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October 14th
On this day in history in ....
1935 - WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Lanza is born.
1947 - WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff is born.
1966 - Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Austin in Los Angeles, California to win the WWA World Heavyweight Title.
1966 - El Santo defeats Espanto I for the Mexican Light Heavyweight Title in Mexicali, Mexico, ending Espanto's second title reign.
1978 - The Assassin defeats Jose Lothario in Shreveport, Louisiana to win the Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Title, ending the Lothario's second reign as champion.
1979 - Former WWE and WCW star turned actress Stacy Keibler was born.
1985 - Butch Reed defeats Dick Murdoch to win the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a result of this win, Reed had to vacate the Mid-South Television Title, which he had won from Dutch Mantell on July 22, 1985.
1989 - Saturday Night's Main Event airs on NBC, drawing a 9.5 broadcast rating. The show featured matches that were taped on September 21, 1989 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here are the results that aired on the show:
- Randy Savage defeated Jimmy Snuka after hitting him with Sherri Martel's purse. After the match, Snuka moved out of the way of Savage's top rope elbow, and set up for the Superfly Splash, but Sherri interfered to stop him.
- WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Ted DiBiase with a small package after DiBiase had collided with Zeus, who was on the ring apron trying to help DiBiase. After the match, the heels beat on Hogan until Jake Roberts ran them off with his snake.
- Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated Haku with a belly-to-belly suplex.
- Tito Santana vs. Rick Martel ended in a double DQ when their Survivor Series teammates, at ringside, started brawling.
- The Bushwackers defeated Jacques & Raymond Rougeau when Jacques was pinned after a double gutbuster.
1989 - WWF holds their King Of The Ring tournament in Providence, Rhode Island at the Providence Civic Center. Here are the results:
First Round:
- Akeem defeated Brutus Beefcake.
- Hercules Hernandez vs. Jim Neidhart ended in a double DQ.
- The Warlord defeated Butch Miller.
- Tito Santana defeated Bad News Brown.
- Rick Martel defeated Bill Woods.
- Luke Williams defeated Nikolai Volkoff.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated The Barbarian.
- Haku defeated Terry Taylor.
Quarterfinals:
- Tito Santana defeated The Warlord.
- Rick Martel defeated Luke Williams.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Haku.
- Akeem received a bye.
Semifinals:
- Tito Santana defeated Akeem.
- Rick Martel defeated Jimmy Snuka.
Finals:
- Tito Santana defeated Rick Martel to win the King Of The Ring tournament.
1989 - Bruce Hart defeats Gama Singh for the Stampede Wrestling British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. This marked the start of Bruce's sixth run with the belt, and the end of Singh's fifth reign. Hart would end up retiring the belt, as Stampede Wrestling closed down two months later.
1996 - The Monday Night Wars continued, with Nitro scoring a strong win over Raw, 3.3 to 1.8. Raw featured Vader defeated Phinneas Godwin, Jake Roberts defeating Jerry Lawler, Freddie Joe Floyd (Tracey Smothers) defeated Triple H via countout, Faarooq defeating Alex Porteau, and Shawn Michaels defeating Steve Austin via disqualification. Nitro saw Dean Malenko defeat Brad Armstrong, Hacksaw Duggan defeat V.K. Wallstreet (Mike Rotundo), Hugh Morrus defeat Jim Powers, Lex Luger defeat Greg Valentine, Eddie Guerrero defeat The Cheetah Kid, Jeff Jarrett defeat Bubba Rogers, and World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat vs. The Faces Of Fear end in a no-contest when Scott Hall & Kevin Nash interfered.
1997 - Atsushi Onita, Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido defeat Hayabusa, Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa for the FMW World Streetfight 6-Man Tag Team Title in Sapporo, Japan.
2000 - JJ The Ring Crew Guy defeats Inferno Kid in Laurel, Delaware to win the ECWA Heavyweight Title for the second time in his career.
2002 - Chris Jericho & Christian defeat The Hurricane & Kane for the World Tag Team Championship in Montreal, Quebec. This is the first title change for the tag straps since becoming an "exclusive" to the Raw brand.
2002 - New Japan Pro Wrestling's "The Spiral" Tokyo Dome event drew an announced 50,000 with the following results:
*Blue Wolf pinned Toru Yano
*Jado and Gedo defeated El Samurai and Wataru Inoue
*Hiro Saito and Tatsuhito Goto defeated Shiro Koshinaka and Takashi Iizuka
*Jushin Liger, Masahito Kakihara and Tiger Mask defeated American Dragon (Bryan Danielson), Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero
*Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenzo Suzuki defeated Shinya Makabe and Minoru Fujita when Suzuki pinned Fujita. Makabe asked for the bout to be restarted and continued under handicap rules, but was defeated as well.
*IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion Koji Kanemoto defeated Heat (Minoru Tanaka's new masked persona)
*In a Semi-Final bout for the NWF championship tournament, Tsuyoshi Kosaka defeated Tadao Yasuda
*Yutaka Yoshie defeated Ryushi Yanagisawa
*Osamu Nishimura fought Bas Rutten to a 30 minute, 10 round draw in a bout held under European Catch Wrestling rules.
*Kazunari Murakami pinned Masayuki Naruse
*GREAT MUTA (Not Keiji Muto) pinned Hiroyoshi Tenzan
*Masahiro Chono pinned Joanie Laurer with a Yakuza kick and spanked her over his knee afterwards.
*Bob Sapp defeated Manabu Nakanishi by countout after powerbombing him on the floor.
*IWGP Heavyweight champion Yuji Nagata defeated Kazuyuki Fujita.
2002 - WWE broadcast Byte This on their website. John Keane filed the following report:
As the man says, hello, true believers, it’s time for your weekly dose of that hour-and-a-half of power, Byte This! A new face this week with Kevin Kelly is Josh Matthews, better known to fans as Josh, Maven’s whiney little buddy from the initial installment of Tough Enough. The show starts with a little No Mercy hype and a quick recap of Triple H’s murder accusation leveled at Kane on RAW.
Today’s guests include John “Big” Gaburick from Tough Enough, along with Bill DeMott, also known as Hugh Morrus, though just who actually has known him over the past year or so is anyone’s guess. Also on the show will be Nidia, Chris Nowinski and Maven.
With that, the show begins with Droz’s Two Cents. Droz begins by blasting the murder accusation after a spectacular TLC match, wondering “why in the hell” they ruined a magnificent match with that crap (ok, he didn’t call it crap, but you get the point). Droz also glossed over the Undertaker/Brock situation with Taker’s “broken hand” (why can’t Taker just not job to anyone without a storyline handicap like a broken hand? What a crock!). Kev went back to Kane/Triple H, saying that Triple H has the advantage with Ric Flair in his corner, and he adds that he hopes something meaningful comes from this murder angle.
Kev then wasted a few minutes discussing how hot Tracy was (Undertaker’s “old flame”) before Droz saved him by focusing on the angle. From there Droz checked out, and the show moved forward.
Kev spends a little time introducing Josh, and Josh says that he’s learned that it’s more difficult than it looks to call a match and he respects what the announcers do more now that he’s done it, then Tazz enters the show. Kev notes that it is Tazz’s birthday, wished the Thug Supastar a happy birthday.
Tazz weighed in first on Taker/Brock and the affair storyline, and Tazz said that if you’re going to play around on your wife, this Tracy is a good place to go. Josh piped in with a good question about Paul Heyman, and Tazz said that the first Tough Enough class should have been forced to work under Paul E. and be exposed to the “psychological horrors” he can put people through.
Kev asked Tazz what he looks for first when he looks at Tough Enough contestants. Tazz says he looks in their eyes to see if they have the desire, something that Josh, Maven, Taylor, Chris, Nidia, and “what’s-his-name-with-the-bad-back” (Greg) all had. Tazz said that he’s had some contact with the TE3 players and said that they’re looking really good. Tazz also hyped Bill DeMott and his love of the industry. Tazz announced that he has a new name for himself: Tazz, The Human Shill Machine. Kev noted that “it’s all about the merchandise.”
A caller asked if Josh is still pursuing his wrestling career, and Josh said that he is happy commentating and doesn’t anticipate pursuing wrestling. The caller then asks who his favorite TE contestant was, and Josh noted that Maven was his favorite, being his best friend and all.
Mercifully, Big enters the arena, and discusses the Malibu debacle, where Kelsey Grammer filed an injunction against the location MTV and Tough Enough, and Big said that they went before the city council, took a bashing and was demeaned before they were summarily thrown out of the city. Josh, quickly getting more comfortable, chimed in, saying that he was a fan of Tough Enough 1, and asked what to expect from the third edition. Big said that things are a little different this year, and casting is a little more intimate and that they invited the 75 best contestants and talked to them and had Bill DeMott train with those who were deemed the best for three days before even selecting them.
Kev asked what Bill DeMott brought to the table as a trainer, and Big responded by saying that he realized that he was a perfect fit as a trainer after talking to him. He said that Bill “hit a home run” with his training style and his willingness to voice his opinion.
Kelly asked Josh when viewers should look for the point where contestants start getting sick of each other. Josh said that by the second or third week, unless there is someone like Darryl, where they’re sick of him after two or three hours. Kelly mentioned that Tazz said a lot of unkind things about Big, and mentioned their trip to Penn State for the State-Nebraska game and how he had a long ride home afterwards.
Kev asked when Big was getting in the ring, and he said that “Big don’t bump,” and he won’t be getting in the ring. Kelly teased that Big may be making a regular appearance during TE season, and thanked Big for his time.
After a short break, we return with Nidia, who showed some “Latina fire,” Kev mentioned. Kelly gave Josh some lessons in interviewing after Josh jumped in with a question about TE3 by asking her about Fit Finlay and his work with the Divas. Nidia put him over, saying that she loves working with him. Josh asked who taught Nidia Spanish (after her tirade on SmackDown!), and Nidia said rather impatiently that she was born in Puerto Rico. Nidia also mentioned that Rey Mysterio is “a little slow,” after she said she had 15 minutes and a cup of ice, Rey asked if she was planning on making a cocktail. Nidia said she persisted and said “You know 619? How ‘bout we leave one out.” She said that Rey still didn’t get it and that she thinks he may like men. Kev noted that Rey’s Spanish included something about how he’d rather lay with a dog than Nidia, and the Diva said that he may have said that, but his eyes told her something else.
Next on the show was Chris Nowinski, who said that he’s close to returning to action. Chris discussed his difficulties watching RAW since he has been injured. Josh asked what Chris’s favorite RAW Roulette match was, excepting the TLC match. The only Harvard grad in the history of the WWE said that he liked the blindfold match and the Vegas Showgirl match.
On to Tough Enough thoughts, and Chris said that it was important to get along with your housemates, and he said that a contestant has to want it more than everyone else. Chris also mentioned that he still is working at OVW when time permits. Kev asked when Chris will return to mat action, and Chris said “any day now.” Josh told Chris to stay out of the classroom, and Kev said that Dreamer had to bring a weapon to put Nowinski out of action, and Chris noted that he actually brought the weapon.
With that, Chris retired from the show, and after another pointless phone call, Kev welcomed Maven to the show. Josh asked about Maven’s status, and Maven said that he found out that he tore ligaments in his ankle and is looking at returning to the big time in November after a stint in OVW. Kev asked Maven about sitting on the sidelines watching, and Maven said that he has kept busy doing appearances, and said that he’s raring to get back. Maven also noted that his mother is doing well (remember that she had cancer).
Maven said that heart is important in a TE contestant, and he noted that it doesn’t matter how big or strong you are, you have to have heart. Josh added that it was difficult to pick a winner for the first show because no one knew what they were looking for in a superstar.
Maven bragged that he was the first person on WWE television to take an F5 from Brock (in his television debut) and discussed his rise. Kev teased Maven vs. Brock when Maven is healthy.
With that, Maven left the show, and Josh revealed that he will be writing a commentary on toughenough.com about the show every week. During the break, they discussed Nicole Bass’s lawsuit. Kevin and Josh agreed that she had no case, and Kevin said that some of her testimony was laughable.
They showed some exclusive footage from Tough Enough 3, where the trainers were acting tough (tougher than in the past, and I wouldn’t want Bill DeMott screaming me down the way he did to that contestant. Scary. And they all were loud. Even Al and Ivory got nasty). With that, Bill De Mott, aka Hugh Morrus, was welcomed to the show.
Bill said that he started TE3 with respect, and says that with the two hours of television, a lot of fans forget about the rest of the week and the work they’ve done. Josh asked if Tough Enough is a shortcut, and DeMott said he is old school; TE is a shortcut, but is a part of the changing business and Tough Enough is a great new avenue. He said that “paying dues” doesn’t apply as much as it used to, and that Bill noted that if he was just starting, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to get through a Tough Enough.
DeMott admitted that he was “iffy” about starting Tough Enough, but he loved doing it and said it may be a start of a new career. He also mentioned being announced as “Bill DeMott” rather than as Hugh Morrus, and said that people didn’t know what to expect. DeMott was cut off, and as they scrambled to get him back, Kevin noted that DeMott sounded like the drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket.
Josh said that he thinks the pre-training program for TE hopefuls is a good idea because it gives trainers the opportunity to check out the athleticism of the potential amateurs. With that, DeMott returned and said, like Tazz, he wanted to see “that look in their eyes.” DeMott said he feels good, and that he’s in great shape.
DeMott also weighed in on WCW, and Kevin said that he was considered by many to be “the heart and soul” of the company. He said that as WCW faded into WWF, Hugh Morrus and Bill DeMott made the cut and said it is an honor to be considered a locker room leader.
With that they thanked Bill DeMott, and Duda got on the mic and asked Josh if he ever got with Taylor, and Josh said no, that he didn’t really find Taylor that attractive. After some banter, Duda informed Josh and Kevin that Dr. Tom was on the phone. Doc said that he has just had one of the defining weeks of his life with the Divas. After some stimulating conversation, the show concluded. Next week (unconfirmed): Kane!
A thought: Josh did a pretty good job, injecting a little spark into the conversation, especially with the Tough Enough segments.
2002 - WWE issued the following press release, advising stockholders the company would lose $3 million in the next financial quarter:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 2002--As part of its ongoing business operations, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) today announced further guidance for its second fiscal quarter ending October 25, 2002 and its fiscal year ending April 30, 2003. The Company anticipates that revenues for the quarter will be approximately $90 million and that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other charges (EBITDA) will be approximately $4 million.
Attendance and television ratings are expected to be in line with those in the prior quarter. Pay-per-view buys are projected to be approximately 950,000 buys.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses are forecast to be approximately $25 million which reflects the favorable impact of the Company's cost control programs.
Simultaneously with this release, the Company filed an 8-K which reported the settlement of its litigation and buyout of all existing contractual agreements with William Morris Agency, Inc. The Company agreed to pay $13 million of which it had previously accrued $7 million. An additional charge of $6 million will be recorded in the live and televised business segment for the quarter. During the quarter, the Company received a favorable verdict in its litigation with Nicole Bass.
Primarily as a result of the charge in the quarter, WWE will report a net loss of approximately $3 million or $(0.05) per common share.
Based upon the projected results for the first half of the year, the Company expects that full year revenues will be approximately $385 million to $390 million. Operating income is forecast to be $27 million to $29 million which includes the six month net impact of its litigation settlements of $2.5 million. EBITDA is forecast to be approximately $42.5 million to $44.5 million. Selling, general, and administrative expenses are forecast to be approximately $100 million which reflects the favorable impact of the Company's cost control programs. Depreciation and amortization is forecast to be $13 million for the year. The Company expects to perform approximately 325 live events with attendance projected to be 2.0 million for the year. Total pay-per-view buys are projected to be about 5.4 million.
This guidance is subject to various risks and uncertainties as contained within the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London and it entertainment complex, the World, in New York City's Time Square. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, food and beverage, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.
2002 - XPW aired its Monday Nightmare TV series on TV 48 in Philadelphia. Phil X filed the following report:
XPW Monday Nightmare Episode #7 from 10/14/02 on WGTW Channel 48 out of Burlington/Philadelphia ......
Kris Kloss opens the show driving home in his car from Philadelphia, "headed home to Los Angeles" since Shane Douglas made him drive to Philadelphia for Fallout.
Segment #1- A video package of highlights from XPW Fallout narrated by Kris Kloss (Sandman vs. "The John Wayne Gacy Protege" Pogo the Clown; Chris Chetti vs. Chris Hamrick; Mexico's Most Wanted vs. "two black men with white face paint" The Dead Prez; Juventud Guerrera vs. Julio Dinero; Vic Grimes vs. "an unmasked Snuff" Malice representing NWA-TNA; Super Crazy vs. Psicosis; Altar Boy Luke vs. Supreme; Danny Doring vs. Kaos; Shane Douglas vs. Chris Candido)
Segment #2- Supreme promo saying he does not know what Angel was thinking and he may have cost him the King of Deathmatch title, but he (Angel) does not have it, so what's the point. Supreme said that all the time's he kicked Altar Boy Luke's ass, he never had a problem with him, but now he does, and he is going to get his title back.
Segment #3- (From XPW Fallout on 10/5/02)- Juventud Guerrera vs. Julio Dinero. Guerrera cuts an in ring promo before the match. XPW added subtitles to the promo which is pretty funny. Guerrera rips on the crowd who chants "shut the fu&k; up" to him. When trying to name his opponent, Juventud calls Julio Dinero "Julio Candido" foreshadowing the mystery man later in the show. Julio Dinero hits the ring. Dinero looks like a massive heavyweight when next to Guerrera. Dinero takes control early but Guerrera stops him in his tracks with a jawbreaker. Dinero rebounds with a roundhouse kick off the ropes to Guerrera taking him down. The match spills to the outside where Guerrera executes a huracanrana on the outside. Kris Kloss calls PA Athletic Commission member Frank Talent "Lou Thesz". Pretty funny since he does resemble him. Juventud throws Julio in to the ring post and gets a chair from the crowd. He puts the chair around Julio's throat and then rams him in to the ringpost again. Back in the ring, Juventud does a springboard leg drop on to Julio for a 2 count. Kloss calls Guerrera "The Excellence of Mexicution". Guerrera gets a 2 count after a powerbomb. Dinero executes a roundhouse kick to Juventud who was charging in to the corner. Dinero gets Juventud on the top rope and executes a reverse top rope facebuster for a 2 count. Guerrera dropkicks Dinero in the knee. Both men struggle to their feet. Dinero ducks two clothesline and nails Guerrera with a boot to the face. Dinero gets a 2 count after a reverse russian leg sweep. He gets another 2 count after a suplex. Guerrera catches him in a Juvi Driver then goes to the top rather than going for a pinfall. Dinero shoves the ref into the ropes causing Guerrera to slip and get crotched on the ropes. Dinero climbs to the second rope but Guerrera counters him and throws him off the ropes. He goes for a huracanrana but Dinero catches him. Guerrera turns it into a facebuster for a 2 count. Guerrera gets frustrated and bails to the outside where he grabs a steel chair. Dinero cuts him off though and the two trade spots for near falls. Dinero gives Guerrera a full nelson into a chokeslam for another 2 count. After a series of counters and reversals, Guerrera hits a Juvi Driver on the chair for the pinfall.
Segment #4- Danny Doring promo. Doring says Kaos came into Philly and learned a valuable lesson. Doring said maybe he didn't read the fine print and jumped the gun, but Kaos's undisputed title reign is now disputed since he pinned him 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring in Philly. He said they can make fun of his shirt and his nose all he wants, but he beat him and his crew right in front of all his people in Philly. Doring says he is now the #1 contender. Doring says they are going to sue him because he slapped them? Doring says "do you know who I worked for before?? You can't sue me because I don't have anything!!!!". Doring says they may love Kaos on the West Coast but they are on the East Coast now and the fans are behind him.
Segment #5- The Enterprise (Kaos, G.Q. Money, and Veronica Caine) promo. They call Doring an idiot for not reading the fine print and rushing into a match. They say Doring made a mistake because he can not take out Hollywood. They say he is from the smelly piece of crap New Jersey. G.Q. Money says that Danny Doring smacked him and he will pay for it. The Enterprise says Doring will not get a title shot and they will sue him with their high priced Hollywood attorneys.
Segment #6- Chris Candido (with Tammy Sytch) promo backstage. Candido is icing himself and tells Shane Douglas he is coming back for him. He says it may take him 1,000 times but he will never stop until he gets that XPW Title back. Candido said that Shane Douglas may want to play dirty, but do not forget that "I have one of these too (pointing to his Triple Threat tatoo)" and that two can play at that game.
Segment #7- (From XPW Fallout on 10/5/02)- Sandman vs. Pogo the Clown. Sandman cuts a promo on the mic and slurs his first few words and says "alright, I am drunk!". He says he is not leaving the ring til that fat clown gets the hell out there. Pogo is a scary looking dude. Sandman attacks Pogo as he climbs into the ring and smashes a beer can over his head. Pogo whips Sandman into the corner and goes for a shoulder block but Sandman moves and Pogo goes flying through the turnbuckles to the outside. Sandman jumps over the top rope on to Pogo. Sandman limps to the back and brings a guardrail back to the ring. Pogo reverses Sandman on the outside and whips him into a guardrail. Pogo takes a rubber chicken from a fan and starts to choke Sandman with it. Sandman gets up and tries to clothesline Pogo but knocks himself down in trying to do so. Back in the ring, Pogo nails Sandman with a clothesline. Pogo continues to beat down Sandman who is having a tough time getting to his feet. Pogo gives Sandman a facebuster and goes to the top rope. Pogo hits a splash on Sandman from the top rope. Lori Fullington appears and goes to the top rope and tries a flying body press but Pogo catches her and hits her with a Closed Casket Crunch and then gives her a splash. Sandman grabs his Singapore Cane and starts hitting Pogo with it. Sandman gets a 2 count after a Russian Leg Sweep. Sandman sets up the guardrail but Pogo blocks the suplex attempt onto it and nails Sandman with a powerbomb on to the guardrail for the 3 count and the victory. After the match, Sandman and Lori are shown backstage in pain as their kids look on worried.
NOTES:
Next week on XPW Monday Nightmare is Super Crazy vs. Psicosis as well as The Sandman live via telephone with a huge special announcement.
XPW returns to Viking Hall in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday night, November 16th with XPW Exit Sandman! Call 1-866-888-4336 for information.
The XPW ring announcer seemed better on this show than at Hostile Takeover. The guy at Hostile Takeover seemed to be more into establishing himself as a gimmick rather than ring announcing. The guy from Fallout seemed to just be there for the ring announcing and did a fine job.
Chris Candido has been around wrestling for many years already and I do not think he is even 30 yet. Hopefully he will refocus his career and become a big player once again for years to come as he has a ton of talent. Maybe a feud with Shane Douglas with give him his edge back.
The Premier Wrestling Federation (PWF) announced that they have a pilot TV episode set to air in November on Channel 48. I've also heard a rumor that 3PW may get on Channel 48 as well. If this is the case, that would make 7 non-WWE federations on Channel 48 in the very near future!! Might as well change the name from WGTW to Samurai TV U.S.A.!
After watching Messiah's in ring interview from CZW about how he dominated XPW and made XPW, I did a little research. Don't get me wrong, I think Messiah is a talent and has a ton of heart, but as you will see, he never dominated XPW. Just to add a little facts to the wrestling world, here is how Messiah fared in XPW:
SINGLES WINS over ....: Johnny Webb (12/17/99, 2/25/00, 2/26/00, 3/24/00, 4/28/00, 4/29/00); Dynamite D (1/29/00); Damien Steele (5/26/00); Supreme (6/17/00, 11/11/00); TOOL (2/24/01); Vic Grimes (2/24/01); New Jack and Josh Lazie in a Three Way (5/26/01); Vampiro and Sabu in a Three Way (7/7/01) TAG WINS: with Vic Grimes vs. New Jack & Supreme (3/17/01) SINGLES LOSSES: Nicole Bass (11/20/99, 11/27/99 three way); Carlito Montana (12/18/99); Supreme (2/26/00, 7/22/00); Johnny Webb (3/25/00, 4/16/00); Sabu (4/29/00, 5/27/00, 5/28/00, 1/13/01, 4/21/01) TAG LOSSES: with Vic Grimes vs. Sabu & Homeless Jimmy (2/3/01)
So Messiah's overall XPW record is 15 wins and 13 losses. 6-2 vs. Johnny Webb and 9-11 vs. everyone else.
2002 - WWE ran a Smackdown Live event in London, Ontario. John C. filed the following TV report:
WWE Smackdown House Show Results – London, Ontario (10/14/02)
This was the first WWE show in London, Ontario since 1993. I remember going to that show nine years ago and seeing probably less than 1,000 people there. No wonder they didn’t come back for nine years. The main reason they did return is because of a new, 9,000 seat arena called the John Labbatt Centre (Raw’s in the Molson Centre so they got the breweries tonight) that opened this past Friday. The good news is that about 90% of the building was full. The only parts that were empty were scattered seats around the upper bowl but not much else. I don’t know if it’s a good sign for WWE or if people just wanted to see the new arena. The crowd was hot for the entire three hours and there were no fights to report. Not that I saw anyway. There was an injury to a wrestler though that looked to be pretty major. More on that later.
Here are the results and minor details from what I can remember. I didn’t take notes but I was sober so I should remember most of the key stuff.
1. Tajiri d. Crash Holly
Tajiri came out first and got a pretty good pop since he was the first guy we saw emerge through the curtain. Crash was the babyface and got a lot of laughs. He did some comedy bits like a test of strength and the sumo stomping before they really started the match. They went back and forth with both guys hitting their usual move. Tajiri was playing the heel but he was getting cheered a fair bit, especially for the Tarantula. Match ends with Tajiri with a strong kick in the face in about seven minutes. If it has a name, I don’t know it.
2. Shelton Benjamin & Bull Buchanan d. John Cena & Shannon Moore
Nobody really got much of a response upon entrance here. Cena & Moore did slap hands with the kids so obviously they’re the babyfaces. I’ve seen Benjamin a few times on heat and he impressed. He did so once again here. This was your basic tag match with the heels beating on Cena. Benjamin’s offense looks really good and he bumps very well. I imagine he’ll get called up very soon, hopefully before the end of the year. When Moore tagged, he nailed a flying headscissors and a beautiful corkscrew moonsault for the close fall. Benjamin eventually got back in and won it with a move that I can only describe as a suplex that turns into a spinebuster. It went about nine minutes. If he did it on Heat when I saw him I don’t recall the name. Benjamin & Moore were impressive while Cena & Buchanan were just kinda there.
3. Cruiserweight Title: Jamie Noble w/Nidia d. Rey Mysterio
As soon as the ring announcer said Cruiserweight title everybody was going nuts. Noble came out to some solid heat while Rey got a major pop. As expected, there was really good wrestling by these two. The crowd chanted “519” for most of the match instead of “619” since that is the area code here. When Rey set it up, Nidia was there to break it up and got everybody pissed off. Shortly after, Noble rolled Mysterio up with his feet on the ropes for the win. After the match, Rey took care of Noble & Nidia by giving them a double 619 and making everybody happy. Rey was favoring his left hand after the match although he did make an appearance later so everything looks to be okay. Solid match, around ten minutes or so.
4. Eddy & Chavo Guerrero d. Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo
This is where the injury happened. First, Eddy Guerrero had a huge bandage above his right eye covering what looks to be a huge bump. I guess it yesterday afternoon in Calgary. Second, it should be noted that Eddy Guerrero is absolutely awesome at getting heel heat. I know it’s easy to see on TV but you have to witness it live. The guy can look at a crowd and get a bunch of people chanting “Eddy Sucks” just like that. Billy & Chuck got a good face pop even though they came out to the gay music. Basically, Eddy & Chavo cheat the entire time and I love it while the crowd boos the hell out of them. Most of the match, Billy tries to show his ass and people cheer that. The best thing was when Eddy told him to do it and Billy starts to and Eddy punches him in the mouth. Great stuff.
Anyway, here’s what happened with Billy Gunn’s injury. It happened when he gave Chavo Guerrero the One and Only (Cobra Slam) and upon landing, he jammed his left arm into the mat. Within seconds the ref made the "X" signal with his arms for help to come from the back. On the other side of the ring, Eddy made Chuck tap out to the El Paso Lasso, probably earlier than planned. At first it looked like his wrist was the part that was hurt. Then, when he got up they made sure to keep his entire left arm straight. My guess is a broken bone somewhere in his left arm, probably his wrist.
5. Undisputed WWE Title: Brock Lesnar d. Edge
Brock comes out first to some pretty solid heel heat. Then again, a lot of people were cheering I think because of his size. Edge came out to the biggest pop of the night probably. He grew up about two hours from here so obviously the crowd liked him. He’s come a long way from the guy I saw five years ago wrestling in front of 400 people in a high school gymnasium as Sexton Hardcastle. My buddy brought a sign saying “I Think I Know You Sexton” but I don’t know if he saw it. I thought it was clever sign myself.
The match was very solid. All of the signature moves were done here. For the first part of the match, Brock worked over Edge’s arm. Sadly though, they totally forget about it later on. It’s too bad because they were building a nice story there even though Brock doesn’t have a submission finisher yet. The end of the match sees Edge go to the top for the flying crossbody but Brock moves and nails referee Mike Chioda. Edge nails the Edgecution for the false victory. Lesnar gets advantage again and hits the spinebuster for the false three. Edge takes over once again following a spear but as he gets set to finish the champ off, Eddy Guerrero came in to take him down. Lesnar was able to use that distraction as lead in to the F5 for the win. It went about 12-15 minutes and was really solid, aside from the psychology mix-up early on. I’d give it about ***1/2 thanks to the many nearfalls and a really hot crowd. I’m thinking we’ll see this match on PPV pretty soon. Following the match, Edge took a Canadian flag from a fan and spit on it! No, just kidding. He waved it around and we cheered like the beer drinking, “eh” saying, and igloo living Canadians that we are. Really impressive showing by both guys.
INTERMISSION
It was too packed so I figured I’d wait until later to get some food and drink.
6. Torrie Wilson d. Dawn Marie in a Bra & Panties Match
Ah, one of the nights highlights. As soon as Bra & Panties was announced, everybody ran up as close to the ring as possible. Funaki was the special referee. Before the match, he said he was “Smackadown Numba One Announca” and that tonight he’d be the “Numba One Special Guest Referee.” He generated a few laughs. Dawn Marie came out first wearing a red & black top and bottom. Torrie had on a black t-shirt and white pants. The wrestling wasn’t very good but I’m not complaining. Torrie takes off Dawn’s top to a good pop. Dawn takes Torrie’s top off to a bigger, and I mean BIGGER, pop. They do the usual spot where they roll around over the ref. After that, Funaki poses as the crowd applauds his work. We love that guy. Torrie won after rolling up Dawn Marie and yanking off her pants. Afterwards, Torrie walked around the ring in her bra as pictures were being taken at every possible second. That was probably the biggest pop for a non-Canadian.
This is when I went for my drink and popcorn. As I was going back to my seat, I saw referee Tim White walking around. He wasn’t in uniform obviously since he’s still rehabbing his separated shoulder. I asked him how his shoulder was doing and he seemed surprised at the question but he said it’s slowly getting better. I also asked if he thought they’d bring TV to London and he said, “there’s a good chance.” That made me happy. Anyway, I wished him well and that was it. At least I saw somebody. Better than nothing right?
7. D’Von & Ron Simmons d. Big Valbowski & Billy Kidman
Getting back to my seat, I saw D’Von in the ring bashing everything Canadian basically. He took a shot at the CFL, that I completely agree with, saying the players in the league aren’t that good. He’s right, especially considering the CFL leader in rushing is an NFL reject, John Avery. Anyway, Val comes out to defend his home country and says that the Maple Leafs play close to here (about two hours away). Crowd loved that as anything Maple Leafs related would get a deafening pop here. Most of the match is spent chanting “Canada” or “D’Von” sucks. In the end, DVon pinned Kidman with the reverse brainbuster that Goldust used to call The Curtain Call. I know DVon has a name for it but he hasn’t won match in so long with it that I forget now.
8. Chris Benoit d. Matt Hardy
More Canadian goodness. This time it’s the Crippler. Matt Hardy comes out first to some pretty good heel although a lot of people weren’t familiar with the new character. Benoit was the face here and he was over pretty well considering he didn’t grab a microphone to say Canada rules. Matt got on microphone before the match to tell Benoit that he would give him a Mattitude adjustment and reminded us that he was Matt Hardy Version 1. He’s great. The match was very good. Hardy had the advantage for most of it as he played the basic heel role where he cheated at every turn and the crowd booed him loudly for it. After about six minutes, Benoit got the advantage with the three German suplexes. He followed that up with the throat slash, which of course leads to the diving headbutt. Matt kicked out of that, to the shock of the crowd, and went for Twist of Fate. Benoit reversed it beautifully and won with the best finisher in the business, the Crippler Crossface. Benoit got a huge pop and you could tell he was having fun because he smiled a fair bit.
9. Rikishi d. Kurt Angle in a Kiss My Ass Match
Main event time. The man, the myth, the growing legend Kurt Angle comes out to awesome heel heat. Everybody is standing chanting “You Suck” and it’s just an awesome feeling. Rikishi came out and was over from the start. Before the match, Angle was his usual hilarious self. He said he’s kissed Rikishi’s ass a lot of times before and he hates it. That’s why he promises to make Rikishi kiss his Olympic ass. Everything he said was countered with “WHAT?” by the way. When he mentioned London, Ontario we popped and he had a great line: “There’s not much to be proud of.” Oh it’s true, it’s damn true. Rikishi countered by saying that not only would Angle kiss his ass but all of London, Ontario. That’s a lot of ass.
The match was pretty good. They’ve wrestled on TV a lot so many of the spots were stuff we’ve seen before. It was funny early on when Angle kept running into Rikishi’s ass trying different moves. Plenty of laughs for that. About seven minutes in, Angle slaps on the ankle lock but Rikishi gets to the ropes. Rikishi gets offense for a bit and misses the banzai drop in the corner thanks to a Kurt Angle knee in the nuts. Angle hits the Angle Slam for two. Then, he pulls down the straps and puts on the Ankle Lock. Rikishi manages to wrangle free of that leading to the victory via the Rikishi Driver. Haven’t seen that in a while.
After the match, Angle refuses to kiss ass. I wonder, could you type that sentence about Triple H? He urges Rikishi to shake his hand and even goes so far as to hug him. Then, Angle leaves to loud boos as referee Mike Chioda tells him he has ten seconds to get back in the ring and kiss the ass or else he’s suspended. Angle comes back about twelve seconds later (there goes another forgotten stipulation) and gets the advantage on Rikishi. He manages to set Rikishi up for the Stinkface in the corner but Rikishi blocks it with a punch to balls. Eventually, Rikishi nails him with the Stinkface to a thunderous pop. Following that, Bull Buchanan came back out in street clothes and got beat up. Rey Mysterio joined in on the fun by giving Bull a Stinkface of his own. Yep, it was double Stinkface night. Why Bull Buchanan and not an over heel? I don’t know. It probably doesn’t matter. After Angle & Bull retreat, Nidia comes down and gets the Stinkface treatment too. After they were all gone, Rikishi and Rey danced for a couple of minutes to send everybody home happy.
All in all, a great show. The crowd was lively for everything. Like I said, about 90% of the building was full. The good news for us is that the ring announcer said WWE would be back in the future and I also got a similar response from Tim White. Next time it could be a TV taping since the crowd was so good and there weren’t as many empty seats as there are in most other buildings. Overall, a solid show from start to finish.
Biggest Pop:
1. Edge
2. Rikishi
3. Chris Benoit
4. Rey Mysterio
5. Torrie Wilson
Biggest Heat:
1. Kurt Angle
2. Eddy Guerrero
3. Brock Lesnar
4. D’Von
5. Jamie Noble
2002 - WWE broadcast Monday Night Raw. Tim Whitehead filed the following TV report:
The 10/14 episode of RAW IS MURDER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE aired live from Montreal. I rated it as a thumb's down show even though it wasn't all bad. It's just that there was nothing good enough to erase the outrageously horrible "Kane is a murderer" angle. The angle was really, really bad, and Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler dwelled on it throughout the show when they should have been calling the on-going matches. There really wasn't much on the show to make a casual viewer want to buy the No Mercy PPV.
They opened with footage from last week of Triple H making the murder allegation against Kane.
Kane & Hurricane were heading out to the ring for the opening match. Jonathan Coachman asked Kane if he wished to respond to HHH's murder charge. Kane grew enraged and yelled that it's none of Coach's business.
Chris Jericho & Christian defeated Kane & Hurricane in 6:47 to capture the World Tag Titles. Booker T attacked Jericho on the ramp before the match, in retaliation for last week. Christian went to aid Jericho but Booker slugged him. It took several referees and road agents to haul Booker away. Kane grabbed Christian and threw him in the ring to start the match. Hurricane hit some kicks. Kane threw Jericho out of the ring onto Christian. Hurricane did a plancha. Kane powerslammed Christian. Hurricane ended up being doubled on a little. On the mic, Lawler kept ragging on Kane for being a murderer. JR asked Lawler if he's ever been accused of something he didn't do, and Lawler wisely answered yes. Kane started acting frustrated and bullied the ref, with the idea being that the murder allegation was disorienting him. Jericho hit Kane with a missile kick. Kane vaulted Hurricane onto Jericho. Kane went out of the ring and tried, unsuccessfully, to use the stairs on Christian. Jericho went for a lionsault but Hurricane got his knees up. Jericho recovered and tried for the walls. Hurricane blocked it and rolled Jericho up, but Jericho reversed it and scored the pin using the ropes. It was portrayed as partly Kane's fault since he was out of the ring wasting his time chasing Christian in frustration. It was an okay opener, but it didn't make a lot of sense to take the belts off Kane & Hurricane this week since one of the PPV selling points was that Kane would be trying to be the first ever simultaneous World, IC, and Tag champ.
Jericho & Christian celebrated their title victory. Booker tried to attack Jericho again but a herd of referees kept them seperated. Eric Bischoff arrived and congratulated the new champs before informing them that they'll be defending the belts at No Mercy against Booker & Goldust. Jericho & Christian protested but Bischoff was adamant that since Stephanie would be crowning her own Smackdown tag champs at the PPV, the RAW tag belts would have to be featured there as well. Booker, still being held back by the refs, called Jericho a sucka and vowed to kick his ass. Jericho denied being a sucka, claiming, instead, to be a champion. And presumably there's still a difference.
Lance Storm beat Al Snow in 3:07. No crowd heat at all. William Regal did color commentary, but when JR brought up last week's match where Regal dressed as a showgirl, and had a picture of it shown on the Titantron, Regal left the desk in anger and went to ringside. Storm took a high backdrop. They did a spot where Regal tripped Snow and it looked like Snow and Storm legit bumped heads. Regal tossed the knux to Storm, but he dropped them trying to use them. Storm still won with a thrust kick.
Coach interviewed Victoria, asking about what it was that Trish Stratus did in the past to infuriate her so much. This sounded like a promising storyline last week, but Victoria explained it this week, and it wasn't so promising. The story was that Trish and Victoria were both fitness models a couple of years ago, and both dreamed of going to WWE together to become Divas. But Trish got there first and then forgot about Victoria. Victoria also hinted that Trish will have sex with anyone. Trish showed up and slugged her with a pretty stiff shot.
Jeff Hardy and Spike Dudley were talking backstage, discussing their various injuries in last week's TLC match. Rob Van Dam walked up and asked about Bubba Ray, and Spike said he was out injured this week due to that match and doesn't even remember being in it. Bischoff arrived and applauded all of them for their performance last week. He had a highlight video aired with footage from that match. Bischoff then condescendingly dismissed Jeff & Spike. He told Jeff to go get ready for his upcoming match, and flat out told Spike to take a hike. Spike said, "Bite me", which was Bischoff's old catch phrase in WCW, but he and Jeff both left. Alone with RVD, Bischoff gave him a match against Ric Flair at No Mercy. That was expected, but it's a step down on the roster. RVD still said "cool". Bischoff then gave RVD a Canadian lumberjack match against HHH as the RAW main event. The lumberjacks would be armed with leather straps. Bischoff acted as if this would top the TLC match.
HHH & Flair were both upset that Bischoff had given RVD matches against them. HHH didn't like the lumberjack stips at all, claiming that half the roster would love to use a strap on him. HHH said he would still win, and predicted to Flair that he'd beat RVD up so badly that he won't be able to appear at No Mercy. HHH then went off again on Kane, calling him a murderer and giving him until the end of the next match to fess up, or otherwise he'd go out and tell the murder story to the world himself.
Jeff Hardy defeated Rico in 3:07. Jeff was limping coming down the ramp. Rico put his jacket over Jeff's head and pounded him, to no heat. They didn't work too well together at first but the last part of the match was okay. Jeff dropkicked Rico out of the air and hit a swanton for the pin.
Kane was having sort of a tantrum backstage, banging on things and acting generally pissed off. At first I thought it was actual shoot footage of Kane's reaction when shown the script earlier in the day, but it turned out to be part of the angle. Hurricane told Kane not to worry, since they can eventually win back the tag belts. Hurricane isn't the most observant guy on the roster, and Kane told him he doesn't give a damn about the belts and asked to be left alone. So Hurricane left and Terri showed up. She said she was there as a friend, not as an interviewer. She said Kane can't possibly win the World Title from HHH at No Mercy in his current state of mind, and recommended that he go out and tell his side of the story to get it all out in the open. He agreed.
Kane came out to the ring and told his story. He said that Katie Vick (or some last name like that) was a friend of his ten years ago. She came to his first wrestling match and was the only one there who cared when he was getting beat up. One night they went to a party and she had too much to drink, so he drove her home in her car. He said he wasn't accustomed to driving a stick shift, and that it was dark and raining. I suppose it probably wasn't easy driving with that mask on, either. The crowd hated this from the beginning and started the stupid "whats" between each of Kane's sentences. Guess that shows how seriously everyone took this ludicrous angle. Anyway, Kane said an animal ran out in front of the car and he swerved and crashed and Katie didn't survive. He said he lives with this every day, and swore it was a tragic accident, not murder. This was bad enough at this point, but HHH came out on the ramp top to make it far worse. HHH claimed that witnesses that night at the party said Kane had been drinking, too, and that beer cans were found in the car at the crash scene. He then claimed Kane's semen was found in Katie's body. HHH said Kane loved Katie but that she just liked him as a friend, implying she wouldn't have went any further with him since he's a burned up freak. So HHH then set a new RAW low by asking Kane if he forced sex on Katie when she was still alive or did it with her after she was dead. Whoever it was on the writing team that thought this was "cute" ought to be fired.
After a commercial break, Kane was shown leaving the building. Hurricane tried to stop him but he said if he didn't leave, he might do something he'd regret for the rest of his life. By being put in that angle, he probably already did.
Hour two began with Trish Stratus & Jacqueline defeating Molly Holly & Victoria in 3:55. Stacy Keibler was special referee. JR noted that Stacy is prettier than Earl Hebner, and that at least there would be no "you screwed Bret" chants from the Montreal fans. The match was a typical WWE women's bout. Fast paced, with everyone working hard, but not smoothly. While Trish and Victoria brawled on the floor, Jacqueline covered Molly for a pin attempt, but Stacy faked a shoulder injury to keep from counting to three. Stacy then took a weak looking ref bump. Jacqueline DDT'd Molly and a male ref ran in and counted the pin. Afterward, Trish and Victoria continued brawling and it took a bunch of refs to hold them apart.
Booker, Goldust, Tommy Dreamer, and Spike all were given straps to use in the lumberjack strap match. Booker vowed to take the hide off HHH with his strap.
Another Batista promo aired.
Bischoff came out to the ring and said Kane will compete at No Mercy no matter what mental condition he is in. The crowd chanted "what". Bischoff said the HHH vs. Kane match will go down in history as the last hurrah for the IC Title. So in honor of the IC belt's impending retirement, he brought out Pat Patterson, who was legit the first IC champ two decades ago. He got a big pop since he's from Montreal, and he got another pop when he addressed the crowd in French. Bischoff told him to speak English. Patterson warned Bischoff not to try any funny stuff on him, which raised the issue of why anyone would go out to the ring with Bischoff after all the Rosey & Jamal attacks that have occurred. Bischoff swore he hadn't brought Patterson out to do the three minute attack deal. He insisted he wanted to do a serious tribute to the IC Title, though he accidentally called it a WCW belt. A video then aired showing many of the great IC champs, and like all such WWE videos, it was great stuff. Footage included guys like Patterson, Don Muraco, Tito Santana, Bret Hart, Ken Patera, Honkytonk Man ("Greatest IC champ of all time"), as well as more recent champs, including not-so-great ones like Chyna. I was kind of surprised they also included the footage where Owen Hart legit injured Steve Austin with that tombstone piledriver. After the video aired, Rosey & Jamal did indeed attack Patterson, who very briefly fought them off before being Samoan dropped. Bischoff told the downed Patterson that his three minutes were up, just like the IC title. Actually, I'd rather keep the IC Title and drop the extra world and tag belts, but I digress. Gerald Brisco ran in to help his fellow Stooge but Rosey & Jamal flattened him as well. Finally, Big Show, D-Lo Brown, and Jeff Hardy, all three of whom have been three minute victims in recent weeks, ran in and used straps on Rosey & Jamal, who fled. Overall, this was an okay segment, I guess.
Al Snow met up with Christopher Nowinski backstage and they were reminiscing about their days together on Tough Enough. Snow praised Nowinski for continuing to follow his dream even though he didn't win on Tough Enough. Nowinski said he made it no thanks to Snow, and sneered at Snow for losing his match earlier.
Nowinski beat Tommy Dreamer in 2:42. No crowd heat again. Nowinski got a cane from under the ring. Dreamer caused him to drop it. Snow came out, presumably mad at Nowinski for his comments earlier, but when Dreamer tried to get the cane, Snow snatched it away from him. Nowinski caught Dreamer from behind and won with the full nelson slam. Nowinski was surprised that Snow helped him.
Terri interviewed HHH, asking how he could justify his allegations against Kane. HHH said he's just reporting the facts and claimed they were given to him, and that he didn't go digging them up. He suggested that Terri might want to avoid Kane since he has a track record of killing females who run around with him. HHH acted like he was finished talking and the cameras started to fade out into a commercial, but it turned out to be a mistake, and HHH kept talking. He vowed to beat RVD, and then they went to a commercial for real.
JR brought Randy Orton out on the ramp top to discuss his recent injury, which is legit. Orton, whose arm was in a sling, claimed he'll be healed up in three or four months, even though an average person would take up to a year. He had an e-mail address put up on the TitanTron where fans can send get well notes. It's obvious they're setting him up for a heel turn where he'll complain that he didn't get any e-mails from the uncaring fans. The fans caught on fast and started singing "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye". That was pretty funny. Orton said Montreal was where Bret got screwed but it's also where he (Orton) got screwed by having an injury. But, he said, unlike Bret, he'll be back. Well, my guess is that even if Orton someday becomes a major star, people 100 years from now will be more likely to remember the Bret screwjob, since promoter Vince McMahon IV won't let them forget it.
Big Show defeated Booker in a Falls Count Anywhere match in 5:22. Show destroyed Booker at first. They fought through the crowd and down a hallway, using a few weapons along the route. Booker used a fire extinguisher. They fought into the female locker room, and ended up in the shower with Trish, who was wrapped in a towel. Jericho came in and hit Booker with a chair, and Show pinned him in the shower. A routine match of this type. Jericho called Booker an ass clown.
During the previous match, HHH had been seen driving a forklift backstage, with Flair leading the way. They ended up parking the forklift in front of the babyface locker room, to keep the babyfaces from coming out for the lumberjack match. HHH boasted to Coach that half the lumberjacks would be absent.
HHH defeated RVD in the non-title lumberjack strap match in 10:35. With the babyface locker room sealed off WCW-style, only heel lumberjacks came out, namely Jericho, Christian, Big Show, Nowinski, Storm, Regal, Rico, Rosey, and Jamal. It wasn't quite explained how Rosey & Jamal could co-exist out there with Big Show. The story of the match was that the heel lumberjacks all favored HHH, and would whip RVD when he bumped out, but helped HHH. JR invoked the term "government mule". I love it when he does that. The match itself was basically average, though it did have the best heat of the show. Lawler claimed Bischoff topped last week's TLC match by scheduling this. Lawler missed the TLC match since he was with Godfather's hos, which I guess explains that serious error. Hebner was ref and the fans screamed "you screwed Bret" like crazy at him. After being victimized by the biased lumberjacks throughout the early part of the match, RVD mounted a comeback. He hit the rolling thunder for a near fall. He went up for a frog splash but got crotched and the lumberjacks whipped him again. The babyface lumberjacks finally arrived, and they were Booker, Goldust, Hurricane, D-Lo Brown, Spike, Dreamer, and Jeff Hardy. A lumberjack brawl broke out. RVD put HHH down and hit the frog splash but Flair then clocked RVD with the title belt and HHH simply pinned him. Kind of a lame ending. Kane then returned and ran in to clean house. He was walloping any lumberjack in his path, whether heel or babyface. He caught HHH & Flair in the ring and was about to chokeslam both but they escaped long enough for some of the lumberjacks to go after Kane. Kane destroyed every one of them, including babyface D-Lo, who for whatever reason went in the ring with the heels. I guess it was because Kane lariated him during his run-in. The show ended with Kane triumphant in the ring as HHH & Flair headed for the locker room.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Do we really need two sets of tag titles?
So is Bischoff pro-HHH and anti-RVD, or vice-versa?
Why didn't they show any footage from those Rio de Janeiro IC finals?
Were you surprised Lawler didn't tell us every detail of his night with the hos?
How would anyone know if guilt is written all over Kane's face if he keeps his mask on?
Didn't Rico get a huge rub off that win over Flair a few weeks ago?
So which Animal was it who caused Kane to crash, LOD or George Steele?
Isn't that murder angle just awful?
2006 - WWE's ECW brand ran Tucson, Arizona. Tawnie Knight filed the following live report:
ECW finally made it west to Tucson, AZ tonight. I just got back and I'm ashamed to be a wrestling fan in Tucson. I was lucky enough to get to attend an autograph signing with Tommy Dreamer and Sandman earlier in the day. They were both extremely nice. There was not much of a turnout and unfortunately very few people had a clue who these legends of wrestling were. One group even had the audacity to ask where Cena was and if Big show were signing. I had to explain no on both counts and that they were very fortunate to get the autographs of two legends. I should have seen this was a sign of things to come.
As for tonight's show, we get there and we see lots of DX shirts and I again had to explain to someone with a Triple H foam hand that no he was not going to be there. The show itself was held in a very small facility used for Bingo and exhibitions of 4H during the county fair. It was small but they still did not sell out the 1000 seats they had set up. There were maybe 800 people there. I thought this was going to be great as I never got to Philly for ECW. (I had to rely on Dave's wonderful reports and whatever bootlegs or feed I could get my hands on back then.)
At this point 7:30 pm rolls around and the first match we get is Dreamer vs. Rene Dupree. It was a good technical match but you could have heard a pin drop. We attempted to start the chants but the crowd wasn't buying it. Tommy Dreamer and Renee Dupree sold it the best they could but they could not get this crowd into it.
Winner Tommy Dreamer
Second match: Stevie was Richards vs. Eric Cortez. I had never heard of Cortez and I may still have the name wrong but he is developmental talent. Long of the short of it he looked like Konan. He also did the viva la raza ganster schtick like Konan. Richards sold the match and made it look like he was going to get beaten but of course that was not the case. Winner Stevie Richards. By the way the crowd was still quiet at this point.
Third Match: FBI vs. Heyman's Enforcers. Enforcers come out and the crowd has no clue what to think. FBI comes out and we start a "Where's my pizza" chant. Crowd does not get it. They look at us but do not get it. FBI sold the match well, very technical no usual FBI tricks or tag team tricks, period. It was just a standard, run of the mill technical match. The
FBI wins and then the enforcers attempt to beat them up and the crowd does not really react.
Fourth Match: Shannon Moore vs. Balls Mahoney. Balls comes out and we finally get the crowd involved with a "Balls" chant. He does everything possible to get this crowd going and is doing a great job. They actually booed Shannon Moore and it was a very good straight technical match. No chairs or anything out of the ordinary.
Winner Balls.
Fifth match: CM Punk vs. Mike Knox. CM was very over with the crowd thanks to Balls waking them up earlier. Another good technical match, just straight wrestling.
Winner: CM Punk
Now we have a 30 min intermission to sell merchandise.
We dame back to Matt Striker cutting down the University of Arizona before bringing the Divas in. I could have done without the Divas. I don't need porn at a wrestling event. One of the ladies in this contest proceeded to cover themselves in nothing but caution tape. Crowd was happy but I enjoy the wrestling. Matt Striker proceeded to banter after the contest and Sandman went behind him and hit him with the cane a couple times. He then handed the winning Diva a beer which she promptly poured on herself. Sandman then goes into the crowd spraying various sections with beer but he did not wrestle tonight.
Sixth Match: Rob Van Dam vs. Kevin Thorn, with Ariel. They kill all the light and Kevin Thorn comes out with Ariel. Crowd is again clueless. RVD comes out and they go wild (he has been here with the WWE before). RVD kept having to check clearance before doing any splashes. It even made me nervous as they were close on clearance. Few Frog Splashes, Rolling Thunder and some of Ariel interfering and it was done.
Winner RVD.
Main Event: Sabu vs. Test. We finally get some chairs and a table in this one. Test seemed to have a hard time selling it but he did his best. Sabu was hardcore as always with the finish being Test through a table. Match was all of 5 minutes.
Winner Sabu.
Overall the ECW guys did their best and they were awesome. It was the crowd that sucked. They just could not get into the show. I love ECW and have been a fan since it first started but this was just not a good experience. I did every chant we could to try and get the crowd going but they had no clue. What was even worse was that we could be heard. This was supposed to be ECF'nW not a night at the opera.
2006 - CZW ran Philadelphia, PA at the ECW Arena. Ed Sherriffs filed the following live report:
Combat Zone Wrestling's 'Last Team Standing' event was held on October 14, 2006 in the New Alhambra Arena. The purpose of the event was to crown new tag team champions through an 8 team tournament. Last month, the BLK OUT was stripped of the titles when one of the co-holders, Joker, jumped to rival promotion Pro Wrestling Unplugged. CZW is also looking to rebound from a string of disappointing shows. The CZW World Heavyweight Championship, Iron Man Title, and Junior Heavyweight Championship were also on the line.
Quarterfinal Tag Match #1: Team Masturbation (Beef Wellington & Excalibur) vs. The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli)
Double C and Excalibur start the match. Castagnoli bails after Excalibur gets an armdrag. Hero and Beef then tagged in. Beef no sold an arm wrench by Hero, who bailed himself after a huracanrana. Castagnoli dumps Beef by dropping the top rope, so Excalibur comes in. He goes for a suicide dive, but Hero catches him. Hero and Claudio team up for a cross trainer into the corner. Double C gets the delayed suplex on Excalibur for two. Hero tags in, but falls to an enziguri. Beef tags in and cleans house. DDT on Castagnoli and Beef goes to the top for the ass punch. Hero pushes his partner out of the way, but gets low blowed. Excalibur then comes off the opposite rope and connects with an ass punch. Castagnoli breaks up a liontamer. Beef hits Claudio with a moneymaker, but Hero makes the save. Hero gets the Cravate-plex for two. Castagnoli gets the pin when he rolls up Excalibur following a Hero kick to the head. The Kings advance to the semifinals.
Your winners, the Kings of Wrestling!
Post match, Team Masturbation breaks up when Excalibur berates Beef for not breaking up the pin. "From now on, we'll just have to masturbate by ourselves." Excalibur took a pratfall off the ramp and said he didn't need Beef's help to make it to the back.
Quarterfinal Match #2: Up in Smoke (Cheech & Cloudy) vs. Team AnDrew (Andy Sumner & Drew Gulak)
Drew and Cloudy start, with Gulak taking him down with a headlock. Cloudy countered by tying up Gulak's legs. Cheech and Sumner then came in and traded stiff slaps, then clotheslines. AnDrew double team Cheech and flip him over. Cloudy runs in and hits a flying forearm for two. Jawbreaker and and rolling snapmare get two as well. Sumner comes in with a powerslam for a two count of his own. Cloudy kicks him out of the ring and dives through the ropes. Gulak runs in and locks an anklelock on Cheech, who is able to roll out of it and throw Gulak in the corner. Cheech gives Gulak a Northern Nights Suplex and puts him in a submission hold. At the same time, Andy Sumner is putting Cloudy in a submission of his own. Cloudy taps out first, so Team AnDrew picks up the win and advances.
Your winners, Team AnDrew!
Post match, Up in Smoke argue about Cheech's failure to cover his partner and Cloudy being the one that tapped. Cheech gives Cloudy The Deluxe (crucifix into knee to the head) and walks off.
Quarterfinal Match #3: The New Jersey All-Stars (Lucky & JC Ryder) vs. BLK OUT (Ruckus & Human Tornado w/ Robbie Mireno)
This is Human Tornado's first match in CZW. Ruckus and Lucky start, with Ruckus getting the better of him with a front facelock. Both men then trade arm drags. Ruckus is knocked outside and Lucky comes over the top with a senton. Tornado dropkicks Ryder out of the ring. Ruckus comes off the apron to the floor with a Shooting Star Press on Lucky. BLK OUT then double team him. Lucky tries to make the save, but he is thrown on to his partner. Tornado does his front split low blow on both off his opponents. The NJ All-Stars then start to dominate Ruckus and get some near falls. Tornado got the hot tag after several minutes and gives Ryder a pimp slap as he came off the top rope. BLK OUT gets the win when Ruckus drops Ryder on the top turnbuckle and Lucky is hit with the Tornado-Plex.
Your winners, the BLK OUT!
Quarterfinal match #4: Kingston's Hitmen, The Dead Presidents vs. The H8 Club (Justice Pain & Nick Gage)
Pain comes out first and pleads with the crowd not to screw with Gage, saying it isn't a work. Gage could snap at any minute and wasn't ready for his match cause he was out buying food. This would be a recurring theme throughout the night, and they have also been playing it up on Gage's commentary. The Dead Presidents, brought in by Kingston to take out the H8 Club, came out and double teamed Pain. Gage runs out, and sure enough, he has a soda and bag of food from Burger King. He cleans house initially, but leaves to go to the apron and eat his Whopper. Pain sends the burger flying into the crowd when he slaps it out of his hands. The Dead Presidents continued their double team on Pain. While they were doing this, Gage was on the floor yelling at the crowd. He finally came in and took the action outside the ring, brawling on the floor. As soon as the action comes back to the ring, Gage gets the Chokebreaker for the win.
Your winners, the H8 Club!
Zandig then came out and said he couldn't decide who should get the Chris Cash Memorial Scholarship. This brought out George W. Baus, who is gaining a small cult following, to say he deserves it. WHACKS, a cameraman for the company, came into the ring and said he deserved it. They would face each other at Fear. The crowd overwhelmingly favored WHACKS.
Lufisto came out next and wanted to know who answered her open challenge. Maven Bentley came to the ring and ran her down, wondering what she was doing with the title. He brought out DJ Hyde.
Iron Man Championship Match: Lufisto (c) vs. DJ Hyde
If Hyde isn't 300 pounds, he is close and Lufisto isn't even close to half his size. Obviously, much of the match was him abusing her. He hit some power moves, but refused to pin her, and she was thrown into rails and chopped on the chest repeatedly. She started to mount some offense, but Bentley hit her with a chair. This brought out Mana, who hit Hyde with a barbed wire bat. Lufisto then got the pin to retain.
Your winner, Lufisto!
After the match, Beef Wellington and SeXXXy Eddy came out and pleaded with Lufisto to stop her suicide mission. Lufisto made fun of them both. It was announced later that a match was made between the three at Fear for the title. Nick Gage came out and spit on Lufisto, then tackled her and pounded away. Lobo came out to stop him and Zandig also had to come out to prevent them from fighting. Gage called them over the hill after Zandig wanted to know what was wrong with him. Zandig told Gage to get it together before he gets his ass kicked.
Semifinal Match #1: The Kings of Wrestling vs. BLK OUT for the Ring of Honor Tag Team Titles.
Before the match, Ruckus challenged the Kings to put their ROH and CHIKARA titles on the line. Hero said that CHIKARA tag titles can only be defended in 2 out of 3 fall matches, so those couldn't be put up, but he agreed to defend the ROH titles. Ruckus and Hero showed off to start the match with various flips. Tornado and Double C then came in and had a dance off. Tornado did a backflip into a split, and CC made like he was going to duplicate it, but put Tornado in a headlock instead. This allowed the Kings to double team him. Ruckus got the hot tag and cleaned house. Hero kicked Tornado in the groin, which was no sold as usual, but Hero ducked the ensuing pimp slap. This enabled him to get Tornado on his back and use him to knock Ruckus off the top turnbuckle. Castagnoli then put Tornado on his back and Hero kicked him in the head, allowing the Kings to advance to the finals.
Your winners, The Kings of Wrestling!
Post match, Ruckus berated Human Tornado for losing. Tornado came back and said Ruckus was jealous of him. Tornado pimp slapped him and hit the pounce. The started to brawl on the mat when Sabian (!) made his return to help the BLK OUT. Blazini then snuck into the ring to make the save for Tornado. This brought out Eddie Kingston and they took the advantage. From here, things broke down. Onyx, who had been working in Deep South, came out with Rain Man. They cleared the ring and claimed that they were the real BLK OUT and Kingston's crew is merely renting the name. Kingston suggested they come to the floor and do it CZW style. A big brawl ensued, as the men fought out the front doors of the arena.
Semifinal Match #2: The H8 Club vs. Team AnDrew
The H8 Club toyed with Gulak to start. Sumner came in and got worked over as well. Some brawling on the outside ensued, with Team AnDrew getting some decent offense in. In the ring, Sumner and Gage briefly traded punches before Gage started to wail on him. The H8 Club advance to the finals when the get a spike piledriver on Gulak.
Your winners, the H8 Club!
Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Jigsaw (c) vs. Luke vs. SeXXXy Eddy
This was a fast paced match with no slow spots. All three men combined to hit a lot of offense on each other, and they all got their own spots. Jigsaw hit a plancha on both men. In the ring, Luke got a delayed suplex on Jigsaw. Eddy came off the top with a flying crossbody, but couldn't cover, so all three men were down. Jigsaw picked up the victory and retained when he came off the top rope and connected with an arm drag into a rollup on Luke. The finish was kind of botched as Luke's elbow was clearly up the whole time. All three men hug afterwards.
Your winner, Jigsaw!
CZW Heavyweight Championship Match: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Necro Butcher
Necro does this match barefoot as he takes his boots off before running into the ring. The match immediately goes to the crowd, with Necro throwing Kingston into rows of chairs. He proceeded to throw chairs at Kingston as he laid on the ground. Necro then dumped a guardrail on him, followed by a suplex onto the guardrail. He followed that with a side slam on to the tops of some chairs. They finally come back to the ring and Kingston is able to take over. Mireno helps out by choking Necro on the ropes. Kingston dumped him to the floor and distracted the ref while Mireno stomped away. Back in the ring, Butcher hit some stiff punches in the corner, then put Kingston on the top turnbuckle. He climbed up with him and got a huracanrana! Kingston came back with a back suplex off the apron through a table on the floor. The ring steps were then thrown in the ring. Butcher comes back with a stiff headbutt and sits down with Kingston to trade punches. Kingston has nothing, though, and slumps to the mat. Butcher gives Kingston a nasty crucifix powerbomb onto the steps, but the ref is pulled from the ring. Kingston takes advantage and hits a sick back suplex on the ring steps, as Necro takes a hard bump to his neck. He follows that up with the Burning Lariat to retain his title.
Your winner, Eddie Kingston!
The Dead Presidents come out to beat down Necro Butcher. Danny Havoc tries to make the save, but he is immediately neutralized.
Tag Team Tournament Finals: The H8 Club vs. The Kings of Wrestling
Justice Pain came out and said Gage has left the building, but he had a suitable replacement...Human Tornado! Pain attacks before the bell and he and Tornado worked over Chris Hero. A flapjack gets two. Castagnoli gets the blind tag and gives Pain a European Uppercut to the back of the head. He stomps Pain in the corner than combines with Hero for a Rudo Kick that gets two. Tornado came in with a kick to Hero for two. A leaping huracanrana off the top only got a two count. He dragon whips Castagnoli, knocking both men down. Tornado went to tag Pain in, but he walked away, leaving Human Tornado on his own. He gets some offense and a very near fall, but can't overcome the numbers. The Kings of Wrestling hit a HUGE KRS-ONE on Tornado to win the CZW Tag Team Titles.
Your winners, and new CZW Tag Team Champions, The Kings of Wrestling.
The Kings of Wrestling are now Tag Champs in Ring of Honor, CHIKARA, and Combat Zone Wrestling.
Before they can get their hands on their new titles, Kingston and the BLK OUT come to the ring and beat the Kings down. Kingston chokes Hero as he screams at him for trying to overshadow his big night. Necro makes the save and Hero says it isn't over to bring the night to a close.
Notes/Thoughts: I would recommend this show on DVD. It is obviously meant to be a companion piece with Fear, held the day after in Delaware, but also is good on its own. If you enjoy tag team wrestling, I'd say you ought to own this. It also ended a streak of mediocre to disappointing to downright bad shows....Attendance was up from last month's events....Kingston and The Kings of Wrestling will meet again in two weeks at CHIKARA's Cibernetico Forever. In this match, however, the Kings are part of the Rudo (heel) squad, and Kingston will be leading the Tecnico (face) team.....The show started about 45 minutes late and ended just after 12 AM.....The Dead President's got welcomed with a 'Don't Come Back' chant after they botched some moves during a brawl. Danny Havoc nearly got killed....Hero putting the ROH Titles on the line completely gave away the finish of the match. I knew, and so did everyone else, that Gabe Sapolsky would never let his titles change hands tonight....It was a lot of fun to see Castagnoli and Tornado, two of the most charismatic performers on the independent scene, working together. The dance off was hilarious....I'm not sure if this was a one shot appearance for Sabian while Joker is on border patrol duty, or if PWU and CZW will have a more open relationship....By the second semifinal match, it was obvious they were pressed for time and rushing through a bit....Human Tornado was KTFO by KRS-ONE and sold it by being carried to the back. The Kings are a strong contender for Tag Team of the Year, and their finisher has to be move of the year....It looks like CZW is going to be using Kingston and Hero's feud as a focal point for Cage of Death....Match of the Night honors probably go to the Kingston-Necro match, though there was nothing on the card that was bad or out of place. It was a great night for tag team wrestling....Questions about tonight's event? Email me at edsh007@hotmail.com.
2007 - TNA held their Bound for Glory PPV in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard Trionfo filed the following PPV report:
We start off with Jeremy Borash inside the Gwinnett Center to talk about Bound for Glory. He says that this is the biggest night in TNA history. He mentions the Ultimate X, Monster's Ball, Knockouts Title Match, and the TNA Heavyweight Title Match featuring Sting and Kurt Angle. Jeremy mentions Kurt Angle's Olympic victory in Atlanta and Sting's success in Atlanta.
We have a video package for the participants in the Monster's Ball Match. It asks who will be standing at the end of Monster's Ball. We go to a video package for the Women's Gauntlet Match with quotes from some of the participants included in with the videos of the women in action in the ring.
We go to a video package about Pacman Jones with comments from A.J. Styles saying that we will see what he has to offer. The next video package is for the X Division Title Match and is starts off showing footage of Christopher Daniels and his discussions with the "higher power". We then see footage of Jay Lethal.
We then see a video package for the Ultimate X Match and it talks about the evolution of the match over the last five years. We are reminded that the winner of the Ultimate X Match will be the new number one contenders for the Tag Team Titles. We go back to Jeremy in the arena and he talks about how the building will be full with fans from all over the world. Jeremy runs through more of the matches on the show and he focuses on the Tables Match between Team 3D and the Steiners.
We go to a video package for the Tables Match. Jeremy has moved in the arena and he points out that this is the biggest pay per view event of the year one more time. He talks about the match between Samoa Joe and Christian Cage and how Matt Morgan will be the guest enforcer for the match.
We go to a video package for the Samoa Joe/Christian Cage match. Jeremy is back in the arena to talk about the pay per view. Jeremy talks about the history of Atlanta and the men in the main event. He reminds us of Kurt's Olympic Gold Medal victory and Sting's career in Atlanta. We have a video package for the Sting/Kurt Angle match.
Jeremy tells us that it is time to go to the building and we see the video package for Bound for Glory that aired at the end of this week's episode of Impact.
I think this portion of the pay per view pre-show did a great job for the cable companies and satellite providers that allow for Countdown shows to be viewed for free to see what they can expect from the pay per view.
The pay per view starts off with a video package that talks about how everyone has dreams and how they inspire us to achieve. It is a package that talks about being the next Hulk Hogan or immortal icon in the industry. They are bound by hope and bound by conquest. They come tonight for the dream. It is not for the collective whole, it is about the individual. Kurt Angle will try to prove that he is the greatest living wrestler on the planet. The icon known as Sting will try to prove to his peers that he can get to the lofty place on the mountain top. A.J. Styles wants to establish himself as the fastest rising star of the millennium. Abyss will try to reclaim his standing as the best big man in the business. Christian Cage wants to show that his two years in TNA have increased his legend. Samoa Joe wants to prove that there is no one better and no one more dominant than him. Some will rise, but many will falter. Bound by desire, Bound for Glory any one of them can.
We are live from the Gwinnett Center outside of Atlanta, Georgia and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don West.
The Ultimate X cables are up in the ring as Mike Tenay talks about the four title matches on tonight's pay per view. We have some pyro as Mike talks about some of the matches. Ultimate X Match: Triple X (Elix Skipper and Senshi) versus Latin American Xchange
There is an X hanging from the cables for this match. Senshi and Skipper try to climb the towers but Senshi is pushed to the floor and Elix Skipper comes off the tower. Homicide with a flying back elbow while he punches Skipper. Hernandez and Senshi battle on the floor. Hernandez hits a flying shoulder tackle on Skipper. Homicide catapults Skipper into Hernandez who catches Skipper and Hernandez hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Homicide with a running clothesline to Skipper followed by a splash by Hernandez. Senshi with a springboard forearm to Hernandez.
Skipper pulls Homicide off the tower and Senshi with a face driver to Homicide. Skipper with a kick and DDT to Homicide. Senshi with kicks to Hernandez but Hernandez throws Senshi across the ring. Skipper tries to climb to the cables but Hernandez pulls him down. Hernandez gets Skipper on his shoulder and hits a backbreaker. Homicide climbs the tower while Hernandez deals with Skipper and Senshi is down. Homicide approaches the X but Senshi gets up and kicks Homicide off. Hernandez pulls Senshi down and then kicks him out of the ring. Hernandez hits Senshi on the apron while Homicide and Skipper exchange punches and forearms. Skipper with forearms to Homicide while Senshi hits a boot to Hernandez's head. Senshi with a Dragon Sleeper on Hernandez in the corner. Skipper with an overhead belly-to-belly throw on Homicide. Hernandez with a chop to Skipper.
Senshi attacks Hernandez and connects with a series of slaps. Hernandez with a running shoulder tackle that knocks Senshi through the ropes. Homicide with the tope con hilo onto Senshi. Skipper climbs the turnbuckles and onto the cables but Hernandez pulls Skipper down. Hernandez with a biel to Skipper into the turnbuckles. Hernandez climbs the turnbuckles and goes across the cables. Hernandez is by the X and Skipper tries to stop him. Skipper with a drop kick to Hernandez's back and Hernandez goes down. Senshi climbs the tower and grabs the cable. Hernandez pulls Senshi off and hits a sit out power bomb. Skipper and Homicide fight on the top of the tower with Homicide while Homicide holds on. Skipper with a cross body onto Hernandez from the top of the tower and the crowd continues to chant "TNA".
Homicide climbs the tower but Skipper tries to stop him. Homicide avoids Skipper but Skipper follows after Homicide as they go across the cable and Homicide hits a neckbreaker as they both are down on the mat. Hernandez checks on Homicide and then he helps Homicide get up. Skipper and Senshi are still down on the mat. Homicide climbs the turnbuckles and up the tower. Senshi gets up and he punches Homicide and then Homicide sends Senshi into the tower. Homicide sets for the Gringo Killer from the top turnbuckle but Senshi fights out of it. Homicide is stuck in the tree of woe and Senshi with a double stomp to Homicide. Hernandez with a cracker jack to Senshi and then he sets for a plancha but Skipper with a kick. Hernandez with a running body block after he counters the Play of the Day. Hernandez with a border toss of Skipper onto Senshi and Homicide on the floor.
Hernandez is the only man in the ring and he climbs the turnbuckles and goes across the cables. Hernandez is in the center of the cables and he unhooks the X and hands it to Homicide for the win in about twelve minutes.
Great opening match that showcased all four men. A lot of good action and the crowd was very hot for this match.
We see Kurt Angle, Karen Angle, and Kevin Nash all arrive separately.
Don and Mike talk about the matches on the card.
Don and Mike send things to Crystal and she is with Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko. Crystal asks Styles and Tomko about their match and Christian interrupts. He tells Tomko not to be rude. Christian talks about the Fight for the Right Match with a bunch of guys who wish they were Christian Cage and knew how to win like him. Christian wants to know why he is not the Number One Contender. He asks A.J. and A.J. says that it is because of Samoa Joe. Christian says that he is sick and tired of Samoa Joe ruining things for him. Christian says that he will continue to stay never pinned and never submitted. Christian tells Matt Morgan that he is not in the mood tonight. Christian says that after his victory, he is going to find a way to get into the tournament.
Crystal reminds A.J. that he can win the title in his home town. A.J. says that he is jacked and he is happy to be in his backyard. A.J. thanks his parents for the body. Tomko takes the mic and he tells Team Pacman that the fairy tale and charade ends because it is Tomko's world. He says that he is going to put Pacman Jones' face through the match. Tomko reminds A.J. that A.J. does not want to let him down tonight.
Fight for the Right Match
Dave Penzer discusses the rules of the match. Sixteen men will start outside the ring. The first eight men into the ring will qualify for stage two which is a battle royale. When there are two men left, they will wrestle until there is a winner.
The participants are Jimmy Rave, Lance Hoyt, Havok, Shark Boy, Petey Williams, Frankie Kazarian, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt, Kip James, BG James, James Storm, Eric Young, Robert Roode, Chris Harris, and Junior Fatu.
The match starts off and everyone tries to get into the ring. The first man in the ring is Junior Fatu. Kazarian and Roode fight on the top turnbuckle and Kazarian hits the Flux Capacitor to bring him and Roode into the match. Alex Shelley is the fourth man in. Eric Young with a rake of the eyes to Hoyt and then he climbs up the turnbuckles and Hoyt tries to press him to the floor but Hoyt's eyes are raked and Young enters the ring fifth. Sabin is the sixth man into the ring. Hoyt tosses Havok to the floor and then he enters the ring seventh. Kip James is on the top rope and Harris punches Kip and Kip is sent to the floor. James Storm sneaks into the ring to become the eighth man. Chris Harris gets in the ring but he is too late as the referees send him out of the ring.
Stage Two begins Storm is eliminated by Eric Young to be seeded eighth. Sabin punches Roode and then Fatu punches Roode, Shelley, and Sabin. Fatu with a clothesline to Kazarian. Young bumps into Fatu and Young offers Fatu James Storm's beer. Fatu slaps his rear end and Young does the same. Young tries to get Fatu up. Fatu with a Samoan drop to Kazarian and then he gives Roode a choke slam as he also deals with the Motor City Machine Guns. Four men are in the corner and Fatu with a running butt splash. Hoyt and Young fall into the corner and Fatu sets up for the Stinkface on Hoyt while Young uses Hoyt as a human shield. Hoyt with a big boot to Fatu and then Kazarian with a drop kick to Fatu that staggers him. Roode tries for a Northern Lariat but Fatu stays in the ring. Everyone tries to eliminate Fatu and a drop kick from Sabin is enough to get Fatu eliminated as the seventh seed. Kazarian is sent to the apron and Hoyt hits a choke slam after a springboard move. Shelley and Sabin try to double team Hoyt as they hit a series of kicks and elbows. Sabin with a drop kick to Roode. Shelley with an abdominal stretch on Young while he is tied up in Roode as Sabin works on Roode. Sabin with a rocket launcher leg drop onto Roode. Hoyt grabs Shelley but Shelley avoids the choke slam. Kazarian eliminates Sabin as the sixth seed. Kazarian hits a slingshot DDT on Shelley. Kazarian and Roode exchange punches and Hoyt and Young sends Kazarian and Roode to the apron but they hold on. Roode with an uranage to Kazarian to eliminate him as the fifth seed. Hoyt with a big boot to Young and then he sets up Young for a moonsault. Roode pushes Hoyt off the top turnbuckle to be the fourth seed.
We are down to the final three as Roode is pinballed back and forth between Shelley and Young. Shelley is sent to the apron by Roode and then Shelley is sent to the top turnbuckle. Roode sends Young into Shelley and Shelley is eliminated as the three seed.
We are down to the final two as Eric Young faces Robert Roode. Roode pushes Young and Young punches Roode. Roode and Young exchange punches but Roode gets his boot up for the charge. Young with a cross body on a belly-to-back attempt. Roode puts Young on the top turnbuckle and connects with a forearm to the back. Young with an elbow and Roode is knocked off the turnbuckles. Young misses a moonsault. Roode with a kick and the Payoff attempt but Young with an inside cradle for the victory in about twelve minutes and Roode is the number two seed.
Winner: Eric Young (#1 Seed)
This was a good match but if they are trying to push the future of the company with guys like Shelley and Sabin, why do they have to do Young and Roode again?
We see the video package that aired earlier tonight.
Crystal is with Team Pacman and she asks them if they are ready. Killings says that they were born ready. They are here to defend their tag titles. He says that Styles and Tomko are great wrestlers, but they are better, badder, and they have home field advantage. Killings says that he has an announcement. Team Pacman is about readjustments. There is a fill in for tonight. That man will make his debut tonight. His name is Consequences Creed.
Jones wonders where A.J. Styles is from. He says that when you talk about the streets and how to be a champion, you are talking about Pacman Jones. Tonight, they better buckle up because they are going to take them on a ride.
Kurt and Karen Angle are arguing in the hall and Kurt wants to know what the big deal is about slapping a kid. Karen says that Kurt is unreasonable. He is the one who made it personal and put their family in jeopardy by making it personal. Kurt says that he has Sting exactly where he wants her. Kurt tells Karen to get out of her face.
TNA Tag Title Match: Team Pacman (Ron Killings and Consequences Creed with Pacman Jones) versus A.J. Styles and Tomko
Creed and Styles start things off and Creed with an arm bar. Styles reverses and Creed does the same thing and puts Styles in a side head lock. Styles with a hammer lock and forearm. Styles with a drop kick into the corner but Creed with an arm drag and leg trip. Styles with a head scissors take down. Creed sends Styles into the corner and he hits a forearm and knee followed by a clothesline for a two count. Creed bumps into Tomko and Tomko wants the tag. Creed with a punch to Tomko and Tomko tries to get Creed up for a slam but Creed escapes the hold and Killings is tagged in. Tomko punches and kicks Killings in the corner. Killings with a missile drop kick and Killings follows with punches. Killings with a flying forearm. Tomko tosses Killings into the corner and punches Killings. Killings avoids Tomko and then hits a jumping leg lariat. Creed is tagged in and they Irish whip Tomko into the corner. Killings with a clothesline in the corner but Creed runs into a big boot. Styles is tagged in and Styles and Tomko double team Creed. Creed with punches but Styles with the phenomenal drop kick.
Styles with a side head lock to Creed. Killings with a knee to Styles' back and Creed with a series of punches to Styles and then he hits an elbow drop off Styles' back. Killings is tagged in and he hits a gourdbuster driver on Styles. Styles avoids a clothesline and hits the Pele Kick. Tomko is tagged in and he clotheslines Creed and punches Killings. All four men are in the ring as Styles battles with Killings and hits a pump handle gutbuster. Creed with a waist lock but Creed with a Northern Lights suplex that sends Styles into the turnbuckles. Tomko with a fallaway slam to Creed. Killings with a punch to Tomko but Tomko punches Killings. Jones pulls the ropes down and Tomko goes to the floor. Tomko catches Creed as he comes off the apron and then Killings hits a somersault plancha onto Creed and Tomko. Styles gets up and then he hits a springboard shooting star press onto everyone on the floor. Styles rolls Killings back into the ring and Jones gets on the apron and he has some money. Styles takes the money and Killings with a rollup. Earl Hebner takes the money instead of making the count and Styles is able to kick out at two. Tomko with a big boot to Killings and then Styles with a springboard forearm to Killings. They hits a double team move on Killings for the three count in about nine minutes.
Winners: A.J. Styles and Tomko
This was a good match. I wish Earl Hebner would not have been the reason why Styles and Tomko won the match. That had no place in the match. Why didn't the match get restarted because of the referee missing the three count? Consequences Creed is a Georgia wrestler who I saw wrestle as Austin Creed for an FIP show this past April.
Jeremy Borash is in the back with Karen Angle and Jeremy asks Karen if she knows what happens if Kurt loses. Karen says that she is aware and Kurt will not lose. Kevin Nash is in the locker room with Angel Williams and Karen tells Angel to leave. Karen wants Nash to talk to Kurt. Kevin says that Angle is more stubborn than Scott Hall. Karen cannot believe that Kevin will not talk to him. Karen says that they are both going to lose their meal ticket if Kurt loses. Karen wonders if Kevin is going to be wrestling again. Kevin says that he will talk to Kurt one more time. Kevin comments on Karen being a buzzkill between him and Angel.
Jay Lethal gets on the mic and he says that looking into the crowd it makes him want to say one thing. Lethal lets out an "Ooooooh Yeah"
X Division Title Match: Jay Lethal versus Christopher Daniels
Daniels looks for advice from above before they lock up. Lethal with a side head lock but Daniels with a shoulder tackle and flying forearm that does not knock Lethal down. Lethal tells Daniels to do it again, but Daniels punches Lethal instead. Lethal with more punches but he misses a clothesline. Lethal with jabs to Daniels and Lethal with slingshot rana from the apron and that sends Daniels out of the ring. Lethal with a suicide dive onto Daniels. Lethal with a chop but Daniels with a thumb to the eyes. Lethal with a hip toss on the floor but Daniels rolls back into the ring. Lethal with a double sledge from the top for a two count. Lethal with a chop to Daniels followed by an Irish whip and a clothesline that sends Daniels over the top to the floor and then Lethal with a pescado onto Daniels. Daniels with an uranage into the guardrails. Daniels grabs a chair and then he slams Lethal onto the guardrails and he appears to have satisfied the entity that he talks to. Daniels rolls into the ring to stop the count.
Lethal is rolled back into the ring and then Daniels follows. Daniels with a forearm to the back followed by a high back body drop. Daniels signals one for him before he returns to Lethal. Daniels with a suplex to Lethal and then he stands on Lethal's back before hitting an Arabian press and puts Lethal in a crossface. Daniels with a hard Irish whip. Lethal with two near falls on rollups. Lethal with jabs to Daniels but Daniels with a drop kick. Daniels chokes Lethal on the mat while the referee admonishes him. Daniels with the Blue Thunder Driver for a two count. Daniels continues to work on Lethal's back with more forearms. Lethal lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Lethal with an elbow and head scissors. Lethal with punches and a knee lift before he goes over the top rope to drop Daniels' throat on the top rope. Lethal with a neck breaker and a butterfly suplex and bridge for a two count. Lethal with an enzuigiri but Daniels stays on his feet. Lethal misses a super kick. Lethal counters the Angel's Wing and gets a two count with a rollup. Lethal with a face driver from a wheelbarrow position for a two count. Lethal with a chop to Daniels and then he is sent to the apron. Lethal tries for a springboard move but Daniels catches him and hits a Death Valley Driver. Daniels hits the BME but he can only get a two count. Daniels punches Lethal and the referee admonishes him again.
Daniels looks above and he sets for Last Rites but Lethal gets out of the hold. Daniels misses an enzuigiri and then Lethal hits a Dragon suplex. Lethal misses a charge and Daniels puts Lethal on the top turnbuckle and hits a palm thrust. Daniels goes for a rana from the top but Lethal stays on the top turnbuckles. Lethal sets for the elbow drop but Daniels moves out of the way. Daniels gets a two count on a cover. Daniels puts Lethal on the top turnbuckle again and gives Lethal another palm thrust. They fight on the top turnbuckle and Lethal with chops to Daniels' back. Lethal hits the Lethal Combination from the top for the three count in eleven minutes.
Winner: Jay Lethal
This was a very good match. I liked that Lethal appears to be getting out of the Randy Savage gimmick with some of the moves that he hit. I did not expect to see Lethal hit the Dragon Suplex on Daniels. This match gave Lethal back any momentum that he lost over the last month. I would not mind seeing another match between these two men.
Crystal is with the Steiners and Scott tells Team 3D that they are out of their minds to come to Atlanta and to have a tables match. He tells them that they are going to be taking splinters out of their fat a**es and Scott focuses on that phrase. Rick says that this is the dog pound.
We have a video package for the Tables Match.
Tables Match: Team 3D versus Steiner Brothers
Scott runs after Team 3D and the match starts at the entrance. Scott fights with Ray and he is sent into the guardrail. Scott is handed a beer and he takes a drink before showering Ray with it. Ray is slammed into the guardrail by Scott. Rick and Devon are in the ring while Scott and Ray finally make it into the ring. Rick with a clothesline to Devon and Scott with a Saito suplex to Ray. Time for the Steiners to pose as Team 3D leaves the ring. Team 3D head to the back but the Steiners stop them and they continue to work over Team 3D. Rick battles with Ray while Scott battles with Devon. Scott spits some beer in Devon's face. Rick and Ray battle into the crowd and Rick hits Ray with a trash can. Devon and Scott join them and Scott punches Ray. Scott slams Ray into the wall. Scott hits Ray with a chair after he throws a trash can at him. Scott puts the trash can on top of Ray and Scott punches the trash can. Scott throws the trash can on Ray. Rick and Scott send Ray and Devon into each other as Ray calls for a time out. Rick and Devon battle into the seats and then Devon is sent into the wall.
We return to ringside and Scott puts a table in the ring. Rick sends Devon into the ringside area. Scott sends Devon into the guardrail. Devon is Irish whipped into the guardrail. Ray rolls into the ring and a table is set up by Scott. Devon and Rick also roll into the ring. Scott puts Ray on the top turnbuckle and Devon hits Scott in the back and Scott is sent out of the ring. Team 3D send Rick through the table with a 3D in about six minutes to get the one-to-nothing advantage.
Ray rolls Scott into the ring and Devon chokes Scott while Ray brings another table into the ring. They set up the table for Scott. Ray goes up top and Devon tries to get Scott up. Scott with an elbow to Devon and then he punches Ray in the groin. Scott with a Frankensteiner that sends Ray through the table to tie it at one table apiece at about eight minutes.
Devon punches Scott from behind on the floor and then Scott is rolled back into the ring. Devon follows and he kicks Scott. Devon kicks Rick from the apron and then he goes up top. Devon misses a diving head butt on Scott when Scott moves out of the way. Scott with a series of clotheslines and then Ray with a low blow to Scott when Devon holds on to the ropes. Ray takes off his belt and then he whips Scott. Team 3D goes outside the ring. Devon gets a table while Ray gets a few chairs from ringside. Devon chokes Scott. Devon puts Scott on the table, but the table collapses under Scott;s weight. Ray throws the table to the floor while Devon grabs another table. Scott is placed on the new table and then Ray pushes the referee away. Ray has the chair for Scott's throat but the Motor City Machine Guns come to ringside to distract Team 3D. Devon tries to hit Scott with the chair but Scott moves and Devon hits Ray with the chair. Scott gets Devon up and Rick hits a bulldog through the table to win the match in about thirteen minutes.
Winners: Steiner Brothers (2 Tables to 1)
This was a good match but I would have liked it better if they did not spend so much time outside the ring. It is a pattern that there is a table that collapses when Team 3D uses them. I was a bit surprised that the Steiners won the match because it would be logical for there to be a rubber match. I guess the next feud for Team 3D is the Motor City Machine Guns.
Jeremy Borash is with some of the women in the Gauntlet Match. Jeremy is with the four new women who did not wrestle on Impact. ODB takes the mic from Jeremy and she says that she is going to be the first Knockouts Champ. ODB says that Shelly Martinez is advertising. ODB says that Talia Madison knows what she is. ODB says that she has no idea who the other one is. Angel Williams yells at ODB and the other three women yell at ODB as she leaves. The other women leave and Jeremy says that the interview is not over. Jeremy turns around and sees Amazing Kong. He says that the interview is over.
The Women's Gauntlet is next.
Gauntlet Match to determine First TNA Women's Champion
The first entrant in the Gauntlet Match is Traci Brooks. The second entrant is Jackie Moore. Traci has a few things to say to Jackie as the bell rings and Jackie punches Traci. Traci and Jackie exchange chops. Traci with a running boot to the head but Jackie with a back kick. Jackie with jabs followed by an elbow. Jackie with forearms to the back followed by a German suplex. Jackie kicks Traci in the back.
The third entrant is Shelly Martinez. Martinez hits Jackie but Jackie grabs Shelly by the throat. Shelly with a kick to Traci followed by a form of a DDT and a running forearm. Traci goes up top while Jackie punches Shelly. Traci with a senton from the top onto Martinez.
The fourth entrant is Awesome Kong. As Kong comes to the ring, the other three women wait for her entrance. Jackie does not appear to be afraid of Kong. Kong finally enters the ring and all three go after Kong. Kong fights them all off. Martinez kicks Kong.
The fifth entrant is ODB. Jackie Moore eliminates Traci Brooks and Kong eliminates Martinez. Kong with a butterfly piledriver to Jackie Moore and then she eliminates Jackie. ODB with forearms but they have no effect on Kong.
Angel Williams is the sixth entrant as Kong throws ODB to the mat. Williams climbs on Kong's back and ODB punches Kong but Kong punches ODB. Kong snap mares Williams off her back. Williams with an enzuigiri and Kong does not move.
The seventh entrant is Christy Hemme while Kong with a double suplex on Williams and ODB. Christy hesitates as she gets to the apron. Kong pulls Christy into the ring and then she gets Christy up on a Torture Rack and has Christy kick herself in the head.
The eighth entrant is Gail Kim as Kong power bombs Hemme. Gail with a missile drop kick as she enters the ring. Kong pushes Gail off. Williams and ODB go after Kong and then she connects with a double clothesline. Hemme is down on the floor. Gail tries for a rana but Kong stays up. Gail chokes Kong and ODB and Williams help eliminate Kong.
Talia Madison is ninth and she hits a drop kick on Gail Kim. Williams does the Flair flip but she hits a stunner on Madison on the top rope. ODB and Gail Kim knock Williams out. ODB and Gail chop each other and ODB with a clothesline.
The final entrant is Roxxi Laveaux. ODB with a fallaway slam on Madison. ODB with a forearm to Madison's back and then she slams Gail's head into the turnbuckle. Roxxi goes after Gail but ODB pulls Roxxi off Gail. Roxxi punches ODB and runs her into the turnbuckles. Gail with forearms to Madison. Gail blocks a boot from Madison and Madison is eliminated. ODB is eliminated.
We are down to the final two between Roxxi Laveaux and Gail Kim. Gail and Roxxi exchange forearms but Roxxi with a fallaway slam for a two count. Roxxi with an Irish whip but Roxxi misses a charge. Gail with the octopus on Roxxi but Roxxi makes it to the ropes and Gail releases the hold. Gail goes up top but misses the missile drop kick. Roxxi is only able to get a two count. Roxxi gets Gail up for the Dominator but Gail with a rollup counter for a two count. Roxxi with a powerbomb and bridge for a two count. Roxxi spasms in the ring and misses a clothesline. Gail hits a version of the Kryptonite Krunch for the three count in twelve minutes.
Winner: Gail Kim
This was a very good match. I don't know if Christy was really hurt but she looked like Kong made her into a pretzel. I was a little surprised that Gail won but she made up for the losses to Kong and Roxxi. I thought they did a good job to build ODB, Angel Williams, and Talia Madison. They did not do too much with Shelly Martinez and it looks like they are going to lessen their emphasis on Jackie and Traci with their performances.
Jeremy Borash is in Kurt Angle's locker room with Kevin Nash. Nash says that he knows that Angle's mind is set on what he is going to do. Nash says that he can schmooze with Sting and says that Kurt lost his mind and apologize for what he did to Sting's son. Kurt wonders if Nash is a p***y. He says that Nash lost his edge. Kurt says that Sting needs to apologize for slapping Karen. Nash says that he is not going to have Kurt's back tonight. He says that he is not going to mess with Sting. Angle laughs at the suggestion that Nash is going to have his back and wonders if Nash can get in a ring. He tells Nash to get a ticket and watch like the rest of the fans. Nash yells at Angle and says that if he loses, he loses everything. Angle says that he is going to take a big, nasty, Nash.
We see the Samoa Joe/Christian Cage video package, and that match is next.
Samoa Joe versus Christian Cage with Special Enforcer Matt Morgan
Christian starts the match outside the ring and he takes his time getting in the ring. Joe leaves the ring and gets in Morgan's face. Christian takes this time to enter the ring. Joe waits for the crowd to chant that "Joe's gonna kill you" to enter the ring. Christian has a few things to say to Joe. Joe tries for a kick but Christian moves out of the way. They lock up and Joe slams Christian's face into the mat. Christian with a waist lock but Joe with a side head lock. Christian tries for an Irish whip but Joe holds on to the side head lock. Joe with a shoulder tackle to Christian as there is a dueling chant in the building. Christian backs Joe into the corner and he teases a clean break and slaps Joe. Joe responds with a slap of his own. Joe with a running knee into the corner followed by the face wash and running boot to the face but Christian moves out of the way. Christian with chops and kicks to the leg. Christian charges into an elbow and then Joe hits a leg lariat from the turnbuckles. Joe with a chop followed by a kick. Christian tries for a leap frog but Joe with a flap jack followed by a knee drop. Christian goes to the apron and then he goes up top. Joe puts Christian in the top turnbuckle and chops Christian followed by a running drop kick to Christian in the tree of woe. They go to the apron and Joe tries to suplex Christian but Christian blocks it. Christian uses the ropes for momentum to kick Joe. Christian goes up top but misses a cross body and hits the guardrail. Joe with a flying forearm on a suicide dive. Joe takes a chair and he sets up for the Ole Kick. Christian Irish whips Joe into the apron and then he charges at Joe but Joe tries to send Christian into the ring but Christian bounces off the ropes and hits a DDT. Christian rolls Joe into the ring and he kicks Joe in the head. Christian chokes Joe in the ropes and then plays off the crowd. Joe with elbows and forearms followed by punches. Christian with a back elbow for a near fall. Christian with a triangle choke but Joe gets to his feet. Christian with an inverted DDT for a two count. Christian goes to the apron and up top but he misses a Frog Splash. Joe and Christian exchange punches but Joe with a number of slaps and he sends Christian to the apron. Christian tries for a springboard move back into the ring but Joe with a jumping spin kick.
Christian backs into Matt Morgan and then Joe hits a corkscrew plancha onto Christian. They return to the ring and Joe with a number of clotheslines. Joe charges into an elbow and Christian tries for a move from the turnbuckles but Joe moves out of the way. Joe with a lariat but he can only get a two count. Joe puts Christian on the top turnbuckle but Christian fights out of the muscle buster. Christian jumps over Joe and Joe sets for the choke but Christian tries for the Unprettier. Joe gets out of the hold and then he hits a power bomb into the turnbuckle followed by a reverse atomic drop, Yakuza Kick, and running senton splash for a two count. Joe punches Christian in the neck and then he punches Joe in the corner. Christian with a power bomb and uses the ropes for leverage but Joe kicks out at two. Christian tries fro a rollup but Joe counters with the choke. Christian escapes the choke. Joe with a kick to Christian's head followed by a scoop power slam for a two count. Christian goes to the apron and then they both go up top. Joe with head butts to Christian and Joe goes to the mat while Christian falls to the floor.
Tomko comes to the ring but Matt Morgan gets in the way. Morgan and Tomko exchange punches at ringside. A.J. Styles comes out while Morgan puts Tomko into the table. Morgan pulls Styles off the apron and then Styles is thrown into Tomko.
The action returns to the ring and Christian with a low blow followed by the Unprettier but Joe kicks out at two. Christian with a choke on Joe but Joe gets up and runs Christian into the turnbuckles and hits an enzuigiri and then the muscle buster. Joe puts Christian in the choke and Christian taps in just under sixteen minutes.
Winner: Samoa Joe
This was a great match except for the interference by Tomko and Styles. Why would they focus on Morgan and Tomko fighting at ringside instead of the actual wrestling match. I really liked that Joe got the win. The Ole Kick looked great. Both men were able to steal the show like Christian said on last week's Impact.
We go to the back where Jeremy Borash is with Kevin Nash and Jeremy asks Nash if he wants to do it. Nash stops to talk to Sting. He says that this is just a wrestling match at the end of the day. What Kurt did was wrong. Sting says that it went to far when he laid his hands on his son. Sting says that this is about respect and that is something that Angle does not know. Sting wants to know why Nash is protecting Angle. Nash says that Angle is all that he has. Sting is in the main event and this is the closest that he is going to get to the game. Sting says that he is sorry but Game Over.
We have the video package for the Monster's Ball Match, and that is the next match.
Monster's Ball Match: Raven versus Abyss versus Rhino versus Black Reign
Rhino starts the match before Abyss comes to the ring and he goes after Black Reign and Raven. Abyss comes to the ring as Raven and Black Reign stop for Abyss to enter the ring. Abyss with a boot to Raven and then he tries for a clothesline on Black Reign but Black Reign moves. Raven hits Abyss with the kendo stick and then Rhino hits Raven with the shopping cart. Rhino hits Raven and Black Reign with a trash can lid. Rhino with a drop toe hold to Raven on the shopping cart. Rhino runs the shopping cart into Black Reign's groin. He hits Raven with the trash can and put the can in front of Black Reign. Rhino tees off on the trash can. Rhino hits Black Reign in the head with the trash can. Raven charges at Rhino but he misses and goes into the shopping cart. Abyss punches Rhino but Rhino clotheslines Abyss over the top rope to the floor. Rhino sends Raven out of the ring. Rhino hits Raven in the head with a trash can lid. Abyss and Black Reign fight towards the entrance. Black Reign punches Abyss and sends him into the guardrails. Raven is sent into the guardrails by Rhino. Abyss climbs on the stage but Rhino takes Abyss down. Rhino sets for a Gore off the stage but Abyss moves and Rhino goes through the wall and to the floor. Raven and Black Reign attack Abyss while Rhino is down. Black Reign goes into the crowd while Raven puts Abyss on a table. Black Reign signals for Raven to come up but Raven tells Black Reign to get Abyss. Black Reign has second thoughts and pushes Black Reign out of the way. Raven hits an elbow drop from the bleachers through the table. Raven is bleeding from the head while he holds his wrist. Black Reign carries Abyss to the ring and he rolls him into the ring. Black Reign is pulled out by Raven and Raven covers Abyss. Raven puts the snot rag in Black Reign's face. Black Reign and Raven battle and Raven is put in the corner as Black Reign kicks Raven in the groin. Abyss is up and he has one of his bags. Black Reign with a Pedigree on Abyss.
Rhino staggers into the ring while Raven grabs the kendo stick. Rhino sets for the GORE on Black Reign but Black Reign has his weapon. That does not stop Rhino from hitting the GORE. Raven hits Rhino and Abyss with the kendo stick. Abyss pours the tacks on the mat but James Mitchell brings another bag to the ring. Raven kicks Abyss in the head as Raven mixes glass with the thumbtacks. Raven sets for a DDT but Abyss hits the Black Hole Slam on the glass and tacks for the three count in about ten minutes.
Winner: Abyss
This was an okay match. All four men gave everything but I thought this was a falls count anywhere match. Raven was probably the MVP of the match.
We see a video package for the Heavyweight Title Match since the main event is next.
Don and Mike talk about the main event and how two of the greatest are going to lock up in the ring. We go to the tale of the tape for the main event.
TNA Heavyweight Title Match: Kurt Angle versus Sting
They lock up and Sting backs Angle into the ropes. Sting with a clean break. They lock up again and Angle with a waist lock but Sting with a standing switch. Angle makes it to the ropes and Sting with another clean break. Angle with an arm bar and single leg trip. Angle continues with the arm bar but Sting reverses and wrings the arm. Angle makes it to the ropes and Sting with another clean break. Sting with a side head lock and take down. Angle with a head scissors but Sting escapes the hold and both men are at a stalemate. Angle with a side head lock to Sting and shoulder tackle. Sting with a hip toss and Angle goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and he kicks Sting followed by a European uppercut and chop. Angle with another chop but Sting turns the tables with a punch and kick. Sting with the punches of ten to Angle and Sting screams for the fans.
Angle with a kick and European uppercut. Sting misses a drop kick but Angle goes for the legs. Sting pushes Angle off and hits a drop kick followed by a clothesline that sends Angle over the top rope to the floor. Sting sends Angle into the guardrails as he takes Angle around the ring and then he slams Angle's head onto the announce table. Sting rolls in to break up the count. Sting rolls Angle back into the ring. Angle with a kick to Sting followed by an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and runs his shoulder into the post. Sting tries for the Scorpion Death Drop but Angle counters and hits a German suplex. Angle with a backbreaker to Sting for a two count. Angle with another two count.
Angle with a European uppercut in the corner followed by punches and kicks. Angle chokes Sting with his boot. Angle hits a vertical suplex for a two count. Angle with a body scissors on Sting and he turns it into a side head lock. Sting with elbows to Angle but Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Angle with a snap mare and then he has Sting in a rear chin lock with his knee in Sting;s back. Sting gets to his feet and gets out of the hold. Sting and Angle each hit clotheslines and both men go down in the center of the ring.
Sting and Angle get to their feet and they exchange punches with Sting getting the advantage. Sting with clotheslines to Angle but Angle with a kick. Sting with a spinebuster to Angle for a two count. Sting sets for the Stinger Splash and he hits it. Sting with one to Angle's back. Sting with a bulldog and then Sting goes up top. Angle is up and he hits an overhead belly-to-belly superplex for a two count. Angle tries for the Olympic Slam but Sting with a counter into a sunset flip for a two count.
Angle hits the Three Rivers German suplex combination but he can only get a two count. Angle's straps are down and he puts Sting in the ankle lock and he pulls Sting into the center of the ring. Sting counters and he puts Angle in the Scorpion Death Lock. Angle is about to tap but Karen Angle comes to the ring. Sting releases the hold and he tells Karen to leave. The referee sends Karen out of the ring. Kevin Nash comes into the ring and he clotheslines Sting. Angle with the Olympic Slam but the referee is dealing with Karen Angle. Angle can only get a two count. Angle puts Sting on the top turnbuckle for a superplex, but Sting knocks Angle off. Sting tries for a frog splash but Angle gets his knees up and Angle is only able to hit a two count.
Angle with a standing power slam to Sting and then he goes up top. Angle hits a 450 splash on Sting with his knees but Sting kicks out at two. Angle puts Sting in the ankle lock and Nash taunts Sting. Sting rolls through and sends Angle into Nash. Angle knocks the referee out and Sting hits the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting covers Angle but there is no referee. A second referee comes into the ring but Nash pulls that referee out of the ring and Nash punches the referee.
Nash enters the ring and he punches Sting and connects with elbows in the corner followed by knees. Angle and Nash Irish whip Sting but Sting with a double clothesline. Sting punches Nash but Angle with a low blow to Sting. Angle gets the baseball bat but Sting blocks it. Sting hits Angle with the bat and then he hits Nash with the bat while he tries to get back into the ring. Sting is bleeding and he hits the Scorpion Death Drop for the three count to become the New TNA Heavyweight Champion in eighteen and a half minutes.
Winner: Sting
After a slow start that was a bit sloppy, this turned into a very good match until Karen Angle came to the ring. Why did Sting release the hold? Is it impossible for TNA security in any venue to stop anyone from coming to the ring. The Jarrett formula took away from my enjoyment of this match. The other two and a half hours of this pay per view were good enough that it did not affect what I thought was a very strong pay per view. If you did not watch the final seven or eight minutes of the match, this might have been TNA's best pay per view in a long time.
We end the pay per view with a teaser video for Genesis next month.
2008 - WWE announced the release of Lance Cade.
2008 - Adam "Pacman" Jones, who was brought into TNA in 2007 as a celebrity crossover and the TNA Tag Team belts with Ron Killings (complete with Jones pinning Sting) has been suspended indefinitely once again by The National Football League. Jones, at the time a member of the Dallas Cowboys, was involved in an incident with a member of the security team assigned to oversee him at a hotel. Since alcohol was involved in the incident, a violation of the terms of his NFL reinstatement, he's once again been put on suspension for a minimum four games, potentially more.
2008 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy. Buck Woodward filed the following TV report:
ECW for October 14th opened with Mark Henry and Tony Atlas heading to the ring as they reviewed Mark Henry laying out Jamie Noble and Matt Hardy on last week's show. Atlas talked about how Henry sent a "painful" message to Matt Hardy last week. Atlas said Henry deserved to be ECW Champion, and the longer he had to wait to be champion, the more painful the message would get for Matt Hardy. ECW General Manager Theodore R. Long came out and questioned Mark Henry thinking he deserved a title match because he and Atlas double teamed Hardy last week. Long argued with Atlas, then said he would give Henry an opportunity, but he wouldn't make the final decision. Long announced that at Cyber Sunday, the fans would vote (via text) to determine the challenger for Matt Hardy's ECW Title at the PPV. The choices would be Henry, and the winners of two qualifying matches tonight. Henry was irate over the decision. Long said the first match would start right now.
Evan Bourne entered, but Mark Henry hadn't left the ring. Bourne offered Henry a handshake, but when Henry went to take his hand, Bourne pulled it away, then quickly backed away from Henry, smiling. Henry was agitated, but Atlas got him to exit the ring as they went to break.
Cyber Sunday Qualifying Match: Evan Bourne vs. Chavo Guerrero.
They locked up, with Chavo grabbing a side mare and applying a headlock. Bourne threw it off and Chavo hit a shoulderblock, but Bourne kipped up and hit an armdrag. Chavo slid to the floor to regroup. Chavo tripped Bourne and floated over him into a headlock. Chavo switched to an armbar, and Bourne used some knees to the body and an armdrag, but Chavo wouldn't release his hold. Bourne finally escaped with a springboard armdrag, then hit another armdrag off the second rope and applied a keylock. Chavo hit a knee to the gut, a kick, and a forearm, then stomped Bourne in the corner. Chavo rammed Bourne into the top turnbuckle, then hit some punches. Chavo went for a hiptoss, but Bourne turned it into a bodyscissors, then switched it into an armdrag. Chavo slid to the floor, and Bourne leaped over the top rope turning halfway in mid-air into a plancha, hitting Chavo as they went to break.
Back from commercial, Bourne went for a standing moonsault on Chavo in the ring, but Chavo got his knees up. Chavo applied a leglock, and we saw that during the break Bourne hit a top rope double knee shot, but found out Chavo used a single leg crab in retaliation. Chavo applied a Mutalock, but Bourne broke out. Bourne went to the apron and tried a slingshot over Chavo's back, running to the opposite ropes, but Chavo blasted him with a rolling Liger kick. Chavo stomped Bourne, but Bourne fought back with a series of kicks to the leg and body. Bourne rolled up Chavo for a two count. Bourne hit a jumping knee, then some shoulderblocks in the corner. Bourne put Chavo on the top rope and hit a palm strike, then went for a top rope rana. Chavo moved though, and Bourne crotched himself on the top rope and crashed to the mat. Chavo scored a two count, then applied a single leg crab.
Bourne struggled in the hold, and went for the ropes, but Chavo pulled him back to center ring. Chavo pulled too quickly though, and Bourne rolled under Chavo and hit some upkicks to knock Chavo down. Bourne missed a kick and Chavo went for the Three Amigos. Chavo hit two suplexes, but Bourne busted out with a knee on the third. Bourne hit a spin kick, but Chavo returned fire. Chavo went to the second rope, but Bourne leaped up from the mat and caught Chavo with a rana. Bourne then hit Chavo with the Shooting Star Press for the pin at the thirteen minute mark.
Winner: Evan Bourne.
Mark Henry ran out and planted Bourne with the World's Strongest Slam. Henry grabbed Bourne's motionless hand and shook it, then walked off, leaving Bourne laying in the ring. After the replays, they showed Bourne getting up in the ring, while Henry watched from the stage.
They announced the other qualifying match for tonight would be Finlay vs. John Morrison.
A video package for the Boogeyman was shown, announcing he would be returning to ECW.
They plugged Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov for this Friday's Smackdown.
Backstage, Theodore R. Long was on the phone when Tiffany walked in dressed as a Vegas Showgirl for Sci Fi's "31 Days Of Halloween". Tiffany said she had the perfect costume for Long since they are in Vegas, and pulled out an Elvis jumpsuit. Jack Swagger entered and complained about not being included in the qualifying matches tonight. Long said Swagger needed to prove himself first. Tommy Dreamer entered and asked Long for consideration for the first title match after Cyber Sunday. Long said he would think about it. Swagger told Dreamer that it wasn't 1996 anymore, and that ECW was now about people like himself who are building legacies, not people like Dreamer who are bastardizing there legacy. Dreamer glared at Swagger as he walked away.
Morrison and Miz were shown heading to the ring.
Cyber Sunday Qualifying Match: John Morrison, with The Miz, vs. Finlay, with Hornswoggle.
They locked up and jockeyed for position. Finlay grabbed a side headlock, then hit a shoulderblock for a two count. Finlay slammed Morrison and went for an arm wringer, but Morrison ducked behind him and grabbed a cradle, but Finlay swept his leg out and applied a leglock. Morrison countered into an attempted jujigatame, but Finlay blocked it and turned into a leglock. Morrison grabbed a chinlock to escape, but Finlay kept holding onto his foot, even as they got to his feet, and Finlay tripped Morrison to the mat and applied a leglace. Finlay drove his knee into Morrison's leg, but Morrison kicked him with his free leg. Finlay took the kick, and turned Morrison into a single leg crab. Finlay switched to a front facelock, and backed Morrison to a corner. Morrison kicked Finlay in the gut and hit some crossface blows. Morrison hit a running knee to the head for a two count, then applied an armbar. There was a "Johnny Nitro" chant. Wow, Vegas fans remember! Morrison kept the armbar, and the fans chanted "Let's Go Finlay". Morrison went for a back drop, but Finlay kicked it away. Miz tried to trip Finlay, but missed and when Morrison charged, Finlay threw him out of the ring onto Miz. Finlay then distracted the referee while Hornswoggle got in the ring, then dove out into a tope on both men. Hornswoggle got under the ring, then dragged Miz under it as well. Finlay threw Morrison back into the ring as they went to break.
Back from commercial, Morrison was back to working over Finlay's arm. Miz and Hornswoggle were apparently still under the ring. We saw that Finlay used the apron trap on Morrison during the break, but Morrison came back with a jumping kick from the floor as Finlay was trying to pull him into the ring. Finlay broke out of the armbar, but missed a charge and ran shoulder first into the ringpost. Morrison continued to work on the arm with kicks and flipped him to the mat by the limb before reapplying an armbar. Finlay busted out by ramming Morrison into a corner, but Morrison nailed Finlay with a clothesline. Morrison went for a cover, but Finlay reversed it for a two count. A frustrated Morrison hit a series of punched, then went back to the armbar. Crowd is starting to tire of the armbar. Finlay kicked up from the mat and got out of the hold. Morrison whipped Finlay into a corner, but Finlay put on the brakes and as he turned collided head to head with a charging Morrison. Both men got to their feet and Finlay grabbed a backslide for a two count. Finlay hit some clotheslines, then a shoulderblock in the corner. Finlay hit the forward rolling Samoan Drop for a two count. Morrison kicked an advancing Finlay, but Finlay scooped up Morrison for a Celtic Cross. Morrison wiggled out and hit a backbreaker and neckbreaker.
Hornswoggle got into the ring to distract the referee, and Finlay went for the Shillelagh. Mike Knox came out and grabbed the Shillelagh away. Morrison hit Finlay with a springboard kick, but only got a two count. Mike Knox was grabbed at ringside and dragged under the ring. Morrison went to a corner and ripped off a turnbuckle pad. As the referee went to fix it, Cryme Tyme emerged from under the ring (explaining how "Hornswoggle" was able to drag Miz and Knox under it) and gave Finlay the Shillelagh. Finlay blasted Morrison with it, and the referee turned and counted the pinfall at the sixteen minute mark.
Winner: Finlay.
Cryme Tyme got in the ring to celebrate, and Finlay blasted both of them with the Shillelagh, while Hornswoggle laughed. Finlay and Hornswoggle exited, but Mark Henry ambushed Finlay on the stage and gave him a World's Strongest Slam to end the show.
So, the Cyber Sunday match is ECW Champion Matt Hardy vs. the fan's choice of Mark Henry, Evan Bourne or Finlay.
2009 - Captain Lou Albano, long considered to be one of the best managers of all time passed away at the age of 76. Albano, who had dropped a tremendous amount of weight in recent years, had been under hospice care at his home for an undisclosed illness.
Although he wrestled early in his career as one half of the Sicilians with Tony Altimore, he wasn't a standout performer in the ring. He and Altimore held the United States Tag Team and the Midwestern Tag Team championships. Urban legend at the time, most recently told in Gary Hart's autobiography, tells a story that legitimate mobsters approached the pair and told them to tone down their Italian wiseguy act.
Albano moved into managing at the suggestion of Bruno Sammartino, who told him he was a “good bullsh**er” and would be a natural. Albano went to Vince McMahon Sr. with the idea, setting off his real claim to fame, his legendary speaking ability to go off on ranting interviews. For years in the old WWF territory under Vince McMahon Sr., Albano worked as the dastardly manager and mouthpiece for countless tag teams, leading heel teams to WWF Tag Team championships including The Wild Samoans, The Moondogs, The Valiant Brothers, Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito and others.
Although he was best known for his Tag Team championships (listed as leading 15 teams to championships), Albano also worked with Ivan Koloff leading him to a WWWF championship win over Bruno Sammartino and WWF Intercontinental championships for Don Muraco, Greg Valentine, and Pat Patterson.
In the early 1980s, Albano became one of the catalysts for the "Rock N' Wrestling" craze when he appeared in Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" music video in the role of her father. This led to Albano claiming on WWF television taking credit for Lauper's success as she was a top flight act in those days. This led to Lauper coming into the company. The two eventually reconciled with Albano "teaching" Lauper how to manage for her role as Wendi Richter's mouthpiece. A famous angle at the time featured Roddy Piper attacking Albano and Lauper in Madison Square Garden during an in-ring ceremony, which brought out Hulk Hogan and Mr. T (sitting in the crowd), helping to set up the main event for the first Wrestlemania event in 1985.
Now firmly a babyface, Albano moved on to managing babyfaces including Andre the Giant, George Steele, and The British Bulldogs before retiring in 1989. He was well known for doing a lot of charitable work, especially for those suffering from multiple sclerosis. Albano made semi-regular appearances for WWF over the years, sitting ringside at PPV events and returning to manage the Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu, now best known as Rikishi) to the WWF Tag Team championships in the mid-1990s. Albano was inducted into the then-WWF Hall of Fame in November 1996 in New York City.
Outside of the ring, the Lauper music video led to a series of acting roles, most notably as Frankie the Fixer in the 1986 feature film "Wiseguys" starring Danny Devito and Joe Piscopo. Albano often mentioned possibly starring in a sequel as Frankie's twin brother but it never came to be. He also had a starring role as Mario in the afternoon children's series "Super Mario Bros." based off the popular video game. He also had a host of smaller film and television roles, including “Miami Vice”, “227”, and Nickelodeon's “Hey Dude.” Albano often played off his well known persona, doing wrestling related roles in "Stay Tuned" and "Bodyslam - The Wrestling Movie."
In later years, Albano was credited as a writer for the "Idiot's Guide to Professional Wrestling" book alongside boxing pundit Burt Sugar and made semi-regular convention and independent wrestling appearances. An autobiography "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated", written by Albano was released independently in 2008.
Still a great talker, Albano was making appearances semi-regularly and would often pull the spotlight to him the second he saw a camera on him or a chance to zing a one liner during a Q & A Session, grabbing the attention as only he could, in his own unique way.
2010 - TNA signed the former Katie Lea Burchill to a deal, rechristening her Winter.
2010 - Crowbar Press officially released the autobiography of WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas, "Too Much...Too Soon."
2010 - The cause of death for former WWE star Lance Cade was released. The cause was ruled mixed drug intoxication, complicating a cardiomyopathy.” The death was ruled accidental. Cade, real name Lance McNaught passed away on August 13, 2010 at the age of 29 years old.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact on SpikeTV. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with a look back at what happened at Bound for Glory with Abyss and then the revelation that Eric Bischoff, and Hulk Hogan were ‘They’ and they recruited Jeff Hardy, the new TNA World Champion. And we saw Jeff Jarrett join the crew while Rob Van Dam tried to find out why.
Eric Bischoff is outside and he is with Dixie’s attorney, Guy Blake. He says that was a different contract that he sent for Dixie to sign. He accuses Eric of changing the contracts and Eric says that is a serious accusation. The attorney says that Dixie signed the contracts under false pretenses and those weren’t the contracts she was supposed to sign. Eric says that Dixie signed the contracts in front of millions of people on television. He also says that if they want to take it to court, he will see him in five or six years when it gets in front of a jury. Eric says that this is his building and his show. Eric says that the attorney is trespassing. The attorney says that he hasn’t seen the last of him and it isn’t over.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Smush Smush’ Tenay and Taz.
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff come to the ring and Hogan is still on his crutches. Tenay tells us that Hogan and Bischoff are now in control of TNA.
Eric has a mic and he wants to have the honor and privilege of introducing his mentor and his brother, the man who made this industry famous . . . Hulk Hogan.
Hogan wants to know where that no good Dixie Carter is. He says that he would like to welcome all of the TNA Maniacs to his company. He says that they decided enough of the ga-ga and it was time to take what was theirs. Hogan says that there is a motive to this madness. They tried to do it the easy way but Dixie didn’t want to do it the easy way. Dixie conned her to come to TNA and she promised him the keys to the car. She promised to take all of his ideas to take TNA to the next level, but Dixie didn’t want to do it the easy way so she took and grabbed everything that was promised to him and made it ours. It is now a company of Hollywood Hogan’s Immortals.
With them at the helm this company is going to live forever.
Eric says that has a great ring to it. Eric says that what they did would be considered a hostile takeover, but this was a work of art. He says that Rembrandt and Monet couldn’t conceive a piece of art as beautiful as they created. Most people didn’t see it coming and didn’t have a clue. He says that most of the people in the company were like deer in headlights.
It started with Abyss. People wondered why after Abyss was taken under Hogan’s wing and was given the Hall of Fame ring, why would Abyss turn on Hogan after having the torch passed to him? Only they knew why it happened. It made all of the sense in the world for them. Bischoff brings out the first domino to fall and the biggest one.
Abyss comes to the ring and he has Janice with him. Hogan welcomes his son and Abyss says ‘THEY’RE HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!’ For months he prophesized that on 10/10/10 they would come to take total control of TNA. All of the ignorant sheep in the Impact Zone, at home, and in the back didn’t believe him. He says that they are in control of TNA. He says that he is their soldier and he follows their orders. He says that he will destroy anything or anyone who stands in their way.
Hogan tells his son that it is his destiny now that he will live forever because he is immortal.
Bischoff says that the next person was someone they did not see eye to eye with but they are the same. It is a person who knew where all of the bodies were buried. Eric brings out the founder of TNA, Jeff Jarrett.
Jeff comes to the ring and he hugs Hogan and Bischoff. Jarrett says that it was genius. Jarrett says that when Dixie Carter took a company that he started and founded right out from under his nose. She used daddy’s money to run him out of his own office. It has been a pleasure to work with Eric Bischoff and a joy to work with the Immortal One. They gave the entire Carter family exactly what they deserved. Now everybody in TNA . . . and he means everybody has to play by the new rules. Those rules are dictated by the new regime.
Ric Flair’s music plays and Fortune comes out to the ring. Ric has SoCal Val earn her money by holding the ropes open for them.
They stare each other down and Flair says that in Hogan’s absence he hasn’t been watching the show. Flair says that this company is run by Fortune. They are the heart and soul, the blood and guts. He says that Hogan’s guys don’t run the company. Flair says that for twenty-five years they have hated each other’s guts. By the end of tonight, someone is going to walk away.
Hogan suggests that they go at it tonight and Flair takes off the jacket and he is ready for a fight. There is no need for a fight because Hogan and Flair hug.
Bischoff says that Hogan and Flair are on the same time because Dixie brought in a bunch of used garbage that she compared to Flair and Hogan. Bischoff says that it was a nail in her coffin.
Hogan says that the greatest wrestler of all time, Ric Flair, had to be involved to make this plan work.
Flair says that he loved this more than his ex-wifes.
Eric says that this new regime wouldn’t be together if not for this next person. Eric introduces the current TNA World Champion, Jeff Hardy.
Jeff hugs Hogan and shakes some of the people’s hands in the ring. The fans chant that Jeff ‘sold out’ before he talks.
Jeff says that he didn’t sell out, he sold in. Popularity doesn’t mean a damn thing to him. Jeff says that he blames everyone and the cheers for his pain. He blames their greed for his anger. Jeff says that these people care about him more than the fans. They care about his well being. He says that Van Dam is another politician. Hardy says that he never played that game and he never will.
Hardy says that the Whole F’n Show is wondering what the Whole F’n Deal is. Hardy says that he is responsible for Abyss attacking Van Dam and it was needed to get Van Dam out of the picture. Hardy says that they are immortal and they will live forever.
We see Sting and Kevin Nash watching in the back.
Eric says that the party is here in the ring and he tells them to come to the ring and stop acting like a couple of wallflowers.
Hogan says to let bygones be bygones and forgive and forget. Hogan says that they have two empty seats at the table for them.
Sting and Nash start walking as we go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage of Dixie walking into the building telling security not to leave her side tonight.
Kevin Nash and Sting are almost in the ring.
Eric says that they are gloating and a little over the top. Eric says that this is a company and it is about money. Eric says that it is a new day and they want Sting and Nash on the team and they are welcome to join them.
Nash says that it is almost a perfect fit for him. He says that his entire career has been about money. He hasn’t cared about anybody else. He didn’t care if they starved or lost the roof over their head. On the way to getting here, as he got older, he got wiser. The bible says that gray hair is a sign of wisdom. With wisdom came compassion. Those guys in the back that he would have taken every dollar from in the past are his friends now. They are his family so he is going to pass on the money this time. He says that he wants nothing to do with these guys and if they are going to run the company into the ground, they can do it without him.
Sting says that this was not what he came to this company for five years ago. He says that he loved TNA and he wouldn’t have sacrificed his body so much if he didn’t love TNA. Sting says that this is a no win situation. He says that he is not going to repeat history
Sting and Nash leave the ring and Bischoff asks them if they are nuts because it is always about money and power. Eric says that they are handing it to them on a silver platter.
While Team Hogan talk in the ring, Taz and Tenay talk about the decision made by Sting and Nash.
We go to the back and we see D’Angelo Dinero confronting Sting and Nash about walking out when they finally set the sides. Dinero says that he is still making money and he is going to take on Sting and Nash’s cause even if he has to do it himself.
Dixie wants to know what Nash and Sting are doing. She says that they can’t leave her. Sting says that they tried to tell her before but she did not listen. Dixie says that they were talking in tongues and in cryptic messages.
Hogan and Bischoff walk up to Dixie and Dixie wants to know what they are doing. Dixie slaps Bischoff before he can talk. She wants Hogan to look her in the eye to tell her that he is screwing her out of the company. Hogan tells Dixie that if they are going to talk about this, it will happen in his office.
We go to commercial.
We are in Hogan’s office and Dixie wants to know if Hogan intentionally tried to screw her. Hogan says that he screwed her out of her company. Dixie wants to know why. Hogan says that Dixie said that he would be the happiest ever. Hogan says that when people want to talk with him, they talk.
Hogan says that in thirty years in the business. Dixie says that she gave him the opportunity. She tells Hogan that he isn’t getting this company. Dixie blames Bischoff for this. Dixie says that she never trusted him.
Dixie says that it will be their company over her dead body. She calls Eric a smug **** and she wants them out of here.
Dixie and Hogan argue over who controls the security and they force Dixie out of the office.
Serge comes up from behind and he gets punched while trying to protect his wife.
We go to commercial.
We are back and J-Woww has arrived at the Impact Zone.
Taz and Tenay talk about how Dixie must feel after being kicked out of the building.
Madison Rayne comes out with a referee. We see footage from Bound for Glory when Tara won the Knockouts Title.
Madison has a mic and she says that last Sunday night was the biggest night in professional wrestling. It was the biggest pay per view of the year and she had a plan. That plan involved her becoming the three time TNA Knockouts Champion. That didn’t happen because her title is around the waist of Tara. The same Tara who has her to thank for getting her job back in TNA. She demands that Tara come back to the ring and give her what she deserves . . . a Knockouts Title Match right now.
Tara’s music plays and she comes out to the ring.
Madison reminds Tara that she is the reason why she is back in TNA. Madison signed the contract to let her wrestle again. Madison is the reason why Tara was in the match and she owes her. Madison says that they had a deal and she tells Tara to do the right thing.
Tara gives the referee the title belt and then she
”Match Number One”: Tara versus Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title
Tara lays down and Madison gets the three count.
Winner: Madison Rayne
After the match, Madison celebrates with Tara acting as if she did something monumental. Madison says that she did it. She tells Tara that she has to give her credit because she knows that was the toughest match . . .
Mickie James interrupts and she says that she calls herself a champion. She finds that disgraceful, not just for her but for anyone who held a title. Mickie tells Madison to shut up. She says that is making a mockery of a championship. Mickie says that she sees no better time to take the Knockouts Title than right now.
Mickie comes to the ring and Mickie punches Tara but Tara with a knee. Mickie with a back kick and Madison leaves the ring. Mickie holds up the title belt.
We go to the back where Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Lacey Von Erich are getting made up and J Woww enters. They hug and they are all buddy buddy. J Woww says that she is looking for Cookie. She says that this should be her last night here. We go to commercial.
We are back and the Beautiful People and J Woww are looking for Cookie. Eric Young sees them and he cannot believe that she is there. He wants her to sign his jugs with her Herbie Hancock. Orlando Jordan says that she looks fabulous and would like to put his lollipop in her mouth. She refuses and they walk away.
Kurt Angle comes to the ring and he is going to address the Impact Zone and people watching at home.
Angle says that he came to the Impact Zone a little late tonight and he was uninvited. He says that before he makes his statement of retirement. He would like to get a few things off his chest. He appreciates the chants of ‘Please don’t go’ but he is a man of his word. He says that he busted his ass for six months. At Bound for Glory he busted his ribs and reinjured his neck. He got stitches in his eye. Angle wants to know why Bischoff and Hogan screwed him at Bound for Glory. Angle says that he doesn’t expect them to come out, but if he is going to retire, he wants some answers.
Angle says that he didn’t win the title at Bound for Glory, but he didn’t get pinned. Angle tells Hogan and Bischoff that he is in a dilemma.
Jeff Jarrett comes out and asks Kurt what dilemma there is. Angle said that if he did not win the TNA title, he won’t wrestle any more. Since Angle didn’t win the title, he shouldn’t wrestle any more. He didn’t hear Angle say if he didn’t get pinned or got screwed. He didn’t expect Angle to come out and make excuses. He says that Angle was a 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, father, and husband . . . make that ex-husband. Jarrett reminds Angle that he will never forget the living hell that he made of his life when he brought Angle into TNA. Now he is looking forward to returning the favor.
Angle tells Jarrett that he can have his ex-wife. Angle wants to know how he made Jarrett’s life a living hell. By putting TNA on the map? By talking up TNA every time he could? By teaching the rookies everything he knows? Was it because it wasn’t all about Jarrett after Angle got here? Angle asks Jeff how many titles he won before he got here? Angle says that Jarrett held everyone down, but Jeff couldn’t hold Angle down.
Jeff says that had nothing to do with it. Jeff says that it is all about getting back what was his. Joining forces with Hogan and Bischoff was the golden ticket. Destroying Angle’s career was more important than taking Angle’s life from him.
Angle goes up the ramp to go after Jarrett, but Gunner and Murphy attack Angle and they cuff him while Jarrett kicks him. Jarrett punches Angle and then he sends Angle into the stage. Jarrett punches Angle and Taz leaves the announce table and he tells Jeff that is enough.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the inhumane attack by Jeff Jarrett on Kurt Angle.
We go to an interview that Samoa Joe did at Daytona Beach on Monday where he says that he made the mistake of trusting Jeff Jarrett at Bound for Glory. Joe says that Jeff chose him for a reason and a purpose. That was to destroy everyone put in front of him. Joe says that man is now looking for him.
Match Number One: Abyss versus Samoa Joe
Joe punches Abyss and Abyss cowers in the corner until the referee pulls Joe away. Abyss sends Joe into the corner but Abyss misses a charge and Joe with an enzuigiri. Joe with boots to the head and then he hits a leaping kick followed by a back senton. Joe with punches to Abyss but Abyss grabs Joe by the throat and he hits a choke slam. Abyss goes to the floor and he takes SoCal Val’s chair as she runs away. Joe with a suicide dive and Joe clips the chair but he hits Abyss as well. Abyss gets the ring bell and hits Joe with it.
The referee calls for the bell and after Abyss gives the bell back it is rung.
Winner: Samoa Joe by disqualification
After the match Abyss brings Joe back into the ring and he punches Joe in the head.
Rob Van Dam’s music plays and Abyss leaves the ring.
Rob Van Dam gets on the mic (because there hasn’t been a lot of talking so far). Rob wants Jeff Hardy to come out to get this resolved. Rob says that Jeff owes the fans an explanation. Rob tells Jeff that he had his respect, trust, and support. Now he has his focus.
Jeff appears on the BrotherTronBrother and he says that you devour your friends when you bring them close. He chewed on Rob and spit him out. His words are biblical. Some refer to him as the new anti-Christ of wrestling.
Eric Bischoff’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Eric says that there are dilemmas. He has a solution for Rob. Eric tells Rob that if he wants a shot at Jeff Hardy at Turning Point. Only if Rob can beat Ken Anderson in the main event tonight with the winner getting the title match at Turning Point.
Rob wants Anderson to come out so he can get his hands on Hardy.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Eric is impressed with Miss Tessmacher’s pearl necklace and he wants to talk about things after the show. Eric says that it is that easy with her. Eric’s soft and dulcet tones are now more harsh because he says that Pope and Nash know how easy she is. She shared information that she shouldn’t have shared. Eric says that she isn’t thinking with her head. Eric says that they are done. She has one option and that is to get in the ring with the Knockouts. She isn’t running things for the Knockouts any more. Eric tells her to get her 38DDs out of his sight.
Ken Anderson comes up behind Eric Bischoff. Ken shakes Eric’s hand and says that he says that he never thought he would meet a bigger a**hole than him. He calls Eric a d-bag and then he shakes Eric’s hand really hard and Ken says that Eric won’t win the war.
Match Number Two: D’Angelo Dinero versus Douglas Williams, Beer Money, Kazarian, and A.J. Styles in a Pope’s Getting Excommunicated Match’
Williams is the first to face Dinero and they lock up and Williams backs Dinero into the corner. Dinero with punches but Williams with a knee and shoulder tackle. Dinero with a flying forearm followed by elbows and a punch to the head and he gets a near fall. Kazarian tags in and he gets back body dropped. Dinero with a reverse atomic drop and flying shoulder tackle. Styles tags in and he gets punched and then Dinero hits a splash and goes to the floor. Dinero punches Flair but he turns around and gets the Carbon Footprint from Morgan. Styles picks up Dinero on the two count. Roode tags in and he punches Dinero and chops him. Roode with a knee and elbow and then he tags in Storm and they hit a double suplex. Instead of trying to win the match, they do their who they are deal. Kazarian tags in and hits a drop kick and gets a near fall. Kazarian with an Irish whip and Dinero knocks everyone off the apron. Styles hits Frankie with a Pele kick and then Dinero with a rollup on Kazarian. Beer Money with the DWI and then Kazarian gets the three count.
Winners: Beer Money, A.J. Styles, Douglas Williams, and Frankie Kazarian
Robbie E and Cookie are walking in the back.
We see J Woww walking with Lacey, Velvet, and Angelina as we go to commercial.
We are back and Cookie and Robbie E come to the ring. They have mics and Robbie says that he has something crazy to tell her. He says that they are on at the same time as the Jersey Shore and he says sorry because after Robbie E and Cookie debuted last week, nobody wants to watch those fake punks. They want to watch them. He says that Jersey Shore is done. Cookie says that the Jersey Shore poseurs are done. Cookie calls J Woww ‘J Cow’.
J Woww comes to the ring with Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Lacey Von Erich.
J Woww gets in Cookie’s face and Cookie calls her a poseur and J Cow. Cookie talks slowly and she tells her to take her fake weave and funbags and crawl back into the hole she came from.
Cookie slaps J Woww and J Woww takes her down and she slams Cookie’s head into the mat as she punches her. Robbie is taken care of by Angelina, Velvet, and Lacey.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the battle between J Woww and Cookie.
It is now time to take a look back at what happened in the first half hour of the show.
Ken Anderson is walking in the back and now he is stretching as he gets ready for his match with Rob Van Dam.
Ken Anderson comes out and he isn’t going to use his mic to talk to the crowd because he is all about business.
Match Number Four: Rob Van Dam versus Ken Anderson in a Number One Contender Match
Anderson and Van Dam stand in the center of the ring and then Anderson punches Van Dam but Van Dam punches back. They exchange more punches. Anderson with a chop but Van Dam with a kick and a spin kick. Van Dam with a shoulder in the corner. Anderson punches Van Dam but Van Dam with an Irish whip and monkey flip. Van Dam with a running heel kick and he gets a near fall.
Anderson goes to the floor and Van Dam with a moonsault from the apron.
We move to Reaction and the match continues with Van Dam rolling Anderson back in but Anderson hits the ropes and it crotches Van Dam. Van Dam knocks Anderson to the mat but Anderson crotches Van Dam again. Anderson with a superplex and he gets a near fall. Anderson kicks Van Dam in the head and he connects with a back elbow for a near fall. Anderson with cross faces to the head and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Anderson with a knee and he gets a near fall. Anderson slams Van Dam’s head into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Van Dam. Anderson pulls Van Dam out of the corner to work on the back some more. Van Dam with punches and a clothesline. Van Dam with a savate kick. Anderson gets Van Dam on his shoulders but Van Dam with a slam and a split legged moonsault for a near fall. Anderson hits the rolling fireman’s carry slam but he can only get a two count.
Anderson goes up top for the Kenton Bomb but he misses when Rob moves out of the way. Van Dam goes up top for the Five Star Frog Splash but he hits Anderson’s knees.
Both men are down and that means that it is time for Eric Bischoff to come to the ring. He has something to say to the referee. He whispers something in Brian Hebner’s ear and Hebner leaves with Eric. Eric tells him to do his job as they go to the back.
Jeff Hardy comes to the ring with a chair and he hits Van Dam and Anderson in the back with the chair. Hardy puts the chair on Anderson’s arm and he hits a Twist of Fate onto the chair.
We go to credits.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
Match Number One: Kelly Kelly with Natalya versus Layla with Michelle McCool
Layla takes her time getting ready and she does some calisthenics and then she teases getting involved. Kelly has had enough and she slaps Layla. They lock up and the referee separates them. Kelly blocks a kick and hits an atomic drop followed by a leg sweep and gets a near fall. Layla tries to get to the floor and Kelly kicks her and keeps her in the ring. Layla with an Irish whip but Kelly with a kick. Kelly misses a cross body from the turnbuckles and both women are down. Layla gets up first and gets a near fall. Layla with a snap mare and knee to the ribs. Layla with a body scissors as she continues to work on the ribs which appeared to be injured earlier in the match. Kelly pulls the hair but Layla holds on to the body scissors. Layla with a rollup for a near fall. Layla with another near fall on a rollup but Kelly gets a near fall of her own with a rollup. Layla with a drop kick but Kelly with a kick to the head. Kelly kicks Layla and then she slams Layla’s head into the mat. Kelly with a clothesline and then she tries for a hip toss but Layla counters with a rollup. Kelly with an X Factor but Layla kicks out at the last possible moment. Layla with a kick and then she sends Kelly to the mat. Layla tries to mock Natalya and she tries for a Sharpshooter but Layla takes too long and Kelly gets a rollup and hits a clothesline. Layla goes to the floor but she returns to the apron. Kelly is dropped on the top rope and while the referee is dealing with Kelly, Natalya trips Layla and that allows Kelly to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Knuckleheads.
We see footage from last week when Curt Hawkins attacked his tag team partner after Vance Archer’s loss to Chris Masters.
Match Number Two: Curt Hawkins versus Trent Barreta
They lock up and Hawkins says something to Barreta but Barreta pushes Hawkins and then he takes Curt down with a side head lock. Hawkins with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Trent with a running back elbow and he gets a near fall. Hawkins goes to the apron and Trent sends Hawkins into the turnbuckle but Hawkins trips Barreta on the turnbuckles and Trent lands awkwardly in the ring as we go to commercial.
We are back and Trent punches Curt and connects with forearms. Curt trips Trent as he comes off the ropes. Curt with a kick to Trent and then he hits a suplex and gets a near fall. Hawkins with a knee to the back and a rear chin lock. Trent punches Curt and Hawkins tries to trip Trent again but Trent jumps over Curt and hits a baseball slide and then hits a plancha onto Hawkins and both men are down on the floor. Trent rolls Curt back in and hits a forearm on Curt. Trent with a running knee into the corner and then he hits a springboard missile drop kick to the back and he gets a near fall.
Trent misses a running knee and Hawkins with an emphatic slam for a near fall. Hawkins pulls Trent into the corner and he goes up top but Trent stops him and he connects with forearms to Hawkins. Trent leaps to the top turnbuckle but Hawkins pushes him off and Hawkins hits the Heat Seeking Elbow for the three count.
Winner: Curt Hawkins
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw half of the show and your announcers are Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole.
Match Number Three: Primo with AJ versus Darren Young
Primo with a kick and punches to Young followed by kicks until the referee pulls him out of the corner. Primo with a back elbow. Young with a back elbow and slam to Primo followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Young with a forearm across the chest and then he sends Primo into the turnbuckles. Young with forearms and punches. Young with a short arm clothesline and he gets a near fall. Young sends Primo into the turnbuckles but Primo with an Irish whip. Primo pulls Young off the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Primo chokes Young in the ropes. Primo with a chop in the corner. Primo gets a near fall and then he puts Young in a reverse chin lock. Primo with a forearm to the back but Young gets out of a slam attempt and gets a near fall with a rollup. Primo with a clothesline and leg drop for a near fall. Primo with a kick to the back of the head. Young blocks a punch and Young connects with punches of his own. Young with a flying shoulder tackle followed by a kick to the chest and a series of European uppercuts.
Young sends Primo into the turnbuckles but he runs into a boot from Primo. Primo waits for the Lungblower but Young with a full nelson into a DDT and he gets the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
We have the WWE video package about their work with the US Military.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Four: Melina versus Alicia Fox with Maxine
Alicia with a forearm to Melina and then she works on the wrist. Melina rolls through and does a split to get out of the hold and she connects with an arm bar and then she gets a near fall. Alicia with a knee and forearm and then she stretches Melina in the ropes. Melina with a choke in the ropes and the referee warns her. Melina with a forearm. Alicia with an Irish whip but Melina moves. Maxine grabs Melina’s leg and that distraction allows Alicia to hit a shoulder tackle that sends Melina to the floor. Alicia gets a near fall on Melina. Alicia with a knee to the midsection followed by a kick. Alicia stands on Melina’s hair while the referee (who is probably jealous) admonishes her. Alicia misses a knee drop and Melina with a screaming flapjack. Melina with a few clotheslines and then she pulls Alicia down by the hair. Melina with knees to the back and Alicia with an Irish whip. Melina tries for the screaming Code Red but Alicia holds on and hits a modified Gory Special. Alicia misses the axe kick and Melina with a back slide for the three count.
Winner: Melina
2011 - PWInsider,com broke the following news that TNA was opening an international expansion, which would be soon titled Ring Ka King:
TNA hired Dave Lagana not to work on the existing Impact Wrestling series, but to take part in a brand new project the company will be launching later this year in India. The new project will be a weekly series for the Indian market that will not be utilizing the TNA brand name, PWInsider.com has exclusively learned.
Sources indicate that the project, which has been spearheaded by Jeff Jarrett, will be taping for a week in December in India with an additional week of tapings also scheduled for January 2012.
The project will be a completely separate entity from TNA - both in terms of the creative team and the roster of talents. Joining Lagana and Jarrett on the creative end of things will be Dutch Mantel.
Former TNA referee Rudy Charles has also been very involved in the development of the project's roster. The word we are getting is that they have cultivated a potential roster of former WWE/TNA/WCW/ECW types as well as independent talents that have not had major television exposure. I do not know if any talents have been signed as of this writing.
Sonjay Dutt, who was in India several weeks back with BG James to scout talent, will also be a major part of the project. The project had well over 100 potential Indian talents try out and of those, ten were selected and will be brought over to the United States to train as pro wrestlers to be part of the new series. Obviously, James will no longer be involved as he has taken a position as a WWE Producer on a probationary basis.
The new series will air in India on The Colors Network (known here in the United States as Aapka Colors in the U.S), a Viacom-owned network that launched in 2008. Endemol, a major international television production and distribution company, is also involved with the project.
One would think the series would find its way to the United States and other markets as well in some fashion, but nothing is confirmed in that regard. Colors is, however, carried on a number of satellite systems, including the Dish Network.
So, there you have it. A brand new, internationally based TNA brand will launch before the end of 2011.
2011 - The trial of Melody Sanford in the first degree murder of Canadian independent wrestler Ivan (John) Radocaj, ended with a conviction. Sanford has been given the mandatory sentence of life in prison and is ineligible for parole for at least 25 years. Sanford's friend Rita Cushnie and Cushnie's son, Donald Richard, were also convicted and given the same sentence.
Radocaj was beaten to death in September 2007 at the age of 43. Sanford and Radocaj were married for three brief weeks. Radocaj's family has claimed that Sanford had threatened Ivan's life several weeks prior to the murder and believed she had coerced him into the brief marriage to get her hands on an insurance settlement stemming from a car accident that left Radocaj with a broken neck. Once he broke off the marriage, Sanford had threatened his life, noting she had gang connections.
Sanford claimed in interviews in 2008 she and Radocaj had reconciled before his death, something his family said they knew nothing about. She later claimed to police that the murder was revenge for Radocaj abusing her daughter, although during the trial, her daughter testified that no such abuse ever took place.
Another suspect, Christopher Houle pleaded guilty to second-degree murder before the trial began and awaits sentencing. He faces a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years. A fifth suspect, Daniel Richard will face a separate trial on the first-degree murder charge.
The sixth suspect involved, Timothy Richard was also charged in the murder, but those charges against him were dropped after he turned State's evidence in exchange. He testified that he attended several gatherings during the planning process of the crime where Sanford provided information and maps of Radocaj's home, offering $10,000 from the life insurance money.
Sanford set up Radocaj's murder, inviting him out to dinner while the others broke into his home to await his return. When he returned, he was beaten to death with pipes and crowbars. They stole items from his home to make it look like a robbery, then disposed of the weapons in the wood and went to drink to celebrate the act.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with a look back at the return of Big Show after his injury at the hands (and the rest) of Mark Henry. We hear Show’s comments and then we see how Show earned a title match after being out of the ring since Money in the Bank.
We are live on tape from Dallas, Texas and your announcers are Michael ‘I am Spartacus’ Cole, Josh ‘I am Sparcatus’ Mathews, and Booker ‘I am going to need a bathroom break’ T.
We start off with the General Manager of Smackdown Teddy Long and he makes his way to the stage. He is joined by the interim General Manager of Raw John Laurinaitis. They shake hands and Teddy says that they are all going to be part of history. This episode of Smackdown moves into second place on the longest running programs. John mentions that they are now second only to Raw. John says that he is excited to be here not only as the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and the Raw General Manager to give his support.
Teddy says that with all of the superstars under one roof, what better way to celebrate than with the largest battle royal in WWE history. John says that the winner of the battle royal will have a title match against the champion of his choosing on Smackdown.
Teddy wants a holla holla holla from the people of Dallas.
Match Number One: Forty-One Man Battle Royal for a Title Match of the Winner’s Choosing Later Tonight
The participants in the battle royal are CM Punk, John Morrison, Alex Riley, Curt Hawkins, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Zack Ryder, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Mason Ryan, David Otunga, Primo, JTG, Michael McGillicutty, Percy Watson, Jack Swagger, Miz, R Truth, Santino Marella, Christian, Daniel Bryan Cody Rhodes, Ezekiel Jackson, Yoshi Tatsu, Wade Barrett, Jinder Mahal, Sin Cara El Terrible, Heath Slater, Ted DiBiase, Justin Gabriel, Derrick Bateman, Trent Barreta, Johnny Curtis, William Regal, Tyson Kidd, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Matt Striker, Sheamus, Titus O’Neil, and Randy Orton.
As the wrestlers enter the ring, it is hard to find available space for the final few participants.
The bell rings and everyone except Dolph Ziggler battle in the ring while Ziggler waits on the apron. Cody Rhodes is the first man eliminated thanks to Randy Orton. There are few things other than punches and kicks going on as we have two score of wrestlers remaining in the match. Johnny Curtis is sent to the apron and he is eliminated by Drew McIntyre.
Sheamus tries to eliminate Jack Swagger while John Morrison makes his way to the apron and he tries to help get Swagger out of the ring. Swagger tries to eliminate Orton and Orton goes to the apron. Morrison suplexes Yoshi to the apron while on the other side of the ring, JTG is eliminated. Kofi eliminates Michael McGillicutty followed shortly by Derrick Bateman on the list of eliminated wrestlers.
Titus saves his tag team partner Percy Watson from elimination, but Titus is not so lucky as Jack Swagger sends him to the floor. Titus joins Yoshi Tatsu who was also eliminated. Jack Sawgger is sent to the apron by Ted DiBiase. Matt Striker is eliminated so half of the announcers in this match are gone with William Regal their only hope.
Sheamus and Percy Watson send John Morrison back to the apron. Justin Gabriel sends Primo over the top rope but Dolph Ziggler may have inadvertently saved Primo because Primo hits Ziggler and Primo stays on the apron. Orton tries to eliminate Christian but he holds on to the ropes as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is your guess as to whether or not any wrestlers were eliminated during the commercial break because there is a huge mass of humanity still in the ring. Ziggler is on the apron and he tries to suplex Morrison to the floor but Morrison blocks it and he drops Ziggler on the top rope but Dolph is able to maintain his balance on the apron.
Josh informs us that there are thirty-two men left in the battle royal meaning that one person was eliminated during the commercial break. We have more punches and kicks while Sin Cara goes after Mason Ryan. Alex Riley sends Justin Gabriel to the apron and Tyson Kidd tries to help eliminate Gabriel. Meanwhile, on another side of the ring, William Regal is eliminated.
Sheamus tries to eliminate Otunga while Punk is trying to help Daniel Bryan to the floor but the Money in the Bank holder is doing his best to remain in the ring. Percy Watson is eliminated. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger work as a team to eliminate John Morrison. Ryder eliminates Dolph Ziggler and Ziggler wants to get back into the ring. Ryder and DiBiase try to eliminate McIntyre.
Punk continues to try to eliminate Bryan and he elbows him in the back. Trent Barreta is eliminated. Bryan is able to get back into the ring thanks to Orton going after Punk. Miz and Truth eliminate Jimmy Uso while Santino tries to eliminate Jey. Punk and Orton continue to battle by the ropes and Punk goes to the apron. Ted DiBiase is eliminated. Tyson Kidd is also eliminated. Bryan kicks Gabriel and then Gabriel and McIntyre battle by the ropes.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ryder is trying to eliminate Christian. Daniel Bryan is eliminated. Punk sends Reks to the apron and Gabriel is sent to the apron but neither man is eliminated yet. Primo is sent to the apron but he rolls back into the ring. Sheamus sends Ryder over the top rope but Ryder holds on to the ropes to stay in the match.
Reks is eliminated by Mason Ryan and then he eliminates Curt Hawkins too. Miz and Truth work over Punk in the corner. McIntyre is eliminated by Mason Ryan as well. Ryan adds to the list by eliminated Justin Gabriel with a press slam. Mason Ryan is eliminated by Wade Barrett as the man from England eliminates the man from Wales.
Truth and Miz wait for something to happen but Primo is sent to the apron by CM Punk and then Punk eliminates Primo with a kick to the head. Santino is sent over the top rope but he skins the cat and gets back to the apron. Santino uncoils the cobra, but that chicanery costs him because while he was doing that, Christian with a punch that sends Santino to the floor.
Riley has Miz on the apron and he punches his former mentor while Truth comes from behind to try to stop him. Riley punches Truth. Miz pulls the ropes down and Truth sends Riley over the top rope. Miz wishes Riley well. Sheamus punches Slater while Jey Uso works over Otunga. Barrett goes after Sheamus and may have accidentally saved Heath Slater as Barrett tries to become the last European in the match.
Kofi is sent over the rope but he skins the cat. Kofi tries to send Swagger over the top rope with a head scissors but Swagger holds on and he puts Kofi in the ankle lock. Swagger kicks Kofi to the floor. Zack Ryder is eliminated as we are down to fourteen.
David Otunga brings us down to an unlucky thirteen as Sheamus eliminates him. Sheamus eliminates Jey Uso. Jackson gets Sheamus up in the torture rack but Sheamus escapes and Sheamus clotheslines Jackson over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus sends Slater over the top rope but he holds on and stays on the apron. It might not have been a smart idea for Slater because Sheamus with a Brogue Kick that sends Slater off the apron and into the ringside barrier as he is eliminated.
We are down to ten men and they are Sheamus, Sin Cara The Not So Nice, Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Christian, Jinder Mahal, Miz, and R Truth.
Sheamus blocks a rana attempt by Sin Cara and Sheamus sends Cara to the floor and he lands on Jackson, Uso, and Otunga before his feet hit the floor to eliminate him. Christian waits for Sheamus to turn around for the spear but Christian probably didn’t realize that Sheamus was looking at the TitanTron that showed Christian waiting to pounce on Sheamus so Sheamus is able to kick Christian. Sheamus gets Christian up for the Celtic Cross but Christian escapes the hold and Christian tries to eliminate Sheamus.
Sheamus eliminates Christian. Mahal with a clothesline to Sheamus while Punk takes turns kicking Truth and Miz. Punk sends Miz into Truth’s midsection and Punk throws Truth over the top rope to eliminate him and then Miz comes from behind and eliminates Punk.
Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Miz as we are down to six. Miz is down in the corner while Barrett attacks Sheamus in one corner and Mahal and Swagger battle in the other corner. Randy Orton is nowhere to be found. Barrett and Swagger are the ones in control. Punk and Truth battle on the floor while Christian comes back into the ring and sends Sheamus over the top rope and he is eliminated. Sheamus realizes what happened and he goes after Christian who leaves the ring and runs away.
Orton returns to the ring and he eliminates Barrett. Orton with an RKO to Swagger and then he throws Jack over the top rope. Orton with an RKO to Mahal and then he eliminates Jinder. We are down to our final two and it is Miz and Randy Orton. Miz comes from behind and he throws Orton over the top rope but he did not get enough distance to send Orton off the apron to the floor so Orton rolls back in and while Miz thinks that he won, he turns around and sees that Orton is still on the apron. Miz kicks Orton in the corner.
Miz with knees to Orton and then he hits a knee lift. Miz waits for the Awesome clothesline but Orton recover and hits a few clotheslines of his own followed by a power slam. Orton pounds the mat for an RKO but Miz is able to counter and set for the Skull Crushing Finale. Orton is able to roll through and get out of the hold. Orton with a kick and then he sends Miz to the apron. Miz with a shoulder and he back body drops Orton onto the apron. Miz and Orton exchange punches on the apron. Miz pushes Orton into the ring post but Orton recovers and kicks Miz followed by an RKO on the apron that forces Miz to hit the floor a few fractions of a second before Orton falls to the floor as the winner.
Winner: Randy Orton
Orton celebrates his victory in the ring while the announcers wonder who Orton will face.
Josh Mathews goes into the ring to congratulate Randy Orton and find out who Orton will be facing later tonight. Randy says that decision is quite easy because on Monday night he said that vengeance would be his. Orton says that he chooses Mark Henry. Randy says that not only will vengeance be his, but he will take back his World Heavyweight Championship.
Kelly Kelly walks in the back with Eve Torres as we go to commercial.
We are back and Alberto Del Rio walks through the back with Ricardo Rodriguez. They are stopped by Teddy Long because Teddy wants to know where they are going. Alberto says that Randy Orton chose Mark Henry because Orton did not think that he could beat the WWE Champion. Alberto says that he does not blame Orton and then he says that he has no reason to be here.
Teddy says that before Alberto gets his party started, he will wrestle Sheamus.
Teddy walks away from Alberto and Ricardo.
Match Number Two: Beth Phoenix with Natalya versus Kelly Kelly with Eve Torres
Beth backs Kelly into the corner and Beth chokes Kelly. Beth misses a charge into the corner and Kelly with kicks to Beth. Kelly with the screaming head scissors but Beth counters with a back breaker. Beth with a kick and she gets a near fall. Kelly with forearms followed by a Thesz Press and punches. Kelly with another forearm and then she hits a DDT and gets a near fall.
Kelly sets for the handspring elbow into the corner but Beth sends Kelly over the top rope to the apron. Beth pulls Kelly into the ring for the Glam Slam and she hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the TitanTron video for Sin Cara The Happy but he does not come to the ring for his vintage entrance. Instead, we cut to the back where Sin Cara El Terrible is attacking Sin Cara El Bueno. People have to break things up but Cara Black is able to take the other Sin Cara’s mask. He takes off his mask and then he puts his mask down and takes Sin Cara Bueno’s mask and puts it on.
Match Number Three: Justin Gabriel versus Sin Cara Terrible (con la mascara del Bueno)
Cara with a kick and punch followed by a knee and chop. Cara with a forearm but Gabriel with a drop kick that sends Cara to the floor. Gabriel with a corkscrew pescado onto Cara and they return to the ring. Gabriel tries for a springboard move but Cara with a drop kick for a near fall.
Cara with kicks and punches but Gabriel with punches of his own. Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Gabriel goes up top but Cara crotches Gabriel and Gabriel falls to the mat. Cara goes up and hits the swanton for the three count.
Winner: Sin Cara Black
Teddy Long is in his office with the WWE Tag Team Champions Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston. Teddy mentions that they are doing a great job, but he is worried about Evan’s safety so he will not be able to compete tonight. Evan appreciates that but there is someone off camera who does not show the same sentiment as Teddy.
Vickie enters the office and she is feigning sadness over Evan’s health. Vickie reminds Teddy that Swagger and Ziggler defeated Kofi and Evan last week so she is demanding that they get their title match tonight.
Teddy says that he will not do that tonight.
Zack Ryder woo woo woos and he enters the office. He tells Vickie that he heard what she was saying and since he is the assistant to the general manager, Swagger and Ziggler should face Kofi and him.
Vickie tells Zack that he better watch out because Dolph is gunning for him.
Teddy wishes everyone in the room luck in the match and he throws out a holla. Zack responds with a woo woo woo. We get a ‘duck season . . . rabbit season’ moment with Zack and Teddy until Vickie leaves.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez versus Sheamus
They lock up and Sheamus with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Del Rio misses a punch but Sheamus with a shoulder tackle and then he sends Alberto into the turnbuckles. Sheamus puts Del Rio in the ropes and he connects with a series of forearms across the chest. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Sheamus misses a charge into the turnbuckles and then Del Rio with a missile drop kick and then he punches Sheamus in the head and he kicks Sheamus.
Del Rio with an arm bar and he kicks the leg to take away Sheamus’ vertical base. Del Rio turns it into a key lock but Sheamus with punches to get out of the hold. Del Rio with a single arm buster and then he returns to the key lock. Sheamus with punches to Del Rio but Del Rio with a shot to the head.
Del Rio runs into an elbow and then Sheamus with a series of running double sledges and then he hits a pump handle power slam. Sheamus with a clothesline into the corner followed by a uranage back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus goes up top for the flying shoulder tackle but Ricardo gets on the apron. Sheamus punches Ricardo and while the referee was distracted, Christian crotches Sheamus.
Del Rio with the step up enzuigiri that sends Sheamus to the mat. Del Rio with a kick to the head and he gets the three count.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Christian picks up the spare and hits the spear on Sheamus. Christian leaves the ring but he sees Sheamus get up so he returns to the ring and he spears Sheamus again.
Sheamus and Christian have a stare down with Christian on the stage and Sheamus in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie Guerrero comes out to introduce Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler.
Match Number Five: Zack Ryder and Kofi Kingston with Evan Bourne versus Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger with Vickie Guerrero
Swagger and Ryder start things off and they lock up with Swagger putting Ryder in a side head lock. Swagger with a shoulder tackle but Ryder with a flapjack. Ryder sends Swagger into the turnbuckles but Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex before tagging Ziggler in. Ziggler kicks Ryder and hits a neck breaker for a near fall.
Dolph taunts Ryder about making a tag but he kicks Ryder and applies a rear chin lock. Ryder gets back to his feet but Ziggler with a kick. Ryder drives Ziggler’s head into the mat and Kofi tags in and hits a springboard clothesline on Ziggler before knocking Swagger off the apron. Kofi with a clothesline and chop to Ziggler followed by a drop kick and a Superman punch. Kofi sets for the Boom Drop and he hits it. Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise but Swagger pulls Ziggler out of the ring. Kofi hits a suicide dive onto Swagger and Ziggler as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with an arm bar on Kofi as the momentum has changed during the commercial break. We see Swagger pulling Kofi off the ropes while Vickie distracted the referee. Back to the action in the ring and Ziggler with kicks to Kofi’s leg followed by a Fameasser for a near fall.
Swagger tags back in and he kick and punches Kofi. Swagger with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall. Swagger with a double over hook on Kofi’s arm but Kofi escapes and he punches Swagger and connects with a forearm. Swagger catches Kofi when he tried to make the tag and Swagger puts Kofi on the turnbuckles. Swagger slaps Kofi but Kofi slaps back.
Kofi hits a tornado DDT and both men are down. Each man crawls to make the tag. Ziggler tags first and then Ryder tags in. Ryder with running double forearm to the throat. Ryder with the running boot to the head in the corner but Ryder can only get a two count. Ziggler with a drop kick that sends Ryder into the corner but Ryder gets his knees up when Ziggler charges.
Ryder sets for the Rough Ryder but Ziggler is able to move out of the way and he tries for the sleeper and he locks it in. Ryder runs towards the corner and forces Ziggler into the turnbuckles and ring post. Swagger runs across the ring and knocks Ziggler off the apron. While the referee deals with Swagger, Kofi gets into the ring and he hits Trouble in Paradise on Ziggler and Kofi puts Ryder on top of Ziggler for the three count.
Winners: Zack Ryder and Kofi Kingston
It is time to take a look back at what happened on Monday night.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt Striker is in the interview area with Sheamus. Matt asks Sheamus about what Christian did tonight and whether Christian has gotten into his head. Sheamus says that Christian is a pain in his arse that he can’t get rid of. He says that Christian reminds him of a troll named Gilby. It was a troll that was ugly dimwitted, and slow. The troll bit a man crossing a bridge in his arse. It happened until a great white bull crossed the bridge and the troll tried to do the same, but the bull kicked the troll off the bridge. Sheamus says that the next time he sees Christian he will kick his slow dimwitted face off his skull.
We take a look back at the return of Big Show, in case you missed it at the start of the show.
We see footage of what Cody Rhodes did to Randy Orton on Raw, including the bagging of Orton.
Match Number Six: Mark Henry versus Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship
They lock up and Henry backs Orton in the corner but he misses a punch. Orton with a few jabs to Henry and he backs off. Henry backs Orotn into the corner but he misses aiwth another punch. Henry with an Irish whip but Orton with a clothesline out of the corner but Henry stays on his feet. Orton with punches to Henry and then he tries for a head butt but it looks like Orton gets the worst of it. Orton with a European uppercut and Henry stays on his feet. Orton with kicks that force Henry to his knees.
Henry pushes Orton to the floor and Henry goes out after Orton. Orton punches Henry as they fight by the ringside barrier. Henry with a head butt and then he sends Orton shoulder first into the ring post.
They return to the ring and Orton gets a near fall. Henry punches Orton in the midsection followed by another head butt and a forearm to the neck. Henry with a nerve hold on Orton and he applies his weight to the hold. Orton gets to his feet and he gets out of the hold and he punches Henry but Henry with a shoulder tackle.
Henry stands on Orton’s back and the referee warns Henry. Henry with a head butt and he returns to the nerve hold. Orton gets to his feet again and Orton with punches to the midsection followed by a head butt but Orton still a little groggy. Orton puts Henry in the corner and he kicks and punches him. The referee pulls Orton out of the corner and Henry with a body block followed by an elbow drop for a near fall.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Henry with a head butt to Orton in the corner. Henry gets Orton up for a running power slam and he hits it and Henry can only get a two count because of a rather lackadaisical cover. Henry chokes Orton in the ropes and then he stands on Orton’s head. Henry with a head butt and slam to Orton. Orton goes for a splash and he hits it but Orton is able to get a shoulder up.
Henry pulls Orton into the corner as Henry climbs for the Vader Splash but Orton gets his boots up and Orton with a clothesline but Henry stays on his feet. Orton with another clothesline and Orton is still unable to get Henry down, but Orton with a drop kick and he succeeds.
Cody Rhodes comes to the ring and Orton goes after Cody while Henry is down. The referee lets this continue as Orton sets for an IEDDT but Henry hits Orton from behind and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Randy Orton by disqualification
After the referee calls for the bell, Henry and Rhodes work over Orton with Rhodes getting in the majority of the offense. Cody leaves the ring and he picks up a bag on the floor and he kicks Orton.
Big Show comes to the ring and while Cody gets out of the ring, Henry waits for Show to get in the ring. Show punches Henry followed by a shoulder tackle. Cody goes up top and as he comes off the turnbuckles, Show grabs him by the throat and Show passes Rhodes to Orton for an assist on the RKO. Henry goes for Show’s knee but Orton gets in the way. Orton feeds Henry to Show and Show hits the choke slam.
I think we have a tag match for next week as we go to credits.
2012 - TNA held their Bound for Glory PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Welcome to TNA Bound for Glory coverage here on PWInsider.com!
The PPV opened with the usual great video package you'd expect.
Mike Tenay and Taz talked about the "big show atmosphere" in the building and reviewed the top matches for the show.
TNA X-Division champ Zema Ion vs. Rob Van Dam
TNA has the old school WCW ramp to the ring.
They noted this was the biggest test to date for Ion.
The crowd was super hot for Van Dam, chanting for him. The building looked pretty damn full too.
RVD and Ion each went for waistlock takedowns but reversed each other. Ion was tossed to the mat and argued with the referee. Van Dan nailed several kicks, sending him to the floor. He teased a dive but Ion scampered away. The crowd began chanting for Ion again.
When he returned to the ring, Ion locked on a side headlock but was shot into the ropes. Van Dam split as he dropped down and Ion ran over, then caught him with a kick. Ion nailed a nice spinning leap off the ropes into a leg lariat for a two count. He mocked RVD's mannerisms on the ropes, so Rob crotched him on the ropes and nailed the Ryder Kick off the top rope. Ion went to the floor.
Ion returned to the apron and shoulderblocked RVD several times. He came off the ropes with a spiked DDT and scored a pair of two counts. Van Dam fought back and went to the top but was shoved off the top into a guard rail. Ion hit a tope con hilo to the outside on RVD.
Ion tossed Van Dam back into the ring and scored several near falls. Ion choked him against the ropes. He worked over Van Dam's back in the corner, then nailed several chops. Van Dam reversed a whip into the corner and went for a monkey flip but Ion dropped down and smashed RVD into the buckles. Ion came off with a nice looking missile dropkick for a two count.
Ion grabbed an abdominal stretch in the center of the ring. RVD escaped and battled back and forth with shots. Van Dam sent Ion into the air and dropkicked him in the chest as he came down. RVD nailed Rolling Thunder and the Five Star Frog Splash.
Your winner and new X-Division champion Rob Van Dam!
Decent opener with some nice physical and athletic moves. Very surprised to see a title change here. Nothing that stood out as a match but there were some nice spots.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Magnus. He said it was the biggest night of the year for everyone and his chance to become the new TV champion. He said he's broken out of political prison and asked Samoa Joe how he was going to recover from the most humiliating loss of his career?
TNA TV champion Samoa Joe vs. Magnus
Fans were doing the "Joe is gonna kill you" chants.
They had some feeling out early on. Magnus has really improved as a personality in the last year. Joe sent him into the corner for a back splash and an enziguiri. Joe drilled him with a series of right hands, which the referee admonished him for. That allowed Magnus to nail him unaware. Joe cut him off with a chop but Magnus caught him with a clothesline as he rebounded off the ropes.
Magnus choked Joe against the ropes and drilled him with a running elbow to the back for a two count. He worked over Joe until Joe cut him off. Joe nailed a back senton splash for a two count. Out of nowhere, Magnus caught him with a snap powerslam for a two count. Magnus was caught and powerbombed, then turned into an STF.
Magnus tried to crawl towards the ropes. He almost made it, so Joe grabbed his arms and turned it into a double arm submission. Magnus finally scampered and used his leg to drape the ropes.
Joe placed him on the top for the muscle buster. Magnus nailed him but Joe returned. Magnus knocked him to the apron but Magnus caught him with a leaping knee to knock him off the buckles to the mat. He came off with a flying elbow but Joe kicked up at the last second. Magnus argued with the referee on that one.
Joe began psyching himself up. Joe went for the choke but Magnus turned it into a pinfall combination for a two count. Joe went for the choke again but Magnus dropped down with a jawbuster. Magnus went for a figure four but Joe grabbed him in the choke and choked him out.
Your winner and still TNA TV champion, Samoa Joe!
Real good back and forth match.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Bobby Roode. He said they this has been going on for a year but they've hated each other their entire careers. Roode said that Storm has never beaten him and last time they wrestled, Roode beat Storm at Lockdown and Storm went home. He said that when he wins tonight, he is sending Storm home forever. He warned King Mo not to get in his way. Good promo.
Bobby Roode vs. James Storm with King Mo as the special enforcer - Street Fight
They had a faceoff and then began brawling back and forth. Storm hit a running forearm and began beating Roode from pillar to post, as the cliché goes. He backdropped Roode and then pulled him to the outside, kicking him in the face as his head was extended over the apron.
Storm slammed Roode into the apron. They battled on the floor. Roode argued with a fan and was nailed by Storm. Storm attempted the Eye of the Storm through the announcer's table but Roode slipped out and catapulted Storm into the ringpost. Storm was busted open.
Roode tossed some weapons into the ring, which got a pop. He drilled Storm in the gut with a chair and then slammed it over his back. The crowd chanted for tables. Roode pulled out a kendo stick as Storm returned to the ring. Roode wedged a chair in the corner, allowing Storm to grab the stick and beat Roode with it twice.
Storm placed a trash can between the legs and drilled the can into Roode's nether-regions. That elicited a "TNA" chant. Roode tossed Storm outside on the ramp but Storm recovered and DDT'd Roode on the steel ramp. Roode was now busted open. That spot. ouch. Storm was given a crutch by a fan and nailed Roode with it. They beat each other over the head with trash can lids. Storm drilled Roode with a trash can. The crowd chanted it was awesome.
Storm charged down the ramp at Roode, who caught him with a spinebuster on the ramp. Jesus, these guys are just killing each other. They battled around ringside and back to the announcer's table. Storm slammed Roode into it and placed him atop the glass or plexiboard table. He teased a suplex off but Roode fought out. They battled back and forth and Roode speared him off the table onto another table used by production right next to them. The crowd chanted "Holy sh**."
Roode returned to the ring and covered Storm for a two count. Roode was pissed and grabbed the referee. King Mo rolled in to defend the ref. Roode shoved him. Mo shoved him backwards into Storm, who was recovering and nailed the Backstabber. Storm nailed the Last Call but Roode kicked out at the last second. That was great timing.
Roode sent Storm into the chair in the corner and rolled him up for a two count. Roode was increasingly frustrated by his inability to beat Storm. Roode placed Storm, who was bleeding heavily now, on the top rope and beat him with a series of right hands. Roode went under the ring and retrieved another steel chair. He drilled Storm across the back and shoulder.
Roode poured thumbtacks across the mat. Really?????
Roode went for a superplex but Storm fought him off and Roode took the bump backfirst into the tacks. That is nuts. Storm hit a flying elbow onto Roode and the tacks. Equally freaking nuts! Roode kicked up at two, even after all that.
Roode had tacks embedded in his arm and up and down his back. He went to the outside for a six pack of beer bottles. He went to nail Storm with one but was low blowed (legal due to the stips). Storm grabbed a beer, drank it and smashed a bottle over Roode's head.
Storm pulled an "out of it" Roode to his feet, then nailed the Last Call superkick. Roode took ANOTHER bump into the tacks and was pinned.
Your winner, James Storm!
THAT'S HOW YOU END A FEUD! Holy hell this was a killer brawl. This was a big time throwback to the old double juice brawls of the NWA and World Class with some ECW style weapons shots and even multiple thumbtack bumps. This was completely insane and a hell of an ending to their story. Loved it.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Joey Ryan. He said he just wanted to speak the truth. The truth is he should have been handed the contract before he was asked to be on Gutcheck. He said that he went through with the match, trended on Twitter and 87% of the audience wanted him in TNA. He said that the judges thought they knew what the audience wanted more than they do and turned him down. He said that was stupid and ripped on Snow. He said he was a West Coast guy and had the home field advantage and was bringing sleazy back to Bound for Glory.
Al Snow vs. Joey Ryan
Ryan immediately backed off and didn't want to lock up. Snow got on his hands and knees, offering Ryan the chance to lock up. Ryan went after him amateur wrestling style, but Snow reversed and chased him into the corner. Ryan stuck himself half out of the ropes to stop Snow.
Snow snapped Ryan down after grabbing his leg and slapped Ryan. That pissed off Ryan but he ran into a knee to the gut and was smashed into the buckles. Ryan reversed but was nailed again. Ryan was mad and ran into a back elbow. Snow slammed Ryan down. Lots of "We want head" chants.
SSnow dropped an elbow on Ryan and used a headlock takedown., Ryan tried to turn it into a head scissors but Snow reversed that and grabbed a side headlock on the mat. Nice reversals. Ryan cut off Snow and drilled Snow with a running knee. He followed up with several more knees and suplexed Snow over for a one count.
Ryan used his leg to smother Snow with a boot in the corner and drilled him with a right hand. Snow was sent into the corner. Ryan measured and drilled him with a right hand. He whipped Snow again but Al caught himself and drill Ryan with a clothesline and a backdrop.
Snow grabbed Ryan for a series of headbutts and grabbed him by the chest hair. Snow nailed the Snowplow but Ryan kicked up. Snow was surprised by that. Snow went under the ring and retrieved Head. Big pop for that. He went to nail Ryan with it but the referee grabbed it. Ryan sent Snow into the referee.
Ryan nailed Snow and dropkicked him out of the ring. He kissed Head on the lips and missed a sliding kick. Snow trapped him in the ring skirt and worked him over. He went to grab Head when Matt Morgan hopped the rail and hit the Carbon Footprint.
Ryan covered Snow and scored the pin. Ryan earns a TNA contract.
Your winner, Joey Ryan!
After the match, Ryan celebrated and shook Morgan's hand. Morgan told the camera that TNA wanted to screw with his career so now they are going to have to deal with him.
Match was OK and more of a story being told than a great series of moves. It accomplished what it needed to do. If Morgan doesn't work here, why didn't security hit the ring?
Jeremy Borash interviewed Daniels and Kazarian. Kazarian buried Twitter. He said that people consider them a bad influence. Daniels quoted RUN DMC saying, "Not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good." He said they stacked the deck against them but he doesn't care because on the biggest stage in TNA history, were going to eat them alive and wash it down with a delicious beverage. Good promo.
TNA Tag Team champions Kazarian & Christopher Daniels vs. Kurt Angle & AJ Styles vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez
The champions let Guerrero and Styles start the bout. They did some nice back and forth wrestling early. Styles maneuvered Guerrero to his corner and tagged in Angle.
Angle worked over Guerrero in the corner with chops and stomps. Guerrero, who had his shoulder taped, was slammed by Angle. Daniels tagged in when Angle wasn't looking. He was sent into the corner and Styles tagged himself in. Guerrero nailed Styles with a suplex and tagged in Hernandez.
Hernandez locked in a bear hug, then nailed an overhead belly to belly suplex. He slammed Styles. Guerrero hit a slingshot senton on Styles. Hernandez slammed him own partner on Styles, then hit a diving splash for a two count.
Kazarian tagged himself in and worked over Styles. Styles nailed a dropkick and tagged Angle in. Angle nailed a back suplex for a two count. Guerrero tagged himself in and nailed Kazarian with a series of uppercuts and kicks to Kazarian in the corner.
Hernandez and Guerrero worked over Kazarian. Hernandez used an over the shoulder backbreaker on Kaz, dropping down. Guerrero covered him for a two count. Daniels and Styles tagged in and Styles nailed a series of kicks to the best. Daniels cut him off but was nailed with a head scissors takedown. Styles missed a leaping splash in the corner and was nailed from the outside with a clothesline from Kazarian.
The champions scored with a series of moves for a few near falls. Daniels worked over Styles in the corner with kicks and tagged Kazarian in to trounce him some more. Kazarian covered Styles but Guerrero kicked them to break up the pinfall.
Kazarian locked on a sitting full nelson. Styles fought out and was nailed with a monkey flip. Styles landed on his feet, backed off from being hit by Guerrero's team and nailed the Pele Kick on Kaz. He made the hot tag and Angle cleaned house on everyone before hitting a pair of German suplexes on Kazarian.
Daniels came in with a sunset flip but Angle turned it into an anklelock. The champions worked over Angle, which set off a series of insane moves and dives. Daniels hit an Arabian Press to the outside on Angle. Hernandez nailed his insane dive to the outside. Kazarian leapt off the top onto Hernandez, outside on the apron and nailed a rana to the floor. Kazarian came down in an insanely sick bump on his shoulder and side. I thought he was dead. Styles was going for the springboard forearm but changed his mind and hit a double springboard 450 to everyone on the floor. Awesome.
Back in the ring, Guerrero nailed the Three Amigos and placed him on the top. Hernandez went for the Border Toss but Styles tagged in. He and Styles worked over Hernandez. Guerrero tossed Angle to the floor. Guerrero was nailed by Styles. Kazarian nailed a F5 on Styles. Daniels hit the BME but Styles kicked up.
Guerrero returned and nailed Daniels. Kazarian went after him but was knocked to the floor. Guerrero dove off the top to the floor on Kazarian. Daniels went for Angel's Wings but Styles escaped and nailed the inverted DDT. He set up for the Styles Clash but Hernandez tagged himself in.
He nailed Daniels with the Border Toss and Guerrero came off the top with the frog splash. Hernandez covered Daniels for the pin as Kazarian tried to break it up but was too late.
Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions, Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero!
Real good match which was great in spots. Some of the sequences here were out of this world with lots of insane spots. Everyone worked their asses off here.
Guerrero did a promo on the ramp after saying they promised to win tonight and did. He said he was dedicating it to Eddie Guerrero. The team is obviously designed to capture the attention and interest of the Hispanic audience. Funny to see them going for that since they had it in LAX and let it disappear.
TNA Knockouts champion Brooke Tessmacher vs. Tara
They showed the cast of the TNA British Bootcamp reality series at ringside.
They went face to face and then began battling back and forth with punches and forearms. Tessmacher went for a double leg takedown and rolled through with a two count. They went back and forth with near falls.
Tessmacher hit a spinning headscissor to the outside on Tara. Tessmacher slid out and chased her around the ring. Tara hid behind referee Taryn to protect herself and nailed Tessmacher, kicking her to the outside. She slammed Tessmacher face-first on the apron several times.
Tara punted her in the ring and then lifted her into the air, slamming her into the buckles. Tara lifted her onto her shoulders but Tessmachers rolled through with a sunset flip for a near fall. Tara laid her out and rubbed her face in the mat before locking her in a rear chinlock, pulling at her hair for additional momentum.
Tara was kicked off of a charge in the corner. Tessmacher went for a spinning head scissors and turned it into a DDT. Both were down and fought to regain their footing. Tara recovered first and began slamming her into the mat. They fought to their feet, going back and forth with shots. Tessmacher nailed a series of clotheslines and hair mares. She drilled Tara down with another leaping clothesline and ascended to the top rope.
Tessmacher nailed a top rope twisting rana into the ring. Tara held onto the ropes to stop Tessmacher's offense and placed her on the top. Tessmacher fought her off and sent her to the mat. Tessmacher went for a flying elbow but missed.
Tara nailed the Widow's Peak and scored the win.
Your winner and new TNA Knockout champion, Tara!
Good match. They worked hard and had a decent back and forth match. It's nuts how much Tessmacher has worked to improve in recent months. Tara seemed really motivated here.
Tara said that she bets everyone did this for her but she did it for her sweet Hollywood boyfriend. She said that we've probably seen him on TMZ and said he was bigger than George and Leonardo and Brad Pitt. It was Jesse Godderz from Big Brother, who has been training in OVW. Godderz got in the ring and made out with Tara. The crowd chanted, "Who are you?" Not a bad way to introduce Godderz but the way it was pushed, you would have thought they had a name coming in. At least it wasn't Scott Baio!
They aired clips from the TNA Hall of Fame. Why is Hulk Hogan in a t-shirt???
TNA's Sting & Bully Ray vs. Aces & Eights - No DQ
Sting wore a Bully Ray shirt while Ray was painted up like Sting used to be. Love it.
Aces and Eights came out from a door in the Arena, dragging Joseph Park to ringside. They handcuffed him to the rail. They nailed him after cuffing him. Ray and Sting attacked them and they began brawling around ringside.
It appears Aces & Eights are the former Luke Gallows and Mike Knox.
Sting smashed one of them into the broken table from earlier while Ray slammed another into the ring steps. Ray worked over one whole Sting and the other went back and forth. Ray assisted Sting with an elbow off the stairs to the head of the other A&8. Ray then smashed him over the head with a table piece.
The crowd chanted for tables, while Ray played up. Ray whipped one into the stairs. Sting went for the Stinger Splash against the guard rail but the other A&8 pulled his partner away. He worked over Sting and they returned to the ring. It settled into a traditional tag match with Sting getting worked over and kicking up several times. Sting made a comeback and went for the Scorpion Deathlock but was attacked from behind.
Ray rallied Sting with the crowd and got the hot tag. He cleaned house and nailed a neckbreaker on one. He shoulderblocked the other. An Irish whip was reversed and Ray was drilled in the back with a knee. They worked him over but Ray nailed a double clothesline on both and hit a big splash for a two count.
Outside, Sting was whipped into the guard rail. Ray worked over a member of Aces. Another member (Wes Brisco?) nailed Ray with a low blow. Outside, Joseph Parks in a fit of strength, broke the handcuffs and was shocked at himself, then attacked the new member. He beat him down and chased him away up the ramp.
The remaining members attacked Sting and Ray Ray saved Sting. They nailed the Doomsday Device on one of the members. They each nailed splashes in the corner on the other one. They did the :"Get The Tables" spot. Ray got the table and set it up. Sting was dragged out of the ring when another members, completely disguised (Devon?) hit a chokeslam through a table on Ray, who was then pinned.
Your winners, Aces & Eights, who now have full TNA access.
All the members attacked and worked over Ray and Sting. The crowd chanted for Hogan, who walked to the ring (now you know why there's a ramp). Hogan dispatched the members that charged him at the ramp and ripped off his shirt. He was down to one member left who worked him over. Hogan hulked up and did the point. He nailed a series of rights and a big boot to the face. He teased umasking him, which the crowd went nuts for. He unmasked Devon and all three were stunned, especially Ray. Devon said, "Something to think about now. All those idiots...it was always me." He and the other members left and walked out through the crowd. Bubba asked, "Why?"
The three TNA heroes were left stunned in the ring. The crowd chanted, "This is awkward."
TNA champion Austin Aries was interviewed. He said that Jeff Hardy wants to be champion but he has to get through the greatest man who ever lived to do so. He said he's going into the match with anger tonight and no one has ever seen him angry, except for when he kicked Hardy with the groin shot on Thursday. He said tonight is not Hardy's redemption.
TNA champion Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy
New Hardy theme song. Aries is playing full fledged heel.
They did some back and forth wrestling early. They faced off. There were a lot of chants for Aries early. Hardy backed Aries into the corner as they locked up and Aries shoved him. Hardy drilled him with a kick to the gut and nailed him with several shots across the back. Hardy rolled up Aries for a two count.
Aries came back with a side headlock takedown. They went back and forth with near falls. Hardy locked in head scissors to wear down Aries. Aries bridged out into a head stand and escaped. He went for a dropkick out of it but Hardy rolled out of the way. Hardy kicked him and stomped the hell out of Aries. The pro-Aries fans hated that.
Hardy nailed a shoulderblock and a sunset flip but Aries rolled through and dropkicked Hardy in the mush. Aries used his boot to smother Hardy and drilled him across the chest. Hardy made a comeback and nailed a big suplex for a two count. Aries rolled to outside. Hardy nailed a double sledge to the floor.
Hardy tossed Aries into the ring steps with Aries taking this forward flip bump into them. Jeff hit Air Hardy against the guard rail. Aries cut him off when they returned to the ring and Aries scored several near falls. Aries drilled him with knees to the back and an elbow for a two count.
Aries worked over Hardy and tied him up on the mat. Hardy finally broke free with a face first suplex. Hardy nailed a series of right hands but Aries cut him off and nailed a corkscrew splash after slingshotting himself into the ring. Dueling chants. There have been so many pro-Aries chants that the announcers are acknowledging it.
Aries went for the Last Chancery but Hardy grabbed his legs to prevent it. Hardy kicked him off and nailed a forward flip powerbomb. The crowd chanted "TNA." Haven't seen that spot in a long time.
Hardy nailed a series of rights and had Aries on the run. Hardy nailed a flying forearm and whipped Aries into the corner. Aries kicked him off but Hardy caught him charging out. Hardy nailed a legdrop and a dropkick for a two count.
Hardy used a head scissor to send Aries to the floor. He went for a slingshot dive that took forever for Aries to get into position for and missed, possibly because Aries was playing opossum. Aries then drilled him with a heat seeking dive to the outside. Yep, Opossum.
Hardy pulled himself up and Aries nailed another, this time a high cross bodyblock through the ropes. Aries worked over Hardy in the ring and tossed him to the ramp outside. Aries went for a brainbuster but Hardy landed on his feet. He went for the Twist of Fate but was shoved hard into the ring ropes and was clotheslined. Aries nailed a neckbreaker on the outside with the story being Hardy hit the ramp's edge as well as the ring apron.
Aries nailed a missile dropkick into the ring and then went for a dropkick in the corner but Hardy kicked him off. Hardy and Aries battled back and forth. Aries went for the discus forearm but was kicked and nailed with the Twist of Fate for a two count. Good stuff.
Hardy went to to the top but was crotched. Aries ascended to the top and hit a top rope jumping super-rana into the ring. That looked awesome. Aries nailed a hard running dropkick in the corner and a brainbuster but Hardy kicked out. Aries laid there stunned on the mat that someone kicked out of his finisher.
Aries went for a double stomp off the top but missed. Hardy nailed a stunner out of the corner and a Twist of Fate. Hardy went to the top and nailed the swanton, scoring the pin.
Your winner and new TNA champion, Jeff Hardy!
Really good main event. Aries and Hardy both told a hell of a story and looked great here. The crowd being so pro-Aries gave a nice extra dimension to the bout too. They really worked their asses off here and it was a match where you felt like the guy who won earned it.
Overall, a real good show with a lot of hard work from top to bottom. Worth the replay.
2013 - Low Ki announced his retirement. He would return to the ring within a year.
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in St. Louis, Missouri and your announcers are Michael ‘What will happen to Randy Orton in his home town’ Cole, John ‘I want to see El Torito leap from the Gateway Arch’ Layfield, and Jerry ‘What gets thrown in the Mississippi River tonight’ Lawler.
We start off with the man who will be wearing the black and white at Hell in a Cell in the WWE Title match, Shawn Michaels.
Shawn takes a few deep breaths before starting his comments. He thanks everybody who voted for him on the WWE app to be the referee at Hell in a Cell. Shawn says that it is nice to know that they have not forgotten about him.
Shawn says that he knows that everyone is concerned about the person feelings that he has for the competitors in the match. He trained a man who had aspirations to be a WWE Superstar. That man was Daniel Bryan. Shawn says that he has always liked Daniel Bryan.
He has never liked Randy Orton and his best friend is still Triple H.
This match is not about him, it is about the two competitors in the match and it is about crowning a new champion. He respects the participants in the match and he respects Hell in a Cell. He was in the first one, held in this building. Thinking about that match, he is glad that he is retired. Shawn says that he saw what happened at Night of Champions and Battleground and it was a crock. It will not happen again. Two men will walk into Hell in a Cell and one man will walk out as the champion.
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. He tells Shawn that he has a match next against The Miz so he will make this quick. Shawn has everyone convinced. He wants to fill Shawn in on a little secret. Randy reminds Shawn that he was born and raised in St. Louis. He knows the people of St. Louis better than anybody. He tells Shawn that the people of St. Louis aren’t all that bright.
He can see right through Shawn. It isn’t that he doesn’t like him, he resents Randy. No matter how great Shawn was, Randy says that he will always be better than him and it eats Shawn up inside.
Shawn apologizes but he was not paying attention to Randy. Shawn tells Randy not to worry about him. He needs to worry about Daniel Bryan.
Randy says that he will destroy Daniel Bryan. He will hurt Daniel real bad and he will force Shawn to count three and raise his hand as the winner of the match. Randy says that everyone knows that Shawn is no stranger to screw jobs because it has been a feature of his career. If Shawn screws him over, there will be no coming back from what Randy does to him.
Shawn asks Randy if he is trying to intimidate the special referee for his Hell in a Cell match. Many have tried and many have failed to try to intimidate him. Shawn says that if Randy touches him, he his going to kick his pretty head off his pretty shoulders. Shawn has two words for Orton.
Randy tries to RKO Shawn but Shawn avoids it and he tries for Sweet Chin Music but Orton avoids it. Orton goes to the floor and Miz attacks Orton. Referees separate Orton and Miz.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Randy Orton versus Miz
The match is joined in progress and Orton sends Miz into the turnbuckles. Miz sends Orton into the turnbuckles and he kicks him. Miz with knees to Orton but Orton with a kick and a clothesline into the corner. Orton with another running clothesline into the corner. Orton goes for a third clothesline but Miz with an elbow and kicks followed by punches. Miz clotheslines Orton over the top rope to the floor.
Miz misses a hesitation drop kick through the ropes and Orton with a clothesline. Orton rolls into the ring and he breaks the referee’s count. Orton sends Miz into the ring steps. The other steps are not left out of the equation and Miz gets up close and personal with them. Orton gets a near fall when they return to the ring.
Orton with the Garvin Stomp and he gets a near fall. Orton with a reverse chin lock. Miz with elbows to get out of the hold. Orton sends Miz over the top rope to the floor and Orton follows after him. Orton with a front face lock and then he puts Miz on the ringside barrier for an IEDDT but Miz gets to his feet and he runs Orton into the ring post.
Miz with a running forearm followed by a kick and a running knee lift. Miz with a kick to the knee followed by a kick and the Awesome Clothesline. Miz goes up top for the double sledge and he sets for the Skull Crushing Finale but Orton with a snap mare. Miz with a kick to the leg that was in the ropes. Miz goes for the figure four leg lock, but . . .
The Wyatt Family graphic plays and we see The Wyatt Family on the stage.
Miz turns around into an RKO and Orton gets the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Bray Wyatt says that Miz is the epitome of everything that he loathes. The diamonds, the limelight, the red carpet. How much is it going to take to satisfy this craving and obsession with fame? He wants Miz to not be afraid. He says that he does not wish to see Miz suffer. He is just going to put him down. He tells Miz to Follow the Buzzards.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Fandango (with Summer Rae) versus Santino Marella
They lock up and Fandango sends Santino to the mat. Fandango dances and Santino does the Sexy Party to frustrate Fandango. Santino teases the Cobra to scare Fandango. Fandango with punches to Santino followed by a back elbow for a near fall. Fandango with a reverse chin lock.
Santino tries for a float over but Fandango stays out of the corner. Fandango with a suplex and then he goes up top. Santino gets up and Fandango leaps over Santino. Santino with a split stunner followed by jabs and a split. Santino with a hip toss and diving head butt.
Santino goes for the Cobra but Summer gets in the way. Fandango with a rollup and a handful of tights for the three count.
Winner: Fandango
We go to commercial.
We are back and Paul Heyman is in the office with Brad Maddox and he wants Brad to watch what happened at Battleground when Punk kicked Ryback with a low blow to cheat to get the victory.
Brad says that Ryback has his rematch at Hell in a Cell, so what is Paul looking for?
Paul says that Punk is a cheater and he made Brad Maddox look ridiculous. Paul wants to be able to pick the stipulation for the match at Hell in a Cell. He wants a handicap match with Punk facing Ryback and Curtis Axel. Paul says that is best for business.
Brad says that does not sound fair.
Paul says that Punk is a cheating weasel.
Brad says that he never thought he would hear a walrus refer to a punk as a weasel. Brad tells Paul they will play beat the clock. Ryback faces R Truth while Punk faces Curtis Axel. If Ryback beats the clock, Paul can choose any stipulation. Brad says that if Punk wins, Punk gets to choose the stipulation.
Michael Cole mentions the online petition that Xavier Woods started to get Big Show his job back.
Michael Cole reminds us that John Cena is coming back at Hell in a Cell. We have a video package while John Layfield wants to know who Xavier Woods is.
Match Number Three: Fernando y Diego (con El Torito) versus Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre (with Jinder Mahal)
Drew and Diego start things off and Diego avoids Drew followed by a chop. Diego with a kick and head scissors followed by a chop. Fernando tags in and they hit a double back body drop. Slater tags in and Fernando with a spinning head scissors that sends Slater to the floor. Slater tells Torito to stay away and Torito mocks Slater. Fernando with a pescado onto Slater and Torito walks across Slater.
Slater with a leg lariat and he tags in Drew for a double slingshot suplex for a near fall. Drew with a chop and kick followed by a slap. Fernando slaps back but Drew with a kick. Drew with a boot. Fernando with a DDT and both men are down. Slater and Diego tag in and Diego with forearms and a drop kick to Drew on the apron.
Diego with a leg sweep and he goes to the turnbuckles for the double sledge. Fernando tags in and they hit the double back drop driver for the three count.
Winners: Diego and Fernando
after the match, El Torito hits Mahal and then Los Matadores with a double forearm followed by a seated senton splash combined with the double back drop driver.
In case you missed last week’s Raw, we take a look back at how the show started and then we see Big Show knocking out Triple H.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Triple H to make his way to the ring. He is accompanied by one of the principal owners of WWE, Stephanie McMahon.
Stephanie says that last week on Raw, she learned a very valuable lesson. She is not going to let her kindness be seen as weakened.
Stephanie says that they have bailed out the Big Show more times than they can remember. They bought his mortgage and they were treated with disrespect and insubordination. After being fired, Big Show came to the ring and struck her husband in the face.
Stephanie says that Big Show is unemployed and fired. They are selling his house and repossessing anything that has value. They are suing him for trespassing and assault. Insolence will not be tolerated.
Stephanie says that there were reports of a concussion and a jaw that had to be wired shut. Stephanie reminds us that he is Triple H, the 13 time champion, the Cerebral Assassin, and the King of Kings. He wielded power in the Attitude Era and he is the WWE.
Hunter says rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. He has been the COO of the WWE for two years. Hunter says that he did that all for you. He put aside his personal and professional needs to ensure that this company would be here for everyone. He became the authority, knowing what it would entail because people do not like the boss.
He dealt with the walkouts and insubordination. Hunter says that his breaking point took place last week when he was unconscious in the ring while people were chanting ‘Yes’. The crowd chants ‘Yes’.
Hunter says this is the way it is. After all they have done, they are just the villains. Hunter asks if everyone wants him to be the bad guy . . . fine. He will give you something like you have never seen before. Big Show will grovel at his feet to avoid incarceration or financial ruin. Anyone who defies their authority will beg to keep their jobs.
Anyone who thought the word yes better pray right now.
Daniel Bryan’s music plays and he makes his way to the stage and he gets everyone to start chanting yes, if they weren’t already chanting it.
Alberto Del Rio attacks Daniel Bryan from behind and they make their way down the ramp. Del Rio sets for the super kick and he connects.
Stephanie asks Daniel if he was saying something. Stephanie introduces Daniel to his opponent tonight, Alberto Del Rio.
Ryback and Paul Heyman are walking very fast in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Ryback (with Paul Heyman) versus R Truth in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match
Truth goes to the floor and he walks around the ring to prolong the match. Ryback follows after Truth and Ryback chases him around the ring. They get into the ring and Truth with a kick. Truth with a shimmy and he goes to the floor again. Ryback chases Truth around the ring again.
Ryback misses a clothesline and Truth with a drop kick for a near fall. Truth goes to the floor and Heyman stops Truth and Truth stops so Ryback is able to hit Truth from behind. They return to the ring and Ryback with a few near falls. Ryback with a hard Irish whip and he gets a near fall. Ryback with a slam followed by a splash for a near fall. Truth with punches but Ryback with a back elbow. Ryback runs Truth into the turnbuckles and he takes Truth across the ring and Ryback gets a near fall.
Ryback with forearms to the back followed by a rollup for a near fall. Ryback with a hard Irish whip for a near fall. Ryback tries for a power slam but Truth escapes and he hits a drop kick followed by a DDT. Truth with another drop kick for a near fall. Truth with punches and then he goes to the turnbuckles.
Truth with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Truth misses the scissors kick and Ryback with a muscle buster for the three count.
Winner: Ryback (Time to beat 5:44)
We go to commercial.
We are back and Stephanie McMahon is walking in the back. She sees Brie and Nikki Bella. Stephanie congratulates Brie on her engagement. She reminds Brie that her fiancé was chanting ‘yes’ over her husband. What will Daniel say after Brie’s match against Tamina. Stephanie says that Nikki is banned from ringside, but AJ will have a good view.
We go to the Goldman Box and Zeb Colter says the government might be shut down. Los Matadores are Los Illegals. They did not sneak across the border, they ran across. They will expose Los Matadores and that is no bull.
Match Number Five: Brodus Clay and Tensai (with Cameron and Naomi) versus Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Clay and Cesaro start things off and Clay with chops and a slam to Cesaro. Tensai tags in and they double team Cesaro. Tensai with punches in the corner. Tensai with a monkey flip but he misses a splash into the corner. Swagger makes the blind tag and after Tensai connects with a shoulder tackle, Swagger goes after the knee and he starts to work on the leg.
Cesaro tags in and he applies the chin lock on Tensai and Tensai’s body turns red. Cesaro with a European uppercut and Swagger tags in and he connects with shoulders. Swagger with the double jump Swagger Bomb and Cesaro tags in and does the leap frog into a double stomp for a near fall. Swagger tags back in and he applies a step over toe hold.
Both men with clotheslines and both men are down. Cesaro tags in and he hits a dead lift side salto for a near fall. Swagger tags back in and he punches Tensai. Tensai punches his way out of the corner and Tensai drops Cesaro across the top rope. Swagger misses a charge into the corner.
Clay and Cesaro tag in and Clay with clotheslines and a head butt to the chest. Clay with a sheeeplex followed by a splash into the corner. Clay with a fisherman’s suplex but Swagger breaks up the cover. Clay takes care of Swagger. Cesaro with a running European uppercut and then he hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer on Clay for the three count.
Winners: Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger
After the match, Cesaro sets for the Giant Swing and Swagger stops Tensai from interfering. Cesaro figures that he has done enough to Clay already so he puts Tensai in the Giant Swing.
We the People . . . go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Tamina Snuka (with AJ Lee) versus Brie Bella
Brie with a forearm and punches. Brie with kicks and an Irish whip followed by a kick that sends Tamina to the floor. Brie with a Thesz Press to the floor and she slams Tamina’s head into the floor. Tamina with a clothesline to the back of the head.
Tamina chokes Brie when they return to the ring. Brie with a version of the Maple Leaf but Tamina gets to the ropes. Tamina with a kick and she sends Brie to the mat. Tamina whips Brie with her vest and then she chokes Brie in the ropes. Tamina gets a near fall.
Tamina with a suplex for a near fall. Tamina with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Tamina with a rear chin lock but Brie with elbows. Tamina with a punch and side head lock. Tamina with a knee followed by an Irish whip but she runs into Brie’s boot. Brie with a missile drop kick and clothesline. Brie with a drop kick followed by a running knee to the head against the ropes. Brie with a second knee and then she goes to the turnbuckles. Brie misses the X Factor and Tamina with a boot to the head for the three count.
Winner: Tamina Snuka
After the match, Tamina picks up Brie and hits a Samoan Drop. Tamina with a shoulder breaker to Brie and then she goes up top for the Superfly splash. AJ with the Black Widow.
Nikki makes her way to the ring to check on her sister as we go to commercial.
We are back and Stephanie and Brad are watching Hunter wrestling Goldberg on his DVD. Daniel Bryan enters and he wants to know what Stephanie is doing with Brie. He calls Stephanie cold and conniving but Brad tries to stop Daniel from going any further.
Stephanie asks Daniel if he has a fiancé to go attend to and she says that she did not cause this.
Match Number Seven: CM Punk versus Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) in a Beat the Clock Challenge (5:44 for those playing at home)
They lock up and Punk with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Punk with a leg sweep and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Punk with forearms and chops. Axel with kicks followed by a snap mare and a leaping neck snap. Axel with a slam for a near fall. Axel with another slam followed by a forearm to the head and he gets a near fall. Axel with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot.
Punk with a cross body for a near fall. Axel with a clothesline for a near fall. Axel gets another near fall. Axel with a back breaker but he misses a forearm from the turnbuckles. Punk with knees followed by an Irish whip and running knee. Punk probably with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Punk goes upt op for the elbow drop and he connects but Axel kicks out.
Axel avoids the Go To Sleep and then he hits a snap swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Punk with punches and chops as we get close to the final minute of the match. Axel misses a clothesline to the neck but he hits one to the back of the head for a near fall.
Axel with the Perfectplex for a near fall. Axel tries for another Perfectplex but Punk counters with an inside cradle. Punk with a kick to the head followed by Go To Sleep and Punk gets the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, Heyman throws Axel’s title belt down and he goes up the ramp.
Punk wants to know where Paul is going because the party just started. Punk says that now he gets to pick the stipulation for the match at the pay per view.
Punk says that this is where Paul becomes proud of him because he learned from Paul. Paul is the genius mad scientist.
Punk says that they will have a handicap match. Paul Heyman Guy Ryback and Paul Heyman versus CM Punk . . . in the HELL IN THE CELL
We go to commercial.
Match Number Eight: Daniel Bryan versus Alberto Del Rio
Bryan with a forearm as the bell rings and then he kicks Del Rio. Del Rio with a kick and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Bryan with kicks in the corner. Bryan with knees followed by a knee to the midsection and kicks to the chest. Bryan works on the left shoulder but Del Rio with kicks to Bryan for a near fall.
Del Rio with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Bryan with a Saito suplex to escape the hold. Bryan with kicks to the chest but he misses the round kick and Del Rio with a lungblower for a near fall.
Del Rio with boots to the head and then he chokes Bryan. Del Rio with kicks and head butts to Bryan. Bryan with kicks to the leg and the referee pulls Bryan out of the corner. Bryan sets for the drop kick into the corner and he misses. Del Rio with kicks to Bryan and we go to commercial while the referee admonishes Del Rio.
We are back and Bryan misses the diving head butt and Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with a kick to Bryan. Del Rio taunts Bryan but Bryan tries to get Del Rio into the Yes Lock but Del Rio gets to the ropes before Bryan can lock in the hold. Bryan with kicks to Del Rio. Bryan with European uppercuts. Del Rio with an Irish whip but he runs into boots from Bryan. Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker followed by a double stomp to the back.
Del Rio with a rear chin lock. Del Rio with head butts and a kick in the corner. Del Rio sets for the running step up enzuigiri but first he mocks the Yes and that allows Daniel to recover and hit a running clothesline. Del Rio with a single arm breaker for a near fall. Del Rio goes to the turnbuckles and he hits a missile drop kick for a near fall.
Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Bryan with elbows and kicks. Bryan misses a charge into the corner and he hits the ring post with his left shoulder. Del Rio misses the step up enzuigiri and both men are down. Bryan with kicks to the chest. Del Rio with an Irish whip and Bryan flips over and he hits a flying clothesline.
Bryan with a running drop kick into the corner and he lands on his feet. Bryan puts Del Rio on the turnbuckles for a super rana and Bryan gets a near fall. Del Rio with a super kick but Bryan drops down and Del Rio goes to the floor. Bryan with a suicide dive onto Del Rio. Bryan goes up top for a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Randy Orton appears on the TitanTron and he says that he saw what happened to his sweet fiancé earlier. Randy says that he is going to check on her right now to see if she is okay.
Randy enters the room and then he closes it behind him. There is screaming and Del Rio with a rollup for a near fall. Del Rio punches Bryan. Bryan with a round kick to the head and then he leaves the ring and goes to the back.
We see Bryan run through the back to the trainer’s room and the referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio (by count out)
After the match, Bryan enters the Trainer’s Room and Orton does not appear to be in there. Orton attacks Bryan from behind and sends him into a Jacuzzi. Brie checks on Daniel and we go to commercial.
We are back and The Shield are in the office talking about what happened to Daniel Bryan. Stephanie tells the Shield that the Rhodes boys beat them already and that is how they got their jobs back. Hunter tells them the tag title match is now No Disqualification.
The Shield leave and Stephanie kisses Hunter because she apparently liked that decision.
We go to a video documenting John Cena’s recovery from his tricep injury.
Match Number Nine: Cody Rhodes and Goldust versus Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns (with Dean Ambrose) for the WWE Tag Titles in a No Disqualification Match
Rollins and Rhodes start things off and Cody with a kick and punches. Rhodes with a hard Irish whip and Goldust tags in and he comes off the turnbuckles with a punch. Goldust with punches to Rollins followed by an Irish whip. Goldust with a snap mare and elbow drop for a near fall. Rhodes tags in and he hits a drop kick for a near fall.
Rhodes with a punch to Rollins. Rhodes with a snap mare and a knee to the head for a near fall. Goldust tags in and they punch Rollins followed by a leaping butt bump by Goldust. Rhodes tags in and he kicks Rollins. Rhodes with a gourdbuster for a near fall. Rhodes with a punch and Ambrose grabs the leg.
Rhodes with an elbow to Rollins but Reigns with a clothesline to Rhodes. Reigns tags in and he kicks Cody. Rhodes is sent to the floor and Reigns with a forearm to the back and then one to the chest.
They return to the ring and Reigns gets a near fall. Rollins tags in and he kicks Cody in the chest. Rollins with punches to Rhodes followed by kicks to the back. Cody with a punch and kicks. Rollins punches back and then he sends Cody into the turnbuckles. Rollins with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall.
Rollins with an arm bar on Cody Rhodes elevates Rollins and he tries for the Alabama Jam but Rollins counters with a sunset flip. Cody is able to tag in Goldust who connects with a back body drop and then he puts him in the corner for the Final Cut but instead he connects with a clothesline and bulldog for a near fall.
Goldust misses a cross body when Rollins moves and we go to commercial with Goldust on the floor.
We are back and Reigns has Goldust in the corner and he punches Goldust while Rollins holds him. Rollins tags in and he chokes Goldust. Rollins gets a near fall and Rhodes breaks up the cover and he punches Rollins. Rollins with a quarter nelson and chin lock on Goldust. Goldust punches Rollins but Rollins tries for a hip toss. Goldust with a backslide for a near fall but Rollins with a near fall of his own.
Rollins sends Goldust into the turnbuckles and Goldust punches Rollins but Reigns makes the tag to stop Goldust from making the tag. Reigns with a reverse chin lock on Goldust. Goldust with punches but Reigns with an Irish whip and Goldust with a back elbow off the turnbuckles. Rollins tags in and he knocks Cody off the apron.
Rollins goes to the turnbuckles to mock Goldust’s pose but Goldust with a power slam and both men are down. Rhodes kicks Ambrose away and Rhodes tags in and he punches Reigns and connects with a knee. Cody with the drop down uppercut followed by punches. Rhodes sends Reigns shoulder first into the ring post and Cody gets a near fall. Rhodes with a moonsault for a near fall. Cody stops Ambrose again and then he kicks Reigns. Cody goes to the apron and he hits a springboard drop kick and he gets a near fall. Goldust punches Rollins and he goes to the floor. Rollins and Goldust fight on the floor. Rhodes tries for Cross Rhodes but Ambrose attacks Cody. Ambrose punches Goldust in the corner and then all three members of the Shield attack Cody.
They signal for the Cerberus Bomb but Goldust has a chair and he hits Reigns with it. He hits Ambrose with the chair and then he hits Rollins with the chair. Goldust sends Ambrose to the floor. Reigns takes control of the situation and he sends Goldust to the mat. Reigns says that he never should have brought the chair in. Reigns takes a little too long and he misses. Goldust with a cross body with the chair between him and Reigns and both men are down.
Rollins and Rhodes fight on the floor. Rhodes blocks being sent into the steps and he tries for the Beautiful Disaster off the steps but Rollins with a power bomb into the ringside barrier. Goldust with a reverse atomic drop to Reigns and then he gives one to Rollins followed by an uppercut. Goldust with a clothesline that sends him and Reigns over the top rope to the floor. Ambrose hits Goldust from behind.
Reigns sends Goldust into the apron but Goldust sends Reigns into the ringside barrier. Goldust sends Ambrose into the ring post but Reigns with a spear that sends Goldust through the ringside barrier and into Justin’s cubicle.
Ambrose rolls Rhodes into the ring and he pulls Reigns back into the ring.
Big Show comes through the crowd and he kicks Ambrose and punches him. Rollins comes off the apron and Show catches him and he punches Rollins. Reigns sees Show and Rhodes misses Beautiful Disaster but Show punches Reigns.
Cody covers Reigns for the three count.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Goldust
After the match, Triple H comes into the ring and he is furious.
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