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July 1st
On this day in history in ...
1949 - Cavernario Galindo defeats Tarzan Lopez for the Mexico National Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, ending Lopez's second reign.
1950 - Leo Wallick defeats Bob Cummings to win the Pacific Coast Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Title.
1958 - Fritz Von Erich and Hans Hermann defeat Doc and Mike Gallagher in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the Minneapolis version of the NWA World Tag Team Title, ending the Gallaghers' second reign.
1961 - Steve Stanlee defeats Frankie Talaber to win the Ohio Heavyweight Title in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
1962 - Rikidozan and Toyonobori defeat Mike Sharpe and Buddy Austin to win the JWA All Asia Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan, beginning their third reign.
1963 - Arthur Riccaldo defeats Norman Walsh, when Walsh was injured during their match, to win the European Heavyweight Title in Beaumont, England.
1966 - Michiaki Yoshimura and Giant Baba defeat Killer Karl Kox and Eddie Graham in Hiroshima, Japan, for the JWA All Asia Tag Team Title.
1966 - Mark Lewin and Dominic DeNucci defeat Larry Hennig and Harley Race to win the International Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia.
1966 - Rene Guajardo defeats Jerry London to win the NWA World Middleweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico, beginning his fourth reign.
1967 - Tamaya Soto and Great Yamaha (Kantaro Hoshino) defeat Billy and Jimmy Hines for the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ending the Hines' second reign.
1968 - Abdullah the Butcher and Armand Hussein defeat Don Leo Jonathan and Haystacks Calhoun to win the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1970 - Billy Robinson and Johnny Barend defeat Pedro Morales and Bing Ki Lee for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1970 - The Mysterious Medic defeats Bob Kelly to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.
1970 - Bull Ramos defeats Terry Funk for the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title in Lubbock, Texas.
1971 - Patty O'Hara and Texas Red defeat Jumbo Miyamoto and Aiko Kyo for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan. Miyamoto and Kyo had been awarded the title as first champions on the previous day, but they gave the title up, following dissatisfaction with a match against O'Hara and Red.
1971 - Sputnik Monroe defeats Len Rossi to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title.
1971 - Bobby Duncum defeats Bob Roop for the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title in Jacksonville, Florida.
1972 - Len Rossi and Bearcat Brown defeat Don and Al Greene for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At that same event, Sputnik Monroe and Tommy Gilbert defeat Ron and Don Wright to win the NWA Tennessee Tag Team Title, ending the Wrights' fourth reign.
1972 - Sarah Lee defeas Aiko Kyo to win the WWWA World Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Kyo's third reign.
1977 - Texas Red (Red Bastien) defeats Mando Guerrero for the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California.
1978 - Invader I defeats Dick Steinborn to win the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, beginning his third reign. The title had been held up after a match between the two one week earlier in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
1978 - El Nazi defeat Raul Mata for the Mexico National Heavyweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico.
1980 - Mr. Hito and Mr. Sakurada defeat Kevin and Kerry Von Erich to win the vacant World Class American Tag Team Title in Amarillo, Texas, beginning their third reign. The title had been held up after a match between the two teams one week earlier in Amarillo.
1984 - Ron Garvin defeats Jake Roberts for the NWA World Television Title in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning his second reign and ending Roberts' second. At the same show, The Spoiler defeats Brad Armstrong to win his second NWA National Heavyweight Title, ending Armstrong's second reign.
1984 - Killer Brooks defeats Bobby Jaggers to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Heavyweight Title in San Antonio, Texas, beginning his second reign.
1986 - The Great American Bash tour kicked off in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Veterans Stadium, with Dusty Rhodes & Road Warrior Animal defeated Ole & Arn Anderson in a cage match in the main event. Ric Flair successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Road Warrior Hawk Flair would defend the title at every Bash show that summer, losing to Dusty Rhodes at the next to last Bash event.
1988 - Kevin and Kerry Von Erich defeat Iceman Parsons and Terry Taylor for the World Class Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning their third reign.
1989 - Joe Malenko wins his second AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title, defeating Mitsuo Momota in Omiya, Japan.
1991 - NWA and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair signs a contract with the World Wrestling Federation and is fired by World Championship Wrestling. As a result, the WCW title is stripped from Flair. The NWA title would also be stripped two months later, when Flair debuted on WWF television with the NWA title belt.
1994 - George "Crybaby" Cannon dies of cancer at age 62.
1994 - Chris Adams defeats Rod Price in Dallas, Texas to win the GWF North American Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign and ending Price's third.
1995 - ECW holds "Hardcore Heaven" at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray and D-Von) defeated The Pitbulls.
- Dino Sendoff and Don E. Allen and Chad Austin and Broad Street Bully fought to a no contest.
- Hack Meyers pinned Big Malley.
- 2 Cold Scorpio pinned Taz.
- Raven and Stevie Richards defeated Tommy Dreamer and Luna Vachon, when Richards pinned Vachon, to retain the ECW World Tag Team Title.
- Axl Rotten pinned Ian Rotten in a Taipei Death match.
- The Sandman pinned Cactus Jack to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Title.
- The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) defeated The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed), when Rock pinned New Jack.
1996 - WCW Monday Nitro wins the Monday Night War for this week, defeating WWF Monday Night RAW, 3.3 to 2.6, in the ratings. Nitro, which aired live from Landover, Maryland, featured an eight-man tag team main event, with The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Chris Benoit and Steve McMichael) defeating The Rock 'n Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson), The Renegade and Joe Gomez. RAW, taped one week earlier in Green Bay, Wisconsin, featured WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels defeating his former partner Marty Jannetty. Nitro also featured a post-broadcast dark match officiated by Bruno Sammartino. Randy Savage defeated Ric Flair in that match.
1996 - Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee defeat Flex Kavana (The Rock) and Bart Sawyer to win the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning their second reign.
1997 - Big E. Sleeze defeats Slickyboy for the House of Pain Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title in Hagerstown, Maryland.
1998 - Jebediah Blackhawk and Cousin Otter defeat Dave the Rave and Juan Hurtado for the NWA Ohio Valley Southern Tag Team Title in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
1999 - Chris Jericho signs a a multi-year deal with WWF, turning down a lucrative offer to stay with WCW. WWF's website makes the announcement, catching WCW completely off guard.
Jericho's existing WCW contract would keep him from being able to appear on WWF television for another month, prompting WWF to do an angle where they were "Counting Down To The New Millennium" with the ending date being the night of Jericho's debut.
2000 - The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) defeat Rudy Boy Gonzalez and Bonecrusher to win the Texas Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Title in San Antonio, Texas.
2000 - The W*INGer defeats Trent Acid at a Big Japan Pro Wrestling event in Tokyo, Japan, to win the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Title.
2000 - Team Hardcore (Hardkore Kidd and Justin Sane) defeat The Ballard Brothers (Shane and Shannon Ballard) to win their second UPW Tag Team Title in Huntington Beach, California, ending The Ballards' third reign.
2000 - Rollin' Hard wins his third IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title, defeating Ian Rotten in Charlestown, Indiana, ending his seventh reign.
2000 - The Outlaws (Ricky James and Bobby Lee) defeat The Canadian Imperial Alliance (Chris Vanity and Tommy Wonder) to win the NWA Michigan Tag Team Title for the third time, in Cass City, Michigan. At the same event, NWA Michigan Junior Heavyweight Champion Amazing N8 Mattson defeats Tri-State Championship Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez to unify the titles.
2001 - Magnum Tokyo defeats Masaaki Mochizuki for the Michinoku Pro British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title in Kobe, Japan at Toryumon's third-anniversary event.
2002 - Former WCW World champion Big Van Vader (Leon White) is arrested in Boulder, Colorado on a number of charges, the most serious of which was DUI. According to a report in the Daily Camera newspaper, police officers responded to a call regarding a sports utility vehicle that had crashed into a bush. Vader, who suffered a cut in the crash, left the scene of the accident and returned to his home a block away, according to witnesses. When contacted by the police, Vader said he crashed on his way home after looking for bullfrogs and catfish in a local pond. Vader was "severely intoxicated" according to the officers, and when they questioned his level of inebriation, became upset and challenged the officers to a fight, including threatening several police dogs. The police eventually calmed him and placed him under arrest. Vader was charged with a number of offenses, including "suspicion of spitting and threatening officers with rocks, resisting arrest, drinking and driving, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident," according to the Daily Camera report.
2002 - WWE ran Portland, Maine. Bobby Trask filed the following live report:
Before I start, I waited with a friend for over 5 hours outside to meet the wrestlers. We met Edge, Christian, John Cena, Nidia, Jamie Noble, Rico, Steve Bradley, Rey Mysterio, Jr. and Referree Mike Chioda. Also, I yelled to Kurt Angle when he arrived and said "Hey Kurt, You really don't sick, your awesome" and he acknowledged back with a "I know." Now, onto the card:
Tony Chimel announced the event and it started off with a local radio station personality.
Opener: Rico vs. Funaki. Funaki wins after ducking a Rico spinkick and rolling into a rollup. Decent opener.
USA vs. Canada: John Cena & Steven Bradley vs. Lance Storm & Christian. Before the match, Christian ran down Portland, Canada is better, blah. Storm pins Bradley after a superkick.
Cruiserweight Title: Jamie Noble w/ Nidia vs. Hurricane. Noble wins by reversing a suplex from the inside out while Nidia holds the foot (Think Warrior/Rude WM5). Hurricane gives the Chokeslam after the match.
Tag Titles: Billy & Chuck w/Rico vs. Venis/Bob Holly. Billy with a rollup afrter Chuck superkicks Holly.
Rey Mysterio/Kidman vs. Chavo/Tajiri. Rey looked AWESOME. Rey wins after getting a leap frog from Kidman to jump on top of Chavo on the top rope and give him a Frankensteiner off the top.
15 Minute Intermission.
Rob Conway/Hugh Morrus/Mark Henry vs. D-Von/Deacon/Albert. D-Von cuts promo about how we are all sinners and Portland is horrible and blah. He's probably right though. D-Von pins Conway after some move which I wasn't paying attention too.
Rikishi vs. Test. Rikishi superkicks a chair into the face of Test after he brought it in to get the 3. Stinkyface for Test after the match.
Stacy vs. Torrie, Bra and Panties. HORRIBLE match. Torrie wins within 2 minutes. They blow more spots in this match then Sabu (Ok, maybe not THAT bad, but you get the point.)
Edge vs. Kurt Angle. A Huge Clusterf*ck here. Billy/Rico/Chuck ran down to beat on Edge, but he fought them all off and won with a spear on Angle. Then the 4 did a beat down on Edge, Rikishi ran down, then Test/Storm/Christian ran down, then Venis/Holly ran down. Confused? Yeah. Anyways, the babyfaces clear the ring and all start to dance, then Rikishi says he has a special friend to bring in the ring. Everyone starts chanting "Scotty". It was the return of Scotty 2 Hotty (he lives in the Portland area and grew up in it as well.) They all danced for about 10 minutes and then we left.
Good show otherwise, but terrible attendance. Not even half the arena was full...probably between 4,000-5,000 people in a 9,000 people arena. Yeah, it was that bad.
2002 - WWE broadcast Raw. Tim Whitehead filed the following TV report:
The 7/1 episode of RAW IS RUTHLESS AGGRESSION AND THEN SOME aired live from Manchester, New Hampshire. It was a strong show based around wrestling, with almost everything making sense.
They opened with highlights from last week of Vince McMahon's "Ruthless Aggression" speech, followed by footage of the Rob Van Dam vs. Brock Lesnar match where RVD got put through the announcers' desk afterward.
Lesnar was led down to the ring by Paul Heyman. Heyman said he told us earlier this would be the summer of The Next Big Thing Brock Lesnar. He added that it won't be RVD's summer because he lacks the Ruthless Aggression of Lesnar. Heyman predicted that Lesnar will win the Undisputed WWE Title at SummerSlam. Heyman said Lesnar has the intelligence to be inspired by other men, such as Kurt Angle, who was also an NCAA champ. Noting that Angle challenged any rookie to fight him on Smackdown, Heyman reported that Lesnar would take Angle's challenge a step further by challenging any veteran to a match. He said signs had been posted at 1:00 PM in the locker room area alerting everyone of this challenge. So out came Ric Flair to step up to the plate. Flair called himself a legend and the dirtiest player in the game. He hadn't forgotten that Lesnar caused him to lose the match to Vince where the ownership of the company was up for grabs. Lesnar got in Flair's face and said, "You're in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong guy!" Very effective having Lesnar just speak on occasion. So the match began....
Lesnar beat Flair in 6:58. Flair hit a chop, let out a "whoooo", and strutted. Lesnar hit a powerslam but missed an elbow. Flair snapped Lesnar's throat across the ropes but Lesnar no-sold it. Flair put Lesnar down and hit a kneedrop, but Lesnar tossed Flair clear across the referee while kicking out of a pin attempt. Lesnar missed a charge and hit the post. Flair did more chops. He also used the begging routine to sneak in a couple of low blows on Lesnar. Flair hooked the figure four to a big pop but Lesnar made the ropes. Flair went after Heyman and slugged him but that was the opening Lesnar needed to hit the F5 and score the pin. Lesnar continues to improve.
Backstage, Jackie Gayda was getting her make-up applied when Jonathan Coachman walked up. He mentioned Jackie's loss in the Diva's Golden Thong pageant as well as her team's loss to Trish Stratus & Linda Miles on last week's RAW. Jackie got defensive, and blamed the tag match loss on her partner Molly Holly. This angered Molly, who said Jackie would be a better competitor if she spent less time parading around in her undies and more time watching a role model such as herself. Jackie said she looks good in her undies, unlike Molly. Molly slapped the hell out of Jackie and they brawled out to the ring. Both took a swing with a pipe but missed. Molly suplexed Jackie on the floor and threw her into the ring. Molly missile kicked Jackie and slapped her again. Jackie was left laying. Molly was making her grand exit when Trish attacked her and pulled her pants down, revealing old-fashioned panties that covered everything. Molly was furious.
Terri interviewed Christopher Nowinski. She wanted to know why Nowinski had challenged Bradshaw to a match, but without wanting the Hardcore Title to be on the line. Nowinski said he doesn't want the Hardcore Title, which would mean looking over his shoulder 24/7, worried about attacks with chairs, road signs, or 2x4's. Instead, he just wanted to wrestle Bradshaw in civilized competition, like at Harvard, with intelligence being more important than tables or chairs.
Nowinski beat Bradshaw in the non-title bout in 0:55. Jerry Lawler showed a ring to Jim Ross, which was Nowinski's Harvard ring. Bradshaw began tossing the weapons (signs, chairs, etc.) into the ring, as if this was a Hardcore Title match. As the ref was tossing some of this junk back out, Nowinski clocked Bradshaw with a cow bell and scored the pin.
RVD arrived at the arena and encountered William Regal. RVD was running late because he had made a personal appearance earlier in New York. He asked Regal where he could find Lesnar & Heyman. Regal said Lesnar was cooling off after beating Flair in a match. RVD seemed disappointed to learn that Lesnar had already wrestled. Regal went off on RVD, saying if he showed up on time he'd know these things. RVD challenged Regal to a match. Regal accepted.
Terri interviewed Jeff Hardy, suggesting he'd be the underdog in his upcoming ladder match for the WWE Title against Undertaker. But Jeff denied being the underdog, noting that under the rules he doesn't have to pin UT or make him submit. He just has to climb up first and retrieve the belt. He said he'd been in a bunch of ladder matches but UT never has been in even one. Jeff began climbing everything in the locker room to prove his point.
This week, Goldust was dressed like Darth Vader ("Goldarth"). Booker T didn't like it, saying he's no Star Wars geek and has never seen the movies and never will. However, Booker was impressed with the light saber, and he began swinging it around, promising to put the NWO down, sucka!
Mr. McMahon met with Eddie Guerrero. Vince asked him how to say Ruthless Aggression in Spanish, and he said "Eddie Guerrero". Vince said he plans to keep RAW and Smackdown separate because he likes the competition between the two divisions. As a favor to Guerrero, he moved Chris Benoit to the RAW roster. Of course, Benoit's been on RAW for the past few weeks already, but this officially ratified it. Vince said he now owes the Smackdown crew a favor to compensate. Benoit walked in. Vince told Benoit & Guerrero to show him some Ruthless Aggression in their upcoming match.
RVD beat Regal in 3:48. Neither RVD's IC belt, nor Regal's European belt, was on the line. RVD started off with his fast-paced moves until Regal hit him with a hard suplex. Regal scored some near falls. RVD hit a crossbody for a two count. RVD won with a kick, the rolling thunder, and the five star frog splash. Afterward, RVD got on the mic and called out Lesnar. Lesnar & Heyman emerged on the ramp top. Heyman said he always admired RVD's guts, noting that he's always had more guts than brains. He was holding Lesnar back, and said that as a favor to RVD he wouldn't let Lesnar destroy him tonight. Instead, Heyman suggested an RVD vs. Lesnar match for the Vengeance PPV. RVD accepted and did the RVD thumb point.
Hour two began with Bubba Ray Dudley & Spike Dudley beating Benoit & Guerrero in 9:24. A little sloppy at first, but overall pretty good. Guerrero got pounded on before tagging Benoit in for his first WWE match in a year. Benoit gave Bubba a sick looking suplex. Benoit hooked the Crippler Crossface on Spike but Bubba made the save. Guerrero accidentally dropkicked Benoit. Spike gave Guerrero a Dudley Dog. Bubba powerbombed Guerrero and suplexed Benoit. Spike did the wazzup on Guerrero, reviving the old Dudley Boys spot we haven't seen since the brand extension. Bubba also told Spike to get the table. Benoit went out after Spike. Guerrero hit a huracanrana on Bubba but Bubba rolled clear when Guerrero went for the frog splash. Bubba then pinned Guerrero after a Bubba Bomb, which was a surprise ending since one would think Benoit & Guerrero would go over on their first outing, especially since this was Benoit's return match. It was an okay ending, though, because afterward Benoit hurled Spike out of the ring through a table and then suplexed Bubba and put the Crossface on him. Guerrero frog splashed Bubba while he was locked in the Crossface. It took a ton of referees forever to force Benoit to break the hold. Needless to say, Bubba was left laying.
The Rey Mysterio Jr. promo aired again.
Goldarth encountered Big Show backstage. Show was pissed that Goldarth had called him a showpopotomous last week while doing the Crocodile Hunter routine. Goldarth told Show that he's his father (as if Show would be a passable Luke Skywalker). He then walloped Show with the light saber. But Kevin Nash yelled "I'm your daddy!" and kicked Goldarth in the face. Nash destroyed Goldarth and left him unconscious on the floor. Nash then issued his usual threat to Show, promising to beat him up if he failed to win his upcoming match.
Footage aired of some of Jeff Hardy's insanity in past ladder matches. Terri then interviewed Undertaker. UT ignored Jeff and instead went off on both Kurt Angle and Rock, promising to beat both in their coming encounters. Terri asked UT if he's worried about facing Jeff and noted that UT's never been in a ladder match before. UT ended the interview and walked off.
Show went to the NWO locker room and found X-Pac lying unconscious on the remains of a broken table. Apparently Booker T had paid X-Pac a visit!
Booker beat Show by count-out in 3:24. This was supposed to be a Booker & Goldust vs. Show & X-Pac tag match but with Goldarth and X-Pac both KO'ed, it ended up being a singles match. Booker took a big spin bump off a lariat. Show suplexed Booker. Booker hit some kicks. They ended up on the floor where Show got the stairs. Booker kicked the stairs and they fell on top of Show, who got counted out. Booker did the spinaroonie afterward and left through the crowd, since he suspected Nash & Shawn Michaels were waiting at the ramp top to ambush him.
After a commercial break, Nash & The Heartbreak Kid came down to the ring. Show had by now revived and staggered back into the ring. Nash was outraged that Show lost, and slugged him. Show slugged him back. They were about to have a full scale brawl but HBK separated them. He said the NWO are a family, and like all families, they fight every now and then. He admitted they're a little bit dysfunctional. He said a family just isn't the same when one of the members is out with an injury. He wasn't talking about X-Pac, who was recovering backstage, but about another family member who was recovering at home, watching RAW on TV. He said the NWO encountered this family member at the King of the Ring PPV and that anyone who saw it recognized the chemistry that was there. Lawler pretended not to know who they were talking about. That took a lot of pretending. For Lawler's benefit, as he was the only person on earth not to know, HBK announced the mystery family member as Triple H. So the NWO continues to evolve, or D-Volve, into D-X. Should be interesting! Anyway, HBK concluded by telling Nash and Show to kiss and make up. Luckily they shook hands instead, but that led to HBK nailing Show with the sweet chin music out of nowhere. Nash & HBK left together but, halfway up the ramp, they told the wounded Show that they had just given him a little "tough love" and told him to come with them. Show looked hurt and confused, but I guess he followed them out during the commercial break.
Vince praised Undertaker for ten years of Ruthless Aggression. He said UT will fight Rock at the Vengeance PPV whether he still holds the Undisputed Title then or not. UT took offense at the suggestion he might not have the belt by then. He vowed to not only beat Jeff Hardy, but to leave him so badly mauled that he wouldn't be able to stand up afterward.
Matt Hardy wished Jeff luck, and brought in a surprise visitor to also wish him luck. It was Lita, still in her neck brace. Jeff was enthused by their support, and ran off to the ring acting pretty wild.
Undertaker defeated Jeff Hardy in the ladder match in 14:04 to retain the Undisputed WWE World Title. UT came out first. Jeff then arrived and got on UT's motorcycle to lure him out to the floor. Jeff tipped the ladder over on him and hit a plancha. He hit UT with a chair. UT blocked a ladder shot and began pounding Jeff on the floor. Jeff came back with a shot into the ladder, and he then legdropped the ladder on top of UT, which actually looked like it legit hurt Jeff. Jeff tried to drag the ladder into the ring, and UT caused it to hit Jeff via a teeter-totter shot. UT hit Jeff with the ladder and sent him bumping to the floor. UT started climbing, and could have gotten the belt, but stopped short and came back down to deliver more punishment. He slammed Jeff on both the broadcast desk and the timekeeper's table. He hit Jeff with a chair. JR kept acting like UT's behavior was heinous but Lawler correctly noted that ladder matches are no-DQ and Jeff was the one who wanted those stips. Lawler laughed at JR for saying he thought Jeff had a better than 50-50 chance of winning a ladder match against UT. UT beat on Jeff more inside the ring. UT missed a charge and crashed into the ladder, allowing Jeff to hit a corkscrew moonsault. Jeff used a low blow on UT, followed by a senton splash to the floor. Jeff brought out an even bigger ladder from under the ring and started to climb up. UT caught him and was about to deliver the last ride but Jeff converted it into a huracanrana. Jeff went up again and almost got the belt before UT knocked him off the ladder with a chair. UT lifted Jeff up for another last ride attempt but, in a great spot, Jeff grabbed a chair as he was going up and clocked UT with it. He then hit UT with another shot that was sicko. Jeff started back up but UT hit him with some hard chairshots. Jeff miraculously held on, so UT started climbing the other side of the ladder. He chokeslammed Jeff off the ladder and grabbed the belt to remain champ. A very good main event. UT got on his bike to leave, but then decided to go back in and pound Jeff some more. He gave Jeff a last ride, after Jeff had blocked all prior attempts at that move. As UT was leaving again, Jeff pulled himself up and was hanging onto the ropes. He yelled after UT, saying he was still standing. UT went back to the ring yet again and drew back to slug Jeff. But instead, he lifted Jeff's arm in victory, impressed with his toughness. Good angle! UT then left quietly on his bike, having retained the belt, which he'll defend on Smackdown against Kurt Angle.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Which Star Wars character would Dusty Rhodes play?
Which WWE wrestlers would be suited for the famous cantina scene?
If Nash is the NWO leader, why does HBK call all the shots?
How many guys has Flair unselfishly put over in his long career?
Did you really think Jeff would win the WWE Title?
If this is Ruthless Aggression, what would Ruthful Aggression be like?
This has nothing to do with RAW, but wasn't Stacy Keibler AWESOME in that schoolgirl outfit during the Golden Thong pageant?
2003 - At a SmackDown! taping in Rochester, New York, Team Angle (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) defeat Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri to win the WWE Tag Team Title, beginning Team Angle's second reign.
2004 - Shane Matthews defeats Guido Barzinnii for the NWA Mid-America X Division Title in Springfield, Tennessee, beginning his second reign.
2004 - Sanshiro Takagi and Ryuji Ito defeat Takashi Sasaki and Gentaro to win the DDT KO-D Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Sasaka and Gentaro's second reign. At the same event, Kenshin defeats Danshoku Dino to win the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title, ending Dino's 10th reign.
2005 - Atlantis and La Mascara defeat Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Misterioso II in the finals of CMLL's annual Torneo Gran Alternativa in Mexico City, Mexico.
2005 - Kerry Brown and Adrian Walls defeat J.T. Thorn and Squiggy McGoo (subbing for C.K. Sexx) for the NWA Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title.
2006 - Superstar Romeo defeats Brent Dail for the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, beginning Romeo's second reign and ending Dail's seventh.
2007 - Austin Aries and Chris Hero signed deals with Ring of Honor.
2008 - Ricky Ortiz, formerly known as Atlas Da Bone in WWE developmental, made his WWE main roster debut for ECW.
2008 - WWE aired ECW on SciFi. Tom Kettwig filed the following TV Report:
ECW is live from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show begins by showing highlights of the triple threat ECW title match from Night of Champions with Mark Henry hitting the big splash on Kane for the win after Kane superplexes the Big Show.
Mike Adamle and Tazz welcomes us and Justin Roberts introduces the new ECW champion Mark Henry. He says he's the savior of ECW. He brought the title back to ECW. Kane might be a monster, Big Show is a giant, but he's not the World's Strongest Man.
Tommy Dreamer and Colin Delany come out. Tommy Dreamer challenges Mark Henry for the ECW title. Dreamer talks about the legacy of the ECW title. Mark Henry says that Tommy Dreamer has to earn a title shot. Mark Henry says that Colin Delany earns a title shot tonight and if Colin beats Mark Henry that Tommy Dreamer gets a shot at the title.
They show Matt Hardy walking in the back with Finlay and Hornswoggle. Their match against Miz and Morrison along with Chavo Guerrero is next as we go to a break.
We are back and the US Champ Matt Hardy comes out first. Finaly and Hornswoggle with a squirt gun squirting Finaly come out next.
Chavo and Bam Neely come out next. Followed by the tag team champions Miz and Morrison. Hardy and Miz start out and lock up with Miz grabbing Hardy's arm followed by Hardy reversing it with Miz getting to the ropes. They lock up again with Hardy getting miz in a headlock with miz thrown to the ropes Hardy gives Miz a shoulder block and an arm drag. Miz gets Hardy in the corner and Hardy whips him into the other corner and gives him a buldog. Finaly tags in and Miz gets Finaly to his corner and tags in Morrison. Morrison gets to his corner and tags in Vicki's "nephew" Chavo. Chavo throws him through the ropes, Chavo tries the baseball slide and Finaly uses the apron. Finlay throws his "son" Hornswoggle into the Miz and Morrison.
Commerical Break
Here is a chapter of the new Ric Flair DVD about his first time in the WWE as the "real world champion" in the early 90's.
We are back and Chavo is working on Matt Hardy. Chavo tags in Miz and Miz tags in Morrison. Morrison has a submission move on Morrison. Hardy gives him a jawbreaker and Morrison falls and tags in the Miz. Miz gets Hardy in a headlock. Hardy breaks out of it and gives Miz a sunset flip and Miz gives him a hard clothesline before tagging out to Morrison. Morrison is working on the neck of Matt Hardy. Morrison wips Hardy into the corner, Morrison holds his leg and Hardy gives him the side effect before tagging in Finlay while Morrison tags in Chavo. Finaly cleans house before giving Chavo a death valley driver.
Morrison breaks it up and Hardy comes in and gives Chavo a twist of fate followed by a Tadpole splash from Hornswoggle. Finaly gets his shillelie and hits Bam Nealy with it while the referee was disctracted. Finaly than gives Chavo the celtic cross for the pin.
They talk about the main event of Colin Delaney vs. Mark Henry with the stipulation being if Delaney wins that Dreamer gets a title shot before going to a break.
We're back and we have the Raw rebound from last night.
Tazz congratulates CM Punk as being the new the World Champion.
Tommy Dreamer talks to Colin Delany about not needing to wrestle Mark Henry so Dreamer can get a title shot.
Teddy Long welcomes Atlas Ortiz who is with Kelly Kelly. Armando interrupts Teddy Long and wants to know about his contract. Teddy Long than tells Armando that he is going to face Atlas Ortiz next.
Teddy is going to start a new superstar initiative on ECW.
Armando is in the ring and Atlas Ortiz (I wonder if he's related to Tito) from Paradise Valley, AZ (isn't that where Superstar Graham is from too?). Atlas looks like a taller version of Carlito.
Atlas and Armando lock up and Armando gets Atlas in a hammerlock. Atlas gets Armando in a headlock. Atlas gives him a shoulder block and gets Armando in a headlock. Atlas gives him a should block in the corner, he throws Armando into the other corner and Atlas misses another should block. Armando works on Atlas left arm and hand. Armando gets Atlas in a top wrist lock, Atlas gets out and Armando yanks Atlas hair without the referee looking. Atlas gets out and gives him an arm drag with his bad arm and gives him a nice high dropkick. Atlas whips Armando into the ropes and Atlas gets him with a backslide and pins him.
We are back and did you know that WWE is broadcast in 23 languages and seen in 130 nations worldwide.
Mark Henry walks to the ring. Colin Delaney walks to the ring with Tommy Dreamer. Colin ducks a clothesline. Henry throws him into the corner, Colin gets a few shots, but Mark Henry just pushes him. We are past the 30 second mark.
Mark Henry kicks him and hits him with a right hand. Mark Henry misses an elbow and Colin gets a few shots in before Henry nails him with a clothesline followed by a head butt. Henry gorilla press slams Colin. Mark Henry gives him a press slam for the pin.
Tommy Dreamer comes in and checks on Colin while giving Mark Henry a dirty look.
Mark Henry walks off while Colin and Tommy Dreamer are in the ring as we go to the end of ECW.
Overall: Not a bad show, if you didn't see you, you didn't miss much. If you want to watch it click here starting sometime tomorrow
2009 - WWE signed Serena Deeb to a developmental deal. Deeb would go on to work the Smackdown brand as a member of CM Punk's Straightedge Society.
2009 - Lucha mini performers La Parkita and El Espectrito Jr. were found dead in a hotel in Mexico City. Local authorities believe that two prostitutes had returned to the hotel with the wrestlers and drugged their drinks in order to rob them. The belief is that due to their small size, the drugs ended up killing them. The two minis, who were brothers, were 35. The deaths were actually picked up on gossip website PerezHilton.com, of all places.
2009 - Former XPW owner Rob Zicari (professionally known as Rob Black) and former XPW performer Janet Romano (who performed as Lizzie Borden) were sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison as well as two additional years of supervised probation.
The couple plead guilty in March 2009 to one count of conspiracy to distribute obscene materials. Zicari also plead guilty at the time to one count on behalf of his now defunct video company, Extreme Associates Inc. The March pleas were made part of an agreement between the defendants and prosecutors that saw nine counts of violating federal obscenity statuettes dropped. The couple and Extreme Associates Inc. were indicted in August 2003 for selling graphic pornography via the mail and online after a long investigation by federal prosecutors. At the time, they were accused, "of sending obscene movies to a Post Office box in the Pittsburgh area. The suspects also allegedly sent obscene tapes and DVDs to a local wholesaler and transmitted obscene footage on the Extreme Associates Website."
Before the guilty pleas the couple were facing upwards of 50 years in prison and up to a $5 million fine.
Black promoted Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW) from 1999-2003 in California, using his adult video production company Extreme Associates as the parent company. The promotion was something of a West Coast answer to the original ECW after a falling out between Zicari and then-ECW owner Paul Heyman, running regularly for several years using a mix of former ECW talents like Sabu, New Jack and the late John Kronus as well as West Coast performers they cultivated like Supreme, Kaos and Johnny Webb.
XPW, using Shane Douglas as booker, had expanded into Philadelphia in 2002. Their entrance set off the Philadelphia wrestling war of 2002-2003. At one point, they held exclusivity on the former ECW Arena, preventing all other independents from running the venue during a really hot period where tons of companies were running (and most drawing) in the city of Brotherly Love. A side effect of their run inadvertently lead the way to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission taking a much stricter stance on hardcore wrestling following an incident when a particularly bloody bout ended up in the ECW Arena's women's restroom and a woman affiliated with a Commission member ended up with blood on her.
Although the company was gone from Philadelphia by February 2003, they had also moved into the Pittsburgh market, drawing a good house there thanks to Douglas' local promoting and were still running regularly in Los Angeles.
That all changed in April 2003 when Extreme Associates was raided by federal authorities after receiving materials that were ordered from the website of Black's adult video company and shipped to Pennsylvania. Once the federal charges were filed, the promotion pretty much ceased to exist although they maintained the company website for some time afterward and aired several taped "Best of" XPW PPV specials.
An XPW revival show "A Cold Day in Hell" was staged last year in California and later released on DVD, but Zicari was not involved as he had sold the rights to the company and its video library to XEG and Big Vision Entertainment in 2004 and was later said to have "despised wrestling and all it 'did to him", according to an interview I conducted with former XPW official Kevin Kleinrock to promote the reunion show.
2010 - WWE issued the following statement:
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat performed a stunt with other Legends this past Monday. Late Wednesday night, Ricky was experiencing pain in his neck and shoulder, and immediately went to the hospital. It is not clear if his current condition is related to his performance on Monday night. WWE is waiting to hear more from the attending physicians.
Steamboat was later diagnosed with bleeding of the brain. While WWE publicly distanced his health problems from an angle with Nexus several days earlier, there was a widespread belief that an errant move performed by a member of the heel faction caused the injury. Steamboat was eventually released and made a full recovery, although there was no chance of Steamboat returning to compete in the ring.
2010 - Bret Hart posted the following statement at www.brethart.com:
I feel that it's ridiculous for anyone to think they are serving the best interests of Owen's memory or his children to pretend he wasn't a wrestler. Not only was he a wrestler, he was a great one and proud of it. I personally believe Martha Hart has done nothing to keep his memory alive and sadly, he fades from view a little more every year. I do suspect this lawsuit is more about publicity, ego, and small-mindedness than it is about pro-wrestling and all of those that are in it.
I know Owen was always proud of his body of work. His fans have never forgotten him and most of today's WWE wrestlers and hundreds of employees have never forgotten him. They speak endlessly of loving memories that speak volumes on what kind of person he was. I saw Owen on TV a few weeks ago against a young Matt Hardy and it put me in such a good mood all day long. Why would anyone want to prevent that? Martha needs to accept the sad truth that he's gone, but we all deserve to be able to salute and honor him for being the great man and the great wrestler that he was. I stopped caring a long time ago about what Martha thinks of me. We don't speak and I haven't seen Owen's children in 10 years. For what reasons, I couldn't begin to tell you. I personally found great inner peace by opening up to forgiveness and instead supported and encouraged current Hart family members now fulfilling their dreams in the complicated-but-astounding world known as the WWE Universe. She completely ignores the fact that Nattie Neidhart, TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd), and Harry Smith all made a pact when their 12 year old cousin died that they would someday carry on the dream of wrestling in the WWE, this was years before Owen's death and I don't see any reason they should forsake all their dreams. I can't speak more highly of the dedicated, hard working WWE superstars of today.
Having worked with all levels of talent since January, I can honestly say that you won't find a more wholesome bunch of athletes anywhere in any profession. Owen would be proud to be part of what they all are. Martha can say or think whatever the hell she wants but the Hart family as a whole found a way to forgive and move on for the sake of the next generation's well-being. Just because Owen died doesn't mean the Hart legacy from Stu down to his wrestling sons and grandchildren has to die too. The best thing I can do for Owen's kids is take them backstage and introduce them to all the people who love and remember their dad. Owen is loved and missed everyday. Why Martha would insist they never know these people is sad and pathetic.
I believe Owen would turn in his grave watching Martha erase every single thing he ever did, all for spite. Martha Hart needs to celebrate Owen's memory as much as possible, not block it away forever. How stupid and selfish is that? In her own book, she wrote how even though she was angry at Vince, she didn't hate him and that she felt he was truly sorry about what happened. She had written him a letter in order for her to move on and be at peace. Maybe she should practice what she preached.
2010 - WWE broadcast an episode of WWE Superstars on WGN. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:
We begin this week’s show with the Raw brand and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
Match Number One: Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust versus Zack Ryder and Primo
Ryder and Yoshi start things off and they lock up. Ryder backs Yoshi into the corner and he pushes Yoshi but Yoshi responds with chops. Ryder with a side head lock but Yoshi with a shoulder tackle and chops. Yoshi with an arm drag into an arm bar. Goldust tags in and he goes to the turnbuckles for an elbow to the arm. Goldust with a snap mare and leg drop to the arm. Goldust drops down to punch Ryder. Goldust with an arm drag into an arm bar. Ryder with a knee and forearm to the back. Primo tags in and Goldust with an arm drag into an arm bar. Yoshi tags in and he hits an elbow from the turnbuckles as he stays with the arm. Yoshi with an arm drag and he slams the arm into the mat. Yoshi with knees to the arm but Primo with a knee and punch. Yoshi with a cross body for a near fall and then he follows that with an arm drag and arm bar. Yoshi works on the shoulder as well. Primo misses the springboard cross body when Yoshi moves. Primo drops Yoshi on the top rope and then he connects with a forearm and he tags in Zack Ryder. Ryder with a knee drop and kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Ryder with a forearm but Yoshi with an elbow. Primo tags back in and he connects with a shoulder in the corner. Primo with a snap mare into a reverse chin lock. Primo with a forearm to the back and then he sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles. Primo with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Primo misses a splash into the corner and Goldust tags in and he hits a few clotheslines followed by a drop down uppercut. Goldust with a reverse atomic drop followed by a bulldog for a near fall. Goldust punches Primo on the turnbuckles and then he senses Ryder trying to attack him on the apron so he punches Ryder. Primo sends Goldust to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ryder with a reverse chin lock on Goldust. Goldust with a punch but Ryder with forearms and he gets a near fall. Ryder with an arm bar and he tags in Primo who punches Goldust. Primo with a rear chin lock and it turns into a front face lock. Goldust tries to get to his corner but Primo punches Yoshi off the apron. Goldust with a back body drop but Yoshi is still on the ground. Primo with a rollup but Goldust with a power slam and both men are down. Ryder tags in and so does Yoshi and he hits a running back elbow followed by drop kicks. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick followed by a series of kicks to Ryder followed by chops. Yoshi with a Steamboat like chop and then he hits a Shining Wizard for a near fall but Primo breaks up the cover. Primo gets bulldogged by Goldust. Yoshi misses the running knees into the corner and Ryder hits the Rough Rider for the three count.
Winners: Zack Ryder and Primo
We take a look back at NXT and the first Poll that saw our first elimination.
We go to commercial.
We are back with an Alberto Del Rio video package.
We see footage from last week when Nikki and Brie Bella cheated to defeat Jillian Hall. Who wants a form of a rematch?
Jillian says that she cannot even do this because of what Nikki and Brie did to her last week. She cannot even sing.
Match Number Two: Nikki Bella with Brie Bella versus Jillian Hall
They lock up and they go into the corner. Jillian with a punch after Nikki gives a clean break. Jillian pulls Nikki by the hair and then she chokes Nikki in the ropes. Jillian tosses Nikki by the hair and then she gets a near fall. Jillian with a reverse chin lock to Nikki while Brie gets the crowd to support her sister. Jillian with a near fall. Jillian pulls Nikki by the hair and the referee warns Jillian. Jillian with a snap mare and a kick to the back for a near fall. Jillian with a back breaker and she stretches Nikki on her knee. Nikki with kicks to get out of the hold. Nikki with punches to Jillian but Jillian with a knee. Nikki with a head scissors and a monkey flip to Jillian. Nikki with a drop kick to Jillian for a near fall. Jillian with a kick to Nikki and then she gets a near fall on Nikki. Nikki with an Irish whip but Jillian sends Nikki to the floor. Jillian goes to the floor and hits Brie and slams her head into the apron. Jillian turns her attention to Nikki. Both Bellas are down and they roll under the ring. One of the Bellas emerge from under the ring and Jillian with a knee. The other Bella comes from behind and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Nikki Bella with an assist from Brie Bella
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
It is time for the Smackdown half of the show and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
We see the Edge wins the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match and cashes it in against John Cena video package.
Match Number Three: Christian versus Curt Hawkins with Vance Archer
They lock up and Christian with a waist lock but Hawkins with a standing switch. Hawkins with a shoulder tackle and then he has something to say to Christian. Hawkins mocks Christian’s search for peeps and Christian with a slap and drop toe hold. Christian with an arm bar but Hawkins with a knee and punch. Hawkins with another punch. Christian with a leaping kick and Hawkins goes to the floor. Christian with a baseball slide to Hawkins and Christian goes to the floor and brings Hawkins back in. Archer tries to interfere but Christian sees him coming. Christian with a cross body from the top turnbuckle for a near fall. Hawkins goes to the apron and Christian gets a shoulder as he approaches. Hawkins with a back body drop that sends Christian to the floor. Archer is about to attack Christian but the referee sees it and sends Archer to the back. We go to commercial.
We are back and Hawkins with a chin lock and his knee on Christian’s chest. Hawkins with punches and they lock up. Christian with punches but Hawkins with a knee. Hawkins with a kick and a near fall. Hawkins with punches to the midsection followed by a knee and punches. Hawkins with an elbow to the head but Christian with a kick and punches. Christian tries for a tornado DDT but Hawkins pushes Christian away and he lands awkwardly on his chest. Hawkins with a slam attempt but Christian with an Edge-O-Matic and both men are down. Christian punches Hawkins and then hits a round house punch. Christian searches for Peeps and then he hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Hawkins with a punch and then he sends Christian into the turnbuckles. Hawkins pulls Christian off the turnbuckles and then he hits a slam for a near fall. Christian with another punch and he goes to the turnbuckles for a missile drop kick and Christian gets a near fall. Christian goes up top again and he tries for a cross body but he misses. Hawkins tries to take advantage of Christian’s error and gets a near fall. Hawkins with a kick but Christian hits the pendulum kick and then he hits the back elbow from the turnbuckles. Christian with the Killswitch and he gets the three count.
Winner: Christian
2010 - TNA aired an episode of Impact on SpikeTV. Stu Carapola filed the following TV Report:
Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com!
We open with a recap of the Hulk Hogan-Abyss relationship, leading up to two weeks ago when Abyss snapped and attacked Mr Anderson and Jeff Hardy, and then last week when Abyss said that "they" are coming to TNA.
We head to the Impact Zone and go right to Abyss, who is throwing chairs into the ring. He goes to ringside and menaces So Cal Val, then scares away a bunch of kids at ringside and steals their chairs, too. He goes back after Val and she tries to run away but falls down, and as Abyss stands menacingly over her, Hulk Hogan's music hits and out he comes. He gets in the ring and calls Abyss in there with him, but before this has a chance to get interesting, Eric Bischoff comes running out and gets between them. Hogan moves him aside and turns his attention back to Abyss, who now comes into the ring, but security comes out and gets between them. Bischoff calls Abyss an ungrateful son of a bitch and slaps him, which just enrages Abyss, who lays out the security guards and goes after Bischoff. Hogan grabs a chair and lays in two shots on Abyss, but Abyss no-sells. Jeff Hardy's music hits, Hogan fights his way out before Hardy even makes it to the ring, and Hardy lays out Abyss, throws a few chairs on him, and nails him with a Swanton. Hogan, Bischoff, and Hardy head for the hills as an enraged Abyss gets back to his feet and calls Hardy back to the ring. Hardy goes after him but security again gets in the way and talks Hardy to the back.
Tonight: AJ Styles takes on Samoa Joe in a Top 10 Contender's Match! But before we go any further, Abyss crashes the broadcast booth and threatens Taz. Security again comes after Abyss and again he beats them up and goes back to menacing Taz as we go to commercial.
We're back, and during the commercial break, Abyss was tearing up the backstage area. We go to Hogan and friends, who are all in agreement that Abyss has to go. Jeff Hardy wants him tonight, and Hogan says that Hardy has his number, but that's not enough, he has to take Abyss out. Bischoff says Hardy has the match, but they'll be out there to watch Hardy's back.
Let's go to the ring for our first match...
Ink Inc vs Motor City Machine Guns
Moore and Shelley start us off and do a wristlock reversal sequence, Shelley escapes and sweeps Moore's legs for 1, but Moore goes back to the arm, tags in Neal, and they hit a double hiptoss and then Moore hiptosses Neal onto Shelley for 2. Tag back out to Moore, who comes over the ropes with a sunset flip for 2, then a springboard armdrag sends Shelley to the floor and, one flying headscissors later, Sabin follows him out. Moore dives over the top onto the MCMG, then tosses Shelley back in the ring as Brother Devon joins Mike and Taz on commentary, saying he's just out here to make sure Brother Ray doesn't get involved in this match. MCMG hit a springboard dropkick to send Neal to the floor as they continue to double team Moore. MCMG with a leapfrog splash onto Moore for 2, but Moore gets an elbow to Sabin's jaw and hits a Lionsault and both men are down. Moore makes the hot tag and Neal comes in and cleans house on the MCMG. He hits a springboard crossbody on Sabin, then spears Shelley but Sabin breaks up the fall. All four men are in the ring, but Sabin tosses Moore to the floor, then turns around into a Boss Man Slam from Neal. Neal puts Shelley up top as Brother Ray comes out from the back, but Brother Devon cuts him off. However, the distraction is enough for the MCMG to hit the double team Sliced Bread #2 for the win.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Tonight: The Pope return to TNA Impact! But first, Eric Bischoff's music hits and he comes out to let us know that tonight's main event will be Abyss vs Jeff Hardy, and Bischoff says that we're going to have a special referee: TNA World Champion Rob Van Dam.
Meanwhile, Dixie Carter is backstage, and she's...WALKING...AND TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE!
We're back and the cameraman is asking Dixie Carter what she's doing here, but she ignores him and walks away. Oh well, let's go back to the ring instead...
AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe
Ric Flair and Frankie Kazarian join AJ at ringside, and he doesn't look happy to see them. Joe takes AJ to the corner as the crowd chants "Joe is gonna kill you". AJ tries a couple of chops but Joe no sells and slaps AJ down and out to the floor. AJ gets back in and Joe takes him right back to the corner and just lays into him with punches and kicks. Joe with a running elbow and a leaping enziguiri in the corner, then just kills AJ with a chop before stopping to stare menacingly at Flair. Joe with a snapmare and the chop/kick/kneedrop combo, Joe comes off the ropes and AJ tries a leapfrog but Joe stops in front of him and slaps the taste out of his moutn. AJ goes to the eyes and takes Joe down with a dropkick, then chokes him on the ropes, and finally slams Joe, but it seems to have taken something out of him. AJ rams shoulderblocks into Joe's midsection in the corner then tries a suplex, but Joe blocks and reverses to a gourdbuster. AJ goes low with a dropkick to the knee, then a snapmare and we HIT THE CHINLOCK! Joe fights his way out and starts running over AJ with clotheslines, then a running boot and a senton for 2. Joe puts AJ up top for the Muscle Buster and AJ escapes, so Joe starts firing kicks at him, but AJ catches the foot and hits a Dragon Screw Legwhip. AJ goes for the figure four but Joe pulls him back into the Kokina Clutch and AJ taps.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Flair and Kazarian get in the ring and Flair starts getting on AJ's case again, then he and Kazarian leave together and leave AJ alone in the ring. AJ takes the mic and asks Kazarian if he thinks this is funny, then says that he would beat Kazarian like a little girl. AJ challenges Kazarian to a match next week, then asks Flair is he's cool with that, and Flair says he's fine, and it's going to be AJ vs Kazarian next week!
Backstage, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Dixie Carter are sitting around a conference table, and Bischoff is complaining about Sting's behavior since they came to TNA. Kevin Nash comes in and they kick him out. Okay, then. Bischoff talks about what Sting did to him, and to Jeff Jarrett, and then Hogan asks Dixie why they're in TNA. I was wondering the same thing, actually. Dixie says he's there to help TNA and Hogan says thank you, then says Sting is a cancer and everyone in TNA will abandon ship if they don't get rid of him. Bischoff says that Dixie needs to do something about Sting, so Dixie says okay, she'll do something tonight. If she's going to make this decision, she needs to make the decision, so she'll see Hogan and Bischoff later.
Back to the ring...
Desmond Wolfe vs Brian Kendrick
Wolfe attacks Kendrick before the bell, but Kendrick turns the tide and starts going absolutely crazy firing back on Wolfe. Kendrick goes for his choke but Wolfe makes the ropes and Tullys Kendrick to the floor. Wolfe goes outside, yells at Chelsea, then nails Kendrick a couple of times and tosses him back in the ring. Wolfe with a running knee and Kendrick goes back to the floor again, so Wolfe goes after him and beats him up some more, then puts Kendrick in a neck vice while yelling at Chelsea some more and tells her that if she doesn't like it to do something about it. Back in the ring, Kendrick with a double leg takedown but Wolfe goes to the eyes and then gets an armscissors. Chelsea's seen enough and walks out, and Wolfe is so surprised that he gets caught in the Cobra Clutch and Wolfe taps.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Still to come, Abyss takes on Jeff Hardy with Rob Van Dam as the guest referee, and up next, the Pope returns to TNA!
Actually, first we go to a camera crew stalking Tommy Dreamer at his home in Yonkers, NY and asking him what he's doing in TNA. He says it's his personal time and that now's not the time to talk.
Okay, now we go to a video package looking at the Pope, and then head to the ring for an in-ring promo with the Pope. Pope thanks us because it's moments like this that make him realize that when he comes out and busts his butt in the ring, it's worth every minute of it, and he couldn't have done it without the entire congregation. Pope says they asked if this could really be the return of the Pope, and Pope says to mark it on your calendar, because at 80% he still has the responsibility of being the Pope of the congregation. He wants to let Ken Anderson know that he hasn't forgotten about him, and he's pulled the wool over everyone's eyes, but if he thinks for a second that Pope doesn't know how to get down, Pope will reference him to one person: Suicide. At 80%, he is still kicking on all cylinders because he is the cadillac of professional wrestling. Pope is here for one reason: to earn his way back to the #1 contender's position so that he can take on the TNA World Champion and make history. Everyone here knows that Pope...is...pimpin'! Oh wait, Kurt Angle's music hits and here he comes. Angle wants to welcome the Pope back, and he and the congregation have been making a lot of noise, and Angle's a big fan because he sees Pope as the future of TNA. But Angle is also trying to climb the rankings for a shot at the TNA World Title, and unfortunately, their paths have crossed, so at Victory Road it's going to be Pope vs Kurt Angle. Angle says that Pope has everything to gain and nothing to lose, but Angle has everything to lose because his first loss could be his last match. He wants to shake Pope's hand and say may the best man win. Oh, and one more thing: Angle must be victorious.
We now go to a video package recapping the build to the Jay Lethal-Ric Flair match at Victory Road, and then we head to the ring for a Jay Lethal promo. Lethal says he doesn't respect Flair anymore, and to try and come out to fight him because his brother's not a wrestler, but he is and he's not going to stand for this. Instead, out comes Matt Morgan and he says that he's sorry to interrupt Lethal like this...actually, no he's not. Just 2 weeks ago, Flair announced that he was going to form a group called Fortune, and as it happens, Morgan was the first person Flair asked to join. He respects Flair for coming to Morgan, but he hasn't decided what he's going to do just yet, but there was one thing that Morgan and Flair could agree on...and he nails Lethal with the microphone and the bell rings, so it looks like we have...
Jay Lethal vs Matt Morgan
Morgan takes Lethal to the corner and hits the series of elbows, then a Stinger Splash and a side suplex. Morgan chokes Lethal on the ropes then puts on a surfboard in the ropes. Lethal tries a high crossbody, but Morgan catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Morgan chokes Lethal in the corner, then chokes him on the ropes and hits a top rope Boss Man Straddle for 2. Morgan goes for a Carbon Footprint, but Lethal moves and Morgan crotches himself on the top rope. Now Lethal starts firing back and hits an enziguiri and a flying shoulderblock takes Morgan down. Running dropkick to the face gets 2 for Lethal. Lethal goes for a springboard something, but Morgan catches him by the throat and just tosses him over the top to the floor. While the referee's checking on Lethal, Hernandez comes running out and lowblows Morgan, allowing Lethal to hit the springboard dropkick to Morgan for the win.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Backstage, Abyss is building a nail bat, and says with every nail he drives in, he paves the way that much more for when "they" come to TNA.
Back to the ring...
TNA Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne vs Taylor Wilde
Sky with a hair pull to start, Taylor shoves her so Rayne spears Taylor and chokes her on the ropes. Rayne with a forearm to the chest and goes for the flying headscissors, but Taylor escapes and lays Rayne out with a forearm. Rayne and Taylor with a double clothesline as Tommy Dreamer comes out of the back with Rhino, Raven, and Stevie Richards as the crowd chants you know what. Taylor tries a high crossbody off the top, but Rayne moves and gouges the face of Wilde. Rayne hits her finish and covers for the win.
Winner: Madison Rayne
Angelina Love runs out and attacks Rayne and tries to DDT her on a chair like she did to Lacey Von Erich and Velvet Sky, but Madison bails out to the floor to save her neck.
Dixie Carter is backstage, and she's...WALKING!
We go backstage and Sarita is beating the crap out of Taylor Wilde, she tries rolling a big crate into Taylor and Taylor moves and starts firing back, but Sarita rams her into a fence and continues the beating until security comes and breaks them up.
We go to Mike and Taz, who run down the card for Victory Road and then we go backstage to Dixie, who has found Sting. Sting says it's about time, but Dixie says that Sting has become a cancer here in TNA and this can't continue. Dixie has put her in a position where she has no choice, and she suspends Sting for 30 days without pay. Sting asks her if she thinks it's about the money, and she says she knows it's not, but asks Sting what it is about. Sting is about to tell her, but just at that moment Eric Bischoff brings security in to kick Sting out, and Sting says forget the 30 days, just make it indefinite. Security removes Sting, and Bischoff tells Dixie that she needs a bodyguard 24/7 because Sting is out of control and is dangerous.
It's main event time!
Jeff Hardy vs Abyss, Special Referee: Rob Van Dam
Hardy goes right after Abyss and Abyss tries to swing the bat at Hardy, but Hardy ducks and dropkicks Abyss and the bat drops. RVD tosses it out of the ring as Hardy nails Abyss and sends him tumbling to the floor. Hardy with a dive over the top and almost hits Abyss, but Abyss sells it anyway. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Abyss shoves him off into the guardrail and then rams him into the steps. Abyss tosses Hardy back in the ring and whips him hard into the corner and Hardy comes bouncing back out and crashes to the mat. Abyss with a side suplex for 2, then goes to ringside and grabs a chair from the same kids he stole the chairs from earlier and gets back in the ring. RVD takes the chair away and Hardy rolls Abyss up for 2, then drops him with a clothesline and the double legdrop to the groin. Now Hardy goes and gets the chair and RVD goes to grab the chair, but Hardy says to wait, and then he sets up the chair and uses it to springboard onto Abyss in the corner. Hardy with the Whisper In The Wind for 2 and then comes off the ropes and runs right into a big boot from Abyss, which he follows up with a big splash for 2. Abyss goes for Shock Treatment but Hardy escapes and hits the Twist Of Fate, then goes up top for the Swanton, but Abyss nails him and goes up to chokeslam Hardy off the top, Hardy fights him off and Abyss crashes down and Hardy hits the Swanton for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Abyss attacks Hardy after the match, then gives RVD the Black Hole Slam. He goes out to the floor and gets the nail bat, but here comes Mr Anderson, and he knocks the bat out of Abyss' hands with a chair, then goes after Abyss with the chair, but Abyss ducks and Anderson hits Hardy...by mistake? Can't quite tell as Anderson doesn't look too upset, and Abyss gives Anderson the Shock Treatment and stands tall as we go off the air.
2011 - TNA ran Brooklyn, NY. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
TNA returned to MCU Park in Brooklyn, NY for a Basebrawl event. It was a very good and entertaining show with the only downside being that Ric Flair, who was the focal point of advertising and was pushed as appearing, did not appear before the live crowd. Flair was there and did a signing for VIP ticketholders that purchased a special ticket but did not come out before the crowd, although both Don West and Jeremy Borash plugged that he would. The word making the rounds after the show was that Flair had turned down the request to come out before the crowd and left the venue before the show ended.
Results of the show, which was the usual good TNA house show designed to create a fun atmosphere and have the babyfaces go over to send everyone home with a smile:
*Orlando Jordan & Amazing Red & Eric Young defeated The British Invasion & Robbie E in a comedy match. Cookie was at ringside and looked to have lost a lot of weight. They did a lot of shenanigans early, including Eric Young being chased around the bases by the referee and Orlando Jordan dancing with Robbie E when E was doing the fistpump. E was horrified when he realized who was bumping and grinding with him. Although they turned babyface on last night's Impact Wrestling, the Invasion worked heel. All the heels ended up on the outside, where Red hit a twisting dive. Red caught E with a tornado DDT off the ropes for the pin.
*TNA Knockouts champion Mickie James pinned Angelina Love. Love was accompanied by Winter. Solid match. James was very over. They did the world's "most infamous referee" bit with Earl Hebner and the crowd was all over him. Hebner did the Bret Hart mannerisms in response. Hebner sold quite a few of his "Damn Right I Did" shirts, playing off the Montreal Screwjob at $10 a pop as I saw a ton of them in the crowd. Hebner and his son Brian both signed at the merchandise stand during intermission.
*Crimson pinned Jeff Jarrett with the Sky High. Jarrett easily got the most heat of anyone on the show, going as far as to jaw with a ringside fan to the point that it looked as if it was going to physical, leading Ronnie Lang's Atlas Security to race over. Thankfully, nothing happened. Jarrett did a deal where he claimed he would leave and never return to Brooklyn if the crowd wasn't quiet and showed him respect, getting the desired reaction of the crowd going nuts. Jarrett carried Crimson to one of the better matches I've seen out of Crimson so far in his run.
*They played Rob Van Dam's music and the place popped huge but Bully Ray came out and said he was tired of waiting. He challenged Devon to come out. They went back and forth, setting up a Falls Count Anywhere No DQ Street Fight. Early on, Ray was beating on Devon, saying he was a loser like everyone from Brooklyn while he was from Queens where real men live. They brawled onto the field and then atop one of the dugouts. A table was brought into the ring but wasn't used. Devon finally won an entertaining brawl with a Sidewalk Slam. Afterward, he took the mic and said that everyone now knew who the stronger side of Team 3D was and led a "Where's Brooklyn at?" chant. There were sporadic ECW chants during the brawling. As a funny aside, former ECW star Joel Gertner was at the show. Devon picked up his second Bound for Glory series win here.
*After a lengthy intermission to allow fans going "backstage" for signings, Rob Van Dam pinned AJ Styles in another entertaining match. This was like an old ECW house show RVD match with a lot of posturing early with chants back and forth for each man. RVD ended up getting a big ECW chant at one point too. Lots of athletic moves including a dive out of the ring by Van Dam. Some decent near falls. In the end, Styles went for a top rope rana but Van Dam held onto the ropes. Styles hit the mat and was stunned, allowing Van Dam to hit the Five Star Frog Splash for the win. They showed each other respect after the match. This was a Bound for Glory series match, so Van Dam picked up points.
*Kurt Angle pinned TNA champion Mr. Anderson with the Olympic Slam in a non-title bout. Anderson posed for the mic to be dropped down and stood there waiting, dejected, when it didn't (It was an outdoor stadium). Lots of "USA" chants for Angle, who was one of the most over babyfaces on the show.
Almost on cue with the Angle win, the planned Coney Island fireworks display kicked off, closing the show with a pretty damn spectacular pyrotechnics show. As the fireworks shot off, fans paid $20 to take a group photo in the ring with Angle and Styles. I would estimate at least half of the audience (I pegged the crowd at 4,500-5,500 fans) stayed in line to get the photo.
Notes: Jeff Jarrett signed for fans after the show ended...The crowd was down a bit from last year. One factor in that may have been that last year, the New York Mets organization pushed the show hard at Mets games on their billboards with a graphic of Hulk Hogan. This year, to the best of my knowledge (and my brother is at every local Mets game, period), there was no such promotion....Don West did his usual great job promoting the merchandise....They were selling some nice looking Basebrawl shirts....The stadium had multiple cameras shooting the show, broadcasting it on their video screens....Interestingly, they were selling Jeff Hardy t-shirts....They had TNA "lightsabers" (basically light up toys with the TNA logo) which sold out....TNA runs Asbury Park, NJ tomorrow with the same crew....TNA pushed that the Bound for Glory series matches would air on Impact Wrestling next week....D'Lo Brown worked as head agent at the show. Pat Kenney was at the event visiting but was not working the event.
Flair: There's absolutely no excuse for Ric Flair to have not made an appearance on the show before the live crowd. It is ludicrous when you realize that he turned down the chance to come out and do a quick, non-physical segment before one of the larger crowds TNA will draw this summer and possibly this year to a live event. As soon as the show ended, everyone sitting around me asked what happened to Flair. It made TNA look totally bush league, because to the average fan there, it appeared that Don West and Jeremy Borash pushed that someone was there when they really weren't. There is no excuse to ever put TNA or its talents in that position, especially when Flair is making well into six figures annually from his TNA salary. For Flair not to come out, cut a quick promo, drop a "Woo" and leave as the legend the fans view him as is just another sad chapter in a man chipping away at his own aura. To leave TNA, who's been paying him a handsome salary, holding the bag, is inexcusable but sadly not surprising.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin this week’s show with a Mark Henry video package showing the damage that he has done over the last few weeks.
We are live on tape from Phoenix, Arizona and your announcers are Michael ‘It’s a Dry Heat’ Cole, Josh ‘Providing Cogent Analysis since 2008’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Where’s My Wheel’T
Teddy Long is in his office and Christian enters. Christian has the contract for the World Title Match at Money in the Bank. He wants Teddy to make sure that he has Randy Orton in the ring to sign it. Teddy suggests that Christian is suffering from memory loss because Teddy said that if Christian won the tag match last week, he would get the title match. Christian says that was what he thought happened last week.
Teddy points out that it was Mark Henry who got the pin last week. That is why Mark will face Randy Orton. Teddy says that Mark has been impressive lately and if Mark can beat Orton, maybe it will be a Triple Threat Match at Money in the Bank. Maybe it will be a one on one match between Orton and Henry.
Christian tells Teddy that he can’t do it and he can’t screw him again.
Teddy says that he can and he is. He warns Christian that he is banned from ringside and if he interferes, there will be severe consequences.
Match Number One: Randy Orton versus Mark Henry
They lock up and Henry picks up Orton and runs him into the corner. Orton with punches to Henry in the corner until the referee warns Orton. Henry with a knee when he stops an Irish whip attempt. Henry with a forearm across the chest followed by an few Irish whip and a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall.
Henry picks up Orton for a power slam but Orton gets away from Henry. Henry with a big boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Henry stands on Orton’s chest to limit Orton’s breathing and then he connects with a head butt. Henry has something to say to Orton and he tells Randy that he is the champ and he connects with another head butt. Henry waits for Orton to get up and Henry sets for another slam but Orton escapes. Henry misses a charge into the corner and Orton with a shot to the back followed by a DDT and he gets a near fall.
Orton goes after Henry on the floor but Mark runs Orton’s back into the apron.
Big Show’s music plays and Henry waits for Show to make his way to the ring but Big Show does not appear. The referee continues his count and Orton recovers and gives Henry an RKO. Orton rolls into the ring at nine and Henry gets counted out.
Winner: Randy Orton by count out
After the match, Orton appears to have taken credit for Big Show’s music and then he celebrates in the ring.
Meanwhile, on the floor, Mark Henry is furious over the result of this match. Just like his music says, someone’s gonna get their ass kicked and it looks like Mark is making his way over to the sound area. The sound guys tell Henry who played Show’s music to stay in his seat. Henry wants to know if he finds it funny. Mark destroys some of the sound equipment as he continues to torment the sound guy. Mark says that he could have won as he continues to destroy more equipment. Now that the sound table is gone, he has some extra space so he grabs the sound guy and then throws him to the floor like a rag doll. Henry destroys the chair and walks away as he surveys his damage.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Mark Henry being outsmarted by entrance music.
We see highlights from last week’s match between Cody Rhodes and Daniel Bryan and the post match attack by Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes.
Ted has some comments before the match in the Goldman Box and he says that it has been so fun humiliating Daniel Bryan and it is all thanks to Cody. He says that he hopes Cody is watching to see how bad he beats Daniel Bryan tonight.
Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan versus Ted DiBiase in a Sounds of Silence thanks to Mark Henry Match
They lock up and Ted with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bryan with an arm drag into an arm bar. Ted tries for a leap frog but Bryan is able to grab one of Ted’s legs and that forces Ted face first into the mat. Bryan sets fro the surfboard and then he turns it into a bridge and gets a near fall. Bryan with an English uppercut followed by an Irish whip but Ted sends Bryan to the apron.
Bryan punches Ted and goes up top but Ted moves out of the way. Ted with a drop kick that sends Bryan to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ted with a side head lock on Bryan. Bryan with a waist lock but Ted with a standing switch. DiBiase with the rebound clothesline for a near fall. Ted with a knee drop for a near fall. DiBiase with a reverse chin lock but Bryan with elbows. Ted with a knee and kicks in the corner. Ted with an Irish whip but Bryan flips out of the corner and hits a flying clothesline. Bryan hits the running drop kick into the corner and he gets a near fall.
Bryan with a series of kicks to the chest. Ted blocks a kick and gets a near fall with a rollup but Bryan counters and tries for the LeBell Lock but Ted gets to the ropes. Ted with a kick and then he charges at Bryan but Bryan with a back body drop over the top rope to the floor. Bryan goes to the apron and he tries for the running knee off the apron but Ted catches Bryan and he runs Bryan into the ring post and ringside barrier.
Bryan holds his shoulder as Ted brings Bryan back into the ring and gets a near fall. Ted face washes Bryan with his boot and then Ted tells Bryan that he is nothing and he slaps Bryan in the face. Ted calls him pathetic and he slaps Bryan again.
Ted puts Bryan on the top turnbuckle and sets for a superplex but Bryan blocks it and then he knocks Ted off the turnbuckles with a head butt. Bryan hits a missile drop kick and Bryan may have done more damage to himself than to DiBiase because of the way he landed on his elbow. Bryan with slaps and kicks to Ted and he completes the sequence with a round kick to the head for a near fall.
Bryan charges into a boot from DiBiase and Ted tries for Dream Street but Bryan rolls through. Ted tries for the rebound clothesline but Bryan is able to avoid it and he puts Ted in a Guillotine Choke. Ted tries to fight out of it but he has to tap out.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Teddy Long is in his office and Christian enters again. Teddy tells Christian that he knew that Christian would be here. Christian says that now that Mark Henry lost, he is the number one contender. Teddy says that the word on the street is that Christian was coming out of the production truck when Big Show’s music started to play. Christian says that he was on the phone with a very good friend and he asks Teddy if he wants to check his phone.
Teddy tells Christian that we will have the contract signing but that won’t be for another hour, so Christian will have a match before the contract signing. Christian is incensed that he has to wrestle and that Teddy is not protecting him because he will be the face of Smackdown. Teddy tells Christian that he needs to spend less time complaining and more time getting ready for his match against Sin Cara.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ted DiBiase is walking in the back and he is met by Cody Rhodes. Cody asks Ted if he knows that significance of May 20th. He says that is the last time that Ted won a match. There may have been flashes of brilliance in between, but Ted goes out and loses to that common man Daniel Bryan. Cody says that he cannot guide Ted until he applies his aptitude for consistency to something other than failure. If Ted is going to lose, he might as well wear a paper bag.
Josh, Michael, and Booker discuss the way that the Great Khali has changed over the last five weeks due to the presence of Jinder Mahal.
Josh interviewed Khali’s brother Runjin Singh. He says that before the Mahals amassed their fortunes, their families were close. He says that Mahal is jealous of Khali because of his success in the ring and in the movies. Jinder wishes that he was the Great Khali, but he never will be. Years ago, he became his brother in law when Jinder married Singh’s sister. Mahal is telling Khali that he will humiliate the Singh family by divorcing Khali’s sister. The people who say that there is nothing to fear but fear itself are wrong. You need to fear Jinder Mahal.
We go to commercial.
We see the Money in the Bank briefcase over the ring so that means that we find out who the eight participants in the Smackdown Money in the Bank are: Sheamus, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, and Kane.
Match Number Three: Christian versus Sin Cara with El Tramplino Bueno
Cara with kicks to Christian followed by a springboard arm drag that sends Christian to the floor. Sin Cara teases a move to the floor, but he hits the ropes and does a few flips in the ring as Christian moves away from the ring. He gets close to the ring again and Cara teases a triple jump cross body but instead he fakes the move and flips around in the ring some more.
Cara waits for Christian to return to the ring as we go to commercial and Christian complains about the lighting.
We are back and Christian punches Cara and connects with a forearm to the back of the head. Christian slingshots to the floor for an uppercut but Cara knows it is coming and he avoids it. Cara with a kick to Christian followed by the corkscrew pescado.
Cara with a slingshot corkscrew press for a near fall. Christian with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Christian with a punch to Cara and then he sends Cara into the turnbuckles. Cara with a kick and then he uses the ropes for an arm drag. Cara with a head scissors take down for a near fall.
Christian goes to the apron and he connects with a shoulder and then Christian sends Cara over the top rope to the floor. Christian sends Sin Cara into the ringside barrier and then Christian gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Christian with kicks followed by a rear chin lock. Christian with a slam and then he takes too long and Cara with a rana that sends Christian into the corner. Christian with a kick for a near fall.
Christian puts Cara in the ropes and he chokes Cara. Christian with a punch and he goes up top for a diving head butt but Cara moves and Cara gets a near fall. Cara with a springboard back elbow and both men are down. Cara with a La Mistica single arm DDT but he can only get a near fall. Christian gets Cara on his shoulders but Cara counters with a rollup and gets a near fall. Christian with a punch to Cara and then Christian goes back to the turnbuckles but Cara recovers and he connects with a kick to the head. Christian pushes Cara off the turnbuckles but Cara lands on his feet and then he does a hand spring and Christian goes to the floor. Cara goes to the apron and he kicks Christian and hits a head scissors off the apron.
Cara rolls Christian back into the ring and he kicks Christian in the head. Cara with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall. Cara with an inside cradle for a near fall. Cara with a drop kick that staggers Christian. Cara tries for the handspring back elbow but he doesn’t have the distance properly calculated so he lands short and Christian is able to catch Cara and he tries for the Killswitch but Cara escapes and Christian is sent into the corner.
Cara tries for a move in the corner but Christian avoids it and he pulls Cara off the top rope and then Christian hits the spear and gets the three count.
Winner: Christian
We take a look at Ezekiel Jackson’s victory over Wade Barrett to win the Intercontinental Title.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Cody Rhodes with his Bag Men and Ted DiBiase versus Ezekiel Jackson in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Jackson backs Rhodes into the corner and Jackson with a clean break. Cody with a side head lock but Jackson with a shoulder tackle and he sends Cody into the turnbuckles and he punches Cody followed by a forearm to the back and a biel. Cody with a drop down uppercut but Jackson with forearms to Cody followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Jackson presses Cody over his head but Cody gets away and he goes to the floor and under the ring. Jackson follows after Cody and Cody is able to attack Jackson from behind and he sends Jackson into the ring post.
Cody gets a near fall as they return to the ring and then he punches Jackson. Cody with a splash into the corner as he tries to work on the back. Code with a rear chin lock as he traps the arm in a chicken with his leg. Rhodes with a front face lock. Jackson blocks a suplex and he tosses Cody to the mat.
Jackson with a body block and clothesline followed by an Irish whip and a running clothesline into the corner. Jackson with a slam and Ted gets on the apron and he sends DiBiase into the ring post. Cody hits the springboard round kick and Cross Rhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Cody goes over to DiBiase and tells him that he did the right thing.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Johnny Curtis is painting while waiting for his Smackdown debut. He apologizes for coming off as a wise guy or bitter. He says that there will be no more shenanigans because he doesn’t want to paint himself into a corner. We see that is exactly what he has painted.
It is time for the Raw Rebound.
Cole mentions that CM Punk has been suspended. Cole says that Punk was justifiably suspended. Booker mentions that he watched it on YouTube (even though he was in the building on Monday night as the Wheel Master) and he says that he was blown away. Cole mentions that there are rumors that Mr. McMahon will be at Raw on Monday to address the situation.
Match Number Five: Kane versus Wade Barrett
They lock up and Kane with a clean break. Barrett with a kick and punches to Kane but Kane with an uppercut that drops Barrett to the mat. Kane with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Kane with an arm bar and wrist lock. Kane sends Barrett into the corner but he misses a splash. Barrett with a clothesline for a near fall. Barrett with a front face lock but Kane with a boot to the head. Kane with a snap mare and Barrett goes to the floor when he sees Kane try for the drop kick. Kane follows after Barrett and he sends Wade into the apron.
Barrett with a running boot that knocks Kane off the apron and Kane goes into the ringside barrier as we go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett with a reverse chin lock but Kane with a belly-to-back suplex. Barrett with a back elbow and kicks. Barrett with a running boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Barrett with a kick to the midsection. Barrett with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Barrett chokes Kane in the ropes and he adds some knees to the head. Barrett with a clothesline to Kane while he is in the ropes and Barrett gets a near fall.
Barrett with a rear chin lock. Barrett with kicks to Kane in the corner but Kane with uppercuts that knock Barrett down. Barrett with a DDT to Kane and he gets a near fall. Barrett goes to the turnbuckles but he misses an elbow drop when Kane moves out of the way. Kane with punches to Barrett followed by a cross body for a near fall. Kane with a snap mare followed by a drop kick for a near fall.
Barrett punches Kane but Kane with a boot to the head for a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner followed by a side slam for a near fall. Kane goes up top for the clothesline and he hits it. Kane signals for the choke slam and Barrett escapes. Kane tries for a Tombstone but Barrett with the Boss Man Slam for a near fall. Barrett tries to get Kane up for Wasteland but Kane goes to the apron. Barrett tries for a big boot but he gets crotched. Kane with a punch followed by a choke slam and he gets the three count.
Winner: Kane
We take a look back at what happened earlier tonight between Mark Henry and music after he was outsmarted by the sound technicians in his match with Randy Orton.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the ring has a carpet and table so it must mean that it is contract signing time and if there is a contract being signed, there is going to be something destroyed.
Teddy Long is in the ring and he brings out the former World Champion and current Number One Contender. Christian is accompanied by a man in a suit. Teddy then brings out the World Champion Randy Orton.
Orton and Christian stare at each other but there is a table they need to sit across from each other at.
They sit at the table and Teddy says that this is the official contract signing for their match at Money in the Bank.
Christian tells Teddy and Orton that his legal counsel has reviewed the contract and he points out that there is a clause that if the referee makes a bad call, he receives an immediate rematch. Teddy tells his lackeys in the black and white stripes to do their jobs or they will be back doing this again. Christian says that he is sick being screwed over. Christian says that he knows that he can beat Orton even though nobody else thinks that he can.
Randy says that there is a reason for that, but Christian tells him to shut up. Christian reminds Orton that he beat him two weeks ago and he won last week in the tag match. Teddy can’t save him any more. The crooked refs can’t save him any more. The WWE brass can’t save him any more because they think that Orton is their golden boy. Christian says that the truth of the matter is that Orton can’t beat him. At Money in the Bank, Christian says that he is going to prove it.
Orton tells Christian that there was a time when this all started between them when he enjoyed facing Christian in this ring. A time when he respected Christian. They had a great match when he beat Christian. They had another epic match and Orton won again. The more that he beats Christian, the more that Christian begs and pleads for one more match. Orton says that it is comical. Now all of this is starting to make him angry. Orton reminds Christian that he has had problems in the past managing his anger. Orton congratulates Christian for lawyering up to get another title shot. A lawyer is not going to give Christian the title. Orton reminds Christian that he is going to have to beat him and that will never ever happen.
Orton signs the contract first and then he gives it to Christian. Chrsitian gives the contract to his lawyer to review it and the lawyer has something to tell Christian. Christian is about to sign the contract, but the pen is out of ink.
Before Teddy can give Christian another pen, Sheamus comes into the ring and he goes after Orton and then he throws Orton’s chair out of the ring. Sheamus punches Orton and Christian pulls Sheamus off. Sheamus hits Christian and then connects with the Brogue Kick. Orton gets up and tries for an RKO but Sheamus with a Brogue Kick for Orton.
Sheamus tells both of them that he will break them fella. Sheamus rips up the contract as we go to credits.
2012 - Ring of Honor broadcast ROH on Sinclair. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s episode of Ring of Honor Television is another edition of Road Rage. This week, we are in Charleston, West Virginia. Kevin Kelly and Jim Cornette are in the ring and Kevin and Jim mention that the main event is a Texas Death Match between Jay Briscoe and Charlie Haas.
We go to comments from Mike Mondo, who will be facing Davey Richards on this week’s show.
Veda Scott is with Mike and she asks him about this match. Mike tells Wolf Boy to get closer to his television screen so he can hear him clearer. He says that he doesn’t like Davey and he does not fear him. He respects Davey. Davey has competed around the world, but he is not the best. He says that he is calling Davey’s bluff and in order to be the best, he has to beat Mike Mondo.
Match Number One: Mike Mondo versus Davey Richards
Mondo makes an imaginary line across the center of the ring and Davey crosses it before the bell rings. They lock up and Richards works on the arm and wrist. Mondo with a reversal and he takes Davey to the mat. Davey with a bridge and kick to escape the hold. Mondo with a hammer lock and forearm to the back. Davey with a back heel kick and kick to the chest. Richards with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Mondo stays on his feet.
Mondo tries for a shoulder tackle and he cannot knock Richards down. Davey poses to mock Mondo. Richards with an O’Connor Roll for a near fall and then he stretches Mondo and gets a rollup but Mondo reverses the hold. Mondo gets a near fall with a rollup. Mondo with an arm drag but Richards with one as well.
Mondo misses a drop kick but he avoids a running kick from Richards. They have a Greco Roman knuckle lock and Mondo tries for a rollup but Richards drops down and gets a near fall. Mondo with a near fall as well. Mondo with a kick and Irish whip but Richards floats over and gets a near fall with a rollup. Mondo with a rollup for a near fall.
Richards with an arm drag and he gets a near fall. Mondo avoids an arm drag attempt by Richards. Richards has something to say to Mondo but Mondo with a forearm. Mondo with an Irish whip but Richards moves when Mondo charges into the corner and goes to the apron. Richards tries to send Mondo into the turnbuckles but Mondo blocks it and he sends Richards into the turnbuckles.
Mondo goes after Davey on the apron but Davey pulls down the ropes and Mondo goes to the floor. Richards with the running kick to Mondo and he is down. Richards with a kick to the chest when he goes to the floor. Richards kicks Mondo in the chest as he moves around the ringside area. He kicks Mondo against the guardrails. Richards sends Mondo back into the ring and then Davey goes up top but misses a double stomp.
Richards charges at Mondo but Mondo pulls down the middle rope and Davey goes to the floor. Mondo with a shoulder tackle that knocks Richards off the apron into the guardrails. We go to commercial.
We are back and Mondo with a seated abdominal stretch but Davey is able to get to his feet and he connects with knees. Mondo with a knee to the midsection and Davey holds on to his ribs. Mondo traps the legs and he applies pressure on the midsection. Mondo with a sunset flip attempt but Davey holds on to his base and hits a double stomp to Mondo’s midsection.
Mondo with a forearm but Richards responds in kind. They continue to exchange forearms as the time limit approaches. Mondo with a knee but Richards with a drop kick and Mondo goes to the floor. Richards sets for a suicide dive and he hits it and both men are down on the floor. Richards rolls Mondo back in and we have a minute left in the match. Richards with a missile drop kick and then he runs into a boot from Mondo. Richards with a round kick and German suplex for a near fall. Richards applies the ankle lock but Mondo is able to hold on long enough for the time limit to run out.
Time Limit Draw
After the match, the fans chant for five more minutes and it looks like we are going to get some extra time, but No Fear Mike Mondo appears to have found some fear because he leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
We go to some bonus coverage of a Four Corner Proving Ground Match with Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and BJ Whitmer facing Roderick Strong and if anyone besides Strong wins, they earn a TV Title match.
Whitmer tries for an O’Connor Roll on Strong but Roderick holds on to the ropes. Whitmer hits a rana and gets a near fall. Whitmer tries for a uranage and Strong blocks it with elbows. Strong with a forearm and then he gets Whitmer on his shoulders for the gutbuster. Whitmer blocks it and hits a fisherman’s suplex and rolls through and hits another one but Cole breaks up the cover.
O’Reilly tags in and he kicks Whitmer. Whitmer with a chop. They continue the exchange until Kyle gets the advantage and hits belly-to-back suplex and bridge that is broken up by Strong. Whitmer with a jawbreaker and Cole tags in and hits a cross body from the top for a near fall. Cole with a waist lock and Kyle with a standing switch. Cole with an enzuigiri but Kyle with a discus forearm. Cole with a Shining Wizard for a near fall.
Cole tries for a suplex but O’Reilly with a knee to block it. Kyle and Adam each with boots to the head and then they each hit bicycle kicks but Strong made the blind tag before the kicks. Strong throws O’Reilly out of the ring and Strong hits a back breaker on Cole but Cole kicks out at two.
Strong chops and connects with forearms in the corner. Strong spit on Whitmer before charging into the corner and Cole gets his boot up. Strong with an enzuigiri and gutbuster but Whitmer breaks up the cover. Whitmer and Strong exchange forearms. Whitmer an overhead exploder to Strong. Cole with a super kick to Whitmer and he tries for one on O’Reilly but Kyle blocks it and hits a discus clothesline. Strong with a knee to Kyle’s face and everyone is down.
Cole and Strong exchange shots while Whitmer and O’Reilly do the same. Whitmer with a boot to O’Reilly while Cole connects with a boot to Strong. Whitmer suplexes Kyle over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Strong with a rollup but Cole kicks out at two. Strong with a super kick for another near fall.
Strong tries for a suplex but Cole lands on his feet and gets Strong to the mat with a crucifix and he gets the three count to win the match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jim Cornette is in the ring with people from the local television station and some of their sponsors.
It is time for the rules for the Texas Death Match before our main event.
Match Number Two: Jay Briscoe versus Charlie Haas in a Texas Death Match
Charlie and Jay don’t even wait for the introductions when Haas goes after Jay. Jay with a sunset flip and he pins Haas. After a 30 second break, Haas has a ten count to get back to his feet. They don’t even wait the thirty seconds to resume the match and we go to commercial.
We are back they are on the floor and Jay punches Haas as they go around the ringside area. Jay with an Irish whip into the guardrails. Jay grabs the ring bell and he rings it on Haas’ head. Jay throws a chair into the ring and then he punches Haas in the head. Haas with a belly-to-back suplex onto the guardrails. Haas pins Briscoe and we have a thirty second rest period.
Haas attacks Briscoe before the thirty second rest period ends and the referee warns Haas. Briscoe returns to his feet before the ten count. Haas with a forearm to the back but Briscoe with punches. Haas with a rake of the eyes. Briscoe with a boot but Haas with an exploder suplex for a three count.
Haas attacks Briscoe one more time before the end of the thirty second period. Haas punches Briscoe when he returns to his feet. Haas sends Briscoe into the turnbuckles and then he punches Briscoe. Haas with a snap mare and kick to the back. Haas Irish whips Briscoe into the turnbuckles and he hits the bottom turnbuckle.
Briscoe with forearms and kicks but Haas with a clothesline into the corner and a biel for a near fall. Haas with a reverse chin lock and then he removes some of his wrist tape to choke Briscoe. Briscoe with elbows but he goes over the top rope when Haas drops down and pulls down the ropes. Haas removes more wrist tape and he kicks Briscoe in the chest and sends Jay into the guardrails.
Haas sends Jay into a chair on the floor. Haas punches Briscoe while yelling at Kevin Kelly. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jay with a kick and he tries for a piledriver on the floor but Haas counters with a back body drop. Haas sends Briscoe back into the ring and he holds a chair over his head. Jay kicks the chair into Charlie’s face and both men are down. Haas with a punch but Jay punches back. Jay gets the advantage with punches but Haas with an Olympic Slam and he hits the referee and he is out. Haas covers Jay but there is no referee so there is no count.
Haas attacks Bobby Cruise and he takes the table that Cruise and the timekeeper used. Briscoe with a drop kick into the table and Haas goes to the floor. Jay hits Charlie in the back with a chair. Jay goes to the back and he brings out a cooler of weapons and some beer. Briscoe opens it in Haas’ face and he hits him with the can.
Jay takes a drink and then he hits Haas in the head with the can and it appears to have glanced off Bobby Cruise. Jay hits a super kick and then he sets up the table after punching Haas a few more times. Haas gets the traffic cone and he hits Briscoe in the head but Jay stays on his feet and Jay with a clothesline. Jay puts Charlie on the table and then he goes up top for a double stomp and he sends Haas through the table.
Briscoe covers Haas but the referee is still not in a condition to make the count. Briscoe with a boot to the back and then he sets up chairs in the center of the ring. Jay with a Death Valley Driver through the fence and chairs. Jay goes back to the cooler and he has a kendo stick but Haas kicks the referee and he is out again. Haas with a low blow and then he takes the kendo stick. Haas hits Briscoe in the head but the referee is still out.
Haas goes under the ring and he has a towel and spray similar to what he used in Toronto to help him and Shelton win the tag titles. He sprays the towel but Jay avoids it and Jay hits Haas with the kendo stick. Jay picks up the towel and spray and he throws the towel into the crowd and people fight for the towel. Briscoe hits Haas with the can and gets a three count.
We have the thirty second rest period and during this time we see people smelling the towel but none of them pass out.
The thirty seconds end and the ten count begins. Haas tries to get to his feet with help from the ropes but he falls through the ropes and the referee makes it to ten.
Winner: Jay Briscoe
2012 - Angelina Love, who hadn't been used much by TNA in recent weeks, requested and received a release, posting the following on her Twitter account:
"To all my wonderful fans, just want to let you know I have been granted my release from TNA. It was completely amicable parting of ways and I want to thank TNA and all of its employees for the wonderful journey I've had there over the years. Now I'm on to the next amazing chapter of my life! If you are looking to book me please contact John at john@spectacularsignings.com Thank you so much!"
Love would not return to the company until 2014.
2013 - TNA changed Suicide's name to Manik.
2013 - Sandra Toffoloni, the sister of the late Nancy Benoit, discussed the Benoit family tragedy publicly for the first time in an interview on The2Count.com.
The interview is something you should go out of your way to read, but here are a few highlights.
What She Believes Happened: "The Chris Benoit I had known for a decade loved my sister so much that he would never – even in the worst episode of high spots [slang for a wrestler being out of control abusive due to substance abuse]– have hurt my sister this bad. I believe he totally blacked out. I also believe that, when he came out of it and realized what he had done, he went out of his mind. He probably couldn’t believe what he had done to Nancy. He realized what he had done and medicated even more and drank and wondered how he would explain this to Daniel. He probably became so grief stricken with his own actions that he didn’t want to live anymore. I can understand him taking his own life, especially knowing he would get capital punishment if he were tried and found guilty of my sister’s murder. However, I can’t put a reason on why Chris killed Daniel. I myself am unable to have children and my sister and Chris always made me feel better about this fact by sharing so much of my nephew’s life with me. I was very, very close to Daniel. Chris knew I would have taken care of and loved that child with everything I had. I would have kept David and Megan in his life as well and he knew all that."
The Theory that concussion-caused brain disease CTE: "Yes, my brother-in-law had concussions, he hit his head for a living and I understand that. But way beyond that, he had a very serious drug and steroid problem... It can’t be told to me that this wasn’t the determining factor behind what happened. I wasn’t there that weekend, but I was during the last decade. Chris could have never done what he did had it not been for the steroids and prescription drugs."
Chris Benoit's Health: "The medical examiner told us after the autopsy that Chris was on his way to death within ten months. His heart was huge, about three times normal size, and it was ready to blow up at any moment."
Benoit had been planning for a post-WWE Life: "After Eddie [Guerrero] passed away, Chris and Nancy discussed the possibility of Chris leaving the WWE and starting his own wrestling school. As a matter of fact, it had become more than a possibility. A business plan had been developed and merchandise had been designed. However, the WWE was prepared to give Chris a big push and put him into another championship match (vs. CM Punk for the ECW Title) so Chris began training harder and pushing his body further."
Benoit's Drug Use: "He had a serious drug problem, used a lot of steroids and was certainly not alone in that at the time. The paranoia was a direct result of the abuse of steroids. The last two weeks I spent with Chris, we used to go to the gym and go tanning together. At some point, he began acting weird and I wondered what was wrong with him. He would find 30 different routes to drive to the gym which he never did before. This is not schizophrenia! This was a result of combining steroids with pain medication and, later on, alcohol. I had never seen him like this before."
Her Last Conversation with Nancy Benoit: "We talked about mascaras and she told me that I needed to get a good quality mascara for myself. We also talked about Daniel and how he was graduating from horse camp. We talked about David [Chris Benoit's oldest son] and how he was growing. Nancy also spoke to me about her home improvement plans for the upcoming summer. Chris and Nancy were considering having another baby, but Nancy had said that she wouldn’t have one until I moved closer to them. They then suggested that a house be built for me on the acreage right by their own home. Chris was actually stoked about it. Nancy was hoping to travel with Chris on occasion if they could have someone close by to take care of the children. Once we hung up, Nancy called me back a little later to tell me that she had put some money in my bank account so I could do something for myself that upcoming Monday: get a massage, a pedicure, buy some mascara. This is how generous my sister was and that was the last time I ever spoke to her. She had no clue as to what was about to happen."
Toffolini also noted that Paul Heyman had pushed her to write a book or make a documentary on Nancy Benoit's life.
In the wake of the Benoit family tragedy, the Toffoloni family created the Nancy and Daniel Benoit Foundation. For more on that organization, visit NDBFoundation.com.
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Vickie Guerrero is in her office and she tells us that we will honor the pinnacle of sports entertainment, the WWE Championship and the World Title. They symbolize the prestige of the company. We will have a special match with Alberto Del Rio facing John Cena and she thanks the McMahons for allowing it.
We are in Sioux City, Iowa and your announcers are John ‘Shouldn’t David Otunga be here’ Layfield, Michael ‘Why aren’t we in Canada for Canada Day’ Cole, and Jerry ‘If you wrestle, he will come’ Lawler.
Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring and there is a ladder in the ring and the briefcase hangs above the ring. That must mean that we are approaching Money in the Bank.
Daniel says that last week, the burning question on everyone’s mind was finally answered. Is Daniel Bryan the weak link? Daniel says that after making Randy Orton tap out, the answer is NO.
There is a new question. Can Daniel Bryan ride this wave into the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and earn the contract? If only there were a simple three letter word . . . YES.
Daniel says that he wants to be WWE Champion. He wants to follow in the footsteps of the greats, Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Daniel Bryan. Two years ago, he won a Money in the Bank match and he cashed in to be the World Champion. It has been far too long. Just because this match is filled with All-Stars, it does not mean that history cannot repeat itself. Daniel says that he will be WWE Champion.
Sheamus interrupts the celebration and he says that people want to be remembered of how Daniel’s title reign ended. Daniel says that nobody wants to hear it and Sheamus reminds us that he won in 18 seconds.
Sheamus says that it has been far too long since he was champion.
Daniel wonders if he calls 1-800-FELLA if Sheamus would Brogue Kick himself.
Sheamus says that he thought trolls were supposed to be grumpy.
Randy Orton comes out, but without any music. He says that people have been arguing about how long it has been since people have been champion and Randy says that he has not been champion for two years. He is not hungry, he is starving and a starving man takes what he needs. He needs the WWE Title. After he wins the contract, he will not hesitate to cash in on the first unsuspecting champion.
Daniel says that we know what he is capable of, but we also know that he made Randy tap out.
Randy lets that one slide but he tells Dan if he disrespects him again, he will drop him where he stands. He is desperate so that means that no one is safe.
Kane has to join the party because he is in the match. Kane agrees with Randy that no one is safe, especially him. No one in the history of WWE has been more ruthless than him, especially when the WWE Championship is involved. He has no problem doing unspeakable acts against his opponents, even his so called friends.
Daniel says that Kane is still angry about what happened on Smackdown, but Kane was unable to beat Randy.
Kane says that he is looking forward to the match at the pay per view because it is every man for themselves. No friends, no partners, only victims.
Christian comes out and he tells them to hold off on their championship celebrations. There is one man who has had more success in ladder matches in the WWE and that is him. He has been gone for a while. Christian says that he is looking for one more match and that will be for the WWE Championship. He might not be the biggest guy in this match. He might not be the strongest guy in this match. He might not be the scariest guy in this match. He might not be the hairiest guy in this match. However, he is the best.
CM Punk comes out and he says that he was not going to do the predictable thing like everyone else and then he heard the magical word . . . best. He respects the hell out of Christian for what he has accomplished in his career. He is the best at the Money in the Bank match. He is the only person who has won it twice. He will become the only person to win it three times.
Punk says that he doesn’t care if they misunderstand him. Nobody can touch him in this ring. He knows how formidable the competition is. Rob Van Dam, is probably watching this somewhere. Rob is fearless and he will do whatever it takes to climb the ladder and grab the briefcase.
Sheamus is one of the toughest SOBs he has been in a match with.
Daniel interrupts and he tells Punk to shut up or he will make him tap out faster than Randy Orton did last week.
Kane protects Daniel from Orton and then Bryan argues with Kane and Orton with an RKO to Kane. Christian leaves the ring and goes to the apron. Punk leaves and then Sheamus follows.
It is time to take a look back at Buddy Rogers and Lou Thesz.
We are back with a Wyatt Family video.
Match Number One: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins versus Christian, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso in a Did You Miss This on Smackdown Rematch
Rollins wit a kick to Jimmy followed by punches. Jimmy with chops but Rollins with kicks. Jimmy with a back elbow and Jey tags in. Jey with a flying forearm and he gets a near fall. Rollins with a jawbreaker and Ambrose tags in. Ambrose with punches to Jey but Jey with a head butt and Christian tags in and he works on the arm and he connects with an uppercut. Ambrose with a knee.
Christian with a drop toe hold and then he sets for the slingshot but Ambrose is pulled to the floor. The Usos with stereo suicide dives and then Christian with a pescado onto Ambrose and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ambrose chokes Jey and then he tags in Rollins who kicks Jey. Jey with punches but Rollins with a forearm and a kick. Ambrose tags back in and they hit a double suplex and get a near fall. Ambrose with a boot to the abdomen and then he applies a rear chin lock with the legs trapped. Ambrose with a kick and punch. Reigns tags in and he connects with a head butt to the chest and a normal head butt. Jey with uppercuts.
Reigns with a belly-to-back into a uranage and then Ambrose tags in and he mocks Christian. Jey with a super kick and Rollins tags in and he drop kicks Jimmy off the apron. Jey takes care of Rollins and Christian tags in and he punches Seth. Christian with a running forearm and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Christian punches Rollins in the corner and then he gives Rollins a back body drop. Christian knocks Reigns off the apron but Ambrose gets to the floor and Rollins with an enzuigiri and Ambrose tags in and he punches Christian. Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall but Reigns breaks up the cover. Reigns with a Superman punch to Jimmy on the apron. Reigns with a belly-to-belly suplex to Jey and they go to the floor. Christian tries for the Killswitch but Ambrose sends him to the turnbuckles.
Rollins drops Christian on the turnbuckles and Ambrose with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins
Kane is in the locker room adjusting his neck after the RKO. Daniel apologizes for what happened to Kane. Daniel says that he talked to Vickie and he has something to make up for it. Daniel did not expect to see Randy give Kane an RKO so quickly on Smackdown. Daniel tells Kane that he got him a rematch against Randy Orton.
Kane says that he is happy to hear that and he thanks Daniel. Daniel says that he is special guest referee and then he leaves quickly.
Match Number Two: Dolph Ziggler versus Jinder Mahal (with Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre)
Mahal with a kick and punch but Ziggler holds on to the ropes on an Irish whip and he struts. Ziggler with a drop toe hold and he floats over and slaps Mahal in the head. Ziggler with a side head lock but Mahal escapes. Mahal with a shoulder tackle. Ziggler misses a drop kick when Mahal holds on to the ropes. Mahal with a high knee and he gets a near fall.
Mahal gets another near fall. Mahal with knees to the chest but Ziggler gets his foot up and Mahal goes down. Mahal misses a charge into the corner and Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall. Zigler with a kick but Mahal with a power slam and he gets a near fall. Mahal tries for the camel clutch but Ziggler escapes and hits the Zig Zag and gets the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Drew and Heath try to be the Shield and surround the ring and corner Ziggler. Ziggler avoids Slater and McIntyre and goes to the floor. He uses the steps to avoids Slater who goes into the steps. Ziggler avoids Mahal and McIntyre and he gives Drew the Zig Zag.
It is time for more former Champions and we see Bruno Sammartino and Harley Race.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie is worried and Brad tells her to stop worrying because nothing has gone wrong so far.
Hunter appears after Vickie talks about the McMahons interrupting her. Hunter says that he thinks that she is doing a great job tonight. She is listening to the WWE Universe. The Kane versus Randy Orton match with Daniel Bryan as guest referee is a great idea.
Vickie says that she is a bit stressed because all of the McMahons are telling her what to do. Hunter tells her to listen to them but then do what he says.
It is time to take a look back at the career of Mark Henry. We see the early days of Mark Henry. He says that he has to carry the weight of being the World’s Strongest Man on his shoulders. He is dangerous, unpredictable, and reckless. Somebody is going to get their ass kicked when they deal with Mark Henry. We hears about the Hall of Pain and we see what he has done to his opponents and the ring itself. This is what Mark do.
Match Number Three: Randy Orton versus Kane with Guest Referee Daniel Bryan
Orton avoids a Kane clothesline and he kicks and punches Kane. Orton with punches in the corner. Kane with an uppercut and Orton goes down. Kane with another punch. Orton with kicks but Kane with a back elbow. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Kane with a nerve hold.
Orton with elbows and a head butt. Orton with a Thesz Press and punches to Kane. Orton with the Garvin Stomp on Kane followed by a leaping knee drop. Kane with punches and uppercuts followed by a kick and suplex. Kane picks up Orton and sends him back to the mat with an uppercut. Kane with elbow drops. Kane sends Orton into the corner and he chokes him on the top rope. Kane with a kick that sends Orton to the floor.
Bryan starts his count and Kane follows. Kane sends Orton back into the ring but Kane is sent into the corner with a drop toe hold. Orton with punches and a clothesline in the corner. Orton climbs the turnbuckles and he punches Kane. Bryan pulls Orton off Kane and Orton hits Bryan.
Bryan calls for the bell.
Winner: Kane (by disqualification)
The match is restarted and Orton with a drop kick and Bryan holds Orton back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Kane works on Orton’s neck. Orton with punches. Kane with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner followed by a second and then he hits a side slam. Kane goes up top for the clothesline but Orton with a drop kick and both men are down. Orton with two clotheslines and he avoids one and then Orton with a power slam. Orton looks around and then he goes for the IEDDT but Kane gets in the ring and he tries for a choke slam but Orton stomps on the foot.
Orton with a back breaker and Kane rolls to the apron again. Orton hits the IEDDT and then he looks around for the spot to twist to the mat and set up for the RKO. Bryan talks to Orton and that allows Kane to connect with a boot to the head and Bryan with a quick three count.
Winner: Kane
After the match, Kane argues with Bryan over the cadence of the count. Bryan says that Kane would not have won if not for his help. Kane grabs Bryan by the throat but he lets go and leaves. That does not mean that Daniel will not fall victim to an RKO when he turns around.
Paul Heyman is with Curtis Axel and CM Punk. Punk tells Paul that he will beat both Prime Time Players by himself and he tells Axel to watch from the apron.
Paul says that he does not understand the hostility towards him and Axel.
Punk says that he trusts Paul, but not Axel.
Paul says that he heard the same thing in 2005. He tells Punk to trust him and his best judgment. He tells Punk that Axel is worthy of his trust.
We take a look at former champions Bob Backlund and Dusty Rhodes. We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Fandango (with Summer Rae) versus Sheamus
Fandango avoids Sheamus and he dances. Fandango fandances and then he avoids Sheamus again and he dances some more while Summer smiles and claps. Sheamus avoids Fandango and then Sheamus dances. Sheamus with a forearm to the head and then he sends Fandango into the turnbuckles and he punches him. Sheamus with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus with a suplex for a near fall.
Sheamus sends Fandango into the turnbuckles and he punches him. Fandango with a kick and chops. Fandango with a back elbow for a near fall. Fandango with a punch and he tries for a hip toss but Sheamus blocks it and he connects with a short arm clothesline. Sheamus with a running shoulder into the corner followed by a knee lift.
Fandango goes to the floor and then Sheamus sends him into the ringside barrier. Fandango is sent back into the ring but he goes back to the floor. Sheamus grabs Fandango by the hair but Fandango with a kick to the head. Sheamus with a punch to the midsection but Fandango with another kick to the head.
Fandango with kick and elbows to the head. Fandango with a quarter nelson and chin lock. Fandango with a knee and forearm followed by an elbow to the chest and he applies a reverse chin lock. Sheamus sends Fandango into the corner and he punches him. Fandango avoids a short arm clothesline but Sheamus with a double sledge. Sheamus tries for the Cloverleaf but Fandango kicks him away.
Sheamus with ten forearms to Fandango on the apron and then Fandango falls to the floor and he has had enough. The referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Sheamus (by count out)
We are back and Chris Jericho and his jacket join the announce team and he wishes everyone a Happy Canada Day.
Match Number Five: Ryback versus Miz
They lock up and Miz with a kick to the leg. Ryback pushes Miz to the mat and he connects with forearms to the back followed by a waist lock take down and kicks to the head. Ryback picks up Miz and slams his head into the mat. Ryback with boots to the chest followed by a snap mare and kick to the head.
Ryback with back fists to the head but Miz with a kick to the leg and head. Ryback with a shoulder tackle. Ryback chokes Miz with his boot and then he connects with more forearms to the back and then he follows with knees. Ryback chokes Miz in the ropes and he notices that Jericho is at the announce table. Ryback with forearms to the back.
Ryback with forearms to the chest while he has Miz over the apron. Ryback returns to the ring and he punches Miz. Miz with punches but Ryback sends Miz into the turnbuckles. Miz turns the tables and he punches Ryback. Miz with a drop kick to the knee followed by a knee lift and boot to the head.
Miz with the Awesome Clothesline and then he goes up top for a double sledge but Ryback moves. Miz hyperextends the knee and he kicks the hamstring and he tries for the figure four leg lock but Ryback kicks him away. Miz wraps the leg in the ropes and then he kicks the leg. Miz with a drop kick to the thigh.
Ryback demands that the referee stop the match and he does so.
Winner: Miz (by Referee Stoppage)
After the match, Jericho goes into the ring and he gives Ryback a Codebreaker.
We take a look back at former Champions Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
We are back and Mark Henry makes his way to the stage and he has something to say. He tells us who he is. He says that he did not become World’s Strongest Man because he won it in a cracker jack box, he did it because he earned it. He was a member of the US Olympic Team in 1992 and 1996. He has been World’s Strongest man since he entered the WWE 17 years ago.
He earned the respect of every Superstar he worked with, but there was jealousy, politics, and there was a lot of backstabbing. There are a lot of ‘accidental’ injuries. All of these years, he has earned it. ‘They’ never gave him a legitimate opportunity to be the WWE Champion. The thousands of miles he traveled, the nights he spent away from his family, the years that he pretended to like the boys.
All the years of doing the right thing for the business, that got him nowhere. He deserves to be the WWE Champion. After the years that he has given to this organization and to the people, he has earned the right to be the WWE Champion. Like he said before, they hang on every word he says because the people are puppets.
At Money in the Bank, now that he finally has his chance, nobody is going to keep him down any more. He will do the right thing. He will do the right thing for him. After he beats John Cena, nobody will be able to deny him. Everyone will say that Mark Henry earned the WWE Championship.
He wants it to sink in. At Money in the Bank, he is going to beat John Cena’s ass.
Brad and Vickie are interrupted by Vince McMahon. Vince says that he is having a blast. Vince reminds Vickie about what he told her about Daniel Bryan last week. Vickie says that he is small and has issues. Vince wants to know if Vickie or Brad are listening to him. Vince says that he loves the main event.
Vickie says that the other family members like the match. Vince says that no one understands that money is being thrown away but that match should be on pay per view. Instead, she gives it away for free. Nobody understands good business.
Vickie apologizes but Vince says that there is a list a mile long of people who were excommunicated or thrown out by him because they would not listen to him. Vince tells them to enjoy the rest of their evening.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: CM Punk and Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) versus Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Punk tells Axel to go to the apron but Axel tags himself in and they argue. Meanwhile Young and O’Neil do nothing to take advantage of the situation. Young starts off and they lock up. Punk wants to be tagged in but Axel refuses. Axel punches and kicks Young. Axel with a chop and kick in the corner. Young with an Irish whip but Axel slides into the corner and he responds with a clothesline.
Titus tags in but Axel refuses to tag in Punk. They lock up and Axel with a drop kick. Titus with a clothesline after Axel refuses Punk’s demand to be tagged in. Titus tells Axel to make the tag but he wraps up Axel and unfurls him to the mat. Young tags in and Titus drops Young on Axel with a gourdbuster but Axel kicks out.
Young with a European uppercut and Titus tags back in and he kicks Axel. Titus with an abdominal stretch on Axel. Titus taunts Punk on the apron. Axel with punches but Titus prevents the tag and he slams Axel. Titus with a forearm and he barks. Titus runs into Axel’s knees and both men are down.
Punk and Young tag in and Punk with a springboard cross body followed by a leg lariat. Punk with a neck breaker to Young and then he sets for the running knee into the corner and he connects and he hits a short arm clothesline. Punk goes to the turnbuckles for the elbow drop and he connects. Punk Chong Lis before he signals for the Go To Sleep and he connects. Punk sends O’Neil over the top rope and Axel makes the blind tag and gets the three count.
Winners: CM Punk and Curtis Axel
Punk argues with Paul before leaving the ring.
We take a look at former Champions Steve Austin and Sting.
Match Number Seven: Alicia Fox versus Kaitlyn (with Layla El)
They lock up and Alicia tries for a kick but Kailtyn blocks it and sends her to the mat. Kaitlyn with a shoulder and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Alicia with an Irish whip followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Alicia with another near fall. Alicia runs Kaitlyn into the turnbuckles and then connects with elbows to the head and she hits a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall.
Alicia misses a flip leg drop and Kaitlyn with a spear for the three count.
Winner: Kaitlyn
After the match, AJ Lee and Big E Langston make their way to the stage and she says hello to Kaitlyn. She says that Kaitlyn tried to assassinate her character, but she needs to remember that people who live in glass houses. AJ calls Kaitlyn trash and she knows it and Big E Langston know it and it is time for everyone to know about it. She reminds Kaitlyn about her modeling photos and she brought one.
AJ apologizes because that is something that you cannot unsee. After Kaitlyn loses her rematch at Money in the Bank, this is where Kaitlyn is going to end up.
Vickie and Brad are talking in the office and we have one more McMahon who has not tormented them. Stephanie wants to know what just happened and she yells at Vickie for not dealing with the AJ situation. Stephanie wanted Vickie to announce the Money in the Bank participants but she had to do it.
Vickie says that she is dealing with a lot.
Stephanie says that she understands. Raw is unpredictable but when you get confusing direction from the top, how can you do your job?
Vickie thanks Stephanie for understanding and she talks about being women in a male dominated industry. Vickie calls Hunter and Vince crazy and Stephanie wants to know when they became girlfriends. She is here for business. She does not want her to play off her husband or father.
Stephanie says that we are going to have a job evaluation next week, in the ring. Vickie could be promoted or she could be fired.
Vickie starts to cry like Ryback as we go to commercial.
Damien Sandow says in two weeks, him and his best friend will be in a Money in the Bank ladder match for a World Title contract. They will remain best friends, much to the chagrin of the mouth breathers.
Cody says that they are the last of their kind. To let things get between them, they would be lowering themselves to their level.
Zeb Colter has a rebuttal and he tells America to wake up. While sleeping or watching a reality show, their country was taken from them. Zeb asks everyone if they know that Congress passed a law that affected immigration. Do they know about what is happening with marriage or free speech. It is time that somebody stood up and took a stand. They are not alone. A Real American is Back, Jack Swagger.
They are taking first blood in this revolution. He tells everyone to choose sides. If you are against us, you are doomed to fail.
Match Number Eight: Cody Rhodes (with Damien Sandow) versus Antonio Cesaro (with Zeb Colter)
They lock up and go around the ring. The referee pulls Cody away but Cody with a pie face and Cesaro returns fire. Cesaro with a waist lock and a dead lift side salto and Rhodes retreats to get advice from Sandow. Cody with a waist lock into a side head lock. Cody with a drop down uppercut and a rollup for a near fall.
Cesaro complains to the referee and Cody with a kick to the midsection. Cody avoids a belly-to-back suplex and he tries for a sunset flip but Cesaro with a stomp to the chest. Cody with knees to Cesaro and he tries for a cover but uses the ropes for leverage.
Cesaro with a European uppercut and Rhodes goes to the floor. Cesaro rolls Cody back in and Cody drops Cesaro on the top rope. Cody with a back slide but Cesaro rolls through and hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
After the match, Sandow cannot believe what happened to his BFF.
We look at former Champions Triple H and Booker T.
We go to commercial.
We are back and The Bellas are in the back and they are joined by the new Divas from the Total Divas meeting. Nikki calls them special, but if her and Brie did not return to the WWE, the show would not be as important. Brie and Nikki call them cute until they look like that . . . and we see Cameron, Naomi, and Natalya.
Brie says that they are not used to carrying the weight and she defers to Natalya. Nikki tells Natalya that the Divas are getting the attention they deserve. They need to show who is in charge. It is not Kaitlyn or AJ or any of the other five on the show.
It is time to talk about the Wyatt Family and we see a tweet from Bray and it beings next week.
We have a video of the Wyatt Family to watch.
Match Number Nine: Alberto Del Rio versus John Cena in a Champion versus Champion . . . Wouldn’t This Mean More if it Got More than an Hour of Advance Notice or Was on PPV Match
They lock up and Del Rio with a side head lock take down. Cena with a hip toss and side head lock take down. Cena with a shoulder tackle and Del Rio with a hip toss and he says that he is the real champion. Cena with a waist lock and he tries to get Del Rio on his shoulders but Del Rio escapes and goes to the floor and up the ramp to regroup.
Del Rio returns to the ring and he kicks Cena in the leg and he stomps on Cena until the referee warns him. Del Rio with a running kick to the back and he gets a near fall. Del Rio tries for a suplex but Cena blocks it and he hits a suplex of his own.
Cena punches Del Rio and he hits a bulldog. Cena misses a shoulder into the corner and he hits the ring post and goes to the floor. Del Rio sends Cena into the ringside barrier before returning to the ring and he hits a double sledge from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Del Rio punches and kicks Cena. Del Rio charges at Cena but Cena moves and Del Rio goes through the ropes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Cena gets back to his feet and he powers out of the hold but Del Rio with a knee and then he sends Cena to the mat on the back of the head and then he uses his boot to rake the face. Del Rio goes up top but Cena with a drop kick and both men are down.
Cena with a shoulder tackle but Del Rio moves on the second one and Del Rio with a few baseball slides to send Cena to the floor. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles but Del Rio escapes the Blue Thunder Bomb and Del Rio hits a Lungblower and he gets a near fall.
Del Rio tries to float over into the cross arm breaker but Cena counters with the Blue Thunder Bomb and then he hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and he tries to get Del Rio up for the Attitude Adjustment but Del Rio counters with a German suplex and bridge but he can only get a two count. Del Rio tries for the super kick but Cena blocks it and hits a belly-to-belly for a near fall. Cena goes up top for the Rocker Dropper but Del Rio with an enzuigiri and he gets a near fall. Del Rio misses the step up enzuigiri but Del Rio avoids the STF attempt.
Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Del Rio puts Cena in the tree of woe and Del Rio with a kick. Del Rio tries for a shoulder in the corner but Cena pulls himself up in the tree of woe and Del Rio hits the ring post with his shoulder. Cena with a cross body for a near fall.
Cena tries to get Del Rio up but Del Rio tries for the cross arm breaker. Cena escapes and he applies the STF.
Mark Henry makes his way to the ring because that is what he do and he walks around the ring, forcing Cena to release the hold. Del Rio with a rollup for a near fall. Del Rio with a super kick and he gets another near fall. Dolph Ziggler goes to the ring and he goes up top.
Cena with a counter into the Attitude Adjustment for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Mark Henry demands the WWE Title belt and he walks into the ring to stop Cena’s celebration. Cena is ready for a fight as Mark makes his way to the center of the ring. Mark throws the title belt on the mat and he starts to walk out of the ring but he teases attacking Cena. Mark leaves the ring but stays on the apron. He walks down the steps and Cena picks up his title belt. Mark walks away and he signals either that Cena’s time is up or he is the official Clobbering Time Keeper for CM Punk.
We go to credits with the rocking chair in the barn.
2014 - WWE's Emma (real name Tenille Dashwood, 25) was arrested yesterday in Hartford, CT and charged with sixth-degree larceny.
Dashwood was arrested at 1 PM at 495 Flatbush Avenue, the location of a Wal-Mart. She was released at 2:13 PM.
In the State of Connecticut, sixth-degree larceny is a shoplifting charge of an item worth $250 or Less. The crime, if convicted, could lead to a sentence of up to 3 months in jail and/or fines up to $500. It is considered a Class C Misdemeanor.
Dashwood did not appear on Raw, although she was referenced by name backstage by Santino Marella in a vignette. She was backstage during the event.
WWE would later release Dashwood, then rescind the decision.
2014 - Damien Farren, who worked for the original Extreme Championship Wrestling in the merchandise end as well as helping with lots of logistical work and was Shane Douglas' right hand man for a lot of his post-ECW projects, passed away late last night or early this morning in his native Ireland.
Farren had returned to Ireland several months ago to work on his health after he had learned that his cancer, which had been in remission, had returned. His health hadn't been very good and he was watching WWE with friends when he felt tired and went to bed. When they checked on him, he had passed away in his sleep.
Farren was extremely close with Shane Douglas and left ECW with him in 1999, going on to work with him in a ton of different projects. He had maintained an archive of just about every piece of ECW merchandise ever sold and had privately talked of selling it off just a few months ago as his plan was to sell off what he had in the States and then return permanently to Ireland.
Farren was well liked among the wrestlers and a really good guy.
2015 - TNA announced the following:
TNA announced the following.
Eric Sherman Named Chief Strategy Officer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 1, 2015) – Eric Sherman has been named Chief Strategy Officer for TNA Entertainment effective immediately. Sherman is an accomplished media and entertainment executive who served more than 20 years with MTV Networks overseeing VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and Palladia, served as president of Fuse TV and most recently was CEO of Veria Living, a health and wellness network. Sherman also has served as a talent manager for artists such as Steven Tyler, securing his deal to judge American Idol. In his role as Chief Strategy Officer, Sherman will develop, coordinate and oversee implementation of global strategic initiatives in advancement of TNA and its affiliated brands and properties.
“As we celebrate our 13 year anniversary, TNA, with the incredible support of our fans, has been cultivated into a robust diverse global business poised for significant growth,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Eric’s depth of experience in television, digital media and talent management undergirds his capacity to organize and lead teams in the development and implementation of vision-fulfilling strategies. We are delighted to have him join the TNA family.”
"I'm thrilled to be joining a company experiencing record international growth with content seen in more than 120 countries,” said Sherman. “There is a bright future for TNA on traditional and emerging platforms, and I'm excited to join Dixie’s executive team as head of strategy."
Sherman, a resident of New York City, will split his time between his office there and the TNA Headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.
2015 - PWInsider.com reported the following:
WWE filed a lawsuit in The United States District Court of Connecticut on Monday 6/29, attempting to strike down the recent rash of lawsuits filed against the company by former contracted talents and in the case of deceased former talents, their estates alleging wrongdoing on behalf of the company when it came to educating the talents about the dangers of performing physically in the ring, specifically in regard to head injuries, including concussions.
Robert Windham (aka WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan), Thomas Billington (aka The Dynamite Kid), James Ware (aka WWE Hall of Famer Koko B. Ware) and Oreal Perras (aka former WWWF champion Ivan Koloff) as well as "various John Doe’s" were all named as defendants in the suit, based on WWE's claims that they have received letters threatening to file lawsuits on behalf of the talents by attorney Konstantine W. Kyros. WWE included copies of the letters with the lawsuit, noting they received identical letters regarding all of the aforementioned former talents on 6/2.
Those letters followed five similar lawsuits brought against the company by a multitude of former contracted talents also represented by Kyros, including Billy Jack Haynes, Vito Lograsso, the estate of Nelson Frazier Jr. (Big Daddy V), the estate of Matt Osbourne (the original Doink the Clown), former WWE developmental talents Evan Singleton and Russ McCullough, Ryan Sakoda, and Matt Wiese aka Luther Reigns.
Citing that Kyros is filing all of these lawsuits in different jurisdictions and that WWE's contracts cite that all legal issues must be brought up in the State of Connecticut (where they are headquartered), WWE is asking that all the lawsuits be heard in CT. WWE claims that four of the five lawsuits have plaintiffs where the talents agreed contractually that any legal issues would be heard in CT.
Noting that these lawsuits use allegations that WWE hid proof that repeated blows in the ring could cause CTE, WWE points that at the time many of these talents were contracted, CTE had yet to be scientifically discovered.
WWE are also asking that the State dismiss all of the lawsuits, citing that under Connecticut State law, the claims would be time-barred after three years and that none of these talents claimed any wrongdoing or problems until they were solicited by Kyros, who began an Internet campaign seeking former WWE performers last year.
The lawsuit also specifically goes after Kyros, claiming he has been soliciting clients since June 2004 and has made false claims online, "that there was a “WWE Concussions Lawsuit Claims Center.” with WWE adding, "Once more, this statement was false as there was not then, and is not now, any such thing."
WWE also specifically addressed the other lawsuits filed against the company in recent months:
-In the case of Billy Jack Haynes, WWE refers to him as "self-admitted drug addict for the last 30 years who admittedly worked as a “drug mule” illegally transporting drugs." WWE alleges that since signing on as a plaintiff, Haynes, "with Kyros’ knowledge and approval, has attempted to recruit other former performers with promises that there is money to be made by suing WWE, and that they can assist in putting WWE out of business by joining into litigation."
-WWE alleges that even though Haynes' lawsuit would be time-barred in the State of Oregon (which doesn't allow such claims after ten years), Kyros allegedly filed the lawsuit hoping to get attention and bring about a rash of similar cases, citing interviews Kyros did with National Public Radio as proof.
-WWE alleged that Kyros took out Google advertising to push the lawsuits to anyone searching out information on the case and that celebrity gossip sites such as TMZ and Perez Hilton ran salacious headlines that alleged Haynes caught Hepatitis C because he worked for WWE as a performer.
-WWE noted that when Kyros was informed of issues with the Haynes lawsuit, he chose to ask for more time before filing an amended complaint, which removed some fraudulent claims but added additional material that was not correct...all of which did little to remedy matters. WWE alleges this was done in an attempt to drum up more potential Plaintiffs. WWE noted that the District Court of Oregon transferred the Haynes lawsuit to CT on 6/25 and that the Court in Oregon ruled that Kyros had been "forum shopping" by trying to get the case heard somewhere beyond where it should have been filed: in Connecticut.
WWE also noted that the stalling strategy in the Haynes lawsuit worked, bringing Kyros "at least some Plantiffs, who, unlike Haynes, had wrestled for WWE in this century." WWE then addressed the lawsuit filed on behalf of Vito Lograsso and Evan Singleton:
-It was noted that despite the contractual agreement that all claims legally be heard in the State of CT, the lawsuit was filed in Pennsylvania and was seemingly identical to the Haynes lawsuit.
-WWE alleges that the lawsuit contained fraudulent allegations about their company, including "(a) falsely alleging that WWE “discouraged [Singleton] from seeking additional, appropriate medical help, for example from a neurologist” following an alleged concussion when, in fact, WWE had arranged for Singleton to be treated by at least six different physicians including two neurologists; (b) falsely alleging that WWE cleared Singleton to continue wrestling after sustaining a concussion without adequate rest time when, in fact, WWE never medically cleared Singleton to wrestle after his alleged concussion despite clearance from an independent neurologist who found nothing wrong with Singleton and Singleton never again participated in a wrestling match; and (c) falsely alleging that LoGrasso had residual injuries as a result of TBIs from his brief stint with WWE without any medical diagnosis of such injuries before filing suit."
-WWE also alleges that after informing Kyros that Singleton and LoGrasso had contractually agreed any claims against WWE legally would be heard in CT, Kyros refused to withdraw the claim, forcing WWE to have to file a motion to shift that lawsuit over to CT as well, which Kyros did not contest.
-WWE also alleges that when Kyros was informed of incorrect information in the lawsuit regarding Singleton's medical diagnosis, nothing was corrected or withdrawn, leading to WWE having to undergo the expense to draft a motion that was about to filed when Kyros filed asking for an amended complaint to be filed. That filing dropped some of the class-action base allegations and some of the fraudulent claims that WWE brought to Kyros' attention, but "added others".
-The new fraudulent claims included, "In particular, the amended complaint (a) falsely alleged that WWE’s conduct “contributed to [plaintiffs’] untimely death” when, in fact, both Singleton and LoGrasso are still alive; and (b) falsely alleged that “[i]t was not until more than 10 months later that [Singleton] was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, including an intracranial hemorrhage. In fact, a MRI taken after Singleton’s alleged injury expressly noted to the contrary: “[n]o intracranial mass lesion, shift of the midline structures or intracranial hemorrhage is identified.”
-Kyros has still alleged that Singleton has injuries that are not correct based on medical records.
-Noting that the Singleton/LoGrasso suit was also transferred to the State of CT, WWE alleges that during a court hearing, when asked why Kyros was listing a Plaintiff as deceased when he was in fact, not, Kyros stated, "But my — my client Nelson Frazier’s dead at the age of 43."
-The court in CT responded, "Does the Complaint reference Mr. Frazier? Are you going to reference every wrestler that’s dead in your Complaint? I don’t – I don’t follow that. You really need to read and get a better grip on the pleading standard in the next week and file an amended complaint."
WWE then noted that Kyros, less than three weeks after the court made those statements to him, then filed the lawsuit regarding the late Matt Osbourne in Texas and in doing so, "acted to circumvent this Court’s jurisdiction and instructions" as well as ignored the ruling of the Oregon court that he was "forum shopping." Osbourne, before his passing, had also agreed that any claims against WWE would be heard in the State of CT.
WWE also addressed the lawsuit filed on behalf of Cassandra Frazier, the widow of the late Nelson Frazier, who portrayed several characters for the company, most recently Big Daddy V:
-WWE noted, "Frazier was a morbidly obese man who died of a heart attack on February 18, 2014 — many years after he last performed for WWE. At no time prior to his death did Frazier ever make a claim against WWE for alleged TBI’s. After his death, he was cremated and no autopsy was performed."
-Although Frazier's suit alleged he suffered from CTE, there was no post-mortem examination that proved he actually suffered from the condition. WWE also noted, "In every complaint filed to date, Kyros has admitted that CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem."
-WWE also noted that Frazier's widow "claimed she was destitute, and asked for money to avoid being evicted. To help her financially, WWE advanced her royalties that would otherwise become due to the estate, if at all, in the future. Thereafter, she broadly praised WWE in social media outlets."
The company also noted that, "Being destitute, Frazier’s widow was receptive to Kyros’ pitch to permit her late husband’s death to be used as a vehicle" against WWE legally.
-The Frazier suit somehow alleges that CTE led to Frazier dying of a heart attack. WWE responded, "There is no medically-plausible causal connection between CTE and a morbidly obese man with diabetes and hypertension passing away after a heart attack in the shower."
-The Frazier lawsuit, "contains 289 paragraphs identifying every match in which Frazier performed for WWE, extracted from an internet database, followed by the identical boilerplate allegation for each match that “[u]pon information and belief he sustained head and other long-term injuries by participating in this event.” There is no credible basis to assert that Frazier sustained head injuries or other long-term injuries in each and every one of these 289 matches."
-WWE had to file to move the Frazier case to CT as Kyros refused to transfer the case.
WWE also address the suit filed by Russ McCullough, Ryan Sakoda and Matthew Weise aka Luther Reigns in California, noting that the suit was identical to the other lawsuits filed, were filed in CA in an attempt to circumvent the laws in CT and that WWE had to go through the expense of having them moved.
-WWE noted, "On information and belief, Kyros represents the plaintiffs in the McCullough Suit but did not sign the complaint so as to conceal his involvement in the attempt to circumvent this Court’s jurisdiction, which he had previously agreed to be appropriate in cases where former performers had signed forum selection clauses. Instead, he retained local California counsel to sign the pleadings in order to maximize their ability to distance themselves from Kyros’ previous agreement to transfer cases to this Court where performers had agreed to identical forum selection clauses. WWE’s counsel has repeatedly requested that Kyros and the plaintiffs’ California counsel confirm or deny Kyros’ involvement in the McCullough Suit and representation of those plaintiffs, but they have refused to do either."
WWE also alleges that, "Kyros caused the California lawyers he retained to oppose WWE’s motion to transfer venue back to Connecticut. In that opposition, it was once again falsely alleged that “WWE failed to disclose the facts and dangers to plaintiffs and caused them irreparable harm and ultimately an untimely death.” All three plaintiffs in that case are alive, not dead, yet the pattern of making such false allegations continue. Federal pleadings filed by and/or controlled by Kyros have now falsely alleged that either four or five plaintiffs he represents are dead due to torts he accuses WWE of committing, yet all are alive."
WWE also noted, "Additionally, while attempting to argue that the three plaintiffs in the California case had no opportunity to wrestle elsewhere, the false statement was made in the opposition to transfer that “the WWE is, on information and belief, the only professional wrestling company in the country.” Kyros knows this allegation is false. His clients actually performed for other professional wrestling companies in America, and at least two other professional wrestling organizations are on television every week — TNA and Ring of Honor."
WWE also cited that based on their WWE contracts, McCullough, Sakoda and Wiese are time-barred from filing complaints as they last wrestled for WWE in 2001, 2004, and 2005, respectively.
WWE also responded to a number of claims in the recent Matt Osbourne lawsuit, including that the suit claimed that WWE had known "as far back as the 1920s" about dangers when WWE didn't even exist at that point, that Osbourne had wrestled for WWE for over two decades, when it was actually just two years followed by a single appearance in 1997 and that Osbourne "died from an overdose of morphine and hydrocodone, some 20 years after last performing for WWE, and five years after WWE attempted to help him recover from his life-long pattern of substance abuse."
In regard to the named defendants, WWE noted that they received the aforementioned identical letters, informing WWE they were not to have communication with Billington, Windham, Ware and Perras and asking that certain records be frozen due to potential litigation. None of the defendants had ever claimed medical issues to WWE prior to the communication from Kyros.
WWE is requesting that the court rule all of these claims are time-barred under Connecticut law and that "that any other alleged tort claims by Defendants based on WWE’s supposedly negligent and fraudulent conduct are time-barred."
WWE has requested a Jury trial in the matter.
2015 - WWE broadcast NXT on the WWE Network. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We see a video package for the tag team match featuring Rhyno and Kevin Owens against Samoa Joe and Finn Balor to start things off.
We are in Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves.
Match Number One: Aiden English and Simon Gotch versus Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder
Gotch and Wilder start things off and Gotch with a side head lock. Dawson tags in and Gotch gets out of the corner. They lock up and Dawson backs Gotch into the corner and he connects with forearms in the corner. Dawson with an Irish whip and Gotch with a sunset flip out of a float over for a near fall.
English tags in and hits an elbow from the turnbuckles. English works on the arm and Gotch tags in and they both punch Dawson and Gotch gets a near fall. Gotch with an arm bar but Dawson backs Gotch into the corner. Dawson punches Gotch in the corner and Wilder tags in. Wilder kicks and punches Gotch. Dawson tags in and he kicks Gotch while Wilder holds him.
Dawson with a back elbow and a snap leg drop and knee drop for a near fall. Dawson grabs Gotch’s nose and connects with an elbow to the head. Dawson with a European uppercut and Wilder tags in. Gotch gets out of the way and he tags in English who punches Dawson and Wilder. Wilder is sent into the turnbuckles and Dawson gets a back body drop. English with an atomic drop to Wilder followed by a boot to the head.
Gotch tags in and he connects with a European uppercut to the back followed by a snap swinging neck breaker from English. Gotch gets the three count.
Winners: Simon Gotch and Aiden English
We are reminded of the NXT Title Match from Tokyo this Saturday. To prepare us for that match, they will be on opposite sides of the ring in a tag match tonight.
Devin Taylor was interviewed by Becky Lynch. Devin asks Becky about her injury and Becky says at Takeover, she injured her hip flexor. She tried to hide it and it got aggravated. It forced her to be out for a few weeks. She will be back and she will go after the NXT Women’s Title and she will achieve her goal.
Match Number Two: Baron Corbin versus Tucker Knight
They lock up and Corbin pushes Knight away. Corbin with a kick and punch to the head. Corbin sends Knight face first into the mat. Corbin with End of Days for the three count.
Winner: Baron Corbin
We go to commercial.
We are back and William Regal is in his office while people are arguing. We see that it is Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady on one side of the office and Aiden English and Simon Gotch on the other. Regal tells them to be quiet. He says that he brought them here to tell them that they will face each other to determine the number one contenders for the NXT Tag Team Titles.
Enzo says that they don’t think they have to beat The Vaudevillains but then Regal says something and Enzo is okay with that.
It is time to take a look at Part Three of the look at Finn Balor.
Finn says that he was talking to Triple H and he says that creativity spawns creativity. He mentions the fan art that inspires him. He says that he enjoys being able to inspire fans to draw and paint. Sami Zayn takes a look at some of the things that were given to Finn. Sami says that he loves fan art as well.
Finn says that it was until he was comfortable in the ring for him to mix the two. We see a photo of Dusty Rhodes showing Finn around the Performance Center. Finn says that in Europe or Japan, you don’t know how many people you can reach and he felt like an unknown. We see Finn’s first interview with Renee Young.
Jason says that everyone wants to be the best and he says that Fergal wants to be the best. He does not flaunt. He goes out there and does it. That is the best way to do it.
He mentions the first time he went to the ring and he did not know what would happen. He got the cue and Prince Devitt flashed on the screen and he cannot describe the feeling. The acceptance from the crowd meant that he knew he did something right. The first time out, it felt like a hero’s welcome.
Finn McCool was a mythical hero that battled the one eyed demon king. He mentions that his father was Finton so it is a tribute to his father.
We see Finn practicing his entrance. Jason says that there wasn’t much that Finn was going to be taught. He was going to have to be taught how to react to the cameras without pandering to them. We see Triple H showing Finn what to do. Finn says he was told that they are shooting movies and you want to get all of the shots at the best angles. At the end of the day, they are putting out a product for the people.
We see Finn returning to Ireland and he mentions it has changed in his time away. He says NXT is his home today. Some Irish fans talk about seeing his first match in Ireland as part of the WWE. Finn says that five years ago, he would not have believed that he would be wrestling in the building he grew up watching shows. He says that it felt great to be in the ring with his family watching. Finn says it was one of the most memorable moments of his career. For this day, he was just Fergal.
He says that he is a bit shy, humble, and an introvert. When the demon war paint goes on, he feels different. It unveils his inner demon.
It is not just paint and a show. It is being able to channel a more aggressive side of his personality. It will make him a stronger wrestler and a stronger person. He says he has a short attention span and he likes to change things up. He has been able to change up his designs.
Fergal says that he wants to be recognized the same in five years. In the ring, you get to forget about what is going on in the world and you can focus on what you love.
He says he left Japan last April and he did not think he would ever see his friends again after saying good bye to them. To return to Tokyo to face Kevin Owens, it is an understatement. We see him with Karl Anderson.
Jason says that it will be crazy when he goes back to Japan. He says that without the Japanese fans, he would not be here right now. Becky says that Finn knows his potential and he will do it. Finn says that everyone has potential, but it is different to realize it. He has set a lot of short term goals and very few long term goals. Becky says that he is the future of the business.
We see fans talking about Finn Balor. Becky says that if someone deserves the success they are getting, it is Fergal. The impact he has had is unbelievable. Jason says that he hopes for nothing but success for Fergal. Finn says he senses something and he has a good time in the ring. He would rather fail miserably in something new than just get by.
Everywhere he went, he has improved it and made it a better place. He did it in England, then Japan. Now he is doing it in NXT and wants to do it in the WWE.
We are told that the Finn Balor special will air Thursday night at 10:30 PM on the WWE Network in case you missed any of the three parts.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Eva Marie training in the ring as William Regal watches to determine if she is ready for a match.
We are told that we will find out what happens with Eva.
Match Number Three: Emma (with Dana Brooke) versus Carmella
They lock up and Carmella with a side head lock and take down. Emma with a head scissors and Carmella escapes. Emma with a side head lock but Carmella with a side head lock of her own. Carmella has a hip toss blocked but Carmella with a hip lock take down into a side head lock. Emma grabs the hair and connects with a knee to the midsection.
Emma with an Irish whip but she runs into an elbow. Carmella with a head scissors and clothesline. Emma gets into the ropes and Carmella grabs the arm but Emma with a kick and she slams Carmella’s head into the mat. Emma gets a near fall. Emma with a body scissors and she connects with forearms to the back. Carmella bridges back to get a near fall but Emma holds on to the body scissors and connects with more forearms to the back.
Emma with a near fall as she holds on to the body scissors. Carmella escapes and Emma with a forearm to the back. Emma sends Carmella into the corner. Emma with shoulders but Carmella with a boot and shoulder tackles and Thesz Press to Emma. Carmella with punches and a side kick. Carmella with a running kick to the temple and a shoulder into the corner.
Carmella with an Edge-o-Matic but Emma with a drop toe hold and she applies the Emma Lock and Carmella taps out.
Winner: Emma
We see Bull Dempsey hitting a vending machine and William Regal stops him from using a chair to get his food. William wipes some chocolate off Bull’s beard and he tells Bull to get a grip. He tells Bull to sort himself out or the next time they talk, Bull is not going to like the outcome.
We go to commercial with Tyler Breeze making his way to the ring.
We are back and Devin interviewed Jason Jordan last week after his loss and he says that he is only doing this because they are making him do it. Chad Gable stops by with a towel and Jason is not happy.
Chad says he saw Jason’s match and he sees all of his matches. He is studying him. You looked like a loser against those half-wits. He is here to prove that Jason is not a loser. He tells Jason to do his part. He is ready . . . willing . . . and Gable.
Jason says he is not a loser and he walks away.
Match Number Four: Tyler Breeze versus Tye Dillinger
Tyler wants Dillinger to wait as the announcers mention his ‘Perfect 10 gimmick’ at house shows. They lock up and Breeze with an arm drag and Breeze goes to the turnbuckles. Breeze with a boot but Dillinger kicks and punches Breeze in the corner. Dillinger chokes Breeze in the corner and the referee warns him. Dillinger with a boot to the head and then Dillinger mocks Breeze.
Dillinger with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Dillinger with more near falls. Dillinger chops Breeze in the corner and he head butts Breeze in the kidneys. Dillinger stomps on the hand and he slams Breeze. Breeze with a reverse DDT and he punches Dillinger. Breeze lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Breeze with a rana and punches. Breeze with a running forearm into the corner.
Dillinger sends Breeze into the ropes but Breeze avoids a clothesline and hits the Beauty Shot.
Winner: Tyler Breeze
We go to commercial.
We are back and Dana Brooke and Emma are looking at the NXT Women’s Title when Devin Taylor comes in and she says is here to interview Sasha Banks. Sasha enters and wonders what they are doing in her locker room. Emma says they were thinking about trying on the belt. Dana says that since they are taking over the NXT division, now they are after her and that championship.
Sasha says she is the boss of this division and she runs the place. She will take both of you on.
Emma says that is funny. Dana asks if that sounded like a challenge to her and Emma agrees. Emma says there are two of them and just Sasha. Dana wonders who Sasha’s partner will be because nobody likes her.
Sasha says she will be able to find a partner.
Match Number Five: Finn Balor and Samoa Joe versus Kevin Owens and Rhyno
Rhyno and Joe start things off and Rhyno with a kick and punch. Rhyno with another punch but Joe with jabs. Joe with punches and chops in the corner. Joe goes after Owens on the apron and that allows Rhyno to hit Joe from behind. Joe with an Irish whip followed by an elbow and enzuigiri. Balor tags in and he chops Rhyno. Balor with a drop kick for a near fall. Balor with a front face lock and Rhyno runs Balor into the corner and Owens tags in.
Owens punches and chops Balor and connects with a forearm to the back. Owens with a sunset flip but Balor rolls through and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Balor tries for a suplex but Owens blocks it and Owens with a punch to the ribs and a forearm to the back. Owens with a kick to the back followed by a hard Irish whip. Owens punches Balor and sends him into the turnbuckles and punches him. Owens sends Balor to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Owens with a reverse chin lock on Balor. Balor punches Owens and Owens with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Owens punches Balor in the head and he tags Rhyno back in. Rhyno punches Balor in the corner and hits a delayed vertical suplex and Rhyno does some squats before sending Balor to the floor. Rhyno gets a near fall.
Rhyno punches Finn and he tags in Owens. Owens with a head butt to the ribs. Owens mocks Joe before dealing with Balor. Owens with a reverse chin lock. Owens gets Balor to the mat and he puts his body weight on Balor to add more pressure. Balor with punches to Owens but Owens with two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and he does the five knuckle shuffle to Balor. Owens gets Balor on his shoulders for the Attitude Adjustment but Balor escapes and takes Owens to the mat with a double leg take down and double stomp.
Both men are down and Rhyno and Joe tag in and Joe with clotheslines and a reverse atomic drop and running boot to the head and a back senton for a near fall. Joe with jabs to Rhyno and Owens hits Joe from the apron but Joe hits Owens and Rhyno with a spinebuster for a near fall. Owens tags in and Joe catches Owens with an STJoe. Balor tags in and Joe gets Owens on the turnbuckles but Rhyno knocks Balor off the turnbuckles.
Joe clotheslines Rhyno to the floor and then Owens hits Joe with a pop up power bomb. Balor escapes Owens’ attempt for an F-Cinq and Balor tries for the reverse DDT but Owens counters with a snap mare. Owens with a super kick and Balor with a Pele Kick. Rhyno goes for a GORE on Balor but Balor moves and Rhyno GORES Owens.
Balor with the running drop kick to Rhyno and Rhyno goes into Owens in the corner. Balor with a hesitation drop kick and then he goes up top and hits the double stomp for the three count.
Winners: Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
We go to credits.
2015 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling on Destination America. Stu Carapola filed the following:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
After the usual opening video package, we go right to the ring for an opening match months in the making...
Elimination Match, Losing Team Disbands: The Rising vs The Beat Down Clan
The team captains start us off, and Galloway gets the advantage over MVP, so he tags Low Ki in and Ki gets more of the same. Ki gets caught in the Rising's corner, but is able to tag out to Kenny King in short order and the BDC traps Micah in their corner and work him over 4-on-1. Ki hits a climbing kick and knocks Micah out with a kick and covers to eliminate him.
Micah is eliminated.
We're down to 4-on-2 as we go to commercial.
We're back and the Rising is still in trouble as Galloway is on the receiving end of a beating from Low Ki. Galloway hits a BAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP and tags in Eli Drake, and he takes MVP out with a flying clothesline and a Russian legsweep. Drake clotheslines MVP to the floor, superplexes King off the top rope, then takes MVP out with a dive over the top. Drake looks to have hurt his ankle on that move, but he manages to roll MVP back inside...then goes back down. The referee checks on Drake and throws up the X, and the BDC is looking pretty happy as Drake is helped out by backstage officials, and Christy announces that he has been eliminated due to an injury default.
Eli Drake is eliminated.
Hernandez tags in to go at it with Drew, who has a serious uphill battle here, and he makes the ill-advised decision to go toe to toe with Hernandez. Hernandez no-sells all of Drew's shots, then tags King in to unload on Galloway. Ki tags in and misses a Tidal Krush, knocking Ki out, and Galloway rolls Ki up with a schoolboy to eliminate him.
Low Ki is eliminated.
Galloway quickly covers King and pins him as well.
Kenny King is eliminated.
Ki drags Galloway to the floor and attacks him, but Galloway gives Ki a shoulderbreaker onto the steps and gets back inside to go at it with Hernandez. MVP gets a cheapshot from the floor and Hernandez hits the Border Toss, then MVP tags in and hits his finish, but insteaqd of going for the finish he yells at Galloway to stay down. Gallowau climbs up MVP to his feet and slaps MVP in the face, but MVP shoves him down and hits the Driveby for the win.
Winners: MVP and Hernandez
The Rising is no more, and MVP gives Galloway the kiss of death as a parting gift.
Tonight: a special interview with Jeff Jarrett, and Kurt Angle defends the TNA World Title against Ethan Carter III!
The Beat Down Clan is backstage, and Low Ki is off to the hospital with a shoulder injury after what Galloway did to him, but they're celebrating because they're the BDC and they do what they do because they can.
Magnus is in the ring and says he feels bad that James Storm's mommy didn't love him, that he felt the need to go after his family, and that a man in jeopardy is the most dangerous type of man. Storm tried to attack Mickie, but he just made them stronger, and he introduces Mickie James, who is apparently perfectly healthy after getting shoved on the tracks and run over by a train. Mickie thanks the fans for their encouragement and all the support the last few weeks, but more importantly, she needs to thank Magnus for standing by her and believing in her, and even though she should have listened to her from the beginning, he didn't rub it in her face because real love is standing by the person you love no matter what. It's not manipulating them and tricking them into believing they're someone or something they're not. Storm's music hits and he comes out to the ring as Mickei tells him to bring his coward ass out here. Storm comes out with Khoya and says the fans can boo all they want because it's great to see Mickie moving around, and she shouldn't be thanking that idiot (meaning Magnus), she should thank him because if he had pushed her a little harder, she'd be holding her son from a wheelchair and unable to pick her up when he takes his first steps. Storm never wanted her in the Revolution, he just wanted to show how easy it is to manipulate a woman because he can have any woman he wants in the Revolution, where there's always room for one more. Mickie says Storm wishes he was half the man Magnus is, but Storm is trying to make up for everything he's missing in life with these pathetic followers, and if Storm says he can find one woman to join the Revolution, she'll take thaht bet because he made her promise the fans one more match, and if Storm can find that one woman, she'll face her because she and Magnus will face Storm and whoever he's got in the ring.
Ethan Carter III is backstage warming up with Tyrus for tonight's World Title match, then we go to the ring for our first big title match...
Best of Five Series Match Five, 30 Minute Ironman Match: the Wolves vs Bobby Roode & Austin Aries
This is the last match in the series, and after the first four and the ancillary singles matches, it's winner take all here. Aroes and Richards start off and Aries gets a few near falls on Davey, but can't put him away. Roode tags in and is quickly caught in the wrong corner, as the Wolves tag in and out on Roode and double team him. Aries tags in and gets a few shots in on Edwards and traps him in the Dirty Heels' corner. Aries hits a side suplex for 2, but Eddie manages to tag out to Davey, who cleans house and now it's Aries' turn in peril. The Wolves send Roode out to the floor and Davey connects with a running kick across the apron, but Aries catches Eddie coming back in and goes for a brainbuster. Eddie reverses to a snap suplex and now Davey and Roode are in and Davey gets Roode in the Trailer Hitch. Roode gets out and gets a blind tag to Aries, who gouges Eddie's eyes and hits a Russian legsweep for 2. Now Eddie is in peril for several minutes, and the Dirty Heels are in control as we hit the 10 minute mark. Eddie finally catches both of the Dirty Heels with a double Frankensteiner and tags Davey in, and he goes nuts cleaning house on both Aries and Roode. Eddie drills Roode with a flying knee out of nowhere, hangs him in the Tree of Woe, and Davey comes off the top with a coast to coast for 2. The Wolves go up top for a double double stomp, but Aries shoves Davey off the top and Roode knocks Eddie off the top rope as well as we go to commercial.
We're back and there's still no score with just about 11 minutes left. Davey Richards is in trouble as Aries and Roode hit a missile dropkick/powerbomb combo for 2. Davey counters a double team with a forearm that sends Aries to the floor and double stomps Roode's chest. Davey fights away from Roode and makes the the hot tag to Eddie, who takes Aries out with a dive to the floor and then hits a missile dropkick to Roode. Edwards with a backpack driver to Roode for a very close 2, Aries nails Eddie from behind and they try a double suplex, but Davey saves his partner and the Wolves hit the German suplex/jackknife rollup combo for 2. Aries clotheslines Davey and slingshots over the top rope with an elbow to Eddie, and Roode gets a deep cover but only gets 2. We've got about six minutes left as Roode hits a gourdbuster and Aries slingshots in with a senton and goes right into the Last Chancery. Roode blocks Davey from getting close enough to break that up, but Davey gets away and double stomps Aries to stop the submission hold. Wolves hit the assisted Alarm Clock to Aries, Davey boots Roode off the apron, then both Wolves come off the top with double stomps to Aries and Eddie covers, but Roode breaks it up at 2 as we get down to the last five minutes. Aries gets a Frankensteiner on Eddiem Roode clotheslines him, Aries hits the IED, Roode hits a spinebuster, and Aries comes off the top with the 450 splash for the first fall.
Austin Aries & Bobby Roode are leading 1-0.
Aries quickly goes for several covers, but can't stick Eddie again, so they dump Eddie to the floor and put it in the deep freeze, dumping the Wolves to the floor and blocking them from getting back in before the clock expires. Roode holds the Wolves on the floor so Aries can take them out with the heat seeking missile, and we have all of about two minutes left as the Wolves will be hard pressed to come back at this point. Aries goes for mounted punched in the corner on Eddie, but he powerbombs Aries onto Davey's knees for a lungblower and covers Aries to tie it up with a minute left.
The score is tied at one fall apiece.
Roode comes in and nails Eddie with one of the title belts and Aries covers him, but Eddie is out at 2. Roode tags in and knocks Davey off the apron, then he goes for the Roode Bomb on Eddie and gets rolled up and pinned with less than ten seconds left.
The Wolves lead 2-1.
Roode quickly goes for the Crippler Crossface, but Eddie survives until the clock runs out.
Winners and New TNA World Tag Team Champions: The Wolves
Great finish to the series, and I liked how they didn't score any falls until very late in the match. Great realism and a hell of a finish to a series that lost a bit of steam in the middle.
Knockouts Title Match: Taryn Terrell vs Brooke Tessmacher vs Awesome Kong
Brooke and Taryn quickly go
Winner:
Brooke and Terrell go at each other with a fury, but Kong comes in and tosses Taryn across the ring by the hair, then Brooke does the same. Brooke with a facebuster to Terrell, then Terrell hits the ropes but the challengers run her over with a double shoulderblock. Brooke tries going at Kong but is quickly taken down and chinlocked by the monster. Kong tosses Brooke, then Terrell comes off the top rope with a missile dropkick that knocks Kong out to the floor. Brooke with a couple of dropkicks to Terrell, but Terrell comes back with a clothesline of her own and grinds Brooke's face into the mat and covers for 2. Taryn is right on the money as she snaps Brooke over with a vertical suplex, but Kong starts hammering her with big shots and a chokeslam. Kong hits the ropes for a splash, but Jade and Marti drag Kong to the floor and attack her as Brooke hits a bulldog and a spear. Brooke goes to the top, kicks Jade off when she tries to interfere, but Marti is up and knocks Brooke to the floor. Kong is in the ring and again gets nailed by Jade, allowing Terrell to hit a Diamond Cutter for the win.
Winner: Taryn Terrell
Good match, but the interference by the Dollhouse is getting a little ridiculous. The lights go out and the Party's Over video plays as we find out it means Gail Kim is coming back. Uh...did she ever really leave?
We go to a backstage interview Mike Tenay conducts with Jeff and Karen Jarrett, and he asks what this means to the future of Global Force Wrestling. Jeff says the shock of the moment was a big deal, and on the 13th anniversary of the company he founded, he won the King of the Mountain Title. He says there is 100% guaranteed that there is a future with TNA and GFW and we're going to be shocked at what it entails. Part two of the interview will come our way next week.
And with that, it's...MAIN EVENT TIME!
TNA World Title Match: Kurt Angle vs Ethan Carter III
The bell rings and we're underway. Angle backs EC3 to the corner, but breaks clean. They tie up again, Carter goes to a side headlock and takes Angle down to the mat. Angle easily escapes but gets taken down with a shoulderblock. Angle goes to EC3's arm and pops the challenger over with a series of suplexes, then dumps EC3 to the floor when he goes to the ropes for a break. Angle goes out after Carter and goes for another suplex on the floor, EC3 gets out but Angle hits the suplex on the second attempt as Tyrus stalks menacingly behind him. They og back in and Angle covers but Carter is out before even a 1 count, so Angle goes back to the rolling German suplexes. Carter to the ropes again and clotheslines Angle on the break. Carter covers for 2, then unloads on the champ with right hands. Carter with a back suplex of his own, then he howls and hits a Stinger splash and waits for Angle to get to his feet before hitting a TKO for 2. Angle reverses a corner whip and tries a charge, but EC3 moves and Angle rams shoudler first into the post. Angle falls out to the apron, and EC3 follows him out and his a DDT on the apron as we go to commercial.
We're back and EC3 is still in control for all of about ten seconds before Angle takes him out with a clothesline. Angle goes back...again...to the rolling German suplexes, then he goes for the Angle slam, EC3 gets out, so Angle hits MORE GERMAN SUPLEXES. Angle covers for 2, picks EC3 back up, EC3 hits a jawbreaker but misses another Stinger splash and Angle hits the Angle slam for 2. Angle goes to the anklelock, EC3 rolls through and sends Angle to the floor by Tyrus' feet, and Tyrus takes him out with a clothesline. Angle picks himself up and rolls into the ring, EC3 goes for the 1%, but Angle blocks and gets an anklelock. EC3 gets out again but Angle hits MORE DAMN GERMAN SUPLEXES. Tyrus gets on the apron, Angle shoves EC3 into Tyrus and knocks him to the floor, then hits another Angle slam for 2. Angle goes to the anklelock again, EC3 rolls out, Angle gets to his feet and suplexes EC3 right into the referee and knocks him out. Tyrus comes in the ring, nails Angle, and hits the Bodybag before quickly rolling out to the floor. EC3 is up and wakes the referee up, then waits for Angle to get to his feet and hits the 1%, but Angle kicks out at 2. EC3 is in shock, and Tyrus get on the apron with a chair and is ejected by the referee. Two more officials come out to escort Tyrus out, and EC3 is losing it in the ring as his bodyguard is led out of the building. Angle slowly gets to his feet, so Carter goes for another 1%, Angle backdrops out and goes to the anklelock and grapevines Carter's leg to keep him from crawling away. Angle has Carter trapped in the middle of the ring, and EC3 chews on his own elbowpad to avoid tapping out. EC3 fights and fights, Angle drags him back to the middle of the ring and gets kicked off, so he waits for Carter to get to his feet and goes for another Angle slam, but Carter reverses to a sunset flip and pins Angle for the title.
Winner and New TNA World Champion: Ethan Carter III
I loved that finish, Ethan Carter III got a clean win over Angle and is now the undisputed, undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World. He composes himself and holds the belt high as Angle sits in the corner with his "I can't believe I blew it" face on and we call it a week.
Thanks for reading the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com, I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!
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