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June 21st
On this day in history in ....
1934 - Francisco Aguayo defeats Martinez Larrea in Mexico City, Mexico for the Mexico National Heavyweight Title.
1942 - Ciclon Veloz defeats Jack O'Brien to win the Mexico National Welterweight Title.
1957 - Pepper Gomez & El Medico defeat Duke Keomuka & Tokyo Joe in Houston, Texas for the NWA Texas Tag Team Title.
1963 - Pepper Gomez defeats Bill Watts to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
1965 - Stan Stasiak & Haru Sasaki defeats Pepper Martin & Shag Thomas in Portland, Oregon for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1966 - Tojo Yamamoto & Great Higami defeat Len Rossi & Mario Milano to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Birmingham, Alabama.
1969 - Paul DeMarco defeats The Professional (Doug Gilbert) for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1969 - Johnny Walker & Bearcat Brown defeats The Great Mephisto & Dante to win the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ending Mephisto and Dante's second reign.
1971 - Don & Al Greene win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title for the seventh time, defeating Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett in Memphis, Tennessee, ending their third reign.
1971 - Tarzan Zorra defeats Jos LeDuc to win the International Wrestling Association International Heavyweight Title in Montreal, Quebec.
1978 - Mongolian Stomper wins an elimination tag team match in Knoxville, Tennessee to win the vacant NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
1980 - Takachiho (The Great Kabuki) & Killer Karl Kox defeat Bob Brown & Pat O'Connor to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
1981 - Dusty Rhodes defeats Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending Race's sixth title reign, and starting Rhodes' second run with the belt. This would begin Rhodes' longest NWA World Title reign, lasting almost three months (his first and last reigns were one and two weeks, respectively).
1982 - Junkyard Dog defeats Bob Roop for the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title in New Orleans, Louisiana, starting his first run with the belt.
1984 - The Uptown Boys (Marty Janetty & Tommy Rogers) defeat The Grapplers (Len Denton & Tony Anthony) for the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas. At the same show, Ted Oates defeats Luke Graham to win his second NWA Central States Heavyweight Title.
1984 - Steve Grey defeats Danny Collins for the British Welterweight Title in Malvern, England.
1985 - Sgt. Slaughter defeats Larry Zbyszko to win the AWA America's Heavyweight Title in Chicago, Illinois.
1985 - Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeats MS-1 to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1986 - Mika Komatsu and Kanako Nagatomo defeat The Red Typhoons (Kazue Nagahori and Yumi Ogura) for the AJW Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1987 - Although possibly a phantom title change, Al Perez defeats The Dingo (Ultimate) Warrior for the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title in Puerto Rico.
1992 - Punish (Keiti Takayami) and Crush (Shoji Akiyoshi) defeat Scorpio, Jr. and Shu El Guerrero to win Michinoku Pro Wrestling's UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Title for the second time in Tokyo, Japan.
1992 - Villano III defeats The Killer for the UWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.
1993 - Owen Hart defeats Papa Shango for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. On the same show, New Jack & Homeboy defeated Rex King & Steve Doll for the USWA Tag Team Title, ending King & Doll's fourth title reign.
1994 - El Pantera defeats Felino to win the CMLL World Welterweight Title in Cuernavaca, Mexico, beginning his second reign and ending Felino's second.
2000 - Two Memphis Championship Wrestling titles change in Memphis, Tennessee. Steven Regal defeats Jerry Lawler for the MCW Southern Heavyweight Title, and The Fabulous Rocker defeats Spanky to become the first MCW Light Heavyweight Champion.
2000 - The Samoans (Eddie Fatu [now WWE's Umaga] and Matty Samu [later known as Rosey]) defeat Hideki Hosaka and Yoshinori Sasaki in Tokyo, Japan to win the FMW/WEW Hardcore Tag Team Title.
2000 - Mens Teioh defeats Chabinger (Masayoshi Motegi) for the Big Japan Pro Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Title in Fukushima, Japan, ending Motegi's secnod reign.
2001 - The first ever episode of WWF Tough Enough airs on MTV. The reality show/competition results in current WWE stars Maven and Nidia winning contracts after beating out 11 other participants.
2001 - Michael Modest defeats Bruce Hart fot the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Lethbridge, Alberta. Modest's All Pro Wrestling Universal Heavyweight Title was also on the line.
2002 - Justin 2 Fine & B.J. Turner defeat The Blackbird Posse (Larry Green & Chris Young) to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in North Richland Hills, Texas, ending the Posse's third reign.
2002 - Kidd Quick is awarded the vacant Outlaws of Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Grand River, Ohio, beginning his second reign. Quick had been stripped of the title three months earlier.
2002 - Rod Steel defeats Doctor Heresy to win the Independent Pro Wrestling Television Title in St. Petersburg, Florida.
2003 - Terry Funk defeats The Sandman and "Pitbull" Gary Wolfe (subbing for then-champion Sabu) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the vacant 3PW Heavyweight Title.
2003 - The Impact (Scott Cage & Kaos) defeat Future Shock (Jay Freeze & Brandon P.) for the NWA Wildside Tag Team Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2003 - Sebastian defeats Julio Dinero to win the Keystone Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Altoona, Pennsylvania, beginning his second reign. At the same event, Mercury Flash wins his second KCW Central Pennsylvania Title, ending the second reign of Charlie Mansun.
2003 - Headshrinker Samu and John Rambo defeat Leslie Leatherman and Flex Fenom for the National Wrestling League Tag Team Title in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Two other titles also changed that night. The Goodfellas (Shorty Smalls and Dueces Wild) defeat The Freak and Snatch Haggis to win the House of Pain Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title and Sam Sanders defeats champion Fumar, Joker and Spyral in a four-way ladder match for the HoPWF Cruiserweight Title, ending Fumar's fourth reign.
2004 - Steve Stone wins the Brew City Wrestling Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating Adrian Serrano in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
2004 - WWE broadcast Raw. Tim Whitehead filed the following TV report:
The 6/21 episode of RAW GOT ROCKED AND LITA GOT ROLLED aired live from Miami. It was an eventful show, to be sure, but it didn't really seem to click, and much of the show seemed off-center.
They opened with footage of Triple H's encounter last week with Eugene, where he pretended to befriend him in his classic deceitful manner.
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler announced that HHH vs. Eugene would be the main event for the evening. They also promised an update on Shawn Michaels' injuries.
Rock came out! Since they were near his home, he was available for an appearance on this week's show. He got a huge superstar pop and ovation. He did his "finally" routine, altering it slightly to say, "Finally, the Rock has come back.....home!" Rock pointed out his family, many of whom were sitting on the front row. These were family members from his mother's side (the Maivia family), and also his wife, whom he introduced as his "fine assed wife". For most of wrestling's TV history, wives of wrestlers who were popular with female fans were never even mentioned, let alone shown. Rock then introduced Jason Taylor & Zack Thomas of the Miami Dolphins, and playfully ragged on them and the team a little. Rock said he was worried about Eugene and asked him to come out to the ring, offering to wise him up a little on HHH's true nature and intentions. Instead, Randy Orton came out, styling & profiling in an expensive suit. Orton informed Rock that Eugene wasn't yet at the arena, reporting that HHH would be picking him up at his hotel and bringing him to the arena in a limo. The crowd immediately lit into Orton, calling him an a**hole. Orton said he was glad Rock showed up so they would be able to finally talk face to face. He was happy to inform Rock that there's now a star in WWE who is younger, hipper, and better looking than he is, namely himself. Orton said Rock is yesterday's news. Rock said he agreed with the 15,000 fans in the arena, and said "you are an a**hole". Rock noted that both he and Orton are third generation wrestlers. He recalled that his father Rocky Johnson whipped Bob Orton Jr.'s ass and his grandfather High Chief Peter Maivia laid the Samoan smackdown on Bob Orton Sr. He said when Orton's mammy & grandmammy complained about this, his grandmother Lia Maivia slapped the lips off both of those bitches. Orton looked pissed, but he then smirked and said the fans know who the real man is. Rock then claimed to have met Orton back when both were kids. He alleged that Orton had a gerbil back then, which prompted Orton to immediately get defensive and insist that he and Rock never met as kids. Rock said the first time they met was in a wrestling locker room when both of their dads were wrestling on the same show, and that Orton was playing the little girl's game "My Little Pony". Orton said he never played that game, but then stammered something about it belonging to his sister. Rock said he scared Orton so much that little Randy fled and ended up crashing into King Kong Bundy's balls. Rock said he told Orton's dad that day that someday he would "kick your son's ass". Rock thus challenged Orton to fight right there in Miami. Orton did the classic cocky heel backdown, saying he couldn't fight because he had a match scheduled for later, was wearing an expensive suit, and hadn't had time to stretch out yet. Rock didn't accept these excuses, and lit into Orton with fists. Orton bumped over the top rope and crashed to the floor. This brought out Eric Bischoff. He said he wouldn't allow Rock to attack one of his superstars like that, and also alleged that Rock was plotting to interfere in the HHH vs. Eugene match. So he ordered security to eject Rock from the arena, and said he'd have Rock arrested if he didn't cooperate. The crowd chanted "a**hole" at Bischoff. Rock said he'd leave on his own, and insulted the security guys, calling them dwarves and oompa-loompas. He said it was no wonder WCW went out of business if Bischoff ejected guys like him. Rock then left, but he took a long time to do so, stopping to talk with and/or insult every WWE competitor he encountered on the way out. He told Trish Stratus she was hot, and congratulated Tyson Tomko on his TV series, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He passed Molly Holly and pulled off her wig. He stopped to talk to Hurricane & Rosey, calling them Hamburglar & Grimace. He offered to high five Jonathan Coachman, but then withdrew the offer and left Coach standing there looking stupid. Back in the ring, Orton was frustrated that Rock was taking so long to leave. Rock, from the arena exit door, told Orton that in three seconds something bad would happen to him. Rock counted down and sure enough, Edge came out of nowhere and speared Orton. LOL! Rock then simply got in his car and drove off. This was a good Rock segment, though the long exit kind of dragged.
Bischoff told security to be sure that Rock doesn't return. He was being typically condescending to the security guys. Chris Benoit came in. He was worried about Eugene having to fight HHH. He said if HHH wants a shot at his World Title, he'll give it to him without him having to defeat Eugene first. Bischoff got even more arrogant, if that's possible, and told Benoit this was none of his business. He warned him to shut his mouth about this, or he'd have him ejected from the arena just like he did with Rock.
Trish Stratus defeated Victoria in 3:55 to retain the women's title. Victoria did her standing moonsault. The one where she does a dance routine longer, but not better, than the three minute waltz beforehand. Trish bumped Victoria off the apron and rammed her into the security railing. Trish kicked Victoria and then mocked her dance routine. Trish hit a spinebuster. Victoria came back with a lariat, a sideslam, and some kicks of her own. She hit Trish with a moonsault, which looked scary because Victoria's knees landed right on Trish's ribs. Tomko broke up the pin. Trish then won with a quick roll-up, using the ropes for illegal leverage. Not all that good, though this short match was the only actual wrestling in the entire first hour. Afterward, Trish attacked Victoria and stomped her until some really weird looking chick, who looked like Steven Richards in drag, ran in and rescued her. Lord only knows where this will lead.
They aired the first of several segments on the regional RAW Diva search auditions in Chicago. A virtual plethora of babes tried out.
They aired footage of Kane's assault on Shawn Michaels last week. JR reported that Michaels suffered a crashed larynx, as well as other injuries, and that he'll be out for a very long time.
William Regal confronted Bischoff, saying that putting Eugene in with HHH is like leading a lamb to slaughter. He said Eugene has become very popular and demanded that Bischoff explain his actions. Bischoff said he doesn't have to explain anything to Regal, but then explained things. He said he was tired of Eugene being around and tired of being humiliated by him. Regal said if that's the case, it would be better just to fire Eugene than to send him in to be mauled by HHH. Bischoff claimed he can't fire Eugene because of the Board of Directors and because of his sister. That Board of Directors excuse is one of those floating rationalizations that gets invoked when necessary for the storyline, but is revoked when the storyline demands that someone be fired on the spot. As for Bischoff's sister, wouldn't she rather see Eugene get fired than dismembered? Anyway, Bischoff said Eugene needs to quit on his own, and that can be accomplished by having his favorite wrestler HHH humiliate him. Regal admitted he's a dirty, rotten scoundrel, but said he loves Eugene and that Eugene loves Bischoff and looks up to him. He said Bischoff should be ashamed of what he's doing. Bischoff's response was to inform Regal that he's no longer Eugene's guardian and instead is back on the active roster. In fact, he told him his first match would be right now, which in this case meant after a commercial break.
Regal's first match back was against Kane. JR & Lawler acted shocked, as if it's unheard of for Bischoff to force someone he's pissed at to fight Kane. Hell, I'd be shocked if he didn't force someone to fight Kane. Regal was still wearing his suit, as Bischoff didn't give him the time to dress out for the match. Anyway, the match never got started. Regal went after Kane on the floor before the bell. Kane then simply destroyed Regal in like twenty seconds and left him laying. The bell never rang.
Kane went to Bischoff and asked if that was what he wanted him to do. Bischoff said it was, and praised Kane for being a professional. Professional what? Bischoff said that HHH will soon be the #1 contender for the World Title, and will get a title shot at the Vengeance PPV. But he said Kane will get a title shot next week on RAW. Uh, so what good is the #1 contender's slot if someone else gets the title shot before you do? Kane liked this, so he didn't destroy Bischoff's office. Kane did, however, inform Bischoff that he "ain't seen nothin' yet", basically hinting that he'd do something else big before the end of the show. Bischoff looked a little worried. Kane walked off laughing.
More Diva footage aired from Chicago.
Hour two began with Orton & Batista beating Edge & Chris Jericho in 14:42. Batista pounded Edge. Edge dropkicked and suplexed Orton. Jaricho hit Batista with a flying forearm. Batista, doing a powerhouse routine, blocked Jericho's walls hold. Jericho dropkicked, bulldogged, and lionsaulted Batista. Orton broke up Jericho's pin attempt. Batista hit Jericho with a killer lariat, which everyone sold like crazy. The ref held Batista back as if Jericho was seriously hurt. Jericho stayed down as they went into a commercial break, with refs and agents running in to check on the situation. After the break, it was reported that Jericho was unable to continue, and that Edge had chosen to continue the match alone rather than to forfeit. Batista pounded Edge until missing a dropkick. Edge cleaned house for a brief period, including hitting a spear (sort of) on Orton in the corner. Batista stopped the pin. Edge threw Batista out and then speared Orton for real. Batista made the save, and it looked like he hardway opened a cut on Edge's cheek, though it wasn't clear exactly how. Edge got powerbombed by Batista, with Orton then hitting the RKO on the dazed Edge for the pin. The part before the break was okay but the latter part of the match was a little sloppy. On balance an okay match but not the hot one we've come to expect in this time slot.
Still more Chicago babe footage aired.
Video aired of a Smackdown the Vote rally in Miami with local Democratic congressman Kendred Meek. Props were given to both President Bush & Senator Kerry for providing information for a voter's guide they are publishing.
Stacy Keibler ran into Matt Hardy backstage. Stacy ran and hugged him, since Lita had apparently revealed to him that she's pregnant. At least they didn't try to pretend he still doesn't know, after it was all over TV last week. Matt was all excited about being a daddy. Stacy offered to babysit. Damn, I wish I'd had a babysitter like Stacy when I was a kid. Matt revealed to Stacy that he bought Lita a ring. I guess Stacy gets to know all of Matt or Lita's secrets first.
Smackdown Rebound aired.
A limo arrived carrying HHH, Eugene, and Ric Flair. Eugene got out and announced that he's a kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', limousine ridin' son of a gun. That was pretty cool. HHH was being ultra-nice to Eugene. He told him he could dress out in the Evolution locker room. He then confided to Flair that he was having a blast doing this.
Matt came out to the ring and said he got a great Father's Day gift when Lita informed him that he's now a father. He asked her to come out. She did so, and was very happy as well. They kissed. Matt gave a soap opera style romantic speech, and then got down on one knee, proposing marriage and offering the ring to Lita. Lita was all giggly and bubbly and was about to say yes, when Kane appeared on the TitanTron. What, you were expecting Michael Moore to appear there and to admit it was really his pal Richard Clarke who sanctioned those Saudi flights he's been ranting about? No, it was Kane, who flat out told Matt that the baby is his. Matt did his best to act like a tough guy. He called Kane a lying bastard and dared him to come out and fight. Kane then asked Lita whose baby it is, and she started crying. Matt saw this and put two and two together. He started way overacting, like someone in an old silent film, with expressions of horror and dismay on his face.
Matt was walking out of the building in disgust. Lita ran after him and said she only trying to protect him when she had sex with Kane, since Kane presumably had threatened to kill Matt if she didn't say yes. Matt wasn't listening. Finally, Lita said the baby might still be Matt's after all. Matt just walked out, and Lita cried some more. This whole thing is so bad, on several levels.
In Chicago, several Diva contestants were selected to move on to the next round. The losers were dismissed by being told (by Coach) that they aren't Diva material. So much for letting them down easy. Considering the time they're putting into this, this thing had better turn out to be good.
All four Evolution members were being very nice to Eugene. Eugene asked where Regal was, but HHH told him Evolution are his real friends. HHH said real friends don't hurt each other, and said he's still sore from the Hell in the Cell match, asking Eugene to take it easy on him in their bout. Eugene, of course, agreed to go easy. Bischoff walked in and said he came to wish Eugene luck. HHH was great again, getting in Bischoff's face and saying no one believes his crap. He accused Bischoff of wanting him to slaughter Eugene, but said he won't do that because he and Eugene are best buddies and Eugene is now with Evolution. HHH then told Eugene to go out to the ring to get ready for their match. When Eugene was gone, HHH, Bischoff, and the others all burst out laughing. Hilarious!
HHH vs. Eugene went to a no contest in 16:48. HHH continued to maintain the ruse, hugging Eugene before the match. HHH gave Eugene a hip toss. Eugene then gave one to HHH. HHH got mad but quickly calmed down and acted like everything was fine. Eugene won a test of strength, which was a little hard to believe. HHH kept trying to take it in stride and stay on track. Eugene did the Hulk Hogan mannerisms and won a test of strength with Flair. HHH went to the mat for some grappling, but Eugene out-wrestled him and suplexed him. HHH rolled from the ring to regroup as they went to a commercial break. When the action retured, Eugene was still out-wrestling HHH. Okay, this was all entertaining, but really kind of hard to swallow. Finally, HHH accused Eugene of hurting him. Kind hearted Eugene backed off to let HHH recover, which led to HHH sucker punching him. HHH pounded Eugene with closed fists as Eugene looked dismayed that his friend had turned on him like this. HHH scored two with a spinebuster. Flair choked Eugene behind the ref's back. Eugene, in another unbelievable spot, did the Hogan babyface comeback, hulking up and laying HHH out. Eugene successfully came off the top rope, which must have been a psychological blow to Flair at ringside. HHH went for a pedigree, but Eugene backdropped his way out of it and ended up giving HHH a Rock Bottom and a People's Elbow. HHH rolled from the ring again as Eugene did the Flair strut. HHH returned and this time got serious. He gave Eugene a devastating pedigree. He was about to go for the pin, but Bischoff came out and demanded that HHH punish Eugene some more. He said HHH won't get the title shot at Vengeance unless he beats the living hell out of Eugene. So HHH got a chair and brought it into the ring. Benoit ran in and went after both HHH and Flair. He gave HHH a German suplex. Orton & Batista ran in but Benoit ran them from the ring with the chair. HHH staggered back up, and so did Eugene (who had been down all this time from the pedigree). Benoit swung the chair at HHH, but HHH ducked and Eugene took the chairshot. Down he went. HHH then caught Benoit with a low blow and pedigreed him. The match just sort of ended with no decision. HHH acted triumphant, as his music played and he celebrated with his Evolution cohorts as if he was the winner. I guess this was good enough to earn HHH the #1 contendership. I also assume everyone will try to tell Eugene next week that Benoit hit him with the chair on purpose. We'll see. As for this match, it was entertaining but a little bit unbelievable, unless we soon learn that this whole Eugene affair has been one huge Bischoff plot.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Did you notice how easily Orton earned his a**hole chant?
If you can dodge a chairshot, can you dodge a ball?
Is there any point, or any quality, to Victoria's dance?
Are they grooming Batista for the UFC?
Anyone else in line to claim the fatherhood of Lita's baby?
Weren't Kane's private parts supposedly burned off in a fire?
2005 - WWE held a press conference to promote their Vengeance PPV in Las Vegas. Danny Walk filed the following report:
I just returned from the WWE Vengeance Press Conference in Vegas and thought I'd give you a report.
The event was held at the Thomas and Mack in a meeting room. It was a standing room crowd with more than a couple hundred people there. It was set up like a boxing press conference with two long tables and a podium that was in the middle. The faces sat at one table and the heels on the opposite side. Everyone who came out entered from a curtain with their music.
Vince McMahon was the first out to welcome everyone. He was greeted with a big ovation. He thanked us for showing up and he talked about how he was glad to bring the WWE back to the fans in Vegas. He introduced Eric Bischoff, who emceed the rest of the event. He first came out and started to heel the crowd but surprisingly was really courteous to everyone. He talked about the history of the WWE in Las Vegas.
Triple H was the first wrestler out and was very entertaining. I'm not the biggest HHH fan but when he drops this whole "I'm the toughest guy in the world" crap, he is extremely funny. He mentioned how in Vegas he lost the title to Vince because he was laughing so hard from watching Vince try to wrestle him he got rolled up.
Edge and Lita were up next. Lita talked about she was proud to be Edge's slut and whatnot and then Edge got on the mic very briefly. He surely cut his promo short because the crowd was chanting "Hardy" very loudly. He acted like he heard wrong and said "Party?" "Yeah, we're gonna party after Vengeance on Sunday" and went and sat down.
Kurt Angle was introduced to a very babyface reaction and went through the motions on his promo. Bischoff then had Christy Hemme come out next. She talked about being lucky to be here today and said she received stitches from the attack from Victoria yesterday.
John Cena was up after Christy and received an enormous reaction from the crowd. The fans really love him. He said he'd beat both Christian and Jericho because he had the Chain Gang behind him.
Batista was the last introduced and was also very over. He squared off with HHH immediately and then said he didn't have much to say except that he was going to beat HHH in HIAC and that he'd have to be killed to lose the title. Also, very interestingly he said the REAL champ was here and stared down John Cena, who was sitting down.
Finally, Bischoff opened the floor to questions from fans. A fat guy asked Triple H a question he didn't like and HHH totally ripped into this guy, insulting him for minutes to the crowd's delight. Throughout the press conference, he would ad lib to what others were saying and the crowd was very into him. He seemed to play a cocky face instead of the bad ass heel that has gotten stale. Another fan (obviously an internet fan) asked Vince that he had read that he met with Sabu yesterday and wanted to know how that went. Vince corrected him and said he did not meet with him but was very impressed with his performance at the ECW PPV and looked forward to speaking with him in the future.
Overall, I came away from the press conference extremely excited for Vengeance and was very pleased with the WWE's effort to put together another chance for the fans to see the stars live and in person. Definitely a thumbs up live event.
2006 - WWE issued a press release about the new ECW running a standalone taping on 7/4 in Philadelphia. It would be the first and last time the new ECW did so.
2007 - PWInsider.com broke word that WWE planned a retirement match for Ric Flair at Wrestlemania 24. Of course, Flair would go on to lose to Shawn Michaels, forcing his retirement from WWE at that event in 2008.
2007 - World Wrestling Entertainment's Vince McMahon was among the names announced as being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Committee announced.
McMahon will receive a special ceremony and a permanent star on the Walk of Fame, which runs three and a half miles down the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard. The date of the ceremony was not announced.
McMahon will be honored under the Television category, for his contribution to the broadcast television industry. There are five different categories an individual (including fictional characters, like Kermit the Frog and Mickey Mouse) can be honored under, one for each point of the star. As it turned out, McMahon's star was placed next to Kermit's.
To be honored on the Walk of Fame, the honoree must agree to attend a presentation ceremony within five years of selection. A $25,000 fee must be paid to the Hollywood Historic Trust which oversees the Walk of Fame. The Trust uses the $25,000 towards costs of the star's installment and security at the ceremony, among other related costs.
2007 - TNA ran Cade Cod, MA. Joe Smith filed the following live report:
Hi, I'm Joe Smith from Cape Cod, MA. Here is my report of the TNA house show at the Cape Cod Melody Tent last night.
The show was awesome. Better than any WWE/F event that came to the same venue. The place was 3/4 filled. The crowd was hot all night. Angle, 3D, and Samoa Joe were the most over. I got in argument with Traci when I took her picture when she came out and me and James Storm cussed each other out when he came down to the ring, it was awesome.
I saw JB walking around and I got him to sign my TNA 50 Greatest Moments DVD. He was very nice. TNA Ref Rudy Charles signed my Drip-paint TNA logo shirt before the show. Jay Lethal signed my shirt too, during intermission. Eric Young, Daniels, and Rhino kept messing with fans by peaking out the locker-room window and taunting us. Daniels opened up the locker-room door and gave us the **** You arm taunt and grunting, just joking around, it was hilarious. Abyss was walking around with a Tie-dyed shirt not wearing his mask, which I thought was funny.
They filmed tomorrow's TNA Today right before the Main Event. Well, here are the results:
Match 1: Eric Young defeated Robert Roode via a Double DVD to Roode and Traci. Eric was wicked over.
Match 2: LAX defeated The Naturals, Havok/Martyr, Rhino/Frankie Kazarian, & Runt/Lance Hoyt in a Tag Team Titles #1 contenders match. Hoyt turned on Runt during the match causing LAX to get the victory.
Match 3: Jay Lethal defeated Christopher Daniels via the elbow drop. Daniels was very over, but played a heel very well and got the crowd to hate him.
Match 4: Chris Harris & Gail Kim defeated James Storm & Jackie Moore via a Lucha-roll-up on Moore by Kim. Very good match, Gail did great in it.
Match 5: TNA X-Division Title Match - Samoa Joe retained against AJ Styles via the Muscle Buster in an awesome match. Both Joe & AJ were very over, AJ played a good heel which got the crowd to boo him.
Match 6: Abyss defeated Tomko via Black Hole Slam. Good match.
Match 7: TNA Tag Team Titles Match - Team 3D defeated LAX in a great match. Lance Hoyt ran in during the match to take out Team 3D, but Runt hit the ring and gave Hoyt the Acid Drop. 3D picked up the win after 3Ding Hernandez. 3D brought a kid in the ring to hold the Tag belts and they payed Tribute to friend that lived in the area who recenatly died. Runt, Devon, and Bubba then posed. They were so over it was nuts.
TNA then filmed tomorrow's TNA Today and said footage will air on iMPACT next week.
Match 8: TNA Heavyweight Title match - Kurt Angle retained against Christian Cage via the Olympic Slam. Very good match. Angle was so over, it was insane.
Biggest Pops:
1. Kurt Angle
2. Team 3D
3. Samoa Joe
4. Eric Young
5. Rhino
Biggest Heat:
1. Christian Cage
2. AJ Styles
3. Christopher Daniels
4. James Storm
5. Robert Roode
Best wrestling show I've ever been to.
2007 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last Sunday was Slammiversary and we saw a new TNA Heavyweight Champion as well as a new X Division Champion crowned. Kurt Angle won the TNA Heavyweight Title when he won the King of the Mountain Match against Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Chris Harris. Jay Lethal defeated Chris Sabin to become the X Division Champion after an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle. We also saw Road Warrior Animal replace the injured Scott Steiner as Rick Steiner's tag team partner as they fell to Team 3D. With Slammiversary behind them, what is next for Total Nonstop Action as they move to Victory Road on July 15th? What is Jim Cornette's big announcement regarding the titles? What will happen when Chris Harris faces Raven? Will Eric Young get another measure of revenge when he meets Robert Roode in a tag match?
We start off with Abyss walking in the back and Don West wonders what he is doing in the Impact Zone.
We go to highlights from Slammiversary including Jay Lethal's victory over Chris Sabin, the multiple big boots during the night, Eric Young keeping his job thanks to Jim Cornette restarting the match, Road Warrior Animal as Scott Steiner's replacement, the carnage from the Abyss/Tomko match, and the crowning of a new champion in Kurt Angle in the King of the Mountain Match. We also see Kurt Angle giving Joe the Olympic Slam after the match.
Jim Cornette is in the ring and he talks about how Slammiversary was very exciting and very emotional but there is no rest for the weary because TNA is going down the path for Victory Road. Cornette says that he wants to announce the main event for Victory Road but he wants to bring out all of the champions first. X Division Champion Jay Lethal comes to the ring first as we see footage of him hitting the elbow drop from the top on Chris Sabin at Slammiversary. Tag Team Champions Team 3D come to the ring next and we see footage of Team 3D pinning Rick Steiner after a 3D. The final man to come to the ring is the TNA Heavyweight Champion, Kurt Angle and we see footage of Kurt Angle hanging the title belt on the hook to win the title as well as the Olympic Slam on Samoa Joe after the match.
Jim Cornette says that the main event at Victory Road is going to be the "Match of Champions" The Heavyweight Champion and the X Division Champion will team up against the Tag Team Champions. All of the titles will be on the line. When a wrestler gets a pinfall, not only do they win the match but they win the title of the man that they pin. Cornette says that Devon could be the Heavyweight Champion. If the tag champions are pinned, the man who gets the pin will get both tag title belts and they will get to choose their tag team partner. Cornette also says that all of the titles will be defended over the next three weeks. If they win, they will be in the Match of Champions but if they lose the man who beats them will be in the Match of Champions. Cornette wants to know if there are any questions.
Kurt Angle raises his hand and takes the mic. Angle wants to know if Cornette will take his head out of his ass. Angle wants to make sure that Cornette knows what he did at Slammiversary. Angle wants to know where the fireworks, red carpets, and celebration are. He points out that the is the undisputed heavyweight champion and how Cornette wants to roll into Victory Road without putting him on a pedestal. He says that if he was Sting, Cornette would have a post-Oscar party with balloons falling from the ceiling and champagne. Angle tells Cornette to get out of the ring because he has a few people to thank. Angle pulls out his acceptance speech. Angle starts off by thanking himself for making tonight possible. He says that he wants to thank himself for doing everything that he said he would do. Angle then goes on to thank . . . himself for putting TNA on the map. He wants to thank himself for being the greatest wrestler in the company, if not the entire world. Angle tells the fans to keep their support because they blow like the wind. One minute they love him and the next minute they hate him. Angle says that he wants the fans to hate him because that is exactly the way he feels about them. Angle points out that whenever he wanted the fan's support, all he heard was "Joe's gonna kill you." Angle calls the fans a bunch of morons like Samoa Joe who believes his own hype. Angle says that there is one more person he wants to thank and that is the lord for giving everyone a role model to look up to and that is him. He also thanks the lord for giving them someone to live their dreams and aspiration through and that is him. Angle reminds us that it is real.
Cornette tells Angle that the one thing that is real is that Angle is a professional athlete who gets paid to compete and show his talent. This ain't charity so he is being compensated well. Cornette says that he was going to shatter the glass ceiling and put new blood in the title picture. He is talking about new blood that is hungry and wants to fight, not someone who wants to be stroked and praised. Cornette tells Angle that it is going to be tough but if Angle is as good as he says then it will not be a problem. If Angle is not, then someone else will be wearing the title belt. Cornette says that Angle will face two former TNA champions to qualify for the Match of Champions. The hardest thing about being the champion is not winning it, but keeping it.
Cornette tells Jay Lethal that his match will be tonight and he will face two former tag team champions Chris Sabin and Samoa Joe. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is in the interview area with Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt. Jeremy says that TNA is in negotiations with a major main eventer looking to jump to TNA and he tells people if they want to find out they can join TNA Mobile. Jeremy asks Lethal about his title match. Lethal talks about Sunday when he won the title. He talks about how he is going to walk out of the Impact Zone as the champion. He tells the Guru to tell everyone that it is going to happen and Sonjay meditates.
Match Number One: Robert Roode (with Traci Brooks) and James Storm (with Jackie Moore) versus Eric Young and Rhino
The bell rings and Roode attacks Young from behind and punches and kicks Young. Young with a Lou Thesz Press and punches. Young comes off the ropes and Storm connects with a knee to the back from the apron to stop Young and Roode follows that up with a clothesline. Roode with a kick to Young and then he stomps on Young's chest. Roode with a belly-to-back suplex for a two count. Roode punches Rhino on the apron and then he stomps on Young before tagging in Storm while the referee focuses on keeping Rhino out of the ring. Storm stomps on Young and follows that with a snap mare, knee drop, and leg drop for a near fall. Storm with boots to Young's head and then he slams Young into Roode's boot. Roode holds Young but Young gets his boot up for a charging Storm. Young with an elbow to Roode on the apron and a punch to Storm but Young cannot make the tag. Roode holds Young again but Young moves when Storm tries for the flying forearm, and Storm hits Roode instead and Roode is knocked off the apron. Rhino makes the tag and he clotheslines Storm followed by a shoulder to Roode and back elbow to Storm. Rhino with a powerslam to Storm but Roode breaks up the cover. Young punches Roode and then he chokes him in the ropes. Rhino with a belly-to-belly suplex to Storm. Jackie gets in the ring and she climbs on Rhino's back to stop him from hitting the GORE. The distraction works with Storm hitting a superkick for the three count. Winners: James Storm and Robert Roode
After the match, Storm pours the beer on Rhino and Rhino is not happy with that as Storm and Roode leave the ring quickly. Rhino picks up the bottle and throws it at Storm. Rhino pushes Young down and then he goes after the ring steps. Rhino throws chairs into the ring and then he pushes over the announce table. We go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look back at what happened during the break with Rhino. We see Rhino yell at Jim Cornette as Cornette tries to calm Rhino down.
Mike talks about how Jay Lethal will be making his first title defense.
Don West mentions that they have talked in recent weeks about the issues that have been affecting Jeff Jarrett but they have been pretty vague about it. Don talks about the Jeff Jarrett interview that aired at Slammiversary and then we see the segment that aired at Slammiversary. Mike says that it was the most heart wrenching moment he ever experienced in his wrestling career. He talks about the emotional response by the crowd in Orlando and we go to commercial.
We are back and Leticia is in the interview area with Samoa Joe and she asks Joe about his chance to get into the Match of Champions. Joe takes the mic and says that it does not matter who his opponents are and then he tells Leticia to get out. Joe wonders how many times Kurt Angle is going to piss him off. Joe talks about how Angle would tell people what he is going to do before he gets in the ring so Joe decides to do the same thing. Joe says that he takes back his X Division title. If Angle keeps his title next week, he really loses because he will be Angle's tag team partner at Victory Road. They would be on the same team, but they will not be on the same side. Joe wants to revel in his pain and taste Angle' blood. Until Joe does what he sets out to do there will be no more interviews.
Match Number Two: Chris Harris versus Raven (with Havoc and Martyr)
Raven goes after Harris as the bell rings and he punches Harris. Raven with jabs and then he throws Harris outside the ring. Raven follows and he connects with two side Russian leg sweeps into the guardrails. Raven rolls Harris back into the ring. Harris punches Raven but Raven avoids a clothesline and hits one of his own for a near fall. Raven with an Irish whip followed by a splash into the corner and running bulldog for a two count. Harris with a Lou Thesz Press and punches followed by a flying clothesline. Martyr gets on the apron to distract the referee. Harris with an Irish whip and he tries for a bulldog off the ropes but Havoc hits Harris in the back with the kendo stick. Raven with a side Russian leg sweep into the turnbuckles that grazes the referee and disorients him. From out of nowhere, Kaz comes to ringside and he goes after Martyr and Havoc on the floor. Kaz hits a springboard clothesline on Raven that takes him down. Kaz leaves the ring while the referee deals with Havoc. Harris hits Catatonic for the three count. Winner: Chris Harris
After the match, Kaz heads to the back and Martyr and Havoc follow him to the back.
We go to the video screen where A.J. Styles is the director of Christian's latest promo. Cage tells Tomko and A.J. that they can leave. Christian tells Chris Harris to look up at the screen. Christian says that some people know him as the man who makes superstars. Everyone knows that if you want to be a star, it begins and ends with him. Cage says that is why fans line up to get his autograph and photos. He points out that there is paparazzi always following him. Wrestlers want to be in the ring so they can tell their grandchildren that they were in the ring with him. Christian says that at Slammiversary, Harris proved that he wants to be that next star. He did get Christian's attention because Harris cost Christian the title. If Harris wants to make a name for himself, they will put on a masterpiece some time. Harris will not like the way the story ends. Christian tells them to cut, but then he wants to know why he is in there and Cage runs away.
We return to the announce table area and Mike asks Don what just happened with Cage and who it was. Before Don can wonder who it was in the back with Christian, we see Christian come into the Impact Zone and after he flies into the Impact Zone he is followed closely behind by Abyss. Abyss punches Christian and Christian falls towards the ring. They go into the ring and Abyss gets the barbed wire baseball bat. Abyss gets ready to hit Christian but Christian cowers in the corner and that allows Tomko and A.J. to attack Abyss from behind. Abyss fights off Abyss and Tomko. Tomko chokes Abyss but Abyss chokes Tomko as well and then he kicks Tomko into the corner. We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package with a promo from James Mitchell. He says that he traveled the dark, seedy, underbelly of humanity in order to find his prize. Thousands of miles and countless sleepless nights later when he was ready to abandon his quest, He suddenly appeared in a blinding flash. It was a creature beyond good and evil, devoid of compassion, bereft of conscience. A force unlike anything the world has seen. He's coming. Jim Mitchell laughs manically.
Match Number Three: Jay Lethal versus Chris Sabin versus Samoa Joe for the X Division Title
Lethal and Sabin have some words while the referee gets the belt out of the ring but Joe attacks Lethal from behind as Sabin leaves the ring. Joe slams Lethal's head into the turnbuckle and he connects with some jabs before Lethal responds with jabs of his own. Joe with a knee to Lethal's midsection. Lethal tries for a leapfrog on Joe but Joe tosses Lethal face first into the mat. Joe with a kick to Sabin followed by a running back elbow into the corner and an enzuigiri. Joe sets for the running face wash to Sabin but Lethal tries for a drop kick on Joe but Joe brushes it off as if it was a bug trying to bother him. Sabin and Lethal with a double drop kick and Joe goes outside the ring. Sabin charges into an elbow from Lethal and Lethal tries for a head scissors take down but Sabin sends Lethal to the apron. Sabin slides between Lethal's legs and Lethal is pulled from the apron and to the floor. While Sabin and Lethal battle on the floor, Joe hits a suicide dive onto Lethal and Sabin and we go to commercial.
We are back and Joe Irish whips Lethal into the corner but Joe charges into a boot. Lethal charges at Joe but Joe with a powerslam. Sabin hits a missile drop kick on Joe. Sabin with an Irish whip to Lethal followed by the running boot to the head. Sabin puts Lethal in the tree of woe and then he hits the hesitation drop kick for a two count. Joe with two hard chops to Sabin and then he gets Sabin up for a powerbomb but Sabin counters with a sunset flip for a two count. Joe with a reverse atomic drop followed by a flying Yakuza kick and senton splash. Joe chops Lethal and then he sets for the muscle buster. Joe with a head butt and then he tries for a superplex but Lethal fights Joe off the turnbuckles. Lethal goes up top for the elbow drop but he takes too much time and Sabin pushes Lethal off the turnbuckles to the floor. Joe with a kick to Sabin on the turnbuckles and then Joe hits the muscle buster for the three count. Winner: Samoa Joe
After the match, Joe calls out Kurt Angle as he holds the title match.
Jim Cornette comes out and congratulates Joe for winning the X Division title and qualifying for the Match of Champions. Cornette announces that next week, we will find out Joe's partner because the TNA Heavyweight Title will be defended in a Triple Threat Match. Kurt Angle will defend the title against Christian Cage and Rhino. We go to credits.
2008 - Heavy flooding in the Midwest adversely affected the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum in Waterloo, IA. The museum, which is home to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, suffered substantial damage. They have lost a lot of pro wrestling memorabilia of some of the biggest names in wrestling history, such as Lou Thesz and Frank Gotch, among others. June 27th-28th is their induction weekend for the Lou Thesz Hall of Fame and they p
Posted below in italics is the statement that they issued regarding the flooding. Also below are web links citing their Executive Director's personal account of the flooding, and a link for anyone who would like to donate to help our restoration process.
Executive Director Mike Chapman's account of the flood: http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/wincolumnforflood.htm
Donation Link: http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/donateforrecovery.htm
WATERLOO -- The flood of the century has severely damaged the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum but the staff has decided to go ahead with “Super Weekend” scheduled for June 27-28, with a few modifications.
The weekend begins with a celebrity golf tournament Friday at Irv Warren Golf Course at noon. A World League Wrestling show, produced by Harley Race, will go on as scheduled. Called “Night of the Legends 2” it will be held at Young Arena, starting at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.).
Saturday’s schedule includes the only major change. The official inductions into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame will still go on at 11 a.m., but will be held in Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center two blocks away from the museum. The event had been set for the museum, but the severe flooding has virtually ruined the museum.
The fourth and final event is the inductions banquet at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center at 7 p.m. (social hour at 6 p.m.).
“Even though the museum suffered unimaginable damage, the staff and board of directors felt it was imperative that we go ahead with “Super Weekend,” said Mike Chapman, executive director of the museum. “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we hope the wrestling community from around the nation will rally to support us. The museum needs all the help it can get.”
A combination of flooding and sewer back up into the museum has destroyed thousands of dollars of artifacts and memorabilia, and left the physical plant ravaged. A professional clean up crew has been working in the museum for five days, tearing out carpet, polluted walls, battered furniture and office equipment, and some displays.
The museum board of directors is resolved to get the museum up and running again, but it is going to take considerable time, effort, patience, and money,” said Chapman. “The staff has been working virtually around the clock to clean up the mess and still prepare for “Super Weekend.”
The six inductees this year are Roddy Piper, Abe Jacobs, Masa Saito, Leo Nomellini, Ray Gunkel, and Stu Hart. Piper, Jacobs, and Saito are attending and Bret Hart, Class of 2006, is accepting his father’s award. The daughter of Ray Gunkel is also planning to attend.
In addition, Wendi Weaver, the daughter of Penny Banner, will accept the Frank Gotch Award on behalf of her mother who passed away last month. Also being honored are Father Jason Sanderson, with the Lou Thesz Award and writers Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson with the Jim Melby Award.
Fans will be able to get autographs of many former hall of famers at the Friday night matches, and also at the Fan Festival following the inductions at 11 a.m. Saturday. Price of admission for the 11 a.m. inductions is $10 per person. Banquet tickets are $60 a person and seating is limited. Banquet tickets must be purchased at 5 p.m. June 24.
Tickets to the “Night of Legends II” show are $15 for ringside and $10 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at Young Arena.
TThe museum lobby will be open Friday, June 27 from noon to 6 p.m. for the pick up of tickets that have already been purchased or for information on the weekend’s events. The museum is located at 303 Jefferson St. The phone service for the museum is expected to be up and running soon. The number to call is 319-233-0745.
2008 - TNA ran Danville, IL. Tony and Mick Spivey filed the following live report:
We attended the TNA show in Danville last night. Front row seats, great experience! My 10-year-old son is helping me with this...the best of our memory, here's what happened:
Consequences Creed vs. Johnny Devine - Good opening match, both guys got a fair amount of offense and "fan interaction" time. Consequences Creed with the win.
Velvet Sky vs. Roxxi - Both Knockouts were over with the fans. Roxxi was the clear crowd favorite. I like that they are letting her have a little personality now. Not a bad match. Roxxi got the win, but was attacked from behind by Velvet, and got the paper bag. ODB ran in for the save. After Velvet was dispatched, ODB produced the flask and offered Roxxi a swig. She took a drink, and spit it out immediately. Lots of fans passing their beers over the railing, and ODB obliged by swigging them. Man, that girl can drink!
Kaz got beat by Robert Roode, with interference from James Storm
Kip James vs. Eric Young - Young got the first big pop of the night (other than JB saying we were ready to go). Kip got some serious crowd heat from a guy in our section. "Bullet Bob owned you man!". LOL! The match was all Kip until the crowd yelld for Super Eric. Young went beneath the ring, Super Eric's music hit, and he came out as Super Eric. Obviously, he won. Super Eric was really over.
Shark Boy made a brief appearance with a comedy bit. He came out to question why he was not in a match. He asked for the "matchmaker" to come out. A TNA employee came out, and Shark Boy grilled him in classic Stone Cold rapid-fire style, complete with the crowd providing the "What?" chant. "No memo...no e-mail...no voice mail...no smoke signals". Ended with Shark Boy giving the "matchmaker" the Chummer. I know not everybody is into his gimmick, but if the crowd response is like this everywhere, he is really, really over.
James Storm/Jacqueline vs. Curry Man/Traci Brooks - The Cowboy got some serious heat with pretty much the same speech he gave in Bloomington. Line of the night: "You know the toothbrush was invented in Illinois, because it's not called a TEETHbrush!". Lots of dancing from Brooks/Curry Man, which was okay by me! Traci is much prettier in person, almost overwhelmingly so. The match was good back-and-forth, each side getting a chance to shine. After lots of 2 against 1, and Storm beating on Traci for a while, Curry Man and Brooks get the win. Cool moment: Curry Man brought a kid up from the front row. The kid had a "Fallen Angel" shirt on. He got to dance to the Curry Man music, and was presented with a Curry Man shirt. Curry Man pointed to the Fallen Angel logo, and acted as if he had never heard of him.
JB said he had a special surprise...a tag-team first. Scott Steiner and Petey Williams vs. AJ Styles and...Samoa Joe! This was a killer main event. AJ and Petey did a great bit where they each were coming off the ropes, ducking each others punches, and ended up both ducking at the same time, then turning and kicking at the same time, with each grabbing the other's foot. They negotiated a "at the same time" deal, where they each eased the other's foot back to the floor. Fun comedy bit in the middle of a lot of action. AJ is amazing to watch live. He makes it look effortless. The Pele kick live is incredible. Steiner was in classic "SHUT UP FAT BOY!" heel mode with the crowd. No one does it better. AJ and Samoa Joe with the win, with a simultaneous Styles Clash and Coquina Clutch.
As in Bloomington, JB brought everyone out for autographs and pictures (except Steiner/Petey and Storm/Jacqueline). You could get your pic taken with Joe and AJ in the ring for $20. The wrestlers made sure everyone got an autograph and took hundreds of pictures. Got a nice shot of my son with Eric Young, and myself with ODB.
If you get a chance to catch TNA live, do it. The price for front row tickets was worth every penny. The matches are made to entertain, and the fan interaction is a nice thank-you for laying out some hard earned cash.
2009 - Former WWF star turned politician B. Brian Blair, age 52, was arrested today on several counts of child abuse following a 4 AM incident with two sons then aged, 17 and 12. All the charges were dropped when it was revealed that the older son, 17, started the incident that led to police being called.
According to an article in the St. Petersburg Times, Blair got into an argument with his oldest son, shoving and punching him before locking him what was described as a "choke" that left his son with trouble breathing. The 12 year old then ended up being choked by Blair as well. Authorities were called to Blair's residence and he was arrested at 5:12 AM. Blair is currently being held without bail, standard procedure in domestic violence cases.
Blair is best known for his tag team with Jim Brunzell, the masked Killer Bees, wrestling for several years in the 1980s-era WWF. Blair also wrestled in the Florida area. He retired several years ago after claiming back injuries in a fall at a restaurant, although he did one final New Japan tour after that incident.
Blair was elected Hillsborough County Commissioner in 2004. He did not win his bid for re-election in 2009.
2009 - TNA held their Slammiversary PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
The TNA pre-game show opened with Jeremy Borash welcoming everyone to the broadcast, running down the PPV lineup. A video preview of the King of the Mountain match for the TNA championship then played.
Lauren interviewed Beer Money Inc. She noted that they were rested while Team 3D were on a 15 hour flight back from Japan. Roode said that Team 3D are the greatest team of all time and situations like this, where they defend the New Japan tag titles in Japan the night before a big TNA Tag title defense, it says they are amazing. He wondered if they could really beat 3D. They then both cracked up. James Storm says that we shouldn't feel sorry for them on the plane, but the plane for having to carry them with all that weight. Storm said that they don't care where 3D went, because tonight they are going to prove they are the best tag team in the world.
TNA played a video piece on Beer Money vs. Team 3D.
Jeremy Borash asked fans for predictions on who would win the King of the Mountain TNA title bout tonight.
New entranceway for the PPV, by the way.
Eric Young & Rhino vs. The British Invasion's Doug Williams & Brutus Magnus
The match opened with Rhino drilling Williams with a big shoulderblock. Young and Rhino tagged in and out working on Williams. Magnus tagged in but was drilled with a clothesline. Magnus attempted a hiptoss but Rhino blocked it and hit a second clothesline. Rhino went to tag out to Young but Young dropped off the apron. That left Rhino open for a double team from the Invasion while Rob Terry distracted the referee.
Young walked off as Don West noted that Young was mad that after everything he's done for the company, he's on the pre-game show. Jesse Neal came out to talk to Young, who slapped him and walked off. Neal ran to ringside to cheer on Rhino. Rhino began making a comeback but Williams cut him off. Williams was wearing a black armband in honor of Mitsuharu Misawa.
Rhino made a comeback and teased the gore but Magnus hit Rhino from the apron. Rhino drilled him, then nailed Williams. Neal begged to be let into the match but no go. Williams came back with a high kneelift in the corner. Williams went to the top but Rhino moved out of the way. Neal jumped on the apron and tagged in. The referee alllowed it. Neal cleaned house on the Brits.
Magnus caught Neal with a arhug. Williams came off the top with a back elbow and Magnus scored the win.
Your winners, The British Invasion!
Match was designed to advance the Young storyline more than anything.
At ringside, Lauren noted it was TNA's seventh anniversary. Jeremy Borash was inside the penalty cage for the King of the Mountain and they ran down the lineup to the PPV. They announced the X-Division championship bout would open the PPV.
They aired a video feature on the tag team Monster's Ball match.
Back at ringside, Jeremy Borash continued to hype the show and interview fans about the PPV.
Lauren interviewed Sting about his match with Matt Morgan. Sting said that maybe it's his age or being dropped on his head so much, but people are questioning him. Sting said that he's got 20 years of confidence. He said that he still wants to bring respect back to TNA. Sting said Matt Morgan wants to make an example out of him, but instead he will make one out of Morgan.
They aired a video piece on the X-Division championship bout.
Borash and Lauren did a last minute hypejob for the PPV.
TNA Slammiversary PPV
X-Division champion Suicide vs. Chris Sabin vs. Jay Lethal vs. Consequences Creed vs. Alex Shelley - King of the Mountain
Detroit Tiger Curtis Granderson is at ringside to present the winner with the championship belt and is also doing commentary with Mike Tenay and Don West.
All four challengers took turns beating on Suicide as the bout began. The Guns nailed the Dream Sequence on Suicide. Creed pulled a ladder into the ring, although the ladder isn't in play until someone gets pinned. Suicide nailed a springboard back elbow on the Guns as Lethal Consequences set up the ladder in a corner. Suicide ducked under it, then rammed all of the challengers with it at once.
Suicide hit a reverse suplex on Lethal, who crashed down facefirst on the ladder, then pinned him. Suicide is now allowed to ascend the ladder to hang the X-Division belt. Lethal was sent to the Penalty Box. The other three challengers continued to beat down on Suicide. The Guns slammed Suicide into the ladder. Suicide came back to slam Creed into a ladder. Suicide hit a flying elbow in the corner on Shelley, then pinned him. Shelley goes off to the box.
Lethal was released from the box and immediately attacked Suicide, nailing a clothesline. Suicide drilled Lethal's face into the center turnbuckle. As he turned, Sabin drilled him in the face with a chair. Lethal nailed the Lethal Combination onto a chair. Sabin tried to steal the pin. Lethal and Creed jumped atop of it. No one seemed sure who was now allowed to hang the belt. Suicide went to the box. They finally confirmed it was Lethal who could now hang the title.
Suicide and Lethal are now both eligible.
Lethal grabbed the belt but he and Creed were jumped by the Guns. Shelley kicked out of the corner with a double stomp variation on Creed. The Guns swarmed over Lethal. They then hung Lethal in the corner and his stereo kicks to the face. They turned their attention to Creed. Sabin locked in an over the knee backbreaker and Shelley came off the top with a kneedrop. Creed came back to pin Shelley.
Suicide, Creed and Lethal are now both eligible.
Suicide was released from the penalty box but Lethal Consequences kept him at bay. Sabin went for Cradleshock but Suicide escaped and kicked Sabin, who took a bump into a ladder. Lethal pulled Suicide out of the ring to the floor, where Creed hit a running flip dive. Lethal tried to slam Suicide into a chair but it was blocked. They brawled up the entrance ramp. Sabin climbed to the penalty box from the ladder, then dove off onto Lethal Consequences and Suicide. Fun spot.
This left the Guns alone in the ring, although neither had qualified,. Sabin jumped down. Shelley pinned him. Sabin goes to the box and Shelley is now eligible. I laughed at that one. Shelley tried to scamper up the ladder but Suicide dropkicked the ladder. Lethal Consequences returned to the ring. Lethal and Shelley battled in the corner over a ladder. Shelley slammed him face-first into it. As he battled to his feet, Suicide picked up Creed and dropped him across the ladder. Lethal took a forward flip dive off the ladder into the ring, which looked insanely scary. Thankfully, replays showed he had completely cleared the bump.
The box released Chris Sabin, who hit the ring and immediately pinned the prone Lethal. Everyone is now allowed to try and hang the belt. Shelley drilled Creed with a kick but was caught with a DDT by Suicide. Sabin hit the Cradleshock on Suicide. Sabin began climbing the ladder but Suicide caught him and pulled him off. Sabin caught Suicide and tied him to the tree of woe then hit the high running dropkick in the corner.
Sabin began climbing the ladder as Lethal was released. Lethal followed him up and hit a back suplex off the ladder. Shelley came off the ladder with a frog splash on Lethal. All five continued to battle. A ladder was bridged between the ring and the railing on the floor. Sabin ended up knocked off the apron onto it. Shelley went to the top but Suicide tried to stop him. He was battled off, then Shelley hit a missile dropkick. Suicide was placed in a chair on the floor. Shelley hit a slingshot dive onto Suicide in the chair. Lethal hit an elbow drop off the top rope onto Sabin, who was laying on the ladder. Everyone in the match was out.
Shelley and Creed made their way to the apron and battled back and forth. Shelley finally drilled him with a superkick. Shelley went for Sliced Bread #2 off the ringpost. Shelley was jumped by Suicide and they battled in front of the announcers. Shelley went for Sliced Bread #2 off the cage but it was avoided. Suicide dropkicked Shelley over the rail into the crowd. He took the X-Division title and climbed the ladder. Lethal shoved the ladder over but Suicide landed on the ropes then jumped onto the penalty box. Lethal tried to use the ladder as a weapon but Suicide pulled it atop of the box. Lethal followed and was taken out.
Shelley set up another ladder and began climbing up. Suicide ran across the ladder from the box and hit a diamond cutter on Shelley, driving him off the ladder. Suicide grabbed the belt, went to the top and hung the belt above the ring.
Your winner and still X-Division champion, Suicide!
The lights went out and Suicide was gone when they returned.
Lots of really innovative, insane bumps here. All five guys really wrestled their rear ends off. I really enjoyed this. One hell of an opener. Lethal's bump off the ladder in the corner was cringe-worthy and I thought the finish was pretty inventive. We're off to a good start.
Mike Tenay and Don West ran down the lineup for the remainder of the PPV.
Lauren noted that Team 3D were still on their way back from Japan. They were in Japan for a match yesterday, beating Karl Anderson and Giant Bernard in Osaka, so they are already back in the United States, but for the sake of the storyline are "returning" now.
Lauren interviewed Shane Douglas. He said that no matter where he has wrestled, he's the measuring stick. He made allusions to Ric Flair, noting that to be the man, you have to beat the man. Douglas said that Jeff Jarrett felt sorry for Daniels and let him back, saying it was Jarrett's weakness of character. Douglas said he's a legend in the sport, not someone he allows punks to make their name on.
Aaron McMann, on hand, sent word he estimates the crowd is 4000-5000 fans.
Shane Douglas vs. Daniels
Douglas came to the ring and ripped on Michigan, putting over Pittsburgh. Douglas attacked Daniels immediately. Daniels cut him off with a dropkick to the knee and locked in a side headlock. Daniels drilled him with a series of chops and a dropkick that sent Shane into the corner. Daniels kicked him in the corner and went back to the headlock Daniels shoulderblocked Douglas down. Douglas ducked out of the ring as Daniels went for a kick. Daniels tried to do a kick out of the ring but Shane walked away. Douglas argued with the crowd, thinking Daniels was down and out. Daniels actually was fine and caught him with an Arabian Press.
Douglas came back and focused on Daniels' arm, locking him in a hammerlock and running Daniels into the steel steps at ringside. Douglas locked on an armbar whole sitting in a Camel Clutch position. Douglas escapes and comes back with a kick to the head. Daniels pulls himself to his feet, selling his arm. He clotheslines Douglas several times. Daniels nails a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Daniels went for the BME but Douglas caught him off. They exchanged headbutts. Daniels used a leg sweep and hit the BME for the pin.
Your winner, Daniels.
Match never seemed to get out of first gear. Douglas seemed limited in what he was able to do so Daniels worked a match around that. Douglas can still cut a hell of a promo. I'd love to see him end up somewhere as an announcer again.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Mick Foley. He said Foley only has a 20% chance of retaining the belt tonight. Foley disagreed and said that there was no way Jeff Jarrett would win the belt since he knows that the company needs Foley to remain champion and help the company achieve it's greatness. Foley said after tonight, he'll begin to prepare for his next title defense, at Bound for Glory 2010.
They aired a Knockouts championship promotional video.
TNA Knockouts champion Angelina Love vs. Tara
They had a staredown at the onset of the match. Tara teased the Widow's Peak, grabbing Love by her hair before dropping her down. Tara whipped her across the ring by her hair for a one cout. Love rolled out of the ring into the arms of the other Beautiful People. Tara slipped through the ropes to kick Love into the railing backwards. She tossed Love back into the ring but as she prepared to step through the ropes, the other People pulled her off the apron to the floor. Tara was tossed back into the ring but kicked out of a pinfall attempt.
Love came off the ropes with a dropkick for another pinfall attempt. Tara came back with a sunset flip attempt. Love returned with a spin kick for another two count. Tara continued to kick out. Tara was tossed to the floor, where Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne worked her over and tossed her into the ring steps. Love was unable to score the pin and threw a tantrum about it.
Love began kicking at Tara in the corner. Tara came back with a kick to the mid-section and began firing back with rights. Tara clotheslined her several times and slammed her down. Velvet Sky was able to blind her with hairspray, leading to Love getting the pin.
Your winner and still Knockouts champion Angelina Love!
Match was good until the finish. I'd like to see what more these two can do in the future. Tara looked really good.
Backstage, Lauren interviewed Dr. Stevie who had Raven and Daffney with him. Stevie said that Lauren was unprofessional and has some sort of issues they will have to put to rest after the Monster's Ball. Stevie said he spent hundreds of hours trying to put the jigsaw puzzle that is Chris Parks back together but he can't be put back together. Raven cut one of his really intelligent cryptic promos that when you boil it down, mean nothing but sounds cool. Raven said he and Abyss are both addicts for the pain and misery. Raven promised it would be his glorious night of redemption because nothing is ever going to change and they are both hopeless addicts on their way to hell. He promised that he and Abyss would both have a breakthrough, even if it kills them both. Raven began laughing maniacally and crying as he hugged Richards.
Raven & Daffney (with Dr. Stevie Richards) vs. Taylor Wilde & Abyss - Monster's Ball
All four brawl in the ring. Abyss whipped Raven into Daffney, then charges Raven in the corner. Raven moved, leaving Daffney to take it full force. Richards tossed Raven a trash can but Abyss punched the can, knocking down Raven. I thought Abyss sliced his hand on the can since he pierced it. Abyss pressed and tossed Daffney out of the ring on all the heels. Daffney then hit a dive onto all three. Fun opening sequence.
Abyss and Raven brawled into the crowd. Daffney and Taylor brawled on the floor. It was some fun carnage. Raven grabbed a guard rail and held it over Abyss' throat. They brawled towards some tables. Raven tossed Abyss into steel railing. Daffney and Wilde brawled into the same area. Wilde climbed atop some of the staging equipment and dove off, putting Daffney through one of the tables.
Raven and Abyss made their way back to the ring. Raven grabbed a Singapore Cane but Abyss drilled him with a right. Abyss grabbed a bag of thumbtacks from under the ring. He entered the ring but was drilled in the head with a chair by Dr. Stevie. Abyss was busted open.
Raven nailed the drop toe hold into a chair spot on Abyss. Richards began tossing weapons into the ring. Raven began beating Abyss with a cane. Abyss made his way back and began destroying Raven with the cane and trash can shots. Abyss grabbed a new trash can and Abyss teased a chokeslam. He went for the chokeslam but the trash can rolled. The announcers claimed Raven kicked it out of the way, which was a great save.
Richards got on the apron to argue with the referee. He distracted Abyss. Raven attacked Abyss and went to nail him with a trash can, but instead nailed Stevie. Abyss used a Rocket Launcher, sending Taylor onto Raven. Abyss grabbed the bag of tacks. He dumped them in the ring. Daffney attacked him from behind. Abyss stalked her. She tried to run but the tacks stopped her. Wilde grabbed her with a spinebuster into the tacks. She dove onto Daffney, going for a pin in the tacks but Richards broke up the pin.
Abyss grabbed Richards for a chokeslam on the tacks but Raven drilled Abyss in the back with a chair. Raven hit the Evenflow DDT but Abyss kicked up. Abyss nailed the Black Hole Slam into the tacks and scored the pin.
Your winners, Abyss & Taylor Wilde!
If you hate weapons and bumps, you won't enjoy this. It was your typical match of that style with the new twist being Daffney taking the tacks. I thought everyone involved worked really hard. It was Raven's best PPV match in forever. Daffney and Wilde worked far beyond any expectations to be sure. Abyss put in his usual tough performance.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Jeff Jarrett. He noted that Jarrett said that he claims he has no desire to be TNA champion but says tonight will be the "night he takes his company back." He asked if that was a contradiction. Jarrett says that he doesn't want to be the TNA champion as he has a lot of responsibilities, but Foley is a ticking timebomb and until the title is off of him, Jarrett can't sleep. He said he is sick of Mick Foley's head games. He said that after he gets the belt off Foley, then he will figure out what he is going to do.
They aired a Sting vs. Matt Morgan video feature.
Matt Morgan vs. Sting
They locked up and Morgan shoved him right out of the ring to get over his power. Morgan followed him to the floor and slammed Sting into the railing. Morgan grabbed Sting by his legs and slammed his head into the railing. They battled back to the ring but Sting snapped him over the ropes and kicked him to the floor. Sting went after Morgan's leg and chopped and kicked at him.
They announced Team 3D just arrived in Detroit.
Morgan powered Sting into a corner and began drilling him with back elbows. Morgan picked up Sting and slammed him down. He dropped a leg and scored a two count. Morgan continued to control the match, choking Sting against the ropes. Morgan nailed a guillotine legdrop with Sting's head braced over the bottom rope on the apron. Morgan locked on a side chinlock as Sting battled his way to his feet and tried to escape. Morgan forced him back to the mat for another two count.
Sting avoided a charge in the corner then hit a missile dropkick off the top. Didn't expect to see that out of Sting. Morgan drilled him with the Carbon Footprint for a two count. Morgan called for the Hellavator but Sting got out of it. Sting was supposed to grab him for the Scorpion Death Drop but they just slipped down. Morgan scored a two count. They got to their feet. Sting nailed the Death Drop for a two count.
Sting called for the Scorpion Deathlock but Morgan powered out. Sting grabbed Morgan in the corner and hit the Scorpion Death Drop off the center turnbuckle and scored the pin.
Your winner, Sting!
They worked really hard. Morgan was a perfect opponent for Sting since he always worked best with larger adversaries. Solid match and probably the best either have looked in awhile.
They officially announced Bound for Glory would be in California.
Backstage, Lauren interviewed Samoa Joe and Legends champion AJ Styles. She said they may have to work on the same page in order to get ahead. Styles said the match is all about strategy and sticking to it. He said that he and Joe have been talking strategy for weeks. He said that he doesn't care if he or Joe win the title because they are putting the company back in the hands of the Originals. Joe said that he promised to bring a Nation of Violence to TNA and did that to the Main Event Mafia. He said it was down to Kurt Angle and said that tonight, they would become the most powerful force in wrestling.
TNA Tag Team champions Team 3D vs. Beer Money Inc.
Remember, the storyline is that 3D didn't arrive until just a short time ago after a 20 hour travel day from Japan.
Robert Roode controlled Devon early. Ray tagged in. He and Roode slugged each other back and forth. Ray caught him with a boot. Ray caught Roode with several chops in the corner. Roode fired back but Ray caught him with a release back suplex. 3D caught Roode with some double team maneuvers.
James Storm tagged in but Devon caught him with a boot in the corner. Roode grabbed Devon's legs and crotched him in the ringpost. Storm drilled him with a running clothesline. Roode tagged in and began choking Devon. 3D made a comeback and called for the tables.
Devon set up a table outside the ring. Storm attacked him from behind. He went to powerbomb Devon through it but Ray grabbed him by the hair. Roode grabbed Ray with a spinebuster for a two count. Beer Money nailed a double suplex on Ray.
The British Invasion made their way to the ring. Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams joined Tenay and Williams at ringside. Beer Money continued the assault on Ray. Ray came back to kick Roode and nail Storm with an uranage. Devon tagged in and cleaned house on Beer Money. He clotheslined Storm then delivered one to Roode for a two count. Storm broke up the pinfall attempt.
Devon nailed a scoop powerslam then a chokeslam on Roode but Storm broke it up. Ray dispatched Storm. Ray nailed a back suplex while Devon hit a neckbreaker. Storm hit a crossbody off the top. Devon came back to clothesline Roode. 3D set up for the Doomsday Device but Storm broke it up and hit a back cracker on Ray. Storm hit a top rope hurancanrana on Devon. Roode hit a frog splash for a two count.
3D nailed the Doomsday Device on Roode but he kicked up. Storm returned to the apron and spit beer at Devon who ducked. Roode was blinded and nailed with 3D but Rob Terry got on the apron. Ray drilled him, then dove off the top onto Terry and Magnus. Williams got on the apron but Devon sent him off through the table.
Roode and Storm nailed Devon with DWI and scored the pin on Devon.
Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions, Beer Money!
Good tag match. I could have done without the British Invasion at the end, but you needed to keep them in the mix after their great performance last month and this finish sets up a more heated three way feud for the tag straps.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Kurt Angle. Borash asked him if tonight would be the night Samoa Joe fulfills his destiny. Angle said tonight is about him and Joe, no one else. Angle said he survived Joe's wrath and when he is done tonight, the Main Event Mafia will fulfill their position at the top of TNA. He said tonight, he and Joe will settle their differences for once and for all.
TNA champion Mick Foley vs. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Jarrett vs. TNA Legends champ AJ Styles: King of the Mountain
Angle came out wearing a Pittsburgh jersey and a fan hurled something at him. Joe put on a Red Wings jersey and attacked Angle immediately. Since Joe attacked Angle, he was DQ'd before the bell, so Angle was eligible and Joe had to start in the penalty box. Given Joe's tricep tear, actually a smart way to work around it. Angle is a dead wringer for Randy Couture now. Styles and Jarrett worked over Angle immediately as Foley stayed outside protecting himself.
Foley's pants actually say Tweak and Tweet across the legs. LAME! You can, however, follow PWInsider at twitter/pwinsidercom.
The entire first two minutes was Jarrett and Styles working over Angle. Foley picked up Jarrett for a slam and fell backwards. Foley wanted to get pinned and did. Joe returned to the ring and began clotheslining everyone. Joe caught Jarrett with a running back elbow in the corner.
Styles ducked a Joe clothesline and hit a sliding kick to Angle on the outside. Joe dropped Jarrett with an inverted atomic drop and hit a clothesline and back senton splash for a two count. Styles dropped Angle across the guard rail outside. Angle returned to the ring but Joe clotheslined him out of the ring. Foley and Joe went at it. Joe hit a discus forearm shot. Joe locked on a Tazmission as the other three all brawled out of the ring. Jarrett got tossed over the rail into the crowd. Joe choked out Foley and could now hang the belt.
Angle, Jarrett and Joe are now able to hang the belt.
Angle pulled a ladder into the ring but Joe used it as a weapon on Jarrett and Angle. I love how the ladder has the TNA website address. Joe hit a suplex onto the ladder on Angle. Jarrett sets up the ladder in the corner. Jarrett whipped Joe into the corner but Joe reversed and Jeff ate ladder. Joe stomped away on his opponents as Styles began recovering outside. Foley was released from the penalty box.
Joe made his way to the top of the ladder but Foley took the ladder out and Joe took a nasty bump backwards, nailing the ladder on the way down. Foley whipped Joe into the corner. Jarrett threw a ladder at Angle on the floor. Jarrett set another ladder up in the center of the ring and began ascending. He was pulled down. Angle and Foley began brawling in the ring. Styles began kicking Angle in the corner.
Styles set up the ladder in the corner. AJ went to smash Angle into it. Angle blocked and went for a back suplex. Styles landed on his feet but was caught and hit with a suplex into the ladder. Jarrett went to hit the El Kabong but Angle kicked him. Jarrett went for a move but it was reversed into the anklelock. Jarrett kicked Angle off and nailed him with the guitar over the head. The crowd chanted, "TNA".
Jarrett set up the ladder and made his way. Foley caught up on the other side. Foley asked Jeff to give him the belt. Jarrett began punching him. Styles hit a springboard off the ropes and dropkicked the ladder. Foley and Jarrett went flying. Styles came up holding his back. Styles and Foley battled. Joe worked over Jarrett in the corner and Jeff rolled out of the ring.
Joe began setting a ladder across the center turnbuckle. Foley went to the top of the penalty box. Styles followed. Foley teased a suplex off but Styles fought him off. Styles teased suplexing Foley off the cage through the announce table but Foley fought him off and tossed him into the ring. Joe went for the choke but Jarrett nailed him with the stroke into the ladder.
Angle attacked Jarrett and locked on the anklelock. Foley came off the top of the penalty box with an elbow on Angle and pinned him. Foley began climbing up. Styles grabbed the Legends title and drilled Foley with it. Foley took a bump off the ladder. Styles and Joe took turns working over Foley. Styles nailed the Pele Kick on Foley, who rolled out of the ring. Joe backdropped Styles out of the ring into a flip dive on Foley. Styles pinned Foley on the floor to become eligible. Everyone can now win.
Jarrett got back to his feet and began to set up a ladder. He nailed Joe with it, then began climbing the ladder. Styles followed on the opposite side. Angle went after Jarrett, trying to pull him off. Jarrett dove off the ladder onto Angle. Styles dropped the title and when he went to retrieve it, he and Joe began battling back and forth. Styles nailed him with a dropkick.
Foley drilled Styles with the TNA title. Joe dropkicked the title belt into Foley's face. Jarrett and Foley began brawling on the floor. Foley nailed the Mandible Claw. Joe climbed up the ladder but Styles grabbed his leg. Styles pulled Joe off the apron. Styles began pulling him off the ladder and tossed Styles into the corner. Styles reversed a whip and Joe dove through the ropes on Jarrett and Foley. Joe was grabbing the ladder.
Styles was attacked by Angle but hit the Styles Clash. Styles went to the top but was powerbombed off the ladder by Joe. Joe was faking the injury. Joe went to the top of the ladder. Angle followed. Joe handed Angle the title and let him hang it, so Joe turned heel.
Your winner and new TNA champion Kurt Angle.
The Main Event Mafia came out on stage to applaud the new champion as they went off the air.
2009 - Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle posted the following blog on the WWE Universe website in an attempt to say goodbye to the audience after being released. The blog was removed and Michelle's section was then deleted from the Universe area of the WWE website:
Dear WWE Universe,
Today is the first day of my next journey! I am filled with excitement and gratitude that I wanna express! First and foremost I wanna say thank-you to the McMahon family! Thank-you Vince, Linda, and Stephanie! I have had an amazing 5years wrestling for you guys! You have taught me and given me so many incredible memories! My time in the WWE was so heartfelt and an incredible journey that I will never forget. I wanna thank the people who have helped me there to be successful! Thank-You Johnny Laurenitis, Mark Corrono, and the rest of talent relations! You guys are awesome at what you do and I appreciate everything you have done for me! Thanks to the amazing agents Arn, Dean, Ricky, Mike, Fit, Barry, Steve, and Billy. You guys are incredible at what you do and it was so exciting for me to get the oppurtunity to learn from the BEST! Speaking of the best, John Cena was a champ in every sense of the word, inside and outside of the ring! Thank-you John for our great friendship, conversations, and encouragement in the business! I have so many fun filled memories on the road that I will never forget thanks to Victoria, Torrie(vote for her, shes amazing), Carlito, Tommy ( what a Dream), and Mickie ( one half of the nasty girls)! You guys will be my buddies for life and I will never forget you! Thank you to the other amazing superstars and Divas! You guys are simply the best at what you do! You have contributed so much in me becoming a wrestler, thanks to HHH, Big Show, Melina, Mickie, John Cena, Tommy Dreamer, Shawn Michaels, and everyone else who every helped me in the ring(in no particular order)! Thanks to the awesome crew and people behind the scenes, without them the show wouldnt even begin, they are all so incredible and full of talent! My time in the WWE was a true blessing!
I am excited that I was the FIRST WWE Diva Search contestant to become the WWE Womans Champion! I know I have paved a way for the woman like me and am so proud of them now! Go get em ladies, your all so talented and beautiful!
A special dedication to all the amazing and wonderful fans who have supported me, made sites for me, were always positive, and mostly just showed your love! I really appreciate you! I hope to see you in my next journey! I feel it coming fast! You can see my new website in less than 1.5 months at candicemichelle.com and catch up with my updates, also on twitter!
I have loved that journey and am ready to grow into this next chapter! Stay tuned.... much more to come!
Yours Truly,
Candice Michelle
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:We are live from Bridgeport, Connecticut and your announcers are Michael ‘I endorse this show’ Cole and Jerry ‘Will they fight into the water this time’ Lawler.
We see photos of the NXT Alumni standing over John Cena from Fatal Four Way.
Vince McMahon makes his way into the arena and he walks as only Vince McMahon can. Vince welcomes everyone to Raw. He mentions that last night at Fatal Four Way there was sheer chaos in one of the main events and we have a new champion, Sheamus . . . fella. Vince says that there is only one person to blame for that and that person is Bret Hart. Vince said that he told Bret that he would have to make tough decisions, but not bad ones. Bret shouldn’t have fired Wade Barrett and forced the rest of the NXT group off. Vince mentions the joyride that Bret was taken on last week. Vince says that is no reason not to show up last night. Vince says that Bret did nothing to prepare the people who were at the pay per view that something might happen.
The fans chant for Bret.
Vince says that as the Chairman of the Board, he has not option other than to relieve Bret Hart of his duties. Vince tells Bret that he is fired. Vince says that it gives him a sense of closure.
Vince wants to make an important announcement. We have a new general manager. That person will be anonymous. The new general manager will be giving instructions through a computer on the announce table. Michael Cole will be the person who will announce to the crowd any proclamation from the General Manager. Vince says that you cannot blame the General Manager for being anonymous.
There is an e-mail from the General Manager and all seven members of the members of the NXT Group have been hired and they will address the WWE Universe tonight.
Vince says that things are starting off with a bang tonight.
The new WWE Champion comes out . . . fella.
Vince introduces the new WWE Champion, Sheamus. The crowd are not enthralled with the new champion before he speaks. Sheamus tells Vince that he is sorry. It is not the way that he wanted to win the WWE Championship. Sheamus says that more than anything, last night he wanted to prove that he belonged in the top echelon by beating three top superstars in the ring on his own. Sheamus says that did not happen. Sheamus says that he doesn’t deserve . . . he cannot accept this title under these circumstances.
Sheamus holds the title belt and then he hands it to Vince McMahon and then he pulls it back and smiles. He says that it doesn’t matter how it happened, he is the new WWE Champion. Sheamus says that it was a glorious opportunity and occasion. Sheamus has a message for the NXT Seven. He tells them thank you. He thanks them for interfering in their match last night. He thanks them for taking care of Bret Hart last week. He thanks them for jumping the guys in the back. He thanks them for giving him his opportunity. Sheamus says that he did not need their help because he could have won it on his own. Sheamus says that they think they made a statement last night, but the only statement being made was him winning his second WWE Title. Sheamus says that he will never . . .
We will never find out what Sheamus is never going to do because he is interrupted by John Cena who comes to the ring. Cena says that Pasty is in a good mood because he is thanking everyone. Cena has a few people he wants to thank. He thanks Mr. McMahon for the new mysterious and anonymous General Manager. Cena wants Cole to send an e-mail to the new General Manager for hiring the NXT guys because he will be able to settle his score with them. Cena thanks the human jar of mayonnaise for winning the Fatal Four Way match. Cena says that he gets a rematch. Cena thanks Bridgeport because he cannot think of a better place for a WWE Title Match.
Sheamus tells Cena that he can come out and bark all he likes because, fella, there won’t be a WWE Title Match tonight. Sheamus asks Vince to ask Cena to leave, or he will do it himself.
There is an e-mail and Michael Cole says that the main event tonight will be Sheamus defending the title against John Cena.
Vince says that it doesn’t get any bigger than that.
We have another e-mail. To ensure that there is no interference, there is a guest referee. Someone who demands instant fear and respect. The referee will be Mr. McMahon.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Chris Jericho losing to Evan Bourne by disqualification last week on Raw.
We see a photo from last night’s match between Evan Bourne and Chris Jericho from Fatal Four Way.
Before the match, Chris Jericho says that he requested this rematch to make a statement to the fly by night wannabe as well as the parasites. Chris Jericho says that if he cannot win tonight, he is going to walk out of the arena and out of WWE forever.
Match Number One: Chris Jericho versus Evan Bourne
Jericho with a kick and then he sends Bourne into the turnbuckles and he kicks Bourne before the referee warns him. Bourne with a back slide for a near fall and then he gets another near fall with a rollup. Bourne misses a jumping spin kick when Jericho goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho has Bourne in a full nelson and he puts his body weight on Bourne. We see footage from the commercial of Bourne hitting a cross body from the turnbuckles to the floor but we also saw Jericho send Bourne into the ringside barrier. We are back to live action and Bourne with a rollup but Jericho with a baseball slide that sends Bourne to the floor. Jericho has the referee try to count Bourne out but he gets in at nine. Jericho punches Bourne and then he sets for a suplex but Bourne is able to counter with a knee to the head and he gets a near fall with a cross body. Bourne with a kick to the leg but Bourne with a knee. Bourne with a spinning heel kick and jumping knee. Bourne with a running back elbow and a baseball slide into the corner and he gets a near fall. Jericho blocks a rana and he puts Bourne in the Walls of Jericho. Bourne is able to get up and he counters with a tornado DDT and gets a near fall. Jericho with a knee and a butterfly back breaker and then he gets a near fall. Jericho with a kick to the back and then he connects with a back breaker and he stretches Bourne over his knee. Bourne with knees to Jericho to get out of the hold. Jericho gets to his feet first but Bourne tries for a running elbow into the corner but Jericho counters. Jericho goes to the second turnbuckle but Bourne with a leaping rana for a near fall. Bourne tries for the double knee take down but Jericho holds on and rolls through into the Walls of Jericho. Bourne tries to get to the ropes but Jericho pulls Bourne into the center of the ring. Bourne struggles to get to the ropes and he succeeds.
Jericho cannot believe that Bourne has not given up. Bourne with a kick from the apron and Jericho goes down. Bourne finds the power to go up top and he tries for the Shooting Star Press but Jericho gets his knees up and then he hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match, Chris Jericho stands over Bourne and he picks Bourne up and then pushes him down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we have a commercial for tomorrow night’s Lucky Cannon/Cody Rhodes match and Cody’s greatest moment as a WWE superstar.
We have an Earlier Tonight E-Moment when the main event was announced.
We go to the back where Vince is on the phone and he talks about the roar for the match. He is on the phone probably with the General Manager and says that it was a good decision. Vince says that he gave the General Manager complete authority. He says that surprises are cool, but don’t surprise him again.
Vince picks up his referee shirt.
We go to Virgil in the locker room and Ted says that he wanted to talk to him. They talk about how long they have known each other. Ted says that he wants to apologize to Virgil for what happened last week, but Virgil’s services will no longer be needed. Ted says that he has upgraded and found someone who appreciates money. Maryse speaks in French. Virgil asks what Ted will do for protection and Ted says that he will go to the drug store. Ted tells Virgil that he is fired.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with the Hart Dynasty. Josh asks them for their reaction about the firing of Bret Hart. Natalya says that you could see it coming because Bret was railroaded again. Tyson says that blame could be placed on both sides the first time, but Bret did nothing wrong this time. Natalya says that as family, they will make sure that it doesn’t happen again. David says that they will make their Uncle Bret proud. Natalya says that she will dedicate her debut match on Raw to her Uncle Bret.
A limo pulls up and we go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that over 1 billion people can get WWE Mobile content.
We see footage from last week’s attack by the NXT Seven on Bret Hart at the end of last week’s Raw.
Match Number Two: Natalya with David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd versus Tamina with Jimmy and Jey Uso
Tamina with a kick and punch to Natalya and then she sends Natalya into the corner and she kicks Natalya. Tamina with a jumping head butt followed by an Irish whip but Tamina misses a splash in the corner. Natalya with a running clothesline and slam. Tamina hits Natalya from behind. Natalya counters a Samoan drop attempt into a sunset flip and then she tries for a Sharpshooter but the NXT Seven come into the ring and the match stops.
Wade Barrett comes out with the NXT Seven. He says that they want to apologize but Tyson Kidd with a plancha onto some of the NXT Alumni. It turns into a seven on two attack as they send Smith into the ring steps and Kidd into the ringside barrier.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the NXT Seven are in the ring and David Otunga has the mic. He says that he wants to apologize for their actions over the last few weeks. They did what they did for one reason and one reason only. It was for their love of the WWE. They love the WWE so much that they would do anything to get noticed and get contracts. Now that they have their contracts, it is time for things to go back to normal.
Heath Slater says that they are trying to say they are sorry. They have no problem with the WWE Locker Room or the WWE Universe. The attacks over the last few weeks have not been personal. There are a few people they want to single out and apologize to.
Justin Gabriel apologizes to Bret Hart. He says that they painted him in a corner. Bret wouldn’t sign them and then he fires the only person with a contract. Gabriel says that he hopes Bret is okay. Then he wants to apologize to Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith. He says that they had to defend themselves tonight and he hopes that they can co-exist peacefully.
Darren Young wants to apologize to John Cena. He says that it is nothing personal. He says that when he was on NXT, people called him the Black John Cena. He says that they had to make an impact so they attacked the top guy in the WWE. Darren says that John Cena will get his title back.
Skip Sheffield says that they want to apologize to the WWE Universe. Back in NXT, the people supported him and repeated what he would say. He wants everyone to repeat his catchphrases but they refuse. Skip says that he wants to tell the children that they scared, he hopes that the children can forgive and forget.
Michael Tarver says that from a single parent’s perspective he used to be homeless. Michael apologizes to his children because he raised them better. He says that you have to do everything legally to obtain your goals. He says that everyone would have done what they did.
Wade takes the mic and he says that while the gentlemen behind him did what they had to do, Wade says that he was the only one who had a job and a title match. Wade rhetorically asks why would he join up with these men, it was for loyalty. He said that they would have fun in NXT and they would stick together so long that they would get contracts. They were not going to let management dictate their careers. Wade says that people with no common link formed a Nexus and a link that will not be broken. Wade says that he has his title shot back in addition to his contract.
Wade has something to say to Sheamus. Wade says that however Sheamus wants to spin it, the reason why Sheamus is champion is because of them. Sheamus capitalized on John Cena being their target. Wade says that they can make a target out of Sheamus just as easily. Wade says that he can take the title off Sheamus at any time. Whether it is John Cena tonight, or Wade Barrett in the future, Sheamus will lose his title. Wade says that he will be the champion and he will make no apologies when he becomes champion.
They stand in the ring as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: John Morrison with Eli Cottonwood versus Ted DiBiase with Maryse
Ted says that they had a match, but he has better things to do so he has found a suitable replacement.
Match Number Three: John Morrison with Eli Cottonwood versus Zack Ryder with Titus O’Neil
They lock up and Morrison backs Ryder into the turnbuckles but Ryder pushes Morrison after a break. Ryder backs into the ropes and Ryder punches Morrison and connects with a forearm. Morrison with a drop kick and kicks followed by punches in the corner. Morrison sends Ryder into the turnbuckles and then he tries for the springboard spin kick but Ryder pushes Morrison into the ropes and then he sends Morrison into the turnbuckles. Ryder with kicks and the referee warns Ryder. Ryder with a catapult into the ropes and he gets a near fall. Ryder with a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock and then he tries for a neck breaker but Morrison with a near fall. Ryder with a running back elbow and then he wooos for a few before a knee drop and he returns to the reverse chin lock. Morrison with a jawbreaker and an enzuigiri and both men are down. Morrison gets a near fall. Morrison with a punch followed by a knee and another punch. Morrison with a clothesline and leg lariat for a near fall. Morrison misses the Shining Wizard and Ryder drops Morrison on the top rope. Morrison counters a leg lariat with a power bomb and then Morrison hits the split legged corkscrew moonsault for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
After the match, Morrison and Cottonwood talk about his finisher and Cottonwood goes on the turnbuckles but Morrison stops him.
John Cena is walking and Josh Mathews asks about the apology from earlier tonight. Cena says that they said it was nothing personal, but he had to be taken out on a stretcher and they almost destroyed Raw. Cena says that he wears his loyalty on his sleeve. They made him a target, so now he will settle it. He says the apology is not accepted. He wants to get his title back.
Vince tells Cena that neither him nor Sheamus will have any excuses. Vince says that he will ensure that the best man wins tonight.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Great Khali and Eve Torres versus Alicia Fox and Primo
Khali and Primo start things off and then Primo tags in Alicia so Primo doesn’t have to deal with Khali. Alicia pushes Eve twice and Eve with a kick and side head lock take down. Eve with a hip lock take down. Eve with a clean break and then she blocks a kick and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Eve with a drop kick but Alicia with a drop toe hold and she gets a near fall. Alicia sends Eve’s face into the canvas and then she kicks Eve. Eve with forearms to Alicia and Alicia hits a leaping knee to the head and gets a near fall. Alicia sends Eve into the turnbuckles and then Eve pushes her away and kicks Alicia in the head. Eve goes up for a moonsault and she hits it but Primo gets in the ring and the referee cannot make the count. Eve slaps Primo and then she tags in Khali. Primo gets on his knees and begs for mercy. Alicia goes to the back and Khali chops Primo and then he hits the Punjabi Plunge for the three count.
Winners: Great Khali and Eve Torres
After the match, Khali and Eve dance.
Randy Orton walks very slowly in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Randy Orton’s music plays and he comes to the ring as only a viper or apex predator can.
Randy has something to say and he tells the people of NXT that if they want to interfere in his match, that is fine. Now that all of them are under contract, it is a matter of time before he punts every one of them in the skull. Orton tells Wade Barrett that he accepts his apology and he hopes that Wade becomes the next WWE Champion because then he is staring in the eyes of the man who is going to take it from him.
The Miz interrupts Randy Orton and he has something AWESOME to say. Miz wonders if we really are going to see another Randy Orton title match. Miz says that he hears voices in his head and they are tired of seeing him in title matches. He is sick of Orton hitting his RKO on people and he is sick of Randy Orton. Miz says that Orton has done a lot but there is something that Randy Orton never did and that is to hold the WWE and United States Title at the same time. Miz says that Orton has had enough chances and it is time for Orton to go to the back of the line. Miz says that the next title match is his. It is an industry secret and he says that it is because he is the Miz and Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee’s kicking Orton in the midsection and punching him in the head. Miz misses a clothesline but Orton hits a power slam. Orton turns into the mat and does RKO push ups but Miz goes to the floor before Orton can hit an RKO. Edge makes his way to the ring and he sneaks up on Orton and hits a spear.
Edge tells Orton now it is time for the real fun to begin.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE gives tickets to members of the military.
Match Number Five: John Cena versus Sheamus for the WWE Title with Guest Referee Vince McMahon and Real Referee Jack Doan
Cena with a waist lock but Sheamus gets to the ropes and Cena releases the hold. Sheamus with a kick and forearm followed by punches. Sheamus with more kicks in the corner and the referee warns him. Sheamus with a slam and elbow drop for a near fall. Sheamus continues to work on the head and neck with punches. Sheamus punches Cena followed by a hard Irish whip and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Sheamus throws Cena to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus punches Cena but Cena punches back. Cena misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post when Sheamus moves out of the way. Sheamus waits for Cena to get up and he tries for a running knee but Cena moves. Sheamus with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Cena goes to the apron and Sheamus puts Cena in the ropes and then he connects with a forearm across the chest. Sheamus puts Cena in the ropes again and connects with another forearm across the chest. Sheamus tries a third time but Cena uses his strength to connect with a head butt and then he punches Sheamus and kicks him. Cena with a punch but they hit a double clothesline and both men are down. Cena avoids a clothesline and he tries for the Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus escapes and he slams Cena and gets a few near falls.
Sheamus misses the pump kick and Cena with two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then Cena gets Sheamus up but Sheamus with a rake of the eyes followed by a back breaker and Sheamus gets a near fall. Sheamus waits for Cena to get up but Cena takes too long so Sheamus picks him up. Cena with a drop toe hold into an STF. Sheamus crawls for the ropes and he gets there. Cena releases the hold at four. Sheamus rolls to the floor and Cena looks for Sheamus. Sheamus Irish whips Cena into the ring steps. Sheamus rolls Cena back into the ring but he can only get a near fall. Sheamus goes to the floor and he sets up the ring steps on the ramp. Sheamus pulls Cena to the floor and he throws Cena into the ring steps. Sheamus rolls Cena back into the ring and then Sheamus waits for Cena to get up for the Pump Kick and he hits it.
The NXT Seven come to the ring and Sheamus sees them coming so he leaves. The announcers leave the ring and that allows DarrenYoung to throw Cena over the announce table. Skip pushes the announce table onto Cena.
Vince gets into the ring and he tells the NXT guys to stop. Vince wants to know if Cena is still breathing. Vince asks the NXT guys to come into the ring. Vince tells everyone that these are extraordinary athletes. Vince says that he cannot take full responsibility. He can take partial responsibility for what happened to Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, and Bret Hart.
Vince wants a round of applause for him. Vince says this week was interesting. Vince says that next week, the General Manager will reveal something. Wade looks at the NXT Seven and he has that ‘Why is Steve Austin Looking at me like that’ look on his face.
Vince then chuckles and he says that they almost had him for a second. The seven surround Vince as Vince starts to talk about next week. All seven men attack Vince. They hold Vince up and send him into a Sheffield clothesline. Barrett with the fireman’s carry slam to Vince. Gabriel goes up top and hits the 450 Splash on Vince. They stand over Vince and then they leave the ring.
We go to credits with Vince down in the ring.
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:This week’s show looks back at the man whose presence on NXT ended last Tuesday night, Lucky Cannon. Then we see the issues with Hornswoggle and Maryse that caused Lucky Cannon to lose focus and eventually the competition. Lucky then got the news of his demise, but probably more crushing to his ego, the rejection by Maryse.
We are live on tape on the internet from Hershey, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Todd ‘Where is the river that Augustus fell into’ Grisham and William ‘Veruca’ Regal. Your hosts are Matt ‘Wonka’ Striker and Maryse.
Todd asks William about the final three competitors and Todd mentions that voting starts tomorrow because we have another elimination next week.
Hornswoggle and Titus O’Neil make their way to the ring. Titus lets out a bark or two and he wants everyone to be quiet for Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle tells everyone about quantum theory or maybe he has something to finish up with Maryse because that is what Titus translated Hornswoggle’s comments to be.
Maryse make her way to the ring and she wants to know what is going on. Hornswoggle gets the nerve to discuss the upcoming NHL Entry Draft with Maryse or maybe he has a surprise for Maryse and he wants her to close her eyes and hold her hand out.
Hornswoggle has to be lifted up to put a jewel box in her hand. Maryse says that good things come in small packages.
Maryse opens the box and it is a candy ring. Maryse says that it is so cute and Maryse wants Hornswoggle to come close. She asks Hornswoggle if a woman like her would care for something like this. She says that Hornswoggle has a little brain because he is a little person. He calls Hornswoggle a fat troll and tells him to find a woman his own size.
Maryse leaves the ring and she cannot believe that she wasted her time with this.
Zack Ryder returns to NXT and he has something to say to Titus O’Neil. He says that he doesn’t get how Titus has made it further with the little troll. Is he riding Hornswoggle’s coat tails for the sympathy vote? How is the little munchkin going to get him ready for the ring.
Titus says that Zack’s head band is too tight or maybe he is on a tan overload. Titus says that he will win this season of NXT and he will prove to Zack that Hornswoggle is a better pro than Zack will ever be. Titus says that everyone knows it.
Zack threatens to fist pump Titus’ face.
Matt Striker comes out and he suggests that we have a match between Zack Ryder and Titus O’Neil in the main event tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back with footage from last week’s match between Yoshi Tatsu and Darren Young that set up this week’s match.
Match Number One: JTG, Chavo Guerrero, and Darren Young versus Conor O’Brian, Yoshi Tatsu, and Vladimir Kozlov in a Saw this coming a week away Match
Young and O’Brian start off and they lock up with Young getting a side head lock. Conor with a top wrist lock into an arm drag and arm bar. O’Brian works on the wrist but Young with a fireman’s carry into a wrist lock. Young turns it into an arm bar but Conor with an arm drag into a hammer lock. Young with a shoulder tackle but O’Brian with an elbow and a European uppercut. Young goes to the floor to regroup.
Chavo gives Young some advice before returning to the ring and Chavo tags in. Chavo with a kick and forearms to the back followed by a side head lock. O’Brian with a shoulder tackle to Chavo and then JTG and Yoshi tag in. Yoshi tries for kicks but JTG gets out of the way and retreats to the ropes. JTG wants Yoshi to let him get into the center of the ring. JTG slaps Yoshi in the back of the head and then tags in Young.
Chavo tags in and he punches Yohsi and connects with a Latino uppercut and he chokes Yoshi in the ropes. Chavo with punches to Yoshi followed by an Irish whip. Yoshi with a float over and a drop toe hold to Chavo. Yoshi with a series of kicks and Kozlov tags in and he connects with a shoulder tackle followed by head butts to the sternum. Chavo with a kick to Kozlov but Kozlov catches Chavo off the turnbuckles and hits a standing power slam for a near fall. Kozlov kicks Young off the apron and then he sends Chavo to the floor.
Young tries to interfere and go after Kozlov but he misses and O’Brian with a clothesline to Young. Young and JTG join Chavo on the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Kozlov with a power slam to Chavo for a near fall. Kozlov with a front face lock on Chavo followed by knees and shoulders in the corner. O’Brian tags in and Chavo with forearms. Conor with a delayed vertical suplex attempt but Chavo with a knee to the head to get out of the hold. Young is tagged in and Young kicks Conor. Young slams O’Brian and sends Conor’s legs into the ropes with each slam.
JTG tags back in and he works on Conor’s leg. JTG kicks Conor in the back of the leg but Conor is able to stay on his feet. JTG with a belly-to-back suplex set up into a neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Chavo tags in and hits a slingshot senton as he continues to work on the leg. Chavo slingshots himself to the floor and he continues to work on the leg.
Young tags back in and he kicks Conor and he applies a single leg crab and then he applies extra pressure to the leg by sitting on it. Young slams the knee into the mat and he tags Chavo back in and Chavo gets a near fall. Chavo with an elbow drop to the leg. Conor kicks Chavo in the head to get away but he is in the wrong corner and Chavo punches Conor.
Conor fights out of the corner but Chavo with a drop kick to the knee to stop him. JTG tags in and he kicks Conor in the leg. JTG sends Conor into the turnbuckles and then he wrings the leg into the ring post. JTG gets a near fall and then he punches Conor and then he drops a knee to the injured leg. Conor kicks JTG away but JTG stays in control and he tags to Chavo who continues to work on the leg. Conor blocks a punch and he connects with punches of his own but Chavo takes Conor to the mat again.
Young tags back in and he kicks Conor in the leg. Young puts Conor’s leg in the rope and he kicks Conor in the leg. Young with a kick to the leg and then he goes off the turnbuckles. Conor catches Young and hits a flapjack. Both men are down and JTG tags in, but Conor is able to tag in Yoshi. Yoshi with a drop kick and back body drop to JTG.
Yoshi with chops to JTG and he waits for JTG to get up so he can hit the running double knees into the corner. Yoshi takes care of Young and Chavo before taking care of JTG and hits a Shining Wizard but Young and Chavo break things up.
Chavo and Young try for a double suplex on Kozlov but Kozlov blocks it and counters with a double suplex of his own. JTG takes care of Kozlov and sends him to the floor.
Yoshi with a round kick to the head for the three count.
Winners: Yoshi Tatsu, Conor O’Brian, and Vladimir Kozlov
We go to commercial.
We are back and Todd mentions that there were some voting irregularities so Sin Cara will face Evan Bourne next week.
Time for the Raw Rebound.
Todd and William talk about CM Punk’s match with John Cena and Regal thinks that Punk will win the title at Money in the Bank.
Tyson Kidd is on the phone with Lucky Cannon and he says that they won’t do a revote. Tyson sees candles in the locker room and he tells Lucky he has to call him back. Yoshi tells Tyson not to touch. Tyson tells Yoshi he wasn’t going to do anything and he tells Yoshi that he will leave him alone with his little doll. Yoshi makes an offering to Yosh-bu . . . a Hershey bar.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Titus O’Neil with Hornswoggle versus Zack Ryder in an Old School Pro versus Rookie Match
Ryder with a kick and forearms to the back followed by punches in the corner. Ryder with a forearm to Titus in the corner followed by more kicks. Titus with a kick and he sends Zack into the corner. Titus with a back elbow in the corner followed by a punch. Titus with an elbow to the head followed by a running shoulder tackle. Titus with a slam and an elbow drop for a near fall. Titus with an Irish whip but Titus misses a charge into the corner. Ryder goes to the floor to stop Titus’ momentum.
Titus hip tosses Ryder into the ring and Titus with a side head lock and take down. Titus with a shoulder tackle to Ryder and Ryder tries for a hip toss but Titus blocks it. Titus with a short arm clothesline followed by a bark. Hornswoggle bites Ryder in the rear end and Titus tries for a rollup but he can only get a two count.
Ryder goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Titus with a kick and European uppercut to Ryder. Titus pushes Ryder into the corner and hits a back breaker on Ryder and gets a near fall. Titus charges into the corner and Ryder gets his knees into Titus’ head and Titus goes down. Ryder punches Titus and the referee warns him. Ryder kicks Titus in the midsection and then he chokes him. Ryder runs into a boot from Titus and then he kicks Ryder. Ryder with a forearm to the head and then he applies a reverse chin lock.
Titus with a jawbreaker to get out of the chin lock. Ryder sends Titus to the mat and he sets for the running boot to the face and Ryder hits it and he gets a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock. Titus gets to his feet and he hits a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Titus with a punch followed by shoulder tackles and a flying clothesline. Titus barks and then he hits a fallaway slam. Titus sets for Clash of the Titus but Ryder gets back to the floor.
Titus checks on Hornswoggle on the floor and that allows Ryder to hit Titus as he re-enters the ring. Ryder hits the Rough Ryder for the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder
2011 - In a pretty shrewd and funny move, NWA Hollywood issued the following press release:
“NWA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING FROM HOLLYWOOD” OFFERS EMPLOYMENT TO ALL LOCKED-OUT NFL PLAYERS
Top-Rated Professional Wrestling TV Series Gives All Current NFL Players a Chance to Get Back In the Game
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 16, 2011 – With the lockout between the National Football League’s owners and players still in effect, the L.A. based television series NWA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING FROM HOLLYWOOD extends an open invitation to all currently locked-out NFL players to join them as professional wrestlers.
With current NFL players like Cincinnati Bengals superstar Chad Ochocinco venturing into the world of professional bull riding and Minnesota Vikings’ Ray Edwards trying his hand(s) at boxing, the world of pro wrestling seems like a perfect fit for these athletes, who are all revved up with nowhere to go. And, as history proves, it might just be the best move.
“There is a long list of players who’ve made the jump from the gridiron to the squared circle of pro wrestling,” says 3-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce. “NFL and AFL greats like Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Kevin Greene, Bronko Nagurski, Wahoo McDaniel, and many others became pro wrestlers – so why not a Hines Ward, Ndamakong Suh, Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, or Ben Roethlisberger?” Pearce adds, “It’s also an excellent way to keep them out of jail. Or worse.”
Professional wrestling has long been a spot for pro athletes to make cameo appearances, from Muhammad Ali to Karl Malone to Mike Tyson, but Pearce wants to make it clear that this is a chance at something more. “I’m tired of sports celebs getting into the ring for what’s playfully referred to as ‘sports entertainment’. That’s not what this is about. This is good, old-fashioned American pro wrestling. And if you wanna step into the ring with me or anyone else from the National Wrestling Alliance – you’d better be ready to go. This ain’t some pretty boy pose with flashing lights and fireworks. This is about kicking some ass. And there are quite a few NFL players that would fit the bill nicely. Believe that.”
Interested NFL players are told that the door is open and info regarding applying for a spot on the roster can be found at the www.NWAHollywood.com website.
About NWA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING FROM HOLLYWOOD
NWA Championship Wrestling From Hollywood, is a weekly television series produced by KDOC TV – Los Angeles. As a part of the National Wrestling Alliance, which has been in operation since 1948 (making it the longest running professional wrestling company in existence), Described by fans as ‘the only real professional wrestling on television”, NWA Championship Wrestling From Hollywood eschews the flashy “sports entertainment” of other TV wrestling programs by concentrating on “classic-style” pro wrestling that has kept the NWA alive and well for over 60 years. More information may be found by visiting www.nwahollywood.com and on Twitter at @nwahollywood.
2012 - The Full Sail University era of WWE NXT begins. Richard Trionfo filed the following NXT TV report:
We have a new season of NXT so we have a new opening with brief footage of the wrestlers we will see on NXT. We are no longer Wild and Young.
We are live on tape from Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Jim ‘BBQ Del Taco’ Ross and William ‘It feels like FCW, but a bit to the East’ Regal.
Jim Ross welcomes everyone to NXT. He says that we will see a lot of hungry and young stars tonight. He says that things will be unpredictable and he brings out the Interim General Manager for NXT. It is fellow Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes.
Jim asks Dusty what he has in store for tonight. Dusty says that electricity is running through the building. He hopes that nobody crosses the new general manager. Dusty says that Tyson Kidd will face Michael McGillicutty in the main event. Dusty tells everyone to have a good time.
We have a video package for Bo Dallas. He says that he is ready to go when he comes through the curtain. When he enters the ring, it is fight time. He mentions that he is a third generation superstar. He mentions that his grandfather is Blackjack Mulligan and his father is Mike Rotundo. He also mentions that his uncles are Barry and Kendall Windham. He knew that he was going to be a WWE Superstar. He knows that people will have high expectations but he is ready for it.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Bo Dallas versus Rick Victor
They lock up and Victor with a side head lock but Dallas with a top wrist lock. Victor with a hammer lock but Dallas with a reversal. Victor with an elbow to the head and he works on the arm and wrist. Dallas with a fireman’s carry followed by a few arm drags and an arm bar. Victor backs Dallas into the corner.
Victor with chops to Dallas but Dallas puts Victor in the corenr and he punches Victor. Dallas with elbows to the head followed by a biel. Bo with a clothesline in the corner and a hip toss. Dallas with a power slam followed by a spear for the three count.
Winner: Bo Dallas
After the match, BRiley Pierce asks Bo for his thoughts on winning the first match on NXT. He says that this is just the beginning. He tells people to keep watching because we will know Bo.
We go to a video package for Seth Rollins. Seth says that everyone is lost and waiting on a second wind. He is the change that we have been waiting for. He says that he has always believed when nobody else believed in him. Every chance was a moment ready to be taken. He says that we are the authors and finishers of our own path. The time to move is now.
We have a video package for Antonio Cesaro, who will be on the show next week.
Match Number Two: Damien Sandow versus Jason Jordan
Damien asks the crowd to beg his indulgence first. He says that he is here to help all of us as the Intellectual Savior of the Masses. He asks that everyone be silent while he talks. Damien says that it is bad form that he is pitted against an unworthy opponent. If he is to truly be an example of all that is right with humanity, he will not demean himself and engage this ignoramus in the ring tonight.
As always, he does this for the benefit and welfare of everyone. He tells everyone that they are welcome.
We go to a video package for Kenneth Cameron and Conor O’Brian, otherwise known as Ascension. Kenneth mentions smiles, happiness, and laughter. These are the things that you hold dear in your hearts, but not theirs. Conor says that they are the gateways of the future. They are the Ascension and they are will rise.
Match Number Two: Kenneth Cameron and Conor O’Brian versus Mike Dalton and CJ Parker
Cameron and Parker start things off and Cameron takes Parker down and then he goes after Dalton on the apron. Cameron with kicks in the corner and Conor tags in and he kicks Parker. Cameron tags back in and he kicks Parker in the head. Conor tags back in and he drops an elbow and then Cameron with an elbow and they alternate for a few seconds.
O’Brian tags back in and they hit the DownCast (Cameron with a jaw breaker and Conor with a flapjack) for the three count.
Winners: Kenneth Cameron and Conor O’Brian
We go to a video package for Bray Wyatt. He says that good things come to those who believe in Bray Wyatt. He tells parents to stop lying to their children by telling them that monsters are not real. Their children should be looking under their beds at night. Monsters are real and the boogeyman is real. Good things come to those who believe in Bray Wyatt.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Derrick Bateman is walking in the back and he goes into the bathroom. He sees Johnny Curtis. Derrick says that he will meet him outside. Johnny tells Derrick to wait for him because he has a bone to pick.
Johnny says that he is very sick and Derrick wants to know if he is trying to get out of their match next week. Johnny says that he is sick of seeing and being around Derrick for another week. Johnny says that he got a little sad and nervous earlier. He wondered what was he going to do to Derrick next week.
Derrick tells Johnny that he should be scared of what he is going to do to Johnny next week.
Match Number Three: Michael McGillicutty versus Tyson Kidd
They lock up and Kidd works on the arm and wrist into a hammer lock but Michael tries for a side head lock but he gets to the ropes and Kidd releases the hold. Kidd with a side head lock but Michael with a top wrist lock but Kidd into a hammer lock but Michael with a reversal into a side head lock.
Michael with a shoulder tackle and Kidd backs into the corner. Kidd with a waist lock into a side head lock. Kidd avoids a slam and he tries for an O’Connor roll but Michael holds on to the ropes. Michael goes for the leg but Tyson with a reversal and Kidd works on the ankle until Michael goes to the ropes and the floor.
Michael gets back into the ring and they go to a Greco Roman knuckle lock. Michael gets the advantage but Tyson bridges and powers himself back up with a knee and an Arabian press into an arm drag followed by another arm drag into an arm bar. Michael backs Tyson into the corner. Michael punches Tyson and kicks him in the corner.
Michael with a snap suplex and he gets a near fall. Michael with a forearm across the back but Kidd with a kick and then he clotheslines Michael over the top rope to the floor. Kidd sets for a dive to the floor and he hits a suicide dive onto Michael and we go to commercial.
We are back and Kidd sends Michael into the turnbuckles and he kicks Michael. Kidd with a leg lariat and he gets a near fall. Kidd with a kick but Michael with an Irish whip. Kidd is sent to the apron and he tries for a shoulder but Michael knows what is coming and he connects with a knee. Michael with a neck breaker and Michael gets a near fall.
Michael runs his forearm across the face followed by kicks in the corner. Michael with a back heel kick as he walks away from Kidd. Michael with a hard Irish whip and Kidd goes sternum first into the buckles. Michael gets a near fall. Michael with a knee to the back of the head for a near fall. Michael with a reverse chin lock.
Kidd with punches but Michael with a forearm. Kidd with a sunset flip for a near fall. Michael with a clothesline to stop Kidd. Michael gets a near fall. Michael puts Kidd in the Tree of Woe and then he connects with forearms across the chest and then he stretches Kidd while still in the Tree of Woe. Michael with a near fall on Tyson.
Michael puts Tyson into the Tree of Woe again and he sets for a baseball slide but Kidd pulls himself up and Michael goes groin first into the ring post. Kidd gets out of the turnbuckles and he struggles to get back to his feet. Kidd with kicks to the leg and Michael goes down. Kidd with a leaping back heel kick followed by a drop kick for a near fall.
Kidd with a kick and he goes to the apron and then he hits an enzuigiri. Kidd goes for a springboard move but Michael with a drop kick to counter and both men are down. Michael gets a near fall but Tyson gets his shoulder up at the last moment. Michael puts Tyson on the turnbuckles and punches him. Michael sets for a superplex but Kidd knocks Michael off. Kidd with a double jump moonsault for a near fall.
Kidd goes for the Dungeon Lock but Michael gets to the apron and he pulls the ring skirt up. Michael kicks Kidd away and Michael with a snap Saito suplex and he gets a near fall. Micheal goes for the Sharpshooter and he locks it in. Kidd tries to fight through the pain and get to the ropes and he succeeds.
Michael with a shot to the back and then he goes for the Perfectplex but Kidd blocks it and gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Kidd with a rollup for a near fall and then he applies the Dungeon Lock and he adds a few kicks to the head and Michael taps.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look back at last week when James Storm returned to TNA, and then Hulk Hogan's ultimatum to Austin Aries that he'll make him the next challenger for the World Title, but only if he gives up the X-Division Title first.
With that, we go to the Impact Zone as Hogan comes out to the ring to say that you make a lot of friends and also enemies when things change. He doesn't know who attacked Sting last week, but he's not going to give them any publicity and he won't replay the video from last week. He promises he will find out who did that to Sting, but first he wants to talk about Open Fight Night and the Bound For Glory Series, and also hear Austin Aries' decision. Aries starts with the business part: Hogan offered him the chance to bypass the Bound For Glory Series and get a shot at the title, but first he has to relinquish the X Division Title and end the longest title reign in company history. To be the man, you have to be the World Champion, but on the other hand, the X Division Title is the one the company was built on, and some of the best wrestlers in the business have worked to make it what it is. He wants to make sure that the title is treated with respect if he hands it over, because he's worried that it'll lose meaning if he just hands it over. Hogan says Aries better have a good plan if he has a Plan C because he doesn't want any games, but Aries says that he wants to set the standard and make it so that every year, whoever holds the X Division Title this time of year can turn it in for a shot at the World Title. Hogan likes Plan C, and he's in all the way. Hogan and Aries shake hands, but Bobby Roode comes out to ask if they're kidding him. Roode asks Aries who the hell he thinks he is by trying to dictate what happens in his company, because the paper title he wears means nothing to him because the World Title is the only one that matters. Roode says Aries made the biggest mistake of his life, and if he wants to get into the main event and challenge for the World Title, then he's got it, but Aries better know that he's no X Division wrestler, he's the longest reigning World Champion in company history and he'll prove he's the best at Destination X. Aries says that if Roode is so sure that he can embarrass Aries, and since this is Open Fight Night, why doesn't he come on down to the ring right now? Roode rushes Aries and they get into a brawl at ringside before being pulled apart by TNA Officials. Ken Anderson comes out and says he would love to watch them pound the snot out of each other all night, but he wants them to know that whoever wins between them is going to face the winner of the Bound For Glory Series...aka Ken Anderson.
We take a look at a graphic explaining how the scoring works in the Bound For Glory Series, then we go back to Anderson as he issues an open challenge for the next match in the series...
Bound For Glory Series: Ken Anderson vs Christopher Daniels
Daniels, who was sipping a martini backstage, indignantly comes out to the ring and gets drilled in the face to start the match. Anderson stomps Daniels down in the corner as we see Joseph Park sitting out in the crowd. Anderson goes up top, but Daniels shakes the ropes and Anderson falls onto the top turnbuckle and tumbles into the ring. Daniels ties Anderson up in a Pepsi Twist and rams a couple of right hands into his ribs before converting it into an abdominal stretch. Anderson powers out of the hold and takes Daniels out with a clothesline as we're informed that all the BFG Series matches will have a ten minute time limit. Anderson and Daniels trade right hands in the middle of the ring, Anderson comes out on top and lays Daniels out with a series of clotheslines and then hits a Finlay Roll. Daniels blocks the Mic Check and counters to a Blue Thunder Driver for 2. Daniels sets up for the BME, but Anderson grabs his ankle and rolls him up for 2. Anderson with a rolling neckbreaker and the Mic Check gets 3.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Dixie Carter and AJ Styles are backstage and she asks if he's ready and if they're doing the right thing. AJ doesn't care what Daniels or Kazarian think, but the more he thinks about it, the less sure he is. Dixie asks what other way he can think of to do this, but he's not sure.
The Knockouts have gathered in Brooke Hogan's office, and we'll find out who challenges Brooke Tessmacher...next!
Okay, we're back and Brooke Hogan notices how much fun ODB is having with her flask, and asks each of them to explain why they deserve a title shot. They all go through their reasons: Mickie has held every major women's title in the business, Madison is the longest reigining Knockouts Champion ever, ODB says she's different, and Velvet never got her rematch. Brooke tells Madison she needs to get her head back into the game and she's out of the running, and then we'll come back later as Brooke eliminates another contender.
Robbie E is in the ring with Robbie T, and E challenges anyone in the BFG Series to come and get punked out.
Bound For Glory Series: Robbie E vs Kurt Angle
Robbie jumps Angle before the bell, but Angle quickly goes behind and htis the rolling German suplexes, then quickly plants E with the Angle Slam. The straps come down, the anklelock is on with the leg grapevine, and Robbie taps.
winner: Kurt Angle
Robbie E really ought to know better than to throw out challenges like that.
We meet Taeler Hendrix, the contestant in tonight's edition of the Gut Check. She saw wrestling on TV and decided she was going to do that, but then she was diagnosed with cancer at 21. She wants to be the newest Knockout and hold all the Knockouts titles, and she won't stop until she gets there.
Brutus Magnus comes out now and says that if only one man gets to win the Bound For Glory Series, he wants that to be him. He's going to call someone out to wrestle him in the next match in the BFG Series, and we'll find out who that is...NEXT!
We're back, and Magnus chooses a man whose head is not in the game, and he knows how hard it is to concentrate on business since women are all over him everywhere he goes, but even he knows not to mess with another man's wife, especially when she's the one writing the paychecks. Guess we know who he means!
Bound For Glory Series: Brutus Magnus vs AJ Styles
They go toe to toe as soon as AJ is in the ring, Magnus runs into AJ's boot on a corner charge and AJ hits a backbreaker. AJ takes forever to get to the top rope and Magnus catches him on a flying bodypress and turns it into a big bodyslam and an elbowdrop for 2. Magnus hits the ropes, but AJ catches him coming off with a dropkick. He goes for the Pelle kick, but Magnus sees it coming and steps out of the way, then catches AJ in a sleeper. AJ backs Magnus into the corner and nails him with elbowstrikes, then connects with a leaping forearm and goes for the Styles Clash. Magnus slips out of that, but AJ hits a leaping enziguiri and rolls out to the ring apron. He prepares for the springboard forearm, but gets distracted by Daniels and Kazarian coming out with yet another envelope. He stops just long enough to give Magnus the chances to scoop AJ up and hit the Michinoku Driver for the win.
Winner: Brutus Magnus
Taeler Hendrix is backstage, and she's...STRETCHING!
Jeremy Borash introduces Taeler Hendrix, the contestant in this month's Gut Check, and then introduces her opponent...
Gut Check: Tara vs Taeler Hendrix
Taeler extends her hand to Tara, Tara slaps it away so Taeler takes a swing and Tara ducks, takes Taeler down with a waistlock, and fired forearms across her nose. Tara with a snap suplex and stands over Taeler to talk trash, but Taeler gets a sunset flip for 2. Tara quickly regains control with a clothesline and then gets the hanging choke in the corner. Taeler kicks up over her head and cartwheels up the corner to give Tara a top rope Frankensteiner. Joseph Park is moving around in the crowd as Taeler gets Tara with a series of clotheslines, then takes Tara down with a waistlock drop and crossfaces Tara like Tara did to her earlier. Taeler goes for a high kick, Tara ducks and gets Taeler up in the Widow's Peak and hits it for 3.
Winner: Tara
Tara helps Taeler back to her feet, then we go to the back where we see the remaining competitors in the BFG Series. We'll find out who gets called out next...NEXT!
Joseph Park is backstage freaking out over something, and has the misfortune of bumping into Bully Ray. Bubba smells fear, but Park says Bubba was more scared when Abyss snatched him out of the ring last week. Bubba says he's lucky he's in the BFG Series, but if he sees Park or Abyss around anymore, it'll be the last time anyone sees them.
Samoa Joe comes out and says that, since nobody in the back has the guts to say his name, he'll call out James Storm. He got lucky last week, but now we'll see how lucky he really is.
Bound For Glory Series: Samoa Joe vs James Storm
Storm goes after Joe as soon as he's in the ring, but Joe flattens him with a back elbow and drills him with right hands and a leaping enziguiri in the corner. Joe gets a Fujiwara armbar, but Storm lands right next to the ropes and gets the break, so Joe wastes no time in targeting the arm he briefly had in the hold. Joe with a snapmare and a nerve hold, Storm gets out but walks right into a snap powerslam for 2. Joe with a Kimura lock, but Storm gets to the ropes again, so Joe with more strikes to Storm's injured arm. Joe gets a crossface chickenwing, Storm fights his way out, and starts unloading with big right hands. Storm with a series of clotheslines, an inverted atomic drop, and a flying forearm. Joe blocks a monkey flip and sits Storm on the top rope, snapmares him onto the mat, and goes for the Kokina Clutch. Storm blocks and lays Joe out with the Last Call, and that's all she wrote.
Winner: James Storm
Joe goes out to the floor and gets a beer bottle, and he comes back in and brandishes it in front of Storm for a moment while we wonder if he's going to nail him, but then he hands Storm the beer and walks off.
We see a video package looking back at the history of the (alleged) torrid affair between AJ Styles and Dixie Carter, including yet ANOTHER shot of Dixie's non-wrestling husband knocking AJ Styles on his ass. We then go backstage where AJ is telling Dixie that he's falling apart and they need to get this out in the open so they can get on with their lives.
We're back to Brooke Hogan's office where she says that Madison found out what smack talking gets you, and now she tells ODB that she's too concerned with getting married and whether her husband is pulling his pants down in front of other women, so she's out. ODB basically says she's going to try and screw Hulk to get that overruled, but it looks like we're down to Velvet and Mickie and we'll check back in on them later.
Bully Ray comes out to the ring and gloats about how Joseph Park is nowhere to be found, then asks who's left in the back. He sees that we're left with RVD, Jeff Hardy, and the Pope, so he decides that he's going to take the easy route and challenge Pope so he can get his easy ten points.
Bound For Glory Series: Bully Ray vs The Pope
Bubba nails Pope before the bell and whips him hard into the corner, causing Pope to collapse to the mat. Bubba with a big clothesline and covers for 2, then goes right back to another cover for another 2. Pope tries to fire back on Bubba, but Bubba gouges his eyes and kicks him square in the grill. Bubba launches Pope into the corner again and drags him back to the middle of the ring for a big splash, but Pope moves out of the way. Pope and Bubba trade right hands in the middle of the ring, Pope comes out on top and ducks a big boot from Bubba, then hits an inverted atomic drop and a flying shoulderblock. Pope with some Dusty elbows and a double fist to the face, leaving Bubba slumped over the middle rope. Pope with the flying crotch to the back of Bubba's head, then he climbs up to the top rope but winds up getting crotched when Bubba shakes the ropes. Bubba with a big avalanche in the corner and he goes up top to punch Pope in the face, but he freezes when he sees Abyss coming out of the crowd. Pope hits the DDE while Bubba has his back turned, and Bubba sails out to the floor where Abyss makes a grab at him. Bubba manages to escape from Abyss by rolling back into the ring, but is quickly flattened by a clothesline from Pope, who covers for 3.
Winner: The Pope
Bubba rolls out to the floor and runs for his life as Abyss chases him out through the crowd.
Hulk Hogan is backstage telling RVD and Jeff Hardy that neither of his two biggest stars were called out. That must mean they're the two biggest threats in the BFG Series, and they'll be his main event tonight. Hardy and RVD high five, apparently forgetting how Hardy viciously turned on RVD a couple of years ago.
Brooke Hogan is in her office checking out photos of Velvet Sky and Mickie James, apparently deciding that whoever is hotter will get the title shot. Whatever.
We see the first minute or so of the new Montgomery Gentry video featuring Velvet Sky (which is actually pretty good), then Brooke Hogan has to choose whether Velvet or Mickie James will get tonight's shot at the Knockouts Title. She tells them both how great they are and how Velvet got a great opportunity with the music video, but she's giving Mickie the nod tonight.
Knockouts Title Match: Brooke Tessmacher vs Mickie James
Mickie takes Tessmacher to the corner but doesn't exactly break super clean and gets a "HEY!" from referee Earl Hebner. Mickie takes Tessmacher down with a hammerlock and then floats over to a front facelock. Tessmacher reverses to a hammerlock of her own, but Mickie slips through and takes Tessmacher down with a firewoman's carry, then goes back to Tessmacher's arm. Tessmacher gets out and hits a pair of dropkicks and gets a waistlock from behind, but Mickie runs to the ropes and cheapshots Brooke with an elbow to the jaw when Tessmacher went to break clean. Mickie gets a couple of 2 counts, then snapmares Tessmacher and comes off the ropes with a diving dropkick for 2. Mickie rams Tessmacher face first into the mat just to be mean, then chokes her on the ropes and fires a forearm at her kidneys. Mickie takes Tessmacher to the mat and steps over her with a top wristlock, Tessmacher fights her way out of the hold and boots Mickie in the face, but walks right into a flapjack. Mickie's ready to go for the kill and she heads up top, but Tessmacher ducks under whatever she was trying and connects with a series of clotheslines. Tessmacher with a facebuster out of the corner for 2, but Mickie shoves Tessmacher off to the ropes and connects with a savate kick for 2. Mickie stops to question the referee about the count and then goes for the implant DDT, but Tessmacher rolls through and cradles Mickie for 3.
Winner: Brooke Tessmacher
Mickie looks REALLY pissed off that she lost, but we step away from her to see RVD and Jeff Hardy backstage, as they're...WALKING!
It's main event time!
Bound For Glory Series: Rob Van Dam vs Jeff Hardy
RVD and Hardy exchange a series of quick rollup attemmpts, but neither man gets an advantage. RVD tries the split legged duck under, but Hardy knows his playbook and hits a legdrop to the back of the head and a double jump baseball slide in the corner. RVD rolls out to the floor and sweeps Hardy's legs, then comes off the top rope with a flying thrust kick. RVD hits Rolling Thunder for 2, then follows up with a split-legged moonsault for another 2. Hardy turns the tide with a bulldog and a reverse enziguiri, followed by a sitout gourdbuster. Hardy takes the shirt off ond comes off the top rope with the Swanton, but RVD moves out of the way and heads up top himself. RVD takes too long going "ROB...VAN...DAM" and misses a 450, and Hardy hits a nasty DDT for 2. Hardy quickly follows up with another DDT and that's enough to put RVD away for 3.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
AJ Styles and Dixie Carter are backstage, and they're...POWERWALKING!
With all of tonight's BFG Series matches in the book, we look at the leader board as James Storm is comfortably in the lead with 27 points, with Kurt Angle a distant second at 10 and everyone else with either 7 or 0.
Now it's time for the moment we've all been waiting for, as Dixie Carter and AJ styles come out arm in arm to face the music in front of the Impact Zone fans. Dixie says that this has been going on for a long time and these situations never have a positive outcome. People are hurt, lives and families are destroyed, and...uh...AJ takes the microphone and tells Dixie that they can leave right now and they don't have to tell anyone anything. Dixie hesitates as AJ leads Dixie to the ropes, but some girl who I assume to be AJ's wife comes out to the ring looking really upset and comes into the ring to address the fans. (Note from Stu: this chick was really rambling when she started talking, and I tried to make it as coherent as possible, but the rest of this segment might still look a bit disjointed.) I didn't catch her name, but she seems really attached to both AJ and Dixie and she can come to them with anything, and Dixie was there when she needed her. She's here to tell everyone the truth, and that's that Dixie and AJ aren't having an affair, but she's an addict who's trying to get clean. She drinks, she does pills, and it got so bad that she took money from her family and couldn't go to them for help, she wakes up in hotels with strangers, and that's when she went to Dixie and AJ for help and they were there. AJ took her to rehab, they weere there for her, and that's when Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian got in the way. The hotel room they went in was hers, Dixie and AJ were just trying to protect her, and Daniels is a liar. We see Daniels and Kazarian looking really pissed backstage, and the junkie girl freaks when she sees them come out to the ring and get in a fight with AJ. AJ totally loses his mind and destroys both of them by himself, nearly powerbombing Kazarian through the mat before taking Daniels out with a Pelle Kick, and he's on top of Daniels repeatedly punching him in the face as we call it a wrap.
2013 - FWE presented FWE Rumble 2 in Queens, NY at the ELMCOR Center. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider's coverage of FWE's FWE Rumble 2 in Corona, NY.
To order the show, click the graphic below, then sign up for or log in to your WWNLive.com account:
FWE seems to have broken the ELMCOR curse as it appears they drew 650-750 here, easily the biggest crowd ever in the venue.
Rob Van Dam was easily the biggest draw on the show as he had a massive line for autographs.
The show opened up with AJ Pann introducing Matt Striker, who joined their announcing team just one day after being let go by WWE. Striker received a nice pop. He thanked FWE for being the first to step up and give him an opportunity. The fans chanted "Thank you Striker." He said he hasn't heard those words in eight years and thanked the fans. He said he wanted to thank the people at WWE for giving him a chance and an opportunity. He said that he's happy to be here. He said he'll be able to mention Japan, call the names of the moves, and to mention people's past. He said that he was going to call matches the way they are supposed to be called. He said that he thanks WWE for the opportunity they gave him, but he also thanks FWE and that's where we all are. FWE and "we wrestle."
Petey Williams vs. Brian Kendrick
They each received nice reactions and the crowd chanted for each man. They battled back and forth, exchanging holds on the mat. Kendrick sent Williams into the corner and he went up and over. Brian scissored him down to the mat for a two count.
They went back and forth, working on each other's arms. Williams grabbed a side headlock. He was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked Kendrick down. Kendick came back with several hiptosses and a dropkick for a two count.
Williams went to the outside, where Kendrick went for a dive and missed. Williams tossed him back into the ring. Williams scored a two count. He tried Kendrick to the tree of woe and stepped on his nether-regions. Williams scored several two counts. Kendrick was locked in a side chinlock but fought his way back up. Williams snapped him back to the mat.
Williams charged Kendrick, who kicked him off several times. Kendrick nailed a flying forearm and a leg lariat. He missed a charge in the corner but nailed a leg lariat coming out of the rebound for another two count. They went back and forth until Williams caught him with a Sharpshooter to try and force a submission. Kendrick battled to the ropes to force a break.
Kendrick shot Williams out of the ring to the floor and then hit a tope. Kendrick nailed a missile dropkick and then went for a flying bodypress. Williams moved out of the way and went for the Canadian Destroyer. Kendrick blocked but was nailed with a DDT for a two count.
Williams tried to get Kendrick in position for a move but Kendrick nailed him. He went for Sliced Bread #2 in the corner but was caught and placed on the ropes by Williams. He then nailed a double stomp on Kendrick for a two count.
Williams drilled Kendrick with a suplex for a two count.. They went back and forth. Williams attempted a backslide but Kendrick escaped and nailed a superkick. Williams came back and nailed the Canadian Destroyer for the pin.
Your winner, Petey Williams!
Really good back and forth wrestling match. Kendrick looked crisp and Williams was as smooth as ever. A fine start to the show. The crowd really loved the wrestling. Both men got a nice ovation.
The Young Bucks vs. Jigsaw & Tony Nese
Big pop for Jigsaw, who started out with Matt Jackson. They went back and forth with Jigsaw controlling him on the mat early. Jigsaw locked him in a Gori Guerrero Especial, then sent him into the ropes, nailing Matt with a dropkick. He continued controlling the match, nailing a rana and controlling the flow.
Jigaw tagged in Nese, who continued working over Matt, including a dropkick. Nick Jackson tagged in and caught Nese with a kick to the mid-section. Nese came back with a series of kicks, culminating with a spinkick. Nese nailed a dive to the outside.
The Young Bucks cut him off with a dropkick as he was on the apron and they beat him down on the mat with punches. The Bucks began controlling the match, tagging in and out as they worked Nese over. Nese tried to escape and finally made the hot tag when he tricked the Bucks into nailing each other.
Jigsaw tagged in and nailed a flying bodypress off the top on both. He nailed a rana on both and then hit a dive over the top to the floor. Nese then hit a backwards dive over the top on everyone.
Back in the ring, Jigsaw and Nese were caught by the Bucks. They doubleteamed Jigsaw, culminating with a kick to the head. Nese and Jigsaw made a comeback, leading to a series of superkicks. Nick then superkicked Jigsaw as he was setting up Matt for a move, letting Matt hit a Code Red for a two count.
They knocked Nese out of the ring. They powerbombed Jigsaw into the corner as Matt kicked him in the back of the head. They then nailed a spike tombstone on Jigsaw for the pin.
Your winners, The Young Bucks!
An awesome tag match. Lots of great back and forth action and a really inspired sequence involving the superkicks. Jigsaw looked awesome here, the best I've ever seen him look. Nese is just so great. He's so going to be a star one day. Bucks were awesome.
Maria Kanellis & Ivelise Velez vs. Winter & Angelina Love
Love tried to do a test of strength with Velez early since she was so much taller. Velez tried to take her down with a waistlock. They went back and forth. Maria tagged in and then tagged back out, preferring to make out with Mike Bennett instead. Velez was not impressed.
Winter chased Kanellis out of the ring when she finally did enter. Kanellis threw her into the ring post. Velez choked Winter in the corner while Kanellis argued with the referee, distracting him. Kanellis choked her against the ropes and locked in a side chinlock.
Winter finally used a stunner to break free. Love tagged in and bulldogged Kanellis for a two count. Love slammed Velez for a two count but Kanellis broke it up. She ended up tossed over the top onto the apron, then knocked off to the floor.
Angelina and Winter worked over Velez and scored the pin.
Your winners, Angelina Love & Winter.
They did a lot of gaga early. The crowd didn't seem to get into it beyond chanting to entertain themselves.
FWE Tri-Borough champion Paul London vs. Akio Yang
London did his long entrance where he slapped the hands of everyone for about ten minutes. The crowd all clapped at the bell in anticipation. Akio took the mic and asked the crowd if they wanted cake. The crowd chanted that they did. He asked them why and if they had the munchies. He ripped on the crowd and said they were fat bas***ds who didn't need cake.
London took the mic and said they want cake because it's incredible. He said that if he didn't bring out any cake, they should hurry up and wrestle because Akio now made him hungry.
They locked up and neither man was able to gain control of the other. London grabbed a side headlock. Yang reversed it and when London tried to shoot him into the ropes, Yang grabbed his hair to prevent it. Yang took him to the mat and controlled him. Yang was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked London down.
Yang controlled London, who tried to find a way out. He tripped up Yang, dropkicked him and nailed a rana. He then clotheslined Yang over the top to the floor. London went for a dive but Yang got out of the way. He nailed a dropkick on Yang when Yang got back on the apron, the hit a tope con hilo to the outside in the aisle.
London drove Yang backwards into the apron. They battled onto the apron, chopping each other. London worked him over with punches but was lowblowed and crashed to the floor outside. Yang brought him back into the ring and tied him up on the mat. He snapped London down to the mat and nailed a standing moonsault for a two count.
Yang stomped on London and worked him over. London fired back with chops but was worked over. He whipped London into the corner and drilled him with a spinkick, landing on the apron. Yang went to the tpp for a flying bodypress but London kicked him as he was in the air.
Yang and London battled back and forth in the center of the ring. London shoulderblocked Yang from the outside as he charged London in the corner. London beat him down and came off the ropes with a double stomp to the back for a two count.
London drilled Yang with a hangman's neckbreaker for a two count. London went to the top but was cut off. Yang worked him over with punches and slugs to the back. London fought back and drilled Yang, sending him to the floor. He went for the shooting star press but missed. Yang nailed a moonsault for a two count.
Yang went to the top but London nailed his legs, crotching him on the ropes. London went for a reverse rana off the top but Yang held on. He nailed a moonsault but London kicked out at the last second. The referee began counting them both down on the mat. They made it to their feet before the ten count. Yang drilled London with a knee in the corner and began beating him with rights and lefts.
London fought him off and came off the second rope with a DDT. London nailed the shooting star press and scored the pin.
Your winner and still FWE Tri-Borough champion, Paul London!
Really good, hard fought back and forth physical match. Really enjoyable.
After the match, London offered Yang his hand out of respect. Yang teased shaking it but blew him off. London dropkicked him out of the
Extreme Rules: Tommy Dreamer vs. Rob Van Dam
RVD came out to a knockoff version of Pantera's Walk and the crowd chanted the chorus of the song. They hugged at the bell.
They locked up and reversed several attempts at taking the other down. Van Dam made it to the ropes, then jumped up and pointed at himself. The crowd loved it.
They locked up and Dreamer grabbed a side headlock. Van Dam tried to break it and did with several kicks. Dreamer went into the corner. He sent Van Dam into the buckles and to the floor. Dreamer clotheslined him off the apron to the floor.
Dreamer slammed Van Dam into the guard rail. He took a soda and sprayed it, Great Muta style, into Van Dam's face. They battled around ringside. Dreamer dragged Van Dam into the crowd, where they fought. The crowd chanted, "ECW."
Dreamer nailed Van Dam with a trash can. Van Dam made a comeback and nailed a legdrop on Dreamer on the outside. They battled up to the top of the building. They battled back down the bleachers where Dreamer took a bump through a tarp down into the aisle. That was nuts. The crowd chanted, "You killed Tommy."
Van Dam brought Dreamer back into the ring. He worked over Dreamer but was caught with a spike piledriver for a two count. He whippped RVD into the corner. RVD kicked him as he charged. Van Dam went to the top but Dreamer shoved him and crotched him. Dreamer nailed him with a chair to the back and tied him to the tree of woe. He set up a chair in front of Van Dam and hit the dropkick to the chair to the face.
Dreamer went under the ring and retrieved a table. He set it in the corner and went for a Spicoli Driver, but Van Dam slipped out and instead nailed the Spicoli Driver through the table for a two count. Van Dam went for the split legged moonsault but missed. Dreamer nailed the big piledriver and they recreated that insane piledriver from November to Remember 1997. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome."
Dreamer went to the middle ropes for an elbow but missed. Van Dam set up a chair in the corner but Dreamer ended up reversing the whip and being sent into it. Dreamer went for a Pedigree but Van Dam escaped. RVD hit Rolling Thunder for a two count.
Van Dam nailed the Five Star Frogsplash and scored the pin.
Your winner, Rob Van Dam!
Really good match that echoed their bouts in ECW and WWF. The crowd really loved the hell out of this.
They hugged.
Dreamer took the mic and said this was probably the last time they will ever wrestle. He told Van Dam to have a great last run in WWE because it's guys like him in venues like this that made Tommy Dreamer who he is.
FWE champ Carlito vs. John Morrison
They locked up and Morrison grabbed a side headlock, then brought Carlito to the mat. Carlito used the ropes to break free. They went back and forth until Carlito caught Morrison
Carlito nailed a series of shoulderblocks but was caught with a hiptoss for a two count. Carlito went to the outside, trying to stop Morrison's momentum.
When they returned to the ring, Carlito took control. Morrison fought back and went for a delayed suplex but Carlito blocked it and nailed a spinning neckbreaker. He went for a Bronco Buster in the corner but Morrison moved and Carlito drilled himself into the buckles.
Morrison stomped Carlito. He was sent into the corner but Morrison blocked him and nailed a reverse elbow and a spinning kick. Morrison continued working over Carlito and scoring two counts. He cinched on another headlock.
They went back and forth until Carlito flattened him with a superkick. Carlito kicked Morrison on the apron and he took a nasty bump. Carlito locked on a surfboard.
Morrison made a comeback and nailed a standing moonsault for a two count. Carito caught him with a sunset flip out of the corner but Morrison rolled through and kicked him in the face for a two count. Carlito came back with a sidewalk slam for a two count
Morrison went to the top but Carlito shoved him off to the floor. Carlito battled Morrison with a series of elbows. He nailed a Samoan Drop for a two count. Morrison came back with his spinning finisher off the ropes for the pin.
Your winner and new FWE champion, John Morrison!
FWE RUMBLE
The winner will have a Money in the Bank style title shot that he can cash in anytime in the next year for a chance at any time.
Number one is Damien Darling. Number two is Jorge Santi.
They went back and forth with Santi controlling the momentum in the ring. A third guy came in and they worked over Santi. Fourth out was Johnny Knockout, now wearing facepaint over part of his face. He teased charging into the ring until he backed up and did a full sprint in. Everyone fought each other.
Another Darling came out. He teamed with Damien. Wes Draven Turner was next out and hit some flashy offense. Everyone battled.
The Patriot (Tom Brandi) was next out. He clotheslined one of the Darlings out of the ring to the floor. Whoever the next person was, he was attacked and laid out. AJ Pann, the heelk riung announcer, came out dressed in a Ric Flair style robe, acting like he was going to wrestle. Everyone battled.
Next out was Chris Masters. They all battled. Next out was Stone Cold ET who got a massive pop. They all stopped and watched him do his deal on the ropes. They all attacked him. They trapped him in the corner and all took turns chopping the hell out of him.
Pann was dragged into the ring and chopped. Next out was VSK. There were several eliminations, including Draven after he was sent into the ringpost. Darling kicked off a VSK charge in the corner. Patriot was tossed out.
Mike Bennett was next out. Masters and ET went face to face, which was funny. Masters slammed him. He put the Masterlock on him, then dumped him to the floor.
Out next was Alex Reynolds. He and Masters teamed to thin the field of competition, throwing some more guys out. It came down to he, Masters, Santi and Bennett. Next out was EJ Risk. They all battled,
Next out was Jimmy Wang Yang, now dressed as one of the Flying Elvis. Everyone battled. Sam Shields was next. Everyone battled. Masters was eliminated by a double dropkick from VSK and EJ Risk. He tossed a chair into the ring out of anger.
Next out was Jason Gotti. VSK battled back and forth with Bennett.
Next out, out of nowhere, coming in from a side door, was The Sandman, who did his grand entrance, He hit the ring and started caning everyone. He got a MASSIVE ECW chant.
Next in was Matt Striker, who was announcing. He and Sandman went right at it. He's wearing his sweater. He went right after Sandman and choked him on the mat.
Next out was Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer unloaded on Striker and clotheslined him over the top to the floor. A bunch of wrestlers teamed on Sandman and tossed him out to the floor at the same time. Everyone turned their attention to Dreamer, working him over.
After some eliminations, it was down to Reynolds, Dreamer, Gotti, VSK, Risk and Yang
Next out was Nick Jackson. He trued to form an alliance with Yang, then nailed him and tossed him over. Next out was Tony Nese. He and Reynolds immediately went at it. Nese and Dreamer held Reynolds' legs open so Risk could be whipped into him.
Next out was Paul London. He battled with Risk. Dreamer tried to toss VSK. Petey Williams was out next. London nailed him with a leg lariat. Nese worked over Dreamer in the corner. Williams and Jackson teamed up to work over Nese.
VSK and Dreamer tried to toss Jackson over. Matt Jackson was out next. The Bucks worked over Nese with some of their finishers, then shot him into Williams for a Canadian Destroyer.
Nese, VSK and Risk were tossed out. London and Dreamer fought with the Bucks and Williams. Out next was Bandido Jr. He spiked Nick Jackson with a spinning DDT. Matt Jackson saved his brother, raking his back.
Williams went for the Canadian Destroyer on Dreamer, who escaped and nailed him with a piledriver. Next out was...no one. The Bucks battled with Dreamer, who nailed them with a stunner and DDT at once. He tried to suplex both Bucks to the outside but they escaped and nailed a double superkick on him to send him out. They rolled under the ropes to work him over.
Out next was Jigsaw. He hit a nice springboard rana on Nick Jackson. They drilled him with More Bang For Your Buck. Dreamer, who wasn't eliminated, pulled a ladder out from under the ring. He tried to take out the Bucks but was sent through the ladder.
Out next was Jay Lethal, another surprise. He clotheslined Jigsaw out. He was backdropped to the apron by Bandido but returned to the ring with a sunset flip attempt. He sent Bandido over the top to the apron and kicked him out. He took the Bucks out and hit a pair of topes through the ropes on them.
Lethal and the Bucks exchanged superkicks and clotheslines. London, who was down, returned to the fray to help Lethal tossed the Bucks. Williams drilled Lethal with a knee strike. He and London battled on the apron.. He finally nailed London and knocked him off. Lethal then dropkicked Williams off.
Dreamer, who was out on the floor, and Lethal are the last two. Lethal brought him back out and nailed an axehandle off the ropes. He went for another but Dreamer nailed him in the bread basket. Dreamer peppered him with right hands.
Dreamer did the Hulk Hogan hulk-up and punches followed by a legdrop. Lethal rolled out of the way and started acting like Ric Flair, then locked in a figure four. He went to do it again but Dreamer kicked him off. Dreamer did the Terry Funk spinning toe hold, which got a "Terry" chant.
Lethal kicked Dreamer, who almost went over the top. He fought off Lethal. Lethal went for the springboard elbow but Dreamer caught him and tossed Lethal over the top for the win.
Your winner, Tommy Dreamer!
Fun but long match. Lethal and Sandman were fun surprises.
2013 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
It is the first day of summer in the WWE (and everywhere else). After Payback, what will happen as we move forward to Money in the Bank and SummerFest (where have you gone Jeremy Piven). We saw a few people return on Monday night and we also saw a man show that he does not want a doctor to stop him despite an injury.
We are in Toledo, Ohio and your announcers are John ‘Jamie Farr’ Layfield and Michael ‘Why do I have to wear a dress tonight’ Cole.
Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring while Michael Cole talks about Randy Orton’s comments about Daniel being the weak link.
Daniel mentions that on Monday night, something happened to him that has never happened before. In his thirteen years in this industry, he has never had a match stopped due to injury. When the doctor asked him if he could continue, he said ‘YES’. Unfortunately, the doctor and WWE Officials did not agree. Officially the company line is that they were concerned for his health, so they stopped the match.
Daniel says that they stopped the match because he is the weak link and that he is not tough enough. That is not the worst part of it. The worst offender and perpetrator is Randy Orton. Daniel shows us footage from the match.
Daniel says that instead of fighting to keep that match going and pleading with doctors and officials to continue the match, Randy Orton picked him up and patted him on the head like he was his little brother or worse, like a little dog. He said ‘Don’t worry little Daniel, it will be okay.”
Daniel says that he saw nothing but pity. He does not care what the doctors or WWE officials think. He does not care what Randy Orton thinks. He will show that he is not the weak link and he will beat Randy Orton tonight.
Daniel says ‘YES’ until Randy Orton’s music plays.
Randy makes his way to the ring and he tells Dan that he has it all wrong. The reason why the match was stopped was because people were concerned for his well-being. Randy wanted to stop but Daniel kept fighting. Randy says that made him respect Daniel more. Randy says that when he helped Daniel up, it was not because of pity. It was because of respect.
Daniel tells Randy not to patronize him. He can look Randy in the eye and he does not see an ounce of respect. All he sees is pity. He knows that Randy thinks he is the weak link. Daniel says that he will prove it tonight just like he proved it last week against the Shield. He will take all of this respect and shove it down Randy’s throat.
Randy tells Daniel that he is way out of line. If he wants it that badly, they will fight. Orton tells Daniel that he will hurt him and tonight, when the officials stop the match, Daniel won’t be walking out, he will be carried out.
He tells Daniel to respect that and then he leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Sheamus versus Cody Rhodes (with Damien Sandow)
Cody with a kick and punches followed by forearms and kicks in the corner until the referee pulls Cody out of the corner. Sheamus with punches and then he sends Cody into the turnbuckles. Sheamus with forearms to the upper back and then he hits a suplex and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a wrist lock but Cody with forearms and kicks.
Cody chokes Sheamus in the corner but Sheamus with an Irish whip. Cody tries to float over but Sheamus catches him. Cody gets to the turnbuckles but Sheamus with a snap mare to the mat. Cody goes to the floor. Sheamus goes to the apron but Cody pulls out the ring skirt to trip Sheamus. Cody sends Sheamus shoulder first into the ringside barrier.
Sandow tells Sheamus to stay down but Sheamus does not listen. Cody kicks Sheamus when he returns to the ring and Cody with knee drops to the left arm. Cody wraps the arm in the ropes. Sheamus with punches but Cody with a single arm DDT and he gets a near fall.
Cody slams the arm into the mat and Cody with a running knee to the head and he gets a near fall. Cody with an arm bar and he puts his weight on Sheamus’ back. Sheamus gets back to his feet and he punches Cody. Sheamus misses a running shoulder into the corner and Cody gets a near fall with a rollup.
Cody continues to focus on the injured arm Sheamus punches Cody and then he goes for the slingshot shoulder tackle but Cody catches Sheamus’ arm and he applies a Fujiwara arm bar. Cody goes with a normal arm bar and Sheamus with a punch. Cody traps the arm and he drops it on the top rope.
Sheamus with two running double sledges followed by a running shoulder into the corner and he tries for the running knee lift but Cody knows that is coming and he side steps Sheamus. Sheamus is able to get Cody up and he hits a Finlay Slam. Sandow tries to interfere but Sheamus stops him. Sheamus sends Cody into Sandow and Sandow goes to the floor. Sheamus hits the knee lift and then he tries for White Noise but Cody counters and tries for a sunset flip.
Sheamus counters with a Cloverleaf and Cody taps out.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Sandow attacks Sheamus and he punches and kicks Sheamus. The referee tries to get Sandow off Sheamus but it is to no avail. Sandow eventually gives up on his attack and he takes Cody from the ring.
We take a look at the Wyatt Family with another video package.
Curtis Axel makes his way to the ring with Paul Heyman and we go to commercial.
We are back and The Miz has joined Michael and John at the announce table for the next match.
Match Number Two: Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) versus Wade Barrett for the Intercontinental Title
They lock up and they go around the ring and Wade gives a clean break. They lock up again and Axel with a side head lock. Barrett backs Curtis into the corner and Wade with kicks and a snap mare. Barrett with an elbow drop for a near fall. Barrett with an elbow to the head but Curtis with a drop kick.
Axel with forearms to the upper back and punches to the midsection. Curtis with punches to the midsection. Axel with forearms to Barrett and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a forearm drop and he gets a near fall. Axel punches Barrett and kicks him in the corner. Barrett sends Axel into the turnbuckles and then he hits a running clothesline.
Barrett punches Axel and Heyman warns the referee about a closed fist. Barrett loses focus for a moment and that allows Axel to connect with punches. Barrett with a knee and a suplex for a near fall. Barrett with a forearm to the back and he chokes Axel in the ropes. Barrett puts Axel in the ropes and he connects with knees and then lines up for a running boot to the head and Axel goes to the floor.
Barrett runs Axel into the apron and they return to the ring. Axel with punches and forearms to Barrett. Axel tries for the Perfectplex but Barrett blocks it and then he connects with a boot to the head for a near fall. Barrett goes to the turnbuckles and he misses an elbow drop. Axel with a leap frog neck snap followed by the snap swinging neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Curtis Axel
After the match, Miz enters the ring to get in Axel’s face. Miz takes off his jacket and it looks like he is ready for a fight but Heyman pulls Axel away. Heyman says that his client does not fight for free.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at Raw and what Mark Henry do, especially to John Cena.
Match Number Three: AJ Lee (with Big E Langston) versus Natalya
Natalya pushes AJ to the mat and then she takes AJ down with a shoulder tackle. Natalya with a snap mare and drop kick to the back. Natalya tries for the Sharpshooter but AJ blocks it. Natalya with a kick and she changes her plans and applies Pin Up Strong on AJ but AJ gets to the ropes. Natalya with punches and she yells at AJ about respect. AJ sends Natalya into the turnbuckles and then she climbs on Natalya’s back and applies a rear naked choke.
Natalya backs AJ into the corner to escape the hold but AJ with a kick to the back of the head for a near fall. We go to commercial.
We are back and Natalya with a suplex. AJ with a kick but Natalya with a clothesline for a near fall. Natalya with a modified airplane spin from a slam position but AJ is able to escape and she applies the Black Widow and Natalya taps out.
Winner: AJ Lee
We see Layla and Kaitlyn watching in the back as AJ celebrates her victory.
Aksana asks Kaitlyn if that was the same move AJ beat her with. Kaitlyn hits Aksana with a water bottle and then she attacks Aksana and dumps a trash can on her.
The Good Divas pull Kaitlyn off Aksana.
Match Number Four: Chris Jericho versus Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriuez)
They lock up and Del Rio with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Jericho with a drop kick and clothesline. Jericho with a kick to the back followed by chops and punches. Jericho kicks Del Rio in the corner. Jericho chokes Del Rio in the ropes and then he hits a splash to the back for a near fall.
Jericho with a forearm and chop to Del Rio followed by an Irish whip but Del Rio gets his boots up. Del Rio with a running kick to the ribs and shoulder. Jericho blocks a suplex attempt and he chops Del Rio. Del Rio with a kick but he misses a splash against the ropes and he goes to the floor. Jericho with a springboard drop kick and Del Rio is sent to the floor.
Jericho with a baseball slide that sends Del Rio into the ringside barrier. Jericho sends Del Rio back into the ring but Ricardo distracts Jericho long enough to allow Del Rio to recover and he hits a super kick as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jerihco misses a splash into the corner and he goes over the top rope to the floor. Del Rio sends Jericho into the ringside barrier and then he kicks Jericho in the ribs. They return to the ring and Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with shoulders in the corner. Del Rio takes too long and Jericho moves when Del Rio tries for a shoulder in the corner and Del Rio hits the ring post. Jericho with a few shoulder tackles and then he goes up top and hits a chop to the head.
Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Del Rio is able to avoid it. Del Rio with a kick to the head and he gets a near fall. Del Rio misses the step up enzuigiri in the corner and Jericho with a cross body for a near fall. Jericho with a bulldog and then he goes for the Lionsault and he connects but he cannot capitalize on the situation with a cover.
Del Rio with a back heel kick and Del Rio signals for the cross arm breaker. Jericho pushes Del Rio away. Del Rio with a sunset flip and Jericho rolls through and tries for the Walls of Jericho. Del Rio counters with the cross arm breaker but Jericho is able to escape and he locks in the Walls of Jericho.
Ricardo gets on the apron and Jericho brings him into the ring. Jericho puts Ricardo in the Liontamer and Ricardo taps out but that does not matter because Ricardo is not part of this match. From out of nowhere, Dolph Ziggler goes to the ring and he attacks Del Rio and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio (by disqualification)
Jericho watches Ziggler attack Del Rio until Del Rio gets to the floor and he goes through the crowd with Ricardo.
Jericho and Ziggler argue in the ring and Jericho gives Ziggler the CodeBreaker and leaves the ring.
Del Rio and Ricardo return to the ring and Ricardo holds Ziggler for Del Rio and Del Rio with a super kick.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the end of the Jericho/Del Rio match and Dolph Ziggler’s involvement.
Match Number Five: Drew McIntyre (with Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal) versus Christian
Christian with a waist lock but Drew with elbows. Christian sends Drew to the floor and then he hits a baseball slide on Drew. Christian sends Drew back into the ring and he punches him. Christian with a drop toe hold and then he hits the slingshot uppercut. Christian goes up top but Drew catches him and hits a uranage for a near fall.
Drew runs into boots from Christian and then Christian hits a corkscrew back elbow and then he pulls Slater off the apron. Mahal tries to distract Christian and it works momentarily but Christian is able to escape a belly-to-back suplex attempt by landing on his feet and then he hits the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian
After the match, Christian says that after ten long months it feels damn good to be back on Smackdown. It feels better to be in front of each and every one of his peeps. He says that everyone knows why he came back. He did it for that ‘One More Match’.
The Shield’s music plays and they make their way to the ring and surround him on three sides. They get on the apron and Christian tries to figure out what to do. All three men attack and they work over Christian. Reigns punches Christian and then Reigns growls to signal that it is time for the Cerberus Bomb.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the return of CM Punk to the ring at Payback. Then we take a look at what happened to Punk on Raw.
Paul Heyman is in the interview area with Renee Young. She asks why Brock attacked CM Punk and whether Paul had anything to do with it.
Paul says that the girls on the mani-pedi circuit are gossiping about CM Punk and Paul Heyman. Since it is appropriate to talk about personal lives, he wants to know how Renee’s relationship with her father is. Is it better than it was before? Has she talked to him in the last two years? Paul asks Renee why her uncle had to rip her prom date out of the limo. It is a matter of public record. Why did her fiancée break up two months ago in Los Angeles?
It is not fun to talk about your personal life on TV. CM Punk made it very clear that he is not his client, they are just best friends. Everything between them is personal and he will not air any dirty laundry.
Maybe Renee will ask about Curtis Axel’s first title defense earlier in the night.
Match Number Six Randy Orton versus Daniel Bryan
Bryan with a running knee to the head and then he punches Orton in the corner. Orton with punches of his own. Bryan with kicks to the leg and a head butt. Orton sends Bryan into the turnbuckles and he punches Bryan. Orton with a European uppercut to Bryan and then he stands on the leg and he stomps on it. Orton with a head butt and punch. Orton with more head butts and Bryan with punches and kicks.
Bryan climbs the turnbuckles and punches Orton. Orton blocks a suplex and then he hits a suplex of his own. Orton stomps on Bryan’s head but he misses a leaping knee drop. Bryan with kicks and then he applies a leg submission. Orton with a side head lock after escaping. Bryan with an atomic drop to the knee and then he tries for the No Lock but Orton is able to fight Bryan off.
Orotn with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Orton gets back to his feet first and Orton drops Bryan on the top rope. Orton tries to suplex Bryan to the floor but Daniel blocks it. Bryan with punches to the midsection and head. Orton drops Bryan on the top rope and then he suplexes Bryan over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Bryan punches Orton but Orton with a drop kick and Randy gets a near fall. Orton puts Bryan on the turnbuckles and he punches Daniel. Orton sets for the superplex but Bryan blocks it. Bryan with punches and he sends Orton to the mat with a head butt. Bryan with a missile drop kick.
Bryan hits the running drop kick into the corner and then he connects with kicks of Yes and then he hits a hesitation drop kick and gets a near fall. Bryan with punches and kicks while he tells Orton that he is not the weak link. Bryan flips out of the corner on an Irish whip and Orton anticipates the flying clothesline and he is able to hit a power slam for a near fall.
Orton with European uppercuts but Bryan with a backslide for a near fall. Bryan with Kicks of Yes to the chest and then he hits the round kick but Orton kicks out at two. Bryan goes up top for the diving head butt, but Orton recovers and he crotches Bryan. Orton punches Bryan on the turnbuckle and then he hits the superplex.
Orton gets a near fall. Orton sends Bryan to the apron for the IEDDT and he hits it. Orton looks around for the spot for the RKO and then he twists to the at for the push ups. Bryan rolls to the floor and Orton follows. Orton with a back drop driver onto the ringside barrier and then Orton tries for an IEDDT from the apron to the floor but Bryan sends Orton into the ringside barrier.
Bryan with a flying knee off the apron and the referee makes his count. Bryan with a suicide dive onto Orton and the referee starts his count again. Both men are down but Bryan is able to get back into the ring at nine while Orton cannot beat the ten count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (by count out)
After the match, Bryan says that he will not accept a count out victory and he tells the referee to re-start the match. The referee tells Bryan no while Bryan screams yes.
We go to credits.
2014 - Former WWE Diva Kaitlyn announced that she married her longtime fiance in series of postings on Instagram.
2014 - WWE ran Uniondale, Long Island at the Nassau Coliseum. Mike Carrol filed the following results:
*Dolph Ziggler defeated Alberto Del Rio with a top rope x factor. Earlier in the match Ziggler did the Broski Boot complete with the "woo woo woo". Good opener. After Harper and Rowan came out and killed him. Harper then cut a promo for their match later against the Usos.
**Bad News Barrett defeated Kofi Kingston and RVD to retain the IC Title. RVD hit the frog splash on Kofi but BNB knocked him out of the ring and stole the pin. Decent match
*Santino Marella & Emma & WWE Divas champ Paige defeated Fandango & Layla & Alicia Fox when Paige hit the Paige Turner on Fox. Afterwards the Faces did the Emma dance, then Fox did her crazy routine of assaulting a guy at ringside with an atomic wedgie. Mostly comedy and was good for what it was.
*Rusev defeated Big E with the Accolade. Lots of flag waving. Someone next to me said it was like Rocky IV. OK match.
*The Usos defeated Luke Harper and Erick Rowan with a roll-up on Harper to retain the Tag Titles. Good match.
*The Miz and Adam Rose had a dance-off. Miz did some over the top interpretative dance meant to be a heel, but he was so entertaining doing it he got cheered. When Rose went to dance Miz attacked him, but Rose made the comeback. Rose got very little reaction.
*Goldust and Stardust defeated Ryback and Curtis Axel when Stardust hit Axel with the Starcross (Crossrhodes into blockbuster). Stardust got no reaction coming out, indicating that this wasn't a crowd that watched Raw regularly. Cody is so over the top that the gimmick is entertaining. Match was a mix of comedy and serious action.
*John Cena defeated Bray Wyatt in a Streetfight with the AA through a table. Match reminded me of old ECW with tons of interference and plunder. Rowan and Harper got involved but were taken out by the Usos. Near the end Kane came out and chokeslammed Cena but he kicked out of the pin attempt at 2. Crowd was heavily pro Cena. This was pretty close to PPV quality.
Notes: The crowd was in the 5,000 range, and I actually got moved down from the top to the lower portion of the arena. Crowd was about 75% kids, and it was clear many of them were not regular Raw viewers. Overall, I thought it was a good show.
2015 -"Nature Boy" Buddy Landel passed away at the age of 53. Landel who had a long career working different territories, was in a car accident over the weekend and returned home, only to be found unresponsive.
Landel had a long run in the business working a number of different promotions and territories, primarily in the Southern region. He had runs in Mid-Atlantic, WCW, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, the USWA and a number of other areas. Personal issues had long hurt him and he had cleaned up, leading to a great run in SMW. The run was so good that booker Jim Cornette brought in Shawn Michaels, then WWF Intercontinental champion, to face Landel at the Super Bowl of Wrestling, the last major SMW event.
Landel was hired by WWF in late 1995 based on the strength of his work in SMW but just days after starting, suffered a freak knee injury when he slipped on ice outside a hotel and tore up his knee. He did return to pro wrestling a year later and wrestled independently until several years before his passing.
2015 - Samuel Shaw, who had been with TNA since winning TNA Gutcheck in 2010, announced via Twitter that he had departed the company. Shaw wrote, "Time to explore new artistic ventures. Thanks to everyone at @IMPACTWRESTLING that helped maximize my talents."
2015 - Cora Svonsteckik, professionally known as Cora Combs, one of the top female professional wrestlers from the Mid-South region in the 1950s and 1960s passed away in Nashville following a battle with pneumonia.
Combs, 92, was likely the last surviving member of women's professional wrestling from that era who worked for the Billy Wolfe troupe of female competitors. Combs was born in 1923 in Hazard, Kentucky and came from a family of coal miners. Early in life, she was a standout High School athlete, particularly in track for the high jump. While she made her name as a professional wrestler, Combs initially wanted to become a country music star and fronted a band titled "The Trailblazers" in Nashville.
It was in Nashville that she, in her mid-20s, attended a wrestling card featuring top female attraction and champion Mildred Burke and Combs immediately became interested in the business. She was introduced to Wolfe, the top female wrestling promoter of the era and the rest was history. Combs debuted in 1945 and wrestled through the mid 1980s.
Combs, known for her bright wrestling outfits and for always being well dressed, worked as a regular for Wolfe until he and his ex-wife Mildred Burke split. Combs followed Burke, who opened her own troupe of female talents, World Women's Wrestling Association. The move led to Combs becoming a greater featured attraction and she toured all over the world during that era, sometimes billed as the United States Women's Wrestling champion, working opposite the stars of that time frame like Burke, June Byers, Mae Young, Ida Mae Martinez, Lorraine Johnson and Gladys "Kill 'em" Gillem.
Combs toured the globe, including Africa, Cuba, Japan and Mexico during a time period where the international travel was not as easy as it is today. Combs was often booked as the veteran of the females and would work backstage in a role that today would be considered a producer or road agent on those tours.
In 1972, Combs became the answer to a trivia question as she wrestled Princess Ti Ti in the first female wrestling match officially commissioned in New York State.
Combs' daughter Debbie broke into the business in the 1970s with Cora often working against her under a mask as Lady Satan. The two would later tag in what was likely the first mother/daughter tag team combination. Later in life, they would open a wrestling school together.
Combs had been retired and living in Nashville in recent years.
In 2007, she was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, NY and was a regular at the Cauliflower Alley Club and other reunions.
2015 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran Singapore. AJ Simmons filed the following live report:
I happen to be in Singapore for work at the moment and on Sunday managed to make it to NJPW's "WrestleWorld 2015: Singapore" card. It was a short card, held as part of the Japanese pop culture convention going on. Here are the results!
Sho Tanaka over Yohei Komatsu in a 10 minute match. Some clever offense from these guys to get the crowd warmed up. Eventually Tanaka makes Komatsu tap.
Captain New Japan/Makabe/Goto over Nakamura/Taru Yano/Yoshi-Hashi in about 20 minutes. This match was great, lots of big spots and brawling. Nakamura threw Captain New Japan through one of the ringside security barriers at one point. Crowd was really into this and treated Nakamura like a rockstar.
Jushin Thunder Liger and Tanahashi over Okada and Gredo. Another great match that went about 20 minutes. Everyone in this match was treated as being big deals by the crowd here. Okada and Tanahashi were the work horses in the match, but Liger and Gedo still got their moments.
After the match, all the goods guys came out and thanked the crowd for coming out to pose for pictures with fans around the ringside area. They announced NJPW would be returning for some normal shows in the near future.
While short, the whole event was a lot of fun and seemed designed to get the local crowd interested in a larger NJPW show here. They seemed to have succeeded on that front, the merch line was busy leading up to the show and after. I swung by the table before I left the convention at the end of the night and they were sold out of most small through larges. Also, for such a short card I was surprised that NJPW had a full stage set up for the show. I'd chalk that up to promoting their brand here.
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