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December 15th
On this day in ....
1963 - The most important figure in the history of professional wrestling in Japan, Rikidozan, dies of complications from a stab wound suffered on December 8th at the age of 38. Rikidozan, who debuted in 1951, helped to popularize professional wrestling in post-WWII Japan, and would train Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, who would become two of the most influential and powerful individuals in Japanese wrestling. While it was thought that Rikidozan, whose Japanese name was Mitsuhiro Momota, was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in truth he was Korean. Because Koreans were heavily discriminated against in Japan, his real background was kept secret, not being revealed until long after his death. Rikidozan's final match was on December 7th, teaming with Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura to battle The Destroyer, Buddy Austin & Illio DiPaolo to a draw. Stories of what happened the night Rikidozan was stabbed are cloudy, with legend and fact often getting mixed up. He was stabbed in a nightclub and allegedly it was by a member of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. However, stories have circulated for years that he beat up his attacker and partied into the night before going to the hospital, which is why the wound got infected and ended up killing him. Obviously, there are many that doubt that account of the stabbing.
1977 - In one of the most famous matches in Japanese wrestling history, Terry & Dory Funk Jr. defeat Abdullah The Butcher & The Sheik to win the first All Japan Pro Wrestling Real World Tag League tournament at Sumo Hall in Tokyo. For years, the Real World Tag League Final would be considered the biggest event of the year for All Japan. The Funks had become hugely popular in the country, breaking the unwritten rule that American wrestlers were always the heels in Japan. The tag tournament would go on to become the annual highlight and biggest money making tour of All Japan's year.
1979 - Abdullah The Butcher defeats Carlos Colon (father of WWE star Carlito) in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title, ending Colon's fourth reign as champion, and starting his own second run with the belt.
1995 - A tribute show to Stu Hart was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Calgary Corral, the site of many Stampede Wrestling shows. Here are the results of the show, which obviously had a heavy WWF involvement:
- The Cuban Assassin & Jerry Morrow defeated King Lau & Mike Anthony.
- Makhan Singh defeated Gothic Warrior.
- Rhonda Singh defeated KC Houston.
- Chris Benoit defeated Rad Radford (Louis Spicolli).
- 1-2-3 Kid defeated Keith Hart.
- Brian Pillman & Bruce Hart defeated Terry & Dory Funk Jr. via DQ.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon defeated Owen Hart.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Davey Boy Smith.
2001 - WWE developmental wrestler Russ Haas passed away due to a cardiac issue.
2002 - WWE held their Armageddon Pay-per-view in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Office Depot Center, featuring three title changes, including a Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels two out of three falls match where each fall had a different stipulation. In a pre-PPV Heat match, Jeff Hardy defeated D' Lo Brown. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the PPV:
WWE put in their usual strong showing on PPV with Armageddon (12/15 from Ft. Lauderdale). The key matches were all strong, as was the commentary. The crowd was great. The Torrie & Dawn Marie & Al Wilson angle was awful, though. There were three title changes, so they're still throwing stuff out there.
BOOKER T & GOLDUST defeated CHRIS JERICHO & CHRISTIAN and THE DUDLEYS and WILLIAM REGAL & LANCE STORM to capture the RAW World Tag Titles in an elimination match in 16:42. Bubba and Storm started things off, the result of a pre-match "random drawing". Bubba splashed Storm and then hauled Christian in. They did a lot of fast tags early, many of them blind tags where someone would tag himself in. Booker stayed out for most of the early going to build anticipation. Goldust got destroyed for a while, to further the storyline that he's been a weak link on his team. Bubba came back in and did his Dusty Rhodes routine, with Goldust doing the same spots. Christian took a wazzup. The Dudleys did the 3D on Christian but didn't realize that Regal had blind tagged him before the move. In the confusion, Regal rolled Bubba up using the tights for a pin at 5:16. Goldust immediately bodyslammed Regal and pinned him at 5:31. With two teams remaining, Goldust got destroyed yet again. He got really good heat making comebacks. Booker hot tagged and traded chops with Jericho. Jericho hooked the walls on Booker but Goldust made the save. Christian went up on top and was about to come off on Booker with one of the title belts but Goldust crotched him. Booker gave Jericho a missile kick. He laid Jericho out again and did the spinaroonie. Booker scored a near fall with a scissor kick to excellent heat. Jericho used the belt on Booker and hit the lionsault but only scored a two count. Booker then won with the bookend on Jericho for the title change. Afterward, Booker put over that Goldust proved he isn't a weak link. Great opener!
EDGE defeated A-TRAIN by DQ in 7:10. Footage aired of A-Train (formerly Albert) injuring Rey Mysterio Jr. and using a chair on Edge to try and put him over as a major threat. I'm afraid Albertrain is a permanent mid-carder, though. Train overpowered Edge until missing a charge and posting himself. Train thwarted Edge again and hooked he sleeper. Edge escaped and chopped the hell out of Train. Edge hit a flying forearm and scored a series of twos. Edge came off the top but Train kicked him out of the air. Train hit the powerbomb. Edge speared Train but only scored a two, which was another spot to put Train over. The match up to this point was okay, but Train used a chair in front of the ref for a cheap DQ ending. Edge got the chair afterward and mauled Train with it.
Paul Heyman argued with Big Show. Show wanted to barge into Stephanie's office and throw a fit over Brock Lesnar's suspension being lifted, but Heyman said that would only make her angry. He promised to talk to her in calm and logical tones and get her to change her mind.
CHRIS BENOIT beat EDDIE GUERRERO in 16:46. They did a lot of great mat stuff. Guerrero took a high backdrop. Guerrero battled back and tied Benoit up in an arm lock. Benoit finally escaped by lifting Guerrero and dropping him, which the announcers correctly described as an old Bob Backlund escape. Benoit took a bump out, and Guerrero destroyed him on the floor after doing a plancha on him. Guerrero tied Benoit up in a leg lock, but Benoit made the ropes. Guerrero pounded Benoit with elbows. Benoit did his multiple German suplexes. Guerrero escaped a powerbomb attempt and hit German suplexes of his own, followed by a frog splash, and scored a two count. Both wrestlers bumped out, where Chavo Guerrero Jr. walloped Benoit with one of the Smackdown tag belts. Guerrero hooked the lasso. Benoit escaped by making the ropes. Benoit hit a bunch of chops followed by a powerbomb. Benoit went up to the top, where Chavo grabbed him. Benoit sent Chavo to the floor and hit the flying headbutt. Guerrero hooked the lasso again, but Benoit reversed it into a crossface and, after a struggle, Guerrero tapped. Excellent match.
Heyman tried to talk to Stephanie about Lesnar's suspension, but she stood by her decision to reinstate him. Heyman wasn't pleased.
Dawn Marie and Al Wilson came out for one of the lamest segments ever. The whole idea was that Torrie had had lesbian sex with Dawn to try and stop her from marrying Al. Dawn showed the footage, with Torrie stripping to her undies in a desperate attempt to bribe Dawn into dumping Al. They did actually kiss. But then Al said he didn't want the video shown any further since it involved his daughter. So Dawn simply called off showing the rest of the video, after hyping it as the next hot lesbo action angle. Ultra-lame.
BATISTA beat KANE in 6:38. Lots of power moves and "big man" brawling. Kane bumped out at one point, where Ric Flair tried to attack him. Naturally, Kane killed him. Batista lost Kane on a powerbomb spot. Kane came back and twice had Batista pinned but Flair distracted the ref. Kane went after Flair, allowing Batista to blindside him and hit the sit-down powerbomb for the win. Not all that good.
John Cena came out doing a rap act. It was awful. They should call him Vanilla Ass. This gimmick has Disco Inferno or Maestro level written all over it.
VICTORIA beat TRISH STRATUS and JACQUELINE in 4:27 to retain the women's title. Jackie looked pretty good out there. It was the basic WWE female stuff. Victoria bumped a lot for both opponents. Trish took a big bump out but came back with a high crossbody on Jackie. The finish was kind of odd, as Trish hit Jackie with a forearm and went for the pin. Victoria hit Trish with the title belt, and then pinned Jackie. A forearm usually isn't a finisher.
Kurt Angle tried to talk Brock Lesnar into helping him beat Big Show. Lesnar acted sympathetic but gave no commitment.
KURT ANGLE defeated BIG SHOW in 12:35 to capture the WWE World Title. Show overpowered Angle to start. Show hurled Angle over and he landed on Heyman, which was a neat spot. Show continued to work on Angle, scoring a lot of twos. Angle bit Show's nose to escape a bearhug. Angle scored with a tornado DDT and a missile kick. The DDT didn't quite connect. Angle, who was over as a babyface, scored more twos with a moonsault and an Olympic slam. Angle tried for the ankle lock but Show kicked him off and the ref got bumped. Heyman threw a chair in. Angle got it and used it but only scored a two count. The ref got bumped again. A-Train ran in gave Angle a backbreaker. Show chokeslammed Angle. Lesnar then ran in to a huge ovation and gave the F5 to Show. He then chased Heyman out as Angle crawled on top of Show and got the pin as the ref revived. Angle carried it to a good match.
Rob Van Dam appeared at The World. Man, is he ever mired down.
TRIPLE H defeated SHAWN MICHAELS in a two-out-of-three falls match in 38:30 to capture the RAW World Title. Referee Earl Hebner ejected Flair from ringside. The first fall was under street fight rules. They brawled, with HHH bumping out. Heartbreak Kid tried to come over onto him with a plancha but hit a garbage can HHH had pulled from under the ring. They brawled around outside the ring with the can. HBK set up some tables and tried to suplex HHH out onto him, but HHH suplexed him into the ring instead. HHH went after HBK's bad back. HBK slammed HHH on a chair. HHH blocked the sweet chin music and went to work on HBK's knee. This included a figure four, which HBK reversed. HHH pounded HBK up the aisle, where he retrieved a 2x4 wrapped in barbed wire. HHH set the board on fire, but HBK ended up retrieving it and using it to bloody HHH up. Back in the ring, HHH recovered and gave HBK the drop toe hold spot on a chair. HHH hit a DDT but HBK used a low blow to block a pedigree. HBK did the kip up but HHH chop blocked him and hit the pedigree to win the first fall via a three count at 20:32. As the cage was lowring for fall #2 (cage match rules), HHH tossed a bunch of weapons into the ring, including a table. HHH methodically dominated, using the cage to bloody HBK up. HBK brawled back, and both climbed to the cage top where they continued to slug it out. Flair returned and set up some more tables outside. He then went in the cage. I guess Hebner's order expired or something. HBK used a chair on both HHH and Flair. He totally massacred Flair, who juiced a huge gusher. HBK gave them both the sweet chin music. He then came off the cage top, putting HHH through a table and scoring the pin to even things up at 31:06. The final fall was a ladder match. They only went about five minutes on this one, doing mostly standard ladder spots. HBK did try for a splash off the ladder but HHH rolled clear. HHH hit a pedigree and tried to climb (the belt was now hanging over the ring) but HBK pulled him down. HBK hit the sweet chin music and started up. He almost made it but HHH tipped the ladder over for the one spectacular ladder bump as HBK sailed out and through the tables set up on the floor. HBK sold it like it killed him, and HHH climbed up to seize the belt for the title change. Excellent main event!
2005 - It was announced Chris Jericho signed a book deal to publish his autobiography "A Lion's Tale." The success of the book would lead to a sequel "Undisputed" and a three book is currently in development.
2006 - WWE released Danny Doring, who had been hired as part of the ECW relaunch.
2006 - CBS issued the following press release with details on reality series "Armed and Famous", which will feature former WWE Women's champion Trish Stratus, among other celebrities who train and become police officers in Muncie, Indiana: As it turned out, the series was yanked after just two episodes.
CELEBRITY COPS HIT THE STREETS
"ARMED & FAMOUS," A New Reality Series, Premieres Wednesday, Jan. 10 on the CBS Television Network
Erik Estrada, La Toya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuna and Trish Stratus Star In A New Series Which Follows Celebrities As They Become Working Police Officers in Muncie, Indiana
ARMED & FAMOUS, a new reality series that turns celebrities into crime fighters, will follow five brave stars through the Police Academy and onto patrol in Muncie, Indiana. ARMED & FAMOUS will premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) followed by a special original broadcast on Thursday, Jan. 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. ARMED & FAMOUS moves to its regular time period, Wednesdays (8:00 - 9:00 PM, ET/PT) on Jan. 17.
ARMED & FAMOUS features actor Erik Estrada ("CHiPs"), singer and author La Toya Jackson, television personality Jack Osbourne ("The Osbournes"), professional skateboarder Jason "Wee-Man" Acua ("Jackass") and former WWE champion wrestler, Trish Stratus.
The series follows the five stars as they become sworn police officers in the Midwestern town of Muncie, Indiana -- a city of nearly 70,000 residents located 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. It's also home to Ball State University.
Done with the full cooperation of the Muncie Police Department, the celebrities will undergo police training to become reserve police officers in the Muncie Police Department. They'll learn everything from firearms to hand-to-hand combat, and even learn what it's like to be on the receiving end of a taser shock as a part of the process to be certified to carry stun guns. Upon completion of their training, they'll be issued badges and guns, partnered with veteran officers and immediately hit the streets of Muncie. The five celebrities will protect and serve on the busiest shift of the night, 6 PM to 2 AM, responding to emergency calls, helping victims and making arrests.
ARMED & FAMOUS is produced by Emmy Award winner Tom Forman ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"), Jeffrey Kramer ("Ally McBeal") and Michael Braverman ("Jesse Ventura's America") for Tom Forman Prods. and Good TV, Inc.
2006 - Hermie Sadler's UWF ran Raleigh, NC with the following results:
*Petey Williams defeated Alex Shelly and Jay Lethal in a Three Way X Division for the right to face X Division Champion Christopher Daniels in South Hill, Virginia tonight.
*Ron Killings and Buff Bagwell defeated Diamonds in the Rough.
*Rhino Defeated Maven.
AJ Styles defeated Brother Runt in their first-ever meeting.
*NWA champion Abyss defeated TNA X-Division champion Christopher Daniels.
2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that WWE has rejected a deal offered by the estate of Chris Benoit where the family asked that WWE pay $2 million to Benoit's two surviving children. The offer came from the lawyer for Benoit's father Michael, saying that WWE should pay the amount as "recognition of their father's contributions to the company." The paper reported that they expect Michael Benoit to sue WWE, but as of 2011, no suit was ever filed.
2008 - "Mad Dog" Mike Bell, a Northeastern independent talent best known for enhancement work in the WWF and a regular performer during the latter end of ECW's run, passed away at the age of 37.
Bell broke into the business in the early 1990s, often teaming with future ECW Baldies and ROH Carnage crew team member Tony Devito doing jobs during Northeastern WWF TV tapings and a lot of the early Monday Night Raws at the Manhattan Center. Bell usually worked as a heel, so he was in the ring with a lot of the top babyfaces of the period.
Bell regularly worked the Northeastern independents and later earned a regular roster spot with the original ECW, in a lower card position, during that company's run on TNN. I don't believe he ever worked any PPV bouts for the company but worked a number of house shows and TV tapings.
At one point, Bell relocated to the West Coast and worked for Rick Bassman's UPW as both a wrestler and trainer (including working with a very young John Cena and one-time WWE talent turned actor Nathan Jones) while also appearing for Dave Marquez' New Japan satellite events in the Los Angeles area and other California-based companies.
Despite all the years he worked in the business, Bell may best be remembered by fans for an incident that took place in May 2001 at a WWF TV taping. Bell was to do the job for then-WWF wrestler Perry Saturn at the Nassau Coliseum. When a spot went awry during an enhancement bout being taped for the Metal/Jakked syndicated series, Saturn threw Bell out of the ring with reckless abandon, then stiffly smacked his head into the metal steps outside the ring. Saturn ended up with a lot of heat over the incident at the time. The beating pretty much aired unedited shortly after it happened.
Bell was used in dark matches as late as 2003 by WWE but was never signed by the company.
Bell was featured in the steroid documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" which came out last year on the festival circuit before a short theatrical run and DVD release earlier this year. The film, which was directed by his brother Chris and featured a look at how steroid use affected all three brothers in the family, two of which looked to get into the wrestling industry and one, who was a professional bodybuilder.
There is no known cause of death at this time, although in the documentary, he had previous health issues that were noted It was also reported when the film began getting reviewed in the national media that Bell had previously attempted suicide.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look at the special guest sports entertainer on tonight’s show and it is Kane. He says that he is back. Shame it isn’t May 19th.
We are live on tape from Laredo, Texas and your announcers are Josh ‘Not Striker’ Mathews and Byron ‘Also Not Striker’ Saxton.
Tiffany is in the ring and she is smiling like she has something to be proud of. She says that the TLC pay per view was a must see event from top to bottom and she says that she is proud of one of the matches. She brings out Shelton Benjamin and he limps to the ring while showing the effects of that match. She also brings out the man who won the ladder match, Christian.
They shake hands before Tiffany says anything. She says that their match was awesome and they represented ECW to its fullest and stole the show. She thanks both of them for their performance.
Shelton thanks the fans because they inspired him and to make ECW what it is today. Shelton says that he did not know if he was going to shake Christian’s hand or punch him, but Sunday was one of the proudest moments of his career. Shelton says that he wants a rematch.
Tiffany says that Shelton can get that opportunity, but instead, William Regal comes out with the most miserable couple without a show on TLC or a golf career. Regal wants to know what is wrong with Tiffany’s voice because it sounds like a goose blowing a kazoo. Regal tells Shelton to stop thinking about himself because there is something more important and that is Kane.
Tiffany says that she was about to explain everything but Regal cuts her off again and she calls Kane a monster and a menace. Regal wants to know if Tiffany is okay in the head by allowing Kane back on the show. Tiffany points out that Kane is a former ECW champion and Kane is one of many former ECW champions to face the current ECW roster. She is calling it the ‘ECW Homecoming’. The winner gets a match against Christian at the Royal Rumble. Tonight Zack Ryder will face Kane. Vladimir Kozlov will face Ezekiel Jackson.
The Ripper and the Ripperette are walking in the back while they adjust their masks for the commercial.
We are back and we see footage from two weeks ago when the Ripper made his mysterious debut.
Match Number One: Hurricane versus The Ripper with the Nightmare
They lock up and Ripper with a waist lock and he goes for Hurricane’s mask. Hurricane with a side head lock and he tries for a shoulder tackle but Ripper stays on his feet. Hurricane takes Ripper down and goes for the mask. Ripper throws Hurricane to the floor and then hits a drop kick to keep Hurricane on the floor. Ripper drops Hurricane on the ringside barrier. Ripper suplexes Hurricane back into the ring and gets a near fall. Ripper with a chin lock but Hurricane with a cross body for a near fall. Ripper with a running back elbow and then he kicks Hurricane. Ripper continues the attack with a slam and then he goes up top. Hurricane with a punch to the midsection when Ripper comes off the turnbuckles and then Hurricane with a clothesline. Hurricane with a rana for a near fall. Ripper avoids a Shining Wizard and Ripper with a neck breaker for a near fall. Ripper with a European uppercut but he runs into a boot. Hurricane with a tornado DDT and then he goes for the mask and it is taken off to reveal a man who looks a lot like Paul Burchill. Hurricane with a Shining Wizard for the three count.
Winner: The Hurricane
After the match, Hurricane lectures the mask while Paul is shocked what happened.
It is time to take a look back at the three hours that Mike Johnson, Mike Epsenhart, and I do not want to relive and will curse WWE in perpetuity. We have a Raw Brick.
We go to commercial with Josh Mathews telling a lie that the Abraham Washington Show is entertaining.
We are back and Paul Burchill and Katie Lea are walking in the back. Gregory Helms stops them and wants to know how it worked out for Paul. Burchill looks like he is going to cry but he screams instead and storms off. Helms wonders what’s up with that and we see he has the Hurricape on.
It is time for those of you with repressed memories of bad things to come back because it is time for the Abraham Washington Show. Tony welcomes us as he introduces Abe. Abe welcomes everyone and he wants to report a crime because he was robbed of the Breakout Star of the Year. Tony suggests that Abe should have won Diva of the Year after Abe says he should have won multiple awards last night.
Abe brings out his guest, Maria and people cheer for something on the Abraham Washington Show for the first time in its history. Maria brings her trophy and the Slammy. Abe says that it must have been embarrassing last night and we see the Kanye Batista moment. Abe says that he feels Maria’s pain. Maria says that it might have been embarrassing, but at least she won a Slammy. Abe says that he was robbed last night and Maria says that she has seen Abe’s show and Tony jumps in and says the show stinks. Abe insults Tony’s dental hygiene. Maria asks someone if they want to hold her Slammy. Maria tells Abe that she was talking to Tony, not him. Maria says that maybe Abe will be able to hold one when he wins next year and Tony doubts that he will win. Abe says that he voted for Michelle McCool and he was glad Batista interrupted Maria last night and he wants to know if Batista could come out tonight.
We go to commercial with Vladimir Kozlov sweating to the oldies in the locker room with William Regal at his side.
Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov With William Regal versus Ezekiel Jackson in a ECW Homecoming Qualifying Match
They get face to face and Jackson pie faces Kozlov. Kozlov with a forearm and kick but Jackson with a forearm and slam of his own. Jackson with another slam and Regal removes his jacket while watching the match. Jackson seeks the approval from Regal but that delay allows Kozlov to hit Jackson from behind and hit elbow drops. Kozlov with head butts to Jackson’s chet. Regal trips Kozlov and then Jackson with an uranage for the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
After the match, Jackson and Regal celebrate on the floor. Regal goes back for his jacket and Kozlov grabs Regal. Jackson attacks Kozlov from behind and then Jackson and Regal send Kozlov into the announce table.
We see current FCW Tag Team Champion Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft playing Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 and defeating DX. We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft versus Julio Cruz and Jorge Arias
Barreta with a knee and punch but Cruz with a drop kick. Barreta with a clip when Croft distracts Cruz. Barreta works on Cruz’ leg and then he tags in Croft and they double team Cruz before Croft focuses on the leg. Barreta tags in and he hits a running knee to the leg. Cruz with a boot to Barreta and a spin kick but Barreta keeps Cruz from making the tag and he knocks Arias off the apron. Croft tags in and they hit a neck breaker and power bomb combination for the three count.
Winners: Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta
Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu are in the back and Goldust talks about his comments from last night. Goldust congratulates Yoshi on his big Raw victory. Kane shows up and Yoshi says something in Japanese and Kane asks Goldust for a translation. Goldust has no idea and Kane wonders why they call him a freak. Kane walks into commercial.
We are told that next week Jack Swagger faces Yoshi Tatsu in a Qualifying Match (at least Swagger’s ‘I won’t lose in 2009 promise’ is over for Yoshi’s benefit)
Match Number Four: Kane versus Zack Ryder with Rosa Mendes in an ECW Homecoming Qualifying Match
Ryder punches Kane but that was not a smart thing because Kane punches Ryder followed by a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Ryder with a boot to Kane but Kane catches Ryder as he comes off the turnbuckles. Kane with a slam but he misses an elbow drop. Ryder with punches to Kane and then he puts Kane in a reverse chin lock. Kane with a belly-to-back suplex followed by a big boot. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline followed by a side slam attempt but Ryder escapes the hold. Kane misses a big boot after avoiding the choke slam attempt. Ryder kicks Kane in the leg and then he works on the knee. Ryder chokes Kane in the corner but Kane with a kick and punch. Ryder with a kick to the back of the leg and then he tries to clip Kane but Kane stays on his feet. Kane with a vintage uppercut and punches to Ryder. Ryder with a drop kick to the knee but Kane stays on his feet. Ryder with a leg lariat but he can only get a two count. Ryder tries for another leg lariat but Kane stops him and then Kane with a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kane
2010 - Hans Mortier (Jacob "Dutch" Grobbe) passed away following a long illness.
Mortier, a former bodybuilder who was billed as the former bodyguard for actress Bridget Bardot (I believe that wasn't actually the case), was a headliner for the WWWF.
Billed from Germany (all the German personas were massive heels in that era, just a few decades removed from World War II) but really from Holland, Mortier feuded with Bruno Sammartino, challenging for the WWWF championship.
Mortier used the full nelson as his submission hold with the storyline being that due to his size and muscle mass, no one could break the hold. He was built up as a killer challenger for Sammartino, who did indeed break the hold in the blow-off matches to their program, en route to retaining the belt. Like many other top challengers, the initial matches would have some sort of inconclusive finishes, building to a blowoff. In Mortier's case, he worked several Texas Death Matches against Sammartino.
Outside of the WWWF, Mortier also wrestled under a number of aliases in different territories, including Dutch Howlett, the masked Dr. X, Tarzan Zorra (after X was unmasked), The Great Zorro and Lord Charles Montegue.
In Florida, he held the Florida Heavyweight championship on multiple occasions. As Lord Charles Montegue in the old Houston, Texas territory, he teamed with the late Professor Boris Malenko the American Tag Team titles. In Hawaii, he was one half of the Tag Team champions with Johnny Barend, defeating Pamero Firpo & Neff Maiva. He also held what was billed as the European Heavyweight championship during his career.
2010 - World Wrestling Entertainment settled a lawsuit brought against the company by former WWE Global Licensing Coordinator Fara D'Angelo, according to court records.
In October 2008, D'Angelo, who had worked for WWE from April 2004 through May 2006, filed a suit against the company, alleging that she was sexually harassed by then-Senior Director of International Consumer Products Alex Romer.
D'Angelo claimed that Romer pursued an intimate relationship with her almost immediately after she started working at WWE even though Romer was married. D'Angelo claimed that Romer would do so in person, via text messages, late night phone calls, etc.
In her lawsuit, D'Angelo alleged that another employee who witnessed the harassment told her to "switch jobs" and that when she took her complaint to WWE's Senior Director of Quality Assurance, Mike Archer, Archer also encouraged her to look for a new job.
D'Angelo claimed in her suit that she felt as if her job would be put in jeopardy if she continued to shed light on the harassment, so she resigned her position after informing WWE of the harassment and filed the lawsuit.
According to court documents filed during the course of the case, WWE offered D'Angelo a promotion and raise if she would stay with the company - after she filed her harassment charges with the company's Human Resources department - rather than leave to start a new position with another company.
The settlement followed a ruling by the Judge denying WWE's attempts to have the case thrown out, ruling that a jury could conceivably side with D'Angelo's claims based on the evidence presented to the court by both sides and that the case needed to go forward to trial.
Romer was no longer with World Wrestling Entertainment by the time the case was settled.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Impact Wrestling opened up with a look at Jeff Hardy becoming the number one contender for the TNA title and the controversial ending to the TNA title bout at Final Resolution.
Mike Tenay noted that Sting ordered they deal with the TNA title situation to kick off this week.
TNA champion Bobby Roode vs. AJ Styles - Five Minutes Overtime from Final Resolution.
Roode mocked Styles, holding the belt up in his face before the bell. Styles decked Roode and took him down. Styles hit a springboard into a high cross bodyblock for a near fall. He nailed a dropkick for another. Styles grabbed in a side headlock takedown and cranked it around Roode's neck. Roode reversed but Styles took him down again for a two count. Roode grabbed head scissors but Styles fights out of it. Roode launched Styles up, trying to slam him knees down but Styles rolled through and nearly pinned the champion again. Styles chopped Roode in the corner and stomped him. Roode kicked Styles in the leg and tried to slam it into the ringpost but Styles kicked Roode off. He went for a dive but Roode took his legs out and Styles crashed hard.
Back in the ring, Roode began working over Styles knees. Roode set Styles on the top but was kicked off. Styles dove on him and covered the champ but Roode got his foot on the ropes with under a minute left. Roode cut him off with 30 seconds left and decided to run out the clock. Styles nailed him with a Pele Kick, then nailed a springboard into a 450 kneedrop as the bell rang.
Time limit draw. Good action from bell to bell. The crowd chanted for five more minutes. I feel like we've been here before.
Sting came out and said that we can do it all night long and re-started another five minutes.
As the bell rang, Roode drilled Styles from behind with a chop block and locked in a single leg crab in the center. Styles was trapped and tried to fight it off, but had no choice but to tap.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Bobby Roode!
The segment was solid but I can't help but shake the feeling that TNA squandered something special here. They could have taken that Iron Man bout and turned it into a storyline where these two are evenly matched, giving them longer time limits to have classic matches. Instead, four days later, Roode kills off the challenge and is onto the next. TNA really missed out on a great possible storyline here and that's a shame in my opinion.
Backstage, Robert Roode said that it didn't matter how long it took, as long as he got the job done. They interspersed comments from Styles, saying he had Roode's number. Roode said that he spits in the face of authority and if Jeff Hardy wants a shot, good, he can have one. Good promos from both. Roode is really on as champ and Styles was his normal great self.
Tag Team Title Shot Tournament: Scott Steiner & Abyss vs. Robby T & Hernandez (with Rosita and Sarita)
This is the tournament where they do Battlebowl style teams with weird combinations.
Backstage, Steiner said that he owes Abyss one but he's under orders from Eric Bischoff to make this work. He said they are a team, right? Abyss didn't really respond. Mike Tenay reminded everyone that Immortal has been trying to get Abyss back into the fold.
Steiner and Hernandez started off. Steiner kicked him in the gut and ran him into the corner. He worked over Hernandez with several punches and chops. He whipped Hernandez hard into the buckles and Hernandez went down. Hernandez placed him on the top and nailed the top rope Fall Away Slam. T tried to interfere so Steiner nailed an overhead belly to bell release suplex. On a guy that big, that is DAMN impressive. Steiner clotheslined Hernandez and dropped an elbow for a two count.
Steiner offered a tag to Abyss, who just stood there miserable. Abyss' facial expression was perfect. This allowed T to attack Steiner from behind. Hernandez and T worked over Steiner. The announcers asked fans to go on Twitter and give their opinions on Sting having the overtime tonight. WWE should take notes here because while they beat you over the head with the buzzwords, this came off more like a chance for fans to interact and not a commercial. Much better in presentation. Hernandez and T double teamed Steiner.
T picked up Hernandez for a suplex, dropping him down over Steiner. T covered Steiner for a two count. They nailed a double shoulderblock. Abyss finally entered the ring behind them and nailed a double clothesline and an Avalanche in the corner. He chokeslammed Hernandez but was jumped by T. Abyss shook him off and nailed the Black Hole Slam. He got into Steiner's face and reluctantly tagged Steiner. Steiner covered T and scored the pin.
Your winners, Abyss and Scott Steiner!
Steiner went to leave but Abyss grabbed him and raised his arm. He left, smiling and pointing to his head, as if he was getting into Steiner's.
Solid match. This one overachieved given who was in it. Everyone worked hard and they told the story with Abyss. Steiner's suplexes are damn impressive when he's throwing someone as big as T. I was really worried about how this one would mesh and while it wasn't a classic, it wasn't anything bad either. Everyone was booked to show their strengths.
Backstage, Kurt Angle said he was sick of Sting. He said it was time for him to do something about it. I hope it isn't a Dylan Dog sequel.
When we returned from commercial, Angle came to the ring and called out Sting. Angle told him that for the first time in his life, Sting was going to shut up and listen. He complained that he was thrown into a title bout with James Storm with 90 minutes to prepare and claimed he lost due to a loaded boot. He said that he then got a rematch and the same loaded boot caused his loss. Angle threatened Sting and demanded a rematch with Storm. Sting said that Storm beat him fair and square and needs to move upward and onward towards Booby Roode. Angle said that Sting had it out for Roode and Angle. Angle said that Sting wants to be a Cowboy like James Storm (Sting was wearing a fringed jacket) so Angle was going to go to Storm's hometown and kick everyone's ass there. I have visions of a Gamera sized Angle wiping out a city. He said that once he does that, maybe Storm will grant him his rematch.
Zema Ion vs. Tony Nese: Best of Three Series - Match One
The winner gets a X-Division title bout at Genesis. I think this is the first time they've used Nese since they signed him. I seriously forgot he was working here. Nese took Ion down with a waistlock but Ion gets to his feet. They trade armdrags and reversals. Nese drilled him with a running knee and started working over his arm. They are going back and forth really fast. Nese drilled him with an elbow to the neck but Nese took his legs out as Ion rebounded off the ropes and hit a springboard moonsault. He followed up with a running knee that sent Ion to the floor. Nese hit a great forward flip dive to the floor. Good, frenetic pace so far.
Nese nailed a flying clothesline off the top for another near fall but was kicked off while charging into the corner. Ion went for a tornado DDT out of the corner but Nese blocked it. Nese went for a top rope rana but it was blocked when Ion held on. Ion hit an awesome missile dropkick for a two count. Ion drilled Nese's chin into his knees and covered him, then pulled him up. He nailed it again and pulled Nese up again, so they are establishing Ion is the heel here.
Ion went to the top and hit a 450 splash, scoring the pin.
Your winner, Zema Ion!
Really good X-Division match.
The Jarrett entered the building backstage. Jeff and Karen both tried to tell the other one that they should be the one fired, trying to sacrifice themselves for the other. They both said they were going to talk to Sting.
Backstage, Zema Ion said he's got the prettiest great, boots and is the prettiest wrestler in the company. He said he was tired of waiting for his opportunities, so he took one. He said, "It's all about me, myself and Ion." Cute catchphrase.
Backstage, Ric Flair told Gunner to forget Garrett Bischoff because he's done. He said that tonight, Gunner has Jesse Neal. He said Jesse was a good wrestler but compared to Gunner, he doesn't exist. He told Gunner to get the job done.
Jesse Neal vs. Gunner (with Ric Flair)
Gunner slammed Neal down to the mat and just wrecked him with punches. He shoulderblocked Neal into the corner and worked him over viciously. Flair looked on approvingly. Gunner drilled Neal in the corner again and he went down. Neal went to the floor. Gunner went after him but the referee tried to stop him. Gunner shoved the referee off and got DQ'd.
Your winner, Jesse Neal by DQ.
Flair attacked Neal and stomped him low. Flair removed the mats from ringside and Gunner DDT'd Neal on the exposed concrete. They showed EMTs working over Neal.
The match was basically a beatdown to continue establishing Gunner as a vicious heel, which is great. It's the type of old school build we rarely see anymore. However, they immediately went to a shot of Jeff Hardy walking in the back instead of staying with Neal being worked on and I would suppose stretchered off. By lingering on the moment, they would have reinforced that Gunner was someone who wasn't playing and someone who was dangerous. You don't want to glaze over that, even if the announcers talk about it later, because you've lost the moment to really make an impression.
Backstage, Karen Jarrett was trying to charm Sting by complimenting him. He cut to the chase and asked her what she wanted. Karen said that she knew Sting was going to send one of them home and immediately threw Jeff Jarrett under the bus! She told Sting that he can't fire her. She admitted that Jeff was a great wrestler but there's 100 Jarretts out there who can take his spot on the roster. She said God broke the mold when he created Karen Jarrett. She said that Jeff can watch the kids while she helps Sting run the show. Sting said that he's known Jeff since Jeff was a little kid and he can't make a decision until he hears Jeff out too. She asked him if he saw where she was coming from and Sting said that he did. She excitedly hugged Sting and ran off. Sting looked at her leaving and muttered "Poor Jeff."
Jeff Hardy came to the ring and took the mic. He said that his neck hurts and his body is sore from Sunday, but he's the number one contender and will face the champion at Genesis. He said he's going to do everything in his power to make 2012 the most memorable year of his career....and Bully Ray's music played. Ray came to the ring. He said that Hardy is in a really good mood for someone who has no clue who he has to fight tonight. Ray said they are fighting tonight and mocked Hardy for interacting with his fans instead of having a life and doing something creative. Ray said he was the most feared guy in the company and he's been kicking Jeff's head in for 15 years. Usual good Ray delivery. He said that he's not really that pissed off at Jeff and said that he really has to thank Jeff. He said that at the PPV Jeff screwed up, Ray stepped into Hardy's shoes the next day and took Hardy's spot in Immortal. He said that he's better than Hardy and won't be a stepping stone. Ray said he's a freight train and Hardy is standing on his tracks. Ray's delivery is easily the best in the entire company.
Backstage, Samoa Joe told Magnus that he doesn't know him and he doesn't care to know him. Joe said he doesn't play politics, he just wants to fight his way to get what he earned. He said Magnus is an achor to get his opportunity at the belts. Magnus said he didn't care about friendship or about Joe. He said he never gets a chance and he just wants to go out there and win the tag tournament. Good segment.
Tag Team Tournament: Robbie E & Douglas Williams vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus
Magnus and Williams, usually partners, started off as opponents. Williams took him down to the mat with headscissors and a headlock takedown. Magnus escaped and they faced off. E tagged in and scored with a kick but started grandstanding and ate a clothesline. Williams kicked Magnus from behind, setting up the chance for E to stomp away at Williams. Williams nailed a running knee in the corner and snapped a suplex over. E nailed a fistdrop for a two count but Samoa Joe hit the ring to break up the pin with a kick.
E continued to work over Magnus. Magnus came out of the corner with a clothesline and tagged Joe. Joe nailed an inverted atomic drop, a kick to the face and a back senton splash for a two count. Joe nailed a powerslam but E tried to interfere. Joe moved and E nailed his partner. Joe destroyed E and snapmared him over. Magnus came off the top with a big elbow. He drilled Williams, setting him up for a muscle buster. Joe scored the pin on Williams.
Your winners, Samoa Joe & Magnus!
Good pace to the match. Solid, well worked stuff here. I'm enjoying getting to see some of the overlooked talents have a chance to actually work in the ring.
Backstage, Jeff Jarrett was buttering up Sting, reminding him that they've known each other 25 years. Jeff said that he knows Karen has been talking to Jeff about this for days. He tells Sting that he knows it would be publicly humilating but then asked Sting to let Karen down easy, noting that it's his wife and he cares about her - yeah, enough to toss out a window apparently! Jeff reminded Sting that he's the reigning Mexican heavyweight champion. He said that Karen loves to be home with the kids and asked Sting to be gentle and nice. Sting asked Jeff if he was sure and whether she was looking for a Nanny or really wanted to stay home with the kids. Jeff said he was sure and asked him again to let her down easy. Sting said that he needed a few minutes.
Backstage, Eric Young was cutting his usual promo when ODB showed up and told him that she was her partner tonight. It was all silliness. Young was impressed with her strength when they locked up.
Devon cut a promo and called out Pope, who brought out Devon's kids. He said he's the one who is their father, he was there for them, he raised them and he's the one training them, not Pope. He told Pope he was going to bring them up the way that he wants them brought up. He told them it was time for them to leave. As they tried to walk out, Pope cut a promo and said it was time for Devon to get with the times. He put himself over, saying the boys were tired of living a boring lifestyle when Pope is giving them a chance to learn how to live the high life. He said Devon will never be as fly or pimping as the Pope. Devon tried to walk away and Pope told him not to walk away from him like his wife did to Devon. Pope said those kids should have been his seed but he and Devon's ex-wife are working on that. Devon attacked him but the kids pulled him off trying to calm him down. Devon hugged them and Pope kicked Devon low from behind. Devon's kids smiled at Pope and stood aside as Pope worked over Devon.. Pope screamed that the boys were his now. They raised his hand. Angle was fine but they really need to follow up with a great Devon promo to sell this as a legitimate issue as in 2011, people aren't going to buy it, but the storyline can work. Everyone was fine in their role.
Backstage, Karen and Jeff were trying to snow each other by saying they were sacrificing themselves. A PA showed up and said that Sting wanted to see them both. They were shocked that Sting wanted to see them together at the same time.
Traci Brooks vs. Madison Rayne
Brooks charged Rayne and tackled her on the stage. Brooks dragged her to the ring and slammed her into the apron., She dragged Rayne into the ring and choked her in he corner. Rayne cut her off and choked her against the ropes. Rayne choked her and stepped over Brooks' back. She nailed a neckbreaker through the ropes on Brooks, who fell to the floor. Rayne has good poise as a character.
Back in the ring, she slammed Brooks facefirst to the mat and covered her for a two count. Rayne used her foot to choke Brooks in the corner. Rayne was nailed with a jawbreaker to break it. Brooks charged her and drill her knees into Rayn'e's back. Rayne used her legs to snap Brooks neck but Traci kicked up at two. Rayne charged and kicked her in the head. She covered Brooks for the pin.
Your winner, Madison Rayne!
OK match.
Backstage, Sting was meeting with the Jarretts. Now, the Jarretts were putting each other over and saying they should be the one to be sent home. Sting said that it's obvious neither of them have seen anything from the show tonight. Jeff praised Sting for the way he was running it. Sting then exposed them both for burying the other. Karen accused Sting of lying, so he ran the footage from earlier. Jeff lost it when he heard Karen burying him. She then lost it when she saw the footage of Jeff burying her. They went nuts. Sting cut them off and said that they can't have Jeff without Karen or Karen without Jeff and fired both of them. The announcers put it over like the end of an era. That was a pretty funny deal.
Jeff Hardy vs. Bully Ray.
Jeremy Borash did the ring introductions.
Ray immediately went to work on Hardy in the corner with elbows and shoulderblocks. He stalked Hardy and measured him with punches. Bobby Roode was doing commentary, scouting Hardy. Ray controlled the early portion. Hardy was tied to the tree of woe and beaten with punches to the mid-section. Ray held him overhead for a standing vertical suplex and dropped him down.
Ray locked in a bearhug and squeezed hard. Hardy broke free but Ray backdropped him for a two count. Ray slammed him and tried to come out of the corner with a Vader splash but Hardy rolled out of the ring. Hardy made a comeback with a series of rights. He whipped Ray and drilled him with a leaping forearm and a clothesline for a near fall. Solid stuff so far.
Hardy nailed a head scissors out of the corner. Ray went for the Bubba Bomb but Hardy slipped out and nailed the Twist of Fate for a two count. Ray caught him with a sideslam for a two count. He missed a splash and was caught with a Twist of Fate for the pin.
Your winner, Jeff Hardy!
Nothing of any long substance but for the amount of time they had, it was fine.
Hardy turned to Roode and told him time was ticking on his title run. Roode started heading to the ring, allowing Ray to attack Jeff from behind. They double teamed Hardy and Ray brought a table into the ring. Roode fed him to Ray, who powerbombed Hardy through the table. I kept waiting for James Storm to make the save but instead it was Sting. He faced off with Roode but Ray went to nail him. Sting got in his face and nailed him. Roode nailed Sting from behind, getting over his spit in authority's face deal. They put the boots to Sting and Hardy. Roode shoved the belt in Hardy's face and said he was the World champion. We go off the air.
Overall, a strong episode with solid wrestling and decent storytelling. I thought they did a fine job setting the stage for the next PPV, beyond the abrupt dropping of some of the storylines from Final Resolution. The lack of James Storm was the most glaring issue as he's the strongest babyface they have right now outside of Hardy, so even just a good promo following up and reminding us that he's coming for Roode would have been a good idea.
2012 - The Tenth Annual Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup held it's second night of wrestling, marking the final time the tournament was held. Richard Trionfo filed the following live report:
Since 2003, the state of Florida has hosted an annual tournament featuring some of the top cruiserweight wrestlers to pay tribute to the memory of Jeff Peterson, a wrestler who died in 2002 from leukemia.
This year is the tenth and final year for the tournament and sixteen men are seeking to join the honored fraternity of Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup winners. That group includes Reckless Youth (2003), Justice (2004), Chris Sabin (2005), Milano Collection AT (2006), Chris Hero (2007), Erick Stevens (2008), Davey Richards (2009), Sami Callihan (2010), and AR Fox (2011).
Many of the top names in professional wrestling have participated in the nine previous tournaments. Some of the names who have been a part of the tournament, but have not been able to hoist the trophy, include Sonjay Dutt, Roderick Strong, Colt Cabana, Alex Shelley, Teddy Hart, Homicide, Petey Williams, Jimmy Jacobs, Matt Sydal, Chris Sabin, Delirious, Jimmy Rave, James Gibson, T.J. Wilson, Ruckus, El Generico, Joey Ryan, Arik Cannon, Matt Cross, Sal Rinauro, Larry Sweeney, Gran Akuma, Kenny King, Johnny Gargano, Jon Moxley, Jigsaw, Jerrelle Clark, Bobby Fish, and one of Jeff’s best friends Naphtali.
On Night One, eight men advanced to the quarterfinals and still have a chance to win the tenth and final Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup.
The eight remaining wrestlers are:
Samuray Del Sol
Jonathan Gresham
Lince Dorado
Papadon
Mike Cruz
Jon Davis
Shane Strickland
2011 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup winner AR Fox
Welcome to the live coverage of Night Two of the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2012 from the Orpheum in Ybor City, Florida.
Match Number One: Samuray Del Sol versus Jonathan Gresham in a Quarterfinal Match
They lock up and Gresham with a wrist lock and Del Sol tries to roll through but Gresham holds on. Del Sol with a wrist lock but Gresham regains control. Del Sol kips up but Gresham takes him to the mat. Del Sol backs Gresham into the turnbuckles and he gives a clean break.
They go for a Greco Roman knuckle lock and Del Sol with a monkey flip but they hold on to the knuckle lock. Gresham with a monkey flip and the referee counts them both down but they each bridge at two. Del Sol with an arm drag and flying mare but Gresham with a drop toe hold and he starts to work on the legs.
Gresham with a waist lock but Del Sol ties up the legs. Gresham tries to escape but Del Sol turns it into a bow and arrow but Gresham counters with a lateral press and a near fall. They lock up again and Del Sol backs Gresham into the corner. They switch positions in the corner. Gresham with an arm drag but he runs into a boot in the corner.
Gresham hits the turnbuckles and Del Sol with an enzuigiri. Del Sol tries for an arm drag but he does not hit it fully. Del Sol with a drop kick for a near fall. Del Sol with a La Magistral but Gresham is able to counter and gets a near fall. Del Sol with a clothesline for a near fall.
Del Sol with a kick to Gresham followed by a slam. Del Sol with a kick and he goes to the apron. Del Sol with a slingshot flip dive onto Gresham for a near fall. Gresham blocks a suplex attempt and Del Sol with forearms to the back. Del Sol tries for a suplex again but Gresham blocks it. Del Sol falls over Gresham and gets a near fall with a rollup. Gresham with a kick to Del Sol.
Gresham with a running forearm into the corner. He blocks a boot from Del Sol and connects with a forearm. Gresham with another forearm. Gresham with a German suplex that flips Del Sol and he gets near fall. Del Sol with a German suplex and bridge for a near fall.
Del Sol with a back heel kick but Gresham with an enzuigiri and Gresham hits a German suplex and bridge but Del Sol is able to kick out. Gresham with a version of an octopus on Del Sol. Del Sol almost gets to the ropes but Gresham pulls the hand away. After a few successful attempts to keep Del Sol from the ropes, Del Sol is able to get to the ropes and Gresham releases.
Gresham with a running forearm but Del Sol with a Yakuza Kick. Gresham with a Yakuza Kick. Del Sol goes to the turnbuckles and he hits a leaping reverse rana and gets the three count.
Winner: Samuray Del Sol (advances to Semi Finals to face winner of Mike Cruz versus Jon Davis)
Match Number Two: Shane Strickland versus AR Fox in a Quarterfinal Match
The fans are split between Fox and Strickland before the match starts.
They lock up and Fox works on the arm and wrist. Strickland reverses but Fox with a side head lock take down. Fox with an arm drag and leg sweep for a near fall. Strickland with a leg sweep for a near fall. Strickland with a single leg take down and then both men kip up at the same time.
Fox tells Strickland to come off the ropes and show what he has. Strickland starts to run to the ropes but he connects with a back heel kick. Fox goes to the apron and Strickland with a drop kick to send Fox to the floor. Strickland flips to the floor and Fox moves. Fox with a flip dive onto the floor but Strickland moves. Both men get back into the ring.
Fox offers his hand to Strickland and he shakes it. Fox with a drop kick and they go to the floor. Strickland runs Fox into the apron. Fox with an enzuigiri to Strickland on the apron. Fox goes onto the stage and he hits a flip dive onto Strickland against the ropes.
They get back into the ring and Fox gets a near fall. Fox with a facewash to Strickland followed by a forearm. Fox with an Irish whip and a running clothesline into the corner. Fox skins the cat and hits a hesitation drop kick. Fox with an inward cannonball to Strickland and he gets a near fall.
Fox puts Strickland in the ropes and chokes him. Fox with a cross body to the back of the neck and Fox goes to the floor. Fox with an Irish whip and bicycle kick into the corner. Fox with a second bicycle kick. He tries for three but Fox misses and he goes over the top rope to the floor. Strickland hits a springboard moonsault onto Fox and both men are down.
Fox flips Strickland onto the stage. Strickland with Sliced Bread off the support. They return to the ring and Strickland gets a near fall. Strickland with a forearm and he calls for a double stomp. He goes to the turnbuckles but Fox kips up and hits a drop kick. Fox with a superkick to Strickland on the top. Strickland pushes Fox off on a Lo Mein Pain attempt. Strickland with a double stomp and standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Strickland misses a superkick. Fox with a matrix and enzuigiri followed by a plancha onto Strickland. Fox with a swanton for a near fall. Strickland kicks Fox into the turnbuckles. Strickland hits a flip piledriver but Fox is able to kick out. Strickland goes up top for a 450 but Fox gets his knees up. Fox with a leaping Death Valley Driver followed by a springboard 450 for the three count.
Winner: AR Fox (advances to semi finals to face winner of Papadon versus Lince Dorado)
Match Number Three: Mike Cruz versus Jon Davis in a Quarterfinal Match
Davis starts off the match the same way he started his first round match by sitting on the bottom turnbuckle. The referee wants to see if Davis is ready and then Cruz wants to start the match. Cruz goes after Davis but Davis picks up Cruz and sends him into the turnbuckles and connects with shoulders and forearms. Davis with a hard slam to Cruz and he follows it with another hard slam.
Davis with a third hard slam and he gets a near fall. Davis with forearms to Cruz. Davis wit a hard Irish whip and Cruz bounces into the center of the ring and Davis gets a near fall. Davis with a forearm to the back followed by an elbow to the back of the head. Davis with chops to Cruz and Cruz gets in a few but Davis with another chop and head butt to Cruz. Davis with a belly-to-back suplex.
Davis gets a near fall. Cruz with a jawbreaker and kicks to the leg followed by a punch and chop. Cruz tries for a cross body and Davis catches him and he puts Cruz on his shoulders. Cruz tries for a sunset flip but Davis stays up. Cruz with a kick and then he tries for a suplex but Davis blocks it. Davis with a delayed vertical suplex while Cruz tries to do anything to avoid the impact.
Cruz with a chop to Davis but Davis with a forearm to the back. Davis with a forearm to Cruz’ head but Cruz with a loud chop. Davis chokes Cruz in the corner and connects with a forearm. Davis with more forearms to the back. Cruz with chops and forearms. Cruz with kicks to the leg followed by more chops and a kick to the chest. Davis with a kick across the chest and Cruz goes down. Davis with an elbow but Cruz with a springboard enzuigiri and Davis falls into the corner.
Davis pushes Cruz away in the corner but Cruz with a springboard enzuigiri and a missile drop kick that sends Davis to the floor. Cruz goes to the apron and he kicks Davis in the head. Davis sends Cruz back into the ring and then he connects with a shoulder tackle. Davis throws Cruz into the corner but Cruz with a boot. Cruz with knees to the chest from the top turnbuckle for a near fall.
Cruz goes up top but Davis with a punch and Cruz is crotched. Davis tries for another delayed suplex but Cruz with a knee to the head followed by an arm bar submission. Davis gets a near fall. Cruz with knees to the back of the head and Cruz goes up top and hits a swanton but can only get a two count. Cruz goes up top again for another swanton but Davis gets his knees up. Davis with a pop up power bomb followed by a German suplex and lariat for the three count.
Winner: Jon Davis (advances to the semi finals to face Samuray Del Sol)
Match Number Four: Lince Dorado versus Papadon (with Larry Dallas and Trina Michaels) in a Quarterfinal Match
They lock up and Papadon works on the arm and wrist. Dorado with a reversal and he bites the hand. Papadon with a hammer lock and side head lock take down for a near fall. Lince with a rollup for a near fall. Dorado rolls Papadon around the ring and gets a near fall. Papadon claims that Dorado pulled his hair and Dorado says that Papadon pulled his tail.
Papadon says that Dorado doesn’t have a tail and a fan tells Papadon he doesn’t have hair. They have a test of strength and Papadon gets a few near falls. Dorado with a monkey flip and they go back and forth with a series of near falls.
Dorado with a spinning head scissors take down and he hits a monkey flip but Papadon lands on his feet. Dorado with a reverse atomic drop and kick to the leg. Dorado leaps onto Papadon’s chest. Dorado stomps on the hand and he kicks Papadon. Dorado with a double jump leaping arm drag. Dorado with a drop kick that sends Papadon into the wall. Dorado with an Asai Moonsault.
Dorado with a chop on the floor and then he connects with a shoulder. Papadon catches Dorado on a springboard back elbow but Dorado escapes. Papadon with a lariat for a near fall. Papadon with elbows to the head. Papadon with a kick to the back followed by a knee.
Papadon chops Dorado in the corner followed by a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Dorado with punches but Papadon pulls Dorado down by the mask. Papadon puts Dorado on the turnbuckles and then he sets for a superplex but Dorado pushes him off. Papadon with a rolling European uppercut for a near fall.
Papadon with a knee drop and neck breaker for a near fall. Papadon works on the neck but Lince with elbows to escape. Dorado misses an enzuigiri. Papadon with a suplex and then he goes up and misses a diving head butt. Larry checks on Papadon and then he charges into the corner but he misses. Dorado with chops.
Dorado tries for a hip toss but Papadon blocks it. Dorado with a back slide for a near fall followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Papadon with a neck breaker followed by a European uppercut to the back of the neck. Papadon with a back elbow for a near fall. Papadon with a kick to the chest but Dorado wants more. Dorado with a rollup and kick to the chest. Dorado with a running boot to the chest. Papadon with a flatline into the turnbuckles.
Papadon with a running knee to the head. Papadon with a face wash while mocking Dorado. He misses the running boot into the corner and Dorado with a kick. Dorado with a super kick and cannonball. Dorado goes up top and hits a missile drop kick for a near fall.
Trina gets on the apron and distracts the referee but nothing happens in the ring. Papadon with a punch but Dorado punches back. They go back and forth until Dorado gets the advantage. Papadon with a facebuster out of a TKO. Papadon tries for a suplex but Dorado blocks it. Papadon with a back breaker followed by an inverted DDT for a near fall.
Papadon sets for the piledriver but Dorado blocks it. Dorado with a back body drop. Dorado with a rana but he can only get a two count. Dorado with an enzuigiri and he goes up top for the shooting star press. Trina distracts the referee. Milo Beasley comes out and he punches Papadon and Dorado hits the shooting star press for the three count.
Winner: Lince Dorado (advances to semi finals to face AR Fox)
After the match, Larry Dallas gets on the mic and he cannot believe what just happened. Larry asks Milo if he wants to continue to choke like he did last night. Larry says that he is going to teach Milo a lesson in an Ybor City Street Fight. He says that he cannot wait to show Milo in front of his fans that he is a fraud.
Match Number Five: Nine Man Fray
The first two men in the match are Eddie Rios and Jay Cruz and tag team partners will face off to start off the match.
Cruz wants a hug when Rios wants a hand shake. Cruz with a rollup for a near fall. Cruz says that he tripped. They shake hands and Rios gets a near fall with a near fall. Cruz with a springboard arm drag but Rios sends Cruz to the apron. Cruz floats over and he gives Rios a back body drop but Rios lands on his feet. Rios with an enzuigiri to Cruz from the apron followed by a springboard clothesline for a near fall.
Cruz with a punch and forearm and Rios is not impressed with the strength of the punches. Rios says hello to mom and he chops Cruz.
The third participant is Maxwell Chicago.
Maxwell encourages Rios to punch Cruz and Maxwell asks por favor and he asks Rios how to say stop. Cruz with a drop kick to the knees and Rios holds Maxwell up for a kick to the head by Cruz.
The fourth participant is Joey Janela while Maxwell gets kicked by Cruz and Rios.
Janela with punches to Rios and Cruz. Janela with an Irish whip to Cruz and a leaping elbow to the head. Maxwell helps Janela but Cruz with a suicide dive through Rios’ legs onto Chicago and Janela. Rios with an Asai Moonsault onto all three men. Rios with kicks to Cruz.
The fifth participant is Derek Ryze. Chicago hits Ryze as he enters the ring.
Maxwell eliminates Cruz. Rios with a kick to the midsecdtion. Rios boxes Maxwell’s ears. Maxwell sends Rios to the floor and complains about the noise. Maxwell hits on the bartender. Ryze with a few head scissors.
The sixth participant is the Black Baron.
Maxwell with a cutter to Ryze but Ryze rolls to the floor. Janela with a butterfly facebuster to Chicago to eliminate him.
Baron with a forearm to Janela in the corner. Baron with snap mares to Rios and Janela followed by kicks to the back. Janela with chops and a boot to Baron’s head. Janela tries for a suplex but Baron blocks it. Baron with a brainbuster to Janela to eliminate him.
The seventh participant is BJ Hancock.
Hancock with a kick to Baron followed by an Irish whip. Hancock with a back elbow to Baron. Rios with a kick but he misses a lungblower when Hancock holds the ropes. Hancock with a belly to back suplex followed by a knee drop from the top turnbuckle on Rios to eliminate him.
The eighth participant is Johnny Vandal.
Vandal with kicks to Hancock followed by chops and forearms to Ryze. Hancock with a knee to Vandal’s head. Vandal kicks Ryze but Ryze with forearms. Hancock and Baron alternate waist locks. Ryze joins in and he tries for a super German Suplex. Vandal joins in.
The final participant is John Silver.
Silver tries for the difficult five man German suplex. Hancock kicks Baron out of the ring and Silver tries for the four man German. Hancock helps Silver hit the three man German. Silver with a forearm to Hancock but Hancock fires back. They go back and forth with punches and forearms. Silver with a kick to the leg but Hancock with a boot to the head and Silver goes to the floor.
Baron and Hancock exchange chops. Hancock with a back slide on Baron for a near fall. Baron with a leaping neck breaker. Vandal with a leg lariat on Baron followed by forearms and a roaring elbow. Vandal with a super kick to the head but Baron kicks out. Vandal with a punch and forearm to Baron.
Baron with a back elbow but Vandal with a forearm. Baron with an elbow. Baron with another elbow and a lariat to eliminate Vandal.
Ryze with a drop kick to Baron but Hancock with an elbow to the back of Ryze’s head. Hancock sends Ryze to the apron but Ryze with a springboard knee to the head and Ryze goes up top for a corkscrew splash to eliminate Hancock.
Baron with a forearm to Ryze and a European uppercut. Baron with an Irish whip and a suplex for a near fall. A strap comes down but Ryze with a kick and a kick in the face. Silver with a splash to eliminate Black Baron.
We are down to John Silver and Derek Ryze.
Silver pushes Ryze and Ryze pushes him back. Silver with a forearm. Ryze and Silver with kicks to the chest. Ryze blocks a kick but Silver with an ankle lock that makes Ryze look like a scorpion. Ryze with kicks to the chest and he escapes the hold. Ryze with a spinning enzuigiri for a near fall. Silver with a back heel kick and an inverted slam followed by a wheelbarrow suplex for a near fall.
Silver with forearms to the back. Ryze with a rollup for a near fall. Ryze with a rana driver to Silver and he goes up top. Silver with a punch to Ryze and Silver goes to the turnbuckles and he gets Ryze on his shoulders. Ryze gets to the apron and hits an enzuigiri. Ryze misses the corkscrew splash but Silver hits a super kick and a running boot to the back and a back breaker for the three count.
Winner: John Silver
Match Number Six: Samuray Del Sol versus Jon Davis in a Semi Final Match
Davis does not wait this time but Del Sol with kicks. Davis with a forearm to stop Del Sol. Del Sol walks on his hands but Davis tries for a slam but Del Sol escapes. Del Sol sends Davis to the floor. Del Sol with a springboard flip into a rana on Davis. Del Sol with a kick and drop kick to Davis when he returns to the ring.
Del Sol with drop kicks to Davis and he goes to the apron for a springboard move but Davis catches him and hits a power slam for a near fall. Davis with a kick. He follows that with a kick to the back. Del Sol with kicks but Davis with an elbow for a near fall. Davis throws Del Sol to the floor and the crowd scatters.
Davis runs Del Sol’s back into the apron twice. Davis decides against the apron and he sends Del Sol into the wall. They return to the ring and Davis kicks Del Sol. Davis with a kick to the chest. Davis with a chop and he puts Del Sol on the turnbuckles and he chops Del Sol. Davis goes up top for a superplex but Del Sol blocks it and he sends Davis to the mat. Davis with a punch to the midsection and Davis tries for another superplex. Del Sol with head butts and Davis goes to the mat.
Davis crotches Del Sol and he chops Del Sol in the back. Davis gets Del Sol on his back for Super Splash Mountain but Del Sol counters with a rana and both men are down. Del Sol with a superkick and he tries for the reverse rana but Davis holds on and he tosses Del Sol into the air for an alley oop choke slam but Del Sol kicks out.
Davis with an Irish whip. Davis with a power bomb followed by a German suplex. Del Sol with a reverse rana but Davis lands on his feet. Davis blocks the flip power bomb but Del Sol hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Samuray Del Sol (advances to the finals to face the winner of AR Fox versus Lince Dorado)
After the match, Davis has something to say to Del Sol. Del Sol offers his hand and Davis walks out of the ring.
Match Number Seven: Lince Dorado versus AR Fox in a Semi Final Match
Dorado goes for a dive before the bell rings but he misses. Fox does not miss on his dive. The bell rings to start the match. Dorado and Fox with forearms on the floor and Fox is sent into the wall. Dorado with a back heel kick but Fox with a back body drop onto the floor. Fox with a fosbury flop onto Dorado as the referee continues his count.
Fox puts Dorado on the apron and connects with forearms to set for the leg drop from the top and he hits it. Fox with a springboard splash onto Dorado for a near fall. Fox with a slam and he hits a corkscrew press for a near fall. Dorado with chops but Fox with a drop kick followed by a boot that sends Dorado over the top rope to the floor. Fox misses the moonsault off the ring post but he lands on his feet.
Dorado with an Asai Moonsault. They continue to fight on the floor. Fox with a forearm to the back. Fox goes to the stage but Dorado follows and he hits a savate kick followed by a European uppercut. Dorado with a super kick that sends Fox off the stage. Dorado with a somersault dive onto Fox and both men are down.
They try to get back into the ring but they struggle. Dorado gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Dorado with a slam followed by a leaping back senton for a near fall. Dorado and Fox exchange forearms and chops. Dorado sends Fox into the corner and Fox hits a springboard ace crusher followed by a leg drop from the top turnbuckle for a near fall.
Fox pulls Dorado into the corner and he misses a springboard 450 splash. Dorado gets a near fall. Dorado with a chop and Irish whip followed by a running forearm. Fox with a splash into the corner. Dorado spins Fox and hits a slam for a near fall. Dorado with a running drop kick into the corner for a near fall.
Dorado with a snap mare and drop kick. Dorado goes up top and Fox with an uppercut. Fox sets for a super cravate cutter but Dorado counters with a rana for a near fall. Fox with a Death Valley Driver and then he hits the 450 splash but Dorado kicks out.
Fox with a back heel kick but Dorado with a super kick and a springboard blockbuster DDT for a near fall. Dorado goes up top but misses a shooting star press. Fox with a layout swanton into the corner. Fox with an enzuigiri and then hits Lo Mein Pain for the three count.
Winner: AR Fox (advances to finals against Samuray Del Sol)
Match Number Eight: Larry Dallas (with Trina Michaels and Papadon) versus Milo Beasley in an Ybor City Street Fight
Trina has a chair with her. Larry leaves the ring as the bell rings. Milo sees Papadon get on the apron and he tries for a dive onto Dallas but Larry hits Milo in the head with the chair. Larry slams Milo’s head into the bar. Larry with a forearm to the back and he slams Milo on the bar. Papadon helps prevent Larry from being back body dropped onto the bar. Milo sends Larry back into the ring.
Trina grabs the ankle and that allows Larry to go for the knee. Larry kicks Milo and then he does the Flair knee drop. Larry does the Flair flip but Milo chops him off the apron and to the floor. Milo sends Larry back into the ring and he does the Flair flop. Milo with a punch and Trina gets in the ring.
Trina goes for the low blow but Milo blocks it. Larry shows Trina how to go for the groin. Larry with chops to Milo. Milo with chops to Larry but he misses a knee. Larry with an atomic drop to the knee and then he applies the figure four leg lock. Papadon helps Larry get extra leverage.
Some of the other wrestlers in the tournament chase Papadon and Trina out of the ring and out of the building.
Larry bumps into Milo and he begs for mercy. Milo with a kick and punches as he unleashes hell on Larry. Larry with a snap mare and a sliding forearm to Dallas. Milo puts Larry in the Tree of Woe and then he puts the chair in front of Larry’s face. Milo goes up top and hits the coast to coast.
Milo sets up the chair in the center of the ring. Milo with a forearm and then he punches Larry in the head. Larry is put in the chair and then he hits the Shining Wizard. Milo with the roaring elbow and he thinks about the cover but he decides to go outside the ring. Larry gets a table from under the ring. He puts Larry on the table and hits him in the head with a chair. Milo goes up top and he sees the balcony.
Milo goes upstairs and hits a splash through the table from the balcony. Milo rolls Larry into the ring and Milo gets the three count.
Winner: Milo Beasley
Match Number Nine: AR Fox versus Samuray Del Sol in the Finals of the Jeff Peterson Cup
As the match starts, the other participants make their way around the ring to watch the final final in the history of the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup. . . as is tradition.
They lock up and Fox works on the wrist but Del Sol with a reversal. Del Sol with an arm drag and each man goes for a drop kick at the same time and they kip up.
Fox with a kick to the midsection and forearm to the head. Fox with an Irish whip but Del Sol moves. Del Sol with a kick to the head and he goes up top but Fox gets his knees up. Del Sol rolls to the floor and Fox with a plancha onto Del Sol. Fox with Lo Mein Rain onto Del Sol. Fox tries for the moonsault off the ring post but Del Sol moves. Del Sol with a moonsault into an arm drag on the floor.
Del Sol sends Fox back into the ring and Del Sol misses a springboard 450. Fox hits a springboard 450 but he can only get a two count. Fox puts Del Sol in the ropes and chokes him. Fox with a splash to the back and then he goes to the floor. Fox puts Del Sol on the stage. Fox sets for a German suplex to the floor but Del Sol blocks it. Fox with the matrix and enzuigiri that sends Del Sol off the stage. Fox with a missile drop kick off the stage.
Fox gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Fox with forearms but Del Sol does a split and Fox goes to the floor. Del Sol with a double jump corkscrew dive onto Fox and both men are down. Del Sol climbs to the edge of the balcony and he hits a moonsault onto Fox and both men are down. Del Sol sends Fox back into the ring and he gets a near fall.
Del Sol with a punch to the head but Fox hits the springboard cutter and both men are down. Fox gets a near fall. Fox says that he is going up top but Del Sol with an enzuigiri. Del Sol with a flip power bomb from the turnbuckles but he can only get a two count. Del Sol goes up top but Fox with a palm thrust.
Fox with a super kick and then he hits Lo Mein Pain but Del Sol finds a way to kick out. Fox puts Del Sol on the turnbuckles again and he hits an enzuigiri. Fox hits Lo Mein Pain again and then he goes up top for a double knee strike to the back of the neck but Del Sol kicks out.
Fox thinks of what to do and he puts Del Sol up top again sand hits two enzuigiris. Fox sets for a third Lo Mein pain but Del Sol blocks it and he connects with elbows. Del Sol with a super reverse rana for the three count.
Winner: Samuray Del Sol
After the match, Del Sol is awarded the trophy. Fox and Del Sol shake hands and hug in the center of the ring. Charles Cardwell hugs Del Sol and the other participants in the tournament congratulate him.
Thank you for following the live coverage of the 2012 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup. I will have a post game show with my thoughts on the tenth and final Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup.
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