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July 25th
On this day in history in ....
1953 - Blue Demon defeats El Santo in Mexico City, Mexico, for the NWA World Welterweight Title, ending Santo's second title reign.
1955 - Frank Jares defeats Sonny Myers for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama.
1958 - Sonny Myers wins a tournament final in St. Joseph, Missouri for his ninth Central States Heavyweight Title. The belt had been vacated months earlier by Richard Brown.
1977 - Captain USA (Big John Studd under a mask) defeats Bruiser Brody for the American Heavyweight Title (later to become the World Class World Heavyweight Title) in Ft. Worth, Texas. This ended Brody's second reign with the belt.
1980 - Ken Mantell defeats Wahoo McDaniel in a tournament final to win the Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Title. Junkyard Dog had been forced to vacate the title after he was blinded by the Fabulous Freebirds.
1983 - Jimmy Garvin defeats Kevin Von Erich in Ft. Worth, Texas to win the American Heavyweight Title (later to become the World Class World Heavyweight Title). The title had been held up following a controversial no-contest between the two on July 11th. This ended Von Erich's 4th run with the title.
1983 - Jerry Lawler defeats Ken Patera for the AWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, starting his second title reign.
1984 - Bull Nakano defeats Itsuki Yamazaki for the All Japan Singles Title in Yamato, Japan.
1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Philadelphia, PA at the Civic Center with the following results:
-Kendall Windham & Todd Champion defeated the MOD Squad.
-NWA Jr. Heavyweight Champion Lazortron defeated Nelson Royal.
-Sean Royal defeated the Italian Stallion.
-Florida Heavyweight Champion Mike Rotundo fought Dory Funk Jr. to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
-The Barbarian defeated Jimmy Valiant.
-Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, & Buddy Roberts defeated Ivan Koloff, Vladimir Petrov, & Manny Fernandez.
-UWF Western States Heritage Champion Barry Windham defeated Arn Anderson.
-NWA World Tag Team Champions The Rock N' Roll Express, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non-title lumberjacks with tennis racquets match.
-UWF World Champion Steve Williams defeated Dick Murdoch in a bunkhouse match.
-Jimmy Garvin & Precious defeated Paul Jones (sub. for JJ Dillon) & Dark Journey.
-Dusty Rhodes & Ron Garvin defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair & NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard in a double bullrope match when Rhodes pinned Blanchard.
-Nikita Koloff defeated NWA US Champion Lex Luger via disqualification in a steel cage match.
1991 - a WCW event in San Bernadino, CA is canceled due to low ticket sales.
1992 - WCW ran Kansas City with the following results:
-Tom Zenk & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.
-Ricky Steamboat pinned Cactus Jack.
-WCW World TV Champion Steve Austin pinned Barry Windham.
-Bobby Eaton pinned Larry Zbyzsko after Paul E. Dangerously interfered.
-Dustin Rhodes & Ron Simmons defeated WCW US Champion Rick Rude & the Super Invader (Hercules Hernandez).
-Unified NWA/WCW World Tag Team Champions Terry Gordy & Steve Williams defeated Rick & Scott Steiner.
1993 - Terri Boatwright and Dustin Runnels, best known as Goldust and Marlena, are married.
1993 - Hell freezes over! Jim Cornette, the head of SMW at the time, debuts for the WWF during a TV taping in Alexandria Bay, NY Cornette, greeted by Bobby Heenan, goes on to become the "American Spokesperson" for Yokozuna and manage his SMW charges, The Heavenly Bodies, who debut the same night.
The complete taping featured the following results:
Reno Riggins defeated TNT (Savio Vega)
Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Marty Jannetty
The 1-2-3 Kid defeated Damien Demento
Bastion Booger defeated an unknown
All American Wrestling:
Owen Hart defeated WWF IC Champion Shawn Michaels (w/ Diesel) via disqualification at 7:15 when Diesel tripped Owen from the outside; after the bout, Hart was double teamed by Michaels and Diesel
The Smoking Gunns defeated Damien Demento & Iron Mike Sharpe
WWF IC Champion Shawn Michaels pinned Mr. Perfect
Bret Hart defeated WWF World Champion Yokozuna via disqualification
Raw (airing 8/2/93):
WWF Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Barry Horowitz & Duane Gill at 2:45 when Scott pinned Gill following the Frankensteiner.
Adam Bomb (w/ Johnny Polo) pinned Tony Roy at 2:18 with the powerbomb.
Randy Savage pinned Doink the Clown at 11:22 with an inside cradle moments after a little person dressed as Savage appeared from underneath the ring and distracted Doink from the ring apron; after the bout, the "Macho Midget" (Tiger Jackson, who later portrayed Dink the Clown in WWF) bit Doink on the butt before Doink was held back by officials and forced backstage.
Mr. Perfect pinned Barry Hardy with the Perfect Plex at 2:40; Jim Cornette did guest commentary for the bout alongside McMahon & Bobby Heenan.
Raw (8/9/93)
Tatanka defeated Mr. Hughes (w/ Harvey Wippleman) via count-out after slamming Hughes on the floor; after the bout, Hughes knocked Tatanka out with the Undertaker's urn and placed a wreath on him
The Bushwhackers & the Macho Midget defeated the Brooklyn Brawler, Blake Beverly, & Little Louie when Macho pinned the Brawler with a splash off the top
Razor Ramon pinned Dan Dubiel with the Razor's Edge
Tom Prichard & Jimmy Del Ray (w/ Jim Cornette) defeated Bobby Who & Mike Bucci (Yes, the future Simon Dean) when Del Ray pinned Bucci with the moonsault.
1995 - WCW ran a WCW Pro TV Taping in Dalton, GA with the following results:
-Big Bubba defeated Dave Sullivan.
-Kevin Sullivan defeated Mark Starr.
-Brian Pillman defeated Alex Wright.
-Mark Starr defeated Tim Horner.
-Brian Pillman defeated Alex Wright.
-Arn Anderson defeated Tim Horner.
-Meng & Kurasawa (w/ Col. Rob Parker) defeated Tim Horner & Torin Reader when Reader submitted to Kurasawa.
-Alex Wright defeated Chris Kanyon.
-Shark (w/ Kevin Sullivan) defeated Larry Santo.
-Ric Flair & Arn Anderson defeated Scott & Steve Armstrong when Flair pinned Scott.
-Brian Pillman defeated Steve Armstrong.
-Kevin Sullivan & Shark defeated two unknowns.
-Arn Anderson defeated Tim Horner.
-Sgt. Craig Pittman defeated the Italian Stallion.
-Big Bubba Rogers defeated Jim Duggan.
-In a Dark match, The Nasty Boys defeated Lord Steven Regal & Bobby Eaton.
-In a Dark match, WCW U.S. Champion Sting defeated Meng via disqualification.
1996 - WCW ran Charleston, WV with the following results:
-Alex Wright defeated Disco Inferno.
-Eddie Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko.
-The Nasty Boys defeated Public Enemy in a dog collar match.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat in a non-title match.
-Kevin Nash & Scott Hall defeated Sting & WCW World TV Champion Lex Luger via disqualification.
-Randy Savage defeated WCW U.S. Champion Ric Flair in a non-title match.
1997 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Rochester, NY with the following results:
-Shane Douglas defeated Chris Chetti.
-Jason defeated Marty Barnett.
-Little Guido defeated Danny Morrison.
-ECW TV Champion Taz defeated John Kronus.
-Chris Candido & Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Axl Rotten & Louie Spicolli.
-Mikey Whipwreck & Spike Dudley defeated Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley.
-Rob Van Dam defeated Balls Mahoney.
-Sabu defeated Tommy Dreamer.
1998 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Tampa, Fl at the Expo Park with the following results:
-Lance Storm pinned Tommy Rogers.
-Tracy Smothers & Little Guido fought the Blue Meanie & Super Nova to a no contest.
-Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney defeated Tracy Smothers & Little Guido.
-Chris Chetti pinned the Cuban Assassin.
-John Kronus pinned Ulf Hermann.
-Jerry Lynn & Masato Tanaka defeated Justin Credible & Mike Awesome when Lynn pinned Credible.
-Taz fought Mike Lozansky to a no contest.
-ECW TV Champion & ECW Tag Team Champion Rob Van Dam fought Bam Bam Bigelow to a no contest.
-Sabu defeated Mikey Whipwreck.
-Buh Buh Ray, D-Von, & Big Dick Dudley defeated Tommy Dreamer, the Sandman, & Spike Dudley when D-Von pinned Sandman.
1999 - WWF holds their Fully Loaded Pay-per-view event in Buffalo, New York at the Marine Midland Arena. Here are the results:
In matches shown on Sunday Night Heat:
- Val Venis defeated Joey Abs.
- The Godfather defeated Meat (Sean Stasiak).
- Christian defeated Viscera.
In matches shown on the Pay-per-view:
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Edge to win the Intercontinental Title when Gangrel interfered, allowing Jarrett to hit a forward legsweep (later called The Stroke) for the win. Post-match, Steve Austin ran out and gave Jarrett a stunner, then promised to take care of the Undertaker later in the show.
- The Acolytes (Faarooq & Bradshaw) defeated The Hardy Boyz & Michael Hayes in a handicap match when the Acolytes hit a double powerbomb on Michael Hayes and pinned him. As a result, the Acolytes won the WWF World Tag Team Title from the Hardys, even though neither belt holder was pinned.
- D'Lo Brown defeated Mideon to win the WWF European Title with the Lo-Down frog splash.
- Big Bossman defeated Al Snow to win the Hardcore Title by pinning him against a metal gate.
- The Big Show defeated Kane with the Showstopper. Hardcore Holly was the referee, and was biased against Kane for much of the match. Post-match, X-Pac attacked Holly and Show, but The Undertaker ran out and attacked Pac, then helped Big Show beat down Kane.
- Ken Shamrock defeated Steve Blackman by knockout in an Iron Circle match (parking lot brawl) when he hit Blackman with a chain.
- Road Dogg & X-Pac defeated Billy Gunn & Chyna to win the rights to the "D-Generation X" name when Road Dogg pinned Gunn with a pumphandle slam.
- Triple H defeated The Rock in a strap match with a Pedigree, after interference from Chyna & Billy Gunn. Post-match, Triple H claimed he didn't need their help, and walked off without them.
- WWF World Champion Steve Austin defeated The Undertaker in a First Blood match. Earlier in the evening, Austin and Undertaker attacked each other backstage, each drawing blood, so both men entered the match bandaged. The finish of the match saw X-Pac come down and kick a chair out of the Undertaker's hands. Austin hit Undertaker with a TV camera, busting him open, and winning the match. As a result, Vince McMahon was no longer allowed to appear on television. Post-match, Triple H came down to attack Austin, and Rock came down to attack Triple H.
1999 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Baton Rouge, LA with the following results:
-Chris Chetti & Nova defeated Simon Diamond & Tony Devito following the Tidal Wave.
-Steve Corino (w/ Jack Victory) defeated Vito Lagrasso.
-Super Crazy defeated Little Guido (w/ Sal E. Graziano).
-ECW World Tag Team Champions Spike Dudley & Balls Mahoney defeated Danny Doring & Roadkill. with simultaneous pinfalls following the Acid Drop and Nutcracker Suite
-Jerry Lynn defeated Lance Storm (w/ Dawn Marie) with the cradle piledriver.
-Justin Credible defeated D-Von Dudley (w/ Joel Gertner) after Sabu interfered and put D-Von through a table.
-Sabu pinned the One Man Gang with the Arabian Facebuster in a death match; after the bout, Justin Credible interfered and assaulted Sabu with a Singapore cane.
-ECW World Champion Taz defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri via submission with the Tazmission.
1999 - WCW ran Jackson, MS at the Coliseum, featuring the following results before 6.234 fans:
-Fit Finlay fought Brian Knobbs to a no contest when Finlay sustained a severe cut to his leg going through a table. Finlay would be out of the ring for many months due to the injury.
-Ernest Miller defeated Chavo Guerrero.
-Prince Iaukea defeated Blitzkrieg.
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. & Billy Kidman defeated Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko.
-Buff Bagwell defeated WCW TV Champion Rick Steiner in a non-title match.
-Bill Goldberg defeated Diamond Dallas Page.
-Sting defeated Ric Flair.
2000 - WCW ran a Thunder taping in Wheeling, WV at the Civic Center with the following results:
Thunder (broadcast on 7/26/00)
-Rey Mysterio Jr. & Juventud Guerrera defeated Shane Helms & Shannon Moore.
-Elix Skipper pinned the Artist formerly known as Prince Iakeau.
-MI Smooth defeated Yang, Kaz Hayashi, & Jamie-san (Jamie Noble) in a handicap match.
-Ms. Hancock (Stacy Keibler) defeated Major Gunns in an arm wrestling contest; David Flair was the guest referee.
-The Great Muta & Vampiro defeated Sean O'Haire & Mark Jindrak.
-Kanyon fought Judy Bagwell to a no contest.
-WCW U.S. Champion & WCW Hardcore Champion Lance Storm defeated Big Vito in a non-title match.
-Jeff Jarrett pinned WCW World Champion Booker T in a non-title bunkhouse match.
Worldwide (broacast 8/5/00):
-Shane Douglas defeated Scotty O.
-Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire defeated Mike Rapada & Chris Harris.
-Buff Bagwell defeated Disco Inferno (w/ Rey Mysterio Jr.)
2002 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Manny A filed the following TV report:
Taped On : July 23rd, 2002
Location : Indianapolis, IN
Hosted by : Michael Cole & Tazz
Stephanie McMahon, in a video segment, welcomed the fans to her 1st edition of Smackdown. She ran down some of the matches on the card. She also reminded Eric Bischoff that it would also be the Smackdown debut of Brock Lesnar.
*1st match : Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry
Henry dominated most of the match with power moves. Later on in the match, Brock Lesnar ran down and nailed Henry with the F5. Angle did not appear happy with the interference. The cameras followed him to the back as he confronted Paul Heyman and Lesnar. Brock claimed that Kurt looked like he was in trouble so he helped out. He also talked about how he was hoping to face Angle for the WWE title at SummerSlam but Kurt blew his shot. Brock added that Kurt's reign as the number one guy on Smackdown was over.
Backstage, Stacy Keibler went to see Stephanie McMahon. She talked about how Vince told her that her services were no longer needed anymore. Stephanie responded that if she knows Vince, he is getting himself serviced elsewhere. At this point, Stacy offered her services to Stephanie. There was a knock at the door, which Stacy was told to answer. Someone had sent Stephanie a vase of flowers and the card was from Eric Bischoff, talking about how Smackdown's loss was Raw's gain. Stephanie then threw the vase in anger.
*2nd match : Reverend D-Von (w/ Batista) vs. The Big Valbowski (w/ Hardcore Holly)
Batista broke up a pin attempt after Val hit a Fisherman's suplex. Holly and Batista fought on the outside. Val won it with a sit out powerbomb. After the match, Batista hit Val with a clothesline and then nailed Holly with a spinebuster.
Backstage, Stacy informed a bunch of security guys to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. These orders were from Stephanie. At this point, Edge walked by rather quickly. Stacy called out to him and he just walked away faster. She then called Steph on her cell to say that Bischoff may have gotten to Edge.
Highlights of Christian and Lance Storm winning the tag belts at Vengeance, with the assistance of Chris Jericho.
Backstage, Storm and Christian talked about how they beat the odds by winning the tag belts. They have to continue proving their dominance as they take on the Rock and Hogan later on the show.
The security guys surrounded Edge and wouldn't let him leave. Steph walked up to Edge to ask him if he was going to leave for Raw. He said that he was not going anywhere. Edge then led her to the production truck to show her something. In the truck, Edge gave a tape to the production person, which showed a clock which was counting down to the end of the show. He claimed that he would get Jericho in a steel cage during the time on that clock. Steph told the production person to leave it running.
The Edge clock appeared on the top right corner of the screen.
Backstage, Kurt Angle was on the phone talking to someone named "Eric." Mark Loyd tried to interview him but Kurt told him to buzz off.
*3rd match : Rikishi vs. Albert
Rikishi won this one after the 2nd rope splash.
In the back, Steph was talking to Mark Loyd. He told her about "Eric" being on the phone with Angle. She then called Kurt's voice mail to strongly advise him from listening to Bischoff if that was who he was talking to. She asked him to call her back.
The Rey Mysterio video aired plugging his debut later on the show. Michael Cole referred to him as the world's most spectacular cruiserweight.
*4th match : Lance Storm & Edge (w/ Test) vs. The Rock and Hollywood Hogan (WWE tag titles)
Test interfered throughout this match. Just as Hogan was about to pin Christian, Brock Lesnar ran down and nailed Hogan with the F5. After the match, Rock and Brock had a staredown.
In the back, Heyman and Brock approached a limo, which they thought belonged to Steph. The driver informed them that it was Hogan's car. Brock threatened the driver to get him to drive him.
The announcers talked to John Cena in the back. He took shots at Test about his dental work. He referred to Test as a woodchuck. Test walked up and smacked him in the face.
Backstage, Steph walked up to Chris Jericho. She asked him if he was happy on Smackdown. He claimed that he was ecstatic. He plugged his band Fozzy and gave Steph a complimentary CD. He also claimed that he would leave Edge in a pool of his own blood during the cage match tonight.
We saw Rey Mysterio in front of a mirror looking at himself. He had some weird looking contacts in his eyes.
*5th match : Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
Rey's entrance consisted of him being shot out of the ramp and pyro. There were a ton of high flying moves in this match. Rey won it with his Hurricanrana pin.
Backstage, Test was walking towards the ring. He ran into Rey Mysterio and they looked at each other. As Rey walked away, Test nailed him. He then told Rey to "go back to kindergarten, kid."
*6th match : Test vs. John Cena
Test went for a powerbomb but Cena rolled through for a sunset flip and the pinfall. After the match, Test nailed him with the big boot.
Backstage, Stacy was on the phone calling Kurt Angle. Steph walked in and grabbed the phone to leave another voice mail. She yelled a bit about how she expected him to at least notify her if he made a decision to leave Smackdown.
*7th match : Edge vs. Chris Jericho (Steel cage match)
Edge won the match by climbing out of the cage before Jericho could climb out of the door. After the match, the Anti-Americans attacked Edge. John Cena ran in but got beat up. Rey Mysterio also ran down and jumped off the top of the cage with a high cross body on Christian and Storm. Cena, Rey and Edge cleaned house on the Anti-Americans.
Backstage, Kidman and Steph were watching the match. Stacy ran in to inform Steph that Bischoff was in the parking lot. Steph ran up to a limo and yelled at Eric to leave. Bischoff then popped out from the sunroof. He talked some smack about how he got the best of her. He talked to someone (who we could not see) in the car. He said that they would see her on Raw. The car then left. Kurt Angle then walked up behind Steph. She was shocked as he explained that he was talking to his brother Eric on the phone and just had to let out some steam after what Brock did earlier. They wondered who was in the limo as Smackdown ended.
2005 - WWE broadcast Monday Night Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:
We are live from Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are JimRoss, Jonathan Coachman and Jerry Lawler.
It is time to start with the Kurt Angle Invitational. Kurt says the last two weeks he made a liar tap out. He is looking for some real competition this week and is not going to waste any time. Instead of a wrestler, it is Christy Hemme who comes to the ring. Kurt wants to know if Christy wants to be in the challenge. He says that he will be a gentleman, and suggests that they start in the referee's position so she can choose to be on the top or the bottom. Christy tells Kurt that she is out here to introduce his opponent. It is Eugene. Eugene hugs Christy and the ref, but Kurt does not want any hugs from Eugene. Angle wants to know what Eugene is doing out here. Kurt tells Eugene that he is not from Cleveland. Eugene takes off his ring jacket to reveal a Brown jersey. Angle wants Eugene to focus and not insult his intelligence. Eugene says he is from Cleveland. They go back and forth before Angle stops him. Angle says that Eugene is making him mentally challenged. Angle will accept the illusion that Eugene is from Cleveland. Angle tells Eugene to prepare to go back on the injured list because it won't even take three minutes to break his ankle. Angle attacks Eugene while he helps Christy out of the ring. Angle rips off the jersey and wipes his nose in it before choking Eugene with it. Angle with crossfaces to Eugene followed by European uppercuts. Angle with boots to Eugene followed by an elbow drop. Angle with a suplex followed by a kick to the ribs. Angle chokes Eugene with his boot. Angle with European uppercuts followed by kicks in the corner and he chokes him again with his boot. We are down to a minute and Eugene "Hulks Up". Eugene punches Angle and Angle goes down. Eugene tries for a Stunner, but Angle pushes Eugene off and hits a clothesline followed by an Angle slam. Angle puts Eugene in the ankle lock, but he rolls through and Angle goes out of the ring and Eugene lasts the three minutes. Eugene and Christy celebrate in the ring with the gold medal. Angle is not in a good mood as Eugene goes around the ring to celebrate with the fans.
Viscera is walking in the back and he has a smaller version of himself with him and we go to commercial.
We are back with footage of Eugene winning the Kurt Angle Invitational and the gold medal.
We see Eric Bischoff in the BischOffice and John Cena comes up behind him. John tells Eric he is taking it too hard because someone in the family is a winner. Cena talks about the phases he went through; including thinking he was Scott Baio. Now he is the champ. Eric says that Cena is not the kind of champion he wants representing him and his company. Eric knows what Cena is all about and knows his type. Eric says that Cena is nothing but white trash. Eric calls Cena a wannabe and he and his people are scum and slime. They care about nothing but themselves. If Cena wants to embarrass himself tonight, his reign as WWE champion will come to an end. When it ends, the only person to be embarrassing Cena will be Bischoff. Bischoff turns around and Cena has already left the BischOffice.
The Heart Throbs with Pocket Rocket are already in the ring. It is time for their opponents to come to the ring, and it is Viscera and Cloacas. This is being billed as a mixed tag match with Antonio teaming with Pocket Rocket. Cloacas drop kicks Antonio before the bell. Pocket Rocket attacks Cloacas and then tags in Antonio. Antonio slaps Cloacas and slams his head into the turnbuckle. Antonio with an Irish whip to Cloacas and then he slaps him again before a snap mare. Antonio with an Irish whip, and he misses Cloacas on a charge to the corner. Antonio with a kick followed by an airplane spin. Antonio misses an elbow drop. Romeo pulls Cloacas down, but Viscera tags in and he clotheslines Antonio followed by a hip toss. Viscera with an open hand slap. Viscera with a Samoan drop. Romeo climbs Mount Viscera and then Viscera throws him down and clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Pocket Rocket punches Viscera but it has no effect. Viscera tosses Pocket Rocket onto Romeo. Viscera slams Antonio and then Cloacas with a splash off Viscera's back before Viscera covers Antonio for the pin.
We go to the back where the ambulance is being backed into the arena and they show the stretcher in the back of the ambulance.
Jim Ross talks about the passing of Lord Alfred Hayes and it is time for a video package to look back at his career. We go to commercial.
We are back with a WWE Rewind: Carlito getting disqualified against Shelton Benjamin last week.
Shelton Benjamin is in the BischOffice and Shelton says that Eric does not owe him anything. Shelton earned his opportunity at the Intercontinental title. So far, Carlito has won by count out and by disqualification. He wants a no count out/no disqualification match against Carlito. Eric says that Shelton will not get an Intercontinental title match. It will be Shelton against Gene Snitsky and Chris Masters. Shelton says that it stinks that he has to wrestle a muscle head and a toe sucking psycho.
Maria is in the back to interview Chris Jericho. She is excited to be there. Maria talks about Fozzy and she says that she loves Fozzy the Bear because he is so soft and cuddly. She wants to know if any of the other Muppets will be there. Chris tells Maria that it's not easy being ditzy. Jericho says that Maria is just like everyone in Cleveland with all of the negativity. Chris says that he is a hall of fame level performer, but he is being treated like Ashlee Simpson. Chris says that we already know who is going to win the battle of the bands. He says that he is the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla. He is the epitome of all that is rock and roll. He says that hip hop is not real music, just manufactured music. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Battle of the Bands. Cena goes first and performs "Bad, Bad Man". Now it is time for Chris Jericho to come out. However, he is without Fozzy. Jericho tells John that he wants to be honest with him, and says that the performance "Plain sucked." John asks Chris to show what he has. Jericho says that everyone has bought into what he is doing by cheering for him. Jericho says that everyone is biased and they are a flock of sheep so things are unfair. It is unfair to him and his band. Anywhere else, people would be ready to chant Fozzy's name, just like 50,000 people did at the Download Festival in England. Jericho says that the crowd is ready to boo for him. He will save the crowd the opportunity to boo him because he is pulling Fozzy from the competition. The crowd does not deserve to see or hear Fozzy. He tells everyone that they can see him perform at SummerSlam, when he will become the new WWE champion. Jericho leaves and we get a bonus performance from John Cena.
We go to the back where the remaining Diva Search II: Saline Away contestants are grooving as they prepare for the "Hot Dog Eating" contest.]
Time to take a look at footage from this week's episode of Hogan Knows Best.
Shawn Michaels is walking in the back and he takes a look in the mirror. He calls for makeup as we go to commercial.
We are back and Bischoff is in the BischOffice with Carlito. He wants to talk about John Cena. Bischoff reminds Carlito that Cena is supposed to defend his title against Jericho at SummerSlam. Eric says that based on the "Battle of the Bands" he is going to have a surprise for Cena. Carlito will face Cena tonight. If Carlito can win tonight, it will be for the WWE title next week. If Carlito can win the title, he will be defending the title against Chris Jericho at SummerSlam. Eric wants to find a referee he can trust to call it right down the middle. His guest referee is Chris Jericho. Carlito says that is cool and gives Eric an apple.
Shawn Michaels comes to the ring, and it looks like he has something to say because he is in a suit and not in wrestling gear. Shawn does not pose for his pyro on the ramp. Shawn says that he would call Hogan out right now, but Hogan is promoting his television show. The crowd boos and Michaels says that they have probably seen the show if that is their reaction. Shawn has no aspirations to be a rap star, a rock star, a movie star, or have his own television show. He just wants to be known as the greatest in ring performer that the WWE has ever known. Five star matches, tearing the house down, and breaking his back is not enough for him. It might be enough for Hogan. Hogan has been living off his reputation that he built 20 years ago. Shawn goes out there every single night and recreates himself every night. He doesn't mind earning his stripes. Hogan lives in a million dollar home paid for by the sweat of everyone in the arena and watching at home. It is the same old tired stuff for 20 years. The best that he can do is turning his ear to the crowd. Maybe he will rip his shirt or even give you the same old tired pose down at the end of the night. In the back, they are having a conniption fit because Shawn Michaels is doing stuff out here that people aren't supposed to do. We are not allowed to do anything to "hurt" the Hulkster. We cannot tell the truth. Will they fire him? Shawn reminds them that they are looking at their main event at SummerSlam so they need to deal with it. You wanted the old HBK, and now you got him. When it started, it was about Shawn needing to know who was the "all around cowboy." All that matters is when SummerSlam is over and when he looks in Hulk Hogan's eyes, that he knows that Shawn Michaels is the showstopper, the headliner, the main event, and the icon. Michaels asks Hogan whatcha gonna do when the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels won't lay down for you? Shawn has a message for Vince before he leaves the ring.
It is time to look back at Eugene winning the Kurt Angle Invitational. Next Monday, we will have the Eugene Invitational. We go to commercial.
We are back and Gene Snitsky is in the ring. It is time for Shelton Benjamin to come to the ring. Shelton's other opponent; Chris Masters comes to the ring. Benjamin attacks Masters before he comes into the ring. Snitsky attacks Benjamin and misses a charge in the corner. Benjamin clotheslines Snitsky over the top rope to the floor and then he low bridges as Masters charge at him. Benjamin goes up top and hits a senton from the top turnbuckle. Snitsky with a forearm to Benjamin and then he tags in Masters. Both men with boots to Benjamin. Masters with a front face lock. Benjamin tries to escape the hold, but Masters with a forearm. Benjamin with a Samoan drop followed by a forearm to Snitsky. Masters charges at the corner, but Benjamin moves. Benjamin with the Stinger Splash. Masters distracts the ref and that allows Snitsky to hit a big boot from behind. Masters locks in the MasterLock, but he is unable to break the hold. Benjamin refuses to tap, but he goes out and the ref calls for the bell. After the match, Snitsky tells him to keep the hold on Benjamin. Masters does not release the hold, but from out of nowhere, Big Show comes to the ring. Show wants a piece of Snitsky and Masters. Snitsky with a big boot to Show, but Show with a big boot to Snitsky that knocks him down. Masters leaves the ring as Show checks on Benjamin.
We have a twelve pack of Diva Search contestants walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Diva Search II: Saline Away. We are going to find out which Diva will not get a chance to put any meat in their mouth. It is time to say good-bye to Cameron. The rules are that they have one minute to eat as many hot dogs as possible. The winner gets immunity. We have a tie and an eat-off. Leyla is the winner of this contest, and she has immunity. Next week we will have the Queen of the Mountain competition for the Diva Search.
Edge and Lita are walking in the back and they walk past the stretcher and tests it out as we go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Kane and Edge in their steel cage match from last week that Edge won.
It is time for our stretcher match. Lillian tells us the rules, where the winner is the person who pushes the other past the "finish line" on the stretcher. I think you know who is coming out first, but from out of nowhere Kane attacks Edge from behind. Kane with forearms to Edge and then he slams Edge's head into the apron. Kane rolls Edge into the ring. Kane with an uppercut to Edge followed by a punch and elbow to Edge. Edge rakes Kane's eyes and then connects with a series of forearms. Edge with a spear in the corner. Edge tries for another, but Kane gets his knee up. Kane throws Edge over the top rope to the floor and follows that with a kick to Edge's head. Kane slams Edge's head into the ring steps followed by a punch. Kane slams Edge into the ringside barrier and then hot shots Edge onto the ringside barrier. Kane Irish whips Edge into the ring steps while Lita cowers away from the action. Kane puts Edge on the stretcher and then chokes Edge. Kane pulls Edge up the ramp, but Edge punches Kane. Kane with an eye rake and then Kane pushes Edge down the ramp into the apron. Lita checks on Edge as we go to commercial.
We are back and Edge is choking Kane with the cable. During the break we saw Edge hit an Impaler DDT on the ring steps and then Edge hit Kane in the head with the ring steps. Edge rolls Kane back into the ring. Kane tosses Edge to the mat on a front face lock. Kane goes up top for the Robb Nen Jumping Clothesline. Lita brings in a chair, but Kane grabs it. Edge with a spear on Kane who was still distracted by Lita's actions. Edge kicks Kane and then rolls him onto the stretcher. Kane grabs Edge by the throat, but Lita hits Kane with a kendo stick. Edge knocks Kane to the floor. Edge has the kendo stick and hits Kane with it in the head. Edge sits the chair on Kane's neck and he goes up top. However, Kane sits up and he hits Edge in the head with the chair and Edge goes to the floor. Kane choke slams Edge onto the stretcher and Edge falls to the ground. Lita cowers up the ramp. Kane puts Edge on the stretcher and he pulls Edge up the ramp. Lita has the briefcase and she hits Kane with it. Kane is not happy and he backs Lita up the ramp. Lita begs for mercy, but Kane grabs Lita for a choke slam. Edge hits Kane twice with the briefcase and Kane is down. Edge has Lita hold the stretcher for him while he prepares to put her on it. Edge pulls Kane up the ramp, but Kane sits up at the line. Edge hits Kane with the briefcase and pulls Kane the final few inches to win the match. Kane sits up and hits Edge from behind. Kane drives Edge into the TitanTron. Kane grabs Lita by the hair and he gets her up for a tombstone and he hits the move on Lita. Lita is not moving as the medical staff checks on her. From out of nowhere, Matt Hardy comes out and attacks Edge. Security grabs Matt while Matt has some words for Edge and we go to commercial.
We are back and they are strapping Lita into the ambulance, but Kane attacks the EMTs. Kane has a question for Lita. He asks if she ever rode on the highway to Hell? Kane hits a policeman and gets in the ambulance. Kane drives away without closing the doors to the back of the ambulance.
It is time to talk about the Shawn Michaels/Hulk Hogan match at SummerSlam. Now it is time to look at a video package about Hulk Hogan.
We see Chris Jericho walking to the back and he is wearing the official referee attire. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the main event. Since every other referee just walks to the ring, we get Jericho's pyro and entrance music. The first wrestler in the match to come out is the Intercontinental champion, Carlito (with apple). His opponent is the WWE champion, John Cena. Eric Bischoff watches from the ramp. Carlito wants to make sure that Jericho calls it down the middle. Cena back Carlito into the corner, but Carlito turns him around. Carlito misses a punch in the corner, but Cena with a punch followed by a back body drop. Carlito with a back elbow and Cena goes outside the ring. Carlito goes out after Cena and hits a double sledge from the apron. Carlito slams Cena's head into the apron and then rolls Cena back into the ring. Carlito gets a chair and brings it into the ring. Jericho takes the chair and that allows Cena to hit a clothesline. Cena with a punch followed by an Irish whip. Cena punches Carlito. Carlito escapes a slam attempt and hits a DDT on Cena. Carlito with boots to Cena in the corner and then punches Cena. Carlito with a suplex. Cena punches Carlito, but Carlito with a flapjack. Carlito with a reverse chin lock. Carlito with a drop kick followed by a forearm to Cena's back and a neck breaker. Cena with a suplex to Carlito. Cena with a kick to Carlito, but Carlito with a rake to Cena's eyes. Carlito with a modified Flatliner and then has Cena in a reverse head lock. Carlito with a knee to Cena's gut. Carlito punches Cena, but Cena responds with a punch of his own. Carlito and Cena exchange punches until Cena with a clothesline. Cena with more clotheslines. Cena with the hip toss slam followed by the Blue Thunder Driver, and it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets Carlito up, but Jericho kicks Cena in the groin followed by a bulldog. Jericho with a Lionsault and then he rolls Carlito on top for the three count. After the match, Jericho takes off his referee shirt and takes a look at the WWE title belt while Carlito and Bischoff celebrate on the ramp. We go to credits.
2006 - WWE broadcast ECW on SciFi. Dave Scherer filed the following TV report:
The show opened up with a preview of the Kane vs. Big Show match later tonight. The match will be for the ECW Title and under Extreme Rules.
After the opening intro, Mike Knox and Kelly Kelly were in the ring. Knox said that before his match tonight, he wanted to show us all something we could enjoy. He showed a video montage of Kelly, with her saying she's an exhibitionist and likes to take off all her clothes. The montage was footage of her previous attempts to do that on ECW on Sci Fi. After it ended, Knox then told Kelly she could never take her clothes off in public again. She was sad. They showed a clip of Sandman caning her from last week when Knox pulled her in front of him to take the blow, in cowardly fashion. Knox said that he had no doubt that Sandman hit her on purpose. He said that people said he abandoned her but he didn't. He said he went to the back to get the EMTs as fast as he could. He said he would never abandon her. He said on the mic to Sandman that if he wanted to treat his girlfriend that way, he will see how he treats him. This led to a match between the two, as Sandman came out of the crowd to his horrible music. It was a lame, goofy angle that, in typical in WWE fashion, went along the assumption that no one involved ever sees what happens on TV.
Styles and Tazz questioned Knox's sincerity, as did anyone with an IQ over 60. Sandman drank beer, busted his head open with the cans and walked along the barricade, playing to the fans. When he came into the ring, referee Dope E. took Sandman's cane because this, of course, wasn't an Extreme Rules match, even though this is Extreme Championship Wrestling. Knox attacked while the ref was taking the cane, but Sandman made a comeback. He went to the floor and got his cane as Kelly came up on the apron. When Sandman came back in, she laid over Knox as Sandman was about to hit him with the cane, so he stopped. Test ran in from nowhere and attacked Sandman, leading to the bell. The two heels then beat on Sandman and laid him out. My wife, who was briefly excited to see Sandman wrestle, said, "This sucks, I am going to bed". The announcers told us that Test was intense. That was lost on the crowd, who didn't react at all to his run in.
A promo ran for next week's Raw. Shawn Michaels will take on Umaga.
In the back, Test told Knox that, well, it was unintelligible for a while. Then he said that he and Knox are unstoppable and was saying something about his girl Kelly, "but not like that" implying that it wasn't sexual, when Tommy Dreamer attacked the two and was beating on Test until security pulled him off.
In the back, Paul Heyman (with security) was talking to Sabu. Sabu wanted an ECW title match. Heyman told Sabu he didn't know why he would want that, since the Big Show is so tough and will destroy Kane later tonight. He said he knows what Sabu is capable of, but he can't ever make the match, not ever, to save Sabu from himself. He said that Sabu needed to take the night off because he was so emotional, even though Sabu never said a word. Sabu said, "Fine by me, I get paid to do nothing and my time on this show is minimal, works for me." OK, he didn't say that but you can't say for sure that he wasn't thinking it.
Heyman walked away from Sabu. He saw Guido sitting in a chair. He cut a promo on Guido, saying he heard what he just said about him under his breath about how he runs ECW and if he has a problem with him, why not say it to his face. Guido, who never said a word, replied that he didn't know what Heyman was talking about. He said he never had a problem with Heyman. Guido looked confused (he wasn't alone). Heyman's security then attacked Guido and laid him out until Heyman called them off. Heyman then told Guido that his match was next and he told the security guys to drag him to the ring.
CM Punk did a promo saying he was born in Chicago and raised on the street. He saw a lot of rich guys come and go while he fought for all he has achieved. He is disciplined enough to wait but it's over next week when he debuts on ECW. It was another good promo by Punk. He seems like a star already.
Back at the ring, Count Chocula, er Fertig, was waiting with Elvira, er Ariel. Security dragged Guido out and Fertig attacked him. He didn't bite his neck, or anything else, though. Chocula and Elvira did some Goth love thing on the apron, and then Chocula beat up Guido some more, since he was already out due to the security attack. It should be noted that the crowd was hating this. Finally, Chocula got the win with the Razor's Edge/Splash Mountain. It was a pure squash. After the match, Chocula and Elvira did some more Goth love. All kidding aside, they never gave Fertig a name, so why should I?
They ran a video package for Kane so we knew why he got a title shot tonight. He's a monster, which given the match that just aired with Count Chocula, actually made sense as to how he was getting a title match on Sci Fi.
In the back, we saw The Reject. He was in full Reject wear. He stared at the camera. He was probably wondering how no one told him how funny he looked.
Balls Mahoney came to the ring for a match with Justin Credible. The announcers were putting over Balls a lot. Balls was on the the attack from the get go. A few minutes in, Credible made a comeback and hit a big DDT and a Northern Lights suplex. He was in control on the mat (read doing restholds) for the next few minutes as Balls grunted, then asked for the people to get behind him. Balls then came back with a back suplex. He threw punches while some of the fans in the crowd chanted "Balls", just like in the old days. Then, someone loudly chanted "Boring", followed by a number of fans chanting "Justin A******" as the match went back and forth. Credible went to the floor and grabbed a chair. Balls took it from him and hit Credible with a shot that landed all over Credible's raised arms (hell, I would protect myself to). Ref Mike Posey only saw Balls with the chair and DQ'd Balls. Balls argued with the ref, got mad and pasted him with a sick chairshot. In the saddest ECW moment yet, Joey Styles said, "That's a little too Extreme even for ECW." UGH. Some of the fans chanted for Balls after the match.
In the back, Big Show was with Paul Heyman. Show said he was tough. He will take anyone on, so why couldn't he fight Sabu? Heyman said he had his reasons and to trust him. Show said OK. The title match is next.
After a plug for the Diva Wannabes (TEXT YOUR VOTE FOR JUST 99 CENTS EVERYONE) we saw a graphic for the return of Kurt Angle. He will be back next week. The month is up already folks.
Now, it's time for the main event, Big Show defending the ECW Title against Kane under Extreme rules. Show came out first, followed by Kane. They gave these guys a while as there are 15 minutes left in the show when it started, not counting the two minute overrun. Kane had the early advantage and went under the ring to get plunder. Just as Show made a comeback, they went to commercial. When they came back, we saw a clip where the two men beat each other up while we were gone. Kane was liberally using plunder, which made for a good time. He set up a chair in the top two ropes in the corner but Show reversed him and threw him into it face first. Kane came back and suplexed Show off of the second rope. Kane went for a cover but only got a one count. The men got to their knees and exchanged punches. Kane hit a running clothesline in the corner, then another. Show wouldn't go down. Kane went for the chokeslam but Show countered and hit one instead for a two count. The crowd really started heating up. Show went to the floor and set up two tables, side by side. He went back in the ring and nailed Kane with a chairshot to the head. Kane got on the apron and went to suplex Kane to the floor on the tables. Kane countered with a guillotine on the ropes. Kane pasted Show with a chairshot to the head, another on his hand to get him to break his hold on the ropes, then another to the head. Show went off the apron through the tables and when he got up was bleeding from the head from a blade job. Heyman came out and was yelling something at Show (I think it was to get up). Kane came out and dragged Show back to the ring. Kane went to the top and as he came down, Show caught him by the throat. Show went for the chokeslam but Kane countered into a DDT. He had Show pinned but Heyman broke the count. Kane went after Heyman and Show hit him with two chairshots, followed by a chokeslam on the chair to get the pin and retain the title The match was much better than I thought it would be and was easily the best part of the show, though admittedly that doesn't say much given what it went up against.
After the match, as Show was about to attack Kane with the chair, Sabu came out with a chair of his own. As Show turned around with his chair at head level, Sabu came off the top with a double chair drop kick to the face. Sabu then left the ring to end the show. As Sabu left, a few people patted him on the back and he clearly didn't like it. I guess they need to tell him he's a babyface. The last 15 minutes were the best part of the show.
2007 - Word came out that former WCW World champion Diamond Dallas Page officially settled his trademark infringement lawsuit against rapper Jay-Z on 7/10 with the court signing off on a settlement agreement made between the two parties. The settlement was said to have included a monetary fee paid to Page, who in return has now dropped all claims in regard to the situation. Each side was responsible for their own legal fees.
The lawsuit stemmed from the user of the "diamond cutter" hand signal that was a trademark of Page's in-ring wrestling career.
2008 - Former ECW World champion is finally released from jail following an assault arrest during an incident at a New York birthday party held for Captain Lou Albano.
2008 - NBC issued the following press release, promoting a Saturday Night's Main Event special:
WWE AND JENNY McCARTHY TEAM UP TO FIGHT AUTISM ON NBC'S "SATURDAY NIGHT MAIN EVENT" AUGUST 2
NEW YORK, NY - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will take over "Saturday Night's Main Event" returning to NBC for a special presentation on Saturday, August 2, from 9:00 - 10:00 pm ET/PT.
"Saturday Night's Main Event" on NBC will feature thrilling WWE competition, but this show will have special meaning. Jenny McCarthy along with other celebrities will tag team with WWE Superstars to raise awareness for children with Autism. Jenny McCarthy, who is a board member of Generation Rescue and has been called a "mother warrior" by Oprah, hopes to body slam Autism by educating parents and kids. WWE is happy to lend its ring on "Saturday Night's Main Event" to Jenny for the cause, also including star-studded video messages from Carmen Electra, Piers Morgan, James Roday, Toby Keith, Jewel, Billy Ray Cyrus, the cast of "Nashville Star" and more.
For more information and the most up-to-date news visit www.wwe.com and for further information on Generation Rescue please visit www.generationresuce.org.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
2008 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
On Sunday night, Triple H defeated Edge to retain the WWE Title and in the process, Edge speared his ‘wife’ Vickie Guerrero-Edge instead of his ‘mistress/wedding planner’. What is next for the happy couple? Who will be the next person to challenge Triple H for the title? We saw Shelton Benjamin defeat Matt Hardy to win the United States Title. Will this be the time that they let Shelton do something or will he be sent back down the ladder? New WWE Tag Team Champions were crowned when Curt Hawkins and Zach Ryder won the Fatal Four Way Match, but John Morrison and the Miz were not the ones who got pinned on Sunday night. Will we see the former champions try for another shot at the titles? What is next for Brian Kendrick now that he has a new (for the WWE) persona and a bodyguard? Is this the week that Maria debuts on Smackdown or is that coming in the next few weeks? While Raw has been out of control, what will happen tonight?
We start off tonight with a look back at last week’s Wedding of the Century of this Month on Fridays between Edge and Vickie Guerrero. That all went to crap when Triple H came out with his wedding present. Edge’s trapezoid gets him in trouble.
We are live on tape from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Jim ‘BBQ Cheesesteaks’ Ross and Mick ‘Why are people calling me TastyKake’ Foley.
Jim Ross talks about the problems that we saw at the end of Smackdown, and then Jim Ross mentions the match between Triple H and Edge at the Great American Bash. Jim Ross mentions that Edge accidentally speared Vickie. Mick mentions that she will be on the show tonight.
Time for the VIP Lounge with Montel Vontavious Porter. Montel reminds us what happens when he is in the ring. He tells everyone to enjoy the view of the VIP Lounge. Porter talks about how the fans are hating on him. Montel tells us that his guest tonight is the most controversial guest in his VIP Lounge. His name makes men and women scream like kids. Porter runs through the resume of his guest, and it is Jeff Hardy.
Montel welcomes Jeff to Smackdown and he welcomes Jeff back to the big leagues. Montel points out that Jeff will be in the Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer Battle Royale. In that match will be Ken Kennedy, Umaga, The Great Khali, and Big Show for a chance to face Triple H at SummerSlam. Montel says that the favorite in that match is him.
Jeff laughs at the idea that he is the favorite and points out that he hasn’t seen Montel win a match since he lost the United States Title to his brother Matt. Montel talks about the roll that Jeff is on. He is battling for a chance at the title. He is on the cover of the WWE Magazine. He is on the VIP Lounge. Porter points out that Jeff is known as a risk taker who will take death defying leaps from anywhere. Montel points out that those risks led to some failures. Jeff says that he made a mistake and had to deal with a 60 day suspension. He points out that he missed Wrestlemania, but he was honest. Porter points out that Jeff lost the Intercontinental Title; and that his house burned down. Porter wonders what it is like to lose your home. Jeff says that it sounds horrible, but when it happens to you . . . then he wonders why Montel wants to know that. Porter says that Jeff is an emotional individual and he suggests that Jeff is wrestling with some guilt over being responsible for his behavior and how it cost him the life of his dog. Porter says that Jeff feels responsible for the death of his dog for his reckless behavior. Hardy wonders if he is a doctor in addition to being a jerk. Porter says that Jeff is ruining his career with his behavior. Porter calls Jeff reckless one more time and he says that Jeff is a detriment to his friends and family. Porter says that is why he will never be a champion. Hardy points out that if he ‘fails’ again, he will be released; and Porter thinks that means that he will continue to be reckless. Porter says that Jeff needs to take responsibility and that it has to be burning him up inside.
Hardy tells Porter that if anyone knows about second chances, it should be him. Porter tells Jeff to settle down, but Jeff pushes Porter and Porter goes out of the ring. Hardy yells at Hardy. Porter walks to the back. We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie is on her way.
We see footage of Matt Hardy losing the United States Title to Shelton Benjamin at the Great American Bash.
Shelton is on the mic and he points out that on Sunday night at the Great American Bash, he did exactly what he said he would do. He hit the mother lode when he liberated the United States Title from Matt Hardy. Not only is he the Gold Standard of the WWE, he is the new United States Champion and there ain’t no stopping him now.
Match Number One: Shelton Benjamin versus Jimmy Wang Yang
They lock up and Benjamin with a waist lock take down and then he tosses Yang to the mat. Benjamin with a knee to Yang for a near fall. Benjamin with knees to the shoulder and then he works on Yang’s neck. Benjamin with an elbow to the neck and then he puts Yang in the corner. Benjamin with a punch to Yang, but Yang with an enzuigiri. Yang with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and Yang with a kick and punch. Yang tries for a monkey flip but Benjamin tosses Yang into the turnbuckles. Yang goes to the turnbuckles but Benjamin pulls him off. Benjamin misses the Dragon Whip and Yang misses a kick of his own. Benjamin gets the three count after Paydirt.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
Edge is in Vickie’s office and the new tag team champions enter. Edge says that he wasn’t expecting them, but he wanted to see them. He congratulates Hawkins and Ryder for winning the titles. Edge apologizes for last week and they understand. Curt says that they don’t need an explanation, but maybe Vickie does. Curt says that they have a match and they need to go to the ring. We go to commercial with Edge pacing.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Curt Hawkins and Zach Ryder winning the tag team titles by pinning Jesse.
Match Number Two: Curt Hawkins with Zach Ryder versus Festus with Jesse
The bell rings and Festus backs Hawkins into the corner and he punches him before the referee pulls him off. Festus with an uppercut but then he misses a charge. Hawkins kicks Festus in the leg and punches him. Festus blocks a snap mare attempt and Festus throws Hawkins down followed by a series of flailing punches. Festus with an Irish whip and a running butt splash and flying shoulder tackle that sends Hawkins out of the ring. Jesse punches Ryder to keep him from ringing the bell.
Festus rolls Hawkins back in and Hawkins kicks Festus. Festus misses a kick but Festus hits a TKO out of a fireman’s carry position for the three count.
Winner: Festus
After the match, Ryder goes after Jesse and throws him out of the ring. Hawkins and Ryder attack the catatonic Festus and hit a double DDT.
It is time for a video feature on the Generation Rescue event at Jenny McCarthy’s house.
We see a wide shot of the outside of the arena as we wait for Vickie Guerrero. We go to commercial.
We are back and Edge is talking to someone and it is Alicia. He says that she needs to blend into the woodwork. She says that she is blending. We see Bam listening in on what is going on.
Match Number Three: Stevie Richards versus Vladimir Kozlov
They lock up and Kozlov with a knee to the midsection but he misses a charge into the corner. Richards tries for a rollup but Kozlov stays up. Richards with a bulldog to Kozlov and then he kicks him in the back and the leg. Kozlov with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Kozlov with a boot to the solar plexus and then he hits a front chancery take down and then he puts Richards in a Fujiwara arm bar. Kozlov with a kick to the arm but Richards responds with a kick. Richards kicks Kozlov to the mat but Kozlov charges at Richards but Richards moves and Kozlov goes to the floor. Richards with kicks to Kozlov followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Richards calls for the StevieT but Kozlov backs Richards into the corner. Kozlov misses a kick but he does not miss the head butt into the chest for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
After the match, Kozlov goes to the announce table and he says something to Jim Ross and Mick Foley.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the video package that aired at the start of the show and the infamous ‘Trapezoid Massage’.
Ken Kennedy comes to the ring first and he points out where he is from, but then he turns into Mick Foley for a second as he gets the cheap pop before reminding everyone who he is.
Match Number Four: Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer Battle Royale featuring Ken Kennedy, Great Khali with Runjin Singh, Montel Vontavious Porter, Jeff Hardy, Big Show, and Umaga
Khali and Show have some words and then Porter goes out of the ring as the bell rings. He returns the ring. Umaga battles with Show while Hardy and Kennedy go after Khali and Hardy hits Poetry in Motion on Khali. Khali pushes Kennedy and Hardy off. Show continues to battle with Umaga. Khali with a double clothesline to Hardy and Kennedy. Show with a side slam to Umaga. Khali and Show exchange head butt but Umaga with a savate kick to Show and Khali. We go to commercial.
We are back and Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind on Umaga and Kennedy is the only one on his feet. Porter with a clothesline to Hardy while Show connects with a head butt on Kennedy. Show with elbows to Khali and then Umaga takes over. Show chokes Kennedy while Porter chokes Hardy. Porter tries to eliminate Hardy but Hardy holds on to the ropes. Show with a forearm to Kennedy’s back. Hardy tries to return the favor but Porter holds on to the ropes. Show with a loud chop to Kennedy.
Show with a head butt to Umaga and then Show punches Khali. Hardy eliminates Porter and then Umaga grabs Hardy and sends him over the top rope but Hardy rolls back in. Umaga squares off with Show and Umaga with a forearm but Show with a chop. Show with a shoulder tackle and then Show eliminates Umaga with a clothesline. Hardy and Kennedy go after Show but Show knocks them off. Show with the cobra clutch throw on Hardy. Kennedy with kicks and punches to Show but Show grabs Kennedy by the throat and eliminates him. Khali punches Show and then connects with the chop and then Khali raises his arms in celebration despite not winning anything yet.
Khali sets for the vertical choke on Show but Show gets out of the hold and then Show with a choke slam to Khali. Umaga comes back in and hits the Samoan Spike on Show. Hardy goes up top but Show catches him, but Hardy with a rana to eliminate Show. Hardy goes up top and hits a Swanton on Khali. Hardy takes off his shirt and then he kicks Khali. Khali with an elbow to Hardy and then he applies the Khali Krush. Hardy with a low kick but Khali pushes Hardy off. Khali with a chop to Hardy’s head and then Khali throws Hardy over the top rope to eliminate him.
Winner: Great Khali
After the match, Triple H come out to address his opponent at SummerSlam. Hunter gets face to neck with Khali but Runjin Singh pulls Khali away. Khali and Singh leave the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to go through the tough part of town and we see where R-Truth grew up. He talks about the bad things that happened in his neighborhood. He talks about living the fast life to get ahead, but now he got in trouble with the law. Now he is in charge.
We see highlights of Michelle McCool find a way to become the underdog Divas Champion at the Great American Bash.
Match Number Five: Michelle McCool versus Maryse
They lock up and Maryse tosses Michelle to the mat and Maryse poses because there is only a wrestling match going on. Michelle with a drop kick and near fall. Michelle sends Maryse into the turnbuckles and then she kicks Maryse. Michelle with a drop kick and Maryse goes to the apron. Maryse with a shoulder and then she throws Michelle out of the ring. Maryse Irish whips Michelle into the apron. They return to the ring and Maryse gets a near fall. Maryse with an Irish whip and forearm to the back. Maryse with a knee to the back followed by a short arm clothesline and punches. Michelle tries for a moonsault, but Michelle lands on her feet. Michelle rolls through and applies the heel hook and Maryse taps out.
Winner: Michelle McCool
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
We are reminded that Triple H will be facing the Great Khali at SummerSlam
We see Vickie Guerrero-Edge being wheeled into the building by Chavo Guerrero. Bam stops by and asks how Vickie is doing. Bam wants to know if Chavo told Vickie what Edge said, but Chavo says that they will talk about it in the office. We go to commercial.
We are back and Maria is going to be on Smackdown next week.
Edge is in the hallway waiting for Vickie and Bam tells Edge that Vickie is in her office. Edge says that he needs to apologize to Vickie, but he needs to do it in public.
Brian Kendrick comes to the ring and he tells everyone that they are privileged to see the fasted, and most well trained wrestler in the WWE. Kendrick says that the fans will be able to tell their children and grandchildren that they saw Brian Kendrick way back when. Brian says that if you want to touch greatness, you will have to take it up with Zeke.
Match Number Six: Shannon Moore versus Brian Kendrick with Ezekiel
They lock up and Moore with a waist lock but Kendrick backs him into the corner. Kendrick with a forearm on the break followed by an Irish whip but Kendrick with a knee to the back when Moore anticipates a float over but Kendrick does not do it. Kendrick with kicks and knees to Moore. Kendrick with a slam and then he goes to the turnbuckles but he misses a knee drop. Moore with a reverse atomic drop followed by a punch. Moore with a leg drop to Kendrick and then he goes to the apron but he is distracted by Ezekiel. Kendrick with a knee and then he sends Moore into the turnbuckle. Moore with Sliced Bread #2 for the three count.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
We go to Vickie’s office and Chavo talks to Vickie. Bam says that Edge wants to meet Vickie in the ring to apologize to her, or does he want her to apologize to him. Bam says that Edge wants it to be done in public. We go to commercial.
We are back and Edge comes to the ring. Edge says that he wanted to come out to apologize publicly to his wife Vickie. He wants to do it face to face in public so he asks Vickie to come out. Vickie does not come out at first, but she eventually comes out with Chavo and Bam and they make their way to the ring.
Vickie tells Chavo and Bam that she is okay and they can go. Edge gets on his knees and Vickie will not look at him. Edge tells Vickie to listen to him. He knows that what he did was horrible. He understands if she cannot find it in her heart to forgive Edge. What the video did not show was how many times he tried to say no. Edge says that she was so aggressive and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Edge tells Vickie that he knows the question running through her head. He says that he did not leave because he wanted to iron out the wedding plans to make sure that everything went perfect. He wanted to make sure that their day went without a hitch because nothing means more to him than Vickie’s happiness. Nothing means more to him than her love. Edge tells Vickie that he will not live without her love.
Vickie tells Edge that she understands and they hug. Vickie tells Edge that he needs to understand that hell hath no fury over a woman scorned. Vickie says that when she was really really really mad at him, she did something that Edge might not like. Edge thinks about what Vickie might have done and he says that he understands. He asks her what she did. Vickie says that she reinstated the Undertaker.
Edge has a look on his face like someone is going to really really really hurt him. Edge says that is okay and understands that Vickie is a businesswoman and that is good business. Edge says that they can go on their honeymoon while Undertaker and Triple H can destroy each other. Edge says that he can take back his title when they are done with each other. Vickie says that she has already scheduled an opponent for Taker at SummerSlam. Edge wonders who it might be and Vickie tells Edge that he is the Undertaker’s opponent.
Vickie also tells Edge that she means it and it will be Hell in a Cell. Vickie lets out an evil laugh and Edge looks like he has seen a ghost as we go to credits.
2009 - Dragon Gate USA debuted, taping their first PPV event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Dragon Gate USA debuted tonight in Philadelphia, PA at the ECW Arena. The following is live coverage written as the show was ongoing.
The Fray: Lince Dorado vs. Cheech vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Cloudy vs. Chris Jones vs. Louis Linden vs. Aaron Arbo vs. Andy Harper
A special bonus match for ringside ticket holders with staggered entrances and eliminations.
Arbo and Harper opened the bout, going back and forth with some good wrestling. Number three in was Johnny Gargano, who works regularly in the Mid-West and recently had a TNA tryout. He quickly eliminated both. Gargano got a chair from ringside and stood atop it celebrating while he waited for the fourth entrant, then brandished the chair. Referee Mike Kehner took it away before lucky number four, Louis Linden made his way to the ring. Linden, from the Michigan area, nailed some cool Lucha style takedowns and martial arts kicks. Gargano came back with a thrust to the throat and then began choking Linden against the ropes. Linden battled back out of the corner but Gargano raked his eyes. Gargano continued to work over Linden, clobbering him across the back of the neck. He went for a Dragon suplex but it was blocked.
The fifth entrant, Chris Jones, hit the ring. Jones works the Florida indies. He and Gargano go back and forth. Gargano retreated to the floor. Linden and Jones exchanged headlocks and mat wrestling counters. Jones nailed Gargano on the apron but was caught with a double chop by Linden. Linden leapfrogged over a Gargano charge, causing Jones to be speared. Cheech, a Tony Devito student who has wiorked ROH and CZW, among other indies, was sixth. He got a nice reaction since the Philly fans were familiar with his work.
Cheech and Jones exchanged chops. Jones charged him but got tossed into a flapjack. Cheech hit a springboard moonsault off the ropes. Gargano knocked him out of the ring but Linden kicked him in the face. Cheech hit a back suplex on Linden. Jones leapfrogged Cheech and did a forward headscissors takedown. Jones and Linden exchanged strikes in the center of the ring. Linden caught him with a running big boot. Gargano catches Linden with a thrust and pins him.
Number seven was Lince Dorado, who came in with a flying bodypress on everyone. Dorado went after Gargano but was dropkicked out of the ring by Cheech. Cheech hit a Thesz Press on Jones. Everyone locked on an insane looking submission combination on the other but no one tapped. Cheech nails Jones with a big boot to the face, then hits a knee strike in the throat. Gargano sneaks in and covers Jones, but Cheech breaks it up.
Number eight was cloudy, Cheech's partner and sometimes rival. He hit a double knee charge on Dorado in the corner. Cheech hit a slingshot on Dorado into a Cloudy STO. Cheech and Cloudy continued the double-team assault. They turned their attention to Jones, who ate stereo kicks top the head. Cheech and Cloudy then hit stereo dives over the top to the floor. Back in the ring, Jones was eliminated about a double team knee strike off the top by Cloudy into a powerbomb across the knees by Cheech.
Lince Dorado and Cloudy went at it and Dorado got a quick elimination. Crowd booed that somewhat since Cloudy was so impressive. Gargano rolled up Cheech and eliminated him, then tried to do the same to Dorado, who kicked up. Dorado dropkicked Gargano as he was on the ropes and stunned him. Gargano flipped over to attempt a sunset flip powerbomb but Dorado avoided it. Gargano dropped Dorado on his head out of the corner but Dorado kicked up. The crowd got into the kickout and clapped for Dorado to rally.
Gargano went for a full nelson suplex. Dorado went for one of his own but it slipped, the only miscue of the entire bout, which is impressive when you have eight guys who are for the most part unfamiliar with each other working for the first time.. Dorado went to the top and nailed a shooting star press for the pin.
Your Fray winner, Lince Dorado!
After the match ended, DGUSA opened for the general admission fans.
At 8 Pm, the lights went out for an awesome countdown video. When they hit one, Dawn Marie was in the ring to welcome everyone to the PPV and introduce the first bo
BXB Hulk vs. YAMATO
Hulk was accompanied by dancing girls, who were Daizee Haze and Kelly Dempsey (ROH star Bobby's sister). They went right to the mat with YAMATO taking the early advantage. Hulk was caught in a wristlock and chopped his way out before reversing it. They faced off and the crowd applauded. YAMATO shoulderblocked hulk down, but he kipped up. Hulk came back with a series of dropkicks to take YAMATO out. The crowd chanted for Hulk. He followed up with another dropkick for a near fall. Hulk nailed a reverse crescent kick but was caught in a legbar. Hulk got to the ropes as the crowd rallied both.
YAMATO missed a charge in the corner but Hulk's leg got caught when he went for a kick. YAMATO charged and kicked him off the apron to the floor, the followed. He slammed Hulk's leg into the guard rail on the floor and continued to work on it as when they returned to the ring, using kicks to the knee. He torqued the leg but Hulk tried to fight out. Hulk finally used a spinkick to break YAMATO's momentum, but was taken down with another leglock. YAMATO locked on a sleeper, then went for a unique leg submission from a crab position while on his back. The crowd chanted for Hulk. YAMATO worked Hulk in the corner with chops. He whipped Hulk out of the corner but his knee gave out and he collapsed in the middle.
The crowd continued to rally Hulk, who cartwheeled out of another takedown attempt then hit a beautiful dropkick off the middle rope. He flipped over YAMATO and nailed a clothesline. He went for a Mafia kick, It was reversed and he reversed it. Hulk hit a standing moonsault press for a two count. They exchanged strikes in the center of the ring with Hulk getting the better of the exchange, YAMATO nailed a forearm off the ropes for a two count. YAMATO speared Hulk for a two count, then rolled him over into a Sharpshooter. The crowd chanted for Hulk not to tap. He made his way to the ropes but was pulled away and locked away in a crossface. He finally got to the ropes again.
YAMATO went for an over the shoulder slam but Hulk reversed it into a Lucha takedown. He nailed a running kick to YAMATO who was in the ropes, then hit a Spanish Fly off the top on YAMATO. Hulk began beating down YAMATO with kicking combinations to the face. He picked him up for a pumphandle into a Michinoku Driver for a two count but YAMATO got his legs on the ropes. Hulk slammed him and went for a twisting moonsault press but missed. Hulk grabbed at his knee.
YAMATO made his way to his feet, smiling at Hulk. He charged with a forearm smash and a big head dropping suplex but Hulk kicked out again. YAMATO hit an overhead kick but Hulk battled his way to his feet. YAMATO locked on a sleeper then suplexed Hulk over. Hulk again kicked out. YAMATO finally hit a Michinoku Package Driver for the pin.
Your winner, YAMATO!
Great, great opening match. The crowd is absolutely loving it. It was cool to see them do a variation on BXB Hulk's dance entrance here to bring some of the pageantry over.
Ken Doane vs. 2 Cold Scorpio
Doane is former WWE star Kenny Dykstra. Scorpio is obviously well known in these parts. The crowd chanted the Dykstra name at Doane early, then chanted for Scorpio. Scorpio tried to shake hands but Doane slapped it away. The crowd chanted "Spirit Squad" at Doane. They finally locked up and Scorpio got the better of the first exchange, pushing him into the corner with a clean break. The next chant was "Where's your pom poms" followed by "We want Ziggler."
They locked up again, with Doane getting the better of it and slapping Scorpio. They locked up and Doane took Scorpio down with an armbar. Scorp bounced out of it and faced off with Doane. Doane grabbed a top wristlock but Scorpio used his acrobatics to escape. Doane grabbed a side headlock but Scorp used a back suplex. Doane hung onto the move and rolled around, getting back to his feet. Scorp shot him off into the ropes and nailed a dropkick, then used a superkick.
Doanie retreated to the floor. Scorpio teased a dive and Doane retreated. He slammed the ring steps in frustration. While the opener was balls to the wall hot wrestling, this is more of a traditional heel vs. face bout with a slow early build. Doane returned to the ring for a test of strength but Doane cracked him with a right hand. They boxed for a second with Doane nailing a dropkick. Scorp returned to his feet for a dropkick of his own. Doane drove Scorpio's mid-section into the turnbuckles. Scorpio battled back and began chopping Doane around the ring. He whipped Doane, who reversed. Scorp hit the turnbuckles and came off with a flying bodypress off the second for a near fall.
Doane battled back with a dropkick into the midsection, then cradled Scorpio for a two count. Scorp began mounting a comeback with a series of punches but Doane snapped his neck on the ropes, then dropped an elbow across the back of his head and neck for a two count. Doane unloaded with rights but Scorp began psyching himself up. He made his way top his feet but was caught with a thrown suplex. Doane got a two count.
Doane ducked a kick and caught a German suplex with a bridge for a two count. He locked in a side chinlock and Scorpio's arm dropped twice but at the third, he began to fight back. Doane tried to push Scorpio's arm down in a funny heel move. Scorp got to his feet and rolled through but Doane kept the chinlock on. Scorpio escaped but was immediately grabbed in a sleeper. Scorp escaped and backdropped Doane over the ropes to the apron, then back into the ring. He took down Doane with a punching combo but Doane returned and did the same. They began exchanging kicks and strikes. Scorp finally got the best of it with a big standing kick to the face. He nailed a running clothesline in the corner, then hit a springboard into an Arabian Press for a two count.
Doane came back with an Alabama Jam off the top but there was no water in the pool. Scorp went for a moonsault but Doane got his knees up and covered him for a two count. Doane charged Scorpio in the corner but missed and Scorp took him out. Scorp hit the Tumbleweed off the top and scored the pin.
Your winner, 2 Cold Scorpio!
Scorpio offered his hand after the bout and Doane took it. Scorp raised Doane's arm as if to endorse him. Doane left and Scorpio bowed before the crowd.
More of your traditional bout than the opener, but a really good face vs. heel chemistry mixed with some strong back and forth wrestling. Watching Doane here, you couldn't help but feel that WWE completely blew it. Scorpio is older than his glory days era, obviously, but can still go with the best of them and in a lot of ways, was the perfect opponent for Doane's debut here. By competing and losing to someone this audience loves, it gave him credibility.
Dawn Marie announced there were fans from Great Britian, France, Japan and Canada, among other countries in the house. She plugged the 9/6 Chicago debut and 11/28 return here. She promised a special announcement by the end of the night.
CHIKARA 8 MAN TAG: Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw & Fire Ant & Solider Ant vs. Hallowicked & Amasis & Gran Akuma & Icarus
Given the amount of talent here, it's going to be impossible to do a traditional play by play, so we'll just do some highlights. Quackenbush got a monster pop coming out. It was actually bigger than Scorpio. In fact, all the talent got their names chanted. All the CHIKARA talents have colorful outfits and gimmicks as they do an Americanized Lucha Libre style in their home promotion.
As you can imagine, a ton of Lucha style stuff with fast tags in and out, counters, etc. Team Jigsaw worked on Solider Ant for some time. Amasis hit a spinebuster. Soldier Ant finally came back with headscissors on Gran Akuma but was jumped by Icarus. He ducked under an Icarus charge and tagged Quackenbush, who cleaned house and tagged in Jigsaw. Jigsaw hit an enziguiri and rolled him up in a small package for a near fall. Jigsaw used a Lucha armdrag to toss Hallowicked out of the ring. He went for a dive but was kicked and cut off. Icarus hit a spear. Jigsaw tried to cradle him for a two count. He ate a kick to the head. The heels continued to work over Jigsaw while tagging in and out.
Amasis used a series of strikes and a clothesline for a two on Jigsaw. Icarus tagged in and was powerbombed atop of Jigsaw for a two count by his regular partner Gran Akuma. Akuma continued to use kicks to the chest, then rammed Jigsaw into the corner. Jigsaw hit a dive over the top on Akuma and Icarus. Fire Ant and Hallowicked went back and forth. Amasis ducked a double kick from the Ants but then got nailed on the rebound off the ropes.
It settled down to Icarus and Fire Ant. He picked up Ant and ran him into the corner. Soldier Ant kicked him out of the ring. Hallowicked nailed a press into a gutbuster. he and Solider Ant battled in the corner. Quack hit the ring and hit a top rope frankensteiner. Soldier Ant came off the ropes for the pin but Amasis broke it up. Amasis hit a face first driver on Ant. Quack hit a lariat and Amasis took a 360 bump. Quack nailed a side slam. Fire Ant went to the top but was suplexed off by Akuma, who then hit a moonsault for a two count. Great match.
There was an amazing flurry of Lucha dives, leaving Jigsaw with Icarus. He hit a sitdown Michinoku Driver and scored the pin.
Your winners, Team Quackenbush!
Great, fun Lucha bout. The crowd chanted CHIKARA after the bout. There was no way to keep up with this match, that's how insane it was.
Mike Quackenbush took the mic after the bout. He said that if the home office in Japan hasn't figured it out yet, "Doesn't Dragon Gate and CHIKARA make a splendid combination?" He said that they were all part of the same extended family, having been trained by an often underappreciated Luchadore, Jorge Rivera. He asked everyone to watch a video on Rivera, which was a collection of his highspots.
Quack said it feels like there's a bit of sibling rivalry in the back and issued a challenge to see how any CHIKARA talent fares against any talent from Dragon Gate. YAMATO came to the ring. YAMATO cut a quick promo, then kicked Quack low. Jigsaw hit the ring and attacked YAMATO, stomping him. Gran Akuma came to the ring to check on Quack, but then attacked Jigsaw. Akuma and YAMATO worked over Quack and Jigsaw. Several CHIKARA wrestlers hit the ring but were laid out. The other CHIKARA babyfaces finally cleared the ring to check on Quackenbush. Dawn Marie said that YAMATO told her he doesn't have respect for Quackenbush, Jorge Rivera or CHIKARA. Quack was pissed but was helped out of the ring.
Dawn Marie plugged the 8/16 CHIKARA event in this venue.
Dragon Kid (with Shingo) vs. Masato Yoshino (with Naruki Doi)
Yoshino and Kid had some awesomely fast back and forth counter wrestling early. Kid used a head scissors takedown to shoot Yoshino to the floor. He went for a dive but when Yoshino got out of dodge, faked it with a slide around the ropes. Yoshino walked around the floor and returned, getting cut off by Kid. Yoshino ducked under Kid and caught him and slammed him down. He measured and came down with a splash across Kid's arm. He continued to work over Kid's arm, wrapping it around the ropes as the referee warned him to break. Yoshino used his leg to twist the arm and slam Kid to the mat, then pretzeled him with a leg submission around the neck and torso.
Yoshino broke when Kid got to the ropes, but continued assaulting Kid. Kid faked a rebound off the ropes and kicked him in the face. Kid went for a springboard and was shoved down onto the apron. Yoshino charged in the corner but was kicked away. Kid did several rotation spins around Yoshino's neck before sending him to the floor. Kid hit a standing moonsault to the floor on Yoshino.
Kid tossed Yoshino back in and hit a springboard missile dropkick for a two count. Kid psyched himself up and charged. Yoshino evaded and came off the ropes, slammed Kid down neckfirst. Yoshino went to the top rope but was caught by Kid, who followed. Kid went for a superplex but Yoshino fought back. Yoshino went for a sunset bomb but Kid turned it into a rana and hit a 619 in the ropes. Yoshino caught Kid with a powerbomb to cut off his momentum, but was locked in an Octopus submission. Yoshino caught Kid with a boot. He charged Kid, who was on the apron but Kid kicked him in the legs. Yoshino went down and Kid went for a springboard moonsault but Yoshino got his knees up. Yoshino hit a monster missile dropkick for a two count and the fans chanted his name.
They exchanged chops. Kid nailed a twisting DDT. Kid set up Yoshino in the corner but was pushed off. Kid landed on the apron and fired away with chops. He got to the middle rope as Yoshino went to the top. Yoshino went for Splash Kid but Kid turned it into a rana in mid-air, which the Arena popped for huge. Yoshino caught Kid and slammed him down with a tornado. He locked in a submission but Kid rolled him upside down for a two count. Kid nailed a Stone Cold Stunner. Kid came off the ropes with a springboard into a rollup for the pin.
Your winner, Dragon Kid!
Yoshino shoved down Kid after and Shingo got in his face. Doi got in Shingo's face. 2 Cold Scorpio came to the ring and took the mic. He said he was here when Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko was a classic. He said he was here when Psicosis and Rey Mysterio "blew our minds." The Arena chanted ECW. Scorpio said he was involved in a few classics here as well with Sabu. He told Yoshino and Kid that they are today's version of those classics and said that he and everyone here would love to see a rematch. Yoshino and Kid both agreed.
A really good bout, but as good as this was, they can do ever better based on tapes I've seen. I was surprised it was as short as it was, but given the angle afterwards, it was probably by design to build the rivalry here in the United States for a new audience. There was definitely a lot of nods to old school Rey in Kid's performance here (which was the booking plan, to make Kid the modern day equivalent of Rey Jr.) and it was smart booking to have ECW alumni Scorpio come out to tie all the history in the venue to these talents to help get them over.
Dawn Marie announced the 11/28 show will feature a one night tournament to crown the first-ever Dragon Gate USA Open the Freedom Gate championship.
After intermission, Dawn Marie plugged her Wrestler's Rescue charity.
CIMA & Susumu Yokosuka vs. The Young Bucks
The Bucks are from California and have worked for PWG, ROH and the NWA. Both teams got big reactions from the crowd. Yokosuka shoulderblocked Matt Jackson several times until Jackson got the better of him. CIMA and Nick Jackson tagged in. Nick nailed a good rana. The Bucks did a double backflip followed by stereo dropkicks. Yokosuka tagged in and dragged Nick into the corner. CIMA and Yokosuka continued to work over Nick. Nick struggled to make a tag but was held back. He finally muscled Yokosuka into the corner and tagged his brother. Yokosuka and CIMA regained control and stomped Nick Jackson's face.
Jackson was propelled into the air by his brother and dropkicked CIMA. CIMA came back with kicks and punches to the chest. Yokosuka tagged in and rode Jackson to the mat, riding him with a side chinlock. Jackson was caught with a knee to the gut, bumping over. Yokosuka locked in leg scissors as CIMA interfered to help. Nick Jackson struggled to get into the ring to help but the referee held him back. Yokosuka grabbed Jackson in a wheel barrow position and CIMA drilled him down into his knees. They took Jackson outside to the floor. Yokosuka held held across the ring barrier and CIMA came off of them with a double stomp.
Back in the ring, CIMA began beating Jackson with drilling kicks to the chest and head. They whipped Matt Jackson into the corner then nailed lariats in succession. Jackson came back with a quick flurry of offense and made the hot tag to Nick. Nick clotheslined Yokosuka and took down CIMA with a Mexican armdrag. Nick did a twisting dive over the ropes onto CIMA and Yokosuka on the floor. The Arena chanted for the Bucks.
Nick came off the ropes with a double stomp on CIMA's arm. The Bucks hit stereo dive splashes onto CIMA for a two count. CIMA and Yokosuka made a comeback in a major way. Yokosuka caught an Exploder suplerplex on Matt Jackson for a two count. Jackson caught him with a big boot and hit a Blockbuster for a two count. He went to the top but CIMA caught him and hit a forward flip slam off the top. CIMA went to the top for a splash but Matt got his knees up. The Bucks caught Yokosuka with a double team move for a two count. Matt was left with Yokosuka and put him on his shoulders. Outside, CIMA kicked Nick in the face.
Yokosuka caught Matt with a lariat. CIMA went for a forward roll and got a two count. Nick got on the apron but was kicked off. They tied up Matt in the corner. CIMA hit a Van Terminator dropkick to the back of the head. They slammed Matt down for a pinfall but Nick broke up the pin. The fans chanted for Dragon Gate. Yokosuka went for a powerbomb but matt escaped. CIMA superkicked Yokosuka by accident. Nate kicked him in the head. Matt nailed a rolling forward splash. Nate hit a swanton and Matt scored the pin in a major upset.
Your winners, The Young Bucks!
Excellent match all around. Two stars are born. Unbelievable.
After the bell, everyone shook hands and the fans chanted for each of them before giving the bout a standing ovation. Matt Jackson took the mic and told CIMA and Yokosuka they were two of the best wrestlers in the world. He said that they went from getting their High School diplomas to working for Dragon Gate, which was like getting their college degrees. He said that everyone calls them the tag team of the future, but he disagrees. He said that tonight, in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, they proved they are the tag team of the present. He said this ring is their turf and if there is a tag team in Dragon Gate that wants to step to the plate, then "step right up, baby!"
Open the Dream Gate & Brave Gate champion Naruki Doi vs. Shingo
The crowd chanted for Shingo at the bell. Shingo muscled Doi into the ropes but broke clean. They went into a test of strength, which Shingo easily won. Doi was able to reverse the knucklelock and went into a standing wristlock. Doi rolled him over with a leg takedown and tied up Shingo's legs. Shingo escaped and went for headscissors on Doi. Doi escaped and they faced off.
Doi tried to run through Shingo but was shoulderblocked down. Shingo caught him with a Fireman's Carry into a Stunner. Shingo slammed Doi and rubbed his boot across Doi's face. Doi nailed a Dragon Screw legwhip. Doi began focusing on Shingo's legs, stomping on his knee. The Arena began dueling chants. Doi grapevined Shingo's leg. That was a set up for the figure four leglock. Shingo reversed it but Doi rolled it back over to the original submission position. Shingo grabbed the ropes to break the hold. Doi went for a cannonball in the corner but Shingo caught him and powerbombed him down. Awesome. He hit a kneedrop to the back of the head.
Doi made a comeback but was hit with a lariat. Shingo went for a standing vertical suplex and held Doi up there for a count of 30 before snapping him back. He chopped Doi in the corner, shushed the crowd and did it again. He whipped Doi into the corner but was kicked in the face during a charge. Shingo caught him with a powerslam for a two count. Shingo worked over Doi on the mat.
Shingo went for a suplex but Doi escaped and kicked him in the legs. He tied up Shingo in the ropes and dropkicked his legs several times. Shingo hung through the ropes, where Shingo hit a diving knee drop off the ropes. Doi ducked a charge and nailed a strike to the chin. The crowd rallied both men. Shingo began unloading with jabs but Doi dropkicked him in thje knee. Doi charged Shingo in the corner but was caught in the goozle and suplexed him over. Shingo nailed a kneedrop off the ropes for a two count.
Shingo grabbed Doi in a Fireman's Carry but Doi escaped. He went for a kick but Shingo evaded it and caught him with an STO. Shingo hit several lariats but Doi nailed a sidewalk slam. Doi tied up Shingo upside down and hit a cannonball splash. Doi nailed a back superplex for a two count. Doi caught them with a Fireman's Carry into a death valley driver. Shingo begasn punching the back of Doi's head as Doi wobbled on unsteady legs. Shingo hit an exploder into a Michinoku Driver for a two count.
Shingo hit as running clothesline in the corner but Doi came back with a sprinting leg lariat. Doi grabbed him in a wheel barrow position but Shingo broke free, then drove Doi headfirst into the mat. Doi and Shingo exchanged forearms and slaps in the center of the ring. Doi nailed several kicks and lariats before nailing a back suplex with a bridge for a two count. Doi hits a sliding kick and rolls up Shingo for a two count.
Doi hits a Package Driver for the three count.
Your winner and still Open the Dream Gate & Brave Gate champion Naruki Doi!
A great main event. Tons of stiff work here.
Overall, from top to bottom, a really strong card designed to please the niche audience it was designed for. Gabe Sapolsky had to feel some level of vindication tonight.
Dragon Gate USA Notes: I'd estimate the crowd at 900-950. The pre-sale before they opened the doors was 598...In a smart inside idea, they were playing music from Japanese American rock band Loudness as fans entered the building....The Arena was a boiling hot, the hottest I can recall in some time, made all the worse by the crowd size....The DG roster from Japan did a free meet and greet for the ringside VIP fans, who were allowed to enter early. The VIP ticket holders also received a gift bag with a poster, a coupon for a t-shirt and inflatable thundersticks similar to the ones you'd see at a major league baseball game...Dragon Gate USA PPV Producer Ken Gelman of G-Funk Productions was in attendance....I saw a lot of fans who were familiar faces at the original ECW and Ring of Honor that I haven't seen at shows in quite a while, so the first outing brought some fans out of the woodwork....The NYC bus trip (I wasn't involved in this one) sold out, which I was really glad to hear....Commentary for the DVD release was done live in the building by Lenny Leonard and Leonard F. Chikarason. Mike Quackenbush replaced Chikarason for the final two bouts.
2009 - TNA ran Southaven, MS. RS filed the following live report:
I just got back from the Southaven TNA House show and thought I'd give you a brief report.
Match #1 X-Division Title match between Homicide and Sheik Abdul Bashir.
Great in ring action from two great workers. For a moment there I thought Homicide was in trouble, but luckily, he came back to get the win and retain the title.
Match #2 Taylor Wilde vs. Kong.
Kong was suppose to be the heel, but a good part of the crowd was cheering for her. She did not disappoint as she took out Taylor with an Implant Buster.
Match #3 Kip James vs. Rhino.
About 2 minutes into the match a guy screamed "Rhino, you suck!" Rhino stopped the match and grabbed the microphone. He proceeded to tell the guy that Rhino did not suck. That in fact, that guy screaming was the one who sucked. Rhino asked the crowd if they thought he sucked. They said no. Then he got pissed that the guy in the crowd would say such a thing. He was going to take it out on Kip James. Kip then became angry at the crowd. Pretty funny bit. Rhino finally won with a Gore...Gore...Gore!
Match #4 The British Invasion vs. Beer Money Inc.
My favorite match of the night. The British Invasion asked if everyone would rise while they sang their national anthem. Can you believe that the crowd booed them? Weird huh? Then Beer Money comes out and cuts an awesome promo and gets the crowd to chant "Beer Money. " Then the match starts. Great action throughout. There was a spot where Doug Williams was hanging upside down in the corner and then Beer Money posted Brutus Magnus crotch first into Doug's face. Then Doug falls and they land in the 69 position. Storm grabs the mic and talks about how "He doesn't know how they do it in England, but over here, that stuff means you're gay." Crowds starts chanting "You Are Gay". Needless to say, this was not televised. Good match from that point on and Beer Money gets the win.
Match #5 Scott Steiner vs. Abyss.
Not that great of a match but not bad. Scott got into it with several fans. Called a lot of people white trash rednecks. Abyss wins with the Blackhole Slam.
Match #6 Main Event Samoa Joe vs. Hernandez.
Good match. Scott Steiner tried to interfere. Hernandez picked up the win cleanly over Joe and then started to catch a beat down from both Joe and Scott. Hernandez then proceeded to Hulk up or and sent them both packing.
After that, Kurt Angle came to the ring and apologized for not being able to wrestle. Explained about his groin injury and thanked the fans for their support. By the way, Kurt is now clean shaven again. Then JB tells us for $20 we can get in the ring and take our picture with Kurt. Line forms on the other side of the arena. We left.
Overall a good show. No AJ Styles as advertised, but still a good card to see live and lots of fun.
2009 - Ring of Honor ran the second and final night of their Death Before Dishonor weekend in Toronto, Ontario. Mike Kenney filed the following report:
It was announced that Nigel McGuinness is not medically cleared to wrestle tonight.
1. The Super Smash Bros beat Kevin Steen & El Generico.
2. Frankie The Mobster beat Bison Smith via DQ
3. Gauntlet Match: Davey Richards beat Jimmy Rave in a Gauntlet match to win a future shot at the ROH World Title.
Ric Flair came out and addressed the crowd.
4. Claudio Castagnoli beat Brent Albright in a European Rules match.
5. Tyler Black beat Tyson Dux.
6. Colt Cabana beat Joey Ryan in an Anything Goes match.
7. Kenny Omega & The Briscoes beat Austin Aries & Kenny King & Rhett Titus when Omega pinned Aries with a rollup.
8. Chris Hero beat Lance Storm with the KO elbow.
2010 - CHIKARA promoted the first-ever CHIKARASAURUS REX event in Philadelphia, PA at the ECW Arena. Mike Johnson & Joshua Higham filed the following live report:
CHIKARA held their biggest event of the summer, Chikarasaurus Rex at the ECW Arena this afternoon. Drawing in the area of 600 fans, the show so far was a great mix of names, fun wrestling and CHIKARA's patented meshing of wrestling styles and fun characters. CHIKARA may end up being the best kept secret in pro wrestling in 2010 and that is extremely screwed up. There was great wrestling, there were vivid and fun characters, there was a buffet of styles and there was an emotionally connected audience having the time of their lives. Anyone choosing to pass up an opportunity to sample the product is really doing themselves a grave disservice.
Before the show, they showed an awesome video, hyping the show, focusing specifically on the two of the trios matches, the women's tag, and Kingston/Dreamer/Ares/Claudio matches.
*Lince Dorado & Tursas & Pinky Sanchez & Tim Donst defeated the Colony and Frightmare. The Colony are a trio of masked Ants. Seriously. Fun opener with lots of comedy spots, multiman Lucha spots and some good wrestling, too. Frightmare at one point jumped on Donst's shoulders, landed, then hit a rana. Tursas was a giant masked Viking who did all these monster power spots against the smaller Ants. The Ants finally did a spot where they flipped Fire Ant over the top into a dive on Tursas. Two Ants hit stereo dives to the floor. Sanchez finally caught Frightmare with a sick Death Valley Driver for the win. Really fun opener with everyone playing their roles to perfection.
After the match, Vokoder appeared in the aisle, but only Pinkie saw him. Pinkie freaked out and Tim Donst didn't believe him since he was Vokoder.
*Shingo pinned Jimmy Olsen. Shingo nailed a Death Valley Driver and then a clothesline to the floor. Olsen came back with several chops but was shoulderblocked down. Shingo used his power to keep Olsen at bay and then nailed a back senton for a two count. Olsen began mounting a comeback but was taken down with a Mongolian Chop. Undaunted, he snapped Shingo's throat across the ropes and nailed a top rope missile dropkick. Shingo went to the floor and Olsen nailed a dive. He caught Shingo with an enziguiri and a brainbuster for a two count. Shingo went for Made in Japan but Olsen landed on his feet and scored with several kicks for a two count. Shingo powered up and slammed Olsen into the buckles. He clobbered him with a running lariat in the corner than another for a two count. Shingo went after Olsen's mask but the referee stopped him. Shingo nailed Made in Japan but Olsen kicked out. Shingo finally drilled him with a lariat for the win. They did a nice job of building Olsen as a babyface who could hang with all the kickouts. Good stuff.
*Eddie Kingston came to the ring to induct Tommy Dreamer into the ECW Arena Hall of Fame. Kingston said that Dreamer helped make the building what it is today and helped put wrestling on the map here. Dreamer said he kind of wanted to do a sort of Terry Funk thing and come back at the end to accept these type of awards but when he was told it was going to be for the Arena and for CHIKARA, a company that has men and women that remind him of the original ECW roster. Dreamer joked about how he and Taz would drive from New York in two hours and then drive around for another hour because they couldn't find the building. He pointed out the many changes in the Arena but that one thing stayed the same, the magic between the wrestlers and the fans. He said that he was born in Yonkers, New York but when he is no longer on this Earth, the banner will tell everyone that Tommy Dreamer was born right here in the ECW Arena. A nice moment. Kingston inducting Dreamer made a lot of sense.
*Daizee Haze and Sara Del Rey defeated Amazing Kong and Raisha Saed. This was the first time Melissa Anderson has done the Saed persona since leaving TNA. Haze and Saed started. Haze tried to talk her way out but Saed attacked. Saed drilled her with a series of elbowdrops. Kong and del Rey tagged in and faced off. The place erupted for that and clapped. Del Rey failed with a series of shoulderblocks so she nailed a kick to the head. Kong wasn't fazed and smashed her down. Kong picked up and slammed Saed onto Del Rey. Saed then locked in a leg submission. Haze bodypressed Kong but was caught. Kong nailed her with the giant swing. Kong tried to slam Saed on Haze, but Haze got her knees up. Del Rey kicked Kong through the ropes. She and Haze worked over Saed. Del Rey began working on Saed's back and shoulder as she and Haze tagged in and out. Saed finally mounted a comeback against Haze but Del Rey attacked. Saed escaped, leaving Kong to Avalanche a shocked Del Rey in the corner. Kong chokeslammed Rey for a two count, then nailed an Implant Buster. Haze jumped on her back with a sleeper but was flipped over. Kong held Haze for a spinning backfist but Haze moved and Kong was struck. Del Rey kicked Kong into a Haze back suplex with a bridge and Haze scored the pin. This was one of the best women's bouts I've seen in a long time.
*CIMA & Super Shen Long & Maasaki Mochizuki defeated Gran Akuma & Icarus & Chuck Taylor. Icarus and Mochizuki started out with Icarus stalling so Mochizuki kicked him so hard his body quivered. He then kicked Icarus off the apron, where he jumped into the front row. Taylor and Long faced off and had a nice back and forth exchange, trading armdrags. CIMA and Akuma was next. CIMA caught him with a nice rolling senton into the ring. CIMA and Long nailed a double dropkick. Team Dragon Gate took turns lighting up Akuma with kicks to the chest. Icarus took control working on Kong with a double arm submission. Akuma locked in a single leg Boston Crab. Taylor and Icarus nailed a double back suplex. They continued beating Long, but CIMA kept breaking up the pinfall attempts. Akuma began breaking Long down with kicks. Mochizuki tagged in and nailed Akuma with a missile dropkick. He began unloading kicks on Icarus and Taylor. Team Dragon Gate kept the control. Long slammed Akuma and nailed a splash off the top. He went for spinning headscissors but was caught with the inverted lungblower. Mochizuki prevented Taylor from scoring the pin. He and Taylor battled back and forth until Mochizuki kicked him in the head. Icarus Pedigreed Mochizuki for a two count. It turned into all sort of crazy moves and sequences too fast to follow. CIMA nailed an Emerald Frosion and a double knee drop off the top on Akuma for the pin in 15:17. Lots of fun!
Johnny Gargano came to the ring and started questioning Taylor about the team's loss. Icarus began helping Akuma but then turned on him, landing an Pedigree. Taylor and Akuma ripped off Akuma's team armbands and handed them to Gargano. They beat Akuma down, so apparently he's going babyface. Foreshadowing the turn, Team FIST (which stands for Friends in Similar Tights) were not wearing matching tights. And only Taylor was wearing the FIST tights. They've been teasing dissension in blogs on the Chikara website, so it will be interesting seeing what happens with Gargano taking Akuma's place.
After intermission, Manami Toyota was announced coming to CHIKARA in September, which I imagine will continue Haze and Del Rey's quest for competition.
*Drake Younger & defeated Colin Delaney & Vin Gerard & STIGMA vs. The Osyrian Portal & Drake Younger. Younger was dressed like the Portal. All six brawled at the bell. There was lots of fighting around ringside and dives. Fun stuff. It was a fun brawl with the crowd into every bit of it. Gerard got dumped head first into a trashcan, which was then dropkicked. Younger was bleeding at one point. SIGMA tombstoned one of the Portal on the ringsteps. The Portal came back with a combination top rope splash and legdrop. Younger got a huge pop dancing with the Portal after the match. Fun brawl and great moment with Younger.
*Ares & Claudio Castagnoli defeated Eddie Kingston & Tommy Dreamer. This was Dreamer's second wrestling match in the venue since the original ECW closed, with the other being a losing effort against Big Show for the WWE version of ECW. BDK's own referee Derek Sabato officiated the match with Dreamer and Kingston vs. BDK. Delirious, who has recently become Ares' new "pet," was ringside. He was spooky, wearing his hood with a lethargic and spaced out mannerism. Everyone brawled briefly before the bell. When it calmed down Ares attacked Kingston in the ring and the referee called for the bell. Ares kicked off a Kingston charge but was caught with a suplex for a two count. Castagnoli called for Dreamer to tag in so he did. Fans chanted for ECW. Dreamer got the better of Castagnoli earlier but was kicked in the gut when he went for a tag. Ares suplexed him for a two count. Dreamer came back with a Fall Away Slam. Dreamer and Kingston locked Claudio in a Boston Crab and a Crossface at the same time. Dreamer suplexed Ares, then suplexed Kingston onto him. Kingston scored a two count, then began beating him with crossfaces. Ares came back with a superplex on Dreamer, who went to the floor. Claudio crotched him on the guard rail. He went to pin Dreamer but Kingston broke it up. He and Claudio went at it while Ares choked Dreamer on the outside. Ares kicked away at Dreamer and locked in an armbar. Dreamer fought back but couldn't escape their grip. Dreamer finally nailed a back suplex on Castagnoli but Ares attacked him before he could make the hot tag. Dreamer finally fought them off with several backhands and clotheslines. Dreamer made the hot tag. Kingston cleaned house on Ares and Castagnoli. He hit a running splash in the corner then did the Kobashi chops. Kingston tied Ares to the tree of woe and did Dreamer's sliding kick. Castagnoli attacked him but Kingston hit a tope. Dreamer did a flip off the apron onto Ares on the floor. Back in the ring, Kingston was whiped into Ares. He then sent Ares into a Dreamer spinebuster but the referee, imagine that, counted slooooow. The ref then helped Castagnoli, counting fast. Dreamer DDTd Castagnoli and the ref counted sloooow. Dreamer grabbed the ref for a Spicoli Buster but Ares clipped him. Castagnoli small packaged him for a two count. He hit the Nicola Bomb on Dreamer and scored the pin. Castagnoli and Ares mocked Dreamer as they left. The crowd chanted for Dreamer as he made his way to his feet. Dreamer instead directed them to chant for Kingston.
*CHIKARA's Mike Quackenbush & Hallowicked & Jigsaw defeated DGUSA's Naruki Doi & BxB Hulk & Masato Yoshino. Hulk and Hallowicked started out with some great back and forth counters and submission holds. Quack tagged in and dropkicked Hulk while he was in a chinlock. Hulk and Quack went back and forth with Lucha spots and reversals. Yoshino tagged in. Quack slammed him and nailed a forearm. He held Yoshino for a Jigsaw dropkick. Yoshino snapped off a great headscissors into a rana. Doi tagged in and worked over Hallowicked. Hulk cinched in a rear chinlock and brought Hallowicked over to their corner. The DGUSA team continued to triple team. Hallowicked made the tag to Jigsaw but he was soon overwhelmed by the Japanese team. Yoshino kept beating down Jigsaw and dragged him back to their corner. Jigsaw finally dropkicked Hulk to the floor but when he went for a tag, DGUSA wiped out his partners. Jigsaw finally dove out to the floor on Doi. Hallowicked and Yoshino battled back and forth and Yoshino trapped him in an Octopus. Quack nailed a top rope rana on Doi. He missed a rolling senton but landed on his feet. He was caught by Doi with an elevated spinebuster. Yoshino and Doi worked over Jigsaw, who made a comeback on Hulk. Hulk drilled him with kicks and a senton for a two count. They triple teamed Jigsaw in the corner. Yoshino hit a monster back senton for a two count. Hulk decimated Jigsaw with a kick to the head for another two count. Yoshino went after Jigsaw but Quack and Hallowicked were on the scene for the save. They worked over Yoshino and set up a Jigsaw Torture Race Driver. It broke down into everyone working on Quack. Doi nailing a running dropkick off a rebound for a two but CHIKARA broke it up. This ser up a great dive sequence. Doi slapped the hell out of Quack but got caught in a tombstone and pinned. GREAT Match!
After the match, fans chanted for both companies as all six embraced and shook hands.
Notes: Alison Danger and Mike Kehner were visiting backstage....The Rocky Run had about 15-20 fans run the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art with The Colony, The Osirian Portal, Drake Younger, Gavin Loudspeaker, and Bryce Remsburg. Leonard F. Chikarason was there as well....A variety of Ultramantis Black, Bryce Remsburg, Gavin Loudspeaker, Leonard Chikarason, and Mike Quackenbush did rotating commentary. Ultramantis had two masked-and-cloaked men behind him whenever he was there. The show will go on sale Monday AM at www.SmartMarkVideo.com.
2011 - With CM Punk having bolted from WWE storylines after winning the championship at Money in the Bank, WWE announced they would fill the vacancy, leading to two title changes on Raw as Rey Mysterio and then John Cena won the title. This led to the return of Punk and the main event of Summerslam 2011. Here's how it all went down on Raw, courtesy Richard Trionfo's TV report:
We are live from Hampton, Virginia and your announcers are Michael ‘Why do I have to suck up to a new boss so soon’ Cole and Jerry ‘Why wasn’t CM Punk at the press conference to announce the end of the NFL Lockout with the WWE title belt’ Lawler.
The WWE Title belt is sitting on a table at ringside for our first match to see who will be keeping the belt warm for the current WWE Champion.
We see the WWE locker room watching this match on a single monitor.
Match Number One: Rey Mysterio versus The Miz for the WWE Title
They lock up and Miz backs Rey into the corner and he gives a clean break. They lock up again and Miz with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall followed by a clothesline and he gets another near fall. Rey with kicks to the leg followed by a forearm and side head lock. Rey with a kick to Miz followed by a head scissors take down. Miz stops Rey from going between his legs but Rey is sent into the turnbuckles. Miz stops a rana attempt and Miz hot shots Rey onto the turnbuckles. Miz sets for the Awesome Clothesline but Rey has trouble getting up. Miz hits the clothesline and he gets a near fall.
Miz with kicks to Rey followed by knees to the back. Miz with a reverse chin lock. Rey with forearms but Miz with a knee to the midsection and he gets a near fall. Miz with a kick to the ribs and then he chokes Rey in the ropes. Rey with an elbow but Miz with a kick and then he throws Rey under the bottom rope. Miz hits Rey with a baseball slide when Rey tries to re-enter the ring.
Miz goes to the floor and he runs Rey’s back into the apron. Miz punches Rey on the edge of the apron but Miz misses a kick to Rey. Rey with a kick to Miz followed by a head scissors that sends Miz into the ring steps as we go to commercial.
We are back and Miz with a reverse chin lock but Rey with elbows to get away from Miz. Miz with the Reality Check and he gets a near fall. Miz punches Rey and gets a near fall. Miz with a reverse chin lock one more time. Rey with a forearm to Miz but Miz with a knee and he sends Rey into the turnbuckles. Rey escapes a belly-to-back suplex and after a few standing switches, Rey sends Miz shoulder first into the apron and both men are down.
Rey goes up top for the seated splash followed by a springboard cross body for a near fall. Miz with a forearm and a sunset flip but Rey rolls through. Miz ducks the kick from Rey and then he kicks Rey and hits a DDT for a near fall.
Miz misses a boot to Rey on the mat but he connects with one as he comes off the ropes and gets a near fall. Rey kicks Miz in the shoulder and then Rey with a rollup for a near fall. Miz with a knee to the midsection and Miz tries for a power bomb but Rey with a drop kick and Miz goes into the ropes. Miz ducks the 619 and then he hits a slingshot sit out power bomb for a near fall. Miz waits for Rey to get up and he sets for the Skull Crushing Finale but he puts Rey on the turnbuckles instead as Rey tries to fight out of it. Miz puts Rey in the Tree of Woe.
Miz goes for a knee into the corner but Rey pulls himself up and Miz runs into the turnbuckles and he has reinjured his knee. Rey with a head scissors to Miz and he goes into the ropes. Rey gives Miz the 619 and then hits the dive from the top turnbuckle for the three count.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
After the match, Miz attacks the new wwe champion from behind and Rey goes into the turnbuckles.
Alberto Del Rio’s music plays and he comes to the ring with his referee.
Rey with a plancha onto Del Rio and Del Rio rescinds his cashing in.
Michael Cole tells us that Triple H is here to deliver a State of the WWE Address.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that men watch Raw?
We have a Moments Ago Moment of the WWE Title Match.
Rey Mysterio is in the back and he gets congratulated by everyone and then he gets showered with champagne. John Cena stops by to congratulate Rey and he walks away.
Josh Mathews asks Rey how it feels to be the WWE Champion. Rey says that it is a long way to the top. He says that all of the sacrifices he made in life being on the road all those nights without his family. Rey says that he is coming home and he has the gold. Rey gets showered with champagne again.
It is time to take a look back at last week when Triple H had to tell Vince McMahon that he is no longer in charge of the WWE.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Dolph Ziggler versus Kofi Kingston at Capitol Punishment when Dolph won the title.
Match Number Two: Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero versus Evan Bourne in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Ziggler with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bourne with a drop kick after Ziggler hurdles over Bourne. Ziggler goes to the floor and Bourne follows. Bourne with a kick and then they return to the ring. Bourne with a series of kicks but Ziggler avoids an enzuigiri. Ziggler with a Fameasser but he can only get a near fall. Ziggler kicks Bourne and then he hits a drop kick for a near fall.
Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Bourne with elbows but Ziggler with a knee and he tries for a suplex but Bourne with a knee to the head. Ziggler misses a splash into the corner. Bourne with a series of kicks and a leg lariat and drop kick. Bourne with a clothesline to Ziggler and then he runs into an elbow.
Bourne with a rana that pulls Ziggler off the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Bourne goes up top for the shooting star press and Bourne lands on his feet when he sees Ziggler move out of the way. Ziggler with the Zig Zag and then he applies the sleeper and Bourne is out.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Ziggler gets on the mic and he says ‘Follow That’.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Eve Torres and the Bellas are arguing in Spanish and Keith Stone interrupts Eve complains about how the Bellas switch because they are twins. The Bellas say that Eve is jealous. Keith is able to identify Nikki and he is able to make a multi-color drawing on Nikki’s arm with only a green marker.
Match Number Three: Melina and Maryse versus Eve Torres and Kelly Kelly
Eve and Maryse start things off and they lock up and Maryse slaps Eve. Eve with a flatline and a booty shaking moonsault for a near fall. Eve with forearms to Maryse and then Melina distracts Eve and Maryse with a kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Maryse mocks Kelly with the stinkface to Eve and then she kicks Eve. Melina tags in and she slams Eve’s head into the mat.
Eve with punches followed by a knee and a bicycle kick. Kelly tags in and hits the Thesz Press followed by punches. Kelly with a neck breaker and then she makes Maryse flinch so she spanks Maryse and then does her hair pose. Kelly with a bulldog and Maryse breaks up the cover. Eve takes care of Maryse.
Melina with a drop kick and then she misses a splash into the ropes. Kelly with a kick followed by the K2 for the three count.
Winners: Eve Torres and Kelly Kelly
Triple H is in the hallway and R Truth is talking to him while Cole and Lawler talk about how Triple H is going to announce a big return to WWE.
It is time to play the CEO Game and Triple H makes his way to the ring for the State of the WWE Address.
Hunter says that before he gets started, he wants to get one thing off his chest from a person and professional standpoint. He wants to acknowledge why we are here tonight and why WWE is the global phenomenon it is. Why there are tens of thousands of people in the building and millions watching at home. He says that it is due to one man’s vision and one man’s pure genius. He wants to say from the bottom of his heart, Thank you Vince.
Hunter says that he is not here to talk about the past. He is here to talk about the future. Tonight we crowned a new WWE Champion. Hunter congratulates Rey on his victory. Hunter says that since he is in charge, for the first time tonight there is going to be another WWE Championship match. Hunter says that both men have agreed that this match needs to happen.
Hunter says that Rey will face the man who was cheated out of his deserved rematch. Rey will defend against John Cena. Hunter says that he likes this. He says that there is another thing bothering him. There is a name that he has been hearing wherever he goes.
The crowd chants ‘CM Punk’. Hunter says that there is someone who belongs back on Raw. Hunter says that he has reached out and signed him. Hunter wants us to welcome back . . .
Jim Ross.
Jerry Lawler is ecstatic while Michael Cole cannot believe what is going on.
Ross comes into the ring and shakes the boss’ hand before joining Lawler and Cole at the announce table. Lawler hugs Ross but Cole refuses to shake Ross’ hand.
Cole takes off his headset and he gets a house mic and stands on the announce table.
Cole calls Hunter ‘sir’ and says that with no disrespect he talks about the future of the WWE and Jim Ross is the walking dead. He tells Triple H ever since Wrestlemania he has done everything the company has asked him. He has eaten crow and done humiliating things like putting Jerry Lawler’s foot in his mouth. Michael Cole says that he refuses to work with the fat hayseed. He refuses to work with the one faced Oklahoma Redneck. Cole asks JR if he needs the money since his restaurants went belly up? Did he eat the profits? After kissing Mr. McMahon’s ass, he is going to do the same to Triple H. Cole says that JR’s ego couldn’t keep him at home. He says that Jim Ross’ ego is the only thing that is not bigger than JR’s waist. Cole refuses to do it.
Hunter tells Cole that he was going to be upset. He says that his first inclination was to fire Cole and bring back JR. Hunter says that he looked at Cole’s contract and his severance package is ridiculous. He tells Cole that if he wants to leave, he understands it. If he leaves, Cole is in breach of contract and he surrenders all future earnings. Hunter says that Cole can have the rest of the night off from commentary and he has until Friday to decide. If he shows up on Smackdown, he knows that he wants to keep his job, but if he is not there on Friday, he will wish him well on his future endeavors.
Cole says that he has made his decision and he will sit down at the announce table. Hunter tells Cole that he has been relieved of his duties as an announcer and he might be late for his match. Cole says that he retired from the ring. Hunter says that Cole got the night off from commentary and he has a match. Hunter picked some gear for Cole since he didn’t have any. He tells Cole that his match is next.
Cole pleads his case as he goes to the back.
R Truth comes out and he wants to know if this is a blip. He guesses that it is out with the old and in with the new. He says that the man who has been part of the conspiracy since Day One is now ‘THE Man’ in the WWE. He congratulates Triple H and he tells the fans not to what him.
Unlike Michael Cole, he likes what he sees. He sees a new day and a new regime. Truth enters the ring and he says that he wants to know what Hunter is going to do for him. Truth tells Hunter that Little Jimmy cost him his match at Capitol Punishment. Spiders and his fear of heights cost him the match at Money in the Bank. What is Hunter going to do to rectify the conspiracy against the Truth.
Hunter wants to know who Truth is talking to. Truth wants to know if Hunter thinks this is a joke. Hunter talks to his imaginary people to counter Truth’s imaginary people. Hunter tells Truth that one of his invisible friends doesn’t like the way that Truth’s imaginary man is eyeballing him.
Truth says that Hunter might be the Game, but he isn’t playing. Truth leaves the ring and Hunter tells all of them to stop for a moment.
Hunter says that he re-signed another guy and this person said that he wanted a piece of Truth.
John Morrison comes out and they fight on the stage but Morrison with a punch and Truth falls down the ramp. Morrison with a shoulder off the ring steps and then he punches Truth. Morrison punches Truth and then go into the ring.
Truth punches Morrison and then Morrison with a double leg take down and then Morrison sets for Starship Pain and he hits it.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Michael Cole with the Cole Fountain versus Zack Ryder
Ryder with a kick and then he send Cole into the turnbuckles and lets out a Woo Woo Woo before hitting the Rough Ryder for the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Kofi Kingston beating Alberto Del Rio last week in the tournament.
Match Number Five: Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez versus Kofi Kingston
Del Rio with kicks to Kofi followed by a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head and he tries for a cover but Kofi gets his shoulders up. Kofi with a rollup for a near fall and then he clothesline Del Rio over the top rope to the floor. Kofi teases a dive to the floor but he bounces off the ropes when Del Rio moves away from the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with an arm bar and he has his knee in Kofi’s back. We see footage during the commercial when Del Rio hit a step up enzuigiri to the shoulder that sent him to the floor. Del Rio with kicks to the arm and then Del Rio with a kick to the leg followed by punches. The referee warns Del Rio and he misses a charge into the corner and he hits the ring post with his shoulder. Kofi goes to the apron and hits a springboard cross body for a near fall.
Kofi with chops to Del Rio followed by a drop kick and a Superman punch. Kofi sets for a Boom drop and he hits it. Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise but Del Rio ducks out of the way and then he hits a single arm breaker and gets a near fall. Kofi with a pendulum kick to a charging Del Rio and then he gets on Del Rio’s shoulders and Del Rio drops down but Kofi reverses and Del Rio saves himself by grabbing the rope.
Del Rio drops Kofi’s arm on the top rope and then Del Rio with the float over into the cross arm breaker and Kofi taps out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lawler talks about how he hopes Triple H makes as good an impression on Friday.
Josh Mathews is in the locker room with Miz and Miz tells Josh to shut his mouth. John Cena gets a title match? Really? Miz wonders if he is the only one who remembers that this is all Cena’s fault because he lost to ‘He Who Is Not To Be Mentioned’. Miz says that things are getting worse. Miz says that Vince is going to fire Cena for all the right reasons. Then Triple H brings back Jim Ross. The face of our company is a man without a face. Rey as champion is not going to be as good as when Miz is on the George Lopez Show on Wednesday night. Miz says that the new WWE is a huge mistake.
Match Number Six: Rey Mysterio versus John Cena for the WWE Title
Rey with a kick to the leg to get the first shot in. Rey with another kick to the leg. Rey with a series of kicks to the leg but Cena with a shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall. Rey with more kicks and then Rey with a sunset flip but Cena kicks out. Rey with a side head lock. Rey slides through Cena’s legs and reapplies the side head lock. Cena with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall.
Rey with more kicks to the leg and a side head lock. Rey with a bulldog out of the corner for a near fall. Cena misses a charge into the corner and he goes to the floor. Rey with a double jump somersault flip dive onto Cena on the floor. Rey avoids the steps on an Irish whip and he leaps over Cena. Cena with a clothesline and he rolls Rey back into the ring and gets a near fall.
Cena with a waist lock on Rey but Rey gets to his feet and he hits a DDT and Rey gets a near fall. Rey misses an enzuigiri and Cena tries for an STF but Rey gets to the ropes. Rey drops Cena onto the ropes and Rey hits a springboard dive for a near fall. Rey tries for the 619 but Cena grabs Rey and he puts Rey on his shoulder for a modified Emerald Frosion for a near fall.
Cena with a shoulder tackle but Rey knew a second was coming so he hits a drop kick and both men are down. Rey gets a near fall. Rey tries for a quebrada but he lands on his feet. Cena misses a Blue Thunder Bomb but he is able to hit one after countering a wheelbarrow. Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then he gets Rey on his shoulders. Rey escapes and he tries for a cross body but Cena catches Rey. Rey escapes and hits a drop kick and gets a near fall.
Both men get to their feet and Rey with a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles and Rey goes to the apron. Rey goes up top and he hits the seated splash but Cena kicks out. Rey puts Cena in the STF after countering Cena’s attempt. Cena thinks about tapping out but he gets to one foot and then he picks up Rey and gets Rey on his shoulders for the Attitude Adjustment but his knee gives out. Cena is in the ropes and Rey hits the 619. Rey goes to the turnbuckles for the dive but he lands on Cena’s knees.
The referee checks on both men and Cena checks on his own knee. Cena struggles to get to his feet. Rey tries for a rana in the corner but Cena sends Rey off with a power bomb. Cena goes up top and hits the leg drop for a near fall. Cena checks on his knee again and he gets Rey up for an Attitude Adjustment but Rey fights out and sends Cena into the ropes. Cena gets up and hits the Attitude Adjustment and gets the three count.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Cena raises Rey’s hand before celebrating with the title belt.
Cult of Personality plays in the building and Cena doesn’t know what to think. CM Punk comes out and he is wearing his WWE Title belt.
Punk makes his way to the ring and he shows off his title belt to John Cena.
Cena holds up his title belt and the crowd cheers.
Punk holds his up and he gets a louder reaction than Cena.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
We look back at last week when Chris Sabin cashed in the X Division Title to claim the ultimate prize, the TNA World Title,as well as the other antics going on throughout the evening. Tonight: a new X Division Champion will be crowned in Ultimate X!
The Main Event Mafia comes out to the ring to start the show, and Sting says their work paid off because Bully Ray is no longer the TNA World Champion, then Angle says they're here tonight to celebrate. They reunited for two reasons: to destroy Aces & Eights and make sure Bully Ray loses the TNA World Title, the second goal was realized last week when one amazing wrestler had the greatest match of his career, and now Angle would like to introduce the new TNA World Champion: Chris Sabin! Sabin comes out and thanks the MEM for helping him out last week, and he still can't believe he's the World Champion, but he is and the reality of the situation is that he's walking around with a giant target on his back. He knows that Joe and Magnus both want his title just like everyone else in the Bound For Glory Series, and he's going to lay out a challenge right now to whoever wins Ultimate X tonight.
Bully Ray comes out to the ring and asks if we know who the old guy with him is, and says this is his attorney. The attorney says that Sabin needs to take that title and hand it back to Bully Ray, or he will destroy them in court. They don't want to go to court with him because he wins for his clients, and Sabin has until the end of the show to bring the title to the true champion.
We look at last week's qualifying matches for tonight's Ultimate X match, then we see a video package looking at Greg Marisciulo, the former Trent Baretta who will be in Ultimate X...NEXT!
Jason Hervey catches up backstage with Hulk Hogan and asks if they have a response for Bully Ray's threats of legal action. Hulk is on the phone, presumably with somebody who can help with the situation, and says he doesn't comment on pending legal affairs before storming out.
We see a cool video package of TJ Perkins talking about his tough road since getting into the business, including causing his family to go homeless and being robbed at gunpoint in Tijuana because he was chasing the dream, so to him, Manik is the character he gets to vent all his frustrations through and finally claim his dream.
Ultimate X Match: Sonjay Dutt vs Manik vs Greg Marasciulo
Marasciulo quickly attacks both men, but gets dumped out to the ramp where Manik takes him out with a crossbody before going at it with Sonjay. They take turns doing what guys do in these matches, and Manik takes out both opponents with a double springboard dropkick to the outside as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Marasciulo practically kills Manik with the Jig & Tonic on the rampway, then starts to climb. Dutt interrupts him and they trade boots to the face as Manik is still down on the ramp. Dutt and Marasciulo both climb the Ultimate X structure, then climb along the top of the structure and trade punches on top. They give me a heart attack by trying to suplex each other off, then Marasciulo gives me another heart attack by nearly sliding through the structure before catching himself, but Manik is up and crawling along the rope as Marasciulo tries to hang on. Marasciulo drops down onto the rope and tries to knock Manik off, but Marasciulo loses his grip and hits the mat, allowing Manik to claim the belt for the win.
Winner and NEW X Division Champion: Manik
Congratulations to TJ Perkins who claims his first major title anywhere I'm aware of after 15 years in the business. He's an amazing athlete and I've wanted to see this for a long time, and I'm really happy for him.
Bully Ray is backstage with Ken Anderson and says that they've got Hogan where they want him, and he didn't vote, but if he did it would have been for Anderson because he's proud of him. Bully wants Anderson to to what he does best: get the job done in the Bound For Glory Series.
Bound For Glory Series: Ken Anderson vs Hernandez
Anderson wins an early brawl, but can't match power with Hernandez and gets knocked on his duff. Hernandez comes off the ropes with a flying shoulderblock, then suplexes Anderson back into the ring as he tries to escape. Anderson goes to the eyes and slams into Hernandez with a charging splash in the corner, Hernandez skins the cat to the top rope but gets slammed off by Anderson. Anderson goes to a top wristlock, then whips Hernandez to the ropes and connects with a back elbow for 2. Anderson backdrops a charging Hernandez to the apron, but tries to rush him and catches another slingshot shoulderblock. Hernandez starts to rally with running clotheslines and elbows, splashes Anderson in the corner, and hits the over the shoulder backbreaker for 2. Hernandez drills Anderson with the Pounce, then goes up the ramp for the charging shoulderblock, but Anderson sees it coming and ducks out of the way. Hernandez lands on his head, and Anderson quickly hits a dazed Hernandez with the Mic Check to pick up another seven points.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Anderson comes one step closer to winning the BFG Series, and we have a Knockouts Title match up after this commercial break!
Dixie Carter is backstage with Jason Hervey and says she doesn't have time to talk about Bully Ray, and she and her assistant go trotting off to fire a few more people to pay for their executive getaway.
Eric Young catches up backstage with Joseph Park to show him what he did a few weeks ago when he started bleeding and cost himself ten points in the BFG Series. Park doesn't have any recollection of this, because he blacked out. Okay then.
Velvet Sky comes out to the ring and said the mistake she made was letting Mickie James know she had an injury. Mickie took advantage of that to get what she wanted, but she'll never make that mistake again because she's going to play things closer to the vest than ever before from now on. She's going to sit ringside to watch Mickie and Gail tear each other to pieces, and tells them to have at it. The Knockouts Title match is next...we swear!
Knockouts Title Match: Mickie James vs Gail Kim
They fight over a collar and elbow tie up and start pulling each other's hair until ODB is forced to break them up. Mickie takes Gail to the corner and cheapshots her, but that just pisses Gail off and causes her to go to the eyes and hammer he with kicks to the ribs. Mickie goes to the eyes in return, but Gail goes back to kicking the crap out of Mickie and yanks her down to the mat by the hair to try a couple of pinning combinations. Mickie returns the favor by yanking Gail down by the hair and hits a basement dropkick for 2. Gail swats a dropkick away and drills Mickie with one of her own, then catches Mickie with another couple of pinfall attempts. ODB catches Gail using the ropes and gets in her face, but Gail quickly regains control and slams into Mickie with the crossbody in the corner. Gail goes to the apron, but gets caught with a spinkick to the face that sends her out to the floor where Mickie happily lets her stay while ODB counts. Gail gets up and snaps Mickie's neck down on the top rope, she tries the ringpost figure four but gets kicked off by Mickie, who follows off by coming off the apron with a Thesz Press. Mickie goes for another couple of pinfall attempts while coming perilously close to pulling a Bella with that shirt she's wearing, but Gail gets the Royal Octopus. Mickie escapes and goes for a submission of her own, but Gail is too close to the ropes and forces a break, then kicks Mickie square in the skull. Mickie tries her headscissors out of the corner and Gail counters to a powerbomb, but puts her feet on the ropes and ODB catches her and stops counting. Gail dumps Mickie to the floor right in front of Velvet Sky, then gets in ODB's face and slaps her for no apparent reason. Mickie capitalizes by rolling back inside and rolling Gail up for 3.
Winner: Mickie James
Other than the finish that made no sense whatsoever, this was a really good match. ODB and Gail get in each other's faces after the match, so Brooke comes out and says YO to Gail because she has a problem with her. She thought Gail learned her lesson last time she slapped a referee around, but she'll learn it this time because ODB is an active wrestler and Gail just messed with the wrong referee. ODB dares Gail to fight her, but Gail powders out as ODB jiggles her boobs at the crowd and takes a nip from the old bird.
We look back at last week when Chris Sabin won the TNA World Title, then we go to Hogan's office where he's telling Dixie Carter that he can't believe Bully Ray put them in this position. Hogan says it's not fair to Sabin and Dixie knows that because she was there with him after he blew out his knee the second time, and Hogan says they should take Aces & Eights out old school. Dixie says they can't because she doesn't operate that way, then says she'll fire them all to pay for their annual vacation to the Alps. Okay, she didn't actually say that, but neither of them wants to be the one to tell Sabin that he's forced to give that title back. Geez, we're at commercial.
Bound For Glory Series: Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe
Mike Tenay points out how, out of all their classic matches over the years, Daniels has never once defeated Samoa Joe. That doesn't appear to be about to change as Joe pummels Daniels with kicks, punches, a powerslam, a leaping enziguiri, and the facewash in the corner. Daniels drops a charging Joe into the middle rope and then lays him out with a clothesline before choking him on the ropes. Joe comes back with an overhead release suplex and a snap powerslam for 2, then knocks Daniels flat on his back with an open handed slap to the face. Daniels dodges a corner charge and hits a palm thrust of his own, then charges right into the STJoe. Joe gets ready to put Daniels away, but Ken Anderson runs down the ramp and distracts Joe so Daniels can clip his knee and hit the BME. Joe kicks out at 2, so Daniels immediately hits another BME to finally score his first win over Joe in TNA.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Joe looks PISSED, but there's nothing he can do because Daniels has the seven points.
AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy are both backstage, and they're...WALKING! They meet up in the Bound For Glory Series...NEXT!
Sting sits down backstage with Kurt Angle, just the two of them, because he wants to make sure they're on the same page. They argue over how much they actually accomplished last week, but seem in agreement that destroying Aces & Eights is the next step.
It's main event time!
Bound For Glory Series: AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy
They get physical pretty much right away, putting a noticeable extra bit of oomph behind everything they do as they whip each other into the corner and hit kicks. Hardy gets a springboard dropkick in the corner and AJ rolls out to the floor as we go to commercial.
We come back just as AJ absolutely DRILLS Hardy with a baseball slide to the floor that sends Hardy crashing into the broadcast table. They go back inside where Hardy tries to fire some shots back, but AJ violently grabs Hardy by the head and skeeballs him under the bottom rope and to the floor. AJ continues brutalizing Hardy until Hardy picks him up for a powerbomb, but instead of dropping AJ on his back, he just continues yanking him backward over his head and faceplants him on the mat. Hardy mounts a comeback with the usual, takes his shirt off, and gets his head taken off by a dropkick from AJ. AJ misses a diving forearm in the corner, Hardy slams him and comes off the second rope with a splash for 2. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate, but AJ blocks and snap suplexes Hardy into the corner. Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind and AJ kicks out at 2, AJ escapes another Twist of Fate attempt and hits the Pelle kick, and the crowd is solidly behind AJ as he pulls himself to his feet. AJ rolls Hardy into the Calf Killer and Hardy, trapped in the middle of the ring, is forced to tap out.
Winner: AJ Styles
That is the first time I ever remember Hardy tapping out in TNA and the fans start a "you tapped out" chant, but Hardy holds his hand out to AJ nonetheless. AJ stops to look at Hardy, then walks right past him and makes his way to the back.
Jason Hervey sees Hulk Hogan backstage and asks if they made a decision. Hogan says he doesn't want to have to do this, but he has to do what he has to do. We'll find out what his plan is...NEXT!
Bully Ray comes out to the ring and says he has suffered greatly, and asks what kind of a man would sink to hitting people with a deadly object like a hammer to win a match. He says Sabin knows what he did and has no choice but to come out and hand the title back to him. Sabin comes out and Bubba says he's not going to say anything bad about him, but he's out here because Bubba told him to come out and he's intimidated of Bubba, and he's going to hand him his title back. Sabin says he's here because he wanted to see with his own eyes what a crybaby he is. Sabin sat home for two years and didn't whine and complain like Bubba, he just got motivated to come back better than ever, and now he's the World Champion. Sabin says the only way Bubba is getting that title back is to pry it from Sabin's dead hands, but Bubba says he's getting it back by suing him. Bubba asks Sabin how he can call himself a man after hitting him with a hammer, and if he won't do the right thing, he demands that Hogan come out and give him his title back or he's suing. Hogan comes out, tears up the papers TNA was served with, and says that Sabin is the champion. Hogan says that fair is fair and Bubba will get a chance to regain the title, when TNA returns to Norfolk, Virginia in three weeks. Aces & Eights won't be involved and neither will the Main Event Mafia, because he'll face Sabin at Hardcore Justice in a steel cage! Bubba doesn't look happy, but Sabin looks determined as he now knows he'll have to face Bubba again.
Thanks for reading the Impact Wrestling Report! Dave Scherer is out tomorrow, so I'll discuss Impact and more with Mike Johnson on...something that's NOT the Stu & Pid Show!2014 - When you pick a house to rob, it might be smart to make sure it's not the home of a guy who's trained in MMA and is a former WWE World Heavyweight champion.
That's what two burglars found out when they were in the middle of robbing a home in Phoenix, Arizona, only for it's owners, Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella to return.
The burglars dropped what they were trying to steal and ran but Bryan, despite the injuries that have kept him out of the ring, still caught and detained one of the suspects.
22 year old Cedar Sosa was arrested and charged with burglary. As it turned out, Sosa already had a felony warrant for his arrest on kidnapping and burglary charges.
The story was a big one in the local Phoenix area as several local newscasts are claiming they will have Bryan (who had just returned from San Diego, where he made an appearance for WWE at Comic-Con) on for interviews.
2014 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with footage of Brock Lesnar defeating The Undertaker at Wrestlemania because Paul Heyman says that Brock will defeat John Cena to become the WWE Champion.
We are in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are John ‘Morgan’ Layfield and Michael ‘Morgan’ Cole.
Match Number One: Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso versus Curtis Axel and Ryback in a Non Title Match
Jey and Ryback start things off and they lock up with Ryback applying a side head lock and Ryback with a shoulder tackle. Jey tries for a hip toss but Ryback blocks it and Ryback with a hip toss. Ryback misses a splash and Jimmy tags in. Jey with a sliding clothesline and Jimmy with a diving head butt for a near fall. Jimmy with chops.
Ryback misses a punch and Jimmy with chops and then he punches Ryback in the corner. Ryback with a shoulder tackle. Axel tags in and Jimmy with an arm drag into an arm bar. Axel with a side head lock. Axel with a shoulder tackle. Jimmy with a waist lock and Ryback makes the blind tag. Jimmy knocks Ryback off the apron but Axel with a clothesline to the back of the head and Jimmy goes over the top rope to the floor. Ryback attacks Jimmy on the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ryback chops Jimmy in the corner a few times. Jimmy with punches and a chop. Ryback runs Jimmy into the turnbuckles and Axel tags back in. Ryback and Axel work over Jimmy in the corner and Axel kicks Jimmy. Jimmy with punches and chops to Axel. Axel misses a clothesline but he hits a lariat to the back of the head. Axel with a running knee to the head.
Axel gets a near fall. Ryback tags back in and he hits a splash for a near fall. Ryback with a reverse chin lock. Jimmy with punches to Ryback to get out of the hold. Jimmy misses a dragon whip but he does not miss the second time with one and both men are down.
Jey and Axel tag in and Jey with clotheslines followed by a thrust kick and uppercut. Jey with a drop kick and then he hits the running butt splash into the corner. Jey with a Samoan drop but Ryback breaks up the cover. Ryback goes after Jey but he drops down and Ryback goes to the floor. Jey with a plancha onto Ryback. Axel with a drop kick to knock Jey off the apron.
Jimmy checks on Jey and Axel brings Jimmy into the ring and Jimmy with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winners: Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
Michael reminds us of the arrest of Stephanie McMahon. We will see the footage later.
Miz walks in the back and he signs a fan’s program as we go to commercial.
We are back and Miz makes his way to the ring for MizTV. Miz says five days ago at Battleground, he became our new Intercontinental Champion. He did not give us what the people yearned for and what the people wanted. That was an acceptance speech.
Miz says that he would like quiet on the set for his speech. Miz starts off by saying it was unexpected. He thanks the Authority just to be nominated for the battle royal. He thanks his Miz Branding Team. He thanks his parents, who flew in for this momentous occasion. We see Miz’ parents in the crowd. Miz talks about George and Barb.
Miz asks his parents how are they doing. He asks his mom if she is proud of him. She says that she is proud of him. He asks her what it is like to have a bona fide Hollywood star as her son and she says that it is Awesome. Miz asks her who her favorite Superstar is and she says Roman Reigns.
Miz says that is where he got his sense of humor. Miz returns to the ring and he thanks his wife and pets. Miz says that daddy is coming home with the gold. He would not be here if not for every single one of you. He thanks everyone. Miz says that he wants to thank the most powerful influence in his life . . . the Moneymaker.
Miz asks who else is he forgetting and . . .
Bo Dallas makes his way to the ring as only Bo can.
Bo tells Miz that it is totally okay that he did not mention him by name, but he knows from the bottom of his heart that Miz won the Battle Royal because he BOLIEVED.
Miz says that he is a huge fan and they should get together and do lunch.
Dolph Ziggler interrupts and he has something to say.
Ziggler tells Miz that he must be joking. He is giving a lame Oscar acceptance speech when he did something amazing. He won the Intercontinental Title. Act like you have been there. If you consider winning hanging out on the ground while Dolph did all of the work, including eliminating Sheamus. Dolph says that he sees why they get along so well. They both inspire millions around the world. They both have these million dollar smiles that lighten up the room. They are both full of crap.
Miz says that Dolph is just jealous of his success. Bo tells Dolph that he can be like them. All he has to do is BOLIEVE.
Ziggler pushes Bo and then he swings at Miz but Miz gets out of the ring. Bo hits Ziggler from behind and Ziggler is sent to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Miz is at the announce table with John and Michael.
Match Number Two: Bo Dallas versus Dolph Ziggler
Bo with a front face lock and punches followed by knees to the side of the head. Bo with a forearm but Ziggler with punches. Bo with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Bo with a cravate. Ziggler with punches but Bo pulls Ziggler to the mat by the hair. Bo with back elbows to Ziggler followed by a short arm clothesline for a near fall.
Ziggler with a hard Irish whip and both men are down. Bo runs into an uppercut and then he hits the hesitation DDT for a near fall. Bo rolls to the floor and Ziggler goes after him. Bo is sent back into the ring and Dolph teases a super kick to Miz and Miz falls back to make sure the moneymaker is not damaged.
Back in the ring, Ziggler misses a Fameasser and Bo with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler hits a Fameasser for a near fall. Miz has a fit at the announce table and then he goes to the apron and Ziggler tries to hit Miz but Miz goes to the floor and Bo with an O’Connor Roll for the three count.
U>Winner: Bo Dallas
After the match, Bo does his victory lap and then Miz and Bo share a moment that is interrupted by a Ziggler super kick to Dallas. Miz sends Ziggler into the ring post.
Renee Young is in the interview area with Roman Reigns. Renee mentions that Reigns blocked Plan A on Monday night. Roman says that Orton is Plan A because he is the spoiled baby and Daddy is always protecting him. When you get hit with the Superman punch, you don’t worry about a plan. He says that makes him a wanted man. One versus all.
Renee asks Roman about his match with Alberto Del Rio. Roman says that Alberto is not on his side so he is part of all. Alberto cannot stop the one and he better have a plan because Roman has the punch.
Cesaro and Dean Ambrose walk in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Dean Ambrose versus Cesaro in a No Disqualification Match
They lock up and Ambrose with punches to Cesaro as they go to the corner. Ambrose runs his forearm across the face and then he runs Cesaro’s face across the top rope. Cesaro with kicks and punches to Ambrose but Cesaro misses a shoulder in the corner and Ambrose with kicks to Cesaro. Ambrose with a suplex and then he hits a snap elbow drop.
Ambrose rolls to the floor and he gets a few kendo sticks, but he would rather upgrade to a few steel chairs. Cesaro with a boot that knocks Ambrose off the apron. Cesaro sends Ambrose into the apron and Cesaro grabs a kendo stick. Cesaro misses Ambrose and hits the ring post. Ambrose clotheslines Cesaro over the wall of the Garcia Cubicle and Ambrose with a clothesline of his own. Ambrose throws one of the larger chairs around and then Ambrose gets the ring bell and he comes off the ringside barrier and hits Cesaro in the head with it.
Ambrose punches Cesaro and he goes on top of the announce table to use the kendo stick but Cesaro hits Ambrose in the midsection with a kendo stick of his own.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cesaro with a reverse chin lock using the kendo stick. During the commercial break, Cesaro hit the dead lift side salto onto a steel chair. Ambrose is able to get the stick out of the equation and Ambrose bites Cesaro’s hand. Cesaro hits Ambrose with the kendo stick. Cesaro sets up some chairs in the ring and Ambrose is slammed onto the chairs and Cesaro gets a near fall.
Cesaro puts the chair on top of Ambrose and he uses the kendo stick for a modified Camel Clutch. Cesaro hits Ambrose in the injured shoulder with the kendo stick. Cesaro hits Ambrose again in the injured shoulder with the kendo stick. Cesaro picks up Ambrose and he tells Ambrose this will be the end of him. Ambrose blocks the kendo stick shot but Cesaro with a kick that sends Ambrose into the ropes and he rebounds with a clothesline and both men are down.
Ambrose hits Cesaro with the kendo stick to stop an attempt to use the chair. Ambrose hits Cesaro a few more times with the kendo stick before hitting a White Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Ambrose goes to the floor and he grabs a chair and sets a few up in the ring. Ambrose tries to suplex Cesaro onto two chairs but Cesaro blocks it. Cesaro tries for a suplex onto the chairs but Ambrose blocks it.
Ambrose with a head butt and he grabs one of the chairs and he hits Cesaro with it. Ambrose suplexes Cesaro onto the other chair and Ambrose gets a near fall. Ambrose goes to the turnbuckles with a chair and he hits an elbow drop using the chair to the arm and Ambrose gets a near fall.
Ambrose charges into the corner but Cesaro moves and Ambrose hits the chair that is wedged in the turnbuckles. Cesaro gets a near fall with a rollup. Cesaro sends Ambrose shoulder first into the ring post and then he grabs a chair and he tries to hit Ambrose against the ring post but Ambrose moves. Ambrose with a suicide dive onto Cesaro.
Ambrose goes under the ring and he gets more chairs. Ambrose gets more and more and more chairs from under the ring. Ambrose rolls Cesaro back into the ring but Rollins attacks Ambrose and he kicks Ambrose. Ambrose with an Irish whip into the ringside barrier and then he clotheslines Rollins into the Garcia Corner.
Ambrose goes up top and Cesaro crotches him. Cesaro with the superplex from the apron onto the steel chairs. Cesaro crawls to make the cover but he can only get a two count. Ambrose with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
After the match, Rollins attacks Ambrose and punches and kicks Dean. Rollins with boots in the corner and then he face washes him with the boot. Cesaro with a running boot to the face and then he hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer on Ambrose.
Rollins kneels over Ambrose and he asks Dean when will he learn to stay down. When will you learn to die? Rollins with Black Out to Ambrose.
It is time to take a look at the situation between AJ and Paige. AJ had a message to prove her wrong. Then Paige made her debut and she won the Divas Title.
Paige says that she was shocked that she beat AJ, but she deserved it.
We see AJ turning the tables on Paige a few weeks ago to regain the Divas Title.
We go to Monday night when Paige showed AJ that she finally had enough.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the issues between Naomi and Cameron.
Paige skips to the ring to mock AJ and then she gets on the mic and says that she is still friends with AJ. Paige tells AJ that she likes her. Paige tells Naomi that she likes her too.
Match Number Four: Paige versus Naomi
The bell rings and Paige offers her hand to Naomi. Cameron’s music plays and she makes her way onto the stage and that distracts Naomi. Paige hits Naomi from behind and then Paige with Rampaige into the PTO and Naomi taps out.
Winner: Paige:
After the match, Paige skips inside the ring and then to the back.
Cameron makes her way into the ring and she slaps Naomi. Cameron with a snap mare using Naomi’s hair. Cameron sends Naomi over the top rope but Naomi lands on the apron. Naomi with a forearm but Cameron knocks Naomi off the apron. Cameron says that she is the star. Cameron walks over Naomi and heads to the back.
We go to the back for Goldust and Stardust. Goldust says that he can see it. It is in their future. He can see the most bizarre place in the universe. The streets are aligned with golden stars. Is that the cosmic key? Soon, it will be coming home to . . .
Goldust.
Stardust appears in place of the crystal ball. Stardust says that the horseshoe nebula is in the constellation of Orion and it is in the wrong direction. Stardust tells him to look towards the . . . Goldust has to hold the stars for Stardust to blow . . . stardust.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Bray Wyatt versus R Truth<
They lock up and Wyatt sends Truth into the corner but Truth moves and he punches Wyatt. Wyatt with an Irish whip and Truth with a kick but Wyatt with a shoulder tackle. Wyatt with a forearm to the back and Truth with a flying forearm and then he does his usual split before hitting a leg drop but Wyatt pops up to freeze Truth. Wyatt with a flying cross body.
Wyatt tells Truth to get up. Wyatt with a splash into the corner and then he looks at Truth before he picks up Truth to hit Sister Abigail for the three count.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
After the match, Wyatt takes the mic and he tells R Truth was there for you when you needed him Jericho. Wyatt asks Chris where is he now when Truth needs you the most. Chris Jericho is no savior. Bray says that he is. Wyatt yells for Jericho to Save Us.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound and a look at what happened to Stephanie McMahon.
Michael Cole says that Stephanie will not talk to the media, even though she will appear on Raw on Monday night.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see how Brock Lesnar got his match against John Cena at SummerSlam.
Match Number Six: Roman Reigns versus Alberto Del Rio
They lock up and Reigns backs Del Rio into the corner and Del Rio tries for a punch but Reigns blocks it and he punches Del Rio. Del Rio with a kick and punch. Del Rio starts to work on the arm and he wraps it in the ropes. Del Rio with an arm breaker using the knees and then Del Rio goes for the float over into the cross arm breaker but Reigns is able to send Del Rio over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Reigns punches Del Rio and sends him into the turnbuckles. Del Rio with a kick to Reigns but Reigns with a Samoan drop. Reigns clotheslines Del Rio over the top rope to the floor. Reigns goes to the floor and he tries to send Del Rio into the ring post but Del Rio gets to his feet and he sends Reigns into the ring post. Del Rio pulls Reigns’ shoulder into the post and then Del Rio with a super kick to the shoulder. Del Rio with punches on the floor.
They get back into the ring before the ten count and Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with an arm bar, but Reigns punches Del Rio. Reigns goes to the turnbuckles but Del Rio pulls Reigns down and he hangs from the turnbuckles while Del Rio goes up top and hits a double stomp. Reigns rolls to the floor so Del Rio cannot get the pinfall or submission.
Del Rio slams the left arm into the ring steps and then they return to the ring. Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with an arm bar. Reigns with punches but Del Rio with an Irish whip followed by a step up enzuigiri for a near fall. Del Rio tells Reigns to get up and he punches Reigns and he returns to the arm bar.
Reigns with head butts and he runs Del Rio into the turnbuckles. Reigns puts Del Rio on the turnbuckles but Del Rio with a cross arm breaker in the ropes and Reigns pulls Del Rio up and punches him to send Del Rio to the floor.
Reigns picks up Del Rio and sends him into the apron and the ringside barrier. Reigns sends Del Rio into the announce table and then back into the ring. Del Rio misses a clothesline and Reigns with a clothesline. Reigns runs into an elbow and a knee. Del Rio kicks Reigns but Reigns with a clothesline and Del Rio hangs over the ropes. Reigns goes to the floor but it was a trap and Reigns misses the Juggernaut Drop Kick. Del Rio with a baseball slide to Reigns.
Del Rio kicks Reigns and they return to the ring and he gets a near fall. Del Rio puts Reigns on the turnbuckles and puts him in the tree of woe and Del Rio with kicks to the midsection while the referee warns him. Del Rio goes for a shoulder tackle but Reigns pulls himself up and Del Rio goes into the ring post. Reigns with the Juggernaut Drop Kick and then he sets for the Superman Punch. Reigns connects with the Superman punch and then he follows with a spear for the three count.
Winner: Roman Reigns
2020 - Beloved Television personality Regis Phibin, who had a long-time relationship with the WWF and a love of professional wrestling that helped put him on the map as a TV host in California, passed away, his family announced to People Magazine.
"We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday," the family statement read.
There are media reports circulating that Philbin suffered a heart attack overnight.
Philbin's TV career was greatly assisted as he started out in San Diego, California by the late Fred Blassie, who was a regular on Philbin's weekend late night talk show during the time period Blassie was the biggest star in California for the Lebell wrestling territory. Other personalities appeared as well, including the late Destroyer Dick Beyer, but Blassie was the central figure at the time.
As Regis became a greater known TV star, hosting the nationally syndicated Live talk show, he regularly welcomed WWF performers. Philbin was a big fan of professional wrestlers and genuinely enjoyed having WWF personalities on his shows. When Blassie passed away, Philbin used his TV series to give a glowing tribute to Blassie. In his autobiography, Philbin credited and thanked Blassie for all of his help cementing Philbin's career at the time.
Philbin, who would go on host ABC's Who Wants To Be A Millionare when it was one of the most popular series in the country, appeared at Wrestlemania VII as a special guest backstage interviewer and color commentator on the main event of the PPV, Hulk Hogan challenging Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF Championship.
PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of a true legend and someone who will undoubtedly be posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Regis Philbin.
2024 - WWE returned to Osaka, Japan. Harou Kochi sent the following results:
WWE Women’s World Champions Liv Morgan pinned IYO SKY (with Asuka.)
WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn pinned Dominik Mysterio.
WWE World Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & JD McDonagh defeated The New Day.
WWE Women's Champion Bayley & Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill & Meiko Satomura defeated Dakota Kai & IYO SKY & Kairi Sane & Tiffany Stratton.
*WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest pinned Jey Uso.
*GUNTHER pinned Rey Mysterio.
*Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga (with Tonga Loa) defeated LA Knight & Kevin Owens.
*Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defeated AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.
This event was Japan debut for Dominik Mysterio, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, Solo Sikoa, Bianca Belair!
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