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August 23rd
On this day in history in ....
1929 - Dick Shikat defeats Jim Londos in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to win the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title. Shikat was already recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission since defeating Hans Steinke five months earlier in Chicago, Illinois.
1941 - Frank Sexton defeats Bill Longson for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California, ending Longson's third reign and beginning Sexton's third reign.
1944 - Yvon Robért defeats Frank Sexton to win the Montreal Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Title in Montreal, Quebec. This began Robért's 10th of 16 reigns.
1944 - Sandor Szabo defeats Dean Detton for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title, to end Detton's third reign and begin Szabo's eighth.
1958 - Gene Dubuque and Mike Valentino defeat Ramon Torres and Dick Warren for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in Sacramento, California, to end their second reign.
1961 - Whipper Billy Watson defeats Gene Kiniski in Vancouver, British Columbia to become the first two-time Vancouver NWA British Empire Heavyweight Champion.
1961 - Dick Dunn defeats Dr. Jerry Graham for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.
1963 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Tim Woods defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Dory Dixon defeated Tony Nero.
- Johnny Barend defeated Karl Steif.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ron Reed.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil and Lucas Pestano defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan).
- Buddy Rogers defeated Hans Mortier.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Kowalski by submission to retain the title.
- Argentina Apollo and Pedro Morales defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champions Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy in a Best-of-Three Falls match, 2-0. The match was in the midst of the second fall when the 11:00pm curfew came, and Apollo and Morales won the second fall by referee's decision.
1963 - Bearcat Wright defeats Fred Blassie by countout in Los Angeles, California to win the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title. This ended Blassie's third reign.
1964 - TARU is born in Kobe, Japan.
1965 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Arnold Skaaland defeated Wild Red Berry.
- Miguel Pérez defeated Rick Sexton.
- Chief Big Heart defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Tarzan Tyler defeated Chief White Owl.
- Johnny Valentine defeated The Golden Terror.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil and Argentina Apollo defeated Smasher Sloan and Waldo Von Erich.
- Bill Watts defeated Gorilla Monsoon.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champion Dr. Bill Miller in 48 seconds to retain the title.
1968 - The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeats Tarzan Tyler to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1973 - Ken Lucas defeats Rocket Monroe for the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This ended Monroe's fifth reign and began Lucas' third.
1975 - The Invaders defeat Moondog Mayne and Pat Patterson for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in San Francisco, California, to begin their second reign.
1977 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Fort Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida. The results:
- Scott Casey and Keith Franks (Adrian Adonis) fought to a draw.
- Mr. Saito defeated Charlie Cook.
- Lars Anderson defeated Tony Rocco.
- Jerry Brisco and Steve Keirn defeated Tony Marino and Buddy Roberts.
- NWA Florida Television Champion Pedro Morales defeated Pat Patterson to retain the title.
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Buddy Wolff to retain the title.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Rocky Johnson to retain the title.
- Don Muraco defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff by disqualification to retain the title.
1977 - The Medics win their fourth Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana by defeating Porkchop Cash and Mike George.
1978 - Killer Karl Krupp defeats The Lawman in Abilene, Texas for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title.
1980 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Dominic DeNucci defeated The Hangman.
- Hulk Hogan defeated René Goulet.
- André the Giant and Pedro Morales defeated Capt. Lou Albano (subbing for WWF Tag Team Champion Sika) WWF Tag Team Champion Afa, when Morales pinned Afa.
- Pat Patterson defeated Tor Kamata.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon to retain the title.
- Rick McGraw defeated José Estrada.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski in a Texas Death match.
1980 - Wahoo McDaniel defeats Tully Blanchard in San Antonio, Texas to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Blanchard's fifth reign.
1982 - Dean Ho and Moondog Moretti defeat Bruiser Costa and Butcher Hughes in a tournament final for the Vancouver NWA International Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1984 - The Uptown Boys (Marty Jannetty and Tommy Rogers) defeat The Grapplers (Tony Anthony and Len Denton) to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas. This began and ended each team's second reign.
1986 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Paul Roma defeated Les Thornton.
- José Luis Rivera defeated Ron Shaw.
- Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) defeated The Junkyard Dog.
- Big Machine (Blackjack Mulligan) and Super Machine (Bill Eadie) (with Giant Machine (André the Giant)) fought King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) to a double-disqualification.
- Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine fought Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey to a time-limit draw.
- Jake Roberts defeated Cousin Luke.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick), when Dynamite pinned Sheik with a diving headbutt, to retain the title.
1986 - Dump Matsumoto and Bull Nakano defeat The Crush Gals (Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo) in Kawasaki, Japan to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title, ending the Gals' third reign. At the same event, Yukari Oomori defeats Devil Masami for the WWWA World Singles Title.
1991 - The Patriot defeats Al Perez to become the first GWF North American Heavyweight Champion in Dallas, Texas. As a result, the GWF Television Title was vacated. Perez had beaten The Patriot on August 10 in a tournament final, but it was later shown that his feet were on the ropes during the pin.
1993 - The USWA held "A Matter of Pride" at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- The American Eagle and Billy McGullig defeated Leon Downs and The (Road Warrior) Hawk.
- Miss Texas (Jacqueline) defeated USWA Women's Champion Luna Vachon to win the title, to begin her seventh reign.
- Colin Scott defeated Tony Falk.
- USWA Tag Team Champions The Dog Catchers (#1 and #2) defeated The Moondogs (Cujo and Spike) by disqualification to retain the title.
- Brian Christopher (with Toni Adams) defeated Chris Adams.
- PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) defeated Jimmy Valiant and Mario.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion The Vampire Warrior (Gangrel) (with Luna Vachon) to win the title. This began Jarrett's ninth reign. This title was renamed as simply the Heavyweight title in September.
- USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler defeated referee Paul Neighbors (with Vince McMahon) in a Stretcher match.
- Lex Luger defeated WWF Champion Yokozuna (with Mr. Fuji).
1994 - Super Muñequito defeats Fuercita Guerrera in Zacatecas, Mexico to win the Mexican National Minis Title.
1996 - Super Boy defeats Naohiro Hoshikawa for the vacant WWA World Middleweight Title in Gosen, Japan.
1996 - Mike Legacy defeats Calavera Cortez in Westland, Michigan to win the vacant Great Lakes Wrestling Light Heavyweight Title.
1998 - Aja Kong and Mayumi Ozaki defeat Chikayo Nagashima and Sugar Sato in Osaka, Japan for the AAAW Tag Team Title. At the same event, Chigusa Nagayo becomes the first two-time AAAW Singles Champion by defeating Devil Masami.
1998 - Momoe Nakanishi and Nanae Takahashi win their second AJW Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan, defeating Sumie Sakai and Megumi Yabushita for the vacant title.
1998 - Mitsuhiro Matsunaga defeats The Great Pogo to win the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Title in Osaka, Japan.
1998 - Los Vipers (Histeria II, Maniaco, Mosco de la Merced II and Psicosis II) defeat Los Payasos (Coco Amarillo, Coco Azul, Coco Negro and Coco Rojo) in a tournament final in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico for the vacant Mexican National Atómicos Title.
1999 - The WWF more than doubled WCW's viewership in this week of the Monday Night War. "Monday Nitro"'s 2.95 rating (hours of 3.34, 2.71 and 2.8) couldn't stack up to "RAW is WAR"'s 5.68 rating (hours of 5.64 and 5.72).
"WCW Monday Nitro" was live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The results:
- Chase Tatum pinned Mikey Whipwreck after a powerbomb.
- Buff Bagwell pinned Ernest Miller (with Sonny Onoo) after the Blockbuster.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lenny (with Lodi) by disqualification when Sid Vicious interfered.
- The Barbarian, Brian Knobbs and Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The Revolution (Shane Douglas, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn), when Knobbs pinned Saturn after a splash.
- Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J (with Vampiro)), when Kidman pinned Shaggy after Vampiro hit Shaggy by mistake, intending to hit Kidman.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification, after Sid Vicious interfered, to retain the title.
- The West Texas Rednecks (Barry and Kendall Windham (with Bobby Duncum, Jr. and Curt Hennig)) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), when Kendall pinned Booker after Hennig hit Booker with a cowbell, to win the title. This ended Harlem Heat's eighth reign.
- Vampiro pinned Eddie Guerrero.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan fought Sting to a no-contest to retain the title, after Sid Vicious and Rick Steiner interfered.
"WWF RAW is WAR" was live from Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. This night was the debut of new RAW ring announcer Lilian Garcia. The results were:
- WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow fought Road Dogg to a no-contest to retain the title, after Chris Jericho and Road Dogg fought backstage, after Snow had been powerbombed through a table on the floor. The Big Bossman came out, hit Snow with his nightstick, and stole Snow's dog, Pepper.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Big Show and The Undertaker fought The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) to a no-contest to retain the title, after Kane and X-Pac got involved.
- D-Lo Brown (taking Meat's place in the match after attacking him backstage) defeated WWF European Champion Mark Henry (with Debra, WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett and the debuting Miss Kitty) by disqualification when Jarrett broke up the cover after D-Lo had hit Henry with the Lo-Down. Henry retained the title.
- The Rock pinned Gangrel (with the Hardy Boyz) after the People's Elbow.
- Crash and Hardcore Holly fought to a no-contest after they fought outside of the building.
- Mideon and Viscera defeated Kane and X-Pac, when Viscera pinned X-Pac after a splash. The Acolytes attacked Kane on the floor during this.
- Triple H (with Chyna) pinned WWF Champion Mankind after the Pedgree to win the title, ending Mankind's third reign.
1999 - FMW held an event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Mr. Gannosuke and Jado defeated Flying Kid Ichihara and Naohiro Yamazaki, when Jado pinned Yamazaki.
- Giant Steele defeated Yoshinori Sasaki.
- Kaori Nakayama defeated Emi Motokawa.
- Ricky Fuji and Independent World Heavyweight Champion Masato Tanaka defeated Shoichi Arai and WEW Six-Man Tag Team Champion Kodo Fuyuki, when Fuji pinned Arai.
- Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Hisakatsu Oya defeated WEW Tag Team and Six-Man Tag Team Champions Koji Nakagawa and Gedo, when Oya made Gedo submit, to win the title.
- Hayabusa defeated FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion Yukihiro Kanemura to win the title. This began his third reign.
2000 - E.Z. Ryder and Spyder defeat Alex Rain and Gene Swan to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Elmwood, Manitoba.
2000 - Staz defeats Smelly in Santa Ana, California for the UPW Heavyweight Title, ending Smelly's second reign. Also at that show, Mikey Henderson ends Stretch's third UPW Lightweight Title reign.
2002 - Takashi Sasaki and GENTARO defeat Hi69 and TAKA Michinoku in Tokyo, Japan to become the first WEW Tag Team Champions. Also, Kintaro Kanemura defeats Tetsuhiro Kuroda to become the first WEW Heavyweight Champion.
2002 - Madison defeats Bam Bam Bambi at an ECCW event in Surrey, British Columbia to win the vacant NWA World Women's Title.
2002 - Jim Ross announced on WWE's website that the company and Sean "X-Pac" Waltman had "mutually agreed" to part ways, therefore Waltman had been released from the company.
2002 - NWA Wildside TV aired. Larry Goodman filed the following TV report:
"No geriatrics, no garbage, and no general managers, just pure unadulterated NWA Wildside."
Steven Prazak introduced this week's edition with a recap of last week's main event, a tag match featuring AJ Styles & Adam Jacobs vs. John Phoenix & Rainman. The replay of the finish showed two referees making simultaneous three counts on Phoenix and Jacobs. Prazak said the winners of the match was still an unknown.
The other half of the broadcast team, Dan "The Dragon" Wilson, previewed the feature matches for the upcoming hour.
1) Derrick Driver & Jeremy V beat Future Shock (Brandon P & Jay Freeze). Match was joined in progress for the final minute with V reaching in vain for a tag. P grabbed a leg to cut him off. Future Shock doubled with a leg drop/slingshot senton combo. Freeze went for a one foot cover, but the ref wouldn't count it because V was under the ropes. Future Shock went for the Aftershock finisher on V. Freeze hit the hanging tree of woe baseball slide but as P reared back for the powerbomb, Driver made a blind tag. Ref Speedy Nelson wouldn't count P's pin on V because he was no longer the legal man. Freeze turned around right into Driver's top rope bodypress for the pinfall.
2) Rainman (with Jeff G. Bailey) beat Rick Michaels via DQ. A short intense brawl. These guys threw (and sold!) some of the stiffest looking old style punches in the history of Wildside television. A believable grudge match for a change. The commentators were still talking about the happenings in the "Holy Wars" cage match at Freedom Fight, where Rainman took barbed wire brass knucks to Michaels and eliminated him with a Spinesplitta off the top. Wilson called it "the most disgusting and brutal bloodletting" he had even seen. Prazak said that one match was responsible for a Red Cross center opening in Cornelia.
Michaels hit ring and was met by three right hands from Rainman. Michaels ducked a couple of wild swings and landed three lefts to the head. Michaels put Rainman on the canvas with a high knee. He followed with a snap suplex and pounded Rainman into the mat. Michael dumped Rainman through the ropes. They exchanged more heavy blows at ringside. Michaels rammed Rainman into the rail. Rainman used a boot to the gut, as Michaels came back through the ropes. Rainman hit a leg lariat. Now Rainman was doing the pounding. Michael raked the eyes. He laid in some southpaw punches to the gut and three more to the face that had Rainman reeling in the corner. Michaels whipped Rainman to the opposite corner and charged into a boot. Rainman occupied the ref, while Bailey choked Michaels over the ropes and followed with a stinging right hand. Rainman booted Michaels off the apron. Michaels was on his knees at ringside with Rainman ripping at his face. Back inside the ring, Rainman hit the Spinesplitta. Michaels was face down on the mat. No pin attempt. Wilson said it was too early. Prazak said Rainman wanted to do more damage. Rainman booted Michaels out of the ring again.
The finish saw Rainman and Michaels wailing away on each other at ringside. Rainman was the first to shove Senior Wildside Official, Andrew Thomas, but it was Michaels who got the DQ. They continued to trade blows after the bell. Michaels challenged Rainman to get back in the ring. Bailey said no and needed help to hold his man back.
3) "The Original XTC" Jimmy Rave beat "Mr. Delicious" Jacey North to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. A couple of bad spots, but an overall decent match. This marked North's return to Wildside after suffering a concussion in a match against AJ Styles. The announcers pointed out that the NWA Virginia champion had a dismal won-loss record in Wildside. They seemed surprised by the wrestling skills he displayed here. Prazak said it was the most offense that Mr. Delicious had ever gotten in a Wildside match. Prazak praised Rave's move to a mat-based style. Said he might even have cartilage left in his knees when he was fifty.
Mr. D used the element of surprise by going for a couple pin attempts in the first 30 seconds. They went back and forth chain wrestling. Delicious used a Japanese armdrag. Rave took Delicious down with an armdrag and hung on. Working back to their feet, Mr. D whipped Rave to the ropes and grabbed a waistlock, reversal by Rave. Rave decked Mr. D with a forearm to the back and did a baseball slide to the face for a two count. Rave started lighting Delicious up with chops. Delicious reversed a whip and went for a tilt-a-whirl. Rave landed on his feet. Mr. D hit a full nelson bomb. He first put Rave in the Nirvana strangle and then, into a camel clutch. Delicious rolled through for a two count. Mr. D went to work on Rave's midsection. Boots to the gut...fireman's carry into a gutbuster...gutwrench suplex for a two count. Rave came back with a roll up. Rave used a cool rolling headscissors/hammerlock pinning combination. Rave with more blistering chops. Rave blocked a rolling reverse cradle and hit a pair of clotheslines. Rave used a sitout gourdbuster. He got two with a back cover. Hilariously horrible Irish whip here. Mr. D crotched Rave on top to block the Gravity Killer. Delicious hit the cross arms Iconoclasm. Delicious hit knees first on a top rope headbutt, as Rave was able to roll out of the way. Rave did a German suplex with a release. Delicious kicked out of the pin attempt. Delicious reversed a whip. He pulled up short with a kick to nuts on Rave's up and over move. Delicious mounted Rave on top buckle and started to climb. Rave jumped down and planted Delicious with a running jackknife powerbomb for the pin.
Briscoe Brothers were seen backstage with interviewer Dustin Fordham, who was asking them up their upcoming match with T-N-T. That dude talks too much. Jay Briscoe accused "those punks" T-N-T of ruining the match (with their run-in). T-N-T entered the room. Tony Stradlin started whining about Briscoes getting the interview time instead of T-N-T. Stradlin said Briscoes looked like "a couple of Down's Syndrome rejects." That lead to a brief shoving match with both referees getting in between the two teams. That tiny room was getting awfully crowded. Stradlin: "We do what we want. We're from the (Shawn Michaels) Academy. It's expected."
4) In a "Loser Leaves Wildside" match, Caprice Coleman & Onyx & Sweet Dreams & Kevin Hardner beat Cru Jones (with Destiny) & Malaki & Tony Mamaluke & Lazarus (with Neysa). Jones was banished from Wildside as a result of losing the fall. Some entertainment value here, but not much wrestling. The face team dominated. Jones put Coleman over again on the way out, and Mamaluke's postmatch attack set up a program over the TV belt.
The face team admired their reflections in Coleman's belt, while the heels huddled on the outside. Jones lead Mamaluke and Lazarus in one last round of that goofy football drill. Coleman mocked them.
The faces totally dominated the first five minutes. Coleman and Jones were cautious about locking up. Jones overpowered Coleman. Collar and elbow again. Coleman scored with an armdrag, back to back drop toeholds, a hiptoss and a dropkick. Jones bailed out. Mamaluke and Onyx tagged in. "The I-talian Monster" gave the Sicilian Salute. Onyx was not impressed. Mamaluke sold like crazy for Onyx's power game. Mamaluke went flying on a shoulder tackle. Onyx gave him a high backdrop. Onyx gorilla pressed Mamaluke and tossed him rudely over the top rope. Mamaluke crawled back in for an immediate tag. Dreams had his way with Malaki. Lazarus and Harden were the last ones in. Harden gave Lazarus a belly to belly suplex, a snap suplex and a clothesline. Lazarus was begging for mercy. Arm wringer and a tag to Coleman. Whip to the ropes by Coleman. He dropped down and hit a leg lariat. Coleman shuffled as he peppered Lazarus with punches. Prazak said that Lazarus had more names than Ed Leslie. Lazarus reversed a whip. Coleman ducked a clothesline to hit a sitout spinebuster.
Close up of Neysa, who was up on the apron, cupping her breast. Whoa, is this Wildside? The sexless wrestling alternative turns over a new leaf? That calls for a replay. Neysa reached out to rub Coleman's chest. Coleman looked interested. Lazarus took advantage of the situation with a kick to the nether regions. Lazarus clubbed Coleman with a forearm behind the ear. Lazarus choked Coleman over the ropes. Mamaluke tried to follow suit, but Onyx chased him away. Jones tagged Coleman with a right hand and flattened him with a flying lariat. Jones baited Harden. The rudos worked over Coleman, while the ref was busy holding Harden back. Malaki did further damage with a headbutt and a clothesline that turned Coleman inside out. Malaki gave Coleman a gorilla press toss. Malaki mixed it up with the face corner as the match went to an 8 man schmoz. Destiny tossed the football helmet to Jones, but Coleman kicked it out of his hand and hit the Thermal Shock for the three count. Goodbye to the "One Bad Mofo" and one of the most entertaining personalities in Wildside. Mamaluke made a sneak attack on the TV Champion. He hit a high angle back suplex and locked Coleman in a figure four choke, until the faces cleared the ring.
5) Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark) beat T-N-T (Todd Sexton & Tony Stradlin). I could watch a whole lot of these two teams going at it. Seven minutes was just a little too short. One of the reasons Briscoes are over in Wildside is that they wrestle with smarts. I understand that they were supposed to go longer. Some subtle psychology worked into it and picked up in the commentary, around Briscoes injuring Stradlin's knee.
The match opened with Jay faking a lock up in favor of a boot to Stradlin's midsection. Jay hammered Stradlin with blows in the Briscoe's corner. Stradlin spun Jay around and fired back, but Mark made the tag and landed more punches. Stradlin whipped Mark to the ropes. Sexton's attempt to knee Mark in the back came too late. Mark whipped Stradlin to the ropes, where Jay kneed him in the back. Mark went for a vertical suplex. Stradlin landed on his feet. Mark blocked a rolling reverse cradle. Stradlin dropped down as Mark ran the ropes. Mark blocked a hiptoss. Mark knocked Stradlin down with a clothesline. Mark put the boots to him. Tag to Jay and more boots. Jay slammed Stradlin's head into the turnbuckle. Stradlin whipped Jay to the opposite corner, but Mark laid across the ropes to act as a cushion. Jay set up for a whip on Stradlin. Sexton tried to do the human cushion thing for his partner, but Mark punted him instead. As Jay did a drop toehold on Stradlin on the inside, Mark did a springboard plancha to the outside on Sexton. Mark reached in to trip Stradlin as he ran the ropes, and Jay followed with a legdrop. Stradlin kicked out of Jay's cover. Jay used a snap suplex. Stradlin reversed a whip and went for a backdrop. Jay dropped down to land an uppercut on Stradlin. Sexton raked Jay's eyes to set up a leg lariat by Stradlin. Tag to Sexton, who went right to work with a jawbreaker and dropkick for a two count. Mark made the tag as Jay was whipped to the ropes (it would be more realistic if that was done more often), and greeted Sexton with a springboard dropkick for a two count. Mark did a gutwrench suplex. Mark did a flying Flair kneedrop to Sexton's nose. Briscoes doubled off the tag with a sideslam/reverse DDT combo for a two count.
At the 3:30 mark, Stradlin shoved Jay into a superkick by Sexton to launch T-N-T's first sustained attack of the match. Stradlin got two with a back elbow. Jay came back with a dragon screw, but Sexton cut off his tag attempt. Jay got a sunset flip, but Stradlin made the blind tag. He connected on a dropkick and locked on the dreaded rear chinlock. Jay got to his feet for an escape. Jay ducked a clothesline and landed a dropkick to do the first damage to Stradlin's knee. Sexton tagged in and caught Jay coming off the ropes with a big powerslam. Sexton covered for a two count as he failed to hook the leg. Sexton slammed Jay's head into the turnbuckle. Sexton sent Jay criss-crossing the ring with hard whips into the corner. Jay blocked a superkick, countering with a sitout gourdbuster. Jay hit a beautifully sick looking DVD. He was too hurt to follow up. Both men reached out for tags. Mark did a springboard dropkick to Stradlin's knee and put Sexton on the canvas with a pair of right hands. Sexton elbowed his way out of a waistlock, only to get nailed by Mark's fishermanbuster. Mark blocked Stradlin's enzuigiri and locked him in an Indian deathlock. Sexton broke it up. 4 way action lead to T-N-T regaining the advantage, as Sexton low blowed Jay and Stradlin posted Mark on the floor.
T-N-T did an awesome double team. Sexton put Jay in an inverted tarantula and Stradlin covered the length of the ring with a springboard dropkick to the solar plexus. Stradlin appeared to aggravate the knee injury with the move. Stradlin slowly climbed to the top, as T-N-T started setting Jay up for the cradle spike piledriver. A ringside appearance by Lost Boyz sent T-N-T into a stupor. Mark quickly pulled his brother out and swapped places, playing possum on the mat. Mark shocked Sexton with a roll up pin, as Stradlin's diving save came too late. Crowd popped strong. Sexton was left hopping mad, while Stradlin stayed down l holding his knee. Briscoes left with their hands raised in victory.
2002 - WWE broadcast Byte This on their website. John Shearer filed the following report:
WWE Byte This! Report for 8/23
By Joe Shearer
The WWE’s internet broadcast begins with the RAW main event. Shawn Michaels preventing Triple H from taking the sledge to The Rock. The Game levels HBK, Rock and Triple H go at it again, Brock hits the ring and Michaels disposes of him, Rock calls back Lesnar, goes after him, HBK hits the floor the long way to get to Triple H and puts him down while J.R. screams, “Four years, my ass! HBK is back! HBK is back!”
Coach and Dr. Tom Pritchard comin’ at ya, hype Summer Slam. Coach calls this one of the biggest Byte This programs ever, with Triple H and Shawn Michaels appearing. Dr. Tom said KK is not here this week because he’s having a hysterectomy…er, hernia surgery. Dr. Tom says this truly may be the biggest Summer Slam ever with all the buzz going around about it.
Droz comes in via telephone. Droz says that at first he thought that Brock may have been coming in too quickly, but says that his performance recently, along with the stellar training video/promos playing with Rock and Brock, has got him jacked about the main event. Droz is impressed at how the two stars train after the strain of being on the road. Dr. Tom mentions that, though they’re trying to reach KK, he’s sleeping now, and then they show the bald Hermie picture. Droz talks about The Game/HBK match. Droz says he was scared when Michaels, and he’s looking forward to seeing HBK between the ropes. Coach and Dr. Tom move on to Rey Mysterio/Kurt Angle, saying that the match could steal the show. He says that Kurt will be humiliated if Rey Rey beats him, though Rey is an unbelievable performance. Naitch/Y2J is next on the agenda, and Droz says to look for a bloodbath after seeing Flair Monday night. Dr. Tom takes a net question, “What do you think about HBK’s back injury?” Droz said that the two are going to have a brawl, and Michaels’ drive will carry him through the match.
From there Coach mentioned that with Summer Slam being in New York so close to Sept. 11, how important the event will be to the city. Droz agreed, saying that WWE action takes away from the somberness of the day. Droz then exited, wishing a happy belated birthday to Dr. Tom. Coach then says that he wants to take a moment to show what happened when SmackDown went off the air, with the Rock in the ring with a young man named Mitchell, who, as I understand, is having his wish from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Rocky is on the mic, and asks Mitchell if he likes pie. Everyone in the crowd cheers, Rock looks to the crowd and says, “I meant apple pie, you sick sumbitches!” Mitchell replied with “I’ve never had pie before,” and Rock answers, “Good, because, as every man in here will attest to, pie will get your ass in trouble every time!” At that point Tazz approached the ring to give Mitchell his sunglasses, and Rock piped in with “he doesn’t want those junky-assed glasses!” Mitchell was glad to take them, though, then ended the night with his own version of “If ya smmellll, what the Rock is cookin’,” along with the Rock’s music. A wonderful moment.
Coach then recaps with saying that’s one of the things you miss when you don’t attend live events, and pointed out that The Rock did do that as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation with Mitchell. They then went to the phones and got Ryan, who asked why the 24/7 rule was done away with. Dr. Tom said that Eric Bischoff wanted to change some things and Coach added that the rule had become a bit passé. Dr. Tom then noted that whatever people think about Bischoff, he’s not afraid to take risks, and noted that RAW will be edgier with him in control. Coach noted that matches like the mud match (which was entertaining on many levels) shows the edge Eazy E is bringing to the show.
Matt from Jersey asked the next question, who asked about Kane’s intro videos and if they’re an indicator that he’s coming back. Coach said that he sure hopes so, and Dr. Tom said he’s ready to go, though whether he’ll be on RAW or SmackDown has yet to be determined. He was last a RAW superstar, but with WWE’s revisionist history, I guess he’s now a free agent.
Coach then takes us back to RAW and his interview with the Rock, where The Great One called Lesnar “The next big bitch,” and said once and for all, “Just bring it.” Coach then says they’re waiting for Tazz to get out of the sauna in preparation for the Summer Slam broadcast Sunday night. In the meantime, he hypes the Tag title match, and Dr. Tom says that WWE fans would love to see Booker T and Goldust become tag champs. Personally I would love to see Booker wrestling for the title rather than being wasted as tag champ, but that’s just me. Dr. Tom says then that Tazz will not be on the show today, and the two talk about Edge and Eddie, saying that it could steal the show, at least the fourth match that could steal the show. They go back to the phones with Josh from Ohio, who asked about the Hardyz breaking up. Dr. Tom says that Matt has been overlooked and is now bringing his own attitude to SmackDown. Coach then says that Lita will be doing commentary on Velocity with Marc Loyd.
From there, Triple H is introduced on the show. Triple H says that Shawn Michaels has bitten off more than he can choose, as everyone knows. He says that for four years he has sat on his couch and done nothing, now he’s getting in the ring with The Game. He says that he’s looking for HBK to never take another step after the match. Hunter said that Shawn Michaels at 50% is still dangerous, but he’s looking to take him out at Summer Slam. Dr. Tom asked if Triple H hasn’t bitten off more than he can chew, and Triple H said no, because he knows that the only way to beat him will be to cripple him, and that’s what he’s going to do. Coach then asked about X-Pac, and Triple H said that’s the first he’s heard of it, but he’s sure it’s for good reason. He added that he has some personal problems that are more important than his career, and thinks that once he gets over those, he’ll be back. Dr. Tom asks The Game how he’s feeling after his elbow problems and his leg. HHH answered that his leg feels 100%, but his elbow isn’t perfect, but isn’t bothered with it in the ring. Coach asked if all the travel to Australia and around America has taken a toll on his body. Triple H said not really, because the schedule is a little less grueling than it used to be, plus he does so much yoga and aerobics that he doesn’t worry about it. Dr. Tom said “yeah, you can tell,” and the three men laughed. Dr. Tom asked if he liked being a heel again, and Triple H said yes, that he enjoyed being a babyface, but as soon as he started acting like a heel again it felt like he had a leash taken off, so he enjoys it. They then went to the phones, Rebecca from Long Island. Rebecca said she had third row tickets, and The Game warned her to try not to get any of Shawn’s blood on her. She asked what his expectations of Shawn during the match. Triple H said that he expects HBK to be 100%, and he is training as such. He expects him to perform as one of the greatest performers ever. Coach asks The Game about Rock vs. Brock, and Triple H said that the pressure is on Brock, being a young guy in the main event with a veteran. He said that it’s both a good and unenviable position for The Next Big Thing to be in. He predicted a Rock win. Next up was Rey Mysterio/Angle, and Triple H hailed Rey as one of the great cruiserweights, with or without the title. He said that Rey has proved he can hang with the big guys not only here, but in WCW. The Cerebral Assassin closed by saying that there’s not a single match he’s not looking forward to. He said that his match with Shawn has been seven years in the making. After a most interesting break that included about five seconds of dead air and a soundless Summer Slam promo, Coach and Dr. Tom returned with HBK in-studio. Coach asked Shawn how excited he was. HBK said he was really excited. He said that “we” (HBK and Triple H?) were in the ring for 45 minutes trying to shake off the ring rust. He said that it would be impossible to shake off four years’ worth of rust, but he’s loosening up. Shawn said he’s been praying a lot about it, and the lord and the people will determine how the match goes. He said that he felt the electricity in the ring Monday night, and that the people’s emotions will drive him Sunday. Coach says that with the changes Shawn has gone through in his life, how much the crowd can pump him up. Shawn said that most of his excitable personality came from being behind the curtain, but as soon as he entered the arena he was always in a good mood and pumped up. He said he’s glad to be having his comeback with Vince, and that Vince told him the first time around to just enjoy his push, and that’s what he’s trying to do now. Dr. Tom asked how his wife felt about it, and he said that she’s fine. Whenever past comebacks were discussed, she wasn’t happy about it, but now he said she’s at peace with it and comfortable. His son, he said, doesn’t watch wrestling because he doesn’t think he needs to see it yet (maybe when he’s older, he said—an interesting statement to me). He said that there was a lot of animosity with his feeling at his last WrestleMania, and that this time around there a totally different feeling. Dr. Tom asked that, with how things are going, whether there will be more matches on the horizon. Shawn laughed and said that this he looks at this as his last singles match. He may be willing to do a tag match, but he can’t put his body through the strain of a match on a regular basis. Coach compared this match to Rock/Hogan at WrestleMania, saying that the last time he felt a buzz like this was in that match. Shawn said things were different for Rock and Hogan because they knew what was going to happen, which he and Hunter really don’t know what’s going to happen. A lot of the match is just going to have to be there, he said. Shawn then said he is nervous, and that’s something he’s worried about that. He is in good shape, he said, but he’s concerned about nerves. He said that Monday night he got excited and superkicked Brock when he wasn’t supposed to. They then took a call, and the caller said that Shawn’s style before his injury was that he took a lot of bumps, and asked if Triple H was going to take more bumps to make up for it. Shawn said this time it’s different because this is a street fight and the bumps aren’t quite the same. He said he’s not capable anymore of wrestling a classic wrestling match any more, and a street fight, where you spend more time selling moves, that the match is better for him. He also mentioned that he was 35, and getting older. He also said that he’s been trying to lower expectations by saying he’s not the showstopper anymore, but after Monday those expectations are high. Back to the phones. Caller asked what HBK asked about new superstars like Brock and John Cena. Shawn said that those guys are on SmackDown so he doesn’t know them well, but thinks that they’re really talented, and mentioned RVD among those guys.
Dr. Tom talked about the cliq’s curtain call and how after that it became Hall and Nash on WCW, and that the four of them tried to take over the business, and asked if he felt a responsibility to the locker room now. Shawn said that they did try to become influential at the top of both companies, but today, he said that “everyone knows who his role model is now,” (God), but he doesn’t come at any one unless they approach him. He mentioned that he thinks Test has really come into his own. He says that now he sits there with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson saying “back in our day…” but mentioned that people today seem to have their heads on straight for the most part. He said that in his day people told him not to come off the top rope so much, and he ignored them, and when people ask them if people like the Hardyz should take such high risks he says “no, but they’re going to do it anyway,” and says it’s part of the changing business. Shawn then talked about his son, and how he doesn’t watch the program, but he knows that “Daddy’s going to work,” and that the schedule is better because he is home for a couple days out of the week, when in the old days he would be gone weeks at a time. Shawn seemed surprised at X-Pac’s departure (no one told him?) and said that you have to make choices in the business, change or face the consequences. He said that he’s still friends with all of those, and says that everyone knows that the door is always open in WWE, and if they can straighten out their problems, they’ll be welcomed back. He said that it had been six weeks since he’d seen “Kev” and “Kid,” but they picked up right where they left off, because they were truly friends.
They then took a question from a pastoral student, who asked him what turned Shawn to Christ, where he gets his shirts, and if he’s spoken publicly about his salvation. Shawn couldn’t remember the name of a web site that he buys his shirts from. He says that he speaks about Christ, and people have approached him, and a few in the dressing room who ask, but he doesn’t speak with people who don’t want to hear it. Shawn said he found salvation because he felt that he was missing something in his life. He said that the Bible is a blueprint for how to live your life. Shawn said he has a beautiful wife, a great son, a boss who, even after everything he put him through over the years, never stopped caring about him.
Now back to wrestling. Dr. Tom asked an e-mail question, about how he wanted to be remembered. He said he wanted to be known as someone who gave everything he had and that he has grown from starting in wrestling as a boy to being a man today. He wants to be remembered as someone he has done everything he can for the business. He invited Shawn to stay to watch the Rock’s training video. They did watch the kick-ass training video with Rock’s voice-over where he took the viewer through running sprints, box jumps, running the steps of the Orange Bowl, doing pull-ups with a towel, and doing the clean and jerk.
Back to Coach and Dr. Tom. Coach lauded The Rock for his workout routine, then moved into point/counterpoint. Coach said this will be the highest-rated Byte This in a long time, and not because of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, then took the position the Rock will leave Summer Slam as champion. He called Rocky the Yankees of WWE, having been in the big matches and the history of winning. Dr. Tom takes Brock, saying the “tangible intangible” of Paul Heyman will make the difference. He thinks that if Brock doesn’t win, he will no longer be seen as the next big thing. Coach gave a quick recap of the Summer Slam card, then closed with Shawn Michaels vs. Vader from Summer Slam ‘96. Boy, Vader was a monster. How misused was he? Vinnie Mac and Good ‘ol J.R. on commentary with not one, but two false finishes, with the referee, then President Gorilla Monsoon restarting the match before HBK finally put Vader away with Sweet Chin Music. Nice old school language with Cornette calling HBK a “stinkin’ coward."
2003 - Los Broncos (II and III) defeat Brent Dail and Ricky Santana in Caguas, Puerto Rico for the WWC World Tag Team Title, to begin their fourth reign.
2003 - CZW held "Respect" outside at Rack's Bar and Billiards in Dover, Delaware. The results were:
- Zandig defeated Ian Rotten in an Exploding Barbed Wire and Lighttube Steel Cage match.
- Z-Barr defeated Jon Dahmer.
- CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion Ruckus defeated Derek Frazier to retain the title.
- CZW World Tag Team Champions Adam Flash & Ian Knoxxx defeated The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid & Johnny Kashmere) and The Rebel's Army (Greg Matthews & The Rockin' Rebel) in a three-way match to retain the title.
- IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Champion Sonjay Dutt defeated Jonny Storm to retain the title.
- Necro Butcher defeated JC Bailey in a Fans Bring the Weapons match.
- CZW World Heavyweight Champion The Messiah defeated Corporal Robinson to retain the title.
- BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Champion Nate Hatred defeated Nick Gage in a 200 Lighttubes match to retain the title.
2003 - Brian Black and The Mighty Mini defeated Attrition (Christian Angers and Big Mike Studd) to win the Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title in South Portland, Maine.
2006 - Charles Evans defeats Seth Skyfire in Louisville, Kentucky for the OVW Television Title.
2007 - "Ballpark Brawl VIII" was held at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, New York. The results:
- Jake O'Reilly won a 10-man battle royal.
- Krystal Banks and Cody Deaner defeated Cody 45 and Sara Del Rey.
- Xtremo defeated Kevin Dunn.
- Matt Cross besiegt Ruckus.
- Brutus Beefcake besiegt Cody Deaner und Jonny Puma in a Hair vs. Hair vs. Mullet match.
- Sterling James Keenan defeated Trent Acid, El Generico, John McChesney, Pac and Xtremo in an six-way Elimination match.
- Claudio Castagnoli defeated Delirious in a European Rules match. The judges for the match were Headbanger Mosh, Jaime D and Slick.
- Steve Corino & Ricky Reyes defeated Brodie Lee & Big Cat Lemmer and Devon Moore & Detox in a Tag Team Table Turmoil match.
- Kelly Couture and Gail Kim defeated Traci Brooks and Sara Del Rey. Jennifer Blake was the guest referee.
- PWU Heavyweight Champion 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Joey Matthews to retain the title.
- Sterling James Keenan defeated Rikishi and Natural Heavyweight Champion Samoa Joe in a three-way match to win the title.
2008 - WWE ran Madison Square Garden in NYC. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
*Primo Colon (Eddie Colon) pinned Willam Regal with a backslide in his MSG debut. Good solid opener with some back and forth wrestling. Colon celebrated his upset at ringside.
*Kelly Kelly asked a family a trivia question, which was the site of Wrestlemania XXIV. They answered correctly and won front row seat upgrades.
*Lance Cade pinned D'Lo Brown with a sitdown slam after Brown missed a top rope frog splash. Run of the mill.
*Kelly Kelly came to the ring and picked a child up to be a guest manager for the next match.
*WWE Women's champ Beth Phoenix pinned Mickie James with the Dominator. Good back and forth match. James hit a Lou Thesz Press off the apron to the floor during the bout and they had some good near fall sequences. Best thing on the show thus far.
*Jamie Noble defeated Snitsky with a front choke submission.
*WWE Tag Team champions Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase defeated Cryme Time. The champs did a heel promo on the mic before the match. Really good match. Cryme Time showed some real improvement from last time I saw them work live. The crowd popped huge for the hot tag. After the bout, Cryme Time laid out the champs, stole the Tag belts and ran off. The champs threw a fit in the ring, which led to the crowd chanting "You suck".
Kelly Kelly picked a kid to a "guest bellringer."
*WWE Intercontinental champ Santino Marella, with Beth Phoenix, defeated Kofi Kingston. Marella sang a song about himself to the tune of "New York, New York" then told the fans that was free. Marella told Phoenix that he didn't mind her having an off week last week because she "did good too." Santino was hysterical. He promised to win with a new move, the Mazaradi Clutch. It was Kingston's MSG debut. He even had pyro for his entrance. They went back and forth with Marella playing cowardly heel early. Kingston got a 2 count after a big elbow. Kingston went to monkeyflip Marella but Beth saved Santino by holding him. Kingston went down and hit the back of his head. Marella rolled him up for the pin. Kingston got a nice round of applause leaving.
*John Cena & Batista defeated Chris Jericho & Kane. Yet another lineup change! Jericho came out first and cut a promo. He said that he hears chants for HBK. He told the fans to chant all they want because they will never see Shawn Michaels wrestle again and that he was proud of what he did. Jericho said it was Shawn and the fans' fault that Rebecca Michaels was hit by Jericho, because Michaels came back to tell the fans he was retiring. Since the fans wanted to hear it, it was their fault she has a "fractured jaw." Jericho told the fans they should be ashamed for supporting a liar and cheater like Michaels. Jericho said that if the fans had listened to him, none of this would have ever happened and now the fans have to live with that. He promised to lay John Cena and Batista out in a beaten, battered pulp and that the worst was yet to come for everyone thanks to Jericho. Real good promo on the level of what he's been cutting on Raw. Kane had new darker ring music. Cena and Batista posed on the ropes together to signal a ton of pyro going. Of the two, Cena got the bigger pop but both received the biggest reactions of the show thus far. Jericho did a lot of stalling early. Batista hit the floor and threw him into the guard rail. Cena tagged in and cleaned house on Jericho. Kane tagged in and demanded Batista, who tagged in to oblige. They went back and forth until Jericho interfered to help Kane. Jericho dropkicker Batista out of the ring, where Kane lifted and dropped him over the railing. Jericho and Kane worked over Batista as they teased the hot tag several times. Jericho missed a Lionsault and made the hot tag. Cena shoulderblocked Jericho and then knocked Kane off the apron. He went for the FU but Kane blind tagged in. Kane kicked him, then went for a chokeslam. Batista speared Kane. Cena tossed Jericho over the top and hit the FU for the pin. Solid stuff. Cena went into the crowd to celebrate. Batista grabbed a sign that read "Batista Hates Cancer" from the first row and held it up in the ring.
*WWE World champ CM Punk defeated JBL in a Steel Cage match. JBL did mic work saying it was the greatest night of MSG history because it would be the day NY's favorite son JBL comes home. He said that he understands NY needs a savior and it will be JBL. He said he was proud to be NYC's favorite son and promised to top it all by winning the greatest match in wrestling history - the steel cage match - and he'll take his place among the immortals by becoming the World champ. When CM Punk made his way around ringside, he stopped to hug ROH owner Cary Silkin and Larry Sweeney, who were sitting ringside. Punk's pop wasn't as huge as Cena and Batista but healthy for sure. JBL controlled early after a swinging neckbreaker. Punk tried to toss him into the cage but JBL blocked it. JBL tried to walk out after a big boot but Punk grabbed his leg. JBL scrambled up the cage but Punk caught him and hit a Russian leg sweep off the cage while both were standing on the ropes. There were Punk chants throughout the bout scattered in the building. JBL laid out Punk with a series of elbowdrops. JBL tried to slingshot Punk into the cage but he caught himself and tried to scramble out. JBL caught him and they battled atop the cage. Punk slammed his head into the cage several times and JBL fells into the ring. Punk dove off the ropes but was caught and hit with a Fall Away Slam. JBL worked Punk over with punches and uppercuts in the corner. Punk teased a GTS but JBL raked his face and threw him into the cage several times. JBL climbed the cage but Punk grabbed him as he got a leg over. They battled inside the cage in the corner with Punk nailing knees. JBL fell into the ring and the crowd popped as Punk tried to get out. JBL kept grabbing Punk's leg. JBL hit a back suplex off the top rope into the ring with both standing on the top. JBL got a 2 count. JBL opened the cage, pushed Punk's head in between the ropes and pulled the cage door back onto his head. That didn't get the big reaction you'd think.
The cage door legitimately got jammed as the other refs were working frantically to get it opened as the match went on. JBL put Punk up in a corner and teased another superplex but Punk hit a Tornado DDT into the ring for a two count. Punk hit his running high knee into a bulldog combination for a two. JBL came back with the clothesline from hell. Punk kicked up. At that point, the building seemed to get behind him chanting his name. JBL and Punk battled in the corner and Punk tossed off JBL. Punk went to the top and came off the cage with an elbow but JBL moved. Punk was covered but got his shoulder up at the last second. JBL called for the cage door to be open but Punk tackled his legs. JBL tried in vain to stretch his hands and reach the floor but was pulled back. He and Punk exchanged punches by the open door and when JBL hit Punk he bumped to the floor and won. JBL tried to attack Punk but was nailed with the GTS on the floor. Punk celebrated in the ring to close the show. He even dropped in the center of the ring making snow angels like he did in a blizzard outside his last ROH appearance in Long Island. Punk, limping slightly did a long victory lap around the ring before heading to the back. Solid main event.
Notes: The show was a legitimate advance sellout....They had pyro for the entrances and used MSG's screens for Titantron videos during entrances...WWE announced a Sunday 12/28 Raw house show return for MSG, one day after ROH's Final Battle 2008 at the Hammerstein Ballroom down the block.
2009 - WWE held their Summerslam PPV. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
Summerslam opened with DX putting shadow puppets over the opening video package, making fun of Legacy's image, then "breaking" the film, followed by a DX highlight reel, which also "broke" after a few moments. DX reminded is that they were back, and we went live to the Staples Center.
Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler.
Mysterio was wearing an outfit and mask in Los Angeles Lakers colors. Ziggler was not accompanied by Maria for the match. Ziggler attacked Rey at the bell with forearms, but Rey returned fire with punches. Ziggler hit a scoop powerslam for a two count, then cradled Rey for another two. Ziggler threw punches and kicks in a corner, but Rey reversed a whip into a corner. Ziggler went to throw Rey in the buckles, but Rey landed on the top rope and hit a moonsault on a standing Ziggler. Rey avoided a charging Ziggler, and Dolph fell to the floor. Rey hit a rana off the apron on Dolph on the floor, taking down a camera man as well.
Rey tossed Ziggler back in, but Dolph attacked as Rey was climbing the ropes. They fought on the ropes, but Rey headbutted Ziggler off. Rey went for a rana, Ziggler dropped Rey to the mat, then lifted him and powerbombed him into the turnbuckles for two. Ziggler mounted Rey and hit some punches, then got a two count before moving to a chinlock. Rey elbowed out of it, but Ziggler hit a side slam for a two count. Ziggler dropped an elbow for another two, then went back to the chinlock. Rey fought out, but Ziggler hit a clothesline for another two, then lifted Rey in a fireman's carry and hit a gutbuster for two. Ziggler applied a body scissors and chinlock, but Rey fought out of it. Dolph hit a knee to the head, then whipped him into a corner. Ziggler missed a avalanche and Rey hit a springboard senton. Ziggler came right back with a kick to the gut and a sunset flip, but Rey rolled through it and hit a kick to the chest for a two count.
Rey went for a springboard bodypress, but Ziggler dropkicked him as he came off the ropes for a two count. Ziggler stomped Rey, then worked him over in a corner. Rey leapfrogged Ziggler and went for a sunset flip, but Ziggler blocked it and hooked Rey's legs for a two count. Ziggler hit a clothesline for another two. Ziggler threw Rey into a corner, then went for a back suplex, but Rey flipped over and hit an enzugiri. Rey went for a 619, but Ziggler ducked it and sweep Rey's legs out from under him. Ziggler hit a Rocker Dropper legdrop for a two count. Ziggler went for a side slam, but Rey turned it into a sunset flip for a two count. Rey hit a DDT for another two. Rey kicked ZIggler into the ropes and hit the 619. Mysterio went for a springboard splash, but Ziggler dodged it and rolled Rey for a two count. Ziggler screamed in frustration after Rey kicked out.
Ziggler rammed Rey into a corner and pounded him with punches. There were some fans chanting for Ziggler. Ziggler kicked Rey in the head as Rey went to climb the ropes. Dolph got on the middle rope, pulled up Rey, and went for a gutbuster off the middle rope, but Rey reversed it into a rana for the pin at the 12 minute mark.
Winner: Rey Mysterio.
Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed MVP and Jack Swagger. Swagger brought up that MVP was once in jail, and MVP cut a promo about how he paid for the decisions he made in life, and that he wasn't born with a silver spoon like Swagger was.
MVP vs. Jack Swagger.
MVP went right at Swagger, who went for a backdrop, but MVP floated over into a sunset flip for two. MVP dodged a charging Swagger and hit a clothesline and side slam. Swagger rolled to the floor, and MVP hit a pescado. MVP tossed Swagger back into the ring for a two count, then went MVP went to the second rope, Swagger swept his legs out from under him. Swagger dropped MVP on the turnbuckles, then threw him into the ropes and drove a forearm into his back. Swagger did it a second time, then choked MVP on the top rope. Swagger went for a third, but MVP hit a back elbow. Swagger grabbed MVP in an abdominal stretch.
MVP struggled in the hold, then reversed out for a hiptoss, but couldn't get him over, and Swagger nailed a clothesline for a pair of two counts. Swagger applied a camel clutch, but MVP stood up and dropped Swagger with an electric chair. They were both slow to get up, and MVP hit a series of shots, decking Swagger. MVP hit a kneelift, then went for the Ballin' elbowdrop, which he hit for a two count. MVP went for the Playmaker, but Swagger blocked it and shoved MVP in a corner, then cradled him with a pull of the tights for a two count.
Swagger rammed MVP into a corner, then went for a reverse splash off the ropes, but MVP got the knees up. MVP hit a running kick to the head, then the Playmaker for the pin at the six minute mark.
Winner: MVP.
Luke Perry was shown in the crowd. No, he wasn't selling popcorn either. It was to show how WWE attracts celebrities. This led to a video package on the recent Raw guest hosts. Back live, Nancy O'Dell was in the crowd with a mic, and plugged BettysBattle.org and her upcoming Raw appearance. She then interviewed Freddie Prinze Jr., who said he would "be back" at some point to settle things with Randy Orton. Nancy joked that she wanted to see Prinze in spandex. Prinze said Cena would take care of Orton tonight.
Unified Tag Team Champions Big Show & Chris Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme.
Jericho and Show have new theme music, still a mix of their old music, but actually put together as a song, not just cuts between the two old themes. Chris Jericho cut a promo about how he and Show are "above celebrities" and that they are the most famous people in the building tonight. Jericho turned the mic over to Show, but before he could talk, Cryme Tyme's music hit.
JTG and Jericho started off, with Jericho grabbing a headlock and hitting a shoulderblock. JTG leapfrogged Jericho and hit a back elbow for a two count, then a blockbuster for another two count. Jericho cradled JTG, and went right into a Walls Of Jericho attempt. Jericho threw JTG into the corner with a catapult, but he landed on the middle rope and jumped off with a leg lariat on Jericho for a two count. Jericho nailed JTG with a right hand after getting a break on the ropes and tagged in Big Show. Show chopped JTG and put him in a headlock. Show punched JTG in the gut, then chopped him in the corner. Show charged JTG, running into a kick.
Shad tagged in and hit Big Show with some clotheslines, but couldn't knock him down. Show reversed a whip and went for an avalanche, but Shad dodged it. Jericho ran in, and Shad gave him a press slam. Show speared Shad, then stood on his head. Show chopped Shad, then held him so Jericho could hit a series of forearms. Jericho bounced off the ropes, but Shad caught him with a boot. Jericho knocked JTG off the apron, then pushed Shad into his corner while the referee kept JTG out of the ring. Big Show tagged in and put Shad in a full nelson. Show threw Shad to the mat, then tagged in Jericho, who missed an elbowdrop. Jericho stopped Shad from making a tag and put him in a sleeper.
Shad got to his feet, and powerslammed Jericho. Shad made the tag, and JTG hit Jericho with shoulderblocks and a facebuster. JTG pulled Show throat first across the top rope as well, but Show didn't go down. JTG hit Jericho with a Slingblade clothesline. Big Show broke up the cover. Shad ran in and clotheslinesd Show over the top rope, taking them both to the floor. JTG rolled up Jericho for two, then Jericho grabbed his legs and hooked in the Walls Of Jericho. JTG struggled in the hold, but made the ropes. Big Show, from the floor, punched out JTG with one shot. Chris Jericho got the pin at the eleven minute mark.
Winners: Chris Jericho & Big Show.
DirectTV decided to drop my feed for a moment, so Mike Johnson tags in:
Josh Matthews interviewed former World champion CM Punk backstage. He asked Punk for his thoughts going into the TLC bout. Punk said he wanted to talk about that but instead a friend gave him a copy of a screenplay called "The Jeff Hardy Story" and in it, the story is about Hardy overcoming his demons and defeating Punk tonight. Punk said that it's a great feel good story but it's not reality. He said just like Los Angeles, it's a fake world. Punk went on about people idolizing the hip cool stars instead of trying to better themselves, even though it doesn't matter how bad reality is, because it's "cool." Punk said he's been accused of being preachy, but he's just telling the truth and Hollywood doesn't want to show his truth, because its real. Punk said he was going to re-write the end of the screenplay and that will be the new World champion, CM Punk.
And DirecTV has decided it's viewers need to see the next match, so I am back. Damn you, DirecTV!
The Great Khali vs. Kane.
As Kane made his entrance, they reviewed the history leading to this match. Runjin Singh accompanied Khali to the ring. Khali muscled Kane into a corner at the start, but Kane came back with punches. Kane went to the floor and pulled Khali throat first across the top rope. Kane got back in the ring and Khali clotheslined him, but missed a legdrop. Kane dropkicked the seated Khali, then hit three elbowdrops. Kane called for the chokeslam. Khali broke Kane's grip and went for his own chokeslam, but Kane broke free. Khali hit a clothesline and an elbowdrop for two. Kane threw forearms at Kane's head for a one count. Khali rammed Kane in a corner, then hit a clothesline.
Khali hit a chop on Kane in a corner, but Kane came back with a kick. Kane went to the top rope and hit a clothesline for a two count. Kane put Khali in a chinlock. For a second, DirecTV lost the feed again. But, unfortunately, it came back. Khali got out of the chinlock, hit a big boot, and then a chop to the head for a two count. Khali grabbed Kane in the Vice Grip, but Kane made the ropes. Khali broke the hold, and Kane grabbed Singh at ringside and pulled him into the ring. Kane let him go, and then dropkicked Khali in the leg as he was making sure his brother got out of the ring. Kane hit a DDT for a three count at the six minute mark.
Winner: Kane.
They showed Vince McMahon's star on the Walk Of Fame. They then showed Maria Menounos of the Today Show in the crowd, then Robert Patrick from Terminator 2, and Slash from Velvet Revolver.
The history leading to DX vs. Legacy was shown.
Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.
DX entered on a tank that shot fireworks out of the cannon. They did the classic DX mic work as well, with Triple H adding that since Rhodes & DiBiase wanted a "war" they were going to get one. HHH started off with DiBiase, locking up and then HHH decking him with a right hand. HHH grabbed a headlock, but DiBiase worked him over with punches in a corner until the referee broke them up. Triple H then hit a barrage of punches and a clothesline when DiBiase went for an Irish whip. Triple H hit a vertical suplex, then did a crotch chop before a kneedrop for a two count. DiBiase kicked away a backdrop and tagged in Rhodes, who got hit by a jumping knee by Triple H. Cody got to his feet and slapped HBK on the apron. Rhodes said he wanted Michaels, and the fans chanted for HHH to make the tag, which he did.
Michaels and Rhodes locked up, and Michaels grabbed a headlock. HBK hit a shoulderblock, then Cody leapfrogged him. Cody went for a second, which Michaels avoided, then Cody ducked a punch by Michaels and hit a slap. They brawled, with Cody getting the better of it. Michaels reversed a whip and hit a Thesz Press and a series of punches. Michaels then hit a slap, and teased a superkick, but Rhodes exited the ring. HHH tossed him back in, and Michaels went for it again, but Cody rolled out the other side of the ring and regrouped with DiBiase on the floor.
Back in the ring, Michaels hit Cody with a drop toe hold and put him in a headlock. Cody used a back suplex to escape and tagged DiBiase, who missed an elbowdrop. Michaels rammed DiBiase in a corner and hit a chop, but DiBiase took Michaels down and hit some right hands. Rhodes tagged in and stomped Michaels, then slammed him. Cody hit a kneedrop on Michaels for a two count, then tagged in DiBiase, who hit an elbowdrop for a two count. Michaels came back with a neckbreaker on DiBiase and tagged HHH. HHH came in and hit DiBiase with right hands. Cody kicked HHH from the apron, but HHH pulled Cody into the ring and decked him. This allowed DiBiase to catapult HHH in a corner, but HHH came back with a clothesline.
HHH gave both members of Legacy a spinebuster. HHH went for the Pedigree on DiBiase, but Rhodes broke it up. Michaels sent Rhodes to the floor. Triple H backdropped Michaels out of the ring and into Rhodes. DiBiase kicked Triple H low, as the referee was looking at Michaels and Rhodes on the floor. DiBiase tagged Rhodes, who stomped HHH. Legacy kept tagging in and out, stomping HHH in their corner. DiBiase covered HHH for a two count, then stood over him and delivered right hands. DiBiase put HHH in a chinlock, but Triple H fought up and hit a back suplex. Rhodes tagged in and gave HHH a DDT before he could make a tag. Rhodes went for a jackknife cover and got another two count. Rhodes then applied a front facelock. Triple H backdropped out of it, but DiBiase tagged in and knocked Michaels off the apron to prevent a tag.
DiBiase worked over Triple H in a corner, but Triple H returned fire. They went back and forth with punches, then DiBiase hit a back elbow. Triple H sidestepped a charging DiBiase and flung him over the top rope and to the floor. Rhodes threw DiBiase back into the ring. Rhodes tagged in, but Michaels got the hot tag. Michaels hit Rhodes with punches, then a reverse atomic drop and a chop. Michaels repeated the seqeunce, then hit a flying forearm. Michaels kipped up, but DiBiase hit him from behind with a clothesline. Triple H pulled DiBiase to the floor and flung him into the crowd. In the ring, Rhodes went for a top rope elbow, but Michaels moved out of the way. Michaels went to the top rope, but Rhodes crotched him. They fought on the ropes, with Rhodes going for a superplex. Michaels blocked it and knocked Rhodes to the mat. Michaels went for the top rope elbow, but Rhodes got his knees up in Michaels' midsection and got a two count.
Rhodes went for a tag, but DiBiase was still out in the crowd where Triple H had tossed him. Michaels grabbed Rhodes and put him in a figure four leglock. DiBiase got back in the ring and broke it up. Triple H grabbed DiBiase for a Pedigree, but Rhodes broke it up. Rhodes gave Triple H a head driver. Michaels went for a superkick, but Cody caught it. Cody spun Michaels into DiBiase, and Michaels punched DiBiase. Cody hit Michaels with Crossroads, but Triple H broke it up. The referee was getting DiBiase out of the ring, and Triple H gave Cody a Pedigree. As Triple H was getting out of the ring, DiBiase gave Michaels Dream Street. Triple H tackled DiBiase out of the ring. Triple H and DiBiase brawled out of the ring and over one of the ringside tables. In the ring, Rhodes and Michaels slowly got up, leaning on each other as they got their feet back under themselves. Just as they were standing, Michaels fired off a superkick for the pin at the twenty minute mark.
Winners: Shawn Michaels & Triple H.
They showed a commercial for the Wrestlemania special on NBC.
ECW Champion Christian vs. William Regal.
Regal was accompanied by Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov. The bell rang before Regal had taken off his ring robe. Regal turned to take it off, and Christian grabbed Regal and hit the Killswitch for the pin.
Winner: Christian.
Ezekiel and Kozlov attacked Christian and took turns slamming him down, and then Regal put Christian in the Regal Stretch. Regal and his henchmen stood over the downed Christian, then walked off.
They showed a video package on all the Summerslam events that took place this weekend, including appearances by Batista and Roddy Piper.
Recent events between Randy Orton and John Cena were recapped.
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena.
They showed Freddie Prinze Jr. in the crowd and talked about how badly Randy Orton beat him up on Raw while Orton made his entrance. They did the "big match" introductions for this bout. Cena got a mixed reaction. Orton got mostly boos. Cena went for an arm wringer at the start, and Orton punched him in the head. Orton hit a series of punches, then stomped Cena down in a corner. Cena bounded back with a tackle and hit some punches, then a bulldog off the ropes for a two count. Orton came back with a back elbow, and there was a "RKO" chant from some fans. Orton kicked Cena in the gut, then raked the laces of his boot across Cena's face.
Orton hit an uppercut in the corner, then knocked him down with a punch. Orton appeared to have hurt his mouth, as he kept checking it for blood. Orton whipped Cena hard into a corner, then kicked him again. Orton let Cena get to his feet, then whipped him hard across the ring. Orton spit out some blood. Orton did the Garvin Stomp to Cena. Orton hit a huge knee drop, getting big air on it, for a two count. Orton hit a side backbreaker for a two count, then applied a rear chinlock. There were dueling chants for Orton and Cena. Cena got to his feet, and Orton switched to a sleeper, adding a body scissors and taking him back down to the mat. Cena got back to his feet and broke out.
Cena hit a shoulderblock, then a back suplex into a powerbomb. Cena did the "You Can't See Me" and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Orton floated out of it and hit a powerslam for two. Orton stomped Cena again, then missed a kneedrop. Cena hit some right hands, but Orton dodged a flying shoulderblock and Cena went rolling out of the ring. Cena got on the apron, and Orton grabbed him and pulled him into the ring, so Cena was hanging off the middle rope by his ankles. Orton nailed the DDT, but Cena kicked out at two.
Orton measured Cena for the RKO, then changed his mind and got set for the punt. Orton missed the kick and Cena hit the Throwback. Cena went to the top rope and hit the Rocker Dropper legdrop for a two count. Cena measured for the Attitude Adjustment, but Orton grabbed the ropes. Cena let go of the hold, and then they clotheslined each other. Cena and Orton got up and exchanged punches. Cena got the better of it and delivered a backdrop. Orton then intentionally shoved the referee, grabbed the title belt and left.
Lilian Garcia got on the mic and said Randy Orton is the winner. Yep, the winner. Then she said that she just got word from Mr. McMahon that the match would continue, and that if Orton got himself disqualified, he would lose the title. Hmmm... makes you wonder if someone is messing with Lilian during her final weeks with the company, doesn't it?
Orton got back in the ring, and Cena got a two count with a side slam. They battled to the floor, and Orton whipped Cena into the ringsteps. Orton rolled Cena into the ring and covered him several times, but Cena kept kicking out. Orton went to ringside and grabbed the title belt, then walked up the aisle. The referee counted ten. They announced that John Cena was the winner. Lilian Garcia then had another message from Mr. McMahon. Yep, the match is restarted, and if Orton gets counted out, he loses the title.
Orton got back in the ring, and Cena went for an STF, but Orton escaped the attempt. Orton went for an RKO, but Cena shoved it off. Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment, but Orton slid out, rolled up Cena and got the three count, using the ropes for leverage. A second referee came out and told the first referee what had happened. Guess what? Another restart.
Cena tripped Orotn and grabbed an STF. Orton almost made the ropes, but Cena pulled him back into the center of the ring. Someone ran in from the crowd and tackled the referee just as Orton was about to tap out. Security dragged the "fan" out of the ring. They kept the camera focused on the fan as they dragged him off, which they never do, so it would appear it was a plant. Orton rolled to the floor, and the referee told Cena the match was to continue. Orton got on the apron and Cena approached him. Orton yanked Cena throat first across the top rope. Orton then hit an RKO for the pin at the twenty minute mark.
Winner: Randy Orton.
So, Orton was disqualified once, counted out once, pinned Cena once, a fan ran in once, and Orton pinned Cena a second time.
They showed the events leading to the main event.
World Champion Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.
For some reason, Jim Ross' mic was out during Punk's entrance. Todd Grisham talked, then Jim Ross said "I wish I could have heard what you said, I bet it was good" and Grisham said "It was". They noted that Jeff Hardy has been involved in five of the eight TLC matches that have taken place in WWE.
Punk went right to work on Hardy, taking him to the floor and hitting Hardy with a chair. Punk immediately put a ladder in the ring and started climbing, but Hardy got in and knocked him down. Hardy tried a Twist Of Fate, which was blocked, but Hardy pounded Punk in a corner and hit an elevated kick. Hardy climbed a ladder, but Punk kicked it, knocking Jeff off it. Punk went for a GTS, but Hardy floated over and rammed Punk into a ladder. Hardy set up a chair and then went for a leg lariat off a chair launch, but Punk caught it and dropped Hardy on the chair. Punk dropped the ladder on Hardy, then slammed it on Hardy three times.
Punk sent Hardy to the floor, then blasted him with a tope. Punk threw a chair into the ring then rearranged a table at ringside. Punk put a chair around Hardy's head, but he shrugged it off. Punk went to hit Hardy with the chair, but Hardy ducked and Punk hit the ringpost. Hardy whipped Punk into the steps, but Punk jumped on them and turned to leap off. As he did, Hardy blasted him with a chairshot. Hardy did a chair launch and gave Punk a leg lariat against the security wall. Jeff Hardy threw a chair at Punk's back. Hardy put Punk on a table on the floor, then went to the top rope. Hardy jumped off, and Punk rolled off the table. Hardy crashed through the table on his splash attempt.
Punk set up a ladder in the ring and began to climb up. Hardy got in and climbed up over Punk, getting ahead of him on the ladder. They jockeyed for position, with Punk looking for a GTS off the ladder, and Hardy ended up giving Punk a sunset flips-style powerbomb off the ladder. Hardy climbed the ladder, almost reaching the belt, but Punk tipped the ladder over and Hardy crashed into the turnbuckles. Punk set up Hardy for a superplex and hit it, with both men crashing onto a ladder that was laying in the ring.
Both slowly got up, and Punk went for a suplex, but Hardy blocked it and hit a Twist Of Fate. Hardy went to the top rope, and dove for the Swanton, but Punk got the knees up. Both were slow to get up again. Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, but as he went for a bulldog, Hardy picked him up and threw him over the top rope, sending him crashing through a table at ringside. Hardy set up a ladder and began to climb. Punk got on the apron and hit a springboard double axhandle to knock Hardy off.
Punk threw Hardy to the floor, then got a chair and put it around his neck. Hardy stopped Punk from shoving him into the ringpost. Hardy threw Punk knees first into the step, then blasted him with three chairshots to the back. Hardy the threw a chair at Punk. Hardy took the lid off of an announce table and hit Punk with it, then hit Punk with a monitor. Hardy hit Punk with a chairshot, put him on the ECW table, then hit him with another chairshot. Hardy set up a ridiculously tall ladder, so tall that two referees had to stand next to it and keep it steady. Hardy did a Swanton off the ladder, putting Punk through the table. Totally insane spot, which they showed over and over on replay. To give you an idea how high up Jeff was when he dove, I would say it was pretty much the same height that Mick Foley was for his famous bump off the Hell In A Cell (but a much nicer landing).
They were putting Jeff on a stretcher, and Punk was crawling back into the ring. Jeff got off the stretcher as Punk was reaching the ladder. Punk went up one side of the ladder and Hardy went up the other. They exchanged punches, both trying to grab the belt at the same time. Punk took a step down the ladder and threw some kicks at Hardy, then knocked him off it. Hardy went straight down off the ladder onto the mat, landing hard on his back. Punk grabbed the belt at the twenty two minute mark.
Winner: CM Punk.
Punk stood over Jeff Hardy. The lights flickered. Punk held up the title belt. The lights went out, and a gong sounded. The lights came back on, and Punk looked up the aisle, but saw nothing. He held up his belt again, but a hand reached up and grabbed him by the throat. He wasn't standing over Jeff Hardy anymore, he was standing over the Undertaker. Undertaker chokeslammed Punk, then stood over him and posed. Undertaker walked up the aisle, knocking over the remaining tables and ladders. Undertaker posed on the entrance way, and flames shot up everywhere, as the show ended.
2010 - Mr. Wrestling II underwent open heart surgery, making a full recovery following a heart attack suffered while at the NWA Legends Fanfest in Charlotte, NC.
2010 - ROH announced that The Briscoes, Adam Cole and Mike Bennett had all signed contracts with the company.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with a look back at the way that Nexus lost a member last week on Raw.
We are live on tape from Los Angeles, California and your announcers are Michael ‘Waiting for the General Messenger’ Cole and Jerry ‘90210’ Lawler.
Sheamus comes to the ring and we see what Randy Orton did to Sheamus last week on Raw.
Sheamus has a serious look on his face fella. He says that one thing that he learned about Americans is that their children are spoiled brats. They are annoying and selfish and they complain until they get their way. Sheamus goes to the front row and he wants to know what they deserved to get such good seats. He calls the kids disgraces. He says that there is a bigger spoiled child here in the WWE and his name is Randy Orton. Since Orton couldn’t win the title at SummerSlam, he attacked him the next night on Raw. He talks about how he got hit with a chair while the fans were chanting for an RKO. Sheamus reminds us that he is the WWE Champion, not Randy Orton. Sheamus says that he hasn’t been on the same page as the General Manager, but with Night of Champions coming up, he does not want the spoiled child to be rewarded. He says that Orton should be punished or locked up in prison. He says that Orton should not get another title match.
The General Messenger dings in and Michael Cole puts on his reading glasses. He says that he has no problem with Sheamus. He has been able to retain his title and he says that Sheamus should be rewarded. Tonight, he is going to do something unprecedented. The General Messenger asks to have a throne brought out. He says that Sheamus will be the one to decide his next challenger. Sheamus will be able to watch and observe the matches to determine who his opponent will be for Night of Champions.
Sheamus says that justice has finally been done in the WWE and he thanks the General Messenger.
Cole says that the first match is taking place now.
Match Number One: Edge versus R Truth
They lock up and Edge with a knee and forearm. Edge misses a clothesline but Truth hits a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and then clotheslines Edge over the top rope to the floor. Truth misses a pescado when Edge moves out of the way. Edge picks up Truth and sends him into the ringside barrier. Edge returns Truth to the ring and Edge follows. Edge with a kick to the head but Truth with punches. Edge with a forearm to the back and kicks to the head. Edge chokes Truth in the ropes and then he hits a cross body to Truth’s back as Truth has nowhere to go and Edge with a near fall. Edge with a surfboard to Truth but Truth gets to his feet and punches Edge. Both men try for cross bodies and both men are down.
Edge misses a clothesline but Truth with a few clotheslines of his own including a flying one. Truth with a punch but Edge with an Irish whip. Truth floats over and then hits a hip toss and does a split before misses a leaping leg lariat. Edge with an Edge-O-Matic to Truth. Edge sets for a spear and misses it when Truth leap frogs him. Truth misses a scissors kick but Edge does not miss the second spear attempt and gets the three count.
Winner: Edge
After the match, Edge tells Sheamus that he can sit in his stupid little throne and brag about who he has beaten, but until you beat a nine time champion and the man who led Team WWE to victory at SummerSlam, and the man who is the Rated R Superstar, you haven’t beaten anybody.
We take a look behind the scenes of Dashing Cody Rhodes’ dashing appearance on Warehouse 13, tomorrow night on Syfy before NXT (that would be 9:00 PM eastern/8:00 PM central for those not familiar with NXT).
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at WWE’s tour of China this weekend.
Match Number Two: Great Khali with Dancing Runjin Singh versus Chris Jericho
Khali stares at Sheamus and then Jericho punches Khali in the face but Khali blocks another punch and picks up Jericho and sends him to the mat. Khali with kick and elbows in the corner. Khali with a chop across the chest followed by a forearm to the top of the head. Khali misses a leg drop and Jericho with a kick to the knee. Jericho slams the knee into the mat and then drops an elbow on the knee. Jericho uses the ropes to get more pressure put on the leg. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Khali with the Khali Krush, but Jericho was able to get to the floor. Jericho with a kick to the leg as Khali staggers around the ring. Jericho tries fro the Codebreaker but Khali catches him and drops him to the mat. Khali with clotheslines to Jericho followed by a slam. Khali misses a boot in the corner and Jericho goes for the leg and then he tries to put Khali in the Walls of Jericho and he succeeds and Khali taps out.
Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match, Jericho asks Sheamus if he watched his match. Jericho says that Edge was not the first Undisputed Champion in WWE history. He did not make a giant tap out. He says that Edge is not the best in the world at what he does, Chris says that he does. Jericho tells Sheamus to choose him as his next opponent.
Khali chops Jericho off the turnbuckles to the floor.
We see footage from last week’s Daniel Bryan versus Michael Tarver match that was interrupted by Alex Riley and The Miz.
Josh Mathews is with John Cena in the interview area. Josh asks John about Miz last week. John says that he does not regret choosing Daniel Bryan over Miz. He says that Bryan did great and Miz almost cost them the match. Ever since Miz won his Money in the Bank challenge, he has a bigger mouth and attitude problem. Cena says that he shuts it with an Attitude Adjustment.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jillian says that she was Divas Champion before and she will be Divas Champion again tonight. Jillian starts to ‘sing’ but she is interrupted by her opponent.
Match Number Three: Melina versus Jillian Hall for the Divas Title
They lock up and Jillian backs Melina into the ropes and breaks. Jillian with a forearm but Melina with a head scissors and kick to the head. Melina does a split and then avoids a boot from Jillian. Melina with a kick and then she tries for a splash in the ropes but Jillian moves. Jillian with a surfboard but Melina with another split but this time Jillian decides to use Melina as a human surfboard. Jillian with a forearm and Melina with a matrix followed by a take down for a near fall. Jillian with a clothesline after Melina floats over. Jillian sends Melina to the mat and Jillian goes to the turnbuckles for a screaming leg drop but she misses when Melina moves. Melina with the Banshee Code Red for the three count.
Winner: Melina
After the match, Michelle and Layla are on the TitanTron. They say that they feel bad for what they did at SummerSlam, but they really didn’t. Since next week is the 900th episode of Raw, they have an offer for Melina that she can’t refuse.
Josh is in the locker room with the Miz and Josh wants to know if Miz wants to respond to what John Cena said earlier. Miz says that he nailed Daniel Bryan in the back of the head, but what about Cena. Cena put Team WWE at risk. The minute Cena chose a nobody over him. Miz says that Cena wants to talk about egos, but really? Miz says that after the WWE Title Match at SummerSlam, Sheamus had to be carried out. Did Miz cash in his Money in the Bank? No, because he was thinking about Team WWE. Cena should have talked to him about the decision. Instead, he tried to embarrass Miz in front of the world. Tonight, he will beat Cena and show him that there will be consequences for his actions. As for Sheamus, he doesn’t think that Sheamus will pick him, but it doesn’t matter because he can pick Sheamus any time he wants and anywhere. He might pick Sheamus tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is back on his throne.
Wade Barrett and the rest of Nexus come out and we have something from the General Messenger. Cole goes to the Computer of General Managerdom. He says that he requested for Nexus to come out because he was impressed with their performances. The ‘you can’t wrestle for titles’ ban has been lifted.
Wade gets in Sheamus’ face and Sheamus turns paler than usual. Wade tells Sheamus that their truce is over.
Sheamus sits down and thinks about what that means for him.
The Miz and John Cena walk in split screen in their t-shirts which you can get online.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Miz and Alex Riley attacking Daniel Bryan last week.
Match Number Four: John Cena versus Miz
They circle each other in the ring and Miz with a kick and punches. Miz with more kicks and punches to Cena as he pummels Cena. Miz with more punches followed by a hard Irish whip. Cena with punches followed by a side slam for a near fall. Cena with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post. Miz with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Miz with elbows to the chest followed by punches. Cena responds with punches and a suplex for a near fall. Miz with a kick to Cena followed by a kick to the midsection. Miz with a knee to the back and then he rakes the face. Miz with a leg drop for a near fall. Miz with kicks and punches but Cena with a kick and a leap frog neck breaker. Cena goes up top but Miz knocks Cena to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Miz has Cena in a reverse chin lock and Miz gets on Cena’s back to add pressure. Cena gets to a three point stance but Cena recovers and backs Miz into the turnbuckles. Cena tries for the bulldog but Miz pushes him out of the way. Miz with a boot for a near fall and Cena goes to the apron. Miz punches Cena and then hits a running knee lift from the floor. Miz with a slingshot into the bottom rope and he gets a near fall. Miz waits for Cena to get to his feet and he hits the Awesome Clothesline in the corner. Miz gets a near fall. Miz waits for Cena to get up again and tries for the Awesome Clothesline but Cena gets out of the way and Miz goes into the turnbuckles. Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the Attitude Adjustment set up but Miz with a pair of neck breakers for a near fall. Miz waits for Cena to get to his feet as if he was a snake. Cena avoids the Skull Crushing Finale and he hits a drop toe hold into the STF. Miz reaches for the ropes and gets there. Miz with a boot to Cena’s head and he gets a near fall.
They get to their feet and Miz with a punch and Irish whip. Cena blocks the Skull Crushing Finale, but Miz gets to the apron. From out of nowhere, Daniel Bryan comes out and sends Miz back into the ring and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: The Miz by disqualification
After the match, Cena puts Miz in the Attitude Adjustment and then Bryan comes into the ring and puts Miz in the Omoplata. The referees try to pull Bryan off Miz.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: The Divas Swimsuit Spectacular from two weeks ago.
Match Number Five: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov versus The Usos with Tamina
Santino and Jimmy start things off and Jimmy backs into the corner to avoid wild kicks. Santino tries for the cobra. Jimmy with a knee and punch to the head. Jey tags in and he hits a flying clothesline as Jimmy sends Santino to him. Jey with a slam and then he hits a leg drop for a near fall. Jimmy tags in and Santino with a hip toss but Jimmy swats a drop kick away. Jimmy gets a near fall. Jimmy with a front face lock. Santino tries to make the tag but Jimmy knocks Kozlov off the apron. Santino with a back body drop. Jey and Kozlov tag in and Kozlov sends Jey into the turnbuckles and he connects with head butts and a power slam. Santino sends Jimmy to the floor but Jey with a savate kick to Santino that sends him to the floor. Kozlov blocks a kick and hits a spinebuster for the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
After the match Jimmy wants to attack Santino but Tamina stops Jimmy. Tamina gazes at Santino as she leaves with the Usos. Tamina blows a kiss to Santino.
It is time for This Week in WWE History. We go to Toronto in August 1986 when over 70,000 people attended The Big Event at Exhibition Stadium.
The throne is now vacant as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is back on the throne.
Match Number Six: Ted DiBiase with Maryse versus John Morrison versus Randy Orton
Orton looks at Sheamus and he gets off his throne. DiBiase kicks Morrison and sends him to the floor. Orton blocks a punch and Orton with punches of his own. Orton with a European uppercut and Morrison trips DiBiase. Morrison with a double jump round kick to DiBiase before he returns to the ring. Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Orton returns to the reverse chin lock. Orton with a shoulder tackle but Morrison with a kip up and drop kick for a near fall. Orton throws Morrison over the top rope and that means that DiBiase is back in the ring and he kicks Orton and gets a near fall. DiBiase with kicks to Orton. Ted with more kicks in the corner.
Orton with kicks and punches. Orton with more kicks but Ted with the rebound clothesline. DiBiase with a neck breaker to Morrison for a near fall. Ted punches Morrison but Morrison with a jawkbreaker. Orton with clotheslines to Ted and Morrison and then he gives each man a power slam. Orton gets fired up and then he kicks Ted and tries for the IEDDT but Morrison tries for the springboard round kick. Orton ducks and Morrison rolls to the floor as Orton hits the IEDDT and he sets for the RKO with push ups. Ted escapes the RKO and Morrison with a leg lariat. Ted sends Morrison over the top rope to the floor. Orton escapes Dream Street and Morrison tries for a springboard move but Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Ted tries to attack Orton but Randy is too fast and then gives Ted an RKO.
Sheamus is in the interview area and Josh wants to know why Sheamus walked out during the last match. Sheamus says that he has made his decision and he will do it in front of the world in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back fella and Sheamus is in the ring fella. He says that he has been thinking about it for a while. He says that despite what happened last week, he is still a warrior. A Celtic Warrior. He has a huge announcement tonight. He will not wait for Night of Champions and he is going to defend his title right now.
Sheamus demands a referee come out. Sheamus says that he has seen a lot of Superstars who deserve a title match. Sheamus says that you cannot succeed without a few challenges. He is going to give someone who has never had a WWE Title match before. That man is Zack Ryder.
Zack thanks Sheamus for the opportunity but Sheamus is making the biggest mistake of his life because everyone is looking at the next WWE Champion.
Match Number Seven: Zack Ryder versus Sheamus for the WWE Title
Sheamus with a pump kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus gets on the mic. He says that is another successful title retention for the Celtic Warrior. He says that he wants to bring up some of the WWE rules. He has thirty days to defend his title. That means that this champion is taking the night off.
Sheamus says that he is going to take the whole month off and go back to Ireland.
Wade Barrett interrupts Sheamus and he comes to the ring. Wade says that Sheamus doesn’t have to defend the title for thirty days. Wade reminds us that he won Season One of NXT. Wade says that he gets a title opportunity at a pay per view of his choice. He chooses to face Sheamus at Night of Champions. Wade tells Sheamus that his next title defense is against him.
The General Messenger makes itself known that it is still there. Cole says that Wade Barrett’s request has been upheld. Sheamus will defend against Barrett at Night of Champions. However, Sheamus talked about opportunity and he is going to give four other deserving Superstars a chance. There will be a Six Pack Challenge for the WWE Title. He will face Wade Barrett, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Edge, and John Cena.
All six men are in the ring and they stare each other down. Sheamus pushes Barrett in the middle and they surround him. Barrett pleads his case and Cena goes after Barrett. The other four join in. Sheamus throws Barrett out of the ring. Jericho with a Codebreaker to Sheamus followed by a spear to Jericho. Cena with Attitude Adjustment to Edge. Orton with an RKO to Cena and we go to credits with the Viper posing on the turnbuckles.
During a segment on Greta Van Sustren called "Griff on the Ground," Linda McMahon is shown shaking hands with potential voters at the Milford Oyster Festival. She is shown playing a game and talking to the National Guard . A Blumenthal fan is interviewed. The Festival of Angels is next.
Again, she is seen talking to potential voters. The Bridgewater County Fair is next. She asked what she would do to get jobs created as there is almost 9% unemployment. She said that being a CEO, she realizes the impact of taxes and regulation on small businesses. She wants to keep money in the pocket of small businesses.
Linda was asked about the NY Times article talking about her being an unusual candidate in that WWE produced a lot of sex and violence. She says WWE is an absolute wonderful company and changed the industry over the past couple of decades and evolved from the sex and violence content to PG.
Video of Edge spearing Big Show and Edge taking on Miz is shown while Linda is talking. She talks about Smackdown Your Vote, being involved in the Make A Wish program, and the Special Olympics. A video of Triple H and Matt Hardy with Make A Wish kids is shown while she is talking.
Linda talked about Get Real helping libraries and literacy. She talked about how there were WWE fans who were supporting her. She said that a lot of them admire her for building a company from the ground up.
Linda was asked how she will overcome the 7 points that Richard Blumenthal (D) is ahead. She said she will keep talking to people. She said the more her opponents focus on WWE, the more she will move up in the polls.
2011 - NBC signed on to commit to produce a pilot for a dramatic pro wrestling series set in the 1980s. The series will be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer's Bruckheimer TV and Dwayne Johnson is attached as Executive Producer.
The drama will be a period piece set in the 1980s, which the timeframe of WWF's national expansion as the territory system collapsed under the weight of WWF's growing popularity and the growth of cable television.
Brent Fletcher (Friday Night Lights, Spartacus, Angel) and Seamus Kevin Fahey (Spartacus, Battlestar Galactica) are attached to write the pilot. No casting is yet underway.
The pilot commitment does not mean the series will ever see air. It means NBC will cover the production cost of the pilot be shot and then decide whether it needs changes or whether to take it to series. This is simply the first step in a very long process.
The pilot does not make it out of the developmental phase, which means in the end that NBC paid the penalties involved with it not airing.
2011 - Sterling James Keenan signed a WWE developmental deal.
2011 - Todd Grisham, who worked for WWE for a number of years as an announcer, finished with the company at an NXT TV Taping, leaving the company for a position with ESPN. There had been talk of Grisham leaving the company for several months now as his responsibilities were greatly scaled back over the last year.
2012 - Former TNA and WCW star Daffney wrote the following this evening on her Facebook page:
"Monday night I was in a car accident. I was driving along I-4 and I hydroplaned at 70 mph, went off the road, and my car flipped. I landed upside-down in 3 feet of water. I was able to climb out of the passenger side and waded to safety. Luckily someone saw and stopped to help. It took 2 1/2 hours to tow my car out as it was wedged deep in the ditch in the woods.
Thank God I had my seatbelt on. If I hadn't I'm sure my injuries would have been much worse...if not fatal. I want to emphasize to all my Daffanatics to please remember to buckle up.
I cannot explain the feeling I had when I realized what had happened. When I saw my totaled car the next day at the junkyard it really hit me. I'm so grateful to be alive. Now, I'm just trying to pick up the pieces and get things back to normal.
I lost a lot of things that night. As I landed in so much water - my phone, ipod, video camera (with all the bonus footage for Shine 2), some clothing , and some other things were destroyed. They are all material objects and can be replaced, however it is going to cost a pretty penny.
I will be auctioning off quite a few items in the near future to try and make up for this loss, so please check out ebay in case you see something you like and want to bid.
Thanks for letting me share this unfortunate incident with you guys, and thanks in advance for the love and support."
2012 - WWE broadcast WWE Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Your announcers this week, thanks to the actions of Kane are Matt Striker and Scott Stanford. We see the footage of Kane’s unnecessary attack on Josh Mathews.
Damien Sandow wants to beg our indulgence for a moment. He says that he is here to help all of us. He says that we all suffer from a terrible affliction and that affliction is ignorance. He says that it is his . . . nay his calling to cure us of this affliction. He tells everyone ‘You’re Welcome’.
Match Number One: Damien Sandow versus Yoshi Tatsu
They lock up and Sandow with a knee after sending Yoshi into the ropes. Sandow sends Yoshi into the corner and connects with shoulders. Sandow with a snap mare and a leaping knee drop to the throat. Sandow with a snap mare and knee drop for a near fall. Sandow with forearms across the chest and then he applies a reverse chin lock.
Sandow with a head butt. Yoshi responds with chops but Sandow with kicks and then he pulls Yoshi over the apron and connects with an elbow to the throat. Sandow with another elbow and then he puts Yoshi’s head in the ring skirt and he chokes Yoshi.
Sandow gets a near fall. Sandow with knees to the back and he returns to a chin lock. Yoshi with punches and an elbow. Yoshi with an O’Connor Roll for a near fall but Sandow with a clothesline and then he stomps on Yoshi’s ribs. Sandow tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Yoshi lands on his feet and he gets a near fall with a rollup.
Yoshi with chops and kicks to Sandow. Yoshi with a running knee into the corner followed by a spinning heel kick. Yoshi goes to the turnbuckles and he misses a spinning heel kick when Sandow moves out of the way. Sandow with a side Russian leg sweep and he rolls through into the Elbow of Disdain. Sandow with the straightjacket neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Damien Sandow
After the match, Sandow does his cartwheel of intellectual superiority.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at Brock Lesnar versus Triple H from SummerSlam as well as the aftermath from Raw.
Match Number Two: Drew McIntyre versus Alex Riley
Drew tells the referee about his injured wrist. They lock up and Drew feels something in his wrist and he tells the referee again. Drew tries to punch Riley but Riley moves out of the way. Riley works on the wrist. Drew with punches to Riley followed by a forearm and shoulder tackle.
Riley with a drop kick and clothesline that sends Drew over the top rope to the floor. Drew shows some frustration on the floor. Drew takes his time getting back into the ring and Riley goes to the floor and tries for a splash off the steps but Drew sees him and Drew pushes Riley into the ringside barrier. Drew runs Riley’s back into the apron.
Drew gets a near fall. Drew with kicks and punches to Riley in the corner. Riley with punches but Drew with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Drew with an arm bar and chin lock. Riley with punches to Drew but Drew with a knee. Alex with a kick and back slide for a near fall. Drew with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Drew kicks Riley in the head as he continues to wear down Riley.
Drew sets for the Future Shock but Riley gets to the corner. Drew goes to the turnbuckles for punches but Riley slips out and pulls him to the mat with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Alex Riley
We see footage from the Asian tour.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the confrontation between John Cena and CM Punk at the end of Raw.
Match Number Three: Cody Rhodes versus Justin Gabriel
Cody demands some space from Gabriel before they lock up. They lock up and Cody backs Gabriel into the corner. Cody with a clean break. Cody gets on the turnbuckles and poses. Gabriel with a rollup for a near fall. They lock up again and Cody with a hammer lock. Gabriel with a reversal. Cody with a take down and then he slaps Gabriel in the head.
Cody goes into the ropes to stop Gabriel’s momentum. Gabriel with a top wrist lock and take down into an arm bar and hammer lock. Gabriel with a rolling mare into a double leg nelson cover and a near fall. Cody slaps Gabriel and Gabriel with a slap and kick in the corner.
Gabriel with a European uppercut and a suplex with a float over into an arm submission. Gabriel traps the arms but Cody gets away. Gabriel hip tosses Rhodes over the top rope to the floor after a few reversals. Gabriel goes up top and Rhodes goes to the other side of ringside. Gabriel with a suicide dive that connects with Rhodes. We go to commercial.
We are back and Gabriel with a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall. Gabriel with a European uppercut followed by Irish whip. Cody sends Gabriel to the apron. Gabriel goes up top but Cody knocks him to the apron. Cody drops the arm on the top rope and then he bends the arm in an uncomfortable way on the apron. Rhodes with a gourdbuster and gets a near fall.
Rhodes with kicks to the arm. Rhodes with a knee to the midsection and then he gets a near fall. Rhodes works on the arm with a knee drop to the elbow. Rhodes pulls Gabriel to the mat by the trunks without the referee seeing him. Rhodes with a hammer lock. Cody with the drop down uppercut for a near fall.
Rhodes with a running knee to the head for a near fall. Rhodes with a kick to the should and then he connects with forearms. Gabriel tries to protect his arm but Rhodes is able to continue to work on the injured elbow. Rhodes with a hammer lock. Gabriel with an arm drag to get free. Rhodes with a back elbow and then he connects with a few punches.
Gabriel with an elbow to the head and Rhodes goes down. Gabriel misses the quebrada and Rhodes gets a near fall. Rhodes with a short arm scissors and Gabriel looks for the ropes to get Rhodes to break the hold but he gets a near fall with a rollup.
Rhodes returns to the chicken wing but Gabriel with an elbow and a monkey flip. Gabriel with a kick to the leg and then to the back. Gabriel with a jumping back kick followed by a clothesline and spin kick for a near fall. Rhodes with a kick to the arm but Gabriel with a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Gabriel runs into a boot from Rhodes.
Gabriel with an inside cradle for a near fall. Rhodes and Gabriel exchange punches. Gabriel tries for an inverted DDT but Rhodes counters and hits CrossRhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
We go to credits.
2012 - WWE broadcast WWE NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are Byron ‘SummerFest Aftermath’ Saxton and William ‘Can I get an NXT Title Match’ Regal.
We are reminded that the first NXT Champion will be crowned next week.
Match Number One: Derrick Bateman versus Antonio Cesaro (with Aksana)
They lock up and Cesaro with forearms to the midsection followed by a hip lock take down. Cesaro with a head butt to Bateman followed by punches and forearms in the corner. The referee warns Cesaro and Bateman takes advantage and he connects with forearms in the corner. Bateman with a drop kick for a near fall.
Bateman with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Cesaro hot shots Bateman to stop Derrick’s momentum. Cesaro with head butts to the sternum followed by a buttefly suplex for a near fall. Cesaro with a cravate and take down followed by a leaping forearm to the back of the head for a near fall.
Cesaro with a reverse chin lock but Bateman gets back to his feet. Cesaro pulls him down by his hair but the referee was unable to see it. Bateman with a belly-to-back suplex to escape the hold. Bateman with punches to Cesaro followed by a few clotheslines. Bateman with a splash into the corner and then he hits an STO but Cesaro rolls to the apron. Bateman hip tosses Cesaro back into the ring.
Bateman misses a running knee into the turnbuckles and Cesaro with a deadlift side salto followed by the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package of Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston, Miz, Santino Marella, John Cena, and Christian talking about how important it is to be the first NXT Champion. We see footage from the semifinals.
Match Number Two: Tamina Snuka versus Sofia Cortez
Sofia has something to say to Tamina and she poses for Tamina. Tamina with a Japanese arm drag. Sofia with a shot to the midsection for a near fall. Sofia with a series of kicks and she backs Tamina into the turnbuckles. The referee warns Sofia and Tamina with a forearm. Sofia with a round kick and then she takes Tamina to the mat with a body scissors.
Tamina tries to get to the ropes but Sofia pulls Tamina’s hair. Tamina gets to her feet and she backs Sofia into the turnbuckles. Tamina with a punch and chops to Sofia. Tamina with a flying forearm and super kick for a near fall. Tamina with a slam and then she points to the turnbuckles and goes up top for the Superfly Splash and she hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Tamina Snuka
After the match, Raquel Diaz interrupts Tamina’s celebration in the ring. Raquel gets some lipstick and puts an ‘L’ on Tamina’s forehead.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Kassius Ohno versus Jake Carter
They lock up and Ohno with a side head lock. Ohno turns the side head lock into a cravate when Carter tries to Irish whip Ohno. Ohno continues to hold on to the head lock but Carter with an escape followed by a series of near falls after leg sweeps. Ohno chops Carter in the corner but Carter with punches of his own.
Carter with a hip toss to Ohno followed by a slam. Ohno rolls to the apron and then Carter punches him. Ohno with a kick from the apron and then he gets a near fall on Carter. Ohno with a kick to the ribs and more boots to the chest. Carter with punches but Ohno with an elbow.
Ohno sends Carter into the turnbuckles. Ohno with a chop and boot to the head. Ohno with a side head lock and he turns it into a cravate. Carter with punches to try to get out of the hold. Ohno with a knee to the head followed by a boot to the back of the head. Ohno misses a boot to the head and Carter with a punch and suplex. Cater with a side slam and he gets a near fall.
Carter with a kick to the head but Ohno side steps Carter and hits a roaring elbow and gets the three count.
Winner: Kassius Ohno
After the match, Ohno attacks Carter and connects with knees in the corner and then he hits a roaring elbow.
Richie Steamboat makes his way to the ring and Ohno decides that it is time to end his attack on Carter.
We take a look at the SummerSlam festivities in Los Angeles.
We go to commercial.
We are back with more comments about the NXT Championship from WWE superstars. Santino Marella says that it is only a first step for the person who wins it. Ted DiBiase says that it is the first step. John Cena says that the winner needs to rise to the level because of the talent. Dolph Ziggler talks about how it is a step to winning more championships.
Jim Ross has joined Byron and William for the main event.
Match Number Four: Michael McGillicutty and Johnny Curtis versus Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel
Michael and Tyson start things off. They lock up and Michael backs Tyson into the turnbuckles. Michael with an elbow and then he works on the arm wit an elbow. Michael with a hammer lock. Kidd goes into the ropes and he ties up Michael’s arm. Kidd with an arm drag into an arm bar.
Gabriel tags in and hits a sunset flip and then connects with an arm drag into an arm bar. Kidd tags back in and Gabriel slingshots Michael into a shoulder from Kidd. Kidd with a reverse rollup and then he applies an arm bar. Gabriel tags back in and they hit a double back elbow and snap mare followed by kicks for a near fall.
Gabriel with a front face lock but Michael with a kick and arm bar but Gabriel with an arm drag. Gabriel knocks Curtis off the apron but that distraction allows Michael to connect with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Michael with punches to Gabriel followed by a reverse chin lock.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Curtis with a forearm to Gabriel. Curtis with shoulders in the corner and then he tags Michael back in. Michael with knees and then Curtis is tagged back in. Curtis with a knee to the ribs followed by a hard Irish whip. Curtis gets a near fall. Curtis with a front face lock followed by a suplex and he gets another near fall. Curtis with a reverse chin lock.
Gabriel with a punch but Curtis with a fireman’s carry and Michael tags in and he kicks Gabriel. Michael with knees to Gabriel and he gets a near fall. Michael sends Gabriel into Curtis’ boot and Curtis tags in and he snap mares Gabriel and stretches him. Gabriel with elbows but Curtis with a knee and he gets a near fall. Curtis goes up top for a corkscrew leg drop from the top but Gabriel moves out of the way.
Michael and Tyson tag in and Kidd with a kick and a springboard drop kick. Kidd with a series of kicks to Michael followed by a drop kick to the head and he gets a near fall. Michael with a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles and Curtis is tagged in and Michael and Curtis hit a side slam and leg drop combination. Gabriel breaks up the cover.
Curtis puts Kidd on the top turnbuckle and Kidd blocks the superplex attempt. Kidd tries for a double jump moonsault but misses it. Kidd is able to hit a neck breaker for a near fall. Gabriel tags in and hits a blockbuster for the three count.
Winners: Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel
We see Kassius Ohno in the back and Briley Pierce wants to know if he will accept Richie Steamboat’s challenge. He says that Richie doesn’t like seeing people in pain, but he will like it less when he is the one in pain. Ohno accepts the challenge.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Byron Saxton is in the ring and he says that we are a week away from the finals of the Gold Rush Tournament to determine the first NXT Champion. Byron brings out Seth Rollins first. Out next is Jinder Mahal.
Byron asks Seth what it means to him to have the opportunity to become NXT Champion. Seth says that his entire life, all he has wanted is to hold a championship in WWE. The opportunity to become the first NXT Champion means everything to him. Growing up isn’t always easy. It is hard to find yourself and what you stand for. He was like that until he found wrestling and the WWE. That gave him purpose, direction, and a dream. Now here he stands on the brink of achieving that dream. There is no way he is leaving this building without becoming the first NXT Champion.
Byron asks Jinder for his comments about the opportunity to become NXT Champion.
Jinder tells Seth that was a very touching story, but to him, he sounded like everyone else in here, a born loser. Jinder says that he was born into greatness. Becoming the first NXT Champion is his birthright. He is the supreme superstar. As for Seth’s dream, it will remain a dream. The reality is that the first NXT Champion will be Jinder Mahal.
Mahal attacks Rollins and punches him in the face. Rollins takes Mahal down and he fires back with punches of his own. Rollins clotheslines Mahal over the top rope to the floor and then Rollins hits a suicide dive onto Mahal. Referees come to separate the two men and we go to credits.
2012 - UFC Hall of Famer and former WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Shamrock assaulted a woman at a California mall because he thought she was a male. According to local news reports, Shamrock tried to defuse a physical incident between two women in a mall he was visiting when someone jumped on his back. Shamrock flipped the person off his back and nailed them, knocking them down. After the person was down, he learned it was another woman who was friends with someone involved in the initial incident. A battery claim was filed against Shamrock was not charged in the end as it was a self-defense situation and he couldn't tell who jumped on him. The woman in question only cited an "abrasion" to her knee after the physicality.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with Aces and Eights riding into the parking lot at the Impact Zone. Then we see a history of the attacks on TNA wrestlers. Who is affiliated with Aces and Eights? Sting makes the challenge for tonight. Now that Aces and Eights have attacked James Storm, who is the mastermind?
We are live from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Two Seven Off Suit’ Tenay and Taz.
Sting makes his way to the ring and he is joined by Kurt Angle, Austin Aries, Bully Ray, Gunner, Jeff Hardy, Devon, Robbie E, Robbie T, A.J. Styles, Ken Anderson, and more.
Sting tells Aces and Eights that he told security to leave the gate wide open for them so he wonders where they are. It is amazing who comes together when the circumstances are what they are. He has a group of men who are ready to fight. Sting says that they will remember the list of victims who suffered at the hands of Aces and Eights.
Sting says that the men in the ring are all ready to fight. The victims are ready to fight. The victims are ready to get revenge starting tonight. There is one victim who has had the cloud of doubt over them, but now the cloud is gone. Sting wants James Storm to come to the ring.
Storm says that Sting was right because the evidence did stack up. Last week, they jumped him, just like they jumped everyone else. Storm says that he has an idea. Why not turn this wrestling show into an ass whipping show tonight.
Sting tells James that he is on the money tonight. He tells Aces and Eights that when they tried to intimidate Brooke Hogan, they poked a big bear. Sting says that Hulk Hogan is here tonight. Sting wants to know where Aces and Eights are.
A few of the men approach the ring through the crowd.
Two men go to the ring and they are attacked by Kurt Angle and James Storm. Everyone else watches the attack.
Sting wants to know if that is all they brought. Sting gives him the mic. The man says thank you and says that he just got patched in. They are in for a long, painful night.
Sting hits him in the midsection and then Angle kicks him out of the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage of the beat down on the first two members of Aces and Eights to confront the TNA roster.
Brooke Tessmacher comes to the ring and she says that she wants to thank Brooke Hogan for making a right of a wrong on Impact last week. Tonight is not about the Knockouts Championship. Tonight it is personal. Every day, she wakes up and looks in the mirror. She wonders if she can beat the one person who taught her everything in the business. She challenges Tara on Open Fight Night.
Match Number One: Brooke Tessmacher versus Tara
They lock up and Tessmacher with an arm drag. They lock up again and Tara with an arm drag of her own. Tessmacher with an arm drag as well. Tara with a side head lock but Tessmacher with shoulders. Tara with a shoulder tackle. Brooke with a hip toss but Tara with a series of hip tosses followed by a power slam for a near fall.
Tara backs Brooke into the corner and Brooke with forearms after the break. Tara with a punch but she runs into an elbow. Brooke with clotheslines and a drop kick. Brooke wants to punch Tara but she decides to connect with a series of shoulders in the corner. Brooke with an X Factor and then she mocks Tara’s booty shake before going up top. Tara recovers and drops Brooke on the turnbuckles.
Tara with a superplex and the three count.
Winner: Tara
After the match, Tara applauds Brooke and then they hug.
We see footage of the Aces and Eights attack on D’Angelo Dinero during Hardcore Justice.
We see the x-ray of D’Angelo’s shoulder.
Sting is in the office with the men who were supposed to face Dinero in the Bound for Glory Match. Robbie E, Rob Van Dam, and A.J. Styles will wrestle without Robbie T involved.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Rob Van Dam (55 Points) versus Robbie E (5 Points) versus A.J. Styles (50 Points) in a Bound for Glory Series Match
AJ and Van Dam start a discussion and Robbie wants to get involved. Robbie pushes Van Dam and kicks Styles. Van Dam and Styles pinball Robbie and then they both send him to the floor. Van Dam and Styles lock up and Styles with a waist lock. Van Dam with a standing switch into a side head lock. Styles with a side head lock and kicks to Van Dam.
Van Dam flips over Styles’ back and then Van Dam with a near fall after a body scissors take down and then he takes Styles down with a leg sweep. Robbie gets a double hip toss and then Robbie backs Van Dam into the corner. Styles with a Saito suplex that sends Robbie back to the floor.
Van Dam with a side head lock. Styles with the Phenomenal drop kick and Van Dam goes to the floor. Robbie returns to the ring and he clotheslines Styles when A.J. was going to go for a flip dive to the floor. Robbie with kicks to Styles’ back. Robbie with a forearm and kick to Styles. Robbie kicks Van Dam and sends him back to the floor.
Styles with a chop and punches followed by an Irish whip and flying clothesline into the corner. Robbie sends Styles into the corner and we go to commercial.
We are back and Robbie with a slam on Styles for a near fall. We see footage from the commercial break when Van Dam monkey flipped Styles. Back to the action in the ring. Robbie taunts Styles but Styles with a chop. Styles with an Irish whip but he misses a flying forearm into the corner. Robbie sends Van Dam to the floor again.
Robbie with a reverse chin lock on Styles. Styles with a jawbreaker to get out of the hold. Styles with chops to Robbie but Robbie with an elbow to Styles to knock him to the mat. Van Dam trips Robbie and pulls him to the floor. Van Dam slams Robbie’s head into the apron. Styles with a pescado onto Van Dam and Robbie and all three men are down.
Styles gets up and he is limping a little. Styles rolls Van Dam back into the ring. Styles with a fireman’s carry into a neck breaker and Styles gets a near fall. Styles sends Van Dam into the turnbuckles. Styles clotheslines Robbie off the apron. Van Dam with a jumping back heel kick and then it is time for Rolling Thunder. Van Dam with a corkscrew drop kick followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall.
Robbie gets sent over the top rope to the floor. Styles with the springboard moonsault into an inverted DDT for a near fall. Styles sends Van Dam into the turnbuckles but Van Dam with a boot to Styles followed by a savate kick to the throat. Van Dam goes up top but Styles crotches him.
Styles tries for a superplex on Van Dam but Van Dam pushes Styles off. Van Dam hits the five star frog splash but Robbie pins Van Dam.
Winner: Robbie E (12 Points)
With that win, Robbie moves into eleventh place and is only 16 points behind Magnus for tenth.
Jeff Hardy walks through the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and Jeff Hardy is making his way to the ring.
Jeff gets the mic and he says that this will not be a Bound for Glory Series match. He wants Robbie T to come out to the ring.
Match Number Three: Robbie T versus Jeff Hardy
Hardy with a forearm and punches as he ducks from Robbie’s punches. Hardy with a mule kick but Robbie with a clothesline. Robbie with a forearm to the back. Robbie chokes Hardy followed by an Irish whip. Hardy tries to float over but Robbie catches him and hits a power slam.
Robbie waits for Hardy to get to his feet and he charges into an elbow. Hardy with Whisper in the Wind and he gets a near fall. Hardy with a flying forearm and a few clotheslines and the third one sends Robbie to the mat. Hardy with a reverse atomic drop and then he takes Robbie to the mat but Hardy takes too long and Robbie kicks him away.
Hardy with a kick and Twist of Fate. Hardy removes his shirt and he goes up top for the Swanton and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Hardy celebrates in the ring.
We see Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels talking about the big reveal of whether A.J. is the father of the child. Daniels offers Kazarian an appletini but Frankie refuses.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sting says that he is giving Ace and Eights carte blanche. He says that he is easy to find. One might have been patched, but he is ready to deal the Dead Man’s Hand. Sting says that he is easy to find.
It is time to recap the history of the affair that A.J. Styles has been involved in over the last few months.
Jeremy Borash is in the ring and he has the results for A.J. Styles’ paternity test. A.J. comes to the ring.
A.J. responds to the ‘Who’s the Daddy’ chants and says that we will find out now. A.J. wants to talk about the situation. He says that he is sorry. He is sorry to his friends, the fans, and most of all, to his family. A.J. says that he cannot remember that night and something happened with Claire. A.J. says that if he is the father, he will accept responsibility for the child. He says that he is a man who takes responsibility for his actions.
If that child is not his, he doesn’t want Christopher Daniels or Kazarian to say a word to him again.
Claire is supposed to make her way to the ring, but Kazarian and Daniels come out and Kazarian asks A.J. if we are supposed to believe that he cares more about protecting the A.J. Styles brand than his family. He tells A.J. that he makes him sick and it is selfish pricks like A.J. who make people act out and create a world of bullies like we have never seen.
It is absentee fathers like A.J. that explain why the prisons are populated by people who don’t care about their families.
He says that A.J. has always cared about the Phenomenal One. He says that A.J. has to start caring about the little one.
Daniels wants to talk about the damage that has already been done. Claire has come out in a vulnerable state and has asked if A.J. will be there in her time of need. All A.J. did was turn his back on her. Daniels says week after week, the stress built up until it turned into physical stress. Daniels says that Claire is not here tonight, she is in Florida Hospital and she suffered a placental disruption and the situation is touch and go.
Daniels says that he knows that his fans will join him in wishing her a speedy recovery. Daniels wants to know if A.J. is happy now. Was protecting his reputation worth all of the pain and suffering that he put through Claire and the baby.
Someone comes to the ring dressed in a suit and she takes the mic and she says that she is the attorney for Claire. As her legal representative, she has been authorized to read a statement. She tells Daniels to get his hands off of her.
She says in January 2012, she was approached by Daniels and Kazarian to be part of a scheme to frame and blackmail A.J. Styles. To her deepest regrets, she participated in numerous illegal and unethical activities. She even put sedatives in a beverage for A.J. Photos were taken to perpetuate the fraud and create the blackmail. She says that she is ready to take responsibility for her action. She regrets naming A.J. as the person responsible for her pregnancy. She says that Claire was never pregnant. This was part of the plan to cause irreparable harm to A.J.’s career. She asks for A.J. to forgive her some day. A.J. has always been the man he has been known to be.
A.J. with a kick to Daniels and then Kazarian gets out of the ring before Styles can do anything to him.
We go to commercial.
We go to the Gut Check Video for Chris Lewie. He says that wrestling was the first thing that he was proud to do in his life. He says that wrestling kept him straight. He says that he was blessed to get the call from Al Snow to get the chance to work for TNA. He says that this is a fight and he is going to get the contract. There is nothing for him back home. He will get the chance.
He says that he is more motivated than any of the previous Gut Check participants or most of the people in the back. He will entertain the fans.
We see three of the members of Aces and Eights walking in the back and Sting stops them and wants to know if they are playing games. Sting asks if they want to play 52 pick up. Sting gives a bat to Hulk Hogan and he hits them. Hogan tells them if they look at his daughter again, he will rip out their hearts and feed them to his dogs. Hogan snarls and Sting calms him down.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Sting and Hulk Hogan taking care of three members of Aces and Eights.
We take a look back at Alex Silva, who was the first to get a contract through the Gut Check. He says that it didn’t feel real when he got the opportunity. It gave him a chance to be a TNA superstar. He needs to focus and concentrate on becoming the best pro wrestler in this business. There is no way he will stop until he achieves this goal.
Match Number Four: Chris Lewie versus Gunner
They go face to face in the center of the ring and Lewie with arm drags and a flying shoulder tackle for a near fall. Lewie with a double leg take down for a near fall. Gunner with a knee and forearm. Gunner with punches to the midsection but he misses a punch in the corner. The referee separates Lewie and Gunner and Gunner with a thumb to the eye but Lewie with a drop kick for a near fall.
Gunner with a clothesline for a near fall. Gunner with a back elbow and then he stomps on Lewie’s chest. Gunner with an elbow in the corner followed by an Irish whip. Gunner with a kick to the ribs followed by forearms and another Irish whip. Gunner misses a splash into the corner and Lewie with punches and a clothesline. Lewie with a leaping hip to the chest.
Lewie with a Samoan drop and then he goes up top but misses a splash. Gunner drops Lewie from a fireman’s carry position and gets the three count.
Winner: Gunner
Ken Anderson walks through the back and it is time for him to call someone out.
We are back and ODB is on the phone with Eric Young and wants to know where he is with the beer and chicken. She tells him to bring his pole and fish in her Great Lakes.
Ken Anderson makes his way to the ring with his 40 points. Ken gets his mic from the ceiling and he says that tonight is his final Bound for Glory matchup and he is saving the biggest, baddest, toughest, and meanest for last.
Ken calls out Bully Ray.
Match Number Five: Ken Anderson (40 Points) versus Bully Ray (48 Points) in a Bound for Glory Series Match
They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Anderson with a side head lock but Ray with a shoulder tackle. Ray misses an elbow drop and he holds his elbow. Anderson with a waist lock but Ray with a forearm to the back. Anderson with a kick to Ray but he misses a clothesline. Ray with a punch to the kidney followed by a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall.
We go to commercial after Anderson is sent shoulder first into the post.
We are back and Ray with an elbow drop for a near fall. He gets another near fall. Ray with a kick to Anderson. Ray waits for Anderson to get back to his feet and he sends Anderson back to the mat with a clothesline. Ray with another near fall. Ray with crossfaces to Anderson. Ray with a suplex to Anderson and he gets a near fall.
Anderson is sent into the turnbuckles and then Ray punches him in the midsection and head. Ray with a slam and then he goes for the Vader Bomb but Anderson moves out of the way. Anderson and Ray exchange punches from their knees. Ray with a knee but Anderson with a clothesline and back elbow. Anderson with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall.
Anderson with a corkscrew leg lariat for a near fall. Anderson waits for the rolling fireman’s carry slam but Anderson cannot get Ray over and Ray with a neck breaker for a near fall. Ray goes to the turnbuckles and Anderson punches him. Anderson hits the rolling fireman’s carry slam this time and he gets a near fall. Anderson goes up top but Ray hits the ropes and Anderson gets crotched.
Ray sets for a superplex and he hits it.
We go to the back and Aces and Eights are ambushed by Gunner, Robbie T, and Kurt Angle.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Ray gets back to his feet and he misses a boot. He does not miss the Bubba Bomb but he can only get a two count. Ray tries for a second one but Anderson blocks it and hits a DDT. Anderson goes up top for the Kenton Bomb and he gets a near fall. Anderson misses a clothesline but he does not miss the Mic Check and he gets the three count.
Winner: Ken Anderson (47 Points)
Even with the win, Anderson is not in the top four and he has no more matches to go in the Bound for Glory Series.
We go to the Aces and Eights Clubhouse. They have been planning their game. In three minutes and thirty seconds, they will unleash hell and they will do what they do best. They will give out the Deadman’s Hand.
We are back and Sting’s music plays and he comes to the ring with Austin Aries, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Devon, Ken Anderson, Rob Terry, Robbie E, Gunner, Rob Van Dam, and more.
Sting tells Aces and Eights that they said three and a half minutes, and they are waiting for them to come out. Sting says that the victims are ready.
Sting says that they are not going to pull a no show again. The people in the Impact Zone want Hogan. Sting says that maybe they need an Aces and Eights chant.
We see some of the members of Aces and Eights come to ringside. We see more come to the ring and we have pandemonium in and out of the ring but the TNA roster is in control of things. The members of Aces and Eights try to hide their identities and then they start their retreat since they are badly outnumbered.
We go backstage and we see Hogan and Storm fighting off some of the members of Aces and Eights. A.J. Styles joins in the attack. There is a brawl going on outside, but we see a few of the wrestlers alone in the ring. Aries with a suicide dive onto a few members of Aces and Eights. Then the other eight or ten try to go after Van Dam and Hardy.
We see a larger member of Aces and Eights clothesline Aries. They bring a part of the guardrail and put it on the turnbuckles. Aries is held to the guardrail and they hit his arm with a chair.
They stand over Aries and Bully Ray makes his way to the ring and the members of Aces and Eights leave the ring.
2013 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in Bakersfield, California and your announcers are Michael ‘Is There any Cheese in the building’ Cole and John ‘No one better cash in their Money in the Bank Announcer’s Mic’ Layfield.
Vickie Guerrero is in the ring and she welcomes everyone to Smackdown. On behalf of the McMahon family, it is with great excitement that she introduces the new WWE Champion, Randy Orton.
Randy makes his way to the ring.
Randy says that as their new WWE Champion, he promises to give everything that they want and deserve. They will aspire to be him. He promises to be a role model. A role model tells the truth. That is what he did. He told everyone, especially Daniel Bryan, that when he cashed in, none would see it coming.
None of you, including Daniel Bryan, should be surprised at what happened. Randy says that he is the one who should be surprised. Sunday night, he did not know that Triple H was going to pedigree Daniel Bryan. Randy says that he is not one to pass up an opportunity literally lying in front of him.
Randy says that he did not need Triple H’s help on Sunday and he did not need The Shield’s help on Monday. He appreciates the support from the entire McMahon family, but he also wants the support of the fans. After all, he is not only the WWE Champion, he is also the face of the WWE.
Daniel Bryan’s music plays and he make his way to the ring.
Daniel enters the ring and he has something to say.
Daniel says before he addresses the face of the WWE, he wants to say what he was going to say on Raw before he was interrupted by Stephanie McMahon. He has a short message for John Cena. He tells John ‘Thank You’. He thanks John for giving him the opportunity to wrestle him at SummerSlam and for being bold and courageous enough to wrestle with an injured triceps.
If he was better for just that day, it gave him the chance to feel what it was like to be WWE Champion.
Daniel tells the Face of the WWE that it is time for that face to change. Daniel says that he doesn’t look like Randy Orton. Randy is chiseled. He is tall. He’s pretty. He is so pretty. Daniel says that he can see why Triple H likes him so much. He is so pretty. Daniel says that Randy is also arrogant. Randy has been handed every opportunity in the WWE.
He has created his own success, but his opportunities have come to him because his father and grandfather were here. He has been given the genetic golden ticket to be in the WWE.
Daniel still can’t get over how pretty Randy is.
He tells Randy that he is so pretty it makes him want to kick Randy in the face. Daniel says that he had to scratch and claw for every opportunity. He had to wrestle in every dirty gymnasium and on staph infected mats. He had to sleep in his car and he had to earn every step. Daniel says that he is not tall and he is not pretty.
Daniel says that he can wrestle. He can beat Randy. Daniel says that he can beat Randy for the that and he points to the WWE Title belt.
Daniel says that he is entitled a rematch for the WWE Championship. He says that he wants that rematch to happen tonight.
The fans like the idea of the rematch.
However, Randy tells Shortstuff that he will have to wait until Night of Champions. Orton tries for an RKO but Bryan avoids it. Bryan kicks Orton and Randy goes to the floor.
We go to commercial with Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman walking in the back.
We are back with Vickie Guerrero in her office. She is on the phone and she says that Daniel Bryan ruined Randy Orton’s night and someone has to teach that troll a message.
Wade Barrett enters and he says that they have a mutual dislike of Daniel Bryan. He says that Daniel has a rematch, but he wants to make sure that Daniel never gets it. He vows that if he gets a match with Daniel, we will never see him again.
Vickie thinks about a No Holds Barred match and then she thinks about an Extreme Rules match. Vickie decides to make it a steel cage match.
Match Number One: Cody Rhodes versus Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) in a Non Title Match)
Axel with kicks and punches to Rhodes and the referee pulls him out of the corner. Rhodes with an elbow and a waist lock. Axel with a standing switch but Cody with a leg trip. Axel with a drop kick. Axel sends Rhodes to the apron and Rhodes with a shoulder and then he hits a springboard drop kick and he gets a near fall. Axel rolls to the floor and Cody goes up top but Axel walks away. Rhodes goes to the apron and Axel grabs the leg and drops Cody on the apron and then he runs Cody into the apron as we go to commercial.
We are back and Axel with a series of forearms followed by a leaping forearm across the chest for a near fall. Axel with a snap mare and he hits the leap frog neck snap and gets a near fall. Axel with a reverse chin lock. Rhodes with elbows and punches but Axel slides into the corner on an Irish whip.
Axel with a clothesline and then he misses a forearm when Cody moves. Cody with punches. Cody with a drop down uppercut and then he goes for the kick to the abdomen with Axel on the ropes. Axel ducks the Beautiful Disaster and Axel with a kick to the midsection. Axel with an Irish whip and Cody floats over and gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Cody with a clothesline.
Rhodes goes up top and Heyman gets on the apron and that distraction allows Axel to recover and he hits the ropes and it crotches Cody. Cody falls to the mat and Axel hits the neck breaker driver for the three count.
Winner: Curtis Axel
After the match, Paul Heyman tells everyone that he stands before everyone not as a man in pain. He is in agony. That agony is a direct result of the actions of CM Punk. Paul says that everyone is going to choke on their cheers because he is not going to talk about the physical pain. He wants to talk about the emotional pain.
Punk was a friend and a man who he helped to make the Best in the World is now a sad, pathetic loser. At SummerSlam, CM Punk was pinned 1-2-3 by BROCK LESNAR. Instead of accepting defeat like a man and acknowledging his loss, Punk has gone off the rails./ Punk is on a downward spiral. His actions on Raw were befitting a madman. Without Paul Heyman in his corner, CM Punk never stood a chance against BROCK LESNAR.
Without Paul Heyman, CM Punk is lost. While with Paul Heyman, Curtis Axel has found himself. His client is filled with confidence. His client has had victory after victory after victory. That is why no one can defeat Curtis Axel for the Intercontinental Championship.
Curtis tells Paul that Punk does not deserve an Intercontinental Championship match. He says that Punk is jealous of the attention that Paul has been giving him and that is why he assaulted him with a chair on Monday. Curtis says that he will finish the job that Lesnar started at SummerSlam. He challenges Punk to a match on Raw. His future is better than Punk’s. He is more athletic and he has someone in his corner named Paul Heyman.
We go to commercial with Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston walking in the back.
Match Number Two: Dolph Ziggler versus Big E Langston (with AJ Lee)
Langston grabs Ziggler by the throat before the bell rings and he throws Ziggler into the turnbuckles. The referee warns Langston and tells him to get into the corner before he will start the match.
The match officially begins and Langston misses a charge into the corner. Ziggler with punches but Langston sends Ziggler high into the air and he lands on the mat and Langston gets a near fall. Langston with punches and then he hits the splash but can only get a near fall. Langston with a reverse chin lock but Ziggler gets to his feet and he hits a jawbreaker.
Langston misses a charge into the corner and he hits the ring post with his shoulder. Ziggler with a Stinger Splash followed by a neck breaker and drop kick. Ziggler goes for the Fameasser but Langston catches him and Langston tries for a power bomb but Ziggler counters with an X Factor for a near fall.
AJ punches Ziggler when the referee was dealing with Langston. Langston with a body block for a near fall. The straps come down for Langston and he tries for the Big Ending and Ziggler escapes and hits the Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Christian versus Alberto Del Rio in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Del Rio backs Christian in the corner. Del Rio with punches instead of a clean break and then he kicks and punches Christian. Del Rio charges at Christian and Christian with a back body drop and Del Rio goes to the floor. Christian with a baseball slide and Del Rio hits the ringside barrier.
Christian with a chop and they return to the ring. Del Rio rolls back to the floor and Christian goes up top but Del Rio goes up the ramp as we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with kicks and the referee warns Alberto. Christian with punches while we watch Del Rio sending Christian’s left arm into the announce table. Christian goes to the turnbuckles and Del Rio pushes him off the turnbuckles and to the floor.
Del Rio kicks Christian against the ringside barrier. Del Rio returns to the ring and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with an arm bar into a key lock. Christian gets back to his feet and he punches Del Rio to get out of the hold. Christian with a kick but Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Del Rio wraps the arm in the ropes to add more pressure to the body part.
Del Rio goes for the splash to the back against the ropes but Christian moves. Christian drops Del Rio’s back against the top rope and Del Rio falls to the floor. Christian with punches and a running forearm. Christian climbs the turnbuckles and he punches Del Rio. Christian with a back body drop and then he goes up top. Del Rio moves when Christian tries for a cross body and Del Rio with a drop kick to the shoulder for a near fall.
Del Rio with head butts to Christian and then he tries for the step up enzuigiri but Christian moves. Christian with a sunset flip off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Christian with a punch and he goes to the turnbuckles. Christian misses a drop kick and Del Rio tries for the cross arm breaker but Christian escapes.
Del Rio runs into boots from Christian and Christian hits a Tornado DDT for a near fall. Christian looks around and he teases a spear but Del Rio goes to the floor. Christian follows and then Christian punches Del Rio. Del Rio with an enzuigiri when Christian went up top and Del Rio gets a near fall.
Del Rio shows some frustration and then he pulls down the knee pad and Christian blocks the super kick. Del Rio avoids the Killswitch and he sends Christian’s shoulder into the turnbuckles and Del Rio locks in the cross arm breaker despite Christian’s attempts to block it. Christian tries to get Del Rio’s shoulders on the mat but Del Rio is able to lock it in and Christian taps out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Del Rio addresses the crowd. He thanks the Latinos. He knows that all of the Mexicans and Latinos look up to him. He knows that they all want to be the next Alberto Del Rio. He says that there is only one Alberto Del Rio. You cannot be Alberto Del Rio because you are peasants. That doesn’t mean that just because you are the son or daughter of a peasant, you have to be a peasant. You can be something better or something else. He tells everyone to follow their leader.
Ricardo Rodriguez comes out and he says hello to Alberto. He tells Alberto to stop and he says that he has a problem with following Alberto to greatness. Not him or the people. Not the guy who exemplifies greatness on Mondays, Fridays, or any night. This man does not look down at people. That man is Rob Van Dam.
Rob comes out and Alberto waits for him to make his way to the ring. Meanwhile, Christian attacks Del Rio with a missile drop kick before leaving the ring. Van Dam hits Rolling Thunder on Del Rio.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Big Show and Mark Henry versus Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre
Show and Slater start things off and Slater is not happy with the result. Show with a chop across the chest and then he sends Slater into the turnbuckles. Henry tags in and he chokes Slater. Slater with punches but they have no effect. Henry with a boot to Slater and then he sends Slater into the turnbuckles.
Henry with a kick to Slater and then he stands over Slater and he tries to drop down on Slater but Heath moves. Drew tags in and he punches and kicks Henry. Mahal tags in and he kicks Henry. Mahal punches and kicks Henry. Slater tags back in and he kicks Henry. Slater with jabs to Henry but Henry with a shoulder tackle, and Slater is sent across the ring. Show and Drew tag in and Show with clotheslines followed by an Irish whip and back body drop. Show with a kick that sends Mahal off the apron. Show with a butt splash and shoulder tackle to Drew. Show sets for the choke slam and he hits it and he Slater breaks up the cover.
Show grabs Slater and he feeds him to Henry for a World’s Strongest Slam. Show sends Mahal over the top rope and Show knocks out Drew and gets the three count.
Winners: Big Show and Mark Henry
After the match, while Big Show and Mark Henry celebrate their victory, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins appear on the TitanTron. Reigns says that he told them to step up and they go out and beat 3MB. Reigns wonders if they were listening to him.
Seth tells Show that he did not get the message. After dropping him from the sky, he is shocked that he got back to his feet. He does not mind because they will like knocking him down again. He says that Show’s time is running out and they are his wake up call.
Reigns tells Mark to wake up because he has been floating around for a decade and a half. He says that they will never respect him. Two former champions have come together to form one of the most imposing team in the history of WWE. They want a shot at their tag titles? There is only little problem with that. Seth says that they are just better than them. A new era has dawned and they have to go. He tells them to believe that.
Reigns tells them to BELIEVE IN THE SHIELD.
Darren Young and Titus O’Neil walk in the back and do the Millions of Dollars Dance as we go to commercial.
We are back and Zeb Colter, Jack Swagger, and Antonio Cesaro are in the ring.
Zeb wants everyone to rise and join them in a We The People.
Match Number Five: Darren Young (with Titus O’Neil) versus Antonio Cesaro (with Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger)
Cesaro with a drop kick as the bell rings and he punches Young. Cesaro punches Young in the corner and connects with a head butt. Cesaro with a dead lift side salto. Young with a shoulder but Cesaro with European uppercuts and knees. Cesaro with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Young. Cesaro with a sleeper on Young. Cesaro with a short arm clothesline for a near fall.
Cesaro slaps and pie faces Young but Young with a clothesline and he punches Cesaro in the midsection. Young with an Irish whip and overhead belly-to-belly throw. Young with a clothesline into the corner followed by a Northern Lights uplex and bridge for a near fall. Young gets Cesaro on his shoulders and Swagger tries to distract Young to prevent him from hitting the Gutcheck but Titus pulls him off the apron.
Cesaro with a rollup for a near fall. Young with a hot shot and then he hits the Gutcheck for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ryback is in the back having a drink of water. Someone stops him and asks him for an autograph. He says that it is for his son Billy. Ryback says that he will sign it. Ryback asks him if he is his son’s favorite.
The guy asks Ryback what it says and he wants to know which one he is. He asks him what his name is. He says that it has been a while since he has watched. Ryback yells at him for asking him for an autograph when he doesn’t know his name.
Ryback rips up the autograph and he tells him to tell his son that his father is a scrawny, pencil neck fool.
We go to commercial with some cage lowering music.
Match Number Six: Wade Barrett versus Daniel Bryan in a Steel Cage Match
They lock up and Barrett backs Bryan into the turnbuckles and he punches Bryan. Bryan sends Barrett into the turnbuckles and he kicks and punches Barrett. Barrett with a kick to the chest and he tries to send Bryan into the cage but he blocks it. Bryan with a punch and he sends Barrett into the turnbuckles and he kicks Barrett.
Bryan climbs the turnbuckles and he punches Barrett. Bryan runs into the corner and he is met with a boot by Barrett. Barrett punches Bryan. Barrett gets Bryan on his shoulder and he runs Bryan into the cage and he gets a near fall. Barrett tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Bryan lands on his feet. Barrett charges at Bryan and Daniel drops down and Barrett hits the cage. Bryan kicks Barrett in the corner.
Barrett with an Irish whip but Bryan flips over and he tries for the flying clothesline but Barrett counters with the Blackpool slam and he gets a near fall. We go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett with a knee to Bryan and then he connects with a boot to the head that sends Bryan’s head into the cage. Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett goes to the apron Bryan with a head butt and he sends Barrett’s head into the cage repeatedly. Bryan with a running drop kick that sends Barrett’s head into the cage. Bryan with a second drop kick. Bryan with a third drop kick.
Bryan climbs the turnbuckles but Barrett stops Bryan before he can get to the top of the cage. Bryan kicks Barrett back to the mat and Daniel hits a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall. Bryan with kicks to the chest. He sets for the round kick but Barrett ducks. Barrett sends Bryan into the cage and then Barrett hits a clothesline that flips Bryan and Barrett gets a near fall.
Barrett goes for Wasteland but it is by the cage and Bryan escapes and he tries to climb the cage. Barrett hits Bryan and then connects with an Electric Chair drop and he gets a near fall. Barrett climbs the cage and he gets to the top but Bryan grabs his legs. Bryan with a forearm to the back and he goes for a German superplex but Barrett holds on to the cage.
Barrett with elbows that knock Bryan off the turnbuckles. Barrett gets to the top but Bryan stops him again. Bryan with forearms to the back. Bryan with a head butt and kicks while they are on the top rope. Bryan sends Barrett into the cage and then he hits a sunset flip power bomb and both men are down.
Bryan gets to his feet first and he hits the flying knee and he gets the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Daniel Bryan celebrates and goes around the ring. He is attacked by Randy Orton, who was hiding under the ring. Orton gives Bryan an RKO and we go to credits.
2023 - Mick Foley announced the passing of the greatest professional wrestler who ever lived (in my opinion and in fact) Terry Funk at the age of 79 following a hard battle against Parkinson's Disease and dementia:
RIP TERRY FUNK
I’m struggling to process this — but Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, and one of my closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.
If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks that this incredible man gave so much, for so long, to so many. There will never be another like him. May God bless Terry, his friends, family and all who loved him. RIP my dear friend - it was an honor to know you. #RIPTerryFunk
I will be writing much more about Terry in the next few days.
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