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December 26th
On this day in history in ....
1944 - Yaqui Joe defeats Gus Wisbar for the Tennessee version of the World Middleweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee.
1957 - Verne Gagne and Bronko Nagurski defeat The Atomic Blonds (Johnny Valentine and Chet Wallich) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to win the Minneapolis version of the NWA World Tag Team Title.
1960 - Orest Antonation and Lorne Corlett defeat Joe Fiorino and Al Torres to become the first Madison Wrestling Club Middleweight Tag Team Champions in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1963 - The man credited with establishing professional wrestling on television, and one of the first big stars in the business "Gorgeous" George Wagner, dies at age 48 of a heart attack.
1963 - Jackie Fargo and Mario Milano defeat Tojo Yamamoto and Ivan Malenkov in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1963 - Killer Kowalski defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino via disqualification in Cleveland, Ohio.
1964 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Golden Terror in Sunnyside Gardens in Queens, NY.
1965 - WWWF ran Washington, Dc with the following results:
Irish Jackie & the Jamaica Kid defeated Fuzzy Cupid & Sky Low Low
The Fabulous Moolah defeated Bonita White Dove
Johnny Valentine defeated Smasher Sloan
Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Chief Big Heart
Angelo Savoldi defeated Tony Newberry
WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil defeated Bill & Dan Miller
1966 - Dominic DeNucci and Don Leo Jonathan defeat Don Jardine and Dutch Savage for the Vancover version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1966 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Tank Morgan in Washington, DC.
1967 - The WWWF ran Secaucus, NJ at the Plaza Arena with the following results:
Arnold Skaaland pinned Tony Altimore at 11:20
Guillotine Gordon pinned Angelo Savoldi at 14:02
Bull Ramos pinned Miguel Perez at 12:13
Little Beaver & Sonny Boy Cassidy defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #1: Low Low pinned Jackie at 8:10; fall #2: the babyfaces won at 6:08; fall #3: Beaver pinned Brutus
Spiros Arion defeated Luke Graham via disqualification at 15:24
1968 - WWWF ran Washington, DC with the following results:
Victor Rivera & Spiros Arion defeated Tony Altimore & Lou Albano
Ernie Lassiter defeated Angelo Savoldi
Johnny Rodz defeated Lenny Solomon
Gorilla Monsoon defeated Carlos Colon & Pete Sanchez in a handicap match
WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gorilla Monsoon
1969 - Danny Lynch defeats Dave Ruhl in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to win the Calgary version of the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title, ending Ruhl's fourth reign.
1969 - King Curtis Iaukea and Buddy Austin defeat Mario Milano and Spiros Arion in Sydney, Australia to win the International Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Title.
1970 - Moose Cholak and Wilbur Snyder win their second World Wrestling Association World Tag Team Title in Indianapolis, Indiana, by defeating The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent).
1970 - WWWF ran Sunnyside Gardens in Queens, NY with the following results:
Chief Jay Strongbow & Gorilla Monsoon defeated Mike Conrad & Tomas Marin in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match
Manuel Soto defeated Johnny Rodz at 14:47
Tony Marino defeated Pete Sanchez at 11:23
Jose Rivera defeated Joe Turco at 14:55
WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Black Demon at 10:49
1972 - WWWF ran Willingboro, NJ with the following results:
Victor Rivera defeated Blackjack Slade
Joe Turco defeated Ben Ortiz
Arnold Skaaland defeated Chuck Richards
The Haiti Kid & Little Louie defeated Sky Low Low & Little Brutus via disqualification
Gorilla Monsoon defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka
1973 - Gene and Ole Anderson defeats Brute Bernard and Jay York to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title in Columbia, South Carolina.
1973 - An event in Indianapolis, Indiana featured the following results:
Moose Cholak defeated Mitsu Arakawa
Bob Ellis defeated Ken Dillinger
Ernie Ladd fought Pepper Gomez to a draw
Billy Red Cloud defeated Baron Von Raschke
Bobby Heenan defeated Luis Martinez
Jimmy Valiant defeated the Professor
Wilbur Snyder defeated Cowboy Parker
WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Johnny Valiant
1974 - Paul Jones defeats Ivan Koloff for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title in Greensboro, North Carolina, ending Koloff's second reign and beginning his own second.
1974 - WWWF ran Exhibit Hall in Springfield, MA, headlined by Chief Jay Strongbow & Larry Zbyszko defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Jimmy & Johnny Valiant in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #3: the Valiants were disqualifed.
1975 - Ed and Jerry Morrow defeat Mr. Hito and Gil Hayes for the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
1975 - WWWF ran Harrisburg, PA with the following results:
Francisco Flores defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification after Scicluna was caught with a foreign object at 12:54
Little Louie pinned Dirty Morgan at 7:58
Billy the Kid defeated the Jamaica Kid via submission at 12:04
Tom Stanton pinned Steve Lavadas at 7:29
Buggsy McGraw defeated Ivan Putski at 19:45 when the referee stopped the match due to blood
1976 - Ric Flair and Greg Valentine defeat Gene and Ole Anderson to win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Greensboro, North Carolina, ending the Andersons' fourth reign.
1976 - The Sheik wins the Toronto version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title for the third time, defeating Thunderbolt Patterson in Toronto, Ontario.
1976 - Bill Dundee and Ricky Gibson defeat Dennis Condrey and Phil Hickerson to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1977 - WWWF ran Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island with the following results:
-Gorilla Monsoon won a 16-man battle royal; other participants included: Stan Stasiak, Larry Sharpe, Jack Evans, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Butcher Vachon, Frank Monroe, Mr. Fuji, Prof. Toru Tanaka, Tony Garea, Peter Maivia, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Mark Tendler; due to pre-match stipulations, Monsoon earned a world title shot in the main event
-Larry Zbyzsko fought Larry Sharpe to a draw.
-Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Pete Reeves
-Tony Garea defeated Moose Monroe
-SD Jones fought Jack Evans to a draw
-Peter Maivia defeated Butcher Vachon
-Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna
-WWWF World Champion Supertar Billy Graham defeated Gorilla Monsoon via countout.
1977 - A live event at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN drew 5,009 fans, headlined by Bill Dundee doing doubt duty by winning a 16 Man Battle Royal and defeating The Mongolian Stomper to win the Southeastern Heavyweight championship. Other results from the show saw:
-Big Red and Plowboy Frazier (the future Uncle Elmer in WWF) defeated Southern Tag Team champins Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey by DQ
-Norvell Austin defeated Tri-State champion Gorgeous George Jr.
-Mr. Wrestling defeated Frankie Lane, substituting for Doug Gilbert.
-Tommy Gilbert & Robert Gibson & Jerry Bryant defeated Big Red & Frankie Lane & Sonny King.
1979 - WWF ran White Plains, NY at the Westchester County Center with the following results:
Victor Rivera defeated Johnny Rivera
Hussein Arab defeated Johnny Rodz
Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci
Leilani Kai & Judy Martin defeated Wenonah Little Heart & Kandi Malloy
Larry Zbyszko pinned Swede Hanson
Tito Santana, Ivan Putski, & Andre the Giant defeated Jimmy, Johnny, & Jerry Valiant
1981 - Eric Embry wins a tournament final in St. Petersburg, Florida to win the vacant Florida Television Title.
1981 - Bugsy McGraw defeats The Great Kabuki in a fictitious match for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio.
1981 - David Von Erich defeats Jack Brisco in St. Petersburg, Florida for the NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Brisco's fourth reign. Also, Eric Embry wins a tournament final for the vacant NWA Florida Television Title.
1981 - WWF ran Baltimore, Maryland with the following results:
Manuel Soto pinned Lee Wong at 13:10
Larry Sharpe pinned Jerry Johnson at 11:20
Greg Valentine defeated WWF IC Champion Pedro Morales via count-out at 9:25
Dominic DeNucci pinned Davey O'Hannon at 19:50
Andre the Giant pinned Killer Khan at 16:10
SD Jones pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 10:25
Tony Atlas defeated Don Muraco in a steel cage match by escaping out the door at 14:25 after Muraco missed a dive off the top of the cage
1982 - Terry Kay defeats Private Nelson for the NWA Canadian Television Title in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
1982 - After 14 years in operation, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, also known through the years as the North American Wrestling Alliance and World Wrestling Association (prior to NWA membership), closes. It had been run Gene and Mike LeBell. NWA Hollywood Wrestling had a working relationship with both New Japan Pro Wrestling and the Japan Wrestling Association/All Japan Pro Wrestling, during which time the NWA United National Heavyweight Title (now part of the All Japan Triple Crown) was created. The final NWA Hollywood champions were:
- NWA Americas Heavyweight Champion: El Monarca
- NWA Americas Tag Team Champions: Black Gordman and Master Lee
- NWA Beat the Champ Television Champion: Billy Anderson
- NWA Brass Knuckles Champion (Los Angeles version): Alexi Perez (last known champion in 1977)
- NWA California Women's Champion: Lola Gonzales
- NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion (Los Angeles version): Perro Aguayo (also held WWF title)
- NWA World Tag Team Champions (Los Angeles version): Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata
1982 - A live event in Toronto, Ontario Canada featuring the following live results:
Farmer Pete pinned Little John at 10:34
Billy Red Lyons defeated Ricky Harris at 8:51
Tony Parisi & Rudy Kay defeated Bobby Bass & Bill White at 11:04
Terry Kay defeated Pvt. Nelson at 10:58 to win the Canadian Television title
Johnny Weaver defeated Leo Burke via count-out at 14:51
Angelo Mosca defeated Leroy Brown via disqualification at 12:18
Andre the Giant & Salvatore Bellomo defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito at 14:25
1982 - WWF ran Worcester, MA with the following results:
The Fabulous Moolah & Wendi Richter defeated Sabrina & Princess Victoria
Tony Garea defeated Swede Hanson
Jimmy Snuka & Rocky Johnson defeated Lou Albano & Ray Stevens
Don Muraco defeated Ivan Putski via count-out
Buddy Rose defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification
1983 - 24,592 fans pack New York City, New York's Madison Square Garden for a WWF event. The results:
- Jose Luis Rivera pinned Rene Goulet.
- Salvatore Bellomo and Tiger Chung Lee fought to a 20-minute time limit draw.
- Arnold Skaaland and Jimmy Snuka defeated Lou Albano and WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco, when Snuka pinned Muraco.
- Sgt. Slaughter pinned Chief Jay Strongbow.
- The Masked Superstar defeated Ivan Putski by disqualification.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Bob Backlund to win the WWF World Title, when Backlund's manager, Arnold Skaaland, threw in the towel as Backlund was trapped in the Camel Clutch.
- The Wild Samoans (Afa, Sika and Samula) defeated Special Delivery Jones and WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Atlas and Rocky Johnson in a two-out-of-three-falls match.
- Tito Santana pinned Ivan Koloff.
- The Invaders defeated Iron Mike Sharpe and Butcher Vachon.
1983 - Randy Savage wins his second NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title, defeating Terry Taylor in Memphis, Tennessee.
1985 - Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams defeat Eddie Gilbert and Dick Murdoch (replacing The Nightmare) to win the Mid-South Tag Team Title in Biloxi, Mississippi, beginning their second reign. They would be the last to hold the titles before Mid-South Wrestling became the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1986.
1986 - WWF ran Madison Square Garden in NYC. The card, which was televised live on the MSG Network, featured the following results:
-Paul Roma pinned Terry Gibbs with a sunset flip from the top rope at 9:22
-The Hart Foundation, Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated Cpl. Kirchner & Dick Slater when Neidhart pinned Kirchner after the Hart Attack at 12:36
-WWF Women’s Champion the Fabulous Moolah pinned WWF Women’s Tag Team Champion Leilani Kai at 10:10 with a double axe handle and roll up after dropkicking the challenger into the referee (Best of the WWF Vol. 12)
-Pedro Morales defeated Dino Bravo via disqualification at 14:24 after Bravo accidentally punched referee Dick Kroll when Morales ducked his head
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Kamala (w/ the Wizard & Kimchee) via disqualification at 6:39 when the Wizard tripped up Hogan from the outside and then held his legs down for Kamala to splash him twice; Hogan was then triple-teamed and was held down by the Wizard and Kimchee for Kamala to hit a splash off the top but Hogan was able to escape and clear all three from the ring; following the bout, Bobby Heenan interviewed the Wizard, Kimchee, & Kamala backstage until Kamala was attacked by Hogan, with both having to be separated by several wrestlers and officials, including Vince McMahon (Hulkamania 2)
-Jose Luis Rivera pinned Steve Lombardi with a backslide at 2:37
-Hillbilly Jim defeated Mr. Fuji in a tuxedo match at the 4-minute mark (Best of the WWF Vol. 11)
-The Honkytonk Man pinned Sivi Afi with the Shake, Rattle, & Roll at 7:02; the match was set for earlier in the evening but Honky attacked his opponent prior to the bout, thus forcing it to be rescheduled for later in the card; after the bout, Honky stayed at ringside, dancing for the fans until Tito Santana came out for his match, where he was attacked from behind by Honky with Santana’s knee clipping the ring steps
-Hercules (w/ Bobby Heenan) pinned Tito Santana at 15:40 after Santana was distracted by Heenan at 15:40; Heenan was introduced prior the match beginning before rejoining Gorilla Monsoon at the announce table; originally the match ended at 12:46 after Heenan left the commentary position and rang the timekeeper’s bell while Santana had the figure-4 applied on Herc, attempting to confuse referee Dick Kroll that the time-limit had expired but the referee ruled there was still time left in the match
-Blackjack Mulligan pinned Nikolai Volkoff (w/ Slick) at the 33-second mark with a flying back elbow; prior to the bout, Mulligan attacked Volkoff as he was singing the Russian National Anthem; after the contest, Volkoff attacked Mulligan until he was sent from the ring
1986 - WWF ran Pittburgh, PA with the following results:
Little Coco & the Karate Kid defeated Lord Littlebrook & Little Tokyo
Butch Reed defeated Jerry Allen
Koko B. Ware defeated Jimmy Jack Funk
Jacques & Raymond Rougeau fought Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake to a draw
Sika defeated Salvatore Bellomo
Jake Roberts defeated George Steele via count-out
Barry O defeated Tony Garea
The Junkyard Dog defeated King Kong Bundy via disqualification
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Tiger Chung Lee
Roddy Piper pinned Adrian Adonis
1986 - WWF ran Lansing, MI at the Civic Center, headlined by Ricky Steamboat defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage via countout.
1986 - Stampede Wrestling ran Calgary, Alberta, headlined by WWF Tag Team Champion Davey Boy Smith, Owen Hart, & Ben Bassarab defeated Mukham & Gama Singh, & Viet Cong in a streetfight.
1987 - Abbuda Dein (Rocky Iaukea) defeats Art Barr in Portland, Oregon to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Television Title.
1987 - Mika Suzuki defeats Kaoru Maeda in a tournament final for the vacant AJW Junior Title in Tokyo, Japan. The title had been vacated on October 11 when Kyoko Asoh retired.
1988 - Starrcade, nicknamed "True Gritt" is held at the Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the first Starrcade to not be held on Thanksgiving, as WWF had successfully bumped them out of the spot with the Survivor Series. Cable providers would not allow the companies to have head-to-head Pay-per-view events again (like in 1987), so the proven PPV commodity (WWF) won out, forcing the change. Here are the results:
- Kevin Sullivan & Steve Williams defeated The Fantastics when Williams pinned Fulton after catching a leapfrog attempt and giving Fulton a Hot Shot to win the United States Tag Team Title. The Fantastics were originally going to be facing the Sheepherders, but WWF signed them and turned them into the Bushwhackers.
- The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane, managed by Jim Cornette) defeated The Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose, managed by Paul E. Dangerously) when Lane pinned Rose after a Double Goozle (legsweep and clothesline combination).
- The Russian Assassins (Angel Of Death & Jack Victory) defeated Junkyard Dog & Ivan Koloff with Assassin #1 pinned Koloff after headbutting him with a loaded mask.
- Rick Steiner defeated Mike Rotundo to win the NWA World Television Title. During the match, Steve Williams came out and rang the bell as Steiner had Rotundo beat, to make the referee think the time limit had expired. Confusion ensued, and Steiner rammed Rotundo into Williams and Kevin Sullivan, then rolled him up for the pin.
- United States Champion Barry Windham defeated Bam Bam Bigelow via countout. The two were brawling outside when Bigelow missed a charge and ran into the ringpost, as Windham rolled back into the ring for the win.
- Dusty Rhodes & Sting defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors via disqualification when manager Paul Ellering pulled the referee out of the ring as Sting had Animal pinned with a flying bodypress.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defeated Lex Luger when Luger went for a torture rack but his leg (which Flair had been working on) gave out, allowing Flair to fall on top of Luger and get the pin with his feet on the ropes.
- In a match that took place after the PPV broadcast ended, Junkyard Dog won a Bunkhouse Stampede battle royal, last eliminating Abdullah The Butcher. The battle royal had been hyped in advance for the show, but for some reason was not included on the PPV, annoying many fans. To make matters worse, you could hear the introductions for the battle royal during post-match interviews following the Flair-Luger match, then the PPV ended.
1990 - New Japan Pro Wrestling held a "Legends Show" at Hamamatsu Arena in Hamamatsu, Japan. The results:
- Animal Hamaguchi and Kuniaki Kobayashi defeated Takayuki Iizuka and Shiro Koshinaka.
- Osamu Kido defeated Hiro Matsuda.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Jushin Liger defeated Negro Casas.
- The Great Muta defeated Tiger Jeet Singh by disqualification.
- Masahiro Chono defeated Lou Thesz. This was the last career match for the 74-year-old Thesz.
- Masa Saito defeated Nick Bockwinkel.
- Tatsumi Fujinami defeats long-time rival Riki Choshu for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. This marks Fujinami's third reign, the first time any wrestler had held New Japan's top title three separate times. On the same card, Super Strong Machine & Hiro Saito defeat Kensuke Sasaki & Hiroshi Hase for the IWGP Tag Team Title.
- Hiro Saito and Super Strong Machine defeated Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki to win the IWGP World Tag Team Title.
- In a Boxer vs. Wrestler match, Tony Halme (later known as the WWF's Ludvig Borga) defeated Shinya Hashimoto by knockout at 1:58 of round three.
1990 - Joseph Magliano (the real name of Joey Maggs) defeats Danny Davis to win the USWA Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1991 - Joe Savoldi defeats The Tazmanic in Monticello, New York to win the IWCCW Light Heavyweight Title. The same day, Tom Brandi is awarded as the first IWCCW Television Champion.
1993 - Eastern Championship Wrestling held the first-ever "Holiday Hell" event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Chad Austin pinned Pitbull #1.
- Mike Awesome pinned Randy Starr. This was Awesome's ECW debut.
- ECW Tag Team Champions Kevin Sullivan and The Tazmaniac defeated Tommy Cairo and ECW Maryland Champion J.T. Smith, when Tazmaniac pinned Cairo, to retain the title.
- Shane Douglas pinned Tommy Dreamer.
- Mr. Hughes defeated The Sandman by knockout.
- Rockin' Rebel defeated Don E. Allen.
- Terry Funk pinned ECW Heavyweight and Television Champion Sabu in a No Disqualification match to win the Heavyweight Title for the first time.
- Pat Tanaka pinned Rocco Rock in a Body Count match.
- Tommy Dreamer won a Lights Out Battle Royal.
1993 - Rocky Dellaserra defeats Billy Two Eagles for the West Coast Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Cloverdale, British Columbia, ending Two Eagles' second reign.
1994 - The USWA Tag Team Title changes hands twice in Memphis, Tennessee. Beauty and the Beast (Jim and Ron Harris) defeat The Moondogs (Rex and Spot), ending their second reign. Immediately after, PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) defeated Beauty and the Beast, to begin their fourth reign.
1995 - The Samoan Gangsters win the vacant IWCCW Tag Team Title in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
1995 - Jerry Lawler wins the SMW Heavyweight Title for the second time, although SMW had folded a month earlier, defeating Brad Armstrong in Louisville, Kentucky, ending his second reign. The title change was repeated the following night in Memphis, Tennessee, before the title was officially retired on December 30. Lawler would be the last man to hold the title, as the company folded in 1996.
1997 - ECW ran at the Lost Battalion Hall in Queens, New York. The results were:
- The Great Sasuke defeated Tiger Mask IV.
- Jerry Lynn defeated Chris Chetti.
- Justin Credible defeated Tommy Dreamer.
- ECW World Tag Team Champions Chris Candido & Lance Storm defeated Balls Mahoney & Axl Rotten and The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers) in a three-way dance.
- The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) defeated Spike Dudley and New Jack.
- Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, Al Snow and ECW World Television Champion Taz defeated Doug Furnas, Phil Lafon, Sabu and Rob Van Dam.
1997 - The Army Of Darkness (Incubus and Dr. Luther) defeat The BBC (Mike Rosselli and Randy Tyler) for the Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in New Westminster, British Columbia.
1998 - ECW ran a show at the Lost Battalion Hall in Queens, New York. The results:
- Spike Dudley pinned Lance Storm in 10 seconds.
- Yoshihiro Tajiri pinned The Prodigy.
- Reckless Youth pinned Nova.
- The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers) defeated Danny Doring and Roadkill.
- Super Crazy pinned Antifaz del Norte.
- ECW World Television Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Skull Von Crush.
- The Dudleys (Big Dick, Buh Buh Ray, D-Von Dudley) defeated Chris Chetti, Rex King and Wolfie D.
- Balls Mahoney, New Jack and Axl Rotten defeated The Dudleys (Big Dick, Buh Buh Ray, D-Von Dudley).
1998 - Chris Michaels defeats Mike Rapada for the NWA North American Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee.
1999 - Flash Flanagan defeats Rico Constantino to win the OVW Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky.
1999 - Manami Toyota and Miho Wakizawa defeat Kumiko Maekawa and Tomoko Watanabe in the finals of the annual AJW The Best Tag Team League.
1999 - Mr. Pogo, Shouji Nakamaki and Ichiro Yaguchi defeat Atsushi Ohnita, Shigeo Okumura and Mitsunobu Kikuzawa to become the first World Barbed-Wire Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Champions in Kobe, Japan.
1999 - Ladies' Choice defeats Moondog Manson to win the ECCW Hardcore Title in New Westminster, British Columbia.
1999 - Hector Garza defeats Pirata Morgan for the International Wrestling Council World Heavyweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico, ending Morgan's second reign.
2001 - Disco Fury defeats American Dragon for the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title in Surrey, British Columbia, beginning his fourth reign.
2002 - CIMA defeats Milano Collection A.T. in Tokyo, Japan to win the Ultimo Dragon Gym International Light Heavyweight Title.
2003 - Ikuto Hidaka and Dick Togo defeat Naohiro Hoshikawa and Tatsuhito Takaiwa in a tournament final to become the first NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champions in Tokyo, Japan.
2003 - Danny Fargo (real name Audie Hager) dies of cancer at age 44.
2004 - Ring of Honor holds "Final Battle 2004" at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania National Guard Armory. The results were:
- Jimmy Jacobs defeated Trent Acid.
- Deranged and Lacey defeated AngelDust and Becky Bayless in a Mixed Tag Team match, when Lacey pinned Bayless.
- Rockin' Rebel defeated Devon Moore.
- Homicide defeated Josh Daniels.
- ROH Pure Champion John Walters defeated Jimmy Rave by submission to retain the title.
- Dan Maff and B.J. Whitmer defeated The Carnage Crew (Loc and DeVito) in a Fight Without Honor.
- Jay Lethal defeated Prince Nana's Weapon of Mask Destruction #2.
- Steve Corino and CM Punk defeated Alex Shelley and Roderick Strong.
- Low Ki and Bryan Danielson fought to a no contest.
- Austin Aries defeated Samoa Joe to win the ROH Heavyweight Title, ending Samoa Joe's 22-month reign as champion. Samoa Joe defeated Xavier for the title on March 22, 2003.
2004 - Too Cool II (Tim Grind & Flex) defeat Bill Dundee & Kevin White and Mordecai & Nicholas Doom in a Triple Threat match to become the first Memphis Wrestling Southern Tag Team Champions in Memphis, Tennessee.
2004 - Vance Desmond defeats Rocky Reynolds to win the NWA Tri-State X Division Title in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
2005 - Chris Khan defeats Johnny Lightning for the NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Title in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Khan had another title win on the same show, as he and Vance Desmond defeated J.D. Escalade and The Juggulator to win the vacant NWA Tri-State Tag Team Title.
2006 - Former WCW wrestler Tyler Mane was hired to reprise Michael Meyers in the Rob Zombie directed remake of horror classic "Halloween."
2006 - BxB Hulk, Anthony W. Mori and Super Siesar defeat Naruki Doi, Gamma and Masato Yoshino in Kobe, Japan to win the Dragon Gate Open the Triangle Gate Title.
2006 - WWE ran Hershey, PA. Joe Stein filed the following live report:
Just passing along a house show report from Hershey, PA. that I attended last night. I must say at first I was a little disappointed when I recently found out this was only a house show, and was hesitant to the product after my disappoint of being at Survivor Series live. Both concerns were put aside as this show was entertaining, despite sporadic periods of boredom. The Giant Center probably holds over 10,000 for this kind of show and I would say it was about 2/3 full (approx. 7,000 people) At the door, ALL SIGNS were being taken... well supposedly. More on that later...
The matches in slightly correct order:
Theodore Long comes out and talks to the crowd.
Chris Benoit def. Chavo Guerrero (no Vicki) - U.S. title match, lengthy, good quality match.
George Murdoch def. Scotty 2 Hotty - Lots of bear hugs and slow power moves by G.M. The match had some high and low points. (George was a young looking, large guy: listed as 370lbs. missed where he was from)
C.M. Punk def. Hardcore Holly via submission - Anaconda Vice. Typical match with usual spots. Entertaining.
Matt Hardy def. Gregory Helms - non-title match. Good as usual, much like their TV. bouts.
Daivari and Great Khali def. Tommy Dreamer and Sandman. Good match, Daivari is great, works the crowd well when on the apron and entertains in the ring. After the match Tommy thanks the PA. fans, mentions ECW's tie to PA. etc... gives a little kid his shirt. Typical, but entertaining stuff.
RVD def. Sabu - Extreme Rules match. Over the past two months this started out as a fatal 4-way, then a triple threat, now it was just these two. Very good match with awesome spots, nothing too crazy but if you want a hardcore match, may as well have these two do it.
Kane vs. MVP ended in no contest - Kennedy comes out to interfere, leaves with MVP.
Intermission
Winter Bikini contest - Sylvan comes out, kicks Justin Roberts out of ring, bashes Hershey etc... Out comes Rebecca, Kelly, Kristal and Ashley. They take forever and do their thing, right before judging (Sylvan wants to award Kristal as the winner) Santa comes out. Santa throws out goodies and talks before stripping down and we are all treated with Big Dick Johnson. BDJ and the ladies leave. Sylvan is in the ring when Boogeyman's lights and music hit. He comes from under the ring, beats up Sylvan, eats worms and leaves.
Lashley def. Test - ECW title. Not too bad of a match for two big guys, Test really gets crowd heat.
Teddy Long comes out and tells us what we already have been told on TV and radio for weeks, main event will be a cage match. Cage takes FOREVER to set up, as if it was everyone's first time. Teddy Long comes back out and says to pass time we will look for the best sign and the winner can go back stage after the show. THE CROWD BOOS. Why? Because 90% of signs were taken at the door... not just offensive ones either. So when people front row tried to explain this, the ring master of taking the signs told them to sit down. Eventually Justin Roberts and Teddy Long caught on but couldn't do anything about it. Some little kid ended up winning.
Main event: Batista def. Booker (w/ Sharmell) - World Heavyweight title. Decent match, Booker is so entertaining.
No announcements afterwards.
Loudest pops:
Batista - entrance and win
Lashley - entrance
Matt Hardy - entrance and win
RVD - entrance
Kane - entrance
Loudest Heat:
King Booker
Test
Daivari and Khali
2007 - WWE released Johnny Jeter.
2007 - WWE ran a Smackdown house show in Albany. NY. Patrick Conklin filed the following results:
Usual well attended post Holiday House Show for WWE. Lots of kids with Mysterio masks and shirts. People were disappointed Rey wasn't there.
Teddy Long opens the show running down the card. Edge/Batista is No DQ.
1. Tommy Dreamer b Elijah Burke
Good response for Tommy. Dreamer wins clean with the DDT.
2. Mark Henry b Jimmy Wang Yang
Yang got some hope spots but pretty much a squash. Henry wins clean via Bearhug submission.
3. John Morrison and Miz b Festus and Jesse.
Pre match mic work by Morrison and Miz leading to them ripping off Rick Rude's old male stripper act. Festus was over doing the bell gimmick.
Morrison pinned Jesse with a rollup for the finish.
4. Best Body Contest: Kelly Kelly b Victoria, Layla and Michelle McCool
Victoria was great doing the clumsy heel act.
No thongs. They have really toned down the outfits.
Kelly won.
Post match saw Noble come out and try to ask Michelle out on another date but Palumbo interrupted. Palumbo runs down Noble and eventually attacks him. Leading to...
5. Jamie Noble b Chuck Palumbo
The crowd wasn't into Noble as a babyface yet. Very little heat. Noble wins with a roll up.
6. CM Punk b Chavo Guerrero
Real good match. Punk wins clean with the Go to Sleep.
7. MVP b Carlito
MVP tried to get Carlito to cancel the match so they could go to Miami for the good weather. Carlito turned face and decided to fight.
MVP wins with his finisher.
8. Edge b Batista in a NO DQ match
Great match. They brawled through the crowd early on. Tons of near falls with both guys busting out their main moves. Major Brother interfere. Batista squashes them. Edge hits Batista with the belt while up in the Batista bomb for the finish.
9. Undertaker and Kane b Big Daddy V and Great Khali
Slow match. Majority of the match was Kane trying to get out of Khali's claw hold.
Double chokeslam on Khali for the pin.
2008 - Rollin' Hard, who was a regular, entertaining part of the early era of Ian Rotten's IWA Mid-South passed away following a long battle with colon cancer today. Hard, who held the IWA Mid-South championship, was billed as the "food stamp champ" coming out to the Sanford & Son and Fat Albert theme songs, a Caucasian wrestler with a huge black afro. As anyone who ever saw Hard work can attest, it was an awesome gimmick and he was an entertaining performer.
IWA's Jim Fannin sent out the following today, which IWA reprinted on their website and to their mailing list. It will do a far better job of discussing the love that those in the industry who worked with Hard had for him and his family.
There is no amount of time that allows you to prepare yourself for the inevitable when you want to hope against hope for a different outcome.
I can't even begin to put into words the heartbreak that I am feeling right now over losing a friend and yet another former member of the Fannin Family over the years. I could take a little solace in knowing that in a matter of moments, Chris Candido/JProdigy/Rollin will be winning the 6 Man Tag Championship in Heaven. However, the true solace comes from knowing that my friend got exactly what he wanted: Christmas at home with his family and then an end to all the pain and agony that had filled his life.
Rollin Hard was a fighter right until the end and that is why he will always be a champion and role model in my eyes. He fought this thing for so long and so hard that he became an inspiration to many. Hopefully everyone on this board and other wrestling boards is a little more aware of colon cancer and will be getting checkups to make sure that they don't have to endure what my friend has. Early detection can be a life saver and that would then make Rollin a life saver.
Rollin will always have a special place in my heart. When I started in wrestling, Mitch Page and myself always talked about how I would manage him while we were doing security and setting up the ring. I started
managing Ian at first to break in so he could give me on the job training and help me from anear. Since I was good friends with Ian, it almost felt like I hadn't "earned" it just yet since he was leading me and showing me the way.
It was when I made my break away from Ian and got to manage on my own that I felt like I had begun to "earn" my spot. The first two people that I managed were Mitch and Rollin. Rollin was my first heavyweight champion after the two Ian won with me as a manager. I will always remember how excited and thrilled Rollin
was when he won the IWA title. He took all kinds of pictures at home with the belt and I hope Angie and the kids still have those pictures to remember that great time in Rollin's life.
I'll always remember the IWA softball team and how Rollin along with Corporal and Cash were like the only good players and Rollin was the only one to hit a home run over the fence on the team. The games were on Monday nights so the guys would still be sore as hell and beat up from Saturday night but it was such a fun time for all of us even though we lost every time we didn't play the Dixie Highway Fire Department.
I'll also always remember the last time I saw Rollin. Mitch and I went to visit him and watch the UK/Florida football game a couple of months ago. It was a perfect visit where we could talk Cubs, Bears, UK sports and just have a normal day.
Rollin was an inspiration and a hero and one of the toughest men that I ever got the honor to meet. He will be sorely missed.
I love you Rollin and I'm so thankful that I got to meet you and to know that you are in a much better place and finally feeling no pain. RIP and say hi to JProdigy and Candido for me behind the pearly gates.
2008 - Mick Foley posted a long response to a Sports Illustrated article about "The Wrestler" which painted Foley as some sort of star who, like the character Randy the Ram, had fallen on hard times:
Former WWF champion Mick Foley posted the following response to Sports llustrated, responding to the magazine's Adam Duerson's inclusion of him in a review of "The Wrestler" comparing Foley to Mickey Rourke's character of Randy the Ram:
To: Sports Illustrated Editorial Dept.
"At a recent New York city screening of 'The Wrestler', one decidedly homeless-looking fellow stood out in the smartly dressed crowd." So begins Adam Duerson's review of Darren Aranofsky's new film 'The Wrestler" in the 12/22/08 issue of Sports Illustrated. My name is Mick Foley-a 3 time WWE Champion and author (hand-written, no ghost writer) of two New York Times 1 Bestselling Memoirs - and I am that decidedly homeless-looking fellow who Duerson sat next to at a December 5 media screening of the critically acclaimed movie.
I play an important role in Duerson's review; the real life man seemingly facing many of the same challenges that Mickey Rourke's fictional Randy The Ram Robinson, an aging broken down wrestler, faces in the film. Early in the review Duerson sites my oversized duffle bag, in addition to a "billowing red flannel shirt and sweat pants and a crude Grizzly Adams haircut". That duffle bag makes an appearance later in the review as an example that "finding dignity in retirement can be tricky". You see, of all things, the duffle bag contained…drum roll please…a Santa Claus suit that I was to wear at a Twisted Sister Holiday Show later that evening. Duerson follows that shocking revelation by writing, "He's not broke, he explained, but he is still making appearances on the road at least 10 days a month".
Here is the problem; Adam Duerson, in his quest to find a theme or hook for his review, lets his omission of facts and questionable interpretation of details and events pertaining to his time spent with me, mar what could have been a fine piece of journalism.
Earlier today, I spoke at considerable length (40 minutes) with Duerson, who seemed to have had trouble seeing why I might find his portrayal of me in the review to be unflattering. I told him it was clear to me, that based on his review, Sports Illustrated readers (according to Wikipedia, over 3 million subscribers, up to 20 million weekly readers) would be likely to see me as a former wrestling star, fallen on rough times, taking jobs as a homeless-looking Santa Claus at rock concerts just to get by.
"You did know," I said to Duerson " that I was there, like you, as a journalist, reviewing the movie?"
"Yes," Duerson said, "I did".
A few days earlier I had been asked by Slate.com, a popular and respected web site of the Washington Post to write a review from a wrestler's prospective. I asked Duerson why he had failed to mention this little fact. Duerson told me he was pretty sure he had used the words "media screening" in his review, which would have at least somewhat conveyed the idea to the reader that I was attending the screening as a journalist. Except, as I informed him, the word "media" is nowhere to be found. Just "screening", all by its lonesome. Duerson then told me that his editor, Mark Bechtel (a senior S.I. editor, a writer of the magazine since 1995), had decided not to include the word "media".
"You do know I have written books, (8 of them) right?" I said to Duerson. Yeah, turns out he knew but opted not to include that little fact. Why are these omissions important? Because, in my opinion, mentioning them would be an inconvenient conflict with the guy that Duerson and his editor seem to want in this story. Let's face it, if Duerson mentioned the Slate review, or five New York Times best-selling books (only two went to 1), his suggestions that follow would lack a certain amount of credibility. Apparently, they did not want to infer that the homeless looking fellow with the Santa suit might actually be doing just fine; that he not only had been legendarily thrifty with his wrestling money but had other income sources as well.
And about that Santa suit? The one that illustrates the trickiness in finding dignity in retirement? "Did you really think I was doing it for money?" I asked him. Duerson told me that I had referred to the Twisted Sister appearance as "my next gig" O.K. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one, even if the Oxford American Dictionary that I am looking at right now makes no allusion or mention of payment or compensation in its definition of "gig". So let me be clear – I was not paid for this "gig" which I had penciled in on my calendar last New Year's Eve when the band's lead singer Dee Snider, a long time personal friend, asked me to. Besides, I love being Santa – go ahead google Mick Foley and Santa or Mick Foley and Santa's Village. I dare you.
I asked Duerson if the very act of putting on the red suit and hat was undignified. If dressing up as the big guy in front of thousands of service members in Iraq in 2004 was undignified? If doing likewise in Afghanistan a year later was undignified? He assured me it was not. So, what exactly made this Twisted Sister situation so utterly lacking in dignity? Granted, helping out a famous friend may not be the same as entertaining troops in a war zone, but was it really that demeaning? According to Duerson, it was the association with a band, Twisted Sister, that was "stuck in the 80's" that seemed undignified.
As it turns out, omitting the word "media" was not Mark Bechtel's only decision (at least according to my conversation with Duerson) to alter the original text. Let's return to an earlier sentence "He's not broke he explained, but he is still making appearances on the road at least 10 days a month."
The phrase "he's not broke", Duerson explained to me, was not his idea. Duerson's original text (according to him) read: "He doesn't need the money". Is this just a subtle editorial alteration or is it a sizable shift in tone, message and implied inference? It is my belief that the text was re-worded in order to show me in a less enviable financial position. "Doesn't need the money" is simply not the same as "He's not broke". One sentence implies success, the other failure. One sentence suggests winner, the other loser.
Now, lets get to those 10 appearances a month on the road. Duerson has already established that I am a homeless looking fellow, finding dignity in retirement to be tricky. In his review, Duerson actually does an effective job in describing the harsh reality facing Rourke's washed up, broken down Ram character; writing of "dreary autograph shows where no one shows up" and "tussling in 500 seat hotel ballrooms."
So, given Duerson's previous description of me, given the description of the Ram's depressing appearances, and given a total lack of information of any kind about my "10 appearances a month", what kind of conclusion can a reader be expected to reach? Would a reader guess, for example, that I'd lectured at MIT? Apparently, Duerson failed to do much research concerning my actual appearances. Five minutes (or less) of research would have shown him that five of those monthly appearances are for TNA Wrestling; four of them on Spike's nationally televised and internationally broadcast TNA Impact and one on national Pay Per View.
A little more background work on Duerson's part might have unearthed even more information about my appearances. When I spoke to Duerson on the phone for the first time – December 10th – I was in North Carolina to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which raises money for troops suffering from brain trauma and injury. Two days later, I drove seven hours in the rain, sleet and snow to take part in a toy drive for needy children. He might have even mentioned my November trip to the West African country of Sierra Leone where I attended the dedication of four small community schools that I had funded. There is a nice little story on www.poststar.com (search Mick Foley) if anyone wants to look at a slightly different portrait than the one that Mr. Duerson offered to the Sports Illustrated readership. And hey, I just spent part of my Christmas Eve with a few hundred homeless people - real homeless people too, not just homeless looking, like me. Real kids in need, living in shelters, wondering if Santa might have a little something for them too. Real parents, down on their luck, depending on the kindness of strangers and the magic of Christmas (a wonderful group called Christmas Magic) to make their holidays a little brighter. Maybe I should have shared the SI review with them - they might have gotten a kick out of Adam Duerson's insensitive stereotype of what he seems to think homeless people look like.
Which brings me back to Duerson's opening line, "One decidedly homeless looking fellow stood out in the smartly dressed crowd." Decidedly homeless? Who exactly made that decision? Did the smartly dressed crowd (which Duerson apparently considered himself one of) reach some kind of consensus while I was busy being caught up in Mickey Rourke's remarkable performance? I am well aware of the casual nature of my wardrobe and will admit to an occasional fashion faux pas. As a matter of fact, I just received a Christmas card from General James Conway, the commandant (head honcho) of the United States Marine Corps and I immediately thought back to my regrettable decision to wear sweat pants and work boots when I was a guest in his home.
At a couple of points during our 40 minute conversation, Duerson claimed that I didn't fully understand what it was like to work with editors. Actually, I do. I have written eight books, remember? I have worked with several editors, including a tough but very helpful one on my Slate piece. I certainly don't know everything about the editorial process, but I do know this: A writer fights for what he believes is important in a piece of work, whether it be a memoir, a novel, a children's book or a movie review.
I wonder if Adam Duerson fought for his viewpoint when faced with his editor's proposed changes. I think he knew his editor's changes would alter the reader's perception of me in a negative way. I would like to think he knew that his initial way was more accurate; still misleading but slightly more accurate. But, I believe Adam Duerson lacked either the ability or willingness to effectively fight for what he should have known was right.
In a way, it is a shame Mr. Duerson chose to sit next to me at all. At the time of his arrival there were plenty of available seats at that small media screening. He chose to sit next to me, he told me during that December 10th phone call, specifically because he knew who I was and thought that a wrestler's insight would be helpful. It's a shame because it seems like I got in the way of what is in some ways a well written review of a great movie. Certainly, I second Mr. Duerson's belief that The Wrestler is the sports movie of the year. As anyone who reads my Slate review will see, I did feel a distinct emotional connection to Rourke's character. If Duerson had chosen to examine that emotional connection instead of concentrating on a misleading representation of my current status in life, I may have made a valuable addition to his review. Sadly, he let his sense of fashion and musical taste stand in the way of a more nuanced parallel between life and art.
You know, that Adam Duerson phone call had me down for most of the day. For a kid who grew up with SI covers plastered to his walls, being depicted as a homeless looking fellow, having trouble finding dignity in retirement was a pretty severe blow. But, a few hours ago I received a phone call that brightened my day. It was Mickey Rourke, calling to say he had read my review for Slate and really enjoyed it, that my words had meant a lot to him. Words that millions of Sports Illustrated readers would not have known the existence of.
2009 - WWE signed Saron Snuka, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka, who would go on to debut on the main roster as Tamina.
2009 - TNA President Dixie Carter announced that Nick and Matt Jackson, The Young Bucks, had been signed by the company. They would go on to debut as Generation Me. The team would leave the company in 2011.
2009 - WWE signed Luchastar Incognito, who would go on to debut on the Smackdown roster as the evil Sin Cara. After being unmasked, he would continue to work under his WWE developmental name, Hunico.
2010 - WWE ran Madison Square Garden in NYC. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
World Wrestling Entertainment kicked off the Raw side of their holiday week house shows with a 12/26 return to Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately for the company, it also fell in the midst of a major blizzard in the area, which left the crowd somewhere in the area of 12,000-14,000 fans. About two thirds of the venue was full, but you could see scattered empty seats everywhere and lots of sections having chunks of seats available.
*ZacK Ryder won a 12 Man "Big Apple" Battle Royal to earn a title shot against United States champion Daniel Bryan later tonight. Alex Riley wore a Miami Heat jersey to get heat. Huge "Santino' chant early as everyone fought. In the end, Nexus teamed to work over Marella and after several hope spots, they knocked him to the floor. It came down to Nexus vs. Henry as Ryder hid outside the ring. Henry tossed Michael McGillicutty and Ryder returned to shove Henry and Otunga over as they battled. Ryder cut a quick promo saying he was going to win the title tonight. Pretty standard stuff but denying us Regal vs. Bryan is criminal!
Order of elimination was Darren Young, Primo, Vladimir Kozlov, Yoshi Tatsu, Alex Riley, DH Smith, William Regal, Santino Marella, Michael McGillicutty, Mark Henry and David Otunga.
We received an email from the Raw General Manager as Michael Cole came out to relay it. Merry Christmas from WWE folks! Cole announced a card change with John Cena vs. Wade Barrett in a steel cage and WWE champion The Miz vs. Randy Orton. It was supposed to be a Four Way bout for the WWE title. Cole then received another email asking everyone to welcome tonight's guest host, Michael Cole. Gail Kim was advertised as the guest host the week of the show.
*Tyson Kidd pinned DH Smith in a battle of the former Hart Dynasty. Smith cleaned house early and Kidd retreated to the floor, stalling. Smith continued working over Kidd in the corner and clotheslined him over the top to the floor. Smith followed Kidd up the aisle and worked him over, then pressed Kidd up and tossed him back into the ring. Smith missed a charge in the corner and was nailed with a kick to the back of the heat. Kidd used his boot to choke Smith, then suplexed him over for a two count. Kidd locked in a side chinlock. He nailed Smith with a dropkick while rebounding off the ropes for a two count. Smith mounted a comeback with a series of clotheslines. He held up Kidd for a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. He went for the Sharpshooter but Kidd made it to the ropes before Smith could turn it. Kidd caught Smith low and locked in a Sharpshooter of his own. Smith fought to get to the ropes and made it. Kidd missed a guillotine leg drop across the apron. Ouch! Kidd nailed a springboard dive into a pinfall but Smith reversed it for a two count. Kidd caught him from behind and rolled him up and hooked the tights for the pin. Solid. Smith got a nice ovation on the way out.
Eve Torres came out, dressed like a sexy Santa and asked a child a trivia question to be the next bell ringer. The question was the title of the next PPV.
*The Bellas defeated Melina and Maryse in a Santa's Helpers Match. All four started shoving each other before the bell. The Bellas doubled up on Maryse. One of the Bellas chased Maryse around the ring but was cut off as they returned. Melina tagged in and dropped a leg for a two count. She slammed her face-first into the mat. Melina tagged back out and Maryse locked in a chinlock. The Bella tried to make a comeback but Maryse forced her back to the mat. Maryse then knocked the other Bella off the apron to prevent a tag. Melina tagged in and tried to do the Matrix to avoid a Bella but slipped. There was, in theory, a hot tag. All four battled. A Bella finally caught Melina with a facebuster for the pin. They tried but at times, this wasn't pretty.
*WWE Tag Team champions Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov defeated The Nexus, Justin Gabriel and Husky Harris. Nexus got a huge heel reaction coming out. Another email just as they were about to face off. The General Manager demanded a dance off. The Fans chanted, "What?" The champs danced and the Nexus attacked them from behind. Fans were all over the Nexus. Gabriel choked out Santino. Santino caught him with a rollup for a two. Gabriel regained control and tagged Harris in. Harris caught him with a nice looking lariat. Harris locked in a side chinlock. Marella escaped and tagged in Kozlov. Kozlov tackled Harris, who rolled out of the ring. Harris came back to slam Kozlov then tagged Gabriel, who hit a slingshot senton into the ring. Gabriel cinched on an armbar but Kozlov fought his way out. The Nexus worked over Kozlov with stomps. Gabriel came off the ropes with a kick. Gabriel cinched in a front facelock. Kozlov tried to fight his way to a tag but the Nexus worked him over and dragged him back to their corner. Harris nailed him a running splash in the corner. Gabriel came off the top with a stomp on Gabriel. Kozlov finally backdropped Gabriel and made the hot tag to Santino. Marella nailed a stunner on Gabriel. He covered Gabriel. Harris tried to break it up but Santino moved. Kozlov knocks Harris out of the ring. Santino nailed the cobra and scored the pin. Good match with a lot more wrestling than usual from the champs and very little comedy after the dancing. Big pop for the win.
Roddy Piper came out to a big pop for Piper's Pit. Big chant for Piper when he hit the ring. Piper said no amount of snow was going to keep him from the Garden. He said he's fought giants, midgets and once dated Moolah, so he's a tough man. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and said he's amazed that they even still let him back in the doors. Piper said that last time we saw him, he told John Cena to do the right thing and Cena did so Piper is proud of him. Piper started talking about the 50 Greatest Superstars of All Time and bragged he was higher than Hulk Hogan on the list, landing at number 10. He began recounting some of the places some of the other top ten Superstars placed. Piper then introduced Tito Santana, noting he wasn't in the top 50. No real reaction for Tito. Sgt. Slaughter was supposed to be in this spot but since he was unable to fly in due to the blizzard, they called Santana, who lives in New Jersey. Piper put over Tito for his toughness. Tito said that he doesn't see his picture on the DVD but he'd think he'd find himself on the DVD. Piper told Santana that he has that fiery Mexican temper. Piper said he doesn't remember wrestling Santana in the Garden. Santana said that they never wrestled in the Garden. Piper asked Santana who he thinks would have won if they had wrestled. Piper said that he knows who would have won. Piper said he beat Mr. T. Santana said that he beat Greg Valentine. Piper said that had they wrestled, Piper would have kicked his butt. The Raw GM emailed in saying this was the most boring Pit of all time. I can't argue that one. He insulted them and ordered them to leave the ring. Piper said that the GM should come out and make them. The GM said he has ordered two individuals to escort them from the ring. The Usos came to the ring and faced off with the legends. They tried to force them out of the ring but Tito tossed one out and Piper clotheslined the other out of the ring. The legends big farewell to the audience.
*WWE champion The Miz, with Alex Riley, pinned Randy Orton. Before the bout, Miz took the mic and ripped on the crowd boasting that he earned his WWE title. When the crowd tried to do his catch phrase, he cut everyone off and said that if you have something to say, raise your hand. He asked a kid at ringside if he had something to say but when the kid went to answer, responded that he didn't care what anyone had to say. Miz got tons of heel heat. Orton got a big reaction and kept control early, beating Miz up outside and in the ring. Orton slammed Miz into the railing and tossed him into the ring. Miz cut of Orton with a dropkick as he returned to the ring. Miz kicked Orton in the face and covered him for a two count. Orton cut off Miz with a clothesline and drilled him with the Garvin Stomp. Orton used the old Tully Blanchard catapult under the ropes on Miz. Miz regained control with a series of knees to the back and elbows to the face. Miz dragged Orton to the floor and slammed him into the stairs. Miz choked Orton against the ropes, then covered him for a two count. Orton rolled out to the floor, where Riley tried to attack him but Orton laid him out. Miz grabbed Orton and slammed him into the ring post. He tossed Orton back in for a two count. There hadn't been a great deal of reaction until the post shot. The crowd began chanting that Miz sucks. Orton mounted a comeback but was cut off with a kick to the gut. The crowd began chanting for Orton. Orton began drilling Miz with a series of rights but was cut off with a back elbow for a two count. Miz went to the top rope but Orton cut him off and began drilling him with right hands. Orton went up for a superplex, which got a nice pop when he nailed it. Orton covered Miz for a two count. Orton and Miz battled back and forth with punches. Orton drilled Miz with a clothesline and a snap slam. Orton nailed his backbreaker for a two count. Orton went for a move but Riley jumped on the apron. Orton went after him, allowing Miz to kick him and nail a hangman's neckbreaker. Miz and Orton went back and forth with two counts. Orton drilled Miz with a beautiful standing dropkick, then nailed his hanging DDT. He teased the RKO but Riley got on the apron. Orton nailed him. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Orton shoved him off, nailing the ref. Miz caught Orton low and nailed the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin.
The Raw GM emailed, demanding the Miz to the locker room or face suspension. He then ordered Riley to face Randy Orton in a No Holds Barred Match right now. They started the match immediately...
*Randy Orton pinned Alex Riley. Orton attacked Riley and backdropped him several times. Riley came back but Orton cut him off and backdropped him again. Riley retreated to the floor, where Orton followed. Orton whipped him into the stairs and tossed him back in the ring. Orton motioned for the RKO and nailed it for the pin.
*WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan defeated Zach Ryder. Ryder blindsided Bryan at the bell and drilled him with a Facewash. He covered Bryan after a slam for a two count. He drilled Bryan with a neckbreaker for another two count. He went for another but Bryan reversed it and locked in the LeBell Lock for the submission. Short and sweet.
*John Morrison defeated Sheamus in a Street Fight.. Sheamus did mic work saying this was the city of Kings and said he ruled it. Morrison said it was the city of the Knicks and challenged for a Street Fight. Sheamus agreed. They battled back and forth and went to the floor. Sheamus slammed Morrison into the apron. He went to run Morrison into the ring post but Morrison moved and shoved Sheamus into the the stairs. Sheamus came back to whip Morrison into the stairs and covered him for a two count. Sheamus began working over Morrison's arm in the corner. Morrison locked in an armbar. The crowd rallied Morrison but Sheamus maintained control. Morrison tricked Sheamus into charging him and ducked, sending him over the top to the floor. Morrison followed up Sheamus clotheslined his leg. Sheamus pulled a Singapore Cane out from under the ring and began nailing Morrison with it. Morrison rolled back out but the assault continued. Sheamus charged but Morrison nailed a drop toehold into the corner and nailed a dropkick from the center turnbuckle. They both went for the cane but Morrison got it first. Sheamus begged off but Morrison began nailing him, which the crowd loved. He drilled Sheamus in the head, taking him out. Morrison went to the top for Starship Pain but Sheamus got his knees up. Sheamus nailed an Uranage over the knee but Morrison kicked up. Sheamus missed the pump kick but caught Morrison with a clothesline for a two count. He went for the cane but threw it out of the ring. He went to the floor and retrieved a chair. Sheamus began using it to work over Morrison's arm. He called for the High Cross on the chair but Morrison escaped and went for a backslide. Morrison kicked Sheamus into the chair then hit a leg lariat on the sitting Sheamus for the pin. Slow but solid.
*John Cena defeated Wade Barrett in a Steel Cage Match. The Raw GM emailed to announce that if anyone from Nexus interfered, Barrett would be suspended. Huge pop for Cena's entrance. By far, the biggest reaction of the night. Barrett tried to run up the cage and escape immediately but Cena stopped him, rammed him into the buckles and suplexed him for a two count. Cena whipped Barrett into the corner but was caught with an elbow as he charged in. Barrett peppered him with punches. Barrett tried to throw Cena into the cage but Cena blocked it. Cena nailed a pumphandle slam for a two count. Cena tried to escape but Barrett cut him off and worked him over. Barrett nailed Cena with a series of punches, then covered him for a two count. Barrett locked on a rear chinlock. Cena got to his feet but Barrett held on. Cena climbed up the corner but Barrett dropped down and elevated Cena on his shoulders for the Electric Chair for a two count. Barrett worked over Cen a with several elbows but Cena came back with a sideslam for a two count. Cena missed a charge in the corner and bounced off. Barrett tossed Cena face first into the cage for a two count. He tossed Cena into the cage and started to climb out. Barrett changed his mind and tossed Cena into the cage again. Cena caught up to him at the top of the cage. They battled on the top turnbuckle and Cena bulldogger Barrett into the ring for a two count. The crowd began rallying Cena. They exchanged punches in the center of the ring. Cena got the better of the exchange. They nailed each other with a double clothesline. Cena began crawling to the door but Barrett lapped him and made it out. Cena pulled him back in before he could reach the floor, but was kicked off and covered for a two count. Barrett tried to walk out but Cena attacked him. Barrett caught Cena with the Black Hole Slam for a two count. They jockeyed for position and Barrett was tossed into the cage. Cena collapsed, trying to regain his strength. Cena nailed several shoulderblocks and the five knuckle shuffle. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment. Barrett cut him off and sent him into the cage. The fans chanted for Cena to make the comeback and they got their wish. Cena caught Barrett, who was climbing the cage, with the Attitude Adjustment off the middle turnbuckle for the win. Decent.
Cena thanked the crowd for coming out and braving the blizzard. He then said he needed to talk to Vince McMahon about bringing another Wrestlemania to the Garden. Obviously, that got a big pop.
Overall, a very middle of the road show. There was a distinct lack of energy from the crowd due to the blizzard and it seemed like the company was trying to just get through the night as quickly as possible to get the crew out and to Albany for Raw tomorrow. Probably the least satisfying WWE card in the venue in some time, but given the circumstances and the environment, you have to grade them with a curve. It wasn't a terrible show, but certainly lacking the usual flair of a live card at the Garden.
Notes: Vince McMahon was backstage, as was John Laurinaitis....As noted, the show was nowhere close to sold out live as the blizzard (an inch an hour coming down in NYC alone) likely killed walk up sales and even kept people who held tickets from attending. Sales were also light going into the show with the company offering discount tickets for a group of four seats together for the first time I can ever recall....Several Florida based talents, including Heath Slater, Alicia Fox, Sgt. Slaughter and Gail Kim were unable to fly in for the show....Ring announcer Justin Roberts must have arrived late as the first few segments were handled by another WWE staffer I couldn't identify...They were heavily pushing the Wrestlemania 27 date....Lots of videos running during intermission for Tribute for the Troops and the WWE NYC history set to the Alicia Keys/Jay Z song....They were selling signed copies of the John Cena Experience DVD for $20....WWE returns to the NYC area on 12/30 with a Smackdown house show at the IZOD Center headlined by Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio and a Four Way Cage match with CM Punk, Kane and Big Show challenging World champion Edge....They announced a Raw house show for Saturday 3/19.
2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Rchard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Chicago, Illinois and your announcers are Michael ‘The Hawk Harrelson of wrestling announcers’ Cole and Jerry ‘The Harry Caray of wrestling announcers’ Lawler.
CM Punk’s music plays and John Laurinaitis sucks the excitement out of the crowd as he makes his way to the ring. John reminds us who he is. He says that when you heard the music, you expected one thing, but got another. John calls himself Mr. Excitement and he says that is proof of the unpredictability on Raw since he became the Interim General Manager of Raw. John says that he is the future and the cause of a Golden Era for WWE.
John says that he is honoring CM Punk tonight and he is a Punk believer.
Punk’s music plays and the real CM Punk makes his way to the ring. Punk does a Jack Swagger victory lap or three in the ring before getting in Laurinaitis’ face.
The fans chant for Punk and he soaks it in. He says that John is trying to antagonize him by poking the champion with a stick. Punk says that this is not an homage. He is trying to get a reaction out of him. Punk asks John what is stopping him from kicking him in the face.
John reminds Punk that he is his boss and he may fire Punk. John says that he is not here to fight with him. He wants to empower Punk with something he never expected. John says that Punk is off tonight. John tries to laugh with a gotcha.
Punk says that everyone thinks that John is not unpredictable. Punk says that aliens are watching on their spaceship and say that he is not unpredictable.
John says that he listens to the WWE Universe and they want to see Punk compete tonight. Punk will have at least two matches tonight. He will be in a gauntlet with John picking all three of his opponents. If they beat Punk, they will get a title match next week on Raw.
Punk comments on John’s decisions and he says that he is up for a challenge. Punk wants to know what happens when he beats John’s three guys. John says that he did not think about that.
Punk says that his head is full of great ideas. When he beats John’s three guys, Punk says that we get a fourth match. Punk asks everyone if they want to see him wrestle four times. Punk says that if he beats those three guys, the fourth match is CM Punk versus John Laurinaitis.
John tells Punk that he doesn’t want any of this and he says that it would not be fair to Punk because he already wrestled three matches.
Punk stops John’s monologue and he tells John to listen to the fans and their chants of “You Can’t Wrestle” and Punk says that they have been watching All Japan tapes.
Punk asks the WWE Universe if they would like John Laurinaitis to face CM Punk tonight and they appear to like the idea.
John tells Punk that he is on.
Before we go to commercial, we get another 1/2/12 commercial for the return of someone.
We are back and we take a look at photos from TLC and then we hear Booker’s Karoake attempt on Smackdown that cost Cody the match against Zack Ryder.
Match Number One: Booker T versus Cody Rhodes in a Non-Title you can only see this match on Raw, Smackdown, or Pay Per View Match
They lock up and Booker with a hammer lock but Cody with an elbow and side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Booker with a hip toss and chops followed by a knee and slam. Booker gets a near fall. Cody with a kick and punches. Cody kicks and punches Booker in the corner followed by a forearm. Booker with a back elbow to Cody’s head followed by a suplex.
Booker with a kick and he goes for the scissors kick but Cody moves and Cody with a kick and swinging neck breaker. Cody pulls down the kneepad and he connects with a knee to Booker. Cody with kicks to Booker and then he throws Booker to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cody with a key lock on Booker. Booker with punches and forearms to Cody followed by a chop. Booker with a knee in the corner followed by an Irish whip but he spins into an elbow from Cody. Cody kicks Booker and he pulls the kneepad down again. Cody with a knee drop and he rolls through and gets a near fall.
Cody with a snap mare and a quarter nelson and chin lock with a body scissors. Booker gets to his feet and he punches Cody. Cody with a drop down uppercut followed by a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Cody with kicks to the ribs and upper chest.
Cody with punches in the corner but Booker punches back. They exchange punches until Cody hits a drop kick. Cody works on the arm and he adds a chin lock. Cody with a knee to the kidneys when Booker tries to get out of the hold. Cody with punches followed by an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow from Booker followed by boots from Booker. Booker with a running forearm and clotheslines. Booker with a side slam for a near fall.
Cody with a head butt to the midsection and Booker with a floatover into a sunset flip for a near fall from Booker. Cody with a near fall of his own. Booker misses the Scissors Kick again and Cody with a rollup for a near fall. Cody with Beautiful Disaster that did not hit Booker snuggly and Cody only gets a near fall.
Cody with a kick and he sets for Cross Rhodes but Booker counters with a back heel kick and Booker misses a side kick. Booker with a knee followed by a Scissors Kick for the three count.
Winner: Booker T
It is now time for the least electrifying move in sports entertainment, the Spinaroonie.
Zack Ryder is in the locker room and he is telling someone it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for him and we see that he is thanking John Cena. Cena says that Zack owes him nothing. Everything happened because of Zack Ryder. He waited for that moment at TLC. Everyone in WWE was afraid to take the chance but Zack wouldn’t listen to them. Zack is the US Champion because he earned it. Zack says that he has a chance to make another Christmas wish come true.
Cena says that if Kane is anywhere in the building, the last Raw of 2011 will go out with a bang.
Zack wishes Cena luck and Cena wishes Zack luck.
Jerry Lawler tells us that CM Punk’s three opponents tonight are Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, and Mark Henry.
Big Show and Kelly Kelly are in the back and they are talking about Kelly’s blog. Scott Armstrong tells Show that he needs to meet with John Laurinaitis.
We go to commercial.
We are back and David Otunga is holding his coffee mug while John Laurinaitis is telling Brodus Clay that he will be debuting next week.
Big Show enters and he wants to know why Show punched Otunga last week, forcing him to spill his double mocha latte. David says that Show sucker punched him and he says that is a lawsuit. Otunga wants to know what man punches another without them looking. Otunga says that if he was ready . . .
Show says that he can beat Otunga any day of the week with one arm tied behind his back.
John tells Otunga to forget about a lawsuit to face Show with one arm tied behind his back.
Show says that a Giant with one arm is still better than a smug lawyer with no testicles. Show winds up for a punch and Otunga flinches.
The first two victims for the Punk Gauntlet are talking and Swagger doesn’t know why Ziggler is even dressed to wrestle. Ziggler tells Swagger to get in a time machine back to 2009 when he was the Champion. Swagger reminds Ziggler that he lost to Zack Ryder. Vickie stops by and she tells them that one of them will beat Punk tonight and will become the WWE Champion next week.
Mark Henry stops by and says Excuse Me.
Match Number Two: Eve Torres and Zack Ryder versus Tyson Kidd and Natalya
The men start off and they lock up. Kidd backs Ryder into the corner and he kicks Ryder followed by a forearm and more kicks. Kidd with a back elbow followed by a kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Kidd with a forearm to the head followed by an Irish whip but Ryder with knees followed by a drop kick from the turnbuckles.
Natalya tags in and Eve enters the match. Natalya pushes Eve and they lock up. Eve with a clean break. Eve with an arm drag and kick followed by a snap mare and a kick to the head followed by the booty shaking standing moonsault for a near fall. Natalya sends Eve into the ropes and then she slams Eve’s head into the mat. Natalya tries for the Sharpshooter but Eve kicks her off.
Ryder tags back in and Ryder with a flying forearm and clothesline. Ryder drives Kidd face first into the mat. Kidd with a back heel kick but Ryder with a sit out power bomb and Natalya makes the save. Eve with a drop kick to Natalya and then it is time for stereo running boots to the head. Ryder with the Rough Ryder for the three count.
Winners: Zack Ryder and Eve Torres
After the match, Ryder gives his United States Title belt to Eve.
We are back and it is time for John Cena to make his way to the ring to call out Kane, if Kane is in fact in the building tonight.
We see the footage from last week when Cena attacked Kane but Kane fought back.
The fans are on the ‘do not like’ side of the ledger tonight by a good margin.
Cena says that he is probably not Chicago’s favorite son. Cena says that he had his first match in this arena and he has been in this ring many times. He says that the city of Chicago has been salty towards him over the years. Cena says that he wants people to look around because there is magic in this building. Chicago has hosted three Wrestlemanias and inducted Eddie Guerrero into the Hall of Fame. Cena says that one of the greatest moments in recent WWE history took place in this ring when CM Punk beat him to win the WWE Championship this summer.
Some say that the home of the WWE is in New York City. Tonight, he sees another sold out crowd in Chicago and he sees the WWE Universe, not afraid to tell you how they feel. He points out that this is the last Raw of the year so he wants the world to remember this night and remember Chicago.
Cena calls out the Devil’s Favorite Demon and he wants Kane to come out.
Kane is not the one who comes out. Instead it is Miz.
Miz tells John that he wants to see him versus Cena. As the year comes to a close, they have some loose ends to tie up. 2011 was the Year of the Miz. He beat John Cena in the main event of Wrestlemania. The win was a bit tainted thanks to Dwayne. Miz tells the fans to stop with his stupid chants and he says that Rock stole his shining moment. Miz says that he wants to show everyone that he can beat Cena without the Rock. He wants everyone to see Miz standing triumphant over a beaten John Cena.
Cena tells Miz to shut up and wash the tan off his body. Cena tells Miz that he doesn’t have to badger him. All we need is a referee to get this on.
Match Number Three: John Cena versus MIz
They lock up and Cena with an arm drag. Cena with a waist lock take down as he continues to frustrate Miz. They lock up and Cena with a side head lock take down. Miz gets to his feet and Miz with a top wrist lock but Cena with an Irish whip and Miz goes to the floor.
Miz gets the mic and he tells everyone that they are chanting the wrong superstar’s name. Miz says that everyone needs to understand that he is the most must see champion of all time. Miz reminds Cena that he beat him at Wrestlemania. He beat him. This match does not matter in this crappy city. He did it on the grandest stage.
The referee makes the ten count while Miz says that he is a winner, just like the way that the Packers beat the Bears.
Winner: John Cena by count out
He wants to know if the people get it. Miz says that he is walking out of this crappy city with his head held high because he is the MIZ . . . and he is . . .
Interrupted by Miz’s former tag team partner R Truth who makes his way to the ringside area and Truth takes Miz down with a double leg take down and Truth slams Miz’s head into the mat and then he sends Miz into the ringside barrier. Miz sends Truth into the apron and then they fight over the announce table. Truth slams Miz’s head on the announce table and then he sends Miz into the announce table and ringside barrier.
Truth sends Miz into the ring steps.
Truth gets the mic and he punches Miz some more before Truth tells Miz that he could finish this right now. Truth says that there is no fun in that. Truth punches Miz and Miz tries to fight back. Truth says that is the problem with Christmas. You open all your presents and it’s over. Truth with more punches. He says that he wants every Monday to be like Christmas. He is going to take his time getting to Miz. He says that Little Jimmy says that it is okay. This New Year’s they gonna get got.
Truth gets a bottle of water and he hits Miz with it.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Truth’s attack on Miz.
We are told that Kane is in the building and he will address John Cena later tonight.
Match Number Four: Big Show versus ‘The Barrister Barista’ David Otunga in a Big Show has to have one arm tied behind his back Match
Otunga avoids Show as he moves around the ring. Otunga goes into the ropes and Show traps Otunga’s leg. Show with a head butt. Otunga avoids Show some more but Show with a chop. Show with a forearm to the back. Otunga with a kick but it has no effect. Otunga with a thrust kick but Show with a head butt. Otunga backs up on what Jerry Lawler called ‘his bicycle’. Show sends Otunga over the top rope to the floor and Mark Henry’s music plays.
Show removes the wrapping for his arm while Otunga stays on the ground and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Big Show by disqualification
Henry waits for Show to try to untie his arm but Mark Henry with a body block and Bryan comes out and he taunts Henry with his title belt. Henry turns around and Show grabs Henry by the throat. Otunga hits Show from behind and he proves that you don’t have to be smart to be a lawyer because Show choke slams Otunga.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Alberto Del Rio makes his way to the ring and he is in a wheelchair accompanied by Ricardo Rodriguez in a neck brace. Ricardo fights through the pain to introduce Alberto.
Alberto says that the man who won everything in 2011, the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and the WWE Title twice as well as the man who brought class and cajones to the WWE, he suffered an injury. Alberto says that last week he tore his groin. Alberto wants to know why the fans are cheering for an injury and he calls everyone peasants.
Alberto says that it doesn’t matter because he will be back.
To make things worse for Alberto, the Bellas come out to yell at the fans. Nikki says that when Del Rio recovers, she will throw a party in her honor. Brie yells at Nikki for copying her idea.
Alberto shuts them up and he tells them both to leave. Alberto says that he promises one thing and that is his New Year’s Resolution. He will be back and he will be more vicious and more aggressive than ever. He will destroy whoever he has to in order to be WWE Champion again.
Alberto tells Ricardo that it is time to leave.
We go to commercial with CM Punk walking in the back.
Match Number Five Part 1 of the CM Punk Gauntlet: CM Punk versus Jack Swagger with Vickie Guerrero
They lock up and Punk with a side head lock but Swagger with a waist lock. Punk with a wrist lock and a kick to the leg and a Greco Roman knuckle luck but Swagger gains an advantage. Punk with a bridge and Punk gets back to a neutral position. Swagger with a knee and side head lock. Swagger with a shoulder tackle but Punk with a leg lariat and a near fall.
Punk with knees and kicks to the side. Swagger with a gutbuster and elbow drops followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Swagger with a waist lock. Punk with an elbow and Swagger runs into a boot. Punk with a cross body but Swagger catches Punk and hits another gutbuster but Swagger was under the ropes.
Swagger with knees in the corner followed by a knee when it looked like he was going for an Irish whip. Punk catches Swagger when he tries for the Swagger Bomb. Swagger avoids the Go To Sleep but he cannot avoid a round kick to the head.
Winner: CM Punk
Match Number Five Part 2: CM Punk versus Dolph Ziggler with Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero
Before Ziggler gets into the ring, Swagger clips Punk and he attacks the knee.
We go to commercial.
The match is joined in progress. Ziggler works on Punk’s knee that was injured by Swagger between the first two matches. Punk with kicks to get Ziggler to release the hold. Punk tries for a slam but he cannot hold Ziggler up and Ziggler gets a near fall with a lateral press. Ziggler with kicks to the leg and he gets a near fall.
Ziggler traps the arm and punches Punk in the leg. Ziggler tries for a suplex but Punk with an inside cradle for a near fall. Ziggler clips Punk and gets a near fall with a rollup. Ziggler tries to add pressure to the injured knee and he does a DDT to the leg.
Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall. Ziggler with a bow and arrow on Punk and Punk refuses to give up. Punk with a head butt to get out of the hold as he tries to use other weapons. Punk blocks a drop kick and he catapults Ziggler into the ring post and both men are down.
Punk with a neck breaker attempt but Ziggler sends Punk into the corner and Ziggler kicks Punk in the bad knee. Ziggler with an elbow and he gets a near fall. Ziggler kicks Punk in the leg and then he applies a single leg crab. Punk tries to press out of the hold and he crawls closer to the ropes. Punk reaches for the ropes and he gets there so Ziggler has to release the hold and he waits until the last moment to release the hold.
Ziggler runs into a boot from Punk and Punk with a punch to the midsection. Punk with punches and Mongolian chops to Ziggler followed by a back heel kick and a kick to the chest. Punk with a slam and he tries to get some feeling back in his leg. Punk with kicks to the back and then he kicks Ziggler in the head and gets a near fall.
Ziggler tries for the Fameasser but Punk pushes him out of the way. Punk with an Irish whip and a running knee into the corner and then he gets Ziggler up but Vickie grabs Punk’s leg while Swagger distracts the referee while he looks at the TitanTron. Ziggler gets a near fall with a Fameasser.
John Laurinaitis comes out and he says that there has been an injustice tonight. Punk with a round kick to Ziggler and John forces Vickie and Swagger to the back while Punk had Ziggler covered. John gets into the ring and he tells Punk that the match that Punk proposed will . . . be interrupted by the Zig Zag and Ziggler gets the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Ziggler picks up the belt and brings it into the ring. Then Ziggler does a victory lap around the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to go through Hellfire and Brimstone as Kane makes his way to the ring. Kane says that what you see before you is his true essence. He might wear a mask, but everyone else is living a lie.
We will not know what that lie is for a few more minutes because John Cena interrupts.
Kane sets off his pyro and he tells Cena that he did not come out to pick a fight. He tells Cena the reason he assaulted him and made Cena his victim. It is because Cena has led all of these people astray. He asked them to ‘Rise Above Hate’ but that is a fallacy. This world is a dark dark place. Kane says that it is okay to hate. Humans are hateful by nature. Deep down, everybody hates. Why rise above it when the natural impulse is to embrace it? To let it consume you, people hate. They hate their bosses. They hate their neighbors. They hate their spouses. They hate their miserable existence. Rise Above? That is a fraudulent myth perpetrated by John Cena. Hate is the seed from which we are all born. It drives us. It motivates us. It fuels our impulses. Kane says that he knows Cena feels it. He feels it swimming underneath his skin like a million insects eating away at him.
Once you embrace the hate, you become honest with yourself. You become free. Free. What you fail to realize is that with your denial, you grow weaker by the moment. Until you embrace that which you deny, you can never be truly free.
Kane tells Cena that he is going to help John. All of these people are going to help John on his path towards enlightenment. Right now, the last image that Cena will see this year, the last thing that you will hear is each and every one of these people chanting the words that tear Cena’s soul apart.
CENA SUCKS.
The crowd goes with a dual chant but with each trying to drown out the other.
We go to credits.
2012 - WWE broadcast Main Event. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Now that Christmas is out of the way, WWE decides to celebrate Boxing Day with the first battle royal in Main Event history (this week marks a quarter year). Who will emerge victorious to face Antonio Cesaro for the United States Championship?
We are in Rochester, New York and your announcers are Michael ‘Larry Merchant’ Cole and The Miz.
We already have some of the participants in the Number One Contender Battle Royal in the ring. We have Ted DiBiase, Zack Ryder, William Regal, Brodus Clay, Justin Gabriel, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Yoshi Tatsu, Jinder Mahal, Tyson Kidd, Drew McIntyre, Darren Young, and Titus O’Neil.
Epico and Primo make their way to the ring but they are not joined by Rosa Mendes.
The head of the United States of Antonio, Antonio Cesaro is at the announce table with Michael and Miz.
The next entrants in the match are Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes. Santino Marella makes his way to the ring. Wade Barrett is the next man to come to the ring. Great Khali comes to the ring and he is the final man in the match.
Match Number One: Number One Contender Battle Royal for the United States Title
Everyone stands opposite the Great Khali but Santino makes his way into the corner near Khali. Cody kicks Santino and Yoshi chops Khali. Khali eliminates Yoshi. Everyone pairs off and Kidd and Regal square off in the middle of the ring. Cody with a punch to Jinder. Clay eliminates Primo.
Rhodes kicks Ryder and Santino tries to avoid any contact but Titus with a forearm. Jimmy Uso bounces Jinder on the top rope. Darren and Titus work over Khali. Epico goes to the apron but he rolls back into the ring. Kidd chokes McIntyre. Clay punches Sandow but Khali with a shot to the back. Santino is sent to the apron but he rolls back in.
Titus and Darren try to eliminate Jimmy but Jimmy fights back. Kidd fights off McIntyre to stay in the ring. Regal with a forearm to DiBiase. Santino is sent over the rope again and he gets back into the ring. Kidd avoids elimination at the hands of McIntyre. Barrett kicks Jimmy Uso and Jey helps his brother. Kidd skins the cat and eliminates McIntyre. Kidd stays on the apron and Drew pulls him off. Gabriel and Mahal are eliminated at the same time.
Kidd, Gabriel, Mahal, and McIntyre battle on the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Cody is on the top rope but he holds on to the ropes to avoid being eliminated by former tag team partner Ted DiBiase. Titus fights off William Regal. Barrett with a back heel kick to Jey Uso and Jey is eliminated. Titus with an elbow to Regal. Cody misses a punch to DiBiase and Ted sets for Dream Street. Khali with a head butt to Barrett. Regal is eliminated. Ryder tries to eliminate Sandow but Rhodes stops him. DiBiase with punches to Rhodes. Rhodes gets to the apron but he stays in the match. Santino misses a punch on Epico and Santino holds on and he eliminates Epico with a head scissors. Khali with a head butt to Rhodes.
Clay and Khali square off in the middle of the ring and as JBL would say ‘IT’S GODZILLA VERSUS KING KONG’ and Khali eliminates Clay.
Ryder grabs Titus’ leg but Titus with elbows. Sandow sends DiBiase to the apron but Ted rolls back into the ring. Young and Jimmy battle against the ropes. Khali with a chop to DiBiase. Titus saves Cody from a Khali chop. Khali gets a chop from Titus. Jimmy is eliminated. Khali chops Sandow in the chest. Young kicks Ryder.
Khali chops Cody and then he chops Santino. Khali chops Titus and then Titus chokes Santino and Zack Ryder is almost eliminated but he holds on to the rope from the apron as we go to commercial.
We are back and Khali backs Titus and Darren into the corner. Titus takes Khali down while Sandow and Rhodes try to eliminate Ryder. Khali chops Young. Khali chops Titus. Cody with an elbow to Santino while Sandow holds Marella. Barrett chokes Ryder in the corner. Cody is sent to the apron but he holds on to the ropes and Sandow pulls Santino out of the way.
Ryder and Barrett exchange punches. Rhodes and Sandow punch Santino while he calls for a time out. Titus is eliminated by Khali and then Young is eliminated. Khali sends Rhodes to the apron and then he chops him to the floor. Sandow is the next person to be eliminated by Khali. Barrett with kicks to Khali.
The final four men in the match are Santino Marella, Zack Ryder, Wade Barrett, and Great Khali. Santino with the split followed by a hip toss and diving head butt. Santino gets the cobra and hits Barrett. Ryder with a Broski Boot to Barrett and then Santino eliminates Ryder. While Santino apologizes, Barrett eliminates Marella.
Barrett has something to say to Khali and Khali says something to Barrett. Barrett with punches but Khali with punches. Barrett with a kick and a boot to the head. Barrett punches Khali. Khali with an elbow to stop Barrett and then he sends Barrett into the corner. Khali with a chop to Barrett. And then he sends Barrett over the top rope and when Barrett lands on the apron, Khali chops Barrett in the head and Barrett hits the floor.
Winner: Great Khali
After the match, Khali dances in the ring and Antonio Cesaro makes his way into the ring.
Khali is ready for a fight but Cesaro wants to shake his hand. Khali seems confused and then they shake hands. Cesaro smirks at Khali as he leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt Striker is in the interview area with Great Khali. Before Khali can answer the first question, Antonio Cesaro attacks him. Cesaro says something to Khali but Khali blocks a punch and he chops Cesaro. Cesaro leaves and Khali picks up the United States belt. He tells Cesaro Happy New Year and he will see him next week.
It is time to take a look back at Raw with the Raw Rebound.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a recap of the Miz with Kermit and Miss Piggy at Tribute to the Troops only to be saved by Damien Sandow.
The members of 3MB are in the ring and Heath has a sore throat and he cannot do the introductions. He sounds more like Drew than himself. Drew wants the people of Rochester to show some respect. They will be like all of the big bands and they will perform on New Year’s Eve. Drew mentions that their lead singer has lost his voice.
Jinder Mahal says that jealousy and envy come with the territory when you rock as hard as 3MB. That is why Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel targeted their lead singer’s larynx. Drew points out that Tyson and Justin ruined their shots at the United States Title. Justin and Tyson are trying to ruin their music and sports entertainment careers.
Jinder tells Drew to fear not. You can never stop 3MB and you can never stop rock.
Match Number Two: Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal (with Heath Slater) versus Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel in a Built on What Happened during the Battle Royal Match
Tyson and Jinder start things off. Mahal with a forearm but Kidd with a kick. Drew tags in and Kidd escapes his corner and Gabriel is tagged in. They lock up and Drew backs Justin into the corner and Drew with a pie face to Gabriel. Gabriel pushes McIntyre. They lock up and Justin with a side head lock and both men bump heads and they go down.
Drew with a kick and shoulder tackle. Drew misses a clothesline and then Gabriel lands on his feet on a hip toss. Gabriel with a monkey flip followed by an arm drag into an arm bar. Kidd tags in and they hit a double back elbow followed by a double snap mare and double kick for a near fall. Kidd with a front face lock and Gabriel tags in and gets a near fall with a sunset flip.
Drew with a kick and forearm. Mahal is tagged back in and he punches Gabriel. Gabriel with a drop kick and uppercut. Kidd tags in and he kicks Mahal in the corner and gets a near fall. Kidd with a Fujiwara arm bar into an arm bar. Mahal with an elbow to the head. Kidd with a kick and he goes to the apron. Kidd with a head scissors that sends Mahal to the floor. Kidd avoids McIntyre and he kicks Drew. Kidd with a pescado and Drew and Jinder catch Kidd but Gabriel with a suicide dive to take Mahal and McIntyre down. We go to commercial.
We are back and Gabriel with a wrist lock on McIntyre. Drew with forearms but Gabriel with a double leg take down. Kidd tags in and gets a rollup for a near fall. Kidd with kicks to the leg followed by a drop kick to the head. Kidd knocks Mahal off the apron. Kidd sets for the Sharpshooter but Heath and Jinder distract Kidd.
Drew hits a reverse wheelbarrow slam and then he gets a near fall. Mahal tags in and they send Tyson into the corner. Mahal chokes Kidd in the corner and Heath punches Tyson in the head. Mahal with a knee to the chest and Mahal gets a near fall. Mahal with a cravate but Kidd with an arm drag. Mahal with an elbow and he tags in Drew.
Drew with an elbow drop while Mahal holds on to Kidd to keep him from getting out of his corner. McIntyre with a forearm. Kidd with a rollup for a near fall. Drew with an elbow to keep Kidd from making the tag.
Mahal tags in and he chokes Kidd again. Slater punches Kidd and Gabriel gets in the ring. The referee sends him back to the corner and Mahal and McIntyre double team Kidd. Mahal with a rear chin lock. Mahal pulls Kidd back to the mat and then hits a knee drop for a near fall. Drew tags back in and Kidd with kicks to Mahal and Drew. Kidd sends Mahal over the top rope to the floor. Gabriel almost makes the tag but Mahal pulls Justin off the apron.
Kidd and McIntyre go for cross body blocks and both men go down. Gabriel tags in and hits a cross body and then he hits a spinning heel kick and clothesline. Gabriel with a cross body into the corner and then he goes up top and leaps over Drew. Gabriel with a tornado DDT and he gets a near fall. Gabriel misses the quebrada when Drew moves. Drew gets a near fall.
Drew with a running boot to the head but Gabriel kicks out at two. Mahal wants to be tagged in but Drew knocks Kidd off the apron. Jinder makes the tag and Mahal with a high knee and he gets a near fall. Mahal sets for a full nelson slam but Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Drew breaks up the cover. Drew is sent to the apron and then to the floor. Kidd with a running kick to the head. Kidd tags in and hits a Hart Attack Blockbuster for the three count.
Winners: Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel
Next week, Antonio Cesaro will face Great Khali for the United States Title.
2012 - WWE ran Detroit, Michigan. Jim Morris filed the following results:
The show opened with Vickie Guerrero announcing that Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena would take place in a steel cage as the main event.
The show opened with Team Hell No and Ryback vs. The Shield (since they had to also work the show in Chicago). The Shield entered through the crowd. The Shield got the win here in a good match.
Brodus Clay beat JTG. Jack Swagger came out and challenged Brodus. Swagger lost too.
Eve beat Kaitlyn to retain the Divas title.
Santino Marella beat David Otunga with The Cobra.
The New Age Outlaws beat The Rhodes Scholars. You read that correctly. The Outlaws did get a huge pop and at least it was only a house show so the world didn't see supposed contenders lose to old guys.
Zack Ryder beat Tensai pretty quickly.
The Usos beat The Primetime Players. It was a pretty good match honestly.
Antonio Cesaro beat The Miz to retain the US Title.
Despite interference from Big E Langston, John Cena still managed to beat Dolph Ziggler in the main event.
The lack of depth on the roster was really evident at the show. WWE has to fix that problem and soon.
2012 - WWE ran Chicago, IL. Mike Welch filed the following live report:
They opened with a Battle Royal where the winner got a shot at the Intercontinental Title. Alberto Del Rio won. We actually had a Ted DiBiase sighting in the match!
Layla and Alicia Fox beat Tamina and Aksana.
Alex Riley beat Michael McGillicutty.
We had another Ted DiBiase sighting as he lose to Fandangoo.
Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel beat Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal.
Hornswoggle and The Great Khali beat Epico and Primo. The fans voted that whoever lost would have to sing a Christmas song.
Wade Barrett was added to the IC Title match. Kofi Kingston retained, pinning Barrett.
After the match there was a bunch of dead time, then Barrett said he wanted to fight Kofi one on one. Instead DiBiase came out and pinned Barrett. It was a weird sequence.
Big Show beat Sheamus with two Knockout Punches to retain his World Title. He went to hit Sheamus with a chair after match but Sheamus hit him with the Brogue Kick.
Ryback and Team Hell No beat The Shield in a really good main event.
2013 - WWE returned to Madison Square Garden. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
WWE returned tonight to Madison Square Garden for their annual post-Christmas live event, a tradition that has been running for decades.
In fact, 12/26 was the 30th anniversary of Bob Backlund losing the WWF title to the Iron Sheik and Backlund was there tonight, taking photos with fans in front of a green screen in the newly renovated lobby of the Garden for $30 a pop.
Before the show began, WWE had fans texting and Tweeting messages about their excitement over the show, which were flashed on the new digital screen hanging above MSG. They also showed photos from fans in attendance and in a new wrinkle, had roaming cameramen shooting the crowd before the show, sort of like Major League Baseball would at a game. They also had fans text voting over the stipulations of the Divas segment, which led to the crowd cheering and booing as they received updates on the screens about where the percentages of their votes were.
Justin Roberts was the ring announcer and while he does a fair job, I'll parrot what I write about every time WWE runs MSG - Howard Finkel is the voice of MSG and should be ring announcing at least the main event, but in a perfect world, the entire show.
The show opened with Rey Mysterio defeating Alberto Del Rio, who was obviously cleared to return to the ring from his concussion. Mysterio looks much heavier these days and in keeping with the NYC theme of the show, wore a red and blue Spider-Man inspired mask and outfit. This was a good opener with some nice back and forth wrestling, although Rey was obviously steps behind where he used to be and at one point, was limping early. They did a nice job teasing the 619 before finally getting there and Rey nailed a splash off the top for the pin.
Zack Ryder pinned Brodus Clay. Clay came out to his usual music then had it stopped. When the music stopped, so did the fans' attention span. The match was pretty much Clay working over Ryder with Ryder getting some offense in before being taken out again and then Ryder caught him out of the corner with a rollup and scored the clean pin. Ryder was nowhere near the level of popularity as he was just a few years ago, even in MSG, a venue that once chanted for him as The Rock of all people was cutting a promo on the house mic. Clay losing so quickly after being turned heel can't be seen as a strong start for his new direction.
They aired a Randy Orton promo from backstage knocking MSG.
Big Show pinned Kane with Booker T as the guest referee. Booker was advertised for the WWE World title match but that was changed obviously. Show was limping even coming down to the ring, but was hiding whatever pain he was in by playing the jolly giant. Show got one of the biggest reactions of the night coming out. He and Kane went back and forth and at one point, there was a belly to back suplex that looked like it was completely out of tune, but the crowd was into seeing Show. Kane worked in his usual outfit, just without the mask. Kane got a two count after catching Show climbing the ropes and chokeslamming him off and into the ring. He and Booker T argued and Kane went to nail him. Booker blocked and nailed a right hand, then hit a pump kick, sending Kane into a Show KO punch for the win.
They did a Divas dance-off with Naomi, Cameron and The Bellas against the makeshift quartet of Kaitlyn, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes and Aksana. Everyone was dressed as sexy Santa helpers. The non-Total Divas were terrible dancers on purpose. The Total Divas were much better. This led to the Total Divas being attacked but making their own save. The others were on the outside when Brad Maddox (no reaction to him at all) came out and made it an eight-woman tag match. The women went back and forth until one of the Bellas hit a X-Factor on Fox. Not strong.
Curtis Axel came out and cut a promo saying he was the son of Perfect and unlike all the losers in MSG, he could not and would not lose. Out came Sin Cara V2.0 (Hunico). They had an OK match and of course, Cara won with the Swanton. The crowd wasn't into the slow build and was giving them "boring" chants pretty quickly.
Axel took the mic and said he would not end his year with a loss. He challenged the next man that came out to fight him...and it was Great Khali. The gift that keeps on giving. Khali quickly dispatched him with the giant Mongolian chop. It was, well, a Khali match.
In a great steel cage match, WWE Tag Team champions Goldust & Cody Rhodes defeated The Real Americans. Zeb Colter worked The Americans' corner. This felt like an old school Jim Crockett Promotions tag match as they worked a traditional tag bout. Goldust played the role of Ricky Morton and started off strong but eventually was worked over and sold for the majority of the bout. He was awesome in his role. This led to Cody Rhodes as Robert Gibson making the hot tag and getting a huge pop for his save of his brother. Cesaro got the big swing in on Dust but was nailed with the Cross Rhodes by Cody for a two count. In the end, Cody went to the top and hit a standing moonsault into the arms of Cesaro, who caught him and was pinned. An excellent bout.
Brad Maddox came out and introduced "Three Reindeer Men", which was 3MB with Ricardo Rodriguez substituting for Heath Slater (and acting far too happy to be there) coming out wearing reindeer antlers.
Los Matadores & El Torito defeated 3MB. This was much better than you'd expect, although a little long. They did a lot of comedy spots early with 3MB getting outclassed. They eventually builf up to Torito whipping out all these Lucha Libre springboard spots on Ricardo Rodriguez to eventually score the pin on him. The crowd was into the Lucha spots. Not much of a reaction for Los Matadores' entrance. This was Torito's MSG debut.
After the match, Booker T teased doing the Spinaroonie on the mic but said they needed help. He called out "New York Yankee Fan and a man that sold out this building dozens of times...." Michael Hayes. The Fabulous Freebirds wrestling in MSG once, by the way. Hayes, in a white pinstripe suit came out and tripped over the ropes as he got into the ring, which I think was a comedy spot done on purpose. Booker had him do the old Moonwalk and Hayes, looking far too old to do his old "P.S." strut, nailed the move perfectly. They did Spinaroonies. The crowd loved Booker's mic work but I got the impression the majority of the crowd was totally confused as to who Hayes was, since it was such a young audience. But, it was a random and silly cameo that was cool for those of us who were fans of Hayes' work.
John Cena defeated WWE World champion Randy Orton in a great back and forth main event that had the building buzzing, especially with a ton of great near falls towards the end, until an uninspired ending where Orton just lowblowed Cena. It was pretty much the Daniel Bryan finish from Raw a few weeks ago. Cena had far and away the biggest reaction of anyone for their entrance. Before they got there, Orton did a lot of stalling early and spent a good amount of time working over Cena's ankle and leg, doing the Ron Garvin inspired stomps. Cena made a comeback and even tossed some new offense in, doing a full nelson slam-lift into a neckbreaker that looked great. The timing on the near falls at the end was pretty much impeccable, After the DQ, Orton teased the punt kick but Cena escaped and hit the AA to save himself and send the crowd home happy with a Pro-MSG promo and Cena theme music celebration.
Notes: The show was close to, if not a legitimate sellout, although some of those tickets (at least 600 seats) were part of a LivingSocial.com promotion that marked down pairs of tickets and came with a signed item and some other goodies....NXT talent Brandi Runnels (Cody's wife) was backstage....They heavily pushed a 3/9 return to the venue for a house show with Batista headlining, plus Cena, Daniel Bryan and the Wyatt Family advertised. There is already a pre-sale using code WWEMSG....One entire side of ringside was made up of the WWE VIP Experience ticketholders, who took home a specialized WWE chair similar to those given away to WWE PPV ringside seat patrons....In a change for MSG, they aired a video stream from a hard camera shot of the entire show on every screen in the venue. At times, it was hard to look at the ring and not be distracted by the massive screen showing the same thing right above you....They had a holiday themed stage with a blow-up snowman and Christmas tree....Rap legend DMC was in attendance with his family. He's a regular at the NYC area events.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
We look back at last week when Brutus Magnus won the TNA World Title under less than ideal circumstances, then we run down tonight's card and go to the ring as Rockstar Spud introduces the man who is responsible for all of this, and is greater than anyone in the world, Madame Dixie Carter. Dixie and her music come down to the ring to a warm reception from the fans and talks about how the right man won last week, and she knows they all look up to Magnus as a role model. The fans chant that they want AJ as she talks about Impact365 and says that we have something very special planned for next week. Before we can find out what that is, Jeff Hardy comes out to the ring to have a word with the Madame. She tells Jeff that he lost, he's a loser, and she's out here trying to make an announcement, but Jeff says that what she did last week will haunt her, and he's here to get something important off his chest. Spud says this is not on the schedule and he doesn't know who Jeff Hardy thinks he is, but this is Dixie Carter. Jeff tries to talk, but Spud cuts Jeff off and says that, as the Chief of Staff, he wants Hardy (the fans chant for Hardy and Spud tells them to shut up) to take his Creatures, stick them up his backside, and get out of his ring, and then maybe he'll give him some time to talk next week. Jeff grabs Spud by the next and says "I SAID THIS WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE", but Ethan Carter III comes out to rescue his Aunt Dee and lays Hardy out. Dixie tries to continue making her announcement, but Sting comes out and EC3 bails, leaving poor Aunt Dee alone in the ring. She looks a lot less scared than EC3 (the wrestler) does as Sting says he's tired of these young punks coming in here and thinking they can say or do whatever they want without consequences. He's not leaving the ring until he gets what he and the fans want, which is to kick the entitled crap out of EC3. Actually, he has a better idea: since EC3 came here to be a pro wrestler, why doesn't he team with Spud to face Sting and Jeff Hardy? Dixie says she won't do it, she's here to make an announcement, and she doesn't care what he wants. Sting says he knows she doesn't care what he wants, but he still demands to team with Hardy against these two idiots. Dixie says these are her fans, not Sting's, and it's not what he wants, it's what she wants, and she wants EC3 and Spud to shut Sting and Hardy up. Her music plays and she tells them to kill her music because she's talking, but they ignore her, keep playing her music, and go to commercial.
Okay, we're back and Dixie must not have gotten the message because she's still in the ring trying to make her announcement. She gets cut off again when Gunner's music hits and he comes out to the ring with his World Title shot in hand. He says he knows Dixie thinks what she has to say is important, but what he has to say is more important because his briefcase contains a title shot, he's cashing it in, and he wants his title shot. Dixie says that she's in a very giving mood, so since he wants a title shot, he is denied because Magnus is across the pond celebrating with millions of his fans in England. Gunner is going to have to take a raincheck, she Gunner can take a walk so she can make her announcement. Gunner stops her again and tells Dixie to let Magnus know that, whether it's this week or next week, he's cashing the title shot in and he'd better be ready. Dixie tells Gunner that's awesome, then ignores him to continue her announcement when James Storm comes out to the ring to join the party. He's sorry to interrupt, but he thinks Gunner owes him something. Gunner doesn't agree, but Storm told him not to interfere in his match with Roode since it was his opportunity, but Gunner threw in the towel on him. Gunner says he's right because Storm was about to get slammed onto barbed wire after getting beaten up in a bar the night before, and he did what was right for his friend. Storm says it wasn't the first time he got beat up in a bar and it won't be the last, but he wants to know how Roode knew he was in the bar and who stooged him off. Gunner asks Storm if he thought he was the stooge, and Storm says he's damn right. The fans chant "stooge" at Gunner as Storm tells Gunner face to face that he wants a match with him right here and right now for that briefcase. Dixie says there's enough drama here, and if they're going to do this, it's going to benefit her, so these two are going to face off right now, and they're going to fight for that World Title briefcase, and that's what Gunner gets for interrupting her. She says sh'e decided not to make her announcement, and now everyone has to wait to find out what she has to say. Gunner takes his jacket off and he's going to fight Storm after this commercial break!
World Title Shot: James Storm vs Gunner
We join the match in progress as we come back from commercial, and Storm tries unsuccessfully to muscle Gunner around, so her uses his speed to outmaneuver Gunner and nail him with a leaping enziguiri for 2. Gunner muscles Storm into the corner and nails him with some shoulderblocks to the ribs, but Storm takes Gunner back to the mat and gets another 2. Gunner easily pops Storm up into a vertical suplex for 2, then we hit the chinlock. Storm gets free and they trade right hands, and a clothesline from Gunner sends both men out to the floor. They fight it out on the floor and both men get counted out.
DOUBLE COUNTOUT
Storm and Gunner continue brawling on the floor and up the ramp as a mob of referees come out to try and separate them. Match lasted all of four minutes, but I guess we can't waste time on wrestling when we have Dixie Carter promos to get to!
Brooke Tessmacher finds sulky Emo Ray in the back and says she's been calling and texting him for weeks, and wonders what happened to him. He obviously doesn't want all this (indicating her hot bod), so she's going out to the ring to air out all his dirtiest, darkest secrets. Bubba finally speaks and says "Brooke...that's really not a good a idea." Brooke still doesn't look happy and walks off.
We go to a video package of Brutus Magnus as he talks about how his entire TNA career has just been one dead end idea after another, and even the team with Joe was just a throwaway thing until they became the best tag team in the business. He wraps up talking about when he got taken out by Aces & Eights in 2012, and I guess we'll hear more from him later.
Brooke Tessmacher comes out to the ring and says it's been weeks since she talked to Bully Ray, and she knows it's because she threw the hammer, but she refuses to take responsibility for this and wants Bubba to come out and tell the truth. Bully comes out in his emo hood and sunglasses, and she grabs his hand and says it's neither of their fault that Aces & Eights came to an end. Bully turns away and walks to the corner, and Brooke says she's tired of being his dog, and he was the one who told her throw the hammer. She watched him destroy Aces & Eights, his family, and even his own brother, and he was supposed to be her ticket to fame and fortune, but now he's like that lame high school kid who has no friends and nobody wants to talk to them. He says nothing, so she starts stomping her feet and yells at him to talk to her. She says she's not scared of him, she doesn't need him, and she is done. She throws down the mic and starts to walk off, but Bubba grabs her by the arm and says that she's done when he's done with her. He doesn't blame her for losing the World Title, and he doesn't blame her for the end of Aces & Eights or screwing everything up, because seriously, she's not much in the brains department. He didn't keep her around because she was the smartest girl in the world, it was because he had certain uses for her, and she wasn't even that good at those certain uses. Sometimes when he shut his eyes, he actually wished he was back with Brooke Number 1. The scary music starts, and he says he could treat her like Ken Anderson and piledrive her on her ugly face, but he won't do that because he has one last use for her: he's going to use her to spread his word. She knows how evil he is and how sadistic he can be, and he wants her to let everyone know what's in store for them. He takes his sunglasses off and backs her into the corner, looks into her eyes, and says it's going to be a lot worse, he's done with her, and to leave. Brooke slides out of the ring and backs her way up the ramp, shaking her head at Bubba as she backs away.
You know, the spooky music is really stupid, Bubba's promos are great and the music ruins them. It's like a year or two ago when we'd hear Jeff Hardy's internal monologue backstage, it just look dumb and makes it hard to take the guy seriously.
Joseph Park is backstage wondering what Eric Young got him into because the barbed wire is so sharp.
We see the second part of the Rise of Magnus, as he talks about returning to TNA in England and getting a huge reaction, then being invited into the Main Event Mafia. He was thrilled at the time, but eventually came to realize that he was only there because the other members felt threatened by him.
Dixie Carter is backstage with Ethan Carter IIi and Spud, and EC3 says he isn't worried about hanging with Sting and Hardy, but Spud is small and he could get hurt. Dixie stops him, tells him that she doesn't like his tone, and reminds him that they're Carters and the world needs them.
We look back at the recent history of Joseph Park, then we go backstage where Eric Young is giving him a pep talk. He tells the sound guy to hit his music, but the Abyss music plays instead, and Park says that's not his music, but EY says it is, hands him Janice, and sends him out to the ring. Full Metal Mayhem is up next!
Sting and Jeff Hardy are in the locker room and Sting is talking about how he's marking out because he always wanted to team with Hardy (his words), but Hardy is a lot more reserved because of the whole thing with Dixie earlier. Sting says he's Jeff Hardy and not to worry about it, but Hardy still looks distracted.
Full Metal Mayhem: Joseph Park vs Bad Influence
Park looks like a deer in the headlights, and he tries to hold Daniels and Kazarian off with Janice, but they go after him with a kendo stick and a crutch and beat him down. Kazarian chokes Park with the kendo stick, then they unload on him with a series of double teams. Bad Influence brings in a couple of trash cans and chairs, and Kazarian goes to hit Park with a chair, but Daniels stops him because they don't want him to start bleeding. Park uses the opening to hit a couple of hiptosses, but Kazarian gets pissed and beats Park down with a chair before dumping him hard to the floor. They go out after Park and ram him into the steel steps, check him for blood, and Daniels goes "nope, he's good" and then they go back to beating him up. Park suddenly backdrops a charging Daniels out to the floor, rams Kazarian into a steel chair set up in the corner, then covers Kazarian with a trash can lid and big splashes him. Park puts Kazarian in the Boston Crab, but Daniels comes in and cracks Park over the back with the crutch. Kazarian gets ahold of Janice, but Park either rolls out of the ring or falls out (I couldn't tell which). Bad Influence is laughing it up in the ring as Eric Young comes down to ringside and tells Joseph that he can do it. Park tells Young that he needs his help, and EY goes to bust Park open again, but Bad Influence stops him by beating him up and ramming him into the ringpost. They dump Young into the ring and go to nail him with a kendo stick, but Park rolls into the ring right behind and accidentally takes the cane shot that was meant for EY. Park immediately gets the crimson mask and Bad Influence freezes as they realize what's about to happen, and they go after him with the weapons in the ring, but Park no-sells them, cleans both their clocks with the kendo stick, splashes Kazarian in the corner, and hits him with Shock Treatment. Park hits Daniels with the Black Hole Slam and covers for the win.
Winner: Joseph Park
Eric Young is ecstatic at ringside, and comes in to join his buddy as he Abysses up. Park turns around and sees Young, then walks to the corner and picks Janice up and holds her high as EY smiles like Emperor Palpatine watching Anakin get rebuilt into Darth Vader.
Lei'D Tapa and Gail Kim are backstage, and they're...WALKING! And so is ODB!
Jeff Hardy is backstage on his cell phone telling Beth (his wife) that he's thought about this and he needs to do this. Okay, guess we'll find out what that's about later on.
We go to the third part of the Rise of Magnus, as he talks about how the Bound For Glory Series was when he established himself. He led the Series the entire time until the very end when AJ Styles leapfrogged him and beat him in the finals. Magnus says the losses are the most important things in your career, and he came out of there knowing that he never wanted to feel that way again. He beat Sting in the middle of the ring, and decied right then and there that Sting, Kurt Angle, and Samoa Joe weren't going to get him where he wanted to be, and there was only one guy who would get him there.
Gail Kim and Lei'D Tapa come out to the ring and Gail says that her loss to her former BFF Madison Rayne was a fluke, and that sticking her nose in Gail's business meant it was also going into Tapa's business. Gail calls ODB out, and our next match begins now...
ODB vs Lei'D Tapa
ODB isn't intimidated, and she shoves Tapa around, but takes some hard hitting power offense. ODB dodges a charge and lays in a series of hard chops, but Tapa doesn't go down after a pair of shoulderblocks. Tapa gets ODB by the throat, ODB breaks the holds and goes for a slam, but Tapa blocks and rams ODB into the corner. Tapa picks ODB up over her shoulder, but ODB slips out and lays in some more shots. ODB charges Tapa in the corner, but runs into her boot. Tapa goes to the second rope, but ODB rolls out of the way of Tapa's legdrop. More chops from ODB, more shoulderblocks, a dropkick, and a charging clothesline in the corner. Gail slides her title belt into the ring and the referee turns his back while getting it out of the ring as ODB picks TGapa up for a slam. Gail trips ODB, Tapa hits the TKO Stunner, and covers ODB for the win.
Winner: Lei'D Tapa
Gali gets a microphone and tells Madison that ODB should be a lesson to her, because getting into herbusiness is getting into Tapa's business, and that's not a business you want to be in.
Velvet Sky is backstage telling Chris Sabin that he made her holiday great, and Sabin says that's all good, but he has his rematch with Austin Aries for the X Division Title next week and, since she cost him the title, he'd like her to do anything he asks her to so she can help out. Velvet says she wants to be there for him, and Sabin says if she can't do what he says, maybe he should just find some girl who can. Sabin walks off while Velvet begs him to come back in a scenario I totally believe can happen in real life.
Sting is backstage with Jeff Hardy, telling him that he doesn't know what's going on in Hardy's head, but that he needs him to be there for him when they go out for the main event. Hardy is Hardy, and we go to commercial.
We go to the fourth and final part of the Rise of Magnus, as he talks about how Dixie Carter saw him in a magazine that had AJ Styles on the cover, she called him up right away, and asked him to come to TNA. He always knew that he had Dixie to look out for him, and even though she thought Hardy would have been her champion, he spit in her face and decided that Magnus was the one to go with, so he took advantage of it. He's Dixie's champion, and this is a partnership that will last for years to come.
It's main event time! Wait a minute, Dixie Carter comes up on the screen and she's ready to make her announcement: there will be a coronation for her champion Magnus next week, and also that tonight's main event will be a tag match, but it'll be a handicap match as the Bromans will team with EC3 and Spud. The Bromans and Zema Ion come out to the ring as we go to commercial.
Sting & Jeff Hardy vs Ethan Carter III & Rockstar Spud
The bell rings and we are underway, EC3 and Sting go nose to nose, then he tags out to Spud, who is at least a foot shorter than Sting. He scurries back to the corner and tags out to Jessie Godderz, who unloads with a series of offense that Sting no sells before coming back and laying out both Bromans. Sting drags Robbie to the corner and tags in Hardy, who gleefully dishes out punishment to Robbie as well. Hardy second rope splashes Robbie for 2 and then dumps him out to the floor, dumps Jessie as well, then springboards off Sting's back and wipes out the entire heel team, including Zema Ion. The heels eventually drag Hardy out to the floor and stomp him out as Sting protests vigorously. Robbie E covers Hardy for 2, then drills him with right hands as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Hardy is still getting beat up by bad guys. Jessie gets him in a half crab, then the heels bait Sting into the ring so they can stomp the hell out of Hardy 4-on-1 again. You'd really think Sting would know better than that by now. EC3 gets a nice back suplex, but stops to mock Sting with the howl and gets caught with a jawbreaker from Hardy, who gets away and makes a tag to Sting. Sting comes in like a house of fire, destroying the entire heel team by himself. Spud jumps on Sting's back, and Sting continues beating up the heels even with Spud on his back. Stinger Splash for Robbie, one for Jessie, and EC3 sneaks in and rolls Sting up for 3.
Winners: Ethan Carter III, Rockstar Spud & the Bromans
Sting looks pissed that he lost, but he looks more pissed at Hardy. Hardy gets a mic and says he's sorry, and he's been asked a million times why he wanted to get in the business, and he says it was because of Sting. He says that without Sting, there never would have been a Jeff Hardy. Well, there would, but he wouldn't have been a wrestler maybe. Anyway, Hardy says Sting and the fans don't deserve this, but Dixie Carter has taken his heart out and it's driven him crazy because he needs his heart. Well yeah, we all do. Hardy destroyed himself alst week and he didn't win, but Dixie Carter doesn't own him She owns Magnus, but not him, and the politics have him so sick. The fans chant for Hardy and he says he appreciates it, but- wait a minute, Sting tells him not to say what he was about to say. Hardy wants to stay and fight, but the fight's all gone man, it's all gone. The fans chant NO at him, but Hardy says this was his last match in TNA, he's going to leave this building, and he won't return until the sun shines on this dark kingdom. He thanks the creatures and says he loves them, takes his shirt and dainty arm bands off, shakes Sting's hand and hugs him, and leaves Sting speechless in the ring, bringing the show to a close as Hardy's pile of discarded clothing lays silently in the middle of the ring.
And now, let's watch some redneck crackheads get smacked up on COPS! Hey, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law! (snicker snicker)
Thanks for reading the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com! I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!
2013 - WWE broadcast WWE Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in San Antonio, Texas and your announcers are Tom ‘My Big Adventure’ Phillips and Alex ‘Where is the basement of the Alamo’ Riley.
Match Number One: Aksana versus Natalya
Natalya with a single leg take down and she works on the leg. Aksana with a head scissors and Natalya escapes and she ties up the legs. Aksana with a reverse chin lock. Natalya gets to her feet but Aksana with a leg sweep and a near fall. Aksana with a side head lock. Natalya with elbows and a shoulder tackle. Natalya with a rollup and bridge for a near fall.
Aksana goes to the floor to slow down Natalya’s offense. Natalya with a baseball slide but when she tries to bring Aksana back into the ring, Aksana kicks Natalya into the ringside barrier. Aksana with a forearm to the back. Aksana with a near fall. Aksana with elbow drops and she gets a near fall.
Aksana slams Natalya’s head into the mat. Aksana pulls Natalya away from the ropes and then she applies a bow and arrow. Natalya escapes but Aksana with an elbow drop to the back for a near fall. Aksana taunts Natalya and chokes her in the ropes. Aksana sends Natalya back to the mat.
Aksana with a kick to the ribs but Natalya takes advantage of Aksana’s overconfidence and she gets a near fall with a rollup. Aksana with a clothesline and she gets a near fall. Aksana with a single leg crab but Natalya kicks Aksana away. Natalya with a forearm but Aksana runs Natalya into the turnbuckles. Aksana with an elbow drop and then she crawls around for the kick but Natalya blocks the kick and she applies the Sharpshooter and Aksana taps out.
Winner: Natalya
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the six man tag match from Raw featuring the Wyatt Family against Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, and Goldust.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Battle for the Hearts and Souls of all good boys and girls when the possibility of Christmas was in flux. Thanks to Mark Henry, we got to celebrate Christmas.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Antonio Cesaro (with Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter) versus Dolph Ziggler
They lock up and Ziggler with a side head lock and Cesaro picks him up and sends him across the ring. They lock up and Cesaro with a side head lock and Ziggler tries to send Cesaro against the ropes and Cesaro holds on. Ziggler with a hurdle leap frog and then he struts. Cesaro charges at Ziggler and Ziggler drops down and Cesaro goes over the top rope to the floor.
Cesaro returns to the ring and they lock up. Cesaro with a wrist lock but Ziggler with a reversal and hammer lock but Cesaro runs to the ropes to send Ziggler to the floor but Ziggler lands on his feet and he struts around the ring. Cesaro sends Ziggler back into the ring. Ziggler spins Cesaro around and hits a drop kick followed by the rapid fire elbow drops, ending with a leaping elbow drop.
Ziggler gets a near fall and then Swagger tries to interfere but it was only a trap to get Cesaro to recover and Antonio punches Ziggler. We go to commercial.
We are back and Cesaro with a hard Irish whip and Cesaro gets a near fall. Cesaro with a slam and he gets a near fall. Cesaro with a reverse chin lock but Ziggler with a jawbreaker to escape the hold. Ziggler with an uppercut and then he comes off the turnbuckles but Cesaro catches him and hits a back breaker for a near fall. Cesaro with a double stomp for a near fall.
Ziggler with a punch but Cesaro with knees and a side salto for a near fall. Cesaro with a reverse chin lock. Ziggler gets back to his feet and he punches Cesaro. Ziggler with a kick and then each man tries for a punch. Ziggler with another punch and a flying clothesline. Ziggler with a Stinger Splash into the corner and then he punches Cesaro followed by a neck breaker for a near fall.
Ziggler with a Fameasser for a near fall. Cesaro goes to the apron and then he drops Ziggler on the top rope. Ziggler with a DDT for a near fall. Ziggler goes for the sleeper but Cesaro holds the ropes. Swagger gets on the apron and Ziggler with a forearm to knock Swagger off the apron. Cesaro with a running European uppercut and then he puts Ziggler in the Giant Swing.
Cesaro sets for the Gotch Style Neutralizer and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the other six man tag match on Raw featuring The Shield against CM Punk, John Cena, and Big E Langston.
We go to credits.
2014 - WWE ran their annual post-holiday event at Madison Square Garden. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
WWE returned to Madison Square Garden for their traditional day after Christmas live event, something that has been taking place for over 30 years in the market. The show was close to, if not, sold out and was one of the bigger crowds in the Garden in some time. It was likely one of, if not, the biggest live gate and attendance for a WWE house show in 2014.
*WWE Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler pinned Luke Harper with the Zigzag in a good back and forth opener. Lots of neat falls and a lot of hard work. Harper at one point drilled Zigger so hard with a lariat, I had visions of Stan Hansen. There was a big pop for Ziggler when he came out and you get the idea the crowd really has taken to him and wants to see him do well, similar to Daniel Bryan last year. Harper was great here as well. After the match, J&J Security hit the ring and attacked Ziggler as Seth Rollins walked to the ring. Rollins cut a promo saying that the attack was his holiday gift and it will be nothing compared to what he does to John Cena later in their Street Fight. Effective way to build some heat for the main event later.
*Ryback pinned Curtis Axel with Shellshock. The battle of Rybaxel did not seem to come across as anything special to the crowd. Ryback got a nice pop when he came out and there were chants of "Feed Me more" but the crowd didn't seem invested when Ryback in the defensive. Axel is in a position where he may need to remake himself if he wants to remain viable going forward.
*NXT champion Samo Zayn pinned Adrian Neville with the Helluva kick in a bout that brought the house down. From a pure athletic standpoint, this was the best thing on the house. They sort of treated it like a "greatest hits" deal where they each did all their big spots and it was worked like a NXT main event, not a meaningless undercard match. Really great match. The crowd popped for each as if they knew them and loved all the big spots. Neville whipped out an awesome rana where he just spiked Zayn. The crowd was really blown away by the fast pace of the match, sort of like a modern day version of when Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask were brought in and the audience at the time was totally buzzing. A cool piece of history as well since it was each of their MSG debut.
*They aired a backstage promo where Kane promised to take out Randy Orton for turning his back on The Authority. Standard fare.
*Jack Swagger and Fandango had a dance-off. This was voted by the fans with allegedly, 55% of the fans wanting to see it. Fandango's new music and entrance are fine but Rosa Mendez is obviously still finding her way in the role. She and Fandango danced. Swagger then did the worst dance ever to MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This." Who picked this music? The only thing worse may have been if Zeb Colter was there and had to dance. Of course, Fandango attacked him but Swagger came back and used the Patriot Lock. No match and nothing to see here, but the kids in the audience seemed to like it.
*WWE Tag Team champs The Miz and Damien Mizdow beat The Usos. Not really much of a match here as it was the backdrop to the Mizdown show, but the audience was so into that entire deal, it was amazing. Miz got a ton of heat ripping on the NYC sports teams. The Usos then did some mic work, including Jey as the "stunt double" for Jimmy as they cut a promo. The crowd liked that. Mizdown was all over the place throwing himself into turnbuckles and taking phantom bumps and was really loved for it. His act is certainly over.
*Randy Orton pinned Kane with an RKO. This was Orton's first match since he was destroyed by The Authority on TV. He was his normal Orton self. Kane looked to be banged up or having a bad night as he was slow at times. They brawled around the ring for a bit. Orton eventually caught him with the RKO "out of nowhere" and scored the win. The crowd enjoyed seeing Orton. It was OK.
*The Bellas defeated Alicia Fox and Emma with Paige as the special referee. Putting Paige in that position was a complete waste of her and the crowd around me sort of groaned at that announcement. The Bellas cheated to win and Nikki got into Paige's face, which led to Paige laying her and Brie out to get the big pop.
*Santino Marella came out. He said a few months ago, he was scared he would never be back in front of NYC again but while he's still having neck problems, it's getting better and he hopes to be back in a "few months." He then read a WWE-ized version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" that kids liked. This led to Big Show coming out and threatening Marella. Erick Rowan came out to his anti-theme music (that stuff has got to go, there is nothing that excites the crowd about that entrance) for the save, leading to a bout....
*Big Show pinned Eric Rowan. It was pretty slow and plodding. I'm really straining to remember highlights, so that should tell you something.
*John Cena pinned Seth Rollins in a very entertaining Streetfight to close the show with an Attitude Adjustment through a table off the ropes for the pin. This was treated and worked like a big time main event with lots of run-ins and mic work. Before they even said a word or touched each other, the crowd was more invested and louder for Rollins (working his first MSG main event) and Cena vs. anything else on the card. There were a lot of teases with the table and at one point, Cena had to fight off J&J Security as well. Kane came out but was run off by Randy Orton. Orton chased him to the back with a chair. There was a referee bump and a second ref hit the ring. Big Show came out and interfered but the final run-in was by Dolph Ziggler, who hit the ring like a bat out of hell or a 1970s Southern babyface, and it was awesome. Show grabbed him for a chokeslam but Ziggler escaped and superkicked him to save the day for Cena. Ziggler making the save helped him get "revenge" on Rollins for the attack earlier in the night, which was good booking. Cena made the comeback and hit the AA through the table. Rollins was on FIRE here with some awesome mic work ripping on Cena and the fans and bumping his rear end off. Cena certainly worked hard and did his part as well. A worthy MSG main event.
Notes: They announced a 2/27/15 return with Hulk Hogan's first appearance in MSG for WWE since 2005...Tony Chimel handled the ring announcements. I will never understand why Howard Finkel isn't used for the Garden. I really, really, never will...WWE sold signed posters of John Cena, Paige and Randy Orton for $20 each....There was an exclusive t-shirt featuring Randy Orton giving a snowman an RKO...In a faux paux, WWE ran a video promo announcing Extreme Rules for Chicago. That was pretty funny....WWE ran a tribute video to the late Connor Michalek, imploring fans to text to donate money or to buy the memorial wristbands. The video noted they have raised "over $200,000" and have been able to help assist 50 families dealing with pediatric brain and spinal cancer. That is awesome and I implore everyone to help out if you can....WWE aired a pretty silly but fun animated music video of the Superstars celebrating Christmas as HHH and Stephanie kept trying to scheme their way in and failing miserably....Cena vs. Rollins, Ziggler vs. Harper and Zayn vs. Neville were the show-stealers in terms of in-ring work but a lot of the show got big reactions from the kids and families in attendance, so the other segments certainly served their purpose...On a personal night, this show marked the 28th anniversary of my first-ever live event, where I watched Hulk Hogan vs. Kamala in the Garden. That still seems like yesterday to me and that night, I'd never have thought wrestling would become such a huge part of my adult life, much less my professional life. Being 12 at the time, I thought it would be the first and only time I'd go to a show and man, life sure is funny and I've been really lucky, so a special thanks to everyone who worked that card (especially Paul Roma and Terry Gibbs, who worked the opener) and everyone who's crossed paths with me during my ongoing journey in this incredibly interesting world ever since...Great hanging out tonight with the legendary Jess McGrath at the show as well.
2015 - WWE returned to Madison Square Garden. Mike Johnson filed the following results:
WWE returned to Madison Square Garden with the following results:
*Neville pinned The Miz with The Red Arrow.
*Ryback pinned Rusev.
*Titus O'Neil defeated Stardust.
*WWE Intercontinental champ Dean Ambrose pinned Kevin Owens.
*R-Truth pinned Adam Rose.
*WWE Divas champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair) defeated Paige and Becky Lynch in a Triple Threat match.
*Big Show pinned Mark Henry with the KO Punch.
*The Dudley Boyz & Tommy Dreamer defeated Braun Strowman & Luke Harper & Erick Rowan in a Tables Match.
*John Cena defeated WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio in a very good match via DQ when ADR used a lowblow.
2016 - WWE returned to Madison Square Garden for their annual holiday event. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
WWE returned to Madison Square Garden for their annual post-Christmas event on Monday 12/26 with their first live event in the venue since this past summer's brand split, a Smackdown Live event taking place at the same time as Monday's Raw broadcast in Chicago. The show drew well, not a sellout but certainly a healthy crowd that was at times contradictory in how their responded to the current Smackdown talent roster. Some newer talents were over while others were met with apathetic reactions. There was a feeling that families who were there came to see the wrestling for the holiday but didn't know the storylines or characters, especially those who have come up from NXT in the last half-year. That led to what was a weird show in many ways.
The first half of the show, for the most part, was a swing and a miss in terms of reactions with very few highlights. There was some OK work, but a lot of lulls where the crowd wasn't reacting in a major way. The show didn't feel like a major show at all, which is a rarity for MSG events and especially for the December event, a tradition that has dated back decades.
*WWE Smackdown Tag Team champions The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton with Luke Harper) won a Tag Team Turmoil (Gauntlet Match), last defeating American Alpha. The crowd was really into this early on, but as it continued, obviously lost interest as by the time Alpha hit the ring as the final team, there was hardly any real reaction. It started with Rhyno and Heath Slater (huge reaction) defeating The Ascension with Rhyno scoring the pin following a gore on Viktor. Next out was Breezango, dressed as police, who came out throwing out tickets to the crowd. For the record, the tickets have "CALL ME! 867-5309!" scrawled across them. They were immediately killed by Rhyno and Slater and pinned, which the crowd liked. Next out were the Usos. The crowd seemed completely baffled as to why the Usos were villains. There was some OK work before Slater and Rhyno were out. The Wyatts were out next with a big reaction for the Firefly entrance. Orton got a nice reaction when he started wrestling and later took off his sweatshirt. The Usos were suddenly babyfaces against the Wyatts were taken out. Alpha vs. The Wyatts was technically good but by this point, the crowd had completely checked out. Gable was finally pinned with a RKO. This went well over 25 minutes and felt way too long. This was the MSG debut for Alpha.
*WWE Smackdown Women's champion Alexa Bliss pinned Becky Lynch in a solid match. Nice reaction for Lynch. This was Bliss' MSG debut and she was great interacting with the audience as a heel. I didn't feel like the audience knew who she was when she came out. Some decent near falls until Bliss rolled up Lynch and hooked the tights. Lynch ran off Bliss after and held up the championship belt. Bliss' facial expressions are really great. Lynch is a hell of a babyface.
*They aired a great Ziggler promo from backstage where he promised to kick the hell out of Miz inside a steel cage tonight.
*In a six man tag, Apollo Crews & Jack Swagger (wrestling in a t-shirt) & Mojo Rawley (MSG debut) defeated Curt Hawkins & The Vaudevillains. Hawkins' ring entrance with all the Facts were the highlight early on. Another match where there weren't a lot of big reactions. Crews got the pin with the Apollo Bomb on Hawkins.
*Hawkins took the mic after and said that while he's from NYC and everyone thinks he must be happy to be here, the reality is that he's a WWE star and everyone watching him is a loser. He said his lost was a fluke, FACT. He then said that the FACT is that he's not leaving until he has another match and FACT, he doesn't care who it is. Out comes James Ellsworth in a neck brace, which gets a nice reaction. Ellsworth, in his MSG debut, says that he's in NY and in NY when people run their mouths, they fight. Hawkins blows him off as a threat and calls for a referee to ring the bell. He charges at Ellsworth but is hit with a superkick and pinned. Ellsworth acted like he was shocked he nailed the superkick. The kids in the crowd really liked the segment.
*Next up was, by far, The best match on the show - Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz in a steel cage that saw MSG reacted loudly to every near fall and every near-escape from the cage, even after the Miz announced that his Intercontinental championship wasn't going to be on the line. That was despite the match being advertised as a championship match for months and being one of the only matches on the lineup that didn't change over time. Miz was great on the mic before the bout, saying that NYC is used to great champions like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin, but all of them wish they could be half the champion that Miz was. Austin got the biggest reaction of the three. Miz said that his contract states he doesn't have to defend the IC title in Podunk towns like NYC and when the crowd jeered him for that, he started naming and ripping on all the local sports teams. He was on fire on the mic and even offering Ziggler the Participation Award. They did all the usual cage spots that you would expect including Maryse slamming the cage door on Ziggler as he tried to crawl out and lots of going to the top and nearly getting over before being pulled back in. In the end, Miz was catapulted into the cage door and bounced back in and then superkicked for the pin. MSG exploded as if they were getting a title change. That's how good this was. They tore the house down here. After the match, Ziggler did a big celebration, including superkicking an inflatable penguin that was on the stage as part of a holiday themed set-up, which got a big pop.
*After intermission, Nikki Bella pinned Natalya in a decent match. Carmella (MSG debut) came out during the end to try and distract Bella but ended up being knocked off the apron when Natalya was tossed into her. Big reaction for Bella. Natalya did the John Cena "You Can't See Me" mannerism to mock Bella at the bell.
*In his MSG debut, Baron Corbin pinned Kalisto in a solid back and forth match that the audience didn't really react to. Corbin scored the pin with the End of Days. Kalisto teased a 619 at one point and the audience reacted favorably to that.
*In the main event, WWE champion (announced as that, not the WWE World champion) AJ Styles defeated Dean Ambrose and the returning John Cena in a Triple Threat match. Styles got a nice reaction coming out and there was a big "AJ Styles" chant before the other entrances. Ambrose got a respectful reaction. Cena got the biggest pop of anyone coming out, although that soon turned into his usual back and forth reaction from the live crowd. Cena looked really happy during his entrance, his first appearance in several months as he had been out in Oregon filming "American Grit" season two for FOX. The basic story of the match was that one of the talents were tossed to the outside as the other two battled. Ambrose seemed to be a little off when it came to timing tonight. In the end, Styles brought a steel chair in and drilled Cena across the back with it, then lowblowed Dean and small packaged him for the pin. The crowd seemed confused as to why Styles did all that in front of the referee. Obviously, it was no DQ due to the Triple Threat bout. Second best match of the night. Styles did a promo after putting himself over and went to attack Cena with the championship belt. Ambrose grabbed it and had a tug of war, before grabbing AJ and nailing Dirty Deeds before storming off. Cena closed the show with an AA and walked out, leaving Styles to recover and go to the back.
Notes: There was a big crowd tonight with 90% of it made up of family with young children....With Raw taping TV at the same time as the MSG show, no McMahons backstage....Mike Rotunda (IRS) was the head producer and ran the show based on directives from Michael Hayes, who puts the live event together....Betty Skaaland, the longtime wife of late WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland, was visiting at the show and watched from the front row.....The crew rushed after the show to a charter flight to take them to Chicago for the Smackdown taping....Daniel Bryan appeared in a taped video to open the show riling up the crowd and leading a "Yes!" chant that got a big reaction from the live audience....WWE announced a 3/12 return to MSG for what, based on the advertising, appeared to be a Smackdown live event with Brock Lesnar appearing....Interesting to see a lot of merchandise for Raw talents, including Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins being sold....WWE was also selling signed photos of AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, John Cena and Randy Orton....There were also a TON of bootleggers selling t-shirts outside of MSG and even in the MSG lobby after the show. There were at least 50-10 people selling the same shirt within a two block walk of the venue after the show. It was by far the most I've seen of that kind of activity since Wrestlemania 29 in New Jersey.
2017 - WWE ran Madison Square Garden. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
World Wrestling Entertainment's Raw brand kicked off their 2017 Holiday Tour live events at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday 12/26, continuing a decades old tradition of the company running MSG the day after Christmas.
Before the show, WWE played a plethora of videos, including an animated holiday song featuring South Park-esque looking versions of their talents and a rundown of the Top Ten Things that happened on Raw before also airing a Top Ten countdown of events that had happened on previous Tribute to the Troops events. Jo Jo came out and welcomed the crowd in between videos and disappeared again. WWE had several Christmas inflatables set up on the entrance stage.
They played the national anthem without any sort of notice to open the show.
*Matt Hardy pinned Bray Wyatt with the Twist of Fate. This was weird in that there was no ring announcements for the talents. Bray came out and did his entire entrance and got a big reaction, then slow piano music began playing for Hardy, who came out on stage and started the "Delete" chants. The fans didn't seem to know how to react to the slower music but certainly reacted to Hardy's mannerisms and "Delete" chants. Bray cut a promo saying he was going to give Hardy a chance to run away but instead Hardy did his laughing and called for deletion. They had good chemistry in the ring and some nice near falls. In the end. Wyatt went for Sister Abigail's Kiss but Hardy escaped, kicked him and nailed the Twist of Fate. Hardy looked to be having the time of his life out there, as this was the first time the Broken character made it to MSG.
*Absolution defeated Mickie James, Bayley and Sasha Banks. When ring announcer Jojo announced the six woman tag, the Garden exploded with one of the biggest pops of the night. Sasha Banks and Bayley got big reactions with Mickie getting a respectful one as well. Big reaction for Paige. Mandy Rose is going to be a star as long as nothing unforeseen happens. This was her MSG debut and she had a lot of family in the house. This was also Deville's debut and she showed some nice intensity, including mouthing off and challenging young fans all the way up the aisle after. This was a really good tag match with lots of back and forth action. Mickie James made the hot tag after Bayley was worked over for some time but was nailed with the Rampaige as everyone else battled on the floor. Extremely entertaining and this was the better of the two women's matches on the show.
*The lights were out and when they returned, Elias was in the ring with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Elias said he was going to play with the Good Brothers. They claimed a fan yelled out for "Freebird" so Elias said he would only sing it if everyone sang along, which the crowd did and they enjoyed that. Elias then said he was going to sing a special verse alone and it was ripping apart MSG and New Yorkers. The crowd turned on that. Before he could continue, out came Heath Slater and Rhyno. Gallows and Anderson disappeared up the aisle. That was an easy night for them!
*Goldust, Apollo Crews, Titus O'Neil, Heath Slater and Rhyno defeated The Revival, The Miztourage and Curt Hawkins when Rhyno pinned Hawkins after a big spinebuster. Elias stayed at ringside but didn't get involved. This was all action with the highlight being Goldust being worked over by The Revival. In the end, it was all big moves. Everyone ended up on the floor and Elias was knocked off the apron onto everyone by Rhyno. The crowd thought Rhyno was going to dive but Hawkins hit the ring and was caught with the spinebuster.
*WWE Cruiserweight champion Enzo Amore pinned Kalisto with the Eat Defeat. Enzo got a massive reaction coming out and the crowd was really into his mic work until he talked about how he used to come to MSG and as a kid watched the stars, then became one and did what stars are supposed to do, get out of this hellhole and move to Hollywood. Kalisto's speed and offense got some nice reactions, especially a 450 splash off the top and a running tope. They did some comedy with Enzo wearing the wig they sell to fans. Kalisto stole it off his head and wore it over his mask before throwing it at Enzo, who was in the aisle. When Kalisto hit his tope suicida, Enzo, who was holding the wig, tossed it up into the air as he was hit. As a character, Amore was very entertaining but in the ring, there were several miscues, including an attempted tornado DDT off the ropes but Kalisto that ended up looking like he just yanked Enzo's arm down to the mat with him. He followed up to save it with a DDT. Amore's character was so over that the crowd didn't pick up on the issues. OK overall. Kalisto got a decent reaction coming out and got greatly booed going back to the locker room.
*Samoa Joe choked out Finn Balor in less than ten minutes. Balor, dressed in an all white ensemble, came out and got a nice reaction. He cut a promo saying that while he wishes he could be home with his family for the holidays, if he can't, he is happy he was in MSG and said tonight, it was the Balor Club. Joe came out looking like he had a chip on his shoulder and wrestled like it after. They had a short back and forth match that seemed to be designed to make Joe look like a killer and then he choked out Balor clean, which stunned the crowd. Joe strutted around the ring like he had just killed a king and taken over the kingdom. For fans who were hoping for a great, kickass back and forth match, this was a disappointment in that the bout wasn't executed that way and seemed way shorter than you'd ever expect given who was involved.
*Asuka and Dana Brooke defeated WWE Raw Women's champion Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax. Asuka got a big reaction. The crowd really reacted to Bliss and Nia. Brooke was worked over for a long time before making the tag to Asuka. In the end, Asuka wiped out Bliss with a big kick to the head and scored the submission with an armbar, making the champ tap, which was the right finish given Asuka announcing she was going to compete in the women's Royal Rumble and was coming for Bliss. Brooke was trying hard but still needs work. Nia looked good.
*Braun Strowman defeated Kane via DQ in about five minutes. Big reaction for Braun with lots in the crowd throwing their hands up and screaming like he does when his scream played in his theme music. They brawled in the ring, then went to the floor, where Braun got the better of Kane. Braun went under the ring and tossed a table into the ring. Before he had a chance to use it and set it up, Kane had recovered, grabbed a steel chair and nailed Braun. Kane set up the table and went for a chokeslam through it but Braun escaped and nailed the powerslam through the table, which got a big reaction. Braun really played up to the crowd after, almost like Hulk Hogan, before tearing off his "Monster Among Men" shirt and posing.
*In what was far and away the best bout featuring the male performers, new WWE Raw Tag Team champions Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defeated The Bar. Jordan got no reaction coming out alone. You could hear crickets in Connecticut a State away, it was such as "Meh" response. Rollins got a nice reaction, as did the Bar. The rules here were that there could be an escape or a pinfall. Both members of the team had to escape in order to win. The Bar tried to scramble out of the cage at the bell but were stopped. Lots of good back and forth stuff here. At one point, Rollins escaped the cage but Jordan was stopped, leaving him to be beaten in a two on one and almost pinned. The crowd got really into Rollins looking at them and wondering what to do and exploded when he climbed back up. He ended up hitting a flying bodypress off the top of the cage onto the Bar, which got a nice reaction. The crowd went absolutely nuts every time there was a near escape over the top and that made the match really easy to get into. Jordan and Rollins both tried to escape and this time, Jordan made it over while Rollins was stopped. The Bar beat Rollins down and then each tried to climb over a side of the cage. Cesaro made it to the floor but Jordan came up under Sheamus as he was descending down his side and pulled Sheamus down onto his shoulders, as if he was going to have a chicken fight. As this was going on, the crowd went nuts, and Rollins scrambled over another side of the cage. Cesaro nailed Jordan to help bring Sheamus to the floor but Rollins hit the floor first to give the new champions their first official title defense. Great finish and really, a hell of a match. Rollins grabbed his knee after coming down from the cage, but seemed to walk away fine, so it may have been a selling job. Sheamus and Cesaro played off fans all the way up the aisle.
*WWE Intercontinental champion Roman Reigns pinned John Cena with a spear in what was only Cena's second-ever pinfall loss in MSG since becoming a star. Of the two, Cena got the bigger, more favorable response but there were parts of the crowd that were booing each man. Cena looked so happy just being there. This, to me, was way better than their PPV match a few months ago, but depending on how old you were and how you view pro wrestling probably colored how you felt about the match. The kids in the building were going completely nuts for every big move and near fall and most of the kickouts following big moves were perfectly timed with the crowd reacting in a major way. If you were looking for snug work, well, you weren't going to get it here as it was obvious a number of times that moves weren't perfectly connecting, especially when Roman Reigns was nailing clotheslines. If you are the type that notices that sort of thing, it probably drove you nuts. However, for the majority in the building, families with kids, they were eating all of this up. The near falls towards the end were so good, fans legitimately thought Cena was about to win the IC belt. Cena raised Reigns' arm after to endorse him. A nice way to end the night.
Notes: The show was not sold out, but looked to be the biggest Madison Square Garden crowd in some time...WWE announced a 3/16/18 return to MSG for a Raw house show featuring WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar appearing. There is currently a pre-sale via Ticketmaster.com using code WWE2018....Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon was sitting in the first row with his father for most of the first half of the show. Also sitting in the first row were Impractical Jokers cast members Brian "Q" Quinn, and Salvatore "Sal" Vulcano and YouTube personality Rudy Mancuso....WWE were selling signed photos of John Cena, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Dean Ambrose at the event for $20....They are also now selling miniature inflatable "Bayley Buddies."...Oddly enough, at no point was any specific merchandise pushed to the crowd by Jojo, not even before intermission. That seemed weird as it was the perfect way to try and get kids excited enough to ask their parents for merchandise....Cue my usual comment about how it's a shame they don't bring in Howard Finkel as a surprise, at least to do the main event, here.
2018 - WWE returned to Madison Square Garden. Mike Johnson filed the following report:
World Wrestling Entertainment continued its decades-long tradition of a live event at Madison Square Garden on 12/26, the day after Christmas last night. Traditionally, this is one of the biggest live gates of the year for the company in terms of non-televised events. As is the norm with MSG, WWE tossed a little something extra into the mix tonight with an appearance from Vince McMahon.
Full results of the show:
*They opened with the national anthem.
.@DMcIntyreWWE kicks off #wwemsg @HEELZiggler @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/svVlNhr6QM
— CarlitosWay (@Carlos_Herrera_) December 27, 2018
*Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler in a strong, athletic opener with some good ten minutes of bell to bell action. McIntyre had been knocked from the ring after drilling Ziggler, allowing Balor to come off the top with Coup de Grace on Ziggler for the pin. McIntyre immediately nailed him with The Claymore Kick, laying out Balor. He took the mic and cut a great promo saying that he was the personification of what a WWE Superstar is supposed to be, ticking off everything on the list that made him great before finishing up that he was “sexy to boot” which got a laugh from the crowd. McIntyre said he should be on the fast track for the WWE Universal Championship, but something keeps getting in his way – Ziggler and Balor. He promised Balor he was a marked man and told Ziggler he was going to finish him off this Monday in their steel cage match on Raw (being taped on 12/28) before turning around and knocking NYC. He complained about it being cold and that New Yorkers have no manners. Ziggler attacked him and nailed a Zig Zag leading to Balor nailing a Coup de Grace off the top on Drew. This was a perfectly put together opening match and segment, getting everyone over, getting the crowd into the show and showcasing all three.
*Apollo Crews won a Battle Royal, knocking out Jinder Mahal, who was on the apron, with a leaping enziguri that came nowhere near Manhattan, much less Mahal. The match included Curt Hawkins (attacked and tossed out first, naturally), Rhyno (wasn’t he “fired?”), Heath Slater, Titus O’Neil, Zack Ryder, The Ascension and No Way Jose. Pretty standard stuff here.
#WalkWithElias @TheGarden #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/XfILIfYZTW
— CarlitosWay (@Carlos_Herrera_) December 27, 2018
*Elias defeated Bobby Lashley (with Lio Rush) in a Guitar on a Pole match. The stipulation was never advertised in advance. Elias cut a good babyface promo and played his guitar with the entire Garden clapping along. He then set up another song, but instead out came Lashley and Lio. Match wasn’t as good as the promo. In the end, Elias retrieved the guitar and won. He brandished it as if he was going to hit Lashley with it. Lashley cowered in the corner and Lio came from behind Elias, who caught him. He turned towards Rush. Lashley went to spear him but Elias evaded it and Rush ate the full force of the spear. Elias then broke the guitar over Lashley’s back. The match went about six minutes.
*Natasha and Ember Moon defeated Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott (with Sarah Logan) in a very good, athletic tag team match that told a strong story and was a lot of fun live. Moon nailed an awesome looking Eclipse on Riott, allowing Natalya to lock the Sharpshooter on Morgan for the submission.
Big Match John & Big Match Johnny just hanging out at the World's Most Famous Arena.
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) December 27, 2018
Wrestling at Madison Square Garden has always been a childhood dream. Tonight that dream came true.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/ekIhE5d0js
*In an excellent bout, NXT stars Matt Riddle & NXT North American Champion Ricochet & Velveteen Dream & UK Champion Pete Dunne & defeated WWE NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano & Undisputed Era members Adam Cole & Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly (with Bobby Fish). This was EVERYONE’s official debut in MSG. Undisputed Era and Riddle got the biggest reactions coming out. No one was booed during the match, but you got a sense that live, the audience didn’t know much about who they were watching. As the match went on, they got more and more into it and eventually got a big ‘NXT’ chant after a big sequence. They teased Ciampa and Gargano working together at one point, but it didn’t happen. Ricochet nailed a 720 splash off the top rope on Cole for the pin. At this point, this was easily the most spectacular thing on the show.
One of the greatest pictures these eyes have ever seen!!!#NXTCrew in MSG!!!!! #ProudofYou pic.twitter.com/3tfGrLgort
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) December 27, 2018
.@WWENXT #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/AuaTzgSQao
— CarlitosWay (@Carlos_Herrera_) December 27, 2018
*WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose defeated Seth Rollins to escape and win a Steel Cage Match to retain the title after Rollins had the match won, but Baron Corbin, his identity obscured in a New York Knicks Hoodie, ran down to ringside and slammed the cage door in Rollins’ face. Ambrose went for the door. Rollins grabbed him but was kicked off and the Champion pulled himself out and to the floor. The last half of this was very entertaining, including Rollins doing a superplex into the ring from the top of the cage, then popping up to hit a Falcon’s Arrow. They brawled on top of the cage and at one point, a Singapore Cane came into play as well. Once they turned the intensity on and began really slugging it out, the match kicked into second gear and ended up being an entertaining 16 minute match.
.@WWERollins with the superPlex off the top of the cage #wweMSG pic.twitter.com/tvP2Jlf8WX
— CarlitosWay (@Carlos_Herrera_) December 27, 2018
*After intermission, WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Bobby Roode & Chad Gable won a Triple Threat match over The AOP (with Drake Maverick) and The Revival in about 12 minutes. Well worked match but the crowd was still coming back from intermission and that kept them from pulling the audience in for much of it. Gabe is ridiculously good at everything when it comes to the physical aspect of performing. At one point, Roode was sent to the floor and Gable teamed with The Revival to execute the Shatter Machine at Rezar. Maverick got involved and was nailed a took a bump off the top to the apron. Solid.
*Bayley and Sasha Banks defeated Alicia Fox and Mickie James with Dana Brooke. Big reactions for Banks and Bayley, especially when Bayley returned to the stage for the unveiling of the Bayley Buddies. This was short but fine. James really shined here as a heel.
*Baron Corbin was slated to face Braun Strowman. He announced Strowman would not be there and informed the referee he had to count Strowman out. The ref began to do so, but at eight, “No Way in Hell” played and out came Vince McMahon to a huge reaction.
*Vince told everyone he wanted to wish them a belated Merry Christmas on behalf of everyone in WWE. He then led the referee in counting out Strowman, so Corbin wins by count out. Vince heard the fans booing that and chanting at Strowman that he sucks. Vince said that on this night, especially since they were in Madison Square Garden, he wanted to give Corbin another opponent, someone who has had more big memories in Madison Square Garden than “Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin” combined. Yep, he said that. It was John Cena….
@JohnCena is BACK in the ring here at #WWEMSG and he brought a good luck charm from his friend @TheEllenShow pic.twitter.com/j6uk8mG9hZ
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2018
*John Cena pinned Baron Corbin with an Attitude Adjustment and his new Lightning Elbow. Cena got, by far, the biggest and most sustained reaction of the night, especially among kids in the crowd. He hugged Vince when he came to the ring. He looked like he had leaned out in terms of muscle and with the longer hair, looked a hell of a lot like JBL facially. This was ten minutes of Cena’s greatest hits and the crowd loved it, doing the back and forth Cena chants as Cena went back and forth with Corbin. Corbin escaped the STF at one point. After the match, Cena took the mic and said he wanted to spend his holidays with his loved ones and he was so happy to have shared tonight with everyone in the audience and told them to enjoy the rest of the show. He spent a long time on the entrance stage saluting the fans before leaving. In terms of the audience being engaged and reacting, they live crowd was far more into this than anything else on the show. WWE turned off the video screens above the ring for this match (as they always do for Cena bouts in MSG) and this match only and it may be that helped lead to the more interactive responses from the crowd, as opposed to the upper decks passively watching the video screens.
First time I can remember women closing the @TheGarden #wwemsg @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/ikB6E51RIZ
— CarlitosWay (@Carlos_Herrera_) December 27, 2018
*WWE Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey forced Nia Jax to tap out, winning the first women’s wrestling match to ever close a WWE in MSG live event in the main event position. Jax was accompanied by Tamina. This was a little rough at times, but also very physical. Jax nailed Rousey, on her shoulders, with an Electric Chair. She built up to a big spot with an attempted knockout punch, but Rousey grabbed her arm, kissed her hand and came off the ropes with an armbar takedown. She then transitioned Jax into the armbar for the submission.
*After the match, The Riott Squad hit the ring and attacked Rousey, and everyone beat on her. Natalya and Ember Moon made the save but were attacked by Alicia and Mickie and Dana. Sasha and Bayley made the save and there was a huge brawl with the women that ended with Rousey dropping down and sending Nia over the top to the floor, then Rousey hitting a flying bodypress off the top onto everyone on the floor. A chaotic scene to close the show. They closed out with the other women putting Rousey on their shoulders.
The women main evented #WWEMSG #ItsPossible
— $asha Banks (@SashaBanksWWE) December 27, 2018
Notes: The show ran about three and a half hours, including intermission, so it was longer than your traditional WWE live event…There was no return date to Madison Square Garden announced, which given that MSG will host the ROH New Japan G1 Classic event Wrestlemania weekend, isn’t the least bit surprising…MSG had a graphic for the G1 Supercard rotating as part of their upcoming events lineup on HD TVs in the venue...There was a heavy push for the WWE Network all night, including the main event being “sponsored” by the Network…Michael Hayes was at the event and was likely the person who wrote and put the show together….Dasha Fuentes handled ring announcements while Vic Joseph worked as a live host for the show….They were selling signed photos of John Cena and Seth Rollins at the merchandise stands as well as a Holiday Live tour t-shirt….Bray Wyatt was backstage...Sasha Banks, The AOP, Drake Maverick and Dean Ambrose met with VIP ticketholders prior to the event....Brandon Easton, the comic book and TV series writer (Marvel’s Agent Carter) was in attendance at the event. He’s working on the forthcoming Jim Cornette history of pro wrestling-themed comic book series coming from IDW….Former WWE star Enzo Amore was outside of the Garden milling about with fans before the show....Joel Gertner was in attendance at the show. On behalf of everyone at PWInsider.com, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to Gertner on the loss of his Grandmother this week....This is usually the place where I say it's a shame Howard Finkel isn't ring announcing MSG. Instead, I'd just like to say I hope Howard, one of the nicest people imaginable, is doing well....It was great to see everyone I ran into at the show and has the chance to spend time with. Tonight was the 32nd anniversary of the very first live event my father took my brother and I to and certainly, that night, I never imagined where that experience would end up taking me. I am beyond blessed and everyone I ran into tonight was just another reminder of those blessings. Thanks to all of you. Know that I am beyond appreciative of you all and I will never lose sight of how lucky I am. I'm already looking forward to the next year's WWE post-Christmas event.
2019 -WWE returned to Madison Square Garden. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
#AndNew?? @AndradeCienWWE is the @WWE #USChampion. #WWEMSG (????: Dave Saffran/MSG Photos) pic.twitter.com/rDcdanI2nL
— MSG (@TheGarden) December 27, 2019
World Wrestling Entertainment held their final event of the decade in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Thursday 12/26, the latest edition of their decades-long tradition of a day after Christmas live event. The Raw brand event, billed as part of the WWE Holiday Touyr, featured four title changes, including one that was meant to be a substantial moment with Andrade defeating Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship. WWE also played hot potato with the 24/7 title and followed up on several storylines from this past week’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
*WWE Raw Tag Team Champions The War Raiders defeated The Street Profits (making their MSG debut) and The O.C.’s Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The Profits came out to a big reaction for their high energy entrance and even went in the crowd to play to the fans. This was a good opener with lots of near falls. Montez Ford hit a big dive to the outside. In the end, the Raiders hit their finisher on Anderson for the pin.
*Drew McIntyre pinned No Way Jose in a short match after the Claymore Kick. McIntyre sold a bit for Jose early before taking his aggressions out on Jose. McIntyre showed some funny heel charisma as well including mocking Jose’s mannerisms. This was a good squash match.
*Andrade pinned Rey Mysterio to win the WWE United States Championship in a great match that was the best thing bell to bell on the show. Zelina Vega, in her hometown, was in all her glory with an insanely great looking dress and cut a promo before the bout, stating that other than Andrade, Rey is the talent she most respects in the entire WWE, but noted that after the beating he took on Raw, Rey has refused to let WWE doctors look at his neck and demands to compete despite not being cleared. The mic work set up the title change. This was legitimately, ridiculously great with all sorts of unique and cool spots, including Rey hitting a sunset flip on the apron outside, sending Andrade crashing back-first into the ringpost. In the end, Mysterio nailed a 619 and came off the top for a splash but Andrade kicked him in mid-air and nailed the hammerlock DDT. Mysterio did a promo after, apologizing to the audience for losing, saying that he may not have won, but it meant the world to him to perform in front of the NYC fans.
*Randy Orton pinned AJ Styles after catching Styles preparing for a Phenomenal Forearm, hitting him with an RKO for the pin. Orton’s entrance took forever, just milking the audience. They had a long, drawn out match. Early on, Styles tried to make Orton do the “Too Sweet” deal with the Kill sign. The O.C. pulled Styles out of the ring and attempted to leave, but the Viking Raiders came out to their music and brawled with the O.C. Styles returned and attempted the forearm, setting up the finish. Orton was doing the Kliq sign with fans after.
*Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Asuka in the first-ever women’s steel cage match in MSG history. Lynch got, by far, the biggest reaction of the night when she came to the ring. This was your traditional Triple Threat match where two competitors battled as the third was temporarily removed from the proceedings. No Kairi Sane at ringside. The rules were there was no escape and there had to be a pinfall or submission. They worked a fast pace the entire time and it was an entertaining house show match. Obviously, no blood. At one point, Flair and Lynch kept rolling around the ring in a large circle, reversing the others' pinfall attempt. They both came up dizzy with Charlotte whipping out the Flair Flop. Flair executed a big moonsault at one point, but Lynch and Asuka put their knees up at the same time. They did the Ric Flair/Sting finish from Great American Bash 1990 as Flair went for the figure eight but Becky small packaged her for the pin. Becky took a LONG time going around ringside doing selfies with fans and signing after the bout.
After intermission, The Street Profits helped give merchandise to a young fan who was picked as the social media fan of the night. The kid was so excited, it was really adorable. A nice new wrinkle for WWE live events.
*WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth came out to defend his title. He dedicated the match to his “childhood hero” John Cena (who is younger than Truth) and even did Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle. Truth faced The Singh Brothers in a handicap match. This was all comedy. Samir Singh pinned Truth to win the title but was then rolled up and pinned by Harvinder Singh, who became champion. Truth then rolled up Singh and regained the title so they ended up back where they started in terms of who was champion. This was what it was.
*Aleister Black pinned Buddy Murphy after Black Mass. This was a good match, but not at the level of their TLC PPV bout. They each had moments where they got in the face of the other, trying to play mind games and they worked a good, physical style. This was one of the best matches on the show from an in-ring perspective.
*Lana came out and cut a promo about how NYC is all losers and jealous of her. She went on and on in the most annoying way possibly, getting a lot of reaction for this. She brought out Lashley and he got on his knee and she acted like he was asking to marry her again and pushed the wedding on Raw. Seriously, this garnered a ton of heat and Lana was pitch perfect in the role. This was advertising as a No Holds Barred match against Rusev but Lana claimed she was able to get yet another order of protection barring Rusev from being there. In a rare case of a heel telling the truth, Rusev never appeared. Lana said there was no one who could stand up to her Lashley and dared anyone in the back to face him…
*Out came Ricochet, who defeated Lashley with a rollup in a big man vs. little man match. This was fine for what it was and the crowd loved Ricochet’s dives and fakeouts when he teased doing them.
*Seth Rollins pinned Kevin Owens in an entertaining No Holds Barred match to close the show. Rollins cut a promo pointing out that the last time he was at MSG, he was in the ring with Steve Austin and everyone was cheering him. Now, half the building was booing. He said that he wondered what happened and now he knows, the fans changed on him because they are jealous of him. Owens came out and said what happened was that the fans realized Rollins was a jackass. They ..Wwent back and forth on whether Seth was a jackass or not and the crowd loved this. They brawled into the crowd and went around the building before returning to the ringside area. Owens was really fun here and was channeling Terry Funk, tossing chairs into the ring. They teased using a table but it never happened until the end of the bout. Owens had the match won but the AOP came out and attacked him. Owens was brought back to the ring and hit with a stomp on the flat table and pinned. The crowd didn’t react well to that.
The AOP and Rollins worked over Owens but Samoa Joe’s music hit and he returned to physicality after being laid out on Raw. He fought off the AOP, using a Singapore Cane and ended up putting Rollins through a table to close the show, celebrating with Owens.
NOTES: WWE will return to MSG on 3/22/20....They were selling signed photos of Becky Lynch, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins....The steel cage hung over the ring for the entire event and was lowered with dramatic music before the cage match...They played an audio recording of Lilian Garcia singing the national anthem before the event....They had an inflatable Christmas Tree and an inflatable snowman as part of the entrance as this was billed as a "Holiday Tour" event.
2020 - The annual WWE event at Madison Square Garden is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 - Jonathan Huber aka AEW star Brodie Lee passed away following an illness, it was announced by his wife via Instagram. Huber was only 41 years old.
Amanda Huber's Instagram post noted Huber had been battling a non-COVID-19 related lung disease and had been treated at Mayo Clinic. Huber wrote:
"My best friend died today.
I never wanted to write out those words. My heart is broken. The world saw him as the amazing @brodielee (fka Luke Harper) but he was my best friend, my husband, and the greatest father you would ever meet. No words can express the love I feel or how broken I am right now. He passed surrounded by love ones after a hard fought battle with a non Covid related lung issue. The @mayoclinic is literally the best team of doctors and nurses in the world who surrounded me with constant love.
On top of that, I can’t express my love and admiration for the way @allelitewrestling has treated not only my husband but myself and my kids. @margaret.stalvey @meghalegalgirl10 @americannightmarecody @thebrandirhodes @nickjacksonyb @mattjackson13 @kennyomegamanx @tonyrkhan and the rest of the team at AEW have helped keep me standing and pick up all the broken pieces.
I’ve been surrounded by so much love and incredible people I can’t tag them all but they know who they are and I don’t think they will ever know how thankful I am for them."
AEW has already publicly confirmed his passing:
#RipBrodieLee pic.twitter.com/wBdvPO5F9Y
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 27, 2020
Huber was formerly known as Luke Harper during his time with WWE, a member of The Wyatt Family. In AEW, for which he debuted earlier this year, Huber was revealed as the leader of The Dark Order.
This is a breaking story and we will have more as soon as possible, including a look at Huber's career.
Our deepest condolences to the Huber's family, friends and fans.
COMPLETE HUBER COVERAGE (MOST RECENT BACK)
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UPDATED - THE INDUSTRY REACTS: THE PASSING OF JON 'BRODIE LEE/LUKE HARPER' HUBER
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CLASSIC PWINSIDER INTERVIEW FROM 2010: BRODIE LEE DISCUSSES DGUSA INTERNET PPV DEBUT, BREAKING INTO THE BUSINESS, BRAWLING AND TEAMING WITH NECRO BUTCHER, SIZING UP AKEBONO, KICKING A BUSHWHACKER IN THE FACE, TOURING THE UK FOR BRIAN DIXON, CHIKARA, GOALS AND MUCH MORE
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