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June 16th
On this day in history in ....
1937 - Bronko Nagurski defeats Dean Detton in Minneapolis, Minnesota to become World Heavyweight Champion, as recognized by The Ring magazine.
1959 - Jim "The Ultimate Warrior" Hellwig, later known as simply (and legally) Warrior, is born in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
1959 - The Zebra Kid defeats The Golden Giant for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Dallas, Texas.
1961 - Pepper Gomez and Dory Dixon defeat Duke Keomuka and Tony Martin to win the vacant Texas version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas. The title had been held up a week earlier after a match between the two teams. This began Gomez and Dixon's second reign.
1962 - James Fullington, known the world over as The Sandman, is born.
1967 - Ron Etchison and Sonny Myers defeat Bob Geigel and Bob Brown for the Central States version of the NWA North American Tag Team Title in St. Joseph, Missouri, ending Geigel and Brown's second reign.
1967 - El Mongol defeats Buddy Fuller in Atlanta, Georgia to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title for the third time, ending Fuller's third reign.
1969 - Tojo Yamamoto and Johnny Long defeats Johnny Walker and Sundown Kid for the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning their third reign.
1970 - Hiro Matsuda defeats Dale Lewis to begin his second reign as NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion in Tampa, Florida.
1971 - Suni War Cloud and Steven Little Bear defeat Ripper Collins and Mad Dog Mayne to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1973 - J.B. Psycho defeats Johnny Powers in Buffalo, New York for the National Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title, ending Powers' sixth reign.
1975 - Guy Mitchell and Ricky Hunter defeats Gene Kiniski and Dale Lewis for the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1975 - Karl Von Steiger and Otto Von Heller defeat Tojo Yamamoto and Jimmy Golden to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1977 - Great Kojika and Motoshi Okuma defeat Akihisa Takachiho and Samson Kutsuwada for the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning their second reign.
1980 - The Assassins defeat Ole and Lars Anderson for the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title in Augusta, Georgia, ending Ole and Lars' second reign, which lasted only eight days.
1984 - Maso Ito defeats Austin Idol in Memphis, Tennessee to win the AWA International Heavyweight Title, ending Idol's fourth reign.
1984 - Terry Taylor defeats Krusher Khrushchev for the Mid-South Wrestling Television Title in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1986 - Dutch Mantel defeats Rip Rogers to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his 14th reign.
1986 - Buzz Sawyer defeats Chris Adams for the World Class Television Title in Fort Worth, Texas.
1992 - WCW holds the 19th Clash of the Champions at Charleston, South Carolina's McAllister Fieldhouse, with a 2.8 rating. The show featured all first-round and one second-round matches in the tournament to crown new NWA World Tag Team Champions. The title had been vacant since early 1991 when WCW began referring to the NWA title as the WCW title, during the reign of Doom (Butch Reed and Ron Simmons). The tournament was held to fill the vacancy. The results of the 19th Clash:
In first round matches:
- Ricky Steamboat and Nikita Koloff defeated Joe and Dean Malenko, when Koloff pinned Dean.
- Rick Rude and Steve Austin defeated Marcus Bagwell and Tom Zenk, when Rude pinned Bagwell.
- Terry Gordy and Steve Williams defeated Larry and Jeff O'Day, when Williams pinned Larry.
- Rick and Scott Steiner defeated Miguel Perez, Jr. and Ricky Santana by forfeit.
- Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton, when Rhodes pinned Eaton.
- The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin and Michael Hayes) defeated The Cowboys (El Texano and Silver King).
- Jushin Liger and Brian Pillman defeated Chris Benoit and Beef Wellington, when Liger pinned Wellington.
- Akira Nogami and Hiroshi Hase defeated The Headhunters (Arn Anderson and Bob Cook).
- In the first second round tournament match, Terry Gordy and Steve Williams defeated Rick and Scott Steiner, when Williams pinned Scott.
1993 - WCW holds the 23rd Clash of the Champions, at the Scope in Norfolk, Virginia, with a 2.6 rating. The results:
- Jim Niedhart pinned Shanghai Pierce in a dark match.
- Ron Simmons pinned Dick Slater.
- Steven Regal pinned Marcus Bagwell.
- Maxx Payne defeated Johnny B. Badd by forfeit.
- Barry Windham pinned 2 Cold Scorpio to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
- Big Van Vader, Sid Vicious and Rick Rude defeated Dustin Rhodes, Sting and Davey Boy Smith, when Rude pinned Rhodes.
- The Horsemen (Ric Flair and Arn Anderson) defeated The Hollywood Blondes (Brian Pillman and Steve Austin) in two straight falls in a two-out-of-three falls match for the NWA and WCW World Tag Team Titles. However, the second fall win was by disqualification, so the Blondes retained the titles.
1993 - Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster), who had just lost the titles two days earlier in Columbus, Ohio, defeat The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) in Rockford, Illinois for the WWF Tag Team Title, beginning their third reign.
1993 - Scott Putski defeats Dynamite Dixon in Laredo, Texas, to win the United States Wrestling Federation Texas Heavyweight Title.
1994 - Rezar of the AOP is born.
1994 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Lenoir, NC at the Rec Center featuring the following results:
The Thrillseekers, Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Chris Candido (substituting for Timothy Well, at home due to a family illness) & Steven Dunn
Kendo the Samurai defeated Chris Hamrick
Bruiser Bedlam defeated Tracy Smothers in a coal miner's glove match
SMW Tag Team Champions Brian Lee & Chris Candido fought The Rock N' Roll Express to a no contest in a piledriver match
1995 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Knoxville, TN at the Coliseum with the following results:
Bobby Blaze drew Killer Kyle
Boo Bradley defeated D-Lo Brown
Jim Cornette & SMW Heavyweight Champion Buddy Landel defeated Steve Armstrong in a handicap match
The Rock N' Roll Express defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Al Snow & Unabom in an anything goes match
The Dirty White Boy & Tracy Smothers defeated USWA Tag Team Champions PG-13 and The Headbangers in a non-title elimination match; the Headbangers were eliminated; Smothers pinned JC Ice
1996 - WCW holds the 10th-annual Great American Bash in Baltimore, Maryland. The show scored a 0.48 buyrate. The results:
In matches airing on WCW Main Event:
- Rocco Rock pinned Jerry Sags.
- Michael Wallstreet pinned Jim Powers.
- Jim Duggan pinned Disco Inferno.
In pay-per-view matches:
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated Fire and Ice (Scott Norton and Ice Train), when Scott pinned Norton after a Frankensteiner.
- Konnan pinned El Gato (Pat Tanaka), after a Flapjack Spinebuster into a Jackknife Pin, to retain the WCW United States Heavyweight Title.
- Diamond Dallas Page pinned Marcus Bagwell after a Diamond Cutter.
- Dean Malenko pinned Rey Misterio, Jr., after a Powerbomb and using the ropes, to retain the WCW Cruiserweight Title.
- John Tenta pinned Big Bubba Rogers after a Powerslam. After the match, Tenta shaved Rogers' goatee off.
- Chris Benoit defeated Kevin Sullivan in a Falls Count Anywhere match. After the match, Arn Anderson came to the ring and helped Benoit attack Sullivan.
- Sting defeated Lord Steven Regal by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock.
- Ric Flair and Arn Anderson defeated Kevin Greene and Steve McMichael, when Flair pinned Greene after McMichael turned on Greene and hit him with a steel briefcase. After the match, Chris Benoit came out and helped attack Greene. McMichael became the fourth in the new Four Horsemen along with Flair, Anderson and Benoit.
- The Giant pinned Lex Luger after a Chokeslam to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
1997 - Jungle Boy, Jack Perry, is born.
2000 - Eric Love and Luscious Lucas defeat Dennis Gregory and Frankie Corleone in Monessen, Pennsylvania to win the Championship Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title.
2000 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran in Salem, NH at the Ice Center featuring the following results:
Chilly Willy beat Chris Hamrick.
Danny Doring & Roadkill beat Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger.
Mikey Whipwreck beat Little Guido.
Balls Mahoney & New Jack beat Hot Commodity's Chris Hamrick & EZ Money.
Kid Kash & Chris Chetti & Nova beat The Dangerous Alliance.
The Baldies beat Mike Bell & HC Loc.
Scotty Anton beat Yoshihiro Tajiri.
Jerry Lynn beat Steve Corino.
2001 - Ian Rotten defeats Hardcore Craig for the Mid-American Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Big Bend, Wisconsin, beginning Rotten's fifth reign and ending Craig's second.
2001 - Joey Abs defeats Steve Bradley in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match to win his second Memphis Championship Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Title.
2001 - Pat McGroin defeats Mike Shane to win the Independent Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title in St. Petersburg, Florida.
2001 - Flex Fenom defeats Chuckie Manson in Hagerstown, Maryland for the National Wrestling League Cruiserweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2002 - Mr. Niebla, Black Warrior and Atlantis defeat Blue Panther, Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Fuerza Guerrera to win the CMLL World Trios Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
2002 - American Dragon defeats Super Dragon to win the All Pro Wrestling Internet Title in Hayward, California.
2002 - Shu last eliminates Takashi Tachibana in an 11-man battle royal to win his second Osaka Pro Wrestling Battle Royal Title in Osaka, Japan.
2005 - El Veneno defeats Black Dragon to win the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, beginning his second reign and ending Dragon's second.
2006 - The fourth-annual Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup tournament kicks off in Sanford, Florida. The results:
In first round tournament matches:
- Ruckus defeated T.J. Mack.
- Canadian Cougar defeated Jake Manningin.
- PWG World Champion Joey Ryan defeated El Generico.
- Rod Steel defeated Davey Richards.
- AWA World Light Heavyweight Champion Kirby Mack defeated T.J. Wilson.
- Delirious defeated The Human Tornado.
- Tom Carter defeated Chasyn Rance.
- Milano Collection A.T. defeated Arik Cannon.
In non-tournament matches:
- Jerrelle Clark defeated Dagon and Ryan Drago in a three-way match.
- Frankie Ciatso defeated Erick Stevens.
- Billy Kidman defeated Naphtali.
- Christopher Daniels defeated Roderick Strong.
2002 - KMOL News in San Antonio reported that a 4 a.m. Debra Williams called the police to report Stone Cold Steve Austin (Steve Williams) had "hit her". They noted that she told police she was scared to call because her husband was a world famous wrestler. Apparently when police went to their home on the North West side she had welts and bruises on her body. She noted to the police that it had happened before. Steve was not at the home when police arrived. Austin reportedly got into a yellow 2002 Corvette and left the home before the police arrived. Espinoza told us that Austin did call home when the police arrived and spoke with one of the officers, but refused to come home. WWE officials told the station that the situation was not a publicity stunt. Austin, who walked out on the company a few days before, was removed from the WWE roster page.
The police report for the incident stated that Debra had a swollen cheek and bruises on her back, but listed her condition as good. It also reiterates the story that made television news this weekend that Debra was nervous about calling police because her "husband is famous" and that she "can't believe he hit her".
The report also details the conversation Steve Williams had with police when he called his home, and that Williams understood, and also thanked the officer, when he was told that a detective would be making a follow-up visit concerning the assault.
2003 - WWE broadcast Raw. Tim Whitehead filed the following TV report:
The 6/16 edition of RAW IS EVOLVING aired live from Dallas. It was a good show overall.
Mick Foley came out to open the broadcast. Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler put over the Bad Blood main event, with JR praising Foley as being an unbiased ref for counting Triple H's pin on Kevin Nash. Foley said he vowed last week to return to his normal life on 6/16, but that's been put off until after next week's RAW at Madison Square Garden. He plugged his new book, titled Tietam Brown. He said it felt great to be back in the Hell in the Cell last night, and even though HHH won, he got to shove Mr. Socko down his throat. Foley added that he even liked feeling and tasting his own blood last night, and said it reminded him of who he really is. But before he could say who he really is, Evolution's new video appeared on the TitanTron, and out came HHH, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton. The goal here was to put over Orton, so he got on the mic and reminded Foley that HHH retired him, that HHH crushed Nash last night, and that Flair downed Shawn Michaels on the same show. Orton did a "whooo" and did Flair's "kiss stealin...." routine. He called Foley a loser who wishes he was as good looking as he (Orton) is. Orton announced that Evolution would recruit a fourth member (so much for Batista) by the end of the show, and sarcastically said it might even be Foley. Foley was sarcastic in response, saying he'd always wanted to be a Four Horseman wannabe. He accused Orton of being like a sixteen year old with a ton of testosterone but no knowledge of what to do with it. Foley admitted that HHH & Flair won big last night, but reminded Orton that his most noteworthy accomplishment has been sitting at home whining and crying about his injuries. He added that people respect him not for any good looks, but because he busted his ass in the ring for fifteen years, and said if Orton wants respect he'll have to earn it the same way. JR said Foley was taking young Orton to the verbal woodshed. Flair whispered some advice to Orton. Orton then bragged that the people came to see him and that, unlike Foley, he didn't have to sleep in his car or eat bags of popcorn to survive. Nor, he said, has he ever mutilated his body, which he said would be a disgrace considering how perfect his body is. He took his shirt off and posed. Orton said he's the future of the sport, not some out-of-shape freak who had to jump off a roof to get attention. He said Foley's kind is extinct. Orton wished Foley was still active as a wrestler so he could kick his ass. Foley said there's nothing to stop Orton from jumping him right now. He dared Orton to take his best shot. Orton attacked, but Foley punched him out. He also punched out HHH & Flair. But eventually they took Foley down and were stomping him through the mat when Al Snow & Maven, of all people, made the save. They cleared the ring and Evolution retreated. A decent opening segment, and they did a good job of highlighting Orton.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff yelled at Mae Young & Fabulous Moolah for humiliating him at Bad Blood. He called Mae a wretched sardine-smelling sea hag. He threatened to knock her dentures out right then and there, but then said he'd put her in a match later against a surprise opponent as punishment.
Yet another Gail Kim promo aired. So, bring her on already! The suspense is killing me!
The Dudleys & Ivory defeated Rodney Mack & Christopher Nowinski & Jazz in 4:18. Theodore Long was at ringside. Nowinski quickly ended up on the floor and Bubba tossed Ivory out onto him. The heels doubled on Bubba for a while before Ivory tagged in and went at it with Jazz. D-Von lariated Mack. Ivory then gave Mack the wazzup. They 3D'ed Nowinski. All four guys brawled out to the floor, leaving Ivory in with Jazz, with Ivory scoring her third upset pin on Jazz in as many weeks, winning with a cradle out of nowhere.
This week's WWE.com poll asked who would be recruited by Evolution. The choices were Nash, Michaels, Foley, Rock, Chris Jericho, Kane, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Goldberg, and Test. By the way, Nash was absent for the show, selling the beating he took in Hell in the Cell.
Footage aired of La Resistance beating Kane & RVD for the World Tag Titles at Bad Blood. RVD then approached Kane and wanted to strategize for their scheduled rematch. Kane said it was RVD who screwed up and got pinned, so he wasn't interested in taking any advice from him. RVD said they're a team and should work together but Kane brushed him off. RVD told Kane that he's changed. Kane said if they don't regain the belts in their rematch, it's time for them to go their separate ways.
A video montage of highlights from Bad Blood aired, making it look like it was a good PPV.
Foley thanked Snow & Maven for coming to his aid. It was presented as sort of a return to old times as Foley & Snow were once associates. Kind of nice seeing someone other than the usual names getting a prominent position on the show. Maven was fired up and said Steve Austin had granted him a match against Orton. Foley promised to be in his corner to counter the inevitable interference from Flair.
Evolution were shown watching the RAW matches on a monitor, scouting their potential fourth member.
Garrison Cade beat Lance Storm in 2:42. Cade was OVW developmental wrestler Lance Cade, who couldn't be Lance in this match against an established Lance. Austin came out before the match and began ridiculing Storm from the ramp top. He kept yelling "boring" (and the crowd yelled "what" each time). Austin had a blanket and claimed that he hadn't been able to sleep the past few nights. So he figured a Lance Storm match would be boring enough to finally put him to sleep. The match began, and Austin kept yawning and shouting "boring", with the crowd repeating his every word. Pavlov should have used those "what" shouting fans instead of dogs if he wanted to study mindless repetitive behavior. Austin's insults kept distracting Storm, who ended up being surprised with a roll-up and pinned. Austin ripped on Storm as being the most boring son of a bitch he's ever seen, thanked him for helping him get a little sleep, and went off to buy some beer and eggs for breakfast. Something tells me this angle won't boost Storm's career.
Hour two began with Goldberg & Booker T defeating Jericho & Christian in 9:15. Footage aired before the match of the ridiculous DQ ending to the Christian vs. Booker match at Bad Blood. That's a finish they'd be better off forgetting. Booker attacked Christian before Goldberg even arrived. Goldberg charged in and ejected Jericho & Christian from the ring. The bell hadn't yet rung, so they went to a commercial break to restore order. When they returned to action, Goldberg was pounding Jericho. Jericho tagged in Christian, who acted scared to go in. Goldberg overpowered Christian, and did the same to Jericho when he ran in. Booker tagged in and scored a two on Christian after some chops and kicks. Booker got tied up for a while in the heel corner. Jericho hooked the walls on Booker but Goldberg broke it up. Jericho juiced from a hardway shot he took at some point. Christian went up to the top but Goldberg sent Jericho crashing into the corner and it bumped Christian off to the floor. Goldberg powerslammed Jericho. Christian broke the pin up, but Goldberg hurled him from the ring. Goldberg went for the spear, but Christian pulled Jericho clear and Goldberg speared the turnbuckle. Booker came in and looked real good throwing kicks. He scissor kicked Jericho and dropkicked Christian out of the air. Jericho gave Booker a weak bulldog, and hit the lionsault. Goldberg speared Jericho before he could go for the pin. Christian brought the IC belt in, but Booker took it from him, walloped him with it, and scored the pin. Real good TV match!
Footage aired of some of the Mae Young pie eating nonsense from Bad Blood. Yes, they highlighted the worst part of the show, since the comedians on the writing team probably rank this right up there with Katie Vick as one of their finest moments. Bischoff came out and ordered Mae & Moolah to come down to the ring. He informed them that Mae would be wrestling Test. Yes, that's the same Test who makes Lance Storm look more charismatic than Rock. As if this wasn't silly enough, and as if the skits on Bad Blood weren't stupid enough, Austin appeared on the TitanTron and said that if Bischoff can set up a Test vs. Mae match on his own, then he (Austin) can appoint the referee, which turned out to be Scott Steiner. Steiner started down to the ring with Stacy Keibler, since I guess they needed some real pie in this angle somewhere. Test didn't wait for Steiner to arrive, or for the bell to ring. He simply knocked Moolah down, pump handle slammed Mae, and fled before Steiner even got to the ring. The EMTs rushed in to attend to Mae as they went to a commercial.
Someone was shown sitting in a chair, with his back to the camera. He was instructing Jackie "Couldn't Hit a Spot if She Was Shooting Dalmatians with a Machine Gun" Gayda to hand him a hair brush, moisturizer, and body glitter. It turned out to be Rico, who is now doing a full Gorgeous George gimmick without the blond curls. He shouted, "It's raining Rico!" I think that's what the FBI said to John Gotti.
Mae did a full neck brace and stretcher job, and presumably a meat wagon job as well.
Austin sent that cute tech girl (she needs more air time) to get Kane & RVD.
Rico beat Spike Dudley in 4:33. Jackie accompanied Rico to the ring. This is actually an entertaining lower roster gimmick. Spike started off strong, with a headscissors takedown and a series of fast moves. Rico hit a neckbreaker for a near fall. Rico was being more aggressive than usual, but the crowd chanted "boring". Thanks, Stone Cold. Spike bit Rico and did a double foot stomp on him. Jackie then got on the apron and began teasing Spike. He was distracted and pinned after a spinkick. Afterward, as Rico posed, Jackie crawled between his legs.
Austin told Kane & RVD they need to shape up and start kicking ass. He said RVD should be the highest flying guy out there and Kane should be the monster he once was. He told them they were in Dallas, not Paris, and to regain the tag belts for America.
Orton beat Maven in 7:26. Orton posed before the match. Orton started off strong but bailed out when Maven rallied. Orton scored twos with a DDT and a suplex. Orton hit a great standing dropkick. Maven hit a lariat and bulldog for a near fall. Flair caused Maven to get crotched. He strutted afterward, but Foley punched him and pulled out Mr. Socko. Orton nailed Foley before he could shove Socko in Flair's mouth. Maven hit a bodypress off the top for a two count. Flair got on the apron, where Maven punched him. Orton then nailed Maven with his facebuster finisher for the pin. Good match, and it was very good to see Orton and Maven do well here. Afterward, Foley applied Socko to both Orton & Flair, who fled.
The WWE.com vote came out as follows: Test 26%, Jericho 19%, Kane 17%, Goldberg 9%, Nash 8%, Rock 7%, Michaels 6%, Foley 4%, RVD 3%, and Booker 1%.
La Resistance beat RVD & Kane by DQ in 11:57 to retain the RAW World Tag Titles. Kane started strong and ejected both Frenchmen from the ring. RVD hit a plancha on them. La Resistance looked good here, and so did RVD & Kane. RVD gave Rene Dupree a legdrop on the barrier from off the apron. They went to a commercial break, and afterward the heels had heat on RVD. They scored several twos on him. Kane hot tagged in and cleaned house, as he always does. The story of the match was that RVD & Kane took Austin's advice and were working hard together as a team. Kane came off the top, but both Frenchmen moved to avoid his lariat. Kane still walloped them. He hoisted Sylvan Grenier on his shoulder and RVD missile kicked him off. RVD scored some twos on Grenier with flips and kicks. Kane lariated Dupree. Kane was on a roll until the heels raked his eyes and he bumped out to the floor, where they double flapjacked him. RVD went to the top, and ended up being shoved off, landing on Kane. Kane revived and went totally berzerk on the Frenchmen. He hit Dupree with a chairshot and the ref called for a DQ. Kane beat the ref up. Grenier fled in panic through the crowd but Kane chased him down, dragged him to the ring, and flattened him with a sick chairshot. Kane also chokeslammed both Frenchmen after the chairshots. It was a great berzerk segment, and in this case the DQ was fine since it put over Kane's fury.
HHH came down to the ring as Kane was still stalking around in anger. He told Kane his rampage was awesome. He admitted he and Kane haven't always gotten along, but said he's always respected Kane (no comment since that would require bringing up angles best forgotten). He said RVD doesn't respect Kane, and that Kane should join Evolution. HHH said no one could stop Evolution with a line-up of himself, Flair, Orton, and Kane. Austin came out at this point. He told Kane that HHH wants him in Evolution so he can't be a title contender. He said Kane would just be HHH's puppet in Evolution. HHH said Austin was just scared of how powerful Evolution would become with Kane in the group. Austin told Kane he can have a shot at HHH's title next week on RAW if he rejects HHH's offer to join Evolution. Bischoff arrived. He did the usual one-upmanship deal, saying that if Austin can book a title match alone, he can book the stipulations alone. So Bischoff said that if Kane loses next week, he'll have to unmask in the middle of the ring. Kane, who had remained silent, grabbed both HHH & Austin by the throat. He then let HHH go. HHH began cheering, encouraging Kane to chokeslam Austin. But Kane suddenly dropped Austin and chokeslammed HHH. That was a great swerve. So next week it'll be HHH vs. Kane for the belt, with an alleged (believe it when you see it) unmasking if Kane loses.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Is Spike Lee's lawsuit lame or what?
Wasn't it ironic that the crowd chanted "what" as Austin screamed "boring"?
Have you seen enough of Austin these past two days?
How long before they finally go too far with Mae Young?
Isn't Jackie Gayda better outside the ring than inside?
Wasn't it good that they featured some hot wrestling on this week's show?
2004 - NWA:TNA broadcast their weekly PPV from Nashville, TN. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
This week's NWA:TNA PPV broadcast opened with D-Ray 3000 saying he was asked to talk about not stealing cable. D-Ray said that he doesn't have a black box and he doesn't have a TV because he doesn't t want the man coming down on him. That was funny.
They aired a video feature on last week's PPV with Jeff Jarrett and 3 Live Kru.
After the TNA opening video, we went right to the Asylum as 3 Live Kru made their way to the ring to face Jeff Jarrett's Mercenaries. BG Jammes challenged Jarrett to send out his Minute Men. Hotstuff Hernandez, Chad Collyer, and Onyx came out wearing berets and were announced as “The Elite Guard."Â They marched to the ring as if they were in the military.
3 Live Kru vs. The Elite Guard
The match started with everyone brawling. Killings powerslammed Hernandez, then hit a leg lariat. Konnan worked over Onyx, who came back with a running clothesline. Killings and Hernandez brawled outside the ring. Konnan and Jammes held Onyx for Killings to come off the top with a legdrop. Everyone spilled into the crowd and brawled among the fans. Collyer hit Jammes with a chair in the sternum. Hernandez hit a spinning sitout powerbomb on Killings for a two count. Killings went for a sunset flip but Hernandez throttled him by the throat and pulled him up and slammed him down. Collyer beat down Jammes outside the guard rail. Killings ducked a Hernandez clothesline and hit a flying forearm off the ropes. Killings hit the Axkick and pinned Hernandez. Jeff Jarrett hit the ring from the crowd and tried to hit Killings with a guitar. Jarrett was cut off but before Killings could use it, the Elite Guard attacked Killings and held him for a guitar shot. Vince Russo hit the ring and got hit with a guitar by Jarrett. Mike Tenay said, "one thing to hit a wrestler!" He's a former WCW World champion Mike! 3 Live Kru ran off Jarrett and the Elite Guard, checking on Killings. They showed a closeup on Russo, who was busted open in a big way. Your winners, 3 Live Kru.
They aired a music video feature on Desire's back injury and Trinity “taking the spotlight" while Desire was out. They announced a Desire vs. Trinity Stretcher match for next week.
Trinity vs. Angel
Angel is indy worker Angel Williams. Trinity flips her sideways by her hair. Angle ducked a clothesline and came off the ropes with a leg lariat. Trinity came back with an over the knee backbreaker. Mike Tenay noted that next week's Stretcher match will only end when someone is locked in an ambulance. Trinity clotheslines Angel in the corner, but missed a second attempt. Angel hit a spinning neckbreaker. Angel rolled up Trinity for a two count. Trinity hit a powerslam for a two count. Trinity suplexed Angel down. The announcers said that Trinity only saw Desire when she looked across the ring. Trinity kept working over Angel's back. Trinity hit a boot to the face and scored the pinfall. Trinity brought a chair into the ring and smashed Angel in the face. She put the chair under Angel's back and hit a moonsault. Desire hit the ring. Trinity went for a chairshot that looked bad and Desire dropkicked the chair into her. She got the chair. Security tried to break them apart, but Desire hit them with chairs. The ladies brawled into the crowd. Your winner, Trinity.
Backstage, Scott Hudson interviewed Pat Kenney and Sonny Siaki. Kenney said he's been attacked by things that were stereotypical Irish and tonight NYC would get theirs tonight. Kenney said he's proud to be 100% Irish just as Sonny is proud to be 100% Samoan. Siaki told NYC, “Just wait until you see what's in the box.
Ultimate Humiliation Match: The NYCs vs. Sonny Siaki & Pat Kenney
The announcers noted that the losers get to humiliate the winners for 30 days. There were two “humiliation boxes". As everyone started the match, they showed a video insert with Vince Russo being tended to by Bert Prentice and Dusty Rhodes. The NYCs worked over Kenney outside the ring. Siaki and Kenney clotheslined the NYCs on the rampway. The announcers noted that Desire and Trinity were removed from the Asylum for the remainder of the PPV. Swinger worked over Kenney's arm. Glen Gilberti followed up by slamming him shoulderfirst into the turnbuckles. They continued to work over Kenney's arm but he kept kicking out. Kenney fired back but was cut off with a knee to the face by Gilberti. Siaki broke up a pin attempt. The NYCs continued to tag in and out, keeping Kenney on the defensive as they worked on his left arm. Kenney finally hit a sitdown slam. He tagged in Siaki, who leveled the NYCs with clotheslines. Siaki hit a variation Samoan Drop on Swinger. He went for a pin on Gilberti but Swinger broke it up. All four men battled in the ring. Gilberti got knocked to the floor, leaving Swinger to be beaten by Siaki and Kenney. Siaki was accidentally hit by a Kenney superkick when Swinger ducked. Gilberti jumped on him for a two count. Kenney was sent to the floor. Siaki hit Siakialypse on Gilberti. Your winners, Pat Kenney and Sonny Siaki!
The announcers mentioned how the NYCs have to do whatever Siaki and Kenney want for the next 30 days. The NYCs tried to walk out but Jeremy Borash announced that if they didn't adhere to the stipulation by the end of the PPV, they would be terminated. The NYCs looked stunned.
They aired a video feature on the developments between Sabu and Raven from last week.
Backstage, Scott Hudson said that Raven has forsaken his vow to the Sheik to never face Sabu. Raven said that The Sheik is dead and long live Raven. He said that the Sheik only trained Sabu because it was his relative. He said that the Sheik saw the violence within Raven. Raven said that somehow Sonjay Dutt and Sabu became friends and he would use Dutt to make Sabu face him. Raven said that the promise is over and he would show the world that he will be the one to carry on The Sheik's legacy.
Raven' Rules: Raven vs. Sonjay Dutt
Raven attacked Dutt in the aisle as he made his way to the ring and threw him into the ringpost. Raven beat Dutt and dragged him to the announcers, asking where was Sabu. Dutt was tossed into the ring, and tried to take out Raven's legs. He punched Raven in the corner, but Raven hit a powerbomb out of the corner. Raven pulled up Dutt at 2 and then hit a kneelift to the face. The story was that Raven was punishing Dutt to lure out Sabu. Raven took the ring mic and said he would keep torturing “this flunky" if Sabu didn't come out. Raven pulled Dutt up from another 2 count. He taped Dutt's hands together, then got a screwdriver and dug it into Dutt's head. Raven tossed a chair into the ring. He hit his droptoehold into the chair. Raven finally pinned Dutt. Your winner, Raven.
Raven continued to beat Dutt, demanding that Dutt call for Sabu. He rubbed Dutt's face into the canvas. Raven began taping Dutt's legs together so he couldn't escape. Dutt finally called for Sabu. The lights went out and Sabu hit the ring. Raven and Sabu had a staredown, but Sabu turned his back and tended to Dutt. Raven slapped Sabu. Raven said the Sheik wouldn't respect his cowardice. He said that the Sheik saw that Raven was a God. He slapped Sabu again. Sabu went to hit him but restrained himself. Raven began kicking Sabu as he tended to Dutt. He dared Sabu to fight him. Security came out and separated them.
Dusty Rhodes made his way to the ring, telling Raven that was enough. Raven said that Rhodes knows that Raven respects him, but this is between Raven and Sabu. Rhodes asked Raven why he forgot the promise. He said that the Sheik lives today through Sabu and Raven. He said that Raven forgot the time Sabu took 14 stitches saving Raven in a riot. Rhodes told Sabu that it was Ok and told Raven to leave family business to privacy and don't make it public. Rhodes said that if Raven wanted to slap someone, he should slap Rhodes. Raven walked out.
Backstage, Scott Hudson said he was trying to find Jeff Jarrett. David Young showed up and Hudson reminded him about the Gutcheck match last week, and he' not listed for this week's PPV, so he can't lose. Hudson acted like he was done with the company. Young said he needs to talk to Russo because he has a house payment. He said he needs to talk to Russo. Erik Watts showed up and said he wants to sign for the match Goldilocks mentioned last week as he is accepting her challenge. He started setting up a table to have the signing.
They aired a video feature on the AJ Styles-Kid Kash feud.
AJ Styles vs. Dallas
Dallas made his way to the ring. Styles came out second. He slapped Dallas at the bell, then used his speed to evade Dallas' offense. Dallas and Styles faced off. Styles tricked Dallas to chase him around the ring to exhaust him as the story was Styles was going to try to "gas out" Dallas. Dallas tried to get in the ring but Styles cut him off. Styles hit a series of kicks. Dallas slammed Styles into the guard rail outside the ring. Dallas continued to beat Styles down. Dallas continued to use his size to choke AJ out. He drilled his knee across Styles' throat. The announcers noted that Dallas was trying to wear down Styles for Kash next week. Dallas got several two counts, but was frustrated he couldn't put AJ away. Styles somehow landed on his feet during a powerbomb attempt and hit the Pele kick to Dallas. Styles unloaded with a series of forearms. Styles hit a charging dive into the corner. He hit a clothesline in the corner. Styles continued to come off the ropes with strike after strike, finally taking him down after a springboard clothesline. Kid Kash came out to the ring with a crutch. They noted he got injured during Impact! last week. I was worried the brown recluse spider got him for a second. Styles went for a springboard off the ropes but Kash shook the ropes. Styles lost his momentum and was caught by Dallas. Dallas hit a sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Styles slid under the ropes, took out Kash and hit a springboard sunset flip for the pin on Dallas. Your winner, AJ Styles.
Kash hit Styles with the crutch across his back, then choked him with it. D'Lo Brown hit the ring in street clothes for the save and beat Dallas with the lead pipe that Dallas and Kash have used in recent weeks. Brown helped Styles up. He took the ring mic and said the reason he came back to TNA to make an Impact! He said that AJ Styles made an Impact! Brown said that Style' win for the X-Division made him realize how much he wants the NWA championship.
Backstage, with Erik Watts sitting at the table looking on, Scott Hudson brought out the NYCs with Gilberti dressed as a Leprechaun and Swinger dressed as a stereotypical Islander. Gilberti asked if they were the type of guys who should look like idiots and they can't go back to NYC dressed like that. Hudson said, "They would love you in the Village."Â That was funny! David Young showed up and said he needs their help. Gilberti said, “You need my help, I'm a friggin' Leprechaun." They suggested he go find Dusty Rhodes. D-Ray 3000 showed up and asked which way was the ring. Hudson said that D-Ray isn'r even booked. Gilberti asked if they drug tested around here?
NWA Tag Team champions America's Most Wanted vs. Abyss & Monty Brown
The match started off with Brown working against Storm. Brown was easily overpowering him. Storm got a quick inside cradle but Brown kicked out. Abyss tagged in and caught Chris Harris coming off the top and throttled him into the corner. Abyss has a new black outfit that is worlds better than the old denim shirt. Harris cleaned house but Abyss caught him and press slammed him into the air, letting him crash down. Brown tagged in and continued to beat Harris. Harris went for a suplex but was cut off. They showed Goldilocks watching from the stage, holding the suitcase. Brown continued to beat Harris. Brown held Harris for Abyss' charge but was pulled in front of Abyss. Harris makes the tag to James Storm. Storm hit a hurrancanrana on Brown, followed by a tiltowhirl head scissors. Abyss tossed Storm over the top, but he skinned the cat and pulled over Abyss. Storm dove on Abyss and Brown but was caught. Harris dove off onto everyone and they all went down. Storm scored a 2 count on Brown. Brown worked over the kidneys and back of Storm, then tagged in Abyss. Scott Hudson showed up and asked Goldilocks to come to the back. Harris tagged in and hit a Thesz Press on Abyss for a two count, with Brown breaking up the count. Storm clotheslined Abyss and both tumbled over the ropes. Harris hit a suplex on Brown but only got a two count. Harris went for the Catatonic but Brown hit the pounce. Storm superkicked Brown out of the ring. Abyss caught Storm with a chokeslam for a two count. Abyss locked Storm into a torture rack but Harris hit a superkick. Harris came off Storm's back with a spear. The Naturals hit the ring and attacked America's Most Wanted, throwing powder and hitting them with chairs. Mike Tenay said this was their way to go into business for themselves. Mike Johnson said it's a crappy finish to a fun match. The Naturals stole AMW's ring gear. Your winners by DQ and NWA Tag Team champions America's Most Wanted.
Backstage, Erik Watts and Goldilocks argued. Abyss attacked him and they brawled as Goldilocks screeched, "It's not your money."Â
Backstage, Raven said that he has only apologized once in his career (Hey, I was there when that happened) but Dusty Rhodes was right. He said that the Sheik is gone but he respects him. He said that next week, he would have a tribute ceremony for the Sheik that The Sheik and Sabu can be proud of.
They went to an interview taped earlier today with Scott D'Amore and Team Canada. Tenay said that when D'Amore ripped apart the NWA flag. D'Amore said it was going too far but it was in the heat of the moment. He said that the history of the NWA is all about discriminating against Canada and anyone else who isn't from the United States. Tenay brought up his smear campaign against Jerry Lynn. D'Amore said Lynn is the perfect person to lead Team NWA because he's the poster boy for the NWA is someone who can't get the job done and can't win the big one. Tenay told Team Canada he is impressed by their work but why are they allowed D'Amore to get the spotlight. D'Amore stopped Petey Williams from speaking and said that he is the one to answer questions and he will say when they can speak. Bobby Rude asked when can they speak. D'Amore said that the interview was over. He began screaming at Team Canada and told them to go think about what they just did. He screamed at Tenay saying that this was all his fault and maybe he needed to do to Tenay what he did to Jerry Lynn.
Flag Match: Team Canada's Bobby Rude & Petey Williams & Eric Young vs. Team NWA's Primetime & Jerry Lynn & Chris Sabin
Each team has possession of the opposing team's flag and you have to capture it and hang it from a pole in a neutral corner to win. Rude and Lynn started off, with Lynn hitting headscissors on Rude. Lynn hit a hurrancanrana on Rude. Lynn went for the radle piledriver. Rude evaded it but was hit with an inverted DDT. Lynn tagged in Primetime. Primetime almost got the flag but was cut off by Team Canada. Williams and Sabin tagged in and went back and forth with some awesome reversals, ending with Sabin dropkicking Williams in the face. Team Canada tried to sneak around the ring to grab the Team NWA flag but they were cut off and everyone battled around the ring. Sabin drove Williams into his knee. Williams tagged out to Rude. Rude and Primetime battled in the ring. D'Amore got the flag and gave it to Rude but was cut off by Primetime. Primetime went for a over the shoulder powerslam but Williams reversed it into a DDT in mid-air. Young got the Canadian flag and beat Primetime with it. Primetime hit an inverted suplex on Young. Rude tried to use the flag on Lynn but he ducked and turned it into a side Russian leg sweep. Sabin hit an spinning powerslam. Williams went for the Canadian Destroyed but Sabun evaded. Williams hit a side Russian legsweep. Young hit the wheelbarrow into a neckbreaker, which he calls the Youngblood. Rude hit a hurrancanrana over the ropes and he and Rude landed on the floor. Lynn grabbed the NWA flag and gave it to Sabin. Sabin and Young battled atop the turnbuckles with the flags and Sabin hit a suplex into the ring. Lynn hands the flag to Skipper, who walked the ropes with it. Williams tried to cut him off but Primetime jumped off. Williams tried to place the flag but Primetime hit a release belly to back suplex off the top. Lynn tried to place the flag and D'Amore went to hit him with the hockey stick. I think D'Amore was a little early. Young suplexed Lynn off but Lynn came back with a cradle piledriver. Lynn went to place the flag but D'Amore hit him with the hockey stick. Shocking, I know! D'Amore gave the flag to Young who placed it into the pole. Your winners, Team Canada! Team Canada had Scott D'Amore on their shoulders as they celebrated.
Backstage, Jeff Jarrett asked Scott Hudson what he wants to talk about. He says that Vince Russo was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it could have been a wrestler. Jarrett said next week at the Second Anniversary show, Jarrett swore that Ron Killings will never forget his name.
They closed off with a video feature on the Second Anniversary Show.
2007 - NWA:TNA issued the following press release:
TNA TO CELEBRATE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
June 16, 2003 (Nashville, TN) – NWA-TNA Total Nonstop Action Wrestling celebrates its one year anniversary on June 18, 2003. Since its debut, TNA has quickly established itself as a substantial contender in the world of sports entertainment.
The one year anniversary show will be a celebration of success as buy rates have increased over 100% since December alone. In addition to building a strong national fan base, TNA has become a major player in the international market as it is now broadcast in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Middle East, India, and Australia. In fact, this exclusive programming is now the only current ongoing series of wrestling available in Australia.
The company is continuing to expand. “People doubted that we would last one month, let alone one year,” said Jeff Jarrett, Chief Operating Officer of NWA-TNA Wrestling, “Not only have we survived, we have succeeded, and we’re continuing to go on strong. On June 18, TNA will begin broadcasting its weekly pay-per-view wrestling program in Spanish. “The Hispanic market is very important to us,” Jarrett said. “Professional wrestling is one of the top television shows for the male, Hispanic demographic. As the Hispanic population grows our show reflects that growth with the number of Hispanic wrestlers we have and the creation of the Spanish broadcast team.”
The anniversary show is slated to be a memorable one. In addition to World Title matches, wrestling superstar Sting (former NWA and WCW World Heavyweight Champion) will be joining Jeff Jarrett in a special challenge tag-team match against AJ Styles and a mystery partner. This is Sting’s first US televised wrestling appearance since WCW’s final episode of Nitro in 2001.
Those in attendance will be able to participate in a post-show party presented by Sony Pictures’ new release, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, that includes prize giveaways, a special anniversary cake and an exclusive meet-and-greet with TNA talent. Golden Circle tickets have already sold out at $45 each. Limited ringside seating is still available for $25 and general admission for $15. Doors open at 5:30pm.
NWA-TNA: Total Nonstop Action wrestling is the first-ever weekly wrestling pay-per-view series available Wednesdays at 8pm EST on iN DEMAND and DirecTV. With a unique blend of traditional wrestling and high-flying, cutting-edge action, TNA is the definitive alternative for the wrestling enthusiast.
2008 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Now that Father’s Day is out of the way, it is time for everyone else to get a gift. Tonight we will see a second McMahon McMillion McGiveaway to McMiniscule McRatings. Now that we know the password, it will be up to the fans to wait by their phone for the spontaneous call from Vince McMahon. Will Vince do something else that is Soup-Worthy or will he learn how to use the phone system this week? In other developments, the Draft is one week away. Will we get any campaigning by the wrestlers to be sent to another brand or stay on their current brand? Will we get a promo similar to the one that Christian gave a few years ago? What great things will John Cena say about his opponent at Night of Champions on this week’s show? How will Umaga do in a Street Fight with John Cena? How will Shawn Michaels react to the karma moment of a wrestling lifetime when he was sent into to Jeritron 6000? Will we get any more details about Ted DiBiase’s tag team partner? Will Melina get another shot at Beth Phoenix?
We are live from Salt Lake City, Utah and your announcers are Jim ‘Vince, I can get the guy who answers the take-out calls at JR’s BBQ to help you tonight’ Ross and Jerry ‘You Mean Teddy Long’s assistant was in Playboy? When can I become general manager’ Lawler.
We start off with John Cena coming to the ring and he has something to say. Cena says that everyone knows that he says that he loves World Wrestling Entertainment. It brings the best entertainment that money can buy. The great thing about WWE is that it provides moments that transcend time when you know where you were when something happened. When Hogan slammed Andre. When Shawn Michael’s boyhood dream came true. Everyone knows where they were when Steve Austin whooped somebody’s ass. Cena says that with one million dollars at stake, every seat is full. The fans are excited about the moment. They are excited that in two weeks, one man will stand in the ring with their hand raised. They will say ‘The Champ . . .
is interrupted by Triple H. Triple H comes to the ring. Hunter stares at Cena and then he tells Cena that he is right. It will be a moment that no one will forget. Hunter has been trying to tell himself that it is not personal, but he is having trouble believing his own rap. Last week, Cena cost him a match with Jeff Hardy. He is here to give Cena a warning and there will not be a ‘twice’. Hunter tells Cena that if he gets in his business, it will get real personal, real fast.
Cena asks Hunter if what is good for the master is good for the flock. Cena points out what Hunter did to him last week at the announce table. Hunter tells Cena that he shouldn’t have showboated like a primadonna. Hunter says that Cena is so uncoordinated that he probably fell before he was hit. Cena reminds Hunter that he made him tap out the last time they met. Hunter points out that it was two years ago and things have changed. Cena says that it has not changed and they are the top two men in the business. Hunter says that it has changed because he is the champion. Cena says that even with the championship it does not mean a thing. Cena tells Hunter that until he beats him, he is nothing. Hunter tells Cena that Night of Champions is going to be a long night because he does not like to let his fans down. Hunter says that a lot of Cena’s fans won’t see the match because it is probably past their bedtimes. Hunter suggests that one of Cena’s fans could hand him his foam belt to ease things.
Cena pushes Hunter and Cena’s shirt is off. Hunter then takes off his shirt and it is time for . . .
Vince McMahon to come out to give out some money? Vince says that they are not going to go at it tonight. They will wait until Night of Champions. Vince reminds everyone that he is going to give out one million dollars. It is time for the money case filling. The password tonight is “Watch Raw & Win”. Vince asks Cena if he is going to win his match tonight. Vince tells Cena that he will be facing UUUUUUUmaga in a Street Fight. Hunter wishes Cena luck and tells him not to get hurt.
Match Number One: John Cena versus Umaga in a Street Fight
Cena attacks Umaga as he enters the ring. Umaga with a thrust to the throat followed by a punch to the head. Cena tries for a sunset flip but Umaga does not go over. Umaga misses a punch. Cena gets Umaga up for a slam, but he cannot keep Umaga up and Umaga falls onto Cena for a near fall. Cena rolls to the apron and Umaga connects with a head butt. Umaga with a forearm that knock Cena off the apron and it is time for a commercial.
We are back and Umaga punches Cena as they fight towards the entrance. Cena sends Umaga into the barrier. Cena with punches and then he charges at Umaga, but Umaga hits a Samoan drop on the steel ramp. Umaga drags Cena back to the ring and sits him up against the ring post. Umaga sets for a charge but Cena moves and Umaga hits the ring post. Cena runs Umaga’s back into the ring apron. Cena gets the mic and he hits Umaga in the head with it. Cena goes up top for a cross body but Umaga catches him and hits an uranage. Umaga covers Cena but only gets a two count. Cena blocks a punch and responds with punches of his own. Cena runs into a clothesline from Umaga. Umaga rolls out of the ring and it is time to rearrange the announce table. Umaga also grabs a chair and he throws it in the ring but Cena gets the chair and he hits Umaga in the ribs followed by a blockbuster. Cena with a leg drop to Umaga’s arm and then it is time for the FU but Cena cannot hold Umaga up as his back gives out. Cena rolls to the floor. Umaga sends Cena into the ring steps and then he rolls Cena back into the ring. Cena kick out at two and Umaga tries to figure out another way to finish off Cena. Umaga grabs the ring steps and throws them into the ring. Umaga is about to use the steps but Cena is able to get Umaga in the FU as Umaga drops the steps. Cena hits the FU for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Cena salutes the fans and goes to the back.
Vince is by the money and it is time to find out who wins $125,000. Vince has trouble with the phone one more time (will this make it on The Soup, Friday nights on E!?) We have a winner after Vince asks Denzel what his favorite pet is and he barks like a dog.
It is time for a ‘Summer Time Beach Bikini Blowout’ as Maria comes out. She is followed by Eve. We go to commercial.
We are back and more women in robes have entered the ring. Charlie Haas is in there too to be the master of ceremonies. We see footage of Charlie Haas kissing Maria followed by Mae Young to give a fan an extra $50,000.
Back to live action and Charlie says that is not entertaining at all, but this is. Charlie says that each Diva has fifteen seconds to model their bikinis. Then the crowd will judge who is wearing the cutest bikini. Melina goes first followed by Maryse. Lena Yada is the next to show off her bikini, followed by Layla. Jillian says that she did not come out to model her bikini, but she came out to sing. Jillian has her mic taken away by Charlie and she returns to the line. Eve shows her bikini, followed by the final one, Maria. The winner is apparently Maria, according to the fans.
Vince is at the money box to give away $100,000. Time to try that fancy ringy-ringy machine. Vince asks the man who the most handsome man born in North Carolina was, and the caller answers Ric Flair. Vince says that he is wrong but he still gets the money. It is time for the women in the ring to dance and we go to commercial.
We are back and Chris Jericho is in the back talking to the makeup lady. We go to highlights from last week’s Barber . . . Highlight Reel and Michaels going through the Jeritron 6000.
Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross talk about Shawn Michaels and Jim Ross says that Shawn has some issues with his eyesight.
Vince is back and it is time for Jim Duggan to be the Carol Merrill to Vince’s Monty Hall. Duggan starts a USA chant. Vince pulls a Ron Simmons as he comments on Duggan’s tuxedo. Jim makes the call and it is time for the next ‘winner’. We have someone’s voice mail so it is time to tell someone that they lost their chance to win $50,000. Time for another ‘winner’ and this person has a DX tone. Vince stops the caller from telling people to suck it, so he has him do his Jim Duggan imitation.
We see footage from Jeff Hardy taking Cena and Hunter out during his match with Triple H from last week.
Match Number Two: Jeff Hardy versus Carlito
They lock up and Carlito backs Hardy into the corner and he punches Hardy and slams his head into the turnbuckles. Carlito misses a quebrada but he lands on his feet. Carlito goes to the floor when Hardy moves and Hardy hits a somersault pescado before rolling Carlito into ring. Carlito with a slap to Hardy as he tries to get into the ring. Carlito hits a Roll the Dice while Hardy is on the ropes. Carlito with a shoulder to Hardy but Hardy with punches and kicks. Carlito with a drop kick to Hardy for a near fall. Carlito with a rear chin lock. Hardy with elbow as he gets to his feet, but Carlito pull Hardy back down to the mat. Carlito punches Hardy in the head. Carlito with a running back elbow for another near fall. Carlito with a surfboard but Hardy with kick and a mule kick. Carlito avoids the hesitation baseball slide for a near fall. Hardy with a jawbreaker and he sets for the Twist of Fate but Carlito avoids the hold and he puts Hardy in the Tree of Woe. Carlito tries for a baseball slide but Hardy pulls himself up. Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind for a two count. Hardy with a gourdbuster driver and then he goes up top for the Swanton but Carlito gets to his feet. Hardy with the Twist of Fate followed by the Swanton for the three count.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
We return to Vince at the money pit. It is time for another giveaway and the magical money music plays. We have a winner from Minnesota. Vince says that he wants the winner to sing part of the Star Spangled Banner. Vince compares him to Jillian. For singing, he wins $175,000.
Chris Jericho comes out and is dressed for a fight but he is going to talk instead. Jericho says that over the last week, people have been looking at him differently and treating him differently. They wonder how he could have done that to Shawn Michaels. Time to see what Jericho did to Shawn Michaels on the Flower . . . Highlight Reel.
Back to live action and it is time for déjà vu all over again. Jericho says that they boo the honest man. He says that he is done with this. What happened to Shawn Michaels last week, was not his fault. It was the fault of everyone in the crowd. Since he came back to save everyone, he realized that nobody wants to be saved. Fans connect with who they like and the fans connect with a backstabbing hypocrite. Jericho says that he is here to save himself from everyone. Jericho says that he has not changed. The fans have become morally corrupt and pathetic. He says that he does not want anyone to cheer for him anymore. Jericho points out that Michaels will do anything to get ahead, they cheer him. When he does the same thing to Shawn Michaels, the fans boo him. The fans forced him to attack Shawn Michaels. Now he is punishing the fans for his sins. Jericho says that it is ironic that Shawn’s blood is all on the fan’s hands. Jericho says that he wishes Shawn Michaels would come out to force him out of the ring. Jericho demands that Shawn come out and he gets the fans to chant HBK. Shawn does not come out and Jericho says that he is sorry to disappoint everyone. Jericho says that Shawn is a liar and is pathetic.
Shawn Michaels might not come out, but Ric Flair comes out. Jericho is in shock that Flair would walk out. We go to commercial.
We are back and Ric Flair has made his way into the ring. Flair gets face to face with Jericho. Flair asks Jericho what does he have to say now. Flair takes the mic and he tells Jericho to shut up. Flair says that he can’t wrestle any more because he is retired, but he can fight him. He wants a piece of Jericho in the parking lot. Flair shows Jericho what he is going to do as he takes off his jacket and gives it an elbow drop. Flair heads out of the building and Jericho follow after him. Jericho follows Flair in the back and Flair leaves the building. Jericho opens the door and he sees Triple H. Hunter asks Jericho if he thinks he has created enough problems. Hunter tells Jericho it is none of his problem. Hunter says that he has been looking for a reason to make Jericho his business. Jericho asks Hunter if he is going to fight everyone’s battles. Hunter says that he just wants to fight Jericho. Jericho backs off and walks away. We go to commercial. Did you know that the Draft is next week?
We are back and Ric Flair is yelling at Hunter about fighting hi fights. Vince stops by and says that Ric looks great. Vince reminds Ric that he is no longer allowed to fight in the ring. Vince says that Flair is doing a great job as an ambassador, but Flair needs to be escorted out of the building. Security leads Flair out. Vince tells Hunter that he will be facing Chris Jericho tonight.
Match Number Three: World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Bob Holly versus Cryme Tyme
JTG and Holly start things off, but Ted DiBiase comes out and Holly gets the three count with a rollup.
Winners: Bob Holly and Cody Rhodes
After the match, Ted DiBiase goes to the back.
Time for Vince to give away more money and he apologizes for kicking Ric Flair out of the building. Time for another call on the phono-gram machine. We have a potential winner. Vince asks the caller where she is from and she says that she is from North Carolina. Since Ric Flair is a sixteen time champion, she gets $16. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Paul Burchill and Ken Kennedy from last week, and Katie slapping Kennedy after the match.
Match Number Four: Katie Lea and Paul Burchill versus Mickie James and Ken Kennedy
The men start things off and Kennedy with a waist lock and forearm followed by punches. Burchill with a short arm clothesline followed by a European uppercut. Kennedy with a back body drop for a near fall. Kennedy punches Burchill followed by kicks and punches in the corner. The referee admonishes Kennedy and that allows Burchill to attack Kennedy. Burchill with an arm bar and cross face. Burchill with knees and a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Burchill returns to the arm bar and cross face. Kennedy punches Burchill but Burchill with a forearm. Burchill with a boot to the back. Burchill charges into a boot and then he hits a running boot to the head for a two count. Katie tags in and she wants to slap Kennedy, but Mickie comes in and slaps Kennedy. Katie and Mickie exchange punches. Katie with a knee to the midsection but Mickie with a flying clothesline and some more clotheslines. Mickie with a cross arm neck breaker followed by a drop kick for a two count. Mickie goes up top and Kennedy spears Burchill off the apron. Mickie returns to the ring and she misses the Thesz Press but Katie with a back breaker for the three count.
Winners: Paul Burchill and Katie Lea
It is time for more money to be given away. Let’s go to the phone music as Vince calls. Vince tells the caller to calm down and asks for the password. We have another winner. Vince asks her which WWE superstar is the cutest and she says it is Vince. She wins $174,984 and Jim Ross tells her to enjoy her medicine. We go to commercial.
We are back and more money is being given away by Vince McMahon. Time to go to the phone and the People’s Court theme can be heard in the background. We have another winner. Vince gives away one dollar for almost each person at Wrestlemania 24 as we have a $75,000 winner.
Time to run through the card for Night of Champions.
Triple H walks out of his dressing room, and John Cena stops him and wishes him luck and tells Hunter not to get hurt. We go to commercial as Triple H walks away.
We are back and Vince says that he is going to give out $300,000. Vince says that he does not know how long he is going to give away a million dollars, but it will continue next week. Vince reminds us that the draft is next week and it is a three hour show. Time for Rusty the Bailiff to give out some more money. We have another winner and he seem a little happy on the phone.
Match Number Five: Triple H versus Chris Jericho
They lock up and Hunter with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Jericho with a kick and forearms to Hunter. Jericho with more kicks in the corner followed by punches as the referee threatens to disqualify him. Hunter with a kick and punches. Hunter slams Jericho’s head into the turnbuckle and he punches Jericho before the referee admonishes him. Hunter with a back body drop but Jericho with punches and an Irish whip but he misses the clothesline into the corner. Hunter moves when Jericho charges and Jericho goes into the ring post as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho knocks Hunter out of the ring. We see some during the commercial footage of Jericho hitting an enzuigiri. Jericho with a baseball slide to keep Hunter out of the ring. Jericho punches Hunter and then sends him into the ring steps. They return to the ring and Jericho chokes Hunter in the corner. Jericho puts Hunter in the ropes and chokes him. Jericho continues to choke Hunter and stands on Hunter’s back. Jericho goes for the Bossman Splash in the ropes but Hunter with a clothesline and both men are down. Hunter and Jericho with punches but Jericho with a kick to Hunter. Hunter responds with the high knee and a clothesline into the corner. Jericho avoids the facebuster and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Hunter sends Jericho into the corner. Hunter with a spinebuster and it is time to set for the Pedigree. Jericho with a knee and forearm. Jericho with a bulldog and then he tries for the Lionsault but Hunter moves. Hunter tries for the Pedigree again, but Jericho gets on his knee and then he back body drops Hunter. Hunter goes to the apron and Jericho tries for the springboard drop kick but Hunter moves out of the way. Hunter and Jericho fight on the floor and Hunter punches Jericho. From out of nowhere, Lance Cade attacks Hunter and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Triple H by disqualification
Cade and Jericho attack Hunter and then Cena comes out to go after Cade and Jericho. Hunter attacks Cena and they fight in the ring. Cade with a sit out spinebuster to Cena and Jericho with the Codebreaker to Hunter.
We go to credits.
Raw Thoughts
The Matches
Outside of the way that Cena matches are becoming too ‘paint by numbers’ I liked the match between Cena and Umaga. It was a good street fight that got some time to develop. When Cena has been able to hit the FU on Big Show in the past, it seems a bit questionable to have him have problem with Umaga who weigh less than Show.
The Hardy/Carlito match was okay, but with Hardy it is almost like a Cena match where you are just waiting for the spot when Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind or Twist of Fate to set up the Swanton.
I blinked and missed the Rhodes/Holly versus Cryme Tyme match. I already spent more time writing about this match than it took.
The mixed tag match was good. They are doing a very good job of rebuilding Paul Burchill’s character. He is not doing anything to bring Kennedy to his perceived level, but Kennedy is elevating Burchill. I think Katie Lea has looked good in her matches with Mickie James. I would assume that this will be the match at Night of Champions. I thought the spear through the ropes by Kennedy was a great touch in the match.
When the main event starts at 10:58 and it involves Chris Jericho and Triple H, you can pretty much be guaranteed that it is not going to have a finish unless they want to bury Jericho. I thought it was a good match for what it was. I was a bit surprised that Lance Cade would come out to help Jericho.
2009 - The Cauliflower Alley Club posted the following on their website:
CAC has received word that Jerry Brisco has had a stroke. While specific details aren’t available at this time, we have been told that he is expected to make a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerry and the entire Brisco family at this time.
2009 - The USA Network issued the following press release:
Trump Buys RAW(R)
First Show Commercial Free
STAMFORD, Conn., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- World Wrestling Entertainment(R) announced the sale of its ratings juggernaut, Monday Night RAW (R), on USA Network to Donald Trump. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Commenting on the deal WWE(R) Chairman Vince McMahon stated, "This was an offer I couldn't refuse."
"The Monday Night RAW franchise has been one of the top cable franchises since its launch 17 years ago," said Donald Trump. "I'm going to do things on the show that have never been done or seen before. As my first act as owner, I am doing something unprecedented. I am giving back to the people who have been loyal all these years. For the first time in more than 838 episodes of RAW, next week's show will be live and commercial free."
Mr. Trump will be making his first live appearance as the new owner of the RAW franchise this Monday. The episode will run commercial-free on USA Network at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT on Monday, June 22nd.
"Donald Trump is one of the most entertaining personalities with one of the sharpest business minds of our time. He's always had the Midas touch, which will only add to the level of excitement for the loyal fans of WWE Monday Night Raw," said Chris McCumber EVP Marketing, Digital and Brand Strategy for USA Network.
Log on to wwe.com for the latest news on the Trump purchase.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Roanoke, Virginia and your announcers are Matt ‘Virginia is for lovers’ Striker and Josh ‘I hope not to have to return to Tampa’ Mathews.
We see footage from last week’s match where the Hart Dynasty defeated Christian and Jack Swagger after Swagger turned on his partner.
Match Number One: David Hart Smith with Tyson Kidd and Natalya versus Christian
They lock up and Smith backs Christian into the corner and Smith with a clean break. Christian with a waist lock and Smith goes for the arm and he applies a wrist lock into a hammer lock but Christian with a reversal into a side head lock. Smith with a shoulder tackle and Christian rethinks his strategy. They lock up and Smith does not have a clean break this time as he pushes Christian. Christian with a slap and then he gets a rollup for a near fall. Christian with another slap but Smith with a slam or two. Smith with a hip lock take down into a side head lock. Christian with a spinning heel kick and Smith goes to the apron. Smith with a shoulder from the apron and he tries to suplex Christian to the floor but Christian is able to block it and he pulls Smith off the apron and then he hits a drop kick that sends Smith to the floor. Christian has to look out for Kidd and that allows Smith to hit a uranage onto the apron and then he runs Christian into the apron. Smith with elbow drops to the back followed by knees as he works on the injured part of Christian’s body. Smith pulls Christian down to the mat and he kicks him. Christian with punches but Smith punches back. Christian with a kick but Smith kicks back. Smith with a delayed vertical suplex and can only get a two count despite the damage done to the back. Smith with elbows but he charges at Christian and Christian ducks down and Smith goes to the floor. Christian with the springboard cross body and we go to commercial with both men down on the floor.
We are back and Smith with a rear chin lock into a sleeper. Christian gets to his feet and he punches Smith but Smith with a forearm and Christian falls to his knees. Smith with a back breaker and another one to the upper back for a near fall. Christian with a slap to Smith but Smith runs Christian’s injured back into the turnbuckles. Christian is placed on the turnbuckles and Christian with a missile drop kick and both men are down. Christian rolls to make the cover and gets a near fall. Christian with punches but Smith with an Irish whip. Smith misses a charge into the corner but Christian does not miss a pendulum kick. Christian hits a second pendulum kick and Christian hits a back elbow from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Christian with a drop toe hold that sends Smith into the ropes in that position that Rey Mysterio loves. Christian stands on Smith’s back and then he slingshots to the floor and punches Smith. Smith with a clothesline when Christian returns to the ring but Smith can only get a two count. Christian escapes a power slam attempt but Smith avoids the Killswitch. Smith runs into the turnbuckles and Christian with a sunset flip for a near fall. Smith avoids another Killswitch and Christian puts Smith in a sleeper but Smith is able to counter and he hits the running power slam but Christian is able to kick out. Christian goes to the floor on a suplex attempt and Christian drops Smith on the top rope and then Natalya gets on the apron to allow Kidd to knock Christian off the top turnbuckle. Smith gets the three count after a Saito suplex.
Winner: David Hart Smith
After the match, Finlay comes to the ring to make the save for Christian. It turns out that Finlay was not there to help Christian, but to hit him with the shillelagh.
Josh and Matt are at a loss for words after what just happened with Christian and Finlay.
We see footage from last week when Evan Bourne beat a Hall of Famer. Will he see the same result against the Olympian?
Mark Henry and Evan Bourne are walking in split screen as we go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the attempted Hart Attack Version 2.0 that was stopped by Finlay who had plans for Christian.
We go to Gregory Helms who is with Finlay. Finlay says that he tried to break up a fight between Christian and Dreamer. Where he comes from it is an Eye for an Eye and that is what it will be.
Match Number Two: Mark Henry with Tony Atlas versus Evan Bourne
Bourne avoids a charge from Henry and Bourne with kicks but Henry sends Bourne to the floor. Atlas approaches Bourne on the floor but Henry tells him to back off. Henry with a head butt and then he returns Bourne to the ring. Bourne with a drop kick to Henry and then he kicks Henry. Henry pushes Bourne into the turnbuckles and then Henry misses a charge into the corner. Bourne runs into a boot from Henry. Henry with a head butt and then he sets for a leg drop from the first turnbuckle but Bourne moves out of the way. Bourne with kicks to Henry but Henry with a body block that has Bourne in a lot of pain. Henry thinks he has things under control and he tries for a splash but Bourne moves out of the way. Bourne with kicks to Henry and a drop kick but Henry kicks out. Henry blocks a kick from Bourne and Bourne tries for a crucifix but Henry turns it into a standing power slam and he gets the three count.
Winner: Mark Henry
After the match, Henry picks up Bourne and walks around the ring before hitting another standing power slam.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound, brought to you by Trump Casinos . . . here is my prototype for running Raw.
Jack Swagger waits for Gregory Helms to arrive for the interview. Swagger says that he does not know what is a bigger joke. Having to fight for a title match or Dreamer being the champion. Swagger says that Dreamer is the bigger joke, but he will win tonight and get his title back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that you cannot escape the WWE Universe.
Match Number Three: Jack Swagger versus Tommy Dreamer in a Non-Title Match
Swagger tries for a take down but Dreamer blocks it momentarily until Swagger gets a front face lock take down. He backs Dreamer into the corner but Dreamer with knees. Swagger charges into a boot and Dreamer with a clothesline from the turnbuckles. Dreamer with a leap frog neck breaker followed by a drop toe hold and elbow drop for a near fall. Swagger with a take down on Dreamer and then he punches the champion. Swagger with a kick to the ribs followed by a front face lock. Dreamer with a kick and punches to Swagger and then he clotheslines Swagger over the top rope to the floor. Dreamer with a baseball slide that sends Swagger into the ringside barrier. Dreamer waits for Swagger to get up and Swagger hits a power slam as Dreamer comes off the apron. Swagger has some words for Dreamer as we go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger is stretching Dreamer’s face and working on the neck. We see footage from during the commercial of Swagger taking control of the match. Dreamer punches Swagger after Swagger has some words for him. Swagger avoids the bulldog and then he puts Dreamer in an abdominal stretch. Swagger grabs the ropes for extra leverage and the referee sees it. Dreamer with a hip toss followed by a sunset flip. Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger punches Dreamer in the corner and then he connects with a clothesline. Swagger with a waist lock on Dreamer but Dreamer gets to his feet. Dreamer runs Swagger into the turnbuckles and Dreamer with a clothesline. Dreamer with an Irish whip and bulldog. Dreamer with a swinging neck breaker and Dreamer has his second wind and hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Swagger counters a DDT with a Northern Lights suplex and bridge for a near fall. Swagger puts Dreamer on the turnbuckles and he sets for a superplex but Dreamer knocks Swagger off. Dreamer comes off the ropes and Swagger with a kick but he cannot hit the Doctor Bomb. Dreamer with an inverted DDT for a two count. Dreamer goes up top for a frog splash but he misses. Swagger with an Oklahoma Roll for the three count.
Winner: Jack Swagger
After the match, Finlay comes to the ring and Swagger escapes. It looks like Swagger was not the target since he hits Dreamer. Christian comes to the ring and he goes after Finlay. Swagger attacks Christian and throws him over the top rope. Finlay may have been targeting Swagger because Finlay hits Swawgger with the shillelagh.
2010 - John Cena commented on WWE releasing Daniel Bryan during an appearance on Sirius XM's Busted Open, commenting, “It stands where it is. I believe Bryan was given his release, and this is just my belief, it’s complete speculation so basically you’re going off my secondhand knowledge, it’s something to do with violating our PG content agreement which is very serious… It was tough for us to get that [TV-PG] logo in the beginning. For us to violate that content agreement, we get in trouble with our TV providers, we get in trouble with our sponsors, it pretty much is not good business. I think that is the reason upon the Bryan Danielson release but on the same token, for a young man such as him to make an impact on the WWE Universe in that short a time, it says something about who he is as a person and where he belongs amongst our group. I agree with a lot of folks who think the penalty might have been a little too severe but the best advice I can give everybody… the WWE is a business. That’s why I was one of the names on that petition… But if the fans collectively want this young man back in the company, the only way to do that is the power is within the ticket buyers. If the ticket buyers come out by the fifty thousands, by the hundred thousands and say, listen, we want this young man back, we think he has something to offer, we’re a company that worries about the bottom line. As far as a fix to the situation, who knows what a fix is gonna be, but I’d put the power in the hands of the consumer. That’s why I was one of the first to sign that petition because I think if you show strong enough belief… it would be very, very difficult for WWE as a business entity to ignore the fact that Daniel Bryan will be able to generate revenue.”
2010 - WWE developmental FCW ran Deland, FL. Buck Woodward filed the following live report:
Results from tonight's Florida Championship Wrestling event in Deland, Florida:
- Lucky Cannon defeated Big E. Langston with a cradle after Langston missed a clothesline. Langston had most of the offense in the bout and looked good.
- Curt Hawkins & Vance Archer defeated Kaval & Yoshi Tatsu when Archer pinned Tatsu with a reverse DDT. Prior to the match, they did some mic work where Tatsu claimed Archer was Hawkins' girlfriend, and when Archer asked why he was the girl, Tatsu pointed out the "tramp stamp" tattoo Archer has on his lower bank. Archer then hiked up his tights to cover the tattoo. Good bout with a mix of stiff action and verbal comedy from Hawkins and Archer. Kaval sold for most of the match, setting up the hot tag to Tatsu. The team of Kaval and Tatsu got a nice reaction from the crowd.
- Rhys Ali vs. Shad Gaspard. This match had a hard time following up the previous bout, as Ali looked tentative in spots. Shad was good at playing with the crowd, and dominated Ali before getting rolled up out of nowhere and losing. Shad yelled at the crowd as they booed and made fun of him for losing.
- Mason Ryan defeated Rudy Parker. Byron Saxton came out before the match and said that management was forcing him to manage Parker. Abraham Washington then came out and said he had been assigned someone to manage as well, and brought out Mason Ryan. Most of the match saw Ryan pound the smaller Parker. Parker made a comeback, and Washington got on the apron, only for Saxton to yank him down (and accidentally rip Washington's pants). The finish saw Parker go for a bodypress, but Ryan caught it and gave Parker a side slam for the pin.
- Alicia Fox & Liviana defeated Naomi Night & Natalya. Night cut some mic work introducing Natalya as her partner, but wasn't very clear. Most of the match saw Night getting worked over by Fox and Liviana, with Natalya only getting tagged in towards the end. For the brief time Natalya was in, and working with Fox, there was a noticeable difference in the quality of the work compared to earlier in the bout. Tamina ran out and hit Natalya, setting up Alicia Fox hitting Natalya with the ax kick for the pin.
- Florida Tag Team Champions Los Avidores (Hunico & Epico) defeated Donny Marlow & Brodus Clay when Los Avidores pinned Brodus after Brodus held up Hunico for a slam, but Epico hit a springboard dropkick to send them down with Hunico on top for the pin. Marlow was very impressive in the bout, and during the finish, he was bragging to the crowd with his back to the ring, thinking Brodus was getting pinmed, and did a great job "celebrating" before realizing what had happened. Los Avidores did a lot of nice highspots and fast paced offense before getting beaten down by the larger opponents, setting up their comeback win.
- Florida Heavyweight Champion Alex Riley defeated Johnny Curtis with a TKO. Johnny had some nice support from the fans, but they lost the crowd when Curtis had Riley pinned and Riley was late with the kick out, resulting in the referee counting two and then just stopping without the shoulder coming up.
- WWE Unified World Tag Team Champions The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd & David Hart Smith), with Natalya, defeated Jimmy & Jey Uso, with Tamina to retain the titles. The Hart Dynasty were over huge, and this was a really good bout. At different points both Smith and Kidd sold for the Usos, setting up hot tags and big flurries of offense. Near the end, Natalya stopped Tamina from interfering, and the Harts isolated one of the Usos, hitting the springboard Hart Attack for the pin. This would have been a nice addition to Sunday's PPV.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com!
We kick the show off with clips from Slammiversary, and also postmatch comments from Bully Ray, Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, Ken Anderson, and Sting. We then go into the Impact Zone where Ken Anderson has what looks like a combination of Dave & Busters and a strip club set up in the ring. Anderson welcomes us to the first ever Asshole Championship Reception, and none of the boys came even though he invited everyone. But that's okay because he didn't get into the business to make friends, he came here for one reason. Anderson hoists up the belt to signify what that reason is, and he doesn't need the boys, the fans, the fat guy sitting at home whose wife is about to leave them, because he only needs five people: his niece, his wife, and me, myself, and I (meaning Anderson, not me.)
Gunner's music hits and he comes out to join Anderson in the ring. Anderson says he didn't invite Gunner, but Gunner says he seems to remember someone asking for his help to take Sting out last week and make sure he didn't go into Slammiversary at 100%. Anderson doesn't quite remember the conversation, and Gunner says he did what Anderson asked him and he thinks that Anderson now owes him. Anderson says he remembers now, and thanks him and says his services are no longer needed, and wishes him their best in all his future endeavors. Gunner says he's out here for a World Title shot, and Anderson asks if the ink's even dry yet on his contract, and there are probably a few people in the back who are in line ahead of Gunner. Anderson stops to pour himself a beer and throws it in Gunner's face. Gunner has finally had enough and gives Anderson a spinebuster through the catering table and walks off with the champion laying in the middle of the ring.
Tonight: we begin the Bound For Glory series, which will play out between now and October when one man earns a shot at the TNA World Title.
Sting is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
Let's head to the ring for our first match...
Hernandez vs Devon
Sarita distracts the referee by trying to get into the ring, allowing Anarquia to grab Devon's foot from the floor so Hernandez can bowl him over with a shoulderblock. Devon returns the favor with a flying shoulderblock of his own followed by a flying clothesline for 2. Hernandez tries a charge in the corner, but Devon spears Hernandez out of his boots and hits a running splash in the corner. Devon gets ready to put him away, but the Pope wanders down to ringside and starts chatting it up with Devon's sons and daughter at ringside. Devon gets distracted and Hernandez rolls him up for 2, then all of Mexican America runs in and attacks Devon for the DQ.
Winner: Devon by DQ
Devon's family tells Pope to go help Devon, and he runs in and clears Mexican America out. Devon gets to his feet and starts yelling at Pope to stop messing with his family, and Pope gets a look on his face like “I can't believe I helped this guy.”
Ken Anderson goes into Eric Bischoff's office and tells him that he needs to pull the leash back on Gunner, and Bischoff says they had a chance to head this problem off before it started when he invited Anderson to join Immortal months ago, but Anderson had to be his own man. Now that Bischoff has this great relationship with the Network, he decides to do what would make the Network happy and make a match between Anderson and Gunner in tonight's main event so that Anderson can take care of business on his own since that's what he wanted all along. Anderson leans right into Bischoff's face and tells him “game on.”
Kurt Angle is backstage with his kids, and they're...WALKING!
After the commercial break, Kurt Angle comes to the ring with a big smile on his face and says that after eight long months, he's put the Jarrett feud to rest and he's now the number one contender to the World Title. But first, he wants to explain why he put his gold medals on the line, because back in 1996 he worked his ass off, gave his best, and won an Olympic gold medal for his country. Fast forward to Slammiversary, Angle offered his gold medal because he wanted the same feeling of being focused and being his best, and he made Jeff Jarrett tap out at Slammiversary. Now he's the #1 contender and winning the World Title would mean everything to him, but he's spent the last several months working out very hard because he's going to try out for the Olympic team again in 2012, and he may be going through a midlife crisis because he's 43 and nobody's ever done this before, but he wants to represent his country one more time.
Jeff Jarrett's music hits, and Jarrett comes stalking out of the back with an unhappy look on his face. Angle shakes his head as Jarrett gets in the ring and goes face to face with him, and Jarrett says it's not over until the founder says it's over. This whole relationship started with a handshake in a parking lot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it's going to end tonight in a parking lot in Orlando, Florida. There will be no Karen, no kids, no integrity, no cage matches, just the two of them one-on-one and one of them is going to be left laying flat on their back because TNA simply isn't big enough for the both of them. No matter what, Jarrett wants one last shot, and he wants to know if Angle's going to accept. Angle says Jarrett reminds him of an annoying gnat he keeps swatting away but keeps coming back, but for all the bad things Jeff Jarrett is, but the one thing he thought Jarrett had is honor for the business because it's in his blood, and he wants to know what his ancestors would think if they saw him standing in the ring after promising to end it at Slammiversary. He tells Jarrett to go home and deal with it, and Jarrett's word means nothing to him because two years ago, he looked Angle in the eye and said there was nothing going on between Karen and himself. If Jarrett gets a legal document written up in the next hour and a half that he will move to Mexico without Angle's kids, then they have a deal. Jarrett says to get the pen and paper because he's all in. Angle said he'll see Jarrett's (female reproductive organ) ass in the parking lot.
Okay, time to tell us all about the Bound For Glory Series: Basically, the top twelve wrestlers in TNA will compete in a three months long pseudo tournament where the result of every single match they're in, against other BFGS participants or otherwise, will contribute to their overall score. At the end of three months (the September PPV, presumably), the final four will face off with the winner going on to a title shot at Bound For Glory.
Eric Young is backstage and comes up to Matt Morgan and asks him if he's ready for his shot at the TV Title. Morgan says he's flattered, but asks if he just heard the announcement about the Bound For Glory Series. He's waited his whole life for this opportunity and tells Young to find someone else to defend the title against. Young says there isn't anybody else, because the TV Title can only be defended against TV stars, and Morgan is a TV star because he was on American Gladiators. Morgan says he can't help him, but there's a TV producer here who used to dabble in sitcoms way back in the day. Young says “Vince Russo was on Happy Days?” and Morgan says no, Young knows who he's talking about and he'd jump at the chance to make a match with him. Oh, it's always nonstop laughs when they start rolling with the inside remarks.
We go to Mike Tenay and Taz, who tell us that the next several weeks will see a 12 man tournament featuring former X Division stars, with the winner getting an Impact Wrestling contract at Destination X.
Destination X Tournament First Round: Austin Aries vs Kid Kash vs Jimmy Rave
Aries gets a very loud reaction from the crowd, and he tries taunting both opponents into a test of strength until Kash and Rave get tired of the games and dump Aries to the floor. Kash and Rave exchange armdrags until Aries drags Kash to the floor and boxes his ears, drops Rave on the top rope, and hits a slingshot senton on Rave for 2. Kid Kash drags Aries to the floor and rams him into the ring apron and then tries a springboard something into the ring but Rave spears him out of midair for 2. Rave goes for Ghanarhea but Aries blocks and hits the shinbreaker/suplex combo and pendulum elbow for 2. Aries sets up for the brainbuster, Kash tries to take a run at Aries, but Aries backdrops Kash to the floor, dumps Rave out as well, and hits the Heat Seeking Missile to the floor to wipe both men out. Crowd is BIG into Aries, but Rave kills Aries with an STO to the ring apron, and then Kash hits a twisting senton off the top to the floor, wiping out both opponents. Kash sends Aries back into the ring and they trade forearms in the middle of the ring, Kash hits a release vertical suplex for 2, then Rave comes in and goes after Kash and they fight over a waistlock until Rave hits Ghanarhea. Rave goes for the cover but Aries kicks him in the head, then hits the IED and brainbuster for 3.
Winner: Austin Aries
Aries now advances in the tournament and is one step closer to an Impact Wrestling contract. The crowd was really into him.
Velvet Sky and Miss Tessmacher are backstage talking about winning the Knockouts Tag Team Title and grabbing each other's asses.
We're back in the ring and ready for our next match...
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Sarita & Rosita vs Velvet Sky & Miss Tessmacher
Referee Earl Hebner kicked Hernandez and Anarquia out of ringside before the match to make sure they didn't get involved. Sarita backs Velvet to the corner and mockingly dances at her, but Velvet came back with a big boot and a wheelbarrow bulldog. Rosita tags in and Velvet tags out to Tessmacher, who unloads on Rosita with some hard forearms. Rosita tries a handspring back elbow, but Tessmacher blocks and hits a suplex on Rosita, then tags back out to Velvet. Rosita goes to the eyes and tags out to Sarita, and Sarita gets ping-ponged back and forth between Velvet and Tessmacher with right hands, then they repeatedly ram her into the corner and Tessmacher covers for 2. Sarita pops Tessmacher up in the air, but Tessmacher hits a nice armdrag on the way down, so Sarita just rips her head off with a clothesline. Tessmacher tags to Velvet and she kills Rosita with a clothesline, Rosita tags Sarita in but Velvet takes her out with a side neckbreaker. Tessmacher comes in and hits a flapjack on Sarita, then Rosita tags in and gets laid out as well. Velvet dumps Sarita to the floor and then Velvet and Tessmacher set up for a double suplex on Rosita, but ODB pops up in the crowd and distracts Velvet while Sarita & Rosita hit a double team on Tessmacher and get the win.
Winners: Rosita & Sarita
Miss Tessmacher is visibly angry at Velvet for costing them the match and walks out on her, leaving her all by herself when ODB and Miss Jackie run in and beat Velvet down 2-on-1. Security tries running in but ODB and Jackie viciously destroy all of them while continuing to attack Velvet. Velvet tries to roll out of the ring and get to the back, but ODB and Jackie come after her again and try to rip her clothes off. Velvet tries to get back to her feet and go back at them, but gets dragged to the back by security.
Jeff Jarrett is in Hulk Hogan's office signing the contract for the Hogan is laughing over how awesome Jarrett is when Sting comes in, and Hogan quickly gets serious and says he's going to honor Sting's contract and he'll get his rematch on March 14th. Sting is surprised to see that Hogan really seems to mean it, and asks if the real Hulk Hogan is back. Hogan says he doesn't get it because he's trying to make this work his way, and Sting says he remembers when Hogan came to WCW and wanted to have a positive influence and had respect for the groundwork Sting had laid before he got there, and Sting said he loved Hogan and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Sting asks Hogan if he said all that stuff about training, prayers, and vitamins just for the money, and asks if this is the legacy Hogan wants to leave behind, both for himself, the fans, and Brooke & Nick. Hogan finally loses his cool and asks Sting who he thinks he is, and Sting says he's the Stinger and he is not done, because he'll leave when he wants to leave. He shoves Hogan into his chair and asks if Hogan wants to put on a facade for everyone, then says he'll put the facade on for Hogan, and he takes facepaint and smears it all over Hogan's face while Hogan is apparently unable to resist. Sting says that Hogan has only himself to blame this time because “Terry” has a choice. This was fine until Sting and Hogan started the ridiculous overacting. They really never fail to ruin anything that starts out good.
ODB and Miss Jackie are backstage saying that wrestling matters to them and screw Velvet Sky's (body part). Velvet runs in and goes after them, but gets beaten down and choked out again while ODB and Jackie continue to yell unbecoming things at her.
The Mystery Cameraman asks Austin Aries about being back, and Aries says it's the perfect time for him to come back since wrestling matters now. Eric Young busts in on the promo and challenges the Mystery Cameraman, making a rare on-camera appearance, to a match. The Cameraman has no idea what's going on, so Young superkicks him and goes for a cover and makes Aries count three for him. Young says it's one of the best matches he's ever had, then lays out threats to Jason Hervey and Scott Baio.
Time to kick off the Bound For Glory Series!
Bound For Glory Series: Samoa Joe vs Rob Van Dam
Joe and RVD come face to face in the middle of the ring and trade forearms and then Joe runs RVD over with a couple of shuolderblocks. RVD tries for a springboard out of the corner but Joe catches him in a waistlock and rolls him forward into a pinning combination for 2. RVD rolls out to the floor to collect himself, then gets up on the apron and tries a slingshot move into the ring, but Joe catches him and hits a belly to belly suplex for 2. Joe unloads with right hands in the corner, RVD fires back but Joe whips RVD hard into the corner. RVD dropkicks Joe's knees out from under him and hits a spinning dropkick in the corner, he tries for the monkey flip but Joe blocks and drops RVD's throat across the top rope. RVD tumbles to the outside and Joe hits a running dive through the ropes to wipe RVD out on the floor. Joe rolls RVD back in and covers for a two count, then they exchange punches in the corner. Joe reverses a whip and bull rushes RVD into the corner and drills him with a leaping enziguiri for 2. RVD gets the boot up on a charge and tries a springboard moonsault, but Joe just casually walks out of RVD's way and RVD hits the mat. Joe with a chop/kick/kneedrop combo for 2 and then runs through RVD with a back elbow for 2. Joe gets a rear crossface but RVD hits a jawbreaker and superkicks Joe in the face to lay him out flat. RVD hits Rolling Thunder for 2 and then hits the stepover leg lariat. Joe slumps into the corner and RVD charges in, but Joe plants him with the STJoe, then puts RVD up top for the Muscle Buster. RVD fights his way out so Joe goes up top and RVD knocks him backward into the ring so RVD can hit the Five Star for the win.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Great match and Joe really should have won. Rob Van Dam becomes the first person to score points in the Series.
Gunner is backstage getting stitches for some reason and says that he tried to be nice, but Anderson took advantage of his pleasant nature and now he's going to take care of Anderson because he really doesn't care about anyone at all.
Jeff Jarrett is backstage taping up his fists, and then we're off to the ring for our main event!
Impact Wrestling World Champion Ken Anderson vs Gunner
Gunner overpowers Anderson right from the start and beats him down with hard forearms before firing him into the far corner. Anderson collapses to the mat and Gunner covers for 1, then Anderson bails out to the floor to take a break. Gunner goes after him and chases him back into the ring where Anderson counters a clothesline into a spinning neckbreaker for 2. Anderson rams Gunner backward into the corner a couple of times and then peppers him with right hands. Anderson goes up top for a Swanton, but Gunner moves and Anderson crashes to the mat. Gunner with a running back elbow for 2, a short clothesline for 2, and then takes him to the corner for some kneelifts. Gunner with a back suplex for 2, but Anderson gets Gunner up and hits the Finlay Roll for 2. Anderson mounts Gunner and pounds right hands into his head, then picks up Gunner's legs and stomps on his lower abdomen.
Suddenly, Anderson reaches up for his microphone and says that whether we like it or not, still the TNA World Champion: Mr Anderson...(gets right in Gunner's face) Anderson. Suddenly, Gunner grabs him out of nowhere and hits the F5 for the upset win.
Winner: Gunner
Gunner smiles broadly as he has his hand raised, and Eric Bischoff comes out of the back applauding and raises Gunner's hand as he has now beaten the World Champion for the second week in a row.
Kurt Angle is backstage, and he's...WALKING! He fights Jeff Jarrett next!
Scott Steiner will face Bully Ray next week in the Bound For Glory Series, and Steiner cuts an awesome promo talking about how We head out to the parking lot where Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett will fight it out for the final time. Jarrett tosses the signed contract at Angle, and Jarrett circles Angle and feints punches at him. Jarrett tries to shoot a double leg, but Angle sprawls out and mounts Jarrett, drilling him with punches and trying for a choke. Jarrett rolls to his belly and Angle fires crossfaces across his nose and then just pummels him with punches before getting a cross armbreaker. Jarrett slips out and punches as Angle, but Angle scissors Jarrett's body and reverses on top of Jarrett. Angle throws in a leg ride and tries a choke, but Jarrett bites his arm and they go back to neutral. Jarrett tries a side headlock, but that's the worst thing you can possibly do to a real wrestler, which Angle demonstrates by picking him up and dumping him hard onto the pavement. Jarrett rams Angle into the hood of a car and the front of a truck, then yells at Angle that he's never going to leave TNA and tells Angle to go train for the Olympics or whatever he wants to do, and to just get out of his life. Jarrett rams Angle face first into the pavement and Angle is motionless. Jarrett goes to walk away, but Angle gets back to his feet and tells Jarrett that it's not over yet. Jarrett charges him again and Angle picks a double leg and dumps Jarrett HARD onto the pavement, pummels him with more punches, and hits an Angle Slam onto the hood of a truck. Angle tears his shirt off and chokes Jarrett with it. Jarrett is out and Angle leaves him in a heap on the pavement and walks off, and the last thing we see is the camera zooming on Jarrett, who rolls over and just says “adios.”
2011 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Raw brand and your announcers are Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews.
Zack Ryder comes to the ring and he has something to say. He tells us that everyone is here to see him. His Broskis are here. His dad is here and so is his girlfriend. He says that there is no stopping the Ryder Revolution. He mentions all of the signs in the crowd and then he asks who wants to be the Broski of the Week. He says that you need to dress to impress, fist pump, and take care . . . spike your hair. Woo Woo Woo, you know it.
Match Number One: Zack Ryder versus Primo
Zack pumps his fist before locking up. Primo backs Ryder into the corner and he pushes Ryder in the corner but Ryder pushes back. Ryder with a rollup for a near fall. Reyder with an arm bar and he takes Primo to the mat. Primo tries to escape but Ryder maintains the arm bar until Primo gets to the ropes.
They lock up again and Primo works on the arm and he takes Ryder down with a drop toe hold and then he messes with Ryder’s hair. Ryder sends Primo into the turnbuckles followed by a back body drop. Ryder clotheslines Primo over the top rope to the floor. Ryder hits a pescado onto Primo as the action moves to the floor.
They return to the ring and Primo sends Ryder into the turnbuckles and then he chops Ryder. Primo with an Irish whip and he misses a charge into the corner and Primo gets caught in the tree of woe. Ryder with kicks but Primo gets down. Ryder with forearms to Primo. Primo with a kick to Ryder and then he sends Ryder into the ring post.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Primo with a reverse chin lock on Ryder. Ryder gets back to his feet and he connects with a few elbows and then he hits a sunset flip and gets a near fall. Primo with a drop toe hold into a Muta Lock but Ryder does not give up. Primo with shoulders in the corner. Primo with an Irish whip and drop kick followed by a cartwheel from Primo. Primo with a knee drop to the head and he gets a near fall. Primo with a knee in Ryder’s back as he stretches him.
Ryder gets to his feet and he kicks Primo but Primo with a knee and then Primo rakes the eyes with his boots and then he kicks Ryder. Primo with an elbow drop for a near fall. Primo applies a modified camel clutch on Ryder as he continues to work on Zack’s back. Ryder with a forearm and both men are down. Ryder with punches to Primo followed by double thrusts to the throat and a flapjack. Ryder with a leg drop for a near fall.
Ryder with an Irish whip and running forearm into the corner. Ryder with a running boot to Primo in the corner for a near fall. Primo with a jawbreaker on Ryder and then Primo tries for a lungblower but Ryder holds on to the ropes. Ryder with a Rough Ryder for the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder
It is time for an Obama Press Conference Dream Sequence.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE has a lot of Facebook fans?
Drew McIntyre tells the people of Long Island that he has a question for all of them. How many of you were chosen by your boss to be the future of their company? Drew says that there is only one ‘chosen one’ in this entire arena and he says that he never lies. Here is some truth for us. The truth is that in order to pursue his WWE dream, he has to rid the United States of laziness. It is time for the chosen one to do some choosing of his own. He chooses to become the monster that they have created. He suggests that we call him the Great American Nightmare.
Match Number Two: Drew McIntyre versus Vladimir Kozlov
Drew with punches and kicks as the bell rings. Kozlov sends Drew into the corner and he punches Drew and connects with knees followed by a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Kozlov with a forearm to the head. Drew sends Kozlov into the bottom turnbuckle and then he follows that with a kick to the ribs. Drew with punches to Kozlov and then he sends Kozlov’s arm into the ring post. Drew with a single arm DDT for a near fall.
Drew with a key lock on Kozlov. Kozlov with punches to Drew but Drew with a drop kick to Kozlov followed by a kip up. Drew gets a near fall on Kozlov. Drew with an arm bar on Kozlov but Kozlov with punches followed by a shoulder tackle. Kozlov traps the arms and connects with head butts to the midsection. Kozlov puts Drew on the top turnbuckles and then Kozlov with a kick that sends Drew to the mat and Kozlov with another kick that sends Drew into the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a near fall.
Drew with a forearm to the back of the leg and then he sends Kozlov’s shoulder into the ring post. Drew sets for the Future Shock DDT and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Smackdown portion of the show and your announcers are Jack Korpela and Matt Striker.
Match Number Three: Yoshi Tatsu versus Chavo Guerrero
They lock up and Chavo backs Yoshi into the corner and Chavo with punches and kicks until the referee warns him. Yoshi with a hip toss and Japanese arm drag and drop kick for a near fall. Yoshi works on the arm and he puts Chavo into an arm bar. Chavo backs Yoshi into the corner and Chavo punches Yoshi and kicks him.
Chavo with a cannonball into the corner and he gets a near fall. Chavo with a Saito suplex and he gets a near fall. Chavo with a reverse chin lock on Yoshi and then he turns it into a key lock. Yoshi punches Chavo but Chavo with a drop kick and Chavo gets a near fall. Chavo punches Yoshi but Yoshi chops Chavo followed by a hip toss and kicks to Chavo.
Yoshi with running knees into the corner followed by a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Yoshi with a kick to Chavo and then he goes up top but Chavo gets out of the way. Chavo with a spinning heel kick to Yoshi for a near fall. Chavo does the Guerrero shimmy and he sets for the Three Amigos but Yoshi blocks after the second one. Chavo with an elbow to Yoshi. Chavo flips over Yoshi, but Yoshi with a kick to the head for the three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu
We go to commercial.
We are back and we run through the card for Capitol Punishment.
JTG makes his way onto the stage. He tells the city of haters that he is here to teach everyone about hunger. He is from Brooklyn so he is hungry. He is not talking about the hunger with the children. He is talking about the hunger for success. Hunger brought him to the WWE. That same hunger is going to make JTG the flyest manager that WWE has ever seen. JTG says that he can bring the same success to the most technically sound sports entertainer. He brings out Tyson Kidd.
Match Number Four: Tyson Kidd with JTG versus Kane
They lock up and Kane pushes Kidd to the mat. Kidd with a waist lock but Kane sends Kidd to the mat. Kidd wants Kane to back up as he gets up. Kidd with kicks to Kane but Kane sends Kidd over the top rope to the floor. Kidd drops Kane across the top rope and Kidd tries for a springboard move but Kane with an uppercut for a near fall.
Kane works on the arm. Kidd with a back elbow and then he avoids a boot from Kane and Kane gets caught up in the ropes. Kidd with a neck breaker for a near fall. Kidd with kicks to Kane but Kane with a clothesline. Kane with an Irish whip and Kane runs into an elbow. Kidd comes off the turnbuckles and Kane catches Kidd. Kidd is able to counter into a DDT but he can only get a near fall.
Kidd tries for the Sharpshooter but Kane grabs Kidd by the throat. Kidd is able to get away from Kane. Kane with a big boot. Kane with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner followed by a side slam. Kane gets a near fall and then he goes up top for the clothesline and he hits it. Kane signals for the choke slam and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Kane
2012 - WWE ran Lowell, MA. Cohen Morrison filed the following results:
Brodus Clay def. JTG via pinfall.
Dean Ambrose def. Alex Riley via pinfall.
Christian def. Cody Rhodes to retain the IC Title via pinfall.
Kofi Kingston & Zack Ryder def. Primo & Epico to retain the tag team titles. Ryder replaced R-Truth. After the match, Ryder celebrated with Kingston, holding up one of the title belts – Kofi was introduced holding both titles. The duo left each holding one.
John Cena def. The Big Show & David Otunga via pinfall in a handicap match.
Layla def. Beth Phoenix via pinfall to retain the Divas Title.
CM Punk def. Daniel Bryan via pifnall in a street fight to retain The WWE Championship.
Sheamus def. Kane via cage escape in a steel cage match for The World Heavyweight Championship.
2012 - Ring of Honor broadcast ROH on Sinclair. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s show starts off with footage from last week’s Die Hard Challenge between Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards, featuring interference from Jimmy Jacobs that helped to give Edwards the victory.
Eddie Edwards comments on how he looked at the footage and Eddie says that he does not want the victory due to Jimmy Jacobs’ interference. He told Ring of Honor officials to make it a no contest.
We are live on tape from Baltimore, Maryland and your announcers are Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness.
Match Number One: Mike Bennett with Maria Kanellis and Bob Evans versus Adam Page
They lock up and Bennett pushes Page and has something to say to him. Page pushes back and then Bennett yells at him some more. Bennett misses a clothesline and Page with chops followed by an Irish whip and chop out of the corner. Bennett catches Page but Page gets to his feet and he connects with a few arm drags and hits a drop kick before getting a near fall.
Bennett with a punch to the midsection but Page with chops in the corner. Bennett with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Page. Maria gets on the apron to distract Page and Bennett with a drop kick and Page’s leg gets caught on the top rope. Bennett punches Page while Page’s leg is in the ropes. Bennett slams Page’s arm into the ropes and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep into the guardrail.
Bennett rolls Page back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Bennett with a rear chin lock with his knee against the base of the neck. Page with punches but Bennett with a back elbow and Bennett gets a near fall. Page punches and chops Bennett but Bennett gets a boot up. Bennett goes to the turnbuckles and Page with a drop kick to Bennett as he comes off the turnbuckles.
Page with a clothesline and some other stuff while the camera focuses on Maria. Page with a reverse atomic drop followed by a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Page with a chop but Bennett with a punch. Bennett with a spear for a near fall. Bennett tries for a TKO but Page escapes. Page with a rollup for a near fall. Bennett with a TKO for the three count.
Winner: Mike Bennett
After the match, Bob Evans picks up Page and drops him to the mat. Bennett and Evans attack Page and then they hold Page for Maria to slap Page, but Eddie Edwards comes to the ring and he forces Evans, Bennett, and Maria to leave the ring.
Bennett takes the mic and he wants to know who Eddie thinks he is. He is sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. Bennett tells Eddie that he is only out here because he cannot beat Bennett, a former champion, or even Brutal Bob. Bennett says that he will be here and so will Bob. He suggests that Eddie face Bob next week.
Eddie wants to know if Mike just made that challenge. He says that he agrees with everyone and the match will take place and he will beat Bob’s ass Die Hard Style.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kevin and Nigel talk about the match between Davey Richards and Kevin Steen at Best in the World and they wonder if the package piledriver will be allowed in that match.
Before they can continue, they are interrupted by the World Champion and his entourage of Jimmy Jacobs and Steve Corino. Steve Corino says that there is nothing sadder than a company that does not take care of its world champion. Steve says that he should know. It is a gosh darn shame that Jim Cornette seems to ignore the World Champion’s requests. Steve tells Jimmy that the championship is over Kevin Steen’s shoulders and Jim is in their front pocket. Jim needs to take a second to listen to what his World Champion has to say.
Steen takes the mic and he wants everyone to acknowledge Steve Corino. Steen tells Jim that Steve is 100% correct. Jim has been listening because he has been asking to fight Davey Richards on television and next week, it will be him and Jimmy Jacobs against Kyle O’Reilly and Davey Richards. Steen says that if Jim thinks that is going to soften him up for New York, Jim would be wrong.
Steen says that he is still waiting on an answer as to whether the package piledriver will be legal in New York City. Steen says that Davey said that Steen could bring his piledriver, his boys, and anything he wants to New York City. Steen says that he wants to bring anything he wants because he has been put in Street Fights, No DQ matches, and the like to make sure that he would be gone. However, he came out on top. Steen says that he wants anything goes, no DQ, one fall to a finish.
Steen tells Jim that once he takes out Davey, it won’t be about who is best in the world, he says that this is a hostage crisis.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: The Briscoe Brothers versus QT Marshall and Sam Shaw
Mark and Marshall start things off and Mark bangs his head into the turnbuckles before locking up. Marshall with a knee on the break but Mark puts QT in the corner and Mark with punches and chops. Marshall floats over but he runs into a boot from Mark. Jay tags in and they hit a double running shoulder tackle and then they take care of Shaw on the apron. Jay with a European uppercut followed by a chop. Mark tags back in and he connects with an elbow. Jay hits an inverted DDT and then Mark hits a back senton off the middle rope. Shaw is knocked down on the apron and Mark gets a near fall.
Mark with a suplex and Jay with a double stomp for a near fall. Jay with a kick but Shaw hits Jay from behind and Marshall with a clothesline for a near fall. Shaw tags in and he kicks Jay and punches him. Shaw with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall. Marshall tags in and he punches Jay and he hits a suplex with help from a Shaw drop kick and Marshall gets a near fall. Marshall with a slam and elbow drops and then he walks across the face.
Jay with a chop but Marshall with a punch. Shall tags in but Jay with elbows and punches to Marshall and Shaw. Mark tags in and he connects with chops on both men. Shaw with a kick to the midsection but Mark with a chop and then he hits a running drop kick to Marshall. Jay grabs Shaw by the throat and hits a choke slam and Mark hits an elbow from the top.
The Briscoes take care of Marshall and they get Shaw up for a Doomsday Device and they get the three count.
Winners: Briscoe Brothers
After the match, Truth Martini gets on the mic and he tells the Briscoes that he refuses to be ignored. The challenge has been made. Best in the World is around the corner and he wants the Briscoes to accept the challenge against the Guardians of Truth.
Jay says that if Truth wants them to accept the challenge, he better bring his team to New York. They accept the challenge.
Veda Scott is in the locker room with Prince Nana and R.D. Evans. She asks Evans and Nana if they are in favor of this match. Evans says that they suggested another course of action instead of the TV Title. Nana is asked if there is any collusion with the House of Truth and Evans ends the interview.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to go Inside ROH.
Best in the World is next Sunday from New York at 5:00 PM Eastern.
We see footage from last week when the Tag Champions were confronted by their challengers.
Kevin goes through some of the other matches on the show.
We get comments from Fit Finlay. He talks about Michael Elgin. He says that it stops when Fit Finlay gets in your face. We will see what he is made of.
Jay Lethal says that everyone is talking about conspiracy theories but how can you not see that Truth and Nana aren’t crooked. He is only worried about Strong and Ciampa. He says that they don’t like him, but Strong and Ciampa don’t like each other so he will use that to win back his title.
Davey Richard and Kyle O’Reilly talk about their match next week against Kevin Steen and Jimmy Jacobs. Davey says that people are probably thinking about redemption, but he is thinking about revenge. Steen beat him, but he is looking for revenge He wants Steen to feel what it is like to lose everything. He wants Kyle to think about redemption because Kyle has turned into a whiner. He tells Kyle that the whining stops now. They stop talking and they start to act.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are in the locker room where Veda Scott is with Roderick Strong and Truth Martini. Roderick is yelling at Truth for being put into a match against Tommaso Ciampa. Truth doesn’t want this to be discussed in public. Strong says that he thought he had everything under control with Lethal. Martini privately says that fix is in, but loud enough to be heard on camera.
Match Number Three; Tommaso Ciampa with R.D. Evans, Prince Nana, and Mia Yim versus Roderick Strong with Truth Martini for the Ring of Honor Television Title
Before the match, Strong and Ciampa eschew the handshake but their seconds follow the Code of Honor.
They lock up and Ciampa backs Strong into the corner and he connects with an elbow on the break. Ciampa punches and kicks Strong in the corner. Ciampa sends Strong into the turnbuckles and chops him. Strong floats over and hits a drop kick. Strong shows Ciampa how to chop and then he connects with a knee. Strong with more chops in the corner followed by a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall.
Strong with a kick to the back. Ciampa punches Strong in the corner but Strong with chops. Strong with a knee and then Ciampa kicks Strong’s leg when it got caught in the ropes and then Ciampa with a clothesline for a near fall. Ciampa punches Strong as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ciampa with a kick to the knees and then he hits a knee drop and gets a near fall. Ciampa pulls Strong out of the corner. Ciampa punches Strong from the floor. Ciampa with a kick when he returns to the ring. Ciampa pulls down the knee pad and he goes for the running knee into the corner but Strong moves out of the way.
Strong with an elbow and kick followed by chops and forearms. Strong with a drop kick and then he hits an atomic drop followed by a running elbow and then he drops Ciampa on the top turnbuckle and gets a near fall.
Strong gets Ciampa on his shoulders but Ciampa escapes. Strong with a knee and a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Strong goes for the Strong Hold but Ciampa is able to get a foot loose and he kicks Strong.
Strong with more chops but Ciampa with a double thrust to the throat followed by an Air Raid Crash for a near fall. Strong with a back kick but Ciampa gets Strong on his shoulders and then he hits a sit out gourdbuster and then hits a wheelbarrow suplex for a near fall.
Strong with a knee and Nana tries to interfere but Evans gets on the apron. Strong punches Nana but Ciampa with a kick and then Ciamap hits Project Ciampa but Nana kicks Strong in front of the referee and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Roderick Strong by disqualification
After the match, Evans looks confused while Ciampa looks like he wants to kill Nana for costing him the match. On the floor, Martini has a devious smile.
We go to credits.
2013 - WWE announced that Rob Van Dam would return to the company during the Payback PPV and will return at the Money in the Bank PPV in Philadelphia.
2013 - WWE held their Payback PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of WWE Payback from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.
Payback Kickoff
The expert panel is Cody Rhodes, R-Truth, Big Show and Josh Mathews.
WWE's pre-game show started with Damien Sandow vs. Sheamus.
Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole and JBL handled commentary for the pre-show match, which is a departure from the past.
Sheamus received a pretty monstrous reaction from the Chicago fan. They went back and forth early. Sheamus scored a two count with a powerslam. He followed up with a Battering Ram off the top rope for another two count. Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick but Sandow escaped to the outside.
Sheamus followed him to the floor but was shoved into the ringpost. The announcers pushed that this was a new, more aggressive Sandow. Sandow drilled him with a dropkick through the ropes. He scored a two count as the fans chanted for Sheamus.
Sandow went to the top but Sheamus cut him off and snapmared him into the ring for a two count. Sandow ducked a short arm clothesline and nailed a drop toehold into the ropes. He nailed a Side Russian Legsweep and the elbow of disdain for a two count.
They then...went to COMMERCIAL! Yes, in the middle of the match, they went to a Payback PPV commercial. The announcers signed off so it was a planned break. Still, very odd to see them cut in the middle of a match.
When they returned, Sheamus was trapped in a side chinlock trying to battle his way out. Sandow scored several two counts but Sheamus kept kicking out. Sheamus backdroped him over the two to the apron and drilled him with shots across the chest. Sheamus finished him up with the Brogue Kick for the pin.
Your winner, Sheamus!
The WWE Payback PPV began with a video tying the mob history of Chicago into the Payback theme.
WWE Intercontinental champion Wade Barrett vs. Curtis Axel vs. The Miz
All three circled each other. Axel was sent to the outside. Miz nailed a flapjack for a two count. Axel distracted him, allowing Barrett to nail him from behind. There was a brief ECW chant. Axel spent the early part on the outside, leaving the other two to battle it out.
Barrett drilled Miz with a kick in the corner for a two count. Axel tried to get involved but was nailed with a knee to the mid-secton. Miz took out Barrett, causing him to be crotched in the ropes. Axel and Miz went at it. Axel drilled him with a dropkick and sent him into the turnbuckles.
Axel nailed a rolling snapmare on Miz for a two count. Axel controlled the flow for some time. Miz and Barrett drilled each other. Axel broke up several pinfall opportunities. Barrett went for Wasteland and drilled Miz as he turned. Axel slipped out and nailed the Perfectplex. Chicago went nuts but Miz broke it up.
Miz nailed the Skull Crushing Finale on Axel but Barrett threw him out of the ring. He covered Axel but Miz pulled him out and covered Axel for a two count. Axel was backdropped over the top by Miz, who put Barrett in the figure four. Barrett tried to battle to the ropes but was pulled to the center. Barrett looked like he might tap but Axel returned to the ring and covered Barrett for the pin.
Your winner and new WWE Intercontinental champion Curtis Axel!
Decent opener. They had some good back and forth sequences. The most shocking thing here was the big reaction for Axel's win live.
They aired a promo for Mark Henry's return on Raw.
Backstage, Axel and Paul Heyman were walking in the back when they came across Triple H. He stared them down. Vince McMahon showed up and congratulated them on the win and waved them off. They left. Vince looked at Triple H and said "Axel vs. HHH on Raw. Feeling it?" HHH said, "Nope. Not feeling it." He walked off.
WWE Divas champion Kaitlyn vs. AJ Lee.
They reviewed Kaitlyn getting Catfished. AJ blew a kiss at her. Kaitlyn drilled her and began beating the hell out of her, including tossing her over the Spanish Announcing table.
Back in the ring, Kaitlyn continued beating her. AJ cut her off with a dropkick on the apron. AJ brought her back into the ring for a two count. She locked in a side chinlock and slammed her down for a two count.
Lee nailed a pair of neckbreakers for another near fall. She began browbeating Kaitlyn, who tried to fight back. Lee kicked her down. She locked in a sleeper, scissoring her body. Kaitlyn backed her into the corner but Lee used the buckles as a springboard to kick Kaitlyn down to the mat for a two count.
Lee drilled her with a spinning kick but was caught with a dropkick as she rebounded off the ropes, Kaitlyn drilled her with several clotheslines and a spear for a two count.
Lee came back with a crucifix for a two count. Kaitlyn nailed a gutbuster. Lee grabbed the ropes so Lee ripped at her and pulled off her belt. Kaitlyn pulled her into the ring with Lee pulling the ring apron in with her. The referee fixed the apron and missed Lee nail Kaitlyn with her belt for a two count.
Lee went to the ropes and came off but was caught. Kaitlyn went for a move but Lee spun around and locked in The Black Widow submission. Kaitlyn finally powered out and nailed her with an over the knee backbreaker. She speared Lee, blew her a kiss and covered her but Lee kicked out at the last second.
Lee shoved Kaitlyn off after being pulled up. She went to the corner. Kaitlyn charged but Lee jumped up. Kaitlyn nailed the buckles facefirst. She went down. Lee smiled and locked on the Black Widow. Kaitlyn tried to hold on and finally tapped out.
Your winner and new WWE Divas champion AJ Lee!
They worked hard and had the best Divas bout in WWE in recent memory. Good solid stuff.
Kaitlyn broke down crying as she left. Layla, in her first WWE appearance in weeks and weeks, came out to console her. She brought Kaitlyn to the back where Alicia Fox and Natalya also tried to tell her everything would be OK. The distraught Kaitlyn wanted to be alone and walked off.
Their expert panel of Big Show, R-Truth, Cody Rhodes and Josh Mathews discussed the title changes thus far.
They aired a promo for the Wyatt Family.
WWE United States champion Dean Ambroe vs. Kane
The crowd was solidly behind Ambrose. He went right at Kane but was overpowered with several right hands and a suplex for a two count. Ambrose came back with several punches but was caught with a sideslam. Kane began working over the champion's back.
He brought Ambrose into the corner and worked him over. Kane drilled with an uppercut. He whipped Ambrose into the opposite corner. Kane kicked Ambrose and snapmared him over. Ambrose came back, working on Kane's left knee. Ambrose was caught with an over the shoulder slam but his knee was bothering him.
Kane kicked off an Ambrose charge and ascended to the rop rope. Ambrose tried to stop him but was fought off. Kane went for the flying clothesline but missed. Ambrose came off the ropes with the old Tracy Smothers Jawjacker elbow for a two count. Ambrose locked in a sleeper, trying to force Kane out. Kane rose to his feet, so Ambrose jumped on his back.
Kane backed him into the corner. Ambrose climbed the ropes and jumped off, only to be caught with an uppercut. Kane worked over Ambrose but was caught with a running knee in the mid-section. He nailed a series of slaps and a running dropkick against the ropes for another two count.
Ambrose went to the top to attempt Undertaker's Old School but Kane yanked him down. The attempt enraged Kane, who nailed a series of clotheslines and a sideslam for a two count. Kane came off the top with clothesline. He called the chokeslam but Ambrose rolled to the outside. Kane went to grab him but Ambrose snapped his throat over the ropes. Kane was unphased and drilled Ambrose, sending the champ to the floor. Kane nailed him and set up to use the announcing table on Ambrose, but was caught and drilled with Ambrose's DDT on the floor.
Ambrose returned to the ring, but Kane was counted out.
Your winner and still United States champion, Dean Ambrose!
Another solid match. The finish is OK in terms of setting up rematches. Both had their moments here.
They aired an awesome promo announcing the return of Rob Van Dam at the Money in the Bank PPV. That is awesome.
World champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio
Ziggler stalled a bit early on. The crowd chanted for RVD. Del Rio was able to drill Ziggler with several shots to the head and Ziggler acted like he was dazed, which the announcers pushed. Del Rio nailed a big back suplex.
Ziggler ended up on the floor. Big E. Langston shoved Del Rio and was thrown out by the referee. Ziggler came alive with offense, slamming Del Rio's head into the table. Del Rio came back to stomp the hell out of Ziggler and nail him with a series of headbutts.
Del Rio continued the assault but Ziggler grabbed a sleeper. Del Rio escaped and drilled Ziggler with a bunch of shots to the back and head. He nailed a backstabber for a two count. Del Rio went for the rolling armbreaker but Ziggler countered it. The fans chanted, "Let's go Ziggler."
Ziggler went to the top but was caught by Del Rio and nailed with a superplex that saw Ziggler sent into the ring face-first. Del Rio continued working over Ziggler, who kept kicking out. Ziggler surviving the onslaught really got the Chicago fans behind him. Ziggler nailed the Zig Zag out of nowhere but landed on his head, so he was unable to capitalize.
Del Rio nailed him with a superkick and pinned him.
Your winner and new World champion, Alberto Del Rio!
A really good match with Ziggler really bumping his rear end off. The story was that Del Rio kept laying out Ziggler with shots to the head and Ziggler kept trying to rebound, but in the end, it was too much. The way it was portrayed, you would think Ziggler would be a babyface going forward. This felt like a double turn, so don't expect a Punk turn tonight. It's a real shame Ziggler come back from his concussion only to be booked to lose the belt. That was a bummer but I guess now we know why Dolph was knocking the company on Twitter.
Ziggler dropped down in the aisle as he left. The crowd chanted his name.
World champion Alberto Del Rio came back after a promotional commercial aired. He cut a promo thanking the Chicago fans. He said he proved to Chicago and the entire world why he deserved to be the champion. He said he's done everything since he's come to WWE and he did it just for you, the fans, every night. Del Rio said that tonight, he asked Chicago and the world for their support. He said that they know he's one of the best in the business and gives of his life and gives 100%. He said that after tonight, he felt he deserved to be champion and asked the fans to cheer for their new champion. Ricardo officially announced him.
Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk
Punk has grown his hair out a bit and had mutton chops. He received a massive response for his entrance and looked far more rested coming out then he did in forever. Paul Heyman was with him.
Punk and Jericho shoved each other and they battled back and forth on the mat. Jericho shoulderblocked him down but was nailed with a dropkick. Punk grabbed a side headlock and worked him over. Punk then began working on Jericho's shoulder and arm.
Punk used a series of shoulderblocks in the corner. Jericho fired back with chops and sent Punk to the outside with a clothesline. Jericho nailed a sliding kick through the ropes to Punk on the floor. Jericho went for his springboard dropkick to the outside but Punk snapped him on the ropes. Punk came off the top with a dropkick for a two count.
Punk locked in a keylock. Jericho fired back with several chops. He rebounded off the ropes but was nailed with a knee to the mid-section. Punk locked up Jericho on the mat with an armbar but Jericho drilled him with a series of right hands.
Jericho whipped Punk into the corner but was kicked off as he charged. Punk went for his springboard clothesline but Jericho ducked. Jericho shoulderblocked him down. Punk tried to throw him over the top but Jericho landed on his feet and came off with an axehandle. He bulldogged Punk. He went for a quebrada but saw Punk moved, so he landed on his feet. Punk nailed him with a neckbreaker for a two count.
Punk nailed the high knee in the corner and went for the bulldog but Jericho shot him off. Jericho nailed the Lionsault for a two count. Jericho punted Punk but was caught and set up for a GTS. Jericho fired out and caught Punk in the Walls of Jericho. Punk was able to reverse it and turn it into the Anaconda Vice. Jericho almost tapped but made it to the ropes with his feet.
Punk called for the GTS. He went for the move but it was reversed into a Walls of Jericho attempt. They went back and forth and Jericho rolled up Punk for two. Heyman at one point got on the apron and that caused Punk to lose his focus for a second. Jericho drilled Punk's face into his knees for a two count.
Jericho began beating Punk with kicks and punches. He told Punk to stay down and kept drilling him. The crowd chanted for Punk. They battled back and forth in the center of the ring with punches and kicks. Punk nailed a leg lariat as Jericho rebounded off the ropes. Punk nailed the high knee and bulldog combination and went to the top for the flying elbow. Punk nailed the GTS but Jericho kicked up at the last second.
Punk went for the GTS but Jericho escaped. Punk evaded a Codebreaker attempt and clotheslined Jericho over the ropes to the floor. Punk nailed a tope suicida. Punk tossed him into the ring and went for the springboard clothesline but Jericho caught him with a double knee strike to the face as Punk came down. Punk kicked up at the last second.
Jericho began beating Punk's neck and back. He drilled Punk with elbows to the face over and over. Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho but Punk caught him with an inside cradle for a two count. They battled back and forth with strikes and punches. Punk went for a rana but was caught and turned into the Walls of Jericho. Heyman begged him not to tap. Punk tried to turn and began beating on Jericho's leg until Jericho released. Punk began beating the hell out of him. Jericho was drilled with two GTS's in a row and finally pinned.
Your winner, CM Punk!
Really, really good match. A hell of a battle.
WWE Tag Team champions The Shield vs. Daniel Bryan & Randy Orton
Bryan started off strong against Roman Reigns with a series of kicks and strikes but was shoulderblocked down for a two count. Bryan was tossed into the Shield's corner and worked over. Reigns worked over Bryan, who tried to fight back but was slammed down for a two count.
Reigns locked in a side chinlock as the crowd chanted for Bryan. Bryan rebounded off the ropes with a big clothesline and went to tag Orton. He made the tag and Orton cleaned house with a series of clotheslines and a powerslam on Seth Rollins. He nailed the hanging DDT on Reigns.
Rolling missed a strike and was sent into the corner. He kicked off Orton but was caught coming off the ropes with a powerslam for a two count. Orton nailed him with the hanging DDT as well. He set up for the RKO but Rollins rolled to the outside. Orton went to grab him from the apron, allowing Reigns to leap up and punch him.
Rollins took control on Orton, scoring several two counts. Reigns tagged in and choked Orton with his boot. The Shield tagged in and out working over Orton. Orton finally made a comeback with a suplex into the buckles on Rollins. Bryan was tagged in and came into the ring with a double missile dropkick. He nailed dropkicks in the corner on each and covered Reigns for a two count.
Bryan drilled Reigns with a kick to the head for a two count. Bryan ducked Reigns and sent him over the top. He then backdropped Rollins over the top. Bryan went for a tope but The Shield moved out of the way, leaving Orton to be drilled with the dive.
The Shield pulled Bryan back into the ring and nearly pinned him several times. Bryan made a comeback and hit a butterfly superplex on Rollins for a two count. Bryan locked in the No Lock but Reigns broke it up. Reign set up for the spear but Orton hit the ring and went for a RKO. Reigns shoved him into Bryan. They didn't connect but Orton moved out of the way and sent Bryan inadvertently (or maybe not?) into the spear. Orton nailed the RKO on Reigns. Rollins threw him out of the ring and drilled Bryan with a flying knee for the pin.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions, The Shield!
Another really good match with some good wrestling and the continued build of issues between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton. Everyone looked good here.
Three Stages of Hell: WWE champion John Cena vs. Ryback
Stage One is a Lumberjack Match. They locked up but Ryback immediately overpowered Cena and began beating Cena down. Cena fought back but was caught and slammed down for a two count. Ryback nailed Cena with a Fall Away Slam.
Cena made a comeback with a suplex and several elbowdrops. Ryback tossed him out but Cena landed on his feet and returned of his own power. Great job Lumberjacks. Ryback controlled Cena in the ring with several two counts. There's a small but noticeable "You both suck" chant, but it was quickly drowned out by the usual dueling Cena chants.
Ryback threw Cena out in front of the heels. They worked him over and tossed him back in. Ryback suplexed Cena over and tossed him back out. The heels all put the boots to him and tossed him back in. Cena made a comeback with all his traditional moves but the Five Knuckle Shuffle didn't do the trick. Ryback presed and tossed Cena into a group of Liumberjacks.
Cena was tossed into the ring and Ryback went for Shell Shock but Cena escaped and sent Ryback to the outside. This led to a major brawl. Cena dove off the top rope onto everyone on the floor. If you've ever seen the famous ECW spot where Kid Kash took out all the Lumberjacks, that wa it. The heels all began beating Cena. Cena and Ryback were forced back into the ring. Cena went for the STF but Ryback escaped and nailed Shellshock for the pin.
Stage Two is a Tables Match. The Lumberjacks left.
Ryback drilled Cena in the corner and set up a table. Ryback went to sideslam Cena into it but Cena escaped and went for an AA through it. Ryback escaped and speared Cena. Lots of Goldberg chants.
Ryback pressed Cena over his head to drop him through the table but Cena escaped. He went for the AA but Ryback flipped the table over to prevent being put through it. Ryback ended up on the floor, where Cena tried to whip him into the stairs. The whip was reversed and Cena ate the steel.
Ryback tossed the stairs into the ring. He drilled Cena with the stairs. He threw the stairs at Cena, who evaded them and it destroyed a table. Cena nailed Ryback with the stairs. Cena set up a table but was nailed by Ryback with the stair and knocked onto the table. Ryback came down with the stairs but Cena rolled out of the way. Another table destroyed.
Ryback threw the stairs at Cena, who ducked. They landed in the aisle. Cena began hitting a ton of offense but was cut off with a spinebuster. Ryback drilled Cena with the Meathook clothesline. He grabbed another table from under the ring.
Ryback set up the table and sent for the Shell Shock but Cena slipped out and put him through the table with the AA.
Stage Three is an Ambulance Match.
Ryback immediately trashed Cena and took him to the outside. He powerbombed Cena through the announcer's table. Ryback brought him into the ring and once Cena pulled himself up, they rang the bell.
Ryback beat Cena down and carried him to the ambulance. Cena slipped off his shoulder and shoved Ryback into the vehicle. Cena grabbed a ton of crutches from the ambulance to use as a weapon but was cut off by Ryback. Ryback went to punch Cena, who ducked and it went through the passenger side window.
Cena nailed Ryback with a crutch and then slammed him backfirst into the ambulance's back. Ryback tried to whip Cena into the open driver's side door but it was reversed and Ryback broke it off when he hit it. Ryback was nailed with the door.
Cena tried to force Ryback into the ambulance's driver's side but was fought off. Cena was run into the front of the ambulance. Ryback ripped a fender off and nailed Cena with it several times.
Ryback teased powerbombing Cena onto the front of the ambulance but was instead backdropped onto it, breaking the windshield with his foot. Cena grabbed the flashing lights panel and nailed Ryback with it as he tried to follow Cena.
Ryback grabbed one of the crutches. He climbed up and stalked Cena. Cena got the crutch and broke it over Ryback's back. He called for the AA and sent him through the roof and into the vehicle. They called for the bell.
Your winner and still WWE champion, John Cena!
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