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December 16th
On this day in history in ....
1880 - John McMahon defeats H.M. Dufur in Boston, Massachusetts to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title, ending Dufur's second reign.
1917 - Frank Gotch, an early professional wrestling great who many feel was the first true crossover celebrity into the mainstream entertainment world, died of kidney failure brought on by Uremic Poisoning at the age of 38 (some reports list him as being 39 and 40) in his birthplace of Humboldt Iowa..
1941 - Black Guzman defeats Tarzan Lopez in Mexico City, Mexico for the NWA World Middleweight Title.
1949 - Verne Gagne defeats Leo Newman in Houston, Texas to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title.
1949 - George Flynn defeats Danno O'Connor for the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1952 - Fred Atkins and Ray Eckert defeat Ben and Mike Sharpe to win the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title, ending the Sharpes' sixth reign.
1954 - Ray Villmer defeats Joe Dusek in Kansas City, Kansas to win the NWA Central States Title.
1955 - Al Lolotai defeats The Zebra Kid (George Bollas) to win the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1962 - Mr. High and Mr. Low (Doug Gilbert and Dick Steinborn) defeat Art and Stan Neilson in St. Paul, Minnesota to win the AWA World Tag Team Title.
1963 - Edouard Carpentier wins his second World Wrestling Association (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight Title by forfeit, when Bearcat Wright no-shows a title defense in Indio, California.
1966 - Mike DiBiase defeats The Viking in St. Joseph, Missouri, to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title for the third time.
1970 - Mighty Atlas and Oni Wiki Wiki defeat Bobby Hart and Lorenzo Parente for the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee.
1970 - Bob Kelly wins his second NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title, defeating The Wrestling Pro in Mobile, Alabama.
1970 - Bill Robinson defeats The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) for the Hawaii version of the NWA North American Heavyweight Title.
1971 - Ole Anderson defeats Jack Brisco in Tampa, Florida for the NWA Florida Television Title, ending Brisco's second reign with the belt.
1972 - George Gordienko and Super Hawk defeat Danny Babich and Michel Martel for the Stampede International Tag Team Title.
1975 - Rock Riddle and John Tolos defeat Micky Doyle and Mando Lopez to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
1977 - The Canadian (Roddy Piper) wins his fourth NWA Americas Heavyweight Title by ending the 11th reign of Chavo Guerrero in Los Angeles, California.
1978 - Bobby Eaton and George Gulas defeat Gypsy Joe and Tojo Yamamoto for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1980 - Jackie Sato defeats Nancy Kumi to win the vacant WWWA World Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning her third reign.
1983 - Mike Rotundo defeats Greg Valentine in a tournament final for the vacant NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in St. Petersburg, Florida.
1984 - Blue Panther defeats El Matematico in Mexico City, Mexico for the UWA World Welterweight Title.
1986 - Hacksaw Higgins and Kareem Muhammad defeat The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) for the Florida version of the NWA United States Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida, ending the Fabulous Ones' second reign. Higgins and Muhammad would be the final champions.
1986 - Bad News Allen defeats The Falcon in Orlando, Florida to become the final NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Champion. The title would be abandoned in 1987.
1987 - The WWF held their second annual "Slammy Awards" in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at Caesar's Palace. Here are the winners:
Best Performance by an Animal: George Steele
Woman of the Year: Miss Elizabeth
Best Ring Apparel: Harley Race (This was followed by Race brawling with Hacksaw Duggan, who was presenting the award. For the rest of the show, Race and Duggan brawled all over the building and backstage, while Gorilla Monsoon, following them with a camera crew, provided commentary.)
Hulk Hogan Real American Award: Billy Graham
Jesse "The Body" Award: Rick Rude
Greatest Hit: Jim Duggan
Manager of the Year: Presenter Gorilla Monsoon announced that the envelope was empty, so there was no winner, ticking off Bobby Heenan, Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Hart, and Slick.
Best Personal Hygiene: Nikolai Volkoff, Boris Zuhkov and Slick
Best Vocal Performance:
Song of the Year: There was no winner, as Sika the Samoan ate the envelope.
Best Group: One Man Gang
Humanitarian of the Year: Ted DiBiase (the story was that he bought the award)
Best Head: Gene Okerlund and Bam Bam Bigelow
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Scholarship Award: Islanders Haku and Tama, Andre the Giant, Hercules, King Kong Bundy, and Harley Race (who were all managed by Heenan at the time).
This was the infamous program where Vince McMahon sang "Stand Back", footage that still haunts many fans to this day.
1988 - Terry Gordy and Stan Hansen win the vacant AJPW Unified Tag Team Title for the second time, by winning the 12th annual World's Strongest Tag Team League.
1990 - WCW held their Starrcade Pay-per-view at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri. The show centered around the Pat O'Conner International Tag Team Tournament, and also featured an end to the months-long storyline of the "Black Scorpion" that had been hounding WCW World Champion Sting, claiming to be someone from his past. Here are the results from the show:
- In a match held before the PPV broadcast, Bill Irwin defeated TC Carter.
- Bobby Eaton defeated Tom Zenk with a small package after Zenk missed a top rope dropkick.
- Tag Team Tournament, First Round: USA: Rick & Scott Steiner defeated South Africa: Sgt. Krueger (Ray Appolo, who would go on to become the babyface era Doink the Clown) & Col. DeKlerk (Ted Petty, who was worked as the masked Cheetah Kid at the time but would go on to become famous as ECW's Flyboy Rocco Rock) when Scott pinned DeKlerk with a Frankensteiner.
- Tag Team Tournament, First Round: Mexico: Konnan & Rey Misterio defeated United Kingdom: Chris Adams & Norman Smiley when Konnan pinned Smiley with a superplex.
- Tag Team Tournament, First Round: Japan: The Great Muta & Mr. Saito defeated New Zealand: Jack Victory & Rip Morgan when Muta pinned Victory with a German suplex.
- Tag Team Tournament, First Round: USSR: Victor Zangiev & Salman Hashimikov defeated Canada: Danny Johnson & Troy Montour when Hashimikov defeated Montour via submission with an armbar.
- Michael Wallstreet defeated Terry Taylor with a Samoan Drop.
- The Skyscrapers (Dan Spivey & Sid Vicious) defeated Big Cat & Motor City Madman in one minute when Vicious pinned Madman after a double powerbomb.
- Tommy Rich & Ricky Morton defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin when Morton pinned Garvin with a rollup after manager Little Richard Marley's interference backfires and he hits Garvin with a crutch. The Freebirds would beat up Marley afterwards for the mistake.
- Tag Team Tournament, Semifinals: Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Konnan & Rey Mysterio when Rick pinned Mistero with a powerbomb as Misterio went for a rana.
- Tag Team Tournament, Semifinals: The Great Muta & Mr. Saito defeated Victor Zangiev & Salman Hashimikov when Saito pinned Zangiev with a backdrop driver.
- Lex Luger defeated Stan Hansen in a Bullrope match to win the NWA United States Title by touching all four corners. The referee was knocked out as Luger touched the fourth, and a second referee came out and declared Hansen the winner after seeing him touch all four corners, but the first referee woke up and said he say Luger touch four corners first, so he was declared the winner. This began Luger's fourth reign as champion.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions Doom vs. Arn Anderson & Barry Windham (subbing for Ric Flair) in a street fight ended in a no-contest when Windham pinned Ron Simmons with a small package and Butch Reed pinned Anderson with a clothesline at the same time.
- Tag Team Tournament Finals, Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Great Muta & Mr. Saito when Rick pinned Saito with a sunset flip as Saito was putting Scott in a sleeper to win the tournament.
- NWA World Champion Sting defeated The Black Scorpion with a flying bodypress in a steel cage match. Dick The Bruiser was the special referee, and after the match a slew of Scorpions attacked Sting and Bruiser. Barry Windham and Arn Anderson finally jointed the brawl, and the Scorpion that Sting defeated was unmasked to reveal Ric Flair.
1992 - El Dandy defeats Bestia Salvaje for the CMLL World Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, beginning his second reign.
1993 - Shinichi Nakano defeats ends Masayoshi Motegi's third reign as WWC World Junior Heavyweight Champion in Kawasaki, Japan. This was during the WWC's partnership with the W*ING promotion.
1994 - The Cowboys (Silver King and El Texano) defeat Emilio Charles, Jr. and El Satanico to win the vacant CMLL World Tag Team Title. The title had been vacated the previous month when Canek, who held the title with Dr. Wagner, Jr., chose to no longer appear for the promotion.
1995 - Tony St. Clair and August Smisl defeat Cannonball Grizzly and John Hawk in Bremen, Germany for the Catch Wrestling Association Tag Team Title.
1999 - Ultimo Vampiro ends Bombero Infernal's second reign as IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Champion in Naucalpan, Mexico. At the same event, Scorpio, Jr. defeats Super Parka for the IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
2000 - Lucha libre legend Blue Demon, born Alejandro Muaoz Moreno, dies of a heart attack at age 78.
2000 - Thunder and Lightning win their second WWC Tag Team Title, defeating The West Texas Rednecks (Barry and Kendall Windham) in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
2000 - Hy-Zya defeats Todd Morton for the vacant IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Charlestown, Indiana, beginning his fifth reign.
2003 - T.J. Dalton and J.T. Stahr defeat The Riggs Brothers (Johnny and Jason) to win the HWA Tag Team Title.
2004 - Masaaki Mochizuki defeats CIMA for Dragon Gate's Open The Dream Gate Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2005 - Karachi Vice (Tiger Raj Singh and Gama Singh, Jr.) defeat Ravenous Randy and Pete Wilson to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title, beginning their second reign.
2006 - Don Jardine, better known as The Spoiler, dies from complications from a heart attack and leukemia in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, at age 66.
2006 - Carlito defeats Jon Heidenreich to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, beginning his short-lived 11th reign. Heidenreich would win the title back the same night.
2006 - Two German Stampede Wrestling titles change hands in Oberhausen, Germany, as The Absolute Alliance (Steve Allison and John Kay) defeat Steve Douglas and Emil Sitoci for the GSW Tag Team Title, and Chris Colen defeats champion Absolute Andy and Murat Bosporus in a Falls Count Anywhere match to win the GSW Breakthrough Title.
2006 - Shinobi defeats Sayoko Mita, a female newscaster, to win the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight, for apparently the 153rd time.
2007 - WWE presented their Armageddon PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of the 2007 WWE Armaggedon PPV from Pittsburgh, PA at the Mellon Arena. Thanks for logging in with us tonight for live coverage. PWInsider.com Elite subscribers can also stay tuned for our post-game audio show.
The opening video package was built around the WWE and WWE World championship matches.
WWE United States champion MVP vs. Rey Mysterio
MVP came to the ring looking all business. Mysterio came out wearing a cool outer mask with a half-skull/half mask. He took time embracing several kids wearing Rey masks as he came down the aisle.
When the bell rang, MVP went shot in for a single leg takedown but Mysterio avoided it, then evaded a second. Mysterio drilled him with several kicks and a hurancanrana. He rolled MVP over for a Lucha style cradle but MVP kicked up at one. Mysterio bounced off the ropes to set up a Mexican armdrag. MVP landed outside the ring but the referee stopped Rey from diving. When the ref instructed MVP to return, Rey charged and leaped over the referee into a twisting dive to the floor.
Back in the ring, Rey avoided an MVP big boot in the corner but was caught with a powerbomb into the turnbuckles. MVP got a two count off the move. Mysterio started selling his neckand throat from the powerbomb whiplash. MVP went right after the neck, wrenching it to work over Mysterio.
Mysterio battled back to his feet, but was nailed in the back of the neck to be taken back down. MVP drilled him in the head with a kick, shades of Randy Orton, for a two count. MVP locked on a Camel Clutch style move, locking one of Mysterio's arm in a half nelson. Mysterio fought back with elbows, but was nailed with a knee to the jaw. MVP scores another two count.
MVP's focus went right back to Mysterio's neck, locking an armbar on him while focusing the torque on the neck and shoulder. MVP pressed and dropped Rey, but Mysterio landed on his feet and nailed a hurancanrana. They recovered to their feet. Mysterio hit a springboard off the ropes into a high cross bodyblock for a two count.
Rey went to the top but was shoved off to the apron. Mysterio returned with the West Coast Pop, slipping as he came off the ropes. Mysterio grabbed his left knee, which landed under MVP. He used an Arabian Press for a two count. MVP cut him off with a clothesline and dragged him to the top turnbuckle. They battled atop of it. MVP nailed Rey, sending him to the apron. Rey continued to battle his way back and nailed a top rope hurancanrana for a two count. The announcers put over that he was able to do the move with a "bad knee."
Rey rebounded off the ropes but was caught with a boot to the face. Rey kicked up at two. Mysterio nearly got a three count after reversing an inverted DDT into a Scorpion death Drop while flipping over MVP.
Mysterio set up MVP for the 610 but MVP ducked and retreated to the floor. Mysterio ran down the apron and hit a hurancanrana on the floor. They teased a count out with Rey getting back in at 6. MVP got back on the apron at nine but then waved off the match and let himself be counted out.
Your winner, by countout, Rey Mysterio!
Rey jumped MVP on the floor and nailed him with the 619 after the bout. MVP escaped up the apron with his championship belt.
The opener was decent, although you never got the feeling they moved past second gear. The finish may come off a little stronger if it appeared MVP was in deep jeopardy, which I never really felt got across. The in-ring work was good.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed the HHH vs. Jeff Hardy bout.
Todd Grisham interviewed Hardy. He asked Hardy if this was the biggest match of his career. Hardy said he's had a lot of big matches but this was the closest he's ever gotten to a shot at the WWE title and to get there, he has to defeat a 11 time former champion. Hardy said he was at the crossroads of his career and that he didn't fear Triple H or anyone else. He said he can not, will not and never will believe in "Never." Good promo.
Kane & ECW champion CM Punk vs. Big Daddy V & Mark Henry (with Matt Striker)
Punk and Henry started off. Henry shoved him down. Punk came back with several kicks to the thighs. He tried to single leg takedown Henry but was beat down. Punk nailed a drop toehold in the corner and began nailing him with punches. Kane tagged in and they worked over Henry briefly. Punk tagged back and nailed a dropkick but was caught with a clothesline.
V tagged in. He kicked Punk in the gut, then chopped him in the corner. Punk fired back with chops and punches. He charged at V but was nailed down to the mat. V tossed him to the floor, where Matt Striker kicked him while he was on the ground. V hiptossed Punk over the ropes back into the ring. V pressed and dropped Punk.
Henry tagged in and stepped over Punk's prone body. He choked Punk. Punk backed into a corner but was smothered with a boot to the face. Henry beat Punk down and charged him in the corner. Punk avoided the charge and tagged Kane.
Kane went right after Henry with a running clothesline in the corner. He nailed a second, then a big boot to the face. Henry didn't go down, but finally did when Kane nailed a flying clothesline off the top. Kane called for a chokeslam, then nailed V in the corner. That allowed Henry to run Kane into the corner, where he was double teamed.
V caught Kane with a sitdown powerbomb, but Punk broke up the pin with a dropkick to V's back. V clotheslined Kane down as Punk tried to rally him in the corner. V splashed Kane's back and smothered him with his weight and he peppered him with punches. Henry tagged back in. V nailed a running splash in the corner. Henry locked on a bearhug as Kane staggered out of the corner. Kane battled to escape and was nearly able to tag Punk but Henry dragged him back to the opposite corner.
V and Henry continued to work over Kane. Kane finally fired back with punches on V, but was taken out with a clothesline. Henry tagged back in and was drilled with a DDT. Kane made the tag to Punk who went right after Henry and V with punches and kicks. He nailed V with a pair of knees in the corner, but was shoved off while going for the bulldog. Punk dropkicked V, who went down to one knee. Henry went after Punk but Kane attacked him and they went to the floor.
Punk went for a springboard clothesline, but Striker jumped on the apron. Punk nailed him. Punk dove into the ring but V caught him on his shoulders and hit a Samoan Drop, scoring the clean pin.
Your winners, Big Daddy V & Mark Henry!
The announcers put over the power of Big Daddy V. Good tag match. They told a solid, logical story all the way through. I thought Henry grabbing the bear hug right after V nailed Kane with a running splash in the corner was a nice touch. Punk showed a lot of fire and gets sympathy for losing in the manner he did, while Kane remains a monster and the heels get over. Solid stuff, especially considering who was in the ring.
Backstage, Vickie Guerrero, in a wheelchair, greeted Edge. She had set up a celebration for Edge's World title victory. She said once he wins the belt, all of her pain and suffering will subside. Edge promised to make her feel as good as he feels. He said her love gives him the strength of three men. He asked for a kiss for good luck and kissed her hand. They played it up like two young lovers. Vickie looked on adoringly as Edge exited.
Ken Kennedy vs. Shawn Michaels
Kennedy took the mic when he entered the ring. He said to Shawn Michaels (still backstage) that it doesn't matter if he likes Michaels, taunts Michaels, hates Michaels or respects Michaels, because all that matters is that he beats Michaels and promises that Michaels will be beaten by Mister Kennedy....Kennedy.
Big pop for Shawn Michaels' entrance. The crowd chanted "HBK" at the bell as the two faced off. Kennedy dared Michaels to come face him. He went right to work on Michaels with punches to the face and kicks to the gut. He whipped Michaels into the ropes and nailed him with a reverse elbow. He picked up Michaels for a slam, then elbowed him. The early portion was all about Kennedy's aggressiveness.
Kennedy nailed a backbreaker for another two count. He continued to work over Michaels in the corner. Michaels finally came back with a chop. He whipped Kennedy, who reversed it and Michaels took a flip bump over the turnbuckles. Kennedy went to put Michaels on his shoulders, but Michaels dropped down and chop blocked Kennedy's knee from behind.
Michaels whipped Kennedy into the ropes and went for a suplex but his back hurt. Michaels nailed several elbows and extended the arm into a DDT similar to the one Shane Douglas used in ECW on Gary Wolfe. Kennedy rolled on the apron screaming. Michaels went right to work on the arm, locking on an armbar, then a hammerlock, dropping knees on the lower back at the same time.
Michaels continued working on the arm as Kennedy got to his feet. Kennedy finally broke free and speared Michaels through the ropes with both falling to the floor. They battled on the floor. Kennedy teased running Michaels' back into the apron, but Michaels instead shoved him into the ring barrier. He stomped Kennedy's hand on the ring steps for good measure.
When Kennedy returned to the ring, Michaels continued to work over the hand and wrist. Kennedy fired back with punches. Michaels and Kennedy battled on the apron outside the ring. Kennedy shoved Michaels backwards into the steel ringpost with Michaels falling to the floor. Jim Ross pushed that Michaels was out of the ring for four years after back surgery. For some reason, I had flashbacks to Ross talking about Ric Flair's plane crash and back problems in the 1980s here. Not that I'm complaining, since the commentary so far is really good.
Kennedy worked over Michaels, including a knee to the face in the corner. Kennedy continued to sell the hand as if it might be broken. Kennedy slammed Michaels down with a backbreaker over the knee for another two count. He nailed another, then pulled Michaels backwards over his knee to try and force a submission.
Michaels tried to get the crowd behind him as he fought to get out of the hold. Michaels finally rolled out but was nailed with a series of elbows for a two count. Kennedy tried to come off the ropes but Michaels moved. Kennedy landed on his feet but Michaels avoided him. Kennedy finally nailed another elbow.
Kennedy cinched in a rear chinlock, placing his knee between Michaels' shoulder blades for additional leverage. Michaels fought his way back but Kennedy continued to battle back. Michaels finally nailed an elbow and backdropped Kennedy to the floor. Michaels nailed a flying forearm and kipped up to his feet.
Michaels nailed an atomic drop, then went to the top rope for the Picture Perfect elbow off the top. He nails it and Michaels signals for Sweet Chin Music while hurting from the damage to his back. Kennedy duckes the kick and rolls up Michaels for a two count. Kennedy picks up Michaels for his rolling finisher but Michaels turns it into a sunset flip for a two count.
Kennedy slingshots Michaels into the corner and Michaels hits his head on the ringpost. Kennedy hits his rolling back splash finisher but Michaels kicks up at the last second. Kennedy stalked over Michaels talking trash. Kennedy went for a STO but Michaels held onto the ropes to escape. Michaels drilled him with Sweet Chin Music and scored the clean pin.
Your winner, Shawn Michaels!
Another good match. They told a good story and I thought both did a good job getting over the fact that they had been worn down and hurt over the course of the match - Michaels' back and Kennedy's hand. It probably wasn't the spectacular match of Kennedy's career but was a very good showing for both and Kennedy can use his injured hand as the excuse for the loss
They aired a Royal Rumble commercial with all of the WWE stars battling on a subway car. The big finish was Michael Buffer trying to do his "Let's Get Ready To Rumble" line but Shawn Michaels superkicked him.
Todd Grisham interviewed WWE champion Randy Orton. Orton said Chris Jericho was a virus and he would wipe Jericho out tonight. He said the only thing Jericho should save us from was his empty promises. Orton said that the WWE champion doesn't have to be the most entertaining and promised he would be the one leaving with the belt. Orton said that since Jericho likes code, he has one for Jericho - Orton 18. He said that between John Cena, Triple H and Shawn Michaels, they had 18 World championships between them, and that's 18 that have fallen to the RKO. He told Jericho, "Don't save us, spare us" and said all of Jericho's hype won't spare Jericho when he gets into the ring with the best the industry has ever seen. Good promo.
Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H for a WWE championship match at the 2008 Royal Rumble
They shook hands at the bell and locked up. Triple H shoulderblocked Hardy down to the mat. Hardy got clotheslined down. Hardy armdragged HHH over several times. Hardy went for a baseball slide outside, but HHH moved. They battled outside of the ring on the floor. HHH went to slam Hardy's head into the barrier but Hardy ducked and nailed HHH. Hardy went to do the railing run but slipped. HHH saved it with a clothesline on the floor.
Back in the ring, HHH went for a back suplex but Hardy landed on his feet. He went to throw a punch but hesitated, so HHH slapped him. HHH yelled at Hardy to fight him. Hardy charged him and they locked up. HHH tossed Hardy into the corner. Hardy avoided him and nailed a series of kicks. He whipped HHH, who reversed it. Hardy slid underneath and nailed a low legdrop between the legs and a dropkick to the face. He slapped HHH.
HHH smiled, then kicked Hardy in the gut. He tossed Hardy to the floor, then followed. He whipped Hardy into the ring steps on the floor, then drilled him into the ring apron back-first outside the ring. HHH dropped an elbow on Hardy, then whipped him into the corner. Hardy started to mount a comeback but when he went to the top, HHH shoved him to the floor with hardy landing throat-first on the barrier, like Brian Pillman in WCW.
They teased a countout but Hardy got back into the ring at nine. As Hardy made his way through the ropes, HHH nailed him with a kneedrop to the back off the corner. Hardy continued to fight off HHH, who avoided Hardy's reverse kick. HHH locked on an abdominal stretch and began grabbing the ropes for additional leverage. Hardy broke free but HHH rebounded off the ropes with another clothesline.
HHH locked on a sleeper but Hardy charged the corner and HHH ate turnbuckle. Hardy nailed a dropkick. HHH whipped him into the ropes but Hardy lariated him. HHH and Hardy slugged it out in the center of the ring. HHH missed a clothesline but Hardy hit a flying clothesline rebounding off the ropes. Hardy peppered him with punches in the corner. HHH fell to the mat but Hardy missed a dropkick.
Hardy clotheslined HHH to the floor then dropkicked him down on the floor. He tossed HHH back into the ring. He went to the top rope and hit a flying bodypress for a two count. Hardy hit a twisting corkscrew moonsault press for another near fall. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate but HHH nailed a DDT for a two count.
Hardy went for a crucifix but HHH fell backwards. Hardy then tried to counter it with a pinfall attempt and got a two. HHH went overly aggressive, beating Hardy in the corner. The announcers said that HHH realized he was only a second away from being beat. Hardy kicked a reverse mule kick, and dropkicked HHH in the chest. Hardy nailed the swanton but HHH kicked up at the last second.
HHH cut off Hardy and teased the Pedigree. HHH grabbed Hardy as he escaped and nailed the spinebuster. HHH pulled him up for the Pedigree but Hardy reversed it into a forward roll for the clean pinfall.
Your winner, WWE Intercontinental champion Jeff Hardy, who now has earned a title match at the Royal Rumble.
Hardy jumped into the crowd to celebrate as HHH looked on. The match was good with the story being that HHH was the better wrestler because he kept Hardy from building any long-term offense. They teased that Hardy could have stolen a win and HHH got even more aggressive at that point. Hardy stealing the win at the end seemed to make the ringside fans happy but I didn't think it came off like a huge momentous moment for Hardy. If this was designed to make it "his moment" to get him to a new level, Pittsburgh wasn't the town to do it in. Still, another good match.
Great Khali bellowed something backstage. Runjin Singh said that Finlay would learn the consequences of his actions after stopping Khali from destroying Hornswoggle at Survivor Series. Runjin said that Finlay loves to fight but Khali loves to destroy. He said that Hornswoggle and Khali will lay at the feet of Khali tonight, decimated.
Great Khali (with Runjin Singh) vs. Finlay (with Hornswoggle)
Hornswoggle came to the ring with Finlay. If Finlay can pull an entertaining match out here, he's truly double the awesome worker we already know he is. Finlay got right into Khali's face, but was shoved into the corner and kicked. He chopped Finlay in the chest, then nailed him in the head.
Finlay was tossed to the floor. Khali followed. He slammed Finlay's face into the apron. Finlay escaped and nailed several kicks to Khali while he was on the apron. Khali still nailed him with a chop to the chest. They returned to the ring, where Khali used his Vulcan nerve pinch of doom. Finlay escaped but was hit with a big boot.
Khali went right back to the nerve pinch. That went on forever it seemed. Finlay finally gets the ropes to break the hold. Khali used the vice grip while Finlay was in the ropes, so the referee called for the break. Hornswoggle who was on the apron was grabbed by Khali and tossed aside.
Khali chopped Finlay, then pressed and slammed him. Khali began removing one of the top turnbuckle pads. The referee caught him. Finlay grabbed the shillelagh to crack Khali but was caught for a chokeslam. Hornswoggle hit the ring with a second and nailed Khali with a low blow. Finlay scored the pin.
Your winner, Finlay!
Not a good match from an in-ring standpoint but they probably did as much as you could expect and this was far better than you would have believed going into it.
WWE champion Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho
It's kind of telling this is in the middle of the card. They tied up in the middle of the ring but neither got any advantage. Orton backed Jericho up into the corner and nailed several punches. Jericho escaped and caught him with an armdrag into an armbar.
Jericho picked up Orton for a suplex and dropped him across the ropes. When Orton landed in the ring, Jericho kicked him. He nailed another in the gut, then went right back to the armbar. He went after Orton's exposed ribs with a number of elbows as well. He nailed Orton with a spin kick. Orton went to the floor. Jericho dove off the top to the floor.
Orton caught Jericho returning to the ring and teased hitting the DDT while hanging Jericho off the ropes but Jericho escaped and went for the Wall of Jericho. Orton finally got the better of the exchange and drilled Jericho with a DDT. He stalked Jericho with several kicked and then locked on a side chinlock. Jericho fought to his feet but was caught with a big dropkick as he rebounded off the ropes. Orton got a two count after the dropkick.
Orton went right back into a sleeper combination, grapevining his legs around Jericho's torso. Orton whipped Jericho into the corner. Jericho went to avoid the charge but the two "cracked heads" and both collapsed to the mat. The referee began counting each down on the mat but each returned to their feet at the eight count.
Jericho got the better of their exchange once they got back to their feet including a forearm off the ropes. Jericho clotheslined Orton for a two count. He nailed an uppercut on Orton (Dory Funk would be proud) and nailed a dropkick off the ropes. Orton got his shoulder up right before the three count. Orton drilled Jericho with a powerslam for a two count.
Orton tossed Jericho into the ringpost shoulder-first. He went for the RKO but Jericho attempted a backslide, getting a two count. Orton tossed Jericho back into the ringpost again. Orton nailed Jericho with a superplex, but only gained a two count as Jericho got his shoulder up.
Orton missed a dropkick, but was caught by Jericho, who went for the Walls of Jericho. Orton was nailed with an enziguiri and then hit with a bulldog takedown. Jericho went for the Lionsault, but Orton got his knees up. Orton went for the RKO but Jericho shoved him off and hit a Lionsault for a near fall. The Arena thought it was the finish.
They battled in the corner with Orton elbowing Jericho off the apron into the ring barrier. Orton stalked him but was slammed into the ring post. Orton tossed Jericho into the Smackdown announce table. Jericho landed on JBL, then shoved him aside as he went back after Orton. He tossed Orton into the ring and nailed a shot to the back of the head off the top.
Jericho waited for Orton to get to his feet and called for the Codebreaker, but Orton caught him and slammed him powerbomb style into the turnbuckles. Orton went for his trademark kick to the head, but Jericho avoided it and locked on the Wall of Jericho. Orton dragged himself to the ropes but Jericho pulled him to the center of the ring. JBL hit the ring and kicked Jericho in the face, causing a disqualification.
Your winner, by DQ, Chris Jericho!
As he left the ring, JBL said, "You think you can put your hands on me, son?" He went to the back. Even Orton looked shocked and confused by what happened. Orton drilled Jericho with the RKO.
The match itself was good until the finish, which the live crowd absolutely hated. I guess we are looking at a JBL-Jericho program.
They aired the Royal Rumble commercial again. Being from NYC, I got a kick out of the subway theme, although since the train was a 7 train, the next stop after 14th Street isn't Madison Square Garden...the 7 train doesn't go to either of those stations! But, I digress.
Lilian Garcia announced the next match would be for the WWE Women's championship. Jillian Hall came out. She plugged the itunes album. She said she was going to sing one of her favorite songs off the album right now. It was a terrible rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." She was thankfully cut off by Mickie James' theme music.
WWE Women's champion Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James
They locked up with Phoenix overpowering James early. James went for the bulldog off the ropes but was shoved off. James tried to whip Phoenix but was stopped and Beth nailed her arm. James went for her headscissors out of the corner but was caught and powerbombed. Phoenix got a two count.
Phoenix locked on a Dragon Sleeper (Tatsumi Fujinami, represent yo), then nailed the Oklahoma Stampede in the corner. James came back with a rollup for a two count. Phoenix locked on a chicken wing combination, but James battled back with several elbows to the face. James avoided a reverse suplex, then hit her head scissors out of the corner.
James nailed the Lou Thesz Press and peppered Beth with punches. She nailed a second Thesz Press, then a dropkick to the face for another two count. Mickie hit a missile dropkick for another two count.
Beth cut off James with a kick to the gut, then nailed a Fisherman's suplex for the clean pinfall.
Your winner and still WWE Women's champion, Beth Phoenix!
Match was short but fine for what it was. Phoenix stands out doing all the power moves usually reserved for men and James' work was good here too.
Tazz reunited with old Smackdown announcing partner Michael Cole for the main event.
WWE World champion Batista vs. The Undertaker vs. Edge - No DQ
They aired a video feature on the main event.
Taker and Batista lock up. Taker was shoved out of the ring, where he grabbed at Edge, who was outside. Batista and Taker battled over who was going to get Edge. Edge scrambled away. Edge got offense in on Taker, then backed off. Batista attacked Taker from behind, then nailed him with a kneelift. He clotheslined Taker out of the ring. Taker landed on his feet and grabbed Edge by the throat and slammed him to the floor.
Taker nailed Batista, then legdropped him as he was laid out across the apron with his head exposed. Edge leaped on the chance to try and pin Batista, but only got a two count. Edge began working over Batista, then shoulderblocked Taker off the apron. Batista grabbed Edge with a slam, then clotheslined him in the corner.
He charged Edge in the corner but was caught with a drop toehold. Edge teased a spear but was caught with a kick to the face, then an over the shoulder powerslam. Batista scored a two count but Taker broke up the pin. Taker went to hit Edge with a guillotine legdrop but Batista nailed Taker with a running clothesline on the apron, sending him to the floor.
Batista caught Edge with a spinebuster, then tried to set him for the Batista Bomb. Edge lowblowed him and went for a pin, but Taker pulled the referee to the floor. Taker peppered Edge in the face and chest with punches in the corner, then hit a running splash in the opposite corner. Taker hit Edge with snake eyes, then a big boot to the face. Edge kicked out.
Taker walked the ropes and drilled Edge. He tried to lock a triangle choke on Batista. Outside the ring, Edge rang the timekeeper's bell, so Taker broke the hold. Taker went after the referee but Edge speared him for a two count. Edge then speared Batista and scored a two count.Edge grabbed a chair and placed them under Batista's head for a Conchairto, but Batista kicked him in the face.
Taker and Batista both got to their feet and went after each other. Taker nailed a superplex on Batista. Batista took down Edge, but it turned out to be an imposter. Batista called for the Batista Bomb, but Taker grabbed him with a chokeslam. Taker chokeslamed the fake Edge. Batista caught him with a kick and tried for the Batista Bomb but Taker drove him into the corner.
Taker nailed Snake Eyes, but was caught with a clothesline by Batista. Batista received a two count. Batista went for the over the shoulder powerbomb but Taker reversed it into a tombstone piledriver. Edge nailed Taker from behind with a chair, then drilled Batista with one and scored the pin.
Your winner and new WWE World champion Edge!
They booked the hell out of this as I don't think they ever let up the momentum the entire time. As it turned out, there were two fake Edges, not one. Decent match.
Overall, a very good show, way better than I think anyone expected coming in. If you want to see some good wrestling, you'll enjoy this, although you may not love some of the finishes.
2007 - The AP reported the following:
The Associated Press issued the following article this evening:
Lawyer says Benoit estate fight could be resolved soon
ATLANTA- fight over the estate of pro wrestler Chris Benoit -- who killed his wife, son and then himself in June -- could soon be resolved, a lawyer for Benoit's father said Sunday.
Separately, lawyer Cary Ichter said, the league Benoit performed in, Stamford-based World Wrestling Entertainment , has balked at the idea of making a financial contribution to Benoit's two surviving children from a previous marriage.
WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt did not immediately return a call to his cell phone Sunday seeking comment.
The dispute over the estate, estimated to be worth $1.5 million to $3 million, involves a fight between the family of Benoit's slain wife, Nancy, and Benoit's father, Michael, who is acting on behalf of Benoit's other two children, who live in Canada.
Ichter told The Associated Press that he hopes to know in about a week whether the two sides will be able to resolve the dispute or if further litigation will be necessary. He declined to detail what terms are being discussed.
A central issue in the dispute is the order in which the killings occurred.
Lawyers for Benoit's mother-in-law, Maureen Toffoloni, filed a petition in August asking a court to determine the order of the deaths, which could affect whether she gets any of the estate, which includes two homes, several bank and investment accounts and other assets.
Investigators have repeatedly said that Benoit killed his wife, then their son and himself during the weekend of June 22 at their suburban Atlanta home.
District Attorney Scott Ballard has said the wrestler used a cord to strangle his wife, then killed his son with a choke hold, then placed Bibles next to the bodies and hanged himself on a piece of exercise equipment.
Under that scenario, the estate would pass to Benoit's surviving two children, according to Ichter.
But if the boy was killed first and then the wife, under Georgia law at least some of the estate would pass to Toffoloni, lawyers in the case have said.
That's because of a forfeiture statute that takes into account the fact that Benoit was the killer. As such, the law for purposes of estate distribution would consider Benoit to have died before his wife and son.
Ichter has said that if the boy was killed first, the estate would pass to the wife and, since she was killed, it would then pass to her family.
An attorney for Toffoloni, of Daytona Beach, Fla., has said he doesn't believe the order of deaths is clear, and that is why he has asked the Fayette County court to make a determination based on the law.
As for the issue of a payment from the WWE to Chris Benoit's two other children, Ichter said he and a local attorney for the league had been discussing the idea of compensation for the children. Ichter said he told the lawyer that Benoit's father might accept $2 million for the children. About a week ago, the attorney told Ichter the WWE wasn't interested in talking about it further, according to Ichter.
Ichter said his client has not decided yet whether to sue the WWE.
Investigators have not given a motive for the killings, but the question of whether steroids played a role has lingered. Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's home, and tests showed Benoit had roughly 10 times the normal level of testosterone in his system when he died.
Some experts believe that use of testosterone can contribute to paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as "roid rage."
Benoit's father believes years of head trauma his son suffered while in the ring contributed to the killings
2008 - Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler had its official Hollywood premiere. Steven Starr was in attendance and filed the following report:
I attended The Wrestler premiere tonight at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills. Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Brutus Beefcake and Ernest Miller were in attendance, as well as 50 Cent, Jared Leto, Masiela Lusha, Matthew Perry, John McGinley and the stars of the movie, Evan Rachel Wood, Marissa Tomei, and Mickey Rourke.
Before the screening started, Darren Aronofsky introduced Wood, Tomei, and Rourke to the audience. Aronofsky explained how he did not set out to make a movie celebrating the "sport of wrestling" (his words), but that it came together that way and he has a lot of respect for the craft. He told a story about how he screened the movie for BAFTA, and Roddy Piper was in attendance. Not knowing how Piper was going to respond, he put Piper on the spot and asked him what he thought of the screening. Piper joked with him at first he didn't know where Aronofsky did his research, but complimented him and said this was the first film that truly told a wrestler's story.
Aronofsky then explained that he asked Piper to bring several retired wrestlers to the premiere tonight, and then introduced DDP, Beefcake, Valentine, and Ernest "The Cat" Miller. Each of the wrestlers stood up in their seats when Aronofsky introduced them, except for Miller -- for some reason 50 Cent stood up instead. Unfortunately, only 50 and his two bodyguards thought this funny. Aronofsky then introduced Lex Luger, who he called "an inspiration to us all" but Luger wasn't actually in attendance.
After the screening, there was an after party. Flair kept to himself. He was with his wife and two other people. Flair didn't stay very long after the screening ended. Piper brought his family with him and he had a crowd around him all evening. He was clearly in his element. Miller was busy taking pictures with celebrities on his personal camera and chatting everybody up. Valentine stayed close to Piper and Beefcake. Valentine, Beefcake and DDP looked like they were happy to be there but Hollywood parties can be very aloof, and all three seemed out of their element to me.
Jared Leto was being followed by a camera crew all evening so I wouldn't be surprised if some footage of the event pops up. Interestingly, several stars on Fox Searchlight's media list no showed the event including Hulk Hogan, Emile Hirsch, Nicky Hilton, Kevin Connolly, and Luke Wilson.
2009 - TNA Knockout Christy Hemme, who won the first-ever WWE Diva Search competition, announced last night during a podcast for her official website, the RHS that she was officially retired from in-ring competition, but would be remaining affiliated with TNA. Hemme explained that she found herself tense and nervous about the possibilities of re-injuring her neck during a six-Knockouts tag match several weeks back, concerned that she didn't want to have spent eight months allowing a neck injury to heal naturally only to suffer it again. Hemme noted that the day after that bout, she informed TNA that she wasn't going to continue wrestling. She noted that she feels healthy and fine, but didn't want to put herself into a situation where her long term quality of life would be an issue.
Hemme broke into the business in 2004, winning a contract via the inaugural WWE Diva Search. She posed for Playboy Magazine a year later. She debuted in TNA after being released by WWE and has remained with the company since. She is still working for the company as a ring announcer and backstage interviewer.
2009 - World Wrestling Entertainment added to the following to their corporate website in regard to the company's Wellness Policy:
How often is a WWE Talent tested after testing positive and receiving a strike?
After a WWE Talent tests positive and receives a strike, that WWE Talent is tested an average of 16 times for a period of one year.
Does a WWE Talent who leaves WWE with a strike or strikes retain those infractions if they return to WWE?
Any WWE talent who leaves the WWE for any reason with a first or second violation on his/her record will maintain those strikes if he/she returns to the WWE.
Is a WWE Talent who is terminated for a third strike able to return to the WWE?
A WWE Talent who is terminated by the WWE for a third violation will be prohibited from returning to the WWE for at least one year. Before a possible return, the WWE Talent must test negative for all prohibited substances under the Policy during a pre-contract screening. If they pass the pre-contract screening and are approved to return, the WWE Talent must undergo mandatory unannounced testing for at least one year after the execution of the new contract. The WWE Talent will return with two strikes on his/her record.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Jack Korpela and Matt Striker.
Match Number One: JTG versus Curt Hawkins
They lock up and JTG with a side head lock and take down. Hawkins gets to his feet but JTG with a shoulder tackle and gets a near fall. JTG works on the arm and takes Hawkins to the mat and kicks him in the arm and gets a near fall. JTG continues to work on the arm but Hawkins backs JTG into the corner and connects with a shoulder followed by a slap. JTG with an Irish whip and then he goes to the turnbuckles but Hawkins sends JTG over the top rope to the floor. Hawkins with a front face lock and then he runs JTG into the apron. They return to the ring and Hawkins gets a near fall. Hawkins with a forearm to the back and then he hits a suplex and gets a near fall. Hawkins with a reverse chin lock. Hawkins with knees to the back while holding on to a rear chin lock. Hawkins with a knee when JTG gets back to his feet. They each try for a clothesline and both men are down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Hawkins with a chin lock but JTG with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Hawkins with a side head lock and JTG tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Hawkins counters with a lateral press for a near fall. JTG with a punch followed by a reverse atomic drop but Hawkins with a slam and he gets a near fall. Hawkins punches JTG and then he goes up top for the elbow drop but JTG rolls out of the way and Hawkins misses. JTG runs Hawkins into the corner and he kicks Hawkins. JTG leaps into the corner and hits the Mug Shot and gets a near fall. Hawkins kicks JTG in the knee but JTG with a Shout Out for the three count.
Winner: JTG
It is time to take a look back at this week’s NXT when Byron Saxton showed that he could sing, but couldn’t really do the obstacle course. Johnny Curtis showed his prowess at the obstacle course.
We are back and it is already time for the Raw portion of the show. Your announcers are CM Punk and Scott ‘or whatever Punk calls him’ Stanford.
Match Number Two: Zack Ryder versus Darren Young
Zack wants the referee to hold Darren back because he isn’t ready. Ryder backs Young into the corner and he pushes him. Young pushes back and gets a rollup when Ryder misses a charge into the corner. They lock up again and Young with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Young with a clothesline and knee to the head. Young sends Ryder into the turnbuckles and then hits a European uppercut. Young goes to the turnbuckles and punches Ryder but Ryder escapes and pulls Young into the ropes. Ryder goes to the apron and connects with a kick. Ryder chokes Young in the corner and then slingshots him into the turnbuckles and gets a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock on Young. Young with elbows and then he escapes. Young runs into a boot from Ryder and Ryder gets a near fall. Ryder with a neck breaker but he can only get a two count. Ryder sends Young into the turnbuckles and punches him until the referee warns him. Ryder with a running boot across the face and he gets a near fall.
Ryder with a reverse chin lock on Young and Ryder with a forearm to the back. Young with an overhead belly-to-belly throws and then Young with punches after blocking punches from Ryder. Young with forearms and a flying shoulder tackle. Young with a slap to Ryder and a reverse atomic drop followed by a clothesline. Young with a gut buster from the shoulders for a near fall. Ryder with a forearm and Young tries for a rollup but Ryder holds on to the ropes. Ryder with the Rough Ryder for the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
We run through the card for TLC (at this point)
Match Number Three: Drew McIntyre versus Yoshi Tatsu
Drew takes his time getting ready for the match while Yoshi is ready for action. They lock up and Drew backs Yoshi into the corner and Drew with a clean break. They lock up again and Drew with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Drew seems impressed with his performance so far. They lock up again and Yoshi sends Drew into the corner and he chops and kicks Drew. Drew with a forearm to the back and he adds punches to the attack. The referee warns Drew but Drew returns to the attack. Yoshi with forearms in the corner and he follows with kicks and the referee warns him. Yoshi with a series of kicks to the head and he gets a near fall.
Yoshi escapes a belly-to-back suplex and Yoshi tries for a round kick but Drew escapes it and goes to the floor. They fight to the floor and Drew tries to send Yoshi into the barrier but Yoshi blocks it and he sends Drew into it. Drew with a shoulder breaker into the ring apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Drew with a key lock on Yoshi and then he stomps on the arm. Drew wraps Yoshi’s arm in the ropes and then he kicks the ropes to add more pressure to the arm. Drew gets a near fall and Yoshi gets his foot on the ropes to stop the count. Drew punches Yoshi and then he returns to the key lock. Yoshi with kicks to Drew and then he hits a crucifix for a near fall. Drew with a savate kick for a near fall. Drew stomps on the hand and then kicks Yoshi in the head. Drew with an arm bar.
Yoshi punches Drew in the ribs and then he kicks and chops him. Drew with a divorce court and he gets a near fall. Drew with an arm bar but Yoshi with a drop kick that sends Drew to the floor. Drew returns to the ring but Yoshi side steps him and Drew goes into the ring post and to the floor. Drew returns to the ring and Yoshi with chops to Drew. Yoshi with kicks to Drew and then he hits the double knees into the corner. Drew avoids the rolling mare but Yoshi hits a spinning heel kick but Drew gets his hand on the rope and the referee stops his count. Drew sends Yoshi to the apron but Yoshi with a round kick. Yoshi goes up top but misses the spinning heel kick and Drew gets up first and he hits the Future Shock DDT for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s show starts off with a look at the top contenders for Jeff Hardy’s TNA Heavyweight Title, Ken Anderson and Matt Morgan. They talk about the concussion situation for Ken and what it means to him.
We see Ken Anderson walking into the building earlier today and he is not in a good mood after looking at the board. Matt Morgan wants to know what Ken is so angry about because Ken told Matt that he would be cleared to wrestle so he should have been happy to see his name on there in a tag match against Jeff Hardy. Ken wants to know if Matt is his mom. He says that his word is his bond and Matt says that he doesn’t want to hear that from Ken. Ken calls Matt ‘partner’ before walking away.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘The Good Mike announcer’ Tenay and Taz.
Matt Morgan comes to the ring and he is dressed for action, but wants to address the Impact Zone. He says that he is in the spot he is in because he had a choice to make. He could turn his back on Fortune, Immortal, and a childhood idol in Hulk Hogan. He had a guaranteed payday for the rest of his career. Or he could stand up for Ken Anderson when Ken was forced to wrestle Jeff Jarrett in a chain match. He says that he made the right choice and in his heart of hearts it was the right choice. It might not have been an easy choice. Tonight, he is supposed to team with Ken Anderson against Jeff Hardy and Kazarian. Matt wants to address Ken. He says that he has done everything to help Anderson. Matt says that when the bell sounds, all bets are off. If Hardy and Kaz want to hit Ken in the head again, it is all on Anderson. Matt says that he has done everything to keep Anderson from hurting himself. Matt says that he will have Anderson’s back tonight in the match, but will Anderson be healthy enough to have his back?
We will find out because Ken Anderson’s music plays and he comes out. Ken accepts a mic from someone at ringside instead of waiting for it to drop from the heavens. Ken tells Matt that he appreciates everything that he has done for him, but he is a big boy, not as big as Matt. Ken says that he can take care of himself since he is an adult. Ken points out that they are wrestlers and they are here to wrestle and that is what he is going to do. Ken asks Matt if he wants a note from his mommy. What about his doctor?
Matt says that Ken is good at misdirections. He says that Ken doesn’t need to show him any note, but he wants Ken to prove it to the fans who follow Anderson. Matt says that nobody wants to see Ken in a match where it might jeopardize the next twenty or thirty years of Ken’s life. What about the commitment to Sports Legacy Institute? When little pissant promoters like Eric Bischoff try to put you in harm’s way, you stand up and tell them to ‘f off’.
Anderson says that he has done it for two months.
Matt says that he wants Ken to look him in the eye and shake his hand if he is 100% percent and has his back.
Before there is any handshaking going on in the ring, Jeff Hardy’s music plays and he comes out. Jeff wants to know if they are going to have the match or not. Jeff says that Matt should have proposed to Ken so they could get married at Genesis. Jeff says that they are acting like a married couple.
Matt wants to know if they are hearing this from Hulk Hogan’s puppet boy. Anderson tells Jeff that his makeup is running.
Jeff tells Ken that Matt is working him. How does Ken know that Matt isn’t ‘one of us’ and he says that stranger things have happened in the past. Jeff says that if Ken doesn’t have the match, then he loses his title match. Jeff tells Matt to worry about his own health. Jeff tells the marks in the Impact Zone that they are all con men and at the end of the day, it is all about the title belt. Jeff says that him and Kazarian are going to prove that they are bad asses.
We go to Mike and Taz at the announce table. They run through the card for the show.
While Jay Lethal comes to the ring, we see footage from the X Division Title match at Final Resolution.
Match Number One: Robbie E with Cookie versus Jay Lethal for the X Division Title
Lethal keeps Robbie from leaving the ring and he punches Robbie. Cookie trips Lethal as he comes off the ropes and the referee doesn’t see it because it is a Hebner. Christy Hemme comes out and takes Cookie down and she puts handcuffs on Cookie.
Meanwhile there is a match going on and Robbie kicks and punches Jay as we go to commercial.
We are back and Lethal with an inside cradle on Robbie, but Robbie responds with a near fall. Robbie slaps Lethal in the head and kicks him. Lethal with a back elbow and punches followed by chops. Lethal with a kick and more chops. Robbie pulls Lethal to the mat and gets a near fall.
On the floor, Christy punches Cookie while the match continues. Robbie punches Lethal and slaps him in the head. Robbie with a reverse chin lock and then he pulls Lethal back to the mat by the hair to maintain the chin lock. Lethal gets to his feet and he escapes and punches Robbie. Robbie responds with a punch and then they exchange punches until Lethal takes control. Lethal with clotheslines and a chop. Lethal with a suplex and then he hits the Lethal Combination and then Jay goes up top and hits the elbow drop for a two count. Robbie gets a boot up and the referee finally sees Robbie’s foot on the rope and he stops the count. Robbie goes up top and Lethal crotches him after a punch. Lethal with a superplex. Cookie with a knee to Christy but Christy is able to stop Cookie from helping Robbie cheat. Lethal hits the Lethal Injection for the three count.
Winner: Jay Lethal
After the match, Christy gets in the ring and celebrates with Lethal. Jay kisses Christy for all of her help.
AJ Styles and Eric Bischoff are in the back and AJ says that Robbie just can’t get it done. He says that Robbie could have been a part of Fortune or Immortal but he couldn’t hold on to a title. Eric asks AJ if he understands irony. Eric says that irony is AJ talking to Eric about Robbie not getting it done, but AJ lost the title two weeks ago to Douglas Williams. Eric wants to know when AJ is going to step up and be the pound for pound greatest wrestler. AJ says that he held the title. Eric points out that AJ does not hold the title. He tells AJ to go and do it. AJ says that he has a rematch. Eric tells AJ that he better win because he can find any jabroni who can do a Ric Flair imitation. Eric points out Jay Lethal’s Flair imitation. He tells AJ to be a leader and then he dares him.
AJ takes off his sunglasses for a moment and then he walks away.
Douglas Williams is walking around in the back and they ask him about beating AJ Styles with his own move. Douglas says that it was entertaining to do it that way and was salt in the wounds. Douglas says hello to Magnus and they reminisce about the old days. Douglas asks Magnus about his girl and Magnus says that Chelsea is done. He says that women and wrestling don’t mix. He says that him and Desmond decided that she was not needed. Douglas asks about Desmond and Magnus says that he will be back soon. Douglas is asked how it felt to beat AJ. He says that it was refreshing to beat AJ.
Speaking of AJ, as Douglas goes to get ready for his match, AJ attacks him and they fight in the trailer. AJ sends him into a door and then he punches Douglas. They have moved into the part of the trailer where Tara and Madison Rayne are and they yell at AJ and Douglas as AJ continues to beat up Douglas. Douglas punches AJ but AJ punches Douglas. AJ sends Douglas into the wall while Madison and Tara continue to yell at them to stop. AJ calls them hookers and the AJ tells Douglas that he isn’t done with him. AJ says that he feels refreshed.
Orlando Jordan is walking in the back with Eric Young and a few blondes are with them. Eric is wearing the old TNA Heavyweight Title belt. Orlando wants to know where Eric found the title. Eric says that he found it in the garbage and he is the champion. Eric tells the girls that they have a huge match tonight and he wants to walk away. Orlando asks Eric about the girls and then he walks away.
Eric walks into a room and there is someone sitting in a circle of candles. Eric addresses him as sensei and we see that it is Brian Kendrick. Eric says that he needs some guidance for his first title defense. Brian tells Eric that he is the champion and will stay the champion because he believes in himself. Brian tells Eric that one man’s treasure is another man’s trash. Eric leaves and remembers to turn off the lights as we go to commercial.
Jeff Hardy says that there is a lot of bs going around in TNA and he says that he got in Anderson and Morgan’s head. He says that they should create their own destiny to get on the road to the most important title in wrestling. He says that the star of Immortal is joining forces with the up and coming star of Fortune in a tag match.
We see footage from last week when Mickie James attacked Tara and Eric Young protected Mickie by going after Generation Me.
Eric is accompanied by two Hooters girls because they are going to be on a special on SpikeTV on December 21st. Not to be outdone, Orlando has donned the orange hot pants for Hooters.
Eric gets on the mic before the match and he tells the Impact Zone that everyone knows that he is a fighting champion. Tonight his belt is on the line in the most dangerous match ever, the battle royal. Eric grabs the referee and throws him over the top rope to ‘eliminate him’. Now that the shenanigans are done, it is time for the tag match.
Match Number Two: Eric Young and Orlando Jordan versus Generation Me
Eric throws Max and Jeremy over the top rope to the floor. Orlando and Eric celebrate but Eric gives his tag team partner a reverse atomic drop and clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Eric celebrates but the referee reminds him that isn’t the type of match they are in.
Max and Jeremy hit Eric from behind. Max and Jeremy has something to say to the Hooters girls at ringside. Jeremy kicks Eric in the corner but Orlando takes care of Max and then Orlando gives Jeremy a back body drop. Orlando with a spinebuster to Max and then he covers him and adds a little grinding to the cover. Jeremy kicks Orlando and then knees him in the head. Jeremy with a leg drop and he gets a near fall. Jeremy spends too much time with the Hooters girls. Jeremy with a heel kick and then Max with a head scissors and Jeremy with a drop kick and Max gets a near fall. Jeremy goes to the floor and hits on the girls.
Young tags in and he hits a suicide dive onto the Bucks and then he sends Max back into the ring and hits a running back elbow and a discus clothesline. Orlando makes the blind tag and he hits a drop kick and clothesline followed by a spinebuster. Orlando with a kick and then he puts Max in a modified cobra clutch and Max taps out.
Winners: Eric Young and Orlando Jordan
After the match, Eric celebrates with his three Hooters Girls.
Eric Bischoff is watching a monitor in the back and Mickie James wants to talk to him because she wants to know who her tag team partner is tonight in the tag team tournament. Eric tells Mickie that her partner is Miss Tessmacher. Mickie says that she isn’t a wrestler and Eric says that she wasn’t much of a secretary either. He hopes that she is a better wrestler.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see highlights from last week’s Knockouts Tag Team Tournament. We also see highlights from last week’s steel cage match between Mickie James and Tara.
Match Number Three: Madison Rayne and Tara versus Mickie James and Miss Tessmacher in a Knockouts Tag Title Tournament Semifinal Match
Mickie and Madison start things off and Madison wants Tessmacher so Mickie tags in the person who has never had a match before. Madison pats her on the head and then Tessmacher pushes Madison. Madison pushes back. Tessmacher with arm drags aplenty. Madison misses a clothesline and Tessmacher with a hip toss and drop kick. Madison with a kick and then she throws Tessmacher to the mat. Madison chokes Tessmacher with her boot and then hits a shoulder in the corner. Madison with a cravate on Tessmacher and snap mares her. Madison grabs Tessmacher by the hair and the referee warns her. Madison chokes Tessmacher on the mat and then drives Tessmacher’s head into the mat. Madison mocks Mickie about making a tag and Tessmacher with a rollup for a near fall. Madison with forearms and then she rakes the eyes.
Madison goes to the turnbuckles and misses a cross body. Mickie tags in and hits flying clotheslines and forearms. Mickie with a neck breaker to Madison and then she turns her attention to Tara on the apron. Madison with a forearm and Thesz Press and she punches Madison. Mickie with a kick and she sets for the Impaler DDT but Tara gets Mickie’s attention and Tara hits Mickie with her cast. Madison with a punch and she gets the three count.
Winners: Madison Rayne and Tara
Kazarian is walking in the back talking about the tag match against Anderson and Morgan. Frankie stops to talk to Rob Terry about his big match. Frankie tells Rob that he has a huge opportunity tonight. There are a lot of eyes watching Rob tonight. Frankie tells Rob that he needs their help. Rob tells Frankie ‘screw you’. Frankie says that Rob can be made or you can be gone. He tells Rob to ask Rhino, but Rhino isn’t here. Frankie says that it is Rob’s call at the end of the day.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Pope is given some money for the congregation for the children’s Christmas. Pope says that it is time to tend to business.
Brother Ray comes to the ring and he has something to say before his match. He says that nobody has ever been worthy of being his tag team partner, especially not Devon. He says that Devon called him a bully and that is true. He says that he is starting his singles career tonight and he chose the biggest, baddest, roughest, and toughest guy in the locker room for his opponent tonight.
Match Number Four: Brother Ray versus Amazing Red
Ray with a body block as Red enters the ring. Ray with a back body drop and then he hits a running shoulder into the corner. Ray with a chop and then he biels Red across the ring. The referee checks on Red and Ray tells him to get out of the way. Ray pulls Red’s leg while he has his boot on Red’s chest. Ray punches Red and he lets Red get a shot in on Ray and he connects. Red goes up top and hits a missile drop kick. Red runs into a big boot and then he hits the Bubba Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Brother Ray
After the match, Ray gets a chair and is going to hit Red but Devon comes to the ring and Ray leaves the ringside area.
Jeff Jarrett talks about the Double J Double M A challenge and he says that someone will get $100,000 if he taps out. Last week, his challenger thought it was a joke, but it isn’t a joke to him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and D’Angelo Dinero is going to his car and he drives away.
Before our next match, Van Dam tells Bischoff it doesn’t matter who or what you put in his path because he will go forward until he gets the TNA title and Jeff Hardy’s ass.
Match Number Four: Rob Terry versus Rob Van Dam
They lock up and Terry pushes Van Dam away. Van Dam with punches to Terry followed by a kick. Terry grabs Van Dam by the throat and then hits a drop toe hold and drop kicks to Terry. Van Dam with a leg drop and then he tries for a cross body but Terry catches him and hits a standing power slam. Terry with a shoulder to the back and then he gets a near fall. Terry with a shoulder in the corner. Van Dam with a kick as Terry charges and then Van Dam with a springboard side kick. Terry hits Van Dam with a spear and we go to commercial.
We are back and Terry knocks Van Dam off the apron and he goes into the guardrail. Terry goes to the floor and he runs Van Dam’s back into the apron. Terry rolls Van Dam into the ring and he gets a near fall. Terry with a back breaker to Van Dam and then he slams Van Dam and gets a near fall. Terry with a bear hug on Van Dam. Van Dam escapes the hold but Terry with a waist lock. Van Dam with elbows and a kick. Van Dam with a corkscrew drop kick and then he hits a springboard side kick followed by Rolling Thunder. Van dam goes up top for the Five Star Frog Splash and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
It is time to run through the ‘MMA’ career of Jeff Jarrett.
We see the Pope get out of his car and he walks into a local Adult Entertainment Establishment.
We go to commercial.
It is time for the Double J Double M Single A Submission Challenge. Jeff comes to the ring and he is accompanied by Team Jarrett.
Jeremy Borash reminds everyone of the parameters of the challenge. Jeff insults a few fans in the crowd who are not worthy of accepting Jeff’s challenge. They have chosen a victim for this week. Jeremy asks him two questions. He says that his name is Jose but his friends call him Jay. He says that his last name is Rios and he is from Puerto Rico. Jeff asks him who his favorite wrestler is and he says that it is Mickie James.
Jeff hits Jose and then he pushes him away. Jarrett with knees to Jose followed by punches. Jeff with punches to the head and then he puts Jose in a choke and Jose taps out.
Jeff Hardy and Frankie Kazarian walk together in the back for their match tonight. Matt Morgan and Ken Anderson walk in split screen before we go to commercial.
Before the match starts, Ken says hello to his a**holes.
Match Number Five: Jeff Hardy and Frankie Kazarian versus Ken Anderson and Matt Morgan
Hardy and Anderson start things off but Hardy gives Anderson the finger and tags in Kazarian before anything happens. Kazarian mocks Anderson’s concussions but Anderson punches Kazarian. Kazarian tries for a rollup but Anderson holds on to the ropes and Anderson with an elbow. Kazarian has a kick blocked but hits an enzuigiri and he gets a near fall. Anderson with a forearm to Kazarian followed by a hard Irish whip but Anderson put so much into it that Kazarian nails Anderson in the head. Anderson rolls the wrong way but he tags in Morgan. Morgan punches Kazarain followed by a clothesline and Irish whip. Morgan sends Kazarian into the turnbuckles and then he hits a leg to the back of the head. Morgan with the elbows in the corner. Morgan with a splash into the corner and then he hits a side slam on Kazarian. Morgan goes after Hardy but Jeff goes to the floor. Kazarian grabs the referee’s shirt and Morgan with another punch. Kazarian grabs the referee’s shirt again and Morgan goes off the ropes but Hardy pulls the ropes and Morgan goes to the floor. Hardy with a double sledge to the floor and then he sends Morgan into the ring steps because the referee is dealing with Anderson.
Hardy tags in and he kicks Morgan in the chest. Hardy with the double leg drop and a drop kick. Kazarian tags back in and they kick Morgan in the corner. Anderson is drawn in and the referee deals with him while Hardy and Kazarian double team Morgan. Kazarian punches Anderson on the apron and knocks him to the floor. Hardy tags back in while Kazarian chokes Morgan. Hardy with a double sledge to the head followed by kicks. Morgan and Kazarian try for a double suplex but Anderson with a clothesline to Kazarian and he punches Hardy. Jeff goes to the floor while Anderson hits a back elbow on Kazarian. The referee wonders what is going on and Kazarian escapes a Lambeau Leap attempt and he sends Anderson into the referee and the referee goes down.
Anderson avoids a clothesline and he hits the Lambeau Leap and then Morgan with a leg drop. Hardy punches Anderson but Anderson with a jawbreaker and Morgan with a clothesline to Hardy. Anderson goes up top for the Kenton Bomb but Rob Terry comes out and since Anderson has some equilibrium issues, he stays on the turnbuckles a bit longer than expected. Terry pushes Anderson off the turnbuckles and Ken gets crotched on the ropes.
Morgan sees Terry on the apron and Morgan gets dropped across the ropes and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate and gets the three count.
Winners: Kazarian and Jeff Hardy
While Hardy and Kazarian celebrate in the ring, Rob Terry walks up the ramp and he smiles. Morgan and Anderson are in the ring, but Morgan walks away as we go to credits.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Raleigh, North Carolina and your announcers are Michael ‘Stand Back . . . the Hurricanes play here too’ Cole, Booker ‘The Other Wolfpack’ T, and Josh ‘Regretting who is sitting next to him’ Mathews.
Josh is in the ring and he brings out Booker T to talk about his match against Cody Rhodes. We see the footage from last week when Cody attacked Booker.
Josh asks Booker if he is ready to face Cody on Sunday night. Booker asks everyone in Raleigh if he looks ready. He says that he did not want to fight with Cody. Booker says that he was content to move on and be an announcer. Booker says that this is all about Cody Rhodes and his ego. It is about him trying to make a name for himself and he needs a legitimizer. Booker is not going to be that person. He says that he will be the new Intercontinental Champion.
Josh asks Booker if it means that he will be back in the ring full time if he wins. Booker says that we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Booker says that he has not felt this way in a long time. Booker says that Cody will get the beatdown of his life.
Cody’s music plays mid-Sucka and he says that it is a lovely fantasy that Booker is talking about. Cody says that he will tell us what is going to happen on Sunday. Booker’s music is going to hit, the crowd is going to go crazy. Booker’s presence in the ring will trigger feelings of nostalgia and better days. Booker will be psyched and energized. He might even have a flurry of offense that will have people say that he is back. In the movies, Booker would win the title and a tear would fall down Booker’s cheek while Cody walks up the ramp disappointed. Cody reminds Booker that this isn’t a movie. What will happen when Booker finds out that his legs are not good. What will happen when reality hits.
Booker wants to know if Cody wants to find out about the reality of whooping his butt all over the ring.
Cody says that he has faced Daniel Bryan two times and Booker has interfered both times. Cody says that he talked to Teddy and Teddy told Cody that if Booker interferes, he loses his opportunity to have the match at TLC. Then he will file a motion to get Booker suspended. Cody tells Booker to get out of his ring so he can show Booker how legitimate he is. Cody throws out a Sucka and then gives the ‘Pure Evil’ laugh.
Match Number One: Cody Rhodes versus Daniel Bryan
They lock up and they go around the ring until Rhodes breaks the hold but he pushes Bryan. Bryan pushes back. Bryan with a side head lock and then he lands on his feet on a belly-to-back attempt. Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock but Rhodes goes to the floor right by the announce table and we go to commercial.
We are back and Bryan with a side head lock. Rhodes punches and then he tries for a leap frog but Bryan with a flying boot. Bryan tries for the Mexican surfboard but Bryan drives Cody’s knees into the mat instead. Bryan tries to suplex Rhodes into the ring but Cody blocks it and he suplexes Bryan over the top rope to the floor.
Cody with boots to Bryan when the return to the ring. Rhodes with a gourdbuster and he looks at Booker before making the cover and he gets a two count. Rhodes with a knee to he midsection and then he snap mares Bryan to the mat and he applies a body scissors. Bryan with kicks to the chest but Rhodes with a leg sweep and stomp to the chest followed by more kicks and he gets a near fall.
Bryan kicks Rhodes away and then he gets a near fall with a back slide. Bryan with a drop toe hold and a La Magistral for a near fall. Bryan punches Rhodes and Rhodes with an Irish whip. Bryan with boots to Rhodes and then he hits a missile drop kick and gets a near fall.
Bryan with kicks to Rhodes in the corner and then Bryan gets kicked by Rhodes. Rhodes goes up top but Bryan crotches him and he tries for a super belly-to-back suplex but Rhodes is able to turn his hips and he gets a lateral press and gets a near fall. Bryan avoids Beautiful Disaster and Bryan with a rollup for a near fall but Rhodes rolls through and hits Cross Rhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Alicia Fox is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Alicia Fox versus Natalya with Kleenex
Natalya offers Alicia a tissue but Alicia with a side head lock. Natalya with an Irish whip and Alicia floats over and tries for a sunset flip but Natalya holds on to the ropes and stomps on Alicia. Natalya with an abdominal stretch and then she sends Alicia to the mat. Natalya with a rollup but Alicia kicks out. Alicia with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Alicia Fox
In addition to the win, Alicia gets a handful of Natalya’s hair.
Alicia gets on the mic and she says that Natalya is so synthetic it’s pathetic. She tells Natalya to do a favor and gallop to the back and have a good cry baby cry. Alicia tells Natalya that she has been outfoxed.
Natalya returns to the ring and she tries to kick Alicia but she blocks it. Alicia with a forearm to the back followed by a flip leg drop to the forehead.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to look back some footage from the Slammys.
Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger are in the back and Jack says that he will come out on top and Vickie says that Jack is the All American American. Mark Henry stops by and asks Jack for a favor. He reminds Jack that the last time he faced Big Show, he hurt Show’s ankle. Mark wants Jack to do the same thing tonight. He wants Jack to hurt Show the way that Show hurt him. With malice and with disrespect. If he does that then Jack will be first in line for an opportunity at the World Title.
Jack says that he sees his future and Mark isn’t in it. Jack says that he will hurt Big Show, but he is going to do it for himself. Jack points out that he has beaten the Big Show before while Henry has not. Jack tells Mark that he doesn’t even know if Henry will win on Sunday. Jack tells Mark that he sees himself as a World Champion.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: The Usos versus Primo and Epico with Rosa Mendes
Jimmy and Epico start things off and Jimmy with a chop. He tags in Jey and Jey with a flying corkscrew back elbow for a near fall. Jimmy tags back in and they hit a double back elbow and a double elbow drop for a near fall. Jimmy runs into a boot from Epico and then he punches Jey on the apron. While the referee deals with Jey, Primo drops Jimmy on the top rope. Epico with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Epico kicks Jimmy and Primo tags in and he kicks Jimmy. Epico tags back in and he kicks Jimmy. Primo tags in and hits a drop kick on Jimmy for a near fall.
Primo with a reverse chin lock. Jimmy is sent into the corner and he connects with an elbow to Primo and he punches Epico on the apron. Jimmy is able to avoid Primo and he makes the tag to Jey. Jey with a running forearm or two followed by a thrust kick and an uppercut. Jey with the flying corkscrew forearm followed by a running butt splash for a near fall. Epico breaks up the cover but Jimmy clotheslines Epico over the top rope to the floor. Primo clotheslines Jimmy over the top rope to the floor.
Jey with a savate kick and he goes up top but Primo crotches him. Primo pulls Jey off the ropes and hits the lungblower for the three count.
Winners: Epico and Primo
We see footage of Jack Swagger injuring Show’s leg last July.
Match Number Four: Big Show versus Jack Swagger with Vickie Guerrero
The bell rings and Mark Henry’s music plays and he slowly makes his way out with a chair. Swagger notices that Show is transfixed on Mark Henry’s Nash-like movement towards the ring so he figures he has a few minutes before Henry gets in range and Swagger tries to sneak attack Show, but Show knows what is coming and he kicks Swagger.
Show with punches to Swagger in the corner followed by a head butt. Swagger dives at Show’s knee and Swagger with a flying shoulder tackle for a near fall. Show with a running shoulder tackle that knocks Swagger to the floor.
Show goes to the floor and he sends Swagger back into the ring. Show blocks a kick and then he chops Swagger in the chest. Show with more punches to Swagger followed by a chop across the chest. Show with a slam and then he looks at Henry. Henry is not impressed. Show with a forearm to Swagger’s back as he continues to look at Henry. Show with another slam to Swagger.
Show chokes Swagger in the ropes a few times. Show with a chop across the chest. Show with the shhhhh chop. Show with an Irish whip followed by a charge into the corner but Swagger moves. Swagger charges into the corner and Show tries to kick Swagger, but Jack blocks the kick and he hyper-extends the knee. Swagger with the double jump Swagger Bomb and then he hits a second one and he gets a near fall.
Show punches Swagger in the chest followed by clotheslines. Show with an Irish whip followed by the running butt splash into the corner and the running shoulder tackle. Show signals for the choke slam and he picks up Swagger but Swagger rolls through and is able to apply the ankle lock.
Show rolls onto his back and he kicks Swagger away. Show with the punch to Swagger and he gets the three count.
Winner: Big Show
After the match Show grabs Swagger by the throat and pushes him over the top rope to the floor. Henry hits Swagger in the back with the chair. Henry hits a camera man with the chair.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Zack Ryder and Randy Orton are together in the locker room. Zack asks if they are on the same page. Orton says they are not. Zack asks about the same book and Orton says maybe. Zack likes that and he woo woo woos and fist pumps out of the dressing room.
Match Number Five: Heath Slater versus Ted DiBiase
DiBiase with a rollup for a near fall. Ted with a side head lock and he gives a clean break. Slater goes after Ted but Ted with an arm drag into a bridge and cover for a near fall. Slater tries to get a near fall but Ted with a rollup of his own. Ted blocks a kick and gets a near fall with a rollup. Slater shows his frustration and then he slaps Ted.
Ted with a punch and then he sends Slater to the floor and he sends Heath into the ringside barrier followed by a clothesline. Ted sends Slater back into the ring and he punches Slater. Slater with a hard Irish whip and then he kicks Ted. Slater with a bow and arrow around the ring post.
Slater goes up top and hits an elbow to the head and gets a near fall. Slater with a knee to the back followed by a rear chin lock. Slater with a knee and side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Slater goes to the turnbuckles but Ted catches him coming off with a reverse atomic drop followed by a flying Yakuza kick. Ted with the rebound clothesline and then he hits Dream Street for the three count.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
After the match, Jinder Mahal attacks Ted DiBiase and then he puts Ted in the camel clutch.
Teddy Long’s music plays and he makes his way to the stage. He tells Jinder if he wants to fight, Teddy has someone Jinder can take his aggression out on. Someone who Jinder still has issues with after Monday.
Out comes Sheamus.
Match Number Six: Sheamus versus Jinder Mahal
They lock up and Sheamus with a clean break. They lock up again and Sheamus works on the arm and then he takes Mahal to the mat followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Mahal with a knee and forearm to the back. Mahal with a forearm and kick but Sheamus with forearms. Sheamus with a back elbow and then he puts Mahal in the ropes but he avoids the forearms with an elbow.
Mahal misses a boot after Sheamus chases him around the ring. Sheamus with the forearms across the chest from the apron. Sheamus with the slingshot shoulder tackle for a near fall. Sheamus stomps on the hand followed by a punch. Mahal with a kick and knees. Sheamus with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner.
Mahal with a kick and a neck breaker for a near fall. Mahal with a quarter nelson and chin lock and he sends Sheamus to the mat. Mahal with forearms across the chest. Sheamus grabs Mahal by the face and he runs Mahal into the corner. Sheamus with forearms to the back and the referee stops him. Sheamus with the uranage back breaker and it is time for the Brogue Kick and the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Not one to talk about himself, Michael Cole tells us why he has a third Slammy trophy in front of him. Cole mentions that he won a Supplemental Slammy.
Match Number Seven: Randy Orton and Zack Ryder versus Wade Barrett and Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero
Ziggler and Ryder start things off and Ziggler with a kick and elbow followed by a side head lock take down. Ryder with a near fall on a rollup. Ziggler with a shoulder tackle but Ryder with a flapjack for a near fall. Orton tags in and Randy with a kick to the ribs. Orton with a forearm across the chest followed by a boot to the head.
Orton with a boot to the midsection and then he goes for the Garvin Stomp. Orton with a suplex to Ziggler. Ryder tags in and he punches Ziggler followed by a head butt. Ziggler with a forearm and he tags in Barrett. Barrett with a kick to Ryder and the referee warns him. Barrett with punches and a head butt and he gets a near fall.
Ryder with a kick and a forearm into the corner. Orton tags in and Barrett quickly tags in Ziggler. Ziggler with a kick and punch to the head followed by an elbow. Ziggler with an Irish whip but Orton with a clothesline and then he punches Barrett. Ziggler attacks Orton from behind. Ziggler with a punch and he avoids the back breaker but Ziggler with a drop kick and Ziggler goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Orton is punching Ziggler in the corner followed by a European uppercut. Orton with a leaping knee drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a kick and Barrett tags in. Ziggler goes to the floor because Orton did not see the tag. That allows Barrett to connect with a big boot and then he punches Orton.
Barrett with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Barrett with a chin lock into a reverse chin lock. Barrett with a knee to the midsection and Ziggler is tagged in and Ziggler with a boot to Orton and then Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a kick to Orton’s head.
Orton punches and kicks Ziggler but Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall. Barrett tags in and he stomps on the ribs. Barrett with a punch but Orton with a spinning belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Ryder tags in and he hits a flying forearm but Barrett with an Irish whip. Ryder gets his feet up and then he connects with the running boot. Barrett avoids the Rough Ryder and Ziggler punches Ryder as he comes toward his corner.
Ziggler tags in and he punches Ryder. Ryder with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler with a single leg crab as Ryder tries to make the tag. Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop and then he tags Barrett back in. Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Barrett stops Ryder from making the tag. Barrett wants to hit Wasteland but Ryder counters with a DDT.
Ziggler and Orton tag in. Orton with two clotheslines followed by Orton avoiding one and hitting the power slam. Orton with a neck breaker from a back breaker on the shoulder for a near fall. Ryder sends Barrett over the top to the floor. Barrett Irish whips Ryder into the ringside barrier.
Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler then tries for a Fameasser but Orton avoids it and Orton hits the RKO for the three count while he looks at Barrett at ringside.
Winners: Randy Orton and Zack Ryder
We go to credits.
2012 - Ring of Honor held their Final Battle 2012 iPPV. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
ROH Final Battle 2012 from the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC!
There's a really good and excited vibe backstage among the wrestlers.
Before ROH went on the air, there was a short dark match with Grizzly Redwood beating QT Marshall. Marshall did some good mic work before the match.
As ROH ran a video package on the iPPV, live a fan dressed as John Cena walked into the Hammerstein. As you can imagine, he was shredded with a "You're a Virgin" chant.
The next ROH show here will be 4/5/13.
Lots of "Yes" and "Ole Ole" chants.
Michael Elgin vs. Roderick Strong
Elgin got a monster pop. He tossed Strong around early but was sent to the floor. Strong nailed a slingshot plancha to the floor. They battled hard on the floor, going back and forth.
Elgin went up on the apron and came off with a running clothesline on the floor. They continued battling around ringside on the floor. Strong kicked Elgin as they battled on the apron and went for a suplex. Elgin battled him off and hit a sitdown powerbomb on the apron. That was nuts.
When they returned to the ring, Strong regained control but Elgin fired back with a series of hard rights. Strong cut him off with a knee to the gut but Elgin avoided a suplex and hit a Uranage variation. Strong came back with a running knee in the corner but was caught and hit with a running death valley driver into the turnbuckles for a two count.
They continued to go back and forth with some great near falls. They battled atop one of the turnbuckles. Elgin overpowered him and nailed a beautiful delayed superplex off the middle rope. The crowd went nuts for that and chanted, "Holy sh**."
Elgin followed that up with a powerbomb in the corner but Strong bounced right back and nailing a high knee to the face. Elgin absorbed it and drilled Strong with a backfist. They continued back and forth with this incredibly hard hitting shots until Strong nailed a suplex into a Codebreaker for the pin.
Your winner, Roderick Strong!
This was an awesome match with some really great and stiff hard hitting shots that had me wincing. They really took it too each other and it was great.
After, Truth Martini tried to announce Strong as the winner and sole member of the House of Truth but Strong told him he was a creep and to stay away from him. He quit the House. Martini then tried to make up with Elgin, telling him that he loved him and he felt the connection between them. Elgin grabbed him for a powerbomb but Martini asked to be heard. He said that no one ever heard of him until he met Martini and took him all the way to being Survival of the Fittest winner and the breakout star of 2012. He said that he has one last lesson for Elgin and that's how a real man slaps someone. He drilled Elgin, who then killed Martini with a running powerbomb into the buckles.
Jay Lethal vs. Rhino
Small "ECW" chant for Rhino before the bell. They circled around each other and locked up. Rhino began yelling at one of the fans in the front row. He drilled Lethal in the gut and sent him into the ropes but Lethal nailed a springboard into a high bodypress for a two,
Rhino rolled out to the apron where Lethal hit him with a springboard dropkick, sending him to the floor. Lethal followed up with a tope to the outside. Back in the ring, Lethal hit a basement dropkick and went for the springboard elbow but Rhino evaded it and nailed a big sidewalk slam,
Rhino worked over Lethal in the corner but Lethal fired back with chops. Rhino overwhelmed him and brought him down in the corner. They battled back and forth but Rhino maintained control. Rhino locked in a bearhug and tried to wear him down. The crowd began with dueling chants as Lethal fired back and nailed a series of rights.
Lethal escaped and made a comeback, nailing a handspring into an Ace Cutter for the pin.
Your winner, Jay Lethal!
It was a solid match with some decent back and forth wrestling. They obviously have really different styles, but it was a solid bout.
Steve Corino came out and began ripping on Jay Lethal for trying to challenge Kevin Steen for a title match. He knocked Lethal's mother and said he used to like Lethal when he was a kid that carried his bags. Lethal challenged Corino to fight him. Jimmy Jacobs attacked him from behind and they worked him over, then held him for Rhino to gore. Corino told him he would never be ROH champion, never beat Kevin Steen and would always be a second match terd. Good angle.
Prince Nana vs. RD Evans
Evans slapped Nana, who charged him and worked him over. Nana nailed a running clothesline in the corner and nailed a back splash into it. He covered Evans and threw him out to the floor. Nana hit a tope through the ropes, which got a massive pop.
Nana tossed Evans into the ring but was cut off. He worked over Nana but was hit with a head scissors. Evans cut him off and went to the top but was crotched. Nana hit a superplex for a two count but Ernie Osyris pulled the referee out. Evans hit him with a face forward tombstone and scored the pin.
Your winner, RD Evans!
Good match. I expected a comedy match but they worked a really good match with some cool spots.
After the match, Tomasso Ciampa tried to come into the ring and get at Evans who ran off.
Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas vs. Rhett Titus & BJ Whitmer: Street Fight
Titus and Whitmer attacked the World's Greatest Tag Team in the aisle and they brawled around ringside. It was a wild brawl.
There was a Christmas tree at ringside as set dressing. Titus and Benjamin tossed it in the ring and used it on each other. Haas and Whitmer brawled in the aisle, using a piece of the ring barricade as a weapon.
Benjamin and Titus battled on the apron. Haas and Benjamin double teamed Titus and whipped him with a belt. The fans chanted for them to use the tree so they tossed it out to the floor instead.
They went to nail a double team powerbomb but Whitmer hit the ring with a Singapore Cane and began going to town on them. He tossed Benjamin over the top to the floor. Whitmer drilled Haas with a suplex and slammed him for a two count.
They continued battling back and forth but the sightlines weren't the best due to the crowd standing, so I am only catching some of what is going on. Whitmer placed Haas on a table in the ring and went to the top. Haas cut him off and tried to superplex BJ through the table. Haas nailed him with a belly to belly through the table and scored the pin. Whitmer looked like he came down right on his head. It was hellacious.
Your winners, Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin!
Good brawl from what I could see. Everyone has their working boots on today.
The fans chanted Whitmer's name as he left the building.
Mike Bennett (with Brutal Bob and Maria Kanellis) vs. Jerry Lynn
This is Lynn's farewell appearance in ROH as he heads into retirement.
Big chant for Lynn at the start of the match.
They circled each other at the bell. The crowd was all over Bennett with a "Boston sucks" chant. They did some nice mat work early. Bennett tried to work over Lynn's ankle but Lynn escaped and grabbed a side headlock. Bennett went for a back suple but Lynn turned it into a rolling headlock takedown.
The crowd got all over Kanellis, chanting that she had herpes. Classy folks!
Lynn maintained control and was sent into the ropes. Bennett leapfrogged him, then went for a DVDR. Lynn slipped out and went for the cradle piledriver but Bennett escaped and they faced off.
Bennett whipped Lynn into the ropes but Lynn came back with a head scissor. They battled to the floor, where Bennett took control and sent Lynn into the railing.
Back in the ring, Lynn used a sunset flip for a two count but Bennett poke him in the eyes. Bennett snapped Lynn out of the corner with a stiff shot to the mat. Bennett continued to control until Lynn made a comeback with a bunch of strikes and a series of punches in the corner.
Lynn ducked an attempted clothesline and DDT'd Bennett for a two count. He came off the apron with a dive to the floor and tossed Bennett back in for a two count. Lynn nailed a series of kicks and set up for the piledriver.
Bennett slipped out and shot Lynn into the ropes for a spinebuster, getting a two count. Maria got on the apron arguing with the referee. Lynn nailed a TKO on Bennett for another two count. Bennett distracted the referee, allowing Maria to try and interfere. Lynn grabbed her but was caught by Bennett with his finisher and pinned.
Your winner, Mike Bennett!
They tried to work over Lynn after but he sent Bob into Bennett, DDT'd Maria and hit the piledriver on Bennett. HUGE Jerry chant from the crowd.
The crowd chanted, "Thank you Jerry" and he stood there taking it all in. He bowed before each side of the ring. The crowd chanted, "You still got it."
Lynn took the mic and thanked the crowd, then joked that it's all smoke and mirrors. He said he wanted to thank the fans. He said that he's said that ROH gave him a shot in the arm and kept his career going and it's the truth. He said that Cary Silkin was the most honorable promoter he's ever worked for. He said that ROH was losing money from day one and Silkin has such a passion for the business that he kept it open for the fans and the wrestlers. He said that he wanted to welcome the boys for welcoming him as one of their own from day one.
Nigel McGuinness entered the ring as the fans chanted for Lynn. Nigel took the mic and said he had a hell of a run. He said that life is about moments and a lot of his moments involve Jerry. He said one of his first matches in the company was against Lynn in New Jersey. He expected a big pop walking out and got nothing but crickets. He thought it meant the crowd was the sh**s and it was going to be a tough match, but then Lynn came out and there was a massive pop, and thought, "Wow, that's what it means to over."
Five years later, he was the ROH champion when they wrestled again and he wanted to see what the pop was like this time and again, Lynn was over with a massive pop. Nigel said that he'll always be over and presented Lynn with a nice award honoring him for everything he's accomplished in the pro wrestling business.
Lynn said that he didn't know how to top that but thanked for the fans because the harder they go nuts, the harder the boys want to work to kill themselves. He said that without them, he wouldn't have had a job and thanked them.
Solid match For the crowd, it was more about seeing Lynn again and that aspect of it was great. A truly wonderful moment with Lynn and Nigel.
Lynn left and Jay Lethal came out saying he needed to talk to McGuinness and that he's been trying to talk to him all day. He demanded his shot at Kevin Steen as Survival of the Fittest winner. Nigel told him to hope El Generico wins the title so he can get the first shot. That wasn't good enough for Lethal, so he went after McGuinness and they were held apart by referees.
After intermission, Mike Mondo cut a promo saying he would be back in the ring in five weeks and without surgery because he's Mike Mondo.
Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly came out and said that they've heard Davey Richards doesn't have a partner tonight, so it will have to be a handicap match. They mocked Mondo because he was handicapped and attacked him. The American Wolves hit the ring.
The American Wolves vs. Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish
The Wolves cleaned house and nailed stereo dives to the floor on Fish and O'Reilly. They worked over Kyle in the corner with a series of roundhouse kicks. Kyle was whipped into the corner and kicked off Edwards, who still chopped him.
Richards clobbered Kyle with a big clothesline. The Wolves tagged in and out working over O'Reilly. Richards locked in a Boston Crab. Edwards tagged in but O'Reilly cut him off.
Fish and O'Reilly took turns working over Edwards. They nailed a series of flying forearms and kicks in the corner. Fish covered Edwards but Richards broke up the pinfall. Edwards fired back but was cut off with a series of kicks. They are working a very UWFi style with lots of stiff shots and kicks.
Richards finally tagged in and began killing people with hard kicks. He nailed a leaping forearm on O'Reilly and nailed a sick back suplex. The Wolves massacred him with kicks at the same time.
It came down to O'Reilly and Richards slapping and chopping the hell out of each other. Kyle grabbed a front guillotine choke but Richards grabbed his leg while being choked and cinched on an anklelock. Richard grabbed him for a tombstone but not before Edwards superkicked him in the back of the head. Nasty!
Fish grabbed Richards' leg, allowing Kyle to nail an enziguiri as he twisted Edwards into a tornado DDT. Nice sequence. Edwards came back to pin Kyle but Fish nailed a moonsault to break it up. Richards KILLED Kyle with a massive clothesline.
The Wolves hit a combination powerbomb/codebreaker on Kyle for a two count. Richards locked in a Boston Crab. Richards came off with a double stomp on Kyle while he was trapped. He finally tapped.
Your winners, The American Wolves!
Another really solid back and forth match with guys beating the hell out of each other. All four of these guys are just tremendous.
ROH TV champ Adam Cole vs. Matt Hardy
They did some really nice mat wrestling early. The crowd was all over Hardy, as you would expect. Cole came back with a nice dive but wiped out and Hardy worked him over on the floor.
Hardy controlled Cole and sent him into the turnbuckles. He locked Cole in a forward guillotine choke. Hardy released it and began kicking Cole in the head.
Cole made a comeback and cinched in a figure four leglock. Hardy made it to the ropes, cut off Cole and nailed the Sidewinder, then a backbreaker for a two count. Hardy hit several more Sidewinders but Cole kept kicking out.
Cole took over control and sent Hardy into the railing. He brought Hardy in for a two count. Out of nowhere, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate for a two count. Cole fought back and locked in another figure four. The crowd chanted for Hardy to tap. Hardy struggled to make the ropes.
Cole went for a back suplex. Hardy grabbed the referee and pulled his shirt over his head. The ref was blinded so Hardy lowblowed Cole and hit him with the Twist of Fate and scored the pin.
Your winner, Matt Hardy!
OK match. I'd like to see what they could do with more time but this was solid stuff.
ROH Tag Team champions SCUM vs. The Briscoes vs. Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander
Everyone started brawling on the floor. Corino and Jay Briscoe battled into the ring. Briscoe set up Corino for a move but Cedric dropkicked Corino instead. Jacobs hit the ring and tossed Jay out but was nailed with a sidewalk slam by Coleman. Mark came off the ropes with the redneck Kung Fu.
Mark whipped Alexander into the ropes but was nailed a dropkick. Jay hit the ring and worked over Alexander. They went back and forth until the Briscoes gained control. Jacobs attacked Mark and nailed a leaping Ace Cutter.
Alexander hit a springboard into a clothesline on Jacobs for a two count. Jay tossed Jacobs to the floor and drilled Alexander with a big boot. Coleman hit the ring and exchanged shots with Jay. SCUM overtook them and began double teaming Coleman. They nailed a double team Sliced Bread #2 on Coleman for a two count. Jacobs went to the top but Alexander hit the ring and attacked Corino. Coleman hit a top rope rana on Jacobs for a two count.
They all went back and forth until The Briscoes nailed a Doomsday Device on Jacobs and scored the pin.
Your winners and new ROH Tag Team champions, The Briscoes!
Another good match. ROH has had a good string of solid bouts today.
The Briscoes took the mic and said they were going to do their part. Jay said that once Generico does his part, they will get SCUM out of here. He said that in case you have forgotten, they are the best tag team in the world. They said ROH is alive and well and SCUM can't tear it down. They issued an open invitation to any tag team in the world to come and ask for a tag team title shot. They then said there was someone who didn't need to ask for a shot and told Coleman and Caprice they would get the first shot because they earned it and deserve it. The crowd gave them a big round of applause.
ROH champ Kevin Steen vs. El Generico: Ladder War
They started out hard with Generico nailing a big boot in the corner and drilling Steen in the chest with a ladder. He went to set the ladder up but was attacked. Generico kicked Steen in the gut but couldn't slam him. He went to rebound off the ropes but was backdropped onto a ladder that was leaning against the ropes. The crowd exploded with a fecal chant.
Steen began slamming the broken ladder atop of Generico. He whipped Generico into the corner and slammed the ladder on him, then nailed a running cannonball into the ladder. That was sick.
Steen controlled Generico, trashing him with several ladders. He screamed at Generico and ripped at his mask, then kicked him across the back. He trashed Generico into the railing on the floor and got into the face of a fan wearing a Generico mask. Generico used the distraction to try and set up a ladder but was attacked. Steen attacked him nd stomped the hell out of Generico.
He placed another huge ladder in the ring and began climbing it but Generico grabbed at him. Steen came down off the ladder to confront him but was grabbed for an overhead suplex into the remnants of another ladder into the corner.
Generico began climbing the huge ladder but Steen pulled him down. He went for a clothesline but Generico ducked and nailed a Dragon suplex into the ladder remnants. Generico began climbing the ladder but Steen tipped it over and sent him into the buckles.
They battled over the ladder. Generico went for a tornado DDT but Steen threw him off and Generico landed on a ladder. He tossed Generico to the floor and climbed to the top. Generico was able to grab him just as he got to the top so Steen came down and tossed him back out. Generico returned but Steen saw him, met him and tossed him back out. He followed Generico to the floor and tossed him into the railing.
Steen bridged a ladder between the apron and the railing, then put a table on top of the ladder. He went for a powerbomb but Generico backdropped him over the top through the table. Generico brought another huge ladder in and began setting it up when he saw Steen returning and climbing to the top. He attacked Steen but was caught going for a move and slammed over the top to the floor through the timekeeper's table.
Steen began climbing the ladder as the fans chanted "Ole Ole." Generico began drilling him in the back with another ladder. Steen came back down and worked over Generico. He bridged a smaller ladder between the two huge ones and powerbombed Generico on it. No budge at all. Ouch.
They continued battling back and forth until Generico nailed Steen with what I think was the package piledriver. He climbed the ladder but Steen pulled him into the bridged ladder, then nailed him off that and Generico fell backwards to the mat.
Steen bridged another ladder higher up between the two giant ones. He climbed up but Generico caught him and they battled on the makeshift scaffold until Steen hit him with a package piledriver. That may have been one of the all time craziest things ever. They have no regard for their own well being and I love them for it.
Steen climbed to the top and retrieved the belt.
Your winner, Kevin Steen!
Awesome main event with some truly sick spots. I can't tell you how much I loved the main.
The show overall was very solid. I wouldn't describe it as a blowaway show but there was good wrestling and brawling from top to bottom. Worth checking out.
2012 - WWE broadcast TLC 2012 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Richard Trionfo filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com’s live coverage of the TLC Pay Per View from Brooklyn, New York. This is the final wrestling pay per view of 2012 and features a number of matches utilizing tables, ladders, and chairs.
The preshow starts off with Matt Striker and Scott Stanford at the announce table.
Matt and Scott talk about the World Title Match and we have a video package.
Sheamus is in the locker room and Booker T tells him that he made them sign that clause.
Sheamus interrupts and he says that he did it to make sure that things did not get out of control.
Booker wishes him luck.
Sheamus says that he is sick of the image of seeing Big Show smirking on his face.
Booker tells Sheamus to beat Big Show and use a chair to win the World Title back.
We go to a video package for the TLC Match with the Shield against Ryback, Daniel Bryan, and Kane. We see footage of The Shield attacking John Cena and Matt wonders what the injustice they were taking out on John Cena.
Michael Cole is in the back with Josh Mathews and they talk about the Slammys tomorrow night on Raw. Cole mentions some of the awards that are up for grabs tomorrow night. Josh reminds everyone that the WWE Universe is who will determine the winners and you can only vote on the WWE App.
Michael says that there are some categories on the WWE website and over a half million votes have been made.
The first category is Best Dancer of the Year and it is Brodus Clay.
The second category is for Top Social Media Ambassador and the winner is Charlie Sheen.
The third category is WWE.com Exclusive video of the year and the winner is Jerry Lawler with the footage from when he traveled home after the heart attack.
The fourth category is crowd chant of the year and the winner is “Feed Me More”.
The fifth category is Upset of the Year: Daniel Bryan successfully defending the World Title against Big Show and Mark Henry inside a steel cage.
The sixth and final category awarded on the pre-show is Diva of the Year and the winner is AJ Lee.
There are six more ‘technical awards’ that will be awarded later.
We see a video showcasing the features of the WWE App.
Eve joins Matt and Scott at the announce table for the Pre Show Battle Royal.
PreShow Match: Santa’s Helper Divas Battle Royal for the Number One Contender Spot
The participants in this match are Kaitlyn, Tamina Snuka, Cameron, Naomi, Natalya, Rosa Mendes, Layla El, Aksana, and Alicia Fox. The winner come to the ring in their Christmas attire.
They pair up and Alicia sends Cameron into the corner. Rosa is the first Diva eliminated and Natalya gets the honors. Natalya goes after Layla while Tamina works on Kaitlyn. Cameron and Naomi with a double suplex and double leg drop after some dancing on Aksana. Tamina eliminates Cameron. Alicia misses an axe kick in the corner and Aksana eliminates her. Layla with a forearm to Aksana. Aksana sends Natalya intot he mat.
Aksana poses in the ropes and Layla kicks her to the floor and Aksana is eliminated. Natalya kicks Kaitlyn. Layla with forearms to Natalya. Natalya and Tamina work over Layla.
Layla with kicks to Tamina and Natalya. Layla with a cross body to Natalya. Layla with a forearm to Natalya. Natalya puts Layla on the apron but Layla with a kick. Tamina eliminates Layla with a forearm.
Natalya tries to suplex Naomi out of the ring but Naomi and Kaitlyn eliminate Natalya. Tamina with a Samoan drop to Naomi. Kaitlyn fights out of a Samoan drop but she goes to the apron. Kaitlyn grabs Tamina and Naomi helps eliminate Tamina.
We are down to Naomi and Kaitlyn.
Eve gets up from her seat at the announce table to stand at ringside to see who she will fight later tonight.
Namoi with a leap frog but Kaitlyn with a clothesline. Naomi with a boot and then Naomi sends Kaitlyn to the apron. Eve slaps Kaitlyn and Naomi with a drop kick to eliminate Kaitlyn.
Winner: Naomi
Michael Cole and Josh Mathews are in the Slammys Control Center and we are reminded that the WWE Universe is responsible for the results. Over 2.7 million people have downloaded the application.
We have more ‘technical’ awards.
The next Slammy is for Insult of the Year and it is John Cena for what he said to Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler.
The winner for Tweet of the Year is Daniel Bryan.
The winner for YouTube Show of the Year is Z! True Long Island Story.
The winner for Facial Hair of the Year is Daniel Bryan.
The winner for Feat of Strength Award is Sheamus for hitting White Noise on Big Show.
The final technical Slammy is Betrayal of the Year and the winner is Big Show for helping John Laurinaitis.
We go to a video package for the John Cena versus Dolph Ziggler match.
The pay per view officially starts from the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Lillian Garcia announces that they will toll the bell 26 times to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Connecticut.
Your announcers are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and John Layfield.
Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes have something to say. Of all of the loathsome ignoramuses spread across this country. Is there any form of life lower than the Brooklyn hipster? They are the unwashed masses.
Cody says that him and Damien are not pseudo intellectuals primping and prepping ridiculous facial hair looking like you just came out of bed.
Damien says that they are trying in vain to be cool, but fail miserably, just like their opponents. They will give the people something to talk about.
Cody says that they will become the Number One Contenders.
Damien says ‘You’re Welcome’.
Match Number One:Number One Contender Tables Match: Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara versus Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes
All four men start in the ring. Rey with kicks and forearms to Sandow followed by a kick. Cara with kicks to Cody and then Cara throws Rey into Rhodes for a head scissors to send him to the floor. Rey and Cara send Sandow over the top rope to the floor.
Rey and Cara with a double baseball slide to Sandow. Rey and Cara get a table and bring it into the ring. Rey and Cara hit Cody with the table. Sandow avoids the table and Rey and Cara with drop kicks to the knees. They hit Sandow with the table.
Rey and Cara set up the table in front of the turnbuckles and Cara goes up while Rey puts Sandow on the table. Cody saves Sandow and he punches Cara. Cody throws Rey under the ropes to the floor.
Sandow and Rhodes kick Cara while he is still on the turnbuckles. Cody punches Cara and Sandow punches him as well. Cody slams Rey’s head into the apron. Sandow sends Cara into the turnbuckles and Cody kicks him. Cody and Damien try for a double gourdbuster but Cara escapes and he sends Sandow to the floor.
Cara with kicks to Cody and then he goes up for the double jump arm drag. Cody hot shots Cara and then hits a Beautiful Disaster drop kick. Sandow sends Rey into the ring post. Cody kicks Cara and Sandow punches and kicks Cara.
Cody throws Cara to the floor and then Cody kicks Rey. Sandow punches and kicks Rey. Cody picks up Cara and puts him on his shoulders. Sandow sends Rey into the ringside barrier a few times.
Sandow gets a table from under the ring. Cody puts Cara’s leg between the steps and ring post and then Cody and Sandow use the table on the steps. Sandow sends Rey into the ringside barrier again. More tables are pulled out from under the ring and they are set up on the floor.
Sandow puts Rey on the table and punches him. Cody puts Cara on the table and punches him. Sandow and Cody go into the ring and they talk about how to go through the tables. Sandow is tripped by Rey and then Rey with a seated senton on Cody from the top. Rey with La Mistica on Sandow. Cody and Rey go over the top rope. Rey with a seated senton on Cody from the apron.
Sin Cara with a springboard cross body to Sandow followed by a head scissors that sends Sandow to the floor. Cara with a corkscrew pescado onto Sandow. Rey rolls Cody back into the ring. Cody tries for an Alabama Slam but Rey with a sunset flip and he sends Cody into the ropes. Rey with a 619 and Cody falls onto the table. Rey goes up top but Sandow crotches Rey. Sandow tries to wake up Cody and he gets him off the table. They hit Rey in the head with the table and Rey falls to the floor.
Cara with an enzuigiri to Sandow but Cody with a kick. Cody is sent over the top to the apron. Cara with another enzuigiri. Sandow sends Cara to the apron and Cara with another enzuigiri. Sandow pushes Cara off the apron and through the table on the floor to end the match.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
After the match, Cody helps Sandow with the Cartwheel of Contendership.
Michael, Jerry, and John talk about the Shield getting their first match.
The Shield had some comments earlier today. They introduce themselves. They are the Shield of Justice. Ryback put WWE Champion CM Punk into surgery. He is reckless and dangerous. Punk is champion for 392 days and he is robbed of the chance to defend his title. They will give Ryback a taste of his own medicine. Seth says that they will feed Ryback more than he can handle. They will be the ones to finish Ryback.
They tell Kane and Daniel that they are not off the hook. They have the audacity to call themselves Tag Team Champions. A team never argues or doubts each other. They trust each other and fight together. They fight together and win together. Kane and Bryan are insult to Tag Team.
Reigns says that they just don’t like them.
Match Number Two: United States Title Match: Antonio Cesaro versus R Truth
They lock up and Truth puts Cesaro in the corner and Truth with a clean break. Truth dances and then he punches Cesaro and tells him USA. Truth wants to know ‘what’s up’. Cesaro with a kick and forearm to the back. Cesaro with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Cesaro gets a near fall.
Cesaro with a side head lock. Cesaro blocks a hip toss but Truth counters a hip toss with a rollup for a near fall. Truth with a rollup for a near fall. Truth with a punch and side head lock take down. Cesaro with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Cesaro adjusts his neck and he kicks Truth. Cesaro with a forearm to the head followed by a head butt.
Truth with punches but Cesaro with a knee to the midsection and Cesaro gets a near fall. Cesaro with a modified Million Dollar Dream chin lock. Cesaro sends Truth into the turnbuckles and they go around the ring but Truth gets a second wind. Truth blocks on the fifth attempt and he sends Cesaro into the turnbuckles and connects with a clothesline.
Truth with a flying corkscrew forearm followed by a kick. Cesaro with the scissors kick but Cesaro kicks out. Truth punches Cesaro followed by an Irish whip. Cesaro with an elbow but Truth with a leg lariat and he gets a near fall. Truth sets for a suplex and he tries to turn it into a stunner. Cesaro with a European uppercut to the back of the head followed by the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
After the match, Matt Striker asks Antonio about the negative response. He says that he is an international superpower. He is the greatest United States Champion in history. By booing him, the people are booing their own country. They have no respect for their country, their fellow citizens, or themselves.
Tribute to the Troops is Wednesday and Michael Cole mentions that John Layfield is the man behind the show happening. We see some Touts.
Josh Mathews is with Dolph Ziggler in the back. Josh asks Dolph about the Ladder Match. Dolph says that Vickie through Vince McMahon has endorsed thievery. Cena would earn the same contract that he lost already. If Ziggler wins, what does he get because he has the contract. Ziggler says that he wants Cena to put his career on the line.
Maybe Cena loses his mind while he watches the rise of the star of 2013 . . . Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler says that everything changes tonight.
Miz comes out and he is dressed to talk.
We have a PPV edition of MizTV and it is time for some couches, director’s chairs, and end tables.
Miz says that you can take all of the subways, transits, and railways but you will not get the trainwreck that is Jinder Mahal, Heath Slater, and Drew McIntyre.
The 3MB make their way to the ring. Slater, Mahal, and McIntyre act like rock stars and mess up the furniture.
Miz starts to ask a question and Slater asks Miz how he can call them a trainwreck. Miz wonders how they can be called a band. Mahal says that they combine into a supergroup. McIntyre says that 3MB is bigger, badder, and better than Jay-Z.
Miz throws out a few reallys and the members of 3MB fire back with reallys of their own.
Slater says that the Rolling Stones wish that they could rock out like 3MB. Tomorrow night at the Slammys, they will perform live.
Miz congratulates them and says that we know when the bathroom break will happen.
Jinder asks everyone if they think that is funny. Mahal insults the Spanish Announce Team. They want to know what the announcers are saying. Slater tells them that you speak American in this country. Drew tells them to shut up.
Ricardo Rodriguez comes to the ring and he tries to stop 3MB from tormenting the announcers. 3MB put Ricardo against the ropes and Alberto Del Rio comes out and he goes after Slater, McIntyre, and Mahal. Del Rio with a belly-to-back suplex to McIntyre on the apron. Del Rio takes down Slater, but it turns into a three-on-one situation.
In the ring, they attack Del Rio but Miz helps out Del Rio. Del Rio with a savate kick to McIntyre and then he clotheslines Drew over the top rope.
Slater says that this is not how it is going to work out. Slater makes a challenge to Del Rio and Miz to find a tag team partner for a match.
Miz says that they will find a partner and the beating that they will get will be AWESOME
Kane is in the back with Daniel Bryan. Kane says that he wants to make sure that they are on the same page. Bryan says that Ryback is as difficult to talk to. He says that he cannot stand people who say the same thing over and over and over again. Kane says that it does not matter what Ryback says, it is what he does. Kane says that he knows about TLC matches. Bodies will be broken, but they will be the ones who will break them. They will feed Ryback Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns.
Bryan repeats yes.
Matt Striker is with Wade Barrett. Matt asks Wade how confident he is going into his match with Kofi Kingston. Wade says that he is supremely confident. He has already beaten Kofi on numerous occasions. The Wildcat has been unleashed. However, Kofi is a cat that does not have nine lives. He is a cat who will be neutered by the Barrett Barrage.
Match Number Three:Intercontinental Title Match: Kofi Kingston versus Wade Barrett
Barrett with a kick and slam for a near fall. Barrett with a front face lock but Kofi with a waist lock. Barrett backs Kofi into the corner. Barrett with elbows and he gets a near fall. Barrett sends Kofi to the mat again and gets a near fall. Barrett with a side head lock. Barrett with a shoulder tackle.
Kofi with leap frogs and a leaping back elbow followed by a drop kick. Kofi gets a near fall. Barrett with a lariat to send Kofi over the top rope to the floor. Barrett goes to the floor and he kicks Kofi. Kofi leaps back into the ring and then he hits a suicide dive onto Barrett. Kofi is limping a bit and he rolls Barrett back into the ring. Kofi leaps over Barrett and Barrett with a back heel kick. Barrett with a pump handle slam.
Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with a slingshot back breaker for a near fall. Barrett stretches Kofi. Barrett with another back breaker and he gets another near fall. Barrett with an elbow drop from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Barrett tries for another slingshot move but Kofi lands on his feet and he hits a Side Russian Leg Sweep and both men are down.
Kofi with chops followed by a drop kick and Superman punch. Kofi sets for the Boom Drop and hits it. Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise. Barrett avoids Trouble in Paradise but Kofi avoids a Blackpool Slam and tries for a sunset flip. Kofi with SOS for a near fall. Kofi leaps to the corner and he punches Barrett. Kofi rolls to the mat but Barrett with an elbow and then he hits a uranage for a near fall. Kofi with a Pendulum Kick to Barrett and he goes up top.
Kofi with a cross body but Barrett rolls through but can only get a two count. Kofi with an inside cradle for a near fall. Barrett with the Blackpool Slam for a near fall. Barrett sets for the Bullhammer but Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
CM Punk says that everyone is asking for a status report on his knee and Paul says ‘Fuggedaboutit’
Punk translates and says that it is none of their business. Punk says that it was difficult for him to travel from his home in Chicago to be with all of these animals. He suggests that the people of Brooklyn shouldn’t live in the slums of Staten Island.
Punk says that he understands why the people cheered when Ryback injured him. They do not understand how to be a champion. The people are also dumb, like Ryback. Punk says Ryback is dumb because Punk cannot compete but he is lucky that he injured Punk so he could not defend his title.
He says that he is the most dangerous person in the WWE and you want to put a weapon in his hands. He would have broken every chair. He would have laughed while Ryback tried to climb a ladder until he pushed him off. He would break every table. He says that it is a fiction that Ryback is an unbreakable monster. He beat Ryback single handedly at Hell in a Cell and at Survivor Series.
The Shield, a group he admires, but does not have an affiliation with will beat Ryback tonight. Punk says that he is the longest reigning champion in the modern era. He began 2012 as the champion and he will end 2012 as the champion.
Match Number Four:Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match: Ryback, Daniel Bryan, and Kane versus The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins)
They brawl on the floor when The Shield get over the ringside barrier. Bryan works over Rollins while Kane and Reigns battle. Ambrose and Ryback battle. Bryan runs Rollins into the apron while Ryback and Ambrose battle in the ring.
Bryan gets Irish whipped into the ringside barrier. Ambrose with chops to Ryback but Ryback does not budge. Ryback with chops to Ambrose. Ryback tries for a slam but Ambrose gets to his feet and he kicks Ryback. Ryback with a Thesz Press and he slams Ambrose’s head into the mat.
Reigns and Rollins join Ambrose and they triple team Ryback. Ryback pushes them off and Ryback clotheslines Rollins over the top to the floor. Ambrose with a drop kick that sends Ryback to the floor.
Kane brings a ladder onto the apron but Rollins with a baseball slide into the ladder and Kane goes down. They turn their attention to Bryan. Reigns send Bryan into the ladder held by Ambrose and Rollins. Ryback with a bicycle kick into the ladder.
Ryback slams the ladder onto Ambrose and Rollins. Reigns hits Ryback in the ribs with the chair and then in the back. Kane grabs the chair and he punches Reigns. Bryan with kicks of No to Reigns. Kane and Bryan Irish whip Reigns into the ladder in the corner and then Kane Irish whips Bryan into the corner for a drop kick on Reigns. Kane gets a near fall. Ambrose sends Bryan onto the apron.
Rollins comes off the top and Kane with an uppercut for a near fall. Kane puts the ladder down on the mat while Ambrose uses a chair on Bryan. Kane puts Rollins in the ladder and he hits the ladder with a chair. Ambrose hits Kane in the leg with a chair and Ambrose with a DDT onto the chair.
Ryback returns to the ring and he runs Ambrose into the corner. He does the same to Rollins and connects with shoulders. Ambrose with punches and he holds Ryback for Rollins to hit him with a ladder.
They slam Ryback’s head into the ladder. Ambrose drops the ladder on Ryback again. Rollins with kicks to Ryback. Ambrose and Rollins try to hip toss Ryback onto the ladder but Ryback blocks it. Ryback with body blocks to Ambrose and Rollins. Ryback Irish whips Ambrose into Rollins against the ladder and then he splashes onto the ladder.
Ryback hits a double suplex on Ambrose and Rollins onto a ladder. Ryback wants to give Ambrose and Rollins the double muscle buster but Reigns breaks it up. Reigns kicks Ryback and connects with forearms. Ambrose hits Ryback with the chair and Rollins uses the ladder on Ryback.
Reigns rearranges the Spanish announce table. They set for the Triple Power Bomb through the announce table. They get Ryback up and they hit it and Ryback goes through the table.
Bryan with a suicide dive onto all three members of the Shield. He goes after all three men but they fight back and take care of him until Kane comes by to help his tag team partner. Bryan hits Rollins with the chair but Ambrose hits Bryan and sends him into the chair. Ambrose puts the chair under Bryan and slams him. Rollins hits Bryan with the chair.
Ambrose sets up a chair in the ring and he slams Bryan’s head into it. Ambrose with another slam putting the chair behind Bryan. Ambrose stomps on the chair placed on Bryan’s chest. Ambrose and Rollins put the table on the turnbuckles and make sure that it is in place.
Ryback is still down on the floor while Ambrose and Rollins send Bryan into the table. They put Bryan on the table and Ambrose and Rollins join him on the table for a double superplex off the table and Reigns gets a near fall. Kane ducks down and Reigns goes over the top rope to the floor.
Ambrose with knees to Kane and then Rollins hits Kane in the ribs with the chair while Ambrose holds him. Ambrose and Rollins send Kane into the table that is still on the turnbuckles. They put Kane on top for the double superplex. Kane fights Ambrose and Rollins off. Rollins goes to the floor and Kane with a clothesline from the top. Kane with a clothesline to Reigns followed by an Irish whip and clothesline followed by a side slam.
Kane gets a near fall. Ambrose with punches to Kane and then he sets up a chair. Kane sets for a choke slam and he sends Ambrose through the chair but Reigns breaks up the cover. Kane punches Reigns on the floor but Rollins takes care of Kane and Reigns with a spear that sends Kane through the timekeeper’s area.
They pile stuff on Kane to keep him from getting up. Bryan has Ambrose in the No Lock while Reigns and Rollins enjoy their work.
Bryan applies it to Rollins and then to Reigns. Ambrose kicks Bryan in the head and punches him. They set up another chair and Rollins and Ambrose set for a double brainbuster. Bryan escapes and he kicks Ambrose and Rollins. Rollins with Black Out onto the chair. Ryback pulls Ambrose out of the ring. Ryback with a back body drop to Rollins and he takes care of Reigns. Ryback with a power slam to Rollins and he presses Rollins onto Ambrose on the floor.
Ryback with a spinebuster and then he goes for a power bomb on a chair but Ambrose stops him. Ryback with a spear and then he sets for the lariat. Ryback hits it and then he signals for the muscle buster. Ryback gets Ambrose up and he hits it but Rollins breaks up the cover. Ryback and Rollins exchange punches until Ryback sends Rollins to the floor.
Reigns and Ryback battle on the floor and Rollins hits Ryback in the back with the chair. Ryback takes Reigns down in the aisle. Rollins with forearms to Ryback but Ryback takes Rollins down. Reigns punches Ryback. Rollins and Ryback with punches and kicks. Ambrose hits Ryback in the back with a chair. Reigns hits Ryback with the chair a few times. A ladder falls on Ryback and Ambrose hits him with a chair. Rollins hits Ryback with another chair.
They put Ryback on a table and they see a cornucopia of ladders. Rollins climbs the ladders while Ryback is still on the table. Bryan is in the ring and he cannot make his way up the aisle.
Ryback recovers and Rollins is trapped on the ladder. Rollins climbs the ladder and Ryback pulls Rollins off the ladder. Ambrose and Reigns work over Bryan in the ring. They set up a table and Ambrose gives Bryan to Reigns and Reigns with a power bomb through the table to pin Bryan.
Winners: The Shield
After the match, Ambrose and Reigns check on Rollins. Ryback checks on Bryan and he shows his frustration.
We see highlights of the match including Seth Rollins’ head hitting a table as he went through another one.
Match Number Five:Divas Title Match: Eve Torres versus Naomi
Eve dances to mock Naomi. They lock up and Eve with forearms in the corner. We see Brodus and Cameron watching in the back. Naomi with punches but Eve with an Irish whip. Naomi floats over and does a leap frog. Naomi with a leaping leg drop followed by a leaping butt bump. Eve goes to the floor.
Naomi goes to the apron and avoids Eve. Naomi with a baseball slide to Eve and Naomi does some dancing while she waits for Eve to return to the ring. Eve drops Naomi’s arm on the top rope and Eve slams the arm into the mat. Eve with a top wrist lock. Naomi with punches and a snap mare.
Naomi with a rana to Eve. Naomi with a spinning heel kick into the corner. Naomi goes up top but misses a cross body. Eve with the swinging neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Eve Torres
After the match, Eve gets a photographer and poses over her vanquished opponent.
We see footage from Friday when Sheamus saw Big Show attack William Regal.
Matt Striker asks Show if Sheamus has any chance to win. Sheamus should have hit him so this match would not take place. Sheamus hit him with 31 chair shots and it would have ended most careers, but he is standing here. Show asks what will happen if he is holding a chair and hits someone.
Match Number Six: World Championship Chairs Match: Big Show versus Sheamus
Sheamus with punches and Show misses a splash into the corner. Sheamus with punches to Show in the corner but Show pushes him away. Sheamus with a drop kick to the knee and he connects with crossfaces but Show with an arm drag. Sheamus dives for the knee and Show goes down. Sheamus with knees to Show but Show sends Sheamus to the floor.
Sheamus grabs a chair but Show kicks it away. Sheamus with punches to Show. Sheamus gets another chair and chases after Show but Show with a savate kick into the chair. Show with a chop across the chest as he goes around the ringside barrier.
Show sends Sheamus back into the ring and Show looks for a chair. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle off the apron. They exchange punches. Show with a head butt. Sheamus with kicks and punches to Show but Show with a short arm clothesline. Show with a head butt and then he walks across Sheamus’ chest.
Sheamus with a knee lift to Show on the floor. Sheamus looks for a chair and gets it. Show runs into the ring and Sheamus hits Show in the chest and then the back with the chair. Sheamus hits Show in the chest with the chair and Sheamus slams Show but can only get a near fall.
Sheamus has the chair for the shoulder tackle off the turnbuckles and he connects. Sheamus goes up top again with the chair but Show with a spear and both men are down and the chair got the worst of that collision. Show hits Sheamus with the chair on the floor a few times.
They return to the ring and Show stands on the chair and then he kicks Sheamus in the head. Sheamus with punches but Show with a knee. Show chokes Sheamus in the ropes. Show sends Sheamus into the corner and then he hits a splash into the corner. Show misses a boot when Sheamus moves and Show crotches himself. Sheamus with punches but Show punches back. Sheamus with the shoulder tackle into the corner followed by a running knee lift.
Show with a choke slam for a near fall. Show gets some chairs from under the ring and he throws them into the ring but close enough for Sheamus to get them before Show. Show with a kick to Sheamus and then he picks up a chair and hits Sheamus in the back with it. Show goes to the turnbuckles for a Vader Bomb onto the chair and he hits it but Sheamus kicks out at two.
Sheamus looks like he is having trouble breathing as Show picks him up after setting up some chairs for a choke slam. Sheamus gets out of the hold and Sheamus hits White Noise through two chairs for a near fall. Sheamus signals for the Brogue Kick but Show moves. Show with a punch and Sheamus is out but Show take too long and Sheamus kicks out.
Show gets a supersized chair and he nails Sheamus in the back with it and Show gets the three count.
Winner: Big Show
AJ bumps into Cena in the back and she apologizes for everything that happened last week. AJ reminds Cena that he was there for her. John tells AJ to thank him when he takes the Money in the Bank contract from him.
Match Number Seven: Six Man Tag Match: 3MB versus Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez), Miz, and The Brooklyn Brawler
Slater and Del Rio start off and Del Rio with kicks to the ribs. Del Rio with the step up enzuigiri and arm bar. The Brawler tags in and he punches Slater and applies a side head lock. Brawler with a shoulder tackle and then he punches McIntyre and hits a hip toss on Mahal. Slater with a super kick to Brawler.
Drew tags in and he punches Brawler and sends him into the turnbuckles. Drew with punches and he hits a suplex. Drew gets a near fall. Slater tags in and slams Brawler and goes to the turnbuckles and misses a knee drop.
Miz tags in and so does Mahal. Miz with punches to Mahal in the corner and then he hits the Awesome Clothesline. Miz leaps over Mahal and then he kicks Jinder and hits a DDT for a near fall. Del Rio with a lungblower to McIntyre. Del Rio with a dive onto McIntyre. Ricardo pulls Slater out of the ring and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Mahal and the Brooklyn Brawler with a Boston Crab and Mahal taps.
Winners: Alberto Del Rio, Miz, and Brooklyn Brawler
Match Number Eight: Ladder Match for the Money in the Bank Briefcase: Dolph Ziggler versus John Cena
Cena with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Ziggler with a side head lock and then Ziggler struts. They lock up and Cena with a side head lock. Cena blocks a hip toss and hits one of his own. Cena with a side head lock take down. Ziggler with a top wrist lock into a side head lock. Cena with a snap mare and a suplex.
Cena with an Irish whip and monkey flip to Ziggler. Cena throws Ziggler to the floor and then the referee checks on a bloody Cena but Ziggler hits Cena with a chair. Ziggler brings a chair into the ring and wedges it into the turnbuckles. Cena with a flapjack and then he goes to the floor for a ladder.
Ziggler with a baseball slide into the ladder and Cena goes to the floor. Cena gets back into the ring and he kicks Ziggler and hits Ziggler in the head with the ladder and Ziggler goes down.
Cena sends Ziggler over the announce table and then he moves the chair. Cena picks up the steps and he hits Ziggler in the head with them. Cena gets a table for this ladder match and he puts it in the ring. Cena puts the table in the ring.
Ziggler sets up the ladder in the center of the ring and Cena stops him. Cena with a punch to the kidneys to get Ziggler off the ladders. Cena and Ziggler exchange punches as the crowd shows who their favorite is. Ziggler applies a sleeper and Cena goes down to a knee.
Cena climbs the ladder with Ziggler on his back applying a sleeper. Cena starts to lose consciousness and he falls through the table and Ziggler goes through as well. Ziggler puts the ladder back up while Cena struggles to get back up. Ziggler climbs the ladder but Cena presses Ziggler on the ladder over his head. Ziggler is able to avoid being sent to the floor. Cena with two shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb. Ziggler with a kick and Fameasser.
Ziggler looks for something under the ring and he gets another ladder. Ziggler realizes that if he puts the ladder too far into the ring, Cena can use it so he pulls it towards the ropes. Cena applies the STF and Ziggler has the ropes and taps out but they mean nothing.
Ziggler with a shoulder tackle but Cena catches Ziggler on his shoulders. Ziggler gets to his feet and he hits the Zig Zag and both men are down. Ziggler pulls out a table from under the ringand he brings it back into the ring. Ziggler sets up the table against the turnbuckles but Cena with a Blue Thunder Bomb and he hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Cena tries for the Attitude Adjustment but Ziggler escapes and hits a leaping DDT and both men are down. Ziggler goes to the floor for a big ladder and he brings it back to the ring. Ziggler sets up the ladder in the center of the ring and he climbs it. Cena goes up the other side and Cena punches Ziggler. Cena and Ziggler exchange punches on top of the ladder. Cena with a head butt that staggers Ziggler and Ziggler goes to the mat.
Cena is inches from the briefcase but Ziggler is able to climb the ladder and he stops Cena. They go back to the mat. Ziggler punches Cena but Cena with a kick and he sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles. Ziggler sends Cena’s head into the ladder. Cena with a rana that sends Ziggler through the table.
Ziggler with a drop kick to Cena and the ladder goes to the floor. Ziggler tries to send Cena into the chair wedged in the turnbuckles but Cena stops short and then he puts Ziggler on the turnbuckles. Ziggler with a head butt and Cena goes to the mat. Ziggler with a cross body but Cena rolls through and he picks up Ziggler and gets him on his shoulders but Ziggler grabs the chair and he hits Cena in the leg and the back.
Ziggler clears the ring of the weapons. Cena with an Attitude Adjustment and Ziggler goes to the floor.
Vickie Guerrero comes into the ring with a chair and she stands over Cena with the chair. This give AJ Lee enough time to come to the ring and she avoids the chair and takes Vickie down after two shoulder tackles and hits a belly-to-back suplex followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Cena climbs the ladder and AJ pushes it over. AJ gets the crazy eyes and it looks like Ziggler is in love. AJ smiles at Ziggler and leaves the ring. Ziggler climbs the ladder and gets the case and wins.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
2013 - AJ Styles posted the following on his official website and Facebook page this morning:
MY STATEMENT ON TNA CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS 12/16/13
Today for the first time in 11 years, AJ Styles awakes to find himself without a professional wrestling contract. I can't help but think how did I get here, what must I have done wrong, did I not deliver in the ring, etc. All of those are pertinent questions that any man or woman who finds himself or herself unemployed would ask.
I have always prided myself in being the wrestler that stays away from the things in this business that could easily destroy myself, my family, my marriage, and even my career. A wrestler who goes above and beyond to give the fans what they paid to see.
I move forward not bitter, but better for the blessings and memories that I have been a part of since TNA's inception.
When this contract renegotiation journey started several months ago, my wife and I began praying for God to close doors that needed to be closed and to open the doors that He wanted us to walk through. We asked him to prepare us for this journey and to help us to have the faith to be obedient to what He would have us to do. I am assured by the name Immanuel in Matthews 1:23 that I will never be alone. Hebrews 13.5, says He will never leave us or forsake us. There is a lot in this world that I am unsure of, especially in this moment, but there is one thing that I am certain. Contracts may expire, but the promise of Immanuel will never expire.
As my family and I move forward with my wrestling career, we will turn to Jabez's prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil.
My family and I are both grateful for the platform that TNA has allowed me to experience. TNA has been a blessing to our family for many years. We have made many friendships and many more memories. While you may not be seeing AJ Styles in TNA, you can be sure that he will be traveling the world and delivering many more Phenomenal matches. Visit AJStyles.org for a complete list of bookings.
Sincerely,
AJ Styles
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