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August 9th
On this day in history in ....
1980 - WWF held their "Showdown at Shea" event at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York, drawing 36, 295 fans. Here are the results of the show:
- The Hangman defeated Rene Goulet.
- Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Angel Marvilla defeated Jose Estrada.
- Beverly Slade & Kandy Maloy defeated Fabulous Moolah & Peggy Lee.
- Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Greg Gagne defeated Rick McGraw.
- Pat Patterson defeated Tor Kamata via DQ.
- WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Chavo Guerrero.
- WWF Martial Arts Champion Antonio Inoki defeated Larry Sharpe via submission.
- Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan.
- Tony Atlas defeated Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera via countout.
- Bob Backlund & Pedro Morales defeated The Samoans (Afa & Sika) to win the WWF World Tag Team Title. However, because Backlund was already the WWF World Heavyweight Champion, he and Morales were forced to vacate the belts.
- Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a steel cage match.
1980 - Silas Young is born.
1986 - Ric Flair defeats Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Title in St. Louis, Missouri to win the title for the fifth time. Flair pinned Rhodes when Rhodes "passed out from the pain" in a figure four leglock, as the Four Horsemen had attacked Rhodes' leg the previous night.
1991 - Alexa Bliss is born.
1997 - One of the most famous matches in ECW history, the "Born To Be Wired" barbed wire match between ECW World Champion Terry Funk and Sabu took place at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Actually, this was not to be the original main event for the show. The original card was to see a six-man tag team match headline the show, but due to injuries and a change in plans, the barbed wire match was announced two week's before the show took place. This brutal, bloody match actually ended early, as Funk and Sabu became so entangled in the barbed wire that Sabu pinned Funk, rather than trying to separate and attempt more spots. The two men had to literally be cut out of the barbed wire after the match. Sabu, who sliced open his bicep on the barbed wire, won the ECW World Title, only to lose it a week later at Hardcore Heaven, ECW's second PPV.
1997 - WCW held their Road Wild Pay-per-view event in Sturgis, South Dakota at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Here are the results:
- Harlem Heat defeated Buff Bagwell & Scott Norton when Booker pinned Norton after two Harlem sidekicks (and Jacqueline holding Norton's leg down during the cover).
- Konnan defeated Rey Mysterio, Jr. via submission with the Tequila Sunrise.
- Steve McMichael & Chris Benoit defeated Jeff Jarrett & Dean Malenko in an Elimination match. Jarrett pulled McMichael on top of him to be eliminated first (leaving Malenko along to fight two on one). McMichael pinned Malenko to win the match after a Benoit top rope headbutt and a tombstone piledriver from McMichael.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Alex Wright defeated Chris Jericho with a rollup and a handful of trunks.
- Ric Flair defeated Syxx, using the ropes for leverage on the pin.
- Curt Hennig defeated Diamond Dallas Page with a Hennigplex after Ric Flair distracted Page.
- The Giant defeated Randy Savage with a chokeslam.
- Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Scott Hall & Kevin Nash via DQ when Nash pulled referee Nick Patrick out of the ring as Scott was about to pin Hall.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Lex Luger to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title when a fake Sting ran in and hit Luger with a baseball bat.
1999 - The Monday Night Wars raged on as WWF Raw earned a 6.4 rating for a show featuring Kane & X-Pac defeated The Acolytes for the WWF World Tag Team Title, while WCW Nitro pulled in a 3.1 for a show that saw Chris Benoit defeat David Flair for the WCW United States Title. The Raw event featured the debut of one Chris Jericho, who would go on to become the company's Undisputed champion and headline Wrestlemania 18.
2001 - The 2001 Brian Pillman Memorial Show was held at the Oak Hills High School in Ohio, drawing over 2,000 fans to raise money for the family of Brian Pillman. Here are the results:
- Nigel McGuinness pinned The Machine.
- Rob Conway & Ron Waterman defeated The Disciples of Synn.
- JR Ryder defeated Richard Pound.
- Chad Collyer defeated Donovan Morgan.
- Cody Hawk & Lance Cade defeated The Island Boys.
- Randy Orton defeated Prototype in the first ever meeting between Orton and John Cena.
- Damaja & Mike Hard defeated Chet & Dean Jablonski.
- The Hass Brothers defeated Steve Bradley & Rico Constantino.
- Chad Collyer defeated Pepper Parks, Shark Boy, and Matt Stryker in a Four Corners match to win the HWA Cruiserweight Title.
- Nick Dinsmore defeated Race Steele to win the HWA Title.
- Lita defeated Lady Victoria.
- Terry Taylor defeated Bobby Eaton, with Jim Cornette. Ricky Steamboat was the guest referee.
- NWA World Champion Steve Corino defeated David Flair.
- Evan Karagis, with Missy Hyatt, defeated Chris Candido, with Tammy Sytch.
- Mark Henry defeated Hugh Morrus.
- Perry Saturn & Dean Malenko defeated Justin Credible & Raven.
- Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Edge & Christian and Chris Kanyon & Diamond Dallas Page in a three way match.
2002 - WWE broadcast Byte This on the WWE website. Josh Shephard filed the following report:
We open to a video of the Hogan/ Lesnar match last Thursday night on Smackdown.
Kevin Kelly and Dr. Tom are together this week. Kevin talks about Lesnar's victory over Hogan, and then some banter from about what Brock is going to do to The Rock at SummerSlam. Today's show has Chris Kanyon and Terri holds her first sex clinic live on the show today. Also, we've got a new segment "Outwit the Twit," where the viewers can call in and win prizes for outwitting Byte This personality.
Droz now comes on. He says that Victoria's debut puts another very capable opponent for Trish Stratus and Molly Holly. He even utters the amazing line, "This is a great time for Women's wrestling." Dr. Tom says Victoria was poised and calm in her opening bout on Smackdown. Kevin mentions that Ric Flair might be running for governor of North Carolina. Droz then continues his witty retorts by saying that Flair could add some "flair" to the government. He says Flair could stir things up. Kevin asks if Molly Holly was really a virgin? Droz plays along and says that it is being said that Molly didn't get kissed until Spike Dudley kissed her.
Kevin now brings up HHH and Shawn Michaels. Droz says that he's expecting a street fight between the two. Droz then says that street fights are bad on your body and questions whether HBK can take that kind of fight physically. He does add that Shawn will have something in store for HHH. Dr. Tom says that HBK's wants to prove to the fans that he still can fight, and says it is also "for pride and love of his family." Droz now leaves.
Kevin now begins the "Outwit the Twit" segment. He says that people have to make their questions hard because some guy named Stevie something will destroy anyone who goes against him. Now we get a glimpse of Stevie, and he looks terrified and very uncomfortable. The first caller asks who the winning pairing in the final Survivor Series match was. Kevin claims Stevie is a part of Mensa. Stevie says he doesn't know the answer and Kevin comments on how much this sucks, luckily the caller is such a moron that he doesn't know the answer to the question either so he doesn't win. This guy says something about the winners being Good Guys vs. Bad Guys? Huh?
Now another caller from New York wants to know what record The Scorpion King broke? Stevie mumbles a little and tries to fake a technical problem and eventually admits he doesn't know. The caller says it was the biggest movie opening ever in April. The caller has won, yet we go to another caller from Canada who asks How Hogan got the cut over his eye at Wrestlemania. Kelly says he doesn't like the question. Of course, Stevie doesn't know the answer and the caller says Hogan dropped a dumbbell on his eye (Or Randy Savages' fist). Kevin makes fun of poor Stevie for his crappy performance. Stevie tries to make up excuses and for his ineptness. Finally, Kevin kicks him off the show.
Tazz come on and says that Matt "Doody" doesn't know how soon he should call him back, and that is the problem. Tazz complains Duda didn't call him back quick enough while Kevin defends his little Duda. Tazz relents, but says if he ever comes to the studio he will hurt Mr. Duda. Kevin asks if Hulkamania is dead after what happened on Smackdown. Tazz says Lesnar really is the Next Big Thing and that he is going to be the biggest threat to the People's Champ ever. He says Rock needs to get as focused as Lesnar is. Tazz mentions how Spike and he wrestled Lesnar and Bautista seven months ago in a Dark match, and that Lesnar is just phenomenal. Tazz claims his only concern is taking the Rock's Title belt.
Tazz goes on to say that Smackdown has a younger, more energetic feel, whereas Raw has a more established feel. He says that Raw is on cable and edgier, while Smackdown is handcuffed by the Standards & Practices bunch on UPN. Dr. Tom comments on Nidia's actions with Michael Cole on Thursday night, and Tazz says that it was just what America wanted to see. Tazz leaves now. Kevin mentions the problems Tazz has always had with Byte This producers. Now we get Dr. Tom discussing Maxim Hair Color for Men, with the new "Red Rum" tint, and if that wasn't amusing enough then Kevin adds that Dr. Tom has seen The Shining too.
A Canadian caller requests the footage of Lillian Garcia getting squashed by the Island Boys because it was censored in Canuck Land, and the guys show the clip. Dr. Tom says that the "Crash TV" aspects of today's Byte This! Show is bothering him. Kelly says he likes the show. Dr. Tom says that Stevie ought to get drunk before he gets on the show once more.
Kanyon now comes on and says he is recuperating from a badly dislocated shoulder. Kanyon says he got the shoulder dislocated working an HWA house show in a crappy arena. He says he landed wrong, and the impact of his shoulder on the ring caused the dislocation. He also says that the bruising from the dislocation got infected. But he says he still kept wrestling on it. He then goes into a graphic medical discussion, and says the infection turned into an abscess on his upper left arm, and had spread throughout his system so quickly that his blood oxygen level dropped from a normal 95% to 41%. He literally couldn't breathe. He was rushed to the hospital and placed in the ICU where he was treated. We are even lucky enough to see the wound via Kanyon's web site.
Kanyon says this has made him sit back and rethink his priorities. Dr. Tom says that it was Kanyon's "Old School" mentality that kept him from taking himself to the hospital earlier than he did. Kanyon says that his friends took him after he became incoherent and started drifting off in delirium. Kevin asks if the WWE's downsizing had anything to do with Kanyon continuing to wrestle with his injury. Kanyon says that was part of the reason, seeing as how the good push he got off the "WCW Invasion" evaporated when he hurt his knee. Then, just when the knee got better and he was getting ready for his return to the WWE ring, this happen. Kanyon says when business is down you work harder. He makes sure to note that the WWE doesn't fire you just because you are hurt. He says he got some of the best treatment from the WWE when he got hurt. He says he owes the company now since they supported me while he was hurt.
A caller from Florida wants to know what Kanyon's long-term goals? Kanyon says everything happens for a reason. The Invasion was still going on when Kanyon left. He says that if Rey Mysterio came in when the rest of us did back then he wouldn't have gotten the huge pop he has by waiting until now. Yet another caller from Massachusetts asks if people were there for him while he was rehabbing. Kanyon says that HHH was still rehabbing in Birmingham AL when he went in for surgery. He says they rehabbed together. Kanyon puts over HHH. Dr. Tom asks Kanyon about Eric Bischoff being in WWE. Kanyon says that he should have showed up sooner, during the WCW Invasion. He says it would have made more of an impact, plus it would have legitimized the WCW brand name in the eyes of the WWF fans who were being introduced to a whole new crop of wrestlers from the other promotion. Then Kanyon adds that Bischoff is too cool to be a heel, but he's doing a great job, especially with Stephanie McMahon.
Kelly says that the fans have always liked Kanyon because it always seems like he's out there having fun. Kanyon says he has fun in the ring and he especially liked the DDP skits he was in.
Kanyon also thanks Jim Cornette of OVW for calling and checking up on him, even though Cornette's mom passed away recently. Dr. Tom says that a lot of the developmental guys really appreciated Kanyon helping them out. Kevin asks when Kanyon will get back in the ring. Kanyon says the doctor doesn't want him to wrestle until the wound fully closes and heals up, and that will be at least two more weeks before he can get back in the gym. He doesn't know for sure when and where he will return to the ring.
Kanyon now leaves as Kelly and Dr. Tom put over Ohio Valley Wrestling. Kelly says that they are currently taking donations for Stevie's brain transplant. A caller comes on and says if Brock Lesnar slaps that bear-hug on The Rock at SummerSlam, the Rock loses the Title. The caller also asks if Big Country's Mom was the one who knocked out Antonio Inoki in that shoot-fight last night. We now get comments on Dr. Tom having a match of his on ESPN Classic.
Terri Runnels comes on and is referred to as "WWE's resident sex therapist and Diva Extraordinaire"! Terri says she thinks there should be a "Dr." in front of her name, what with a build-up like that! Terri also says that she misses working with her colleague Dr. Tom. Dr. Tom wants to know why Terri always wrestles in her panties. Terri says that, in her case, when she's to be a pugilist, that's the company uniform! Kevin says that Terri "changes men's lives" when she walks to the ring. Dr. Tom now slowly morphs into The King and says that Terri "changed HIS life" just climbing through the ropes, saying hello to everybody. Terri laughs, and thanks everybody for their kind thoughts. Kelly, ever the gentleman, asks if Teri has a name for her breasts which he refers to as "Them". Terri plays dumb for a bit then asks Kevin what his name for "Them" is. Kevin mumbles and eventually Terri says she calls her breasts "precious". Dr. Tom adds that "They certainly are". Kevin puts over Terri's work backstage, doing promos and all.
Terri now says that Kevin likes her "cerebral cortex" as well as her body. Terri says she loves doing promos and it shows a different side of her. Kevin asks her about the recent anti-American comments from Lance Storm being really derogatory of the USA? Terri says that everybody's got a right to their own opinion, but Lance Storm went way over the line with his recent comments. Terri adds if you make comment like that you should expect to get your butt kicked. Dr. Tom says that maybe those people who take offense over what Storm says should just sit back and relax.
Dr. Tom asks where's the suspension of disbelief that everybody talks about. He says that if Lance Storm wants to take that kind of heat, then let him, and the rest of us should just relax. Terri says she agrees with him in one sense, but with everything that's gone on in this country, Storm's comments crossed the line. She will enjoy watching him get his booty kicked! It will be interesting to see who takes the most offense at what the Un-Americans say and do, and cleans all their booties. Kelly and Terri discuss her column "Raw Sex" in Raw Magazine. Kelly says he is the column's biggest fan.
Terri says the fans send her the questions, and she decides what questions to answer. She wonders whether she enjoys questions about her relationships, or getting into technique and such? Lucky Kevin and Dr. Tom let that go. A caller from Florida wants to know when Terri will pose for Playboy. Terri says that, because she has a kid, the Playboy pictorial is out. Terri has to spice things up by saying that you would have to be her doctor to see that much of her. At which point, Dr. Tom reminds her he is a doctor. Teri says she will make an appointment then. An email tells Terri that her boyfriend of six years won't get engaged until she retires all her credit card debt. She admits he is awesome, except for his cheapness, even good in bed. But she wonders if she should ask him to change his way, or is it time to kick him to the curb. Terri says that her boyfriend is smart by not getting legally involved with someone with major credit card debt, but on the other, if you love somebody, you love them in debt or out. She says he lady should send her more information before she can say yes or no.
Kevin points out that it's a long distance relationship, because the guy is still living at home. Terri says that if that is true then the girl should look elsewhere for a solid relationship, and keep paying off that credit card debt. Kevin says this guy sounds like the kind of cheapass who would go out and buy a $300 ring to seal the engagement. We get informed that The Byte This! Chatroom agrees, saying that this guy is a goober for still living at home. Another caller from Baltimore, MD asks Terri about her relationship with her ex-husband, Dustin "Goldust" Runnels?
Terri says that Dustin is so funny, and the stuff he's doing with Booker T is really funny, and he keeps her laughing. She says she is proud to have had a child with him and proud of what he does in the ring." The caller also wants to know why Kevin Kelly puts up with what The Rock pulls on him every week. Kevin says The Rock pays him a lot. Terri adds that she likes the talk to the hand thing The Rock does. She says she even used that a couple of times. Dr. Tom asks how Terri felt about Lillian Garcia getting smashed by Island Boys last week. Terri says she liked it because Lillian is a good girl and she didn't need to… Kevin adds that Lillian is bitch by faking a sneeze rather poorly. Dr. Tom mentions how Howard Finkel threw her to the wolves. Kevin rather strangely adds that the Rock's always talking about his genitalia, which has nothing to do with anything and he adds that Howard Finkel is sporting some "smooth" there. Terri adds that this show has gotten really graphic all of a sudden.
Donovan of Syracuse e-mails in and of course asks Terri "Are you shaved? "Oh, for the love of all that is good and holy," says Terri, "are you sure this is a real question?" Dr. Tom assures her that it is. Terri says she is nice and neat. Kevin makes some comments and asks if it is hot in here. Another emailer says he is infatuated with everything "Diva." This sick guys says that he has bought everything Diva including magazines, posters, videos, etc. The guys ask Terri if she can make his wish come true and help him get one night with a Diva. He adds that even though he may be only sixteen, that he knows what's going on. Terri adds that it will take a seven figure bank account and some extra knowledge for her to make that dream come true for you. The crew, very appropriately, laughs at Roger's expense. Terri now tries to give guys advice about being themselves and bathing. Terri wants to know what Kelly and Dr. Tom feel about the whole HHH/ Shawn Michaels deal.
Kelly says he can't wait to see them fight, and Dr. Tom agrees. Terri says she is so psyched with this whole thing, and looking forward to this because Shawn is so effortless in the ring. She wants to know what he's retained from his glory days. She says Hunter is incredible in the ring, and I want to see what he remembers from HIS glory days (Was that a dig?), and what he's added to his repertoire since then. Terri now leaves.
We now have a new "Point/Counterpoint" segment, where Kelly and Dr. Tom debate events of note in WWE. This week's topic is the stiff anti-American comments the Un-Americans have been making. Kelly says that they should tone it down; the fans won't stand for it in the wake of 9/11.
Dr. Tom disagrees, saying that Kelly and other "Aunt Sallys" are reading too much into the whole thing, and to just chill out. Dr. Tom says that WWE comes close to the line, but never goes over it. He says people are just too sensitive. Now we of course get the shot of the young blonde Dr. Tom, Kevin with no hair, and the show wouldn't be complete with the skullet shot
We close the show with a video from SummerSlam 1998, and the Ladder Match between HHH and The Rock. There is even a cool audio with the director doing calls, counts, and cues for the different moves being sent to the wrestlers. Next week has the Un-Americans scheduled as guests.
2002 - WWE ran Kelowna, British Columbia in Canada with a Raw brand live event. Scott White filed the following report:
Scott White sent this report.
Here are the results from the August 9th WWE House Show in Kelowna, B.C.
1. Shelton Benjamin vs. Sean O'Haire
Shelton Benjamin over Sean O'Haire via some crazy spinning kick
2. "Hardcore Championship Match" Tommy Dreamer vs. Steven Richards
Shawn Stasiak ran in and pinned Dreamer for the victory and the championship. Then Richards super kicked Stasiak and pinned him and won the title and finally Dreamer nails Richards with the DDT for the win and the Hardcore Championship.
3. "Women's Championship" Molly Holly vs. Victoria
Molly over Victoria by pinning her with both of her feet on the ropes.
4. Bradshaw vs. Christopher Nowinski
Bradshaw over Nowinski with the Clothesline from Hell.
5. Goldust vs. William Regal
Goldust over Regal with some sort of funny looking bulldog.
6. "Intercontinental Championship" Chris Benoit vs. Rob Van Dam
Benoit over RVD with the crossface after using the title belt. Eddie Guerrero also ran in as a distraction so that Benoit could use the belt.
-Intermission-
7. Spike Dudley vs. Johnny Stamboli
Johnny Stamboli over Spike using what looked like a modified Rock Bottom.
8. "Table Match" Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Big Show
Big Show over Bubba with a chokeslam through the table after Bubba failed at trying to give Big Show a vertical suplex (good luck).
9. Hardy Boyz vs. Raven & Justin Credible
Hardyz over Raven and Credible with usual Twist of Fate and Swanton finish.
10. "Main Event" Booker T vs. Eddie Guerrero
Booker over Eddie with an axe kick. Before the match they made this a "No Holds Barred Match". During the finish of the match Benoit came out and put the crossface on Booker which then brought out RVD to take out Benoit with the Five Star frog splash. Then Booker axe kicked Eddie. After the match RVD had Booker come back in the ring and do the spinaroonie to send the fans home happy.
Over all a pretty good show. The Kelowna fans were super jacked and were into all the matches. I was really impressed with how loud everyone was. We are really starved for wrestling out here. That being said there were 3 empty sections in the arena. I would say there was a crowd of about 5000 at Skyreach tonight.
Also they never addressed why there was 2 Smackdown wrestlers (Benoit and Guerrero) competing on the RAW show. (And they wonder why people aren't going to house shows anymore)
Biggest Pops:
1. Rob Van Dam
2. Booker T/ Hardyz
3. Big Show???
Biggest Heat:
1. Eddie Guerrero (It's that heat gene)
2. Steven Richards
3. Christopher Nowinski
There we go an all around great effort by the WWE.
2002 - Mid-American Wrestling presented their 10th Annual Summer Sizzer Show at KP Classics in Big Bend, Wisconsin. Larry Goodman filed the following live report:
Dysfunction defeated Ian Rotten in a gruesome "Ultimate Barbed Wire" match to win the MAW Heavyweight Title in the main event.
A crowd of 150 of extreme style action were on hand. It was a beautiful Wisconsin night for an outdoor display of violence, which was held at the softball field next to the bar.
1) Jerrod the Jackal (with Tommy Rox) beat "Jumpin" Jimmy Jacobs in 7:05. Two really green guys who tried really hard. Finishing sequence went like this: Jackal missed a diving headbutt. Jacobs got near falls with a DDT and a bulldog. Jacobs got crotched on the top when Jackal shoved the ref into the ropes. Jackal hit a huracanrana for the pin.
2) Colt Cabana beat "The One Bad Mofo" Cru Jones in 13:10. This was Jones’ first appearance for MAW after moving from Georgia, where he once held the World TV title in NWA Wildside. Jones got plenty of heat by constantly running his mouth. Probably the best wrestling of the night, but they were hampered by some ring ropes that were way loose. Jones and Cabana squared off in their respective football stances while the ref called out the signals. Cabana caught Jones with an armdrag, so Jones accused the ref of messing up the snap count. Jones did some of trademark offensive moves like the Shattered Dreams field goal kick and the legdrop pin attempt, the same ones that some of the Wildside guys "borrowed" to use at their last TV taping. Cabana did a cool backdrop driver turned into a neckbreaker. Both down on a headbutt collision. Jones missed on an elbow off the second rope. Cabana won it with a sitout backbreaker.
3) Farmer Vic beat Nate Webb (with Holly Wood) in 6:33. Webb is out of Indianapolis and has been working for IWA for the last 8 months. He appeared to have a lot more athletic ability and wrestling skills than he was able to display against Vic. Wood is a hot babe with big boobs. Vic and Webb worked a stiff match. Vic cut a promo talking saying that 10 years ago, he was working matches in the WWF. Webb said that was too God damn long ago, which prompted an attack by Vic. Webb, nailed a suicide tope and went for a pin with an Oklahoma roll. Vic took over with a low blow. Vic squashed Webb on a sunset flip attempt. Vic went back to work on Webb, eventually missing on an elbow off the ropes. Webb got the better of an exchange of punches. He hung Vic upside down in the corner with a chair over his face and hit a Van Terminator with a flip. Finish saw Vic use a boot to the face and get the pin with his feet all over the ropes in plain view of referee Barfly Mike. Not sure what the deal was between Vic and Mike. Webb got in Mike’s face to no avail.
The charismatic CM Punk entered the ring for the first installment of "Punk’s Pit." This guy is a natural on the mic. Punk said he had been out of action since June 15 due to a fractured skull. "The power of love is a curious thing." Punk said that all of the support the fans had given him during his recovery had done his heart good. That served as a prelude to a blistering stream of insults directed at those same fans as Punk went all-out heel. Punk said the MAW fans looked more degenerates than ever. He called out Tracy "Psycho Smoky Sellout" Smothers to the ring. My wife tried to yell something about Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Smothers said that was when TV was black and white. Smothers continued to rain insults on the MAW fans, inviting them to hit the ring. He threatened to pull their eyeballs out. Crazy stuff. Anything to get heat. Punk told a guy that the day he was born was the last time he saw the inside of a woman. Smother said he was ready to "commit ultra mega mass suicide." Smothers and Punk ran down Ace Steel, who finally got fed up and spit at Punk.
4) Tracy Smothers (with CM Punk) and Ace Steel went to a twenty-minute draw. Smothers is limited in what he can do in the ring due to an injury suffered earlier this year, but this a fun match anyway. Very good heat. Stalling with funny fan baiting comments, some basic heeling and a bit of matwork were the ingredients that allowed them to stretch this out to twenty thoroughly entertaining minutes. Any time that Steel was able to get the advantage, Punk would somehow get involved. Punk told Steel not to hit him because he had "a head thing." Punk saved Smother twice by pulling the ref out of the ring when Steel had him pinned. Steel hit a springboard tornado DDT for a two count as the time limit expired. After the match, Smothers started putting Steel over on the mic and said he had one more thing for him…and leveled him with a clothesline. Steel came back with a DDT and top rope elbow before Smothers could bail out.
5) Skull Krusher & Jason Dukes (with Tommy Rox) beat Chris Mason & Colonel Blatnick in 15:00 to retain the MAW Tag Team Titles. Skull Krusher is a good-sized bald headed black dude. Dukes is short pudgy white guy. Blatnick is a veteran of the MAW mat wars. I wondered if Mason was his student. Krusher & Dukes did some comedy heel bumping and arguing as the Mason & Blatnick controlled the early going. The heels came back with some double team maneuvers. Mason put both heels down with a double flatliner. Hot tag to Blatnick, who hit a double DDT. The faces mounted the turnbuckles to do the ten punches and gave the champions a meeting of the minds. Krusher caught Blatnick in a bearhug as he tried to come off the top rope. Dukes hit a slice’n dice elbow off the top for the pin. Blatnick got on the mic to say that he had been at all ten MAW Summer Sizzlers and put his partner over.
6) Adrian Serrano (with Dave Prazak) beat Corporal Robinson by submission in a knockouts or submission only match in 13:58. Serrano was introduced as the originator of the SWO (Shoot World Order) based on his shootfighting experience. Serrano was sporting a whopper of a cauliflower ear, the likes of which I haven't seen since the 70s. The scar tissue on Robinson's forehead told the story of life at the top in the IWA. The battle quickly moved out to the infield dirt of the baseball diamond. Robinson used a chair for a springboard crossbody against the dugout fence. The match appeared to end in a double knockout at 9:02.
The ref called for 5 more minutes and the action kicked into high gear. Robinson hit a pescado on Serrano and Prazak. Serrano kicked Robinson low and went for a submission. Robinson hit a Russian legsweep. Prazak threw a chain in the ring. Robinson got the chain and used it for a cobra clutch side Russian legsweep. Robinson was going for another one when Prazak hit the ring. Robinson wheeled around to get Prazak, giving Serrano the opportunity to hit a back suplex. Serrano put Robinson out with a mat submission. Prazak spray painted SWO on Robinson’s back.
7) Dysfunction (with Carmine DeSpirito) beat Ian Rotten in an Ultimate Barbed Wire Match to win the MAW Heavyweight Title in 27:47. This was sick and twisted to the max. Seems like the more sadistic it became, the more the MAW fans enjoyed it. Ultimate barbed wire meant that in addition to the usual wire wrapped around the ring ropes, there were strands of barbed wire criss-crossing the mat and a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire placed in the ring as a weapon.
There was something sad about seeing Rotten's broken down scarred up body as he entered the ring to announce that he was going to give the fans one last death match. Rotten was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with "Till Death Do Us Part." After Rotten delivered some shots with the barbed wire bat, the action moved beyond the fence of the baseball diamond into the parking lot. As Rotten was going to slam Dysfunction into somebody’s car hood, a fan yelled, "he’s got a good deductible." Both men were busted open pretty good by the time they got back to the ring. Rotten laid Dysfuntion out with two of the stiffest and sickest (there’s that adjective again) full-swing-unprotected chairshots that I’ve ever seen. DeSpirito asked if that was necessary. Dysfunction dug the bat into Rotten’s arm to draw blood. Dysfunction was letting out some blood curdling screams. Rotten took Dysfunction’s shirt off and raked the flesh on his back with the bat. Even the MAW fans seemed sickened by that move. DeSpirito told Dysfunction that was enough of playing possum. Rotten gave Dysfunction an STO onto the barbed wire and dragged his carcass across the strands. DeSpirito threw a handful of powder in Rotten’s face. DeSpirito got in the ring with a chair. Robinson hit the ring to help Rotten. Robinson accidentally clocked Rotten with the chair, leading to the pinfall victory for Dysfunction. Robinson chased DeSpirito, who tried to stir up trouble in the IWA ranks. Rotten threatened to hit Robinson, but he pleaded that it was all a mistake and Webb got in the ring as peacemaker.
NOTES: MAW returns to KP Classics in Big Bend on back to back shows on 8/31 and 9/1. The 8/31 show will be the 1st Annual Midwest Invitational Tag Team Tournament. The 9/1 show is titled "Sunday Bloody Sunday". After seeing last night's show, I have no doubt that MAW is quite willing and able to put on a show that will live up to that billing. ... CM Punk is scheduled to be back in the ring on 9/6 for his first match since his injury. … Jones is living in the Chicago suburbs now. He hopes to work for Midwest Championship Wrestling along with MAW. … After the show, Smothers was bemoaning the fact that there was no place for talented wrestlers like Steel, Cabana and Punk to earn a living in pro wrestling in 2002. He did not have any kind words for Vince McMahon.
2003 - In a bizarre turn of events, the NWA Wildside house show at the Athens Arena ended in an ugly dispute between the company and the owner of the building. Athens-Clarke County Police were summoned to the scene when the one of the building owners, Chris Jordan refused to pay a dime to Wildside for a show that drew a gate of at least $2000. Rick Michaels and other members of the crew were in the midst of a heated argument with Jordan when the police arrived. Wildside owner, Bill Behrens could be overheard telling police that Wildside had a verbal agreement with Jordan just like for the first Athens Arena show last month. The deal called for a fixed amount of money off the top to Wildside and a 50/50 split after that. Jordan said otherwise, claiming advertising expenses left him with nothing to pay Wildside. The Athens Police ordered the Wildside crew to vacate the premises and make arrangements to get their property (primarily the ring) out of the building at a later time. A backup of two or three more squad cars were called out, making sure the angry crew of wrestlers left without causing problems and to allowing Jordan to exit the building. Jordan was also one of the contestants in the three round boxing exhibition that opened the show. Larry Goodman reporting.
While the Wildside house shows in Athens have ranged from good to outstanding, the promotion has been plagued by venue problems. The Arena was the fourth building the company has used in Athens.
2003 - CZW returned to Philadelphia, PA. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Combat Zone Wrestling returned to the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday 8/9 drawing 200-250 just minutes away from a huge crowd at the Bruce Springsteen concert at Lincoln Financial Field. The first CZW event since their Tournament of Death show in Dover, DE two weeks back, complete results saw:
*In a "dark match," Jon Dahmer pinned Jude Young.
*In a "dark student match," CK Cory Kastle defeated GQ and Niles Young in a Three-Way Dance when Kastle pinned Young after dropkicking GQ out of the ring.
Simply Luscious (who appears to be a new regular for the promotion) was being interviewed by Robbie Minero when a masked man attacked her. Johnny Kashmere of the Backseat Boyz ran off the masked man and tried to get over with Luscious (who he wrestled against at the last show here in a mixed tag match) and convince her to go out on a date with him after the show because he's "not as bad as the fans want everyone to believe." He warned the masked man that he better not ever bother Luscious again. Luscious agreed to the date. Ian Knoxx and Adam Flash grabbed the masked man and revealed it was Kashmere's partner Trent Acid. Realized she had been set up, Luscious slapped Kashmere several times and tried to walk out. He grabbed her in a full nelson and refused to let go, even after Flash and Knoxx hit him over the head and back with steel chairs. The rest of HI-V came out and cleared the ring of Flash and Knoxx and finally got Kashmere to release the hold.
*In the first "official" match of the show, Ruckus pinned the Hurricane Kid. It was announced by CZW owner John Zandig that Kid was making his last appearance for the promotion tonight and requested he work Ruckus. Ruckus busted him open hitting him in the face with a chair as he was hanging upside down in the corner. Ruckus scored the pin after his forward flip version of the Van Terminator. Hurricane was turned on by manager Rick Feinberg, who was destroyed by Kid, Zandig and Ruckus. Hurricane was put on Zandig and Ruckus' shoulders and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Nice moment and the bout had several good spots. Hurricane is getting married and leaving the business.
*Greg Matthews of Tough Enough 1 (with Rockin' Rebel) pinned Z-Barr. Barr told the crowd that Scott Chong of Tough Enough 3 had promised to come back this show to team with Barr again, but he was nowhere to be found. Barr challenged Matthews to a singles match. Matthews scored the pin after Rebel threw a ton of baby powder in Barr's eyes. A solid match.
*Dereck Frazier defeated Nick Berk and Chris Cash in a Three-Way Dance. Cash is green but shows a lot of fire. Berk got banged up (arm and back) doing a dive to the floor where Rockin' Rebel didn't catch him. Frazier pinned Cash with a Michinoku Driver as Rebel beat Berk on the floor. OK.
*Nate Hatred defeated Nick Gage to win the 'Big Japan Death Match championship" (The belt is not currently recognized by Big Japan) in a Falls Count Anywhere Tables Match after Hatred hit a Michinoku Driver off the top stage of the ECW Arena through two tables to the bottom stage for the pin. One of the sickest table spots I've ever seen, and that covers most of ECW's run. Simply amazing. Earlier in the bout, Gage suplexed Hatred onto stacks of chairs set up outside the ring. The chair spots always look good but take so long to set up, it hurts the flow of the match. Gage was later shoved off the top rope through the timekeeper's table. A brutal match. Gage was able to walk out under his own power, getting a huge ovation from the crowd.
*In the best match of the show, CZW Tag Team champions The Backseat Boyz defeated Ian Knoxx and Adam Flash, accompanied by Simply Luscious. Luscious had dollars stuffed into her outfit as a parody of the Backseats getting the same treatment from female fans at ringside. No reference at all to the earlier angle with Luscious and Kashmere. Lots of dives in this one including referee Brian Logan coming off the top to the floor. They did another chair spot like the previous bout where Flash and Knoxx suplexed Acid out of the ring as Kashmere drilled them with everyone crashing through the steel chair monstrosity. The finish saw The Backseats hit their finisher the T Gimmick off the top rope onto Knoxx for the pin. A fun match!
*Nick Berk pinned Jonny Storm, The backstage lineup sheet listed Tony Mamaluke, who was never advertised, here. Not sure what happened. Berk was hurting from the earlier bout but still did double duty. Lots of matwork here. Storm didn't do anything that came off as impressive.
John Zandig announced that due to injuries suffered at the Tournament of Death, including possible nerve damage, Nick Mondo would be out for several months and was vacating the CZW Iron Man championship. Zandig announced the promotion would hold a one night tournament on their return to the ECW Arena on 9/13 to determine a new champion.
CZW champion The Messiah came out and demanded competition. Zandig introduced his challenger for the night, IWA Mid-South's Brad Bradley. Why is Zandig trying to help someone from the rival company? After several minutes of being on the defensive, Messiah tried to leave up the aisle only to find Zandig waiting. Zandig forced him back to the ring and was attacked by the remainder of HI-V. In the melee, Messiah rolled up Bradley for the pin.
*Sonjay Dutt defeated JC Bailey to win the IWA Light Heavyweight championship in a great ladder match after rendering Bailey senseless by hitting a flying twisting knee onto Bailey, who was prone on a ladder laid out across two chairs. Lots of high risk spots there. Dutt showed a ton of fire and looked really good.
*CZW Junior Heavyweight champion Ruckus pinned B-Boy with a rollup. Story of the match saw B-Boy working over Ruckus with his shining wizard. B-Boy tossed referee Brian Logan over the top rope in a fit of rage after the bout. Solid.
*In a "F the IWA" Four-Way Dance, Ian Rotten defeated Necro Butcher, Nate Webb, and Cpl. Robinson. The promotion had announced that Zandig would announce the stipulations before the bout, but it never happened. There were weapons around the ring that were used including a trash can with thumbtacks, trash can lids, a staple gun, a wooden board with thumbtacks, and a wooden base with at least 100 plastic forks sticking upwards. Ian Rotten hit a powerbomb on Webb on the forks for the pin. Zandig came out and confronted Ian and warned him that he was going to hurt him at their 8/23 Dover, Delaware Exploding Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match. The Messiah attacked Zandig and the IWA Mid-South crew joined in, bloodying him. The babyfaces on the CZW roster hit the ring for the save as Zandig warned Rotten that the Tournament of Death was going to be nothing compared to 8/23. The main event seemed a little flat, as if the crowd was waiting for something more in my opinion, but after the two excellent past shows (previous ECW Arena and Tournament of Death II), it was only logical to leave the fans wanting more. Rotten cut a good heel promo before the bout.
CZW Notes: The show was scheduled to start at 7:30 PM and began at 7:35 PM on the dot. That is not a typo. As many of you know, I have a been a strong proponent of the promotion trying to get more organized and starting on time. This was certainly a huge, positive step in that direction....There was a ton of hard work insider the ring from everyone on the show, which is the norm for the promotion. What many of the younger workers lack in experience, they try to doubly surpass that with heart. With that said, I think the promotion would be better served with some closer attention to booking detail. Johnny Kashmere holds a full nelson on Simply Luscious for minutes while others try to pry him off but she shows no ill effects whatsoever latter in the night? Nick Gage is hit with a Michinoku Driver off the top stage of the Arena through two tables, but is able to leave under his own power? With a little fine tuning on the attention to detail, CZW would take another enormous step forward and I hope they do it as it can only help them in the long run to add a little more realism to their unique "Matrix style" of awe-inspiring highspots....The building was way too hot, but that didn't stop the majority of the crowd from being loud and enjoying themselves....It appears they are building towards Zandig vs. Messiah (I am assuming) for their biggest show of the year, Cage of Death 5 on 12/13.....Former ring announcer Dennis Shock was backstage....The promotion is running a free show next Saturday 8/16 in Woodbury, New Jersey and returns to Dover, DE on 8/23 with Zandig vs. Rotten in an Exploding Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match.
2003 - Ring of Honor debuted in Dayton, Ohio with the following results:
*Hydro and Deranged of Special K defeated The SATs, The Carnage Crew and Fast Eddie and Don Juan in a Scramble Match.
Jim Cornette came out and confronted Special K and questioned the style ROH was promoting. He said he had a real tag team he was going to manage tonight and out came Dunn and Marcos, the Ring Crew Express, only for Cornette to turn on them and announce he was managing the Prophecy, Christopher Daniels and Danny Maff.
*Nigel McGuiness defeated Chet Jablonski to become the number one contender to the HWA championship.
*Homicide defeated Chris Sabin
*Colt Cabana and Ace Steel defeated Alex Shelley and Jimmy Jacobs.
*Matt Stryker pinned Justin Credible
They ran an angle at intermission where The Prophecy attacked The Amazing Red and The SATs as they were signing autographs.
*Michael Shane defeated Hotstuff Hernandez, Slyk Wagner Brown, and Scoot Andrews in a Four Corner bout.
*Jimmy Rave pinned Special K's Slim J.
*ROH champion Samoa Joe defeated BJ Whitmer.
*Homicide and AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels and Danny Maff. Homicide was a replacement for the injured Red (in storyline due to the attack and in reality due to a knee injury). The Prophecy attacked Jim Cornette after the match as he shook hands with Homicide and Styles. Styles, Homicide, Samoa Joe and The Amazing Red saved Cornette. The show closed with Cornette retracting his earlier statements and endorsing ROH.
One source in the promotion listed the crowd at 625.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the followed TV report:
We are live from Sacramento, California and your announcers are Jerry ‘I wonder if we can get anyone from The Expendables tonight’ Lawler and Michael ‘Happy 8/9/10’ Cole.
Bret Hart comes to the ring. He says that for the past two weeks, he has been back in Calgary training like an absolute lunatic getting ready for SummerSlam only to see everything fall apart. Bret says that he is a bit disappointed. One week ago, Edge and Chris Jericho decided to quit the team. Bret says that he put his reputation on the line three weeks ago to vouch to John Cena that Jericho and Edge would be good for the team. They know the big picture and how Neuxs’ momentum needed to be stopped. Bret says that he guesses he was wrong. Bret says that he wants Chris Jericho and Edge to come down and face him face to face to put the machine together.
Chris Jericho comes to the ring and he wants to be dazzled by Bret to be told why he is the best in the world. Bret tells Jericho that he doesn’t have time for that crap. He says that it is put up time. He says that it is time for Chris to be a man and step up to the plate and change things. Bret says that he put his reputation on the line to get Chris and Edge on the team. If they don’t join the team, Chris isn’t hurting the team, he is hurting himself. Bret says that Nexus doesn’t want anything to do with him and the superstars on Raw don’t want anything to do with him. If Nexus wins at SummerSlam, Jericho is only hurting himself. They will be outcasts, men without countries, and dogs without bones. Bret wants Chris to join the team and do the honorable thing. Bret wants a response and then he asks Chris if he is ready to disappoint all of his fans by breaking his word.
Chris tells Bret that he said some things that really made him think. Jericho says that his answer is . . . still no. Jericho says that he had Bret figured out years ago. He calls Bret a hypocrite and a phony. Bret is only concerned about getting the worst beating of his career at the hands of him and Edge. He is worried about being speared and being forced to submit to the Walls of Jericho. He says that Bret is desperate and scared. Chris says that Bret knows that they can’t win at SummerSlam without him and Edge. Chris says that they cannot be replaced by anyone in the business. He says that Bret Hart is screwed one more time. Jericho says that he was not interested in teaming with John Cena or Bret Hart. He is only worried about dismantling the mighty Bret Hart right here.
Edge’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Edge wants to know what is wrong with Chris. Edge points out that he is talking to Bret Hart. They grew up idolizing them. Edge says that Bret is the reason why they got into the business. Edge says that Jericho trained in his father’s dungeon while Edge had Bret’s poster on his wall. Edge says that he shoveled driveways to get enough money to go to Maple Leaf Gardens with the hope of having Bret put his sunglasses on him. Edge says that he is in.
Edge tries to kick Bret but Bret blocks it and tries for a Sharpshooter but Jericho stops Bret and hits him with a thumb to the eye.
Natalya goes to the ring to check on her uncle. She wants Bret to help her.
We see Tyson Kidd being attacked by Nexus in the back. We also see that David Hart Smith is down. Barrett kicks Smith in the head.
Barrett says that it is a rough day for Bret since the Hart Dynasty won’t be their replacements. Bret and Natalya run to the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and the medical staff is checking on Kidd. Bret gets a chair and he says that he is going to take things into his own hands. John Cena stops Bret from doing anything crazy. He tells Bret to calm down. He says that if Bret walks out the door, they are going to pick them off one by one. Cena says that he is going to go to the Great Khali and he tells Bret to check on his family.
Match Number One: The Miz versus Evan Bourne
They lock up and Miz with a knee to the midsection and a punch. Bourne with kicks to the leg but Miz with a boot to the head. Miz with a kick to the head and an elbow to the chest. Miz chokes Bourne in the ropes and then he hits a splash to the back of the head and then gets a near fall. Miz with a kick to Bourne. Miz with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Bourne with kicks but Miz drops Bourne on his head when he sidesteps a leaping kick. Miz sets for the clothesline into the corner and he hits it. Bourne with a rear chin lock but Bourne gets back to his feet.
Bourne with a kick but Miz with a knee. Miz tries for a suplex but Bourne counters it with knees to the head. Bourne with a series of kicks and leaping kicks to the midsection. Bourne with a double jump rana for a near fall. Miz with a clothesline to stop Bourne’s momentum. Miz waits for Bourne to get up and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winner: The Miz
After the match, Miz says that he doesn’t care if Sheamus or Randy Orton wins the title on Sunday. When he is ready to cash in his contract, he will be the WWE Champion. Miz tells us that the is the Miz and he is AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOME.
John Cena is in the back talking to Great Khali, but without Runjin Singh, can Khali understand what Cena is saying?
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at last week’s Six Diva Tag match and the return of Melina.
Match Number Two: Melina versus Alicia Fox
Alicia runs Melina into the corner and she connects with a forearm. Alicia tosses Melina by the hair and then she kicks Melina in the ribs. Melina with a shoulder and then she slides back in and hits a back breaker on Alicia. Melina gets a near fall and then she connects with forearms. Melina with a matrix followed by an elbow and a snap mare DDT. Melina with a flying clothesline and then she kicks Alicia to the floor. Melina goes to the floor but Alicia hits her with a clothesline. They return to the ring and Alicia tries for a near fall. Alicia picks Melina up by the hair and sends her back to the mat. Alicia with a forearm followed by a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Alicia with a rear chin lock on Melina and then drives a knee into the back. Melina with punches but Alicia with a forearm. Alicia with a back breaker on Melina and then turns it into a Gory Special. Melina screams and that means it is time for the Code Red and the three count.
Winner: Melina
We go to the interview area and Josh is with Khali but there is no Runjin Singh. Josh asks Khali what team he is loyal to. Khali says WWE. Khali takes the mic and he starts to speak in Hindi and nobody has any idea what he is saying. Khali says that he wants to face Wade Barrett tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and during the commercial break, the general manager told Michael Cole that we will have a Divas Title match at SummerSlam between Melina and Alicia Fox.
We also get confirmation that Great Khali will face Wade Barrett tonight.
We are going to have a Divas Summertime Spectacular with the Bella, Eve, Gail Kim, Jillian, and Maryse.
We will also see Sheamus call out Randy Orton.
Edge and Jericho are in the back and Edge wants to know where Bret gets off trying to put him in the Sharpshooter. Jericho says that Bret could be right. If Nexus wins and they take over Raw, they will be ostracized. Jericho says that they might have bitten off more than they could chew. Steve Austin, the Rock, Undertaker, DX, Mr. McMahon, the Alliance. You mention those names and they all have in common that Edge and Jericho have outlasted them. Jericho says that they are architects and generals. If they take out Cena and Hart at SummerSlam, they are in the clear because there won’t be a match.
John Morrison and R Truth are in the back and Morrison says that they have to hold up their part. Truth and Morrison say that they are looking for replacements. Mark Henry says that if they are looking for replacements, they don’t need two. Mark says that this match will be his audition.
Nexus is in their gold dressing room looking at the monitor. Wade gives them the look and the other six leave as we go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE has more Facebook fans than the Big Four Sports?
Match Number Three: Ted DiBiase with Maryse versus Mark Henry
Before the match starts, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel are on the steps to prevent Henry’s entrance into the ring. The other four attack Henry and then Gabriel and Slater join in. They send Henry into the ring steps. Nexus go through the crowd.
The medical staff checks on Henry at ringside.
Sheamus is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Randy Orton versus Miz from last week and Sheamus teasing interference.
Sheamus comes to the ring . . . fella.
We see Mark Henry helped to the back as Sheamus passes him.
Sheamus says that after Raw went off the air last week, the WWE Universe was certain that he was afraid to get in the ring with Randy Orton. It was true. He was afraid of what he would do to Randy Orton. Sheamus says that he hurts people and that is why he is the WWE Champion. If there is anyone who doubts him and thinks that Randy Orton is going to swoop in and take his title at SummerSlam, he advises that you watch the following.
We have a video package of the devastation that Sheamus has caused in WWE.
Sheamus asks how many people think that he is afraid of Randy Orton now. He is afraid of no one in the WWE. He says that he has ended careers in this ring. He wants Randy Orton to come out so he can tell him face to face . . .
Orton jumps the gun and he slithers to the ring as only a viper can. Sheamus says that he is surprised that he accepted his invitation.
Orton says that he thinks Sheamus is capable of hurting people, but Sheamus saying that he didn’t come into the ring last week because he was afraid of what he would do to Orton, he is full of it.
Sheamus tells Orton that everyone takes him seriously . . . fella. Orton tells Sheamus that he had the opportunity last week and he blew it, just like he will on Sunday.
The crowd chants for an RKO. Orton says that you can show all of the footage that you want, but the fact remains the same . . . Sheamus never beat him and he never will.
Sheamus says that they are wrong. He says that Triple H and John Cena looked him in the eye. Orton interrupts and he says that he is not Triple H and he is not John Cena. Sheamus tells Orton that he isn’t the WWE Champion and he won’t be after SummerSlam. Sheamus says that after Sunday, that will be it and he will go to the back of the line like John Cena.
Orton says that he will beat Sheamus on Sunday at SummerSlam. Orton says that Sheamus has never beaten him and he will never beat him. If Sheamus wants to redeem himself for what he didn’t do last week, he tells Sheamus to do something about it.
Sheamus and Orton stare each other down and . . .
We’ve got mail. Cole tells us that Sheamus’ title matches in the past have been marred with outside interference. If anyone interferes on Sunday, they will be suspended indefinitely. If Orton loses at SummerSlam, there will be no rematch and he will go to the back of the line. If Sheamus is not scared, then he encourages Sheamus to do something about it right now.
Sheamus backs away from Orton and he teases a punch before getting ready to leave the ring again. Orton attacks Sheamus from behind and Sheamus with a double sledge. Sheamus misses the pump kick and Orton with a back breaker. Orton stands over Sheamus and then he backs up for a field goal attempt. Orton stops short and Sheamus backs into the corner with a scared look on his face. Orton leaves the ring and has the title belt in his hand.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is at ringside.
Match Number Three: Percy Watson, Lucky Cannon, and Kaval versus Michael McGillicutty, Alex Riley, and Husky Harris
Michael and Percy start things off and Michael with a side ehad lock and shoulder tackle. Percy with a flying back elbow for a near fall. Watson with an arm bar but Michael with an arm drag. Michael with a leap frog and drop kick for a near fall. Riley tags in and he punches Watson and kicks him in the corner. Riley with a near fall on Watson and then he puts Watson in an arm bar with chin lock. Watson with punches but Riley with a knee. Watson with an enzuigiri and he tags in Kaval and he hits a running elbow and kicks. Kaval gets sent to the apron but he puts Riley in a Dragon Sleeper in the ropes and he has to release the hold. Kaval with a springboard kick and he gets a near fall that is broken up by Michael. Lucky takes care of Michael and hits a pescado. Kaval goes to the apron and Husky makes the blind tag. Kaval with a sunset flip and double stomp. Harris with a clothesline to the back of the head followed by a back senton for the three count.
Winners: Husky Harris, Michael McGillicutty, and Alex Riley
After the match, Sheamus hits Riley with the pump kick and then he sends McGillicutty into the ringside barrier. Sheamus goes into the ring and he hits the Celtic Cross. Sheamus gets the mic. He says to everyone, especially the fans that he will be the WWE Champion next week.
R Truth and John Morrison walk in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: R Truth and John Morrison versus William Regal and Zack Ryder
Truth and Regal start things off and Regal kicks Truth. Ryder tags in and hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Ryder with a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock. Ryder sends Truth into the corner and then misses the running boot in the corner and both men are down. Morrison tags in and hits a clothesline and drop kick followed by a leg lariat followed by a Flux Capacitor for a near fall. Regal and Truth get into the ring. Morrison with a kick and he sends Ryder into the turnbuckles and hits the springboard spin kick. Morrison with the corkscrew split legged moonsault for the three count.
Winners: John Morrison and R Truth
It is time to run through the card for SummerSlam.
The Bellas are walking through the back for their match and we go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Bellas versus Eve and Gail Kim versus Maryse and Jillian Hall in a Divas Summertime Spectacular Match
Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov are the guest referees.
Maryse and Eve start off and Maryse puts a hat in her face. Eve with a Thesz Press and she slams Maryse’s head into the mat. Brie tag in and she connects with forearms to Maryse. Maryse with a slap and Jillian holds Brie with the towel. Maryse punches Brie and Jillian tags in. Brie is tossed across the ring by Jillian and Jillian with a surfboard. Brie with a mare to get out of the hold and Nikki tags in with a clothesline and drop kick. Nikki with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and drop kick for a near fall but Eve breaks things up. Eve with a swinging neck breaker to Nikkie. Gail puts an inner tube over Maryse and hits Eat Defeat. Jillian knocks Eve out of the ring and then she sends Gail onto Eve. Brie with a bulldog to Jillian and Nikki with a cross body for the three count.
Winners: The Bellas
After the match, Tamina comes to the ring in her swimwear and Santino tries to leave. Tamina slaps Santino on his rear end and he leaves the ring with a smile on his face.
It is time for the SummerSlam Recall: Big Bossman versus The Mountie from 1991.
Great Khali is walking in the back as we go to . . . a sneak attack from Nexus. They clip Khali and then the other six guys continue the attack. A referee calls for medical attention for Khali.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the attack on Great Khali moments ago.
The Nexus are in the ring and Wade Barrett has the mic. He says that his match with Great Khali has been cancelled. On Sunday, a new chapter in the history of the WWE is going to be written by the Nexus. The balance of power on Raw is going to shift dramatically and permanently. They will beat Team WWE and they will have achieved more than anyone ever could have imagined.
Skip says that Raw has been become their show. Bret Hart will join Ricky Steamboat and Mr. McMahon as their victims. He tells R Truth, John Morrison, and John Cena that they will beat them physically and mentally so they will never recover.
Otunga says that if anyone is thinking of joining Team WWE, think about what they did to the Hart Dynasty, Mark Henry, and the Great Khali. Otunga tells them to think if they want to be next.
John Cena and Bret Hart are walking in the back and the Miz stops them. Miz says that Cena’s team is in trouble. Two members quit, three potential members got injured, and one got Nancy Kerriganed. Miz says that it was a matter of time before he asked Mr. Money in the Bank to be a part of the team. He wants Bret to ask him to join the team to save Raw. Bret asks Miz and then Miz says that he wants to hear it from both of them. Cena asks Miz and Miz thinks about it. He says that times have changed in a year. Miz thinks about it a little more. He says that he will let Cena know on Sunday.
Cena and Bret talk about having to use him and Cena says that it has come down to using him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Justin Long is the Guest Host next week.
Match Number Six: John Cena and Bret Hart versus Edge and Chris Jericho in a Nexus are the Lumberjacks Match
Cena and Edge start off and Edge kicks Cena. Cena with a bulldog and Hart with a punch from the apron. Cena with a side head lock take down. Edge with a forearm to the back and Cena is thrown to the floor and they attack Cena before rolling him back in. Edge with a kick to the back. Jericho tags in and he throws Cena to the floor for some more Nexus battery.
Jericho picks Cena up and throws him outside the ring one more time. The attack on John Cena continues while Jericho and Edge celebrate on the apron. Slater with a punch to Cena before he gets rolled back into the ring. Cena reverses things and throws Jericho to the floor. Jericho cowers but then sees that Nexus are not going to do anything to him. Jericho returns to the ring and Edge watches in shock. Cena tries for Attitude Adjustment but Jericho escapes and tries for the Walls of Jericho but Cena gets out of the hold.
Cena goes to the floor and he punches Barrett. Jericho goes after Cena but Cena moves and Jericho knocks Barrett off the apron. Jericho is sent to the floor and Jericho yells at Barrett and Nexus attacks Jericho. Edge joins in the brawl on the floor.
Bret brings Gabriel into the ring and punches him. Barrett pulls Gabriel out of the ring. The lumberjacks discuss strategy.
Cena and Hart stand in the ring and Nexus get on the apron.
R Truth and John Morrison enter the ring. Edge walks to the back along with Jericho as we have a seven on four situation in the ring.
No Contest
Edge and Jericho look at each other and they start to walk to the back but then they stop and go to the ring to join Cena and his cohorts. We have a seven on six situation.
We have mayhem in the ring as Barrett and Sheffield leave the ring along with the other members of Nexus since their plan got ruined.
Team WWE returns to the ring as we see Nexus in the crowd looking down on the ring.
2010 - TNA taped a special edition of Impact, titled, "The Whole Fn' Show." Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
*Jesse Neal pinned the guy who played Lupus with a spear.
The Whole Fn' Show:
*AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle opens show. Really good opener with Angle winning via submission clean with the anklelock. Styles' World Television championship was not on the line. Another really good bout from these two.
*Angelina Love won the TNA Knockouts championship, pinning Madison Rayne. Late in the match, the mystery motorcycle woman came out to distract Love. Velvet Sky attacked her with a chair and tried to unmask her. She got the helmet off but there was another mask underneath. In the chaos, Love scored the pin for the belt.
*In a Three-Way Match, Matt Morgan defeated Pope Dinero and Ken Anderson. Anderson and Dinero tried to work over Morgan themselves before teaming up. Late in the match, Pope accidentally nailed Anderson and they went at it. Morgan was able to surprise Pope with the Carbon Footprint and scored the pin. Really good stuff here.
*Jeff Hardy vs. Mystery opponent. Shannon Moore came out and said tonight would be his night to show the world he can stand on the same pedestal as the best. He said no matter what they would always be brothers. They had a really good back and forth competitive bout. Hardy finally scored the pin with the swanton.
*Best of Three Falls: TNA Tag Team champions The Motor City Machineguns vs. Beer Money. The first fall may have been the best tag wrestling I've seen live all year. The Guns are over huge. There is some awesome wrestling here. Beer Money captures the first fall after a Storm lungblower on Shelley. The Guns come back to even it up with Made in Detroit. They hit an insane dive sequence with even Roode nailing a dive sequence. The Guns finally score the pin with several Made in Detroits. The work was awesome and the crowd reactions made this out of this world. This match was ABSOLUTELY OFF THE CHARTS. I only hope it translates as well on TV.
*Stairway to Janice: TNA champion Rob Van Dam defeated Abyss. Abyss climbed the ladder before RVD entered but Van Dam sprinted down and nailed a Ryder Kick off the top. Lots of ladder spots. Van Dam hit a sliding kick into the ladder. RVD forward flip dive to the floor. Abyss bridged a ladder between the ring and guard rail. He went for a chokeslam but RVD fought him off. Abyss took control and poured tacks and broken glass on the mat. He tried to superplex RVD onto them but Rob turned it into a top rope sunset flip onto them. Abyss pulled out a barbed wire board and placed it in the corner. RVD avoided it and Abyss hit it and was caught up in the barbed wire. RVD kicked the board into Abyss' face then hit rolling thunder on the board. RVD went to grab Janice from the top of the ladder but Abyss shoved it over and RVD took a nasty bump and hit his face on the ladder. Abyss got Janice. He went to hit Van Dam but missed. Janice got stuck in the buckle. RVD grabbed a chair and hit Abyss, nailed the Vam Daminator and then hit a Van Terminator onto the barbed wire board. RVD then scored the pin with the five star frog splash.
Hulk Hogan came to the ring. He put over RVD as champion. He said that when he saw RVD take on Sabu at Hardcore Justice, he said it showed why RVD has all the bases covered and why TNA is the best wrestling company today. Hogan said the PPV raised the bar for TNA and said he learned what hardcore was all about thanks to the EV2.0. Fans chanted for Sabu. Hogan said out of respect, he wanted to invite everyone from EV2.0 to come to the ring.
Out came Sabu, The FBI, Bill Alfonso, Tommy Dreamer, Stevie Richards, Team 3D, Mick Foley came out. Hogan put over the EV2.0 crew and said he was giving them his ring out of respect. Hogan left. Dreamer thanked everyone and said that on Sunday he told TNA the bar has been raised. He said that tonight we saw TNA do that. He then thanked all of his brothers for fighting and bleeding alongside him one last time.
The lights went out and when they came back, Mick Foley was laid out and Fortune, along with Doug Williams and Matt Morgan were behind them brandishing weapons. They beat the living hell out of the EV2.0 group forever, bloodying everyone. Raven and Sandman hit the scene but were taken out by Beer Money. There was an extremely long bloody and violent beardown. Ric Flair came out and went after Dixie Carter in the front row, screaming this was all her fault. Fortune was screaming that this was their company and they needed to get out. The beating went on forever. Security tried to get them off of them but it just went on and on and was completely brutal. Fortune finally left the EV2.0 crew laying but came back. It was an awesome brutal angle and for the love of God, I hope they don't edit this down. Brother Ray was stretchered out on a back board after as it appeared he took a hard shot from an axehandle. Devon was bleeding a gusher and appeared to have had his eye split open. A fan went nuts at ringside and was forced out of the building by Earl Hebner and security. The angle was absolutely off the charts.
Without any doubt in my mind, this was the best episode of Impact in company history. I felt like I was at the original ECW, as crazy as that sounds.
Notes: No rampway to the ring....Pepa of Salt N' Pepa fame was at the show sitting in the front row...They were selling photo opportunities to get in the ring with the Motor City Machineguns after the taping.
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Sacramento, California and your announcers are William ‘Maloof’ Regal and Todd ‘White Chocolate’ Grisham. Your host is Matt ‘I am also Arnold Schwarzenegger’s love child’ Striker.
Matt Striker is in the ring and he says that we have a unique challenge called Bobbing for Redemption. They will need to grab an egg and carry it across the line.
Darren Young interrupts and he says that he is sick and tired of the garbage coming out of his mouth. For the last 23 weeks, he has dominated NXT and he will not be part of any challenge or mission. He wants to know who Striker thinks he is.
Matt says that he doesn’t care if Darren does the challenge or not, he has a job to do.
Darren wants to know who Striker thinks he is because he said that he is not going to do a challenge. Darren reminds Striker that he has main evented a SummerSlam and he wants to know what Striker has done. He says that Striker is a wannabe and he is a host because he couldn’t cut it in the ring.
Matt says that he was blessed to have a career and wrestle in front of the WWE fans. All Darren does is talk about his past accolades and that is why he is not going to win. Darren should stop focusing on the past and focus on what he is going to do.
Darren says that he needs to think about his future and he punches Striker. Darren tells Striker if he wants to be a tough guy, why not go one on one in the ring. He will show Matt and everyone in attendance why he is going to win NXT.
Regal suggests that Young better be careful because of how Striker looked last week .
Tyson Kidd is asked about facing Justin Gabriel and Tyson is shocked that Justin is called NXT Alumni. Tyson says that he comes from the best alumni. If you can combine The British Bulldog and Bret Hart and add his high flying skills, he is the best to ever come from the dungeon. He will make Justin Gabriel suffer tonight and Justin will find out how truly great he is.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Tyson Kidd versus Justin Gabriel
They lock up and Kidd works on the wrist but Gabriel rolls through and does a cartwheel to reverse. Kidd with a single leg take down but Gabriel with a hammer lock. Kidd gets to the ropes and Gabriel releases the hold. Kidd with a waist lock and take down into a front face lock but Gabriel with a hammer lock into a side head lock.
Gabriel with a shoulder tackle and he avoids a hip toss by landing on his feet. Kidd with a side head lock take down. Kidd holds on to the side head lock and then he runs Gabriel into the corner and connects with a series of shoulders followed by a kick. Kidd with a snap mare and kick to the back. Kidd with a running kick to the head and then he gets a near fall.
Kidd chokes Gabriel in the corner with his knee. Kidd punches Gabriel but Gabriel with a chop. Gabriel with a forearm followed by a European uppercut. Gabriel with a few kicks in the corner and then he chokes Kidd with his boot. Kidd with an Irish whip followed by a punch and Irish whip but Gabriel floats over and he sends Kidd to the floor with a head scissors. Gabriel goes to the apron and Kidd tries to stop him. Gabriel tries for an Asai Moonsault but Kidd kicks Gabriel to stop him. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kidd with a reverse chin lock. Gabriel with elbows and a punch to Kidd Gabriel tries for an STO but Kidd with a series of kicks and a drop kick for a near fall. Kidd with a knee drop and then he returns to the reverse chin lock. Gabriel tries to get back to his feet and he hits a jawbreaker to get out of the hold. Gabriel tries for a drop kick but Kidd holds on to the ropes. Kidd with an elbow drop for a near fall.
Gabriel with a baseball slide to Kidd on the floor followed by a corkscrew plancha onto Kidd. Gabriel returns Kidd to the ring and then he sets for a springboard cross body but the momentum allows Kidd to get a near fall. Kidd sets for a Sharpshooter but Gabriel kicks Kidd. Gabriel with a choke on Kidd but Kidd gets to the ropes. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 again but Kidd is able to get up and he crotches Gabriel.
Kidd goes up top as well but Gabriel kicks Kidd off. Kidd with an enzuigiri to the back but Gabriel stays on Top. Kidd with a double jump rana from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Kidd punches Gabriel and the referee warns Tyson. Tyson with a back heel kick but Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall.
Gabriel with forearms to Kidd but he misses the roaring elbow and Kidd with a single leg crab and Gabriel tries to get to the ropes. Kidd pulls Gabriel into the center of the ring but Gabriel with a rollup for a near fall. Gabriel with an STO and Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Darren Young versus Matt Striker
Young pushes Striker but Striker with a double leg take down and he punches Young. Striker with an arm drag to Young. Striker with a chop to Young but Young puts Striker on the apron. Young with a neck breaker on the apron and he gets a near fall. Young with forearms to the chest and then he applies a reverse chin lock.
Striker with elbows but Young with a forearm and then he sends Striker shoulder first into the ring post. Young slams the arm into the ring post. Young with an elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Young stands over Striker but Striker with a slap and he gets a near fall. Young with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and he gets a near fall.
Young with an arm bar. Striker punches Young but Young with a knee. Striker blocks a snap mare and then he hits a Gory Bomb. Young misses a few elbow drops and a charge into the corner. Striker with a running boot to the head. Young gets Striker on the shoulders but Striker escapes and Striker gets a near fall after a Playmaker. Young works on the shoulder but Striker with an Irish whip but Striker misses a charge into the corner. Young with a gutbuster from the shoulders for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
We go to commercial.
We are back with the CM Punk/John Cena video package that aired last night on Raw.
Todd asks Regal how Triple H as referee will affect the WWE Title Match. Regal is at a loss for words but he says that Triple H might have ulterior motives.
Daniel Bryan is walking in the back and Derrick Bateman is busy playing video games. Daniel tells Derrick that they need to talk. Derrick wants to talk about going 2-0 against Titus and how Bryan needs to be at ringside. Daniel tells Derrick that he is not going to be at ringside with him because Derrick is embarrassing himself. He tells Derrick to figure out who he is and then he might show up at ringside with Derrick.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Derrick Bateman versus Titus O’Neil with Hornswoggle and AJ Lee
Derrick gets distracted by Hornswoggle and Titus attacks him from behind. Titus with a hard Irish whip and then he barks. Derrick with a kick to the knee and then he hits a swinging neck breaker on Titus. Derrick works on Titus’ back and he gets a near fall. Derrick with punches to Titus in the corner followed by an Irish whip and then he hits a running drop kick into the corner and he gets a near fall.
Derrick with a reverse chin lock on Titus followed by forearms to the back. Titus with a head butt to the midsection but Derrick with a snap mare and a reverse chin lock. Derrick gets on Titus’ back but Titus runs Derrick into the turnbuckles and then hits a back breaker. Titus with clotheslines to Derrick followed by a power slam and then he barks again. Titus tries for a slam but Derrick escapes the hold and then he tries for a sunset flip but Titus drops down and gets the three count.
Winner: Titus O’Neil
After the match, Derrick attacks Titus and then he grabs Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle goes through Derrick’s legs and Titus hits the Clash of the Titus. Titus points to the corner and it is time for the Frog Splash from Hornswoggle.
2012 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s show starts off with last week’s comments from General Manager Dusty Rhodes about the eight man Gold Rush tournament to determine the first NXT Champion. All of the participants talk about how important it is to become the first NXT Champion.
We are live on tape from Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Byron ‘Action’ Saxton, William ‘Where is Autumn Park’ Regal, and Jim ‘If this was UWF, it would be the Oil Rush Tournament’ Ross.
The announcers mention the two Gold Rush Tournament Matches that we will see tonight.
Match Number One: Michael McGillicutty versus Justin Gabriel in a Gold Rush Tournament Quarterfinal Match
They lock up and Gabriel goes for the arm and wrist and he applies a wrist lock on Michael. Michael with an elbow and he works on the wrist. Gabriel with a reversal into an overhead take down and Michael gets to the ropes. Gabriel with a wrist lock and he takes Michael to the mat and he gets a near fall.
Gabriel with a hammer lock but Michael with a reversal into a side head lock. Gabriel with a reversal through a top wrist lock. Gabriel with a shoulder tackle and then he hits an arm drag into an arm bar. Gabriel with a snap mare and he gets a near fall with a rollup.
Gabriel with an arm drag into an arm bar. Michael misses a punch and Gabriel with an arm drag into another arm bar as Justin continues to work on the arm. Gabriel with a rollup for a near fall. Michael with a kick and punch. Michael with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Michael with a kick and he tries for a suplex but Justin lands on his feet and Justin with a suplex of his own and he floats over into a double arm lever.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael is now in control of the match. Justin with punches to try to get back into the match but Michael with a knee and he gets a near fall. Michael with a reverse chin lock. Gabriel gets back to his feet but Michael sends Justin back to the match with a hair pull. Michael rakes the boot on Gabriel’s face.
Michael with a shoulder tackle followed by a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Gabriel with an elbow and punches to Michael but Michael with forearms to Justin. Each man tries for a cross body and both men are down. Gabriel with a series of kicks ending with a jumping back heel kick. Gabriel floats over Michael and he hits a spinning heel kick. Gabriel with a boot to a charging McGillicutty and then he hits a springboard cross body for a near fall.
Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash but Michael rolls away. Justin with a splash into the corner followed by a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Gabriel sets for a suplex but McGillicutty with an inside cradle and he rolls through into a Son of Perfectplex and gets a near fall. Michael sets for a back breaker but Gabriel escapes and hits an elbow drop out of an inverted front face lock.
Gabriel tries for a springboard moonsault but Michael moves out of the way. Michael recovers and hits the running snap neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Michael McGillicutty
Michael advances to the semifinals to face Seth Rollins and it will happen next week.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Kassius Ohno versus CJ Parker
They lock up and Parker with a fireman’s carry and Ohno gets to the corner. They lock up and Ohno works on the arm and applies a wrist lock while trying to work on the shoulder as well. Parker with a leg sweep and he gets a near fall. Parker with another near fall after a rollup and Ohno goes to the floor.
Parker is pulled to the apron and then he puts Parker in the ring skirt and then he slingshots back into the ring and stomps on Parker’s chest. Ohno with a series of kicks to Parker. Ohno with a flying forearm into the corner and he gets a near fall. Ohno with a flip senton onto Parker for a near fall.
Ohno with a quarter nelson and chin lock but Parker gets back to his feet. Ohno pulls Parker to the mat. Parker punches Ohno but Ohno with a knee to the midsection. Parker tries for a sunset flip but Ohno stays on his feet and then he kicks Parker in the head. Ohno with another series of kicks to the head. Parker blocks a kick and he hits a clothesline.
Parker with punches to Ohno followed by a scissors kick to the chest but he can only get a near fall. Parker pulls down the knee pads but he takes too long and Ohno recovers with a boot to the head. Ohno slams Parker’s head into the mat and then he hits a roaring elbow to the back of the head and Ohno gets the three count.
Winner: Kassius Ohno
We see footage from last week when Mike Dalton and Jason Jordan got the upset victory over Hunico and Camacho.
We see footage from last week when Briley Pierce interrupted Jason and Mike’s victory celebration in the back. Briley asks them what their plans are. Jason says that no one saw that coming. Mike says that no one thought they could beat them, but they did. Jason says that this is their proving ground. If they are given opportunities, they will take them.
We go to commercial.
We are back with an Ascension video package.
Match Number Three: Paige and Tamina Snuka versus Caylee Turner and Kaitlyn
Tamina and Turner start things off and Caylee slaps Tamina but Tamina pushes Caylee to the mat. Kaitlyn is quickly tagged in and they lock up. Kaitlyn with a top wrist lock but Tamina with a hammer lock. Tamina with a side head lock but Kaitlyn with another top wrist lock. Kaitlyn with a knee and pulls the hair to take Tamina to the mat.
Tamina with a drop kick to Kaitlyn after Kaitlyn is unsuccessful tagging in Turner when she leaves the apron. Tamina with an arm drag or two followed by a flying forearm for a near fall. Tamina with a front face lock and Paige is tagged in. Paige with punches and kicks in the corner.
Paige with a side head lock take down. Kaitlyn tries to escape but Paige with a flying mare to hold on to the side head lock. Kaitlyn with a short arm clothesline and she gets a near fall. Kaitlyn runs Paige into the corner and Turner tags in.
Turner kicks Paige and then takes Paige to the mat and gets a near fall. Paige with kicks to Turner and then Paige rolls through and gets a near fall. Tamina tags back in and they hit a double clothesline on Cayle followed by a knee from Tamina.
Caylee avoids a slam but Tamina with a kick to Turner. Turner with a rollup for a near fall. Kaitlyn tags back in and Kaitlyn with a drop kick to the knee followed by another drop kick for a near fall. Kaitlyn with a hard Irish whip and Turner is tagged back in. Turner with a snap mare into a reverse chin lock. Tamina gets back to her feet and she hits a Samoan drop and both women are down.
Paige is tagged in and she clotheslines Caylee and followed it with a shoulder and a fallaway slam for a near fall that is broken up by Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn pulls Tamina to the floor and Paige with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winners: Paige and Tamina Snuka
We see Bo Dallas doing the Bo Bounce in the hallway and Derrick Bateman comes up from behind and hits him in the lower back. Derrick congratulates Bo for qualifying for the NXT Title tournament. Derrick says that he should have been in the tournament and he mentions that Bo cost them in their tag match a few weeks ago. Derrick says that Bo has his support. We go to commercial.
We are back and before our main event and William Regal and Jim Ross talk about Dara Singh, who recently passed away, and how Jinder Mahal is dedicating his performance in this tournament to Singh.
Match Number Four: Bo Dallas versus Jinder Mahal in a Gold Rush Tournament Quarterfinal Match
They lock up and they go around the ring. Mahal backs Dallas into the corner and he gives a clean break. They lock up with a Greco Roman knuckle lock and Bo with a top wrist lock into an arm bar. Bo with a take down into a near fall. Dallas with a hammer lock to Mahal’s arm. Mahal with a forearm and kick.
Mahal with a punch and shoulders in the corner. Mahal wit a kick in the corner followed by an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Dallas with a cross body for a near fall. Dallas with an O’Connor Roll for a near fall. Dallas with a rollup for a near fall and Mahal goes to the floor to regroup.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Mahal with a knee to the midsection followed by a drop kick. Mahal with a neck breaker for a near fall. Mahal chokes Dallas with his knee. Mahal with a knee and a back heel trip followed by a series of knee drops using the ropes for extra leverage.
Mahal gets a near fall. Dallas with kicks out of the corner but Mahal with a knee to the head. Mahal with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Mahal with a cravate. Dallas with punches and a jawbreaker. Mahal tries for a belly-to-back suplex set up but Dallas turns his hips and counters with a lateral press for a near fall.
Dallas with a clothesline followed by a back elbow. Dallas with a punch to the midsection and a kick to the back of the leg leading to the running elbow to the head. Dallas with a power slam for a near fall. Bo sets for the spear but Mahal gets to the ropes. Mahal with elbows to the head followed by a slam for a near fall.
Mahal with another near fall. Mahal misses a splash into the corner and Dallas with modified Acid Drop for a near fall. Mahal begs for mercy but it is a trap and he kicks Bo in the head. Mahal misses a running knee and he sweeps Mahal’s leg. Bo sets for a Tiger Driver but Mahal blocks it. Mahal sends Bo into the ropes and then he pulls Bo’s throat into the top rope and Bo is down. Mahal with a flatline into the Camel Clutch and Bo taps out.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
Mahal advances to face Richie Steamboat in the semifinals and we go to credits.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report, live here on PWInsider.com!
Bully Ray starts us off by coming out to the ring with his Twittah Machine to proclaim himself the leader of the Bully Nation. Bubba says he learned something from Joseph Park, and that's that if there's enough evidence, it means someone's guilty, and all the evidence is pointing right at James Storm. He's going to prove that Storm is behind Aces & Eights, but first he's going to beat him and then go on to Hardcore Justice and win there too and get 20 points. He tells the crowd to stop booing because they know he's right, but Storm comes out to interrupt Bubba's monologue. He says that he didn't hear one fact come out of Bubba's mouth, and says he's tired of people pointing fingers at him and not taking him at his word. He'll say it again: he's had nothing to do with these attacks because he's more worried about winning the Bound For Glory Series, then going on to Bound For Glory to regain his title. Bubba's got him all riled up, and where he's from, you kick the crap out of people who cross the line, so what he's going to do now is draw a line and give Bubba until the count of three because he's going to cross that line and knock Bubba out. Bubba turns his hat around and tells Storm to start counting, but Bubba steps out of the ring at 3, so Storm tells him to take the message backstage and tell anyone who doesn't believe him that they can come out and fight him.
Suddenly, Aces & Eights shows up on the ImpactTron, sitting at a card table with a bunch of beers to tell the assholes (their word, not mine) that they found out that Sting gave them an open invitation to show up tonight. That's a dangerous thing to do, but they'll show up tonight and do things on their terms. Bubba says that this proves Storm's involved, and walks off while screaming at Storm.
Pope is backstage saying the Bound For Glory Series hasn't gone quite the way he imagined, but he's picking up 20 points this weekend because, if he makes it to the final four, he's going to Bound For Glory and bringing the title home to the Congregation.
Ken Anderson joins the announce team for our opening match...
Bound For Glory Series: Rob Van Dam vs Brutus Magnus
RVD hits the ropes and tries a shoulderblock, but doesn't budge Magnus. RVD tries the ropes again and Magnus quickly pounces and clotheslines RVD over the top rope to the floor. Magnus goes out after him, ramming RVD's back into the ring apron and then putting the boots to him before dumping him back into the ring for a 1 count. RVD comes off the ropes and tries a crossbody, but Magnus catches him in a bodyslam position, then pops him into the air into a vertical suplex and drops him. RVD goes to the ropes yet a fourth time, and finally connects with a leg lariat. Magnus catches a spinkick, but RVD catches him with a rolling leg cradle for 2 before superkicking Magnus' head off. RVD takes too long to play to the crowd and his monkey flip is countered to a hard clothesline, but he quickly recovers and takes Magnus down, then hits the Five Star Frogsplash for the win.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
The dumbass with the camera asks Bobby Roode if he's aware of the contract signing tonight, and he says that he hears there's some language in the contract his lawyer didn't like, and they might just not let him wrestle this weekend.
We look back at last week's baby shower for Crazy Crackhead Claire, and then we're off to the ring for some championship action!
World Tag Team Title Match: Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs TV Champion Devon & Garett Bischoff
Kazarian and Devon start off, with Devon getting the advantage and tagging out to Garett, who does fiery young babyface armdrags and hiptosses before tagging Devon back in for a double team on Daniels. Is Garett ever going to get any damn tights? Garett with an inverted atomic drop on Daniels, but a distraction from Kazarian on the floor allows Daniels to hit an STO and then hiptoss Kazarian into a legdrop on Garett for 2. The champs work Garett over for several minutes before tagging in Devon, who is a house of fire as he takes both champions out. Devon with a Rock Bottom for 2 on Kazarian, then he dumps Daniels to the floor and spears Kazarian out of his boots. Daniels comes into the ring with a title belt and Garett charges him, but Daniels backdrops Garett over the top rope to the floor. Devon hits a spinebuster on Daniels, but Kazarian gets the belt and knocks Devon out with it and covers for 3.
Winners: Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian
We look back at last week's conversation between Sting and Brooke Hogan where she wondered why Aces & Eights were picking on them before getting a delivery from Aces & Eights. We then go backstage to Sting and he says that he promised to take care of Brooke, and the best way to do that is by not having her here tonight. That sounds great to me! He's also calling out Aces & Eights once again tonight.
After a video package with each of the BFG Series participants talking about what it would mean for them to win the tournament, we go to the ring where Robbie E says that he's got five points, and that he's going to earn another 20 points by putting Jeff Hardy, the same guy he beat for those five points, through a table. He shows us the video of his win over Hardy, and he says that he'll give five reasons Hardy won't ever beat him. He only gets as far as mentioning his cool pink sweaters that are better than Hardy's grungy wife beaters, but now Jeff Hardy comes out as Robbie dares him to join the party. Hardy comes into the ring and lays out Robbie T, and E decides to backpedal until Hardy slaps him in the face and tries to put him through a table. Robbie T comes back into the ring and attacks Hardy from behind, then powerbombs Hardy through a table. Robbie E stands over the fallen Hardy yelling that he's going to take 20 points this weekend.
The guy with the camera catches up with AJ Styles, who says someone has to be pretty bad at sex for people to not remember having sex with them, and AJ doesn't drink so he should remember if it happened. He's jet lagged, and all he wants to do right now is focus on his match tonight with Kurt Angle.
Samoa Joe comes out to the broadcast booth before the next match and says that it seems like everyone's coming out to say what they're going to in the BFG Series. He says that we're about to see Kurt Angle and AJ Styles go at it, and he's going to beat the both of them and also Christopher Daniels because he's been dueling for the top spot since the series started and he's going to get the 20 points this weekend.
Bound For Glory Series: Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles
Claire is in the crowd, cheering AJ on his way to the ring. A quick back and forth at the beginning ends with AJ dropkicking Angle out to the floor and taking him out with a baseball slide as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Angle rams AJ hard into the corner and pops him into the air with an overhead release suplex. Claire has this moron smile on her face as she's sitting in the crowd watching Angle hit a windmill backbreaker for 2. Double clothesline takes both men down, and Claire looks on intently as they try and get back to their feet. AJ with a series of clotheslines and a fireman's backbreaker for 2. AJ goes to the apron and tries a springboard forearm, but Angle dodges and hits a trio of rolling German suplexes. He says, and I quote, "GET UP BITCH!" to AJ, but AJ escapes the Hacker Slam and hits a Pelle Kick for a very close 2. Angle backdrops out of the Styles Clash and hits the Hacker Slam for 2. Angle calls AJ a bitch again as he pulls the straps down and gets the anklelock, but AJ kicks Angle off and gets a German suplex, Angle blocks a second suplex and counters to the anklelock, AJ rolls through and sends Angle into the corner, Angle backdrops AJ to the apron, and AJ comes in with a springboard forearm and hits the Styles Clash for an EXTREMELY close 2. We've got to be getting closed to the time limit by now as AJ goes to the top rope and gets suplexed into the ring for 2. Angle goes to the top rope, but shockingly misses the moonsault he hasn't hit since 2000, AJ goes out to the apron and tries the springboard 450, but Angle gets the knees up and hits the Hacker Slam for a very hard fought win.
Winner: Kurt Angle
This match was awesome! Awesome awesome awesome! Claire reaches over the rail like a mark to tell AJ it's okay that he lost, but he just stares her down and walks off. Now Claire gets her Crazy Crackhead Claire face on as we find out Aces & Eights has another message for us.
Aces & Eights runs down all the people they've taken out so far, and tonight, we'll find out who gets the next Dead Man's Hand. Ken Anderson walks in on James Storm to say it's pretty funny how every time A&E does anything, it benefits Storm in some way. If Anderson turns out to be their next victim and finds out Storm has anything to do with it, they're going to have another conversation like this one, except...different.
Austin Aries is on the phone arguing with someone about the contract for this weekend's title match, and the camera guy asks him what's up. Aries says he doesn't know what's going on, but they're going to handle this like men and make sure there's a match this Sunday.
Gail Kim vs Knockouts Champion Brooke Tessmacher
Gail tried attacking Brooke before the bell, but Brooke saw her coming and took her out. Kim quickly recovers and unloads with some kicks, then picks Brooke up in a powerslam position and drops her belly first over her shoulder for 2. Gail lays Brooke backward across the second rope and stands on her chest, then just punishes Brooke with more kicks before driving her boot into her chest. Brooke comes off the ropes with a running forearm and starts firing back with right hands, but Gail gets a shot to the ribs and locks her in a legscissors. Gail releases the hold and rams her leg into Brooke's ribs just for good measure, then lifts her up and gets a ribbuster across the knee. Tessmacher finally gets some offense with some running clotheslines and a dropkick before springing off the second rope with a clothesline. Brooke with a stinkface in the corner and then hangs Gail on the second rope before hauling her out and dropping her face first in a sort of modified bulldog for the win.
Winner: Brooke Tessmacher
Brooke is celebrating her win as Madison Rayne comes out with her big silly smile on to stare down Brooke and make out with Earl Hebner, whose heart appears to have stopped.
We go backstage to Joseph Park, who says he deals with contracts on a professional basis and it brings him back to 2003 when he had a shining moment in a closing argument. This is the kind of thing he tried to warn Sting about last week, because animosity like what we see between Aries and Roode can cause all kinds of problems in contract negotiations.
We look back at last week when Kenny King pinned Zema Ion, then we go to a video package where King talks about taking the biggest risk of his career to come to TNA, but every morning when he gets up to go train and slaps the hamburger out of his own hand, he thinks about what it will feel like to have that championship belt in his hand.
Sting comes out to the ring to introduce the contract signing, and asks Bobby Roode and Austin Aries to come out and join him in the ring. Both men come out to the ring and Aries puts the belt on the table and sits down, and then Roode goes off on Sting for telling him that he has an attitude problem. He has a problem with the line in the contract where he won't get another shot at Aries for as long as he holds the title if he loses this weekend, and he thinks it's because Sting has had a problem with him since day one. Sting has always tried to stick it to him and one up him, and even after Aries' fluke win last month, he's still trying to one up him. Unless Sting makes some changes this weekend, there's not going to be a main event this weekend, and Roode tosses the contract onto the table. Aries says he's tired of listening to Roode piss and moan because, for a man who's so convinced that Aries' win was a fluke, he's awfully concerned about a rematch. Roode knows that Aries has his number, and since he doesn't want to give Roode any more reasons to complain, he can toss the contract out and add a new stipulation where he'll waive his right to a rematch if he loses, so this weekend will be a winner take all match and their one last confrontation. Sting asks Roode to shake on it, and it looks like everyone is in agreement. They do the obligatory kicking over of chairs and get ready to go at it, but instead, Roode sticks his hand out and they shake on it. Aries grabs his belt and holds it up in Roode's face, so Roode throws his water in Aries face and strolls off.
James Storm and Bully Ray are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
Chavo Guerrero Jr is backstage saying that he's here to beat the best, and before long, he and Hernandez will have gold around their waist. Kid Kash and Gunner aren't impressed because they think Chavo is a cheater. Those two teams are going to face off this weekend at the PPV, and then we run down the entire lineup for Hardcore Justice We then look at the BFG Series leaderboard, and then it's off to the ring for our main event!
Bound For Glory Series: Bully Ray vs James Storm
Bubba starts mouthing off and accusing Storm of being part of Aces & Eights before even making contact, and keeps ducking out between the ropes every time Storm tries to grab him, but finally they make contact and have a brief exchange before Bubba dumps Storm out to the floor and we go to commercial.
We're back, and Storm rolls out of the way of an elbowdrop from Bully Ray. Bubba yanks Storm down by the hair and then gets a leglock on Storm and grapevines the leg to try for the submission win. Storm reverses to a heel hook of his own, but Bubba makes it to the ropes and takes Storm down, then stands over him and drives fists into his skull. Bubba comes off the ropes for a big splash, but Storm rolls out of the way and starts firing back with right hands, a facebuster, and a running neckbreaker. Storm with a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK bodydrop and then charges Bubba, but gets caught with a Rock Bottom for 2. Bubba goes for the Bubba Bomb, but Storm fights his way out and goes up top. Bubba hits a nasty chop and tries to superplex Storm, but Storm shoves him off. Storm goes for an elbowdrop, but Bubba moves out of the way and hits the Bubba Bomb, but only gets 2. Bubba goes to the second rope, but misses a back senton. Storm hits a Codebreaker and sets up for the Last Call, but Bubba pulls the referee in his way. Storm stops short, but gets a rollup for 2. Bubba quickly recovers himself and hits the Bubba Cutter for the win.
Winner: Bully Ray
Bubba stalks Storm with the chain, but Aces & Eights pops up on screen and congratulates them on putting on a good show, then says that they'll see Bubba this Sunday.
2013 - Full Impact Pro presented Heatstroke 2013. Richard Trionfo filed the following results:
Full Impact Pro Wrestling returned to iPPV with their Heatstroke 2013 show. Here are the results from the show (a full report with thoughts on the show will be up later due to technical issues which prevented a report from being prepared while the show happened live):
The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield and Mr. Touchdown) defeated Eddie Graves and Teddy Stigma
Jesus DeLeon (with Sosa Rivera) defeated Kenneth Cameron
Lince Dorado defeated Chasyn Rance (with Mister Saint Laurent)
Gran Akuma defeated Uhaa Nation to become the new FIP Florida Heritage Champion
Solo Darling (with Daffney) versus Leva Bates went to a No Contest when Larry Dallas, Vik Dalishus, Hale Collins, and Trina Michaels came to ringside . . . leading into
Mia Yim, Eddie Cruz, and Jay Rios (with Leva Bates) defeated Larry Dallas, Vik Dalishus, and Hale Collins (with Trina Michaels) in a TLC Match
Maxwell Chicago defeated Jessicka Havok after having their first date in the ring
Trent Baretta defeated Jon Davis (with Mister Saint Laurent) to become the new FIP World Heavyweight Champion
2014 - Former WWE Intercontinental champion Jason Albert, who wrestled as Albert, Tensai and Giant Bernard, noted in a video piece on the WWE website that he now considered himself retired. Within a year, he would go on to become the head coach of NXT.
2014 - EVOLVE held EVOLVE 32. Richard Trionfo filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of Evolve 32 from the Northwest Community Center in Orlando, Florida.
This show is the second half of a double header with FIP Heatstroke 2014. This show is available on WWNLive.com. To order this weekend's shows, click here to sign up for or log into your WWNLive.com account.
Drew Galloway makes his way to the ring and he has the Evolve Title with him. Drew says that he cannot put into words how he feels. Last night was his first match back and he chose Evolve because he wanted to be around the best. Last night was the rebirth of Evolve and Drew Galloway. Thanks to Chris Hero, he is the Evolve Champion.
Drew says that if you look at the back of his leg, he has a bit of a bruise. He might be hurt, but there is not a chance in hell he would miss this show. The show must go on no matter what. He is the champ.
Drew says that we should start things off right and he is going to defend the title right now. He tells everyone in the back to be ready.
Match Number One: EVOLVE Championship Match: Drew Galloway versus Anthony Nese (with Su Yung and Caleb Konley)
They lock up and Nese goes after the injured leg with kicks. Nese continues to kick Drew in the leg. Drew with a punch followed by a European uppercut and he drops Nese on the top rope. Drew kicks Nese against the ropes. Nese goes to the floor and Drew follows. Nese avoids Drew on the apron and Drew slams Nese on the apron. Drew hot shots Nese on the guardrails. Drew with a forearm to the back and then he rolls him into the ring. Drew gets a near fall.
Drew with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Drew goes up top and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Nese pushes Drew away and Su comes into the ring to get between Drew and Nese. The referee sends Su to the floor and Nese with a kick to the leg followed by a drop kick.
Konley yells at Su despite the fact that her deception worked. Nese kicks Drew in the hamstring and he poses for the people. Drew punches Nese and Nese with a drop kick to the knee. Nese with a boot to the thigh. Nese chokes Drew in the ropes. Drew with a punch and chop. Nese with a kick and Irish whip but Drew with a clothesline. Drew with a chop and punch. Nese sends Drew to the apron and he kicks Nese. Drew tries for a sunset flip back into the ring but Nese with a kick and he hits a quebrada for a near fall.
Nese kicks Drew in the back of the leg. Nese with a rear chin lock and he kicks Drew in the injured leg one more time. Drew punches Nese and Nese punches back. Nese with a drop kick. Nese pie faces Drew and Nese taunts Drew. Nese with a punch and chop followed by another kick to the knee. Nese slaps Drew while he continues to taunt him. Drew with a drop kick and both men are down.
Drew and Nese exchange punches. Drew with punches in the corner. Nese with a forearm as Drew comes off the ropes. Drew with Sky High for a near fall. Drew gives the thumbs down and he sets for the Future Shock but Nese with a back heel kick and super kick. Drew has a kick blocked and Nese with a German suplex for a near fall. Nese misses a running knee when Drew moves. Nese lands on his feet on a German suplex attempt by Drew and Nese with a double stomp for a near fall.
Nese goes up top and Drew drops him on the tunbuckles. Drew kicks Nese and catches him before hitting a flapjack for a near fall. Nese with a waist lock and Drew with a standing switch. Drew with a Northern Lights suplex into the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Nese with a cover for a near fall. Drew is sent shoulder first into the ring post. Nese with a running knee into the corner and then he goes up top but Drew moves when Nese goes for the 450 splash. Drew with the Future Shock DDT for the three count.
Winner: Drew Galloway
After the match, Rich Swann comes out and points out that Tony lost again. She tells Tony to ask where his secretary was because she was with him all night long.
Rich comes into the ring while The Premiere Athlete Brand comes out. Rich congratulates Drew on his victory. Rich says that this is no disrespect to Drew but he has been with this company since 2009 and he has fought night in and night out. Rich tells Drew that he would like a shot at the Evolve Title. Rich says that he knows Drew is a fighting champion.
Drew says that he will face him right now.
The referee tells Rich that he has to win his match to get to Drew.
Match Number Two: Round Robin Challenge Night 2: Match #1: Drew Gulak versus James Raideen
Raideen punches Drew before the bell rings and he kicks Drew. Raideen with a forearm but Drew with punches. Raideen with a knee to the midsection followed by a side head lock. Raideen holds on when Gulak tries to send him off the ropes. Drew with punches. Raideen with a shoulder. Raideen with chops to Gulak but Drew chops back. They continue to chop each other but Gulak with forearms and the referee warns him.
Raideen refuses to be Irish whipped but Raideen with an Irish whip. Gulak with drop kicks and Raideen does not go down. Drew rolls through to counter a Boston Crab and gets a near fall. Raideen kicks Drew away when he tries for the ankle lock. Drew tries to slam Raideen but it does not work the first time. Drew tries a second time. The third time is the charm and he gets Raideen up. Raideen with a slam. Raideen with a more emphatic slam this time and he gets a near fall. Raideen sends Gulak to the floor.
Raideen with a chop on the floor. Raideen rolls him back into the ring and connects with an elbow drop and gets a near fall. Raideen gets a near fall. Raideen with a forearm to the back. Gulak and Raideen exchange elbows and Raideen gets a near fall. Raideen with an Irish whip and he hits a running clothesline into the corner. Gulak with a clothesline of his own. Gulak with a drop kick to the knees.
Gulak with a dragon screw leg whip and Gulak goes up top and hits a flying clothesline. Gulak goes to the ankle lock. Raideen crawls across the ring and he gets to the ropes and Gulak pulls him back into the center of the ring. Gulak grapevines the leg but Raideen gets to the ropes again and this time Gulak has to release the hold.
Gulak goes for a suplex but he cannot get Raideen up. He tries a second time with the same result. Raideen with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Raideen sets for a lariat and he connects and gets a near fall. Raideen with a power bomb and he gets the three count.
Winner: James Raideen
James Raideen and Drew Gulak are both 1-1 going into the final matches in the Round Robin.
Match Number Three: Round Robin Challenge Night 2: Match #2: Timothy Thatcher versus Biff Busick
They shake hands after the bell rings and they lock up. They go around the ring and the referee has to break them up to force the break. Busick goes for a chop on a break but Thatcher blocks it. Thatcher with an arm bar. Thatcher starts to work on the wrist. Busick backs Thatcher into the ropes and Thatcher releases the hold. Biff goes for the leg and he applies a side head lock. Thatcher with a cross arm breaker and Busick gets to the ropes.
They go to a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock and Busick with a waist lock and snap mare for a near fall. Busick with a surfboard on Thatcher. Thatcher reverses and hits a butterfly suplex for a near fall. Thatcher with another near fall. Busick with head butts and Thatcher returns fire and then he tries for an arm submission. Busick with a sleeper but Thatcher gets a near fall and then he returns to the cross arm breaker.
Biff gets to the ropes and then Thatcher returns to the wrist. Thatcher with another submission and Busick gets to the ropes. Thatcher with a hip lock take down an he applies a key lock. Busick with a waist lock and he applies a side head lock. Thatcher with a belly-to-back suplex but Busick holds on and turns it into a sleeper. Thatcher backs Busick into the corner. Thatcher runs into an elbow but Thatcher with a European uppercut. Thatcher goes for a superplex but Busick with a guillotine. Busick with a sleeper. Both men go for clotheslines and they both go down. Thatcher tries to pull Busick’s arm out of the socket. Busick with a series of slaps.
Busick goes up top and he comes off into a European uppercut. Thatcher with a dead lift side salto into the turnbuckles. Thatcher with a near fall. Thatcher with a knee to the head. Busick with a running European uppercut followed by a half nelson German suplex and a running European uppercut for a near fall. Busick with a sleeper but Thatcher gets to his feet. Busick with a take down and he leans back on the choke. Thatcher reaches for the ropes but then he goes for the wrist.
Busick maintains the sleeper but Thatcher gets back to his feet. Thatcher with an arm bar and Thatcher with a head lock take down into a Fujiwara arm bar and Busick taps out.
Winner: Timothy Thatcher
Thatcher and Busick are both 1-1 in the Round Robin.
Match Number Four: Special Challenge Match: Johnny Gargano versus Caleb Konley (with Anthony Nese)
Johnny tries to find his metaphysical center before locking up. Konley with a waist lock and Gargano with a wrist lock. Konley with a hammer lock and snap mare into a rollup for a near fall. They lock up and Gargano misses a forearm. Konley with a hip toss and drop kick. Gargano with a double leg take down and then he connects with a running back elbow. Konley sends Gargano over the top rope and Gargano skins the cat and he sends Caleb to the floor with a head scissors.
Gargano with a pescado onto Konley. Gargano punches Konley and then he sends Konley into the guardrails. Gargano with a running chop to Konley. Nese says something to Gargano and that allows Konley to recover and he hits a bicycle kick. Konley runs Gargano into the guardrails. Konley picks up Gargano and he runs Johnny’s back into the ring post.
They return to the ring and Gargano with chops to Konley. Konley blocks a super kick and then hits a leg sweep followed by a back senton for a near fall. Konley with a cravate. Gargano chops Konley but Konley with an Irish whip and Gargano lands awkwardly in the corner. Konley gets a near fall.
Konley with a body scissors. Konley with a drop kick to the knees and then Konley with a double jump quebrada for a near fall. Konley with a punch to the back followed by a kick to the head. Gargano wants Konley to hit him again. Gargano with a slap and Konley with a kick and he gets a near fall. Konley with a body scissors. Konley and Gargano try for suplexes but they both block the other. Konley with a forearm but Gargano with a boot. Konley with a leaping knee and then Gargano goes to the apron and hits the slingshot spear. Gargano with punches and chops. Gargano with a sunset flip but Konley rolls through. Gargano with a series of kicks. Konley gets Gargano on his shoulders and Johnny goes to the apron and he hits a slingshot DDT and he gets a near fall.
Gargano with running knees into the corner but Konley with a missile drop kick and then he hits a tornado DDT for a near fall. Gargano avoids Konley in the corner and they exchange forearms. Gargano goes for a slingshot move and Konley with a drop kick to send Gargano to the floor. Konley goes for a pescado and Gargano moves. Gargano with a suicide dive onto Konley. Konley goes for a quebrada but Gargano gets his knees up.
Gargano with a kick but Konley with a super kick. Gargano with a clothesline and both men are down. Garano sets for Hurts Donut but Konley escapes. Konley with a kick but Gargano with an enzuigiri. Gargano goes up top with Konley on the turnbuckles. Konley tries to get Gargano on his shoulders and he hits a super Cradle Shock but Gargano kicks out.
Konley with a wrist clutch Boston Crab but Gargano escapes into a sunset flip and then he applies Gargano Escape. Konley with a rollup for a near fall. Gargano with a kick and then he hits the lawn dart for a near fall. Gargano spits on Nese outside the ring and Nese gets on the apron. Konley sends Gargano to the mat and Konley hits a double jump moonsault for the three count.
Winner: Caleb Konley
After the match, Konley gets on the mic and he says that Gargano was the champ for over two years. Johnny was the man, but now he is washed up. The Premiere Athlete Brand is going to the top.
Match Number Five: Chris Hero versus Rich Swann
Johnny Gargano comes out before the match starts and he tries to attack Swann but he is stopped and officials force him to the back.
They lock up and Hero sends Swann to the mat and Hero mocks Swann’s musical talent. They lock up and Swann with arm drags and a drop kick. They have a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock but Hero with a wrist lock. Hero works on the wrist. Swann with an Indian Death Lock and then he applies a front face lock. Hero picks up Swann and puts him on the turnbuckles. They lock up and Hero with a wrist lock.
Hero works on the arms while Swann gets back to his feet. Swann goes for a back slide and he gets Hero over for a near fall. Hero with a chop. Hero with an Irish whip and Swann tries to float over but Hero catches him. Hero with snap mare and shoulder tackle. Swann goes for a leap frog and Hero with a boot to the chest and Swann goes down. Swann with a kick that sends Hero to the floor. Swann goes for a cannonball but Hero catches him and sends him into the guardrails. Hero with chops.
Hero comes back into the ring and he connects with a boot to the chest and he gets a near fall. Hero with a knee drop. Hero gets a near fall. Hero with a hot shot. Swann with forearms but Hero with a slap and Swann goes down. Hero with a waist lock and he picks up Swann and he hits a back senton and he gets a near fall.
Swann with forearms to Hero and then Swann goes for a handspring cutter but Hero sends Swann to the mat and Hero gets a near fall. Hero sends Swann to the floor. Hero kicks Swann on the floor while the referee continues his count. Hero hot shots Swann on the guardrail. Hero rolls into the ring and back to the floor to break up the count.
Hero with a forearm to Swann and then he sends Swann into the guardrails. Hero kips up. The referee makes his count and he gets to nineteen but Swann gets back into the ring. Hero with a drop kick to the temple and Hero gets a near fall. Hero misses a splash into the corner and Swann peppers Hero with punches. Swann with a back heel kick to Hero’s head. Swann with a head scissors and Hero goes to the floor. Swann goes for a pescado but Hero moves. Hero goes to the floor and Swann returns to the ring. Swann with a plancha into a rana on the floor. Swann sends Hero back into the ring and he hits a frog splash for a near fall.
Swann with a back heel kick followed by a scissors kick and Hero gets his boot up. Hero with a running forearm into the corner followed by a running boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Hero picks up Swann but Rich falls to the mat. Swann blocks a suplex attempt and he slaps Hero. Hero with a suplex throw and he gets a near fall.
Hero mocks the fans clapping and he connects with a forearm to the head but he can only get a near fall. Hero with a kick to Swann but Swann with a chop. Hero tries for the forearm but Swann with a kick to the head for a near fall. Hero with a forearm and then he hits the forearm for a near fall. Hero pushes Swann to the mat and he taunts Rich. Swann slaps Hero and Swann with a leaping cutter but Hero pops up. Swann with a second one and Hero pop up again. Swann hits a handspring cutter and then he goes for the standing 450 but Hero blocks it. Hero gets a near fall, but Swann gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Rich Swann
After the match, Hero grabs the referee and yells at him. He says he does not care about a fine. He teases a roaring elbow. Hero leaves the ring and he walks out.
Match Number Six: DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate Championship Match: Ricochet versus Matt Sydal
Ricochet with a waist lock but Sydal with a front face lock. Ricochet with a wrist lock. Sydal with an arm bar. Ricochet with a wrist lock and take down. Sydal with an arm drag. Ricochet with an arm drag. Ricochet with a shoulder tackle. Ricochet with a springboard arm drag. Ricochet with an elbow to the back of the neck followed by a cravate and snap mare followed by knee to the back. Ricochet with a chop. Sydal shows him how it is done. They go back and forth. Sydal with a head scissors that sends Ricochet into the corner.
Sydal runs into a boot from Ricochet and Sydal with a leg lariat for a near fall. Sydal with kicks to the leg followed by a dragon screw leg whip. Sydal continues to work on the let and he applies a step over toe hold and he takes his time bridging back to add pressure. Ricochet tries to get way from Sydal and he kicks Sydal away. Ricochet with a sunset flip but Sydal rolls through and hits a double stomp for a near fall.
Sydal with kicks to the leg and then he gives Ricochet a leg sweep. Ricochet kicks Sydal away when he tries for a standing moonsault. Ricochet with a power slam and he hits a standing moonsault for a near fall. Ricochet with a kick to the back. Ricochet with a European uppercut in the corner. Sydal with a rollup for a near fall. Ricochet with a clothesline.
Ricochet with a snap mare and then he goes to the apron for a springboard senton. Ricochet with a head scissors. Ricochet slams Sydal’s head into the mat. Ricochet with European uppercuts and elbows to the back of the head. Sydal with kicks but Ricochet with a chop. Sydal with a spinning heel kick but Ricochet catches him. Sydal lands on his feet. Sydal misses the step over leg drop but Sydal with a leaping knee and he gets a near fall.
Both men go for clotheslines and they stay on their feet. They go to exchanging chops. Sydal with a forearm and Ricochet returns fire. Ricochet with a chop and Sydal with a knee. Ricochet with a knee. Ricochet with an enzuigiri and a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Ricochet goes to the turnbuckles and Sydal moves. Sydal with a running clothesline into the corner and he goes up top and hits the double knees but he can only get a two count.
Sydal with an axe kick to the back. Sydal with a step over leg lariat for a near fall. Sydal with kicks in the corner and then he puts Ricochet on the turnbuckles. Sydal with a leaping rana but Ricochet lands on his feet. Ricochet with an axe kick. Ricochet with a round kick and Ricochet with a Northern Lights suplex and then Sydal counters a second suplex into a rana for a near fall. Sydal goes up top and misses the shooting star press. Ricochet gets up and hits a punch followed by a thrust kick and axe kick. Ricochet with a round kick to the head but he can only get a near fall.
Ricochet with a round kick and then he pulls Sydal into the corner and he hits the 630 splash for the three count.
Winner: Ricochet
After the match, Ricochet is interviewed. He says that he is the best in the USA and in Japan. He is the best in Evolve. If anybody in the back has something to say about that, he will beat them too.
He mentions Drew Galloway and Ricochet says that he beat Chris Hero in January. Tomorrow he will blow past Drew and he will stay at the top.
Drew is in the ring and Ricochet turns around.
Drew tells Ricochet he had a hell of a match and Ricochet gives him the mic.
Drew says that Ricochet is one cocky son of a bitch and he likes it. He likes Ricochet because Ricochet reminds him of himself. He tells everyone to get to Jacksonville on Sunday. If you cannot get there, get the show on iPPV. He guarantees that you will get the best wrestling in the world. He tells Ricochet to bring those moves and that cockiness because you are going to get Drew Galloway at his best.
2020 - James Harris aka Kamala passes away. Mike Johnson penned the following:
When I received the call that James Harris, known to wrestling fans around the world as Kamala (sometimes spelled as Kimala), passed away, I flashed back, to December 26th, 1986 at Madison Square Garden, the first-ever live professional wrestling show I ever attended, headlined by Kamala challenging then-WWF Champion Hulk Hogan.
While I am sure going back to watch the match today with a different set of eyes would bring a completely different experience, in that moment, in Madison Square Garden, through my 12-year old eyes, it was magic. I watched as Kamala mauled and beat down superhero Hulk Hogan, who sold, sold, sold like a star before I knew what that term even meant.
Just minutes after MSG rocked to one of the loudest reactions I've ever experienced in life for Hogan's grand entrance, I heard the entire Garden let out a collective gasp as the Mighty Kamala splashed Hogan. For one brief moment, even though I had already been indoctrinated into what pro wrestling truly was, there was a moment of belief that Hogan was about to lose the title and all was lost for fans around the world.
Of course, The Hulkster kicked up and went on to retain (via DQ) but that moment has been seared in my brain forever as the moment where doubt was injected into the reality of what was real and what wasn't when it came to professional wrestling. Those moments are what we all live for as professional wrestling fans, a reminder of what is so great about this unique world we've all chosen to fall in love with.
Kamala was the linchpin of that moment for me, he was that great. In recent years, I have written about how I felt he should have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and I'll admit that part of my pushing for that was my own fear that James Harris' health was failing him and that he, of all people, deserved that moment on stage to tell his story and get the happy ending his career didn't really get.
Harris was always the foil, the villainous mad savage from deepest, darkest Africa who made Jerry Lawler and Hulk Hogan, among other stars, the superheroes that they were perceived to be in the eyes of their audiences. You can't have Superman without Lex Luthor, except for whatever reason, perhaps the gimmick, perhaps the fact he didn't headline PPVs, James Harris was never placed on a pedestal like a Randy Savage or a Paul Orndorff of an Andre the Giant as one of the greatest heels of all time.
The reality is, however, that he was as good or better than any top heel you can name, but played his role within the parameters of his character. Kamala wouldn't have done amazing promos. Kamala wouldn't have done headlock takedowns and armbars. He wouldn't have put on classic long matches. That would have flown in the face of what made that character, the essence of Kamala, work. What did make it work was all Harris - an athletic ability one wouldn't have expected seeing the barefoot, face and body painted warrior carrying a spear and wearing a tribal mask to the mask. He brought chaos and brawling and a keep heel psychology that allowed him to play the heavy to set up for the hero's big comeback.
Harris, in his excellent autobiography Kamala Speaks, wrote about the frustrations of his career; the feelings that as a black man, he wasn't paid the same as the white stars he headlined against. The loss of his sister who was murdered and that he wasn't there to be there for her. The sadness that came when in his new role as a trucker, he had to drop off a shipment at Madison Square Garden and upon arriving, realized it was the same date as a WWE event. He rushed to get in and out for fear of embarrassment of being seen by others from pro wrestling. In the end, in his rush, he bumped into Vince McMahon...who didn't recognize Harris as someone who had once main evented the same building for him. For Harris, that was even worse and it bothered him so much, he never let it go and put it in his book.
I can only hope that in his passing, Harris is seen in a new light by fans and that he starts to get some of recognition he's long deserved for being a star from Memphis to Mid-South to the WWF and beyond. I have no doubts that one day, WWE will indeed honor him, but that moment where Harris could appear, proudly, before his family and talk his life and career, has now been lost. That isn't a tragedy on the level of the loss of Harris' life, but I feel a great sadness that this moment will never come for his family, similar to how I feel about Ivan Koloff passing before WWE could have enshrined him in their Hall.
In my mind, Harris deserved that moment and in my mind, it will always be a shame it didn't happen.
Harris gave a lot more to professional wrestling than he was recognized for in life. I can only hope in his death, that recognition finally comes.
My deepest condolences to his friends, family and fans.
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