mikey Batts. Batts hits a stunner on Williams. Batts and Hoyt teamed up with Hoyt giving Batts height and momentum for his flying moves. A-1 saved Williams from being eliminated. #15 was The Outlaw who attacked Lance Hoyt. Batts fired away on Outlaw. Outlaw caught him in a cobra clutch and slammed him to the mat. The crowd chanted, "One More Time"Â and Outlaw obliged. #16 was Trytan. Lance Hoty hit him with a big boot as he got in the ring. Mikey Batts was tossed out. Trytan got in the ring and chokeslammed everyone. He caught Hoyt coming off the ropes with a sideslam. #17 was Ron Killings who cleaned house on Trytan. Trytan pressed Killings up then hit a jackhammer (why not just toss him out of the ring?). Team Canada swarmed over Trytan and tossed him over. Trytan looked OK in his spots here. #18 was Apolo. He clotheslined Outlaw as he hit the ring. He superkicked Williams and Hoyt as well. Apolo worked over Outlaw with chops. Apolo tossed Outlaw over but he landed on the apron. Apolo charged him but Outlaw ducked and held the ropes, eliminating him. #19 was BG James. He faced off with Outlaw but everyone jumped them before anything happened. Bobby Rude was tossed over by Lance Hoyt. Rude grabbed Hoyt and Williams flipped him over. James and Gunn worked together to eliminate Team Canada but #20 Abyss hit the ring and clotheslined both over the ropes before there was any clear indication of their relationship. That worked well, and was a good tease.
The last two men were Ron Killings and Abyss. They brawled outside the ring. Abyss grabbed a chair but referee Rudy Charles grabbed it away. Abyss worked over Killings and tossed him in the ring. Killings came back with a spinkick and a low headbutt for a two count. Killings got a chair that Abyss brought into the ring and killed him with two chairshots for a near fall. Abyss charged Killings, who moved and Abyss ended up taking down Killings. Killings had Abyss pinned but there was no referee. Killings tended to the referee but was caught for a chokeslam onto the chair. Abyss got a two count with Killings getting his shoulder up at the last second. Abyss hit a weak looking sit down splash on Killings, where Killings was supposed to crotch him with a chair but they goofed. They did it over with Tenay using Abyss' tunnel vision as the reason. Abyss finally hit the Black Hole Slam for the pin.
Your winner and new top contender for the NWA title, Abyss!
They aired that great video feature on AJ Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett.
NWA champion Jeff Jarrett vs. AJ Styles with Tito Ortiz as the special referee
They heavily pushed whether it was finally Styles' time to capture the belt, not noting he's been champion before. They did the boxing-style ring introductions. Ortiz gets a huge reaction but there was a small “Tito"Â chant. They announced him as a TNA official. The crowd chanted"F*** him up AJ, F*** him up." They locked up and circled the ring. When they backed up into the corner, Ortiz made them break. A second time, he physically moved Jarrett back, with Jarrett upset about it. Ortiz made AJ break a lock up, but when he saw Jarrett going to hit a closed fist, grabbed Jeff.
They went to the mat with Styles reversing a hammerlock. Jarrett walked out at one point, but returned before the 10 count, slowing the momentum. Styles hit a dropsault, then slammed Jarrett. Styles hit a flying forearm in the corner. Jarrett goes after AJ's knee, dropping Styles' knee over his own. Jarrett went right into a leglock. Styles got his leg in the ropes and Ortiz forced a break. Jarrett picked up Styles and slammed his knee into the turnbuckle. He told the crowd he was going to snap Styles' leg. Styles battled back with some rights and kicks. When Styles went to kick with the leg Jarrett had been working on, Jeff caught it and locked on the figure four leglock. Styles fought to get to the ropes but Jarrett pulled him to the center of the ring. Styles finally turned it over. Jarrett hit a sliding kick on Styles to the outside. Jarrett continued to knock Styles to the floor as he tried to return to the ring. Jarrett continued but Tito grabbed him by the throat and backed him up in the corner. Jarrett went to the floor. Styles went to clothesline him but Jarrett ducked and Styles hit the ringpost. Jarrett grabbed his guitar to hit Styles but Ortiz got in between them and dared Jarrett to hit him with it. Jarrett was going to but Ortiz raised his fists. He hesitated and Styles grabbed it. Ortiz gave him the same warning, so Styles destroyed the guitar by smashing it on the floor. Styles and Jarrett brawled on the floor. There isn't a huge crowd reaction for anything involving Ortiz of the near falls, at least as it's translating on TV. Ortiz is doing a decent job so far though. Styles tried to hit a back suplex but Jarrett held onto the ropes. AJ went for a frankensteiner, but Jarrett caught him with a powerbomb. Jarrett and Styles slugged it out, with Styles hitting him glancingly with the Pele Kick. Jarrett rolled through a rollup attempt and hit Styles with his own finisher, the Styles Clash. AJ kicked out. AJ responded by hitting Jarrett with his own finisher, the Stroke for a two count. Styles missed a spinning move off the top but landed on his feet and went for the Styles Clash. Monty Brown hit the ring and went for the Pounce but his Jarrett. Ortiz left the ring to make Brown leave ringside as AJ had Jarrett pinned. A second referee hit the ring to count but Ortiz pulled him out saying he was the referee. AJ and Ortiz argued. Jarrett hit a lowblow. He put Styles on the ropes and shoved Ortiz. Ortiz pulled him down and yelled at him. Jarrett shoved him, so Ortiz hit him with a KO punch. Styles came off the top with the Spiral Tap and scored the pinfall.
Your winner and new NWA champion AJ Styles. Tito and AJ shook hands and Tito raised his hand. Monty Brown returned to aid Jarrett and stared at Styles. Jarrett was out. Styles celebrated with the fans and looked like he was ready to cry as they went off the air. All they were missing was all the babyfaces hitting the ring to make it an even bigger deal, but if they do that after they go off the air, they should show it on Impact!.
They aired a video feature pushing the 6/19 Slammiversary PPV to close the show.
2005 - Shamu defeats Crazzy Boy, Extreme Tiger and Joe Lider in a four-way match to win the Xtreme Latin American Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Title in Tulancingo, Mexico. The title had been vacated after Juventud Guerrera signed with WWE.
2005 - Tojuki Leon and Kaori Yoneyama defeat AKINO and Tsubasa Kuragaki for the JWP Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan. At the same event, Erika Watanabe defeats Haruka Matsuo to win the JWP Junior Title.
2005 - WWE Raw ran Ft. Wayne, IN at the- Memorial Coliseum with a matinee event featuring:
-WWE IC Champion Shelton Benjamin & Chris Jericho defeated Muhammad Hassan & Daivari when Daivari submitted to Jericho's Walls of Jericho.
-Val Venis pinned Bobby Lashley with a roll up.
-Christy Hemme defeated Victoria.
-Chris Masters defeated Steven Richards.
-Christian pinned Viscera while Tyson Tomko held Viscera's feet down from outside the ring; after the bout, -Viscera hit the Embalmer on Christian.
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions the Hurricane & Rosey defeated the Heart Throbs.
-Chris Benoit defeated Tyson Tomko via submission with the Sharpshooter; after the bout, Benoit fought off an interfering Christian and locked him in the Crippler Crossface.
-Kane defeated Edge via disqualification after Edge used the briefcase as a weapon.
-World Heavyweight Champion Batista defeated Triple H & Ric Flair in a handicap match by pinning Flair with a spinebuster.
2005 - WWE Smackdown ran Redding, CA at the Convention Center with the following results:
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Paul London won a cruiserweight title battle royal.
-John Heidenreich defeated Spike Dudley.
-Matt Morgan defeated Sho Funaki.
-Booker T defeated Kurt Angle.
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury defeated Hardcore Holly & Charlie Haas.
-Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Eddie Guerrero via disqualification.
-WWE World Champion John Cena defeated John Bradshaw Layfield & WWE U.S. Champion Orlando Jordan in a handicap match; Roddy Piper was the guest referee for the bout.
2006 - WWE held RAW live at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas. The show got a 4.0 rating on USA Network. WWE held Monday Night Raw in Texas, featuring an appearance by Terry Funk. Here is Ed Shirreffs' original TV report:
Jim Ross opens RAW by welcoming us to Texas Tech, home of the Red Raiders, and he emphasizes the title match between Cena & Triple H will open the show. Lillian introduces Triple H first. JR puts over that the Game is 0 for 2 against Cena, but that he may be due. A replay of last week's pedigree on Cena and subsequent crotch chops is shown. Lillian introduces Cena, but Vince's music hits instead and McMahon struts down to the ring. Vince has great news for the fans, and for Triple H. He is changing the main event, but for the better. The Intercontinental Championship will be on the line as well! Rob Van Dam will be teaming with John Cena in a match against Triple H and his partners, Shelton Benjamin & Chris Masters in a 2 on 3 Texas Tornado Handicapped Match!
WWE Championship/Intercontinental Title Match: John Cena, WWE Champion & Rob Van Dam, Intercontinental Champion vs. Triple H, Shelton Benjamin, & Chris Masters
John Cena comes right out before everyone and punches HHH. Masters and Benjamin come out and attack Cena. RVD is out next and does for Benjamin. Masters and Benjamin double team RVD as Triple H tosses Cena outside. HHH slams Cena on the announcer's table. Masters powerslams RVD in the ring as HHH punches Cena. Cena is thrown into the ring steps. Masters works over Van Dam in the corner. Cena smashes HHH's head on the ring steps. RVD dumps Masters from the ring, rolls over Benjamin and gives him a huracanrana. He then does a suicide leap over the top rope to the outside onto Cena, Masters, and Triple H.
Commercial.
On Unlimited, Triple H is in control of Cena back in the ring.
Back from break, a spinebuster from Triple H to Cena. All other men are laid out by the ring. Triple H neglects to cover . Cena ducks a clothesline, hits a shoulderblock, and powerslams Triple H for a two count. Triple H dumps Cena to the outside. He throws Van Dam into the ring steps. Cena throws HHH into the barrier, but Benjamin attacks him. An spinning heel kick knocks Cena into the audience. Lawler points out he can't lose his title when he is among the fans. Masters is beating RVD, whose title is also on the line. JR points out the history of the match. HHH gives RVD a running kneelift to RVD and Masters kicks him. Standing suplex by Masters to RVD and HHH gets a knee-drop to the head. Benjamin kicks RVD in the head and covers, but HHH breaks it up. Benjamin wants to know what is going on. While they fight, Masters puts on the Masterlock until Benjamin and HHH break that up. Masters, HHH, and Benjamin start arguing. Van Dam mounts a comeback and knocks down all three men, kicking HHH out of the ring with a heel kick. Benjamin gets a Rolling Splash and Masters is dropkicked out of the ring. RVD goes for the Frog Splash on Benjamin but is knocked off the top. Cena starts attacking the heels. Suplexes for all! Five Knuckle Shuffle on Benjamin. HHH goes for the pedigree, but is thrown to the floor, as is Masters. Drop Toe Hold on Benjamin sets up the STFU, but Masters barely breaks it up. RVD goes for a Frog Splash and hits it, but is Pedigreed before he can cover. Cena FU's Masters but HHH Pedigrees Cena as he turns around. He goes for the cover on Cena, but Benjamin drapes his arm over RVD. It's a double pin! Shelton gets the three count since he covered first, and barely wins.
Your winner and new Intercontinental Champion, Shelton Benjamin!
Post match, HHH is livid and Pedigrees the ref. It is pointed out that he got in three pedigrees, but couldn't get the pin. Commercial. I didn't get anything on Unlimited, but I had buffering problems, so...Back from break, there WAS something on Unlimited. HHH blew off Todd Grisham. Later tonight, Mick Foley explains his actions. Trish Stratus comes out to the ring. Trish says she has 'unfinished bidness' with Mickie, and it is personal. Trish wants to settle it immediately. Mickie obliges and comes out. Trish puts her mic down and Matrixes to avoid a clothesline. When Mickie turns around, the mystery woman from last week (Beth Phoenix) attacks. Trish says Beth is her new friend. Beth won't let Mickie get away with what she did to her.
Shill for Kane's movie premiere...Kane really lives the gimmick! Mick Foley is pictured with his favorite diva, Melina. Commercial.
Todd Grisham is doing Sign of the Night on Unlimited. A guy has a sign that says 'Luckily My Playboy is Laminated'. Okaaayyy.
RAW returns with This Week in Wrestling History. May 17, 1963, Bruno Sammartino squashed the Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to win the Championship, proceeding to set attendance records.
Triple H is in the locker room stewing when Shane McMahon comes in. The Chairman wants to collect on his favor, Triple H is pissed about the cluster he was thrown into. Shane says the title was on the line. Triple H says he won't be the referee, but Shane says not to worry because Shane O'Mac is the ref. Vince just wants Triple H in Kenny's corner since the Spirit Squad is banned from ringside.
The Spirit Squad comes out sans Kenny for a Championship match. Commercial.
WWE World Tag Team Championship Match: The Spirit Squad (Johnny & Nicky) vs. Goldust & Snitsky
Johnny starts off with Snitsky. Headlock to Snitsky, but Snitsky gets a shoulderblock. He slams both members defending the titles and gets a two count. Goldust tags in and hits Johnny with his bottom. Nicky is tagged in. Armdrag takeover into an armbar by Goldust to Nicky. Nicky gets to the ropes, but Goldust punches followed by an Atomic Drop. Nicky gets back in control and kicks Goldust outside so the non participating Spirit Squad members can interfere. Two count in the ring. Nicky distracts the ref so they can interfere again. Two count by Nicky. Front facelock by Nicky. Snitsky gets distracted, so Goldust can't get the tag. Johnny is tagged in and Goldust punches out before being overwhelmed. Johnny with a headlock on Goldust. Goldust powers out, but Johnny gets a hiplock takeover. Nicky tags in and tries for an armdrag, but reverses it into a backslide for a two count. Powerslam by Goldust to Nicky and both men are down. Snitsky is tagged in and he cleans house with scoop slams. Double clothesline by Snitsky. Side slam and pin attempt is broken up by Johnny. Mikey then leaps off the trampoline from the outside clean over the top rope and hits a bulldog on Snitsky. Wow! Nicky covers and gets the 1-2-3.
Your winners, and still Tag Team Champions, The Spirit Squad!
Mick Foley is out next. Commercial. How creepy is that Skittles ad with the beard?!
Back from the break, last week's mugging of Tommy Dreamer is shown. Foley is out to give his explanation. He wants to answer the question on everyone's mind...what was he doing hanging out with Melina at Kane's movie premiere? Mick can't believe what he had to do to an old time friend. More unbelievable that he was in cahoots with Edge. Foley won't give excuses, saying the fans deserve an apology. He says he is sorry. He couldn't say sorry to Dreamer personally since Dreamer had an adverse reaction to being hit in the genitalia with a barbed wire bat. Instead, he brings out his mentor, the Texas Bronco Terry Funk! Footage of Wrestlemania 14's Dumpster Match against the James Gang, I mean New Age Outlaws is shown. Terry gets his name chanted by the crowd. Terry knows why Cactus humiliated Dreamer. However, he asks Mick why he did it. Mick says at Mania, he and Edge made history with the greatest hardcore match ever. He couldn't let second rate ECW scumbags into 'our house' and say they are what hardcore is about. Foley will defend three things with his life...his wife, his kids, and his legacy. Terry says Mick doesn't get it...he calls Mick ECW. ECW is family. Terry is family to Mick. They beat the hell out of each other and have been in everything possible. Terry says Mick is like a son to him. They hug. Mick wants to tell his "Dad" something...it is the first time they have been in a WWE ring together since 1998. Mick says it wasn't supposed to be like that. In 2003, Terry skipped Mick's Hardcore Legend ceremony. Terry didn't come because he wanted too much money, says Mick. Mick says he will inevitably get the call that the Funker is gone. When that happens, Mick will say it will cost some money to get him out to a dump like West Texas. But Mick says he will come for free to spit on Terry's grave. Funk threatens to beat the hell out of Foley, and asks Mick to take his best shot, repeatedly slapping Foley. If Terry had a head like Mick's, he'd have it circumcised. He calls Foley's wife a whore. He calls Foley's kids bastards. Funk says "WWE sucks". Foley knocks Funk down. Punches by Foley to Funk, but Terry fights back, Edge comes out, but Funk hits Edge, too. Lita with a low blow from behind and Foley and Edge work over Funk. Edge grabs the barb wired baseball bat and hits Funk in the stomach and back. Foley pulls out Mr. Socko and gives Funk the Mandible Claw so Edge can spear him. Commercial.
On Unlimited, Terry Funk is helped to the back.
Back on RAW, Matt Striker is in the ring. He says he was going to lecture them on the problems caused by immigration, but considering his audience is made of immigrants... He says if you aren't smart enough to get into the University of Texas, you go to Texas Tech, Tonight, he is going to teach Eugene a lesson.
Eugene vs. Matt Striker
Striker throws Eugene's hat out of the ring. As Eugene tries to get it, Striker kicks him. He puts the boots to Eugene in the corner. Striker with a headlock, but Eugene throws out of it. Striker gets a knee to the head and punches Eugene. He tries to throw Eugene's head into the turnbuckle, but Eugene "Eug's" up. Punches and then an airplane spin to Striker. Stunner is blocked, but Eugene gets the big boot and leg drop for a near fall. Rock Bottom is blocked into a neckbreaker followed by a modified swinging neckbreaker, cracking Eugene's neck on his knee for the three count.
Your winner, Matt Striker!
Kane clips are shown. Lots of them in fact, as it seems to be a career retrospective. Commercial. Kiss Cam on Unlimited.
RAW is back with a replay of the wild finish of the title match to start the show. Maria is in the back with Carlito. Maria reminds us of last week when Carlito attacked Eugene for getting involved in the match. Carlito says it is not cool to interfere. Maria likes his shirt, but does not understand the "Spit or Swallow" question. Carlito asks if she spits or swallows, and she wants to know if he means an apple. Yeah, uh, apple. She says she swallows. That's cool.
In Vince's office, Triple H interrupts the now weekly makeout session with Candice. Vince cuts Triple H off by reminding him he gave him a title shot. Vince gives Triple H a present. It is a sledgehammer so he can bash Shawn Michaels' head in.
Commercial.
On Unlimited, Vince and Candice play "Ride 'Em Cowboy".
Back on RAW, Armando Alejandro Estrada is in the ring. He is dogging a jobber before bringing out Umaga.
Umaga vs. Chris Wellman
Splash in the corner from Umaga to start. He blocks a kick and throws Wellman down, and then outside the ring. Outside, he puts Wellman on the ring steps, then tosses him by the neck over his head. In the ring, Umaga gets Wellman in the Tree of Woe and hits a headbutt. Whiplash and then the Samoan Spike. It's over.
Your winner, Umaga!
JR spent much of the match putting over Umaga's athleticism. Smackdown Rebound is Rey getting squashed by The Great Khali. In the hallway, the Spirit Squad show their appreciation for Shane McMahon with a cheer. Commercial.
On RAW, there is another shill for Kane's movie. Here comes the money, Shane McMahon. Kenny is out next. Triple H comes out to his special non match theme song "King of Kings". Commercial.
On Unlimited, Saturday Night's Main Event is shown, then Shane McMahon's match three weeks ago where he hit the awesome elbow drop.
Back on RAW, Kenny thrashing Shawn Michaels is shown as a replay. Shawn Michaels finally comes out.
Kenny vs. Shawn Michaels.
Michaels attacks Kenny right away and throws him out of the ring. Shawn then chases Shane around the ring. Shane regroups with HHH and Kenny. Kenny gets back in and Michaels punches him and chops his chest. McMahon blocks Michaels punch attempt and Kenny punches Michaels. Shane "warns" Kenny about the fists. Michaels reverses Kenny into the corner, but Kenny throws Michaels into the opposite corner and out of the ring. Michaels blocks a cheap shot and throws Kenny back in and goes for an elbow drop, but Shane throws him off the top. Flying elbow by Kenny gets a two count. Kenny whips Shawn with a belt, but Michaels avoids the fast count. Kenny chokes Michaels and then puts him in a headlock. HBK fights back up, but Kenny overwhelms him. Kenny and Michaels trade punches. Chops by Michaels, and then a flying forearm. Inverted Atomic Drop by Michaels. He lashes Shane with the belt and Shane takes off. Scoop Slam to Kenny and he connects with an elbow drop off the top. HBK tunes up the band and hits the Sweet Chin Music. Shane spears Michaels and hits some knees to the stomach and hits multiple backbreakers before calling Triple H into the ring. HHH takes his time. He tells Michaels to look at him so he sees it coming and hits Shane in the face when Michaels ducks. Vince comes out and calls for medics. Triple H picks up the sledgehammer and leaves the ring. Triple H shrugs as Vince hugs his boy in the ring. HHH says it was an accident.
That's a wrap. The match is obviously a no contest.
2007 - PWInsider.com broke the following: "Former ECW World champion Sabu is gone from World Wrestling Entertainment, according to several sources. Sabu arrived hours late for tonight's scheduled Smackdown/ECW taping in Baltimore, Maryland and didn't even have his ring gear with him. I am told he was sent home from the taping and has been/will be released by the company. Sabu, one of the trendsetters of the original Extreme Championship Wrestling, signed with WWE a year ago as part of the re-launched ECW brand. Sabu received a big push early in the brand's run, including challenging ECW champion Big Show at last year's Summerslam PPV before being deemphasized as a focal point.
2007 - WWE announced Vito had been released from the company.
2007 - The results from the aforementioned WWE Smackdown taping in Baltimore:
- In a dark match, Chuck Palumbo pinned Daivari.
SmackDown!:
- Montel Vontavious Porter pinned World Tag Team Champion Matt Hardy after the Playmaker.
- Brian Kendrick, Paul London and Jimmy Wang Yang defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero and WWE Tag Team Champions Deuce 'n Domino (with Cherry), when Yang pinned Guerrero after a moonsault.
- Mark Henry pinned Funaki after a powerslam.
- WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit defeated Finlay by disqualification when MVP attacked Benoit while Finlay was locked in the Crippler Crossface. After the match, Finlay hit Benoit in the knee with his shillelagh and MVP hit a boot to the face in the corner.
- The Miz pinned Christian York with the Mizard of Oz.
- Kane (with The Boogeyman and Little Boogeyman) pinned William Regal (with Dave Taylor) after the Chokeslam.
Mike Johnson filed the following ECW on Sci FI TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of ECW on SciFi live from Baltimore, Maryland. Before we begin, I'd like to give CBS a big middle finger for cancelling the best drama of this TV season, Jericho. Onto the show...
ECW on SciFi opened with clips of ECW champion Vince McMahon laying out Bobby Lashley last night on Raw. McMahon cut a promo from the WWE Studios noting that Lashley caused him to have to shave his head and said that tonight Lashley will face all three members of the New Breed in a warm up to Judgment Day where he'll have to face McMahon, Umaga, and Shane McMahon, his judge, jury and executioner. McMahon promised to be ECW champion after this Sunday.
The ECW open played and out came Rob Van Dam. Joey Styles plugged Van Dam vs. Snitsky was next. Oh joy.
Rob Van Dam vs. Snitsky
Van Dam evaded a collar and elbow lock up and drilled Snitsky with several kicks. Snitsky catches and slams him. Van Dam dropkicked him in the knees, but Snitsky gets back up and hits a powerslam. Van Dam is throttled with kicks. Snitsky slams Van Dam again, then drops an elbow for a two count. Snitsky choked Van Dam in the corner. He suplexed Van Dam but only received a two count. Match has been slow and plodding all the way. Snitsky missed a charge in the corner and was hit with a reverse kick. Van Dam nailed him with several forearms and a jumping heel kick. Van Dam missed the Ryder Kick off the top rope but nails him with a windmill kick. Snitsky rolled out of the way of Rolling Thunder. He charged with a running boot but Van Dam moved. Snitsky crotched himself over the top rope. Van Dam hit a spinkick, sending Snitsky to the floor. Van Dam followed but was laid out with a clothesline. Snitsky grabbed a chair and destroyed Van Dam with it. The referee called for a DQ.
Your winner, Rob Van Dam by DQ!
Snitsky stalked over Van Dam before walking out. The story of the match was that Snitsky, who's been killing everyone, was frustrated by Van Dam's offense.
Joey Styles and Tazz plugged the Lashley vs. The New Breed main event.
They aired a CM Punk video putting over his character as a straightedge fighter. They plugged he would be coming up next.
CM Punk vs. Stevie Richards
Not that I have a problem with this match, since it should be solid, but haven't we seen this like three times already on SciFi? Punk's ribs are taped up, selling the Marcus Cor Von match from last week. They were really taped up.. Punk and Richards locked up. Punk began nailing Richards with several stiff kicks and an exploder suplex, which Tazz called such, as opposed to a T-Bone Tazplex. Richards went after the ribs, ripping off the tape, exposing them. Richards began kicking Punk in the midsection. Richards continued to work over Punk. Richards locked him in a bow and arrow. Richards does a double stomp to the sternum. Richards locks in an abdominal stretch. Why is the guy in a featured PPV match on the defensive the entire match to a guy who, with all due respect to Stevie, hasn't been pushed in years? I digress. Richards mocked Punk's X signal, then missed a charge in the corner. Punk drilled him with kicks, then hit a neckbreaker. Punk hit the running kneelift to Richard's face in the corner. Punk went for the bulldog, but Richards kicked him in the ribs. Richards teased a tornado DDT, but was caught and hit with the Go To Sleep. Pretty good match for the amount of time they had..
Your winner, CM Punk!
Backstage, Elijah Burke, Marcus Cor Von and Matt Striker were watching Punk's victory. Burke asked them if they were ready. Cor Von said he came to ECW to dominate, especially Lashley. Striker tried to say something but was told that he isn't allowed to speak because he has a stench on him from losing to the Major Brothers. Burke said that until Striker took care of that, he didn't want to hear Striker's voice. He said tonight the New Breed would take care of Lashley and at Judgment Day, he will take care of CM Punk.
They plugged the Wrestlemania 23 DVD coming out this week. You can order it from our friends at www.highspots.com.
Kevin Thorn (with Ariel) vs. Nunzio
Looks like Nunzio is the suitable substitute for Sabu tonight. Ariel looked out of this world smoking hot. Thorn backed Nunzio into the corner then laid him out with kick after kick. Thorn nailed him with a beel throw out of the corner. Nunzio tried to fight back with punches and a jawkbreaker, but Thorn shook it off and laid him out in the conrer. Thorn hit a powerbomb out of the corner. He locked on a chinlock, pushing on the back of Nunzio's neck with his knee at the same time. Thorn and the referee argued as Nunzio swung wildly at nothing because he was so out of it. Thorn nailed a flapjack on Nunzio for a near fall. Nunzio tried to pull himself up with the ropes and kept trying to go toe to toe with Thorn. Thorn drove him down to the mat with a side headlock as Nunzio tried to fight his way up. Thorn picked up Nunzio and ran him into the corner. Thorn missed with a running boot to the corner, catching his leg in the rope. Nunzio nailed several kicks, then hit a dropkick off the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Thorn picked up Nunzio and deposited him outside the ring on the apron. He dragged him over the ropes and nailed the Dark Kiss for the pin. You couldn't ask for a better competitive match for the timespan. Good intensity from Thorn here. Nunzio looked great as the scrapper who refused to go down and Ariel did a good job reacting to everything at ringside.
Your winner, Kevin Thorn!
They did a Condemned video feature.
Extreme Expose danced. As a good friend of mine just said, "There's something really wrong about a Justin Timberlake song being featured on ECW."
They aired a video feature on the Lashley vs. McMahons feud.
Lashley cut a promo backstage, saying McMahon won't have a chance to jump him from behind. He said that it will be Judgment Day and there will be no "No Touch Rule." He said tonight when he's in the ring with the New Breed, he will see the McMahons and Umaga. He promised he would get his ECW title back on Sunday. The crowd was chanting "What?" after everything he said, which made the promo hysterical. When the babyface is getting the "What?" chant, that's not a good sign.
They plugged the Judgment Day lineup.
Bobby Lashley vs. Matt Striker & Elijah Burke & Marcus Cor Von
Burke started with Lashley. Lashley shoulderblocked him down. Lashley held up Burke for a delayed vertical suplex. Cor Von tagged in. Lashley and Cor Von had a brief exchange until Striker tagged himself in. Lashley destroyed Striker with a slam then sent him flying from the ring to the floor. Burke began screaming at him, but Lashley knocked him off the apron as well. Cor Von attacked Lashley and nailed the Pounce with Lashley nailing the ropes and bouncing to the floor. Burke took over on Lashley. Lashley kept making comebacks but was cut off. Cor Von tagged back and continued the beatdown. He slammed Lashley and worked him over with a chinlock. Cor Von scored a two count with a back suplex. Burke tagged in and worked over Lashley with a stretch. Lashley finally scored with a belly-to-belly suplex. Lashley dragged Striker in and charged him in the corner, then clotheslined him. He picked up Striker for a one handed chokeslam, then speared him for the pin. This was exactly what you would expect out of everyone involved.
Your winner, Bobby Lashley!
Burke and Cor Von looked disgusted outside the ring. ECW showed several replays of the finish as Lashley celebrated the victory.
Notes: It was all about pushing the PPV tonight...Based off tonight, you could see potential seeds for Lashley vs. Cor Von, Burke vs. Striker and Van Dam vs. Snitsky at One Night Stand on 6/3 being planted. I guess we'll see as the weeks move forward. I thought Thorn vs. Nunzio was the best thing on the show.
2007 - Quinten Lee defeats Ganger to win the Heartland Wrestling Association Television Title in Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning his second reign.
2008 - As part of the NBC Universal/WWE relationship, WWE sent Ric Flair to the NBC upfronts New York City. In a departure from the usual style of the upfronts, media representatives were walked through the NBC Experience tour with different stars and actors appearing in areas designed to highlight their respective properties. Others appearing were cast members of 30 Rock, Heroes and the Office.
2008 - WWE began work on a DVD documentary on the late Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig.
2009 - The Calgary Herald has reported that Jon Croitoru, who was known as Johnny K-9 during WWF stint in the 80's and Bruiser Bedlam in Smoky Mountain Wrestling in the 90's, has been arrested for being part of a plot where members of one gang were planning to kill members of another. It isn't the first run-in with the law for 43 year old Croitoru, who has also been linked to a murder and a police station bombing.
2009 - TNA Epics debuted in Great Britain. Garrett Kidney filed the following TV Report on the premiere episode:
TNA Epics started in a way that should immediately hook any wrestling fan. It showed Elix Skipper finding his balance on top of a Six Sides of Steel Cage before walking one of the thin ledges and hitting a huracanrana on Chris Harris off the top of the cage. This, one of the most memorable and historic moments in TNA, is a great way to kick off this new series.
Epics follows a simple format, with Mick Foley as it's host, each week it showcases three of the best matches in the seven year history of TNA. This weeks show revolves around the theme of cage matches. Mick Foley introduced us to the first match from Turning Point 2004: AMW vs. Triple X in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match in which the losing team must disband.
This is one of the defining matches in the history of TNA. It had everything. Daniels, Chris Harris and Storm were all busted open and Daniels bled pretty heavily. This match was the culmination of a very long feud in TNA between Triple X and AMW. Triple X managed to handcuff Harris to the ropes in the corner and they double teamed Storm. Eventually Storm managed to unlock Harris and the match picked up big time from here. Harris makes a big comeback on Triple X. Storm dumps Skipper into the cage with a elevated inverted DDT. Skipper takes a Powerbomb form the top. Daniels hits the Angels Wings on Harris.
They then set up for the Elix Skipper cage walk. If you've never seen this you have to watch Epics if only to just see the cage walk. Daniels hits an elbow off the top of the cage as the crowd chant 'That is Awesome'. Daniels gets the worst of a Tower of Doom spot in the corner. Skipper and Harris trade finisher attempts before both hitting each other into the cage. Crowd are chanting 'Best Match Ever' now. Harris manages to handcuff Daniels in the corner and Storm nails Skipper with a superkick. They hit Triple X's own Powerplex on Skipper for the win in an amazing match. This is a must see.
Foley puts over the Skipper hurancanrana before introducing the next match: AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels vs. LAX for the TNA World Tag Team Championships in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match at Bound For Glory 2006.
Match starts with a combination of brawling from LAX and good wrestling form Styles and Daniels. Homicide pulled out a fork and stabbed the head of Daniels, busting him open. Homicide spat tequila in Daniels face. Hernandez is just so convincing when throwing people around as he hit a Crackerjack and Spinning Sitout Powerbomb during the match. Tower of Doom took out Homicide and Daniels while Styles came off the top of the cage with a fantastic crossbody on Hernandez. Hernandez then missed a splash off the top of the cage. Konnan choked Daniels with a clothes hanger in the corner as Homicide hit Styles with a Gringo Killer to win the titles. Another really great match.
Foley acted frightened after the match and hid behind his hands before talking about Hernandez coming off the cage. The last match was from the TNA iMPACT! 2 hour prime time special in 2006. Christian Cage faced Rhino in a barbed wire Six Sides of Steel Cage match. While this match wasn't as long as the other two, it was still pretty good. It started with some brawling from Rhino before skipping a little into the match. (presumably due to the ad break as this was on TV and not PPV). We came back with Cage bleeding heavily as he hit a top rope Unprettier on Rhino. Rhino hit a big TKO onto two chair that looked like it hurt. Christian won when Rhino Gored him through the cage door as the door flew off.
Mick Foley thanked us for watching and the show came to an end.
Closing Thought: While Foley was good as a host, it was good that the focus of the show was on the wrestling. Foley was only there to add credibility to the show as host. All matches were shown in full with the exception of the ad breaks included. The first match was exceptional, the second was excellent and the third a pretty darn good match. Overall, this was a really good show that would increase any wrestling fans interest in TNA.
2010 - Beth Phoenix was scheduled for surgery to repair an ACL tear.
2010 - TNA ran Hammond, Indiana. Gregory Davis filed the following live report:
Those who had tickets in the first three rows were allowed in an hour early at 5:30 for a meet and greet, which involved a few wrestlers coming around the ring, siging autographs and taking photos. These fans also had first dibs at the merchandise stand, which was where the Twitter backstage pass was located.
The setup was a bit different than what WWE does when they run here. The bleachers were stowed away, so all the seats on the floor were flat. The upper level was general admission, so folks could set wherever they wanted up there. The $50 seats sold out very quickly, and the rest of the floor was mostly full, but I'd say only 1/8 of the upper level was filled, and that might have been due to people with those tickets moving up as security didn't seem to be enforcing seats too much.
Don West was handling the merchandise section. Before the doors opened, he would occasionally come outside to announce the merchandise specials and autograph signings. First, there was a Jeff Hardy Brown Bag Special: the new Jeff Hardy shirt and the usual brown bag special of 4 random DVDs and a random T-Shirt, for just $20. That's two shirts, one of a top star, and four DVDs for $20. Not bad at all. By intermission, those had sold out completely. For signings, Rob Van Dam signed from 6:30-7:30, the Beautiful People signed at intermission, and Jeff Jarrett signed after the main event. They were somewhat strict on what could be signed. The only thing announced as being allowed for these signings was the program guide, or a promo 8x10 that could be purchased for $10.
Before the show began, we were treated to a prerecorded message from Hulk Hogan "live from TNA Headquarters," thanking us for coming, and introducing Jeremy Borash. JB did his usual speil about the loudest fans getting backstage passes, which of course led to a hot crowd all night.
Earl Hebner was introduced first, and he took off his ref shirt to reveal his new, perhaps first ever, T-shirt, a white shirt with strips that says "DAMN RIGHT I DID" on the front, and "HEBNER" on the back. Him and Slick Johnson handled the refering all night.
1. Kazarian defeated Brian Kendrick with his piledriver variation to retain the X-Division Title. Fun opener. Kazarian didn't have his belt, continuing that storyline. Kazarain also had a fan as a guest manager, probably the result of some contest. Not as many high spots as you would expect, but they worked hard. Afterard, Kazarain and the fan came in the ring to do some poses.
2. Abyss defeated Desmond Wolfe with the Black Hole Slam. Standard stuff that you'd expect from the two today. Wolfe tried a lot of technical moves and submissions, and Abyss did his best Hogan imitation. Afterward, Abyss brought a young kid straight from the crowd in the ring to do some Abyss and Hogan poses.
3. The Beautiful People of Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich (w/ Madison Rayne) defeated Taylor Wilde and Sarita to retain the Knockout Tag Titles. BP mocked their opponents entrance (Taz's favorite, the butt bump.) Decent women's match. BP had the crowd way into them. Taylor and Sarita were solid, but there seem's to be a lack of charisma with them on the national level, which is ashame, especially for Sarita. Lacey was Lacey. She's athletic, but that's about it. For the end, Madison got involved, and hairspray was used.
4. Jeff Jarrett defeated Mr. Anderson with the Stroke. Crowd was surprisingly into Anderson. He called for the ceiling mic, but when it didn't come out, he just stared out JB for a couple minutes. He insulted the crowd and the Chicago Bears a lot. A woman also threw a drink in the ring, leading to Anderson saying "bye bitch!" as security ejected her. When Jarrett came out, he did a promo too. I missed this part, and the match, as I was at the merchandise stand buying stuff, and getting ready for the signing, but he was talking about Anderson's "people are fake" shirt. I did see the ending, which involved Anderson's chair backfiring.
Intermission. Again, the Beautiful People came out, and they would only sign programs, or a purchased 8x10. They ened up signing well past intermission and into the main event.
5. Ink, Inc of Shannon Moore and Jesse Neal defeated Beer Money, Inc of Robert Roode and James Storm. Beer Money came out first, and first riled up the crowd with backstage talk. Then, after getting them to chant "BEER.... MONEY", they started heeling the crowd with insults, and ripping up the passes. Crowd was way into Shannon and Jesse, and I felt it was due to the friendship of Shannon and Jeff Hardy. Hilarious antics by Beer Money, such as the inadvertant gay positions and reactions in the corner, James RUNNING into the crowd and after some kids, and other stuff. Shannon and Jesse were their unrated themselves. I believe Shannon hit his top rope neckbreaker for the win.
Before the main event, Borash announced that TNA would be returning to the area in July with a show at the La Porte County Fair. He also gave a shout out to Don West, who is from Chicagoland, although he had left the merchandise area by that point. JB also showed Don's parents in the crowd, saying what a great son they raised.
6. Rob Van Dam defeated Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles to retain the TNA World Championship. AJ did not have the feathered robe. Also, he didn't get an amazing reaction either, which was shocking. Crowd loved Van Dam and Hardy. There was a lot of stalling early on. AJ would keep grabbing the mic to complain hilariously. Some comments were "on my god does that (RVD) song suck!" and "I hate you guys." At one point, AJ said Van Dam and Hardy should go one on one since they are best friends, and they did some goofy chain wrestling, complete with sarcastic "TNA! TNA!" chants from the crowd. The actual match was fine, nothing blow away, but with everyone hitting their moves to keep the crowd happy. The ending saw Jeff hit a swanton on Styles (although he might have got the knees up), and that knocked Jeff to the floor, which led to the frog splash by Van Dam on Styles for the win.
To complete the night, Jeff Hardy stayed to pose with fans in the ring at $20 a photo, regardless of the size of the group, while Kazarian, Shannon Moore, Jesse Neal, and Abyss came out for autographs and photos.
I felt it was a great show. All the wrestlers had their working boots on to entertain the fans, and having three seperate autograph signings with top names was a nice touch. The matches weren't blow-away, five-star classics, but you shouldn't expect them to be. My only complaint is that they need to go easy on the backstage passes commentary. It's fine early on, but really, that shouldn't be the only way to get the crowd to cheer or boo you, especially in the second half when no passes are really being given out.
2011 - TNA broadcast their Sacrifice PPV. Stu Carapola filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of TNA Sacrifice 2011!
After the opening video hyping tonight's main event, wew're off to the ring for our first match...
Mexican America vs Ink Inc
Shannon Moore and Anarquia start us off and exchange waistlocks and wristlocks with Shannon getting the advantage. Anarquia gets a knee to the gut and takes Moore down with a shoulderblock, but Moore comes back with a series of armdrags. Anarquia yanks down on the mohawk and goes to work on Moore's arm and tries to power Moore to his back for a three count, but Moore springs to his feet and gets a flying armbar and a dropkick. Rosita gets on the apron to distract Moore and Hernandez nails him from behind with a hard double axhandle, then tags in. Moore leapfrogs Hernandez and dropkicks his knee out, then gets a running legdrop to the back of the head for 2. Jesse Neal tags in and Moore hiptosses him onto Hernandez for 2, then Neal works Hernendez over in the corner and gets a belly to belly suplex. Sarita now gets on the apron and distracts the ref while Anarquia nails Neal from behind to give Mexican America a brief advantage, but Neal manages to tag out to Moore, who hits a flying bodypress for 2. Moore heads to the floor and traps Anarquia in the ring apron and then hits an Asai moonsault onto Hernandez. Moore heads back into the ring and now Sarita flagrantly runs in and yanks Moore down by the mohawk and Anarquia goes right after Moore and puts the boots to him. Hernandez powers Moore up into a Jesse Ventura-style backbreaker and then drops to his knees, jarring Moore's spine and getting him 2. Mexican America hit a double team in the corner and then Hernandez wipes Moore out with a clothesline for 2. Anarquia puts Moore up top, but Moore fights him off and hits a moonsault, then drills Hernandez with an enziguiri and makes the hot tag. Jesse Neal comes in and cleans house, wiping Hernandez out with a flying forearm and then whipping him into Anarquia in the corner, then hit a springboard crossbody out of the corner for 2. Moore clotheslines Anarquia to the floor, and Neal escapes the Border Toss and sets up for the Mooregasm, but Rosita winds up on the apron and Moore and Neal argue about how to handle it, leading to Anarquia dragging Moore to the floor and Hernandez hits his inverted side salto for the win.
Winners: Mexican America
We see a replay of that finish and it looks like Hernandez drops Neal right on his face. That looked real ugly, but a solid opener.
We go to Mike Tenay and Taz, who call this the first PPV of the Impact Wrestling era, and then run down the card, discussing Thursday when Mick Foley was revealed as the Network represeptative and introduced Chyna as Kurt Angle's tag team partner tonight.
This leads us into our next segment, as the Jarretts come out to the ring with Karen on crutches and wearing a heavy brace on her right foot. Jeff says that unfortunately, despite being an all-around great wife and mother, when she was handing out jobs to the hired help, she slipped on one of her sons' action figures, which he thinks was a Jeff Jarrett action figure since it's the kid's favorite. He took Karen to the hospital and it turns out she has a grade 3 sprain and a fractured ankle. He's as disappointed as all the fans are, but this means there will not be a Jeff & Karen Jarrett vs Kurt Angle & Chyna match tonight, and it's the doctor's decision, not either of theirs. The Jarretts start for the back, but Mick Foley comes out to tell the Jarretts that he saw the x-ray and there's no question that there's a fracture in two places, but in some cases you can tell the gender, race, and size of the patient in the x-ray, and something tells Foley that she's not a 6'6” African American male. Foley says they're in a wrestling ring and wrestling matches take place in wrestling rings because wrestling matters. Karen says she didn't bring anything to wear, but Foley says she arranged with the seamstress to prepare an outfit for Karen, so when she steps into this wrestling ring with Chyna, the bad news is that Karen's likely to get her butt kicked all over the Impact Zone, but the good news is she'll look so good when it's being done. He tells her to think on that and have a nice day.
We go backstage to Jeremy Borash, who is with Brian Kendrick and asks for his thoughts on tonight's match with Robbie E. Kendrick cuts a long, rambling promo that would leave Bob Backlund scratching his head, but the point seems to be that the X-Division has been treated like filler by those in charge and he's here to put the division back on the map.
Robbie E vs Brian Kendrick
Kendrick meditates in the middle of the ring as the bell rings and Robbie flips his hood off, but this just pisses off Kendrick, who dropkicks Robbie to the floor and follows him out with a dive. Kendrick, still in his robe, goes up top and hits a flying bodypress, then goes back to meditating in the corner. Robbie gets back to his feet as Kendrick motions him to come and get it, and drop toeholds Robbie into the corner and hits a series of dropkicks and a leg lariat, then sits on the top turnbuckle and meditates again. Robbie charges, so Kendrick gets the boot up and hits another crossbody. Robbie goes to the floor and Kendrick goes after him. Cookie gets in his face, so Kendrick tells her that God has a plan for her and then he nails Robbie and rolls him back into the ring. Kendrick goes up top but Robbie nails him and sends Kendrick tumbling to the floor. Kendrick beats the count, but Robbie immediately pounces and puts the boots to Kendrick, then rams him hard into the corner. Kendrick is bleeding from the mouth as Robbie locks in a three quarter nelson, Kendrick fights his way out but Robbie nails him with a back elbow. Robbie comes off the second rope with a Bret Hart-style elbowsmash for 2, then clotheslines Kendrick to the floor. Robbie goes outside and suplexes Kendrick on the floor, then distracts the ref as Cookie attacks Kendrick. Robbie goes for another suplex but Kendrick slips out the back, whips Robbie into the apron, and scores with a superkick. Kendrick rolls Robbie in andcomes off the top with a missile dropkick, then throws his robe over Robbie's head and unloads with punches. Kendrick charges and gets elevated onto the top turnbuckle, but recovers and hits a leg lariat for the win.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Great match, and it was nice to see these guys get a good ten minutes to do their thing on PPV. Kendrick extends his hand to Robbie after the match, and Robbie just yells “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, BRO?” and the Shore gets out of the ring and calls Kendrick a freak on their way to the back.
Jeremy Borash is backstage with Tara, and Tara says she's torn because Madison got her back into TNA and her job has been to protect her, but she's been treating Tara like crap. JB asks her who she wants to win this match, but Madison busts in and says it doesn't matter what Tara wants because it's all about what Madison wants. She says Tara's welcome for getting her job back, and tells Tara to stay in the back because she doesn't need her help, then Madison pushes her way past Tara and heads to the ring.
Knockouts Title/Tara's Freedom Match: Mickie James vs Madison Rayne
Tara immediately disobeys Madison's orders and comes to ringside, Madison goes to yell at her and gets caught with a baseball slide by Mickie. Madison responds by giving Mickie a drop toehold into the ring steps, then rolls her back into the ring and covers with her feet on the ropes for 2. Mickie fires back and tries a whip into the corner, Madison blocks and sits Mickie on the top rope and gives her a nasty neckbreaker into the ring for 2. Madison goes back out to the floor to yell at Tara, and Tara looks like she's going to hit Madison, but Madison reminds her that she owns Tara. Madison heads back in the ring but Mickie hits a neckbreaker and both girls are down. Tara starts pounding the mat to get the crowd going, Mickie gets an O'Connor roll for 2, a jackknife rollup for 2, then tries a backslide but Madison accidentally kicks the ref in the face, then kicks Mickie low. Okay. Madison goes to the floor and gets her Michael Jackson glove from under the ring, but Tara grabs her and yanks it off. Mickie tries to catch Madison by surprise, but Madison reverses to a rollup for 2. Mickie comes back with running forearms and a flapjack, then goes up top for a Thesz press, but the referee made sure to stand RIGHT BEHIND Madison so he would get knocked out again when Madison moved. Sure enough, that's exactly what happens, and Mickie goes for the DDT but Tara comes in with the glove on her hand. Both girls yell at Tara to hit the other one, with Madison getting down on her knees to beg for her help, and of course Tara nails Madison and sets Mickie up to get the pin.
Winner: Mickie James
TARA'S FREE! She and Mickie both look ecstatic.
Jeremy Borash is backstage with Fortune, and Kazarian tells Max Buck he wouldn't become a star if he was thrown by a ninja. AJ Styles says he can't figure out what's going on with Tommy Dreamer, but this is a no DQ match and he has no problem wrapping a chair around Dreamer's head. Robert Roode says if Matt Hardy wants to play head games with them...well, the audio cuts in and out, but then comes back as he says that AMW is dead and gone and Beer Money are going to walk out with the tag title once again. James Storm tells Harris that he shouldn't have come back because he's not here to tell jokes and sell DVDs, he's here to drink beer and kick ass, and he's sorry about Harris' damn luck.
X-Division Title: Frankie Kazarian vs Max Buck
They tie up and exchange wristlocks with some flippiness thrown in, Max takes Kazarian down with a shoulerblock and then dodges a monkey flip. Kazarian catches Max with a drop toehold and they do a mat wrestling sequence and fight over a front facelock. Kazarian winds up on top, Max sits out and goes to a wristlock but Kazarian gets another drop toehold and goes back to the front facelock. Max escapes and misses a charge and Kazarian hits a springboard dropkick and then leapfrogs Max and gets a dropping neckbreaker for 2. Max backdrops Kazarian to the apron, knocks him to the floor with a running knee, then nails Kazarian with a sweet running dropkick through the ropes. They head back in and Max puts the mouth on Kazarian, then hits a front jawbreaker and chokes him on the bottom rope. Kazarian tries to fight back but Buck dropkicks him square in the grill and covers for 2. Buck with a snapmare and drops repeated knees to Kazarian's back,then goes to a rear chinlock. Kazarian fights his way out and Buck yanks Kazarian to the mat by the hair and then repeatedly drills him with right hands before yelling at the fans that he'll be the champ tonight. Kazarian picks Max up and rams him into the corner and drills him hard with right hands, Buck kicks him in the face, but Kazarian runs up the ropes and hits a top rope gutwrench suplex and both men are down. Max makes it to his feet first and goes for a right hands, but Kazarian blocks and wipes Buck out with a pair of clotheslines and a leg lariat. Buck reverses a whip and tries a monkey flip, but Kazarian catches Buck and press slams him, then follows up with a springboard legdrop for 2. Kazarian goes for the Fade To Black, Max counters to a sunset flip, Kazarian counters that with a kick to the face and a rolling neckbreaker for 2. Buck blocks the Fade To Black again and powerbombs Kazarian into the corner, then follows up with a twisting Diamond Cutter off the top rope for 2. Buck puts Kazarian on the top rope and hits a hanging DDT, then goes up top and hits a 450 splash for 2. Buck is incredulous that the 450 didn't put Kazarian away and he wastes a bit of time arguing with the referee, then goes back to slapping Kazarian in the head while putting the mouth on him. Kazarian blocks a suplex and dumps Buck on the top rope and hits a running boot to the face to send Buck to the apron, then hits a running sunset flip that sends Buck flying into the aisle and landing with an audible thwack. That looked really ugly. Kazarian rolls Buck back in and covers, but Buck kicks out at 1. Crowd chants “this is wrestling” as Kazarian goes to pick Buck up and Buck small packages him for 2. Buck again escapes the Fade To Black and Kazarian hits the Shining Wizard for the win.
Winner: Frankie Kazarian
Excellent match, easily Max Buck's best match to date in TNA. Great psychology and a great build that really got the crowd into the match. If TNA's new focus is on wrestling, this is exactly the kind of stuff that works, minus the sunset flip to the floor.
Jeremy Borash is backstage with Abyss, who says he's lived his entire life by the motto that whatever doesn't kill him will make him stronger. Crimson thought he could take Abyss out by burying Janice in his spine, but Abyss is a weapon of mass destruction who has been ripped with barbed wire, slicedwith glass, and had his teeth kicked in by RVD, and he's always kept going. Those teeth were delicious, and tonight, he's going to teach Crimson a lesson in pain and humility, and his undefeated streak comes to an end tonight.
Abyss vs Crimson
They start off by trying to take each other out with shoulderblocks, but neither man moves so Abyss just drives Crimson down with right hands. Abyss whips Crimson into the corner but Crimson comes out with a flying shoulderblock and clotheslines Abyss to the floor. Abyss grabs Crimson's ankle and drags him out to the floor and starts unloading with right hands, but Crimson rams Abyss into the rail several times. Crimson tries a charge but Abyss moves and Crimson hits the ringpost, then Abyss rams him into the ring steps. They head back inside and Abyss hits the running splash in the corner, then whips Crimson hard into the opposite corner and locks him in a neck vice. Crimson fights his way out and they wipe each other out with a double clothesline. They go back to exchanging blows in the middle of the ring and Crimson wipes Abyss out with a flying clothesline, then gets a three quarter nelson, rams knees into the head of Abyss, and turns it into a neckbreaker for 2. Crimson misses a charge in the corner and Abyss chokeslams him for 2. Abyss goes out to the floor and pulls Janice out from under the ring, he chases the referee off with it and goes to hit Crimson, but Crimson ducks and spears Abyss for 2. Crimson measures Abyss for another spear but Abyss boots him in the chest and goes for the Shock Treatment, but Crimson escapes and hits a double underhook DDT for 2. Abyss nails Crimson and hits the Vader Bomb for 2, and now Abyss is wondering what it's going to take to put Crimson away. Abyss sets Crimson for another charge in the corner, but Crimson moves and hits a big Sky High for the win.
Winner: Crimson
Very impressive finish! Great match and I think TNA has a star on their hands in Crimson.
TNA World Tag Team Title Match: Beer Money vs Matt Hardy & Chris Harris
Harris looks huge. He and Storm start, but Harris tags out before making contact and Hardy beats Storm down in the corner. Storm comes back with a neckbreaker and then he and Roode lay into Hardy with a series of double teams. Hardy runs Roode into the corner and tags out to Harris, who beats Roode down in the corner, but Roode comes back with a flying clothesline, nails Hardy in the corner, and gets a running neckbreaker on Harris. Harris gets a back elbow on a charge by Roode and tags out, and Roode immediately nails Hardy and then tags Storm in for more double teaming. They do the old wishbone on Hardy, but Hardy suckerpunches Storm and tags Harris back in. Storm breaks free and Harris bails out to the floor, so Storm goes back to beating Hardy up until Harris comes back into the ring, spits Storm's beer in his face, and then rains down right hands on him. He whips Storm to the corner and Hardy follows him in with a running clothesline and then Harris hit a running bulldog, and Hardy covers for 2. Hardy charges the corner and Storm gets the boot up and hits a lungblower, then makes the hot tag to Roode, who comes in and cleans house on Chris Harris. Roode wipes Harris out with a clothesline and comes off the second rope with a Blockbuster. Hardy runs in but gets clotheslined to the floor, then somehow gets Harris over with a Perfectplex for 2. Roode goes to tag Storm but Hardy drags Storm off the apron and Harris hits a full nelson slam for 2. Hardy tags back in and hits a side suplex, then drops a second rope elbow on Roode's back for 2. Hardy with a bearhug and Roode tries to fight out, but Hardy drills him in the face and tags out to Harris, who drops down on Roode's back as Taz talks about how Harris isn't in ring shape because he's not on the road all the time. Hardy tags in and goes back to the bearhug, but Roode fights his way out and then collide head to head and both go down. Roode tries to make the hot tag but Harris tags in and drags him back, he spits at Storm but Roode kicks him off and makes the hot tag and it's down to the former AMW going at it. Storm just brutally beats Harris down, then comes off the ropes with a pair of clotheslines and a Thesz Press and just relentlessly fires right hands down on Harris. Harris tries to toss Storm over the ropes, but Storm skins the cat back in and hits a DDT on Harris for 2. Roode beats Hardy up on the floor as Storm hits a tornado Scorpion Deathdrop on Harris for 2. Beer Money set Harris up for the DWI but Hardy nails Storm and hits the Side Effect on Roode. He goes for the Twist of Hate on Storm but Storm counters to a lungblower. Harris grabs Storm and hits the Catatonic, but Roode then nails Harris with a spinebuster. Beer Money with a double suplex on Hardy that sends him to the floor, then they set Harris up for the DWI. Harris goes for a spear but Storm superkicks him in the face and go for the DWI, but Storm says no, and instead they give Harris the Death Sentence and Storm pins Harris for the win.
Winners: Beer Money
This match was really good in spite of the fact that Harris showed up out of shape, and underscored how good the rest of them are that they were able to hold it together so well even with Harris dragging them down.
Jeremy Borash is backstage with Bully Ray, who says everybody's uncomfortable around him because he strikes fear into people, because he can. Ray says JB looks like the kinda guy who listens to Lady Gaga, but JB asks him what's behind Dreamer's turn. Ray asks why JB cares, because he and Dreamer know why he did what he's doing, and the information is on a need to know basis. What JB does need to know is that Ray could do whatever he wants to JB, and that AJ is everything that's wrong with today's wrestlers. He powerbombed AJ off the stage and he's lucky he didn't end his career, and anytime he gets the opportunity in the future, he'll try and take AJ out, and once he gets done taking him out, he'll take the rest of Fortune out and then he'll take AJ's wife out...only it won't be the way he takes AJ out, if you catch my drift. What a heel!
No DQ: Tommy Dreamer vs AJ Styles
They do some mat wrestling to start and AJ gets an armbar, and Dreamer goes to the ropes but the referee tells him it's no DQ and he can't force a break. AJ lets go and tells Dreamer that he made this match famous and to wrestle. Dreamer beats AJ down and whips him to the ropes, but AJ rolls over his back and unloads with some hard kicks. AJ charges the corner but Dreamer gets the boot up and it nearly goes down AJ's throat he hits it so hard, then Dreamer stomps him down in the corner and hits Snake Eyes for 2. Dreamer with repeated elbowdrops for 2, then gouges at AJ's face. Dreamer backdrops AJ to the apron, but AJ comes right back in and takes Dreamer out with a series of clotheslines that send Dreamer to the floor. AJ hits a dive over the top, then takes a fan's soda and dumps it on Dreamer's head before going back to beating him up. Dreamer nails him and rams him into the steps, but misses a clothesline and AJ picks him up and crotches him on the guardrail. AJ slides under the guardrail into the crowd and hits a springboard forearm off the guardrail that drives Dreamer into the crowd. They fight up the stairs and into the crowd and AJ chops Dreamer so hard he goes over the wall and lands hard on the floor below. AJ goes after him, but Dreamer Tullys AJ into the wall, then tears a TNA Impact sign off the wall, nails AJ in the head with it, and rams him through the railing. Dreamer takes AJ and dumps him back over the guardrail to ringside, and goes under the ring for a trash can full of plunder. He takes his knick knacks into the ring but AJ dropkicks the can into Dreamer's ribs. Now AJ goes under the ring and gets a table, then rams it into Dreamer's head and covers for 2. AJ sets the table up on one leg, then whips Dreamer shoulder first into the ringpost and springboards off the table with a flying forearm to Dreamer, then rams Dreamer face first into the edge of the table and covers for 2. Crowd starts a “this is awesome” chant as AJ picks Dreamer back up and tries to suplex him onto the table, but Dreamer countered to a DDT and made the cover, but AJ got his foot under the bottom rope at 2. So Dreamer can't do a rope break, but AJ can? Dreamer gets a form and tries to gouge AJ in the forehead with it, but AJ fights Dreamer off with some hard chops and a leaping enziguiri, then drills Dreamer in the head with the trash can. AJ sets the table back up on the one leg, but Dreamer punches him in the groin and goes for a Spicolli Driver. AJ escapes and hits the Pelle Kick, but Bully Ray runs in and drills AJ in the back of the head with a chain. Christopher Daniels runs out and chases Ray off as Dreamer recovers and piledrives AJ through the table for the win.
Winner: Tommy Dreamer
Brutal and awesome brawl, and I didn't mind the interference at the end because it made sense in the context of the match.
Jeff & Karen Jarrett vs Kurt Angle & Chyna
Kurt and Jeff start us off and the crowd is solidly behind Angle, who waves at Karen with a big smile on his face. They tie up and Angle comes off the ropes with a shoulderblock and takes Jeff over with a side headlock, then they wrestle for a bit before Kurt tags Chyna in. The rules, as helpfully stated before the match, are “girl on girl and guy on guy” so Jeff is able to save Karen simply by continuing to attack Kurt, thereby forcing Chyna back to the apron. Kurt gets the ankle lock on Jeff, but Karen comes in and goes after Kurt, so Kurt picks her up and goes to tag in Chyna, but Jeff clips his leg and hits a nice dropkick before snapping Kurt's neck across the top rope. Jeff with a flying bodypress for 2, then chokes Kurt on the second rope. He hits the Boss Man Straddle, but goes for it a second time and Angle rips his head off with a hard clothesline. They trade blows in the middle of the ring but Kurt gets a couple of running forearms and tries a charge in the corner, Jeff gets the boot up but Angle immediately catches him with an overhead release suplex for 2. Jeff escapes an Angle Slam attempt, but Angle gets the rolling German suplexes and then the straps come down! Jeff counters another angle Slam attempt into an armdrag and then hits a leaping enziguiri for 2. Jeff's going lucha! Jeff goes for the Stroke but Angle rolls through into the anklelock. Jeff escapes that but Angle finally hits the Angle Slam for 2. Kurt drags Jeff over to his corner and tries to make him tag Karen, but Jeff mule kicks Kurt in the groin, and Kurt tags in Chyna, who slams Jeff and hits a vertical suplex, then points at Karen, who says no way and backs off. Chyna stalks her around ringside and Karen gets in the ring to escape, but runs right into Kurt, who blocks Karen's escape and allows Chyna to come in and nail her with a running clothesline in the corner. Chyna drags Karen back to her feet and hits the Pedigree, then hooks the anklelock. Jeff slides in and blocks Karen from tapping, so Kurt hooks Jeff in an ankle lock and drags him away, and Karen finally taps out.
Winners: Kurt Angle & Chyna
This was the first real stinker on the show, but I think we all had a feeling going in what we were going to get here. It could have been worse, and actually Kurt and Jeff did pretty well when it was just the two of them.
Mike Tenay and Taz analyze the upcoming World Title match, and then Ken Anderson comes out to observe the match since he's challenging the winner. He joins Mike Tenay and Taz at the broadcast booth, and then we're off to the ring for the main event!
TNA World Title Match: Sting vs Rob Van Dam
Crowd seems split for this one as they face off in the middle of the ring. They tie up and Sting takes a side headlock, RVD tries to twist out but Sting holds his ground, so RVD shoves Sting off into the ropes and Sting takes him down with a shoulerblock. Sting comes off the ropes again and RVD tries a monkey flip, but Sting grabs RVD's legs and drops down on RVD's shoulders for 2. RVD now gets a shoulderblock but doesn't budge Sting, so he ducks a clothesline and gets a bodyscissors rollup for 2. Nice move. RVD takes Sting to the corner and fires off some forearms, then rams some shoulderblocks into Sting and does his backflip, but runs into Sting's knee. RVD tries another monkey flip but Sting holds the ropes and RVD crashes hard and then rolls out to the floor. RVD takes a long count to break Sting's momentum, then comes back in and gets a schoolboy rollup for 2, a small package for 2, then just kicks Sting in the face and Sting goes down flat on his back. Sting rolls to the ropes as RVD puts the boots to him and chokes Sting with his boot, then hits a slingshot guillotine legdrop to the floor. RVD rolls back in and cradles Sting for 2, then unloads with straight right hands and kicks in the corner. RVD tries a running leg lariat in the corner, but Sting moves and RVD tumbles over the ropes and to the floor, landing on the back of his head. RVD looks hurt and stumbles to the guardrail, and Sting tries a Stinger Splash but RVD moves and Sting hits the rail. RVD tells the fans to move and he tries a springboard guillotine legdrop off the guardrail, but Sting dodges that and now RVD lands awkwardly on the rail and tumbles into the crowd. Sting follows him and goes right after the leg he's hurt pretty badly by this point and then rams RVD into the wall, but RVD nails him and rams Sting into the wall and both men are down. Sting climbs the stairs up to the same spot where AJ and Dreamer were before and RVD follows him up to take the fight to him. They fight across the crowd with RVD hitting a dropkick like a shotgun blast, but hits hard himself when he hits the floor. They get back up and RVD superkicks Sting, sending him tumbling back down the steps to the floor, then RVD hits a flying bodypress off the stairs and into Sting, who tumbles backward and barely avoids wiping out a few fans. They make their way back over the guardrail and into the ring, and it looks like RVD's leg is still tender as he makes his way to the apron, but he snaps Sting down on the top rope and then goes up top for a flying jump kick. RVD goes for Rolling Thunder but Sting gets the knees up and then gets all fired up, nailing RVD with chops and punches and then running him over with clotheslines. He goes for the Stinger Splash but RVD wipes him out with a spinkick. RVD hits a legdrop and then goes for the Five Star Notebook Splash, but Sting moves and rolls RVD up for 2. Sting hits the Scorpion Deathdrop, then picks him up and hits it again for 3.
Winner: Sting
Solid main event, the brawl through the crowd was good and set the tone for how beat up both men were by the time they got in the ring. I liked how Sting hit two Scorpion Deathdrops just to make sure RVD stayed down. RVD raised Sting's hand after the match in a nice display of sportsmanship, then Ken Anderson leaves the broadcast booth and comes to the ring to go face to face with Sting to close the show.
This show was way better than I expected it to be, a lot of great wrestling with a minimum of screwiness. I really enjoyed this and thought it was the best PPV TNA has done in a long time.
2011 - New Japan Pro Wrestling debuted at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA, the final date of the company's tour of the United States. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
We are live at the New Japan Pro Wrestling "East Coast Invasion" finale at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
Pre-Show Notes:
*There look to be about 500 fans in attendance.
*CZW owner DJ Hyde and Jay Lethal are visiting.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Hideo Saito
Saito got the better of their opening exchange and started working on Naito's arm. They went back and forth until Naito escaped and they faced off. They locked up again and Saito cinched in a side headlock. He wound it up and grinded Naito's head. Naito shot him off into the ropes but had no effect when he went for a shoulderblock. Saito then nailed him with one. Naito rebounded off the ropes and nailed a dropkick.
Saito retreated to the floor. Naito teased a dive and dared Saito to get back into the ring. When Saito returned, he caught Naito with a stiff shot to the mid-section, then mounted him for a series of right hands. The referee told him to stop, so he did, then continued beating him.
Saito stomped Naito in the back of the neck and head. He clobbered Naito, who tried to mount a comeback but was nailed with a double elbow coming off the ropes. Saito covered him for a two count. Saito choked Naito against the ropes. He locked in a rear chinlock. Naito tried to escape with a series of elbows to the mid-section but was taken down again.
Naito nailed several shot but was cut off in the corner. He fought his way out and nailed a hangman's neckbreaker. Naito drilled him with several forearms and a forward senton splash for a two count. Naito nailed a missile dropkick. He worked over Saito but was caught with a sidewalk slam for a two count.
Saito nailed an exploder suplex and ascended to the top rope. He drilled Naito with a diving headbutt for a two count. He went for another exploder but Naito elbowed his way free. Naito pysched himself up and headbutt Saito. Saito drilled him back. Naito nailed a big right hand. Saito returned. They exchanged punches and kicks in the middle of the ring. Naito nailed a flying forearm and then a bridging German suplex for a two count.
Naito ripped off his shirt, slammed Saito and nailed his twisting moonsault press for the three count.
Your winner, Tetsuya Naito!
Very strong opener. Saito is a great heel and looked much better this weekend than he usually does on WWC TV. Naito showed some good fire here. It was a good athletic match, which is what gets over in Philly.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Hideo Saito
Saito got the better of their opening exchange and started working on Naito's arm. They went back and forth until Naito escaped and they faced off. They locked up again and Saito cinched in a side headlock. He wound it up and grinded Naito's head. Naito shot him off into the ropes but had no effect when he went for a shoulderblock. Saito then nailed him with one. Naito rebounded off the ropes and nailed a dropkick.
Saito retreated to the floor. Naito teased a dive and dared Saito to get back into the ring. When Saito returned, he caught Naito with a stiff shot to the mid-section, then mounted him for a series of right hands. The referee told him to stop, so he did, then continued beating him.
Saito stomped Naito in the back of the neck and head. He clobbered Naito, who tried to mount a comeback but was nailed with a double elbow coming off the ropes. Saito covered him for a two count. Saito choked Naito against the ropes. He locked in a rear chinlock. Naito tried to escape with a series of elbows to the mid-section but was taken down again.
Naito nailed several shot but was cut off in the corner. He fought his way out and nailed a hangman's neckbreaker. Naito drilled him with several forearms and a forward senton splash for a two count. Naito nailed a missile dropkick. He worked over Saito but was caught with a sidewalk slam for a two count.
Saito nailed an exploder suplex and ascended to the top rope. He drilled Naito with a diving headbutt for a two count. He went for another exploder but Naito elbowed his way free. Naito pysched himself up and headbutt Saito. Saito drilled him back. Naito nailed a big right hand. Saito returned. They exchanged punches and kicks in the middle of the ring. Naito nailed a flying forearm and then a bridging German suplex for a two count.
Naito ripped off his shirt, slammed Saito and nailed his twisting moonsault press for the three count.
Your winner, Tetsuya Naito!
Very strong opener. Saito is a great heel and looked much better this weekend than he usually does on WWC TV. Naito showed some good fire here. It was a good athletic match, which is what gets over in Philly.
Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo vs. Charlie Haas, Tiger Mask, Kazuchika Okada & Josh Daniels
Nakamura and Okada opened the match with Okada trying to avoid his kicks. Okada was grabbed in an armbar. He rolled out and used a single leg takedown to grab a leglock. Nakamura escaped and scissored his body. They faced off and exchanged forearms and punches.
Nakamura got the best of the exchange. He whipped Okada, who reversed it and nailed a dropkick. Josh Daniels tagged himself in and faced off with Nakamura, who tagged out to Jado. Daniels and Jado went back and forth. Daniels slammed him several times but Jado refused to stay down. Daniels drilled him with a running clothesline and Jado went to the floor.
Has and Takahashi went back and forth after tagging in. Haas was chopped several times in the corner and kicked in the gut. Haas went up and over after being whipped into the opposite corner and nailed a series of deep armdrags. He dropped a leg and covered Takahashi for a near fall.
Takahashi tackled Haas into his team's corner. Gedo tagged in and dared Tiger Mask to tag in. Haas obliged and tagged his partner. There was a huge Tiger Mask chant. Gedo locked in a hammerlock and screamed, "Tiger is sh**!". That fired up Mask, who escaped and nailed some offense. Gedo cut him off with a knee to the gut. Mask sent him to the outside and teased a dive. Gedo backed off. Mask went to dive off the apron but Jado knocked him to the floor, where he was worked over.
Nakamura tagged in, draped Tiger over the top turnbuckle and punted him in the gut. Takahashi tagged in and continued the beating with an over the knee backbreaker for a two count. Jado tagged back in and worked over Mask, who responded with several chops. They went back and forth until Jado cut him down.
Jado whipped Tiger into the ropes but Mask came back with a sunset flip, pulling down his tights in the process. Jado kicked out and kicked Mask in the head, leaving his ass hanging out. He and Takahashi worked over Mask, who kicked them away and tagged Haas. Haas drilled Takahashi with a big boot and nailed him with an Olympic Slam for a two count.
Haas and Takahashi battled back and forth until Haas was caught with a belly to belly suplex. Nakamura tagged in and began drilling Haas with kick after kick, then an enziguiri. Haas came back with a big dropkick and tagged Okada. Okada nailed a leg lariat and went to town with a series of chops, then a blue thunder bomb for a two count,
Okada went for a German suplex but Nakamura headbutt him. He charged but was caught with a reverse STO for a two count. All eight started battling in the ring. Jado grabbed Okada for a suplex. Daniels clotheslined him. Takahashi nailed a suplex. Mask nailed a diving headbutt. Gedo clotheslined him. Haas drilled Gedo with a big boot. Nakamura nailed a leg lariat.
Nakamura then drilled Okada with a big suplex and a running Boom A Ye kick to the face for the pin.
Your winners, Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo!
JAPW Light Heavyweight champion Jushin Liger vs. Kenny Omega
Big pop for Liger, who received a few streamers for his entrance. Some really nice mat wrestling early. Liger grabbed a side headlock but was shoved off. He shoulderblocked Omega, who didn't go down. Omega talked some trash so Liger lit him up with chops. Liger nailed several hiptosses and the tiltowhirl backbreaker.
Liger locked Omega into a bow and arrow. Liger chopped at Omega. Omega returned in kind. He punted Liger in the head. Liger ducked a kick but was caught with a leg sweep. Omega legdropped him, then sent him into the corner. Liger backdropped him onto the apron. Omega and Liger fought back and forth. Omega was knocked to the floor. Liger hit a dive off the top rope to the floor.
Omega rolled back into the ring, where Liger locked on a reverse figure four and then hooked Omega's head with his other leg. Omega fought to the ropes. Liger was nailed with several moves but took Omega out with a forward rolling kick. Liger went for the Ligerbomb but Omega turned it into a rana. Liger went to the floor. Omega hit a beautiful dive over the top to the floor on Liger. The crowd went nuts and chanted for Omega.
Liger rolled back into the ring before the count. Omega grabbed him and nailed the running forward Samoan Drop and a standing shooting star press for a two count. Liger came back with a series of chops but was caught with a dropkick to the knees. Omega leapt up and brought Liger down with a bulldog style legdrop across the back of the head and neck for a two count.
The crowd began clapping for Liger to make a comeback. Liger flipped Omega out of a move, missed a charge in the corner but caught an attempted rana and turned it into a sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Liger went for the brainbuster but Omega slipped out and nailed a back suplex.
Both men were out and tried to recover. Omega was up first and went for his running strike but Liger nailed him with the palm thrust. Liger hit the brainbuster but Omega kicked up.
Liger placed Omega on the top. They battled and Omega went for the Electric Chair. Liger rolled forward and caught him for a two count. Omega kicked out and went for the Electric Chair. Liger jumped forward to escape the move but Omega caught him by the waist and dropped backwards into a German suplex with a bridge for the pin.
Your winner and new JAPW Light Heavyweight champion, Kenny Omega!
Great match!!'
Liger hugged Omega after the match and placed the belt around his waist, crowning him the new champion. Liger raised Omega's hand and endorsed him before leaving the ring and allowing Omega to soak in the moment.
Satoshi Kojima & Dan Maff vs. IWGP Tag Team champions Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
Big Kojima chant. Kojima and Anderson go back and forth, feeling each other out. Kojima shoulderblocked him down. Anderson and Kojima worked each other over with chops. Anderson raked his face and ran him down, knocking him to the mat.
Anderson was caught in a back suplex and returned to his corner. Maff and Bernard tagged in and went nose to nose. They exchanged forearms. They had a nice sequence of chopping and punching away at the other, daring each other to hit harder. Maff couldn't make Bernard move with a shoulderblock. Bernard slapped him. Maff ripped off his shirt and tried again. No success. Bernard slapped him again. Maff slapped him back and took him out but missed a back senton splash.
Anderson tagged in. He whipped Maff into the corner, where Bernard kneed him in the back. Maff screamed, "F*** you" and nailed Bernard off the apron, then hit a suicide dive to the floor on him. That was AWESOME.
The champions soon took over on Maff, beating the hell out of him. They double whipped him on the floor into the railing, which gave way and he crashed into the crowd. Maff was out. Kojima went to help him but the champs held him at bay. An exhausted Maff made it in at the last second.
Bernard nailed an over the knee backbreaker and held Maff, where Bernard came down with a massive elbow on him. He covered Maff but Kojima broke up the pinfall. Bernard knocked Kojima off the apron with a stiff shot. Bernard began kicking and stomping Maff, screaming at him that he wasn't sh**. Maff fired up and cursed him out, only to be cut off with a chokeslam into a sitdown powerbomb.
The champs kept working over Maff, who kept trying to fight his way out. It looked like he finally had but was caught with a spinebuster. Anderson locked on a side chinlock to keep wearing Maff down. Maff escaped and nailed a back elbow. Maff made the hot tag to Kojima, who fired off with his rapid fire chops.
Kojima nailed a running forearm into the corner, then hit the top rope elbowdrop for a two count. They exchanged forearm smashes in the center of the ring. Kojima won the exchange and nailed a hangman's neckbreaker. Bernard was tagged in. He and Anderson killed Kojima with a series of back senton splashes and elbows.
Bernard went for a powerbomb but Kojima escaped and nailed an Ace Cutter. Kojima finally made the tag. Maff cleaned house and nailed a back senton splash on Bernard but Anderson broke it up. Maff drilled Anderson and Bernard with cannonballs in the corner. Kojima DDT'd Bernard and went for the lariat only to be cut off by Bernard's own clothesline.
Maff went for a back suplex but was unsuccessful. He drilled Bernard with several shots and went for a clothesline but was taken out with Bernard's own lariat. The champions worked over Maff some more and nailed their finisher, Beer Money's DWI but Maff kicked out. Kojima saved the day and nailed Bernard with the lariat.
Maff tackled Anderson and nailed a back suplex. He went for the Burning Hammer but Anderson landed on his feet and drilled Maff with an Ace Crusher for the pin in 15 and change.
Your winners, Bad Intentions!
Another incredible match. This really was a banner weekend for Maff, who looked like he fit right in with the NJPW crew. Kojima is simply amazing. Incredible stuff here.
Maff left the ringside area, leaving Kojima to get a nice farewell reception. He left the ringside area, only to be attacked by former WWE and TNA star Lance Hoyt in the aisle. Hoyt tossed him into the ring and nailed a big boot. He worked over Kojima until MVP hit the ring and Hoyt powdered out.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team champions Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Homicide & Low Ki
Homicide and Devitt started out. Devitt rode him to the mat but Homicide reversed it. They went back and forth until they faced off. Devitt grabbed an arm but Homicide used his legs to take out Devitt's. He controlled Devitt on the mat, then began working on his arm. Devitt reversed and cinched in an armbar.
Ki and Taguchi tagged in. They had some great early exhanges. Ki was taken to the mat, but while down, kicked up and tagged Taguchi in the chest. They locked up again and Ki was grabbed in a side headlock. Taguchi was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked down. Taguchi and Ki went back and forth until Ki was sent into the corner. He was monkeyflipped out but landed on his feet. Before he could do anything, Taguchi drilled him.
Taguchi pulled Ki up into the corner and chopped him. Ki was whipped into the opposite corner but grabbed the ropes and caught him with his legs, then tagged him with a kick. Ki mocked Taguchi's hip swivels. He tagged in Homicide, who snapmared Taguchi over and began tying him up on the mat.
Ki and Homicide whipped Taguchi into the corner and nailed him with double kicks to the face. Ki chopped Taguchi, took him to the mat, and scissored his neck. Ki pulled Taguchi into the corner and tagged in Homicide, who nailed a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge for a two count. Homicide worked over Taguchi in the corner. Taguchi reversed a whip out but was caught with a drop toehold into the buckles.
Taguchi leapfrogged over Homicide and drilled him, then brought him into the champions' corner. Devitt tagged in and nailed Homicide with several big dropkicks and strikes. Homicide kicked out but was trapped in a rolling hammerlock.
The champions tagged in and out taking turns working over Homicide. Devitt chopped him against the ropes. Homicide kicked him away. He missed one clothesline but tagged Devitt with another. Homicide tagged Ki, who went to work on Devitt, nailing a series of kicking strikes and running clotheslines. He nailed a kick across the back of the neck and a leaping kick to the chest in the corner.
Ki nailed a double stomp to the chest for a two count. Taguchi tagged in and caught Ki with a gourd buster. Devitt dropkicked Homicide off the apron when Ki went for a tag. He then drilled Ki with a Pele type kick. Ki finally fought off Devitt and made the tag.
Homicide hit a running clothesline in the corner. Devitt reversed a whip and nailed a dropkick in the corner. Ki kicked him. Taguchi came off the top with a missile dropkick on Ki. The champs worked over Homicide, then turned their attention to Ki. They worked over the challengers in opposite corners.
Homicide went for a tornado DDT on Devitt but Taguchi charged and kicked him. Devitt went for a suplex but Low Ki nailed a handspring kick. Ki put Devitt on his shoulders and Homicide came off the top for an Ace Crushers. Taguchi broke up the pinfall. Ki dispatched him to the floor.
Homicide went for the CopKilla but Devitt fought him off and nailed his brainbuster variation. Ki tried to make the save but Taguchi held him off. Homicide was pinned.
Your winners and still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team champions, Prince Devitt & Rysuke Taguchi!
Another great match. This is by far the strongest of the shows on the tour.
Another great match. This is by far the strongest of the shows on the tour.
IWGP Heavyweight champion Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Davey Richards
HUGE dueling chants as the bell gets underway. There must be a sizeable amount of fans from the Upstate New York area here as there was a pretty nice "2CW" chant for Richards as well.
They had a great feeling out period early with some great back and forth moves as well as evading the other's attempts at offense. Tanahashi began working on Richards' wrist. He did a cartwheel and then used a bridge to escape.
They went into a test of strength with Tanahashi getting the better of the exchange. They went to the ropes and broke but Richards kicked him in the gut. He worked over Tanahashi, who nailed him with a back elbow and dropkicked Richards out of the ring., Tanahashi hit a pescado to the floor.
Richards was worked over on the floor and was tossed back in. As the champ returned, Richards grabbed his leg and nailed a Dragon Screw Legwhip while he was in the ropes. Richards then began working over the knee and the leg.
Richards worked over Tanahashi's leg for some time. Tanahashi tried to kick him off while in the corner but Richards drilled his knee in the corner. Richards teased a figure four leglock but when the fans all "wooed" he changed his mind. Richards and Tanahashi went back and forth with strikes and kicks in the center of the ring. Richards was caught with a flying forearm smash but Tanahashi was too hurt to take advantage.
When he recovered, Tanahashi slammed Richards and went to the ropes, coming off with flip senton for a two count. Tanahashi charged Richards who sent him up for a kick low but Tanahashi avoided it and took Richards out. He drilled Richards to the mat neckfirst.
Tanahashi went to the top rope but was cut off by Richards. Richards tried to superplex him but Tanahashi fought him off. Richards nailed a series of headbutts to daze Tanahashi. Richards nailed a big superplex then pulled him up for a Michinoku Driver slam. Tanahashi kicked up at two but Richards locked on an ankle lock.
Tanahashi kicked him off into the corner and tried for a German suplex but Richards broke free and nailed several strikes, Tanahashi nailed a right knockout punch. He charged Richards who elevated him and kneed him in the gut as he came down. Tanahashi attempted a forward roll but Richards turned it into a ankle lock. He let it go and nailed a shining wizard then a powerbomb that looked to be the end but Tanahashi kicked out at the last second.
Not to be denied, Richards locked on a Texas Cloverleaf. Tanahashi tried to break free but Richards forced him down in thecenter. Richards rolled him into a pinfall combination for two. Richards charged him in the corner but was nailed with a hangman's clothesline. Tanahashi hit a German suplex with a bridge for a two count, then nailed a frog splash off the top for the pinfall.
Your winner, IWGP Heavyweight champion Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Another incredible match.
IWGP Intercontinental championship tournament final: Toru Yano vs. MVP
Yano took the mic and said he's been to NYC and New Jersey and after coming here, he wants to go back there because Philly sucks. I think it went over the heads of the crowd though.
Yano attacked MVP as he was introduced. MVP made a comeback and ran Yano out of the ring. Yano began walking around the outside, stalling. Apparently they study Larry Zbsyzko tapes in Japan. MVP left the ring so Yano would return, but once MVP jumped back in, Yano went back to the floor.
MVP tricked him into returning to the ring and worked Yano over with rights and a clothesline. He went for the Ballin' elbow but Yano rolled out to the apron. So, MVP hit a sliding dropkick to the outside. MVP nailed a running Yakuza kick, sending Yano over the railing into the first row. The ECW Arena chanted for MVP.
MVP brought Yano back into the ring and covered him for a two count. He began drilling Yano with crossfaces. MVP whipped Yano into the corner but it was reversed. MVP kicked Yano off but was drilled with a clothesline. Yano tossed him into the ropes and began choking him against it. Yano shoved down the referee when he tried to intercede. The referee got in his face but then backed down.
Yano continued beating down MVP and began choking him with wrist tape. The referee forced him to stop. MVP fired back with several punches but was raked in the eyes. MVP drilled Yano with several clotheslines and a suplex, then a double thrust to the throat. He slammed Yano and went for the Ballin' elbow, then nailed it.
MVP nailed a Perfectplex for a two count. He tried for a German suplex but Yano held onto the ropes. Yano then held onto the referee, so the ref slapped him. MVP nailed a series of rolling German suplexes on the shocked Yano. MVP went to the top and nailed flying headbutt.
MVP went for another German but Yano kicked him low for a two count. Yano lifted up MVP for an elevated powerbomb, but MVP kicked out at the last second. Yano whipped MVP into the corner but MVP reversed it. MVP went for a running Yakuza kick but Yano moved and the referee was nailed.
Yano drilled MVP with his umbrella and covered him but MVP kicked up at the last second. Yano went to nail him again but was punched. MVP drilled him with the weapon, then locked on his submission.
The referee called for the bell.
Your winner and the first IWGP Intercontinental champion, MVP!
Good match. Yano had been winning all his matches in the tournament by using weapons and low blows so MVP overcoming them made for some nice false finishes.
MVP took the mic as he held the belt for the first time. The building chanted for him. MVP said that Philadelphia fans are some of the toughest fans in the world, bar none. He said that he can't even say what the reaction he got today meant to him. He said this is a special moment on a special day in a special building. He said he is happy to call NJPW his home and he is proud to call himself a PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER. MVP held up the belt and celebrated. Nice promo.
MVP's promos and work this weekend were incredible. All you can say is that WWE really dropped the friggin' ball with this guy. His work was absolutely great and it's a shame politics led to his decision to leave, but their loss was absolutely New Japan's gain.
Philadelphia Street Fight with Falls Counting Anywhere in the ECW Arena: Rhino vs. Togi Makabe
They locked up and Rhino was forced into the corner. The referee forced a break..in a street fight? Rhino shoulderblocked Makabe down and said, "Welcome to America, B****!" Makabe then shoulderblocked him down and they faced off.
They went for a test of strength but Makabe kicked Rhino in the gut. He charged Rhino but was backdropped onto the apron. Rhino knocked him to the floor and hit a pescado out of the ring.
They battled at ringside, including Rhino being whipped into the guard rail, which gave way. Makabe hit a flying clothesline off the apron to the floor. He went under the ring and tossed trash cans into the ring. He went after Rhino again but Rhino atomic dropped him on the railing, then clotheslined him off into the crowd. Rhino went to the top rope and dove off onto Makabe in the ring.
They brawled though the building and back into the ringside area. They battled around the ring some more. Rhino pulled a think plank out from under the ring and placed Makabe on it. He returned to the ring for a pescado but Makabe moved and Rhino crashed through. It looked nasty.
Back in the ring, Makabe hit a series of running clotheslines and then peppered him with punches in the corner. He nailed a Northern Lights suplex, which probably the first time they move was ever used in a street fight. He swung a trash can at Rhino, who ducked and drilled Makabe, nailing a DDT.
Rhino nailed Makabe in the head with the trash can. He covered Makabe for the pin but Makabe kicked up at two. He wedged a trash can in between the buckles and whipped Makabe into it, then went for a shoulderblock but Makabe sent him into the can, then rolled him up for a two count.
Makabe went under the ring and brought a board out. He placed it in the corner of the ring. He teased a powerbomb into it but Rhino backdropped him over. He went for the Gore but Makabe sidestepped it. Rhino grabbed him and just charged the corner. Makabe went throught the board, which exploded. Rhino scored a two count.
Makabe and Rhino went back and forth. Makabe forced the trash can over Rhino's head and nailed it with a piece of the wooden plank, like a bat, getting a two count. He wrapped his chain around his arm and nailed several lariats with it in the corner. He went to punch Rhino in the corner but Rhino lifted him up and dropped him into a powerbomb for a two count.
Rhino tried to drive him into the corner but Makabe forced him off. Rhino nailed a sidewalk slam and set up for the Gore. He nailed it but Makabe kicked up at the last second. Rhino set up for another but Makabe grabbed a trash can and slammed it in his face. Makabe went back under the ring and this time pulled out another plank. He then grabbed several chairs and set the plank up across them.
He tried to powerbomb Rhino but Rhino slipped out, only to be clotheslined. He placed Rhino on the board and came off the ropes with a flying kneedrop through the board for the pin.
Your winner, Togi Makabe!
Fun brawl to close out a GREAT weekend of wrestling.
There are plans to release all of the shows, which were shot by Samurai TV, here in the United States.
2011 - WWE Smackdown ran Austin, Texas. Michael Neuman filed the following:
The Frank Erwin Center was at about 70% capacity. The place was rocking and the crowd was into every match. It was the best house show I have ever attended and I have been going since 1987.
Over-the-top-Battle Royal: Ezekiel Jackson wins a 10 man battle royal and gets a shot at the IC Belt later against Wade Barrett
Dusty Rhodes comes out to welcome us to Smackdown and put over Zeke. The Corre come out to attack Jackson and work him over pretty good until Kane and Khali made the save. The American Dream announces a tag match later as Kane/Khali takes on the Corre (Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel).
Natayla and A.J. defeat Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox. The crowd was shockingly in this match and the Sign Guy was yakking it up with Rosa throughout the match. Natayla wins with a sharpshooter.
Daniel Bryan defeats Tyson Kidd. Lots of back and forth between Bryan and Kidd. We did not see Michael Hayes, which was a bummer. Great match so far.
Wrestlemania Rematch: Rey Mysterio defeats Cody Rhodes. Cody had by far the most heel heat of the night and he played it up. It was AWESOME!
IC Championship Match: Zeke Jackson defeats Wade Barrett by DQ when Wade uses a chair on Zeke. Zeke gets back at Wade and plays to the crowd, which loves him.
Kane/Khali defeat The Corre when Kane/Khali put a double chokeslam on Justin Gabriel.
Triple Threat match for World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton defeats Christian and Sheamus when Randy RKO's Sheamus.
2012 - Ring of Honor Chief Operating Officer Joe Koff held a conference call with invited media this afternoon to discuss the problems with this past Saturday's Border Wars iPPV as well as different aspects of the company's business over the last year and going forward into Year Two of ROH under Sinclair Broadcasting ownership.
For simplicity's sake, I will break the recap up into two sections, one regarding the iPPV issues and the other regarding ROH's business in general.
iPPV Issues, Fallout and The Future
Joe Koff said they had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He wishes everyone was here to talk about what a great show was but that's not why they are here. He said that they weren't able to deliver the product as they hoped and that he's very disappointed that they disappointed the fans. Koff said that there was good and bad in that. He said that it was a fabulous shows and one of the best under the Sinclair ownership. He said that they wanted to present their product through their own website after Showdown in the Sun's problems, "which were a source of contention" and they wanted to deliver it but weren't able to deliver it in the time specified. He said the positive side was that an unprecedented amount of people tried to order and login. He said that given the numbers they had garnered in the past and through their own testing, they did not anticipate the interest. He said that their system could not handle all the logins at the same time and it had nothing to do with the actual stream of the events itself. Koff said that they felt the production quality of the stream and the show were very strong. The load that was placed on their database was not something they were able to handle.
"For that, I am deeply sorry, because Ring of Honor is an experience. We failed our PPV customer by not being able to deliver that experience as it happened live in Toronto."
Koff said that he was proud of the response team in that they immediately contacted via social media and in that they offered restitution (they offered immediate refunds or the next iPPV for free). He said that it doesn't replicate the experience of seeing it live, but he watched Border Wars online and the experience was "very close."
Koff said that there is no buck to be passed. He said that they should have anticipated the interest but they didn't and they weren't prepared. He said they have teams of people looking at the situation to make sure it does not happen again. He said that every PPV they've done has had some sort of technical issues and it's not a perfect science yet. He said that ROH is an innovator of iPPV and has the largest subscription base for the iPPVs but "we didn't get it done." He said that other than Saturday's snafu, the experience they are giving the fans through their TV and their website has been a positive.
When asked what the source of the iPPV issue was, their server was overloaded. Koff said the load of everyone trying to login was the issue. He said that what happened is that such a great amount of people hit at once, admitting "we should have known and there are no excuses", and they had never been tested at that level before.
When asked what steps they are taking going forward, Koff said they are exploring solutions in-house and externally. He said that he isn't a "techie" and doesn't speak the language, but he has access to people who can help them through the situation. They made the move after Showdown in the Sun so they were in control of their own product and there's no one to pass the buck too. He said he wishes he could go back and fix it so the conversation was on the show itself and their one year anniversary as owners but that's not possible. He said that if they need to expand server size or take other measures for the June Best in the World iPPV they will. He said they have until 6/24 to make it right and "it will be right."
Koff was asked about the response time between the problems and the initial response online. Koff said that he didn't realize it was 55 minutes and said "if you thought an hour was long for you, imagine how long that was for us." He said that they were dealing with their people in Baltimore to determine where the issue was and at one point, they had the site up 15 minutes into the show, only for it come crashing down again. He said that as soon they knew they wouldn't get things up in a timely fashion, they went to social media to communicate.
Koff was asked were percentage was able to get in because the fans that got in were praising the stream. Koff said that he knew fans were getting the show because they were getting feedback. He said that the best response might have been to ask everyone to give the site ten minutes to log off and log back in but at the moment, they didn't ask for that. He said that fans continuously trying to login was part of the issue because it taxed their system.
Koff was asked if a lot of refunds were issued. He said that an incredible amount of replays that were purchased on Sunday. They "do not have an incredible amount of refunds to make" because they offered a fair re-payment to upset fans. Fans were able to see it, but not in real time. Fans not "being able to see it in real time hurts me" because he wants fans to have that experience. He said that if you please a customer, they don't say anything but if you piss off a customer, they tell 30 people. He said they went out of their way to please the customers.
Koff was asked if they would forgo iPPV and go for a traditional PPV. Koff said that the cost to do a PPV and have the satellite time would not be cost-effective given the size of their fan base right now. Koff said the iPPV delivery was a good, economical way to bring the product to the fans. He said "it's even better when it works and we're working towards that." He said that they aren't ready to go on PPV and DirecTV as they don't have the support for that. He said they've love to work to that but they aren't geared for that yet.
Koff was asked about the finances involved with bringing everything in-house, as Gabe Sapolsky had alleged the company did it on the "cheap" without "adequate equipment" on his Facebook and that's what caused the issue. Koff said he was not going to respond to "his comments specifically, because I'm going to consider the source of his comments." Koff said he can't "refute or dispute perception. I can refute and dispute credible sources." Koff said he's not going to get into that conversation. Koff said, "I can tell you this company is well financed. He work with people we rely on for their expertise. I think this was something that was unanticipated from our own analytic and our own analysis. The load was tested and we thought that we should be fine with what the normal number of buys are and how they come in over the course of a day. But, we were fooled, and I'm going to say that positively, by the positive response to the product and shame on us for that." Koff said it wasn't a money issue, it just "happened to be an unfortunate call on our part for feeling [the server was] strong enough to carry the show. That's the way it happened."
Koff was asked about the difference between the predictions and the amount they actually got. He said they had 20-30% more than they expected. He said "It wasn't 2000, but it was just shy of or a little bit over." Koff was asked how much of the additional interest was due to the show being in-house. Koff said a lot has to do with the matches and with Kevin Steen challenging for the belt in Canada. He also felt there were people happy it wasn't with the old provider and said "perhaps we were smoking too much Hope-ium, hoping that this would be ideal and this would be great and this would be a great conversation today."
Koff said he won't knock his own resources or the people behind the product. He said if it went a little differently, they'd be sipping champagne but it didn't happen. "We learned. My heart is out - and I mean this - not being able to deliver to the expectations of those consumers who bought the product, but the product was there is still available to those people. It's just the product wasn't there when they wanted to watch it and they have every right to question that and they have every right to ask for a refund and they have every right to forgive us, if they choose so."
Koff was asked if taking everything in house was economically better in the short and long run. Koff said they don't know because they haven't had a clean broadcast yet. Koff said that they want to be in control of their own product. He said he liked the relationship with GFL but the issues in Florida led to them deciding to finally take control. "I like to be in control of my own product. This gives us control." He said it's more financially feasible and better in the long run, but they have to get things in order. He said taking it in house will allow them to offer more iPPVs and even get to a point where they could do some or every house show as an iPPV on their own schedule and not someone else's schedule. They don't have a number of how many more they'd want to do but obviously the plan is to do more once they "master" iPPV and "we will master it" by 6/24. He said once they are in control of the product and the delivery, how many they do will be the least of their concerns.
Koff was asked about the test with the Bryan Danielson vs. CM Punk bout earlier in the week. Koff said that was a separate issue with their media server as opposed to what held their stream. He said the free video was unrelated and actually gave them false positives that the site could handle the traffic load because you didn't need to actually login to watch the free video. They had 3,000 people watching the free video.
Koff was asked about expanding the iPPVs to other streaming devices. Koff said that they didn't have an app but he believes they were able to be viewed on iPads. He said that he didn't want to be definitive but believed they had availability for streaming devices.
Koff was asked about what he says to the fans who are frustrated. Koff said that he believes the wrestling fan is a forgiving fan because he knows that as a fan, he's been frustrated by wrestling's product over the years yet he would still watch twice a week. He said that they are doing what they need to do to make good and he'd like to think that their fans are going to be forgiving because they love the product. They are let down by the delivery and he gets that. He said that the quality of their product in the ring is unmatched and no one works harder than "my guys."
The Last Year of ROH and The Next
TV RATINGS: Koff was asked about why ratings for the TV aren't being released. Koff said there are ratings for those specific markets and they are doing well but as they are for different markets in different timeslots and it doesn't make sense to release ratings for each specific market every week. He said he's not even sure how the ratings are processed. He said he sells time for a living and he doesn't think even they know how they are processed. He said the ratings and sales and the buys they had for Border Wars are exceeding what they had from a company standpoint. He said that while he doesn't know how to equate a cable rating to a household rating, but knowing what he knows about broadcast TV, they are beating TNA in those specific markets. Koff said that they are doing close to a 2 rating in some of their better markets and these are in late night timeslots. Koff clarified that he doesn't make that statement to say "HAHA TNA" but to express how they are doing specifically in those markets via broadcast TV. He said that TNA has 2 hours of primetime at the same time nationally every time, so there's a difference in how things are measured. Koff said there is "no disappointment" on the ratings front and some of Sinclair's own stations are upgrading the ROH series to better timeslots on their own without being requested to do so.
NEXT TV GOAL: Koff said that they have a meeting tomorrow to bring the show into new markets. Koff said that they are looking at syndicating outside of Sinclair stations. He said that's not something they have to do but something they want to do. He said they wanted to get through the first year of programming to make sure they were happy with the show and where it is. He said they are very pleased with the show and the programming. He said that they have produced 36 original hours of TV content with a very small production staff that are wrestling aficionados. He said most network series don't get 29 weeks and they are on 36 and counting.
SELLING TO ADVERTISERS: Koff said if they can get into more markets, it would help them take the series to a national advertiser level. Ad buyers on that level would require 70-80% clearance for that. He said they always wanted to present it as a Sinclair product the first year and they are now working on syndicated telecasts.
PRODUCTION ISSUES: Koff was asked about production issues with camera shots missed, particularly on live iPPVs with "shoddy camera work" and "glaring" lights. Koff was asked if they intended to clean up the production. Koff said he's not going to argue a lot of that but with live TV, that's the nature sometimes and noted that they almost lost a camera when Rhino and Eddie Edwards nailed the cameraman in the first match. In terms of the lighting, they were in the Ted Reeve Ice Arena, not Madison Square Garden so they can only do so much with the lighting and in pro wrestling, you have to follow where the action goes and that doesn't always mean the best lit areas. Koff said he sees the glare on his own TV and he does wince a little bit but the quality of the wrestling and action is so good. He said they needed to get the wrestling side down and now they can work on the cosmetics. There is a meeting with his "entire crew" this week because they are doing TV and it's an ongoing process. He said they can perhaps bring in some consultants to work on such thing.
LESSONS OF THE FIRST YEAR: Koff said that they learn every week and it takes a full year and a full cycle of shows and going through a season of TV and markets that you have high hopes for that don't do well. He said that there were things they needed to learn but also some wonderful things from the first year. He said that the product level and the expectation levels of the fans and the wrestlers were met. He said the hardest thing is marrying the cultures because they (the wrestling and the corporate sides) are two diverse and different businesses. Koff said that he's very pleased with the booking and the creative end. He said he's been happy with the office staff and with Gary Juster as the promoter. With that said, they are learning and the most humbling moment of the last year was this past Saturday night and he feels badly for fans who didn't get what they expected. He said that he feels bad for everyone who put in their time because they did what they were supposed to do "but our servers didn't and that's a different story." For ROH as an organization, it was assimilated into the Sinclair organization and it was a banner year and "if I had to do it again, I would have done it sooner."
HDTV & INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF TV: Koff said their corporate budgets start in the Fall and HDTV is at the top of their list. He said that distribution in HD is a different animal but by 2013, "you will definitely see that upgrade." Koff said they own the content and once they upgrade it and it makes sense, they can look into ventures like Netflix and international markets. Koff said they are making headway internationally. He said WWE has done a great job in distribution there so sometimes you are reduced to second and third outlets but they aren't in a rush. He said they have had some good conversations but nothing ever "happens as fast as you want it."
ROH's HEALTH: "This isn't a sprint. It's a race. No one needs to write about the demise of ROH from our perspective. This is a company that has been in business a long time and knows how to sustain its product."
NEW MARKETS: With every acquisition that Sinclair Broadcasting makes, they will organically add stations for the series. Koff said he's having a lunch tomorrow to discuss greater distribution in early stages. "We've had lots of requests, we just haven't acted upon them at this point."
TV TAPINGS: They love the Baltimore, MD venue and they dress it up and produce it well. They love the Baltimore fans and their crowds have grown since they've started taping there. They do tapings on the road and will do more shows from select house shows. He said Baltimore will be their home because that's where they are based and where they produce the product.
SYNCHRONIZING TV IN MARKETS WITH iPPVs: Koff said that when you are producing four shows and TV for different markets, it's hard but they'll be trying to move something forward in that regard in the future.
CHANGES KOFF WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN YEAR TWO OF OWNERSHIP: He'd like to get the production values up to HD, he'd like to get the markets they are in up and new markets. He also said he wants the company to keep all the promises they make. He noted that the TV business is a "lead lag" business and that it takes time for an audience to find and understand the program. He said wrestling gets a jump start but they still have so many people that don't know they are on. The longer and more they are on, the more they will grow their business and viewership. He said that wrestlers, including Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal, have noted they are getting noticed more out in public. Their highest ratings are usually Saturday and Sunday nights from 11 PM on. They are still feeling out the audience.
LIVE SPECIAL: They have the flexibility with Sinclair to do specials. It's not something they would do this year but perhaps down the road. They have different markets who have agreements that certain programming cannot be preempted. Koff said that he started in primetime and doing something like that is a huge undertaking to even do it once a year. They are focused now on the weekly TV.
FUTURE DVDS: The compilation DVDs are great sellers. There are ways to take the content, repurpose it and repackage it and sell it. He said that he's very happy with the way they have handled that. He said he's proud to go to the administer page of ROH and see the sales. He was asked about production issues with some of the recent DVDs and Koff said that "the issues have been noted and taken down and will be dealt with."
PPV LENGTHS: Koff said the businessman in him says less is more but the excitement of the crowd drives the guys to work as hard as they can. He said very few fans leave before the show is over unless a little kid is involved. He said that maybe the shows are too long but the fans aren't dictating that there is an issue. He said 4 hours is more than enough time for an event.
2013 - WWE broadcast Main Event. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Things are heating up for Main Event and while it might not get Al Gore to complain about Global Warming, the Shield does get their hands on one of their opponents on Sunday. Seth Rollins faces Kane.
We are in Wichita, Kansas and your announcers are Michael ‘Rock, Chalk, Big E Langston’ and Miz.
Match Number One: Kane versus Seth Rollins (with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose)
Rollins avoids Kane and Reigns tries to distract Kane. Rollins with punches to Kane and he backs off. Kane misses another punch and Rollins with punches. Kane sends Rollins into the corner but Rollins with a punch. Rollins with two drop kicks and Kane stays on his feet. Rollins runs into a big boot from Kane.
Kane backs Rollins into the corner and he connects with a shoulder and forearms. Kane with another shoulder in the corner followed by a hard Irish whip. Kane with an Irish whip and a back breaker to Rollins. Kane stretches Rollins over his knee and he connects with an uppercut. Kane with a reverse atomic drop and shoulder tackle for a near fall.
Kane with an uppercut and kick in the corner. Kane with an Irish whip and Rollins tries to float over but Kane catches him and he tries for a tombstone piledriver but Rollins escapes and he goes to the floor to discuss strategy with Reigns and Ambrose.
Reigns tries to distract Kane but Kane sees Rollins coming and he back body drops Rollins onto Reigns and we go to commercial.
We are back and Kane with a suplex and a near fall. Kane misses an elbow drop and Rollins with a back heel kick and a kick to the chest. Kane tries for the choke slam but Rollins escapes and he hits an enzuigiri and both men are down. Rollins with punches to Kane and the referee warns Rollins. Rollins kicks Kane in the shoulder.
Rollins chokes Kane in the ropes and then Ambrose punches Kane when the referee is focused on Rollins. Rollins with punches to Kane in the corner and Kane pushes Rollins away. Rollins with a kick to Kane and then he climbs the turnbuckles to punch Rollins and then he runs Kane’s eyes across the top rope.
Kane with uppercuts to Rollins followed by punches and kicks. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and he hits the turnbuckles with his shoulder. Rollins gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock.
Rollins with a kick to the leg but Kane with a clothesline that flips Rollins. Kane with a clothesline into the corner followed by an Irish whip and clothesline and Kane hits the side slam. Kane gets a near fall and then he goes up top for the clothesline. Ambrose and Reigns distract Kane and Rollins with a running drop kick that knocks Kane off the turnbuckles and to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins with a reverse chin lock. We see footage during the commercial when Rollins sent Kane into the apron. Kane with punches and an uppercut to Rollins. Kane charges into the corner but Rollins with a drop kick to the knee. Rollins with a running forearm into the corner followed by a flatline into the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall.
Rollins goes to the turnbuckles and he is met with an uppercut from Kane. Kane with punches to Rollins followed by a back body drop. Kane with a clothesline into the corner and he hits a power slam and gets a near fall. Kane goes up top and hits the clothesline.
Kane signals for the choke slam but Rollins with kicks and punches to escape. Kane sends Rollins to the apron but Rollins with an enzuigiri. Rollins goes up top but Kane grabs Rollins by the throat but Rollins counters with a rollup but Kane still holds on to the throat. Kane sends Rollins into Reigns and Kane hits the choke slam but Ambrose breaks up the cover and he attacks Kane. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Kane (by disqualification)
After the match, Ambrose continues his attack on Kane but Kane grabs Ambrose by the throat for a choke slam. Reigns with a spear and then all three members of the Shield attack Kane and then they get Kane up for the Cerberus Bomb but the Usos come to save Kane and they go after Ambrose and Reigns. Reigns runs into a super kick and the Shield go back to their compound.
We take a look back at the six man elimination tag match from Raw.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package for the Brock Lesnar/Triple H match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that The Usos will be facing Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins on Friday night.
Match Number Two: Sin Cara versus Wade Barrett in a Non Title Match
The lights are returned to ‘Sin Cara Level’ and Barrett with knees to Cara. Barrett with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Barrett with knees and he puts Cara on the turnbuckles. Barrett with forearms to the back and then he connects with a knee to send Cara to the mat and Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett chokes Cara in the ropes. Barrett puts Cara in the ropes and he connects with knees to the chest and then he connects with a boot to send Cara to the floor.
Barrett goes to the floor and Barrett runs Cara into the apron. Barrett gets a near fall followed by a reverse chin lock. Barrett with a knee and Irish whip but he runs into boots from Cara. Cara with kicks and a springboard back elbow. Barrett misses a clothesline and Cara with a double jump cross body for a near fall. Cara goes to the apron for an enzuigiri and then he hits a springboard drop kick to the back and he gets a near fall.
Cara goes up top and leaps over Barrett but Barrett with the Blackpool Slam and he gets a near fall. Barrett with a forearm to the back and he hits a buckle bomb. Barrett goes for another power bomb but Cara counters with a rana for the three count.
Winner: Sin Cara
Cody Rhodes is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Cody Rhodes versus Justin Gabriel
They lock up and Gabriel works on the wrist but Cody with a punch and chop. Gabriel sends Cody into the turnbuckles and then he chops Cody. Cody goes to the apron and he suplexes Cody back into the ring. Cody blocks a hip toss and Gabriel blocks one as well but Cody with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Cody with a gourdbuster and he gets a near fall.
Cody with a cravate but Gabriel with a jawbreaker. Gabriel with a series of kicks and a jumping spin kick. Gabriel with a spinning heel kick. Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Gabriel with a quebrada for a near fall.
Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash but Rhodes rolls to the other side of the ring and Gabriel gets frustrated. Cody tries for Cross Rhodes but Gabriel with a kick. Rhodes tries for Cross Rhodes again but Gabriel with an inside cradle for a near fall. Rhodes with an Alabama Slam for a near fall. Cody hits Cross Rhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Cody Rhodes gets on the apron and he stares down his opponent on the Pre-Show.
2013 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Damien Sandow will have his chance to win gold tonight when he faces Big E Langston for the NXT Heavyweight Title.
We are in Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are Tom ‘Tony’ Phillips and Brad ‘Half of Brickie’ Maddox.
Match Number One: Natalya versus Summer Rae
They lock up and Natalya with a side head lock take down. Summer with a head scissors but Natalya escapes. Natalya with a waist lock and double leg take down into a front face lock. Summer with a hammer lock. Natalya with a fireman’s carry into an arm bar. Summer with a head scissors and Natalya escapes again. Summer with a wrist lock after a kick.
Natalya rolls through and reverses but Summer pulls Natalya down by the hair and she gets a near fall. Natalya with a shoulder tackle and double leg take down. Summer gets to the ropes to stop Natalya from applying the Sharpshooter. Summer with a back elbow but Natalya kicks her away.
Natalya with a kick and discus clothesline for a near fall. Summer wants the referee to keep Natalya back and the referee allows it since Summer is in the ropes. Summer wants Natalya to shake her hand but it was a trap and Summer sends Natalya to the floor. Summer with a kick to the head when Natalya returns to the ring and Summer gets a near fall.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Summer gets a near fall. Summer yells at Natalya and she dives onto Natalya’s injured arm. Summer gets a near fall. Summer sends Natalya into the turnbuckles and she chokes Natalya with her boot. Natalya with a rollup for a near fall. Summer with a DDT and she rolls through and slams Natalya’s head into the mat. Summer with a running back elbow for a near fall.
Summer with an arm ringer and she works on the injured shoulder. Natalya gets to her feet and she applies the Sharpshooter while Paige enters the ring. Summer sends Natalya into Paige and Summer gets a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Summer Rae
After the match, Summer runs to the back but Paige follows after her.
Renee Young is in the interview area with a man who will debut in the ring next week. She is with Sami Zayn. She asks him about his debut and she mentions his international reputation. She mentions that Sami will be facing Curt Hawkins. Sami comments on Renee’s choice of blouse for today. Sami mentions that Curt is a formidable opponent, but since he has been doing this for a while, he is not nervous or freaked out at the idea of being on NXT. He is confident and excited that this will be the start of a beautiful relationship with the WWE Universe.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bray Wyatt says that when he looks at his reflection, he sees something different than what you see. Bray says that he is wearing this mask because he sees something different and Chris Jericho shook him. He says that he has to go back to his roots. He says that this is the new face of fear. This is not the face of a human being. This is the face of a monster. This is the face of the end of worlds. Every time that you gaze into his face, he wants you to realize that no matter who you are, you cannot hurt him because he is already dead.
Match Number Two: Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan) versus Danny Burch
Bray keeps his mask on and he bends over backwards to get a good look at his opponent. They lock up and Wyatt slaps Burch. Burch with head butts and European uppercuts but Wyatt with a kick and forearm followed by an elbow drop to the back. Wyatt with a cross face to the head. Wyatt with a running cross body and then he pulls Burch into the corner. Wyatt with punches and slaps followed by a splash into the corner. Wyatt pulls Burch out of the corner and he leads him into Sister Abigail and the three count.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
We go to the medical office and the doctor asks about how Oliver is doing. Bo Dallas stops by and says that he is looking all over for Adrian. Adrian says that he has been better and he says that he was talking to Oliver.
Bo says that time heals all wounds. Just like John Cena, the man who won the Royal Rumble that Bo was in, says . . . never give up. Bo says that Adrian might make it some day.
Bo says that he signed up for the Battle Royal for a shot at the NXT Title. Bo says that he is sorry that Adrian couldn’t get in the match and he tells him that he will catch him around. Adrian says that he is in the battle royal.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Conor O’Brian versus Briley Pierce and Sakamoto
Sakamoto starts off and Conor sends him ot the mat. They lock up again and Conor with a double underhook and then he sends Sakamoto to the mat. Briley tags in and Briley runs into a boot. Conor with a running shoulder tackle or two. Conor with a side head lock take down and he rolls through into a front face lock. Conor with a suplex and Sakamoto is tagged in and Conor brings him back into the ring.
Sakamoto with chops and Briley clips Conor. They double team Conor but Conor fights them off and he punches both men. Conor with an Irish whip to Sakamoto and then to Pierce. Conor with a splash into the corner and both men go down in a heap. Conor picks up both men and hits a double flap jack and double pin for the three count.
Winner: Conor O’Brian
Conor poses on the turnbuckles and he sees someone on the stage and it is Rick Victor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Tony Dawson is with Corey Graves and he says that Corey has been going through some ups and downs on NXT. Corey says that is what his life has been. He was told by his father that you need to fail first before you succeed. Once you break through, you will never have to look back. He will be in the battle royal in two weeks and he will stand tall.
Bray Wyatt enters and he says that this is quite baffling. He wonders why Corey plays Mr. Cool Guy while the greatest war in history is outside his door step. If Corey doesn’t understand, he can ask Kassius Ohno. Bray says that NXT belongs to the eater of worlds and the Wyatt Family.
Corey says that Bray and his family creep him out. He doesn’t have a family. He just has what he believes. If Bray and the swamp people continue to mess with him, they will stay down.
Bray says that we shall see.
Match Number Four: Damien Sandow versus Big E Langston for the NXT Title
They lock up and Langston backs Sandow into the ropes and Langston with a clean break. They lock up again and Langston with another clean break. They lock up again and Langston with a side head lock. Sandow with forearms but Langston with a shoulder tackle.
Sandow with a kick but Langston blocks a second one. Langston spins Sandow around and he gets Sandow up for the Big Ending but Sandow escapes and gets to the corner. Sandow works on the arm but Langston escapes. Langston with a slam to Sandow and then he punches Sandow five times in the midsection. Sandow with a kick and punch. Sandow with more punches but Langston with a back elbow. Langston gets a near fall. Sandow goes to the apron and he connects with a shoulder but Langston with a punch and hip toss back into the ring.
Langston pulls Sandow out of the corner and then he Irish whips Sandow but runs into an elbow. Langston gets Sandow on his shoulders but Sandow gets to the ropes and the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Langston with a delayed vertical suplex to the challenger. Langston with an Irish whip but he misses a splash in the corner and Sandow with a Northern Lariat and he punches Langston on the mat. Sandow with a reverse chin lock. Langston with a shoulder in the corner but Sandow with a drop kick for a near fall.
Sandow with knees to the ribs and he gets a near fall. Sandow with a head scissors but Langston powers out of the hold. Sandow is pushed to the floor but Sandow goes up top with a double sledge for a near fall. Sandow with a knee drop after pulling down the knee pad. Sandow with a near fall and then he applies another reverse chin lock.
Langston gets to his feet but Sandow with a drop kick to the knee to keep Langston on the mat. Sandow with kicks to Langston followed by knees and an elbow drop. Sandow with a reverse chin lock and front face lock. Langston sends Sandow away and he hits a belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down.
They both get back to their feet and Langston with clotheslines. Langston with five knees to the midsection and a running body block. The straps are down and Langston gets Sandow up on his shoulder but Sandow with an Edge-o-Matic for a near fall. Sandow returns to the front face lock and knees followed by the side Russian leg drop. Sandow misses the Elbow of Disdain.
Sandow with a kick and a swinging neck breaker followed by the Elbow of Disdain but Sandow can only get a two count. Sandow sets for Terminus but Langston escapes and he hits the Big Ending for the three count.
Winner: Big E Langston
After the match, Langston gets Sandow on his shoulder for another Big Ending and a five count.
We go to credits.
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