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December 10th
On this day in history in ....
1957 - The Atomic Blonds (Johnny Valentine & Chet Wallich) defeated Joe & Guy Brunetti for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1962 - Memphis Wrestling promoter and personality Randy Hales is born.
1968 - The Medics (Billy Garrett & Jim Starr) defeat Wahoo McDaniel & Jose Lothario in the finals of a tournament to become the first NWA Florida Tag Team Champions.
1972 - In an undercard bout on an AWA show, Ric Flair makes his professional wrestling debut, going to a ten minute draw with George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski.
1973 - Antonio Inoki defeats Johnny Powers for the NWF World Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Powers' second title reign.
1975 - Terry Funk defeats Jack Brisco to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Miami, Florida. This match ended Brisco's second reign with the belt, and also made Terry and Dory Funk, Jr. the only brothers to both hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
1977 - Don Kent defeats Lanny Poffo in Chattanooga, Tennessee to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title for the fourth time.
1980 - Antonio Inoki & Bob Backlund defeat Hulk Hogan & Stan Hansen in the finals of a tournament to win New Japan's first annual MSG Tag League.
1981 - Andre The Giant & Rene Goulet defeat Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami in the finals of a tournament to win New Japan's second annual MSG Tag League.
1982 - Antonio Inoki & Hulk Hogan defeat Killer Khan & Tiger Toguchi in the finals of a tournament to win New Japan's third annual MSG Tag League.
1995 - Combat Toyoda defeats Shark Tsuchiya in Tokyo, Japan to win the FMW Independent World Women's Title for the second time.
1999 - Genichiro Tenryu defeats Keiji Mutoh in Osaka, Japan to win New Japan's IWGP Title. This marked the end of Mutoh's third and final reign.
2000 - Super Crazy defeats Sean Hill to win the IWA Junior Heavyweight Title in Moca, Puerto Rico.
2000 - WWF held their Armageddon event at the Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham, Alabama, headlined by the first (and to date, only) six-person Hell In A Cell match. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show:
WWF's Armageddon (12/10 from Birmingham) was a classic one match show. The undercard hovered pretty much around the center, mostly standard matches such as you might see on RAW or Smackdown. There were two title changes to spice things up. The crowd was into the action at first but died somewhat in the middle of the show, when two non-wrestling segments were followed by an overly long Last Man Standing match. Commentary was very good, with Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler doing an excellent job of getting over the main event. And it was the main event, a heated, action-packed Hell in the Cell match featuring the six top stars in the promotion, which carried the show. Throughout the broadcast they built to the final match by showing classic footage from prior great Hell in the Cell confrontations. They conveniently, and wisely, left out last year's Big Bossman vs. Al Snow fiasco with the dogs.
The show had an eerie opening video of bombs going off and war footage.
Mick Foley reiterated his vow that he would resign the commissionership if any of the six participants were seriously injured. Vince McMahon arrived in his limo, where he was met by Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco doing their stooge routine. Vince was still wanting to stop the Hell in the Cell match.
EDDIE GUERRERO & PERRY SATURN & DEAN MALENKO defeated THE HARDY BOYZ & LITA in an elimination match in 8:05. Footage aired of Malenko's unfortunate date with Lita from Smackdown. Guerrero looked good, and got solid heel heat. Jeff Hardy hit a plancha. Jeff blocked a huracanrana attempt from Guerrero, with Lita then DDT'ing Guerrero and Jeff eliminating him with a swanton at 2:56. Jeff hit a corkscrew dropkick, and JR mentioned that Jeff may not have a long career. Saturn nailed Jeff at 3:42 with a powerslam for the pin. Matt Hardy hit the twist of fate on Saturn for a pin at 5:07. Terri came in but was speared by Lita. Malenko surprised Matt with a schoolboy at 5:33, leaving Malenko alone with Lita. Lita got pops hitting her signature moonsaults and spinning headscissors but Malenko took control and nailed her with a superplex and backbreaker. He twice had her beat but lifted her up by the hair at the two count, before forcing her to tap to the cloverleaf at 8:05. I really don't like inter-gender matches but this was a solid opener. Malenko hurled Lita from the ring afterward, with the Hardys making the save. Michael Cole stuck a mic in Lita's face and she vowed to beat Malenko as she was helped to the back.
Lilian Garcia tried to interview Kurt Angle as he was doing his pre-match warm-up exercises. He was pissed that she interrupted him. He put over the seriousness of his first Hell in the Cell and called it barbaric and acted like it was beneath the dignity of a pure wrestler such as himself. He also ridiculed the Alabama fans as inbred hicks. For a second, I thought I was watching an old Continental tape.
WILLIAM REGAL defeated HARDCORE HOLLY to retain the European Title in 4:53. Regal lectured the fans on using handkerchiefs and told them not to "love" their farm animals. I had a Continental flashback again. Holly came out and got a good pop since he's from Alabama (Mobile) and they put it over big. They did mostly mat wrestling and standard spots. Holly hit Regal with the old Lex Luger steel rod forearm. Regal sold it but the live crowds still don't react to this spot. Raven then sneaked in behind the ref's back and DDT'd Holly, with Regal getting the pin.
Kevin Kelly interviewed Rikishi. Kelly mentioned that Angle had turned on him on Smackdown and suggested that HHH might do so as well. Rikishi said he's ready for anything in the Hell in the Cell.
VAL VENIS defeated CHYNA in 5:02. Did I mention not liking inter-gender bouts? Chyna, who looks more like an Amazon than ever, attacked Val in the aisle, and also nailed Ivory. Chyna had Val reeling for a couple of minutes. Val came back but missed on the money shot. Ivory tripped Chyna, and Chyna left the ring to chase her. Val caught Chyna with a fisherman suplex when she returned to the ring for the pin. Chyna grabbed Ivory afterward and was going for the powerbomb but Val made the save and powerbombed Chyna.
Stephanie told Vince she's worried that HHH will be hurt in the Hell in the Cell. Vince promised to put a stop to the match.
Undertaker did a fantastic promo, taped earlier inside the Hell in the Cell, where he discussed his great Cell matches with Foley and Shawn Michaels and footage was shown of those bouts. They had the footage out of sequence for the Foley match (the bump through the cage before the bump off the cage) with UT acting like that was the correct sequence. But other than that technicality, this was a super interview with UT saying he becomes an animal inside that cage and that he made Foley and Michaels famous, and wondered who he would make famous in the upcoming match.
Vince came out, walking with a cane and accompanied by the stooges. He said he meant every word on Smackdown when he asked Linda for a divorce. He then went off on his tirade against Hell in the Cell and the danger it posed to his top six investments. He tried to make the case that he was a humanitarian, truly concerned about the six wrestlers' physical well-being. He asked fans to show their support for banning the match by standing. Of course, a few did, but most didn't. He began screaming for them to stand up as JR compared him to Jimmy Swaggart. Vince left in frustration, saying any injuries would be on the fans' consciences.
CHRIS JERICHO beat KANE in a Last Man Standing match in 17:15. They brawled to the back quickly, where they encountered a bunch of workmen hanging around a truck filled with sawdust (which was used in an angle later). One of the workmen got beat up. By the time this match began, they had had two non-action segments in a row (the UT interview, while awesome, was taped for the PPV crowd and was not live in the arena). The crowd was mostly dead as a result. They brawled back to the ring and did some decent stuff to no response. Both guys were trying but it just didn't click, and ran too long as well. Jericho went for his lionsault but Kane got his knees up. Kane chokeslammed Jericho hard. Jericho barely beat the ten count to stand up. Jericho blocked an attempted tombstone piledriver on a chair and hit Kane with the chair. By this point the match finally got some heat. Jericho lionsaulted a chair on Kane's chest and both went down for the count, barely standing up in time. They fought back to a set where there were a bunch of old cars and assorted junk. Jericho gave Kane a weak bulldog on a table. Finally, Jericho overturned a bunch of oil barrels on Kane, who was protected by a table, but sold it that he couldn't get out from under the barrels and was counted down.
Jonathan Coachman asked Foley if he was having second thoughts about the Hell in the Cell, but Foley said he was more determined than ever to see the match through.
Shawn Michaels did a promo from WWF New York to put over the main event.
EDGE & CHRISTIAN defeated GOODFATHER & BULL BUCHANAN and THE DUDLEYS and ROAD DOGG & K. KWIK to capture the WWF World Tag Titles in 9:41. Edge & Christian started off against the Dudleys. Kwik went in and did his acrobatic spots. There was a huge chant for tables. Kwik got pounded and got a busted lip. He has potential but they're rushing him. Buh Buh Ray cleaned house. The Dudleys did the wazzup spot on both Edge & Christian. They got a table and took it in. Goodfather & Bull both took 3D's but Steven Richards interfered and DDT'd D-Von on the table. Edge then gave Buh Buh the Tomokaze and Christian pinned him to capture the titles (this was not an elimination match). Solid action.
Stephanie whined to HHH about participating in the Hell in the Cell. HHH, who looks huge, did an intense promo saying the WWF Title means more to him than anything else and saying he'll go into the cage no matter the consequences.
CHRIS BENOIT beat BILLY GUNN to capture the IC Title in 10:02. Benoit stomped Gunn. Gunn tossed Benoit out but Benoit hurled him into the stairs for a good bump. Benoit worked on Gunn's knee. Benoit hit his multiple suplexes but missed the diving headbutt. JR was dwelling on Gunn's earrings for some reason. Gunn hit the famouser, but did so weakly to sell the bad knee. Benoit hooked the crossface, with Gunn making the ropes, but Benoit hooked it again and Gunn tapped. A decent technical match. Afterward, Gunn said Benoit hasn't seen the last of him.
In a pre-taped segment, JR interviewed Steve Austin, who put over the danger of the Hell in the Cell very well.
IVORY defeated TRISH STRATUS and MOLLY HOLLY in 2:12 to retain the WWF Women's Title. Trish and Ivory kept trying to cooperate but also argued. Molly powerbombed Trish, but Ivory threw Molly out and pinned Trish herself. Test & Albert attacked Molly afterward. Crash Holly saved but T & A were about to beat him up when the Acolytes made their big return and ran T & A off. The match was mainly a backdrop for the Acolytes return, and it was put on in this spot since there was no way it would upstage the main event.
Rock did a promo and promised to kick all the candy asses in the Hell in the Cell.
KURT ANGLE defeated STEVE AUSTIN & ROCK & HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY & UNDERTAKER & RIKISHI in the Hell in the Cell in 32:12 to retain the WWF World Title. Angle wouldn't go into the cage, but when Austin arrived, he threw him in. Rock started off against Rikishi, while Austin went at it with HHH and Angle fought Undertaker. Austin got some twos on HHH. Rock hit a great Samoan drop on Angle for a near fall. Austin lariated the hell out of HHH and raked his face repeatedly on the cage, juicing him big. Rikishi walloped Austin's bad neck. He hugged his supposed ally HHH, but HHH turned on him and Pedigreed him. Rock then DDT'd HHH, Angle Olympic slammed Rock, Austin stunnered Angle, and Undertaker chokeslammed Austin. So everyone was breaking up everyone else's pin. Undertaker mauled HHH on the cage for more juice. JR & Lawler were selling this great. Vince & the Stooges then arrived on the sawdust truck. Vince had the workmen rip the cage door off and ordered them to dismantle the entire cage, but Foley arrived and beat up the stooges and had the road agents haul Vince out, screaming "I own this damn place!" The truck remained parked there next to the cage. And you were wondering what that sawdust was for! With the door gone, HHH staggered out, followed by Austin and the others. The brawled around the old cars and junk, taking bumps on and off the cars. Rock juiced after HHH Pedigreed him on a car. Austin juiced big when HHH smashed his face through the sawdust truck window. Austin catapulted HHH onto a car. Undertaker beat Angle with a microphone. Angle juiced UT with a hard chairshot. HHH climbed the cage, and Austin followed him up, with JR freaking out. Angle and UT then went up, and it was noticed that Angle was bleeding, which Lawler sold huge since he has never juiced before. All four brawled on top. Rock and Rikishi went up, but Austin, HHH, and Angle wisely climbed down. Rock climbed down pretty quickly as well. This left UT and Rikishi up there, two big guys so that was scary. UT ended up using his last burst of strength to hurl Rikishi off the top and he fell onto the sawdust in the truck. A good bump, but well-padded. UT then collapsed on the cage top. Meanwhile, the other four were back in the cage. Rock gave Austin a spinebuster and was going for the People's Elbow but HHH nailed him. Angle was now juicing big. Austin gave Rock a stunner but was attacked by HHH, allowing Angle to barely get his arm over Rock for the pin. The ending sort of came out of nowhere. Austin did a stunner on Angle afterward. A great main event.
2009 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a match from the Smackdown Brand. Our main event will come from Raw when Montel Vontavious Porter faces Jack Swagger.
Match Number One: Dolph Ziggler versus Finlay
They lock up and Finlay backs Ziggler into the corner but Ziggler holds on and backs Finlay into a different corner. Ziggler with a kick but Finlay with a take down and punches to Ziggler. Ziggler gets to the ropes but Finlay with knees to Ziggler. Ziggler with a kick to Finlay and then he takes Finlay down with a side head lock. Finlay with an arm drag take down into an arm bar. Ziggler goes into the ropes again and Finlay releases the hold. Ziggler goes for the knees but Finlay stops him and puts Ziggler in a front face lock. Finlay with a European uppercut followed by a short arm clothesline. Finlay with another European uppercut or two. Ziggler sends Finlay into the turnbuckles and then Finlay goes to the floor. Ziggler tries for a baseball slide but Finlay pulls the ring skirt up to contain Ziggler and he punches Ziggler. Finlay avoids an elbow drop but Ziggler with a shoulder to Finlay as he returns to the ring and Ziggler sends Finlay into the ring post. Ziggler kicks Finlay as Finlay rests against the ropes. Ziggler gets a near fall and then he applies an arm bar. Finlay with forearms to Ziggler but Ziggler with a kick and drop kick for a near fall. Finlay and Ziggler bump heads and both men go down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with knees to the elbow. Ziggler with a near fall as Finlay tries to get some feeling back in his arm. Ziggler with a snap mare and a leap frog neck whip for a near fall. Ziggler continues to work on the arm. Ziggler comes off the turnbuckles but he is met with a boot from Finlay and then Finlay tosses Ziggler in the air before he hits two clothesline and a seated splash for a near fall. Finlay with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Ziggler. Finlay pulls Ziggler off the turnbuckles and gets a near fall. Ziggler sends Finlay into the turnbuckles and hits the Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Montel Vontavious Porter is in the interview area with Josh Mathews and Josh asks Porter about his match. Porter says that they have met before and they always leave the ring battered, bruised, and scarred. They don’t like each other and he says that he needs three things. Aggression, endurance, and an umbrella. Josh asks why he needs an umbrella and Porter mimics Jack’s speaking style. We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE has its shows translated into numerous languages?
We have a second match from the Smackdown brand this week.
Match Number Two: David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd with Natalya versus Jimmy Wang Yang and Slam Master J
Kidd and J start things off and Kidd with a waist lock but J with a standing switch and take down into a front face lock. Yang tags in and he hits a sunset flip for a near fall. Yang works on the arm and then he trips Kidd to the mat. J tags back in and he hits a snap mare followed by a kick to the back. J with an arm drag as a counter to a hip toss and then he follows that with a drop toe hold and drop kick. Yang makes the blind tag and hits a standing moonsault for a near fall. Kidd with a knee to Yang but Yang with a series of kicks and Kidd goes to the floor. Yang follows him to the floor and returns him to the ring. Natalya pulls Yang off the apron and then she slams Yang on the floor. Smith tags in and he runs Yang into the ring apron. They return to the ring and Smith with a slam and reverse chin lock. Yang with elbows to get out of the hold but Smith with a knee and a belly-to-belly suplex followed by an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Smith gets Yang on his shoulders and then he tags in Kidd. They try for a Rocket Launcher but Yang gets his knees up. Yang stretches for the tag and he succeeds. J with shoulder tackles and then he hits a head scissors on Kidd. J with a version of Ghanarhea on Kid and then Smith goes to the floor and Yang hits a pescado onto Smith. Kidd blocks a suplex and hits a back kick followed by snap mare into a neck breaker for the three count.
Winners: David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Randy Orton video package.
We then go to a Raw Rebound.
It is time for our main event and it comes from the Raw brand.
Before our main event, Jack Swagger has something to say in the ring. He says that as an All American American, he has a certain responsibility and he is held to a higher standard. He says that people can look to him as a role model, unlike MVP. He will let the kids look up to him. He says that he is nothing like Porter. Who would want to look up to someone who came from the streets and struggled to find his way. He says that he was born this good. He says that he does not need catchphrases, chains, and bling to stand out. Maybe some people think having a lisp is funny, but he does not have a lisp. Swagger has trouble pronouncing his name and before he turns into Slyvester, he stops. Jack is able to say his name and then he says that he approves this message.
Match Number Three: Jack Swagger versus Montel Vontavious Porter
They lock up and Swagger pushes Porter into the corner but Swagger backs into the ropes and the referee stops him. They lock up again and Swagger with a side head lock and take down. Porter with a head scissors but Swagger escapes. Swagger with another side head lock take down. Porter gets back to his feet but Swagger with a shoulder tackle. Porter with a hip toss or two. Porter tries for a third but Swagger goes to the floor. They lock up and Swagger with a top wrist lock and then he takes Porter down to his knees. Porter gets back to his feet and he hits a few arm drags and Porter follows that with punches. Swagger with an Irish whip but Porter floats over and hits a clothesline. Porter with the set up for the Ballin Elbow but Swagger rolls to the floor. Porter hits a pescado and then he returns to the ring as we go to commercial.
We are back and Porter with a suplex and a near fall. Porter with an arm bar on Swagger but Swagger with punches to Porter. Swagger with an Irish whip and Porter floats over but Swagger catches him before hitting the Oklahoma Stampede. Swagger with kicks to Porter and then he isolates the arms and then he puts Porter in a hammer lock and gets a near fall on Porter. Swagger with forearms to the back and then Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly throw and both men are down. Porter with punches to Swagger after blocking punches from Swagger. Porter with a back body drop and clothesline followed by a back elbow. Porter with a face buster and now it is time to try the Ballin Elbow again. Porter hits the elbow drop but Porter tries for the Playmaker but Swagger grabs the ropes. Porter with a rollup for a near fall. Porter with another near fall. Swagger with an Irish whip and then he hits the double jump Vader Splash for a two count. Swagger tries for a neck breaker but Porter holds the ropes and then Porter with the big boot but he can only get a two count. Swagger falls into the corner and Porter tries for the running boot into the corner but Swagger with snake eyes and then he hits the Doctor Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Jack Swagger
2009 - Did you know that Hulk Hogan is coming to TNA? Why did Sting no show the interview? What about Jeff Jarrett? As we go to the wrestlers active in the company, we hear Desmond Wolfe talk about his match with Kurt Angle at Final Resoultion.
Mick Foley enters his office and he has ‘the footage’ but Kevin Nash is at his desk. Nash says that he has a deal for Foley. He will set up a sit down for Hogan and Foley. Nash says that Hogan was not too keen on the deal. Nash says that he wants to be able to run the show tonight. Foley says that Nash has a deal. Foley gives a disc to Nash to make sure it gets to the truck. Borash is going with Foley and Nash gives them some spending money. Nash says that he wants to get the security tapes for the last three months.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Caude Henry Smmott’ Tenay and Taz.
Kevin Nash comes to the ring and he is joined by Eric Young. Nash says that everyone is in for a show tonight. Nash says that he worked out a deal where he is in complete charge of Impact. He gets to make the matches and the other festivities because he set up a one-on-one meeting with Mick Foley and Hulk. Nash is going to tell us what is on the menu for tonight’s show. The British Invasion will face Chris Sabin in a three-on-one Epsenhart Special. Scott Steiner and a Knockout of his choice against Bobby and Kristal against Hamada. Tara will face ODB in Trailer Park Throwdown. It is a street fight where each of the participants must drink a six pack before the match. Team 3D, Rhino, and Jesse Neal will face Matt Morgan, Suicide, Hernandez, and D’Angelo Dinero with the person getting pinned having to start the match alone for five minutes at the pay per view. Lacey von Erich will face Velvet Sky in a mud wrestling match. The highest bidder will get a title shot against A.J. Styles.
It is time to see footage of Mick Foley in Nashville. Mick enters the offices and he talks to a monitor with Dixie on it. Mick asks some of the writers if they saw Dixie. Mick asks for them to write a segment where he gets to talk to Dixie. Mick bumps into Dave Sahadi and he says that he hasn’t talked to Jeff in months. Mick is told where he might find Jarrett and Mick is off to that place. We go to commercial.
We are back and Mike and Taz talk about Hulk Hogan’s announcement about the January live Impact.
We see footage from last week’s match when Alex Shelley defeated Doug Williams.
Match Number One: The British Invasion versus Chris Sabin
Williams starts off and he works on the arm but Sabin with a reversal and hammer lock. Williams reverses as well and he punches Sabin. Williams with a side head lock but Sabin with a take down. Williams with a sunset flip but Sabin rolls through and kicks Williams. Magnus hits Sabin from behind and Sabin responds with a drop kick that knocks Magnus off the apron. Sabin sends Williams to the floor and then Sabin sets for a dive to the floor but he forgot about Rob Terry and Rob hits a shoulder tackle. Williams punches Sabin and then he chokes Sabin with his boot. Magnus tags in and they hit a double cross arm clothesline and then they pose and shake hands because it isn’t important to win the match. Williams tags back in and Williams with a knee into the corner and Williams sends Sabin into a big boot from Magnus. Rob tags in and he slams Sabin but misses an elbow drop. Sabin with a forearm to Rob and then he sends Williams and Magnus into the turnbuckles. Sabin with a running boot to Rob and then he hits a double drop kick on Williams and Magnus before Sabin hits a tornado inside cradle for the three count on Terry.
Winner: Chris Sabin
After the match, Doug and Brutus yell at Rob.
Christy Hemme is with Scott Steiner to interview him. Christy mentions Steiner’s match against the Lashleys. Steiner thinks that the Main Event Mafia is still around and he goes on a rant. Christy tries to get Scott back on the promo. Steiner says that he has a lot of use for freaks but he will get someone who will watch Steiner beat up Bobby and Kristal. Steiner reveals a shirt with Kristal’s photo on it. He says that if their son gets in the way, he will take care of him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Mick Foley continues his search for Jeff Jarrett but he has hit another roadblock since Jarrett has not been at the restaurant he regularly frequented for a month.
We see footage of the way that Bobby Lashley earned his title match against A.J. Styles (or the heavyweight champion at the time).
Match Number Two: Bobby and Kristal Lashley versus Scott Steiner and Awesome Kong
The men start off and Steiner poses. Bobby with a kick and forearm to the back followed by a slam. Steiner goes to the floor and Lashley follows. They return to the ring and Steiner backs Lashley into the corner and he chops Bobby. Steiner with an Irish whip but Bobby with an elbow and then he gets Steiner onto his shoulder for a gut buster. Bobby with a shoulder in the corner and he gets a near fall. Bobby with a kick but Kong trips Bobby. Steiner with a shot to the back. Steiner with an Irish whip followed by a clothesline. Kong comes in and she accidentally hits Steiner. Bobby hits Steiner while Steiner argues with Kong. Bobby hits a T-Bone suplex and Steiner goes to the floor. Kristal gives her husband some moral support and the referee calls it as a tag. Steiner sends Bobby into the ring steps. Kong stands behind Kristal and Kristal backs into her. Kong with a double chop and a slam. Kong goes up top but Steiner gets on top of Kristal to make the cover for the three count.
Winners: Scott Steiner and Awesome Kong
After the match, Steiner does push ups on top of Kristal until Bobby returns to the ring.
Lauren is in the interview area with Samoa Joe and she talks about the Feast or Fired Match. Joe is the first person into the match. Joe says that he was in the main event at Turning Point and then he was sitting at home for two weeks while they deal with the flavor of the week, Christopher Daniels. Joe then talks about how he was left out of the ‘randomly selected’ Tournament Championship Series on Thanksgiving. Joe says that there is someone who wants to keep him as far away from the TNA Title as possible. That is why he is going to get his title match at Final Resolution.
James Storm and Robert Roode join in the festivities and Roode tells Joe that they know where he is coming from because they have been screwed out of the tag title matches. They are willing to take the risk of being fired. Storm and Roode talk about they have double the opportunity to get the right case or the wrong case. Roode says that it is worth the risk and Storm wants to know if it is worth the risk to end the team. Roode says that they have no other opportunity. Storm says that there are always choices.
We are back and they are making sure that the mud is up to TNA standards, but we go back to commercial.
We are back and Velvet and Lacey are not happy about the mud wrestling match. Madison says that it is beneath the three of them and she is angry that she isn’t asked to be part of the match. Nash enters the locker room and says that he is not doing this to humiliate them. Nash says that nobody will change the channel with them out there. He talks about the ratings and the attention that they will get. Nash says that the three of them will make a lot of money. Nash says that they will need a referee and he suggests that Madison does it and he gives her a referee’s shirt. Lacey misunderstands the meaning of ratings and Madison and Velvet do the equivalent of patting her on the head and calling her ‘precious’.
We have a Sting video package along with the Hulk Hogan footage.
In case you missed it, we go to the footage from Saturday night when Joe Rogan interviewed Hulk Hogan to talk about the January special.
Lauren is in the interview area and Tara is getting ready for her match. Tara says that this isn’t funny and she says that she is a world class athlete. Tara says that she would drink three 6 packs to get her hands on ODB. Lauren asks Tara how she will do against ODB tonight. Tara says that she would drink a keg to get her hands on ODB. Tara walks away while drinking and then she bumps into something.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Christy Hemme is with Eric Young in the locker room to talk about his match against Hamada. Eric says that he wouldn’t do this for just anybody. He is doing this for his friend, compadre, and brother Kevin Nash. Eric says that he is defending his title against a non-American and he says that he has been watching Hamada and says that this is an initiation. Eric wants Hamada to pull out all of the stops against Eric. She is going to treat this like any other match and he is going to take this match very seriously.
Match Number Three: Eric Young versus Hamada in a TNA Global Title Match
They lock up and Young pats Hamada on the head after a clean break. They lock up again and Young pie faces Young but Hamada with a spin kick that sends Young to the floor. Hamada follows to the floor and connects with a series of head butts. They return to the ring. Young with a boot to a charging Hamada. Young goes to the turnbuckles and Hamada with a spin kick to the head. Hamada with a Frankensteiner but Young kicks out. Hamada with a slam and then she goes for the moonsault but Young moves. Young gets the three count and uses the ropes for leverage.
Winner: Eric Young
Madison, Lacey, and Velvet are in their mud wrestling robes and they talk about how they can guarantee good ratings. They talk about wardrobe malfunctions. Lacey says that they are overthinking things and suggests that they should just wrestle. Then they laugh about it. Then Velvet thinks maybe they should kiss.
Mick Foley is back in Nashville and he is at another restaurant looking for Jeff Jarrett. What a coincidence, Jeff Jarrett is in the place where Mick is asking for directions. More to come. We go to commercial.
We are back for a bit to see ODB drinking.
We are back and Christy is with ODB in the interview area. ODB wants to know who came up with the name for the match. ODB goes to the ring for the match.
We see the previous confrontation between Tara and ODB.
Match Number Four: Tara versus ODB in a Trailer Park Throwdown
Tara hits ODB with a bucket and hits a drop kick that sends ODB to the floor. Tara gets a tiki torch and hits ODB with it and the she goes for the groin. Tara puts ODB in a wheelbarrow and then ODB spits some of her drinkie poo in Tara’s face. ODB gets some police tape and wraps it around Tara. ODB hits Tara with a cookie sheet and then goes for a plunger to the rear end. ODB catapults Tara onto the ladder in the ring. ODB climbs the ladder but has second thoughts about using it. ODB gets a step ladder for a frog splash but Tara kicks out. ODB gets the tiki torch and chokes Tara with it. Tara sends ODB to the mat using the torch. ODB gets a trash can lid and she grazes Tara. Tara gets a trash can lid and she releases it too soon and it flies into the crowd. Tara gets another lid and hits ODB with it. Tara with a slam and hits a moonsault onto a trash can lid placed on ODB’s chestal region. Tara tries to go up top but she gets a bit woozy. ODB chokes Tara with a chain and then she hits an X Factor onto a chair for the three count.
Winner: ODB
It is time for Mick to talk to Jeff face to face. Jeff says that he has been living in hell. He wants to know why Mick came to town after last week’s call. Mick says that they go back more than 20 years and he knows that Double J cannot stay away from wrestling. Jeff says that Double J cannot stay away from wrestling, but Jeff Jarrett can. Jeff says that after what she has done, he can. Jeff asks Linda for a double as we go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that the footage of Abyss is ‘too severe’ for Spike TV.
Match Number Five: Rhino, Team 3D, and Jesse Neal versus Hernandez, Suicide, D’Angelo Dinero, and Matt Morgan in a Loser starts alone for five minutes next Sunday match
Jesse Neal comes to the ring in D’Angelo Dinero’s ring jacket and Ray gets on the mic. He says that this match will be a handicap match because The Pope isn’t going to make it tonight.
Morgan and Rhino start things off and Rhino with a kick and Morgan sends Rhino into the turnbuckles and does the elbow pad-free elbows. Morgan misses a splash into the corner and Devon tags in but Morgan with a back elbow. Morgan with more punches. Devon with punches to Morgan but Morgan with a clothesline and he tags in Suicide. Devon gets out of the way as Suicide comes off the turnbuckles. Ray tags in and they lock up. Ray misses a punch but Suicide misses an arm drag. They lock up again and Suicide climbs the turnbuckles and he hits an arm drag. Ray misses a charge into the corner but Jesse pushes Suicide to the floor. Jesse sends Suicide back into the ring and Ray with a big boot. Jesse tags in and he punches Suicide. Rhino tags in and he kicks Suicide. Rhino with an Irish whip and shoulder into the corner. Devon tags in and he punches Suicide. Devon with an Irish whip but he charges into a boot and then Suicide with a running drop kick. Both men are down. Hernandez tags in and hits a slingshot shoulder tackle on Jesse. Hernandez knocks Rhino, Devon, and Ray down. Hernandez with a back body drop to Jesse and then he sends Rhino over the top rope to the floor as well as Devon. Jesse hits Hernandez from behind but Hernandez with a POUNCE and then Hernandez with a plancha onto Rhino and Team 3D. Hernandez with a Dominator but Jesse kicks out. Ray with a Bubba Bomb to Hernandez. Morgan with a Carbon Footprint to Ray. Rhino with a belly-to-belly suplex to Morgan and then Rhino raises his arms because he can. Suicide with a missile drop kick to Rhino. Devon with an inverted slam to Suicide. Hernandez pulls himself up to the turnbuckles and Devon tries for a superplex but Hernandez knocks Devon off. Hernandez sets for the Border Toss and hits it. Jesse with a spear to Hernandez for the three count.
Winners: Rhino, Team 3D, and Jesse Neal
After the match, Team 3D, Rhino, and Jesse attack Hernandez, but Suicide and Matt Morgan try to stop them. D’Angelo Dinero’s music plays and he hobbles to the ring with his cane and the ring is cleared.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Tomko training video package.
Don and Mike have their rain gear on and the umbrellas go up.
Match Number Six: Velvet Sky versus Lacey Von Erich in a Mud Wrestling Match with guest referee Madison Rayne
They do their usual ring entrance despite the fact that they are opponents tonight.
The match starts and they lock up and Velvet takes Lacey to the mud. Velvet chokes Lacey and then Lacey takes Velvet down. Velvet with a chin lock. Madison gets a good laugh at Velvet and Lacey and Madison is taken down. Velvet gets the three count.
Winner: Velvet Sky
After the ‘match’ they trip each other and play some more in the mud.
Lauren is with Jay Lethal and the Black Machismo Invitational is back next week. Lauren reminds Jay that he lost to Jim Neidhart. Jay says that he cannot prepare for a match if he does not know his opponent.
A.J. Styles is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and we see Kevin Nash telling Dave Penzer who is going to face A.J. Styles. We are back to commercial.
We are back to Mick and Jeff talking about the problems they have with Dixie Carter. Mick talks about how Jeff told him to make the investment in TNA. Then Mick mentions the deal with Hulk Hogan and he wonders where that leaves him. Jeff reminds Mick of who created TNA and then he says that he has been pushed aside over the last five months. Mick says that Jeff brought it upon himself. Jeff says that is a load of crap. Mick says that he doesn’t like the new Jeff Jarrett because the old one would have fought for things. Mick talks about Jeff’s two girls and then Jeff tells Mick to sit down and reminds him that it is three girls.
Match Number Seven: A.J. Styles versus Desmond Wolfe in the Who can give Kevin Nash more Money Invitational
Kurt Angle comes to the ring to watch the match.
They lock up and Wolfe goes into the ropes. Wolfe with a full nelson for a second and then he works on the wrist. Styles kips up and then he hits an arm drag but Wolfe holds on. Styles with a slam but Wolfe holds on to the wrist. Styles with a reversal but Wolfe reverses again. Styles with another reversal. Wolfe with a snap mare but Styles responds with the Phenomenal drop kick. Styles with a hammer lock but Wolfe backs Styles into the ropes. Wolfe tries to send Styles into the turnbuckles to continue to work on the shoulder but Styles blocks it. Styles misses a splash into the corner and Wolfe with a hammer lock Divorce Court. Wolfe with an overhead throw using the arm. Wolfe uses the ropes to work on the arm but Styles punches back. Wolfe with a forearm to the shoulder and then he runs into a boot from A.J. Styles with a double sledge and then he hits a neck breaker from a fireman’s carry. Styles is sent to the apron but Styles with a phenomenal forearm. Styles and Wolfe collide and Wolfe accidentally kicks A.J. low. Wolfe sets for a lariat but Daniels distracts Wolfe. Styles with a rollup and bridge for the three count.
Winner: A.J. Styles
After the match, Daniels says that it is his title. Wolfe goes after Daniels and they have some words. Daniels pushes Wolfe but Wolfe with a forearm. Referees have to separate Wolfe and Daniels.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Mick and Jeff are talking and they wonder what will be accomplished for Jeff to talk to Dixie. Jeff asks about Kurt but Mick says that Dixie is the bridge they have to cross. Mick says that Dixie knows that there would be no TNA without Jeff. Jeff wants to know how they do it. Mick tells Jeff to go into the Impact Zone next week and that is the only way to get things done. Jeff says that they have a deal. We go to credits.
2010 - Jersey All Pro Wrestling held an anniversary show event in Rahway, NJ. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Jersey All Pro Wrestling kicked off their Anniversary show weekend at the Rec Center in Rahway, New Jersey tonight.
Josh Daniels vs. Jonathan Gresham
They started out with some good back and forth wrestling as Gresham took Daniels to the mat with a cravate. Daniels escaped and tried to work on Gresham’s arm. He grabbed Gresham in a side headlock and was shot off into the ropes but soulderblocked Gresham down. They exchanged hiptosses and Daniels went to the floor. Gresham faked out a dive and went to the top rope for a standing moonsault to the floor.
Back in the ring, they exchanged chops with Daniels getting the better of the exchange. He began wearing down Gresham with hard hitting shots. Daniels wore him down on the mat with a side chinlock. Gresham fought back with a series of chops. Daniels backdropped Gresham, who landed on his feet. Gresham nailed a dropkick and several quick moves but was caught in a Side Russian Legsweep into a submission attempt as Daniels used his leg to torque Gresham’s neck.
Daniels nailed a running clothesline in the corner, then a second. Gresham looked out on his feet. He kicked off Daniels from a third attempt but was caught with several stiff kicks. Gresham ducked another and nailed a Dragon Screw legwhip and cinched in a figure four leglock. Daniels escaped and drilled him with a lariat for a two count.
Gresham came back with a floatover DDT for a two count, then cinched in an anklelock. Daniels caught him with a belly to back suplex with a bridge and scored the pin in 7:32.
Good opener to open the show.
Devon Moore vs. Jon Moxley
They began brawling as soon as Moxley hit the ring. Moore came back with a head scissors takedown and a dropkick. Moxley caught him in the corner with a series of punches but was elevated up and over to the apron, then kicked to the floor. Moore dove through the ropes but was caught and run into the guard rail. Moxley slammed him into the railing a second time.
Back in the ring, Moxley slammed him down for a two count. He applied an STF. Moore mounted a comeback but was cut off on the top rope. Moxley nailed a superplex and scored a two count. He cinched in a rear naked choke on Moore. He pulled Moore to the ropes and tried to suplex him outside the ring to the floor but Moore escaped and kicked Moxley off the apron. Moore nailed a shooting star press to the floor.
Back in the ring, he nailed a bodypress for a two count. Moore drilled Moxley with a big boot to the face and nailed a quebrada for a two count. He went for a sunset flip but Moxley sat down and nearly for the pin. They charged and collided in the center of the ring. The referee began counting them down as the crowd clapped and rallied them.
Moxley caught Moore with a DDT and nearly scored the pin. He went to the top but Moore dropkicked his legs out from under him, crotching Moxley. They battled on the ropes and Moxley nailed a forward faceslam off the ropes for the pin in 5:50.
Another short but good match.
Nick Gage vs. Rhino (with Jonny D)
Gage got the biggest reaction of the night so far for his entrance. They locked up and neither man go t the advantage. Gage worked over Rhino with a side headlock but Rhino took him down with a shoulderblock. They brawled out of the ring. Rhino slammed him backwards into the floor before they returned to the ring.
Gage cut Rhino off with a clothesline and nailed a running elbowdrop for a two count. Abby would be proud. He cinched in a side chinlock and took Rhino down to the mat. Gage drilled Rhino with a hangman’s neckbreaker for a two count.
JAPW champion Brodie Lee hit the ring and tried to take out Rhino with a running boot but nailed Gage instead. No DQ? Lee and Rhino got into it for a second and Lee walked out. Rhino waited for Gage to recover and gored him for the pin in 5:16.
The brawling was fine but it felt they never got out of first gear. The finish was weird and honestly, not good. Fans chanted, “Bullsh**” afterward, then chanted for Gage.
Corvis Fear vs. Joe Hardway
Hardway was attacked by Fear as the strippers did their thing. Hardway came back with a slam and a legdrop for a two count. He choked Fear against the ropes. Fear tried to come off the ropes but was stopped. He came back with several chops and knocked Hardway outside to the apron. Fear followed and they battled on the apron.
Back in the ring, Hardway scored some shots but Fear cut him off. He nailed a unique splash into the ropes on Hardway then hit a leg lariat. Fear went for a stunner but Hardway escaped and nailed a TKO for a nea r fall.
Hardway grabbed a crutch but Annie Social ran out grabbed it. Fear nailed a stunner on the distracted Hardway to get the pin in 6:08. OK.
After the match, Social got into it with Mia Yim. Fear grabbed Yim and kissed her.
Kalamity vs. LuFisto for JAPW Women’s championship shot tomorrow
Fans chanted “Welcome back” to LuFisto. They locked up and Kalamity backed LuFisto into the corner. They had a clean break and locked up again in the center of the ring. LuFisto scored a quick two count and Kalamity did as well, then they faced off.
They locked up for a test of strength, which LuFisto got the advantage on, but Kalamity fought back. She ran LuFisto into the ropes for a rollup for a two count. LuFisto came back with a clothesline and a back senton splash for a two count. She cinched on a leg submission but Kalamity fought her way to the ropes.
Kalamity came back with a stuff clothesline and began stomping Lufisto as she was hanging in the ropes. She measured and drilled her with a stiff kick to the head, then locked on a Camel Clutch variation. She really worked over LuFisto in the corner but was kicked off while charging. Lufisto did a hanging armbreaker over the ropes while upside down outside the ring.
LuFisto went to the ropes but was cut off and tied to the tree ofwoe. Kalamity nailed a running dropkick to the mid-section, then smothered LuFisto with her boot. She nailed a running boot to the face and scored another two count. She locked a chinlock on LuFisto, driving her knee into Fisto’s back at the same time. The crowd rallied LuFisto who made a comeback and scored a two count with a backslide.
They began exchanging blows while on their knees and continued fighting as they made their way to their feet. They knocked each other back down with a double clothesline. They recovered and began exchanging chops. Kalamity missed a charge in the corner and was nailed with a kick, a cannonball splash and a running boot for a two count.
They went back and forth. LuFisto caught her in a forward choke but Kalamity got out and they began stiffing the hell out of each other with hard kicks and punches. The fans began chanting, “This is awesome” and they were right. LuFisto came back with a flying headbutt for a two count.
LuFisto grabbed Kalamity by the breasts, squeezed and raked them. That was, uh, unique. Kalamity came back wih a sitdown powerbomb for two count. LuFisto finally came back with a Tazmission and forced a submission at 11:03.
Your winner, LuFisto!
Really good back and forth match. The best thing on the show so far.
Necro Butcher (with Brodie Lee) vs. Eddie Kingston
Necro choked Kingston immediately with a shirt and tried to hang him over the ropes. Kingston fought his way out and they began chopping each other on the floor. Several chairs got tossed into the ring. Necro and Kingston battled back and forth. Necro nailed a backbreaker across two open chairs in the ring.
They continued to maul each other in the tradition of Thesz and Inoki. Necro trapped Kingston in a chinlock, tearing at his face and mouth. Fans began chanting for Kingston. Kingston made it to the ropes.
Kingston fired back with a series of hard chops in the corner and a running boot. He grabbed a chair and set up a chair. He press slammed Necro off the top through the chair and covered him for a two count. Kingston nailed a side suplex. He went for a German suplex but Necro headbutt him backwards.
Brodie Lee grabbed a piece of the guard rail and placed it inside the ring. Necro ran it into Kingston, placed it atop of him and nailed a back senton splash on the railing. That was insane. Butcher bulldogged Kingston on the railing piece for a two count. Kingston came back to hit a belly to back suplex on the railing. All of this is in full view of the referee with no DQ.
Butcher and Kingston began beating each other with punches in the face. Butcher nailed a KO shot and scored the pin in 12:58.
Your winner, Necro Butcher!
Nice brawl.
Necro Butcher took the mic and said he had found Brodie Lee, the new JAPW champion, another opponent of “questionable ethnicity” from “Deepest, Darkest Puerto Rico” and called for the challenger to come out. Lee waited for a long time until finally Pinky Sanchez came out.
JAPW champion Brodie Lee vs. Pinky Sanchez
Sanchez came out wearing the Pink Ant mask and took it off in the aisle. He hit the ring and ate a big boot to the face, and was pinned.
Your winner and still champion. Brodie Lee.
Lee and Necro kept beating on Sanchez, which brought out Rhino and Jonny D, followed by most of the roster. There was a pull apart with Rhino. Lee ended up on the floor, laying out several members of security and throwing a guard rail. Lee held up the JAPW title and told Rhino he’d see him tomorrow in Philadelphia.
Nick Gage took the mic said that we were all looking at the most dominant force in JAPW, the Hillbilly Wrecking Crew. Jonny D said they should send Lee back to the ring and no one would have to wait for Philadelphia. Lee charged back down to ringside and began swinging a chair. Everyone held Rhino back from getting out of the ring. Jonny D told them Rhino would see them tomorrow.
JAPW Tag Team champions Sami Callihan & Chris Dickinson vs. Da Hit Squad
Da Hit Squad went under the ring and tossed a ton of weapons in, including chairs, a trash can and two big heavy pieces of wood. As the champions came to ringside, Maff nailed a dive out of the ring onto both, which got a huge pop.
Monsta Mack and Callihan faced off in the ring nailing each other with stiff shots. Maff and Dickinseon brawled on the floor. Mack pressed Callihan over his head but Dickinson attacked him from behind. The champions worked over Mack in the ring as Maff was down on the floor.
Maff returned to the ring and began unleashing suplexes. He and Callihan exchanged chops. Maff charged Callihan, who leapfrogged him and Maff ran right into a chair wedged in a corner. Maff was busted open. He tried to charge Callihan again but Callihan sidestepped him and Maff speared a huge piece of wood. He no sold it and charged Callihan, crashing through the second piece for a huge pop.
Maff locked Callihan in a figure four leglock. Mack came off the top with a big splash. Dickinson dropped a top rop elbow on Maff to break it. Mack and Dickinson fought back and forth. Dickinson drilled him several times with remnants of the broken wood and covered him for a two count. Mack was now busted open as well.
Dickinson worked over Mack as Maff and Callihan brawled on the floor. Callihan cut off Mack and nailed a tope on Maff. Mack went for another dive but the champions nailed him. He fought them off and then hit a tope through the ropes on his opponents. Fans chanted, “JAP.”
All four battled in the aisle. The champs put a trash can over Mack and kicked the hell out of his head. Callihan tossed a guard rail into the ring. He broke another piece of wood over Mack. He threw the trash can from the ring down at Maff. Dickinson tossed Maff in the ring and Callihan covered him for a two count.’
Callihan went for a back suplex and finally nailed it, driving Maff into the guard rail, which was placed in the corner. Mack and Dickinson continued to battle outside. They all began brawling into the bleachers. They had a long, long, long brawl around all four corners of the building,
Back in the ring, Callihan drilled Mack with a trash can lid to no success. He drilled Mack with a lariat for a two count. The champions worked over Maff as Mack recovered. Maff recovered and hit a Burning Hammer off the apron through a thick wooden plank bridged from the apron to the rail.
Mack scored the pin in 19:36.
Your winners and new JAPW Tag Team champions, Da Hit Squad!
Famed New Japan referee Tiger Hatori is refereeing. I popped for that.
BBoy and Azrieal started, going back and forth and faced off. Omega tagged in and faced off with BBoy, but Generico asked to be tagged in. They locked up and Generico backed Omega into the corner, breaking clean. They locked up again with Omega backing Generico into a corner and again, a clean break. He pointed at Generico, then poked him in the eye. They faced off and then shook hands, only for Omega to poke him in the eye again.
Generico got fired up and nearly scored a pin with a rollup. They went back and forth exchanging armdrags, then Omega got a poke in the face. Liger and Bandido tagged in. Bandido shot him into the ropes but was shoulderblocked down. Bandido hiptossed Liger and nailed a headscissors takedown on him, sending the legend to the floor outside.
Azrieal and Bandido exchanged forearms and chops in the center of the ring. Azrieal slid out of the ring and was caught with a tope to the outside. Back in the ring, Bandido scored several two counts. Omega tagged in and tagged Bandido with several chops. He suplexed Bandido over. BBoy tagged in but Bandido out maneuvered them and drilled Omega with a float over DDT. BBoy took Bandido out and controlled the bout.
Bandido came back with a rolling neckbreaker for a two count. Generico tagged in and continued working over BBoy. He peppered Boy with punches in the corner and covered him for a two count. Generico tried to go up and over during a charge in the corner but was caught and nailed with a Gut Buster. Generico fought back and went for a brainbuster off the ropes. BBoy knocked him into the ring and stomped his stomach.
Azrieal tagged in and worked over Generico. He had words with Omega when Omega wanted in. Omega and Bandido tagged in. Omega dropped him across the ropes and nailed a suicide legdrop across the back of his head.
Jushin Liger tagged in and locked Bandido in a bow and arrow before dropping him into a modified rear chinlock. Generico tagged in. He and Liger doubleteamed Bandido. Bandido fought back against Generico and tagged in Omega. Omega delivered with a hangman’s neckbreaker and scored a two count. Omega nailed the reverse hurancanrana on Bandido.
Azrieal and Liger both tagged in and Liger got the better of a chopfest. Everyone else hit the ring and Liger palm thrusted them all. Omega caught Liger with a kick. He tricked Liger and nailed him with an enziguiri. Liger came back to do the same with a palm thrust. Liger then hit a dive off the top to the floor on. Azrieal followed up with a crazy tope con hilo to the floor. He landed on a woman in the first row.
Generico nailed an Arabian Press to the outside on everyone. Bandido went for a dive but was cut off by BBoy. BBoy nailed him with a death valley driver on the apron. BBoy hit a sitdown powerbomb but the pin was broken up by Liger. Liger nailed his tiltowhirl backbreaker for a two count.
Liger went for a Ligerbomb on Bandido, who turned it into a hurancanrana for a two count. Bandido went to the top rope but was cut off by Generico. Generico went for the brainbuster and nailed it, dropping him on the top turnbuckle. Azrieal covered Bandido and scored the pin.
Bandido Jr. has been eliminated.
Generico and BBoy battled it out in the center of the ring. Generico drilled him with a running boot to the face. BBoy came back with a shining wizard and scored the pin.
El Generico has been eliminated.
Azrieal caught BBoy with a surprise kick to the head and scored the pin.
BBoy has been eliminated.
Liger and Omega worked over Azrieal. Liger rolled up Azrieal for the pin but Omega broke it up. They ended up coming to blows. Liger charged Omega, who leapfrogged him, then Azrieal. Omega nailed a hurancanrana on Azrieal. He drilled Azrieal with a leaping leg lariat. He nailed Azrieal with a double thrust palm for a two count. He got on Azrieal’s shoulders for a forward roll but was slammed down.
Liger broke up a pinfall attempt and exchanged chops with the champ. Omega came from behind and nailed the Electric Chair on Azrieal but Liger broke up the pinfall. Liger nailed a sitdown powerbomb for the pin on Omega.
Kenny Omega has been eliminated.
Liger was cut off by Azrieal. Liger nailed a suplex for a two count. The eliminated competitors all banged on the mat to rally Liger. Azrieal cut him off and slammed him to the mat. He nailed a superkick for a two count. They battled to the top rope where Liger nailed superplex and scored the pin in 25:43.
Your winner and new JAPW Light Heavyweight champion Jushin Liger!
2010 - Christopher Daniels defeated Eddie Edwards to win the ROH TV champion at a ROH on HDNet tapings in Louisville, Kentucky at the Davis Arena.
2010 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Tonight, continuing saga of Paul Bearer Held Hostage continues as Edge tries to keep Kane from his father. Alberto Del Rio gets to try to squash the cockroach Chihuahua Rey Mysterio and they will be in a tag match since they will be in separate matches at TLC.
We are live on tape from Dayton, Ohio and your announcers are Josh ‘Nutter’ Mathews, Matt ‘What Happened to Todd Grisham’ Striker, and Michael ‘I guess that RKO wasn’t as bad as I hoped’ Cole.
Kane comes to the ring and he has his serious face on. He makes fire spring from the ring posts before he starts his comments. Kane says that this has gone on for way too long. All he wants is his father back. Edge has tortured and tormented Paul Bearer like he is a toy in Edge’s game. Kane tells us that Paul is not a toy, he is Kane’s father. He says that Paul does not deserve this and he does not deserve this. He says that he has apologized to Edge and he has done everything that Edge has asked him. However, Edge continues to amuse himself with the one person in the world that Kane cares about. Despite all of the things he has done in the past, Kane says that he is not a monster. He has feelings and it is tearing his heart apart. He calls Edge the monster. Edge has forced him to chase him and hunt him down and now he is begging Edge to please . . . please give him his father back.
This has to end and he wants to make sure that Edge hears him as he begs for this to end tonight.
Edge appears on the TitanTron and he gets Kane’s attention. Edge asks Kane how he is doing and then he says that he heard Kane and it all might end tonight, but Edge thinks that it will end at TLC. Edge says that he is with Paul Bearer who is still in the Rated R Wheelchair and has his mouth taped up. Edge says that he also has a chair and Paul starts to freak out. Edge points out that he is the master of the TLC Match and you can get rusty. He hasn’t wielded a steel chair in a while so he needs some batting practice. He asks Paul and since we can’t understand human speech while obstructed by duct tape, Edge thinks that he said that it was okay. Edge lines things up and he is about to hit Paul but he stops short because of his windup. Edge hesitates a second time, but he connects the third time.
Kane sees this and he starts to seethe before running up the ramp and then he goes to the side exit because Edge won’t think that he would go that way. Kane shuffles his way to the back and then he tells Edge not to do ‘that’.
Edge tells Kane not to take another step so he doesn’t have to do this. Kane pleads again while Edge stands over Paul Bearer with the chair. Edge says that Kane took another step so he hits Paul in the back with the chair and runs away.
Kane gets to the body of his father and once again the Big Red Coyote has been tricked by the Rated R Road Runner because Kane sees that it was an dummy Paul Bearer from Acme. Kane makes the dummy’s day even worse by kicking it.
Edge is now behind a staircase and he tells Kane that he has the dummy that Kane is looking for. The chase continues as we go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE programming is available in more than half a billion homes worldwide.
While Jack Swagger comes to the ring, Michael Cole expresses his outrage at what is happening to Kane during the ‘Paul Bearer Held Hostage’ dilemma and does not think that thirteen years of tormenting warrants Edge’s behavior.
Match Number One: Jack Swagger versus Kaval
They lock up and Swagger backs Kaval into the corner and connects with forearms and punches. Swagger with a kick and Irish whip. Kaval floats over and Swagger grabs his legs. Kaval with a mule kick and running kick for a near fall. Kaval with kicks to the chest but Swagger with a kick and then he tries to slam Kaval but Kaval gets on Swagger’s shoulders. When Kaval gets off his shoulders and to the mat, Kaval appears to have injured his ankle and Swagger smells blood as he thinks about the ankle lock. The referee holds Swagger back as he checks on Kaval. Kaval says that he wants to continue.
The referee restarts the match and Swagger with a forearm and elbow drop to the leg. Swagger drives Kaval’s knee into the mat and gets a near fall. Swagger continues to work on the leg and Kaval kicks with his other leg to get out of the hold. Swagger puts Kaval’s leg in the ropes to continue to work on the injured leg. Kaval with chops but Swagger sets for the Doctor Bomb but when he gets Kaval up, Kaval with punches and he forces Swagger into a seated splash but Kaval is still favoring his injured leg.
Swagger misses a clothesline and Kaval with a kick to the head and then Kaval with another kick. Swagger with a knee and he sets for a suplex but Kaval with a knee to the head to escape the hold. Kaval with a Liger kick that takes Swagger down. Kaval with a kick to the back of the head. Swagger misses a charge into the corner and Kaval with a knee from the turnbuckles but he can only get a two count. Kaval goes up top but he can’t get up there and Swagger clips Kaval’s leg and he puts Kaval in the ankle lock and Kaval tries to get to the ropes but the pain is too much and Kaval finally taps out.
Winner: Jack Swagger
After the match, Swagger gets a mic and he says that is how it is done. When you absolutely positively need results spelled out it is S-W-A-G-G-E-R. He says that he needs results right now. What happened last week was a travesty. Kofi Kingston should not be the number one contender after last week.
We go to the highlights from last week’s match and Swagger points out that he was struck while in the ropes and the rules state that if you are in the ropes, it is illegal. The referee blew that call and Kofi cheated to get his victory. Kofi should not be the number one contender and Jack says that he is protesting the Intercontinental Title Match later tonight. Swagger says that he is the future fifth face on Mount Rushmore. He is the All-American American American American. Any Intercontinental Title Match without Jack Swagger is unacceptable.
We go to the tale of the tape for the Match of the Millennium between Hornswoggle and the Swagger Soaring Eagle.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Hornswoggle with Rosa Mendes versus The Swagger Soaring Eagle in a Really? Match
The Eagle chases Hornswoggle and then punches him. Hornswoggle gets a bag of ‘Akme’ bird seed and tosses some on the mat and the eagle goes for the food and Hornswoggle with a kick to the head and a drop kick. Hornswoggle gets a napkin and puts some salt on the eagle’s leg and he takes a bite. Hornswoggle gets on the eagle’s back and rides him around the ring. Hornswoggle hits the eagle in the beak but the eagle with a back kick. The eagle kicks Hornswoggle and then he tries for the ballin’ elbow but his release is a little off and he misses. Hornswoggle with a seated splash and then he goes up top for a frog splash and hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Hornswoggle
We go to commercial.
We are back and Teddy Long is in his office talking to someone off camera and says that it is a surprise to see them on Smackdown but he congratulates them on their victory on Monday night, so he must be talking to the new Tag Team Champions Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov. He says that he likes seeing them more than Nexus.
Santino says that they are excited to be able to appear on both shows and are glad to be on Smackdown. Kozlov says it more people for him to crush. Santino says that they have paid their dues time after time, done their sentences but committed no crime. Santino starts to sing ‘We are the Champions’ and Santino uses a lighter to get the concert vibe going.
Chavo Guerrero enters and he wants to know about the noise in the office. Santino says that Chavo is here to take a photo with the new Tag Team Champions.
Chavo says that he wants to be able to wrestle Santino and Vladimir for the title with a tag team partner of his choice and he vows that they will rock them.
Santino accepts the challenge and then he continues to sing as Chavo leaves. Vladimir throws out a holla holla.
It is time for a video package on Kofi Kingston.
Dolph Ziggler is in the interview area with Todd Grisham and Todd asks him about his match with Kofi and whether Kofi might know too much about him. Dolph says that the difference between him and Kofi is the difference between a champion and contender. Kofi will always be a life long contender. That is the reason why the fans cheer for him, it is because he is a failure and they can relate to him. They can relate to someone who tries really hard, but at the end of the day, he has nothing. Fans can’t relate to him but they want to be like him. After this match, he will be the champion and Kofi will still be a contender.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie Guerrero comes out to introduce her boyfriend who is the current and future Intercontinental Champion.
Match Number Three: Kofi Kingston versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero for the Intercontinental Title
They lock up and Dolph backs Kofi into the corner and misses a punch but Kofi with a rollup for a near fall. Kofi with another rollup for a near fall. Ziggler with a knee and elbow to stop him from his early action. Kofi with punches to Ziggler but Ziggler with a forearm to the head. Ziggler with a snap mare and leap frog neck snap for a near fall. Ziggler with a rear chin lock.
Ziggler with a kick and punches and Kofi counters a hip toss with a monkey flip and drop kick. Kofi with a flying forearm and he sets for Trouble in Paradise but Ziggler goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler has Kingston in a side head lock. We see footage during the commercial when Ziggler sent Kofi into the ringside barrier. Dolph with a drop kick for a near fall. Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. He returns to the reverse chin lock on Kofi as he wears him down and sets up for the sleeper. Kofi gets to his feet and he punches Ziggler. Dolph with a kick and swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock while using Kofi’s arm to add extra pressure.
Kofi fights to get to his feet and Kofi with punches and kicks. Ziggler tries for the Zig Zag but Kofi blocks it and turns it into a catapult that sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles. The referee checks on Ziggler while Kofi fights to get back to his feet. Kofi with chops to Ziggler followed by a drop kick. Kofi misses the Superman punch and then he tries for the SOS but Ziggler escapes the hold and he sends Kofi into the turnbuckles. Kofi with a clothesline and then he slams Dolph.
Kofi runs around and he wants to hit the Boom drop but Ziggler gets up and Kofi kicks Ziggler in the ribs. Kofi with more kicks in the corner as the referee warns him. Kofi misses a splash into the corner but Ziggler runs into a pendulum kick. Kofi goes up top for a missile drop kick and he hits it. Vickie gets on the apron and screams so Kofi makes the cover but can only get a two count. Ziggler with an inside cradle for a near fall.
Ziggler with a kick to Kofi and both men are down. Ziggler with forearms to the back and then he puts Kofi on the turnbuckles. Ziggler punches Kofi and sets for a superplex but Kofi pushes Dolph off the turnbuckles. Kofi goes up top and hits the cross body but Ziggler is able to kick out.
Kofi with a suplex attempt on a lifeless Ziggler, but it was a trap and Ziggler counters with a sleeper. Kofi tries to fight out of the hold and he is able to do so but he gets sent into the ring post. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise and from out of nowhere, Jack Swagger interferes and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Kofi Kingston by disqualification
After the match, Swagger has Kofi in the ankle lock and Kofi tries to get out of it but he is in a position where it is difficult. Kofi does not tap since there is no match going on. The referees come out and Swagger releases the hold.
It is time to go back to Searching for Kane’s Father and this episode starts off with the Evil Edge telling Kane to stop because he doesn’t have a dummy this time, he has the real Paul Bearer. Kane runs towards Edge and since he didn’t listen, we see a wheelchair with something in it fall and go through a table (because they are in a TLC match at the Pay Per View). Kane is in shock, but that shock is gone when he realizes that it was another Fake Daddy.
Edge is shown above Kane with Paul Bearer and he wheels Paul away. We go to commercial with Kane throwing another fit because he has been outsmarted by that wascally wabbit.
We are back and it is time for the game that swept the WWE by storm a few years ago, the Master Lock Challenge. The chair is in the ring along with Chris Masters.
The person challenging Chris Masters this week is Dashing Cody Rhodes. Before the challenge starts, Cody wipes off the Master Lock chair to disinfect it. Cody sits down but before Masters applies the Master Lock, he wants Chris to file his nails. Masters refuses and he slaps Cody lightly in the face and tells him to get in the chair. Cody yells at Masters and tells him to never hit his face because it is a birthright from God.
Masters grabs Cody by the nose and Cody freaks out and kicks the chair and bottom rope and elbow drops the mat. Cody wants his jacket to check out his face. Masters brings Cody into the ring by applying the Master Lock from the apron. Cody has his arm dropped once and the referee calls for the bell.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the moment on Monday night when Jim Cornette’s head exploded when new tag team champions were crowned.
Chavo Guerrero comes out and announces that he has found a tag team partner and he is ‘The Chosen One’ Drew McIntyre.
Match Number Four: The Les Express of Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella versus Chavo Guerrero and Drew McIntyre
Santino and Drew start things off in the battle of European superstars. Drew says something to Santino and he points at Santino and Santino grabs the arm and gives Drew an arm drag. Santino is happy with his performance and Drew punches Santino. Kozlov tags in and they lock up and Kozlov takes Drew down and connects with shoulders in the corner and hits a fireman’s carry. Drew with a kick but Kozlov with a waist lock take down into a front face lock. Kozlov fights out of the corner with shots to Chavo and Drew. Kozlov with a kick to the chest but when Kozlov celebrates, Chavo pulls Kozlov into the ropes. Chavo tags in and hits a slingshot senton and kicks and punches Kozlov. Drew kicks Kozlov while Chavo spends time with the referee. Chavo with a front face lock but Vladimir with a back body drop and he tags in Santino. Drew tags in as well. Santino with punches to Drew followed by a forearm and a split and hip toss. Santino with the diving head butt into a boot from Drew. Drew sets for the Future Shock DDT but Chavo makes the blind tag and then he tells Drew to move out of the way as he goes up top. Chavo tries for the frog splash but Santino moves. The cobra is uncoiled and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winners: Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella
After the match, Drew decides to send a message to Chavo Guerrero after their loss and he gives Chavo the Future Shock DDT to show him that the match would have been over if he hit it.
We go to an Earlier Tonight moment when Kane and Edge started their journey this week as we saw Kane freak out over fake Paul Bearers being attacked.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Did You Know about Make a Wish.
We have a Raw Rebound.
We run through the card for TLC coming up next weekend.
Michelle McCool and Layla are walking in the back because Layla has a match. We go to commercial.
We see footage from Monday Night Raw that according to Josh was ‘last night’ when Michelle and Layla attacked Natalya after her match.
Match Number Four: Layla with Michelle McCool versus Natalya with Beth Phoenix
Layla with a kick and side head lock and arm drag into a rollup for a near fall. Layla with a forearm and Natalya with a delayed vertical suplex with squats for a near fall. Layla rolls to the floor and talks strategy with Michelle. Natalya throws Michelle out of the way as she goes after Layla. Layla gets back into the ring and she hits a baseball slide that knocks Natalya off the apron. Michelle thinks about doing something but Beth runs interference for Natalya.
Natalya rolls in and Layla with a kick. Natalya runs Layla into the turnbuckles but Layla with a kick to Natalya when she charges into the corner. They each try for clotheslines and both ladies are down. Layla sends Natalya into the ropes and tries for a drop kick but Natalya blocks it and locks in the Sharpshooter. Michelle tries to help but Natalya pulls her into the ring as well but Beth pulls Michelle away from Layla and Layla taps out.
Winner: Natalya
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Rey Mysterio and Edge versus Alberto Del Rio and Kane in a Isn’t this the match they have on the show before the pay per view match
Before the match starts, Kane does not come out and Teddy Long tells Alberto that he will have to go it alone in a handicap match.
Rey starts off the match and Rey kicks Alberto in the leg and then he snap mares Del Rio and hits a leg drop and gets a near fall. Rey works on the arm and he kicks Alberto. Edge tags in and after an Irish whip hits a running shoulder followed by a drop kick into the corner by Rey. Alberto with elbows to Edge but Edge with a flapjack and then he tags in Rey. Edge and Rey with a spike wheelbarrow slam onto Alberto for a near fall. Rey with a forearm to Alberto followed by a kick. Rey with a drop kick to the knee and Alberto falls into the ropes so that means it is time for the 619, but Alberto gets to the floor but he cannot avoid a baseball slide that knocks Del Rio to the floor.
Kane comes out and Edge meets him on the ramp and they exchanges punches. Edge with a kick after escaping a choke slam and Edge goes to the back and Kane runs after him.
Alberto hits a distracted Rey Mysterio from behind and then Del Rio kicks Rey as it appears that the tag match that turned into a handicap match is now a singles match. Del Rio with a hard Irish whip and Rey goes down. Del Rio with a gut buster from the shoulders and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a waist lock into a body scissors. Rey with an enzuigiri and then he gets sent to the apron and Del Rio hits his step up enzuigiri. Del Rio with a running knee to Rey on the floor and then he sends Rey into the announce table.
They return to the ring and Rey is on the apron while Alberto punches him. They go to the turnbuckles and Alberto tries for a superplex but Rey blocks it and he sends Del Rio to the mat. Rey with a seated splash and wheelbarrow into a bulldog for a near fall. Alberto with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Alberto wants the referee to count faster and then Del Rio with a sunset flip but you never give Rey Mysterio a sunset flip because he rolls through and hits a seated splash followed by a drop kick to the back and you know where Alberto ends up. Rey hits the 619 and dive from the top turnbuckle for the three count.
Winners: Rey Mysterio and Edge
We see Edge in the back talking to what appears to be Paul Bearer on a table on top of two ladders. Edge tells him to be careful up there and hopes that he isn’t afraid of heights. Kane runs to the same spot and Edge runs away. Kane thinks it is another dummy and Edge tells Kane not to push over the chairs. Kane pushes the ladders over and he sees what he has done and Kane is speechless. We see Paul Bearer on the floor and people are trying to get some medical attention for him. Edge says that he told Kane as we go to credits.
2011 - Dave Bautista was a guest on The Chad Dukes show and gave a few very interesting quotes.
About how John Cena's presence has affected the WWE product: " I think, you know, they did the whole PG direction thing, I think that works for Cena; the little kids love him, cause he’s a great character, he’s someone they can look up to. The girls love him, good looking guy, says all the right things, does all the right things, but the hardcore fans can’t stand him. He is Mr. Hokey, Mr. PG… to me; he killed hardcore, edgy wrestling.
About how hard it was play heel against him: " I was playing the part of the heel, but they were still booing the hell out of Cena. I really had to go that extra step to be a heel against this guy."
2012 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Previously, on WWE Television . . . The Shield told us what they were all about. What will they do tonight? What is next for Ryback, now that he is no longer facing CM Punk at TLC? Is love still in the air between John Cena and AJ Lee? What will Dolph Ziggler do to try to give himself an advantage when his briefcase is on the line?
This week, Raw is in Trenton, New Jersey and your announcers are Michael ‘Happy Birthday Mark Oehlers’ Cole and Jerry ‘It seems like some other sport is supposed to be played in this building’ Lawler.
Dolph Ziggler is in the ring atop a ladder with his Money in the Bank briefcase over his head. He says that he is on top of the world, right where he belongs . . . on top. He is out here to talk about two numbers. Six and Fifteen. Six is the number of days until the TLC pay per view. Fifteen is the number of days until Christmas. For John Cena, TLC and Christmas are one in the same.
When John Cena cashed in and lost, the golden boy has been given opportunity after opportunity to win a title, but he has failed. Santa Claus . . . . aka Vince McMahon, has forced him to put his briefcase on the line against John Cena in a ladder match. This will not be a Merry Christmas for John Cena. He will be the coal in John’s stocking. He will beat John Cena.
Dolph says that he will give himself the greatest Christmas present of all. He will cash in the briefcase and defeat Big Show to become the World Champion.
Sheamus’ music plays and he must not like that Ziggler gives him no chance to win on Sunday.
Ziggler wants to know if he can help Sheamus.
Sheamus says that Ziggler is finally taller than everyone. He also says that Ziggler won’t have to cash in against Big Show because Sheamus says that he will win the World Title when he beats Big Show in their Chairs match.
Sheamus tells Ziggler that he has to beat John Cena to cash in on Sunday. Sheamus says that he thinks it will be him versus John Cena for the World Title.
Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwell, the Big Show comes out and he is not impressed with what has been said so far. Show mocks Sheamus and Ziggler and he says that both of them are delusional. He would like nothing more than to come to the ring and smear Sheamus’ ignorant immigrant face with his fist. Because of the contract they signed, he will wait until TLC.
Show tells Ziggler to try to cash in because he will knock out Ziggler as well. He doesn’t know if he will knock out Sheamus on Sunday or if he will try to knock Sheamus’ pasty skin off his body with the chairs.
Sheamus says that he knows why Show is grumpy. It is because he send Ricardo Rodriguez into Big Show’s big stones. He cannot wait to fight Big Show, but he will lose his title match at TLC because of the clause. Because he cannot have contact with Show, it doesn’t mean that he cannot have contact with someone else.
Sheamus pushes the ladder over and Ziggler gets crotched on the ropes and he falls to the floor.
Vince McMahon struts in the back as we go to commercial.
Kofi Kingston and Antonio Cesaro are at the announce table. That must mean . . .
I guess Wade Barrett will have to wait because Vince McMahon makes his way into the arena. Vince mentions John Cena versus Big Show in the main event and he wants the Managing Supervisor to come out since she came up with that match.
Vince says that two main events would be better than one. He tries to convince Vickie to put Sheamus in a match . . . against . . . Vickie thinks of some people and Vince whispers Dolph’s name in her ear and she screams it out.
Vince thinks about a third main event and he wants Vickie to come up with it. Vickie suggests that AJ be in a handicap match. Vickie wants Vince to join in the matchmaking. Vince has an idea. AJ’s opponent will be Vickie Guerrero.
Match Number One: Wade Barrett versus R Truth in a Number One Contender versus Number One Contender Match
Barrett with forearms and then he sends Truth to the floor in front of the announce table. Wade has something to say to Kofi while Barrett runs Truth into the apron. Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with an elbow drop to the chest followed by a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Wade chokes Truth in the ropes.
Wade with a reverse chin lock. Truth with punches but Barrett with a back heel kick and then he tries for a pump handle slam but Truth with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
After the match, Truth has something to say to Antonio Cesaro and Cesaro gets up to confront Truth but Truth leaves.
Meanwhile, back in the ring Kofi with a cross body onto Barrett.
We go to commercial.
We are back and AJ Lee is so happy that Vince McMahon gave her a match. She asks Aksana what she thinks about this and she is so happy. Aksana asks about John Cena. AJ hugs Kaitlyn and talks about her match. Kaitlyn mentions that John is in his locker room and John enters.
AJ enters John’s locker room and Justin Gabriel, R Truth, and some other people are in there. AJ is happy about her match and he suggests that they go somewhere else.
Match Number Two: Darren Young and Titus O’Neil versus Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes) versus Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes versus The Usos in an # 2 Contender Elimination Tag Match to see who faces Rey and Sin Cara in a Tables Match to determine the #1 Contenders for the Tag Titles at TLC
Jimmy and Epico start things off and Epico tries for a drop kick but Jimmy blocks it. Jimmy with an atomic drop and clothesline. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and a double elbow drop for a near fall. Jey tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Primo tags in and they hit a Flatline and drop kick combination for a near fall on Jey. Primo with forearms across the chest and then he connects with shoulders in the corner.
Epico is tagged in and Primo with a suplex and Epico with a slingshot elbow drop for a near fall. Primo tags back in and he hits a drop kick and gets a near fall. Primo with a reverse chin lock. Primo with a drop kick to Jey’s knee and then he chokes Jey in the ropes. Young gets out of the way of Jey so he does not get tagged in accidentally.
Primo with a side Russian leg sweep on Jey for a near fall. Jey with a savate kick to Primo and Jimmy tags in and hits a Superfly splash to pin Primo while Jey hits a dive onto Epico to take care of him.
Epico and Primo Eliminated
Titus comes in and he connects with a clothesline on Jimmy as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jey with a side head lock on Cody. We see The Usos eliminating Darren Young and Titus O’Neil during the commercial break.
Jimmy tags in and so does Damien. Sandow with a kick and punch to Jimmy. Jimmy with a thrust to the throat followed by a diving head butt for a near fall. Jey tags in and hits a double sledge to the chest after a back breaker by Jimmy. Jey with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot and Damien with kicks to Jey and he chokes him.
Cody tags in and he punches and kicks Jey. Damien tags in and kicks Jey while the fans appreciate Cody’s facial hair. Damien with a side Russian leg sweep followed by the Elbow of Disdain for a near fall. Sandow with kicks to Jey and Cody tags in and tries for a bulldog but Jey pushes Cody away and both men are down.
Jimmy tags in and he connects with a clothesline to Cody followed by a savate kick and a Samoan drop on Cody. Jimmy sends Cody into the corner for the running butt splash and he gets a near fall that is broken up by Sandow. Jey with a savate kick to Sandow but Sandow pulls Jey to the floor with him.
Jimmy goes up top and Sandow distracts Jimmy long enough for Cody to get to the turnbuckles. Jimmy sends Cody to the mat. Cody gets his knees up on the superfly splash and Cody hits Cross Rhodes for the three count.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
After the match, Damien does the Cartwheel of Reunion.
Alicia Fox and Eve Torres walk through the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and next week, the Slammys will be back too. What about Dennis Miller?
Match Number Three: Eve Torres versus Alicia Fox in a Non Title Match
Eve comments on Alicia’s ring attire and then she kicks Alicia and applies a side head lock take down. Alicia with a rollup for a near fall. Eve with a shoulder tackle. Alicia with a head scissors take down and then she sends Eve into the turnbuckles. Eve goes to the floor and Alicia follows after her. Alicia sends Eve into the apron and then they return to the ring.
Eve has the referee check to see if her mouth is bleeding. Alicia is not tricked by Eve and she hits a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Eve with a kick to Alicia but Alicia hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Eve with a kick and Irish whip. Eve misses a charge into the corner but Eve pulls Alicia off the top turnbuckle and Eve with a swinging neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Eve Torres
After the match, Eve wants the photographer to come into the ring to get some shots of Eve posing over her vanquished opponent.
CM Punk is on crutches in the back and he is accompanied by Paul Heyman holding the WWE Title belt. We go to commercial.
We are back and CM Punk makes his way onto the stage with Paul Heyman and Paul has the title belt and a microphone.
Punk takes the mic and Paul holds the title belt over his head. Punk says that it has come to their attention that there are a few people in the WWE Universe who believe that this injury is phony. Some people think that the surgery did not really take place and it is an elaborate scheme to duck a title match with Ryback.
Punk tells everyone that this is 100% real life. This is what happens when you work more days than anyone else. This is what happens when you are WWE Champion for 388 grueling days. Injuries happen. It is a tough sport. 388 days with no signs of slowing down. Injuries happen frequently. Punk wants to show everyone how he was injured last week.
Paul says that everyone in the building is ticking him off. He wants to know how these people can chant ‘Feed Me More’ at the reigning champion six days after emergency surgery. This is a legitimate champion. He is not like the New Jersey Devils, who haven’t brought this state a title in how many years. For 388 days, Punk has been champion. Punk did not have a stunt double like the Rock. He wasn’t sitting in a trailer stirring his latte while they bring in the stunt double to be put through a table.
Your champion is not complaining. Your champion is not kvetching. He is standing here, unlike the Rock. He says that Punk is here while the Rock was too busy to come to . . . New Jersey. Rock only shows up when he gets a title opportunity. Ryback is no longer in front of CM Punk.
Punk will be defending the WWE Title against the Rock because he is not going anywhere. His champion is the best in the world.
Punk wants to talk about the people who think that Punk should be stripped of the WWE title. He thinks it is a bunch of Ryback fans. To think that he would fake an injury when the man who is trying for the title is too stupid to keep him healthy. Punk wants to know who will try to strip the title from him. John Cena, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and so many more have tried and failed. Ryback had two chances and he failed. Rock gets one shot at the Royal Rumble. He will also fail. On Sunday, anyone else would be sitting in bed, hitting the button on their pain pump, but he will be at the PPV.
He will watch the Shield, who he is not affiliated with, do to Ryback what Ryback did to him last week.
Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus walk in the back and we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Dolph Ziggler versus Sheamus in a Why Does Vickie have to Scream what Vince whispers in her ear Match
Ziggler has his thigh taped from when he hit the ropes earlier tonight. They lock up and they go into the turnbuckles. Ziggler with punches and Sheamus with a single leg take down and he connects with an elbow drop to the leg. Sheamus continues to focus on the leg. Ziggler with an elbow to the back of the head.
Sheamus with an atomic drop to the injured leg and Sheamus gets a near fall. Sheamus punches Ziggler in the midsection but Ziggler with a kick. Sheamus with a back elbow to Ziggler. Sheamus puts Ziggler’s injured leg in the ropes and the referee warns Sheamus.
Ziggler with a standing drop kick and he punches Sheamus in the head. Sheamus sends Ziggler over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus with a running double sledge on the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with a chin lock and body scissors. We see footage of Ziggler hitting a Fameasser off the apron during the commercial break.
Ziggler with a knee to the midsection and Sheamus rolls to the floor. Ziggler tries to get some feeling back into his arm and then he goes after Sheamus on the floor and punches him. They return to the ring and Ziggler punches Sheamus and the referee pulls him out of the corner. Ziggler with a kick to Sheamus followed by a neck breaker and he gets a near fall.
Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Sheamus with elbows and he sends Ziggler sternum first into the turnbuckles. Sheamus with punches followed by two double sledges, a shoulder into the corner but he misses a second shoulder when Ziggler moves and Sheamus hits the turnbuckles. Ziggler with a rollup and he uses the ropes but the referee sees what Ziggler is doing. Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler kicks Sheamus and then Ziggler goes to the turnbuckles but Sheamus catches him and hits a back breaker followed by a fallaway slam.
Sheamus with forearms across the chest to Ziggler on the apron. Sheamus suplexes Ziggler back into the ring. Sheamus goes to the apron for the shoulder tackle from the turnbuckles but Ziggler recovers and crotches Sheamus.
Sheamus and Ziggler exchange punches on the turnbuckles and Sheamus with the advantage. He pushes Ziggler off the turnbuckle but Ziggler recovers and hits a super X Factor for a near fall. Ziggler tries for the sleeper but Sheamus pushes him off. Sheamus tries for White Noise but Ziggler escapes. Sheamus then remembers that Ziggler has a bad knee and goes for the Cloverleaf but Ziggler gets to the ropes.
Ziggler misses a Fameasser but Sheamus does not miss the uranage back breaker. Sheamus gets a near fall and then it is time to signal for the Brogue Kick. Sheamus misses the Brogue Kick and Ziggler rolls to the floor. Sheamus follows after Ziggler and Ziggler hits Sheamus with a chair.
Winner: Sheamus (by disqualification)
Ziggler hits Sheamus a few more times and then Sheamus with a Brogue Kick into the chair and it hits Ziggler in the head.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie Guerrero is stretching in the back and Hornswoggle and Great Khali enter. Hornswoggle is about to ask Vickie something, but Vickie says that she is a little tight. Khali and Hornswoggle are helping her to loosen up and Vince McMahon enters and sees them all contorted. Vince says that he thought this was a family show.
Michael Cole reminds everyone of what The Shield did on Friday night.
We go to a video feature on The Shield. The introduce themselves and they say that they know injustice. CM Punk, the champion for more than a year, was disrespected with a lie detector test by the Miz. Welcome to consequences. Randy Orton took advantage of a young, defenseless Brad Maddox. Welcome to payback. They shield the WWE from injustice. Team Hell No . . . nobody says no to The Shield. Ryback has been handed success on a silver platter. He has been put on a pedestal, but they have knocked him off the pedestal. They welcome Ryback back to reality.
They do not work for anyone. They do not work for Paul Heyman or CM Punk. They work for each other. They welcome everyone to the Shield of Justice. Bring ladders, tables, and chairs to TLC. They will bring the sword.
Match Number Five: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) versus Zack Ryder
Del Rio with a punch to Ryder but he misses a clothesline. Ryder with a drop kick and forearms in the corner. Ryder gets a near fall. Ryder with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Ryder with a side head lock and take down. Del Rio drops Ryder’s arm on the top rope but when Del Rio returns to the ring, Ryder with a flapjack for a near fall.
Del Rio blocks knees from Ryder when he charges into the corner and Del Rio with an enzuigiri for a near fall. Del Rio with a kick to the arm and he wraps the arm in the ropes. Ryder with punches but Del Rio returns to the arm and he hits a suplex and gets a near fall. Del Rio with forearms to the back and then he applies a rear chin lock.
Ryder with punches but Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Del Rio hits a step up enzuigiri to the arm for a near fall. Del Rio with a boot to the head and then he gets another near fall. Del Rio with a rear chin lock. Ryder with a sunset flip for a near fall. Del Rio with a German suplex and bridge for a near fall.
Del Rio with a double sledge from the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a rear chin lock but Ryder with a jaw breaker. Ryder sends Del Rio over the top rope and he falls to the floor. Ricardo checks on Del Rio while Ryder struggles to get back to his feet.
Ryder with two clotheslines. Del Rio with an Irish whip but he runs into knees from Ryder. Del Rio with a drop toe hold to avoid the Broski Boot and Del Rio applies the cross arm breaker and Ryder taps out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Michael and Jerry remind us that Alberto Del Rio faces Ryback on Main Event, which will air at 6:30 PM Eastern on Wednesday.
If you want to vote for the Slammys, you have to download the WWE app.
AJ Lee is skipping in the back and we go to commercial.
Match Number Six:AJ Lee versus Vickie Guerrero
Vickie wants to know where the referee is and AJ does not do anything while Vickie has her back turned.
Your referee is the returning Brad Maddox.
Vickie attacks AJ from behind and slams AJ’s head into the mat. Vickie chokes AJ in the ropes and then she slams AJ’s head into the mat. Vickie laughs while she works over AJ and she slaps AJ in the face.
AJ with a take down and she punches Vickie. Vickie goes to the floor and AJ follows after her and she takes Vickie down on the floor. AJ brings Vickie back into the ring and she punches Vickie.
AJ slams Vickie’s head into the mat and the referee warns AJ. AJ with a forearm and the referee refuses to make the count. Vickie recovers and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Vickie Guerrero
After the match, AJ throws a tantrum and she punches the mat. This might not have been the best time to have the TLC pay per view set up around the ring because AJ throws a few chairs, pushes over a ladder, rearranges the announce table, and slaps Justin Roberts.
We go to commercial.
We are back and AJ is destroying more stuff in the back until John Cena comes by to calm her down. John tells AJ to relax and calm down. He tells her it isn’t the end of the world and everything is fine. They hug.
Antonio Cesaro says that he has been traveling this country and it is going rotten. It is most evident in New Jersey. The real truth is that no one needs Antonio Cesaro as their United States Champion more than the people in this building. On Sunday, R Truth will learn the hard way that the Truth hurts.
Match Number Seven: Kofi Kingston versus Antonio Cesaro in a Champion versus Champion non-Title, but do not remember they wrestled on Wednesday on Main Event Match
Cesaro works on the arm and he turns it into a waist lock. Cesaro with a front face lock but Kofi with an escape and he applies a hammer lock but Cesaro works on the wrist. Kofi tries for a leg sweep but Cesaro with boots to Kofi. Cesaro with a head butt and side head lock. Cesaro with a shoulder tackle. Kofi with a leaping back elbow and then he leaps into the corner and punches Cesaro ten times and rolls back to the mat. Kofi with a twisting forearm to the head and Cesaro goes to the apron.
Cesaro drops Kofi on the top rope. Cesaro with a slam and a leaping stomp to the chest for a near fall. Cesaro chokes Kofi in the ropes and he kicks Kofi in the head. Cesaro chokes Kofi in the ropes and the referee warns him. Kofi with a kick. Cesaro with a slam and elbow drop for a near fall.
Cesaro with a knee to the midsection and he tries for a slam but Kofi escapes and he kicks Cesaro in the leg. Kofi with a few Steamboat-esque chops and follows with a drop kick and Superman punch. Cesaro knows that the Boom drop is coming so he rolls to the floor.
Cesaro misses a shoulder on the apron and Kofi with a kick. Kofi with a monkey flip and Kofi runs into a boot and we go to commercial.
We are back and Cesaro with a waist lock on Kofi. Kofi with elbows but Cesaro with a bear hug. Kofi with a head butt and then he slides through Cesaro’s legs to get a sunset flip. Cesaro picks Kofi up but Kofi with a near fall on a rollup. Cesaro with a take down and he gets a near fall.
Cesaro wit a dead lift side salto and he gets a near fall. Cesaro with a boot to the head. Kofi with kicks and forearms but Cesaro with a spinebuster for a near fall. Cesaro leaps onto Kofi’s chest again and he returns to the waist lock. Cesaro sends Kofi into the turnbuckles but Kofi with a back elbow. Kofi goes to the turnbuckles and he hits Shadows over Hell on Cesaro for a near fall.
Cesaro blocks an SOS attempt and Cesaro with a European uppercut to the back of the neck. Cesaro with punches in the corner and the referee warns him. Kofi hits SOS but Cesaro gets his hand on the ropes before the referee can make the three count. Kofi misses a splash into the corner but Kofi with a pendulum kick. Kofi goes up top but Cesaro catches Kofi and hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and then he gets ready for the Gotch Style Neutralizer and he gets the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
We go to commercial.
We are back and the MizTV set has been moved to the stage and he has the old Abraham Washington Show couch. Miz welcomes everyone to MizTV. After winning the elimination tag match, he brings out Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. He calls them Beardo and the Weirdo.
Damien says that the only thing worse than Miz having his own show is the ignoramuses who watch it.
Damien tells everyone to be quiet since he is going to speak. He says that it is his esteemed honor and privilege to reintroduce his tag team partner and best friend. He wants everyone to act like adults and remain silent for the new and improved Cody Rhodes.
Cody thanks Damien for that proper introduction. He tells Miz that he may not realize this because he is too busy watching himself in the main event of Wrestlemania two years ago when he was somebody.
Cody says that they are light among a cesspool. They are like Princeton. An island amidst some of the densest people in the country, New Jersey.
Miz says that he mustache Cody a question. He wonders if Cody grew it or if Sandow’s beard fell onto his lip.
Damien says that someone who was the star of a reality show has completely lost touch with reality.
Miz throws out a few reallys and Damien demands silence.
Miz says that he wonders how they think they can beat Bryan and Kane when they won’t even beat Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara on Sunday.
Damien says that Miz is not a good host. He says that he has bad form and his questions are repugnant, when they are directed at the future tag team champions.
Miz asks Cody how it felt that Damien Sandow did not visit him once when Cody was rehabilitating his shoulder. Damien says that is not true. Miz asks Cody how he feels about Damien saying that he carries the team. He says that Cody is the Marty Jannetty to his Shawn Michaels. How does it feel that no matter what Cody says or does that he will always be overshadowed by someone whether it be his father or his tag team partner.
Cody tells Damien to calm down and he says that he has heard it before. Maybe Miz’ current slump has to do with Miz becoming one of those people. He says that this interview is over.
Miz wonders if it was something he said. Miz says that they should be known as The Pink and the Stink.
John Cena is walking in the back and AJ stops him. AJ asks if she can join him at ringside. She wants to support him. John tells her that she does not have to do that because he will be wrestling the Big Show. AJ acknowledges her past with the Big Show. Cena says that he would feel responsible if something happened to her at ringside.
AJ understands John’s position and she says that she will be watching from the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that there will be a Santa’s Helper Divas Battle Royal on the preshow.
Dolph Ziggler joines Jerry and Michael at the announce table for the main event.
Match Number Eight: John Cena versus Big Show in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Show backs Cena into the corner but Cena escapes and punches Show but Show with a head butt. Show with a punch to the midsection. Show with a head butt to Cena. Show with a running butt splash into the corner. Show with another head butt. Cena climbs on Show’s back for a choke.
Show falls to one knee and then Cena gets a near fall. Cena tries to get Show up for an Attitude Adjustment and Cena cannot get Show up. We go to commercial.
We are back and Big Show tries for a choke slam but Cena counters with a DDT and both men are down again. Show with a side slam to Cena for a near fall. Show with a head butt to Cena. Cena with a drop kick that sends Show to the ropes but Show responds with a spear for a near fall. Show with an elbow drop and he gets a near fall.
Show runs into boots from Cena and Cena with punches. Cena leaps into a bear hug. Cena escapes the hold and Show kicks Cena out of the ring. Show sends Cena into the ringside barrier and the referee continues his count. Show palms Cena onto the apron and Cena with punches and shoulders.
Show with a clothesline to Cena. Show goes to the turnbuckles for the Vader Bomb and he hits it. Show with punches to Cena in the corner. Show goes to the turnbuckles again for an elbow drop but Cena moves. Cena with a flying shoulder tackle and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex. Cena signals for the five knuckle shuffle and he hits it. Cena walks into a choke slam and Show gets a near fall.
Show gets ready for his five knuckle shuffle known as the KO punch but Cena avoids it. Cena gets Show on his shoulders and hits the Attitude Adjustment.
Winner: Big Show (by Disqualification)
Seth Rollins hits the ring and he goes after John Cena. The referee calls for the bell. Ambrose and Reigns join Rollins and they attack Cena. Reigns with a head butt and the three-on-one attack continues.
They bring a table into the ring and it is put against the turnbuckles. Kane’s pyro goes off and Kane and Bryan run to the ring and the brawl is on. It is only a matter of time before someone wants to be fed.
Dolph Ziggler attacks John Cena to make it four on three. Show makes it five on three. Sheamus makes it five on four and he goes after Ziggler and not Big Show because of the contract stipulation. Cena spears Show through a table.
Sheamus and Ziggler fight into the crowd while Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns work over Bryan and Kane.
Ryback’s music plays and he saunters to the ring and he throws a ladder at the Shield. Ryback goes after Reigns while Ambrose and Kane brawl and Bryan and Rollins do the same.
2012 - The Supreme Court ruled it would not hear an appeal regarding the Nancy Benoit case. Benoit's family was attempting to have a dismissed judgment against Hustler Magazine reinstated.
Hustler published nude photos of Benoit a year after she and her son Daniel were murdered by her husband, former WWE World champion Chris Benoit, who then committed suicide.
The photos were from a private nude modeling session done when Benoit was very young. She was under the impression that the photos had long been destroyed at her request.
Benoit's family had received a judgment of nearly $20 million, which was reduced and later thrown out during an appeal of the ruling. Hustler had argued that the photos were newsworthy and protected under the freedom of the press.
2012 - Scott Steiner officially dropped his counter-suit against TNA alleging non-payment of royalties and a lack of accounting for said royalties on Monday 12/10 via a letter to the court in Nashville. The suit was officially dropped on 12/12.
TNA's lawsuit against Steiner for his Twitter outbursts as well as a second lawsuit filed by Steiner alleging injury at the hands of an allegedly "in no condition to perform" Jeff Hardy at a Michigan TNA house show remain ongoing as of this writing to years later.
2013 - WWE announced Wrestlemania 31 would take place in Santa Clara, CA at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, March 29 2015.
In addition to San Francisco 49ers Tight End Vernon Davis, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, John P. Saboor, John Cena, Alberto Del Rio, The Big Show, Sheamus, Mark Henry, Fandango, The Great Khali, R-Truth, The Bellas and Summer Rae all appeared at a press conference announcing the event.
2014 - Triple H took part in a media conference call to promote the WWE NXT brand. Dave Scherer filed the following report:
Paul “Triple H” Levesque took calls from reporters today in support of Thursday’s NXT TakeOver: R Evolution event, which airs exclusively on The WWE Network.
Adam Hopkins talked about the last few days, taping Tribute To The Troops. He mentioned what a special time it is for WWE.
Triple H talked about how much he likes the conference calls with reporters and how he has been thinking about the recent calls. He again offered a tour of the Performance Center to reporters. He thanked some outlets that recently toured the center. I need to get my butt down there. Of course, Mike has already been there.
H said that they are feverishly trying to get the Network on in the UK and that the show will air there on Saturday on Sky Sports 3. He said that he is really looking forward to the show. He said that Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn have great chemistry and they are ready to take it to the next level. He said that he is proud of Charlotte and Sasha Banks. He said that they can take the Divas division in a new direction going forward. He said that the Ascension will take on Finn Balor and Hideo Otami. He said he is excited to see the match. He talked about being excited to see the debut of Kevin Owens. He also talked about the new fitness DVDs that he and Stephanie McMahon have coming out. He is very excited about them. He wants to help people get in better shape and be more healthy. With that, he turned it over to calls.
The first call came from Mike Johnson. The guy got the name of the site wrong, and H said, “I thought you rebranded”. That cracked me up. The first question was about Charlotte on Raw on Monday. Mike talked about how part of the reason she was there to get people interested in buying Takeover and the Network. Mike asked to take him through the process of, in essence, having Charlotte lose in a few minutes. H talked about time constraints affecting things. They were given more time but as things went on they lost the time. H said he would have loved to give them more time, like they did in NXT. He said as to the decision as to who went over, those decisions are heavily debated and it is what is is. He said to him it’s all about promotion to H and more people would see them on Raw than NXT. He also mentioned that when Charlotte comes back, she will be presented in a different way and it will be a while before we see her again, meaning that people will forget. He sounded like if he had his way the result would have been different but he didn’t actually say that. He referenced that when she returns in six months or a year, no one will say they killed her on her debut.
Mike then asked whether the next special may be in March, during Mania week and maybe taking it out of Full Sail. H said that they have talked about and it sounds easy to do it on Mania week, but the schedule is really busy. He said that NXT will be represented Mania week, no doubt. He said that Full Sail affords them a lot from a production and economic standpoint, but it’s all on the table. Mike said that if they did a show on Wednesday, it would be a great way to open Mania week for the fans. H said that they are definitely considering it.
Jason Powell brought up that Zayn and Neville are ready to make the next step. In six months will be NXT stars? H said he hoped that they will be WWE Superstars. It all depends about integrating them in the WWE product in the best way possible. It depends on need and timing. H hopes that in six months he hopes neither of them are in NXT. The goal of NXT is get the guys ready for the big roster and then move them up when the best opportunity presents itself. He said he doesn’t look at NXT as developmental but more like a separate brand. He said it can get frustrating for the talent, and he understands that.
Jason said he has heard that recruits have been told it could be a two year process before they make it to the main roster. Is that accurate and would they make an exception if a guy beats the timeline. H said you can’t really put a timeline on it. He talked about how quickly Kurt Angle picked things up and he was amazing, but other guys don’t pick it up that fast. H said that the process takes time, especially for guys that are totally new to the business. Guys like Finn, Hideo and Owens are ahead of the curve but they still have to adapt the WWE process. He said that once they are ready, they have to also wait for the spot on the main roster to open up for them. H said he wants them working every weekend and getting the work in that they were on the indies. He said he tells the guys like that if it happens fast, great. If not, wait. If you don’t want to wait, we can talk about it and part amicably.
Scott Fishman asked about his thoughts on Kevin Owens. He said it’s about getting up to speed on things and learning how WWE does things. He said it’s about getting up to speed and being a TV show. He talked about Finn learning all the production stuff and how he got a little frazzled. They talked and Finn said that he never had to know about all of the production aspects before. He used to just go to the ring and go, and that is not how WWE does things. He said that is a big part of the process and guys have to learn that aspect of the process.
Has their been any discussion of putting the NXT Title on PPVs? He said that they have talked about it. He said he is constantly working to get eyeballs on the NXT talent via the WWE machine. He said he wants to get the NXT out to the masses, a.k.a. the Raw audience. He said that he is constantly making suggestions as to how to get the brand out there. Vince says all the time, “Slowly but surely we will become an overnight success”.
Brian Fritz asked what the plans are for 2015 to put tweaks/improvements into the brand and the Center. He said that they are always working on it, it is a work in progress. From the training standpoint, they are always looking for new avenues to help them develop. He said that the medical staff all just got certified in ART (therapy). As for the brand, his goal is to make it its own living, breathing brand. He said he would like to tour outside of their current Florida touring area. He said it’s a lot of work to get a touring schedule up and running and make it succeed. He wants more eyeballs on NXT and get the brand out there, while keeping in mind that the end goal is to get them on the main roster. He wants to create a greater brand awareness.
Has the Performance Center helped in recruiting mainstream athletes to join the business? H said yes, we have a lot of people from the regular sports field. He talked about his soccer players, 4 or 5 guys out of the NFL, some World’s Strongest Man athletes, collegiate athletes and more. They are getting to the point they want to, but it took a while. He said guys used to have no idea as to how to get into WWE, now they know it’s through the Center. He talked about his recruiters doing a great job going worldwide for new talent. The word is out there now. Guys are coming to them now. He thinks over the next few years you will see more talent from outside sports joining the business.
Back to Kevin Owens, what are the challenges of having to deal with his indy reputation going forward. H said it’s a fine line. He wants to acknowledge his years of experience but you also need to make it a WWE product. He said it’s a fine line of keeping both. Some guys will be changed more than others. He said it’s a growth process. Sometimes the talent wants to start over, and the fans that know then get mad.
He was asked if part of the reason of him wanting to tour more was to help grow the gimmicks from just working at Full Sail, mentioning Adam Rose. H said it is part of his thinking. H said that if people thought WWE though Rose would correlate exactly from NXT to Raw, that wasn’t the case. They knew they would need to adjust. He said that you can debate it after the fact, but you have to watch the talent and see accordingly. He said he wants the talent to get out in front of as many eyeballs as possible to get them better.
Mike recapped my questions.
Dave Scherer joined the call and talked about the process of getting more eyeballs on NXT and he works with Vince McMahon about it. Dave asked him to take us through the process of how it goes. HHH laughed and said there is a process and Charlotte wasn't him, but one of his writers. HHH said he told his team to try to get some time on the show to promote the special, He was asked how he felt about Charlotte being on the show and he was fine with it. He said he found out the day before what would be on Raw but wasn't involved in the actual planning this time. He was on for the tag match last time. Vince is aware of the talents and NXT and if the suggestion fits Raw, he's open to doing it.
Dave brought up Sami Zayn and the tweaking of the talents. Dave asked if the same Zayn character that is currently presented in NXT could get to the main roster right now and get over. HHH said you can't measure Zayn's heart and is so good and so emotionally captivating as a performer. HHH pointed out that Zayn came out of wearing a mask and his facial expressions are extraordinary when you see what he came from and what he developed. HHH said he could get over but it would be a slow burn and it would take time. Zayn does amazing stuff but he isn't the "Holy cow" guy like an Adrian Neville. He said that Zayn, ever time, gets over with you and it's very Ricky Steamboat-esque. He said that once Zayn sucks you in, emotionally you are in. Long-term, he's your guy and you cheer his success and feel his failure., Zayn's growth has been awesome in a relatively short period of time and HHH can't wait for him to get his turn. He said he can't wait for Wrestlemania in five years to see where they all are.
The final question came in and H called an audible and said lets do two, referencing Vince on the Network. He was asked about William Regal coming back to Raw based on how good he has been in NXT. Never say never. H called Regal as an amazing asset to NXT. He said Regal is one of his great tools of recruitment. He is one of the guys that H really trusts when he tells him things because they know each other so well. There is a great dynamic there and Regal is a great asset.
He was asked about over-scripted promos, and whether NXT will teach guys how to ad-lib and be spontaneous. He said absolutely. He said that with a lot of guys, they have to script interviews because the talents need them to do it. At NXT they are teaching guys to ad lib. Even if they have to script promos, it’s about guys using emotion when they deliver it. He said it’s a work in progress, but it’s something they do.
The next question asked why are people into NXT and why is it getting more popular? The called was from The Middle East and talked about the coverage NXT is getting there. Where do you see it going in the next year. H said it’s the talent and the product they put out there. He said it makes people excited and get into the product. It will air in a lot of places, including Japan. He said his goal is to make it as popular as possible and a third, alternate brand, all while preparing the talent for the big roster. It should always remain fresh because the top guys will get called up, creating a new opportunity for new guys to step up. He also said if it gets bigger, maybe in the future talents can take some time off from the main roster and work in NXT instead, or work on new things for the main roster.
If Sami Zayn makes it to the main roster, can be what The Great Khali was to the Indian market, in the Middle East? Can Sami be an inspiration to young Arab kids, that they can make it to WWE. H said absolutely. They were just in India and they were looking for talents from all over the Middle East, and the world. They are trying to make their product as global as possible. They want to make cultural heroes for people world-wide.
H closed the call by thanking us for coming and promoting the brand. He thanked us for coming and talking about the brand and the future for WWE. It’s exciting for him and he hoped all of us. He enjoys the forum and again invited us down to NXT. I have to get there.
Overall, another great call with HHH. He said he looks forward to these calls, well I do too. It’s great to hear about the future of the business.
Once again, NXT TakeOver: R Evolution airs exclusively on The WWE Network Thursday night. We will have full coverage of it here on the site.
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