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5/24 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: WWF PAYS TRIBUTE TO OWEN HART ON RAW, FLAIR DEFEATS VON ERICH FOR NWA WORLD TITLE AND MORE

May 24th
On this day in history in ....

1963 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Hans Mortier in the main event of a WWWF card in New Haven, CT.

1965 -  WWWF ran Trenton, NJ at Moose Hall headlined by Gorilla Monsoon & Bill Watts defeating WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Argentina Apollo.

1966 - WWWF ran Hershey, PA with the following results:

-Arnold Skaaland defeated Ronnie Etchison.
-Vittorio Apollo defeated Frank Hickey.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Chief Big Heart.
-Bobo Brazil fought Bill Miller to a double disqualification.
-WWWF U.S. Tag Team Champions Johnny Valentine & Antonio Pugliese defeated the Beast & Smasher Sloan.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Curtis Iaukea.

1971 - WWF ran New York City at Madison Square Garden featuring the following results:

-Sonny Boy Hayes & the Tahiti Kid defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 15:59, 2-0; fall #2: Hayes & Kid won when their opponents were disqualified for illegal double teaming
-In his MSG debut, Jimmy Valiant defeated Vincente Pometti at 12:28 via submission with a backbreaker.

-Manuel Soto defeated Juan Caruso at 11:32.
-Beautiful Bobby defeated Mike Pappas at 5:26.
-Bob Roop defeated Akim Manuka at 5:24.
-Eddie Graham fought Chief Jay Strongbow to a 20-minute draw.
-Luke Graham defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out at 7:56.
-WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned Tarzan Tyler at 14:12.

1972 - WWWF ran White Plains, NY with the following results:

-Tony Constilles fought the Blue Demon to a draw.
-Victor Rivera defeated Smasher Sloan.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Chuck Richards.
-WWWF Tag Team Champion Sonny King defeated Jimmy Valiant.
-WWWF Tag Team Champion Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification.
-WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated King Curtis.

1973 - Harley Race defeats Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Missouri. Race scored the pin in the third fall with a vertical suplex, to win the title for the first time in his career.  Race would go on to become an eight-time NWA World Champion.

1976 - Ric Flair defeats Wahoo McDaniel for the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Charlotte, North Carolina. If Flair had lost, he would have had his head shaved.

1976 -  WWWF ran North Dartmouth, MA with the following results:

-Johnny Rivera defeated Gene Dundee,
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Sylvano Sousa,
-Kevin Sullivan defeated Tony Altimore.
-Billy White Wolf defeated Crusher Blackwell.
-Stan Hansen defeated Ivan Putski via disqualification.

1976 - WWWF ran Landover, MD at the Capital Centre, headlined by Gorilla Monsoon (substituting for WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino) defeating Superstar Billy Graham via countout.  This match was deemed Graham's last shot at the title before Monsoon filled in for Sammartino.

1978 - WWWF ran Waterville, ME at the Armory, featured 1,200 fans with the following results:
-Johnny Tzansis defeated Strong Kobayashi via disqualification.
-Johnny Rodz fought Tank Adams to a draw.
-The Golden Terror fought Jim Ray to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
-Superstar Billy Graham pinned Larry Zbyszko (substituting for Dusty Rhodes) at 11:51.
-Peter Maivia pinned Butcher Vachon at 6:07.
-Spiros Arion defeated Haystacks Calhoun via count-out at 12:35.

1979 - WWF ran Worcester, MA, featuring:

-Johnny Rivera defeated Mr. X.
-Hussein Arab (the future Iron Sheik) defeated SD Jones.
-Tito Santana defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
-Steve Travis defeated Jerry Valiant via countout.
-WWF North American Champion Ted Dibiase defeated Johnny Valiant via disqualification.
-Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Jimmy Valiant.

1980 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran Morioka, Japan, featuring:

-George Takano pinned Hiroyuki Saito.
-Makoto Arakawa pinned Kuniaki Kobayashi.
-Kantaro Hoshino pinned Kengo Kimura.
-Tito Santana & Chavo Guerrero defeated Williem Ruska & Osamu Kido when Guerrero pinned Kido
Stan Hansen pinned Ryuma Go.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Riki Choshu in a non-title match via submission with an ankle lock.
-Tatsumi Fujinami & Strong Kobayashi defeated Hulk Hogan & Bad News Allen in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1 - Fujinami & Kobayashi won via disqualification; fall #2 - Fujinami pinned Allen
-Antonio Inoki fought Seiji Sakaguchi to a double count-out.

 1980 - WWF ran Fall River, MA in the following results:

-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Doherty.
-Johnny Rodz defeated Sylvano Sousa.
-Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic Denucci.
-Tor Kamata defeated Frank Savage.
-WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Patera fought Ivan Putski to a double disqualification.
-Rick McGraw pinned Jose Estrada.

 

1983 - Dory Funk Jr. & Jake Roberts defeated Mike Rotundo & SD Jones in Columbia, SC on a Jim Crockett Promotions event.

 

1983 - JCP ran Raleigh, NC at the Dorton Arena, featuring:

-Masa Fuchi & Ricky Harris defeated Glen Lane & Abe Jacobs.
-Vinnie Valentino defeated Bill White.
-Rene Goulet defeated Ken Hall.
-Rick McCord defeated Gene Anderson.
-The One Man Gang defeated Jos LeDuc.
-Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood via disqualification.

 

1984 - Ric Flair defeats Kerry Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Title, ending Von Erich's reign after only 18 days. Flair pinned Von Erich by reversing a rollup for the pin in Yokosuka, Japan in the third fall of their title match on an All Japan Pro Wrestling show.  Fritz Von Erich would later appear on World Class television and claim that his son was ripped off by a "sumo referee" that didn't understand pro wrestling rules.  The referee for the match was All Japan's Joe Higuchi, who was never a sumo referee.

 

1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Norfolk, VA with the following results:

-Vinnie Valentino defeated Doug Vines.
-Johnny Weaver defeated Jeff Sword.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated the Great Kabuki.
-Assassin #1 defeated Angelo Mosca Sr..
-NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard defeated Mark Youngblood.
-NWA US Champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Dick Slater.
-Dusty Rhodes & Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA World  Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle via disqualification.

 

1984 - Jim Crockett Promoters ran Sumter, SC, featuring:

-Keith Larson defeated Kurt Von Hess.
-Brian Adidas defeated Paul Kelly.
-Angelo Mosca Sr. fought the Outlaw to a draw.
-Pez Whatley & Rufus R. Jones defeated Ernie Ladd & Jesse Barr.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Adrian Street.

 

1984 - WWF ran Columbus, OH with the following results:

-SD Jones defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
-Greg Valentine defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
-Tony Garea defeated Pat Patterson.
-Ivan Putski defeated Mr. Fuji.
-Roddy Piper defeated B. Brian Blair.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Paul Orndorff via countout.

WWF champion Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Shiek via countout.

 

1984 - WWF ran Struthers, OH at The Fieldhouse, drawing 3,000 fans with the following results:
-Terry Daniels pinned Rene Goulet.
-Bobo Brazil pinned Jose Gonzalez after the Coco Butt.
-Rocky Johnson defeated Sika via disqualification.
-Jimmy Snuka pinned Afa.
-Bob Backlund pinned Samula.
-Sgt. Slaughter pinned David Schultz when Jimmy Snuka counted the pinfall on Schultz after the referee was knocked out.

 

1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Richmond, VA at the Coliseum with the following results:

-Denny Brown defeated John Tatum.
-Buddy Landell defeated Keith Larsen.
-National Tag Team Champions Ole & Arn Anderson defeated Manny Fernandez & Sam Houston.
-NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA defeated NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard.
-Dusty Rhodes & Jimmy Valiant defeated Superstar Billy Graham & the Barbarian.

 

1985 - Oprah Winfrey, yes that Oprah, made an appearance at a WWF event in Chicago, IL.  The three top matches aired on "AM Chicago" on 5/27/85 with Winfrey doing commentary and also interviewing Hulk Hogan and Don Muraco,  The results of the show saw: 

-Bret Hart defeated SD Jones
-Ken Patera defeated George Wells
-The Spoiler defeated Rick McGraw
-Jesse Ventura defeated Ivan Putski via count-out after the two brawled on the floor.

-Tito Santana & the Junkyard Dog defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake when JYD pinned Valentine with a powerslam.
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan pinned Don Muraco with a roll up after Muraco accidentally collided with Mr. Fuji on the ring apron.  After the bout, Hogan chased off both Muraco and Fuji before celebrating with Oprah.

 

1985 - New Japan ran Kobe, Japan, drawing 8,160 fans with the following results:
-King Kong Bundy & the Masked Superstar defeated Shunji Takano & Seiji Sakaguchi.
-Iron Mike Sharpe defeated WWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Hiro Saito via disqualification.
-The Cobra & Kantaro Hoshino defeated El Canek & Enrique Vera.
-Pedro Morales fought Strong Machine #1 to a double countout.
-Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura defeated International Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch via count-out 18:27 to win the titles.
-Andre the Giant fought Antonio Inoki to a double countout.

 

1985 - WWF ran Detroit, MI at the Cobo Arena, featuring:

-Matt Borne defeated Muhammad Saad.
-Barry O defeated Bubba Hawkins.
-George Steele defeated Swede Hanson.
-Bob Orton defeated Tony Garea.
-Jim Neidhart defeated Steve King.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik defeated Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo via disqualification.

 

1986 - WWF ran Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena, drawing 11,382 featuring the following results:
-Scott McGhee fought Rene Goulet to a draw.
-Dan Spivey pinned Paul Christy.
-Hercules pinned Lanny Poffo.
-Nikolai Volkoff pinned Cpl. Kirchner.
-Big John Studd pinned Tony Atlas (substituting for Ted Arcidi).
-WWF Tag Team Champions British BulldogsDavey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid defeated The Hart Foundation, Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart when Dynamite pinned Bret.
-WWF Intercontinetal Champion Randy Savage pinned Tito Santana.
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated King Kong Bundy via disqualification when Bobby Heenan interfered after Hogan hit the legdrop.

 

1986 - WWF ran Phoenix, AZ at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, featuring the following results:

-Bob Orton Jr. defeated George Wells.
-The Moondogs defeated King Tonga & Reggie Parks.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Dory Funk Jr..
-George Steele defeated the Iron Sheik.
-Paul Orndorff defeated Don Muraco via disqualification.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Jake Roberts.

 

1986 - WWF ran a card in Boston, MA at the Boston Garden, broadcast by NESN, featuring the following results:

-David Sammartino pinned Tiger Chung Lee at 12:27 with a small package.

-Iron Mike Sharpe pinned Tony Garea at 11:35 after Garea hit the corner face-first.
-Jim Neidhart pinned Lanny Poffo at 5:29 with a fistdrop from the middle turnbuckle.

-Bret Hart pinned Sivi Afi at 10:20 when the momentum of a flying bodypress by Afi put Hart on top.
-King Kong Bundy (with Bobby Heenan) pinned Tony Atlas at 6:18 with an elbow drop after the Avalanche in the corner.
-Hercules pinned Scott McGhee at 8:05 with a backbreaker.
-Cpl. Kirchner pinned Nikolai Volkoff at 7:26 after reversing a powerslam attempt into a cradle.

-Pedro Morales, WWF Tag Team Champion Davey Boy Smith, & Dan Spivey defeated Greg Valentine, Brutus Beefcake, & Johnny V at 11:20 when Spivey pinned Johnny V following a backbreaker from Morales.
-WWF Intercontinental champion Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated WWF champion Hulk Hogan via countout at 13:58 after coming off the top to the floor and hitting the champion with his own title belt after referee Danny Davis had been knocked down by Hogan.

 

1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions debuted at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, drawing 9,000 fans (a sellout) with the following results:

-Tim Horner fought Eddie Gilbert to a draw.
-Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts defeated Sting & Rick Steiner.
-Terry Taylor fought Chris Adams to a no contest.
-The Rock N' Roll Express, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non-title Best 2 out of 3 falls match.
-Michael Hayes defeated Big Bubba via disqualification.
-Manny Fernandez & Vladimir Pietrov defeated Barry Windham & Brad Armstrong.
-NWA U.S. Champion Nikita Koloff defeated Ivan Koloff in a chain match.
-Dusty Rhodes & the Road Warriors defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair, NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard, & Lex Luger.

 

1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Roanoke, VA a the Civic Center, featuring:

-The New Breed, Chris Champion & Sean Royal defeated Jimmy Valiant & Lazortron.
-NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard defeated Bob Armstrong.
-NWA U.S. Champion Nikita Koloff defeated Ivan Koloff in a Russian chain match.
-The Road Warriors defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair & Lex Luger via disqualification.

 

1987 - WWF ran Columbus, OH at the Ohio Center, featuring the following results:

-Outback Jack defeated Steve Lombardi.
-Ron Bass defeated SD Jones.
-The Islanders defeated Don Muraco & Bob Orton.
-Rick Martel & Tom Zenk defeated Kamala & Sika.
-Brutus Beefcake defeated Johnny Valiant.
-WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation, Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated The British Bulldogs, Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid in a steel cage match.

 

1987 - WWF ran Brooklyn, NY, drawing 800 featuring:

-The Young Stallions, Paul Roma & Jim Powers defeated the Shadows.
-Tito Santana defeated Butch Reed
-Ken Patera & Jim Duggan defeated Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik.

 

1988 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Hillsville, VA, drawing 800 fans featuring:

-Kendall Windham pinned Tony Suber.
-Rip Morgan defeated Rocky King.
-The Sheepherders defeated George South & Gary Royal.
-Al Perez pinned Chris Champion.
-Lex Luger & Nikita Koloff defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard in a non-title match.
-Jimmy Garvin defeated NWA World TV Champion Mike Rotundo via disqualification.

 

1990 - NWA ran St. Louis, MO at the Kiel Auditorium, drawing 2,324 with the following results:
-Bob Orton pinned Dutch Mantel.
-Johnny Ace pinned Fatu.
-Norman pinned Cactus Jack.
-The Road Warriors defeated NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane when Paul Ellering pinned Jim Cornette.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Doom via disqualification.
-The Junkyard Dog pinned NWA World Champion Ric Flair in a non-title steel cage match.

 

1991 - The Diamond Studd, Scott Hall, made his debut on WCW Television, pinning Tommy Angel.

 

1991 - WCW ran Omaha, NE, drawing 400 fans with the following results:
-Black Blood pinned Sam Houston
-The One Man Gang pinned Big Josh
-Ricky Morton & Dustin Rhodes defeated Black Bart & Moondog Rex
-Fantasia (a masked Brad Armstrong), WCW U.S. Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated Tommy Rich, Tracy -Smothers, & Steve Armstrong
-Ron Simmons defeated Stan Hansen via disqualification
-WCW U.S. Champion Lex Luger pinned Nikita Koloff
-El Gigante defeated WCW World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification when the One Man Gang interfered

 

1991 - WCW ran Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri at the Nutter Fieldhouse, featuring:

-Steve Ray defeated TC Carter.
-WCW World TV Champion Bobby Eaton defeated Terrance Taylor.
-WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Arn Anderson & the Angel of Death.
-Sting defeated Barry Windham via disqualification.

 

1991 - WWF ran Vancouver, British Columbia with the following results:

-Greg Valentine defeated Demolition Crush.
-The Big Bossman defeated the Mountie.
-Bret Hart defeated the Barbarian.
-Power & Glory, Paul Roma & Hercules defeated the Bushwhackers.
-Road Warrior Animal defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Jerry Saggs.
-IRS defeated Jimmy Snuka.
-Kerry Von Erich fought the Warlord to a double countout.
-The Ultimate Warrior defeated the Undertaker via disqualification.

 

1992-  WCW ran Gainesville, GA at the Civic Center featuring:

-Johnny B. Badd pinned Joey Maggs.
-The Junkyard Dog & Big Josh defeated Diamond Dallas Page & Richard Morton.

-Dustin Rhodes pinned Greg Valentine.
-Terry Taylor pinned Tom Zenk.
-WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Larry Zbyszko & Tracy Smothers.
-WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman pinned Scotty Flamingo (the future Raven).
-WCW World Champion Sting & Nikita Koloff defeated Steve Austin & the Super Invader.

 

1995 - WCW ran The Center Stage Theatre for a WCW Saturday Night taping featuring:
-Johnny B. Badd defeated the Terrorist (David Cannell).
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Todd Morton.
-WCW World Tag Team Champions Cactus Jack & Kevin Sullivan defeated Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma when Orndorff was pinned after Roma accidentally hit a splash on his partner.
-Terry Taylor defeated Tex Slazenger.
-Dustin Rhodes defeated Harlem Heat Kole (with Harlem Heat Kane) after Kane's interference backfired; after the bout, Arn Anderson made the save for Rhdoes against Harlem Heat.

 

1997 - WWF ran Dayton, OH at the Nutter Center featuring the following results before 3,012 fans with the following results:
-Leif Cassidy (Al Snow) pinned Bob Holly with a move that started as a powerbomb but turned into an over-the-head throw
-Rockabilly pinned Jesse Jammes with a DDT.
-Farooq pinned Ahmed Johnson after Savio Vega interfered and repeatedly hit Ahmed with a steel chair
.-Crush (with D-Lo Brown) pinned Flash Funk with the heart punch.
-Rocky Maivia pinned Savio Vega with a school boy after Vega ran into Crush on the apron.
-Blackjack Windham & Blackjack Bradshaw defeated Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon when Barry Windham scored the pin with a small package after the Blackjacks switched places.
-Mankind defeated Phinneas Godwinn (with Henry Godwinn) with the Mandible Claw.
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned Goldust after Chyna swept Goldust's legs out as he attempted a suplex into the ring, and held the legs down as Helmsley scored the win.
-Steve Austin & Ahmed Johnson defeated The WWF Tag Team Champions, WWF Intercontinental champion Owen Hart & WWF European champion Davey Boy Smith via disqualification when Brian Pillman interfered.

 

1997 - WCW ran Louisville, KY at the Broadbent Arena featuring the following:

-WCW U.S. Champion Dean Malenko defeated Alex Wright.
-Buff Bagwell defeatred Scotty Riggs.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Public Enemy.
-WCW U.S. Champion Dean Malenko fought Rey Mysterio Jr. to a draw.
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Mortis.
-The Giant defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Kevin Nash & Scott Hall via disqualification in a handicap match.

 

1997 - ECW ran Monaca, PA at the Golden Dome, drawing 1,926 fans featuring:

-The Pitbulls defeated The FBI Little Guido & Tracy Smothers.
-Chris Chetti fought Danny Morrison (the future Danny Doring) to a no contest.
-Chris Candido defeated Wolfie D.
-D-Von & Big Dick Dudley defeated Spike Dudley & Mikey Whipwreck when Whipwreck was pinned.
-The Sandman defeated Balls Mahoney.
-New Jack defeated Axl Rotten.
-Tommy Dreamer defeated Louie Spicolli.
-ECW World Champion Terry Funk defeated Stevie Richards.
-ECW World TV Champion Shane Douglas defeated Raven.
-ECW Tag Team Champions The Eliminators, Perry Saturn & John Kronus defeated Big Dick & D-Von Dudley in a weapons match.

 

1998 - WWF ran Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Forum, drawing 5,128 fans with the following results:
-The Headbangers defeated Mark Henry & Kama.
-WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku pinned Brian Christopher.
-Jeff Jarrett pinned Steve Blackman after Tennessee Lee prevented a superplex and held Blackman's legs down during the cover.
-Bradshaw pinned Marc Mero with the Clothesline from Hell.
-WWF European Champion Triple H pinned Owen Hart after Chyna interfered and hit a low blow as Hart had the champion in the Sharpshooter.
-Kurrgan defeated D-Lo Brown with the claw.
-Skull & 8-Ball defeated the Quebecars with a backdrop / neckbreaker combo.
-WWF champion Steve Austin, Farooq, & The Undertaker defeated Kane & WWF Tag Team Champions the Road Dogg & Billy Gunn after Austin hit the Stunner on Road Dogg; Dude Love was the guest time keeper.

 

1999 - One day after his passing, WWF held a Tribute Show to the late Owen Hart live on Raw at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  The broadcast featured Mark Henry, Paul Bearer, Triple H, Chyna, Shane McMahon, Earl Hebner, Gerald Brisco, Goldust, the Road Dogg, Bradshaw, Mick Foley, Jeff Jarrett, Debra, and Test giving their memories of Hart, as well as the following results:
-Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) defeated Test via submission with the Sharpshooter at 2:40 after hitting a Russian legsweep after Test became distracted by Debra on the ring apron; prior to the contest, Jarrett cut an in-ring promo on Owen.
-WWF Tag Team Champions X-Pac & Kane defeated Edge & Gangrel (with Christian) when X-Pac pinned Gangrel at 4:02 after being thrown on top of his opponent by Kane after Kane hit a chokeslam.
-Matt & Jeff Hardy (with Michael Hayes) defeated TAKA Michinoku & Sho Funaki when Matt pinned Funaki with the Twist of Fate at 3:19.
-Ken Shamrock defeated Hardcore Holly via submission with an arm bar into the ankle lock at 1:47.
-Mankind defeated Billy Gunn via count-out at around 3:05 by applying the Mandible Claw on the apron, while Gunn attempted to use a steel chair.

-D-Lo Brown & Mark Henry (with Ivory) defeated the Acolytes at 4:01 when D-Lo pinned Bradshaw with a roll up after Bradshaw accidentally kicked Farooq in the face.
-The Road Dogg fought WWF Intercontinental champion the Godfather to a no contest when both men agreed they'd rather get high and tell some Owen Hart stories than fight each other.
-Triple H (with Chyna) pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow in a non-title match at 3:41 with the Pedigree.

-The Big Show pinned Goldust (with the Blue Meanie) at 1:02 after hitting a chokeslam on both Goldust and Meanie
-The Rock pinned Val Venis with the Rock Bottom and The People's Elbow combo at the 56 second mark.

-The show ended with Steve Austin coming to the ring and toasting Owen's memory.

 

Prior to the live broadcast, WWF taped the following matches:

 

Dark:

Kurt Angle defeated Nick Dinsmore (the future Eugene)
Papi Chulo (the future Essa Rios) defeated Super Loco (aka Super Crazy)

Shotgun Saturday Night: 
-Meat defeated the Blue Meanie.
-Christian defeated Doug Basham.
-Viscera & Mideon defeated Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor
.

Super Astros:
-Max Mini defeated Mini Nova.
-Taka Michinoku, Sho Funaki, & Tiger Mask defeated Papi Chulo, Apolo Dantes, & Super Loco

 

2001 - Triple H underwent surgery with Dr. James Andrews to repair his torn quadriceps, which was injured in a tag team match with Steve Austin against Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho three days earlier. The surgery would be successful, and after a long period of rehab, Triple H returned to the ring ten months later.  He would suffer a similar injury again in 2006.

 

2001 - The Parents Television Council, which had aggressively promoted against the WWF, and Smackdown in particular, for what they felt was inappropriate programming, was pushed one step closer towards having to apologize for their actions. The WWF brought a lawsuit against the company and a U.S. District Court Judge rejected an attempt to dismiss the case by the PTC. The WWF would go on to win the case, and the PTC would be forced to issue a public apology to the wrestling organization.

 

The following is the press release from the WWF from 2001:

 

Judge Rejects Parents Television Council Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit

 

STAMFORD, Conn., May 24, 2001 : A federal judge today rejected a motion by the Parents Television Council to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the PTC and others by World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF).

 

U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin in New York concluded that there was a sound legal basis for the WWFE suit and that it should go forward. "Assuming, as I must, that the allegations of the Amended Complaint are true for purposes of this motion, I conclude that WWFE has stated claims upon which relief can be granted," wrote Judge Chin. WWFE sued the PTC in November 2000, charging PTC founder L. Brent Bozell III and others with, among other things, defamation, tortious interference with business relations and copyright infringement. As part of these activities, the PTC claimed that "WWF Smackdown!" could be linked to the deaths of four children, and that more than 30 to 40 advertisers had withdrawn their advertising from WWF SmackDown! The suit says the defendants made such false claims to WWFE advertisers in order to damage the company and, at the same time, raise money for themselves and promote their organization.

Judge Chin wrote that the PTC and the other defendants may not make false and defamatory statements under cover of the First Amendment. "The First Amendment does not protect statements that are false and defamatory, even if they are made in the context of a public debate about issues of general concern," he wrote. Judge Chin's ruling on the motion is available through the court and WWFE's corporate website, wwfecorpbiz.com.

 

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with sales offices in New York City, Chicago and Toronto. Additional information on the company can be found at wwf.com and wwfecorpbiz.com.

 

2002 - WWE Raw ran Duluth, MN at the DECC with the following results:

-Jackie defeated Crash Holly.
-WWE Hardcore Champion Steven Richards pinned Tommy Dreamer.
-Brock Lesnar defeated Bubba Ray Dudley.
-X-Pac defeated Matt Hardy.
-Bradshaw defeated Booker T.
-Shawn Stasiak & D-Lo Brown defeated Justin Credible & Goldust.
-WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus defeated Molly Holly.
-WWE European Champion William Regal defeated Spike Dudley.
-WWE Intercontinental Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Rob Van Dam.

 

2003 - WWE Raw ran Baton Rouge, LA at the Riverside Centroplex with the following results:

-Rodney Mack & Christopher Nowinski defeated Lance Cade & John Heidenreich when Cade submitted to Mack's Black Out.
-Goldust pinned Mark Jintrak with a powerslam.
-Lance Storm pinned Steve Williams with the superkick.
-Bubba Ray, D-Von, & Spike Dudley defeated Rico, Rosey, & Jamal in a tables match when Rico suffered a 3D through a table after Rosey and Jamal deserted their partner.
-WWE Intercontinental champion Christian pinned Val Venis with the Unprettier.
-WWE Women's Champion Jazz defeated Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, and Victoria in an elimination match; Jazz pinned Molly; Trish pinned Victoria with the bulldog; Jazz defeated Trish after Victoria interfered; after the bout, Maven made the save for Trish against Victoria and Richards.
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Rob Van Dam & Kane defeated Sylvian Grenier & Rene Dupree when RVD pinned Rene following a Kane chokeslam and RVD Five Star Frog Splash combo.
-WWE World Champion Triple H pinned Scott Steiner with a low blow and the Pedigree.

 

2003 - WWE  Smackdown ran Ft. Myers, FL at the Teco Arena with the following results:
-Rikishi, Spanky, & Bill DeMott defeated Nunzio, Chuck Palumbo, & Johnny Stamboli when Rikishi blocked a sunset flip by Nunzio and hit a sit-down splash.
-Crash Holly pinned Orlando Jordon with a roll up and using the ropes for leverage.
-Albert & Kanyon defeated Doug Basham & Danny Holle when Albert pinned Holle with the backbreaker.
-Rhyno pinned Sean O'Haire with the Gore after O'Haire hit the corner.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy fought Rey Mysterio Jr. and Jamie Noble to a no contest when -Shannon Moore and Crash Holly attacked Mysterio as he made his way to the ring; DeMott, Spanky, and Rikishi made the save.
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri defeated Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas via disqualification when Eddie pretended he had been hit by one of the title belts by Haas as the referee came to.
-Chris Benoit defeated John Cena via submission with the Crippler Crossface after avoiding the FU
-Torrie Wilson pinned Nidia with a roll up; Sho Funaki was the special referee for the bout.
-WWE champion Brock Lesnar pinned the Big Show with the F5 after avoiding the chokeslam.

 

2004 - WWE Smackdown ran LaCrosse, WI - Center with the following results:

-Hardcore Holly & Billy Gunn defeated Nunzio & Johnny Stamboli.
-Mark Jindrak defeated Orlando Jordan.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero Sr. defeated Shannon Moore and Spike Dudley.
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Rico & Charlie Haas defeated the Dudley Boyz
-WWE World Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated John Bradshaw Layfield.
-Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Rene Dupree.
-Torrie Wilson defeated Dawn Marie in a bikini contest.
-WWE U.S. Champion John Cena defeated Booker T.

 

2004 - WWE ran Raw in Rockford, IL at the MetroCentre.  Tim Whitehead filed the following TV Report:

 

The 5/24 edition of RAW IS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL aired live from Rockford. It was a basic, good episode this week which laid further groundwork for the Bad Blood PPV in June.

 

They opened with footage from last week's Battle Royal, where "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels caused Triple H to lose to Kane. This earned Kane the World Title shot against Chris Benoit at Bad Blood.

 

Backstage, HHH was shown taping his fists. He was fuming over HBK's actions last week and demanded that Eric Bischoff reinstate HBK so he could get revenge on him. Bischoff had anticipated that HHH would want that, and said he had already lifted HBK's suspension. HHH was glad to hear that, and was even happier to learn that HBK was going to be there for RAW. HHH vowed that HBK won't make it to Bad Blood. He pledged to beat the living hell out of HBK as soon as he arrived, and then to drag his carcass to the ring and finish him off in front of the whole world. HHH then turned to his Evolution allies and demanded to know how they let HBK eliminate him last week. Shouldn't he have asked that question to Bischoff? I mean, shouldn't the Boss of RAW have provided better security? Anyway, Randy Orton, Ric Flair, and Batista began mumbling various excuses. The best one was Orton's claim that he had been out late the night before. HHH told them they had better show more unity this week. Flair left to go to the ring for his scheduled match, and Orton & Batista started to go with him. On his way out, Orton encouraged HHH to kick HBK's ass if he happened to show up while they all three were down at the ring. That statement caused HHH to worry that HBK might indeed show up while he was all alone, so he had Batista stay with him.

 

Edge defeated Flair in 5:16. Flair strutted. Whoooo! He chopped Edge, but Edge came back with a backdrop and sent Flair out to the floor. Edge tossed Flair back in. Orton distracted Edge, allowing Flair to rake his eyes. Flair used fists and chops and hit his classic kneedrop. Edge lariated and backdropped Flair again. Flair took a painful looking flip bump into the corner. Flair went to the top but was caught with a stiff blow when he came off. Edge scored a two count which looked more like a three, as it didn't appear that Flair kicked out in time. Orton interfered to give Flair the advantage again. This brought out Shelton Benjamin, who attacked Orton on the floor. Benjamin punched Orton out. Without Orton's help, Flair got speared and pinned, adding Edge to the long list of up-and-comers he's generously put over.

 

HHH & Batista went outside the arena to watch for HBK. An arena employee was sitting out there in a chair. Batista ran the poor guy off so HHH could have his seat.

 

Vince McMahon did a promo surrounded by pretty girls. It's good to be king. He announced a new RAW Diva Search contest. Ten finalists will be selected from a plethora of young lady applicants. They will then appear on RAW and the fans will vote one off each week, like on American Idol and other shows of that type. The winning babe gets $250,000 and a one year WWE contract. Vince opened a briefcase to reveal all the cash and the girls surrounding him all grew very excited, to say the least. From the description, it sounds more like they're looking for pulchritude here rather than wrestling ability. A quarter of a million dollars worth of pulchritude, to be exact.

 

Todd Grisham was camped outside Lita's locker room. After footage aired showing Lita saying "yes" to Kane last week, Grisham announced his intention to ask Lita what it was that she said "yes" to. Before he could go in the locker room, Matt Hardy arrived. And before Matt could go in, Lita herself arrived. Seems she wasn't even in the locker room. Matt told her he'd been trying to find her all week, but that she wasn't at her house, didn't answer the phone, etc. He said he'd been worried sick over her. Lita said she'd just needed some time to think about things, and that she realized she loved Matt a lot. She gave him a passionate kiss and, well, basically promised to go further. She went into her locker room to get her bags. There was a cameraman conveniently waiting inside. Lita got her bags together but was confronted by Kane, who caressed her hair. Lita told him, "I thought you said it's over." Kane just smirked and agreed that it's over (whatever "it" is), though he said it in a sarcastic manner, which means "it" isn't over. Lita left the room and met up with Matt outside. The two of them headed off together, with Matt being totally clueless about her confrontation with Kane, as Lita never mentioned it to him. The mystery continues, though it was surely implied that Lita spent the last week getting to know Kane rather intimately.

 

HHH & Batista saw a car pull up. In the dusk, they could see that the driver was a male with blond hair pulled back in a ponytail. That was enough for them to assume he was HBK. They dragged the guy out of the car and gave him a beating before realizing the car's occupant was Steven Richards. HHH was frustrated, so much so that he beat Richards up a little more.

 

Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler reported that Fabulous Moolah & Mae Young will be appearing on the Jay Leno show. Let's just hope they aren't announced as two of the Diva search finalists.

 

La Resistance defeated Hurricane & Rosey in 4:06. Rosey went wild at first and cleaned house. Hurricane legdropped Rob Conway. Sylvan Grenier caused Hurricane to take a hard bump out. Hurricane came back with an enzuigiri on Conway. Rosey did a series of surprisingly athletic moves, as he was really working hard in there. Hurricane hit a high crossbody on Conway. But when Hurricane missed on the shining wizard, Conway cheap shotted him and he staggered back into a roll-up by Grenier. Short, but all action.

 

HHH was walking around outside, with Batista apparently patrolling elsewhere. HBK appeared out of nowhere and attacked HHH. They bumped over a car hood, brawling and throwing fists like crazy. A ton of refs and road agents showed up. It took a struggle to finally separate the two rivals.

 

Chris Jericho hosted the Highlight Reel. He proudly took credit for injuring Christian in their cage match a couple of weeks ago. He said CLB now stands for "crushed lower back". He brought out Orton as his guest. Lawler began gushing about Orton's good looks again. Jericho put Orton over as being the longest reigning IC champ in seven years, and listed HBK, Mick Foley, Sgt. Slaughter, Harley Race, and even Stone Cold Steve Austin as legends put down by Orton. Maybe in rewritten WWE history, Austin's reign as RAW sheriff never occurred and Orton's final pin over Team Austin at Survivor Series counts as Stone Cold's WWE swan song. Anyway, Jericho demanded to know why Orton, a man who brags of being a legend killer, has refused Shelton Benjamin's IC Title challenge. He wanted to know if Orton is afraid of Benjamin. Orton smirked that he isn't scared, and that Benjamin simply isn't worthy of a title shot. Jericho started to respond, but Orton tried to talk over him. Jericho grabbed his mic back and said he's the host, and called Orton an "ass clown" for trying to cut him off. Jericho then reminded Orton that Benjamin beat HHH twice. They kept arguing until finally Orton said he might be forced to add the first ever Undisputed WWE World Champion (i.e., Jericho) to the list of legends he's destroyed. He slapped Jericho in the face. Jericho came back with an enzuigiri. Batista ran in to help Orton, but Benjamin arrived to even the odds. Orton & Batista were retreating up the ramp when Bischoff arrived. He said he had enough on his hands trying to control HHH and HBK without having to worry about other brawls breaking out. So he ordered the four to settle their problems in an official match, to start as soon as the Highlight Reel set could be dismantled, which meant after a commercial break.

 

Jericho & Benjamin defeated Orton & Batista in 16:25. Jericho dominated Orton with standard moves. Benjamin tagged in, prompting Orton to immediately tag out. Benjamin put some wrestling moves on Batista, but Batista overpowered him and beat him down. With Benjamin down, Orton suddenly wanted to tag in. He put the boots to Benjamin. Benjamin managed to surprise Orton with a neckbreaker. Jericho tagged in and hit Orton with some shoulderblocks. He also hit a springboard dropkick on Batista. Orton evaded a lionsault from Jericho, but Y2J still managed to hook the walls on Orton. Batista made the save. Jericho hit a springboard plancha on both foes as the show headed into another commercial break. The live action returned as they started hour two. During the break, Trish Stratus had come out, distracting Jericho and causing him to get beaten down by Batista. Trish went over the the broadcast desk to presumably do color commentary, but she was pretty bad at it. Too bad they don't have verbal implants. Orton tagged in and worked Jericho over. Lawler noted that the fans weren't chanting "Randy sucks", just moments before they started chanting that. Jericho did the babyface comeback, dropkicking Batista and laying Orton out. Benjamin caught Batista with a flying shoulderblock and a spin kick. Jericho dropkicked Batista back into a sunset flip from Benjamin for a near fall. Batista scored two on Benjamin with a spinebuster. They all traded some fast near falls and saves. The finish saw Jericho block the RKO, allowing Benjamin to powerslam Orton and score the pin. This wasn't Evolution's night. Good match with hot near falls at the end. Afterward, Trish distracted Jericho as he was leaving up the ramp. Tyson Tomko attacked Jericho, beating him up and powerbombing him through the broadcast desk.

 

After the break, they replayed Tomko putting Jericho through the desk. Jericho did a full neck brace and stretcher job, and was later reported to have been hospitalized. A decent angle to put Tomko over as a monster.

 

Kane came out to the ring. He said he envies Chris Benoit for being the World Champion and also for being able to lead a normal life. He said his world is one of shadows and darkness and that he lives in nightmares. Maybe he didn't get Lita to put out after all. He concluded the brief promo by promising to win the World Title at Bad Blood, saying he always gets what he wants. Okay, maybe he did get Lita to be horizontally accessible (to steal a phrase from JR).

 

HBK was in Bischoff's office. He wanted to know if Bischoff had approved the match he requested for Bad Blood. Bischoff said yes, but HBK was adamant, demanding to know if it was the exact match he asked for. Bischoff again said yes. HHH then charged through the door and attacked HBK, knocking Bischoff down as well. They once again brawled all over, pretty much destroying Bischoff's office before being subdued by a full herd of refs and agents. Bischoff was furious.

 

Victoria defeated Molly Holly in a non-title match in 4:20. Victoria came out to new music and danced to it on the ramp top. Molly, wearing a brunette wig this week, was accompanied by Gail Kim. Victoria started off strong. Gail caused her to bump out, with Molly then ramming Victoria into the security barrier. Molly scored twos after a suplex and a roll-up. Victoria fought back, but Gail's distractions put Molly back in command. In the end, Victoria won with the widow's peak. Gail attacked Victoria afterward, but Victoria gave her the widow's peak as well. Standard women's match.

 

Smackdown Rebound focused on the continuing Eddie Guerrero saga.

 

Bischoff was still fuming in his trashed office. He told Johnny Nitro that he doesn't give a damn if HHH and HBK destroy one another, but that they showed no respect for his authority when they busted his office up. He said a mass force is needed to control those two, and sent Nitro out to recruit just such a force.

 

Nitro managed to gather a good portion of the RAW roster together, including World Champion Benoit. Damn, Nitro must actually have a brain, or something close to it. Bischoff lectured them, telling them RAW is their show. You know Bischoff needs help when he tells the wrestlers that RAW belongs to them. He encouraged them to protect their show by stopping HHH and HBK. As an added incentive, Bischoff vowed to fire them all if they didn't get the two troublemakers under control. Yeah, I can just picture Bischoff firing like 18 guys, including some top stars and the reigning World Champ.

 

Highlights aired of Rock's appearance last week where he put Eugene over. Since this was Rock, this segment lasted longer than most repeats.

 

Grisham tried to interview Eugene, who was scheduled to be in a tag match with William Regal as his partner. Grisham told Eugene his encounter with Jonathan Coachman last week could have been a disaster but, thanks to Rock, it turned into a classic RAW moment. Eugene just kept running around, stopping just long enough to do Rock's "if you smell" catch phrase. Regal spoke up, indicating he was happy to be tagging with Eugene. But Nitro arrived to rain on the parade. He informed Regal that he wasn't cleared to wrestle. Regal said Eugene can't be expected to go out there alone against two opponents, who in this case were Garrison Cade & Coach. Make that one-and-a-half opponents. Nitro said Eugene had three minutes to find a substitute partner or he'd have to fight in a handicap match. Obviously, Bischoff set this match up with the intention of pulling Regal out at the last second. Eugene was scared, but Regal did his best to encourage him to stand tall like a real man. Regal has clearly become a Eugene ally.

 

Eugene & Chris Benoit defeated Cade & Coach in 4:43. Eugene came to the ring alone, looking terrified. Cade & Coach smirked. But they stopped smirking when Benoit came out, volunteering to be Eugene's partner. Eugene was delighted, and began running around the ring with Benoit's two title belts. Coach tripped him, but he got back up and outmaneuvered both Coach & Cade. Benoit tagged in and chopped Cade. Cade somehow managed to beat Benoit down, which prompted Coach to suddenly decide to tag in. Naturally, Benoit revived and chopped the hell out of Coach. Cade came back in, but Eugene gave him the airplane spin and slammed him. Benoit gave Coach the three German suplex routine and then hurled Cade out to the floor. Benoit gave Coach the diving headbutt. The crowd chanted for Eugene, who also gave Coach a diving headbutt (though he almost fell off the ropes and had to be held in place by Benoit) before scoring the pin. Good stuff!

 

HHH was in the Evolution locker room, still fuming about HBK. And he ended up fuming even more, as HBK charged in and attacked him, triggering yet another pull-apart brawl with all the refs and agents separating them.

 

HHH went down to the ring. He grabbed a mic and demanded that HBK come out so they could settle things once and for all. HBK immediately charged in and the brawl was on. Naturally, Flair ran in to help HHH, but HBK flattened him with the sweet chin music. So in came Orton & Batista, followed by Benoit & Edge. Those four ended up brawling out on the floor as HHH and HBK continued fighting in the ring. Flair was still down. Bischoff came out on the ramp top and began sending wrestlers in to break things up. Basically, it was most of the lower and mid-card guys, like Rhyno. Try as they might, they couldn't separate the two enemies. Bischoff kept sending more wrestlers in. HHH ended up being dragged out on the floor, where HBK hit him with a plancha. Finally, some refs ran in and HBK and HHH were finally pulled apart. This all just lasted a couple of minutes but it was heated, for sure. Bischoff was enraged at all the brawls that had disrupted his show. He announced that HHH and HBK would have to fight one another at Bad Blood in the Hell in the Cell, which was exactly the match HBK had earlier demanded. HBK smiled, but HHH didn't seem to like this very much. And I might add that reader Rob Wingrove was right in his prediction of this match! The show left the air with HHH and HBK both breaking free and fighting again, as all the guys desperately tried to break them back up.

 

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:

 

Why did the refs seem to have more success pulling HHH and HBK apart than the much larger wrestlers did?

 

Doesn't this Diva search set up some potential clothes-ripping catfights?

 

Wasn't it amazing how suddenly that large group of refs & agents materialized when HHH and HBK first fought outside?

 

Why didn't Bischoff just have security eject both HHH and HBK from the arena?

 

How were Flair & Orton & Batista supposed to stop HBK from running in last week when they had already been eliminated from the battle royal?

 

If the Jericho & Benjamin vs. Orton & Batista match was scheduled by Bischoff right there on the spot, what was the planned event for the start of the second hour?

 

2005 -  Former Major League Wresting owner and promoter Court Bauer signed on to the creative team for World Wrestling Entertainment.  Court Bauer was working on the Smackdown side of the writing team when he initially signed with the company.  Bauer ran and booked MLW from June 2002 until February 2004, with TV running regularly on The Sunshine Network and a crew featuring Terry Funk, Sabu, Steve Corino, CW Anderson, Steve Williams, Satoshi Kojima, Masato Tanaka, Teddy Hart and others.

 

2005 - WWE ran Milwaukee, WI at the Bradley Center for a Smackdown taping with the following results:

 

Dark:

Scotty 2 Hotty pinned CM Punk with the Worm

 

Velocity:
-Doug & Danny Basham defeated Sho Funaki & Nunzio at 4:54.

-Booker T (with Sharmell) pinned Quinson Valentino with the scissors kick at 2:12.

-Billy Kidman pinned Nunzio.

-WWE U.S. Champion Orlando Jordan pinned Mark Jindrak with the Flatliner at 6:15.

 

Smackdown:

-Hardcore Holly & Charlie Haas defeated WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions MNM via disqualification at 12:11 when Nitro hit Holly over the head with a steel chair to prevent the pinfall after Holly hit the Alabama Slam on Mercury.

-The Big Show pinned Carlito Caribbean Cool with the chokeslam at 3:24.

-Kurt Angle Invitational: Kurt Angle defeated Robert ? via submission with the ankle lock at 1:17 after hitting the Olympic Slam.  Angle announced he was bringing a team of volunteers to ECW One Night Stand to stop the PPV.

-Kurt Angle won a 22-man battle royal at 26:05 by last eliminating Rey Mysterio Jr. with the Olympic Slam after landing a low blow as Mysterio attempted a springboard into the ring.   Due to pre-match stipulations, ngle earned the right to wrestle anyone on the roster the following week; after the bout, Angle said he wanted a match with Booker T's wife Sharmell,

 

2007 - The Condemned, WWE Film's heavily-hyped movie starring Steve Austin, ended it's major release run in North America after four weekends, the shortest run of any WWE Films project. See No Evil, starring Kane, ran for seven weekends in theatres, while The Marine starring John Cena ran for 12 weekends. At the time of it being pulled from North American theatres (except some secondary markets), the film had grossed $7,364,342 domestically, and $121,316 in foreign markets for a total of $7,485,658.  In the end, the film would pull in $7,371,706 in North America, and $1,015,149 in foreign markets for a total of $8,386,855, a major disappointment.

 

2007 - Vince McMahon was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sacred Heart University today at this link.  McMahon told The Greenwich Post, "It is a privilege to receive this recognition from such a distinguished institution and, like most people who receive honorary degrees, I certainly don't feel worthy.  Nonetheless, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to speak to a graduating class, entertain them with some of my life experiences and leave them with one message: don't be afraid of failure."

 

2008 - Former ECW champ Bobby Lashley made his first appearance inside a wrestling ring since being granted his release from World Wrestling Entertainment for Booker T's PWA in Pasadena, Texas.  Lashley, who had publicly spoken of a future in MMA but not ruled out doing professional wrestling, defeated Jared Steele.  Lashley was said to have worked hard, working a physical style, as opposed to a "safer" one.

 

2008 -  In what turned out to be an extremely embarrassing situation for the Hogan family, TMZ.com posted audio of a conversation between Hulk and Nick Hogan (who was currently incarcerated) where Nick claims that the victim in his August 2007 car crash John Graziano, was a "negative person" in response to Hulk saying that God laid some "heavy s**t"on him because of things that he was "into".  The conversation also features Nick talking about being anxious to start a reality series which would follow him as he exits prison.  Hogan tells him that if he wants to make the most money, Nick needs to do the series with Hogan, Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey.  The outrage over the conversation being made public led to Hogan trying to explain the context of the conversation on a number of talk shows.

 

2008 - In an event filmed for DVD release by Big Vision Entertainment, an XPW reunion event was held.  Mark Carpowich filed the following live report:

XPW ran its “Cold Day in Hell” reunion show Saturday night in Los Angeles . While fine for nostalgia, the show was pretty weak in terms of both work rate and production, and the organizers are going to have to do some pretty heavy editing before releasing this show on DVD and pay-per-view, both of which are in the plans.

The event started with a two-hour fanfest inside the arena, which was actually a basketball gym on the property of the Northrup Grumman corporation. Although the fanfest was advertised as both an autograph session and Q&A, only the former turned out to be true – there was no Q&A, although I suppose if you wanted to ask a question to one of the wrestlers while receiving a $10 autograph (on top of the $20 admission price), you could. Some wrestlers, including Vampiro and Kaos, did not appear to be charging for autographs and photos. One fan asked Vampiro and Kaos to pose for a photo together, but not wanting to break kayfabe (they faced each other at the show), Vampiro refused.  

There was some confusion regarding when the fanfest was supposed to end and the show itself was to begin. Eventually the doors opened at 7:20 p.m., only 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the show. By the time people were seated and the event was getting under way, it was already 8:15. Two guards were wearing Atlas Security shirts. The rest were just wearing generic “Security” shirts.  

“Cold Day In Hell” started with a Dynamite D Memorial battle royal. The first participant was introduced to the crowd, but then everyone else just started walking down the aisle without any intros. By the way, there was a simple stage at the top of a small ramp. The building also featured large-screen projections, but for some reason, none of the live action was shown all night.  

The battle royal featured several Latino wrestlers working a cholo gimmick, probably to try and pop the local crowd. The crowd favorite, though, was a skinny Asian wrestler whom everyone tried to eliminate. When he was finally thrown over, the building erupted in boos. The eventual winner, Carnage, won by setting on fire his taped hand, then punching his final opponent over the top rope.  He gave his winner's trophy to D's mother, who was in the crowd.

Up next was the Miss Xtreme competition, which didn’t seem to have any clear rules. Even though the XPW web site advertised eight contestants, five girls came out, and were asked to perform an “extreme talent.” The first girl gave someone a lap dance; the second one took off her top to reveal nothing but an “X” taped across each of her breasts. The third contestant claimed to be able to chug a beer, but ended up choking on it, much to the dismay of the fans. The fourth girl wore a schoolgirl outfit, and truly went extreme by having a male companion pull up her skirt and spank her repeatedly with a glove wrapped in barbed wire. The girl was noticeably bleeding from her upper legs for the remainder of the segment. Finally, the fifth contestant tried to cut a heel promo about how she didn’t have to do any stunts in order to impress anyone, and proceeded to attack the other girls.  

It was now 8:40, and it looks like this is where the main card started. Kris Kloss came out and introduced the first match, which was Kaos against Vampiro. Kaos cut a promo saying that, in the old days of XPW, this was the point in the show where Shane Douglas would come out and start complaining. He then put himself over for a while, until Vampiro emerged with no music or intro. The match started, and after several minutes of exchanging chops and punches, Vampiro cracked a package of fluorescent light bulbs over Kaos’ back. With blood running down Kaos’ back, and shattered glass all over the mat, the two brawled out into the crowd, with Kaos eventually going through a table. After probably about 10-15 minutes of slow, plodding action featuring lots of overly deliberate action, Kaos won with a clean pin.  

The next wrestler to come out (no pun intended) was Angel – or, as he refers to himself, Angel the Hardcore Homo. Angel announced that it was his birthday, and led the crowd in singing to him. His scheduled opponent, GQ Money, said he couldn’t wrestle due to injury, but said he’d left several birthday gifts on the stage for Angel. One of them literally blew up in Angel’s face, and a second wrestler – Brawlin’ Bo Cooper – came out to start beating Angel down. The match then got confusing, as Cooper and Money both spent time wrestling Angel one on one. Angel ended up doing lots of openly gay spots, including exposing his rear end and delivering both a bronco buster and stinkface. After being chased to the back, Money later re-emerged as a disguised cameraman, spitting a fireball into Angel’s face to get the win. Afterward, as Money and Cooper beat Angel down, Kraq ran out to make the save.  

J. Love was out next, and was complaining that the ring was a mess (there was still lots of broken glass). Love yelled for someone to come clean the ring, and Leroy showed up with a broom. As he cleaned up, Love cut a promo on Pogo the Clown, who showed up and went after Leroy. Several “fans,” all of whom were coincidentally wearing T-shirts from a local wrestling school, ran in and attacked Pogo, who in turn ran through them all. Love got back on the mic and said she had someone else who would take care of Pogo. Sandman emerged from the audience, kendo stick in hand, and went to work on Pogo. The bell rang, so apparently this was now an official match. The two beat each other up for a while, before Love came in and blasted Pogo several times with the cane. Sandman hit him with a side Russian leg sweep and got the pin. Afterward, Sandman celebrated with a case of Budweiser. “Enter Sandman” did not play in the building.  

Terry Funk came out next, and was set to guest-referee the co-main event. Funk told the crowd that Sabu, who had been scheduled, had suffered a cracked vertebra in his neck, so Funk would not allow him to compete. Sabu then walked toward the ring, but was escorted back by security. Funk announced there would be a replacement, who turned out to be a guy named Concussion. He was to team with Homeless Jimmy against Raven and White Trash Johnny Webb.  

Raven was great on the mic, running down Funk and then actually doing live commentary while standing on the ring apron. At one point, once he started to wrestle, Raven attacked Funk, bloodying his forehead. During the match, Sabu again tried to enter the ring, only to be escorted out again. The match turned into a really good and fun plunder bout, including a great table spot outside, before Homeless Jimmy pinned Webb with a DDT onto a chair.  

The next bout was a six-man tag, featuring Team Revolution Pro (Ron Rivera, Disco Machine and Joey Ryan) against Team XPW (Jardi Franz, Vinnie Massaro and…special surprise guest X-Pac). Pac got a good pop, and came out to the DX music. He’s also developed quite a gut. The match was OK, and ended when the Vince McMahon impostor, Mr. McPhenom and former ECW star CW Anderson, who attacked X-Pac on the floor. Disco Machine won for his team by pinfall, but afterward X-Pac laid out Anderson, then gave McPhenom an X-Factor. It was a play off of the ECW-XPW brawl at Heatwave.  X-Pac then got on the mic and said that he is back from the dead, then told us that he’s got two words for us.

 The next bout was a three-way bout between Luke Hawx, Scorpio Sky and Jack Evans. From a workrate perspective, this was a really entertaining bout. It was exciting and well paced, with some really good, athletic work. This was the best match of the night, by far. Hawx picked up the win.  

The Westside NGZ, who were advertised as wrestling the reunited Gangstas, started off by taking on another team instead. This bout ran for several long, boring minutes, with the crowd crapping all over the weak action. Finally, the Gangstas’ music hit, and New Jack and Mustafa hit the ring with a trash can full of weapons. They cleaned house on the Westside NGZ, and that was it for the “match.” The tag team that had been wrestling the Westside NGZ tried to praise the Gangstas, but Jack and Mustafa then turned on them, and beat the guys down, both inside and outside the ring, for probably at least 10 minutes. New Jack used a fork on his opponent. The brawl spilled way into the back of the crowd, making it hard for 90 percent of the audience to see what was happening, but when it was all over, New Jack came back to the ring bleeding a gusher. He then started into an endless promo about the team’s history and how they refused to sell out to the bigger organizations. Jack ripped into both Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman.    He closed by announcing he was done in the ring and to watch your cable TV screens to see him soon.  He was referring to some sort of reality series that Big Vision is shopping around.

The final match advertised for the evening was a no-ropes barbed-wire death match between Supreme and the Necro Butcher.  They had Beds of Light Tubes and Mouse Traps.  If you liked blood and violence, this was for you as both took insane amounts of punishment and the crowd loved it.

Overall, the work was slow, the pacing was off, and the crowd wasn’t even that hot. To his credit, Sabu actually showed up for the event, and of course he should protect his health, but the crowd was more than a little disappointed to have him advertised to compete, only to not wrestle after all.  XPW actually received word a week ago and was originally going to change the match listing, but Sabu demanded they let him feel it out and see if he could work.  As it turned out, he couldn't.

It’s not clear whether XPW intended for “Cold Day In Hell” to be a one-night-only thing, as was advertised on the event poster, or whether the promotion actually plans to start running shows again. Unless XPW can somehow make this event look good on camera, it’s hard to imagine that this was the event the company needed to put itself back on the map.

Notes: Mikey Whipwreck was booked a surprise but no showed.  XPW attempted to reach him, only to find his cell phone disconnected...The entire show was shot in HD and is planned as Big Vision Entertainment's first-ever Blu-Ray DVD release....The one and only Atlas Security was in the house.

 

2008 - WWE Raw ran Mexico City, Mexico at The Sports Palace in front of 18,750 fans with the following results:
-Super Crazy pinned Charlie Haas with the moonsault.
-WWE Women's Champion Mickie James & Maria defeated Beth Phoenix & Katie Lea when James pinned Lea with the DDT.
-Ken Kennedy pinned Paul Birchill with the Mic Check.
-Jeff Hardy pinned Paul London at 14:10 with the Twist of Fate.
-WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho defeated Lance Cade after Trevor Murdoch distracted Cade from ringside.
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes defeated Carlito & Santino Marella when Holly pinned Carlito with the Alabama Slam.
-John Cena pinned John Bradshaw Layfield with the FU in a streetfight at 16:27.
-WWE World Champion Triple H & Shawn Michaels, sporting Lucha masks, defeated Umaga & Snitsky at 20:19 when Triple H pinned Umaga with the Pedigree and Michaels pinned Snitsky with the superkick.

 

2008 - WWE Smackdown & ECW ran a combined event in Cheyenne, Wyoming at Taco John's Events Center drawing a sellout of 1,800 fans, featuring:
-Kofi Kingston defeated Shelton Benjamin.
-Vladimir Kozlov defeated Sho Funaki.
-Cherry defeated Natalya Neidhart.
-Mark Henry defeated Jamie Noble.
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions John Morrison & Mike Mizanin defeated Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore.
-WWE U.S. Champion Matt Hardy defeated MVP.
-The Big Show defeated Edge via disqualification.

 

2009 - TNA ran their Sacrifice PPV in Orlando, FL.  Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:

 

TNA opened up their live pre-game show from Orlando with a video feature on the Ultimate Sacrifice main event for the TNA title.  Jeremy Borash, standing before the crowd, then ran down the lineup for the PPV card.

 

Backstage, Lauren interviewed Daffney, who was with Dr. Stevie Richards.  She noted she wasn't a fan of Richards, so he said that if she wasn't going to be professional, he would take over the interview.  He said that Monster's Ball was going to be a brutal, monstrous bout and Abyss has channeled all his aggression onto Daffney.   He said that Daffney would take a step forward in her therapy tonight and that means someone would have to take a step back - Lauren's sorority sister, Taylor Wilde.  Lauren said she wasn't going to allow him to just use someone.  Richards blew her off and told her next time to be professional.

 

They aired a video feature on the female Monster's Ball.

 

The Amazing Red vs. Kiyoshi

 

The crowd chanted, "He's amazing" at the bell.  Red ducked a kick and hit a leg lariat, then an enziguiri while Kiyoshi was on one knee.  Kiyoshi went to the floor and Red hit a sweet looking twisting dive over the top to the floor.  Red tossed Kiyoshi back into the ring but was kicked as he returned through the ropes.

 

Kiyoshi began drilling Red with kicks to the head and face.  Don West said he and Kiyoshi spoke in his native tongue of Japanese earlier today.  West shilling merchandise in Japanese would be the greatest thing EVER.    Kiyoshi worked over Red and cinched in a side chinlock.

 

Red got to his feet and ducked a kick but was caught and hit with a flapjack.  Kiyoshi made a cover but only received a two count.  Kiyoshi came off the top with a chop to the head but Red got his shoulder up.  Red pulled himself to his feet but Kiyoshi maneuvered him to the top rope.  Red fought back and turned a suplex attempt into a twisting DDT.   The crowd rallied behind Red.

 

Red made it to his feet and drilled Kiyoshi with several flying kicks.  Kiyoshi cut off Red and went to the top for a moonsault, but missed.  Red went to the ropes and hit a dive into a faceplant.  Red hit a standing moonsault press and scored the pin.

 

Your winner, The Amazing Red!

 

Solid first match.  These two worked well together and Red's dive was a lot of fun.

 

At ringside, Jeremy Borash and Lauren previewed the championship matches.

 

They aired a video feature on the TNA Legends championship bout and then Kevin Nash vs. Samoa Joe.

 

Lauren interviewed Kevin Nash and asked if tonight was the end of their war.  Nash said he's from Detroit and that means if you beat him on Tuesday, he'll see you on Wednesday.  Nash said that he's been about violence for 21 years in wrestling and before that, he was beating people up in bars.  He promised he would bring the violence tonight and the war was over when he said it was over.

 

They aired a video feature on the Team 3D Invitational Tournament.

 

Don West and Mike Tenay did a hard sell for the PPV.

 

TNA SACRIFICE 2009

 

The PPV opened with footage of each of the competitors in the main event arriving at the venue.  Everyone showed up in a really nice car until Foley popped up in a piece of trash car joking around.  TNA aired a video piece on the show, blew up some pyro and off we went.

 

The Motor City Machineguns & Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Lethal Consequences & Eric Young

 

Lethal and Chris Sabin opened the bout with some fun back and forth athletic exchanges.  Creed tagged in but Sabin took control.  Alex Shelley tagged in and tagged Creed with a kick to the head.  Bashir tagged in but was nailed with a somersault clothesline for a two count.  Bashir nailed a jawbreaker and tagged out to Sabin.

 

Lethal tagged in and drilled him withy an elbow between the eyes.  Lethal Consequences worked over Sabin with a series of synchronized moves.  The storyline was that they wouldn't tag in Eric Young.  Bashir kneed Creed but was knocked off the apron.  He pulled Creed out of the ring to the floor, where Shelley drilled him with a running knee off the apron.  Creed slammed into the railing on the floor.

 

Creed was tossed back in the ring where Bashir and the Guns worked him over in the corner.  Creed ducked a double chop in the corner and the Guns accidentally struck their own partner.  Creed escaped a double back suplex, landing on his feet.  He ducked under a double clothesline and tagged in Lethal.  Lethal began cleaning house with dropkicks and clotheslines.  He nailed a dropkick on Bashir for a two count.

 

 The Guns tripped Lethal, setting up Creed and Young doing stereo dives out of the ring.  Lethal hit the Lethal Combination but Bashir kicked up at two.  Lethal went to the top for an elbow but Shelley hit the ring and crotched him.  He nailed a brainbuster off the ropes.    Shelley went to the top.  Creed tried to stop him but Shelley raked his eyes.  Lethal tried to fight off Shelley but was shoved down.  He comes off the top but Lethal hits the combination again.  Shelley rolls out of the ring.

 

Lethal Consequences work over Bashir but Sabin breaks up the pin.  The Guns take out Creed and Young.  Lethal nails Bashir with a clothesline. The Guns attack him.  Young gets involved and is taken down.  Lethal DDT'd Bashir for another two count.  The crowd chanted TNA and "This is awesome."

 

Lethal and Bahir battled atop the ropes in a corner.  Lethal Consequences were tied to the tree of woe, where the Guns killed them with dropkicks.  They took out Young, who Bashir drilled with a splash.  The Guns killed Creed with their stereo kicks.  This left Young alone with the three heels.  They sandwiched him in the corner.  Young grabbed both in a Fireman's Carry and hit a double Death Valley Driver.

 

Lethal slingshot himself into the ring with a sunset flip.  Bashir held the ropes but Andrew Thomas channeled Tommy Young by kicking the ropes and Lethal scored the pin.

 

Your winners, Eric Young & Lethal Consequences!

 

A fun opener.  Tons of cool synchronized moves, fast athletics and cool spots.  Really, really good stuff here.

 

After the match, Eric Young was frustrated.  Even though he won, he wasn't happy with his performance.

 

Mike Tenay and Don West discussed the main event and the remainder of the PPV card.

 

They showed footage of Sting talking to some of the younger stars in the company, noting tonight could be his final match.

 

They aired a video piece on the Knockouts Monster's Ball.

 

Daffney (with Dr. Stevie Richards & Abyss) vs. Taylor Wilde - Monster's Ball

 

Taylor Wilde came out far too happy for someone going into this type of match.  How are you not all business when you are about to be fighting with weapons?

 

Wilde got the better of Daffney early, then pulled a trash can full of weapons to the ring.  She started distributing them in the ring.  Daffney grabbed a detour sign and drilled Wilde with it before she had a chance to do anything with the weapons.  She slammed Wilde on the mat, then drilled her in the corner for several chops.  She choked her in the corner with her boot.

 

Wilde came back with a series of cookie sheet shots to the head, then put a trash can over her head.  She beat it with a hockey stick.  Wilde hit a Death Valley Driver onto the trash can, which didn't even budge and scored the pin.

 

Your winner, Taylor Wilde!

 

Richards had words with Wilde, allowing Daffney to lay her out.  Daffney kept picking up weapons to beat Wilde but Richards told her no to several weapons.  Richards then poured thumbtacks in the ring and spread them out.  Richards called Abyss into the ring with the idea that he needed to do it for his therapy.  Abyss looked scared and concerned.  Richards began screaming at him to do it, then slapped him when he hesitated.

 

Richards pulled off a belt and threatened to beat Abyss with it.  Abyss grabbed Wilde for a chokeslam but Lauren ran out to stop him.  Richards shoved her down and began lashing Abyss to do it.  Abyss teased doing it but dropped her and instead chokeslammed Richards onto the thumbtacks.

 

They played Abyss' music as he celebrated.  They showed a shot of the back of Richards' shirt with all the tacks embedded in it and blood spreading across the shirt from his back.

 

The match was OK but far too short and nothing memorable.  The Daffney bump on the can made me cringe.  It was needless in a lot of ways.  The storyline stuff afterwards was far more interesting to me personally.

 

They aired a video feature on Jeff Jarrett.

 

Jeremy Borash announced "three big names" will be on Impact and they will be announced on the mobile text service.  He then interviewed Jeff Jarrett, saying it's surreal to know that after 7 years, Jarrett could lose everything he worked to build tonight.  Jarrett said that he can't make a single mistake tonight or it will cost him everything he worked for his entire life.  Jarrett said that as long as Mick Foley is the TNA champion, the company will continue to take steps backwards and that's something he and the company can't afford to do in today's day and economy.  Thus, he has to make sure that the title is taken away from Mick Foley.

 

They aired a video piece on Daniels vs. Suicide.

 

TNA X-Division champion Suicide vs. Daniels

 

If Curry Man hits the ring, I will shave my head.

 

They locked up and Sucide backed him into the corner.  They had a clean break.  Suicide drilled him in the corner with a clothesline, then kicked him in the back.  Suicide nailed a suplex and floated over for a two count.  Daniels nailed a shoulderblock then took him over with a side headlock takeover.  Suicide fought his way to his feet but Daniels hit a leg lariat.

 

Suicide battled to his feet but was cut off by Daniels drilling him in the gut.  Daniels grabbed his legs to pull him out of the corner but was kicked off.  Suicide hit a back elbow off the ropes and then a clothesline and legdrop for a two count. Suicide was run into the corner, then hit with an enziguiri.  Daniels hit a double sledge and a spinkick.  Daniels hit a Northern Lights suplex for a two count.

 

Daniels nailed an uranage, and went for the Best Moonsault Ever, but Suicide moved.  Daniels landed on his feet but was drilled with a punch.  They battled for positioning of a tombstone which went badly awry. Suicide ended up on the floor.  Daniels went for an Arabian Press to the floor but Suicide got his legs up.

 

They battled outside the ring on the ramp to the ring.  Daniels charged Suicide, who caught him on his shoulders.  He hit a forward roll into the ring.  They returned to the ring.  Daniels slingshot over the ropes in an Oklahoma Roll for a two count.  They each went for a shoulderblock but clunked heads.  Daniels went out of the ring to the floor.

 

Chris Sabin came out to distract the referee as Alex Shelley drilled Suicide with a knee to the face.  Why didn't he just unmask him?  Daniels didn't see it but rolled up Suicide for the pin.

 

Your winner and new X-Division champ, Christopher Daniels!

 

Maybe not.  Daniels took the mic after he saw the interference on the videoscreen and said he didn't want to win the title like that.  He said it was his first title match in 16 months and asked for five more minutes to re-start the match.  Suicide agreed and they re-started the match.

 

They began going back and forth with some fun spots and near falls.  Suicide nailed a side Russian legsweep for a two count.  Daniels came back to lock in a Kokina Clutch.  Suicide finally escaped.  He put Suicide in the corner.  Suicide escaped and hit a dropkick for a two count.  Daniels came back with an uranage with under a minute left.  He hit the Best Moonsault Ever as Suicide was standing for a two count.  Suicide went for a cover but the time ran out.

 

They announced it was a draw, so Suicide retained the belt.  Daniels presented the belt to him afterwards.

 

The match was OK but didn't really feel like anything special.  I think fans in Orlando knew that Daniels was Suicide for most of the run of the character and seeing him face the character just didn't click with them.  The overtime deal didn't get over with the crowd at all and you really need the crowd to care for that scenario for it to click.  Daniels looked silly for not wanting the title.

 

Backstage, Kurt Angle was working out.

 

TNA Knockouts champion Angelina Love vs. Awesome Kong.

 

Love, all along since Kong destroyed all her allies, looked worried on her way to the ring.  When the bell rang, Love slid between the ropes to try and ward off Kong but no luck.  Kong began beating her down in the corner.  Love covered up, afraid.

 

Love rolled out of the ring trying to escape but ran into Kong on the floor.  She tried to escape over the railing but was pulled back into the ringside area and hit with a double chop to the head.   Kong tried to drag her back to the ring as she held onto the railings, screaming.

 

Kong drilled Love's head into the railing.  Kong continues whipping her into the railing.  Love ran to the outside but was stopped by Saeid.  Love stopped short and was rammed by Kong.  She dragged her back to the ring.  Love sprayed Kong with perfume and rolled her up for the pin.

 

Your winner and still TNA Knockouts champ Angelina Love!

 

After the match, Kong could magically see and attacked Love, nailing the Implant Buster.  She left Love for dead.

 

Strange match.  I expected a monster beatdown and it really didn't happen.  I wasn't personally crazy for the finish. Match didn't click. They built up a huge beating and instead it made a far left at Albuquerque. 

 

They aired a Sting video.

 

Jeremy Borash interviewed Sting.  He said that its inevitable that one day, TNA fans will see Sting wrestle his last match but it won't be tonight.  He said he promised to bring back the honor and respect of the business he walked into 20 years.  He put his career on the line tonight to insure he would win tonight.  He promised to beat Mick Foley for the TNA title.

 

They aired a Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Nash video.

 

Kevin Nash vs. Samoa Joe

 

Nash worked over Joe in the corner with punches early. He choked Joe against the ropes with his boot.  Nash began beating Joe around the ring, then nailed him with a big boot.  Nash went for a Jacknife power bomb but Joe rolled through and locked in an anklelock.  Nash made it to the ropes, forcing a break.

 

They went to the floor, where Joe rammed Nash into the railing.  Joe went after him but got a thumb in the eye.  Nash cracked Joe's head against the railing.  Nash whipped him into the ringpost and grabbed a chair.  Joe ducked the chair, got it and drilled Nash with it.  Nash came up bleeding.  Joe began peppering him with punches.

 

Back in the ring, Nash took control again.  Joe came back and locked in a sleeper.  Nash fought his way to the ropes, then lowblowed Joe with a kick.  Nash picked up Joe for a sideslam.  Nash began beating Joe with a series of rights.  Joe came back to rebound off the ropes with a big boot then hit a senton splash for a two count.

 

Joe went back to the choke after making a throat slashing motion.  Joe locked on a Tazmission (not called that, obviously - Tenay called it the Kokina Clutch, which it was not) and Nash taps out.

 

Your winner, Samoa Joe!

 

Joe piefaced the referee, then began beating Nash with elbow after elbow.  Security hit the ring and Joe destroyed them all.  He went back to beating Nash, then walked out.  Scott Steiner came out to check on Nash.

 

Nowhere near the level of their first match but that was many months ago. This was all about building up Joe, so in that respect, it was booked the right way.

 

Lauren interviewed TNA and IWGP Tag Team champions Team 3D.  Devon said he wanted to thank TNA for showcasing tag teams and having the best tag team division in wrestling.  Ray said that Beer Money is the closest thing to being the next Team 3D.  He then said The British Invasion wanted to get their attention and did it by laying them out.  Ray promised that the next time they see the Invasion, they are going to punch them in the face.  When asked for a prediction, Ray said he hoped Beer Money kicked their asses.

 

Beer Money vs. The British Invasion - Team 3D Invitational Finals

 

Right before the match, Richard Trionfo, who is there and I noted we'd love to see the big oversized check like the old Crockett Cup and there it was when 3D came out.  Tremendous.  Team 3D are on commentary.

 

Doug Williams and Robert Roode started the match.  They had some wrestling exchanges.  It's great to see Williams FINALLY get a role here.  Williams hits an leaping elbow off the ropes.  Roode comes back with several chops in the corner, then nails the rolling snap mare.  Beer Money worked over Williams with an inverted atomic drop into a Russian legsweep.

 

Brutus Magnus tagged in but was drilled with several clotheslines and a neckbreaker by Storm.  Magnus tossed him over the ropes but Storm skinned the cat.  Roode poured beer in his mouth while he was hanging outside the ring, so when he returned, he spewed it into Magnus' eyes.   Beer Money cleared the ring.

 

Roode backdropped his partner over the top onto all three money of British Invasion on the floor.  Magnus charged Storm in the corner but was caught with a boot to the face.  He went to nail Magnus but Williams nailed him, knocking him to the floor.  Williams and Rob Terry beat down Storm outside the ring and tossed him back in.  The crowd chanted for "USA".

 

Storm finally nailed a droptoehold on Williams, making him headbutt his own partner low.  Roode tagged in and cleaned house.  He hit a spinebuster on Williams for a two count.  Magnus was whipped into the corner, where Storm drilled him with a kick.  Rob Terry slammed Storm into the canvas but was then taken out by Roode.  Williams hit a leaping European uppercut for a two count on Roode.

 

Storm hit a top rope hurancanrana.  Storm hit a top rope frog splash but Rob Terry pulled Hebner out of the ring..badly.  Hebner threw him out of ringside.  That allowed a distraction for Invasion to attack Beer Money from behind.  Williams went to hit Storm with the briefcase they stole from Hernandez.  Roode got it and drilled him with it.  Storm his a superkick and scored the pin.

 

Your winners, Beer Money.

 

Fun back and forth tag match.  Everyone looked good and this was probably the best Brutus Magnus has looked to date.

 

Team 3D came to the ring to raise Beer Money's hands.  Even though the trophy was at ringside, they announced the presentation would be on Impact.

 

They aired a Kurt Angle video feature.

 

Jeremy Borash interviewed Angle in his locker room.  Angle promised he was going to get the TNA title back tonight.

 

TNA Legends champion AJ Styles vs. Booker T - I Quit

 

They locked up and Booker powered Styles back in the corner.  They pointed out that Booker didn't want Sharmell in the corner so there were no distractions.  Booker kicked him and pummeled his back.  He measured Styles and chopped him in the corner.  He methodically beat down Styles.

 

Styles made a comeback with chops and punches in the corner.  Booker went for a suplex but Styles landed on his feet.  Styles used chops to keep Booker off balance.  They went to the floor where Booker dropped Styles chest-first over the railing.  Styles refused to quit.

 

Back in the ring, Booker began beating him with knee strikes.  Styles battled to get to his feet but fell backwards.  Booker began choking him.  Styles rolled to the floor.  Booker slammed him into the apron.  Styles began nailing Booker with a series of punches but is cut off with a forearm.

 

Booker did the Spinaroonie, then cinched in a top wristlock.  He turned it into a keylock but Styles refused to quit.  Styles muscled his way up and dropped back into a Samoan Drop but Booker didn't let go.  Styles finally reversed the leverage and cinched in a hammerlock but Booker got his foot on the ropes almost immediately.

 

They began exchanging punches in the center of the ring.  Booker missed the scissor kick and Styles nailed the Pele.  Styles began beating down Booker with right hand after right hand.  Booker refused to quit.  Booker got control and returned the favor but Styles wouldn't quit either.

 

Styles hit a slingshot crossbody to the floor.  Styles went for a springboard as Sharmell came to the ring.  Styles nailed the flying forearm.  Booker, not realizing she was there, rebounded off the ropes and nearly knocked her off. Shocked, he got caught with a crossarm breaker.  Styles really wrenched it.  Jenna Morasca came to ringside and threw in the towel.

 

Your winner and still TNA Legends champion AJ Styles!

 

The match was OK but couldn't follow the Team 3D finale.  The worke was fine but they've had better matches and the finish really took the edge off the match.  They basically used the entire scenario to fuel the Morasca-Sharmell storyline.

 

Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA champion Mick Foley.  Foley said everyone is making sacrifices tonight.  He said he would like to end Sting's career, lead the Main Event Mafia and take Jeff Jarrett's voting power, but the most important thing is to maintain the TNA title.  He said he never wants to see a world where he isn't the TNA champion and will do everything he can to remain "your TNA World champion."

 

TNA champ Mick Foley vs. Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle vs. Sting

 

Jeremy Borash did the in-ring introductions.

 

All four began brawling at the bell.  Foley and Sting went to the floor.  Sting slammed him into the railign.  Jarrett and Angle went back and forth in the ring.  Angle went for the Olympic Slam but Jarrett turned it into a DDT for a two count.  Jarrett hit a clothesline, sending them toppling over the ropes to the floor.

 

Foley and Sting returned to the ring.  Sting escaped a double arm DDT and went for a Scorpion death lock but Foley grabbed the ropes and left the ring.  Sting followed and they continued fighting outside.  Jarrett was knocked off the apron by Jarrett.  Angle slammed Jarrett into the announcer's table.  Foley and Sting went into the bleachers.  Angle suplexed Jarrett for a two count.

 

Jarrett locked in a figure four leglock as Foley and Sting made their way back down the bleacher steps towards the ring.  Sting and Foley battled up the ramp and Foley nailed a piledriver.  Meanwhile Angle escaped the figure four and locked in an anklelock.  Foley hit the ring with Socko and locked it on Jarrett at the same time.  Angle attacked Foley and dumped him out of the ring.

 

Angle hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.  Foley joined the announcers on commentary, basically saying he was going to let the others wear themselves out and then go steal the victory.  Jarrett and Angle went back and forth inside the ring.  Angle scaled the ropes but Jarrett cut him off and hit a superplex.

 

Jarrett was left pinballing back and forth between Sting and Jarrett.  Angle whipped Sting into Jarrett, with Sting hitting a Scorpion Splash.  Jarrett ducked a clothesline and Angle nailed Sting accidentally.  Angle began suplexing Jarrett but was confronted by Sting.  Angle backs off then begins hitting German suplexes on Sting as well.  Angle suddenly realized Foley was gone and went to ringside to find him.  He charged the table and did a flip bump over the table to take out Foley.

 

Angle began beating Foley.  He then nailed an Olympic Slam on the concrete.  Jarrett grabs the dazed Foley and hits the Stroke.  Angle breaks up the pinfall and hits an Olympic Slam.  Angle then finds himself nailed by Sting, who cinches in a Scorpion Death Lock.  Jarrett rolled up Sting from behind for a two count.

 

Jarrett and Sting rebounded off the ropes and clunked heads.  Foley puts socks on each arm.  He socko'd Jarrett, then Sting.  They both kicked him but Foley ducked a clothesline and caught them each.  He brought them down to the mat but Angle grabbed him and locked in an ankle lock.  As he was kicked off, he knocked down the ref.  Sting grabbed him for a Scorpion Death Drop but no referee.  Jarrett hit Sting with a guitar but no referee.  Foley nailed Jarrett with a chair for a two count.  Angle nailed Foley for a two count.

 

Sting and Foley battled outside the ring.  Jarrett set up a chair, then put Angle on the top rope.  Jarrett nailed a Stroke off the top rope and drilled Angle into the chair.  Sting rolled into the ring and scored the pinfall on Angle.

 

Your winner, and new leader of the Main Event Mafia, Sting!

 

Foley retains the TNA title.

 

2009 - WWE ran a Smackdown/ECW event in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the Stadium.  Mista Binks filed the following live report:

 

The Stadium holds 13,000 for basketball which doesn't have floor seats. The stadium was completely full except for a few random rows toward the top. The baseline and mid court sides were filled all the way to the top. I am not sure how many seats they were able to add to the floor. There had to be at least 10K people there. Great crowd.
 
Eddie Guerrero's daughter was in the front row (Las Cruces is El Paso's sister city and is a short 30 minute drive away).
 
Rey Mysterio defeated Chris Jericho.
 
John Morrison defeated Shelton Benjamin.
 
Gail Kim and Eve Torres defeated Alicia Fox and Layla.
 
Christian and Tommy Dreamer defeated Jack Swagger and Mark Henry (both heels wearing medical masks to combat swine flu - gold!).
 
CM Punk defeated Dolph Ziggler.
 
Kozlov defeated Finley.
 
Crime Tyme defeated Charlie Haas and Mike Knox.
 
Edge pinned Jeff Hardy.
 
-Maria gave away prizes and t-shirts throughout the evening.
 Notes:
-Shelton Benjamin is a stud. He knows how to work every inch of the ring. No other wrestler was able to achieve the loud snaps and pops when slamming an opponent like he was. Haas was a close second.
 
-Alicia Fox worked the crowd from the second she passed to the curtain to the second she went back through it. Great effort. If Layla does not achieve Trish Stratus like stardom, it is completely creative's fault. She has the tools and puts forth the effort. Another great performance.
 
-Gail Kim! Nuff said!

 

2010 - Former WWE Women's champion Candice Michelle gave birth to her first daughter, AkiAnne.

 

2010 - WWE Raw ran in Toledo, Ohio with a live broadcast.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:

 

We start off with a look back at last night’s Over the Limit pay per view that saw John Cena make Batista say ‘I Quit’. Then we see the pay per view fade to white with Sheamus’ attack on John Cena.

 

We are live from Toledo, Ohio and your announcers are Michael ‘Ulysses S Grant . . . 18th President of the United States’ Cole and Jerry ‘Was Jamie Farr unavailable’ Lawler.

 

Batista comes out and he has his arm in a sling and is assisted by two referees.

 

Batista gets into a wheelchair and then he demands his spotlight in the ring. He admits that he said the two words he never thought would come out of his mouth. Those words were ‘I Quit’. He said it because his life was being threatened. He wants everyone to make sure that they heard that his life was being threatened. Because of John Cena’s malicious actions, he says that he is contemplating filing suit against John Cena, the WWE, and every fan in the WWE Universe for supporting what happened to him. He says that you are not supposed to use duct tape or throw people off cars in title match. Batista says that he could stoop to Cena’s level, but he believes in honor. Batista says that due to multiple injuries he is out for weeks, months, or even years. Batista tells everyone to cheer now because he will be back healthier and stronger than ever. Batista says that he will get a rematch because he demands it.

 

Justin Roberts interrupts Batista to announce the new general manager of Raw and it is Bret Hart. Bret says that there is a new sheriff in town and what he says goes. Bret says that on June 20th, there will be a new WWE Pay Per View called Fatal Four Way. If John Cena is the champion at that time, he will face three people and that will be determined tonight. Bret tells Batista that if he wants a match against Cena, he can qualify for the Fatal Four Way right now.

 

Batista wants to know if Bret heard him because he is sitting in a wheelchair and he is hurt. Bret says that Batista might be hurt, but so is his opponent. Batista will face Randy Orton.

 

Batista wants to know what Bret’s malfunction is and he reminds Bret that he is hurt. Bret tells Batista to take it or forfeit his title match. Batista says that Bret does not have the authority and he will quit.

 

Bret says that due to a forfeit, Randy Orton qualifies for the Fatal Four Way.

 

Batista wants Hart to come back. He says that he will quit. He says that they are nothing without him and WWE will go bankrupt within a week and people will stop watching the show. Batista quits the WWE and then he leaves the ring with some help from the referees.

 

Batista gets serenaded as he is pushed up the ramp.

 

We go to commercial.

 

We are back with a moments ago moment of Batista quitting the WWE.

 

Lawler and Cole talk about what we just saw and Lawler is in shock as he is told that Batista is being escorted out of the building. Cole talks about the qualifying matches for the Fatal Four Way pay per view.

 

Match Number One: Mark Henry versus Sheamus in a Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match

 

They lock up and Henry pushes Sheamus away and then hits a running shoulder tackle. Sheamus with forearms to Henry but Henry with an Irish whip and slam. Sheamus with a punch but Henry pushes Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus drops Henry’s arm on the top rope but Henry with a clothesline but he runs into a boot. Sheamus goes after the leg and grounds Henry. Sheamus with knee drops to the injured arm. Sheamus with an arm bar. Sheamus with a series of shoulders to work on Henry’s injured arm and then he wraps the arm in the ropes. Henry with a few head butts but Sheamus returns to work on the arm and Sheamus with an arm bar. Henry with a few clotheslines but Sheamus with a kick. Henry responds with a body block and then Henry with a splash for a near fall as Sheamus gets his shoulder up. Henry sets for a splash into the corner but Sheamus moves and then Sheamus goes to the turnbuckles but Henry with a press slam but Henry’s arm cannot support Sheamus and Sheamus with a pump kick for the three count.

 

Winner: Sheamus

 

We are told that the United States Title has been vacated by the general manager and we will see the Miz face R Truth for the United States Title.

 

We go to commercial.

 

We are back and did you know that Raw was the top entertainment show on cable last week.

 

We will have a Superstar Search tonight hosted by our guest host Jon Lovitz.

 

Jon is on the phone with Mr. McMahon and he is talking about his compensation for tonight. Maryse enters and Jon asks if she is the masseuse. Maryse says that she has some really hot photos that would win his competition tonight. Jon asks for a sneak peak. Jon says that he is not only here to plug his new comedy club at City Walk, he has a new submission hold. He taught it to Santino. Maryse says that she is not interested in that. Jon talks to Maryse in French and she looks a bit disgusted, but then Maryse appears interested but Jon tells her that he is not and tells her au revoir.

 

Bret is with Edge and Edge says that he deserves a one on one match so he does not need to qualify. Bret mentions that Edge was in a double count out last night. Edge says that since Orton got into the main event by facing an injured Batista, he should get to face an injured John Cena with the same chance.

 

Chris Jericho enters and he says that it doesn’t matter what they think. Jericho says that Batista had so many chances. Jericho says that he has been given the short end of the stick. Jericho demands to be put into the match. Edge and Jericho argue and Jericho reminds Edge that he won at Wrestlemania. Edge will face Chris Jericho and John Cena tonight. If either one wins, they get into the Fatal Four Way Match, but if John Cena wins, neither gets nto the match.

 

Edge says that he is a better champion than either one and a better Canadian. Edge leaves and Jericho tells Bret not to make an enemy of him because it will be the worst decision of his life.

 

We go to commercial.

 

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Maryse’s photos losing to Eve’s photos at Over the Edge.

 

Match Number Two: Maryse and Alicia Fox versus Gail Kim and Eve Torres

 

Gail and Alicia start things off and Alicia with kicks and an Irish whip. Gail with an elbow and she hits a rana off the turnbuckles. Gail with a cross body into the corner but Gail kicks Maryse on the apron. Gail tries for a sunset flip but Alicia drops down and Maryse makes the tag. Maryse with a kick to Gail and then she hits a back breaker. Maryse tries to knock Eve off the apron but Eve sees it and avoids Maryse. Eve tags in and hits a few drop kicks followed by a kick and neck breaker for a near fall. Eve with a standing moonsault but Alicia comes in and so does Gail. Alicia with a running boot to Eve and then Maryse hits the DDT for the three count.

 

Winners: Alicia Fox and Maryse

 

We have an update about the United States Title situation and we see highlights from last week’s match where Bret Hart became the United States Champion after a lot of shenanigans.

 

R Truth and The Miz walk in the back as we go to commercial.

 

The Miz says that he is going to take back what never should have been taken from him in the first place. Miz says that he will be walking out as the United States Champion and we get a catchphrase.

 

Match Number Three: The Miz versus R Truth for the United States Title

 

Truth backs Miz into the corner but Miz with a kick and punch. Truth with a drop kick and punch. Truth with a rollup for a near fall and Miz goes to the floor. We go to commercial.

 

We are back and Miz sends Truth’s ribs into the apron. Miz drops the arm on the apron. We see Truth miss a pescado during the commercial break. We return to the ring and Miz gets a near fall. Miz with a key lock. Truth with elbows but Miz with a kick and a leaping divorce court for a near fall. Miz with a knee to the back and then he slams the arm into the mat. Miz wraps the arm in the ropes and the referee warns Miz. Truth with punches but Miz with a boot to the shoulder. Miz puts Truth on the turnbuckles and into the tree of woe and he kicks Truth. Miz with a forearm to the chest and then he wants to pay tribute to Petey Williams and stand on the groin but the referee stops him and Truth with a German suplex while in the turnbuckles for a near fall. Truth with a punch and kick followed by a chop and more punches. The referee pulls Truth out of the corner but Miz with an elbow. Truth responds with a flap jack and then Truth goes to the turnbuckles for a missile drop kick but he can only get a two count. Miz with a knee to Truth’s midsection but Truth with a Flatline for a near fall. Truth goes up top for a cross body but Miz rolls through and gets a near fall. Miz punches Truth and then he sets for a neck breaker and hits it. Truth with a back slide for a near fall. Truth with an inside cradle for a near fall. Truth with a kick but he misses the scissors kick. Truth with the Lie Detector for the three count.

 

Winner: R Truth

 

Michael Cole reminds us about what happened an hour ago at the start of Raw when Batista was screwed out of his rematch by the new Raw General Manager Bret Hart.

 

Then we see Batista quitting the WWE because he would not get his title match.

 

Josh Mathews is with John Cena in the interview area and John looks like he is in a good mood. Josh asks about the last 24 hours. Cena says that the match was so physically punishing that it ended a man’s career. Cena says that it was not him. He was banged up and beaten up but he was the winner. Cena says that he finally felt good after Batista said ‘I Quit’. He felt some closure with Batista. He says that he was on cloud nine celebrating with the C-Nation. Then he was hit by Sheamus. Cena says that Sheamus did it because of the WWE Title. It is the most coveted prize in sports entertainment. Some people risk their careers for a shot at this title. Cena says that the toughest part is keeping it. The enemies keep coming and you have your back against the wall. Cena says that every champion has to choose to run or fight. Cena says that he will fight. If anyone takes the title from him, it will be a fight. Cena says that he will be making the challenges now. He tells everyone to bring their ‘A’ Game when they face him. Cena says that he is done playing nice.

 

We go to commercial.

 

We are back and Did You Know that WWE has won a number of awards for their work with the military.

 

It is time for Jon Lovitz to come out and they plug his Comedy Club at Universal City Walk in California. He is joined by the arm candy of the Raw guest hosts, the Bella Twins.

 

It is time for the Jon Lovitz Superstar Search to find the Superstar’s secret talents. Jon mentions that they are his new girlfriends. Jon says that he has the most power right now, even more than Mr. McMahon.

 

The first contestant is The Great Khali and Runjin Singh singing ‘Putting on the Ritz’ and they are given the buzzer by Lovitz. The crowd didn’t like it either. Jon mentions his career and he talks about the worst thing he saw in his career being walking in on Rosie O’Donnell while working on A League of their Own.

 

Jillian Hall is next but she is buzzed before she can do anything.

 

Jon says that this is a waste of time. He says that for real talent, he should look to the crowd. He talks about Jerry Lawler like charisma. He brings a fan into the ring and he tells us that his name is Joe. Jon asks Joe what his talent is and he says that he can pull his eye out of his skull.

 

Ted DiBiase’s music plays and he is accompanied by Virgil. Ted says that he wants Joe’s eyeball and asks how much. Ted says that if he cannot buy it, he will beat him up and take it. Joe says that he cannot do it.

 

Santino Marella comes out to protect the honor of someone who would buy his t-shirt. Santino says that he has been working on the submission hold that Jon Lovitz taught him. He tells Mr. DiBidosky to lay off Cyclops or he will apply it to Virgil. Santino knocks out Virgil with the hold. Santino tries it on Ted and Ted ignores Santino and hits Dream Street. Jon declares Ted the winner of the competition.

 

We go to commercial.

 

We are back and we are reminded of what happened earlier tonight with the main event at Fatal Four Way. We see highlights from Sheamus’ match with Mark Henry and Sheamus’ victory.

 

Match Number Four: David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd with Natalya versus William Regal and Vladimir Kozlov

 

Regal with a forearm to Kidd followed by knees and then Kozlov is tagged in and he hits a running power slam on Kidd for a near fall. Kozlov with a back breaker but Kidd gets to the ropes and apron. Kidd with a kick to Kozlov and Smith is tagged in. Smith with a running shoulder tackle followed by punches and shoulders. Smith tries for a running power slam of his own but Kozlov escapes and hits a head butt. Regal misses with a knee and Kidd tags in and hits the Hart Attack for the three count.

 

Winners: David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd

 

After the match, Jimmy and Jules Uso attack Kidd and Smith. They are joined by Tamina who slams Natalya. All three go up top and hits splashes from the turnbuckles.

 

We go to commercial.

 

We are back and Josh Mathews is with the final four NXT rookies. He asks them who they think will be eliminated tomorrow. Justin says that he thinks it will be the one man bobblehead Heath Slater. Gabriel says that you cannot imagine this guy in a title match at a pay per view. Wade Barrett agrees with Justin and says that he wants the ginger haired guy to go. Slater says that he isn’t going anywhere. He calls Gabriel a ‘one trick pony’ and then says that Barrett is all about a flower and a jacket. He says that the C List David Otunga should be eliminated. Otunga calls Gabriel a gymnast. He calls Barrett someone who is all about money. Otunga says that Slater is like every other one man band and is boring. Slater and Otunga have some words before we go back to Lawler and Cole.

 

Lawler mentions what happened last week with Daniel Bryan and Michael Cole. Cole doesn’t want to talk about it, but Lawler does. We go to the videotape.

 

Lawler wants to know what Cole is going to do. Cole says that it has been a rough week. He has suffered a lot of stress. Cole says that he talked to his team of attorneys. He is going to call out Daniel Bryan next week and demand a public apology or he will sue Bryan for everything he is worth.

 

We go to the locker room where Edge is getting ready. Chris Jericho enters and he says that they both know that John Cena isn’t ‘John Cena’ tonight because of what happened last night. Jericho says that Cena is the weak link in the match. Jericho says that he is going to pin Cena. Edge says that it is going to be a race to see who pins Cena first. Edge says that he won’t pin John Cena. Maybe he will beat Chris Jericho tonight.

 

John Cena is walking in the back as we go to commercial.

 

We are back and next week’s guest host is Ashton Kutcher.

 

Match Number Five: John Cena versus Edge versus Chris Jericho in a Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match, but only if Cena does not win the match

 

Cena goes after Jericho and Edge goes after Cena but Cena fights them both off. Jericho with a rollup for a near fall but Cena with a clothesline to Jericho. Cena tries for an Attitude Adjustment and then he clotheslines Edge over the top rope to the floor. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Cena escapes the hold and then he sends Jericho to the floor and we go to commercial.

 

We are back and Jericho and Edge have the advantage on Cena. Jericho misses a charge into the corner and Cena with a clothesline to Edge. Edge with a rollup on Jericho for a near fall. Jericho and Edge square off with Cena watching on the mat. Jericho back body drops Edge to the floor. Cena misses the flying shoulder tackle and he goes to the apron. Jericho with kicks and punches to Cena. Jericho chokes Cena with his boot and then Jericho raises his arm. Jericho with a suplex for a near fall. Jericho with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Cena gets Jericho up for an Attitude Adjustment but Jericho counters with a DDT and gets a near fall. Jericho kicks Edge off the apron and back to the floor. Jericho with a forearm to the back and then he Irish whips Cena but misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and he finishes off the moves of doom with the five knuckle shuffle. Cena waits for Jericho to get up and he tries for the Attitude Adjustment but Jericho lands on his feet. Edge spears Jericho when Cena moves and Cena puts Edge in the STF. Jericho recovers and he pulls Cena off and he puts Cena in the Walls of Jericho while Cena still has Edge in the STF. Jericho puts Edge in the Walls of Jericho and Edge struggles to avoid tapping out. Edge with a bulldog to Jericho and Jericho releases the hold. Cena catches Jericho on a cross body and then he gets Jericho up for the Attitude Adjustment but Edge with a spear before Cena hits the hold. Edge rolls Cena over and gets a near fall before Jericho pulls Edge off. Edge escapes the Walls of Jericho and gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Jericho with an enzuigiri to Edge, but Cena with a clothesline to Jericho. Edge sends Cena into Jericho who hits the Codebreaker and then Edge hits the spear on Jericho for the three count.

 

Winner: Edge

 

After the match, Sheamus comes out and Edge stands between Cena and Sheamus.

 

Randy Orton’s music plays and he comes out as Sheamus moves a little further down the ramp. We end the show with a four shot of the people in the main event at Fatal Four Way.

 

2010 - Ring of Honor broadcast ROH on HDNET.  Stuart Carapola filed the following TV Report:

 

We open the show with a video package recapping the Necro Butcher-Erick Stevens brawl from several months ago that resulted in Necro getting suspended for knocking out the timekeeper and his subsequent reinstatement by Jim Cornette with all future matches being held under Butcher's Rules, a series of events that become far more intriguing when you consider what happened at this past weekend's TV tapings.

 

We go to a backstage promo with Joey Ryan, who runs down Eddie Kingston and tells him what he's in for now that he's pissed Joey off. Tonight, they settle it in the ring and when the dust clears, the questions won't be who the better wrestler is, but WHO WANTS A MUSTACHE RIDE?

 

Next we go to Eddie Kingston who says Ryan made it personal by trying to take out Eddie's knee and putting him through a table in New York, but he's been through worse before and he's going to take it to Joey Ryan tonight. Hey, speaking of Joey Ryan and Eddie Kingston...

 

Joey Ryan vs Eddie Kingston

 

Ryan tried to jump Eddie on his way into the ring, but Kingston saw it coming and instead started laying in on Joey. Kingston takes Ryan down with a clothesline and a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. Ryan tries firing back on Kingston but Kingston with a double overhook suplex and then went for the spinning backfist, but Ryan ducks and gets a Roll Of The Dice for 2 as we see a crawler run across the bottom of the screen informing us that ROH On HDNet will be preempted next week and will return on June 7th. Hey, remember when Raw would get preempted for the Westminster Dog Show? Yeah, didn't think so. Ryan continues laying in rights to the skull of Eddie Kingston and drops a knee, then distracts the ref while Prince Nana gouges Kingston's eyes from the floor. Ryan chokes Kingston on the ropes and then distracts the ref again while Ernesto Osiris gets a shot in from the floor. Ryan with a beautiful dropkick for 2 and then gouges the face again. Kingston starts firing back but Ryan goes to the eyes again and lays in...MORE RIGHTS! He adds a twist this time, as he also rakes the boot laces across the eyes, but Kingston out of nowhere with a Gargoyle Suplex and starts coming back with clotheslines. Kingston goes for a backdrop driver but Ryan blocks and goes for a superkick, Kingston blocks and takes Ryan's head off with a clothesline, but before he can further capitalize, Shawn Daivari runs in and attacks Kingston for the DQ.

 

Winner: Eddie Kingston by DQ

 

Necro Butcher comes running out with a trash can and the Embassy hits the bricks, but Jim Cornette comes out and tells the Embassy not to go anywhere and sends them back to the ring for a tag match...under Butcher's Rules!

 

Butcher's Rules: Necro Butcher & Eddie Kingston vs Joey Ryan & Shawn Daivari

 

Necro and Kingston attack the Embassy and beat them up all around ringside. Necro crotches Daivari on the ringpost and then rams him facefirst into the ringpost. Kingston holds Ryan and Necro nails him with the can. See, I knew Kingston couldn't hang in a real wrestling match for more than a few minutes. Necro with a plastic bag over the head of Ryan and then dumps him into the crowd. Kingston and Daivari finally make it back in the ring where Kingston hits a uranage suplex as Necro airplane spins Ryan on the floor. Osiris comes in the ring and gets nailed by Kingston, but Daivari with a low blow and covers Kingston for the win.

 

Winners: Joey Ryan & Shawn Daivari

 

The Embassy continues beating up Necro and Kingston after the match. Something tells me this wasn't the result Cornette had in mind. The odds are too much for the Embassy until Skullkrusher Rasche Brown comes out, and Nana seems to think he's going to join the party, but instead he takes out the entire Embassy by himself.

 

Later tonight: Eddie Edwards makes his first defense of the World TV Title against Colt Cabana! Now let's go backstage to Kyle Durden, who is with Steve Corino and has no idea why Corino asked for interview time. Corino says ratings go up every time people see Steve Corino on HDNet, then go on to say that he heard Cabana complaining about how Corino cost him the TV Title in the tournament, but he wasn't the one who wasn't tough enough to win that tournament, and he's told Cabana over and over again to be careful who you stick up for, but he had to make it personal, so now he and Kevin Steen are going to make his life miserable.

 

Now let's take a look back at Supercard Of Honor V, including a promo from Balls Mahoney talking about how TNA has nothing, WWE used to have a set, but now ROH is where it's at. Then we go to Prince Nana who says the Embassy is all about big balls, and Mahoney is going to find out the hard way. Also, the Kings of Wrestling said they waited patiently to get the tag title, but the Briscoes had to run in and ruin the match of the year and attack Sara Del Rey, and whatever happens next, they brought it on themselves.

 

We go to Jim Cornette, who discusses the controversial finish to the Tyler Black-Roderick Strong match and the fact that Roderick Strong has filed a formal complaint. However, as of now the decision stands: Tyler Black remains the ROH World Champion, and he has declared that Tyler's next challenger will be Davey Richards at Death Before Dishonor VIII, then tells us to check out gofightlive.tv for information on ordering Death Before Dishonor VIII.

 

Next, we go to a video package recapping the events of the recent Austin Aries-Delirious feud and Delirious' throat injury at the hands of Aries. After Dave and Mike briefly discuss the feud, we go back to lasst week as Austin Aries tells Roderick Strong to rely on him for help beating Tyler Black and Roderick Strong responding with an open hand to the face, leading to a brawl that spilled out to ringside before Roderick's match with Kevin Steen.

 

In two weeks, Tyler Black wrestles Austin Aries in non-title action, and right now let's go backstage to Kyle Durden with Austin Aries. Aries says people probably think he's upset this is a non-title match, but he's already been a two-time World Champion, and the money and power that come with the title are nice, but he doesn't need the title to have them. Tyler and Roderick are warring back and forth over the title while Aries is standing on the side pushing their buttons, and when he faces Austin Aries, he'll have to admit he can't beat Aries, and Roderick will have to admit that he couldn't beat Tyler but Aries did.

 

It's main event time!

 

World TV Title Match: Eddie Edwards vs Colt Cabana

 

Tieup and Cabana takes Edwards to the corner and breaks clean. Cabana with another takedown and an armbar, Edwards tries to roll through, and Cabana catches him in a crucifix for 2. Cabana with another rollup for 2 and then into a short armscissors, continuing to work over Eddie's bad arm. Eddie escapes and goes to a front facelock, but Cabana with a headstand escape and goes back to the armbar. Eddie shoots Cabana into the ropes and catches him with an elbow coming off, then whips him into the ropes but Cabana comes off with a clothesline and then another. Colt whips Eddie into the corner and goes for the Flying A**hole, but Eddie moves and Cabana crashes hard into the corner. Eddie chokes Cabana with his boot and drops a series of knees for 2, then tosses Cabana to the floor. Eddie follows him out and gets a vertical suplex on the floor, then tosses Cabana back in the ring for 1. Eddie HITS THE CHINLOCK! Cabana tries an escape but Eddie slams him and then goes up top, but Cabana catches him and gets a superplex. Cabana tries a charge at Eddie but Eddie uses Cabana's own momentum to send him to the floor then follows him out with a dive. Back into the ring we go and Eddie tries coming off the top but Cabana gets the boot up on Eddie's jaw and Edwards falls back out to the floor. Eddie makes it back up to the apron and they trade blows and then Cabana gets a springboard double axhandle to send Eddie...that's right, BACK to the floor, and then gets a big splash off the ring apron. Cabana continues beating Eddie up on the floor, then we go back into the ring and now Cabana tries to come off the top, Eddie moves out of the way, then Eddie tries charging Cabana but Cabana moves and Eddie crashes into the corner and gets rolled up for 2. Cabana with the Flying A**hole a second time and this time hits it, then follows up with a lariat for 2. Cabana goes for Colt 45 but Eddie escapes and hits a flying knee. Cabana goes up top but Eddie with a leaping enziguiri and then the Backpack for 2. Eddie goes for the Achilles Lock, Cabana fights his way out, so Eddie kicks him in the chest for another 2. Eddie back up top to a big Eddie chant, but Cabana catches the legs on the dropkick attempt and locks in the Billy Goat's Curse. Steve Corino comes out to distract Cabana and Eddie uses the opportunity to roll up Cabana for 2, and Cabana reverses to a rollup of his own for 2. Corino tries to get in the ring so Cabana nails him, but Eddie picks up Cabana and drops him knee first on the title belt (which Shane Hagadorn had placed in the ring) and gets the Achilles Lock for the tapout win.

 

Winner: Eddie Edwards

 

Corino jumps in the ring and attacks Cabana after the bell rings, and Cabana turns the tables but Kevin Steen runs down and pulls Corino out of the ring before things can get too much further out of hand.

 

Well, that about wraps it up for this week's episode. I really liked the show this week, I thought the opening match that turned into a tag match was a lot of fun, and now knowing what happened with Necro and the Embassy at the tapings this past weekend makes me really interested to see how they get there. I also liked the main event, especially how Eddie Edwards continues to be portrayed as being on equal footing with, and going over, main eventers like Richards, Cabana, and Steen. Very good show, and I'm looking forward to Tyler Black vs Austin Aries one more time in two weeks.

2011 - WWE broadcast NXT.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Spokane, Washington and your announcers are William ‘Anyone have a Swiss Army Knife’ Regal and Todd ‘I was not driving the car that hit Big Show’ Grisham.

We will have a No Disqualification Match between Titus O’Neil and Darren Young tonight.

Todd asks Regal for his thoughts on Jacob Novak being eliminated last week.

Byron Saxton interrupts Regal’s comments about the No Disqualification Match and he makes his way to the ring.

Byron says that he has been doing a lot of thinking and he has come to the realization that he does not need his pro Yoshi Tatsu. Yoshi might be loved for his child-like attitude, but the fans can relate with him. Byron says that he cannot relate to someone who lets him get passed by because of a Diva. Byron says that he is infatuated with taking control of his career and winning NXT all by himself. Byron says that he is emancipating himself from Yoshi Tatsu and he is declaring his independence.

Byron says that he is bigger than the rookies and pros on this show and he wants to be called ‘Big League’ Byron Saxton.

Maryse makes her way out and she wants Byron to wait a minute. Maryse ask Byron if he know who she is. She is host of the show. Maryse reminds Byron that he is a rookie and he doesn’t make the rules. He listens. Maryse wants to know if Byron can understand her. Maryse welcome everyone to NXT. She says that Yoshi Tatsu will be teaming with Byron Saxton.

Byron interrupts and tells Maryse that he is Big League.

Maryse tells Byron to shut up and she say that he would be selling popcorn in the stand if it wasn’t for this show.

She says that Byron and Yoshi will face Tyson Kidd and Lucky Cannon in a match.

Maryse reminds Byron that next week there will be another elimination.

Lucky kisses Maryse on his way to the ring. Then Yoshi looks at Maryse but he is not as interested in her any more.

Match Number One: Lucky Cannon and Tyson Kidd versus Yoshi Tatsu and ‘Big League’ Byron Saxton

 

Lucky and Yoshi start things off and Yoshi with a rolling hammer lock into a near fall. Yoshi with another near fall on a rollup. Lucky with a kick and side head lock. Kidd tags in and he punches Yoshi and chokes him. Kidd with a kick to the ribs and then he chokes Yoshi on the apron. Cannon kicks Yoshi while Kidd was with the referee. Kidd sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Yoshi.

Kidd with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Yoshi. Yoshi goes up top but Lucky gets in Yoshi’s face and Yoshi kicks Cannon off the apron. Kidd pushes Yoshi off the turnbuckles and Cannon kicks him on the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Cannon with an elbow to Yoshi’s back. Cannon runs Yoshi into the corner and then Kidd tags back in and Kidd works on the arm as well as Cannon. Kidd with an arm wringer and then he puts Yoshi in a key lock. Kidd returns to the key lock as he keeps Yoshi on the mat. Kidd turns it into an arm bar. Yoshi with punches followed by an arm drag and a rollup for a near fall.

Kidd with a knee and he tags Cannon back in. Cannon with a forearm and kick. Cannon uses the ropes to add extra pressure to the arm. Cannon sends Yoshi into the mat and gets a near fall. Cannon with a boot to the injured arm. Cannon with a top wrist lock on Yoshi but Yoshi with punches and a kick. Yoshi with chops but Cannon with a kick and then he puts Yoshi on the top turnbuckle. Cannon punches Yoshi and he tries for a superplex but Yoshi pushes him off. Yoshi hits the spinning heel kick and both men are down.

Saxton wants the tag but he pulls his arm away when Yoshi makes it to his corner. Saxton stands on the steps. Kidd misses a charge into the corner and Yoshi with chops to Kidd. Yoshi with kicks to Kidd and he follows it with a running knee into the corner followed by a heel kick for a near fall.

Saxton tags himself in and he tells Yoshi to watch but Yoshi pushes Byron and Kidd puts Saxton in the Sharpshooter and Saxton wants Yoshi to help but he won’t get in there to help him. Saxton taps out.

Winners: Lucky Cannon and Tyson Kidd

After the match, Yoshi returns to the ring and Saxton yells at him. Saxton tells Yoshi that he has ruined his career. Saxton pushes Yoshi but Yoshi kicks Saxton in the head.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for the Raw Rebound.

Todd says that they hope to have info on Big Show’s condition on Friday night.

We take a look at the situation between Darren Young, Hornswoggle, Titus O’Neil, and Chavo Guerrero.

Matt Striker is with Chavo Guerrero and Darren Young. Matt asks Darren why he is choosing this way to make an impact. Darren says that it isn’t deplorable, it is downright genius. Two weeks ago, he did the impossible and made it possible when he beat Titus O’Neill twice. Chavo says that there is a method to his madness and Darren is the frontrunner to win NXT because they are exploiting Titus’ weaknesses. Chavo says that he is going to watch the No Disqualification Match very closely.

JTG comes out to the ring and William Regal is wondering why we are still seeing him because his rookie was eliminated.

We see the footage from last week’s Talent Show between Conor O’Brian and Jacob Novak.

Match Number Two: JTG versus Conor O’Brian with Vladimir Kozlov

 

They lock up and Conor with a side head lock and shoulder tackle and gets a near fall. Conor with a front face lock followed by an English uppercut and kicks in the corner. Conor with a short arm clothesline and he gets a near fall. JTG rolls to the apron but JTG pulls Conor to the floor and Conor lands awkwardly on the floor.

JTG with a baseball slide to O’Brian and he goes into the ringside barrier. JTG sends Conor back into the ring and he gets a near fall. JTG punches Conor while Kozlov watches from the apron. JTG gets a near fall and then he punches Conor and connects with a knee drop and gets a near fall.

Conor punches JTG but JTG with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. JTG tells Regal that he is a real pro and he gets a near fall on Conor. JTG with knees to the back and then he works on Conor’s back. JTG with a side head lock but Conor gets out of the hold. Conor with punches followed by a clothesline and back elbow. JTG with an Irish whip and a running elbow into the corner. JTG with an X Factor and then he gets in Kozlov’s face and looks at Regal at the announce table. Conor with an inside cradle for the three count.

Winner: Conor O’Brian

After the match, JTG drop kicks Conor into Kozlov and then he attacks O’Brian but Kozlov gets back into the ring and he JTG a head butt to the sternum and JTG goes to the floor.

Titus O’Neil is in his locker room and he is looking for Hornswoggle. He says that it is going to be okay. We see Hornswoggle in a piece of luggage. Titus says that Hornswoggle doesn’t have to worry about Darren or Chavo. He tells Hornswoggle to watch what he does to Darren on the monitor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Todd reminds us that the polls open at Noon Eastern.

Match Number Three: Darren Young with Chavo Guerrero versus Titus O’Neil in a No Disqualification Match

 

Young runs away from Titus and they go to the floor. Young runs into a boot after coming off the ropes. Titus with an Irish whip or two and Young goes down hard. Chavo tries to distract Titus but it doesn’t work. Titus calls Darren a bully and then he misses a short arm clothesline. Young with an English uppercut but Titus with an abdominal stretch. Titus with forearms across the upper chest and then he sends Darren to the mat. Young with a knee and punch.

Young with a back elbow and punch to Titus. Young sends Titus into the turnbuckles. Titus with an Irish whip that sends Young over the top rope to the floor. Titus goes out after Young and he sends Darren into the announce table. Titus slams Young’s head into the announce table and then he kicks Young in the chest. He calls Darren a bully and sends him back into the ring.

Titus barks on the floor and when the referee was not looking, Chavo hits Titus in the ribs as we go to commercial.

We are back and Young sends Titus into the apron and then he hot shots Titus on the apron. We see highlights of Young hitting a running knee that sends Titus to the floor.

They return to the ring and Young kicks Titus and then he connects with forearms across the chest. Young with a reverse chin lock while we see Hornswoggle grimacing in his travel bag.

Young with a forearm across the back and then he chokes Titus in the ropes. Chavo with a kick to Titus and Young gets a near fall. Young with a knee to the head and he chokes Titus in the ropes. Young misses a splash into the ropes when Titus moves out of the way.

Young is brought back into the ring from the apron and Titus with clotheslines to Young followed by a barking shoulder breaker for a near fall. Chavo breaks up the cover and Chavo punches Titus. Chavo tells Young something and Chavo gets a chain. Hornswoggle has had enough and he puts on the face paint and he makes his way to the ring.

Chavo hits Titus with the chain while Darren holds him. Chavo wraps the chain around his fist but Hornswoggle comes into the ring. Titus with a double clothesline and then Young uses Hornswoggle as a battering ram on Chavo and Young. O’Neil hits Clash of Titus and then Hornswoggle goes up top for the frog splash and Titus gets the three count.

Winner: Titus O’Neil

2011 - Brock Lesnar's autobiography "Death Clutch", co-written by Paul Heyman, was released.

2012 - TNA filed a lawsuit in court in Nashville against WWE and former TNA and WWE office worker Brian Wittenstein for interference with existing contracts, conversion, breach of contract, civil conspiracy, unfair competition, and violation of the Tennessee Uniform Trade Secrets Act. They are also suing Wittenstein for breach of duty of loyalty.

TNA's lawsuit alleges that that Wittenstein, who worked for the company for three years before departing in 2011, provided WWE with inside information on TNA contracts and other matters from his time working in TNA's talent relations and live events departments.

While working for TNA, Wittenstein handled third party bookings for TNA contracts to work independents, scheduling and lots of talent related grunt work. TNA sources at the time of Wittenstein's departure stated he was let go. Wittenstein told PWInsider several months later he had quit.

Wittenstein was hired by WWE earlier this year and worked briefly under Michael Hayes as an assistant before being let go. According to the suit, WWE fired Wittenstein after he presented them with insider TNA information. However, TNA claims that WWE did not approach them with that information until 5/7, several weeks after they let Wittenstein go.

TNA's lawsuit claimed that WWE is now trying to poach contracted talent from TNA, using inside information from TNA contracts to their advantage. Several days later after being contacted by WWE about the Wittenstein issue, Ric Flair (who, as we've reported here, TNA has been having issues with) approached TNA trying to get out of his contract.

TNA is alleging that Flair was trying to get out of his contract in order to go to WWE and that since telling TNA he wanted out of his deal, has not appeared at live events, including the Sacrifice PPV.

 

An injunction was issued demanding that WWE and Wittenstein each return whatever confidential material Wittenstein retained from his time working for TNA. They were specifically instructed not to "destroy" any of the material.

I am told a hearing regarding the case is already slated for next month.

We'll have more information as we confirm it.

2013 - WWE broadcast Smackdown.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

In the aftermath of Extreme Rules and Raw, what is next for the Shield? What is next for Triple H? Will we see any new Heyman guys? What about Ryback?

We are in Omaha, Nebraska and your announcers are Josh ‘College World Series’ Mathews, Michael ‘I want to see Axel Foley as a team’ Cole, and John ‘Some cornfed hosses tonight’ Layfield.

We begin with MizTV and he is in the ring. He welcomes everyone to this week’s edition of MizTV. He says that he is not only must see. He will be wrestling as well as hosting MizTV. He will win back the Intercontinental Championship.

Miz introduces his guest and mentions that his guest defeated Chris Jericho in his debut match and he has a dance named after him. Miz introduces Fandango and he comes through the golden shower curtain with Summer Rae. They dance to the ring.

Miz asks Fandango about Monday but Fandango cuts him off to show him the proper way to pronounce his name because he is no different than anyone else.

Miz responds with a really volley with Fandango. He says that however you pronounce his name, he did what no one has ever done in a tag match in the WWE. We see footage from Fandango dancing instead of being Wade Barrett’s tag team partner.

Miz says that Summer looked stupid when Jericho left her. He asks Fandango about leaving his tag team partner high and dry. He says that Fandango’s actions were more obnoxious than his name. He calls Fandango a self absorbed narcissist.

Fandango says that he will dance all over the face of anyone who gets that close to Summer. If Miz wants to talk about egos . . . Miz interrupts and says that he can tell the difference and he will not leave his tag team partner while dancing.

Miz says that he would not look like a bag of Skittles and the crowd chants it and Miz calls him the new Fruity Pebbles.

Fandango says that Miz’ lecture bores him. Miz is just angry that he did not think of doing it first.

Wade Barrett’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. He wants a word with both of them. He talks to the ballerina first. He says that he has never encountered a more pathetic waste of skin in his life. Fandango would rather tiptoe through the tulips than fight like a man. He vows to smash every tooth in Fandango’s head if their paths should cross again.

Fandango corrects Wade.

Miz reminds Wade that he will be defending his Intercontinental Championship against him. Miz reminds Wade that he won at Wrestlemania and he made Barrett tap out on Monday.

Barrett punches Miz and Miz punches back and they fight in the ring until a referee comes out to separate them.

We go to commercial.

 

Match Number One: Wade Barrett versus Miz for the Intercontinental Championship

 

The match is joined in progress and Miz with elbows but Barrett with a knee and he tries for a neck breaker but Miz with a back slide for a near fall. Miz with a flapjack but Barrett with a back heel kick and a kick to Miz. Barrett puts Miz on the top turnbuckle and he connects with forearms to the back and then he hits a running knee to the chest and Miz falls to the mat and Barrett with a near fall.

Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Miz with elbows but Barrett with a knee to the midsection. Miz with a running forearm and a knee lift followed by a boot to the head.

Fandango asks for his music to be played and he dances with Summer on the floor.

Miz is pissed off and then he goes for the Awesome Clothesline but Barrett with a Blackpool Slam for a near fall. Barrett goes for a pump handle slam but Miz escapes and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Miz with a kick to the head and a baseball slide to Fandango. Miz with a sunset flip for a near fall on Barrett.

Miz with a drop kick to the knee and Miz goes for the figure four leg lock but Miz is kicked into the ropes. Miz kicks Barrett and then Fandango kicks Miz from the floor and the referee calls for the bell.

 

Winner: Miz (by disqualification)

 

After the match, Barrett and Fandango attack Miz. Fandango punches Miz and then Fandango dances while Barrett gets ready for the Bull Hammer and it ends the dance recital for Fandango.

Daniel Bryan is in the back getting ready for his match and he is talking to himself. Kane stops by and he tells Daniel that he knows that Daniel is upset. They are still a team and they lost the tag titles. Kane says that he lost on Monday.

Daniel says that Kane is implying that he lost because Daniel wasn’t there to help him. Daniel says that he knows what everyone is thinking. Daniel says that he is not the weak link.

We go to commercial. 

Match Number Two: Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) versus Daniel Bryan (with Kane) 

Bryan with forearms as he shows more aggression at the start of the match. Bryan with punches and he tries for an O’Connor Roll but Swagger holds on to the ropes. Bryan clotheslines Swagger over the top rope to the floor and then he hits a suicide dive. Bryan kicks Swagger against the ringside barrier and then he rolls Swagger back into the ring.

Bryan goes up top and hits a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall. Swagger with a clothesline and he runs Bryan into the turnbuckles and puts him in the tree of woe and connects with a series of knees to the chest.

Swagger with a splash into the corner and we go to commercial.

We are back and Bryan punches Swagger but Swagger with a head butt and punches. Swagger with an Irish whip but Bryan flips out of the corner and he connects with the flying clothesline. Swagger backs into the corner and he hits the running drop kick into the corner followed by Kicks of No.

Bryan with a hesitation drop kick into the corner and he gets a near fall. Bryan with kicks to the chest but he has the round kick blocked and Swagger with a belly-to-belly slam for a near fall. Swagger with a gutwrench but Bryan escapes and he tries for the No Lock but Swagger counters into the ankle lock.

Swagger pulls Bryan into the center of the ring but Bryan counters with a rollup. Swagger with a knee to the midsection and he sets for the double jump Swagger Bomb but Daniel gets his feet up. Bryan with a round kick to the head and then he stomps on Swagger’s head until the referee warns him and then Bryan applies the No Lock. Swagger reaches for the ropes and Swagger taps out. 

Winner: Daniel Bryan

After the match, Kane and the referee have to pull Bryan off Swagger because he refuses to release the hold.

Bryan says that he is not the weak link and he re-applies the No Lock and Kane has to pull Bryan off.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at highlights from the Last Man Standing Match at Extreme Rules and Ryback’s comments from Raw and what he did to Zack Ryder.

Damien Sandow is in the ring with Matt Striker. Damien says for the last several weeks, he has sat idly by while two troglodytes disguised as WWE Superstars engaged in a series of contests, each more half witted and embarrassing than the last. A tug of war, arm wrestling, and a truck pull.

The only thing worse than that was that everyone seemed amused by it. Damien says that this is something he calls ‘appealing to the lowest common denominator’. Damien demands silence.

He says that he doubts there are any mathletes in the audience tonight. The true measure of the man is not in his feats of strength, but his ability to deal with mental challenges.

By a show of hands, he wants to know who is familiar . . . he wants to explain the tale of the Gordian Knot. In ancient times, there was a peasant farmer by the name of Gordian who tied his ox to a tree. Using a knot so complicated, it was said that no man could untie it. A prophecy clearly states that any man who could untie the Gordian Knot would rule all of Asia.

Damien points out that Matt is a former teacher, albeit a substitute teacher. Barring his shortcomings, he proposes that Matt accept the challenge to try to untie the Gordian Knot.

Matt surveys the situation and he tries to untie the knot, but he says that he cannot do it. Damien says that Matt just renewed his idiot license and he has embarrassed the entire substitute teacher union of America. Damien says that he has found the problem in the educational system.

Damien says that . . .

Damien is interrupted by Sheamus, who makes his way to the ring and he has a mic. He asks Damo how he is doing and wants to know what is going on. He wants to be honest for a second. He says that he finds it quite troubling that Damien spends his time playing with knots.

Sheamus tells Damien he needs a social life or a girlfriend.

Damien tells Sheamus to leave his personal life out of it.

Sheamus says that he does not care what Damien does in his spare time. He says that he played with a few Rubik’s Cubes so he wants to solve the riddle of the Gordian Knot.

Damien lets Sheamus try it.

Damien interrupts Sheamus and Sheamus tells Damien to relax and let him try. Sheamus starts to untie it and Damien takes it away and he tells Sheamus that he is here to help and he tells everyone to sit back and learn. Damien demands more silence.

Sandow gets cutters and he cuts through the knot and he succeeds.

Sandow celebrates his success.

Sheamus tells Damien that he is the better man and he wants to congratulate him with a Brogue Kick but Damien escapes and he says that he knew that Sheamus would resort to brute force. Sheamus cannot meet the mental challenge and he resorts to brute force. Damien says that Sheamus is not alone.

Sheamus tells Matt that Damien taught them something. That is how you progress in life. Sheamus wants to teach Damien about Newton’s law and he kicks the rope and then he sends Striker into Sandow and Damien goes down.

We go to commercial. 

Match Number Three: Chris Jericho versus Big Show

Show tries to corner Jericho but Jericho with punches. Show pushes Jericho into the corner and he connects with forearms and a head butt. Show with chops to the chest. Show punches Jericho and connects with forearms to the back. Show with a punch to the midsection. Jericho punches Show but Show with a bear hug on Jericho.

Jericho with punches but Show with a punch. Show with an Irish whip but he runs into boot from Jericho and a drop kick to the knee. Jericho keeps Show on the mat with a series of kicks. Show with a spear to Jericho and both men are down. Show gets a near fall.

Show signals for the choke slam but Jericho with elbows. Show misses a charge into the corner and then Jericho goes up top but Show chops Jericho as he comes down. Show goes to the turnbuckles for an elbow drop but Jericho is able to roll out of the way and then Jericho with a Lionsault to the back for a near fall.

Jericho wants Show to get up and he tries for the Codebreaker but Show catches him. Jericho tries for a sunset flip but Show stays on his feet. Show picks up Jericho but Jericho counters into a DDT for a near fall. Jericho with kicks to Show and he tries for the Walls of Jericho but Show is able to kick Jericho away before he can turn Show over.

Show with a choke slam but Jericho is able to roll to the floor and avoid being pinned. Show goes to the floor and he picks up Jericho and then he wants to run Jericho into the ring post but Jericho escapes and sends Show into the post. Jericho with a Codebreaker and Show falls into the Garcia cubicle.

Jericho rolls into the ring and the referee continues his count but Show cannot get back into the ring before ten. 

Winner: Chris Jericho (by count out)

After the match, Show grabs a chair and Jericho with a baseball slide into the chair and then Jericho hits Show with the chair.

We go to commercial.

We are back with an update on Triple H’s condition and a look at what happened to him on Monday night against Curtis Axel.

Michael Cole says that Triple H should not have wrestled on Monday after getting hit in the jaw with a sledgehammer by Brock Lesnar.

Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman make their way to the ring.

Paul introduces himself. He says that he is a humble visionary as the advocate for the beast incarnate, BROCK LESNAR. He says that Brock is a first ballot hall of famer. Paul says that he is the architect of the greatest title reign of the last 25 years. The 434 days that CM Punk was WWE Champion. Paul says that there is a pattern here. He says that he is the most exclusive advocate in history. He managed two of the three main events at Wrestlemania.

When he points his finger at someone and says that this is the next Wrestlemania main event, next A Lister, next WWE hall of famer, you can invest your money in that stock. Paul says that he has invested his money in a stock known as Curtis Axel.

The reason why you give his client that response, it is because of what he did to Triple H . . . He does not want to be the one to brag about what his client did. Paul says that he will let his client tell you himself.

Curtis introduces himself and in one day he accomplished more than his father and grandfather ever did in their entire career combined. He got up in Triple H’s face and he took his best shot. Then he left Triple H laying, dazed and confused. Let the record books show that the winner of the match was Curtis Axel.

That was just day one. He is building the brand of Curtis Axel. 

Match Number Four: Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) versus Sin Cara

 

Axel with a fireman’s carry and he celebrates with Heyman. Cara with a waist lock but Axel with an elbow and then he gives Cara a waist lock take down. They lock up and Cara gets away but Axel with a drop toe hold and he slaps Cara in the head.

Cara with kicks to the leg and a back heel kick to the midsection followed by a head scissors take down. Cara with a kick and wrist lock and he flips and takes Axel down with an arm drag. Axel with a forearm to Cara on the apron.

Axel with a kick to Cara and he sends Cara into the turnbuckles. Axel with kicks and punches to Cara. Axel with a drop kick. Axel with an elbow to the neck followed by a knee to the back and a reverse chin lock. Cara with elbows and forearms followed by a handspring back elbow. Cara with a springboard cross body for a near fall.

Cara with an enzuigiri from the apron and he goes up top but misses a cross body. Axel with the running snap neck breaker for the three count.

Winner: Curtis Axel

Match Number Five: Kofi Kingston versus Dean Ambrose (with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) for the United States Title

They lock up and Kofi with a clean break. Ambrose misses a punch and Kofi with kicks. Ambrose with a shoulder tackle. Kofi with leap frogs and then he hits a drop kick and gets a near fall. Kofi with a European uppercut but Ambrose with a hard Irish whip. Ambrose kicks Kofi in the back and then he hits a snap elbow drop for a near fall.

Ambrose punches Kofi and he drops a knee across the chest. Ambrose tries for a suplex but Kofi escapes and gets a near fall with a rollup. Kofi with an elbow and chops to Ambrose followed by a drop kick. Kofi goes for the leaping clothesline but Ambrose ducks it. Ambrose with a kick but Kofi with a kick when Ambrose charges into the corner. Kofi with a version of Shadows over Hell for a near fall.

Kofi goes up top but Ambrose stops him and tries for a superplex but Kofi knocks Ambrose off the turnbuckles. Kofi kicks Rollins away and then he hits a cross body on Reigns. Rollins enters the ring and he goes after Kofi and the referee calls for the bell. 

Winner: Kofi Kingston (by disqualification) 

We have a three on one attack and Randy Orton makes his way to the ring to help Kofi Kingston. Orton kicks Reigns and he punches Amborse and Rollins as well. Sheamus makes his way to the ring because his music is playing.

Since we have six people in the ring, that means we need Teddy Long to come out and make an impromptu match.

Teddy says that this show is not going to end like that. Since there are six men in the ring, we are going to have a six man tag match. 

Match Number Six: Randy Orton, Sheamus, and Kofi Kingston versus Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns in a Teddy Long Special

 

The match is joined in progress and Reigns punches Sheamus and connects with a head butt. Sheamus blocks a hip toss and Reigns blocks a hip toss from Sheamus. Sheamus misses a short arm clothesline but he connects with a tilt-a-whirl power slam for a near fall. Reigns with an elbow to Sheamus and Rollins tags in.

Sheamus with a hip toss and Orton tags in and he kicks Rollins in the chest. Orton climbs the turnbuckles and he punches Rollins. Orton with a European uppercut for a near fall. Orton with a wrist lock and he tags in Kofi. Kofi ges up top and he connects with a double sledge to the arm followed by kicks and a jumping back spin kick for a near fall.

Kofi with a key lock on Rollins and then he hits a springboard splash for a near fall. Orton tags in and he hits a standing drop kick and gets a near fall. Rollins with a jawbreaker and punch and Ambrose tags in. Orton with a clothesline to Ambrose followed by a suplex and he runs his laces across Ambrose’s face. Orton stomps on the hand and he tags in Sheamus.

Sheamus with kicks to Ambrose in the corner. Sheamus with a neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Ambrose tags in Rollins and Seth punches Sheamus until the referee warns him. Sheamus sends Rollins into the turnbuckles but Rollins with an elbow. Sheamus catches Rollins off the turnbuckles and he sends Rollins to the apron for the forearms across the chest but he is pulled to the floor by Ambrose and Reigns. We go to commercial.

We are back and Ambrose traps Sheamus’ arms and then he connects with a knee. Reigns tags in and he punches Sheamus and kicks him. Sheamus punches Reigns followed by Ambrose and Rollins. Reigns misses a charge into the corner and he hits his shoulder on the ring post.

Orton with clotheslines to Rollins and he ducks one from Rollins and he hits a power slam. Orton with a power slam to Ambrose and hten he sends Rollins to the apron for the IEDDT. Orton twists for the RKO push ups but Rollins rolls to the floor. Reigns with a running forearm to the head that knocks Orton down.

Rollins waits for Orton to get up and he returns to the ring and Rollins gets a near fall. Rollins punches Orton in the head and then he stomps on Orton. Ambrose tags in and they make a wish with Orton. Ambrose with kicks to the midsection and Reigns tries to work on his ankle which he was favoring after the punch to Orton.

Ambrose punches Orton and he stomps on Orton’s chest. Ambrose with a snap elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Rollins tags back in and he works on Orton’s back. Rollins punches Orton in the corner and the referee warns Rollins. Rollins with a flatline into the turnbuckles.

Rollins climbs the turnbuckles and he picks up Orton but Orton stops Rollins and he tries for a superplex and he hits it and both men are down. Ambrose and Sheamus tag in. Sheamus with two double sledges and then he takes care of Reigns before running Ambrose into the corner and connecting with the knee lift. Sheamus with the fireman’s carry slam to Ambrose.

Sheamus with the forearms to Rollins on the apron. Sheamus with a double sledge to Ambrose and a Brogue Kick to Rollins. Sheamus gets Ambrose up for White Noise but Reigns with a spear.

Orton with an RKO to Reigns on the floor. Kofi tags in and hits a cross body but Ambrose kicks out at two. Kofi tries for Trouble in Paradise but Rollins grabs the leg and Ambrose with a running drop kick and the Dean Driver for the three count.

 

Winners: Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose

 

We go to credits.

2014 - WWE ran Rotterdam, The Netherlands.  Berry Meijer filed the following results:

WWE live tonight for the second straight year after a 20+ years hiatus, at the Ahoy stadium in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Place is packed with an estimate of 8000 fans.

-Rhodes Brothers, the Miz & Rob van Dam (who got a huge pop from the crowd) vs. Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Titus O'Neill (who looks huge live) & Jack Swagger with Zeb Coulter.
The faces won when RVD hits his Five Star Frogsplash on Swagger.

-Zack Ryder vs. Rusev with Lana, who looked smoking hot in her blue outfit.
Rusev wins via camel clutch. Ryder got quite some offense in, which made Rusev seem very weak.

-Triple Threat Divas title match: Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Divas champion Paige
Paige wins in a good back and forth match with her finisher on Natalya.

-Next up is a cage match. First time ever in the Netherlands. I don't know if that is even legal here, also because of the Dutch government forbidding MMA fighting cage events in the last years.
Anyway Kane vs. Big Show in a steel cage. Show wins via exit through the door. After the match Kane tries to chokeslam referee Charles Robinson and then also Mike Chioda, who was the outside ref, too. Raw GM Brad Maddox then hit the ring by yelling "no no no". Kane then decided to chokeslam Maddox and the crowd went "yes yes yes". Ok so there's a little bit of Daniel Bryan here after all (who wasn't really missed because of the strong show)

To add insult Kane also delivered a tombstone on Maddox. Wow!

-intermission

-After the break Justin Roberts informed us that the next match was a Fans choice match: a mixed tag match or a dance match.
The audience cheered for the mixed tag match.

Layla & Fandango vs. Santino Marella & Emma.
Fandango decided to have a dance off and danced to the Weather Girls "It's raining men" (seriously) Hahaha!
Santino danced to some old school hiphop and was quite good at it. Fandango & Layla attacked Santino & Emma.Santino then pointed out we should have a mixed tagmatch after all, so the requested match finally happened.

The finish came with a double pin after a double cobra by Marella & Emma.

-Pat Patterson was the special ring announcer for the next match. Huge standing ovation for him, so it seems this audience knows their history.
Intercontinental championship match: Bad News Barrett vs. Big E.

Bad News insulted us by telling he had never seen such a sh**** hellhole like our country. Tremendous lot of boos to him. Barrett won by bullhammer, what seemed to be a sloppy hit but Big E sold it anyway.

-Main event time:Rybaxel & Randy Orton vs. The Shield.
Shield entered through the arena crowd to the biggest pop of the night. They are hugely over!
Finish came when Roman Reigns hits his spear on Orton.

After all a good show with a great showing by all performers.
Justin Roberts announced WWE would return to the Netherlands in the near future. (A date was not announced)

Goodnight everybody!

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