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6/30 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, THE FUNKER IS BORN

June 30th

On this day in history in ....

1944 - Former NWA and ECW World champion (and one of the greatest performers of ALL TIME) Terry Funk is born.

1961 - "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers defeats Pat O'Connor in Chicago, Illinois to win the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) World Heavyweight Wrestling Title for the first time.

1984 - Dax Harwood is born.

1985 - Hercules Hernandez defeats Hector Guerrero for the Florida State Heavyweight Title in Orlando.  The title would be vacated less than a month later when Hernandez was fired for having a locker room fight with Wahoo McDaniel. 

1985 - Cody Rhodes was born.

1986 - Alicia Fox was born.

1989 - Su Yung is born.

2002 - Creditors for Extreme Championship Wrestling and it's parent company, HHG Corporation began to receive notification from the bankruptcy trustee this week that a payout of money owed is "now appearing" to be possible.  The trustee requested that creditors file claims regarding what they were owed by HHG/ECW no later then September 25, 2002.

2002 - WWE aired Velocity.  Matt Zylbert filed the following TV report:

Hosted by Michael Cole and Tazz (In for Al Snow)

Hello folks and welcome back to my example of writing's excellence of execution. I am your fearless reporter, Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that I'm sure gets two thumbs up from critics worldwide. Now before I can send it down to the returning TONY THE CHIM for our opening contest....

The King of the Ring highlights package featuring some of the past winners that opened up last weeks' event is shown here. Why in the world would they leave out Mabel? Hmmm..... I hope you notice the sarcasm ladies and gents.

NOW let's send it down to THE CHIM himself for the opening bout.....

Tajiri vs. Albert
I'm a sensing a strange pattern, and I don't like it. Last week, Albert was in a heel vs. heel match with Chavo Guerrero, and now here he is facing Tajiri. I can only assume that this is the booking of Vince Russo. Either that, or the WWE is THAT desperate not to have Albert/Hugh Morrus for the 163rd time.

To the match now as Albert is in control after a kick to the mid-section, and as he does some corner work on the Japanese Buzzsaw, Cole and Tazz talk about King of the Ring, which Tazz says was a "rocketbuster!". Gee, I wonder what he would've said if the event was actually good. Back to the action as Tajiri ducks a clothesline, and drills Albert in the kisser with a stiff crescent kick. Only Jacques Rougeau could do it better.... or was it Raymond that did that kick? Oh well, they had awesome theme music, which I surprisingly haven't talked about in ages. Wow am I dazing off. Tajiri works on the hairy one with kicks to the legs, just as he did to Hugh Morrus last week on the show. After an enziguiri though from Tajiri, Albert would regain control with a clothesline, and follows up with a big splash. On the cover, however, Albert picks up his foe at one. Don't worry, it's not like he would've had him anyway. Albert now gets Tajiri up and rams him into the corner twice, just before powerslamming him down on the mat for two. For those keeping score at home, Albert used that move on the last Jakked/Metal in his match with the Warthog. Time passes by so fast. Anyway, after working a modified surfboard, Albert comes down with an elbow to the back of Tajiri, and follows by yelling at him, "Get up!". Yeeeah. And why don't you, "Get a shirt!". That's what I'd say if I was in the ring there, but then he'd probably just Baldo Bomb me, which is actually a dream of mine. I mean, it WAS the Baldo Bomb that ended many squashes back in the days of Jakked/Metal. Ok, now I gotta keep my mind of the match here, as Albert now gorilla presses Tajiri, but before he can follow up, Tajiri gets off, and after avoiding a punch on a sunset flip, Tajiri gets some more kicks in. Albert would miss a ram at this point, allowing Tajiri to hit a hard shot to the face for two. The former Cruiserweight Champion now looks to drive his adversary to the mat with a tornado DDT, but Albert counters it. After failing to take advantage though, Tajiri gets the tornado DDT anyway, but only gets a near fall on the pin after. The Kick of Death now could happen, but Albert blocks it, and now looks to take advantage. Tajiri would avoid a Baldo Bomb attempt, and a bicycle kick, but fall victim to a delayed double underhook suplex anyway. Albert now looks to connect on a Vader Bomb in the corner, but Tajiri moves out of the way and hits the Kick of Death to pick up the win. This really sucks for Albert. In the past two weeks, he's lost to two heel Cruiserweights, and is now 0-3 against Cruiserweights in the past two months, with the other loss coming to the Hurricane a few months back on Jakked/Metal. I guess it's gonna take a match with Funaki to end the losing streak.
Winner: Tajiri

Commercial

The "He's Coming" promo for Rey Mysterio is shown. Is there anyone that actually doesn't know it's Rey Mysterio?

The Hurricane vs. Christian
Now this match I should enjoy. First of all, I always appreciated when these guys were on Jakked/Metal, since they weren't on the show every week like guys such as Funaki and Hugh Morrus. And these two actually fought each other back in January or February on an edition of Jakked/Metal. That was when the Saturn squash was still in season, and here's an interesting fact: Hurricane debuted his mask in that match. Before that, he used face paint, and then debuted the mask, and like I ALWAYS say, there's no better place to debut new attire on Jakked/Metal/Velocity. And oh yeah, Helms still had a sidekick back then named Molly, and Christian won the match anyway with the Unprettier.

Flash forward several months later and both men are more over with the crowd, most notably, the Hurricane, who used to be the resident jobber no matter what show he was on. To the match now as Christian knocks down Hurricane with a shoulder block, and then starts imitating the WWE's super hero. To payback the crime Christian has committed, Hurricane imitates one of Christian's temper tantrums, just as all of Christian's opponents do these days. And for those wondering, yes, Christian did have a temper tantrum back in their January/February match, to which Coach said, "That's you in third grade, Kevin." Ah, I miss Coach and K.K., which was before the days of Mark Lloyd's time on Jakked/Metal. Back to the match as Hurricane counters a hip toss into a monkey flip, before following up with a flying forearm for a near fall. Hurricane tries to continue his advantage in the air, but Christian crotches him, and the drops him stomach first on the ropes from suplex form. The former European, Tag, Intercontinental, and Light Heavyweight Champion now knocks Hurricane off the apron, sending him face-first into the barricade. The action would soon head back inside, where Christian gets in a gut buster for two, and now Tazz asks in his curious tone, "Why would you dump Nidia?" Well Tazz, you had your chance with her on Tough Enough, so why didn't you go for it? Meanwhile, in the ring, Hurricane gets in some punches to the mid-section as Christian was taking his time, and follows up with his variation of the neckbreaker, which I'll call, the Hurrineckbreaker. He now goes for the Hurrichokeslam, but Christian elbows his way out of it. However, Hurricane stays in control with a flying clothesline... oh wait, excuse me, flying "bodyline." Thanks, Tazz. Tell your boy Joey Numbers to ship some Stacker 2 to me, as done on the commercial. Okay, why did I just bring that up? Don't ask because I have no clue. Anyway, Christian looks to snatch the advantage back with his modified backbreaker, but Hurricane counters it with a superkick, and then follows with a weird looking dropkick for two. After blinding Christian with his cape now, which is what "The Body" may call illegal use of a foreign object, Hurricane hits a beautiful crossbody from the top, but only for another near fall. Jesse may be right. Hurricane shouldn't be allowed to use the cape, and Christian should bring that up in the next anti-American interview. More prejudice against Canadians! I thought Storm, Christian, and Test would be happy with this because it's getting them over. I mean, they should think like this: If there was no "prejudice" against them, then they wouldn't get any TV time on Smackdown, and as a result, would most likely be wrestling on Velocity. So what are they complaining about? Back to the action as Christian counters a bodyslam attempt and goes for the Unprettier, but Hurricane turns it into a roll-up. At the count of two, Christian rolls through with it into a pinning predicament of his own, while holding on to the tights and grabbing the ropes, and he gets the three count. "Christian grabbed the ropes! He cheated!"- Michael Cole. Hey moron, he grabbed the tights too. Thankfully, Tazz points that out. In any case, Christian picks up the needed win, and I think that now that Hurricane isn't the Cruiserweight Champ anymore, look for him to become WWE's favorite resident jobber once again.
Winner: Christian

Clip of Torrie giving her preview for Divas Undressed from Smackdown.

Commercial

MC and Tazz recap Vince bringing out most of the RAW superstars for his ruthless aggression promo. This is a rare opportunity from me, since RAW highlights aren't supposed to be shown on Smackdown shows, so here here it goes. I'm gonna give some shout outs to some of the ol' Alliance Jakked Jobbers that I haven't seen in a long, long time: Justin Credible, Planet Stasiak, Tommy Dreamer, and Raven. Also let me shout out to my favorite WWE jobber of all-time, Crash, who was actually standing next to Justin Credible. I guess they hold no grudges against each other anymore, since these two fought in the summer, which saw Justin Credible win by holding the tights. What? You don't remember? And let me shout out to D'Lo, who I especially enjoyed for his gimmick with Tiger Ali Singh. I'm STILL waiting for Tiger to come back because he may be the best manager the WWE has had in the past 5 years. So to my Jakked favorites on the RAW roster, I wish you continued success.....err, jobbing on RAW... excuse me, I mean HeAT. John Keane, you're a lucky man. And oh yeah, the Angle/Cena match from Smackdown is shown, which is a result of that "ruthless aggression."

Commercial

Burn of the Night: On Smackdown this past week, the ex-Deacon makes his in-ring debut in a tag match, which sees Batista himself absolutely destroy Orton with a clothesline, before finishing off the fellow newcomer with a stiff spinebuster. A cool match to see in the future would be Batista against Brock Lesnar.

Billy Kidman vs Funaki
More Cruiserweight action on Velocity? Bring it on! This should be fun as Funaki makes yet another Velocity appearance, in his quest to break his losing streak of 635 matches. And I don't count jobbers or that screwed up match with Lance Storm that didn't air.

After some basics from both men, Funaki elbows his way out of a waist lock, but falls victim to a nice dropkick from Kidman soon after. Funaki heads outside for a breather, but Kidman doesn't give him anytime, as he launches himself over the top rope and on to Funaki. Indeed. Back in, Kidman dives at Funaki, only to end up over the top rope once again as the Indeed one ducked. Back on the outside, Funaki gets in some kicks, before heading back in, where he gets in an elbow to the face. "I got a funny feeling The Game will return this Thursday on Smackdown," says Tazz. Okay, that came out of nowhere, so for those who care, expect it to happen. Anyway, Funaki continues his offense with a snap suplex, which Michael Cole just calls a "takedown." Once again, good ol' MC proves what a bad commentator he is and I'm STILL WAITING for the WWE to pull him off Velocity. Or at least I'll let him stay a week or two more when he friggin' learns that Hugh Morrus' finisher name is the No Laughing Matter. And my friends, it is a no laughing matter that Michael doesn't know anything. Back to the match as Funaki works a chinlock at this point, only to have Kidman elbow his way out of it. Kidman follows up with a flying head scissors take-over out of the corner. After the former Cruiserweight Champ performs a sunset flip, Funaki makes a nice counter by rolling through and hitting a quick dropkick to the face. Two pins later from Funaki each get two counts, and he now hits a bodyslam. "I've been waiting for Divas Undressed all night," says Michael. Gee, no wonder you've been screwing up, but what's your excuse for every other week? Plus, I thought he was married! What a vile, disgusting human being he is. Funaki now tries to continue his offense from the air, but Kidman moves out of the way and follows with an enziguiri for two. Funaki comes back though with a forearm in the corner, followed by a bulldog for two, and then gets a DDT for another near fall. Mr. Indeed now heads up top, but unfortunately for him, Kidman corrals him, and then hits a top rope huracanrana to pick up the win. Good match as expected.
Winner: Billy Kidman

Commercial

Michael and Tazz recap Edge forfeiting his King of the Ring Qualifying match from several weeks ago against Chris Jericho as a result of his injured right shoulder. Jericho laid a beating on him, and I found it ridiculous that Tazz said Jericho did that for no reason. Wasn't he just watching when Edge struck Jericho first with that punch?

Then this past week on Smackdown, as Jericho was laying a beating on Hogan, Jericho's music struck, and a "mystery man" was at the top of the ramp. Uh-huh, yeah. Not only did Jericho bring up Edge for the people who forgot about it, but what other main eventer has hair like Edge? I'm almost at the point where I'm gonna go to Stamford, Connecticut, find Michael Cole, and punch him in the face. And by the way, speaking of Jericho, let me now give my opinion on his commentary. First of all, if he didn't make an inference based on one or two sites that may have said his match with RVD is horrible, then this whole thing wouldn't have happened. At most sites, many different columnists called it a GOOD match, and some even said it was the best of the night. Now I have no clue how people could call it the worst match of the event, when there were some other matches that weren't even close to being considered decent. Jericho, I doubt you're reading, but your problem is that you think you can impress EVERYONE. Having a mentality that you WANT to impress everyone is good, but no matter what you do, there is no way you can impress everyone. Believe it or not, I don't impress everyone with my reports. Why? Because everyone has their own DIFFERENT opinion, and as a result, there is no one that can do anything to impress everyone. That's my take.

Commercial

Rewind: Jamie "Get the K Out!" Noble dethrones the Hurricane of the Cruiserweight Championship last week at King of the Ring, and it took a little help from Nidia. I don't think it would've mattered if she left his foot on the ropes because not ONCE did I see the ref look up to even see if Hurricane's shoulders were up, let alone check if his foot on the ropes.

Jamie Noble w/Nidia vs. Chavo Guerrero- WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Uh-oh, that scary pattern of heel vs. heel is continuing, and that can't be a good sign. As much as I love seeing Chavo in action, and you know I do, I don't like him facing another heel, because then he'll usually play the face. Ugh. Noble, however, is a great heel in himself, and Nidia plays her role without flaw. PLUS, he's got cool music, although no one's theme can match Chavo's.

To the match as Chavo starts out in control with an arm drag and a takedown. He then yells at Nidia, which results in an exchange of slaps between Chavo and Noble. Chavo would end up taking control with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, and then follows up with a vicious chop across the chest. Moments later, Noble comes back by going through Chavo's legs on an Irish whip attempt, and that enables him to hit a t-bone suplex. After some punches in the corner, Noble executes a snapmare, and then puts on a modified chinlock. He would break it soon after, and performs a scoop slam and an elbow in that order for a near fall. Noble now puts on yet another one of those EXCITING chinlocks, and as he has it locked on, you can see that no one is at the announce table across the ring. Great job exposing that, camera man. On commentary anyway, Michael talks about how great it is to have Tazz on Saturday night and this is a one night thing. Tazz thankfully makes him shut up for a few seconds by saying how he was just on the show two weeks ago. Heheh. They should just make the Velocity announce team as Tazz and Al Snow. Sure, there would be no real play-by-play man, but so what? It'd be pretty funny, and ANYTHING is better than having Michael Cole on the show. Yes, I'd even prefer Chris Leary. Back to the action as Chavo retaliates with punches, and then hits a flapjack. Chavo follows up with that cool face-first slam he used in his match with Kidman on the last Jakked/Metal, and gets a count of two on the pin after. Chavo now heads up top, and while the ref tends to Noble, Nidia grabs Chavo's foot. This allows Noble to recover and head up top as well, but Chavo knocks him off anyway, and follows up with a nice missile dropkick to the back of the head for a close two count. Chavo would try to continue his offense with a tornado DDT at this point, but Noble turns it into a cool northern lights suplex for a near fall. Noble now goes for the powerbomb, but Chavo turns it into an arm drag. However, Noble catches Chavo's foot on a kick attempt, and this allows him to take him down, setting Chavo up for the Trailer Hitch to gain the submission win and retain the title. Damn, life sure would be good with Chavo as the champ.
Winner and STILL Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble

Cole and Tazz shill for Confidential coming up next, followed by Divas Undressed right after, and that's all she wrote on this night.

With another 'five-star' report in the books, this is Matt Zylbert wishing you guys and gals a great week, and I'll see ya next week like always. Peeeeaaaace.

2002 - WWE aired Heat.  John Keane filed the following TV report:

Heat Report for 6/30/2002.

Matches taped on 6/24 in Cleveland Ohio.

Your Announcers are Jonathan Coachman and D’Lo Brown.

Show opens with footage from last week’s Raw-Vince McMahon challenging his crew to show some ‘Ruthless Aggression’. After suffering a quick loss in a match with Eddy Guerrero, Bubba Ray Dudley did just that, putting his opponent through a table.

Show REALLY opens with Eddy running into Spike Dudley backstage. Eddy accuses the youngest Dudley of laying in ambush-Spike tells him to get a grip. Eddy rags on the Dudley family and challenges Spike to a match-no problem!

OK, pyros go off, Coach and D’Lo welcome us in, we get to work…

1st Match: Eddy Guerrero vs. Spike Dudley.

Great heat for Eddy, nice pop for Spike. Lockup, Eddy throws on a side headlock, gets in a lightning quick snapmare, goes for the pin, Spike wriggles free and gets to feet. They circle, Eddy wants a test of strength, Spike tries to comply, Eddy rakes his eyes. Eddy in with forearms to face, Spike to ropes, Eddy tries whip, reversed, Eddy off ropes, Spike scores back body drop, Eddy down and right back up. Spike gets in a dropkick-no effect, Spike to canvas. Eddy brings Spike up, sends him face first into turnbuckles, lays in forearms, Spike down on ropes, ref calls for break. Eddy brings Spike out, drops a pair of elbows to the back of the neck, Spike again down at ropes. Eddy lays in boots, goes for choke on the ropes, draws another warning from ref. Eddy sends Spike to next corner, tries another whip, again reversed, Eddy to corner, Spike charges in, scores monkey flip, Eddy down and up. Spike gets clotheslined down, Eddy brings him up, side suplex is good for 2. Spike still down, Eddy slaps on a headlock, Spike gets to feet, again gets sent into turnbuckle. Eddy goes for another whip, Spike to corner, Eddy charges, Spike counters with head to gut. The 2 exchange forearms, Eddy again rakes the eyes, Spike to corner, Eddy scores series of forearms to face. Spike again whipped to corner-Eddy charges, Spike springboards over, Eddy baseball slides under. Up, Spike gets in a pair of clothesline knockdowns, dropkick sends Eddy down for 2. Up, Spike tries to set for a neckbreaker, Eddy counters with a pair of kneelifts, sets for suplex, Spike rolls through, scores the neckbreaker, covers for 2. Up, Spike gets in boot to gut, tries for Dudley Dog, Eddy counters with a backbreaker, Spike down. Eddy brings him up, scores Powerbomb, Spike dead. Eddy goes up top, hits the Frog Splash, gets the 1-2-3.

Winner: Eddy Guerrero.

 Post-match, D’Lo showed what a pro he is, claiming that ‘no one does it better’ regarding Eddy’s version of the Frog Splash-if I recall correctly, Jim Ross recently credited D’Lo for bringing that move to WWE. Break.

Back to the ring…

2nd Match: Sean O’Haire vs. Justin Credible.

(Commentary: Pre-match, Coach announces Sean is making his Heat debut-I beg to differ. Back in the early WCW Invasion days, pre-Alliance, Sean and Chuck Palumbo, then WCW Tag champs, successfully defended their titles against Chris Kanyon and Shawn Stasiak on the show in a GREAT match. Hey, I remembered it!)

Crowd wonders who Sean is, knows they hate Justin. Lockup, Justin forced to corner, Sean breaks clean, Justin gets in the ol’ eye rake and boot to gut. Justin scores forearm to back/boot to gut/punch combination, tries for whip, reversed, Justin to ropes, grabs them and bails from ring. Sean follows him out, scores punch, Justin down outside. Sean rolls Justin in, follows, Justin up, Sean whips him off ropes, brings him up, scores Gorilla Press Slam. Justin up, heads to corner begging for mercy. Justin asks for a handshake, Sean gives him one, plus a boot to the gut. Sean scores a snapmare, Justin to mat, Sean gets in boot to back. Justin seated on mat on verge of tears, Sean goes behind him to second turnbuckle, scores rolling neck snap.

(Commentary: Curt Hennig, gone but not forgotten.)

Sean covers for 2, brings Justin up, works on the hand and arm. Justin counters by pulling the hair, sends Sean to corner, ref warns him off, Justin breaks clean, scores superkick, Sean goes through ropes to the outside. Justin follows, slams Sean face first into apron, rolls him in, covers for 2. Justin up first, chokes Sean on ropes, gets warned off by ref. Sean crawls to corner, Justin lays in kicks, applies boot choke, gets another warning. Sean at ropes, Justin gets in a chop, Sean shoves him off, Justin back in with knee to face. Justin brings Sean up, whips him off ropes, scores with an elbow, Sean down for 2. Justin sets Sean in corner, gets in chop, forearms, Sean again shoves him off. Justin misses with a clothesline, Sean gets in a pair of forearms for knockdowns, whips Justin off ropes, misses one clothesline, scores BIG on next, Justin to mat. Up, Sean superkicks Justin right back down, signals for finisher, brings Justin up, scores Whatever It Is*, gets the 1-2-3.

(*-Hey, that’s what Coach called it-D’Lo surprisingly was clueless also. Looked kind of like a spinning Samoan Drop.)

Winner: Sean O’Haire.

Backstage, Terri interviews another WWE newcomer: Johnny ‘The Bull’ Stamboli. He’ll be taking on Tommy Dreamer later on-Johnny vows to make him learn respect for The Bull. Break.

Back, Coach and D’Lo recap the Jeff Hardy/Undertaker feud. Recently Jeff has been re-dedicating himself to the ideal of ‘Extreme’, which has led to him attacking-and getting destroyed by-the Undisputed Champion in recent weeks. Jeff and ‘Taker had a non-title match last Monday, with the usual results. After, Jeff challenged ‘Taker to another match to take place on tomorrow nights Raw-a Ladder Match, this time with the Title on the line. ‘Taker accepted.

Coach informs us this will be Undertakers first Ladder Match. Break.

Slam of the Week: Tommy Dreamer defeats Raven in a ‘Loser Leaves Raw’ match.

Back to the ring…

3rd Match: Johnny ‘The Bull’ Stamboli vs. Tommy Dreamer. Jacqueline is ref.

Johnny gets big heat for a new guy (might be for the incredibly cheesy Italian restaurant music he uses for his entrance), nice pop for Tommy. Lockup, Johnny gets in knees to gut, scores body slam, Tommy down, Johnny lays in boots. Tommy up at ropes, Johnny gets in a punch, tries for whip, reversed, Johnny off ropes, Tommy connects with an elbow, Johnny down and up. Tommy gets in a hiptoss, Johnny again right back up, Tommy clotheslines him over top and out of ring. Tommy follows, gets a drink from a fan, takes a big sip, shpritzes Johnny. Tommy rolls Johnny in, follows still holding cup, ducks a pair of clotheslines, scores leg sweep STILL holding cup, Johnny down. Tommy takes last sip, hands cup to Jacqueline for proper disposal (no litterbug our Tommy), Johnny up, Tommy off ropes, Johnny sidesteps, brings Tommy up, tosses him onto ropes, Tommy down. Johnny lays in boots until warned off by ref, Tommy crawls to corner, Johnny in with forearm, elbow, choke, gets another warning, ignores it, Jacqueline hauls him off. She and Johnny exchange words, Tommy sends him into corner, gets in a series of forearms, tries for whip, Johnny puts on brakes, clotheslines Tommy out of his boots, covers for 2. Tommy still down, Johnny applies knee-choke, Jacqueline issues yet another warning. Johnny brings Tommy up, scores straight punch to face, body slam, crops the leg, covers for 2. Tommy down, Johnny goes up top, Tommy up, shakes ropes, Johnny goes down, inadvertently kicking Tommy as he appeared to land on his head (got OOOH from crowd-me too). Tommy brings him up, scores forearms to face, whips Johnny off ropes, forearms him down. Tommy brings him up, another whip, Johnny takes back body drop, down and up. Johnny misses with a clothesline, Tommy scores a spinebuster, covers for 2. Tommy brings him up for yet another whip, reversed, Tommy off ropes, Johnny sets for back drop, Tommy scouts it, DDT is good for another 2. Tommy attempts to bring him up, Johnny connects with blatant low blow, Jacqueline has had enough, immediately calls for DQ bell.

Winner by disqualification: Tommy Dreamer.

Post-match, Johnny lays in the boots. Jacqueline warns him off, gets ignored, clotheslines Johnny down. Break.

WWE Rewind: Rob Van Dam attacks King of the Ring Brock Lesnar at his coronation ceremony on Raw. The night before, RVD lost to Brock in the final match of the tourney.

Coach and D’Lo continue on the Lesnar/Van Dam story. Later on Raw, Brock’s manager Paul Heyman persuaded Vince to give his client a shot at Rob’s Intercontinental Championship. RVD got the win via disqualification (reason: blatant interference from Paul). In the post-match melee, RVD hit Paul with the 5-Star Frog Splash, but Brock got revenge by putting Rob through the announcers table.

Before we break, we see footage filmed after Raw went off the air-RVD being helped from the ring by a pair of refs.

(During the break, we see the commercial hyping the upcoming WWE debut of Rey Mysterio Jr.

Back for our main event…

4th Match: Matt Hardy vs. Raven.

Decent heat for the sole exclusive member of the Heat roster, big pop for Matt. Pre-match, we see footage from Raw of Matt’s assault on Raven after he’d been ejected from the Raw venue-Coach points out this was payback for Raven assisting The Undertaker in one of his recent maulings of Jeff. Bell rings, the 2 exchange words, Matt ducks a clothesline, lays in forearms to face, Raven down. Raven scoots to corner as Matt taunts him, gets to feet, Raven teases test of strength, Matt suckered in, Raven scores boot to gut, forearm, tries to send Matt face first into turnbuckles. Matt puts on brakes, scores with an elbow, Raven slammed into buckles, Matt takes an elbow to the face. Matt whipped off ropes, Raven tries for kick, Matt scouts it, grabs the boot, spins him around, ducks a clothesline, tries for Side Effect, Raven elbows his way out. Matt again whipped off ropes, Raven sets for back drop, Matt scouts it, scores boot to face. Raven staggered, Matt charges, Raven scores drop toe hold, Matt goes through ropes to the outside. Raven joins him, lays in boots, tosses Matt in. Raven follows, brings Matt to corner, ascends 2nd turnbuckle behind him, plants knee to back of neck, falls, Matt goes face first to canvas, Raven covers for 2. Raven brings Matt up, whips him to ropes, scores with a knee. Another whip, another knee to gut, Matt down. Matt up slowly, another knee sends him down again for a 2 count. Raven brings Matt up, tries for powerbomb, Matt blocks, counters with leg sweep, both men down. Raven up first, brings Matt up, they exchange punches, Raven to ropes, Matt tries for whip, reversed, Matt off ropes, clotheslines Raven down. Up, another clothesine knockdown, Matt brings Raven up, whips him off ropes, scores with a back elbow, Raven down, Matt drops a forearm, covers for 2. Up, Raven to corner, Matt tries for whip, reversed, Matt to corner, bounces out, Raven off ropes, Matt ducks a clothesline, counters with neckbreaker, Raven down. Matt to 2nd rope, drops the leg, covers for 2. Up, Matt connects with boot to gut, sets for Twist of Fate, Raven shoves him off. Matt goes off ropes, Raven gets in boot to gut, sets for DDT, Matt slips free, scores Side Effect, just gets 2! Matt brings Raven up, takes eye rake, Matt staggered, Raven to corner. Matt charges, Raven sidesteps, Matt into turnbuckles. Raven sets Matt on top turnbuckle, joins him, rakes the face, lays in forearms, sets for superplex, Matt elbows him to canvas. Raven down, Matt goes up top, moonsault (!), Raven rolls clear, Matt to canvas. Raven rolls him up with feet on ropes for leverage, ref does NOT see it, counts the 1-2-3.

Winner: Raven.

Coach and D’Lo hype tomorrow nights Raw to end the show.

Excellent show tonight! Hey, how can I whine about any Heat that has Eddy Guerrero on it? First three matches were all good, main event was excellent. Show had just enough hype and recap in my opinion, and we got to see some new talent (PLEASE give Johnny some different music!). No complaints at all from me this week.

2002 - WWE's Raw brand ran Uncasville, CT.  G Komery filed the following results:

 

The Raw brand ran last night at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino.  It was far from a sellout, but the crowd was jacked.

It started out with Spike Dudley vs. Chris Nowinski.  Nowinski won with his new finisher.  Very sloppy match. 

Next Jackie defeated Victoria, with Crash as special referee.  Crash was funny. 

D lo Brown defeated Shawn Stasiak. 

Trish Stratus and Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Molly Holly and William Regal. The crowd was jacked for Bubba Ray. 

In a Hardcore match, Raven defeated Bradshaw when Stevie Richards interfered, making Raven the new champ.  Then Crash beat Raven, Richards beat Crash, then Bradshaw got the title back by beating Richards.

In the WWE Title Match, Undertaker beat Ric Flair with help from Chris Benoit. Crowd was woooooooing the whole time. 

Intermission was followed by Tommy Dreamer beating Justin Credible. 

Eddie Guerrero lost to Matt Hardy, who I think got the biggest pop of the night, after interference by Chris Benoit and Ric Flair.  

RVD defeated Brock Lesnar via DQ when Paul Heyman interfered.  RVD is over! 

In the main event, Booker T and Goldust defeated X Pac and Big Show.  People hate X Pac.  After the match, Booker overall a decent night.  The jacked up crowd made up for a lot of it. They were incredible.

2002 - WWE ran the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine.  Chris Goldsmith filed the following report:

The Augusta Civic Center appeared to be well over half full, but nowhere near a sellout.  The arena appears to hold about 5000, I'd say there was about 3500 there.

A little bit of a change from the old card.  Triple H was actually scheduled to have a match earlier, as well as Jericho.  I don't know why Jericho wasn't there, but Triple H had surgery of course.

Tony announced some local DJ as the ring announcer for the first match.

John Cena vs. Christian

Christian pinned Cena originally, but because his feet were on the ropes, Earl Hebner had the match continue (obviously continuing the referees vs. Canada angle.)  Cena rolled up Christian for the victory.

Winner: John Cena by Pinfall.

Albert vs. Steve Bradley

Bradley was impressive...he kicked out of a Baldo Bomb!  Albert used another move to finish it (don't know the name, seemed like a inverted backbreaker).  All I can say is shave your back Albert...PLEASE.

Winner: Albert by Pinfall.

Lance Storm vs. Rob Conway

Booorrrriiiiinnnggg.  Storm looked great, so did Conway, but kind of hard to get into a match with a developmental wrestler involved, who has had no hype.  Don't get me wrong though, Conway was very impressive.  Lance Storm Superkick for the win.

Winner: Lance Storm by Pinfall.

Mark Henry & Hugh Morrus vs. D'Von & Bautista

D'Von gives an anti-Augusta sermon.  Mark Henry got the win with a powerslam on Bautista.  Surprisingly an impressive match.

Winners: Mark Henry & Hugh Morrus by Pinfall.

Rikishi vs. Test

Both Christian and Lance Storm interfered, but it wasn't enough to defeat Rikishi.  Rikishi wins it with a Samoan Drop.  Good heat for Christian.  Also, another Rikishi stinkface at the end...why do the fans cheer for this?!?!  LOL!

Winner: Rikishi by Pinfall


Kidman & Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. Funaki & Chavo
Guerrero Jr.
Mysterio pinned Chavo with a Frankensteiner.  Rey had the mask on.  It'll be cool to see him debut, he's a great wrestler, and looked to be in great shape as well.  Easily one of the best matches of the night, 5 star match.  They should bring back the World Cruiserweight Titles...wait, no, now that's too WCW.

Winners: Kidman and Mysterio by Pinfall.

Triangle Elimination Match for the Cruiserweight Title: Jamie Noble (Champion) W/Nidia vs. Hurricane vs. Tajiri

Hurricane first pinned Tajiri with a chokeslam.  Some GREAT high spots in this match, better than you'll ever see on TV with these short 2 minute matches.  Noble gave Hurricane a Trailer Hitch.  Hurricane wouldn't submit.  Noble gave Hurricane a suplex...Nidia held down Hurricane's legs on the pinfall, and Noble got the three count (no pun intended to Helms' days as a member of WCW's 3 Count, haha.).  Good crowd heat for Nidia and Noble.  This was a great match...these cruiserweights are impressive.

Winner: "Redneck Messiah" Jamie Noble (Wooo-Weeee Babbbyyyy) by Pinfall over Hurricane Helms.

Tag Team Championship Match: Billy & Chuck (Champions) w/Rico vs. Big Valbowski & Hardcore Holly

Billy and Chuck won.  Holly gave Rico an Alabama Slam, and Venis delivered the Money Shot on Rico.  Billy and Chuck were impressive, but I can't say the same for Val and Holly.

Winners: Billy and Chuck by Pinfall.

Torrie Wilson vs. Stacy Keibler

Torrie and Stacy were hot.  Unfortunately, this was a normal match, not Bra and Panties.  Why?  WHO KNOWS!  I was happy to see these ladies though, but if you're a fan of just old school wrestling, you wouldn't like this match.

Winner: Torrie Wilson by Pinfall.

Main Event: Kurt Angle vs. Edge

Edge replaced Triple H, who was supposed to face Angle.  Billy and Chuck (w/ Rico) came down to interfere during this one, but Edge beat both of them down.  Unfortunately, he was distracted while doing this, and Angle put the Ankle Lock on.  Of course, Edge tapped, match over.  Rico, Billy, and Chuck came in after the match, again, and beat the hell out of Edge.  Rikishi came out and cleared house.  He gave Chuck the stink face.  Then, Rikishi and Edge danced.  It was a decent match, nothing like the Cruiserweights.

Winner: Kurt Angle via Submission.

BIGGEST POPS:
1. Edge
2. Rikishi
3. Torrie and Stacy
4. Rey Mysterio
5. Hurricane

BIGGEST HEAT:
1. Angle (HUGE You Suck Chants)
2. Billy & Chuck
3. D'Von's Sermon
4. Lance Storm
5. Christian

Decent show, a lot of empty seats.  The show was much better than the crap that has been on TV, despite the stars that did not show up.  I was very pleased overall, especially with the Cruiserweights.  Hopefully they go to Bangor again, that's where I live.

2003 - In her WWE television debut on Raw, Gail Kim wins a Battle Royal for the WWE Women's Title outlasting Jazz (who was the champion going into the match), Ivory, Molly Holly, Jacqueline, Trish Stratus and Victoria.

2003 - Hulk Hogan appeared on the Bubba The Love Sponge radio show in Florida and said that his "Mr. America" character was "on hiatus" and that, for the immediate future, he was done with WWE. Hogan implied that he was not happy with the creative direction of the company, but stayed away from blaming anyone or giving any specific reasons for his departure. There were rumors that Hogan was also not happy with his Wrestlemania payoff, which may have added to his attitude towards the company. Hogan said he was looking into wrestling some matches in Japan, but that he had no plans to return to action in the U.S. at the time.  Hogan would later return to the WWE (and would later leave again, as well).

2005 - Then-independent wrestler Matt Striker makes headlines nationally when it is revealed that he had run afoul of the New York State Board of Education for allegedly calling in sick from his teaching duties to work dates in Japan.  Striker would later resign his job.  The controversy led to WWE hiring him a few weeks later and he has remained with the company since.

In regard to the controversy, Striker sent the following statement to PWInsider.com after a request for comment:

I rarely if ever pay any mind to the Internet, but I felt the need to shed some light on a few facts, or lack thereof:

1. I never stole anything from the NYC Dept. of Ed. Upon realization that sick days and personal days were two entirely different things- I immediately offered to remit the money for days paid that I was in Japan.

2. I resigned under advice from my union appointed lawyer, which resulted in a backlash of student and parent response because my students were receiving excellent instruction and preparation for the NYC Regents. Parents, Students and fellow members of the faculty organized petitions and such to return me to my position. I was and still am a GOOD teacher. The bottom line was the kids.

3. Was it fraud? Yes, I wholeheartedly admit that. Am I sorry? You have no idea how sorry I am. Did this merit a resignation and whirlwind news story and unfounded venom from message board patrollers? No.

4. Was I sick? Yes. The week of my resignation, I had two lumps removed from my back (You can see the scars when you come to "boo" me) and subsequent blood tests, that were NOT covered financially because of loss of insurance benefits. The results were a toxic infection in my blood that I am currently being treated for.

5. People who want to run with minimal facts and create stories based on hearsay and conjecture are entitled, but take away with you this food for thought: New York City really needs teachers, some of the ones they have molest and abuse our children--Matt Striker established relationships and rapports with our students and presented them with a tangible role model and a belief that they could achieve their dreams. I am proud to say that a huge percentage of MY KIDS passed the NYC Regents [Exam] because I taught them!

6. It is better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not. What I did was wrong. I have said it before - I will gladly compensate the city for the 4 days, I will gladly work-free of charge- for the NYC Board of Ed as a gesture of remorse. The fact that these things, that are personal become public and become fodder for people to accuse and find enjoyment in ones misfortune is sad.

7. Look at the facts, God gave me gifts and I choose to use them to touch peoples lives. I choose to make the world better by entertainment and education. I try to bring laughter everywhere I go. In this time where there is so much hate and anger I try to bring a positive aspect and energy where I go. You can all judge me, although it is not your judgement that I await...anyone who knows me- knows who my REAL judge is!

Thanks,

Matt Striker

2006 - Andrew "Test" Martin was brought back to WWE as a member of the ECW brand.

2007 - The Associated Press has released an article on the series of young deaths in professional wrestling, noting "loopholes" in the WWE Wellness policy and that Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson has instructed his staff to begin gathering information into whether the Health Commission should be looking into the industry.

2008 - CM Punk captured his first WWE World championship on Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

Last night at the Night of Champions pay per view, the Raw brand had a chance to bring both heavyweight titles from Smackdown but Batista was stopped by La Familia while John Cena was stopped by the Great Pumpkin Triple H. We have a new man on top and his name is not John Bradshaw Layfield. Kofi Kingston won the Intercontinental Title from Chris Jericho thanks to interference by Shawn Michaels. Chris got some revenge after the match with a forearm to the eye. Now that Cody Rhodes is a former and current tag team champion thanks to his trickery against Bob Holly, will Holly get revenge or will the son of a son of a plumber's new alliance with the son of a Million Dollar Man be enough to stop the Angry Alabamian? Who is the next woman to challenge Mickie James after her successful title defense against Katie Lea Burchill? How is Vince McMahon and what is the big announcement from his family?

We start off tonight’s show with a look back at last night’s . . . who cares if there was a pay per view last night, Vince McMahon had part of the stage fall on him. We see the footage.

Shane McMahon is in the studios in Connecticut and he points out that his father was the victim of a terrible accident last week. Shane says that Vince is a man who relishes his privacy so they will not mention his physical condition. Shane tells everyone to pull together in this time of uncertainty.

We are live from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and your announcers are Jerry 'I wish I knew a good BBQ place in this town' Lawler and Michael 'That BBQ Restaurant' Cole.

Even though he is not the announcer tonight, Jim Ross comes out to say hello to his Oklahoma fans. Jim has a mic and he has a tear in his eye. Jim says that it is a magnificent honor to be standing in the ring tonight with the fans around the world watching to say it is damn good to be home. Jim says that he is excited about a new journey that he is embarking on as the play-by-play voice of Smackdown. He hopes that everyone will join him on that journey. They will raise hell on Smackdown and take it places it has never been before. Jim says that he is excited for the opportunity to work with Mick Foley on Smackdown, but he thanks Jerry Lawler for being with him for over a decade as his traveling partner, driver, and father confessor . . . his older brother. Jim says that he was happy to be inducted at the same time as Jerry. Jim says that his friend Michael Cole will do a great job in his place. Jim says that he has known Michael since he joined the WWE. Jim mentions some of his favorite moments in Oklahoma City. He mentions seeing Danny Hodge in his first show. Jim then mentions Mid-South Wrestling. Jim talks about some things that involved Vince McMahon. He says that he will not throw salt on another man’s wounds when he is down, but he suggests that Vince is a Longhorns fan. Nothing can put a damper on his opportunity tonight to be surrounded by his family and his friends. Jim says that he will never forget this night and he hopes that everyone will load the wagon and get on the Sooner Schooner and ride it to Smackdown every Friday night. Jim tells everyone to eat some barbecue.

Apparently Edge is not a fan of barbecue because he comes out with Curt Hawkins and Zach Ryder. Lawler and Cole wonder why he is here. Edge has a mic and he says that when he heard JR had a farewell address on Raw, he had to make an appearance. It is because Jim’s arrogance never ceases to amaze him. Who cares about Jim or the Sooners. Edge tells JR to ‘Hook ‘em Horns’. Edge says that nobody cares about Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, or him. Edge suggests that Barbecue Boy put that in his blog. Edge says that it is not all bad. It is time for Jim to start his hall of fame career on his show. Now he can call Edge’s future Hall of Fame career. Instead of ‘Stone Cold . . . Stone Cold . . . Stone Cold’ it will be ‘Edge wins. . . Edge wins . . . Edge wins.’ Edge wants Jim to try it and Jim drops the mic. Edge points out that Jim Ross is finally speechless. Edge asks Ryder and Hawkins to escort Jim Ross out of the arena as he declares Jim’s farewell address over.

Jim leaves with Hawkins and Ryder as Edge remains in the ring. Edge says that he has an ulterior motive. He says that the flagship show is missing a few things like a General Manager. Smackdown has the greatest General Manager in history, who happens to be his fiancée, the love of his life, Vickie Guerrero. This show is also missing the Undertaker, but so is the rest of the WWE Universe after he banished him from the company. Edge says that there is one other thing that the show is missing and that is a world champion. Edge wants everyone in the back to know that they will never have a shot at his World Heavyweight Title. They can challenge Triple H for the WWE Title, but unless it is a draft show, you will never see him on Monday night again.

Edge walks up the ramp but Batista’s music plays and he comes out. Edge and Batista stare each other down and then Batista chases Edge around the ring and Edge goes down and Batista punches him and he runs Edge into the ringside barrier and apron. Batista sends Edge into the ring post. Edge escapes into the crowd, but Batista pulls him back. Batista with punches to Edge and they return to the ringside area. Batista slams Edge’s head into the announce table. Batista hot shots Edge onto the announce table before Irish whipping him into the ring steps. Batista is back in the ring with Edge and Edge begs for mercy. Batista sets for the Batista Bomb and he hits it.

CM Punk’s music plays and he comes out with a referee.

Match Number One: CM Punk versus Edge for the World Title
Punk gets Edge up for Go To Sleep for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk

Edge slinks away while Punk celebrates in the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Batista attacking Edge followed by CM Punk taking a page out of Edge’s book and taking advantage of the situation to cash in the Money in the Bank.

Match Number Two: Mickie James versus Jillian Hall
Jillian pushes Mickie down and Mickie with a Thesz Press and punch. Mickie with a baseball slide followed by a head scissors take down on the floor. Mickie rolls Jillian back in and Jillian kicks Mickie as she returns to the ring. Jillian works on Mickie’s injured arm and she drop kicks the arm. The referee checks on Mickie to see if she can continue. Jillian with an arm wringer and arm bar but Mickie fights back. Jillian uses the hair to take Mickie down. Jillian misses a leg drop. Jillian with a kick to the shoulder as she runs Mickie into the corner. Jillian misses the handspring back elbow and Mickie with a kick for the three count.
Winner: Mickie James

Rey Mysterio is walking as we go to commercial.

We are back and Jerry Lawler talks about the impact of the draft on Raw and what happened with Batista and the World Title. We are reminded that Rey was the first draft pick for Raw.

Rey comes to the ring and he congratulates CM Punk on beating Edge and bringing the World Title back to Raw. Rey says that up until last week, his entire WWE career and his life was Smackdown. The crowd boos a bit but he says it was in a good way. He was shocked to be drafted to Raw, but it was a good thing. He likes it on Raw.

Rey is interrupted by Santino Marella who comes to the ring. Santino says that Shane told everyone to pull together and act as one. Since he is the most charismatic superstar on Raw, he welcomes Rey. Santino says that he does not see the big deal because a man who hides behind a mask is incredibly ugly, incredibly stupid, or Batman. Santino says that Rey is not Batman. Santino tells Rey to shut up his face. He does not understand the popularity. We see the cover of the new WWE Magazine and Rey is on it. Santino calls him Rey Mastreo and he is taller than Hornswoggle and he likes cookies. Santino says that he submitted an excellent photo of himself, and they did not use the photo. It is of Santino lying on a bed. He calls that a photo. He says that every man and woman would buy it. Santino tells Rey Mastreo that there is a reason he has not been on Raw. It is because true superstars like himself rise and shine. He tells Rey to mind his manners and behave because if he doesn’t, it could be very bad for him. Santino allow Rey to speak, but he wants Rey to say it in a language that everyone can understand.

Rey punches Santino and then drop toe holds Santino into the ropes for a 619.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Michael Cole says that we will soon hear from the new World Champion. The Moments Ago Moment has turned into an Earlier Tonight Moment and we see Punk cash in Money in the Bank.

Todd Grisham is in the champion interviewing position with CM Punk. Todd congratulates Punk and Punk says that he does not have the words. He wants to get Edge’s name taken off the belt. He thanks Batista for making it possible and the fans. Bradshaw stops by to stare at Punk and the title belt. Bradshaw asks Punk if he is joking by celebrating beating a defenseless man. Bradshaw asks if Punk is proud. Punk says that he is proud to be champion. Bradshaw says that Punk can go to sleep knowing that he is a paper champion or an asterisk. He tells Punk that he can step up and get in the ring with greatness. He can put the title on the line tonight against him. Punk asks Bradshaw if he wants to be the first one and he accepts the challenge. We go to commercial.

We are back with a commercial for Smackdown and Mr. America will not be there on the Fourth of July.

John Cena comes out and he has a mic. Cena mentions surprises and classic moments. He says that he told everyone that the match between him and Triple H at Night of Champions would be a classic moment. He reminds us that he did not win the WWE Title last night since he was defeated by Triple H. It is a loss that he takes with pride because last night’s match proves one thing and that is that they are the two best in the business. Just like tonight when everyone has been a part of history. You will look back on this day and say that you were there when CM Punk cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase to become the World Champion. Cena wonders why Bradshaw is bullying his way into the title. He says that he does not know much about Punk but he likes him. He used his brain to get the title and will use his guts to try to keep it. Cena says that anyone who asked for the title match would have been given it, even him. Cena likes that idea and since there is no General Manager, the champion should be the one to choose who he faces. Cena asks the crowd to help Punk make the decision. The people have spoken and he asks Punk to consider it. Cena tells Bradshaw to take his limo and his Mamajuana and drive back to New York.

Bradshaw comes out and he stares at Cena since he has some staring time saved up from earlier. Bradshaw tells Cena that he will not be wrestling CM Punk for the title tonight because the match is his. Bradshaw declares martial law in the WWE. He says that it is his God-given destiny to become champion and he cannot have Cena in the building. Some of Oklahoma City’s finest come out to escort Cena out of the building (so he can return later?) Bradshaw points out that it is his security and he does not care about what the people think because he has money.

Security comes to the ring and they surround it while Cena waits for a fight. Bradshaw sends his men into the ring and they hold Cena for Bradshaw to punch him. They pull Cena out of the ring and carry him to the back. We see Cena being taken out in the back as he tries to fight out of this seven-on-one situation. We go to commercial since Hunter is not waiting outside this door.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Cody Rhodes losing and winning the World Tag Titles in the same moment.

Match Number Three: Cody Rhodes and Ted ‘DeBusey’ DiBiase versus Darren Wayne and Steve Anthony
Rhodes with a side head lock but he distracts his opponent while DiBiase attacks him from behind. DiBiase with a fist drop and Rhodes tags in and he connects with a knee drop. Rhodes with a DDT as DiBiase takes care of his other opponent with a clothesline.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase

Cody has a mic and he says that everyone wants to know why he did what he did to Bob Holly. When you are the son of Dusty Rhodes and grow up hearing about doing things the right way and pay your dues while being patient. He took that advise and applied it and where did it get him? He was carrying that baby boomer Bob Holly to keep his career alive. Cody says that he couldn’t find himself. He talked to Ted before he debuted. Cody says that he is not a patient person. When you are this talented, you don’t pay dues.

Ted gets on the mic and he says that the people of his generation do not have the spine to do what they do. In reality, the people in this country under the age of 30 are spoiled, obedient sheep. They took matters into their own hands. It makes them simply . . . priceless.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Katie Lea and Paul Burchill are talking about last night. Paul guarantees that Katie will become women’s champion. He tells Katie not to get in trouble. Jamie Noble arrives and he introduces himself to Katie. Jamie says that he was a big deal on Smackdown and he is going to get respect on Raw, ‘Prison Rules Style’. He is going to go to the biggest man in the locker room and draw his line in the sand. Jamie turns around and sees Kane standing there. Noble says that they are on new shows and it is time for new starts. Now that Mr. McMahon is not here, so there is no boss and they are both equals. Noble tells Kane not to dig in his bag to listen to his Larry the Cable Guy tapes or there will be trouble. Noble tells Kane a knock-knock joke. Kane grabs Noble by the throat but Noble kicks Kane and escapes. Kane walks away as if he was a horror movie villain.

Noble runs into the arena and hides at the announce table for a second before he is sent away by Lawler and Cole. Noble hides but the pyro goes off and Noble leaves his sanctuary. Noble with a tope onto Kane and kicks him but Kane sits up and hits an uppercut. Noble with a forearm to Kane but Kane pushes him off and then he connects with a boot. Kane with a choke slam on to the announce table and Noble rolls off. Kane smirks.

Chris Jericho is staring and walking as we go to commercial.

We are back and we see how Chris Jericho became a former Intercontinental Champion. Then we saw Jericho with the forearm to the eye.

Chris Jericho is on the mic and he comments on how the WWE website called him Y2Jaded. He says that he is an honest man who got swindled by Shawn Michaels and Kofi Kingston. He talks about how he was double teamed last night. Chris says that he was told that Shawn is not there tonight, just like he was told yesterday. Each time Shawn comes out, he clutches his injured eye. Chris says that there is more to the eye injury. Chris says that Michaels comes out with his eye injury to placate his ego. Jericho offers Michaels a return on his investment. Jericho challenges Michaels to a one-on-one match at the Great American Bash. Jericho says that Michaels took something from him, so he will return the favor and take something from Michaels. Jericho then says that he will take his title back.

Match Number Four: Chris Jericho versus Kofi Kingston for the Intercontinental Title
We join the match in progress and Lance Cade is at ringside. Michaels works on Kofi’s neck. Kofi does the leap into the corner, but Jericho sent Kingston into the turnbuckles. Back to live action and Jericho with a clothesline and then he slaps Kofi and then he sends Kofi into the ropes and Kofi bounces off and hits Jericho. Kofi with a Jamaican Hammer followed by a flying double sledge. Kofi with the hesitation leg drop. Jericho with a rollup for a near fall followed by an enzuigiri for a two count. Kofi with a punch and uppercut followed by an Irish whip. Jericho with a kick and bulldog followed by a Lionsault for a two count. Jericho with a forearm and suplex but Kofi counters and he gets a rollup. Jericho reverses and pulls the tights but the referee disqualifies Jericho.
Winner: Kofi Kingston by disqualification

After the match, Jericho attacks Kingston and he rakes the eyes. We go to commercial.

We are back and Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler recap tonight’s show and we see CM Punk defeat Edge one more time.

We see Edge leaving the arena and he blames Hawkins and Ryder for losing. He wants to know where they were. We see Edge drive away and he is not happy.

Match Number Five: Bradshaw with JBLimo versus CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title
Bradshaw has his security come to the ring and Bradshaw is ready to start the match. They lock up and Bradshaw with a knee in the corner followed by punches. Bradshaw with a short arm clothesline followed by a forearm to the back and elbow drops for a near fall. Bradshaw with a side head lock. Punk with an arm drag and back kick followed by a knee lift that sends Bradshaw to the floor. Punk misses a baseball slide to the floor and Bradshaw with a clothesline and then he slams Punk’s head into the announce table. Punk kicks out of a cover by Bradshaw. Bradshaw with a cravate and Punk with punches and kicks. Bradshaw with a sleeper but Punk with elbows to get out of the hold. Punk with a forearm but Bradshaw with a shoulder tackle. Bradshaw charges into a boot and then Punk with an enzuigiri that sends both men to the mat. Punk with a knee into the corner followed by the bulldog for a two count. Bradshaw catches Punk and hits a fallaway slam for a two count. Punk with a spin kick to the head and then he hits the springboard clothesline for a two count.

John Cena comes out with Cryme Tyme to take care of security. Bradshaw is distracted and that allows Punk to hit Go To Sleep on Bradshaw for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk

After the match, Punk hits a pescado onto the members of security. Cryme Tyme, Cena, and Punk take care of things as we go to credits

2009 - Sheamus, Yoshi Tatsu, Abraham Washington and Tyler Reks debuted on the main WWE roster for ECW.

2009 - TNA President Dixie Carter was interviewed discussing various topics at www.tnawrestling.com.  Excerpts from the interview included:

TNA Fan Base: The audience of 2009 is significantly different from the audience during the height of the WWF-WCW run.  And we have to continue to change accordingly.  Today’s fans are smarter, more involved.  They don’t want their intelligence insulted, and we have been guilty of that at times in the past.   Can we please everyone all the time?   No, that’s not realistic.  But you have to strive to please them much more than not.”

TNA Impact's Ratings: "“I think we have accomplished more in the last six- to 12-months than we have in the last several years,” Carter said. “I look at our ratings over the last year, and they are up more than 20 percent. We actually don’t want that to happen  We want everyone’s ratings to go up.  In order to succeed, we don’t think we have to take ratings away from anyone else.  As a wrestling industry, we all have to grow the fan-base worldwide.  We can’t just say we’re going to beat Raw (in the ratings).  Right now, that’s unrealistic. We had to start with a more obtainable goal to beat the ratings of our competitor’s third-rated show, ECW – and we’ve done that. I have heard people say, ‘It’s not a big deal to beat their lowest rated show,’ but I disagree.  It’s a huge success for TNA, which five years ago had just 300,000 viewers in a Friday afternoon timeslot on Fox Sports.   So now we’re setting our sights on their second-rated show, Smackdown – and that gap has closed significantly over the past six months.”

TNA Homegrown Performers: "We have an amazingly talented group of young guys ready to break out in a big way.  It is their time.  They have earned it and deserve it.  The landscape in TNA over the next 12 months is going to change dramatically. Our veterans are here to show that their greatness is beyond themselves and to help create other superstars. These (veterans) are secure enough to know that that’s what is needed for this company to continue to grow. Their leadership in and out of the ring is unmatched.”

2009 - WWE aired ECW on Sci Fi.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:

We are live from Bakersfield, California and your announcers are Matt ‘Watch out for Ben Richards’ Striker and Josh ‘Happy Jerrelle Clark Day’ Mathews.

ECW General Manager Tiffany is in the ring and she has something to say. She welcomes everyone to a new era of ECW. She mentions the announcement of the 15 superstar trade initiated by Donald Trump, the look and feel of ECW has changed. She says that she is excited about the New Superstar Initiative. ECW will continue to be the place to see the top young stars in WWE today.

Match Number One: Shelton Benjamin versus Yoshi Tatsu

Before the match, Shelton gets a mic and he comments on his opponent’s name. He talks so Yoshi can understand him. He speaks as if he was starring in Rush Hour 4.

Shelton bows to the referee and to the crowd. Shelton does the crane and then gets a good laugh out of things. Then he does the sumo set up. Shelton says that he has one more before the match starts. He does a deep bow but Yoshi with a kick and a three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu

After the match, Yoshi bows to Shelton before leaving the ring.

Abraham Washington walks in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that Triple H and John Cena will be wrestling next week. I wonder what will happen.

It is time for Abraham Washington to come to the ring and he has a talk show. He welcomes everyone to the newest sensation on ECW, the Abraham Washington Show. Before he gets to his first guest, he wants to talk about a few things in the WWE Universe. Washington talks about The Bash and the main event. He says that he has not seen that much pain and brutality since Paris Hilton in a spelling bee. Washington suggests that Vince McMahon’s repurchase of Raw from Donald Trump was a financial disaster, just like 12 Rounds, which is available on DVD. Washington says that the Miz might have enjoyed that joke, but he lost to John Cena twice this week. Washington brings out his guests, the Bella Twins.

Washington tells the ladies to relax. He has them introduce themselves. Brie is wearing a red flower in her hair while Nikki is wearing black. Washington asks if they have always looked alike and then he says that he was joking. He asks them how much they spend on their weave in a year. They say that they are 100% natural. Washington does not believe them and he says that he knows synthetic materials. He also brings up a story that called the Bellas one of the sexiest twins in sports and that they are the first twin divas. He asks them what makes them different. Brie says that she is younger and Nikki mentions that it is by sixteen minutes. Nikki says that she is the smarter of the twins. Washington asks which one got their first kiss. Then he asks as the talk gets out of the PG realm and Nikki says that she was the first of the twin. Washington asks which one is the best athlete and wants to see who can do the better split. They argue about things and now it is time for them to fight.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Sheamus versus Oliver John

Before the match, Sheamus gets on the mic and he talks in Gaelic and he says that some say that Irish traditions are dead, but he will show that they are still alive. He says that he will claim ECW as his own.

John with a waist lock but Sheamus with a take down. They lock up and Sheamus with a forearm to the back and a kick. Sheamus with a forearm and Irish whip followed by a forearm to the back. Sheamus with a clothesline and he puts John in a cross face and arm bar. Shemus sends John to the mat and then he Irish whips John and hits a shoulder to the back. John fights back and he punches Sheamus but Sheamus with the bicycle kick and it is time for an uranage backbreaker for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus

Vladimir Kozlov gets ready in the back and William Regal wants to talk strategy with Kozlov. Regal says that he wants to make an impact and not be embarrassed tonight. Kozlov says that he’s got it.

We go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that for 39 weeks, nothing has been more watched than ECW.

Zack Ryder is in the back and Tyler Reks stops by say hello to Zack. He says that he is from Southern California and he is looking forward to his debut on Superstars on Thursday. Zack tells Tyler that the best beaches in the world are in Long Island and he tells Tyler to go home and get ready for their match on Thursday. Zack woos and leaves.

Time for the Raw Rebound.

Christian is walking in the back and Tommy Dreamer asks if they are ready. Christian points out that he returned to the WWE in this building. Christian says that he still wants to be the ECW Champion. Dreamer points out that it is nice that he brings this up now when they are going to face Kozlov and Regal.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Vladimir Kozlov and William Regal versus Tommy Dreamer and Christian

Christian and Regal start off and Regal works on the arm but Christian reverses and puts Regal in a hammer lock. Christian with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Regal stays on his feet. Christian with a take down and Regal gets a near fall. Christian with a shoulder tackle and a near fall. Christian with a side head lock but Regal with a shoulder in the corner. Regal with an Irish whip and he charges into boots from Christian followed by a back elbow from the turnbuckles. Kozlov tags in and he misses a clothesline. Christian with punches and then he avoids a kick and connects with more punches. Kozlov with a shoulder tackle and then he gets Christian on his shoulders for a back breaker. Christian is able to escape and he tags in Dreamer who punches Kozlov but Kozlov with shoulder s in the corner. Dreamer with an uppercut and a cross body. Kozlov goes to the floor and Christian is tagged in. Christian with a baseball slide and then he goes up top but Regal gets in the middle of things and we go to a standoff and commercial.

We are back and Regal with a reverse chin lock on Dreamer. Dreamer with punches but Regal with a knee. Regal with forearms and Kozlov with kicks when Regal and Christian distract the referee. Kozlov tags in and it is time for elbow drops and a near fall. Regal tags back in and he connects with forearms but Dreamer with a rebound chop. Regal with a punch and knee drop. Dreamer with an arm wringer and he tags in Christian who is punching away and then he hits a drop kick and back elbow. Christian with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Christian with a sunset flip for a near fall. Regal rolls to the floor and then he drops Christian’s arm on the top rope. Kozlov tags back in and he sends Christian shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Kozlov works on the arm and then he tags Regal back in. Regal with a knee to the arm. Christian with a punch but Regal with an arm wringer and another knee to the arm. Kozlov tags in and he punches Christian in the arm. Kozlov with a key lock and an arm wringer into a key lock on the mat. Dreamer tries to encourage Christian to fight out of trouble and make the tag.

Kozlov with knees to the head. Kozlov with head butts to the chest followed by a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Regal tags in and he kicks Christian and works on the arm. Regal with another arm wringer and another knee to the arm. Christian and Regal collide as Christian comes out of the corner and they are both down. Dreamer tags in and he clotheslines Kozlov but Kozlov stays on his feet. Dreamer with a clothesline from the turnbuckles for a near fall. All four men are in the ring until Christian and Regal go to the floor.

Dreamer with a punch to Kozlov followed by a neck breaker but he can only get a two count. Regal sends Christian into the ring steps. Kozlov is sent into the turnbuckles and Regal makes the tag. Dreamer sends Kozlov to the floor and then he brings Regal in. Dreamer with an inside cradle. Dreamer misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post with his shoulder. Regal with an Exploder and Kozlov makes the blind tag. Kozlov with the uranage slam for the three count.
Winners: William Regal and Vladimir Kozlov

After the match, Regal holds Kozlov’s hand in the air in victory. We go to credits and Regal has made a new buddy.

2010 - Toni Adams Donahoo has passed away at the way-too-young age of 45 after a lengthy illness.  Toni was an integral figure in the World Class program where Chris Adams, her husband at the time, was feuding with Steve Austin and his wife Jeanne, who was Adams' first wife, and later worked as Lady Blossom in WCW, as well as gave Austin the idea for the Stone Cold nickname.  In a lot of ways, it was a program that was before its time as the women were a focal point and real life issues were a selling point of the storyline.

2010 - Daniel Bryan issued the following statement on his WWE release:

Since the WWE's statement was released I’ve been bombarded with messages asking me if it’s real, and by now I’m sure that most people know that it is.

WWE is very serious about adhering to their PG guidelines, and apparently my actions during the NXT attack on John Cena, namely choking announcer Justin Roberts with his tie and spitting in Cena’s face, crossed the boundaries of what is considered “PG.” Perhaps the choking was too violent or perhaps the spit was too demeaning. I apologized for both immediately following the incident; but I would be a hypocrite if I apologized for putting everything I have into the attack. I would much rather have gone too far than to come up too short.

As with anyone who gets fired from their job, especially when they feel its unjust, I am angry. Very angry. But I can’t fault WWE for how they handled my release. My contract contained a 90 day no-compete clause in the event I was let go, yet the WWE has graciously allowed me start wrestling again on any show that’s not taped for television or pay per view.

So with the negatives there also come positives. Before I got signed by WWE last October, I worked hard to bring new fans to independent wrestling. But with most of us having little national exposure the only thing we could do was wrestle our hearts out and hope for word of mouth. Now that I’ve appeared on WWE television in front of millions of new fans, things are different. My goal is to garner as much interest in independent wrestling over the next 90 days as I possibly can. I hope that some of the people who enjoyed watching me wrestle on TV will give independent companies such as Evolve, Dragon Gate USA and Ring of Honor a chance. I think most of you would enjoy the intimacy between the fans and the wrestlers and the intensity of the action; if you ask the fans who went to the Chikara or AIW shows I was on this weekend, I’m sure 99% of them had a great time. So if you’ve never been to an independent show, go ahead and dip your toes in... you might find that the water is pretty nice.

As far as what happens after 90 days, nobody knows. I’ve “heard” that TNA is interested. There are petitions going around to get me back into WWE and the last several weeks there have been fans chanting my names at their shows. People have even brought signs showing their support. And though most of the signs get taken away and though WWE may not be listening to your chants or petitions, I truly appreciate all the support over the last several weeks. It is both overwhelming and heartwarming. But regardless of what offers come in, I am in no rush to make any rash decisions. I enjoy my freedom as much as I enjoyed the benefits offered by being in WWE. My future, as usual, is uncertain. But I am enjoying my return to the independents. I’m hoping to see some of you there.

2011 - Juggalo Championship Wrestling presented "Send in the Clowns" on iPPV.  Matt Carter filed  the following PPV report:

Its been over a month since the last JCW iPPV.

Apparently venue troubles were the cause for the delay as these were originally every 2 weeks.

In the extended break, they REALLY improved the live player. You are no longer forced to watch the chat and the player has a true full screen. They really have worked hard at making the experience on par with any other iPPV wrestling out there...and its $5 :)

Right at 7 PM, we start with a short JCW video and then to a shot of the crowd (much much bigger than previous ones it seems). We get the drums and countdown.

Introduced is our resident DJ, DJ Clay and our announce team of KG and Shaggy 2 Dope.

KG welcomes us to Send In The Clowns and says this is the most important show so far as they count down to the Gathering and runs down some of the card for the night.

Things Gordon Solie never said, "We are back up in this mother f***r"

Up Chuck the clown (ring announcer), a ref, and a hot ring gal make it to the ring and we are set to go!

Match #1: The Emo Warrior Jimmy Jacobs vs The Magic Ninja Kawabata

The crowd immediately gives Jimmy a "You suck d@#k" chant. This could be a really good little match.

Jimmy takes the mic and tries to share some of his poetry. Kawabata, wearing JCW in his normal face paint, instead takes off his head with a spinning kick. Jimmy then rolls out of the ring and complains that he never gets to read his poetry. Kawabata still doesn't want to hear it and attacks him on the ramp and throws Jimmy in the ring. Very loud "F$#k him up chant". Kawabata in control early until Jacobs catches him on the top rope. This is a REALLY hot crowd. Jacobs beats down Kawabata and again grabs the mic to read his poetry and again is cut down with a kick to the gut by Kawabata. Jacobs is really pissed so pounds on Kawabata some more until he can grab the mic again to read his poetry. Kawabata gets in another kick to the cut but Jacobs gets a counter and throws him out of the ring. Again, lets try that poem. Kawabata comes in again and takes him out...boy is Jacbos pissed. Jacobs in control until Kawabata gets out of the way in the corner. Hits a really awesome flapjack and running knee combo and Jacobs kicks out of the pin at a 2 count. Kawabata tries a top rope muscle buster but Jacobs reveres into a tornado ddt for a 2 count. Jacobs to the top rope and hits a back senton "The Bloody Mary". Now Jacobs takes out his guy liner to touch up his eyes and Kawabata gets up, hits Jacobs with the mist and Kurt Kobain for the 3 count.

Your Winner, The Magic Ninja Kawabata!

Fun opening match...the Jacobs on the mic thing was hilarious.

KG and Shaggy were going to talk about the next match but then wanted to go to a video...but something is screwed up and the guys start talking about Corporal Robinson

Once again they try to throw to the video and its not going well so discuss the fact that JCW does NOT have an automatic rematch clause..and finally the video plays, but quickly stops. The guys are playing this off well, its really funny! OK, some more stalling and they try the video again. Its basically highlights of Corp Robinson over the past few iPPVs and the guys tried to voice it live and that wasn't a good idea. Match #2: Sexy Slim Goody vs. Corporal Robinson

Goody is sporting new, pink ring attire ala Adrian Adonis. I love Goody, he is the kind of you never see on tv. This, though, will probably be a squash as Corp continues his story line of beating everyone on the JCW roster on his way back up to a title match. Corp has cut off his afro, thats a shame but it is summer time.

Goody ducks a clothesline and tells the crowd how smart he is. Corp makes fun of his man boobs and the crowd responds with a "You suck d$#k" chant. They lock up and Corp controls the arm and does the Undertaker walk the ropes and instead of the shot to the back he did an armdrag. Kinda neat. Goody is frustrated and stalls around on the outside jawing with the crowd and slowly gets back in. Goody gets in a guyt shot and head lock but is thrown off the ropes. Goody actually does a cart wheel to avoid getting hit, but while showing off Corp gives him a kick to the face that lands Goody outside the ring. Corp is setting up 2 chairs in the ring as Goody slowly crawls in and gives Corp a low blow. Goody does a snap mare and a double knee off the rope for a 2 count. Goody contiues to dominate and that Family chant rings out. I guess its something they chant at the "good guys"? Corp Robinson hits an Acid Drop style tornado ddt and hangs Goody in the tree of woe. Corp puts on chair in front of his face and smacks the chair with a 2nd chair. Corp picks up Goody and hits the boot camp on the chair for the 3 count

Your Winner Corporal Robinson!

Corp celebrates with the crowd on his way out.

So far there has been no video buffering issues. The quality is downright excellent.

A video package is shown about the Isabella Smothers and Bull Pain storyline.

Match #3: Bull Pain and Isabella Smothers vs ?

Bull Pain and Isabella play flirty in the ring and grab the mic and heel the crowd before the match and are interrupted by banjo music and its TRACY SMOTHERS! Tracy gets the mic and tells the crowd to shut up. He says its good to be back and outta jail. Tracy says that Bull is supposed to be his best friend and wants to know why he is screwing his daughter. Bull denies anything is going on. Tracy believes Bull and says they should tag together. Tracy says they are the MOB Mean Old Bastards.

The MOB (Tracey Smothers and Bull Pain) with Isabella Smothers vs. Mad Man Pondo and Necro Butcher

This quickly turned into a brawl outside the ring. Yep, this will be tough to follow. The announcers mention Pondo and Necro are #1 contenders and that a win for MOB would put them in line for a title shot reminding us that Pondo and Necro won't face the Ring Rydas since they are "family". Bull Pain takes a huge shot from a stop sign from Pondo but kicks out at 2. Now Necro gives chops to Tracey and gets a sleeper hold. Tracey gets free and its back to all four men brawling. One cool spot saw Bull Pain do a DDT to the floor while Pondo was dangling face first off the ring. Necro now starts to take control and heads to the top rope and Isabella gets him with a low blow. Smothers chokes Necro while Bull gets a 3 count on Pondo (who is busted open)

Your Winners, The MOB!

The three celebrate in the ring and Tracey leaves first while Isabella and Bull Pain kiss behind his back.

Pondo is still selling that wild DDT spot in the ring. Pondo is helped to the back.

Match #4: The Haters vs. Zach Gowen and U-Gene

The Haters were introduced as from "the a@#hole of the world". They are a masked tag team but come out wearing some LA Park hoodies and they are spitting on the JCW logo. U-Gene has a present for his partner and gives it to him before the match and wants him to open it. Its a fake leg. Zack says thanks but he doesn't need it and wants to start the match. U-Gene doesn't want him to get hurt so he starts. The Haters insist that since the other team has the fake leg, they get to have a chair in their corner as a weapon. Finally we get going and U-Gene gets a take down. The Hater gets and arm bar and wrings it in good. U-Gene flips out and reverses the hold. U-Gene blocks a reversal attempt and stomps the hater. U-Gene tags in Gowen who comes in off the top rope for a 2 count. Gowen uses his one leg and vices the hater into a head lock with it. The other hater comes in and breaks up the submission hold. The Haters make a tag and Gowen hits a one legged drop kick and tags in UGene. They do some double team work and U-Gene gets a 2 count. The hater rakes UGene's eye and takes control in the corner and stomps a mud hole in him. UGene gets in a gut shot and some hard chops. Tag to Gowen who goes up for his one legged moonsault...but U-Gene stops Zack and moves the Hater closer...now the other hater comes in and breaks up the attempt. Now the Haters concentrate on Gowen's one leg. Back drop gets a 2 count and the hater gets him in a chin lock. Gowen gets out with a chin breaker but the hater counters with a high knee. U-Gene tries to help and the haters use the ref distraction to work over Gowen. Tag made and they continue to beat down Gowen. U-Gene is elbowed off the apron and the Haters keep beating down on Gowen. They get several pin attempts but Gowen keeps kicking out. Gowen finally gets a hot tag in for U-Gene. U-Gene with a double head knock and a big boot and hulks up. Leg drop by U-Gene by pin was broken up. U-Gene gets a choke slam and hits the special people's elbow but pin broken up by the Haters. Gowen and UGene try to do stereo shots to the head in opposite corners but the haters won't have that and once again work over Gowen. Haters grab the fake leg and UGene gets mad and puts it back in the corner. Haters double team U-Gene and double elbow him out of the ring. Now the haters try a chair shot to Gowen's leg but U-Gene dives to take the chair shot to his back...they are both down so the haters get the 3 count.

Your Winners, The Haters!

Lots of chatter by the announce team about the Gathering. Charlie Sheen is gonna be there. The Juggalos will be winning, duh!

KG now goes into the ring to interview someone. I think he said Amber O'Neil but the mic isn't working well. Its some blonde chick and she takes the mic and complains about JCW and heels the crowd. She gives everyone the "you are #1" and challenges "any of you b**ches in the back because none of them can kick her ass". The ring girl takes off her shoes and steps up in the ring. Amber says the only thing the ring girl is good for is sucking d**k. The ring girl says she is in training and probably can't out wrestle Amber, but would love to kick her ass. So we got a match I guess. The two exchange chops and ring girl gets a Thesz press and beats down on Amber. Security hits the ring and separates them...so it wasn't a match.

The announcers wonder if this is the start of a JCW Women's division.

Match #5: Deputy Weedman with Officer Colt Cabana vs. Superstar Bill Martel

His old intro but Weedman is wearing his POLICE shirt and is not smoking weed for his intro. No Officer Colt Cabana?...oh wait here he is. Colt yells at the DJ for not playing the Officer Colt music when Deputy Weedman comes to the ring. Colt says he is in charge tonight because he is the law and Weedman is his deputy and Weedman is the biggest b**ch in the building and he is beneath even the Juggalos.

Colt says the only Family is the Family of the Detroit Police Department and has no problem taking any Juggalo to jail and raping them in the a**. Colt says he smells weed and its time for a Code 420. Colt turns his back and Weedman gets a few tokes from a few Juggalos in the crowd. Colt then arrests one of the Juggalos and handcuffs him to the ring.

KG says, "Officer Colt should visit Jeff Hardy's place sometime."

The bell rings and the guys circle the ring for a bit. They lock up and Martel tries for the college wrestling take down but can't get it, Weedman tries the same takedown and hits it. Weedman takes Martel into the corner and follows with a lariot. Weedman hits an elbow and gets a 2 count. Weedman with chops to Martel and a slam. Knee drop sets up Weedman goin to the top rope but Colt Cabana holds Weedman to allow Martel to get the upper hand. Martel resorts to choking Weedman instead of wrestling. Weedman gets whipped into the corner but gets a boot into Martel. Weedman with a side slam and fires up the crowd. Tries for the 420 flip and Cabana rolls Martel out of the ring. Martel now gets control over Weedman. Suplex only gets a one count. Martel with a waistlock but Weedman fights out. Cabana trips up Weedman and Martel hits an elbow off the 2nd turnbuckle. Only a 2 count. Weedman tries to get the crowd behind him but Martel takes him to the top for a superplex. Weedman reverses it and hits a Kenton Bomb off the top rope but Colt won't let him get the pin on Martel. Weedman now is firing up and gets a 2 count but Colt hits the apron to yell at the weedman. Martel gets distracted and Weedman gets a rollup..only a 2 count. Now Weedman gets the hand cuff keys from Colt and tries to free the Juggalo but Colt nails Weedman with his night stick. It knocks out Weedman and Martel takes advantage.

Your Winner, Superstar Bill Martel with his first win in JCW.

Officer Colt takes the Juggalo out in Handcuffs while Weedman slowly gets up. Weedman teases that he is tired of being Colt's deputy and thinks about taking off his mask but goes to the back.

Shaggy excuses himself to get ready to "sing".

Match #6: Kongo Kong with Truth Martini vs Rhino

This match got the special ring announcer for some reason. Rhino gets a really nice reaction in his hometown. He looks like he has dropped some weight and has really hit the gym.

They lockup into several stalemates. Kong finally gets upper hand and hits a big elbow. Rhino unleashes right hands and clotheslines Kong outside of the ring. Kong gets his head knocked around but Rhino misses a clothesline and hits the ring post. Kong gets Rhino into the ring and stomps him down. Rhino fights up and tries to fight back but Kong is too much. Kong zones in on the arm. 2 pin attempts and Rhino fights out. Kong puts on a claw to the shoulder. Rhino fights up but gets pulled to the mat by the hair. Back to the claw hold on the shoulder. Rhino works his way back up. Repeated shots can't get Kong down but finally a flying shoulder tackle gets the beast down. Kong fights his way out of the corner, though, with a big lariat. Kong misses a splash in the corner. Rhino tries a belly to belly, but can't get him up. Rhino tries again and this time hits it. Rhino sets up for the Gore but the ref got in the way. Kong now just beating down Rhino with no ref and Truth Martini encourages him. Now another ref comes out and claims its a no contest but Kong continues the beat down. Security comes in and tries to get Truth and Kong out of the ring.

Before the musical guest, ICP, came out...one of the gals in the crowd showed off the twins. Not gonna get that on many iPPVs.

The music seemed shorter to me than before...not that I mind.

They return with a video about 2 Tuff Tony.

Main Event for JCW Championship: Butler Geeves (champion) with Breyer Wellington and Truth Martini vs. 2 Tuff Tony

Martini takes the mic and introduces himself, Wellington, and Geeves with a proper introduction.

Martini starts out the match by trying to point out that the book of truth mentions no drinking is allowed in wrestling. The ref just ignores it and so does Tony.

Finally the match gets started by Tony getting the crowd worked up. They start to lock up but Tony decides to take one more good shot at the Bacardi. They finally tie up and Tony backs Geeves into the corner. Clean break. Tony gives the #1 sign to Wellington and Martin and takes another big shot while Officer Colt Cabana's music starts and out comes Colt with a mic. Colt doesn't care what city it is, he has jurisdiction all over Michigan. He runs down a few charges and is going to arrest Tony again (like the last show). Colt cuffs Tony and drags him out. Colt now cuffs Tony behind the DJ and the ref begins the count him out.

Weedman comes out and put a hood over Colt. Weedman hits Colt with his night stick and uncuffs Tony. Tony gets back in the ring and starts beating down Butler Geeves. Huge chops from Tony as Geeves tries to escape. Tony sets up Geeves on the top rope and hits a hurrancanrana.

Now a back body drop on Geeves and a package pile driver. Wellington comes to the apron but gets kocked out. Tony picks up Geeves for a slam and does a springboard moonsault off the middle of the 2nd rope. Now Tony sets up Geeves and hits the crashing helicopter off the top rope and then knocks Truth off the apron. Tony is now getting ready for the flaming fist. He nails it.

Your winner and NEW JCW CHAMPION 2 TUFF TONY!

All the faces run out and celebrate with Tony. This was a really solid show. The announced another one in 2 weeks. It seems like JCW is really getting into their groove with the iPPV. Good show.

2011 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling.  Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:

Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com, as this week we present Impact with limited commercial interruption!

We look back at last week when Sting (who has gone mad) confronted Eric Bischoff, gave him every finisher in the book, called him a cockroach, and painted his face red, only for Bischoff to no-sell and make a Sting-Abyss match later in the evening.

Since “limited commercial interruption” probably means “an extra twenty minutes of Hogan and Bischoff promos”, we're going to introduce a new feature this week called “Stuart summarizes the promos instead of typing out every last word.” This will save me from an even earlier case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome than I'm already going to get after doing this show for the last year and a half. Plus, I really don't think anyone cares to read two hours of dialogue in any case.

Hulk Hogan is backstage thanking Scott Steiner for Immortal and sends him out to the ring, only to be confronted by Sting laughing maniacally on a wide screen TV and taunting him with stories about monsters under his bed.

Hogan no-sells and goes out to the ring to call out Ken Anderson. Anderson comes out and Hogan offers him two options: face Sting with Immortal backing him up, or do it on his own like usual. If he does the second, he'll get beaten and embarrassed by Sting and he'll leave without a shred of cockiness or confidence. Anderson finds this unlikely since he beat Sting all by himself to win the title at Slammiversary, but Hogan reminds Anderson that he only won the title because Eric Bischoff helped him. Hogan says Anderson owes him one, but Anderson says he doesn't owe Hogan a damn thing, and regardless of what Bischoff did, he takes all the credit for his win at Slammiversary and what he'll do two weeks from now.

Suddenly, Sting is beating Bully Ray, Abyss, and Scott Steiner up on the video wall, and after they're all laid out, Sting threatens to come find Hogan tonight. Hogan starts to talk, but the lights go out and when they come up, Sting is standing behind Hogan and takes his knees out with his baseball bat. Anderson heads for the hills, so Sting says that July 14 should be called Midsummer Nightmare, and he nails Hogan with the bat again. Sting says he was a Hulk Hogan MARK way back in the day, and he's here to get the real Hulk Hogan to stand back up, not Hollywood Hogan. He reminds Hogan of the Three Commandments, and says he's still working out because he still has 21 inch pythons. Sting grabs a bottle full of pills and sits down with his arm around the laid out Hogan, and starts popping pills down Hogan's throat and his own, then washes them down Hogan's throat. Then Sting takes enough pills to kill a man and stuffs them down Hogan's throat, then hooks Hogan in the Scorpion Deathlock. Sting threatens to sit down on it and put Hogan out, but the rest of Immortal comes out and Bully Ray says he can't stand bullies, and since their paths have never crossed, he's challenging Sting...on behalf of Scott Steiner.

Ray calls for the music, but Hogan stops it to tell Sting that he's going to wipe the smile off of Sting's face tonight.

Mike Tenay and Taz run us down this past week's results of the Bound For Glory Series, and Crimson is currently in the lead with 17 points, with Gunner right behind him with 14. This leads us into our first match...

Bound For Glory Series: Samoa Joe vs Brother Devon

They tie up and Devon goes to a wristlock, but Joe takes Devon down with a three quarter nelson and quickly locks in the choke, but Devon makes the ropes. Devon takes Joe to the corner and unloads with right hands and then tries a whip, but Joe bowls him into the corner and hits a leaping enziguiri. Joe with his snapmare/back chop/kick/running kneedrop combo. Joe with the facewash in the corner, but Devon pops up and spears Joe, then unloads on him with clotheslines and a leaping back elbow. Devon with a uranage and a leaping headbutt, then charges Joe in the corner with a clothesline and follows it with a leaping clothesline for 2. Devon measures Joe as he regains his feet, but Joe sees him coming in and boots him in the face, then hits a leaping kneestrike off the middle rope. Joe goes for the pin, but lets him up at 2 and goes to a heel hook instead to try for the submission points. Devon makes the ropes, so Joe hits an inverted atomic drop and a Yakuza kick off the ropes, and instead of going for the cover he puts Devon in a Kimura Lock. Devon again makes the ropes, so Joe hits a snap powerslam and gets a cross armbreaker, but Devon again makes the ropes. Joe sets Devon up for the Muscle Buster, Devon fights his way out and tries a move off the middle rope, but Joe drills Devon with a kneestrike coming down and hooks the choke again. Devon rolls out of it and hits a spinebuster for 3.

Winner: Devon

Joe is in disbelief, and the story was that Joe passed up chances to pin Devon to try for the submission and it backfired. This is Devon's first points in the series.

Pope is backstage with Devon's kids and celebrating his win, and Pope is going to go find Devon's wife and celebrate.

Scott Steiner is arguing backstage with Bully Ray, and Ray gives Steiner a good pep talk and reminds him that he's the Big Bad Booty Daddy.

Frankie Kazarian catches Joe returning to the locker room and tells Joe that he's better than this and he should be out there killing people. Joe calls him a bitch like AJ, and security has to get between them.

We recap the results from the first two matches in the Destination X Tournament, then get comments from Low Ki, Matt Bentley, and Jimmy Yang as they talk about their history in TNA and the X Division.

Destination X Tournament: Low Ki vs Matt Bentley vs Jimmy Yang

Low Ki gets a big reaction from the crowd. Ki with a leapfrog into a mule kick on Yang, then Bentley goes after him. Ki with a handspring crossbody that sends Bentley to the floor, but Yang catches him with a leaping leg lariat. Yang is out in his Flying Elvises outfit tonight. Yang with a running leg lariat in the corner and then a top rope bodypress for 2. Bentley comes in and yanks Yank down by the back of his jacket and puts the boots to Ki. Bentley tries to dump Yang, Yang tries to skin the cat back in, but Bentley rams Ki headfirst into Yang and sends Yang tumbling to the floor. Bentley with an elbowdrop on Ki that gets 2, then goes to a rear chinlock. Ki fights his way out, but Bentley clotheslines him to the floor. Bentley goes out after Ki and Yang dives higher than I think I've ever seen a human being jump before and wipe out Ki on the floor. Yang sends Ki back in and covers for 2, but then Ki gets a crucifix for 2. Yang quickly nails Ki with a leg lariat for 2, but eats Ki's boot on a charge, then Ki unloads on Yang with stiff kicks. Ki sunset flips Yang and rolls through into a double stomp on Yang, then hits the Tidal Crush on Bentley. Ki covers Bentley for 2, but misses a corner charge on Yang and Yang hits a series of kicks for 2. Bentley pops up and wipes both men out with an Ace Crusher/DDT combo, then superkicks Ki for 2. Bentley goes up top, but Yang catches him coming down and hits a gutbuster, then tries Yang Time, but Bentley moves. Ki quickly capitalizes by going up top and hits the Warrior's Way for the win.

Winner: Low Ki

Awesome match, and that may have been the best I've ever seen Jimmy Yang look.

We see a video package with the X Division guys talking about what the division has meant to TNA and how much it means for them to get their own PPV.

Madison Rayne is backstage fixing herself up in the mirror and shooting her mouth off on Tara. Winter and Angelina Love come in and Madison accuses them of stealing her lip gloss. Angelina says that her relationship with Winter isn't synthetic anymore, it's the real thing and Winter appreciates her, and now they're going to blah blah blah Mickie James.

We go backstage where Samoa Joe is beating the crap out of Frankie Kazarian, then Hulk Hogan is backstage taping his fists and saying that Sting's embarrassed him for the last time.

Elimination Match: Winter, Angelina Love & Madison Rayne vs Winter, Miss Tessmacher & Mickie James

The entrances took like ten minutes alone. Good thing we have limited commercial interruption. Mickie beats Winter down and tears off her belt, but Angelina goes after her and hits the Yonge Street Plunge before she can nail Winter with it. Tessmacher comes in and goes after Angelina, but Angelina yanks her down by the hair and unloads in the corner with kicks. Winter tags in and gouges the eyes, but Tessmacher moves out of the way of a charge and stomps Winter down before ramming her ass in Winter's face. Angelina distracts Tessmacher from the outside, and Winter hits a Northern Light suplex to eliminate Miss Tessmacher. Tara comes in with her pizza delivery hat on and lays Winter out and does her ass shaking standing moonsault for 2. Tara gets a Tarantula on Winter, but Madison baseball slides her in the face and sets her up so Winter and Angelina can hit a Samoan Drop/Botox Injection combo. Winter goes for the cover, but Madison tosses Winter to the floor and steals the win for herself. Mickie's 3-on-1, but Angelina and Winter stalk Madison and allow Mickie to superkick Madison and get the win. Mickie immediately goes after Winter, but takes it 2-on-1 from Angelina and Winter. They beat her down ghetto style, but they miss the double team they beat Tara with and Mickie sunset flips Winter for 2. Mickie tries the leaping DDT on Angelina, but Winter with a backbreaker and then Angelina hits a 90 degree lungblower. Angelina goes for the win, but Winter tells her that she's had her turn and now it's Winter's turn. The conversation lasts long enough for Mickie to recover and lay both of them out. Mickie with a neckbreaker to eliminate Angelina, but Winter rolls Mickie up with a handful of jeans for 2. Mickie hits the leaping DDT on Winter and gets the win.

Winner: Mickie James

Gunner is backstage and says that he wants it all, and tonight he'll win his series against AJ Styles and prove that he can be World Champion.

We see a video package hyping Abyss vs Brian Kendrick, then we go to the ring where Jeremy Borash introduces the contract signing for the Christopher Daniels-AJ Styles main event at Destination X. AJ asks Daniels if he's sure he wants to do this, and Daniels responds by signing the contract and saying this isn't personal, it's about the X Division. AJ is worried it'll become personal, but Daniels says they want to take the X Division to the next level and they're the best men to headline the show, and no matter who wins, Daniels will shake the hand of his best friend after it's over. AJ signs and the match is official, but then Jerry Lynn comes out and says he doesn't want to hear people bicker over who built the X Division because they all built it and it was about giving the fans something special and giving them wrestling. Rob Van Dam comes out and says that he was being called a pioneer before any of them were in the business and he was X Division before there was an X Division. Jerry Lynn reminds him that he stood toe to toe with RVD for a full year, but Daniels calms him down and says that none of them invented the X Division, but they all damn sure perfected it. Daniels says that Daniels-AJ and RVD-Lynn headlining Destination X may make it the best PPV of all time, then suggests that next week, they can do a four corner match with the four of them. Everyone agrees, and the match is on for next week.

Everyone starts to head to the back, but Gunner suddenly comes out of nowhere and attacks AJ, then rolls him into the ring where AJ recovers and tosses Gunner to the floor. Referee Earl Hebner comes into the ring and calls for the bell, and we're off...

Bound For Glory Series: AJ Styles vs Gunner

AJ rams Gunner from corner to corner and hits a leaping forearm. AJ with a snapmare and stiff kick to the back, followed by the swanky kneedrop. AJ with a backdrop suplex and then rams Gunner to the corner, but Gunner nearly goes through him with a flying knee that gets 2. Gunner tries a powerbomb, but AJ slips through, hits the Pelle Kick to send Gunner to the apron, and a baseball slide drives Gunner to the floor. AJ hits his flip dive and wipes Gunner out, then rolls him back in where Gunner wipes him out with a clothesline. AJ comes right back with a superkick and slams Gunner (with some difficulty), then goes to the apron. He tries for a springboard move, but Gunner stops him by pulling the referee in front. AJ stops short and Gunner shoves the referee out of the way and kicks the middle rope into AJ's groin, then hits the F5 for the win.

Winner: Gunner

Gunner now leads the Bound For Glory Series.

We go to a video package showing highlights of the X Division throughout the years, with a focus on the Ultimate X, then we go backstage to Sting, who says Steiner's in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We see a video package looking at the history of the Velvet Sky-ODB feud and the addition of Miss Jackie to the situation. We go backstage to Velvet, who says she's been bullied her entire life and she's always had to fight for everything she wanted to accomplish. She's not as weak as she once was, and next week she'll face both of them in a handicap match and after that, they'll be gone from Impact Wrestling and she'll be done with them.

LAX v2.0 come out and Anarquia says that all of us accuse them of being liars and criminals, and he wants to know why they're not in the Bound For Glory Series when Beer Money are. The British Invasion comes out and Magnus points out that they're also foreigners, but they're proud of who they are and where they're from, and that they have careers in the USA. They don't like people who come to another country and expect to have everything handed to them just for showing up, and Mexican America hasn't earned it. There's one team they haven't beaten in Impact Wrestling because they haven't beaten the British Invasion and they won't because the British Invasion conducts their business face to face like men, and they challenge Mexican America to a tag match to determine the real #1 contenders to Beer Money. Magnus tells them to grow a set and leave las prostitutas at home. Rosita spits in Magnus' face and slaps him, and a brawl breaks out with Mexican America beating Magnus and Williams down. Suddenly, Rob Terry ruins not just this segment, but the entire world by running out to make the save. Mexican America bails out to the floor as Rob Terry looks at them all angry.

We go to Jeff Jarrett and Karen Angle in Mexico City, and they've spent a week in paradise, and when they get back, they have presents for Hulk and Eric. Wait, I thought they didn't want to go to Mexico and Jeff was just joking? They're not supposed to like it there!

Bully Ray is in the locker room rallying the troops and gives Gunner the rest of the night off because he won again, then he pulls Abyss away from his porno mag to come out to ringside. Abyss can't find his mask, and slams the door shut so he can find it.

It's main event time!

Sting vs Scott Steiner

Steiner goes after Sting during introductions and beats him down in the corner, then hits a belly to belly suplex for 2. Steiner with an elbowdrop and the pushups, then goes back to working Sting over in the corner. Steiner tries a charge and Sting gets the boot up, then fires back with right hands and hits a series of clotheslines and a bulldog for 2. Sting goes for the Stinger Splash, but Steiner catches him coming in and counters to a Flatliner for 2. Steiner gets Sting in the Recliner, but Sting slips out and gets Steiner in the Scorpion Deathlock, but Steiner makes the ropes. Steiner with a T-bone suplex, but Sting reverses a whip and hits the Scorpion Deathdrop for the win.

Winner: Sting

Sting comes after Steiner with the face paint, Bully Ray tries to make the save, but Sting lays him out and goes after Ray with the paint. Anderson runs in and low blows Sting from behind, then hits an awkward Mic Check that looks like it dropped Sting on the top of his head. Anderson leaves and Ray and Steiner beat Sting down 2-on-1. Hulk Hogan's music hits and he comes out to the ring. Steiner and Ray hold Sting for Hogan and Hogan drills him with a taped right hand, but Kurt Angle runs out to make the save and fights Immortal off. Hogan yells angry things at Angle from the aisle as the show comes to an end.

2012 - EVOLVE held EVOLVE 16 on iPPV.   Stu Carapola filed the following report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of Evolve 16: Fish vs. Davis from Jacksonville, Florida.

 

Coverage will begin at 7:30 PM with the FUW portion of the iPPV. Coverage of the Evolve portion starts at approximately 9:00 PM.

In a pre-show dark match: Steel Horse Vachon versus Threat. Threat wins with a choke slam.

On the FUW portion of the iPPV.

Match Number One: Flash Championship Match: Rocky Santiago versus Maxwell Chicago versus Lince Dorado. Dorado defeats Chicago with a shooting star press to retain the title.

Match Number Two: Biff Slater versus Kory Chavis. Chavis defeats Slater with a Yakuza Kick.

Match Number Three: FUW Tag Title Match: James Boys versus Francisco Ciatso and Eric Cooper. The James Boys retain after hitting Cooper in the head with the cowbell when the referee was not looking.

Match Number Four: James Alexander versus Sam Shaw. Shaw defeats Alexander with an F-5 into a gutbuster.

Match Number Five: Fidel Sierra versus Kevin Sullivan. Sullivan defeats Sierra.

Match Number Six: FUW Heavyweight Title Match: Kahagas versus Michael Tarver. Kahagas retains with a round kick to the head.

 

This concludes the FUW portion of the iPPV.

There is a brief intermission as they set up the ring for Evolve 16: Fish versus Davis.

Lenny Leonard brings out the Open The Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano and he is not dressed to wrestle. Johnny is not happy to be in the ring not in his wrestling gear. Johnny says that he has been fighting some nagging back pain and he met with the doctor this morning and they won’t clear him to wrestle tonight.

Johnny says that there will be a lot of talent on the show and he wishes he could wrestle tonight.

Tony Nese comes out to the ring. He says that he did not come here to hear that Johnny was not cleared. Tony says that he did not come to Jacksonville not to face him. He says that Johnny has been milking this back injury and that he should man up. Tony says that if he was the Open the Freedom Gate champion he would accept all challenges.

Johnny reminds Tony that he is the Open the Freedom Gate Champion. Johnny says that he is the man. He says that if Tony wants to go tonight, he will do whatever it takes to wrestle tonight. He tells Tony he better be careful what he wishes for. His back might hurt, but his fists are okay and he is ready to punch Tony in the mouth.

 

Match Number One: The Scene (Caleb Konley and Scott Reed) versus Kennedy Kendrick and Damien Angel

 

Konley and Angel start things off and they lock up. Konley with a palm thrust and Irish whip but Angel with a head scissors take down. Angel with a knee to the midsection for a near fall. Reed tags in and he kicks Angel and connects with a forearm. Angel with a head scissors take down and drop kick. Angel with a leg lariat for a near fall.

Kendrick tags in and hits a reverse atomic drop followed by a clothesline from Angel. Kendrick with a baseball slide but Reed blocks it and slams Kendrick’s head into the apron and Konley with a kick to the head. Reed with a front face lock and Konley tags in and punches him.

Reed tags back in and they make a wish. Reed with a boot to the chest for a near fall. Konley tags back in and they hit a double spine buster followed by a double elbow drop for a near fall. Konley with a reverse chin lock. Konley with a drop kick to Kendrick and Reed tags in and gets a near fall. Kendrick with a super kick and both men are down.

Angel tags in and he hits a forearm on Reed and Konley. Angel with shoulders to both men. Konley and Reed stop Angel and kick him in the head. Reed and Konley with super kick to Kendrick. The Scene hits the double team DDT and German suplex and bridge for the three count.

 

Winner: The Scene

 

After the match, Lenny Leonard interviews The Scene and asks them about their four match winning streak. Lenny doesn’t want to have to deal with them. Scott mentions that Larry Dallas is watching from Japan and they miss him.

 

Match Number Two: Style Battle Tournament Match: Tommy Taylor versus AR Fox

 

They lock up and Taylor takes Fox to the mat and Fox goes to the floor to rethink his early strategy in the match. Taylor takes Fox to the mat and Taylor breaks the hold when Fox gets to the ropes. They lock up again and Fox backs Taylor into the corner and Fox with a clean break but Taylor takes Fox to the mat as he shows more aggression than the two previous nights.

They lock up again and Fox with a front face lock. Taylor rolls over and gets a near fall. Fox holds on to the front face lock. Taylor sends Fox to the floor and then he gets a near fall. Taylor with a European uppercut and then he steps on his hand. Taylor with another European uppercut that sends Fox to the floor.

Taylor gets a near fall. Taylor with a snap mare but Fox tries for a springboard move but Taylor catches him. Taylor gets a near fall. Taylor with a few neck breakers. Taylor tries for a slam but Fox with a rollup for a near fall. Taylor with a version of the Regal Stretch but Fox gets to the ropes.

Taylor chokes Fox in the ropes and he Irish whips Fox but Fox moves out of the way when Taylor charges into the corner and Fox with a springboard drop kick. Fox with a running clothesline into the corner and then he skins the cat into a hesitation kick.

Fox with a matrix to avoid a clothesline and then he hits an enzuigiri. Fox goes to the apron for a springboard 450 but Taylor moves. Taylor with a Regalplex and then he hits a cutter for a near fall. Taylor punches Fox and then he goes to the turnbuckles. Fox stops Taylor and hits a sunset flip power bomb and then rolls through for a bridge and gets the three count.

 

Winner: AR Fox

 

After the match, Lenny Leonard asks Fox about his victory. Fox says that he is happy with his victory tonight. He says that he is going to take this momentum to show why he is one of the best high flyers in the world.

Lince Dorado comes to the ring and he tells Fox that he is tired of hearing Fox talk about being the best. He wants to know where his spotlight is. He challenges Fox to a match, anyplace . . . anywhere . . . anytime.

Fox suggests that it happen right now.

 

Match Number Three: Lince Dorado versus AR Fox

 

Dorado with a kick and Tiger suplex for a near fall. Fox backs Dorado into the corner and he punches Dorado. Fox with a cutter and then he kips up for a second one. Fox with a Yakuza kick that sends Dorado over the top rope to the floor. Fox with a plancha onto Dorado.

Fox hits the moonsault off the ring post onto Dorado. They fight around the ring and Fox puts Dorado on the apron and connects with forearms. Fox hits the guillotine leg drop from the top turnbuckle. Fox with a double sledge to the back. Fox sends Dorado back into the ring and Dorado with a kick and forearm. Fox with shoulders in the corner. Fox with a kick to the midsection.

Dorado with an Irish whip but Dorado is sent to the apron. Dorado with a kick to the leg and a moonsault for a near fall. Dorado goes to the turnbuckles and hits a back senton for a near fall. Dorado with a chop but Fox with an elbow. Dorado sends Fox over the top rope to the floor.

Fox hits a corkscrew Asai moonsault. Dorado returns to the ring and hits a drop kick to Fox when he tries to get back into the ring. Dorado with a tope con hilo onto Fox. Dorado with a kick to Fox and then he chops him. Dorado returns Fox to the ring and he gets a near fall. Fox struggles to get back to his feet and Dorado with European uppercuts.

Fox with a rolling Death Valley Driver and then Fox goes up top for a Swanton but Dorado gets his knees up. Both men struggle to get back to their feet. Dorado with a chop and Fox with a forearm. Dorado with an open hand chop and Fox with a forearm. They continue to exchange shots with Fox getting the advantage. Fox with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner followed by skinning the cat and hesitation kick.

Fox with a running shooting star cannonball into the corner and gets a near fall. Fox puts Dorado on the turnbuckles but Dorado counters and hits a rana from the ropes for a near fall. Dorado avoids a punch and kicks Fox. Dorado with a flip DDT for a near fall. Dorado goes up top again and goes for a shooting star but it turns into a double stomp and he gets a near fall. Dorado with a moonsault for a near fall.

Fox with a head butt to the midsection. Fox with a forearm and then he connects with forearms on the turnbuckles. Fox is sent to the mat but Fox is able to hit the ropes to crotch Dorado. Fox sets up Dorado for Lo Mein Pain but Dorado with a kick to the chest. Fox blocks a kick and hits a super kick and enzuigiri. Fox hits Lo Mein Pain for the three count.

 

Winner: AR Fox

 

Match Number Four: Mike Cruz and Cheech versus Alex Reynolds and John Silver

 

Cruz and Silver start things off and they lock up and Silver works on the arm. Cruz reverses but Silver reverses with a flip. Silver with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Cruz kips up and hits an arm drag. Silver with a forearm but Cruz with a back heel kick. Silver with a forearm to the head but Cruz with a snap mare and kick to the head for a near fall.

Cruz sends Silver into the turnbuckles and he chops Silver. Silver with a chop of his own. Cruz with a forearm and chop. Cruz floats over on an Irish whip and Silver hits a European uppercut. Silver sends Cruz into the corner and he tags in Reynolds. They hit a double drop toe hold and double drop kick to the head for a near fall.

Cruz with chops and he tags in Cheech. Reynolds with an arm drag and running forearm into the corner. Reynolds with an Irish whip but Cheech with a head scissors that sends Reynolds to the floor. Cheech goes to the apron and Reynolds moves out of the way. Cheech with double knees to Reynolds. Silver with a flip dive. Cruz waits for everyone to get up on the floor and he hits a double jump senton onto everyone.

Cheech gets a near fall on Reynolds. Reynolds with forearms but Cheech with a head butt to the midsection. Cheech boxes the ears but Reynolds sends Cheech to the apron. Cheech avoids a shoulder and he kicks Reynolds. Cheech with a slingshot senton and Cruz hits a splash off Cheech’s back and Cheech gets a near fall.

Silver tags in and Cheech with a Gory Special and Cruz chops Silver and Cruz with a splash. Cheech gets Silver in the Billy Goat Curse and Cruz with a leg drop to Silver. Cheech gets a near fall on Silver. Silver with a waist lock on Cheech but Cheech with a standing switch. Silver drops down and kicks Cheech in the head. Silver and Reynolds with a series of kicks to Cheech and Reynolds gets a near fall.

Reynolds with a hard Irish whip to Cheech and he gets a near fall. Silver tags back in and he hits a splash for a near fall. Silver with an elbow drop to the throat. He connects with another one and gets a near fall. Cheech with an inside cradle to Silver for a near fall. Silver with a waist lock and he tries for a suplex and after Cheech blocks the first attempt, he hits it the second time and gets a near fall.

Reynolds tags back in and he applies a quarter nelson and chin lock followed by a neck breaker for a near fall. Silver tags back in and he stomps Cheech in the chest. He does it again. Silver with a European uppercut. Silver with an Irish whip but Cheech with an elbow. Silver tries for a slam but Cheech gets to his feet. Silver with elbows and he tries for a European uppercut and Cheech with a back slide for a near fall. Cheech with an X Factor for a near fall.

Cruz and Reynolds tag in and Cruz with chops and a flying forearm. Cruz with a running forearm into the corner but Reynolds with an Irish whip. Cruz floats over and then he hits a kick out of the opposite corner for a near fall. Cruz with a chop and European uppercut. Cruz hits Silver on the apron. Silver with a super kick and Reynolds hits a stunner out of a suplex and gets a near fall.

Cheech with a reverse suplex and then he charges into the corner but Reynolds with a double stomp. Reynolds with a running clothesline into the corner. Cruz with a running butt splash followed by an elbow and enzuigiri. Cheech with a kick to Reynolds followed by a springboard splash but Cruz but Silver breaks it up with a frog splash of his own. Silver with a kick to Cheech’s face and then he snap mares Cruz into Cheech. Silver with a half nelson suplex and then Reynolds and Silver hit a double package choke slam for the three count.

 

Winners: John Silver and Alex Reynolds

 

Match Number Five: Jake Manning (with Chuck Taylor) versus Blain Rage

 

Chuck brings out some water for Jake before the match so he can be properly hydrated. Jake reviews his scout manual. They lock up and Blain works on the wrist. Blain with a front face lock and knees to Manning. Manning with a hammer lock and side head lock. Manning with a shoulder tackle.

Rage with a drop toe hold and drop kick to Manning’s head. Manning avoids a kick and goes to the floor. Manning checks his scout manual for the proper way to fight Blain. Blain with a wrist lock but Manning puts Rage in the ropes. Rage with a knee lift and he gets a near fall.

Manning returns to the floor and he needs some more water to calm himself down. Taylor gets into the ring for a moment. Manning rolls into the ring and returns to the floor. Manning does the Scout Salute and he offers his hand to Blain. Manning with a kick and forearms. Blain charges into the corner and he hits the post with his shoulder. Manning with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall.

Manning punches Rage and he chokes Rage while talking to the referee. Manning with a delayed vertical suplex and he gets a near fall. Jake with a reverse chin lock. Rage with elbows to Manning. Manning with an elbow. Rage with a thrust to the throat followed by a clothesline. Rage with an enzuigiri. Rage with knees to the head followed by a snap mare and kick to the chest and he gets a near fall.

Rage puts Manning on the turnbuckles and he hits a kick to the midsection. Rage with a punch to Manning and Rage goes up top and hits a super rana. Rage goes up top and hits a missile drop kick for a near fall. Rage with an O’Connor Roll but Manning rolls through. Manning with a rollup and a handful of tights for the three count.

 

Winner: Jake Manning

 

Match Number Six: Non Title Match: Open the Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano versus Tony Nese

 

They lock up and Nese sends Gargano into the mat to work on the back. Nese with a front face lock and waist lock take down. They lock up and Nese with a full nelson into a leg take down. Nese with a half nelson using the leg and he gets a near fall with a rollup.

Nese with a shoulder tackle and Gargano rolls to the floor to stop Nese’s ability to work on the back. Nese tries for a baseball slide but Gargano moves. Gargano with a chop. Gargano with a sunset flip from the floor and he applies the Gargano Escape but Nese gets to the ropes.

Gargano with punches to Nese but Nese with an Irish whip. Gargano with a flatline into the corner followed by a knee and neck breaker. Nese with a back heel kick. Gargano with a kick and he clotheslines Nese over the top rope to the floor. Gargano thinks about a move to the floor but he lands on the apron. Gargano misses a kick from the apron and Nese trips Gargano and Johnny lands hard on the apron.

Nese with a forearm to Gargano. Nese runs Gargano’s back into the apron. Nese rolls Gargano back into the ring and Nese hits a springboard forearm for a near fall. Nese kicks Gargano in the chest. Nese with an emphatic slam for a near fall.

Nese with a waist lock. Gargano with elbows. Nese with a back breaker for a near fall. Nese punches Gargano and the referee warns him. Nese kicks Gargano in the back. Nese with a waist lock as he tries to exploit Gargano’s injured back. Gargano with elbows. Nese with an Irish whip and Nese is sent onto the apron. Gargano with a flatline and Nese with an enzuigiri and Gargano goes to the floor.

Nese with a back heel kick on the floor but Gargano with a spear from the apron and both men are down. Gargano with a flying forearm but Nese with an Irish whip. Garagano with the Gargano Escape in the ropes. Gargano with a rolling kick and sit out power bomb on Nese for a near fall. Nese rolls to the floor.

Gargano with a suicide dive onto Nese. Nese trips Gargano and then he tries for the double jump moonsault but Gargano moves. Gargano with a slingshot DDT for a near fall. Gargano with knees into the corner but Nese puts Gargano on the turnbuckles. Nese puts Gargano back on the turnbuckles and hits an enzuigiri and then hits a super rana for a near fall.

Nese with a punch to the head and Gargano with a forearm. They exchange punches until Gargano gets the advantage. Nese with a forearm but Gargano with an enzugiri. Nese with a matrix and back heel kick followed by a super kick. Gargano with a discus clothesline.

Gargano with slaps to Nese and he tries to slide between Nese’s legs but Nese stomps on the back. Nese with a running back elbow but Gargano with a running drop kick into the corner. Gargano with the lawn dart. Nese with a one arm buckle bomb followed by a running knee into the corner but he can only get a two count.

Nese tries for a belly-to-back but Gargano lands on his feet. Gargano with a super kick and he tries for a reverse rana but Nese escapes. Nese with a German suplex and bridge but Gargano kicks out at two. Nese puts Gargano on the turnbuckles and he sets for a German superplex but Gargano holds on to the ring post. Nese hits the German superplex and then he stays on the turnbuckles and tries for a 450 splash but Gargano gets his knees up.

Gargano has a super kick blocked. Gargano hits Hurts Donut and then he applies that Gargano Escape and Nese taps out.

 

Winner: Johnny Gargano

 

After the match, Lenny Leonard goes into the ring to interview Johnny Gargano. Johnny says that his back is hurting. As much as he doesn’t like Tony Nese, he says that Tony is a premier athlete. He says that he might be the Open the Freedom Gate Champion but Tony is good.

Johnny has something to say to Akira Tozawa. They have a date on July 28th in Taylor, Michigan. He says that the title means the world to him. Dragon Gate USA is the place that he calls home. He guarantees that he will fight through any injury to defend this title. He says that the title is going nowhere, as long as his heart is beating.

 

Match Number Seven: Grudge Match: Chuck Taylor (with Jake Manning and the Swamp Monster) versus Samuray Del Sol

 

They lock up and Taylor works on the wrist and he tells Del Sol to tap out now. Del Sol with an arm drag and Taylor goes into the ropes. Taylor has something to say to Manning and Swamp Monster before locking up again. Taylor with a side head lock but Del Sol with a top wrist lock but Taylor returns to the side head lock. Taylor with a shoulder tackle and then he yells at the fans. Taylor with a kick to the midsection and he tries for a leg sweep but Del Sol with a rana. Taylor with an arm drag for a near fall. Del Sol with a head scissors that sends Taylor the floor and Del Sol bounces off the ropes and back into the ring when Taylor moves.

Taylor returns to the ring and Taylor with a kick and punch to Del Sol. Taylor with a head butt and kick to Del Sol. Taylor with a thrust to the throat but Del Sol with a satellite arm drag and Del Sol with an arm bar submission and Taylor screams with a very high pitch voice. Del Sol with a form of an Indian Death Lock and Taylor gets to the ropes.

Del Sol with kicks to the midsection. Del Sol goes for the running knees into the corner but Taylor moves. Taylor chokes Del Sol. Taylor slams Del Sol a few times and then he gets a near fall. Taylor with a suplex but Del Sol with a rollup for a near fall. Taylor with a side slam and he gets a near fall. Taylor with a figure four head scissors.

Del Sol with elbows followed by an Asai DDT and both men are down. Del Sol with punches to Taylor followed by a back heel kick. Del Sol with a spin kick and he gets a near fall. Del Sol goes to the turnbuckles but Taylor blocks a Tornado DDT. Taylor with a choke but Del Sol gets to the ropes.

Taylor kicks Del Sol in the back and connects with a forearm. Del Sol with a satellite DDT and Taylor goes to the floor. Del Sol hits a flip dive onto Taylor. Taylor blocks a springboard rana attempt and gets a near fall with a sit out power bomb. Taylor says that it is over and he tries for the Awful Waffle but Del Sol counters. Del Sol hits the Code Red but can only get a two count.

Del Sol goes up top but Taylor hits an overhead belly-to-belly superplex. Taylor gets a near fall. Taylor goes to the turnbuckles to show that he is the best high flyer but he misses a moonsault. Del Sol hits the reverse rana for the three count.

 

Winner: Samuray Del Sol

 

Match Number Eight: Style Battle Tournament Match: Bobby Fish versus Jon Davis

 

They lock up and Davis backs Fish into the corner and Davis with a clean break. Fish with a waist lock and Davis with a standing switch. Fish with a drop toe hold and he works on the legs and tries for an STF but Davis escapes and Fish goes to the floor. Davis with a waist lock and he works on the wrist.

Fish with a single leg take down into a cross face but they roll into the ropes and Davis with a break. They lock up again and Davis with a side head lock. Fish with a drop kick to Davis and he knees Davis in the midsection to try to limit some of Davis’ power moves. Fish with more knees followed by a snap mare. Fish with a double jump slingshot senton for a near fall.

Davis punches Fish but Fish with a knee. Fish with a snap suplex and he gets a near fall. Fish with a kick to the chest. He follows with a forearm to the head and another kick. Davis with a chop to Fish. Fish with a kick to the chest and Davis with a chop.

Fish with another kick and Davis with another chop. Fish with a drop toe hold and a kick to the hamstring. Fish goes for the arm but Davis picks up Fish and hits a power slam and both men are down. Davis with a kick to the back followed by a forceful slam. Davis with another slam just as hard as the first, if not harder. Fish rolls to the ropes to stop the damage to his back.

Davis with a forearm to the back and a kick to the back. Davis with a delayed vertical suplex as the damage to the back continues and Davis gets a near fall. Davis with knees to the back. He backs Fish into the corner and he chops him. Davis with shoulders to the back. Davis with a hard Irish whip and he gets a near fall.

Fish with a forearm and punch to the midsection. Fish with another forearm to the head but Davis with a forearm of his own. Davis with a belly-to-back suplex and he goes to the second turnbuckle but misses a moonsault.

They both return to their feet at the same time. Fish with a punch and a series of kicks to Davis. Davis with an elbow but Fish with a round kick to the head and Fish gets a near fall. Fish goes up top and tries for a moonsault but Fish lands on his feet. Davis goes to the floor and Fish with a pescado onto Davis.

Fish sends Davis back into the ring and Fish goes up top and hits a diving head butt and gets a near fall. Fish with a knee to the thigh and a kick to the other leg followed by a dragon screw leg whip. Davis pushes Fish away but Fish with a round kick. Davis with a facebuster followed by a forearm and lariat for a near fall.

Fish with a cross arm breaker but Davis gets to the ropes. Davis with a deadlift German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Fish with a kick to the ankle and he gives a single leg take down. Fish gets kicked away. Davis with a suplex and near fall into a Boston Crab. Davis gets a near fall but Fish reverses.

Fish applies the Fish Hook but Davis gets to the ropes. Davis has trouble getting to his feet and Fish with a forearm to the back. Davis goes down to the mat again. Fish misses a knee to the head and Davis hits Three Seconds Around the World and gets a near fall.

Both men are down and the referee lets them get up without starting a count. Fish with an Exploder suplex into the turnbuckles and both men are down again. Fish climbs the turnbuckles while Davis is on the apron. He pulls Davis onto the turnbuckles. Davis with a forearm and elbow to knock Fish to the mat. Fish with a kick to the ankle and then Fish hits a superplex and Fish gets a near fall.

Fish gets to his feet first and he misses a charge into the corner. Davis with a buckle bomb but he misses a shot in the corner. Davis with a POUNCE but Fish gets up. Davis with a lariat and then Davis hits Three Seconds Around the World for the three count.

 

Winner: Jon Davis

 

After the match, Lenny Leonard goes to the ring to interview Jon Davis. He asks Jon about the comments he made after the last Evolve shows and congratulates him on his victory.

Jon says that he faced Finlay in North Carolina and lost. Then he faced Low Ki and lost. He says that he has a family to feed and people to look up to. He was not going to let them down. He says that he is the Style Battle Champion. The operative word is champion. He says that Evolve needs a title. He says that the title belongs around his waist.

Jon thanks everyone in the back who had faith in him. He thanks his friends and the fans who supported him and told him not to give up. He thanks everyone who had faith in him.

This concludes Evolve 16: Fish vs. Davis

2012 - Extreme Rising ran Philadelphia, PA.  Mike Johnson filed the following live report:

We are live at Extreme Rising in Philadelphia, PA at the National Guard Armory. 

The show opened with a local hardcore band Eat the Turnbuckles playing.  They did all sorts of wrestling based antics with barbed wire, chairs, guitars and one guy even came off the top of a van onto a table.  The crowd wasn't happy about them. 

Stephen DeAngelis came to the ring.  He introduced Robby Mireno.  He got booed in his own hometown.  He tried to tell them that he stood up for Philly last night in NYC but the crowd still razzed him, so he heeled them.  Ah, Philadelphia.

Joel Gertner made his way to the ring.   The place chanted for him.  

Papadon vs. Perry Saturn

The fans were all over him so Papadon demanded that DeAngelis make it clear that he's not gay.  Papadon then demanded he be announced as the greatest unsigned talent in the wrestling world today.

Saturn got a huge pop and immediately went into the bleacher and walked across the entire length.  There was a huge "Perry" chant.   Saturn literally went around to every corner of the building before getting into the ring.   Saturn received a big "Welcome Back" chant.   Saturn took the mic and said, "E C F***ing W."  That of course led to a huge ECW chant.  

They locked up and Papadon backed off and went to the floor.   The ever polite Philly crowd chanted, "You suck d***."  Saturn went to the floor but Don slipped back in before he could get him.   Saturn asked for a mic.   He said that he hasn't been here in a long time but it appears everyone knows Papadon is a huge c**sucker.  The mic died so it didn't get much of a response.

They finally locked up and they went back and forth until Saturn drills him with a clothesline and then another Cactus Clothesline over the top to the floor.  He beats the hell out of Papadon on the floor and tosses him back into the ring.

Jersey Shore from Raven's flock last time here hits the ring and attacks Saturn.  They double on him until Gary Wolfe's music hits and Wolfe made the save.  Wolfe battled Shore to the floor.  The crowd chanted for "Pitbull."  

Saturn whipped Papadon into the ropes and as he bounced back towards Saturn, Saturn hit the legsweep from Total Elimination for the pin.

Your winner, Perry Saturn!

The match was more of a spectacle for Saturn's homecoming than a competitive bout.  There was a lot of glad-handing to the crowd, but they loved seeing Saturn.  They didn't do much in the ring, but what they did got a reaction and worked.  Saturn obviously can't go like he used to but they structured it right as a way to spotlight him.  Papadon looked great tonight and as I've written in the past, he's got it and deserves a shot in a major way  I was really happy to see him get booked here.  The run-in was a nice way to get Wolfe on the show and he got a nice pop coming out.

The FBI vs. Los Dramaticos

They did some really good wrestling to kick off the bout.  The Dramaticos worked over Mamaluke early.  Guido tagged in and he went back and forth with the larger Dramatico.  Mamaluke held the ropes open for the Dramatico to hit the floor.  Guido went to the floor.  Mamaluke went for a dive through the ropes but was caught and turned into a tornado DDT on the floor.  The smaller Dramatico hit a moonsault to the floor on all involved.

Back in the ring, the smaller Dramatico worked over Mamaluk.  He went for a top rope rana but Guido held onto Tony to prevent it.  That allowed the FBI to take over and work over the smaller Dramatico.  Mamaluke held him in place as Guido scored with kicks to the arm and the legs.

Guido whipped the Dramatico into the ropes but he nailed a sunset flip.  Guido rolled through and dropkicked him for a two count.  Mamaluke and Guido took turns working him over.   The Dramatico ducked a Mamaluke kick and made the hot tag to the larger Dramatico.

The Dramaticos worked on Mamaluke and went for the Spanish Fly but Guido nailed one with a Russian Legsweep.   Mamaluke grabbed a forward choke standing on the ropes with the other but was suplexed into the ring from that position.

Guido was left in the ring and the Dramaticos worked him over with a series of backdrops.  They turned their attention back to Mamaluke and nailed the Spanish Fly off the top for a two count.  The move received an ECW chant.

One of the Dramaticos went for an Electric Chair but Guido tripped him from outside.  Mamaluke landed on top and hooked the legs for the pin.

Your winners, The FBI!

Solid back and forth match with some good action.

CW Anderson vs. Balls Mahoney (with The Blue Meanie)

They locked up and Anderson focused on Mahoney's arm.  Balls made it to the ropes to break it and went for his chair but John Finnegan grabbed it away.

They locked up and Mahoney's arm was worked over again.  He fought back and Anderson went to the floor.  Mahoney followed and brawled with Anderson, nailing him with a beer and whipping him into the railing.  Mahoney took a sign from a fan and nailed Anderson with it.  There was a road sign underneath.

Meanie and Balls pinballed Anderson back and forth with punches as the crowd chanted "Blue" and "Balls."  I cracked up at that.   Back in the ring, Mahoney peppered Anderson with a series of punches in the corner then whipped him into the opposite corner.  He charged but Anderson evaded and Mahoney hit his shoulder on the ringpost.

Anderson rammed Mahoney shoulder-first into the ringpost.   He placed the road sign on Balls' shoulder and stomped it.   He locked on an armbar and yanked at Balls' arm.  He began beating Balls with shots across the back but Balls made a comeback.  Anderson superkicked him and covered him for a two count.

Anderson continued working on Mahoney's arm and covered him for a two count.   Mahoney caught him out of nowhere with a sitdown spinebuster for a two count.  Anderson caught him with a spinebuster for a two count.  He kicked Balls and wedged a chair in the corner.

Anderson tried to whip Balls into the corner but it was reversed.  Anderson stopped himself before hitting the chair and rammed Balls into it.  Meanie hit the ring looking to nail Anderson with a chair but it was superkicked in his face.

"Enter Sandman" hit and out came the Sandman to a huge pop.  He headed right to the ring and got in Anderson's face.  They went nose to nose.  Anderson slapped him so Sandman kicked him and nailed him across the back with the cane, then hit the White Russian Legsweep.

Mahoney and Anderson went back and forth.  Mahoney drilled him with a right and Meanie nailed Anderson with the chair.  Mahoney covered him for the pin.

Your winner, Balls Mahoney!

Sandman took the mic and said he was going to get a little drunk now and asked if there was anyone who wanted to get in the ring with him and drink a beer.  They got a few guys and girls to do it before Sandman thanked the crowd and said, "we gotta get the f*** outta here."

Entertaining stuff here.  Anderson looked great and vicious as a heel.   I like the Mahoney-Meanie tandem. Sandman's antics never get old with me.  

Shane Douglas came out and said it was great to see the home of Extreme.  He cut a promo ripping on Eric Bischoff, Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon.   Douglas said that in 1994, Paul Heyman had a vision to change pro wrestling forever.  He called AAA and said that ECW fans were ready to see some great Luchadors.  He cut a great promo putting over the Extreme Lucha match and said that it was time to get the party started.

Pescadilla vs. Bestia 666

  They started out with some really strong mat wrestling back and forth early.  Bestia nailed Pescadilla with a head scissors takeover.  They exchanged a series of two counts and faced off.

Pescadilla offered his hand and when Bestia took it, he kicked him in the gut.  Pescadilla nailed a series of chops and went for a tiltowhirl backbreaker but Bestia landed on his feet and nailed a dropkick.  Bestia nailed a nice twisting dive over the top to the floor.

Back in the ring, Bestia nailed the muscle buster and hit the standing moonsault for the pin

Fall one: Bestia!

Fall Two started with them chopping each other on the floor and then in the ring.  Bestia nailed a legdrop when Pescadilla dropped down during a criss cross.  Bestia went for a head scissors but was slammed down face-first on the mat  Pescadilla was sent through the ropes to the floor.  Bestia slid out but was caught with a DDT on the floor.  Pescadilla nailed a moonsault from the top to the floor.  The place chanted "ECW."

They battled in the aisle and back into the ring.   Pescadilla used a neckbreaker for a two count.  Bestia used a springboard off the ropes as a way to dive Pescadilla into his knees.  Bestia was backdropped over the top to the apron.  They battled on the apron and Pescadilla nailed a Spanish Fly off the apron to the floor for the pin.

Fall Two: Pescadilla!

The crowd began chanting, "This is awesome."

They brawled on the floor and into the crowd.   A barbed wire chair was tossed into the rng. Bestia was tied to the tree of woe.  Pescadilla placed the barbed wire chair in his face and nailed a dropkick into it.  He worked over Bestia with a series of punches in the corner as the crowd chanted in Spanish.

The building began chanting "Lucha Libre."  Pescadilla went for a Razor's Edge but Bestia slipped out and nailed a suplex for a two count.    They battled to the outside where Pescadilla was slammed on a barbed wire table.  Bestia beat him with a chair and then came off the top with a senton for the pin.

Your winner, Bestia 666!

Great brawl and some fun Lucha spots.  This got over really big with the live crowd.  The pace was really good.  Entertaining as hell.

Stevie Richards vs. Luke Hawx

Hawx grabbed the mic before the match.  He said he beat Richards' ass last night and would have no problem doing it tonight.   Richards slapped him.   They locked up and Hawx backed him up into the corner.

Hawx chopped the hell out of Richards but was backdropped over.  Richards worked over Hawx and nailed a neckbreaker.    They battled back and forth.  Richards was placed on the top and Hawx nailed a rana off the top.

Hawx nailed a series of kicks to Richards and started Richards in the corner.  Richards tried to psych himself upbut was cut off with a savate kick across the chest.   Hawx cinched in a side chinlock.  The crowd chanted for Richards.  He fought out but was cut off and nailed a neckbreaker.  He followed up with another.

Hawx was backdropped over the top to the floor.  Richards followed him out.  They chopped each other back and forth.   Hawx tossed Richards back into the ring and back out to the floor.  Back in the ring, they traded punches in the center of the ring.  Hawx blocked one and spun Richards around, nailing a kick to the head.

Richards kicked Hawx in the face and backdropped him over the top.  Hawx landed on the apron and leapt over the ropes into a DDT.   Hawx went to the top with a chair and leapt off but was Steviekicked in the face as he came down for the pin.

Your winner, Stevie Richards!

Hawx attacked Richards after the match and nailed him with a piledriver.  The crowd chanted, "You suck dick."  He drilled Richards with another sick looking move.

Hawx took the mic and said he wanted Shane Douglas to know that while he took out Richards, he'd rather it was him.  Hawx was forced to the back by Atlas Security.

The crowd chanted for Richards.  He pulled himself to his feet.  They chanted, "You still got it."

Really good match.

Devon Storm vs. Sabu

Big pop for Sabu.   They started out fast.  Crowbar nailed a back elbow and began choking Sabu with his tuban.   They went to the outside, where they battled back and forth.  A chair was tossed into the ring.

Back in the ring, Storm worked over Sabu with kicks in the corner.  He whipped Sabu into the ropes.  Sabu ducked a clothesline and nailed a springboard leg lariat, then a legdrop.   He set up Storm for Air Sabu but Storm escaped to the floor.  Sabu dove over the top to the floor on Storm.

Sabu nailed a slingshot somersault legdrop for a two count.  He locked in a Camel Clutch.  He flung a chair at Storm's head in the corner.  They battled in the corner where Storm choked at Sabu.  He came off the top with a dropkick.   Crowbar nailed a Russian legsweep for a two count.

Storm locked in a submission.  Storm suplexed Sabu.  They battled back to the floor.  Storm worked over Sabu and grabbed a piece of the guard rail.   He placed the railing across the ropes and a chair.  He placed Sabu across the rail and nailed a quebrada onto it.  He covered Sabu for a two count.

They battled in the corner.  Sabu whipped Storm into the corner but he went up and over and caught Sabu with an overhead throw suplex.   Storm charged with a chair but Sabu kicked him off.  He charged Storm but was nailed hard in the face.  Sabu battled back and drilled Storm with Air Sabu off the chair in the corner.

Storm cut off Sabu.  He went for a high cross bodyblock into the ropes.  Sabu went through the ropes.  They battled on the outside.   They battled over a chair.  Sabu won and flung it at Storm's face.   Sabu hit Air Sabu on the floor against the rail, sending Storm into the crowd.  Sabu dove off a chair, hit a springboard and dove into the crowd on Storm.

Sabu went for an Asai Moonsault to the outside but Storm grabbed his leg and slammed him facefirst into the apron.   Storm slid a table into the ring but was cut off by Sabu.  Sabu set up the table but was caught with a sitdown slam by Storm.  He placed Storm face first on the table and went for an Arabian Facebuster through a table.  Sabu slipped and told the fans "one second" then jumped back up and nailed the Facebuster.  Sabu finally covered Storm but he kicked up.

Sabu rained down with punches on Storm.  Storm fought back and came off the top with a splash for a two count.   He went back to the top but was cut off and nailed with a springboard into a rana off the top.   Sabu came off the top with the Arabian Facebuster for the pin.

Your winner, Sabu!

Sabu offered his hand to Storm.  Storm looked at him and took it and they hugged.  Storm then nailed Sabu and worked him over with a chair.  Storm stood over him and mocked him and the fans.  Storm walked out but sat on the apron jawing with a fan.  Sabu dropkicked him off the apron.  They brawled to the back.

A hell of a war of crazy spots and stunts.  Real damn entertaining.  It probably went a little too long considering how much mileage is on Sabu's odometer but when he nails his stuff, damn it's awesome.  This was three in a row here for great performances from Storm as well.   Good stuff.

BLK OUT vs. The Gangstas

The Gangstas came out with a slew of weapons and the plunder began as they were brawling.   Jack broke a pool cue over someone.   BLK OUT was tossed into the floor, where the war continued.

They brawled into the crowd.  Jack threw Ruckus hard through a row of chairs.   They brawled into a corner of the venue where The Gangstas set up a table,  Jack dove off the side of the bleachers and put someone through a table.

They dragged BLK OUT back to the ring where Jack came off the top with a chair and pinned them.

Your winners, The Gangstas!

New Jack took the mic and said they are giving a rebirth to what they started.  He said a bunch of people wrong.  Jack said they never forgot where they started and it was right here in Philly.  He said they ripped the roof off the Bingo Hall and 20 years later, they are doing it again.  He said that they have nothing but love for all the true extreme fans.

Homicide vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jerry Lynn

Hardy tackled Homicide immediately.  Homicide bailed out.  Hardy and Lynn.  Lynn bulldogged Homicide.   Hardy grabbed a side headlock.  He and Hardy began working over each other's arms but Homicide drilled both with a double clothesline.  The crowd was all over Hardy early.

Homicide worked over both men with axehandles.  Homicide drilled Lynn with a right.  Hardy nailed Homicide but Homicide got the better of him.   He drilled Hardy with an uppercut in the corner.  Lynn caught Homicide with a tiltowhirl backbreaker.

Homicide peppered Haardy with punches and covered him for a two count.  Homicide worked over Hardy with a series of uppercuts.  They all battled to the outside, where a table was set up.

They battled back into the ring, where Hardy slammed Homicide.  Hardy came off the apron and attacked Homicide.  Lynn dove off the top to the floor on both of them. 

Homicide and Lynn battled back into the ring.  Homicide drilled him and set up a chair in the corner.  Homicide began preparing Lynn to throw him into it but was caught in the Sidewinder by Hardy.    Lynn nailed a sunset flip on Hardy, who suplexed Hardy over at the same time.   Nice spot.

Hardy went to come off the ropes with his legdrop but had his legs swept by Homicide.   Hardy and Homicide battled on the ropes.  Lynn nailed a sunset flip on both of them for a two count.  

Lynn tossed Homicide to the outside.  He nailed a guillotine legdrop on Hardy, who was in the ropes.   Hardy nailed the Twist of Fate on Homicide for a two.  Hardy nailed a sideslam and then went to the top for a moonsault, but missed.

Lynn went to the top but was caught with an Ace Crusher off the ropes for a two count,   Homicide grabbed a chair and worked over Hardy.   Reby Sky covered Hardy.  Homicide teased hitting her with the chair.   He went for the CopKilla on her but Lynn nailed Homicide and went for the cradle piledriver but was nailed.  Hardy was checking on Sky, but was attacked by Homicide and nailed with the Cop Killer for the pin.

Your winner, Homicide!

Lynn attacked Homicide and nailed the cradle piledriver.   Hardy and Lynn bridged a table across the ring.  Sky came off the ropes and put Homicide through a table with an elbowdrop.

The show ended with Homicide carried out while Sky, on Hardy's shoulders, celebrated with Lynn.

That's all from Philadelphia!

Another really strong match. 

A major improvement from the last show here.  I think Queens was a better show overall but this was a solid string of action all night.  Much, Much better than their debut show.

2013 - Traditional Championship Wrestling in Arkansas signed a new deal with Pursuit TV, which gave them clearances on satellite providers Dish Network and DirecTV. Here is the official press release:

PURSUIT CHANNEL DEBUTS TCW WRESTLING

LITTLE ROCK, AR. - TCW Wrestling and the Pursuit Channel today announced that TCW's weekly 1-hour HD professional wrestling program will air beginning on Fridays at midnight central time. TCW Wrestling will debut on July 5, 2013 and feature professional wrestlers around the world. The show will be available in over 37-million U.S. television households on the Pursuit Channel, a specialty television channel that airs program geared to hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and ring sports. It will air on Dish Network channel 240/393 and DIRECTV channel 604.

"This is an exciting opportunity that opens the doors to in exess of 37-million homes. We look forward to a long relationship with the Pursuit Channel," said Tom Parker, VP of Talent Relations, TCW Wrestling. "We are excited about bringing our fans to the Pursuit Channel every Friday night."

TCW Wrestling features professional wrestling that is hard hitting and realistic in nature. Taped in an intimate setting, TCW brings back the "old school" feel that fans of the squared circle enjoyed for many years.

About TCW:
TCW, a professional wrestling company, is independently owned and based in Little Rock, AR. The company consists of a passionate group of veterans and young stars that seek to re-create the art of wrestling. TCW is committed to providing hard-hitting, family-oriented entertainment to the masses in a logical, realistic format.

Additional information on TCW can be found at tcwwrestling.com.

About Pursuit Channel:
The Pursuit Channel is based in Luverne, Alabama and launched in 2008. It's tag line is "IT'S A WAY OF LIFE." For more information, visit www.pursuitchannel.com

2013 - The TNA Knockouts Tag Team championship, last held by ODB and Eric Young, were retired quietly by the promotion.

2014 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

Tonight’s show starts off with a look back at the most important ladder match in the history of ladder matches in the history of the WWE from Money in the Bank. Who was the man who climbed the ladder to bring down the golden hanger holding the two WWE Title belts?

We are in Hartford, Connecticut and your announcers are John ‘Best’ Layfield, Jerry ‘for’ Lawler, and Michael ‘Business’ Cole.

Triple H makes his way to the ring and he is accompanied by his wife, a principal owner of the WWE.

Stephanie has the mic and she says that it is an amazing homecoming. She says that she was born in Hartford. Truthfully, they feel privileged to celebrate last night’s pay per view. They started the night with Daniel Bryan. Unfortunately, Daniel’s recovery will take longer than everyone had hoped.

Stephanie says that they are in the business of making history, not living in the past. They did that when Seth beat six competitors (five in the match) win the briefcase and guarantee that he will become the WWE Champion.

Hunter says that Seth is the future of the WWE.

Last night, for the first time ever, the WWE Championship was decided in an eight man ladder match. The man who won is an A+ player. This man became a 15 time champion.

Triple H brings out the brand new WWE Champion, John Cena.

John wears the titles around his neck like a Tallit.

John says that the crowd has something to say first. John mentions Daniel Bryan and that Daniel said that he would be back and better than ever. John tells Daniel that he will give him an opportunity to regain the championships that he never lost . . . Yes.

Stephanie asks how many people here are gamers because to celebrate his 15th title, he will be on the cover for WWE 2K15.

Stephanie says that they are proud of this and she congratulates John.

John thanks Stephanie and he says that it is an honor to be on the cover of the video game, but this is not right. They are being way too nice, way too soon. John says that he was there last night and he saw a different look on their faces. John shows the look of utter disdain on Stephanie and Hunter’s face.

Stephanie says that they were concerned about Randy. John says that Orton, Kane, and Rollins are in their back pockets. John says that they do not control him and the Champ is Here.

Hunter tells John to chill homey.

John tells Hunter he will kick his ass if he wants to.

Hunter says that they never had a problem with John. It is okay that he is on the cover of magazines and a big superstar making movies. It does not bother him that he is the champion . . . as long as John does it with respect. John knows as well as he does that this can go away . . . like that. You can do things the easy way . . . or the hard way.

John says that he will do it the hard way.

Hunter tells John, Hard Way it shall be. At Battleground, John will defend the title in a Fatal Four Way Match.

Stephanie explains the rules of a Fatal Four Way Match in case people don’t understand.

Hunter says two of the people in the match will be John’s opponents tonight. It will be Randy Orton and Kane. John will have a partner against Orton and Kane. His partner will be the fourth man in the match . . . Roman Reigns.

Hunter tells John to enjoy the moment because it will go fast.

John says that if he keeps the title at Battleground, he knows that he will have earned it. It is as bad as swimming in a pool of crap. It is as bad as being pushed into a pool of crap.

John leaves the ring and Hunter tells John at Battleground, he is in a Fatal Four Way and if he survives it . . . there is always a Plan B.

Seth Rollins’ music plays and he has the briefcase with him as he walks to the ring.

 

Match Number One: Seth Rollins versus Rob Van Dam

 

They lock up and Rollins with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Van Dam with a monkey flip and Rollins goes to the floor. Van Dam waits for Rollins to get back into the ring. Rollins with kicks to the leg and then Rollins with a single leg take down but Van Dam kicks Rollins away. Rollins goes to the floor.

Rollins with kicks to the leg but Van Dam kicks back. Van Dam with an enzuigiri to Rollins. Van Dam with forearms and the referee pulls Van Dam out of the corner. Van Dam with shoulders to the back. Van Dam with a spinning heel kick into the corner.

Van Dam with a standing moonsault and he gets a near fall. Van Dam with forearms and he kicks Rollins in the corner. Rollins with an Irish whip and Van Dam with a float over. Van Dam tries for a monkey flip but Rollins blocks it. Van Dam with an abdominal stretch into a rollup and Rollins gets to the ropes.

Rollins goes to the floor and Van Dam follows. Rollins with a clothesline to Van Dam and we go to commercial.

We are back and Rollins stands over Van Dam. Van Dam with a kick and punches. Rollins rolls through into a single leg crab. Van Dam gets to the ropes but Rollins pulls Van Dam into the center of the ring. Van Dam powers out of the hold. Van Dam has a kick blocked but Van Dam with a body scissors for a near fall.

Van Dam with two clotheslines and a kick to the head. Van Dam with Rolling Thunder to the back for a near fall. Van Dam with a back breaker and then he goes up top for a split legged moonsault to the back and then he gets a near fall with a jackknife cover. Van Dam ha a kick blocked and Rollins with a dragon screw leg whip. Rollins tries for the Buckle Bomb but he cannot keep Van Dam up because of the damage to the back.

Van Dam counters a Buckle Bomb attempt with a rana that sends Rollins into the turnbuckles. Van Dam goes up top and Rollins rolls to the floor but he moves towards the corner where Van Dam is perched and Rob hits a cross body onto Rollins.

Rollins has Van Dam’s leg while Van Dam is still on the apron and he hits another dragon screw leg whip. Rollins with Black Out and he gets the three count.

 

Winner: Seth Rollins

 

After the match Renee Young interviews Seth in the ring and Seth tells Toots to call him Mr. Money in the Bank. He says it ain’t arrogance when you can back it up. He says that y’all bitter that he was right and you were wrong. This is his golden ticket. It is a contract for a shot at the WWE Championship any time, anywhere.

Dean Ambrose appears on the TitanTron and he says from one scumbag to another, do you really think this is over? You didn’t win last night. Your Plan A failed miserably so you daddy’s Plan B had to come down and knock him off the ladder. Dean says that it might be more fun this way. Any time you think about cashing in the contract, he will be there. He will haunt you. Make all the plans you want. The briefcase is not filled with a contract, it is filled with TNT. Any time you try to cash it in, it will blow up in your face.

We are back and Lana says that Rusev’s last opponent was a failure. That is okay because the USA is accustomed to failure. In fact, it is woven in your culture. Lana tells the USA chants to stop. You teach your children it is not about winning and losing, it is about participating. You lie to your children when you say the US is the greatest country in the world. There is only one super power in the world. It is led by the greatest leader in the world, Vladimir Putin. No one can stop the onslaught of Russia. No one can stop the onslaught of Rusev.

Who will be America’s next failure to compete against Rusev.

Rusev gets on the mic and Rusev says Rusev crush.

Jack Swagger comes out and he is joined by Zeb Colter, who has a mic. Zeb says that he is sick and tired of hearing Lana come out week after week and slamming this country. Zeb tells Lana to shut the hell up. Zeb tells Lana . . . if that is your real name, that she is able to do that because of Freedom of Speech. That also means that he can say whatever he wants when he wants to.

He tells Boris and Natasha that they couldn’t come to their country and tell the pack of lies because of the freedoms we have here. Zeb tells Lana that she said something that was interesting. He knows something that can stop the Rusev Crush. A Real American can stop it. Zeb wants Rusev and Lana to listen to everyone say ‘We The People”.

Lana holds Rusev back and tells him to leave the ring.

Swagger with arm drags when Rusev’s retreat was just a trap.

The Usos and Sheamus are walking in the back as we go to commercial.

 

Match Number Two: Sheamus, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso versus Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan

 

Jey and Rowan start things off and Jey with punches but Rowan with a knee and Jimmy makes the tag. They connect with punches to Rowan but Rowan pushes them away. They hit a double kick and then they clothesline Rowan over the top to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Rowan works on Jimmy’s neck. Jimmy with punches but Rowan pulls him to the mat by the hair. Rowan rakes the face of Jimmy and then he tags in Wyatt. Rowan holds Jimmy in the corner for a splash from Wyatt. Wyatt with a boot to Jimmy’s chest and Harper tags in. Harper with palm thrusts to the chest. Harper sends Jimmy into the turnbuckles but he runs into an elbow and boot. Jimmy goes up top for a corkscrew moonsault and both men are down.

Sheamus and Rowan tag in and Sheamus with a double sledge followed by a shoulder in the corner and a knee lift. Sheamus sends Rowan to the apron and it is time for the forearms to the chest. Harper pulls Rowan out of danger. Sheamus goes up top and he hits a shoulder tackle on Harper and Rowan.

Sheamus sends Rowan back into the ring and Sheamus with a power slam. Sheamus looks around to do the Brogue Kick, but Wyatt distracts Sheamus and Rowan sends Sheamus over the top to the floor.

Harper tags in and Harper connects with a running boot to the head and Sheamus is down. Wyatt tags in and he hit a back senton and he gets a near fall. Wyatt with a boot to the back of the head. Rowan tags in and after an uppercut from Wyatt, Rowan with a slam and a splash for a near fall. Rowan with the double atomic noogie. Rowan gets a near fall. Sheamus tries to fight out of the corner but Wyatt tags in and he punches Sheamus.

Wyatt sends Sheamus into the turnbuckles and then he punches Sheamus. Wyatt runs into a boot from Sheamus and Sheamus goes up top, but Wyatt with an uppercut and Sheamus is down on the floor. Harper tags in and he chops Sheamus against the announce table. They exchange punches but Harper runs Sheamus into the apron and connects with a boot to the head.

Sheamus tries to get Harper on his shoulders but Harper with a super kick and he gets a near fall. Harper knocks Jimmy off the apron. Sheamus with a uranage back breaker and both men are down. Jey tags in and he hits a cross body and he follows with a super kick and drop kick that sends Harper to the floor. Jey with a plancha onto Harper.

Jey sends Harper back in and he goes up top and he leaps over Harper. Jey with a spinning heel kick followed by a super kick but Rowan breaks up the cover. Sheamus with a Brogue kick to Rowan and Jimmy with a plancha onto Rowan. Wyatt with a uranage to Sheamus. Wyatt avoids Jimmy’s super kick and Harper with a discus lariat for the three count.

 

Winners: Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan

 

Tom Phillips is in the interview area with Nikki Bella. Tom asks Nikki about Brie being asked to leave during Money in the Bank. Nikki says that Brie was her guest and she didn’t think she was making a mistake by bringing her sister.

Stephanie McMahon enters and she tells Nikki that her and Brie have a match against Cameron and Naomi. Stephanie reminds Nikki that Brie no longer works here so it is a handicap match.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Bo Dallas is on the stage. He thanks everyone. He asks everyone to join him for sixty seconds of silence for two great superstars who are physically unable to compete these days. Bad News Barrett and Daniel Bryan.

Bo assumes the pose for the sixty seconds of silence while the crowd has as much trouble realizing that JBL was not in the six man tag match to understand the meaning of the word ‘Silence’.

The lights go back up. He says that he was the voice of inspiration for Daniel Bryan last night. He was also the bigger man.

We take a look at what happened during the Kickoff Show, which you can see on the WWE Network.

Bo tells us to not stop BOLIEVING.

 

Match Number Three: Nikki Bella (and Brie Bella, if she was still in the WWE) versus Cameron and Naomi

 

Cameron pie faces Nikki and she sends Nikki to the mat by the hair. Cameron gets a near fall. Nikki with forearms but Cameron with an Irish whip. Cameron runs into an uppercut. Nikki with a face buster for a near fall. Nikki pulls Cameron from the ropes but Cameron kicks Nikki away.

Naomi tags in and she kicks Nikki in the head. Naomi with a cross body followed by the inverted DDT for the three count.

 

Winners: Cameron and Naomi

 

After the match, Cameron and Naomi argue about winning the match. Cameron pushes Naomi and Naomi pushes back.

We are back and we go back to Smackdown when Jack Swagger attacked Wade Barrett after his match against Dean Ambrose and Barrett suffered a separated shoulder.

Cole says that he will be out of action for a number of months. The Intercontinental Championship is vacated. There will be a battle royal to determine the new Intercontinental Champion.

Paul Heyman makes his way to the ring and he tells us who he is and the fact that he is the one behind the one in Twenty-One and One. Paul reminds us that his client BROCK LESNAR conquered the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania. Paul says that he is the recipient of magnificent news that Wade Barrett is injured and needs to undergo surgery so the title is vacant.

That is great because he is the one behind the one who won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at Wrestlemania. Therefore, in the battle royal to determine the new Intercontinental Champion, his client is the number one seed. Therefore, he gives to you a Paul Heyman guy who is Battle Royalty.

We go to Kofi Kingston in the Goldman Box. He says that the Battle Royal at Battleground will be a great opportunity to become the Intercontinental Champion again.

 

Match Number Four: Kofi Kingston versus Cesaro (with Paul Heyman)

 

Cesaro with a waist lock and Kofi with a reversal into a front face lock. Cesaro with a kick and punches followed by a slap. Cesaro with a European uppercut followed by an Irish whip. Kofi with a pendulum kick followed by a springboard cross body for a near fall. Kofi with a monkey flip that sends Cesaro to the floor. Kofi with a flip dive onto Cesaro.

Kofi gets a near fall. Kofi goes up top and Cesaro catches him and hits a back breaker. Cesaro with a boot to the back and then he works on the arm. Cesaro with punches followed by a butterfly suplex and cover for a near fall. Cesaro with a reverse chin lock. Kofi with punches but Cesaro with a clothesline for a near fall.

Cesaro with a double stomp to Kofi and then he kicks Kofi in the back of the head. Cesaro with a slam and then he signals for the swing. Cesaro picks up Kofi for the swing, but he defies the crowd’s wishes and he kicks Kofi in the back while Paul applauds Cesaro’s metaphorical middle finger to the crowd. Cesaro with a reverse chin lock.

Kofi with a rana for a near fall. Cesaro sends Kofi into the ropes and he connects with a European uppercut to the back of the neck and Kofi goes to the floor while we go to commercial.

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston

 

We are back and the match ended during the commercial break.

After the match, Cesaro attacks Kingston and he sends Kofi over the top rope to the floor. Cesaro Irish whips Kofi at the steps but Kofi leaps over the steps and Cesaro with a European uppercut as he comes off the steps. Cesaro throws Kofi over the announce table and then back over the other side of the table.

Cesaro presses Kofi over his head and slams him into the crowd. Cesaro sends Kofi back into the ringside area. Cesaro pulls Kofi into the ring post numerous times. Cesaro with a short arm clothesline.

We see how Kofi won during the commercial break with a rollup.

Santino is at a picnic with his Cobra. Santino is disappointed that Emma didn’t even show up. Adam Rose is there and he tells Santino that he needs some Twisted Tea.

We return to the announce table and Jerry asks Cole how he is doing after being collateral damage during the attack by Cesaro after his loss to Kofi Kingston.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Vince McMahon, or Damien Sandow makes his way to the ring dressed like Vince McMahon doing the Vince Power Walk.

Damien welcomes everyone to Monday Night Raw. He says that he is the creative genius and the genetic jackhammer. Vincent Kennedy McMandow. He has made this company a juggernaut. He recognizes great talent like Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin . . . and the most talented man to set foot in this ring. A man too ignorant for you to appreciate . . . Damien Sandow.

With that being said, he is officially entering Damien Sandow into the battle royal at Battleground. If you have a problem with that . . . YOU’RE FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHRED.

Stephanie appears on the TitanTron wanting to know who Damien thinks he is to make fun of her father. Is he going to make fun of her father. Her father has built this company by toppling giants. He will face one of the other competitors in the Battleground pay per view.

 

Match Number Five: Damien Sandow versus Great Khali

 

Khali with a chop and he gets the three count.

 

Winner: Great Khali

 

We go to the parking lot and we see the limo door open. We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for the return of a Former WWE Champion and Multimedia Star . . . The Miz.

Miz makes his way to the ring and he has a mic. Miz says that he’s back. He asks if you missed him. The former WWE Champion and multimedia entertainment superstar is none other than The Miz.

He says that he has been gone for four months filming The Marine 4 and he was tempted to stay in Hollywood. He was begged to stay in Hollywood and hone his craft. He was told that he was bigger than the WWE.

Why is he back? The answer is . . . all of you. Unlike Hollywood, that appreciates him, the WWE Universe does not see him as the A List Talent. You see him as a fluke. He main evented Wrestlemania only to stop main eventing. He says that you are all wrong.

You have always been wrong. He says that he is the A lister who can do everything. He will not leave until he main events Wrestlemania again and he gets the respect that he deserves. He will not leave until you get on your knees to beg him not to go.

Miz is interrupted by the man who makes shiny Lite Brite Jackets relevant . . . Chris Jericho.

Miz does not look impressed while Jericho makes his way to the ring.

Miz asks for the crowd to be quiet so Chris can say something. Is he going to give him a Lifetime Achievement Award? Is this 2012 Chris Jericho with the silent treatment for 3 weeks while wearing his Lite Brite Jacket.

Miz says that Chris has deprived the people of a moment to shine. He says that he is The Marine, a movie star, and a box office draw. Jericho gives Miz a Codebreaker.

Jericho says damn that felt good. He says that he has been waiting a long time to say these words. He tells everyone . . . WELCOME TO RAW . . . IS . . .

Interrupted by the Wyatt Family graphic.

The lights come back up and the Wyatts are in the ring with Jericho. Wyatt goes after Jericho but Jericho with a forearm. Harper and Rowan work over Jericho. Rowan with a splash and Harper with a boot. Wyatt looks at Jericho and then he gives Jericho Sister Abigail.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at what the Wyatts did to the returning Chris Jericho, while doing absolutely nothing to the returning Miz.

Tomorrow on Main Event, Cesaro faces Dolph Ziggler.

 

Match Number Six: Fandango (with Layla) versus Dolph Ziggler

 

Ziggler with a drop kick and Fandango with a punch and Fandango sends Ziggler shoulder first into the ring post. Fandango punches Ziggler and kicks him in the head. Fandango with a version of the Sexy Party but Ziggler with punches. Fandango sends Ziggler into the air and then face first to the mat.

Layla gets on the apron and she kisses Fandango. Ziggler with an uppercut and boot to the head. Ziggler with a flying clothesline and he leaps into the corner and he punches Fandango and follows with a neck breaker. Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop and Summer comes to the ring and enters.

Summer kisses Ziggler and Fandango does not know what to do. Ziggler kisses Summer and she likes it. Summer leaves the ring and Fandango falls victim to the Zig Zag for the three count.

 

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

 

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to say goodbye to Vickie Guerrero with a look back at her final appearance on Raw.

 

Match Number Seven: Curtis Axel and Ryback versus Goldust and Stardust

 

Axel and Ryback attack the Dusts and they send Stardust to the floor. Axel with punches to Goldust and Goldust with a reverse atomic drop and uppercut. Goldust with punches but Ryback with a forearm to the back of the head after making a blind tag. Ryback with punches. Ryback with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Ryback with a reverse chin lock and he takes Goldust’s nose.

Ryback with a shoulder in the corner and he chops Goldust. Goldust punches back and Ryback with a shoulder tackle. Ryback catches Goldust on a cross body and hits a fallaway slam. Ryback sets for the running lariat and Goldust with a spinebuster. Axel and Stardust tag in.

Stardust with a flying clothesline and flying forearm followed by a drop down uppercut. Axel misses a splash into the corner and Stardust with a springboard elbow to the top of the head. Stardust with a wrist clutch DDT and then Stardust with a springboard clothesline to Ryback.

Axel sets for the Perfect Driver but Stardust counters and hits a Flatline for the three count.

 

Winners: Goldust and Stardust

 

Paige walks in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Paige makes her way to the ring.

Paige takes a mic and she says that she is a woman of few words. She lets her actions speak for her. She knows that there are a few people out there who don’t think she deserves to be champion and that she should go back to NXT. She has proven over the last three months that she belongs and she is here to stay.

AJ Lee makes her way to the ring.

AJ tells Paige that she wanted to come out here and says that she is right. This isn’t entirely easy to say. Paige did what no woman in almost a year couldn’t do. She proved her wrong. She proved everyone wrong. AJ says that she let success get to her head. She was the longest reigning Divas Champion of all time, but she shouldn’t have rubbed it in everyone’s face. She thought she was untouchable. Paige gave her the slap of reality that she needed.

AJ says that she wanted to return the favor and say thank you and congratulations.

Paige asks AJ how stupid does she think she is because AJ is doing everything that Paige did when she debuted. AJ is trying to get her rematch, but it is not going to happen. She will not make the same mistake that AJ did.

Paige says that no one wants to see her defend her championship tonight.

AJ tells Paige to let the people decide.

AJ asks if the people want to see a rematch right now.

Paige says that we are on.

 

Match Number Eight: Paige versus AJ Lee for the Divas Title

 

AJ punches Paige but Paige with a kick to AJ. Paige with head butts to AJ. Paige with an Irish whip but AJ with boots. Paige with a clothesline and she gets a near fall. Paige slaps AJ in the head and she says that this is her house now. AJ with a slap and inside cradle for the three count.

 

Winner: AJ Lee

 

We are back and there is a Sheamus Fourth of July US Title Challenge on Smackdown.

Triple H is at the announce table and he is here to watch the main event because he was not given a mic.

 

Match Number Nine: Kane and Randy Orton versus John Cena and Roman Reigns in a These Guys Will Be Wrestling Each Other at Battlegound Match

 

Orton and Cena start things off and they lock up. Orton with a side head lock. Orton with a side head lock. Orton with a side head lock and he blocks a hip toss and gives Cena one of his own. Cena stares at Reigns and tags him in. Orton looks like he is going to lock up with Reigns, but he tags in Kane.

Kane and Reigns exchange punches with Reigns getting the advantage. Reigns sends Kane over the top rope to the floor. We go to commercial.

We are back and Orton with a reverse chin lock to Reigns. We see footage from the commercial break of an Orton drop kick to Reigns. Orton sends Reigns to the mat and then he hits a running knee drop. Orotn with a boot to Reigns and Kane gets a near fall. Kane with an uppercut and he punches Reigns. Orton tags back in and he applies a reverse chin lock. Reigns with a flying clothesline and then he hits a clothesline in the corner. Reigns with a punch and then he goes to the floor for the broad jump drop kick but Kane blocks Reigns. Reigns sends Kane into the ringside barrier and Orton with a clothesline.

Orton rolls Reigns back into the ring and Kane tags back in. Kane kicks Reigns. Kane with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Kane with a reverse chin lock. Kane with an Irish whip but Reigns with a clothesline and both men are down. Orton tags in and he stops Reigns from making the tag with a boot to the abdomen.

Orton with a boot to the midsection and a knee drop for a near fall. Kane tags in and he punches Reigns and gets a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner. Kane runs into a boot and Kane tries for a choke slam but Reigns with uppercuts and a Samoan drop.

Cena and Orton tag in and Cena with two flying shoulder tackles and then he hits the Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then he waits to get Orton up for the Attitude Adjustment but Orton escapes with elbows. Cena with a Blue Thunder Bomb to Kane followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Orton with an RKO to Cena but Reigns sends Orton to the floor. Reigns with a Superman punch to Kane.

Orton and Reigns fight to the back while stuff probably goes on in the ring.

Kane pulls Cena to the floor and he sends Cena into the ring steps. Kane moves the ring steps and he hits Cena with the steps and the referee calls for the bell.

 

Winners: John Cena and Roman Reigns (by disqualification)

 

After the match, Kane brings Cena into the ring and he signals that it is over. Kane gets Cena up for the tombstone piledriver and he hits it.

Hunter tells Kane something and the referee wants a doctor to check on Cena. Hunter checks on Cena as well and he sees if Cena is okay. Hunter signals to the entrance and Seth Rollins comes to the ring.

Rollins wants to cash in but the referee is hesitant to ring the bell.

Before the referee can start the match, Dean Ambrose attacks Seth Rollins and he sends Rollins against the ringside barrier and then he clotheslines Rollins into the crowd. They fight through the crowd.

Kane grabs a chair and he brings it into the ring. Roman Reigns comes to the ring and he gives Kane a spear.

Hunter and Reigns stare each other down as we go to credits.

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