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November 13th
On this day in history in ....
1992 - The Rock N' Roll Express defeat The Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane & Tom Prichard) for the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Tag Team Title in Harlan, Kentucky. This would be the first of ten SMW Tag Title reigns for Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson.
1993 - ECW held their first "November to Remember" event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated The Rockin' Rebel in a Chair match.
- The Sandman vs. Jim Neidhart ended in a double disqualification.
- The Public Enemy defeated Badd Company (Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond) in a South Philly Hood match.
- Kevin Sullivan defeated Tommy Cairo in a Shoot match.
- Malia Hosaka defeated Sherri Martel via disqualification.
- ECW Tag Team Champions Johnny Hotbody & Tony Stetson defeated The Bad Breed (Axl & Ian Rotten).
- Tommy Dreamer & Johnny Gunn defeated Johnny Hotbody & Tony Stetson in ten seconds to win the ECW Tag Team Title.
- The Tazmaniac defeated Tommy Dreamer.
- Mr. Hughes defeated Johnny Gunn.
- Sabu & Road Warrior Hawk defeated Terry Funk & mystery partner King Kong Bundy when Sabu pinned Funk. As a result, Sabu (who was already the ECW Heavyweight Champion) won Funk's ECW Television Title.
1995 - Kensuke Sasaki defeats Sting for the WCW United States Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Sting's second reign with the title. This was the first time the United States Title ever changed hands outside of the U.S. In fact, only one other time (Lance Storm defeating Hugh Morrus in England in 2000) has the belt changed hands outside of the U.S. Here are the full results from the show, which was a New Japan Pro Wrestling event at Sumo Hall, nicknamed "WCW World In Japan":
- Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai & Shinjiro Ohtani defeated Jushin Liger, Yuji Nagata, & Tokimitsu Ishizawa.
- Junji Hirata defeated Booker T.
- Masahiro Chono & Hiro Saito defeated Johnny B. Badd & Bobby Eaton.
- Riki Choshu & Masa Saito defeated The Nasty Boys.
- The Giant (Big Show) & Arn Anderson defeated Shinya Hashimoto & Tadao Yasuda.
- Ric Flair defeated Osamu Nishimura.
- Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Kurosawa (Manabu Nakanishi).
- Keiji Mutoh defeated Steven (William) Regal.
- Kensuke Sasaki defeated Sting to win the WCW United States Title.
1999 - Tony Rumble, long-time independent manager (most notably in the Savoldi's ICW and the early days of ECW) as well as promoter of the Century Wrestling Alliance in New England passed away.
2002 - Brian Lee & Slash defeat America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris & James Storm) for the NWA World Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee.
2005 - Eddie Guerrero, 38, was found dead in his hotel room in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was scheduled to wrestle Randy Orton and Batista that night in a three-way match to be aired on Smackdown.
Courtesy PWInsider.com Elite Newsletter, 11/20/05
EDDIE GUERRERO PASSES AWAY
On November 13th 2005, at around 7am, former WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his hotel room in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was scheduled to wrestle Randy Orton and Batista that night in a three-way match to be aired on Smackdown.
COMPLETE WWE EDDIE GUERRERO PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP
WWE held a press conference on the afternoon of Guerrero's death, with Vince McMahon and Chavo Guerrero taking questions from the media.
Vince opened by saying that Chavo was with Eddie last night when they traveled to Minneapolis together. He then opened it up to questions.
They were asked if they know how Eddie died. Chavo said that it was still pending right now. He said he thought there would be more information tomorrow. Chavo was asked what happened. He said he got a call from security in the morning saying that Eddie didn't take his wake up call. He went with security to the room and they found Eddie on the floor. He said he went over to Eddie and turned him over and said something was not right and they called 911.
He was was asked if there was anything unusual that happened last night. Chavo said no. They flew in from Phoenix, had a bite to eat and checked in to the hotel. He talked to Eddie about a half hour later. They checked in early this morning, around 12:30 a.m.
Vince was asked how big a loss this was for WWE and Vince, obviously, said it was huge. He said very kind things about Eddie, his talent and his family.
Vince was asked if they were going to do anything to pay tribute to Eddie and he said that both the Raw and Smackdown tapings tonight will be tribute shows. He said that Eddie had so many friends in each locker room that wanted to pay tribute to Eddie. He said we will see classic Eddie matches on the shows as well. He said that the guys appearing on the shows will be doing so voluntarily and that the talent knows Eddie would want the show to go on. Chavo shook his head in agreement. He said the shows for tonight, obviously, are being changed from what had been planned. Chavo said he was given the option to go home but he wants to be a part of it, and he knows that Eddie would want him to be part in it.
When asked about the effect of his family, Chavo said that they've never had a tragedy like this. He noted that when Eddie's father (Chavo's grandfather) passed away, he was older and it was expected, but this is "devastating" to his family. He noted the family history in the business. They asked about the ages of Eddie's daughters and Chavo provided that information. When asked what his family wanted him to do, Chavo said that his family wanted him to be here to help. It was noted that Eddie had recently moved his family to Phoenix, Arizona.
When asked about how Eddie's wife had taken his passing, Chavo noted that she hasn't taken it very well. He said that Eddie's sister and mother were contacted personally, and they then went to Eddie's wife to tell her personally.
Chavo noted that Eddie felt fine when he went to bed. They had planned to meet at 8 AM for breakfast and then go to the gym together. Guerrero was going to order takeout as room service was closed. When Chavo connected from his flight out of California to Phoenix, Eddie got on the plane so they sat together and watched a film and talked.
When asked about Eddie's past substance abuse playing a factor in his death, Chavo relayed that when they were flying into Minneapolis, Eddie had told him he had just celebrated four years of being sober. When asked about his past, Chavo said, "He was an addict. He was addicted to everything, but really, alcohol and prescription, like painkillers." When asked about whether, even four years after being clean, Eddie's body could have shut down, McMahon said it's speculation, and with Eddie's past history before getting cleaned up, it took a toll but he has no idea whether that played a role into his passing.
When asked about how long Eddie was in the business, Chavo said 17, then corrected himself and said 20 years, as Eddie made his debut in the ring when he was just 18 years old.
When asked whether Eddie's background may have inspired other performers and athletes to stay clean, Chavo said "100%" noting that Eddie being so open about it led to many fans telling Eddie about their own experiences. McMahon noted that Guerrero was very open about his newfound faith and was a born again Christian.
When asked about royalties, McMahon said, "Eddie Guerrero will have royalties coming in forever, and those royalties will go straight to his family."
McMahon noted that everyone was deeply saddened by Eddie's passing and it will be tough to get over, but Eddie will have wanted the show to go on. When asked if fans were aware, McMahon said they were but if they weren't they would be once they arrive and see what WWE has planned for the tribute show. He noted Eddie was originally scheduled to appear on Smackdown.
Chavo said that Eddie was 100% business and would have wanted the show to go on, as he knew this is how the performers fed their families. He said that Eddie had the biggest heart of everyone he knows personally. He said that Eddie had a big love for the business and is going to be loved not just by the wrestlers but by the fans as well.
EDDIE GUERRERO'S CAUSE OF DEATH ANNOUNCED
Former WWE champion Eddie Guerrero passed away due to heart failure brought on by past drug and alcohol abuse, according to a statement made by his wife Vicki to WWE's website several days after his passing.
Guerrero told the website, "It was from his past drinking and the drug abuse. They found signs of heart disease. She (the examiner) said that the blood vessels were very worn and narrow, and that just showed all the abuse from the scheduling of work and his past. And Eddie just worked out like crazy all the time. It made his heart grow bigger and work harder and the vessels were getting smaller, and that's what caused the heart failure. He went into a deep sleep.
As soon as they saw his heart, they saw the lining of his heart already had the heart disease. There was no trauma, and Eddie hadn't hurt himself in any way. It answered a lot of questions. I knew Eddie wasn't feeling very good for the last week. He was home and kept saying he wasn't feeling good and we thought it was just “road tired."ÂSo we thought he just had to rest. It answered a lot of my questions, too, because he was just so exhausted. She said it was normal because the heart was working so hard."
REACTION TO GUERRERO'S DEATH
The mood backstage at the Supershow taping was somber, as you would expect. The formats for the show were thrown out, and both Raw and Smackdown were instead taped as tributes to Guerrero. Chris Benoit and Batista were noticeably upset by Eddie's death, but everyone at the show were feeling his loss as well. The issue was further compounded by the European tour, which most of the talent left for the next day. Several performers, including Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio and JBL, were excused from the first part of the tour so they could attend Guerrero's funeral.
WWE issued the following official statement the day after Guerrero's passing:
WWE Saddened By Death of Eddie Guerrero
Monday November 14, 11:40 am ET
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2005--WWE is deeply saddened by the news that Eddie Guerrero, age 38, has passed away. He was found dead yesterday morning in his hotel room in Minneapolis. Eddie is survived by his wife, Vickie, and his three daughters. No further details are known at this time. Guerrero, a fan favorite on WWE's UPN program Friday Night SmackDown, held several championships with WWE during his career, most notably becoming the first Mexican-American to become a WWE Champion, achieving that honor in February 2004. WWE extends its sympathies to the entire Guerrero family.
WWE.com has posted many audio, video and text tributes to Eddie Guerrero since his passing.
JBL: "THE WORLD LOST A GREAT MAN YESTERDAY"
John Bradshaw Layfield appeared on MSNBC on Monday afternoon to discuss Eddie Guerrero's tragic passing during "MSNBC News Live". JBL joined the show via satellite from New York.
- JBL started the segment by saying, "The world lost a great man yesterday, and WWE lose one of it's best and most passionate performers".
- JBL talked briefly about the history of the Guerrero family in wrestling, and noted that Eddie Guerrero was the reason that Smackdown was the number one non-Spanish speaking program among Hispanics in the nation.
- He praised Guerrero's ability, saying it was an honor to wrestle him. JBL talked about Guerrero's ability to "feel" what the crowd wanted, and his passion for wrestling. He then told a story of needing a police escort out of the building when he wrestled Eddie in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.
- JBL said that outside the ring, Guerrero differentiated himself from anyone he has ever met. JBL said that when he was going through a divorce a few years ago, Guerrero "sensed" something was wrong with him, and would talk to him and point out scriptures to him.
- Bradshaw said that when he first became a main event performer, a lot of people didn't believe he could cut it, and it was Eddie Guerrero who went to "the powers in WWE" and asked them to give him a chance. JBL said he main evented for a year and a half, mostly with Eddie Guerrero,. "I owe Eddie Guerrero my entire career".
- They talked about Eddie's past addictions, with JBL noting that he was addicted to alcohol and painkillers, and that he had just celebrated his fourth year of sobriety. JBL talked about how Guerrero got his life, finances and family back together, which added to the tragedy of his passing. He also noted that Guerrero had just purchased a home in Phoenix that he was planning to someday retire to, and that he had also moved his mother to Phoenix as well.
- It was noted that autopsy reports were still not available. JBL was asked if he thought drugs had anything to do with the death, and JBL said that he certainly hoped not, and there was no indication that there was at this point. JBL noted that Guerrero was found dead on the bathroom floor, and the death had to be instant, since Guerrero's toothbrush was still in his hand. JBL said the "best guess" is that he died of a massive heart attack, but there was no official word yet. JBL again pointed out how Guerrero had been clean and sober for four years.
- JBL ended the segment saying it was an "honor" to talk about his "friend Eddie".
The following was written on November 13, 2005, the day Eddie Guerrero passed away.
EDDIE GUERRERO: 1967-2005
Former WWE World champion Eddie Guerrero was supposed to be one of the "happy endings" of professional wrestling. He was supposed to be the star who overcame his demons and started a new life for himself. He was supposed to be the smaller wrestler who overcame his critics and ended up World champion. He was supposed to be remembered as one of the greatest wrestlers who ever stepped inside a ring.
Eddie Guerrero was found dead this morning in the bathroom of his Minneapolis hotel room, harking back to the frightful day when Brian Pillman was found in his St. Paul hotel room in October 1997. Although details are still coming in at this time, the entire wrestling industry as a whole is devastated as Guerrero was one of the most universally liked wrestlers in the entire business, having passed through every major company of the last decade at every position imaginable.
There are no happy endings today, not for Eddie's friends, his fans, or most importantly, his family. Not for a business that now has to bury another one of it's own. Eddie Guerrero was supposed to be the happy ending, but instead he's left behind a wife and three daughters, far too soon and far too young. There are no happy endings today, just unanswered questions, guilt, grief, and sadness for those closest to Guerrero. This is a sad day for the wrestling business, and PWInsider.com offers our deepest condolences to everyone who cared about Eddie Guerrero.
EDDIE: THE EARLY YEARS
Eduardo Guerrero was born on 10/9/67 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico into the famous Guerrero wrestling family. His father, Gory Guerrero, was a huge Lucha Libre star. Growing up in El Paso, Texas, Guerrero grew up with a wrestling ring in his backyard where he and his father, brothers, and uncle . It was the family business. His brothers Hector, Chavo & Mando all wrestled, as did Guerrero's nephew Chavo Jr.(current WWE star Kerwin White).
Guerrero made his official debut on 9/18/87, and was considered a good wrestler, although the knock on him was that he was too small. In a famous story, Terry Funk brought in Guerrero to a 1989 NWA TV taping to face with Guerrero working as an enhancement talent. Despite a great showing and a great match, he didn't get a job offer.
EDDIE & ART: LOS GRINGOS LOCOS
Guerrero finally caught on in Mexico, working . He and the late Art "Love Machine" Barr began teaming, soon becoming the top heel unit of AAA, which was a really hot company at the time with sellouts all over Mexico and some cities in the United States, alongside the late Louie Spicoli, and current TNA star Konnan. Machine and Guerrero, Los Gringos Locos, had a great feud with Octagon and El Hijo Del Santo, which culminated in a hair vs. masks tag match at the first and only AAA PPV, When World Collide, in Los Angeles on 11/6/94. The match was praised as being an awesome bout and the belief was Guerrero and Barr were going to become one of the great tag teams of the decade. There were plans for ECW to bring them in a month later and they had just completed their first New Japan Pro Wrestling tour prior to the AAA PPV. The sky was the limit.
Art Barr never wrestled again. On 11/23/94, Barr was found dead in his Oregon home, sleeping next to his young son. The cause of death was never discovered, but the feeling among many in the business was that it was substance abuse related.
Guerrero continued to work in New Japan, adopting the masked persona of Black Tiger, where he often worked against and with the likes of Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko, who became his best friends as the trio stuck together from that point on in their careers.
THE MALENKO-GUERRERO CLASSIC
Several months after the passing of Art Barr, Guerrero was finally brought into Extreme Championship Wrestling by Paul Heyman. Malenko and Benoit were already main eventers in the company. Debuting at The Three-Way Dance in April 1995, Guerrero defeated 2 Cold Scorpio for the ECW World Television championship in his debut. His background story was that he had come to America to become a singles star, living out his late partner Art Barr's dream. He was immediately accepted by the ECW fans and for the first time, was a star in the United States within an American company.
Guerrero was scheduled to face Sabu a week later at Hostile City Showdown, but when Sabu no showed the Three-Way Dance (at the time, ECW's most important show) he was fired. Paul Heyman substituted Dean Malenko in Sabu's spot, creating the legend of the Malenko-Guerrero Classic.
Malenko and Guerrero fought to a 30 minute time limit. Although there were some hecklers, the same ECW Arena audience that craved blood and mayhem gave the two athletes a standing ovation. The two traded the ECW TV title back and forth from April until August, putting together excellent matches and at one point, wrestling a three match series through three cities in two days. The rivalry became the stuff of ECW legend and is still remembered by ECW fans as some of the greatest wrestling they had ever seen presented.
In August 1995, Guerrero, Malenko, and Benoit all received and took offers to join World Championship Wrestling. In an era where stars were routinely buried on the way out, ECW did the exact opposite. Guerrero and Malenko had one last farewell match, a Best of Three Falls bout ending with a double pin draw. The crowd chanted and pleaded with each to "“Please Don't Go" and both wrestlers had to stop to regain their composure during the bout. When it was over, each man gave an emotional speech that ended. "You can say I sold out, you can say whatever you want. You paid for your ticket and you got that right. For the rest of you, I can tell you what an honor it's been to wrestle in this stadium and in front of each and every one of you, each and every week. I want you to know what I appreciate all of you, because without all of you people, this wouldn't exist."
After Malenko spoke (the first and only time he spoke on the mic in ECW, adding to the emotion of the evening), Guerrero took the mic and told his rival, “I just want you to know you are one of the best wrestlers I've ever encountered in the world. God bless you and your family"
The two hugged and several ECW wrestlers and officials came to the ring to embrace the pair. Guerrero gave a final salute to his old partner Art Barr before exiting the building with a circle of hugs and well wishes from the Philadelphia fans, many of whom were openly crying from the moment.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
Guerrero, Malenko, and Benoit were all brought in to add to the fledgling Cruiserweight division in World Championship Wrestling. Under Eric Bischoff, WCW was about to begin its Monday Nitro run on TNT, going opposite Raw on the USA Network. The Monday Night Wars had begun and Bischoff began assembling the best soldiers he could find to flesh out the undercard and provide fans with excellent wrestling underneath the star power of Hulk Hogan, Sting, Lex Luger, Randy Savage, and other prime names.
Guerrero worked and feuded with Rey Misterio Jr. for the Cruiserweight championship including an excellent bout at Halloween Havoc '96 that is still considered to be one of the best matches in either man's career. Guerrero got to work with other top flight workers including Chris Jericho, Ultimo Dragon, Rick Martel, his own nephew Chavo, Juventud Guerrera, Ric Flair and others. Guerrero and Malenko reprised their ECW feud as well, although it was never given a major focus from the company. During his run, Guerrero would hold the Cruiserweight and United States championship belts.
At the same time, Guerrero began having problems with substance abuse, leading to a New Year's Eve car wreck in 1999 that saw him expelled from the car. While his family and friends hoped the situation would make Guerrero realize his problems, Eddie would later comment on a UPN show dedicated to his career that it didn't make a dent. Lucky to be alive, Guerrero came back too soon from the accident and began taking pain pills to compensate. Six months later, Guerrero overdosed.
Despite having some of the best matches in the company and connecting with the fans, the WCW Cruisers were often overlooked for their importance in the WCW mix. Far too much credit went to the main eventers and no thought was given to shaking things up by moving the next generation of stars into the top to keep things fresh. Although many of those responsible would today blame the AOL/Time Warner merger for the death of WCW, the truth is that the company had been rotting away from the inside due to mismanagement and an abuse by its stars for a long time.
At the time, WCW tried to halt the bleeding by bringing in former WWF writers Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara. Their attempt to turn WCW into a clone of WWE's sports-entertainment flopped. Under the Russo regime, Guerrero would later become part of a unit called The Filthy Animals alongside Misterio, Konnan, and Billy Kidman. His personal issues continued.
The WCW management scene was an absolute mess and the product wasn'tmuch better, with PPV buyrates, ratings, and attendance all crashing. Every few weeks there was a new booker in charge. When Kevin Sullivan had his turn during a period where Russo was ousted, Guerrero, Benoit, and Malenko, among others were furious. There had been a long-time issue between Benoit and Sullivan after Sullivan booked the end of his own marriage when an on-camera pairing between Benoit and Nancy "Woman" Sullivan turned into real life with the Sullivans splitting and Nancy later marrying Benoit.
The feeling among Benoit and the others was that they'd never be able to trust Sullivan with their careers. Sullivan tried to prove them wrong by putting the WCW title on Benoit, but it was to no avail. Guerrero, Benoit, Malenko, Perry Saturn, Konnan, and Shane Douglas all requested and received released, although in the end, only four ended up jumping to the World Wrestling Federation. WCW would never recover. The heart and backbone of the company was gone in one fell swoop.
THE RADICALZ
On January 31, 2000, The Radicalz arrived in the World Wrestling Federation. Guerrero, Malenko, Benoit, and Saturn showed up expectedly sitting in the front row of a live episode of Raw. The buzz was huge as the heart of WCW had walked out of the company. They immediately ended up in a brawl with DX where it was revealed that their “old friend' Mick Foley had invited them to the show.
Unfortunately for Guerrero, he would suffer a dislocated elbow hitting a frog splash in his first WWF match, teaming with Saturn against the New Age Outlaws, throwing all plans out the window. Guerrero returned to the ring in March, and made his Wrestlemania debut in a loss to Too Cool and Rikishi while teaming alongside Malenko and Saturn.
Guerrero would eventually be paired up with DX's Chyna, with the idea that she had fallen for him due to his "Latino Heat" a moniker that would remain with him until the end of his career. Guerrero defeated Chris Jericho to win the WWF European championship in April 2000, the first WWF title of his career.
ROCK BOTTOM
Although Guerrero was wrestling against the likes of Steve Austin, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, and others, he was also dealing with his substance abuse problems. His wife had left him and taken their daughters and his professional life was about to join his personal life in a tailspin.
After arriving at a show, which as sad irony would have it, was in Minneapolis, in no condition to wrestle, Guerrero was sent home. He learned later that it was his own friends, Malenko and Benoit, that had stooged off his condition to WWF management in an attempt to help him. Malenko commented on the UPN Guerrero special that he did it because he “didn't want to be one of those wrestlers that gets to an arena and finds out that one of his best friends was found dead in his hotel room."
 Guerrero was sent to rehab to clean up, and spent time in then-WWF developmental territory HWA preparing for his return. He made his return to WWF's house show circuit but was quickly released after being arrested for DUI on November 9, 2001. Guerrero later claimed he was trying to prove that he wasn't an alcoholic by going to a bar for one drink, but by the time he was aware of where he was again, he was incarcerated.
After being released, Guerrero cleaned himself up and hit the independent scene. He returned to both Mexico and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Guerrero also worked for a number of high profile indy groups including IWA Mid-South, ICW, and the first several Ring of Honor events, working against such names as Low Ki, Crowbar, CM Punk, Rey Misterio Jr., and The SAT. His second and final ROH appearance was billed as a Å“Tribute to Guerrero" where he openly thanked all the indy promoters and wrestlers for accepting him and giving him a chance to rebuild his life.
RETURN TO WWE
Guerrero was promised by WWE management that if he cleaned himself up, he'd be brought back and they stayed good to his word. He was brought back and immediately given the Intercontinental championship with a win over Rob Van Dam. Guerrero was back in the thick of things, working with and against Chris Benoit, Steve Austin, Ric Flair, The Dudleys and other top names.
With the WWE brand extension, Guerrero and Benoit were moved to Smackdown. Guerrero and his nephew Chavo were put into a team, titled, “Los Guerreros", given the tag line and theme song “We Lie, We Cheat, We Steal." A series of vignettes getting the characters over were big hits with the duo feuding with Team Angle, Chris Benoit & Rhyno among others. An injury to Chavo saw Yoshihiro Tajiri put together with Eddie, with that duo capturing the WWE Tag Team championships.
When WWE decided to bring back the dormant United States championship, Guerrero won the tournament with a final victory over Chris Benoit at the 2003 Vengeance PPV. Guerrero defended the belt at that year's Summerslam against Benoit, Rhyno, and Tajiri at Summerslam 2003.
Chavo was turned heel on Guerrero, with the storyline being that he didn't believe that his uncle had been there for him. Chavo Guerrero Sr. was brought in for some time to manage his son and feud with Eddie as well.
In a surprising move, the decision was made to put the WWE championship on Guerrero leading into Wrestlemania XX, defeating Brock Lesnar in San Francisco, California. Guerrero faced Kurt Angle in a successful title defense at Mania XX in Madison Square Garden, although the most memorable Guerrero appearance at the show was Guerrero coming to the ring to congratulate his best friend Chris Benoit, who had just defeated Shawn Michaels and Triple H for the WWE World title to close the show. With confetti falling, both men, now champions on top of the company, cried and embraced. All that was missing was Dean Malenko, now an agent with WWE, who watched with pride from backstage.
The marketing machine got behind Guerrero, producing an excellent UPN special titled "Å“Cheating Death, Stealing Life", which highlighted not just Guerrero's career but his battle with substance abuse and his attempts to overcome it. Guerrero had reconciled with his wife and she discussed their marital problems on the special, which was later released on DVD.
The pressure of being champion got to Guerrero, who commented to those close to him that carrying the belt was harder then anything he had dealt with previously in the business, because everything falls on your shoulders, from the ratings, to the schedule, to the buyrates. After a several month reign, the belt was moved to John Bradshaw Layfield. Guerrero would later comment that JBL did a better job carrying the pressure then he did.
Guerrero continued his feud with Kurt Angle after losing the title, although a heel turn and last major feud was against Rey Mysterio with the storyline being that Mysterio had secretly adopted Guerrero's son Dominick years ago since he couldn't have children. In reality, Dominick was really Rey's son. Since the two had a major falling out, Guerrero wanted custody back as a way to wage psychological warfare on his old friend and partner. In the end, it was, Mysterio winning the feud, although Guerrero was marketed with a new T-shirt with "I'm Your Papi" emblazoned across the front. The soap opera storyline was a huge hit in the ratings, particularly among the Hispanis demographic.
In recent months, Guerrero had been involved in a storyline where he and WWE World champion Batista had been uneasy friends while competing for the title. Guerrero had tried to play his mind games with Batista only to be “one upped" by the champion, leading to what was supposed to be an unlikely partnership. In Guerrero's final PPV appearance, he lost to Batista at No Mercy with the storyline being that when he had a chance to cheat, he didn't. In his final match, Guerrero defeated Ken Kennedy in a Smackdown bout that was aired just this past Friday night. Guerrero was scheduled to challenge Batista for the World title in a Three-Way with Randy Orton at tonight's Smackdown taping - and win the belt.
As irony would have it, WWE was scheduled to release a Guerrero autobiography on 12/20. Eddie Guerrero was only 38 years old.
2006 - At the Wrestling Society X taping in Los Angeles, California, an angle was shot where Vampiro was attacked by a mysterious wrestler (Ricky Banderas) and had a fireball thrown in his face. The angle would end up causing problems with MTV, who felt the fireball shot was too graphic to show on television.
2007 - TNA taped Impact in Orlando, FL. Alex Hernandez filed the following results:
- Chris Sabin defeated Abyss and Brother Devon in a Triple Threat Match.
- Samoa Joe defeated Johnny Devine and Kip James in a Triple Threat Match.
- AJ Styles defeated Jay Lethal and Christian Cage in a Triple Threat Match.
- ODB defeated Velvet Sky (Talia Madison) and Angelina Love (Angel Williams) in a Triple Threat Match.
- Booker T came out to cut a promo, but was interrupted by Robert Roode, who issued a challenge for later tonight.
- Eric Young & Gail Kim defeated Jimmy Rave & Christy Hemme.
- James Storm and Eric Young had their second beer drinking contest. Eric won, but got laid out by Storm afterwards, who bloodied him.
- Team 3D defeated Sonjay Dutt & Jay Lethal in a Street Fight.
- Rhino defeated Rellik (although yesterday it sounded like Riddick, it was Rellik tonight).
- Booker T defeated Robert Roode. After the match, Christian attacked Booker T along with Roode, but Kaz made the save.
- Kaz, Abyss, Scott Steiner & Samoa Joe defeated AJ Styles, Tomko, Kurt Angle & Christian when Joe pinned Christian.
- In a match taped for Xplosion, Johnny Devine defeated Petey Williams.
- In a match taped for Xplosion, VKM & Roxxi defeated Chris Harris, Shark Boy & Angelina Love.
2007 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Buck Woodward filed the following TV report:
ECW on Sci Fi for November 13th opened with the Hardys making their entrance.
Matt & Jeff Hardy vs. MVP & Mr. Kennedy.
The crowd chanted for the Hardys at the start, and Matt started off against Kennedy. They locked up, and Matt broke clean in a corner. Kennedy grabbed a headlock, but Hardy shoved it off, and Kennedy hit a shoulderblock for a one count. Kennedy hit a kick to the leg, but Matt grabbed an arm wringer. Matt tagged Jeff and threw Kennedy into a Jeff shoulderblock. Jeff hit a slingshot kick for a two count. Jeff kicked Kennedy in a corner and hit some punches. Kennedy reversed a whip and sent Jeff hard into a corner. Kennedy tagged MVP, who hit some shots in a corner, then nailed Jeff with a clothesline for a two count. MVP kicked Jeff in the back, then tagged in Kennedy. Jeff ducked a double clothesline and dropkicked both men from the ring. Matt came in and Jeff launched himself off of Matt's back over the top rope and into both MVP and Kennedy.
Jeff rolled Kennedy back into the ring for a two count. Matt tagged in for a double back elbow and a fistdrop/somersault splash combo on Kennedy for a two count. Matt hit Kennedy with a clothesline, but Kennedy shoved off a bulldog attempt and hit a clothesline of his own. Matt hit a punch and tagged Jeff, who went for a suplex, but Kennedy blocked it with a knee to the gut. He tagged in MVP, who kicked Jeff in the gut. Jeff fought back with kicks and punches, but MVP leapfrogged Jeff, hit a drop toe hold, then delivered a running kick to the head, knocking Jeff to the floor. MVP went out after him, but Matt came down at ringside, and MVP backed off, apparently not wanting to upset his championship tag partner, as they went to break.
Back from commercial, MVP was working over Jeff Hardy with an abdominal stretch on the mat. MVP switched to a surfboard, then threw Jeff to the mat by the hair when he started to fight up. Kennedy tagged in and kicked Jeff's back, then applied his own abdominal stretch. Jeff escaped with a hiptoss. Jeff tagged Matt, who tripped as he entered the ring, but still hit Kennedy with right hands and a back elbow. Matt slammed Kennedy, then delivered a second rope elbow to the back of the head. Matt hit Kennedy with the Side Effect, but Kennedy kicked out at two. Jeff tagged in and Jeff hit Poetry In Motion on Kennedy. Jeff went for the Swanton, but Kennedy rolled out of the way and covered Jeff for a two count. MVP tagged in and slammed Jeff. MVP dropped an elbow for a two count, then delivered a kneedrop to the back.
MVP applied the abdominal stretch on the mat, but Jeff powered out of it and hit a side Russian legsweep. MVP hit Jeff with a forearm and tagged Kennedy, who hit Jeff with a legdrop for a two count. MVP tagged back in and Kennedy held Jeff for a MVP shot to the gut. MVP missed a running kick to the corner, getting hung up on the top rope. MVP then went to suplex Jeff, but Jeff blocked it and hit a gourdbuster. Jeff hit MVP with a clothesline, but MVP backdropped Jeff to the ring apron. Kennedy, standing on that side of the ring, grabbed Jeff by the hair and yanked him off the apron, down hard to the floor. MVP went to the outside and rolled Jeff into the ring, then got the pin on an unconscious Jeff at the 15 minute mark.
Winners: MVP & Kennedy.
Post-match, Matt and MVP were arguing, and Kennedy came in with a steel chair, looking to blast Matt from behind. MVP blocked the shot and took the chair from Kennedy. MVP yelled that Matt was "his partner" and that Kennedy was just going to be his partner for Sunday. Kennedy and MVP argued a bit, but MVP still brandished the chair, and Kennedy walked off. MVP pointed out to Hardy that he protected him "again" because they were partners. MVP said "sorry about your brother" and walked off. Matt helped Jeff up, and the Hardys left.
They recapped Jamie Noble laying out CM Punk on Smackdown this past Friday after Punk had fought off The Miz and John Morrison.
Matt Striker was in the ring, and noted that Big Daddy V was not present, most likely due to the flu. Striker said that was a good reminder for everyone to be inoculated. Striker said that Big Daddy V would be at the Survivor Series and would dominate all of his opponents. Kane's music hit, and he came to the ring. Striker said he was not dressed to wrestle, and that Kane's issue was with Big Daddy V, not him. Striker said if Kane hurts him, it will just further anger Big Daddy V. Striker asked Kane to "just walk away". Kane gave Striker a boo to the face, a side slam, and then a choke slam. Kane's pyro went off as he stood over Striker.
Michelle McCool and Kelly Kelly bounced down the hallway, as their match was next.
Michelle McCool & Kelly Kelly vs. Melina & Layla.
Michelle started off with Melina, trading reversals of an arm wringer. Melina elbowed out of a hammerlock, but Michelle hit a kick for a one count. Kelly tagged in and she and Michelle hit an ugly double suplex. Kelly pulled Melina out of a corner and went for a somersault cradle, but Melina kicked out. Melina threw Kelly down by the hair, then applied a headscissors and tagged in Layla. Layla threw Kelly down by the hair and kicked her hip. Layla choked Kelly on the middle rope, then tagged Melina. Melina put Kelly in a chinlock, but Kelly got out with a jawbreaker. Kelly went towards her corner, but Melina blocked it with a front facelock. Kelly hit a suplex, sort of, and tagged Michelle. Michelle hit Melina with a series of clotheslines and went for a cover. Layla came in and broke it up. Kelly speared Layla, sort of, and Layla rolled to the floor. Kelly kept Layla at bay on the floor. Melina missed a reverse bodyblock from the second rope on Michelle, and Michelle gave Melina a kick to the arm (yep, the arm) for the pin at the four minute mark.
Winners: Michelle McCool & Kelly Kelly.
The Miz joined Tazz and Joey Styles, and last week's "hat trick" by Miz during the John Morrison-CM Punk match was reviewed. Miz commented that he did that because he always "gets what he wants" and now he has gotten it, an ECW Title shot at Survivor Series.
The card for Survivor Series was reviewed.
ECW Champion CM Punk vs. Jamie Noble.
Miz noted he was scouting Punk for Survivor Series. As Noble made his entrance, the "Save Us... Break The Walls... Next Monday" viral video aired. The bell rang for Noble and Punk, but they were interrupted by John Morrison's music, who came out to ringside as they went to commercial.
Back from break, Noble had Punk in an arm wringer, but Punk rolled out of it. Morrison and Miz were now sitting next to each other with the announcers. Noble and Punk exchanged hold, with Noble grabbing a front facelock. Morrison said Miz pretty much argued and made fun of each other during the early moments of the match. Noble hit Punk with a chop, a headbutt and a punch. Punk came back with a chop and a dropkick to the back of the head for a one count. Punk hit a side backbreaker, but Noble came back with an elbow, then followed with a bodyslam and a legdrop. Noble went for a backdrop, but Punk grabbed him with a double underhook backbreaker for a two count. Punk rammed Noble into a corner but ran into a Noble knee. Noble came off the second rope with a kneedrop to Punk's arm as he held the top rope. Noble gave Punk a slam on his bad arm, then yanked on the limb. Noble put Punk in a hammerlock on the mat, then flipped over into a bridge. Noble hooked the other arm and pulled Punk into a backslide for a two count.
Noble dropped his weight on Punk's arm, and Punk fought back with punches and chops, but Noble dropped him with a cross armbreaker. Miz kept remarking how Morrison "lost to a hat" last week. Morrison kept bringing up that he beat Miz three weeks ago. Punk gave Noble a back suplex to escape an armlock, but Noble hit a shoulderblock and went to an armlock. Morrison admitted he lost to the hat, since he never would lose to CM Punk or the Miz. Then Morrison decided it wasn't the hat, he actually beat himself. Meanwhile, Punk rallied with a series of kicks and hit Noble with a powerslam for a two count. Punk hit the jumping knee in the corner, then delivered a bulldog. Punk went for a springboard clothesline, but Noble countered it by grabbing the arm and taking Punk to the mat with a Fujiwara armbar. Punk rolled through it and hit Noble with two kicks. Punk set up Noble for a top rope rana, but Noble rolled through it and got a two count. Punk rolled out and went for a GTS, but Noble floated over it and went for a Tiger Driver, but Punk reversed it and grabbed the GTS, this time hitting it for the win at the twelve minute mark.
Winner: CM Punk.
Miz and Morrison hit the ring. Miz gave Punk the Reality Check, then Morrison picked up Punk and gave him the somersault neckbreaker. Morrison and Miz stood over the downed Punk and began arguing with each other as the show ended.
2008 - Melina returned to the ring from a broken heel at a Florida Championship Wrestling TV taping, teaming with Tyler Reks against Alicia Fox and Jake Gabriel.
2008 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at Turning Point where the future of TNA was able to show why they have been buried by the veterans who have established themselves in Atlanta or Stamford. We see footage of Kurt Angle throwing himself all over the Impact Zone against Abyss.
We are in the office with Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley as Jeremy asks them about what happened at Turning Point. Jeremy talks about the morale in the locker room. Jarrett says that if you are in the business long enough, you will win and lose matches. It is all about getting back up after a setback. Mick says that he does not know if what they are saying will sink through and he suggests someone go out and talk to the locker room. Mick says that he was disappointed by what happened on Sunday. He talks about Alex Shelley’s attitude.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Power Putty’ Tenay and Don ‘Shamwow’ West.
Mick Foley comes to the ring to address the locker room and Impact Zone. We see footage from Turning Point while Mick makes his way into the ring. Mick says that many saw or heard about Sunday and it was not a stellar night for the TNA Originals. He wants some of them to come out to the ring so he can have a word with them. He calls out A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, the Motor City Machine Guns, Eric Young, Petey Williams, Jay Lethal, and Consequences Creed.
Mick says that he was embarrassed and humiliated earlier, but it was not by their performances. If it was about heart and desire, they would all be champions. The truth is that you don’t win a World Series with four strikeouts. You don’t win a Super Bowl with four interceptions. You don’t win respect with four losses at Turning Point.
Mick has an issue with Alex Shelley and his nose. Mick asks Alex about the way that he reacted to his loss on Sunday. Mick tells Alex to look at him. He says that Alex is a valuable piece of talent in TNA, but he is not invaluable. Mick says that he will deal with Alex next week.
Mick tells everyone that they need to know the power of words. Mick says that Nash wasn’t just talking when he said he was the smartest man in wrestling. Mick says that Joe beat up Nash, but Nash got the victory. Mick turns his attention to A.J. who let Sting inside his head. Mick says that it is a new day and it is time for some new opportunities. If they don’t learn from what happened, the Stamford and Atlanta Vets will continue to strike them out.
Mick announces that Eric Young will get his title match against Sheik Abdul Bashir for the X Division Title tonight. Mick tells A.J. that he is still one of the most talented wrestlers in the world. Mick says that he wrote in a book for another company that Joe was one of the biggest badasses in the business. A.J. and Joe will battle for the tag titles tonight. Mick wants to know if we should have a Heavyweight Title match tonight and he gives Jay Lethal a title match against Sting. Mick tells everyone to hit it out of the park when they step up to the plate.
We go TO THE PARKING LOT where Christian is met by Lauren who reminds us of what happened on Sunday night. Christian says that he has no choice tonight. Kurt stops by and welcomes Christian to the family. Tonight, he becomes one of the family. Kurt says that Christian will get a welcoming party that he has never seen before. Tonight, Christian becomes a made man. Steiner gives Christian his wardrobe for the night. They walk away, but Christian throws away the suit.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is IN THE BACK with ODB who is hunting a locker and she is building a set. She says that her new talk show debuts next week.
Match Number One: Awesome Kong and Rhaka Khan with Raisha Saeed versus Roxxi Laveaux and Taylor Wilde
Kong attacks Taylor on the ramp while Roxxi and Khan battle. Roxxi with forearms to Rhaka Khan while Kong Irish whips Taylor into the guardrails. Kong rolls Taylor into the ring and the match starts. Kong tosses Taylor across the ring and then chokes her in the bottom rope. Kong with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Khan is tagged in and she slams Taylor and follows it with a knee drop for a near fall. Khan chokes Taylor with her boot and then she hits a suplex for a near fall. Kong tags back in and she keeps Taylor from tagging in. Kong misses a charge and then Taylor with a Codebreaker to stop Kong. Roxxi is tagged in and she hits forearms on Kong. Roxxi climbs Kong and puts her in a sleeper but Khan with a kick. Taylor comes into the ring and she kicks Khan. Khan falls victim to a double clothesline by Roxxi and Taylor. They hit a double drop kick and then Roxxi with a wheelbarrow of Taylor onto Kong. They get rid of Khan. Khan tries to slam Taylor into the floor but Taylor avoids it. Back in the ring, Kong hits the Implant Buster on Roxxi for the three count.
Winners: Awesome Kong and Rhaka Khan
TO THE BACK where Lauren is with Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Alex says that with wins there are going to be loses. He sees them like a snake. You have a head and tail. At the head are A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe. Alex wonders how they got to be the head. Alex says that they can fight their own battles. Alex says that they are the toughest from Detroit and they should be at the front of the line. Sabin says that A.J. and Joe want to be at the head of the class, so they can take their lead and do things by any means necessary.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Traci Brooks. Saeed tells Traci that Kong wants competition and she is an animal that needs to be fed. Saeed tells Traci not to interrupt her. Saeed says that if Traci does not find a new opponent for Kong, she may take it out on vacation people who glorify that stupid mouse. Lauren asks Rhaka about why she turned on Taylor. Rhaka asks who wouldn’t want to be on the side of the beast.
Match Number Two: Eric Young versus Sheik Abdul Bashir for the X Division Title
Eric with a shoulder from the apron and he slides back in and follows that with a hip toss and punch. Eric with a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Bashir with a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles and then he stomps on Young’s face. Bashir rakes the eyes and then he punches Young for a near fall. Bashir with a body scissors. Eric gets out of the hold and he backs Bashir into the turnbuckles. Young with a running forearm and power slam for a near fall. Young with a discus clothesline followed by punches. The referee pulls Young off but Young pushes the referee out of the way. Bashir with a low kick and the referee refuses to make the three count because he sees Eric holding his lower groin. Bashir yells at the referee and pushes him down. The referee goes crazy and takes off his shirt and punches Bashir and slams him. The referee with a drop kick and Young with a Death Valley Driver for the three count.
Winner: Eric Young
After the match, the members of the locker room celebrate with Young while Earl Hebner stares down Shane Sewell. We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to highlights from the X Division Title match when Eric Young
Lauren is IN THE BACK and she congratulates Eric for winning his first singles title. Eric dedicates the win to Mick for opening their eyes. It was a dream six years ago and now it is a reality.
We return to the Impact Zone and Don and Mike run through the rest of the card.
It is time for a Rough Cut of LAX. Hernandez talks about how his family was against him playing football. He talks about how his football and power lifting background would be a good link to wrestling. He talks about working in Mexico and we see the mask he wore in Mexico. Hernandez talks about how Homicide is one of his mentors.
Jeremy Borash is in the adult’s locker room and he asks Kurt if the younger guys are on a roll. Kurt wonders who Eric beat because nobody in the Main Event Mafia lost. Petey Williams enters and Scott tells him that if they want to talk, they can do it in private.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Jay Lethal in the locker room and she talks over Jay Lethal’s comments. Lethal mentions the MegaPowers and he says that Men on a Mission are going down. He will shock the world again when he stings the Stinger. Petey wishes Jay luck tonight. He says that it is their time tonight. Lauren tells Petey to be careful when he talks to Scott Steiner tonight. Petey says that Scott is his boy.
Match Number Three: Scott Steiner with Kurt Angle versus Rhino
Kurt joins Don and Mike at the announce table.
Steiner with an arm drag and he poses. Steiner pushes Rhino but Rhino pushes back. They exchange punches and Rhino with a shoulder tackle. Steiner tries for a hip toss but Rhino blocks it and he chops Steiner. Steiner with a kick and an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Steiner chokes Rhino into the turnbuckles and he chops Rhino. Steiner with a clothesline followed by the flex elbow and push ups. Steiner slams Rhino’s head into the turnbuckles and then he chops Rhino. Steiner with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Steiner with a rake of the eyes and Rhino with a TKO. Rhino punches Steiner and hits a flying shoulder tackle. Rhino with a running shoulder into the corner followed by a belly-to-belly suplex. Rhino sets for the GORE and Kurt Angle leaves the announce table and he grabs Rhino’s foot. Steiner with an Exploder suplex for the three count.
Winner: Scott Steiner
TO THE BACK where Jeremy Borash is with Sting. Jeremy asks Sting about his title match against Jay Lethal. Sting says that he has heard it all before. It was Samoa Joe’s night at Bound for Glory and it was A.J.’s night at Turning Point. Once they see all of the losses, the fingers are going to be pointed. They don’t respect each other. That is the difference between men and boys, and the difference between them and the Men of Respect (A very underrated adaptation of MacBeth starring John Turturro)
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Sting versus Jay Lethal for the TNA Heavyweight Title
They lock up and Sting backs Lethal into the corner and he taps Lethal on the chest after a break but Lethal with punches as he is the aggressor. Lethal throws in a few chops and then hits a drop kick and punches. Lethal with a flying clothesline and he gets another near fall. Lethal goes up top for a double sledge for a near fall. Lethal punches Sting in the corner. Sting sends Lethal to the apron and then Lethal hits a springboard missile drop kick and then he hits a suicide dive onto Sting. Sting limps back into the ring and Lethal kicks Sting as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sting with an Irish whip and clothesline. Sting with a suplex to Lethal followed by a leaping fist drop to Lethal. Sting still favors his injured leg as Lethal goes to the floor. Sting goes out after him and he Irish whips Lethal into the guardrail.
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin come to the ring to give Lethal some support. Sting sends Lethal into the guardrails again and they return to the ring. Sting with a reverse chin lock. Sting with a forearm and he tries for a suplex, but Lethal lands on his feet. Lethal with clotheslines and running double sledges. Lethal with a hip toss followed by a cartwheel and drop kick for a near fall. Lethal punches Sting and he tries to Irish whip Sting, but Sting does not budge. Lethal and Sting collide and both men go down.
Shelley gets on the apron and Sabin holds Sting but Lethal refuses to cheat. Lethal throws Sabin out of the ring and Sting with a kick to the back of the leg followed by a Scorpion Death Drop for the three count.
Winner: Sting
After the match, Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles come to the ring and they tell Sabin and Shelley to get out of the ring. Consequences Creed, ODB, and X Division Champion Eric Young come to the ring and tell everyone to stop fighting.
From out of nowhere, the nominations for Video Game Awards are announced.
We are back and the Varsity Club II are attacking Petey Williams. Scott Steiner joins in and he hits Williams with a trash can. Steiner slams Williams’s head into a ladder. Steiner hits Williams and Williams goes to the ground (at least it looked that way but I don’t have an HD television). We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Petey Williams get beaten up again.
We return to the back and everyone is checking on Petey Williams who appears to have lost a lot of blood.
In case you didn’t see it the last few times, we see the beat down one more time.
Jeremy Borash is with James Storm and Robert Roode. Jeremy asks them about their title match against Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles. Roode asks who does Mick Foley think he is to order them around because they are the tag team champions. Because you are an executive shareholder, you cannot tell them what to do. Roode tells Foley to hit the road. Storm starts to sing. He tells A.J. and Joe to concentrate on them, not the soap opera they are dealing with.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see when TNA goes on the road.
We have a video package that features Jeff Jarrett.
Match Number Five: James Storm and Robert Roode with Jackie Moore versus Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles for the TNA Tag Team Titles
Styles and Storm start things off and Styles with a side head lock and Styles holds on tight. Storm with shoulders and a punch. Styles with a slam and knee drop. Joe tags in and so does Roode. Roode with a chop and punches. Joe with jabs to Roode followed by an Irish whip and running back elbow and enzuigiri in the corner. Joe with a chop to Roode and he tags in Styles. Joe and Styles with a double back elbow. Storm gets a double hip toss. Styles drop kicks Storm to the floor and Joe clotheslines Roode over the top rope to the floor.
Team 3D come to ringside to finally join Don and Mike at the announce table as we go to commercial.
We are back and Styles with a back breaker to Roode for a two count. Roode with a punch to Styles. Styles with an Irish whip and Styles is sent to the apron. Styles knocks Storm off the apron and then he tries for a springboard move but he lands on Roode’s knee. Storm tags back in and he punches Styles. Storm with a high knee to Styles and then he tags in Roode. Storm and Roode with a series of moves as they wear down Styles and get a near fall. Roode with a waist lock on Styles. Storm sees Team 3D and Ray and Devon have some words for them.
Styles lands on his feet and he tries to make the tag but Roode with a flapjack. Styles with an enzuigiri. Storm knocks Joe off the apron and then he throws Styles out of the ring. Roode attacks Styles and Storm gets a near fall. Storm with knees to the head and he tags in Roode. Storm and Roode with a double suplex and it is time to remind everyone their team name instead of finishing off Styles. Storm tags back in and he punches Styles in the ribs. Styles with a Pele kick and both men are down after getting out of the Eye of the Storm. Roode and Joe tag in and Joe with jabs to Storm and Roode. Joe with a Yakuza Kick to Storm followed by a Samoan Drop to Roode. Joe with a Dominator to Roode. Styles with a pescado onto Storm on the floor. Joe with a power slam for a two count. Roode with a rake of the eyes and he punches Joe. Roode with an elbow but Joe with an enzuigiri to Roode on the turnbuckles. Storm breaks up the move. Team 3D come to the ring and Ray spits beer in Storm’s face but the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles By Disqualification
Team 3D attack Storm and Roode. Styles and Joe argue with Team 3D.
TO THE BACK where Christian Cage is walking into the Manson Family of Wrestling. We go to commercial.
We are back and Angelina Love says that they admire Sarah Palin. Angelina comments on the amount of money was spent on her wardrobe. If anyone spends that much money on a new wardrobe, they deserve a position with them. Velvet offers to make a donation of $50,000 to Sarah’s favorite charity.
It is time for the Initiation Ceremony of the Century of this week. Kurt Angle, Booker T with Sharmell, Scott Steiner, and Kevin Nash come to the ring to welcome Christian into the group. Sting is conspicuous in his absence.
Kurt wants Christian to come out for his welcoming into Los Hombres En Suits. Christian is taking his time to come to the ring. They want to know where the suit is. Kurt tells Christian that rule number one is that if they give you a suit you wear it. Kurt says that he has had problems with Christian in the past, but they are here to welcome him into their family. Kurt says that family is helping your brothers and sister out no matter what the consequences are even if they are wrong. It is about having a bond tighter than any that you have had before, even stronger than your wife. Family is commitment. Commitment is Scott Steiner coming back from a career ending knee injury to become the Hit Man. Commitment is Booker T and Kevin Nash getting lucrative offers from other wrestling companies and refusing them to stay in TNA. Kurt says that he was a bit worried about Christian’s commitment. Kurt says that Christian refused negotiations with TNA and when his contract expires in a few weeks, he is going to jump ship to the WWE. Kurt comments on some of the things that Christian said. Kurt asks Booker and Nash about their lucrative offers from the WWE. Kurt says that when it comes down to it, you are in the ring for a reason. This isn’t a welcoming party, it is a going away party. Angle says that the punks in the back won’t help him. Kurt says that he will get an ass kicking.
Christian punches Angle, Booker, Nash, and Steiner; but eventually the numbers game takes over and it is four-on-one. Steiner puts Christian on the top turnbuckle and Steiner with a superplex. Booker with an axe kick to Christian. Nash with a jackknife power bomb to Christian. Angle with the Olympic Slam and security stands around the ring watching. The jackets go back on and we go to credits.
2009 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Sheffield, United Kingdom and your announcers are Todd ‘Kane Hodder was my favorite Jason’ Grisham and Matt ‘Remember that Mrs. Voorhees was the murderer in the first Friday the 13th’ Striker.
We see highlights from last week’s match between CM Punk and R Truth when Punk yelled at referee Scott Armstrong to count faster and then Scott obliged.
CM Punk is on the mic and he points out what has become of the mighty United Kingdom. It was full of noble people and they ruled half the planet, but now they are as sad and pathetic as the Americans. Punk talks about how they go to the pubs and down their pints of ale while poisoning themselves with their trendy cigarettes and cigars. He talks about the nasty habit of chewing tobacco. He calls everyone weak minded and says that their spirits are broken. Punk says the only thing they can do is boo and wave a crooked finger at him. Punk says that they need someone as righteous as himself to preach the proper way to life. Everyone should aspire to be as great as he is. Punk says that he knows that he is better than everyone because his mind is clear and his body is free of poisons. Punk says that his spirit comes from within and he does not need a crutch or a crooked referee like Scott Armstrong to deal with. Punk says that he will beat R Truth tonight, just like he will beat him at Survivor Series. Punk says that because he is the choice of a new generation, he will answer R Truth’s question of ‘What’s up’ and it is straight edge.
After Truth raps, he says that Punk can file a complaint about last week’s match, but he wants to file a complaint against Punk for impersonating a man. Truth says that he came out to add a little flavor and excitement and to shut Punk up. Truth says that the people paid to see action, not to hear Punk preach. Truth calls CM Punk a ‘punk’.
Match Number One: CM Punk versus R Truth
Punk pushes Truth but Truth with punches to Punk as he backs him into the corner. The referee pulls Truth out of the corner and then Truth sends Punk into the turnbuckles and he follows it with a punch. Punk catches Truth on the float over in the corner but Truth holds on to the ropes to avoid the Go to Sleep. Truth with a leg lariat for a near fall. Punk with a kick and Truth holds on to the ropes and Punk charges at Truth and Truth sends Punk over the top rope to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Truth has Punk in an arm bar but Punk backs Truth into the corner. Punk with shoulders in the corner followed by an Irish whip. Truth kicks Punk as he charges into the corner. Truth goes up top but Punk with a kick that sends Truth to the mat and Truth holds his knee. Punk stomps on the knee and he drops a knee to the leg and then he has Truth in a modified figure four. Punk with a kick to the injured leg and then he clips Truth. Truth with a jawbreaker but Punk with a drop toe hold and then he continues to work on the knee and puts Truth in a Mutoh Lock. Truth punches his way out of the hold and Punk goes to the apron. Punk tries for a springboard move but Truth with a desperation drop kick to stop Punk. Truth tries to get to his feet and he punches Punk. Punk goes for the knee again but Truth with a knee and a clothesline for a near fall. Truth with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Truth misses the scissors kick and Punk with a kick and he signals that it is time for Truth to go to sleep. Truth gets off Punk’s shoulders and tries for a sunset flip but Punk drops down and grabs the ropes for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
Mickie James is walking in the back and she gets stopped by Layla. Layla tells Mickie that she should have taken their advice and left. Mickie calls Layla ‘Scary Spice’. Mickie goes to the ring and Layla tells Mickie that they warned her.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Mickie James versus Natalya
The ladies have some words before they lock up and Natalya with a take down and then she slaps Mickie before talking some more trash. Natalya works on the wrist but Mickie escapes and connects with forearms. Mickie with a snap mare and drop kick as Natalya quickly goes to the floor. Mickie slides out and Natalya sends Mickie into the ring steps. They return to the ring and Natalya gets a near fall. Natalya picks Mickie up by the hair before sending her back to the mat. Natalya with a surfboard and then she drops Mickie to the mat when the referee starts to make the count on Natalya. Natalya pulls Mickie out of the corner but Mickie lands on her feet and connects with forearms but Natalya responds with forearms of her own. Mickie with a rana and clotheslines. Mickie with a flying forearm but Natalya with an elbow and then she sends Mickie to the floor. Mickie goes up top and Natalya tries to stop her. Mickie with a Thesz Press while Michelle McCool and Layla walk to the ring with Mickie’s clothes and Michelle has scissors and starts to tailor her attire. Natalya with a clothesline to the back of the head and then Natalya applies a Sharpshooter and Mickie taps.
Winner: Natalya
After the match, Layla and Michelle continue to destroy Mickie’s clothing.
We see footage from last week for the onsale date of Wrestlemania 26 Tickets.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh Mathews is in the interview area with John Morrison. Josh asks John about his match against Dolph Ziggler and he asks him how he feels. John says that he feels some pressure and he has some butterflies in his stomach. John says that he feels like anyone else who faces a tough challenge. John says that Dolph cannot handle the pressure and he will be nervous and second guess himself. Morrison says that he thrives on the pressure. Morrison says that Dolph will be looking up at John Morrison standing above him as the Intercontinental Champion.
We see the progression of the feud between Drew McIntyre and Finlay over the last few weeks.
Before the match, McIntyre gets on the mic and he says that two weeks ago, he didn’t let Finlay in the ring because he wasn’t worthy. He says that Finlay still isn’t worthy, but he has a change of heart. Since Finlay loves to fight and since he intends to make a statement, he wonders how much Finlay will love to fight him.
Match Number Three: Drew McIntyre versus Finlay
Finlay with an elbow and clothesline followed by an uppercut. Finlay with forearms across the chest. Finlay with a kick but McIntyre with a boot that sends Finlay to the floor. Finlay goes outside and he hits a short arm clothesline on the floor. They return to the ring and McIntyre kicks Finlay and then stomps on Finlay’s arm before going for a key lock. Finlay with punches to get out of the hold and McIntyre goes over the top rope to the floor. Finlay follows and sends Finlay into the barrier. They return to the ring and McIntyre with punches on Finlay and the referee pulls McIntyre off. Finlay punches back and both men go back and forth. The referee calls for the bell and Finlay goes for the shillelagh but McIntyre with a boot to the head.
Double Disqualification
After the match, McIntyre hits Finlay with the shillelagh.
McIntyre starts to go to the back but he returns to the ring and he picks up the shillelagh again and he hits Finlay in the chest. McIntyre leaves the ring and goes to the back.
The medical staff checks on Finlay and they help him up.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt Striker is in the ring with the official contract signing table and chairs. He mentions the match between Rey Mysterio and Batista.
Rey Mysterio comes out first, followed by Batista.
Rey sits at the table first and Batista finally does the same. Rey wants to get the contract signing over with and not talk about things. Batista signs first and then Rey signs the contract.
Batista tells Rey that he has something else. Batista has a hold harmless agreement so Batista cannot legally be responsible for what he does to Rey. Nobody can sue him for what is going to happen at Survivor Series. Batista gives it to Rey and Rey looks it over. Rey says that he is not going to sign it. Batista tells Rey to sign it and he slams his sunglasses on the table. Batista calls Rey a little coward hiding behind his goofy mask. Batista says that Rey was supposed to be his friend, but he cost Batista the World Title. Batista says that if Rey does not sign, he will embarrass Rey in front of everyone and snap Rey’s neck like a twig.
Rey says that he will sign the hold harmless agreement. He says that Batista is trying to bully and intimidate him. Rey says that it will be Batista who will be embarrassed at Survivor Series. Rey pushes the table onto Batista and Rey leaves the ring. Batista attacks the two chairs after what Rey did to him.
Dolph Ziggler and John Morrison are walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with the Smack of the Night: Dolph Ziggler’s victory over John Morrison two weeks ago to set up tonight’s title match.
Match Number Four: Dolph Ziggler versus John Morrison for the Intercontinental Title
Morrison goes for the leg but Ziggler with a punch. Ziggler goes to the apron and Morrison is held back by the referee. Ziggler with a forearm and kicks followed by a punch to Morrison. Morrison with a rollup and punches. Morrison with a flapjack followed by a pommel horse leg drop. Morrison with a knee into the corner and then Morrison goes up top but Ziggler clips the leg and Morrison is on the top turnbuckle. Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall. Ziggler with a kick and a gutbuster for a near fall as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with a waist lock and he bridges to add extra pressure. Morrison with elbows and punches but Ziggler with a punch of his own. Morrison with more punches and an Irish whip. Morrison charges into the corner and Morrison goes into the turnbuckles when Ziggler moves out of the way. Ziggler with a snap mare and a leap frog neck snap for a near fall. Ziggler with a kick to Morrison and Morrison falls to the mat. Ziggler with elbows to the midsection and then he finishes it off with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a body scissors as Ziggler continues to work on Morrison’s midsection. Morrison with elbows to Ziggler but Ziggler with a slam and a near fall. Ziggler with a kick to the head and he has some words for Morrison but Morrison with punches. Morrison and Ziggler with the boo/yay exchange. Morrison gets out of a belly-to-back suplex and hits a clothesline and drop kick. Morrison gets a near fall. Ziggler with a version of an X Factor as he counters the flip neck breaker. Ziggler with punches to the back of the head. Morrison with a pele kick for a near fall. Morrison sets for a split legged moonsault but Ziggler moves. Ziggler gets a near fall but the referee sees Ziggler using the ropes. Morrison with a springboard spin kick as Ziggler argues with the referee but Morrison can only get a two count. Ziggler punches Morrison and sends Morrison into the turnbuckle. Ziggler goes to the turnbuckles and he punches Morrison. Both men go up top and Morrison punches Ziggler and both men go to the floor but Morrison lands face first on top of the ringside barrier. The referee makes the ten count.
Double Count Out
Match Number Five: Beth Phoenix versus Lisa Taylor
Taylor tries for a rollup but Beth stays up and connects with an elbow and a series of forearms. Beth with a shoulder breaker and then she runs Lisa into the turnbuckles and puts her in the tree of woe. Beth with an inverted Tower of London followed by the Glam Slam for the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
Chris Jericho is taping his knee in the locker room and Josh Mathews wants to ask Chris about his match with Undertaker. Jericho asks Josh if he believes that Taker is a ‘dead man’. Jericho says that Taker is just a man. He is like Jericho. For ten years, people have wanted to see Jericho and Undertaker in the ring together. Jericho says that Taker can be beat and he will be beat. Jericho is not just a man, he is the best in the world at what he does. A dead man will not stop him tonight. Neither a dead man nor a giant will stop him at Survivor Series from walking out with the World Title.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Undertaker versus Chris Jericho
Taker misses a punch and Jericho with punches to Taker. Taker sends Jericho into the corner and he punches and kicks Jericho. Taker sends Jericho into the turnbuckles but Jericho with a kick and Taker clotheslines Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Taker rolls Jericho back to the ring and he punches Jericho on the apron. Taker with the vintage leg drop from the apron. Taker works on the arm and drops a leg on the arm for a near fall. Taker with a kick to the leg as he sets for Old School. Jericho goes to the second turnbuckle and he hits an arm drag that sends Taker to the mat. We go to commercial.
We are back Jericho punches Taker in the head. Jericho punches and kicks Taker in the corner and then he chokes Taker with his boot. Taker with an elbow followed by an Irish whip but Taker charges into a boot. Jericho with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Jericho with a knee and kick that sends Taker to the floor. Jericho with an elbow off the apron and then he Irish whips Taker into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Jericho chokes Taker in the ropes. Taker punches Jericho but Jericho punches back. Jericho punches Taker and Taker staggers around the ring. Jericho with a kick to Taker.
Jericho punches Taker but Taker with a punch as he comes off the ropes. Taker and Jericho with the boo/yay exchange. Taker with a head butt to Jericho followed by a punch and Irish whip. Taker with the splash into the corner. Taker with Snake Eyes but Jericho hits a drop kick before Taker can hit his big boot. Jericho punches Taker but Taker grabs Jericho by the throat. Jericho with elbows but he runs into an elbow from Taker. Taker misses a boot into the corner. Jericho punches Taker in the corner but you don’t punch Taker in the corner because that means Last Ride, but Jericho escapes the hold and hits the Codebreaker but Taker kicks out at two. Jericho mocks Taker with a throat slash and Jericho tries for a tombstone but he cannot get Taker up. Taker sets for a tombstone but Jericho escapes the hold and clips Taker. Jericho with a Lionsault but Taker sits up and he grabs Jericho by the throat. Jericho counters with a rollup and he tries for the Walls of Jericho and he applies it. Taker counters with Hell’s Gate and Jericho taps.
Winner: Undertaker
After the match, Big Show’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Show distracts Taker for an attack by Jericho but Taker grabs Jericho by the throat. Show trips Taker and then Show and Jericho attack Taker until Show hits a choke slam and leg drop. Jericho puts Taker in the Walls of Jericho and Show applies the Colossal Clutch until Kane’s music plays. Show leaves the ring and Kane gives Jericho a big boot.
Vince McMahon is in the back and he has Teddy on the phone and he tells him that next week Kane and Undertaker will face Jericho and Big Show. Vince asks Teddy if he has the ‘symptoms’. Vince says that he will see Teddy next week. Vince reminds Teddy that he is on probation as we go to credits.
2011 - CHIKARA held their first-ever iPPV, "High Noon" in Philadelphia, PA at the ECW Arena. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of the very first CHIKARA Internet PPV "High Noon!"
I am watching the iPPV via my Roku box, which is a pretty awesome new technology gimmick that lets you stream "channels" on your TV. It you subscribe to any streaming services such as Hulu or Netflix, this is a great device to have them all in one place and there's lots of other content to explore. For more on this wonderful device, click here. So, this will be a new experience for me as I've never watched an iPPV this way before.
In a pre-iPPV bout that aired via UStream, Jigsaw pinned El Generico with a double stomp off the ropes. I think Generico's ROH deal would prevent him from working the iPPV.
Ronnie Lang's Atlas Security are in the house, as you can see Lang in the first live shot from the Arena. The lights went black in the venue and the fans began clapping.
Gavin Loudspeaker, the rock and roll ring announcer, came to the ring and welcomed fans and reminded everyone that it's family friendly entertainment and pro wrestling at its best. He specifically welcomed all the "first time fans." He said that the clock has struck high noon.
An introduction video for CHIKARA's High Noon Internet PPV began playing. They listed the cast in "alphabetical order"
The Young Bucks vs. Fire Ant & Soldier Ant.
The Young Bucks came out with, I kid you not, Marty Jannetty.
TThe stream died and returned while they were in the ring wrestling. Fire Ant scored a two count on Matt Jackson. Matt slipped out of an attempted move but was kicked in the head. The Ants went for a double team move but Nick Jackson superkicked Fire Ant. Matt Jackson nailed a series of powerbombs on Fire. Nick nailed a knee to the face. The Jacksons nailed a spike tombstone piledriver but Soldier made the save.
The Bucks nailed a double superkick on Soldier. Matt picked up both Ants on his back and the Bucks went for a Double Bang for Your Buck. The Ants escaped and rolled up Matt Jackson for the pin.
Your winners, The Colony!/p>
What I saw looked good but there were stream issues that caused the Bucks' entrance to repeat several times, at least on the Roku feed.
They went into a CHIKARA app commercial.
Sara Del Rey vs. Jacob Hammermeier
Jacob, who is German and is a heel mouthpiece for one of the groups here, BDK, introduced himself. He then went to the back and re-entered the building. That was pretty funny. A fan threw a streamed for Del Rey, which incensed Jacob and he threw it back. The crowd chanted, "Sara's gonna kill you." They then chanted Happy Birthday at Del Rey.
Del Rey grabbed a side chinlock and then worked him into a hammerlock. The announcers explained that Del Rey was part of the group and broke off. She locked him in a cravate and the crowd chanted for a tap. Jacob escaped and shoved her but he was soon eating a series of kicks. He ran to the ropes to break the momentum. While he was in between the ropes, Del Rey drilled him with ten kicks to the chest. The crowd chanted, "We love wrestling."
Jacob gained the upper hand, choking Del Rey. He played to the camera and turned into a chop. Del Rey worked him over in the corner and drilled him with a headbutt. She grabbed him by the hair and snapped Jacob across the ring. Del Rey went for a Fireman's Carry but Jacob raked her face. He used his tie to choke her down. He had it taken away but pulled a second tie out of his tights and choked her in the corner.
Jacob went for a chop but Sara grabbed her hand and started bending fingers to break them. She whipped him into the corner and cannonballed him. Del Rey drilled him with several boots and nailed a kick to the head. Del Rey nailed a German suplex and an axe kick to the back of the head for a two count.
Jacob tried to steal one, grabbing a backslide for a two count. Del Rey fought back and locked him in the Royal Butterfly, then suplexed him down on his head, scoring the pin.
Your winner, Sara Del Rey!
The crowd chanted Sara's name after the bout. Entertaining in the way it was devised to be and a nice introduction for Rey to new viewers to the product.
A promo ran featuring football footage. A graphic reading "Mr. Football" is coming. Must be a new character.
The Osyrian Portal were introduced. The announcers noted the injuries that they have suffered in recent months. Amasis, who was in a bad car accident this past April, said that ovations like they received is why CHIKARA fans are the best in the world. He said that's why he came to announce that he won't be returning to the ring. He said that all it would take is the one moment where he'd end up in a wheelchair and while he loves wrestling, he can't have that and he can't let the fans see him in what way. He said that he wanted to reflect on what they accomplished and ran down some of their highlights. He said they were the best tag team in the world.
He said there are a lot of emotions in the Arena, so he asked that they do what they do best. He said that when it comes down to it, the Osyrian Portal are always ready. They began clapping and dancing in the ring. As they danced, Ophidian spit something in Amasis' eyes. He jumped on Amasis, leading to all the CHIKARA officials hitting the ring to back him off. Ophydian jumped on Amasis and locked him in a Camel Clutch. All the officials pulled him off and backed him into a corner, forcing him out of the ring. Amasis walked around ringside, stalking. He ran back in and attacked his former partner, unmasking him. In the world of CHIKARA, that's a big heel move.
Ophydian began walking to the back. He took the mic and said, "Amasis, Problem solved." He left with the mask.
Good angle, although I am guessing that to anyone who was watching it for the first time, they were wondering why it was a big deal. They may have wanted to run a video feature on the team to set the stage, although you don't want to waste too much time with such stuff.
Tursas vs. Green Ant
TTursas is a giant masked Viking. Ant has been pursuing him for months and at one point, did a Lex Express inspired tour while building to slamming Tursas that was actually endorsed by Lex Luger.
Green dropkicked Tursas at the bell and began working to try and take him down. Tursas fought him off easily and bodyslammed Green Ant. Ant ducked several clotheslines and almost ran into heel referee Derek Sabato. Tursas charged Ant but took out the Sabato, laying him out./p>
Another referee hit the ring just as Green Ant covered Tursas, getting a two count. The other members of the Colony came out and carried out Sabato. The crowd sang, "Hey Hey Goodbye." Tursas charged Green Ant, who was on the top but was caught. Green Ant tried to lock on some sort of submission but Tursas walked around the ring and fell backwards, squashing the bug.
Tursas scored several two counts. Tursas missed a charge in the corner. Ant nailed a dropkick. He charged Tursas but was kicked off. Tursas backdropped Ant. Tursas stepped on Ant's neck. He picked up Ant for a slam, Tursas continued working over Ant, nailing a dropkick, which was impressive for a guy his size. The crowd began chanting "USA."
Tursas slammed Ant down and covered him for a two count. Tursas began trash talking Ant and slammed him. He called for the top rope and went up for a moonsault. Ant slipped from behind and nailed a Fall Away Slam off the ropes. That was pretty impressive looking visually.
Ant used a drop toehold into the ropes on Tursas and drilled him with a leg to the head. Tursas was shoved to the floor. Ant went for a dive off the top but was caught. Tursas tried to toss him backwards back into the ring but Ant landed on his feet. He drilled Tursas with a kick and a high knee off the apron, stunning the giant. Ant slammed him on the floor. Ant went to the top rope and nailed a big splash to the floor, which was a play off a previous spot in their feud.
Back in the ring, Tursas was caught with several shots to their mid-section. Ant staggered him with several forearms. Ant rebounds off the ropes but is caught with a high cross bodyblock. Tursas went for the High Cross and nailed it for a two count. Ant got up at the last second. The crowd chanted for Ant. Tursas went to the top but Ant met him and battled him on the top. He tried to go for a superplex but Tursas fought him off. Ant nailed him with his "surgically repaired arm" (Luger reference) and superplexed Tursas into the ring.
Green Ant covered Tursas but only received a two count. Ant went for a Texas Cloverleaf and finally locked it in. Tursas was kicked several times. Ant locked in a new submission - the story was that Ant learned a new submission hold from submission master Mike Quackenbush during the build to this show - and Tursas finally tapped out.
Your winner, Green Ant!
An entertaining good vs. evil story.
We are at intermission.
During intermission, they aired video features on the main eventers and the CHIKARA product. They were good primers for new fans. So far, CHIKARA has done a really good job of presenting a fun, professional product.
Colt Cabana vs. Archibald Peck
Peck was accompanied by his valet Veronica and a mascot, Colt CaBunny. Peck used the bunny as a stepping stool to get into the ring. They actually plugged Cabana's podcast during his ring introduction. That has to be a first.
Peck charged Cabana as he was taking his jacket off and Colt used it like a matador. Peck missed him and ended up falling from the ring. The crowd clapped for Cabana. Peck pouted in the ring. Peck charged and Cabana yelled at him to stop, then grabbed him in a headlock takeover. Peck turned it into a head scissors. So far, it's all shenanigans. They continued with the silliness, which was fun and a great way to get the crowd back into the show.
Cabana rolled Peck up and then used a schoolboy to cover two counts. Cabana whipped Peck into the corner but was caught and snapped backwards to the mat. Peck nailed a flying shoulderblock for a two count. Cabana tried to mount a comeback but was caught with a rolling neckbreaker for a two count. Peck nailed several elbows to Cabana's neck and head. Cabana started to get upset.
Cabana nailed several elbows and whipped Peck into the corner. Peck kicked Cabana. He choked him against the ropes. He ordered the bunny to attack Colt but the bunny was hesitant. Peck charged Cabana, who moved from the ropes and Peck bounced off. Peck nailed Cabana and locked in a side chinlock. Cabana was able to work his way out but was locked in a sleeper. Cabana immediately dropped down like he was out cold. Peck was confused and hesitant to go after Cabana.
Peck went to the top for a flying headbutt but Cabana sat up while Peck was in mid-air. He started cleaning house on Peck. Cabana drilled him with a bionic elbow. He missed the flying butthole in the corner. Peck went for one of his own but was caught with the Coco Butt in the middle of the ring. Cabana went to the top but was caught and slammed off.
Peck went back to the top and this time nailed the flying headbutt. He covered Cabana for a two count but Cabana kicked out at the last second. Peck held Cabana for Colt CaBunny to nail him. Cabana escaped but was nailed by Peck. Meanwhile, Veronica distracted the referee and tossed a baton to Peck. Colt nailed him. The Bunny ended up with the baton. He was trying to decide who to nail. The crowd cheered for the idea of Peck being hit. In the end, the Bunny stood up for himself and nailed Peck. Cabana got the pin.
Your winner, Colt Cabana!
As they say on South Park, I call Shenanigans! But, it was totally fun and goofy, which is what you'd want in a match where the story is whether the mascot of an evil band leader can stand up for himself.
Cabana and the Bunny hugged and Cabana taught the bunny to dance.
They plugged the JoshiMania weekend in December where a number of Japanese female stars are coming in.
Gregory Iron vs. Icarus
Icarus attacked Iron who ducked it and clotheslined Icarus. The announcers talked about Iron appearing on Fox and Friends this morning. Iron controlled Icarus early with hiptossed and monkey flips. He nailed a dropkick and covered Icarus. Iron's timing is really good considering he's got cerebral palsy. This is my first chance to see Iron and I'm really impressed.
Icarus walked to the back but was grabbed and brought back to the ring. Icarus cut him off and worked over Iron. He beat down Iron and choked him against the ropes. Icarus jumped out of the ring over Iron then beat him with punches. He choked him against the ropes again. Fans began chanting, "Worst in the world" at Icarus.
Icarus went for a suplex, nailed it and floated over. He went for a second one but Iron fought him off and nailed a bulldog. Iron was caught with an elbow to the face. Icarus dropped another elbow for a two count. Icarus locked in a kneebar and yanked on Iron's leg. Iron was able to DDT Icarus.
Both men fought to their feet and battled back and forth with strikes. Iron caught him with a back elbow off the ropes for a two count. They battled to the outside. Iron was whipped into the ring steps. Icarus grabbed a steel chair. What a great way to get heat - hit the handicapped guy with a chair! Icarus was stopped by the referee but slammed a loaded fanny pack into the head of Iron's head.
Icarus returned to the ring and sat in the corner, believing he had the match won. The crowd clapped and rallied Iron, who began to stir outside on the floor. Iron finally returns to the ring. Icarus piledrove him down with a Pedigree but Iron kicked out . Icarus picked up Iron on his shoulders but Iron slipped out and worked him over with a flurry of forearm shots that brought the crowd to life.
He nailed a big clothesline on Icarus and covered him for a two count. Iron locked in a crossface. Icarus was able to roll his body over to break it. Icarus grabbed the referee to block low blowing Iron with a kick. Icarus used his Picture Perfect DDT and scored the pin.
Your winner, Icarus!
Icarus grabbed a belt and lashed down at Iron. Behind him, his former partner Akuma appeared. He went to nail a flying kick but Icarus ducked and Akuma nailed Iron. Icarus escaped. Akuma was beside himself for nailing Iron.
Watching Iron work is damn friggin' inspiring.
A video ran plugging https://twitter.com/#!/MYSTERIUMP.
The Spectral Envoy, Ultramantis Black and Hallowicked vs. Ares & Tim Donst - No DQ.
If Black or Wicked lose, they will be unmasked. If Donst loses, he will be shaved bald. If Ares loses, he will lose his Eye of Tyr, an artifact that Ares stole from Black and uses to control Delirious. Yes, the storylines are unique here.
The Envoy worked over Ares early. Hallowicked nailed a high knee in the corner. Mantis and Wicked continued to work on him. They nailed a Sidewinder on Ares. Jigsaw nailed a dive to the outside on Ares. Donst cut off Hallowicked . Ares and Donst worked over Wicked, tying him up in the ropes and twisting him backward, bending the spine. Mantis tried to return to the fray but was knocked back to the floor.
Donst nailed several suplexes and slammed Ultramantis down. Area went to the top and nailed a swanton for a two count. It broke down with all four brawling around ringside, which was legal since it was no DQ. Donst slammed Mantis into a ringside table. They brawled into the crowd. Ronnie Lang from Atlas was seen looming about to keep the fans away. Hallowicked and Mantis were slammed on ringside chairs. Donst brought several chairs into the ringside area. Donst then tried to go for a death valley driver onto the chairs but Hallowicked elbowed his way out of it.
Area slammed Ultramantis Black on the ringsteps and teased a Tiger Driver on the steps. Donst nailed Hallowicked with a chair. Area went for the move but Mantis backdropped him off the steps and through the chairs Donst had set up. The crowd chanted, I kid you not, "Holy poop."
Donst was put through a chair. Jacob Hammermeier attacked Mantis but Crossbones, an old ally of Mantis arrived to make the save. The crowd popped huge for that. Donst continued working on Hallowicked, who kept kicking out. Donst wedged a chair in the corner but Hallowicked reversed and sent him into it. Donst was nailed with a nasty looking Jay-Driller and almost pinned, Ares made the save at the last second.
Ares and Mantis battled back and forth. Mantis avoided a Tiger Driver. Donst was going to interfere but backed off. Mantis drilled Ares with a move on the chairs (I missed it, sorry) and scored the pin.
Your winners, Ultramantis Black and Hallowicked!
So, Mantis gets his artifact back.
This was a hell of a fun brawl and back and forth tag. The story at the end was that Donst sacrificed his partner so he didn't have to worry about getting his head shaved.
Eddie Kingston (with Tommy Dreamer) vs. Mike Quackenbush (with Jigsaw) to crown the first ever Grand Champion of CHIKARA
They did a big ring introduction for the main event and the first ever champion being crowned, including noting it was for everyone "watching from above." The crowd chanted for the late Larry Sweeney. Quackenbush came out wearing a new robe. Kingston, who looked to be getting in better shape compared to when I last saw him, got a bunch of streamers tossed for him when he entered the ring. Dreamer, wearing a CHIKARA shirt, was at ringside.
Gavin Loudspeaker did a great job with the ring introductions on this one, really building each guy up.
There was a huge "Sweet and Sour" chant for Larry Sweeney. The announcers noted that Sweeney's family were in attendance for the show.
By the way, the announcing on this show has been nothing less than superb, getting over the characters and the storylines and actually calling moves, but doing it in a unique way. Kudos to all involved.
They faced off and finally locked up. Quackenbush and Kingston went back and forth with some good counter wrestling. They locked up again and Quackenbush was caught by the arm. Kingston chopped him down and pulled him back up, nailing it again. Kingston drilled him with a knee. They noted it's been giving him problems. Quackenbush went right after it and drilled it against the apron.
Quackenbush was whipped into the corner, where he flipped over the top rope and onto the apron. Kingston clotheslined him down. He tried for a suplex into the ring but Quack dropped down to the floor, then took out Kingston's legs. He drilled Kingston with a double kneedrop. Quack locked in a leglock while Kingston tried to fight his way out. Kingston was kicked and psyched himself up, warning Quack to bring it. Kingston was kicked again and locked up in another move that worked over his knee. The announcers said he had a partially torn MCL. Kingston finally made his way to the ropes to force a break.
Quack continued the assault on the knee, attacking, snapping and twisting it. The stream buffered just as Kingston tried to fight his way out. When it returned, Quack locked up Kingston in a figure four combination. Kingston was fighting through the pain and his facial expressions were awesome. They traded back and forth strikes in the move. They returned to their feet exchanging shots.
Kingston caught Quack with a belly to back suplex and a lariat. Other wrestlers came to ringside to see who would win the match. Reckless Youth, of all people, was there. Now I popped that! Quack nailed Kingston after ducking a back fist and nailed a Black Hole Slam for a two count. Quack went to the top rope for a swanton, getting a two count.
Quack locked in another submission. Kingston fought his way out. Quack nailed a finisher, the Quackendriver, but Kingston kicked out at one. Quack was shocked but nailed a double stomp. Quack went for a flying double knee but Kingston moved out of the way. Kingston pulled down the strap and began kicking at Quack's injured legs.
Kingston was kicked off as he charged Quack in the corner. They battled over the top rope. Kingston was shoved off. He nailed a back fist to Quack's legs and Quack fell into the ring. Kingston grapevined his legs for a submission. Quack fought to the ropes. The fans chanted "This is wrestling" and "CHIKARA."
Kingston and Quackenbush battled back and forth with punches. Quack nailed several palm strikes but Kingston dared him to bring it. Kingston nailed a lariat and a back drop driver. Quack came back with another suplex. Kingston came back with several back fists and scored the pin.
Your winner and first Grand Champion of CHIKARA, Eddie Kingston!
Kingston was crying in the ring as he was announced as the first champion. They brought out Larry Sweeney's brother and best friend to present Kingston with the championship belt, which was ultra classy. The fans chanted for Sweeney. Kingston embraced them both and held the belt to the air. He looked up and said, "I love you."
Tommy Dreamer strapped the title around Kingston's waist. The wrestlers began to enter the ring as Kingston took the mic. He said that what you just saw live and on iPPV, was the best wrestling product out there today. He said that he dares anyone from New York City or that piece of crap from Florida to come here. He said he didn't care if you are CM Punk, AJ Styles, Triple H or John Cena, "look into my eyes. You ain't beating me." Kingston said that he didn't care who else runs this building, "no one, no one touches CHIKARA." A hell of a promo.
A number of other wrestlers entered the ring and embraced Kingston. A CHIKARA chant broke out.
A hell of a promo and moment to end the show.
Overall, a strong, FUN and well worked show. Other than the two streaming issues, which ended within a minute or so each, no problems watching it via the Roku Box. A tremendously entertaining iPPV show.
2011 - Dragon Gate USA presented Revolt! 2011 on iPPV. Stu Carapola filed the following report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Freedom Fight 2011, Dragon Gate USA's final event of 2011! For information on ordering the iPPV stream, available on your regular computer, Android, iPad, or iPhone, click on the poster above.
Lenny Leonard welcomes us to tonight's event, but BJ Whitmer interrupts his introduction and says he's been fighting Brodie Lee all weekend and he wants him to come out and face him right now.
BJ Whitmer vs Brodie Lee
Whitmer boots Brodie off the apron during his entrance and hits a somersault dive to the outside, wiping Brodie out and nearly knocking over the guardrail. Whitmer continues pounding on Brodie all around ringside, but Brodie makes it back into the ring and hits a dive through the ropes onto Whitmer. Didn't see that coming! Now Brodie goes on the offensive, but Whitmer recovers and they wind up going toe to toe on the floor until Whitmer hits an exploder that sends Brodie crashing to the floor of BB Kings. They head back inside where the brawl continues and Brodie again surprises Whitmer with a quick superkick and a backdrop suplex for 1. Brodie pitches Whitmer out to the floor and distracts the referee while Ricochet sneak attacks him, but grabs Whitmer before he can retaliate against Ricochet and suplexes him into the ring, lifting Whitmer so high his feet nearly hit the lights coming out of the ceiling. They go back to beating on each other and Whitmer knocks Brodie flat on his back with a running forearm. Whitmer follows with a running knee to the side of the face for 2, then hits a snap Flatliner and traps Brodie in the same choke he used to win his match on Friday, and Brodie rolls Whitmer to his back for 2. Whitmer breaks the hold, and they trade boots to the face until Whitmer connects with a running boot off the ropes for 2. Brodie catches Whitmer coming into the corner and hits a sitout powerbomb for 2, a charging clothesline in the corner, the Truckstop, anda big powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Brodie Lee
My god, that was a fight if I've ever seen one. That finishing combo was brutal, and sure looked effective.
The Scene vs Uhaa Nation & John Silver
Silver and Caleb Konley start us off and do a basic wrestling sequence that quickly turns into a forearm exchange. Konley heads to the corner and tries a leapfrog, but Silver European uppercuts him on the way down, then hits a springboard forearm and a Lionsault for 2. Reed tags in and wipes Silver out with a shoulderblock, but Silver counters a fireman's carry to an armdrag and tags in Uhaa Nation, who barely gets his hands on Reed before Konley jumps him from behind and sends him out to the floor where they double team him ever sobriefly before Nation wipes them both out with a double clothesline and then Silver further wipes them out with a dive. Nation takes Reed back in and hits a snap suplex and then tries a backdrop, but Reed lands on his feet and hits a running knee. He tries a dive, but Uhaa moves out of the way and repeatedly rams Reed into the top turnbuckle before laying Konley out with a dropkick and then German suplexing Reed right on his head for 2. Silver comes in and quickly finds himself in trouble, getting booted to the outside by Reed and then suplexed back into the ring for 2. Konley picks Silver up in a delayed vertical suplex and Reed chops Silver while he's in the air, which is such a cool looking spot. Silver takes Reed down with a double leg and hits a double stomp, then makes the hot tag and Uhaa comes in to destroy the Scene. He takes Konley out with a powerslam for 2, then nearly launches Reed into the first row with an overhead release suplex. Silver superkicks Konley into a German suplex from Uhaa, then a double superkick gets 2. Uhaa with a bicycle kick to Reed, but Konley dodges an attempt at a second one and Uhaa tumbles to the floor. The Scene hits their assisted DDT into a wheelbarrow suplex combo for the win.
Winner: The Scene
Really good match, the Scene has really good chemistry and Uhaa is amazing, I see the same kind of ability and charisma in him that I saw in Monty Brown years ago.
Ronin came out for the next match, and Johnny Gargano told Chuck Taylor that he had to give the belt back, and Taylor said he'd give it back later. Rich Swann says not to worry about the belt, because he's worked too long and hard to get distracted by the belt, and to concentrate on winning tonight. Swann then tells Taylor that after everything with Blood Warriors all year, they have a chance tonight to beat Blood Warriors' asses.
Chuck Taylor & Rich Swann vs BxB Hulk & Akira Tozawa
Tozawa gets a good reaction from the crowd as he kicks off the match against Rich Swann. They go back and forth with Swann pulling off acrobatics so quickly I can't keep up, but trust me when I say it was really impressive. Tozawa brushes away a dropkick and then Taylor and Hulk tag in and Hulk starts taking Taylor apart with kicks. Taylor rolls Hulk around and into a modified abdominal stretch, then tags out to Swann, who takes Hulk to the corner and goes up for the ten punch count. Swann plays to the crowd and then rakes Hulk's back multiple times before tagging back out to Taylor so he can lay in some back rakes of his own. Even Tozawa comes in and gets a back rake, then Taylor rakes the referee's back, Swann rakes Taylor's back, and everything goes haywire as the crowd goes crazy for the antics. Tozawa takes things back to business and shuts Taylor down with a rear chinlock and hangs him on the middle rope so Hulk can spit wine in his face. Taylor rams Tozawa into the Ronin corner and goes to make the tag, but Swann was taken out and can't make the tag, so Taylor puts the boots to Tozawa until Swann makes it back onto the apron so they can hit a series of double teams in the corner until Tozawa collapses in a heap. Tozawa's finally had enough and lays chops into the chest of Swann before catching him off guard with a jab to the jaw that rocks Swann, and then tags out to Hulk, who continues the assault. Hulk gets a nasty nodified abdominal stretch on Swann and exposes Swann's ribs so Tozawa can come in with a short dropkick to the midsection. Hulk and Tozawa with a double hiptoss and a barrage of kicks that gets them a 2 count on Swann. Tozawa with a hard slam and a senton for 2, then Hulk comes in and peppers Swann with kicks before tying him up in a really painful looking armbar and finally connecting with a spinning heel kick that knocks Swann flat on his back, forcing Taylor to come in and break the pinfall attempt at 2. Hulk with more kicks and a high angle half crab, but Swann makes the ropes so Hulk tags out to Tozawa, who traps Swann in a camel clutch, immobilizing his arms so Hulk can come in with a straight scissor kick to the head. Swann finally hits a spinning enziguiri and makes the tag to Taylor, who goes to town on Hulk, popping him in the air with an overhead release suplex and then taking Tozawa out with a series of short dropkicks. Hulk rolls out to the floor, so Taylor gets a diving dropkick through the ropes as Swann comes into the ring and hits a Pelle kick. Swann reverses a Frankensteiner by Tozawa into a sunset flip, bot Tozawa rolls through and dropkicks Swann in the face for 2. Tozawa goes to the second rope and Swann gets a leaping Frankensteiner for another 2. Taylor comes in but quickly finds himself on the receiving end of the Guile Kick from Hulk, who then continues taking Taylor apart with a blinding array of kicks that gets a big pop from the crowd. Hulk with more insane knockout kicks to Taylor, but Swann tackles him before he can hit the finishing blow. Swann is rewarded for his efforts with another series of kicks, but gets a handspring Ace Crusher on Tozawa as Taylor hits Hulk with Sole Food. Hulk comes off the ropes and Taylor catches him and nearly plants him through the mat with a Sky High, and a series of moves in the corner end with TAylor hitting a top rope double stomp followed by a standing shooting star press from Swann for 2. Tozawa drills Swann with a bicycle kick and a German suplex, then Taylor gets a big boot and the Awful Waffle on Tozawa, followed by the triple jump 450 from Swann for the win.
Winners: Chuck Taylor & Rich Swann
Awesome match that didn't let up for a second. CIMA and Brodie Lee run out and attack Ronin after the match, but then Johnny Gargano and Masato Yoshino come out to make the save and it looks like we're going right into our next match.
Masato Yoshino vs CIMA
Unexpectedly methodical pace to start, as they go to the mat and exchange pinfall attempt with neither man gaining an advantage. CIMA decides that enough is enough and takes Tozawa down with a shoulderblock and then kicks him in the chest. Yoshino starts his light speed rope running before hitting a headscissors to send CIMA out to the floor to take a breather. Yoshino dropkicks CIMA as he comes back into the ring, then begins working over CIMA's arm by hammerlocking him and ramming his shoulder into the top turnbuckle and then stomping on the arm. Yoshino goes to an armbar and really cranks on it, then takes CIMA down with a kind of Rocker Dropped on the arm. CIMA quickly shifts the momentum with an eye gouge and a leaping enziguiri, then begins unloading with kicks to the chest that drive Yoshino out to the floor, where CIMA follows him and gets a fireman's carry, and drops Yoshino chest first on the apron. CIMA distracts the referee while Tozawa pulls Yoshino out to the floor so heand Hulk can work Yoshino over. They send Yoshino back in where CIMA pops him over with a snap suplex for 2, then goes back to firing kicks into Yoshino's chest until he crumples to the mat. CIMA gets Yoshino in a kind of side angle figure four, but Yoshino makes the ropes to force the break, then he charges Yoshino in the corner and eats boot. Yoshino goes to the second rope and CIMA goes for the Venus Punch, but Yoshino dodges and gets his hanging headscissor choke on the outside. Yoshino again uses his speed to his advantage and dodges another strike from CIMA and gets the Slingblade for 2. CIMA catches him the next time with a pair of kicks, but then Yoshino again outmaneuvers CIMA and traps him in the Royal Octopus. CIMA escapes but Yoshino transitions right into a sunset flip for 2. Yoshino tries a springboard move, but CIMA dropkicks him coming down, then hangs him upside down in the corner and connects with a baseball slide, but Yoshino dodges the coast to coast and gets a top rope dropkick, from which CIMA immediately recovers and gets a double stomp. Both men are down and the referee starts the count,but CIMA gets to his feet and tries a back suplex, Yoshino slips out the back, but CIMA gets him with running knees. Yoshino blocks the lungblower, Yoshino blocks the 2K1 Bomb, and Yoshino hits a DDT for 2. CIMA dropkicks Yoshino in the ribs and Yoshino goes down in a heap and begins screaming while clutching his midsection. CIMA looks really pleased with himself and plays to the crowd while Yoshino rolls around and under the ropes. CIMA finally gets tired of waiting and hauls Yoshino back to his feet, ramming knees into his gut over and over before wedging him between the top and middle rope and hitting a running double kneestrike. Back and forth series of reversals until CIMA hits the Schwein, but that only gets 2, so CIMA tries the Pyramid Bomb and Yoshino again kicks out at 2. Yoshino escapes a second one and counters to a crucifix for 2, then gets a DDT that drops CIMA right on his head for another 2. Yoshino with a pair of spinning arm drivers and then traps CIMA in Sol Naciente. CIMA fades, but recovers and desperately stomps on Yoshino's face until he finally fades for good and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Masato Yoshino
Easily the best match on the show so far, and a VERY rare clean singles win over CIMA on a DGUSA show.
INTERMISSION
We come back from intermission with an in-ring promo from Uhaa Nation, who thanks the fans because everything he's done so far in Dragon Gate USA is because of the fans, and now he gets to go to Japan for a month in late November. He thanks the fans again, and promises that 2011 will be the year of the One Man Nation.
Ricochet vs PAC
I can tell you right now there is no way I'm going to catch everything that happens in this match, but I'll do my best to keep up. PAC goes after Ricochet and takes him down with a waistlock and a lift, sending Ricochet scurrying to the ropes. Ricochet goes behind with a waistlock of his own, but PAC hits a switch so Ricochet counters to a hammerlock, taking PAC down to the mat with it and stomping the arm. Now PAC takes Ricochet down and stomps his arm, but Ricochet responds with a drop toehold into a front facelock. PAC cartwheels out of the hold and gets Ricochet in a rear chinlock, but Ricochet gets out and they do a fast paced back and forth sequence that ends with Ricochet dropkicking PAC in the face. Ricochet with chops in the corner,but PAC dodges a charge and gets one of the biggest hiptosses I've ever seen, sneding Ricochet hurtling across the ring and then slumping him in the corner to deliver some thunderous chops. PAC with a hard snap suplex for 2 and then gets Ricochet in a headscissors. Ricochet makes the ropes, so PAC drills him square in the jaw with a forearm and Ricochet responds by slinging PAC throat first into the middle rope. Ricochet gets a side grapevine of PAC's leg and rolls him into a modified abdominal stretch, then rolls that into a pinning combination for 2. PAC dodges a standing moonsault and gets a standing shooting star press and then rocks Ricochet with another chop. Ricochet goes to the ropes, but PAC clotheslines him over the top rope, causing Ricochet to nearly wipe out a cameraman and land on the guardrail. PAC follows him out with a dive, then beats on him all around ringside and into the crowd. I can't quite see what happens from my vantage point, but I saw Ricochet run across the top of a wooden railing and dive onto PAC, getting the usual religious chant from the crowd. Ricochet then does something else I didn't quite catch, but that gets a similar chant from the crowd as Ricochet rolls PAC back inside and covers for a mere 1. Ricochet with a snapmare into a diving boot for 2, then mockingly shoves PAC in the face with his boot until PAC has enough and gets to his feet to go toe to toe with Ricochet. Ricochet gets a boot to the midsection, but comes off the ropes and gets popped into the air for an Ace Crusher,and it appears the tide has turned. Ricochet gouges the eyes, but comes off the ropes right into a forearm from PAC, then does it again, and the third time gets a boot to the face, and then PAC follows with a Northern Lights suplex for 2. PAC shoves Ricochet into the ropes and catches him coming back in a German suplex that Ricochet pops right back up from to hit a Zig Zag and a standing twisting sention for 2. PAC backdrops Ricochet to the apron, but Ricochet Slingshots himself back in and catches PAC in a Frankensteiner as he comes over the ropes, then falls backwards into the move and sends both of them tumbling to the floor. Ricochet takes a dive off the stage and does a full flip, but PAC dodges, Ricochet lands on his feet, PAC dives off the stage and over Ricochet, and gets an inverted Frankensteiner on the floor. PAC rolls back into the ring and the referee lays down a count, with Ricochet getting to his feet only to fall back to the floor, then get back up and just barely make the count at 19. PAC immediately deadlifts him off the mat into a bridging German suplex for 2,Ricochet makes it to his feet and they go back and forth until Ricochet now hits an inverted Frankensteiner and both men are again down. Another series of moves and PAC misses a Phoenix splash, but Ricochet follows right up with one of his own and connects for 2. PAC dodges a charge in the corner and goes up top, but Ricochet runs up the ropes and delivers a one man Spanish Fly for 2. Ricochet looks at the ceiling to gauge how much clearance he has, then goes up top for a shooting star press, but PAC gets the knees up. Akira Tozawa distracts the ref as Ricochet pops PAC into the air and kicks him low, then rolls him up for 2. PAC responds by popping Ricochet in the air and catches him coming down in a sitout powerbomb for 2. PAC comes off the ropes right into a leaping enziguiri from Ricochet, who follows right up with another one, then fires PAC into the ropes and catches him coming off in a bridging German suplex for 2, a second similar move I couldn't quite identify for another 2, then a Silver Slice right on his head for another 2. Ricochet fires another flurry of head strikes at PAC until he finally goes down and Ricochet is able to cover for 3.
Winner: Ricochet
This was just off the charts with a ton of amazing spots and a terrific finishing sequence where Ricochet threw everything had at PAC until he couldn't take any more and finally went down in defeat. Ricochet has come such a long way since coming to this company and has grown into a hell of a performer.
Open The Freedom Gate Title Match: YAMATO vs Johnny Gargano
Feeling out process to start, then YAMATO takes Gargano down with a side headlock. Gargano gets to his feet, so YAMATO starts working over Gargano's left arm until Gargano reverses to a hammerlock and shoots the half to put YAMATO to his back for 2. They make their way back to a neutral position and YAMATO goes to a three quarter nelson, then snapmares Gargano and goes to a rear chinlock with his knee squarely in Gargano's back. They go to the mat and Gargano again goes to the arm, and YAMATO tries to get to his feet but Gargano cranks on the arm at a really ugly angle until YAMATO finally switches out to a top wristlock and takes Gargano down and stomps his arm. YAMATO slumps Gargano in the corner and then DRILLS him with a series of hard chops to the chest. Gargano finally gets some momentum, taking YAMATO to the corner and following in with a running forearm and a kick to the chest for 2. Now Gargano lays in some hard chops of his own that reverberate through the building and YAMATO collapses to the mat, clutching his chest as Gargano puts the boots to his skull. Gargano snapmares YAMATO to the mat and then steps over the arm to hook the champion into the Tequila Sunrise. YAMATO struggles his way to the ropes to force the break, but the arm has clearly taken a toll from the hold, and Gargano doesn't let up, firing kneestrikes into YAMATO's face and then hitting a Double Dragon-esque leaping spin kick. Gargano takes YAMATO to the corner to ram shoulderblocks into his midsection, but takes too long playing to the crowd and YAMATO gets his boot up on a charge. Gargano tries a running dropkick, but YAMATO sidesteps Gargano and gets him in a crossface. Gargano makes the ropes, but now YAMATO keeps up the pressure, putting the boots to Gargano as he tries to cling for cover on the ropes. YAMATO with a chinbreaker and a textbook neckbreaker for 2, then fires a hard forearm into the back of Gargano's neck. YAMATO with a hard bodyslam and a kneedrop for 2, then Gargano weakly tries to fire kicks off at YAMATO that have no effect, and the champion casually steps on the back of Gargano's head as he crawls to the ropes. The crowd chants loudly for YAMATO as he drills Gargano with more chops, but a cradle only gets a 2 count. Gargano again tries to fire back at the champion, but YAMATO cuts him off immediately with more kicks and forearms. YAMATO sets Gargano up for the brainbuster, but Gargano blocks and rolls YAMATO up with a schoolboy, YAMATO rolls through the move, and Gargano kicks him in the head and clotheslines him over the top and to the floor. Crowd is chanting for Gargano as he slingshots himself over the top rope and onto the apron, faking YAMATO out before kicking him in the chest and finally diving off the apron and onto the champion. Gargano rolls YAMATO in and hits the spear through the ropes before tying him in the ropes with a modified Tarantula. Gargano with a leaping enziguiri from the outside as a very polarized crowd goes back and forth chanting for each man, and YAMATO goes up to the top rope with Gargano, but Gargano sunset flips off the top and delivers a running Liger Bomb. YAMATO rolls to the outside, but Gargano doesn't let up for a second and hits a dive through the ropes, followed by a somersault senton off the apron, and another off the stage. Gargano is truly wrestling with a purpose as he dumps YAMATO back into the ring and then slingshots himself back into the ring to deliver a DDT to YAMATO. Gargano goes for the full nelson slam, YAMATO tries to escape and hit a leaping enziguiri, Gargano ducks and goes for the full nelson slam again, but YAMATO tries the leaping enziguiri again and follows with a brainbuster for 2, then goes right into another crossface and thistime, has Gargano trapped right in the middle of the ring. Gargano finally makes the ropes after several tense moments, and then the referee finds himself getting sandwiched between Gargano, YAMATO, and the corner and goes down. Gargano hits the full nelson flapjack and goes for a cover, but the referee is out. Gargano goes to check on him, but YAMATO comes from behind and kicks YAMATO low. YAMATO goes to grab Gargano, but Chuck Taylor runs in and swings the belt at YAMATO, but now YAMATO ducks and Taylor connects with the head of Gargano. YAMATO boots Taylor out of the ring and goes for a cover as the referee revives, but Gargano manages to kick out at 2. They trade forearms in the middle of the ring as they struggled to keep their feet, then trade boots and clotheslines, and YAMATO counters the full nelson flapjack to Galleria, butGargano again kicks out at 2. YAMATO signals for one more, but Gargano slips out the back, so YAMATOyanks him down to the mat, kicks him in the head and goes for the brainbuster, but Gargano slips out and hits the full nelson flapjack for 2 and locks YAMATO in the Gargano Escape and YAMATO is finally forced to tap out.
Winner and NEW Open The Freedom Gate Champion: Johnny Gargano
Awesome match and the place went nuts when YAMATO tapped. Gargano looks around for the belt and finally sees Taylor with it on the floor. Taylor goes to leave, but Gargano calls him back to reason with him. Taylor said that Gargano and Swann forgot what Ronin is all about, but Gargano thinks Taylor forgot what Ronin was all about because they stuck together to become one of the hottest acts in DGUSA. Taylor talked about a class system in DGUSA, but Gargano is very proud of what he just did and it doesn't matter which of the is them Open The Freedom Gate Champion because itbelongs to Ronin and the class system isn't so uneven anymore. He watched Taylor and Swann beat Hulk and Tozawa clean earlier in the evening,and he thinks that makes them the #1 contender for the DGUSA Tag Team Titles. Taylor says that CIMA's been holding him down since day one, but CIMA and Ricochet, another man Taylor knows very well, hold the tag title and if he wants to shut CIMA up, he can prove once and for all that he's better than them by winning the tag title and bringing it home to Ronin.
Gargano hands the microphone to Taylor, who simply puts it down on the mat and hands the belt to Gargano. Ronin shares a big group hug in the middle of the ring and Taylor feints like he's going to superkick Gargano, but stops short and he and Gargano share a big laugh before another hug. Taylor says he saw Gargano go from a goofy little kid into one of the best wrestlers around, and he thinks that he and Rich Swann are coming for the tag title and soon, Ronin will have all the belts in DGUSA. The crowd chants "Ronin baby" as the group celebrates Gargano's win in the middle of the ring. Really nice, classy moment and Gargano continues to soak in the reaction from the crowd for several minutes, goes to leave, then comes back into the ring to soak in more cheers before finally heading to the back.
Jon Davis and AR Fox come out for the main event and say something about the DUFs jumping Sabu backstage (which we didn't hear about in the building), but they'll be happy to fight the DUFs 3-on-2.
Extreme Warfare: Sabu, AR Fox & Jon Davis vs Sami Callihan, Arik Cannon & PinkieSanchez
Fox went for a dive onto the DUFs during their entrance, but fell short and crashed on the stage, so Callihan improvised and spit on him as the DUFs tried to surround Davis until Sabu ran in to make the save. They fight the DUFs off to the floor where Fox goes for another dive that comes off much better, and then Sabu hits a dive of his own. Davis goes for a third dive, but Callihan jumps onto the apron and yells at him to stop, so Davis knocks him off the apron and hits the dive anyway. Sabu and Cannon head into the ring where Sabu hits a slingshot Arabian legdrop for 2, but then Cannon gets a spinning neckbreaker for 2 and a T-bone suplex for another 2. The rest of them fight out on the floor as Cannon goes to the second rope and yells something unprintable at him, but comes off right into an uppercut from Sabu as Davis and Callihan destroy each other on the floor. Sabu gets a spike and gouges it into the forehead of Cannon, busting him open, then locks him in the half camel clutch. Callihan tries to tear the barricade apart as Sanchez gets in the ring to help out Cannon. He tosses Sabu to the floor, but turns around as Davis prepares for the Pounce but sees him coming and dropkicks his legs out from under him. Fox finally pulls the barricade apart and wedges it onto the apron as Sabu brgins a table out of the back and Davis rams Sanchez into the corner and lays into him with hard chops. There is so much going on here that it's going to be difficult to recap it all, but I'll do my best. Sanchez is on his knees as Davis fires hard kicks into his chest, but picks him up for a suplex and Callihan slides into the ring and kicks Davis' legs out from under him, then wipes out Fox and slingshots off the ropes into a high impact splash for 2. Callihan's face iscovered with blood as he pulls out a fork and rams it into Fox's head, viciously gouging him in the face as Fox screams in agony. Callihan continues jabbing the fork into Fox's head as Sanchez makes his way back onto the apron and dives right back off onto Davis. Fox finally gets the better of Callihan, and Cannon runs in to try and blindside him,but Fox sees him coming and takes him out before turning back to Callihan and getting dumped on his head in the corner. Sabu slides the table into the ring and starts to set it up, but Cannon nails him from behind and drills him with a hard chop and gets a brainbuster for 2. Cannon's face is a crimson mask as Sabu catches him unawares with a DDT and goes to pick up the table, but the legs are broken, so he stops to come up with Plan B as Callihan suplexes Fox off the stage and onto the piece of barricade that's laying between the ring and the rest of the barricade. Sabu decides to just lay Cannon on the table anyway and puts him through it with a second rope legdrop, then Davis comes in and turns Cannon inside out with a lariat as Fox hits a springboard Ace Crusher on Cannon. Fox with a leaping, twisting forearm in the corner, and then puts Callihan up top for this weird rebound Flatliner for 2. Fox goes back up top and hits Callihan with a 450 splash for 2, so Sabu gives Callihan a legdrop and then dumps Cannon to the floor as Fox goes back up for another 450, but Callihan gets the knees up and gives Fox a running Awesome Bomb out of the ring and onto that piece of barricade, drawing another big reaction from the crowd. Callihan rolls Fox back inside and makes a cover, but Fox kicks out at 2, so Callihan stalks him with the fork and yells at him while repeatedly waiting for Fox to get to his knees so he can jab him in the head with the fork again. Finally Callilhan decides to ditch the fork and instead grabs a glass bottle, breaking it over Fox's head and covering him for the win.
Winners: The DUFs
Absolutely brutal match. Fox took TONS of punishment in this one. Callihan calls Sabu an old man and tells him to back off because his partner just got beat, then says that the DUFs were formed in 2011, and 2012 will be the year the DUFs take over Dragon Gate USA. Callihan announces that they're heading to the bar, and that New York City is picking up the tab.
Great show, and you can absolutely no longer make a case for any class separation between the Japanese and Americans in this company. It's a completely level playing field, and guys like Gargano and Ricochet have really broken out in the last year to become star players.
2011 - TNA held their Turning Point 2011 PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to TNA's live, ongoing TNA Turning Point PPV coverage from Orlando, Florida.
The show opened with a video feature on the Bobby Roode title win and heel turn. Taz and Mike Tenay discussed the top matches on the card and Bobby Roode's change in attitude
TNA TV champion Eric Young vs. Robbie E (with Robby T)
When the bell rang, Young tried to lock up with the referee and then ran around the ring. He ran into Robby T. Robbie E tried to attack him from behind but Young got the better of him. Young went to the top rope and leapt into the ring, E avoided it but was nailed with a forearm smash to the face. Young went into a handstand on the top rope and came down, catching E with head scissors.
Robby T clotheslined Young, setting up E to nail some offense and get some near falls. Young came back with a roll up from behind but was kicked out and into the turnbuckles. E nailed a forearm off the ropes for a two count. E whipped Young into the ropes and nailed him with a back elbow for another two count. E cinched in a side chinlock.
Young fought his way out and nailed several punches but was slammed down. E went back to the chinlock. Young broke the move with a jawbreaker. Young dropped down and out of his first set of rights. He went up and above the ropes, then slipped through E's legs and dropkicked him. Young nailed a belly to belly suplex on E and came off the top with a flying elbowdrop for a two count, but E was pulled out of the ring by Robby T.
Young stripped down again, this time to pink tights and came off the top with a flying bodypress onto E and T on the floor. Young tossed E back into the ring but was nailed in the back of his legs with a clothesline by T. E rolled Young up and scored the pin, winning the title.
Your winner and new TNA TV champion, Robbie E!
The match was a fun opener for the Young silliness, but the finish seemed to come out of nowhere. With two appearances left on the Ronnie from Jersey Shore deal, this makes sense to set that up.
TNA Tag Team champs Mexican America & Sarita vs. Ink, Inc. & Toxine.
Jesse Neal and Hernandez went back and forth with power spots early, then went nose to nose. They started shoving each other. Neal drilled him with a big burst of offense and a boot to cover Hernandez for a one count. Moore tagged in and shoulderblocked Hernandez. Hernandez fought him off but missed a charge into the corner. Moore went for a bodypress but was caught. He slipped out and rolled up Hernandez for a two count.
Anarquia tagged himself in but was rocked by some of Moore's offense, including a springboard into a spinkick. Ink Inc. double teamed Anarquia. Hernandez tagged in and mauled Neal. Moore and Toxine argued with the referee, allowing all if Mexican America to work over Neal. Anarquia nailed Neal with a dropkick, sending him to the floor, where he was wrecked even more.
Back in the ring, Anarquia locked in a rear chinlock, using his knee to add additional pressure in Neal's back. Hernandez tagged in after Neal's attempt to make a comeback was struck down. Mexican America tried to double team Neal, who moved and Anarquia nearly snapped his neck hitting the turnbuckles at an awkward position. Neal tacked Hernandez and made the tag to Toxine.
Toxine and Sarita went back and forth. Toxine used a tiltowhirl into a gutwretch suplex. Ink Inc. double clotheslined Hernandez out of the ring when he tried to get involved. Moore hit an Asai Moonsault to the floor. Neal and Toxine worked over Anarquia and then pulled his pants down. We got a full moon and what was supposedly the tattoo they gave him. He scampered out of the ring.
In the heat of battle Sarita drilled Toxine in the back and scored the pin.
Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions, Mexican America and Sarita!
Not pretty at times but everyone worked really hard.
Jeremy Borash interviewed X-Division champ Austin Aries and Kid Kash. Kash said tonight is what it is. He said he hates Sorensen is a disrespectful punk and he's tired of seeing him and having him around. Aries said that Kash needed to stick to the plan - two on one. He said that it's a handicap match and now because Sorensen is retarded. He said this isn't High School football and Sorensen's not going to be prom king. He's going to see what it's like dealing with two grown ass men. Kash was losing his cool and said he was going to kick the hell out of that bitch.
TNA X-Division champion Austin Aries vs. Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash
Sorensen tried to avoid the veterans early but wouldn't back down. Kash demanded Aries back off so he could get a crack at Sorensen. Aries obliged. Kash and Sorensen went nose to nose. Aries drilled Soresen from behind. They worked him over. Sorensen nailed Kash. Aries went right after Sorensen ad nailed a big backdrop. Sorensen tosses Aries and Kash to the outside and hit a tope con hilo over the top to the floor.
He tossed Aries back in and drilled Kash in the head. The heels soon took control again. Kash started trash talking Sorensen as he beat him down. He picked up and slammed Sorensen down. Kash held Sorensen so Aries could take his shots at him. Aries argued with the ref, allowing Kash to nail a shot to the nether-regions. The crowd chanted for Jesse.
Kash dropped Sorensen into an over the knee backbreaker. He got a two count, at which point Aries realized Kash could end up winning and warned him to stick to the plan. Their dissension allowed Sorensen to nail both with a dropkick. He nailed Kash out of the ring and came off the top with a bodypress on Aries. Kash broke up the pin. Kash locked Sorensen in a surfboard. Aries drilled Sorensen in the face as he was trapped. Kash drilled him with a knee.
Kash and Aries worked over Sorensen in the corner. Sorensen backdropped Kash over the top but Aries nailed him and sent him to the floor. Kash whipped him into the railing and chopped him. Kash held Sorensen for Aries to hit a crazy fast dive to the outsider. Kash broke up a pinfall. Aries warned him to stick to the plan and help him get rid of Sorensen first. They started arguing. Sorensen fired back with a series of punches but was cut off by an Aries clothesline. Sorensen is being built as the never say die old school white meat babyface.
They set up Sorensen in the middle. Aries went for a frog splash but Sorensen got his knees up. Kash missed a moonsault. Sorensen made a comeback, working over Aries with a series of rights. He nailed an awesome spinning neckbreaker on Aries but Kash broke it up. Aries was nailed with a nasty looking boot to the face and a neckbreaker but Kash again broke it up.
Kash worked over Sorensen in the corner with some awesomely stiff chops. Kash is AWESOME in his role. Sorensen goes to the ropes and kicks off Kash. Sorensen came off the ropes but Kash clotheslined him in mid-air. Kash is really making Sorensen work for it. Sorensen recovered and ascended to the top rope again but was caught by a Kash punch to the head. Kash nailed a superplex and had him pinned but instead got up and made a motion that he was trying to take Sorensen out for good instead.
Kash nailed Sorensen with the Money Maker but Aries put Sorensen's leg on the rope and told the referee to save the title. Kash didn't realize what Aries did and was amazed. Aries came from behind and rolled up Kash (and may have held the tights) to get the win.
Your winner and still X-Division champion, Austin Aries!
This was really, really good in the stories they were telling - the never say die attitude of Sorensen and Kash as the bitter, evil veteran who ended up screwed by the cunning champ. Loved this.
Jeremy Borash interviewed AJ Styles. I guess here comes the attack on the ankle. Styles ripped on Bobby Roode for winning the title the way he did. Styles said that everything he did in TNA, he did with honor and respect. He said Roode destroyed everything Fortune worked for in one night and spit in not just their faces but all of TNA's face. He said that he doesn't intend to spit in Roode's face but knock it off. He told Roode to enjoy his time as champion because he won't be lasting much longer.
No DQ: Rob Van Dam vs. Christopher Daniels
Before the match started, Daniels took the mic and asked "Bob Van Dam" why they are at this place and having a no DQ match. Daniels said that he's not a hardcore wrestler or a bloodthirsty fan, but everyone knows that he never runs from a challenge and never quits, he'll go through with it. Daniels said that since this is Impact WRESTLING, they should make a gentleman's agreement to have a straight forward back and forth wrestling match. The fans booed and Daniels said they were booing hardcore wrestling. Some fans chanted ECW. Daniels asked Rob to have a clean wrestling match. Daniels was pretty damn good on the mic.
Van Dam controlled him early with several spinkicks and attempted a cross armbreaker. They went into a test of strength. Van Dam got the better of it and Daniels retreated to the floor. Daniels is doing really well with this new direction in character in terms of facial expressions and emoting his persona.
Back in the ring, they went back and forth. Van Dam whipped Daniels into the corner and nailed a big monkey flip out of it before playing to the fans. Daniels, angry, charged and was kicked in the face for a two count. Daniels came back with several shoulderblocks to the corner and brought down RVD with a snapmare and rear chinlock.
Van Dam tried for a hiptoss but it was blocked. Instead RVD kicked him in the face and nailed Rolling Thunder for a two count. Van Dam nailed a guillotine legdrop across the apron on Daniels. Daniels regained control and snapped Van Dam into the ropes for a dropkick to the face. He worked over RVD with a chinlock. Daniels continued to work over Van Dam's neck and yelled, "That's wrestling, everybody. I'm the best in the world!"
Daniels nailed a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Daniels nailed an enziguiri and then a running forearm in the corner. Van Dam and Daniels battled back and forth as Rob fired back with offense. Van Dam nailed a springboard into a thrust kick. Daniels caught RVD coming and tossed him to the outside but was nailed with a shoulderblock as Rob returned to the ring. Van Dam crotched him across the top rope and nailed the Ryder Kick off the turnbuckles.
Daniels tried to walk out but RVD followed him up the ramp. They exchanged punches and RVD hiptossed him on the ramp. Ouch. Van Dam draped him on the guard rail. RVD ran down the ramp and leapt off, nailing a guillotine legdrop onto Daniels. That was a cool spot. Daniels rolled into the ring as Van Dam followed.
Daniels shoved the referee into RVD, then grabbed Rob and nailed an STO. Daniels grabbed a chair and slammed Van Dam onto it for a two count. So much for the gentleman's agreement. Great heel move. Daniels went under the ring for a screwdriver. He started asking fans where they wanted him to stick it. Van Dam pulled the chair up when Daniels tried to use it. He then nailed the Van Daminator. Van Dam nailed the Five Star Frog Splash for the pin.
Your winner, Rob Van Dam!
Another good match. This was the best wrestling bout Van Dam has had in awhile beyond the Lynn matches and he seemed to be working harder than usual. Daniels has really found his groove with this new character, almost to the point I was bummed to see him lose clean. He's onto something.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Robbie E. He said he was going to be the TV champ for a long, long time because he's jacked. He said bling means bitches and they are going to the club. It was fine for what it was designed to be.
Matt Morgan vs. Crimson
They faced off and locked up. They battled for position but neither man was able to get the advantage. Crimson shoulderblocked Morgan, who shrugged it off and flexed. They went for a test of strength. Neither man got the advantage. Crimson drilled him with several knees but Morgan killed him with a discus clothesline. They are playing monster vs. monster.
Crimson held onto the ropes to avoid the Carbon Footprint. Morgan nailed him with a series of shoulderblocks in the corner. Morgan clotheslined him over the top to the floor. Morgan followed but Crimson fought back, slamming him into the apron and the guard rail. Crimson moved the ring steps, positioning it. That's strange considering they are both babyfaces. He whipped Morgan towards them but Morgan leapt over them and kicked them into Crimson as he advanced.
In the ring, Morgan whipped Crimson into the ring and drilled him with a clothesline. Morgan nailed a sideslam for a two count. Crimson fired back with several punches to the mid-section but was nailed again by Morgan. Morgan fired back with a series of hands. Morgan nailed a headbutt to Crimson's face and moved him into the corner for the rapid fire back elbows. They only served to wake up Crimson who challenged Morgan. Morgan was surprised at that.
Crimson started nailing a series of clotheslines and an a T-Bone Tazplex for a two count. Morgan ran him backward into the corner. Morgan whipped Crimson, who reversed it and nailed a knee to the gut. Crimson rode Morgan to the mat for a half nelson but Morgan turned it into a cradle for a two count. Morgan chokeslammed Crimson for a two count.
Morgan went for the Carbon Footprint but Crimson avoided it and speared Morgan for a two count. Crimson rebounded off the ropes but ate a Carbon Footprint. Crimson fell out of the ring. Morgan brought him back into the ring but Crimson kicked out at the last second. Morgan was showing obvious frustration.
Morgan kicked off a charge but was caught with the Red Sky sitdown driver. Crimson pulled Morgan to the middle of the ring and garnered a two count. Both men returned to their feet and like King Kong and Godzilla, sized the other up. They began slugging it out in the center of the ring, enjoying the back and forth slugging. The referee tried to halt the exchange and they both shoved him away in stereo.
The referee called for the bell, saying you couldn't put your hands on him.
The official ruling was a double disqualification.
Morgan and Crimson didn't care and decided to keep going. Security hit the ring. Yes, four guys are going to keep two monsters apart. REALLY? Crimson and Morgan calmed down and then Crimson tackled Morgan and they rolled out of the ring to the floor, continuing the battle. The crowd chanted for them to fight. More officials and staffers came out to separate them as Crimson told Morgan he could take anything Morgan had to give.
The finish sucked but in terms of a power vs. power match and two guys just slugging it out, it was entertaining for what it was designed to be. You didn't expect this to be a great technical classic did you?
Jeremy Borash interviewed Bully Ray and Scott Steiner. Ray said that Abyss has no one to blame but himself. Ray said that if he had a dollar for every time he kicked Anderson's ass, he'd be rich and then said, "I am rich." Steiner said Ray needed to relax because this is going to be an easy night. He said he went to Parts Unknown and found Abyss' girlfriend and learned all of his weaknesses. Ray said she had to be ugly. Steiner said she was a cross between the toothless rednecks in Florida and a Billy Goat..and she was fat. Steiner said they were going to win tonight and then Ray would have to date her. Ray said their opponents were going to have to face one half of the greatest tag teams of all time and Scott Steiner too. Steiner cut back saying he was the best of all time and Ray told him to just worry about flexing. That was a pretty funny exchange.
Bully Ray & Scott Steiner vs. Mr. Anderson & Abyss
Ray and Anderson started out. Anderson controlled him early with an armbar . Ray got the better o him with a belly to back suplex and tagged in Steiner. Steiner worked over Anderson but ate an elbow as he charged in. Anderson ended up in Immortal' corner but elbowed Ray and Steiner. Ray grabbed him and crotched him into the ringpost. No babies tonight.
Ray tagged in and worked over Anderson, tying him up on the mat. It's ridiculous how good of shape Ray has gotten himself into. The fans were all over Steiner on the outside as Anderson caught Ray with a neckbreaker. Abyss was dying to get the tag in. The referee was distracted and missed the tag, allowing Immortal to work over Anderson in the corner as Abyss tried to plead his case.
Steiner nailed a Fall Away Slam off the top. Think he was watching Green Ant vs. Tursas on the CHIKARA PPV? Nah, me neither. Steiner taunted Abyss. Anderson caught him with a sunset flip and an inside cradle for several near falls. Steiner snapped him with a belly to belly suplex.
Ray tagged in and tried for the Bubba Bomb but Anderson slipped out and nailed a leaping DDT. Abyss finally got the hot tag and started cleaning house on Bubba and Steiner. Abyss nailed Ray with a big boot and slammed Steiner. Abyss went to the corner for a big splash, getting a two count.
Abyss called for the chokeslam and nailed it but Ray broke up the pin. He began working over Abyss' back and called for Steiner. Abyss grabbed them both for a double chokeslam but they blocked it. Abyss was whipped into the ropes but came back with a double clothesline. Ray kicked Abyss, who tagged Anderson. Abyss and Ray battled on the outside. Anderson nailed a bodypress on Steiner from the top for a two count.
Anderson went for the rolling Samoan Drop but Steiner slipped out and smashed Anderson into the mat face first. Steiner went for the pin but only got a two count. He placed Anderson on the top rope and nailed the top rope Frankensteiner. Steiner went for the cover but the ref said that Abyss tagged back in. Abyss snuck in from behind and nailed the Black Hole Slam, pinning Steiner.
Your winners, Abyss & Mr. Anderson!
Ray immediately tossed Anderson to the outside and retrieved a table. Steiner worked over Abyss. Ray and Steiner double chokeslammed Abyss through a table but Abyss no sold it and had these awesome gruesomely evil facial expressions. Ray actually got spooked and backed off.
OK tag match. The story was that Abyss the Monster is back and is a threat. They did their best to build him back up as someone to be reckoned with. Its amazing how far Anderson has fallen from when they were trying to push him as their next top superstar.
Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA Knockouts champions Gail Kim and Madison Rayne as well as Karen Jarrett. Borash asked if Kim was ready to challenge Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title. Jarrett said she was going to walk out there and bring the belt back. She said that she can't have a skanky little ho, smart mouthed bitch go out there with the belt because of how it makes Jarrett look. Jarrett said she found someone who could properly represent the division. Rayne thought she meant her but Jarrett was talking about Kim. Kim said it would be a cakewalk and would be over in a few minutes. Jarrett said that Kim didn't need anyone at ringside tonight because Jarrett brought her here to show the others the way it's supposed to be done.
TNA Knockouts champion Velvet Sky vs. TNA Knockouts Tag Team champion Gail Kim.
They went back and forth with a nice intensity right at the start. Sky got the better of Kim but was clotheslined on the top rope. Kim kicked Sky in the gut several times while Sky was down on the mat. She whipped Sky into the corner and KILLED her with a running splash.
Kim continued to work her over with a snapmare and a kick to the chest. Karen Jarrett came out on the stage applauding. Sky fired back on Kim with chops and punches. She went for a high cross bodyblock but Kim caught her and dropped her over the knees. Kim locked in an abdominal stretch. Mike Rotunda would have been proud.
Sky slipped out and used a jackknife cover for a two count, then rolled her up for another. Kim cut her off with a kick and whipped her into the corner. Sky moved and Kim went for a bodyblock off the ropes but was met with a kick in the air. Sky unloaded with several clotheslines and a bulldog. Kim went for her finisher, Eat Defeat but was caught and nailed with a Facebuster.
Jarrett distracted the referee, allowing Madison Rayne to hit the ring and nail Sky with something was screwy. Kim covered Sky for a two count. Kim ascended to the top rope for a back senton splash but Sky moved. They went back and forth with two counts.
Sky's leg was grabbed so Sky kicked her off. That allowed Kim to nail the Eat Defeat and score the pinfall.
Your winner and new TNA Knockouts champion, Gail Kim!
Match was OK although Kim is obviously on a mission to show the world that WWE blew it with her, which no one would argue. Amazing to see them take the belt off Sky so quickly.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff was screaming at his wife about Garrett Bischoff saying it was fault because she didn't take birth control 27 years ago. He told his wife he would take care of Garrett on Impact Wrestling and send him back to her in a bag. Bully Ray came in and told Bischoff that something has snapped in Abyss. He said that Abyss hopped up like nothing happened. He said they needed to re-think everything because something has gone wrong in their plans, just like things went wrong with Hogan. Bischoff said Bubba needed to be a leader and anything he wanted to do to get Abyss back in the fold, Bischoff would back him on. Bubba was amazed that he and Steiner both put Abyss through a table and it didn't matter. Bischoff said they needed to go find Abyss. Ray was really good here.
Jeff Jarrett vs. Jeff Hardy
They did a deal where Hardy stood in the apron getting ready while Jarrett was waiting in the ring dying to get his hands on Hardy. Hardy hit the ring and ducked a clothesline. He kicked Jarrett, nailed the Twist of Fate and sored the pin
Your winner, Jeff Hardy!
Well, that was quick.
Jarrett demanded they start the match again. Hardy accepted and played to the crowd. Jarrett attacked him and they rang the bell.
Jeff Jarrett vs. Jeff Hardy II
Jarrett worked over Hardy but was clotheslined by Hardy. Jarrett cut him off and choked him against the ropes, strutted and slipped out of the ring for a right hand. Jarrett said that he was taking over and went to the ropes. He came off with a right hand. He mocked Hardy and went to the ropes again. As he jumped, Hardy kicked him and nailed a front suplex for a two count.
Hardy went to the ropes but Jarrett shoved him and Hardy crashed and burned back into the ring. Jarrett strutted and stomped on Hardy. Jarett kept whipping Hardy into the corner. Hardy started firing back with elbow and right hands. Jarrett reversed a whip and caught Hardy in a sleeper hold. Jarrett wore down Hardy, who fought his way out. Hardy slipped out and nailed a back suplex.
They battled back and forth with Hardy getting the better of the exchange. Hardy rolled up Jarrett for a two count. Jarrett kicked him coming off the ropes. He went for the Stroke but was shoved off. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate but Jarrett slipped out. He nailed Hardy and went for the figure four leglock but was caught in a small package and pinned.
Your winner, Jeff Hardy!
Jeff Jarrett grabbed a chair and nailed Hardy on the ramp and said the match was over when he said it was over. He demanded the referee return to the ring as Jarrett dragged Hardy back to the ring. Jarrett was losing his mind, screaming.
Jarrett returned Hardy to the ring and nailed the Stroke. Jarrett demanded that Earl Hebner count but Hebner refused. Finally, he agreed. At the two count, Hardy reversed the pin and pinned Jarrett yet again. They once again announced Hardy as the winner.
Everything from bell to bell was good in terms of putting over the idea of Hardy making his first big singles comeback. Solid work in the ring but the storytelling was good and the entire scenario was unique.
They showed several members of the babyface locker room, including AJ Styles, congratulating Hardy backstage.
Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA champ Bobby Roode. Roode said that he was Fortune and he was Beer Money. He said that all the others were preventing him from reaching his full potential and once he kicked them to the curb, he became champion. Roode said he was the leader and the others couldn't deal with that. He said Styles was jealous because Roode is the champion and the face of the company. He said some might say he's selfish and he'd agree. Roode said that he's the leader of the selfish generation. He said he destroyed his partner to get the title, so just think about what he'll do to keep it. Good promo.
TNA champion Bobby Roode vs. AJ Styles
This should be interesting to see given Styles' ankle injury.
Styles got the early offense in, leading to Roode going to the floor to break his momentum. Roode returned to the ring and nailed Styles with a kick to the gut. Roode drilled him with several big shots but Styles fired back. Styles nailed him with a big dropkick and immediately grabbed at the ankle.
Styles grabbed Roode and brought him back into the ring for a suplex. He ran Roode into the buckles. Styles drilled him across the neck with an elbow and slammed Roode. Styles nailed him with a leaping kneedrop for a two count. Styles went for a slam but Roode slipped out and they exchanged chops. Roode cut off Styles in the corner and chopped away at him.
Roode nailed Styles with a rolling snapmare. He measured and went for a running clothesline but Styles sidestepped him and tossed Roode to the floor. Styles hit a running forearm off the apron onto Roode on the floor. Styles lifted Roode u and dropped him across the railing. Styles kicked at Roode and tossed him back into the ring.
As Styles returned to the ring, Roode shoved referee Earl Hebner into him, then dropkicked Styles off the apron to the floor. He rammed Styles backwards into the ring apron on the floor, then deposited him back into the ring. Roode covered him for a one count. Roode kicked away at Styles in the corner, trying to break him down. Styles whipped Roode in the corner but was kicked off. Styles jumped off but was caught and nailed with a catapult into the corner. Styles was nailed with a Faceplant for a two count.
Roode grabbed a waistlock and tried to wear Styles down on the mat. Styles tried to slip out but was caught with a front facelock. Styles reversed an Irish Whip in the corner but was drilled with a stiff kick as he advanced. Roode went to the ropes but was caught. Styles went for a superplex but Roode headbutt him, sending him back to the mat. Styles recovered and caught Roode, superplexing him into the ring.
Styles unloaded with a bunch of offense including a running forearm smash in the corner. Styles scored several two counts and looked to be going for a Torture Rack but Roode slipped out. Styles looked to go for a springboard forearm but Roode realized it and got too close so Styles couldn't do it. They exchanged chops and Styles maintained control. Roode caught him out of nowhere with a spinebuster for a two count.
Styles floated over a suplex attempt and nailed a backdrop suplex on his own. Styles went for a springboard kneedrop but Roode rolled out of the way. They went back and forth with several pin attempts. Styles went for the Styles Clash but Roode turned it into the crossface.
Styles fought his way out and dropped Roode with a powerbomb out a Styles Clash attempt. Styles nailed a springboard forearm smash for a two count. Styles grabbed Roode who kicked backward with a low blow, nailing Styles and the referee both. He covered Styles but only got a two because the referee was hurting. Roode was pissy.
Styles nailed an enziguiri kick on Roode. Roode fired back but was nailed with a leaping punch. Roode went down as if he was knocked out. Roode begged off but Styles speared him. He began beating the hell out of Roode with chops, kicks and punches. Styles draped Roode on the top rope. Roode fell off to the floor. Styles measured for a dive but Roode stepped out of the way and Styles landed rudely on the outside.
Styles was out but finally returned to the ring. Roode grabbed him and nailed a Perfectplex into a bridge, but Styles kicked out at two. Styles ducked a clothesline and nailed a Pele Kick. Styles set up for the Styles Clash but Roode slipped out and rolled up Styles, hooking the tights for the win.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Bobby Roode!
A solid main event. Styles is damn amazing as a worker, performing on that ankle. I thought they had a solid main but the finish was really counter-productive in my mind.
Thanks for logging in with us tonight! what did you think of TNA's follow-up to Bound for Glory - Turning Point 2011?
2012 - AJ Styles signed a deal to release an autobiography. The book is still being written as of this writing.
2013 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are Byron ‘Straight Man’ Saxton, Tensai, and William ‘Let me do some standup with Mick Foley’ Regal.
Match Number One: Bayley and Charlotte Flair versus Sasha Banks and Summer Rae
Bayley and Sasha start off and Bayley has head bands for Sasha and Summer, but they throw them to the floor. Charlotte decides to begin the match instead. They lock up and Charlotte sends Sasha to the mat. Charlotte with a shoulder tackle and she gets a near fall. Charlotte with a fireman’s carry into a hammer lock.
Bayley starts to woo on the apron while Charlotte works on the arm. Charlotte with a bridge to add more pressure to the hammer lock. Charlotte gets a near fall. Charlotte with a front face lock and Bayley tags in. Sasha with a knee and she tags in Summer. Bayley with forearms and a clothesline in the corner. Bayley with an arm wringer but Summer with a clothesline while Bayley focuses on pleasing Charlotte too much.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sasha with a reverse chin lock on Bayley as she keeps Bayley on the mat. Bayley with elbows but Sasha sends Bayley into the turnbuckles and Summer is tagged in. Summer chokes Bayley in the ropes. Summer with a near fall. Summer with a full nelson using her legs. Bayley leans back and gets a near fall. Summer rolls Bayley up and gets a near fall.
Summer pulls Bayley to the corner and tags in Sasha. Sasha tries for a slam but Bayley escapes and she gets a rollup for a near fall. Sasha stops Bayley from getting to the corner and slams her head into the mat. Summer tags back in and she chokes Bayley in the corner. Sasha tags back in and she snap mares Bayley and applies a reverse chin lock and body scissors. Bayley gets Sasha on her shoulders to try to get out of the hold and she backs Sasha into the turnbuckles.
Bayley with a belly-to-belly suplex and she wants to tag in Charlotte but Charlotte slaps Bayley and hits a flip stunner and goes to the apron. Sasha gets the three count.
Winners: Summer Rae and Sasha Banks
After the match, there is some confusion until Charlotte raises Summer and Sasha’s hands.
Aiden English is in the back and he is doing some voice exercises. We go to commercial.
We are back and Aiden English demands his spotlight as he sings his way to the ring.
Match Number Two: Camacho versus Aiden English
They lock up and Camacho backs Aiden into th corner and Camacho with a face wash. They lock up again and English and Camacho go around the ring. English with kicks to the chest. Camacho with a clothesline and slam for a near fall.
Camacho runs into an uppercut but Camacho with a back body drop. English wants a time out and then he offers his hand to Camacho. Camacho shakes it but he kicks English. Camacho movks English and Camacho with a belly-to-back suplex. Camacho with a leaping leg drop.
Camacho gets English on his shoulders but English escapes and Aiden hits the Director’s Cut for the three count.
Winner: Aiden English
After the match, English demands his spotlight and he says that this performance demands an encore.
Regal is emotionally torn over Aiden’s performance and Regal takes Tensai’s handkerchief.
Alexander Rusev is in the back with Lana. She speaks in Russian or Bulgarian. Rusev says something in Bulgarian and we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Danny Burch versus Mason Ryan
They lock up and Ryan backs Burch into the corner and Ryan with a clean break. Burch with a forearm to the back but Ryan with a forearm and he sends Burch into the corner and Ryan with a clothesline. Ryan with an Irish whip but Burch with an uppercut. Ryan sends Burch into the turnbuckles and Ryan with a running shoulder tackle.
Burch with a kick and forearm followed by punches and kicks. The referee pulls Burch out of the corner but Burch with more punches and kicks. Burch with punches and a European uppercut. Ryan with a head butt but Burch with a head butt to the midsection and he sends Ryan into the turnbuckles.
Burch with forearms and punches but Ryan grabs Burch by the throat and he sends Buch into the ropes and punches Burch. Ryan hot shots Burch and hits a running boot to the chest. Ryan picks up Burch for a cobra clutch slam and he gets the three count.
Winner: Mason Ryan
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Adrian Neville versus Corey Graves in a Two Out of Three Falls Match
Fall Number One
Neville leaps over Graves and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Neville with another near fall after an elbow. Graves with an elbow and he sends Neville into the turnbuckles. Graves with punches and the referee warns Corey. Corey with a head butt and suplex for a near fall. Graves with a slam and fist drop for a near fall.
Neville backs into the corner and Graves tries for a suplex but Neville lands on his feet. He tries for an O’Connor Roll but Graves holds on to the ropes. Neville with drop kicks and a La Magistral for a near fall. Graves with an Irish whip but Neville floats over and he goes to the apron and he connects with an enzuigiri. Neville with Red Arrow for the three count.
Adrian Neville leads 1 Fall to None
The referee checks on Graves between falls.
Fall Number Two
Graves rolls to the floor to regroup and Neville with a baseball slide. Neville chops Graves on the floor. Graves with punches but Neville with a knee and chops. Neville kicks Graves in the chest and rolls him back into the ring. Neville goes up top but Graves moves out of the way and rolls to the floor.
Neville goes to the floor and Graves returns to the ring and Graves with a drop kick to the injured knee. Graves with kicks to the leg and shin before rolling Neville back into the ring. Graves gets a near fall. Graves with forearms and chops. The referee warns Graves.
Graves kicks Neville in the hamstring as we go to commercial.
We are back and Graves kicks Neville and connects with forearms to the chest. Graves gets a near fall. We see footage of Graves working on the injured leg during the commercial break. Graves wrings the leg into the ring post and he punches Neville. Neville has trouble getting to his feet and he has to hold the ropes to stay on his feet. Graves with kicks to Neville. The referee warns Graves again.
Graves with a single leg crab on Neville and he pulls the knee pad off to add more pressure. Graves pulls Neville into the center of the ring and Neville tries to fight out of the hold but Tensai wonders if Neville should just tap out. Neville powers out of the hold. Neville with punches and a sunset flip for a near fall.
Neville kicks Graves away as Graves continues to try to work on the knee. Graves with a dive to the knee and he applies Lucky Thirteen and Neville fights for a moment but he taps out.
Tied at 1 Fall Each
The referee checks on Neville between falls.
Fall Number Three:
Neville with a forearm to Graves but Graves with shoulders to the midsection. Graves tries to cross the legs and drop Neville to the mat but Neville lands on his feet and he kicks Graves and both men are down. Graves falls to the floor while Neville struggles to get back to his feet.
Graves returns to the ring and he runs into an elbow and chop from Neville. Neville with punches and forearms in the corner. Neville with elbows and the referee gets between the two men and that allows Graves to kick Neville in the knee. Graves goes for the knee but Neville with a kick and he gets a near fall.
Neville tries to go to the turnbuckles despite limping significantly. He pulls himself up and gets up top on one leg but he falls to the mat. Graves with Lucky Thirteen in the center of the ring. Since he does not have another fall to deal with, he does everything to fight through the pain. Neville gets to the ropes and Graves releases the hold at the last moment.
Graves with kicks to the hamstring but Neville with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Adrian Neville (Two Falls to One)
We go to credits.
2014 - WWE released The Great Khali.
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