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December 30th
On this day in history ...
1952 - Ben and Mike Sharpe win the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title for the seventh time, defeating Fred Atkins and Ray Eckert.
1955 - Henry Lenz and Kurt Von Poppenheim defeat Bill Savage and Buck Weaver to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1966 - Paul Jones defeats Tony Borne for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Borne's seventh reign and beginning his second.
1967 - Former Ring of Honor World Champion PCO is born.
1968 - Bobby and Lee Fields defeat The Mighty Yankees (Frank Morrell and Eddie Sullivan) in Memphis, Tennessee to win the Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1972 - The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the Detroit version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan. This ended Brazil's fifth reign and began The Sheik's third.
1972 - Verne Gagne and Bill Robinson defeat Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1975 - Black Gordman and Goliath defeat Rock Riddle and John Tolos to win their 10th NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
1978 - Terry Funk defeats Dick Slater for the NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Title in St. Petersburg, Florida, ending Slater's third reign and beginning Funk's second.
1978 - Dick Murdoch defeats Buck Robley in Kansas City, Kansas for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title.
1984 - The WWF ran at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
- Angelo Mosca, Jr. (making his WWF debut) pinned Goldie Rogers.
- Bret Hart defeated Terry Gibbs.
- Mike Rotundo defeated Swede Hanson.
- Barry Windham defeated Rene Goulet.
- Tony Atlas defeated The Spoiler.
- Andre the Giant and Blackjack Mulligan fought Ken Patera and Big John Studd to a double disqualification.
- Jimmy Snuka pinned Bob Orton, Jr.
1984 - Terry Taylor defeats Eddie Gilbert to win the CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Gilbert's second reign.
1985 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden before 20,225 fans. The results:
- Special Delivery Jones pinned Ron Shaw with an inside cradle.
- Jim Neidhart and B. Brian Blair fought to a 15-minute draw.
- Hercules defeated Jose Luis Rivera by submission with a backbreaker.
- Adrian Adonis pinned Lanny Poffo after a bulldog.
- Randy Savage defeated WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan by countout.
- Big John Studd pinned Tony Atlas with a flying bodypress.
- The Haiti Kid pinned Butch Cassidy with a reverse roll-up.
- Jim Brunzell pinned Bret Hart with a backslide.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine defeated Hillbilly Jim and Uncle Elmer, when Beefcake pinned Elmer.
1985 - Bill Dundee defeats Jerry Lawler for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. This began Dundee's ninth reign and ended Lawler's 36th.
1985 - Tim Horner wins the Southeastern version NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title for the second time in Birmingham, Alabama, defeating Ken Timbs.
1986 - Dos Caras defeats Canek to win the UWA World Heavyweight Title, ending Canek's sixth reign and beginning his own second.
1988 - Cactus Jack defeats Eric Embry for the World Class Light Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Embry's fourth reign.
1988 - Makhan Singh (Mike Shaw) and Vokhan Singh (Gary Albright) defeat The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith) to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta, ending the Bulldogs' second reign.
1989 - King Cobra defeats Jerry Lawler to win the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's third reign.
1989 - The Lethal Weapons (Dennis Condrey and Doug Gilbert) defeat Phil Apollo and Vic Steamboat (subbing for Eric Sbraccia) for Apollo and Sbraccia's International Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Augusta, Maine, ending their second reign.
1990 - Rey Fenix is born.
1992 - Big Van Vader defeats Ron Simmons in Baltimore, Maryland to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
1994 - The first-annual CMLL Torneo Gran Alternativa is held in Mexico City, Mexico. The tournament features eight teams, each pairing an established veteran with a relative newcomer. Negro Casas and Hector Garza won the tournament, defeating Satanico and Archangel de la Muerte in the finals.
1997 - As part of the "NWA Invasion" angle in the WWF, on RAW is WAR in New Haven, Connecticut, Jeff Jarrett defeats Barry Windham to win the NWA North American Heavyweight Title.
1998 - Sam Muchnick, longtime promoter of the St. Louis territory, and president of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1950 to 1960 and 1963 to 1975, which he had a hand in founding, dies at age 93. Muchnick's St. Louis Wrestling Club promotion produced the legendary show "Wrestling at the Chase", which aired locally on Saturday nights.
1999 - Tim White defeats Ricky Murdock for the NWA Southern Television Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
1999 - Warlock defeats Billy Fives to win the Future of Wrestling International Title in Davie, Florida. At the same event, FP&L defeat Wildside (Anthony Michaels and Jeff Roth) for the FOW Tag Team Title, ending Wildside's second reign.
1999 - Kid Ego defeats Mikey Whipwreck to win the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Title.
2000 - Christopher Daniels defeats Donovan Morgan in the finals of the first-ever King of the Indies Tournament, held by All Pro Wrestling in Galt, California. Daniels and Morgan would become the first ROH Tag Team Champions two years later.
2000 - Mark Wolf wins his second IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title, defeating Paul E. Smooth in Charlestown, Indiana, ending Smooth's day-long second reign. At the same show, Cash Flo also ended Ian Rotten's eighth reign as IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion.
2001 - The X Wrestling Federation held an event at the Brown County Arena in Green Bay, Winsconsin. The results:
- Greg Valentine defeated Hail.
- Drezden defeated Big Vito.
- XWF Cruiserweight Champion Kid Kash defeated Josh Mathews.
- British Storm defeated Norman Smiley.
- Jim Duggan defeated The Wall.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Curt Hennig and Vampiro in a Triple Threat match.
- The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated XWF Tag Team Champions The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags).
2001 - The Elements of Suicide (Cinna and Onix) defeat The Damned (Draven and Matthew Storm) to win their second Power League Wrestling New Tag Team Title in West Warwick, Rhode Island. That same day, Johnny Angel won the PLW Heavyweight Title from Dr. Heresy.
2003 - At a SmackDown! taping in Laredo, Texas, Rey Mysterio wins his second WWE Cruiserweight Title, ending Tajiri's second reign and third overall (he held one during the WCW/ECW Invasion). This began Mysterio's seventh Cruiserweight Title reign overall.
2003 - Steve Williams defeats Terry Taylor in Guangzhou, China to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title.
2003 - Memphis Wrestling TV aired on the UPN affiliate in Memphis. Gregory White filed the following report:
UPN studios Memphis TN
Hosts: Corey Maclin
Before the show they have an NWA-TNA opening and they have Corey Maclin being introduced to the crowd at the NWA-TNA event and show quick highlights of some of the Memphis wrestling matches at the NWA-TNA show.
Corey announces that Brian Teigland has the day off. They announce that there will be six matches today.
The first match of the day is Derrick King & Bart Sawyer vs. Reggie B Fine & Tony Falk. Before the match Reggie said that he only agreed to wrestle because I have a real partner. Derrick King pins Tony Falk.
Winners: Derrick King & Bart Sawyer.
Mabel comes out uninvited with his King of The Ring championship belt. He asks, "What happened to Brian Teigland?" Mabel asks if they will show footage from the match of the Coliseum where he hurt Brian. He sits at the desk.
Corey calls Kevin White out and Kevin talks about the scaffold match with Dundee. They show the footage. While Dundee and White are fighting on the scaffold, a fight breaks out in the ring. Kevin White dives off the scaffold onto the people fighting in the ring. Mabel admits Kevin White does good.
The second match of the day is Big Bully Douglas vs. Kevin White. Big Bully jumps Kevin before the bell. White pins Big Bully after a sunset flip off the second turnbuckle.
Winner: Kevin White.
The third match of the day is Mike Money & Allen Steel vs. The Lifeguards from the World's Largest Beach. April shows up in a bikini and oh yes, it was a good match too, with the Lifeguards getting a double pin while Money and Steel were staring at April. The Lifeguards are beat up some after the match is over.
Winners: Every guy in the building and watching TV, and the Lifeguards. Can we have a picture of April in a bikini?
Bill Dundee comes out with Doug Gilbert. Bill then said that Kevin White chickened out of the scaffold match and jumped off. Bill then said that we have the new World's Champion here. Corey said that Doug Gilbert stole the titles at the Coliseum. Gilbert is holding both the AWA and Unified World Titles. Gilbert then said, "If it was Lawler, then you would be talking about how a great world's champion he was, and how he beat Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA Title and Kerry Von Erich to unify the AWA and WCCW Titles to form the World's Unified Title." Doug then names all the World's champions and he shows a picture of the Memphis Mafia and he shows a picture of Eddie Gilbert with the Unified Title. He said that Lawler and Christopher have to start from the bottom and that Gilbert is the new Unified Champion. Corey said that he stole it.
The fourth match of the day is Ricky Montana vs. Devon Tate.
Winner: Ricky Montana.
They introduce Marly Pride, The Bohemian Heavyweight Champion from the Bahamas with manager Paul Wylde. Paul said, "I am a millionaire and I looked all over the world for the best champions and that the best way to prove that you are a champion is to kill the biggest whale." Mabel, who is sitting at the desk, starts to feel that he is being insulted and asks, "Who are you calling a whale?" Marly Pride jumps Mabel and is revealed to be Mo, who was Mabel's partner in Men on a Mission and Harlem Knights. They brawl outside the ring.
Brian Christopher comes out and says that he is here to talk about Doug Gilbert with Jerry Lawler's title. The Gilberts have a history of lying, cheating, and stealing. Doug Gilbert is bad. Kadillac Kasey James comes out with his USA Championship Belt. He says that he is the USA heavyweight champion and that he is proud that he is the champion. James calls Brian, not Brian Christopher, but rather Brian Lawler. Brain then says, "I am Brian Christopher." Brian then challenges James to a title match. Brian asks him if he was a chicken and starts clucking mocking the champion. During the taunting, James jumps Christopher and they start the match.
The fifth match of the day is a non-title match. "Kadillac" Kasey James vs. Brian Christopher. The match is the best match of the day.
Winner: Brian Christopher. James after the match said that I still have the gold and anytime, anywhere, I will wrestle you. I am still the United States Champion.
They show a quick clip of the tag match with Lawler and Christopher with Jackie Fargo vs. Doug Gilbert and Dutch Mantel with Jimmy Hart.
Corey then introduces the new Memphis Wrestling Commissioner, Rocky Johnson. He said that there will be a lot of changes and that Handsome Jimmy had to resign due to obligations elsewhere. He announced a special prize for a 20 man battle royal next week. A brand new 75 inch TV will be awarded to the winner.
The sixth and last match of the day is Koko Ware vs. Bill Dundee. Dundee uses a chain and is DQ'd and starts to choke Koko and the locker room empties into the ring.
Winner by DQ: Koko Ware.
Next week we will be visiting Jerry Lawler's house and have an interview with Jimmy Hart as well as have a 20 man battle Royal for a 75 inch TV. The show is called "Christmas Chaos" and will also have Santa and the Memphis Wrestling Elf.
2005 - IWA Mid-South held its third-annual Revolution Strong Style Tournament in Streamwood, Illinois. The results:
- Trik Davis defeated Claudio Castagnoli.
- Samoa Joe defeated Tank in a Revolution Strong Style Tournament first round match.
- B.J. Whitmer defeated Corporal Robinson in a Revolution Strong Style Tournament first round match.
- Chris Hero defeated Ian Rotten in a Revolution Strong Style Tournament first round match.
- ICW/ICWA Tex-Arkana Television Champion Larry Sweeney defeated Colt Cabana and Delirious to retain the title.
- IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Jacobs defeated Bull Pain by disqualification.
- Mickie Knuckles defeated NWA Midwest Women's Champion Daizee Haze in a non-title match.
- Necro Butcher defeated Eddie Kingston in a Revolution Strong Style Tournament first round match.
- IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Champion Tyler Black, Marek Brave and Matt Sydal defeated Josh Abercrombie and Brandon and IWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion Vito Thomaselli in an elimination match.
- Chris Hero defeated Samoa Joe in a Revolution Strong Style Tournament semifinal match.
- Necro Butcher defeated B.J. Whitmer in a Revolution Strong Style Tournament semifinal match.
- Chris Hero defeated Necro Butcher to win the Revolution Strong Style Tournament.
2005 - Jeff Lewis defeats Slim J. for the NWA Anarchy Television Title in Cornelia, Georgia, beginning his second reign. At the same show, Pomp and Circumstance (Ace Rockwell and Shaun Tempers) defeat The Urban Assault Squad (Shadow Jackson and Nemesis) to win the NWA Anarchy Tag Team Title.
2006 - Steve Greene defeats Brass Munkey for the Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic Television Title in Burlington, North Carolina.
2006 - Jon Moxley defeats Brian Jennings, J.T. Stahr and Matt Stryker in a four-way match to win the vacant Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title in Dayton, Ohio.
2006 - Kilo defeats Tank in Dyersburg, Tennessee for the New Blood Wrestling Heavyweight Title.
2007 - Ring of Honor held Final Battle 2007 in The Manhattan Center in New York City with the following live report:
*Bobby Dempsey, who was super over, pinned Mitch Franklin.
*Jigsaw and Ruckus defeated Bobby Fish and Matt Cross in a fun opener.
*Larry Sweeney, who unsuccessfully tried to get out of the match, pinned Claudio Castagnoli after Daniel Puder laid out Sweeney's bad leg. Tank Toland tried to finish the job but was nailed with Ricola Bomb.
*Jack Evans pinned the Necro Butcher in a No DQ Match. Mercedes Martinez debuted, attacking Lacey, which allowed Evans to roll up Butcher. Really fun match including Evans hitting a sunset flip powerbomb off the apron to the floor and Butcher giving Evans a backbreaker across two back to back chairs facing away from each other. Martinez is the newest member of the Vulture Squad.
*In an excellent back and forth wrestling match, Naomichi Marufuji pinned Davey Richards with sliced bread #2. Richards hit an incredible dive out of the ring, taking out Marufuji and landing in the third row. Awesome stuff.
*Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard filmed an opening for a ROH Videowire.
*In a No DQ Tables Are Legal Match, The Hangmen Three defeated Kevin Steen & El Generico & Delirious when Adam Pearce hit a piledriver off a table placed in the top turnbuckle through a tabke on Delirious. Luke Williams hit the ring and did the Bushwhackers battering ram with Delirious and did the march around the ring with all the babyfaces. Pelle Primeau returned from injuries sustained at the hands of the Hangmen Three to hit a top rope Frankensteiner through a table on Shane Hagadorn. The Hangmen drilled Steen and Generico with spike piledrivers after the match.
*Rocky Romero defeated Ernie Osyris via tapout.
*ROH champion Nigel McGuinness came out and cut a promo saying he doesn't remember his match last night and teased forfeiting the belt. He then said he was keeping the belt because of the fans who supported him and understand his sacrifices and in spite of the fans who don't understand.
*Erick Stevens pinned Roderick Strong to win the FIP championship. *In a Four Way to determine the top contender to the ROH title, Bryan Danielson defeated Austin Aries via submission in a bout that also featured Takeshi Morishima and Chris Hero. Eliminations saw All three pin Morishima. Aries pinned Hero. Awesome bout.
*The Age of The Fall, Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs defeated ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes to win the belts in an excellent match.
2008 - WWE released Barry Windham from his role as a producer for the company.
2009 - Former UWF and All Japan Triple Crown champion Steve "Dr. Death" Williams lost his battle with cancer, passing away at the age of 49.
2009 - WWE debuted at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY with what would be their final live event of the 2000-2009 decade. Matt Besieda filed the following results:
Live Report from the last WWE Show of the Decade, The Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY Supershow
Howard Finkle was out first to warm up the crowd.
ECW champ Christian beat Shelton Benjamin in a Babyface vs. babyface match
Triple Threat MVP vs. Swagger vs. Miz, who had a huge amount of heat, for the U.S. title. Miz picked up the Win.
Then a Santa's Little Helper Divas match, which the babyfaces won..
Kane Defeated Big Show, who had a big pop,
Drew McIntyre won with a clean pin over John Morrison, Both were impressive)
Batista over Rey Mysterio in a Falls Count Anywhere bout. Batista must of got hit with a hard shot, because he had a lot of color in and around his right eye.
DX & Kofi over Legacy. A great six man. On Live TV you cant really build a hot tag as much due to time contrasts, but live is awesome. Interesting note -, All members of Legacy had their trunks pulled down by DX at one point, something they probably wouldn't be able to get away with on PG television.
Cena over Sheamus via DQ. Cena sold most of the match, Sheamus has so great moves but he is quite green as he botched a few of them. Cena thanked the fans and talked about it being the last WWE of the decade.
2010 - News broke locally in Philadelphia that former CZW champion Nick Gage was being sought in a New Jersey bank robbery. Gage, real name Nick Wilson, was sought by New Jersey authorities after surveillance cameras caught Gage leaving a Collingswood, New Jersey PNC Bank on 12/22 after handing a female bank teller a note demanding money under the threat of shooting her with a gun. Gage escaped on foot with $3,000 and later went to a casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Gage eventually turned himself into authorities and plead guilty, citing a painkiller addiction as being a factor in why he robbed the bank. Gage is currently serving a prison sentence.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We look back at last week's Foley-Flair confrontation where Foley wanted to prevent the upcoming Ken Anderson-Matt Morgan match for fear of Anderson's well being and then Flair and Eric Bischoff called him out as a hypocrite for making his living doing the kinds of stuff that causes injuries like Anderson's.
We then head into the Impact Zone where Mick Foley comes to the ring to address the crowd. He asks Anderson to join him in the ring, which he does, and then Foley reminds him of when they met some years back and were with an injured serviceman at the hopstial with Miss America, and Miss America meant to say they can take a picture of her with the serviceman and then she can take a picture of them with the serviceman, but what she ended up suggesting was that they do her first and then she can do the two of them together. The point is they both understand the nature of the wrestling business and the biggest lie he ever told in his career, one he told over and over, was that he was okay, and what he needed was someone to tell him that he wasn't okay. So he's here to tell Anderson that he's not okay, and to think of his family and the future little assholes he and his wife will have, and he's here to tell Anderson to think twice before he gets in the ring with Matt Morgan. Anderson thanks him and the people, and he respects Mick and his opinion, but he finds it offensive that he's doubting Anderson and calling him a liar. He's been checked out and medically cleared to wrestle Morgan, and Foley says he doesn't think he's not ready, but he also doesn't think Anderson's thinking of his future. Anderson thanks him for setting the bar so high, and Foley says that he knew what he was getting into when he was diving off of stuff in the 80s, but the fact is that once you mess your brain up, you mess it up for good. Anderson says Foley's not listening to him and is still calling him a liar, and says that if you can't get along, get it on. Matt Morgan comes out to the ring (to a loud Morgan chant), and he asks Anderson if this is going to be two guys going at it to prove who's the best, or if it's another Anderson con game. One of the first things Morgan learned in this business is that you can't trust anyone, and Morgan says that when the bell rings at Genesis, it's going to be on, and it doesn't matter to Morgan whether or not he's at 100% because he'll have no choice at that point but to go through him and go on to the TNA World Title. Anderson reminds Morgan that he's dealing with an asshole, and he's going to do whatever he has to in order to go through him and get to Jeff Hardy. Anderson says nobody's listening to him so they don't have to wait until Sunday, and the two of them get ready to fight when Jeff Hardy's music hits. Whoa, are they going to let him talk?!? Hardy says that he's the one who gave Anderson and gave him a concussion, and he could have hurt him permanently if he wanted but he didn't because he's a professional and he knows what he's doing. Both of them are ready to wrestle, so Hardy's making a tag match tonight with the two of them on opposite sides and Hardy has chosen their partners.
We go backstage to Eric Young, who is dressed as Moses and making up his own Commandments, including that Thou shalt have booze, Thou shalt have donuts, and Thou shalt have the greatest party ever. Orlando Jordan comes in and reminds him that he's not Moses, he's supposed to be Father Time, and that he himself is the Baby New Year, helpfully dressed in a giant diaper with a sash over his shoulder. I know I shouldn't admit this as a somewhat credible internet writer, but I can't help but get a chuckle out of these two.
Tonight: Sarita takes on Velvet Sky in a strap match, the latest installment of the Double J MMA Challenge, and Matt Morgan and Ken Anderson face each other with mystery partners chosen by Jeff Hardy!
Let's go to the ring for our first match...
Robert Roode vs Chris Sabin
Hammerlock reversal sequence to start, Sabin does a fancy flippy escape but Roode gets a headlock, Sabin fires him into the ropes and Roode hits a shoulderblock. Roode off the ropes again and Sabin gets a pair of armdrags and an armbar. They go to the corner and Roode hits a chop, but Sabin dodges a second and hits some chops of his own, then leapfrogs Roode and gets another armdrag into an armbar. Roode fights his way out but gets tossed to the apron and Sabin baseball slides Roode's legs out from under him and then hits a dive to the floor. We see James Storm and Alex Shelley watching the action from the floor as Sabin rolls Roode back into the ring and covers for 2. Sabin gets the boot up on a Roode charge, goes to the apron and tries a springboard something, but Roode catches him in a fireman's carry and dumps him backward on his face and that gets Roode a 2 count. Sabin tries a sunset flip and only gets 2 and Roode rips his head off with a hard clothesline for 2. Roode gets a chinlock as they plan out their next several spots, Roode picks him up and goes for a suplex but Sabin slips out the back and takes Roode down with a series of running forearms and a flying headscissors off the second rope. Sabin with a springboard clothesline from the apron for 2 and then they fight over a waistlock, Roode gets an O'Connor Roll with the tights for 2, Sabin reverses to a rollup of his own for 2, then hits a spinning enziguiri for 2 again. Sabin with a running Yakuza kick in the corner and then he goes up top for a springboard tornado DDT, but Roode blocks and hits a spinebuster for the clean win.
Winner: Robert Roode
Roode points at Shelley as he comes in to check on his partner and motions that they're taking the title at Genesis.
Rob Van Dam is backstage saying that tonight he's wrestling a mystery opponent and it doesn't matter who it is unless it's Jeff Hardy, because all he wants is to get Hardy in the ring and nothing else matters to him.
We go back to Orlando and Eric Young's party, and Young is sitting on Orlando's lap and Orlando is asking Eric to read his Christmas list to him again. Eric says he's already read it to him several times and he's not sure how this is going to make them a better team, when suddenly we hear the glass break and here comes the Rattlesnake himself...SHARK BOY! He says that this is a great party, especially since it gets him on TV because he's never on TV anymore, and then asks Eric if there's anything he can do to get him on TV more since he's tight with Bischoff. Orlando Jordan suggests sitting on his lap and reading him his Christmas list, and Shark Boy sits on Orlando's lap, then decides that he needs more beer first so he leaves. Eric says he's drunk already, and they need to keep their eye on him because he drinks like a fish. This stuff is just too much.
We go back to the ring as Rob Van Dam comes out for his match, and he says that we get it, it's clear that he's in charge of TNA...for the time being. That's why he's out here now waiting on his mystery opponent. It's nothing he can't handle so he will handle it, and he'll tell him that there's no stopping Rob Van Dam until Bischoff puts him in the ring with Jeff Hardy, and that's why he's the Whole F'n Show. Here comes his opponent...
Rob Van Dam vs Robbie E
Well, that's a bit underwhelming. RVD gets a big chant from the crowd and Robbie E fist pumps in RVD's face so RVD does the Rob Van Dam pointing thing and then kicks him in the face. Robbie tries a kick of his own and RVD dodges and spinkicks him, beats him up in the corner, and monkeyflips him damn near across the ring. Robbie tries a hiptoss but RVD with another big kick and goes for Rolling Thunder but Cookie grabs the ankle and sets Robbie up to hit a clothesline and then nail a series of punches and cover for a 2 count. Robbie with a rear chinlock, RVD fights his way out and gets a jumpkick off the second rope and now hits the Rolling Thunder (splash variety) and then the Five Star Notebook Splash for the win.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
RVD celebrates, but wait a minute, Jeff Hardy's on the screen! If RVD wants revenge, that's what he'll get...in due time. First, he has to beat an opponent that was carefully chosen for him at Genesis, and if he survives then he'll get his hands on Hardy.
We go backstage to Sarita, who is appalled that Velvet Sky is challenging her to a strap match tonight, and what she did to Velvet in the locker room last week will be nothing compared to what she'll do to her tonight.
Frankie Kazarian comes out with a couple of chicks and says that Hogan, Bischoff, and Flair have put a bounty on every title in TNA, so at Genesis, he's going to take the TNA Title from Jay Lethal. I'll assume he meant the X-Division Title. He's going to talk about Lethal's history and why he is the way he is (and we see video clips from the Lethal background piece from a few weeks ago throughout this monologue): he talks about Lethal's childhood home and how he was so poor his folks had to bring the garbage in. The front door and back door were on the same hinge, and it wasn't just Jay that was raised in this crackhouse (his words), there were a whole clan of cretins raised there, like his brothers Keenan Ivory and Damon Lethal, and his sisters Whitney and Beyonce Lethal. He blames Jay Lethal's mother for all this because she is so fugly, rancid, and disgusting that she...well, she fits in with everyone here at the Impact Zone. Jay Lethal has finally had enough and tears down to the ring to go after Kazarian, but Kazarian whips out a telescoping baton and cracks Lethal in the face with it.
We go backstage as Mick Foley steps into Eric Bischoff's office and Flair yells at him to knock on the door, but Foley says that they put Anderson and Morgan in a tag match and won't tell them who their partners are going to be. They're messing with Anderson's head and he demands that they tell them who their partners are so they can prepare as professional wrestlers. Flair says that Foley shouldn't even be here and he should have him locked up for even being here. Flair kicks Foley out, and Foley says they can make whatever match they want because he'll be at ringside watching, and Flair warns him not to get hurt while he's at ringside.
Strap Match: Velvet Sky vs Sarita
Sarita stalls while Velvet yells at her to put it on, and finally Sarita attaches the strap to her wrist and the match starts. Sarita immediately bails to the floor but Velvet yanks her off her feet and goes out after her, and Sarita gets up and rams her into the apron and then starts whipping Velvet with the strap. Sarita rolls Velvet back in the ring and ties her wrists with the strap and starts dragging her from corner to corner. Sarita gets to 2 before trying (and missing) an elbowdrop. Velvet is revitalized and gets a couple of strap clotheslines and then uses the strap to trip Sarita and the strap comes free from Sarita. Referee Jamal Jackson (or whatever his name is) reattaches it, and Velvet goes right back to whipping Sarita and then chokes her with the strap, using it to hang Sarita over her back as she goes from corner to corner with Sarita touching each corner right behind her. Finally when we get to the fourth corner Sarita puts on the brakes and yanks Velvet across thering by the strap and touches the fourth corner for the win.
Winner: Sarita
Sarita attacks Velvet with the strap again after the match until Angelina Love runs in to make the save. Velvet picks herself up and yells at Angelina to just leave her alone.
We go back to Orlando and Eric's party, which now includes Shark Boy (who is saying that he technically works for TNA, but part of that is being on TV and he's never on TV) as well as Brian Kendrick, who wants Eric to show him some of his stick fighting moves. Eric lashes around and knocks stuff over, and Orlando reminds him that he's not allowed to poke guys with his staff, and then asks if the girls will ever show up, and Eric says that of course they will because he created this party and he's Moses.
We go to commercial and when we come back, we see that during the commercial break Velvet was having a fit about losing to Sarita again and walked out. We now go backstage where Angelina finds Sarita and kicks her ass for screwing with her friend. Sarita fights back and rams Angelina into the stairs, but Winter comes out of nowhere and drags Sarita off, sending her packing, and then goes to check on her partner.
We see a video package looking back at the year 2010 in TNA, and then we see Jeff Jarrett, who is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We go elsewhere backstage as Doug Williams says he's got a tag match but no partner. As luck would have it, Brutus Magnus is in his locker room and is dressed to wrestle, and he comes out and tells Doug that he's been there for Magnus since day one and he'll be his partner tonight.
Okay, it's time for everybody's favorite segment of the show...
Double J MMA Challenge
Jarrett comes out, gets VASELINE RUBBED ON HIS FACE, and gloats about how quickly he tapped Red out last week and told him he did a good job, but needs a tougher challenge and asked Red if he has any relatives that can give him a challenge and Red said he has a little brother, so he tells Red to bring his brother out here now. Red comes out by himself and Jarrett invites him into the ring and says that he's not going to hurt him like he did last week, and that his baby brother probably has stage fright as he would if he had to fight himself, but he says he'll turn his back and give him the first shot, just get him out here. Red motions to the back and here comes...a big freaky looking version of Amazing Red. He stands behind Jarrett and taps him on the shoulder and Jarrett does the classic turn around and "oh crap" look.
Bell rings and Jarrett circles him warily before tying up and taking him to the ropes. Red #2 shoves him off and they start neutral again before tying back up and Red #2 takes Jarrett down in a flash with a Fujiwara armbar and Jarrett goes right to the ropes. Another neutral start and Jarrett shoots a single leg but Red #2 blocks and takes Jarrett down and gets a leg lace. Jarrett goes to the ropes for the break and immediately goes back after Red #2 and drills him in the head with punches, but Red #2 sits out and gets an ankle lock. Gunner & Muffin drag Jarrett out to the floor to safety and Red goes after them. Jarrett grabs the guitar and slips back in the ring in the confusion and the bell rings, I guess because this got so out of control. Red comes in and grabs the guitar and smashes it, and Jarrett bails to the floor and backpedals up the rampway yelling at Red #2 as he backs up the ramp. Red #2 gets a "thank you Brother" chant.
We go back to Bischoff's office after the commercial as Jarrett is suggesting to Bischoff that they not allow the tall, lanky guys into the Double J MMA Challenge anymore due to their being prone to injuring themselves getting in the ring. He also says that these should be framed as just exhibitions (with Bischoff responding "ah, like Thunderlips, right?"), and they also need a waiver that they need to sign. Bischoff says he likes it, but he looks less than impressed.
Time for our next match...
AJ Styles & Rob Terry vs British Invasion
British Invasion does the handshake and everything on the rampway as Taz reminds us that Rob Terry was the third member of the group, but it wasn't exactly like the Beatles. You know, we never did get that Terry-Magnus blowoff match, so this has been a long time coming. Magnus and AJ start and AJ goes right to a kick to the gut and a side headlock, but Magnus fires him into the ropes and gets a hiptoss and a full bodyslam, buy AJ goes to the eyes and tells Magnus that he wants Williams. Magnus obliges and tags Williams in and they circle one another for about two second before AJ tags Rob Terry in. They tie up and Terry powers Williams into the corner and then hits a pair of shoulderblocks to the ribs in the corner and chokes Williams with his boot. You know, after Williams and Magnus spent months running this guy down, how did he end up playing the heel in the situation? AJ begs for the tag and Terry tags him in, and AJ goes right for the Styles Clash but Williams quickly escapes and rams AJ into his own corner. AJ tags back out to Terry, who comes in and picks Williams up for a big delayed bodyslam and then tags AJ back in. AJ whips Doug into the corner and tries a Stinger Splash, but Doug dodges and hits an Exploder suplex. Williams tags Magnus and now Magnus comes in and cleans house on AJ, taking him out with a big backdrop. AJ tries a leapfrog out of the corner but Magnus catches him and gets a Davey Boy Smith-style powerslam and covers, but Terry breaks it up and chokes Magnus in the corner. Williams comes in and they double team Terry, but AJ with a springboard forearm takes Williams out and then he hits the Chaos Theory on Magnus for the win.
Winners: AJ Styles & Rob Terry
Madison Rayne is backstage, and she's...WALKING!
We go back to the party as Tara comes in with Generation Me while singing Broken. Orlando Jordan tells them that they can only come in if they take their shirts off. GenMe do as the Romans do, and then OJ starts to dance with Tara, setting off a brawl between OJ and GenMe. Brian Kendrick tells them all to stop because he has a message...and then realizes it's just gas and says nevermind. They go back to fighting.
Back to the ring, as Madison Rayne comes out to the ring, escorted by a bunch of dudes in tuxes. They form arches with their arms that she walks under, and then falls into their arms as they carry her to the ring. This whole episode of Impact is really just so bizarre. They carry her to the ring and place her on the apron so she can get in the ring and hold up her hand as they all walk past and kiss it one by one. Madison screams at So Cal Val to get on the apron and hand her a microphone. Madison tells everyone to drink it in because she has something very important to say right now SO SHUT UP. As she was saying, when she put on this $79,000, Vera Wang, one of a kind dress, she was just as speechless as they allSHUT UP! She knew she had to come out here to all her adoring fans and little people and show them how beautiful she is. She is their champion because she knows that they all want a champion full of class and elegance and all things perfect, and not some backwoods, cornfed, frumpy, flannel wearing, hardcore country slut. Now that does it, them's fighting words. Hardcore Country starts playing and Mickie comes strolling out, and Madison tells the cowgirl to come on in. Mickie grabs the microphone out of Madison's hand and tells her to shut up, and then suckerpunches Madison. Well, that's not very ladylike. Mickie gets a few clotheslines and then tears Madison's Wang off. Madison, now left in nothing but her undies, runs to the back in horror.
Matt Morgan is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
But before that main event starts, we go to a promo from Morgan as he talks about how he's had Hardy beaten twice now, but because of goofy stuff happening, it didn't happen and if there's an uncrowned champion in TNA, it's him. Now we go to Jeff Hardy who says that he is evolution, and he is the TNA World Champion. Now Ken Anderson says that he respects what Hardy's done, and if the fans appreciate what he does and want him as their champion, then fine, but he listens to the fans when Hardy's out there and he doesn't think they want that. Hardy says he doesn't care what the fans think.
We go outside the building where Pope is talking to someone at a kennel about getting a couple of pitbulls for the kids in his neighborhood. The guy warns them that they don't make good family pets, but Pope is undeterred so the fellow takes Pope on inside.
Back to the Impact Zone as Mick Foley joins Mike Tenay and Taz at the broadcast booth, and then it's main event time!
Ken Anderson & ?????? vs Matt Morgan & ??????
Anderson's partner is announced as Brother Ray after his entrance, and then Morgan comes out and is soon joined by...Brother Devon! Yep, saw that one coming. Devon starts, but Brother Ray refuses to get in so Anderson starts. Devon keeps yelling at Brother Ray to get in the ring and Anderson goes for the tag, but Ray pulls his hand away and walks away from him and drops off the apron. Meanwhile, Eric Bischoff comes out to the top of the ramp and sends Gunner and Muffin over to remove Foley from the booth. Foley starts to leave peacefully, but attacks them and uses Mr Socko to go after Muffin. Gunner hits Foley from behind with a baton and handcuff him and haul him out. While all that was going on, Brother Ray tagged himself in and nailed Devon from behind and started drilling him with rights and stomping him in the face. Ray with an elbowdrop and then continues the assault with more rights and a neckbreaker, then turns to the crowd and yells "I told you he was weak!" while pointing at Devon. Ray tags Anderson in and he walks right into a chinbreaker and then Devon tags Morgan as Anderson tags right back out to Ray. Ray nails Morgan and tags Anderson and pulls him into the ring. Anderson yells at Ray, then turns around and kicks Morgan in the gut and hits a DDT for 2. Anderson comes off the second rope but Morgan goozles and chokeslams him and goes for the cover, but Ray breaks up the fall. Devon chases Ray out of the ring and around ringside and goes face to face with Morgan and Morgan goes for a roaring clothesline, but Ray ducks and Morgan nails Anderson. Morgan hesitates for a second, then covers Anderson for the win.
Winners: Matt Morgan & Brother Devon
Morgan tries to help Anderson up but Anderson shoves him off and yells at him before sliding out of the ring to close the show.
Very interesting episode this week, in many ways. Some interesting booking with the way the main event was put together and the latest developments in the Double J MMA Challenge, and we also got some of the most bizarre stuff we've seen on Impact all year with the Eric Young/Orlando Jordan holiday party and Madison Rayne's...coronation? Interesting to watch at the very least.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
What will happen tonight when Wade Barrett tries to unleash the Barrett Barrage on Randy Orton one more time? Will it be any different when they battle in a Falls Count Anywhere Match? Will the Barrage return to the garage?
We are live on tape from Indianapolis, Indiana and your announcers are Michael ‘Thinks he could do a better job at quarterback for the Colts’ Cole, Josh ‘I miss the Indianapolis Racers’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Racing in the Indianapolis 5 Times 100’ T.
Booker is not at the announce table and he makes his way to the ring. Booker says that he wanted to say something before everything started. He wants to thank the WWE and its fans for making 2011 a great year for him. It started at the Royal Rumble and it made it a night that he will never forget for the rest of his life. Then he wanted to move on to the commentary booth where it has been fun, except for dealing with Michael Cole.
Booker turns his attention to Cody Rhodes. Cody did everything he could to drag him back in the ring. He did not jump Cody from behind. He beat Cody in the middle of the ring. Booker says that everyone is responsible for that.
Booker tells everyone to enjoy the final Smackdown of 2011 and then he wants to start digging, but . . .
Cody Rhodes interrupts with his music.
Cody says that the people of Indianapolis don’t read the newspapers or keep track of current events unless it involves turning left on a racetrack or the once proud, now pathetic Indianapolis Colts. If we are recapping the year, Cody wants to recap his year.
He overcame a career threatening injury to defeat Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania. Then he brought honor and prestige back to the Intercontinental Championship. He does not want to offend Booker, but he talks about taking a washed up announcer and got him to reach back and regain some of his former glory.
Booker wants to correct Cody. He says that on Monday he beat Cody in the middle of the ring. If Cody had any respect for the business, he wouldn’t be running his mouth. Cody would be congratulating Booker on doing a good job.
Cody thinks about it and says that Booker is absolutely right. Since this is the last show of the year, he does not want to come off as a bitter jerk. He is a better man than that. He congratulates Booker and then he offers his hand to Booker.
They shake hands and Cody tells Booker that this is all over as Booker walks out of the ring.
Booker wants to know what Cody is saying. Cody says that the fairy tale is over because Booker is a nostalgia act. He is in no man’s land. Booker’s deteriorating skills will be revealed. If Booker goes back to announcing, his legacy as an in ring competitor will slowly become one where he is considered a semi-literate buffoon of an announcer. Cody calls Booker a ‘joke’ and he tells Booker to do him and everyone a favor and go home.
Things get golden in the building and Dustin Runnels makes his way to the ring and he confronts his brother on one side of the ring and his former ‘At The Movies’ co-host on the other.
Dustin tells Cody that he is sorry. He says that he loves his brother but he says that Cody is doing this the wrong way. He tells Cody that he has no respect for Booker. He tells Cody that when he was battling his demons, the person who inspired him was Booker T. Dustin tells Cody to look at him. When he thought it was all over, Booker took him under his wing and he had the best time in his career as a team. He tells Cody not to make a name at Booker’s expense. Dustin tells Cody that he knows that this is wrong.
Cody says that when he didn’t think there could be a bigger joke than Booker T, out comes his brother to come out and try to prove him wrong. Cody doesn’t care about inspiration because these people are not worth inspiring. He wants to know if Dustin said that Cody knows better. Cody says that he restored the Rhodes name after Dustin threw up all over it. As soon as Booker stopped teaming with Dustin, Dustin fell back into those same demons and moved into obscurity.
Booker stops Cody and he tells Cody that Goldy is more man than Cody will ever be. It ain’t about Goldy or him, it is about Cody. They each have one win so why not do it one more time. This time, the title will be on the line. Booker wants the match now.
Cody says that he will agree to one more match, but next week. After he beats Booker, Cody says that Booker can follow his brother into complete irrelevancy.
Booker says that he is going to celebrate. All of the people in this arena are going to celebrate. Him and Goldy are going to celebrate because he will become the new Intercontinental Champion. Now Booker gets to dig and call Cody a sucka.
Booker takes his place at the announce table and Dustin tries to calm Cody down. Cody kicks Dustin and then hits Beautiful Disaster on Dustin. Cody leaves the ring and Booker checks on Dustin.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage from a few weeks ago when Ted DiBiase beat Heath Slater, only to have Jinder Mahal attack Ted after the match.
While Jinder Mahal walks to the ring, we go to the Goldman Box for comments from Mahal. He talks about the false New Year’s Resolutions that people make because they are stuck in mediocrity, just like Ted DiBiase.
Match Number One: Ted DiBiase versus Jinder Mahal
They lock up and Ted with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Ted with a front face lock and he punches Mahal. Ted with a hip toss and punch. Mahal with a hot shot followed by a high knee for a near fall. Mahal with an STO and then he hits a knee drop to the throat and the referee stops Mahal from choking Ted. Mahal with a butterfly suplex for a near fall. Mahal with a cravate followed by knees.
Mahal with a quarter nelson and chin lock but Ted with a punch. Mahal with forearms but DiBiase with a drop kick and rebound clothesline. Ted runs into a boot in the corner but Ted with a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Ted goes to the top turnbuckle and he leaps over Mahal but Ted lands awkwardly. Mahal with a flatline and then he sets for the Camel Clutch and Ted taps out.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
Teddy Long is in his office and he talks about his New Year’s Eve party and as he talks about what he is going to have at his party, the saxophones play and the blue lights come on and Aksana makes her way into the office with her own noisemakers. Aksana say that she so happy for New Year’s Eve Party. She has special gift for her special Teddy Bear. Teddy says that he cannot wait.
Drew McIntyre enters to the dismay of Teddy. Drew says that he heard Teddy wanted to talk to him. Teddy tells us that Drew was signed back to Smackdown and he talks about their issues from the past, but he is willing to work on a clean slate. Teddy tells Drew that he did not realize how much money Drew was making. He says that Drew was one of the fastest rising stars in the WWE, but then he went to Raw and his career went into a tailspin. Teddy is not going to pay Drew that much when he cannot get the job done. Teddy doesn’t want someone on Smackdown who doesn’t have the passion. Teddy tells Drew that if he cannot beat Ezekiel Jackson tonight, he will have to think about letting Drew go.
Drew says that there is no one in this company with more passion. He is someone who can still get a guy down on his knees to beg for mercy, just like he made Teddy . . .
Teddy interrupts Drew and says that he cannot understand Drew with his accent.
Drew tells Teddy if he has any reservations about his ability to get the job done, he tells Teddy to watch his match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Alicia’s recent winning streak over the last few weeks.
Match Number Two: Kaitlyn and Alicia Fox versus Tamina and Natalya
Tamina and Kaitlyn start things off and Kaitlyn with a cross body for a near fall followed by a drop kick and another near fall. Kaitlyn with a kick and snap mare. When she goes off the ropes, Natalya grabs Kailtyn to distract her and Tamina hits Kailtyn from behind.
Natalya tags in and they send Kaitlyn to the mat. Natalya with a kick and a near fall. Natalya slams Kaitlyn’s head into the mat and then Natalya with a Michinoku Driver but she misses a leg drop.
Alicia tags in and she leap frogs a charging Natalya who runs into the turnbuckles. Alicia with a Scissors kick for the three count.
Winners: Kaitlyn and Alicia Fox
After the match, Tamina hits Natalya with a super kick and then she goes up top for a Kin of the Superfly Splash.
We see footage from Survivor Series when Wade Barrett eliminated Randy Orton to win the traditional Survivor Series Match.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
We see footage from Raw when Big Show faced David Otunga with one arm tied behind his back and Mark Henry’s interference as well as Daniel Bryan’s cameo.
Daniel Bryan is in the back telling AJ what happened and Show stops by. Bryan tells Show that he was telling AJ how he saved Show on Monday night. Show thanks Bryan but it doesn’t sound too sincere. He asks AJ if he can talk to the champ alone (along with the cameras).
Show tells Daniel that giants don’t need to be rescued or saved. Bryan says that isn’t how he saw it. Since they are partners tonight, they work together tonight.
Teddy Long comes out and he says that we are not going to have the tag match tonight. Otunga wants a match with Big Show, but Teddy tells Show that Mark Henry will be in his corner.
Bryan says maybe giants need saving after all and he wishes Show luck before we go to commercial.
We go to commercial.
Hunico was in the Goldman Box earlier and he introduces Comacho. He says that they were the kings in the barrio and then Comacho says that they are going to dominate the WWE in 2012.
Match Number Three: Justin Gabriel versus Hunico con Comacho
Hunico with a kick and forearm and then Gabriel sends Hunico over the top rope to the floor. Gabriel with a baseball slide to the floor but Hunico avoids it on the apron and then he kicks Gabriel and hits an Asai moonsault. Hunico sends Gabriel back into the ring and he gets a near fall.
Hunico with a kick and hard Irish whip. He charges at Gabriel but Gabriel sends Hunico into the turnbuckles. Gabriel with a cross body into the corner and then he goes to the apron. Gabriel tries for a springboard move but Hunico moves out of the way. Hunico with a kick and forearm. Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Driver and then he goes up top but Hunico recovers and hits an arm drag from the turnbuckles. Hunico goes up top for the Falling Star and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Hunico
After the match, Hunico catapults Gabriel onto Camacho’s back and he hits a Samoan drop while Hunico hits a swinging neck breaker at the same time.
We go to commercial.
We are back with footage from last week when Big Show punched David Otunga and forced the ring crew to change the canvas because Otunga spilled his coffee.
Match Number Four: Big Show versus David Otunga with co-counsel Mark Henry
Otunga with a waist lock and Show backs Otunga into the corner. Show with punches to Otunga and Otunga punches back and they have no impact. Show with chops to Otunga followed by a slam. Otunga rolls to the floor and Henry provides him with some encouragement and Henry tells Otunga to do it himself.
Otunga returns to the ring and Otunga with a kick to the leg and punches but Show with a shoulder tackle and Otunga goes down. Show with an Irish whip followed by a splash into the corner. Show sets for the choke slam but he sees Mark Henry out of the corner of his eye and Show turns his attention to Henry on the apron. Otunga clips Show and kicks Show. Otunga with a DDT but Show kicks out and sends Otunga to the floor.
Daniel Bryan comes out through the crowd and he hits Mark Henry with the title belt. Henry chases Bryan to the back and that allows Show to focus solely on Otunga. Show biels Otunga back into the ring and it is time for the punch and Show gets the three count.
Winner: Big Show
We see highlights from the TLC match between Wade Barrett and Randy Orton.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Ezekiel Jackson versus Drew McIntyre
They lock up and Drew with a side head lock. Jackson with a slam for a near fall and he says that he was close to winning. Drew backs into the ropes to slow down Jackson’s momentum. Drew with a kick and forearms to the back followed by a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Drew with a front face lock but Jackson reverses and he sends Drew to the mat and gets a near fall.
Jackson with punches and forearms followed by a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Jackson with a front face lock and Drew gets to the ropes. Drew with a punch when the referee was not looking and Drew gets a near fall. Drew chokes Jackson and kicks him in the chest. Drew with short arm clotheslines in the corner followed by a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall.
Jackson with a back body drop and then he hits the running clothesline into the corner a few times. Jackson with an Irish whip and side slam for a near fall. Drew with a kick to the knee followed by forearms to the back. Jackson gets Drew on his shoulders for the torture rack while Drew tried to plead his case with the referee. Drew is able to escape the hold and punches Jackson. Jackson with an Irish whip but Drew with a kick and he tries to use the ropes for extra leverage on the cover. Jackson with a rollup for the three count and Jackson uses the tights for extra leverage.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
After the match, Drew tries to tell the referee that Jackson cheated to win the match.
Sheamus is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Drew is in Teddy’s office saying that the referee is biased. Teddy says that he cannot stand losers, especially losers that make excuses. Drew storms off.
It is time to hear from Sheamus and he makes his way to the ring. Sheamus wants to know how everyone is doing. He says that everyone is talking about the end of 2011, but he wants to talk about the future. Sheamus brings up the Royal Rumble. He says that there will be twenty-nine people flying over the top rope with the winner getting a Championship match at Wrestlemania. Sheamus says that it doesn’t matter what number he draws or how many people he eliminates, but he is going to win the Royal Rumble.
Hornswoggle comes to the ring and Sheamus points out that it is the man who eliminated him from the Christmas Battle Royal. Sheamus wants to know if Hornswoggle is going to enter the Royal Rumble and Hornswoggle says that he is. Sheamus gets face to face with Hornswoggle and says that just because Daniel Bryan beat the Big Show for the World Title, miracles do not happen every day.
Sheamus asks Hornswoggle who he thinks will win the Royal Rumble.
Hornswoggle takes the mic and he keeps saying his name.
Sheamus takes the mic back and he tells Hornswoggle that he admires the confidence that Hornswoggle has. Sheamus then talks about his great uncle who said “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, you are begging for a kick up the arse.”
Sheamus says that he was only joking and they are all buddy buddy again.
Heath Slater makes his way out and he mentions Bushwhacker Luke, the Brooklyn Brawler, and Hornswoggle. There is always one guy who says that they are going to win the Royal Rumble, but no one takes them seriously. Heath tells Sheamus that he isn’t the number one redhead on Smackdown, he is.
Heath says that he liked Hornswoggle better when he didn’t speak and he did not like him then. Hornswoggle won the battle royal because Sheamus did not want to squash a leprechaun. Slater says that he doesn’t have that problem.
Sheamus gets in Slater’s face and he tells Slater that he has nothing against Southern Rock, but Sheamus says that Slater must see himself as a Journey type of guy. They start singing Don’t Stop Believin’. Then Sheamus tells Slater that he sees him more as an R Kelly type of guy. Slater is confused and then Sheamus tells Slater I Believe I Can Fly and he sends Slater over the top rope to the floor.
We see the footage from the Raw after TLC when Barrett sent Orton through a table.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Heath Slater versus Sheamus
We join the match in progress and Sheamus works on Slater’s arm and gets a near fall. Sheamus with a key lock into an arm bar. Slater punches Sheamus but Sheamus with a back elbow and he sends Slater into the turnbuckles. Sheamus with an Irish whip and forearm to Slater coming out of the corner. Sheamus throws Slater over the top rope but Slater lands on the apron.
Slater with a slap and then Sheamus with a knee and forearms across the chest and Slater falls back into the ring. Sheamus with a slam followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Slater tries for a backslide but Sheamus counters. Slater with a drop kick to the knees and Sheamus falls into the turnbuckles. Slater hits Sweetness and gets a near fall. Slater with a forearm to the back followed by a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall.
Slater punches and kicks Sheamus and then he chokes him. Sheamus with punches to Slater but Slater with a knee to the midsection. Slater with a drop kick followed by elbows and punches. Slater with a knee to the back followed by a reverse chin lock. Sheamus gets Slater on his back and he runs Slater into the corner. Sheamus with a few double sledges and then he hits a clothesline in the corner followed by a short arm clothesline.
Sheamus goes up top for the flying shoulder tackle and he hits it. Sheamus looks around and he sets for the Brogue Kick and hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
Daniel Bryan is in Teddy Long’s office and Daniel says that he thinks he is Big Show’s good luck charm. Bryan wants to know why Teddy wanted to see him. Big Show enters as well and wants to know why he is here, but at least he has his good luck charm to save him. Show says that it started off cute but it started to annoy him. Bryan says that he is getting annoyed too because Show has not thanked him once. They argue for a bit until Teddy stops them.
Teddy says that they can stop their thank yous until after next week. Since Raw has a WWE Title Match on next week’s show between CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler, Teddy is going to have to compete with them. Daniel will defend the World Title against the Big Show next week.
Show starts to laugh and he tells Bryan that he had a good run. Bryan says that no matter what happens next week, at least his title reign lasted longer than 45 seconds.
We see footage from last week when Orton and Barrett fought through the back of the arena. We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Wade Barrett versus Randy Orton in a Falls Count Anywhere Match
Orton and Barrett exchange punches and Orton takes control and he punches Barrett in the corner. Orton with a European uppercut. Barrett with an Irish whip and Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Barrett goes to the floor and Orton follows. Barrett with punches but Orton punches back and he sends Barrett into the apron and then Irish whips him into the ring steps and Orton gets a near fall.
Orton slams Barrett’s head into the ring steps and then he stomps on Barrett’s head and gets a near fall. Orton pounds the floor for the RKO but Barrett sends Orton into the ring post and Orton holds his ankle.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are back in the ring and Barrett punches Orton and then kicks him in the ribs. Barrett sends Orton into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Orton. Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett chokes Orton in the ropes and then he hits a series of knees followed by a running boot that knocks Orton to the floor.
Barrett gets a near fall on the floor. Barrett sends Orton into the apron but Orton punches back. Barrett with a kick and then he sends Orton into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Barrett gets a near fall. Orton punches Barrett and kicks him. Barrett with a big boot to the chest and he gets a near fall.
Barrett with a reverse chin lock to wear down Orton. Orton with punches but Barrett with a knee to the midsection. Barrett goes to the turnbuckles and he hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Barrett returns to the reverse chin lock. Orton punches Barrett but Barrett with a back heel kick and then he sets for the pump handle slam but Orton avoids the hold. Orton with two clotheslines and Orton avoids a clothesline from Barrett. Orton with the power slam.
Barrett gets to the floor and Orton sends Barrett over the announce table. Orton sends Barrett into the crowd and he follows. Orton sends Barrett into the ringside barrier but Barrett collides with the referee. Barrett heads towards the back but Orton follows after him and they exchange punches.
Barrett drops Orton on a catering table in the hallway. Orton sends Barrett into the top of a laundry cart and a production container. Orton sends Barrett into a table and then Orton tries to use a chair but Barrett moves out of the way.
They continue to fight into the back and the elevator arrives on their floor and Barrett tries to get away. The door does not close before Orton is able to enter. The people who were in the elevator were smart to get out of there.
Thankfully, we have high resolution cameras in the elevator and we can watch Orton and Barrett fighting as they go down. Orton punches Barrett and they have reached their destination. More people flee while the battle continues.
They have made their way down the exit ramp and we see Orton at the bottom of the stairs and Barrett looks at what he has done and he leaves.
No Contest
We go to credits with Orton holding his elbow while in a lot of pain.
2011 - TNA ran Poughkeepsie, NY. Eric Sturrock filed the following live report:
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE EVENT from Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY 12/30/11
I arrived to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center alittle before 5:30pm. Don West & Jimmy Jay were outside plugging all the merchdise things. West said the TNA talent would only sign TNA merch so he told people to buy things if you did not have anything. I already bought a TNA guide book the night before in Albany.
Everyone was let in at 5:30pm, and all had to stand for 30 minutes before the doors to the civic center were open. As I stood in the hallway waiting the TNA guy with silver/black beard watched Jimmy Jay selling stuff at Merch. People brought out food for the Food stand and you could see into the Civic Center. You could see D’Lo Brown in the ring talking to Gunner & Garrett Bischoff. The doors opened again as food was brought out. D’Lo saw the door opened and yelled for someone to shut the door. The guy with the Silver/black beard did not hear him so someone came running to the door and shut it. The guy stood at the door to make sure it stayed shut from then on.
At 6 PM, everyone was let into the Civic Center and we all gathered around the ring barrier. I had front row seats. It was the first time I ever had front row seats at a wrestling event. Don West was in the ring telling everyone to squeeze in. Coming out for autographs were Matt Morgan, Crimson, Jesse Sorenson, Austin Aires, Kid Kash, Garrett Bischoff, & Mickie James.All sign autographs and took pictures. Morgan did not take pictures. Ronnie Lang of Atlas Security & another Atlas guy watched everyone.
At 6:30 PM, Don West said that James Storm was in the hallway signing any TNA merch. I did not go out.
At 7 PM, West plugged more TNA merch and threw stuff out. The floor at the Civic Center was almost full and the stands were about 80% full. West said if you bought a A.J. Styles/Jeff Hardy two pack or a Jeff Hardy glow in the dark action figure you get to go backstage to meet them. West said you could buy a backstage pass for $50 and you get to get autographs from everyone backstage and you get to get your picture taken with Jeff Hardy after the show. West noted you could not get Bully Ray’s autograph because he does not like giving them. My Dad told West he gave him one years ago. West walked over and said to him that the real reason is Bully Ray’s sister is about to give birth and he has to leave right after his match. West told him that, that stays between them.
At 7:15 PM, West said we were going to have a bonus match of Poughkeepsie’s own Vik Dalishus & Hale Collins. West introduced the most controversial referee in history Earl Hebner. West acted as ring announcer for the opener. Their was a photographer around the ring the entire night, I think for a Poughkeepsie Journal.
Vik Dalishus vs Hale Collins. Ref Earl Hebner.
Vik played to the crowd like at Northeast Wrestling shows. Vik attacked Hale as Hale went to pose on the top rope. Match was very quick like 2-3 minutes long. Vik hit some stops on Hale in the corner. Vik hit a big spinebuster but Hale kicked out. Vik put Hale in a submission hold, Hale tried to get the crowd behind him. Hale hit a leg drop bulldog. Hale kicked Vik and Vik caught his leg the second time. Vik put Hale in the sharpshooter and Earl rang the bell right away. Earl took off his shirt which was his “Damn right I did shirt” Earl put on his sunglasses and Hale chased Earl & Vik out of the ring. Eral & Vik left with their hands raised in the air. Crowd seemed hot when Vik got the win. West told everyone to give it up for Hale.
They announced the show would start in 10 minutes. Christy Hemme came down to be the ring announcer for the show. Referee Brian Hebner came down to the ring. Hemme like last night asked if everyone was ready.
Kid Kash vs. Jesse Sorensen vs. Austin Aries(X-Division Champion) TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE MATCH. Ref Brian Hebner.
Aries & Kash talked together and threw Jesse out of the ring. Nice match with a lot of fast paced action. Jesse hit a crossbody off the top rope on Kash. Aries knocked Jesse & Kash out of the ring and jumped out of the ring onto them. A lot of the same from last night. They did the 3-way sleeper hold again and Jesse hit the stunner on Kash which hit Aries. Kash kicked down Aries. Later Kash went for his finsher on Jesse but Aries broke it up. Kash went for his finsher on Aries but Jesse broke it up. The finish was the same as last night with Kash & Jesse fighting in the corner and Aires running over and kicking them and hitting a awesome looking brainbuster on Jesse. Aries ran around the ring again with the title and faking fans thinking he was going to shake their hand. Kash got in Jesse’s face after the match. Kash went to shake Jesse’s hand. Then they both gave each other the finger. Really awesome match.
Christy Hemme told us the next match would have a special guest referee.Referee Garrett Bischoff came down to the ring. Ric Flair’s music played and he and Gunner came down to the ring. Flair said to Bischoff if he knew where he was, he was in Flair country. Crowd was cheering loudly for Flair so it was kind of hard to hear him. Flair talked about how Garrett is good looking, it he was a good wrestler that lady in the front row would take him home. Flair said the lady will take him home tonight. Flair told Gunner to take his shirt off to show what a real wrestler looked like. Gunner took his shirt off and flexed. Flair told Garrett to take off his shirt, which he did. Flair told Hemme to take off her pants. Hemme laughed and said no. The crowd cheered for Hemme to strip but she did not. Flair told Hemme she can’t always be first but she could be next. Flair told Garrett he is going to call Sting when he gets backstage and get him to wrestle Gunner tonight. A fan yelled something at Flair. Flair said what do you want fat boy. Flair asked if the fan was a midget and said oh you are in the front row. The fan woo’ed. Flair said everyone can woo but. Flair and Hemme woo’ed in each other’s face. Flair & Gunner walked to the back.
The guy with white hair who in the past got the fans heated up before the show came out. He talked into his walkie talkie and moved his hands a lot like crazy and pointed Garrett to the back. Hemme told us she did not understand a single thing he said but she thinks Sting has approved Gunner/Garett tonight. Ref Earl Hebner came down to the ring. Earl looked in the crowd and pretended to go into the crowd, but the Atlas guard held him back twice. Bully Ray came down to the ring and yelled at Earl and Hemme to get out of the ring. Bully yelled at the fans calling them trash. He only taked alittle not a lot like in Albany. Some guy on the floor afew rows behind me had a video camera and was recording the show. The Atlas guard ran over and yelled at the guy to turn it off now. The fan said he did not know he could not have a video camera inside(even tho there is a big sign when you walk in “no video cameras” and that on your ticket it says “no video cameras”)
Bully Ray vs A.J. Styles. Ref Earl Hebner.
The other Atlas Security guard took Bully Ray’s hat off the apron and gave it to one of TNA’s Staff who was wearing a IMPACT Wrestling shirt. Ray yelled where was his Yankee hat. The Atlas guard said he gave it the TNA guy. Ray yelled at the TNA staff guy if he told him he could wear his hat. Ray chased the TNA staff guy and made him put the hat back on the apron. As Ray yelled at Earl, AJ put on Ray’s hat. Ray got pissed and pounded the mat and yelled for his hat. Ray knocked down AJ and got back his hat. Ray put his yankee hat on. He yelled I’m wearing my hat, I got my hat.” Back & forth stuff from them. Ray went to leave but AJ went and threw him into the steel barrier a few times. AJ went to the top rope but Bully knocked him down. Ray punched AJ afew times. Earl yelled at Ray to stop it with the right hands. Ray put AJ in a bear hug. AJ fought out and Ray tossed AJ over his head. Ray spit in the air and caught it in his mouth. AJ kept running Ray but he would not fall. AJ knocked Ray down. AJ went for something but Ray threw him down. Ray hit the Bully bomb but AJ kicked out. Ray got his chain and missed AJ, AJ hit the Pele Kick, and then a crossbody off the top rope for the win.
Crimson (1/2 TNA Tag Team Champion) vs. Matt Morgan (1/2 TNA Tag Team Champion). Ref Brian Hebner.
Crimson threw his necklace and shirt to the crowd. They locked up a few times like last night. Crimson punched and kicked Morgan. Morgan did the leapfrog leg guillotine on Crimson and smiled to the fans after he hit it. Morgan hit a leg drop on Crimson after. Morgan hit his crazy elbows in the corner on Crimson. Crimson took down Morgan. Crimson hit a spear on Morgan. Crimson went for a second spear but missed. Morgan went for a big boot in the corner but missed and Crimson rolled him up for the win. They shook hands and raised each other hands after the match.
Mickie James vs Gail Kim (Knockout Champion & ½ Knockout Tag Champion). TNA KNOCKOUT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE MATCH. Ref Earl Hebner.
Mickie James had a different outfit then she wore the night before. Gail walked around the ring with her titles and put them in Mickie’s face. Mickie shoved down Gail. Gail started kicking Mickie in the corner. Mickie kicked Gail in the chest. Mickie hit a Mick-A-Rama. Gail kept playing with the fans. Gail kept saying she was smarter then Mickie. Earl kept yelling at Gail for pulling Mickie’s hair. Mickie elbowed Gail away. Gail pulled Mickie’s hair more and laughed. Mickie kneed Gail, but Gail gain control and tried a submission hold on her. Gail slammed Mickie’s face into the mat. Gail pulled Mickie’s hair more. Mickie kneed Gail. Gail stretched out Mickie’s back in a submission hold. Gail went to knock down Mickie but Mickie rolled her up but Gail kicked out. Mickie punched Gail afew times and then hit the Thez press and some more punches. Mickie hit a crossbody and Gail rolled her over and used a big handful of tights to retain her title. Gail rolled out of the ring right away. Gail held her title in the air walking away. Gail laughed at Mickie holding her title in the air, and Mickie teased going after her and Gail ran to the back.
Hemme said we would now take a short 20 minute intermission. I ran to the hallway and was 4th in line for Gail’s autograph session. Earl & Brian Hebner were seated at the Merch stands to sign autographs if people bought Earl’s “Damn right, I did shirts”. One of TNA’s merch guys was joking that it would be $2.50 for a Gail autograph and then he joked it would only be $1.50. Jimmy Jay yelled at him to stop fooling around and to help him at the Merch booth. Gail & the other Atlas Securty guard came around the corner. The Atlas guy told everyone they could not get their picture with Gail and they had to be ready and hand their stuff to him to give to Gail. He rushed everyone in and out. Gail was extremely nice and thanked each person for coming. Too bad you could not get your picture with Gail as pictures are a lot better than autographs. I bought two of the Hebner shirts and had them sign them. I asked them for a picture but Brian said nabey after the show.
Hemme returned after intermission and the other Atlas guard ran back to his spot, so they finshed Gail’s signing a lot quicker than Mickie’s last night in Albany.
Kurt Angle vs. James Storm. Ref Brian Hebner.
Angle came down to the ring first. Storm went around the ring slapping fans hands. Storm drank his beer bottle on the top rope. Storm & Angle went to lock up and Storm left the ring. Storm got on the microphone and said he forgot to talk. Storm said he is in Poughkeepsie tonight and he knows Poughkeepsie likes to drink beer. Storm looked in the crowd and asked if there was any drinkers here tonight. Storm went to ringside and said he wants to have some beer with Poughkeepsie and pointed to the stands. Storm hoped the guardrail with the other Atlas guard running behind him. Storm went up to the 15th row in the bleachers and drank with the fans. Angle & Hebner watched from the ring. Hebner went over to Angle and they talked. Hebner played to the crowd he did not know what was going on. As Storm walked over to the other side of the civic center, Hebner put his hands over his head to look for him. Storm hoped over the guardrail and asked a fan for his beer. Storm drank the beer and dropped it on the floor. The Atlas guard kicked the cup under the ring. Storm & Angle locked up. Angle punched Storm in the face. Hebner told Angle to watch his right hand. Angle got out of the ring and picked up two backstage passes by Hemme. Kurt asked if anyone wanted to go backstage. The people went crazy. Angle walked over to someone and ripped the backstage passes up in the kid’s face. A fan yelled something to Angle, and Angle yelled back “It was reckless driving you idiot!” Angle put Storm in a sleeper hold. Storm got out of it and took Angle down. Hebner started a 10 count but they both got up. Storm knocked Angle out of the ring. Storm hit a backbreaker on Angle. Angle hit a Angle slam on Storm but Storm kicked out. Angle pulled down his straps. Angle was tunning up the band going for a kick but missed. Angle & Storm traded reversals. Storm hit a double knee facebuster on Angle into the Last Call for the win. Angle selled the kick awhile laying in the ring.
Gunner with Ric Flair vs Garrett Bischoff. Ref Earl Hebner.
Flair got on the mic and talked trash on Garrett. Earl was smiling at the fans and Flair yelled at him to look at him. Gunner yelled at Hebner & the fans. Gunner was 100 times better as a heel tonight. Flair talked to Hemme that she can be with him again. Flair yelled at the fan in the crowd again. Hebner pointed back at Gunner but Gunner yelled back at him. Flair watched Hemme leave the ring as Earl made faces at Flair. Flair yelled at some fans at ringside. They locked up and Gunner shoved Garrett and yelled in his face. Gunner yelled at the fans. Garrett got offensive in on Gunner. They traded blows. Gunner irish whipped Garrett off the ropes and Flair tripped him. Earl ejected Flair from the ring and they yelled at each other. Gunner threw Garrett into the corner. Gunner threw Garrett into the other corner. Gunner motioned to the crowd and yelled at them. Gunner went to get out of the ring to the fans but Earl held him back. A man in the crowd pretended he was going towards Gunner and pretended someone was holding him back when no one was. Earl told the fan he can’t help him anymore. Gunner knocked Garrett down and motioned to the crowd he could not hear their boos. Garrett jumped off the top rope but Gunner caught him and put Garrett over his head. Garrett reversed it and rolled Gunner up for the win. Gunner threw a fit slamming the mat.
Hemme told us it’s that time we were all waiting for(no she did not take off her pants), it was time for the main event. Robert Roode came down to the ring. Roode took the mic from Hemme. Roode said he is not defending his title tonight in Poughkeepsie. He said if everyone wants to see him beat Hardy to retain his title they would have to pay to see the PPV next week. Roode yelled at Hemme and told her the match was non-title.
Robert Roode(TNA Champion) vs. Jeff Hardy. Ref Brian Hebner.
Brian ran back and forth in the ropes like he usual does for the main event match. Brian must of forgot that Roode said it was a non-title match because he held the title up in the air and showed the fans the title as if it was a title match. Roode got out of the ring and took someone’s Jeff Hardy sign. Roode got back into the ring and held it up and ripped it up and threw it to the outside. They locked up and Roode pushed Hardy into the ropes. Roode made fun of Hardy’s dance. Hardy clapped to get the fans into it. Roode put Hardy in a headlock and yelled to the crowd. Roode shoved Hardy down and pandered to the crowd. Hardy hit a double leg drop on Roode’s chest. Hardy threw Roode into the turnbuckle. Hardy knocked Roode out of the ring and then danced around. Roode said he was leaving and Hardy ran after him and they fought back by the stage. Hardy threw Roode back into the ring. Roode begged for a timeout and then poked Hardy in the eyes. Roode knocked Hardy down and punded his feet while holding the ropes. Roode knocked Hardy out of the ring. Roode threw Hardy into the steel guardrail. Roode threw Hardy back into the ring and went for a pinfall but Hardy kicked out. Roode argued with Hebner. Roode threw Hardy really hard into the turnbuckle. Roode kicked Hardy a lot in the corner. Roode yelled at the fans. Roode hit Hardy hanging out of the ring. Roode got on the top rope and made fun of Hardy’s dance and hit a swinging neckbreaker off the tope rope. Roode worked on Hardy’s neck in a submission hold. , Hardy’s foot caught Roode when he jumped off the top rope. Hebner started a 10 count but they got up at 8. Hardy punched Roode and knocked him over. Hardy motioned to the crowd and hit a leg drop on Roode’s chest. Roode picked Hardy up but Hardy got out and brought Roode down to the mat. Hardy went for a twist of fate but Roode got out of it. Roode locked Hardy in a crossface. Hardy got to the ropes to break the hold. Roode went to give Hardy a suplex but Hardy reversed it for the win.
I left as Don West said it was time for a Hardy party in the ring.
As I walked to the car in the parking lot behind the arena. I saw Austin Aires driving with Kid Kash in the passenger seat stopped at a red light. 5 fans went up to Kash’s window and Aires & Kash signed autographs for those fans.
I went to Uno’s Pizza in Poughkeepsie after the show to get pizza to go. I saw James Storm, Garrett Bischoff, & Crimson show up and I said hi. My Dad saw them inside and they asked him if he enjoyed the show. According to my Father, Gunner was already inside Uno’s and showed Storm, Crimson, & Garrett where they were sitting. Garrett and Storm sat together, and A.J. Styles, Jesse Sorenson, Crimson, & Garrett sat together. They were watching the UFC PPV on the TVs. Storm drank beer as the others drank soda & water.
It was my 6th TNA show of 2011. I saw a Against All Odds and the two days of TV tapings that followed in Orlando, 2 live events in Poughkeepsie (March and today) as well as Albany last night. All were enjoyable shows. Hope TNA does more live events in Poughkeepsie in 2012.
2012 - WWE Raw ran Raleigh, NC. John Mitchell filed the following results:
Brodus Clay and The Usos beat The Prime Time Players and Jack Swagger.
Eve beat Kaitlyn to retain the WWE Divas Title.
Santino Marella beat David Otunga.
Ryback and Team Hell No beat The Shield by DQ when Roman Reigns used a chair. The faces still wiped out The Shield anyway.
Zack Ryder beat Tensai.
The New Age Outlaws (shouldn't it be Old Age at this point?) beat The Rhodes Scholars.
John Cena beat Dolph Ziggler in a cage match. AJ and Big E were at ringside as well.
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in Richmond, Virginia and your announcers are Jerry ‘Welcome Back’ Lawler, Michael ‘I hope I don’t write 2013 on checks on Wednesday’ Cole, and John ‘You still write checks’ Layfield.
We begin with CM Punk making his way to the ring.
Punk says that he is fired up to be here in Richmond, Virginia. This is the last Raw of 2013. Right around the corner is a new year and he is excited. 2013 saw a lot of good things happen to CM Punk. A lot of bad happened to CM Punk too. We go to work with a smile on our face most days. He started off as the longest reigning WWE Champion of the last 25 years.
He went one-on-one with The Great One. He went toe to toe with the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. He made some friends and he lost some friends. Then he beat said friend within an inch of his life with a kendo stick. He cannot say that 2013 was CM Punk’s year. He does not know if 2013 was the Year of Punk.
There are three guys who can lay claim that it was their year and that was The Shield. In 2013, the Shield has been unstoppable. Dean Ambrose is the US Champion. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns are former tag team champions.
Punk has a proposition for The Shield. When their paths cross . . .
The Shield’s music interrupts Punk and they make their way to the ring.
Dean tells Punk to finish his thought. What is the big challenge and it better be a good one. They better get a good reason not to end Punk as they end 2013.
Punk says the three of you can beat any one man and it has been established over the last 365 days. He will not take anything away from them individually. He wants to fight the best. Punk says that one of you is the best.
Dean asks Punk if he wants to do this again. Ambrose says that he will not leave this ring without taking a piece of him.
Punk says that he wasn’t talking to Dean. He was talking about Seth and Roman because he has beaten Dean a half dozen times. It wasn’t easy but he did it.
Dean wants to know if Punk thinks that he is joke.
Punk says that Dean is the weak link. He wants to know if Roman is the man in The Shield.
Seth says that Punk is looking at the best. He will fight him tonight.
Punk says that everyone talks about Roman Reigns.
Seth and Roman have a discussion about whether Seth can beat him. Seth tells Roman to let him take him. Seth says that he is better than Punk and he wants to prove it.
Brad Maddox comes out and says as the General Manager, he wants to wish everyone a Happy New Year. CM Punk will face Seth Rollins and he wants a referee.
Match Number One: Seth Rollins (with Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns) versus CM Punk
Punk with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Punk catches Rollins and tries for the Go To Sleep but Rollins gets to his feet and he gets to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins punches Punk. Rollins with more punches followed by kicks as the referee warns Rollins. Punk with an Irish whip and kick to Rollins followed by a butterfly back breaker. Rollins with an elbow and Irish whip. Punk floats over and he applies an Anaconda Vice in the ropes.
Punk tries for a springboard move but Rollins catches him and press slams Punk and gets a near fall. Rollins with kicks to Punk and he applies a Camel Clutch. Rollins with a forearm to Punk followed by a forearm to the kidneys. Punk with forearms to Rollins and gets an inside cradle for a near fall.
Rollins with a clothesline for a near fall. Rollins gets a near fall. Rollins with a reverse chin lock but Punk with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Rollins runs into a boot from Punk and Punk goes up top but Rollins pushes Punk off the turnbuckles to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk with head butts to Rollins as he moves him into the corner. Punk with an Irish whip and Rollins moves out of the way when Punk charges into the corner and Punk hits the ring post with his shoulder. Rollins waits for Punk to get up and then he goes to the turnbuckles but misses a back senton when Punk moves out of the way.
Punk punches Rollins and hits a leg lariat followed by a series of double sledges. Punk tries for a Go To Sleep but Rollins counters and tries for a sunset flip but Punk drops down and gets a near fall. Punk with a knee and Irish whip. Punk tries for the running knee into the corner but Rollins blocks it and Rollins with a Buckle Bomb for a near fall.
Rollins punches Punk. Rollins misses Black Out. Punk misses a kick and Rollins with an enzuigiri for a near fall. Roman tells Rollins to finish him. Rollins mocks Punk by saying that someone is going to sleep. Rollins gets Punk on his shoulders but Punk gets to his feet. Punk with a knee against the ropes followed by a short arm clothesline and Punk goes up top but Rollins rolls across the ring. Rollins with a flatline into the turnbuckles. Ambrose taunts Punk while Rollins recovers.
Rollins goes up top but Punk kicks the ropes and Rollins is crotched. Punk tries for a superplex but Rollins blocks it and Punk is sent to the ropes. Rollins with a cross body but Punk rolls through and applies the Anaconda Vice. Ambrose and Reigns tease getting into the ring and that allows Punk and Rollins to alternate inverted suplex attempts. Punk tries for the Go To Sleep but Rollins escapes. Rollins with an Asai DDT for a near fall.
Punk with a back body drop of Rollins onto Reigns and Ambrose. Punk goes for a suicide dive and Rollins with an enzuigiri. Rollins goes for a slingshot move and Punk catches Rollins and hits the Go to Sleep for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
Brad Maddox tells the referee that he wants an Intercontinental Title Match everyone can be proud of. Hunter and Stephanie interrupt and the referee leaves. Brad sucks up to Hunter and Stephanie. Since Kane is not here tonight, he wants to take a step forward.
Daniel Bryan enters and he says that he will not let 2013 end before he gets his hands on Bray Wyatt. He wants a match with him.
Brad suggests that Daniel earn it. He should face Luke Harper. If he beats Harper, he gets to face Erick Rowan. If he can beat Rowan, then he can face Daniel Bryan.
Daniel agrees to the match and leaves.
Stephanie says that Brad should watch and learn as she announces the main event for the Royal Rumble. She kisses Hunter and walks away. We go to commercial.
We are back and Stephanie McMahon comes to the stage and she wishes everyone an incredibly Happy New Year. The end of a year is often time for reflection. What would they have done differently or changed? Nothing. Under the Authority’s leadership, they have crowned a single WWE World Champion. We need to celebrate the Champion of Champions, Randy Orton.
We have a Randy Orton video package.
She says that Randy Orton deserves every accolade he has earned. Orton is a fighting champion and he will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Title in a traditional match. No stipulations or interference. He will face John Cena.
Now we take a look at the origin of the issues between Daniel Bryan and the Wyatt Family.
We go to commercial.
We are back, and in three weeks, so will Batista.
Stephanie is walking in the back and she asks Hunter how she did. Hunter says that now we will know who the real man is. Hunter says to wait until we hear his announcement.
Curtis Axel is in the Super Sized Goldman Box and he says that he was one of the most dominant superstars in 2013, but let’s forget about the past. 2014 will be even more perfect for Curtis Axel.
Dolph is in the Goldman Box and says that he has some goals for 2014. He says that he will steal the show tonight and come out on top.
Match Number Two: Curtis Axel versus Dolph Ziggler
Axel with kicks but Ziggler with a drop kick. Axel Irish whips Ziggler over the top rope to the floor. Axel goes to the floor and he runs Ziggler’s back into the apron and then he rolls Ziggler back into the ring. Axel gets a near fall. Axel with forearms to the head and then he rubs his forearms across the face.
Axel with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Axel with a reverse chin lock. Ziggler with elbows but Axel with a knee. Ziggler sends Axel into the corner and Axel hits the second turnbuckle as he goes head first into the turnbuckles and lands awkwardly.
Ziggler punches Axel in the corner followed by a neck breaker. Ziggler with a cross body. Ziggler tries for a Zig Zag but Axel holds on to the ropes. Axel with a rollup but Ziggler rolls through. Axel blocks the hesitation DDT and hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Axel slams Ziggler’s head into the mat. Ziggler with a Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
We will have a vote on the WWE App for Damien Sandow’s opponent, but first, you need to know how to Download the App.
Will Damien face Kofi Kingston, The Great Khali, or Miz.
Big E Langston and Fandango walk in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Big E Langston versus Fandango (with Summer Rae) for the Intercontinental Title
They lock up and Langston backs Fandango into the corner and Fandango pushes Langston away. They lock up again and Fandango with a side head lock but Langston with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Langston with a waist lock and take down. Langston rolls up Fandango for a few near falls on bridges.
Langston with another near fall. Fandango with a slap but Langston with punches. Langston runs into a boot from Fandango and Fandango with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Fandango with head butts and forearms to the back. Fandango with a punch but Langston with a shoulder tackle. Langston with a shoulder in the corner.
Langston with another Irish whip and another shoulder to the midsection. Langston gets Fandango up but Fandango gets out of the Big Ending attempt and goes to the floor. Langston goes to the floor and he hits Fandango with a shoulder tackle. Langston runs Fandango into the ringside barrier.
They return to the ring and Fandango with a kick to the knee. Fandango slams the leg into the apron. Fandango with a kick to Langston as he continues to work on the leg. Fandango with a punch to Langston. Langston with a step over leg drop and then he applies an Indian Death Lock.
Langston with punches to Fandango to get out of the hold. Langston gingerly charges into the corner and Fandango is able to move and Langston hits the ring post and then he goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Fandango continues to work on the leg and he punches Langston before dropping a knee on the leg. Fandango chokes Langston and then they exchange punches. Fandango with shoulders in the corner. Fandango with a short arm clothesline and then he returns to the Indian Deth Lock and then he goes to a reverse chin lock on Langston’s back.
Langston backs Fandango into the corner and Langston with clotheslines followed by a set up for a belly-to-belly suplex but Fandango with head butts to get out of the hold. Fandango is sent to the apron and Langston with a belly-to-belly over the top rope. Fandango with a kick to the leg when Langston goes for the Ultimate Warrior Splash.
Fandango with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Fandango goes up top for the FandangoBama Jam and he connects but Langston rolls to the floor and Fandango shows some frustration. Fandango goes to the apron and he drop kicks Langston. Fandango rolls Langston back in and he kicks Langston in the midsection.
Fandango runs into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and then Langston with a body block and the Ultimate Warrior Slam. The straps are down and he gets Fandango up for the Big Ending and hits it for the three count.
Winner: Big E Langston
It is time for the next step in the feud between The Wyatt Family and Daniel Bryan. We see the night that Daniel Bryan was carried out of the arena.
We go to commercial.
We are back and next week, CM Punk will face Roman Reigns on Old School Raw.
Booker T comes out and he is with some of the wrestlers celebrating New Year’s. Booker says that 2013 has been great for the WWE. It has given us memories that will last a lifetime. 2014 will be that much better. It will be a new day and a new beginning. We need something to get us spinning into 2014. It is time for a New Year’s Spinaroonie.
We are interrupted by Wade Barrett for some Bad News. He rises from the side of the stage.
Wade demands some decorum. He says that we are not going to end the year with a Spinaroonie. New Year’s is about realizing dreams and new opportunities. He has bad news. 2014 will not bring us the end of government corruption or natural disasters. It will only bring us one step closer to the apocalypse. All of you are going to stab each other in the back in pursuit of money to say that you have a bigger flat screen than your neighbors.
Everyone will continue to poison the environment while holding out your hands for donations. That will happen until Mother Nature takes your homes.
People will continue to follow the latest trends instead of worrying about the real problems in the world.
Renee Young is in the interview area with Damien Sandow. Damien says that he has been disrespected all year. He has been in ridiculous stipulation matches. He does not care who his opponent is. If he cannot beat his opponent, Damien says that he will quit.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to find out who Damien Sandow wrestles in what could be his final match.
Match Number Four: Damien Sandow versus Great Khali
Sandow with a punch followed by a kick. Khali with a punch and then he sends Sandow into the turnbuckles. Khali with a chop across the chest. Khali takes Sandow into another corner and he chops Sandow. Khali with a head butt and he sets for a power bomb but Sandow goes to the apron.
Sandow drops Khali on the top rope but he runs into an elbow. Sandow with a drop kick to the knee and then he drops elbows on the leg and then he kicks Khali in the hamstring and he kicks Khali in the injured leg. Sandow gets a near fall.
Sandow with an elbow drop to the injured knee. Sandow with a kick to the head followed by a few knee drops. Sandow with a forearm to Khali’s head and he gets a near fall. Sandow with another kick to the hamstring and he continues to work on the leg. Sandow with a KneeDT followed by an elbow to the leg. Sandow with kicks to Khali and then he hits the Elbow of Disdain but he can only get a two count.
Khali with a chop from his knees and he struggles to get to his feet. Khali with a boot to Sandow followed by clotheslines. Sandow backs into the corner to avoid the chop. Khali grabs Sandow by the head for the Khali Krush, but Sandow sends Khali into the turnbuckles and Sandow gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Damien Sandow
We see what happened three weeks ago on Smackdown with the Wyatts and Daniel Bryan.
R Truth is walking in the back with Xavier Woods, Cameron, and Naomi.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: R Truth (with Xavier Woods ) versus Brodus Clay
Brodus with a shoulder and then he runs Truth into the corner. Clay punches Truth in the corner. Clay misses a splash into the corner. Truth with a split and then he does another split and connects with a punch. Clay with a punch. Clay with a heart punch followed by a forearm to the back. Clay with a double thrust to the chest and then he punches Truth in the corner.
The referee warns Clay and Clay stands on Truth’s back. Clay with a knee drop to the back. Truth with a punch and Clay with a Sheeeplex. Clay with a back breaker but Truth escapes. Clay with a forearm to the kidneys. Clay with a punch to the kidneys. Clay with a hard Irish whip.
Clay with a splash to the back. Clay picks up Truth and he connects with a forearm to the back. Clay with a back breaker over his shoulder and Clay drops Truth and then Clay with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Clay with a splash to the back in the corner and then he gives him another one.
Woods gets up from the announce table and he calls for Cameron and Naomi.
Truth with a kick followed by What’s Up from the turnbuckles and he gets the three count.
Winner: R Truth
After the match, Woods does some dancing in the ring with R Truth, Cameron, and Naomi. Clay thinks about hurting someone but he decides to stay on the stage.
Triple H is walking in the back. Are you ready for a big announcement? We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Triple H to show us what is more important than the main event of the Royal Rumble.
2013 was an epic year for The Authority. He guarantees that 2014 will be like nothing we have seen before. Hunter introduces someone who is coming back to the WWE.
Brock Lesnar emerges and does the Brock Bounce. Then he makes his way to the ring and he is accompanied by Paul Heyman.
Hunter and Brock exchange glances across the ring and then Hunter offers his hand to Brock and Brock shakes it.
Paul Heyman introduces himself and he points out that The Beast is Back. In this age of transparency, his client has authorized him to tell everyone of his mission statement in WWE. His client BROCK LESNAR is not here to settle old scores. You fight Brock Lesnar, you lose to Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar forgets about you.
Brock is not here as an instrument of revenge against anyone who has done wrong to Paul Heyman. Paul says that he is a bigger man. This is not about him. This is about his client, BROCK LESNAR.
Why is Brock Lesnar back in WWE? Brock declares his desire to be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. That means that for John Cena and Randy Orton, that the one who emerges from the Royal Rumble as champion, the winner is ultimately the loser. The Champion will have to face the challenge of the self declared Number One Contender BROCK LESNAR.
Brock says that he does not care if it is Randy Orton or John Cena. As far as he is concerned, there ain’t nobody in this company or this building who can stop him . . . Brock Lesnar. He does not have to win a Royal Rumble match to challenge for the title. He does not have to stand in some line for a title match.
The line starts behind him. Brock dares anybody to come down here to try to do something about that.
Paul says that there is no one man enough to take Brock up on that challenge. What Brock Lesnar wants, Brock Lesnar takes.
Mark Henry interrupts Paul speaking Brock’s name.
Mark stands on the stage and he slowly makes his way to the ring.
Henry gets in the ring and Lesnar with a knee that sends Henry to the floor. Henry sends Brock over the ringside barrier and into the crowd. Henry follows after Lesnar and Lesnar runs Henry through the ringside barrier.
Lesnar picks up Henry and then he gets Henry on his shoulders for an F-5 on the floor.
Heyman tells Lesnar that Mark has gotten the message and he understands.
We go to commercial.
We are back with footage of what Brock Lesnar did to Mark Henry.
Match Number Six:Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eva Marie, Cameron, and Naomi versus Aksana, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Summer Rae, and Kaitlyn
Eva Marie and Kaitlyn start things off and they lock up. Kaitlyn with a waist lock. Eva escapes and blows kisses but Kaitlyn with a drop kick. Kaitlyn with an Irish whip and back breaker for a near fall. Eva with a kick and slap followed by a side head lock. None of the Total Divas want to tag in and she slaps Cameron. Kailtyn gets a near fall with a rollup.
Alicia makes the blind tag and Cameron with a head scissors and forearms in the corner. Alicia with an Irish whip and Cameron tries to float over but Alicia counters and gets a near fall. Summer tags in and she chokes Cameron. Rosa tags in and she kicks Cameron. Aksana tags in and she pulls Cameron out of the corner.
Aksana gets a near fall. Aksana with a quarter nelson and chin lock. Aksana sends Cameron to the mat and she kicks Cameron in the back. Aksana with a kick to the midsection. Aksana gets a near fall. Nikki tags in and she takes Aksana to the mat and follows with drop kicks.
Nikki with a flying clothesline into the corner followed by a torture rack. Everyone gets into the ring and the referee lets the match continue. Aksana runs into an elbow and Rosa tries to interfere. Aksana pulls Nikki off the apron and hits an elbow driver to the neck for the three count.
Winners: Aksana, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Kaitlyn, and Summer Rae
We take a look at what happened two weeks ago on Smackdown when Daniel Bryan was thrown off the loading dock.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at Tribute to the Troops.
Brad Maddox apologizes for the situation with the referee in the Khali/Sandow match.
Stephanie says that she has been impressed with Brad’s work tonight. Brad says that he has a lot of Stephanie’s favorites lined up. Stephanie asks about Hunter’s favorites. Brad woooos and Hunter tells him not to do it.
It is almost time for the Daniel Bryan Gauntlet and we look at what happened last week on Raw.
Match Number Seven: Daniel Bryan versus Luke Harper (with Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan) in a Wyatt Family Gauntlet
Harper backs Bryan into the corner and he connects with an uppercut. Harper misses a clothesline and elbow but Bryan with a forearm and punches. Bryan with kicks and then Harper with an Irish whip and Bryan with a drop kick to the knee. Bryan with more kicks to the legs. Bryan wraps the leg in the ropes and Bryan with a kick and punch. Bryan with a drop kick to the knee. Harper kicks Bryan away.
Bryan with more kicks to the leg and a dragon screw leg whip and then Bryan with a surfboard and a dragon sleeper. Harper gets out of the hold and he struggles to get back to his feet in the corner. Bryan with kicks and European uppercuts. Harper with a punch and Bryan goes down.
Harper with a boot to the chest. Harper with a chop and punch followed by an uppercut. Bryan with punches and kicks but Harper with a punch and chop to Bryan. Harper looks to Wyatt for guidance. Bryan with a punch but Harper with a knee and then he face washes Bryan in the ropes.
Harper slingshots Bryan’s throat into the middle rope. Wyatt tells Harper to finish it. Harper with a Gator Roll to Bryan into a side head lock. Bryan with punches to Harper but Harper with a back elbow. Harper with an uppercut and punch in the corner. Harper with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and Bryan with a drop toe hold and drop kick in the corner. Harper catches Bryan on a second attempt and Harper with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Harper has Bryan in the side head lock. We see footage from the commercial when Harper Irish whipped Bryan repeatedly into the ringside barrier. Back to the live action and Harper with a punch. Harper with an Irish whip and Bryan flips out of the corner and he hits a flying clothesline. Bryan charges at Harper and Harper goes over the top rope when Bryan ducks.
Bryan with a suicide dive and then he goes for a second one. Bryan with kicks to Harper against the ringside barrier and then they return to the ring. Bryan goes up top for a missile drop kick. Bryan kips up and he kicks Harper in the chest. Bryan misses a round kick with the left, but not with the right and he gets a near fall. Bryan with kicks in the corner and he puts Harper on the turnbuckles. Bryan goes for a super rana but Harper blocks it and hits a super sit out power bomb but Bryan kicks out at two.
Harper with a forearm to the head that staggers Bryan. Harper with a chop and punch. Bryan with punches to Harper but Harper with a half nelson suplex for a near fall. Bryan gets Harper in the Yes Lock and Harper bites Bryan to escape the hold. Harper with a boot to the head. Harper with punches to Bryan. Harper tries for another half nelson suplex but Bryan lands on feet. Bryan with the flying knee for the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Match Number Eight: Daniel Bryan versus Erick Rowan (with Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper) in the Wyatt Family Gauntlet
Rowan throws Bryan to the floor and Rowan follows. Rowan with an Irish whip into the ring steps. Rowan picks up Bryan and tosses him over the announce table.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rowan with the double atomic noogie. Bryan with forearms but Rowan elevates Bryan into the air and drives him into the mat. Rowan gets a near fall. Rowan punches Bryan. Rowan puts Bryan on the turnbuckles and he slaps Bryan in the chest. Rowan picks up Bryan and hits a fallaway slam from the turnbuckles.
Bryan with a small package for the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Rowan with elbow drops to Bryan and Harper pulls Rowan out of the ring.
Match Number Nine: Daniel Bryan versus Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan) in the Wyatt Family Gauntlet
Wyatt stands with his back to Bryan and Rowan and Harper attack Bryan and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (by disqualification)
After the match, Rowan and Harper continue to attack Bryan and send him into the ringside barrier. Wyatt stands in the corner while Harper sends Rowan into the turnbuckles for a splash on Bryan. Rowan sends Bryan into Harper for a lariat. Harper and Rowan hold Bryan up for a double choke slam.
Wyatt tells Bryan to walk with the reapers and leave this world behind.
He tells Bryan that this is where their story ends. He has no mercy left to give. It could have been different. It is Bryan’s fault. He is going to punish him. He wants Bryan to open his eyes and look at his dismay. This is the end.
Bryan says that Wyatt is right.
Bryan takes the mic and he tells Wyatt that he is right. He says that Bray was always right. No matter how many matches he won. No matter how loud these people cheered for him, Bray was always right. The machine would never let him win. No matter how loud the people chanted.
The people chanted “YES” in every building and they did not care. Bryan says that he is Bray’s. He wants to join the Family.
Wyatt offers his hand but he pulls it away from Daniel and he tells Daniel to crawl. Bray picks up Daniel and kisses him on the forehead before giving him Sister Abigail.
Bray says that this is going to change everything.
Harper and Rowan pull Bryan to the apron and then they help him up the ramp.
Bryan walks up the ramp on his own and he follows Bray onto the stage.
Bray holds out his hand again while the crowd chants “NO”.
Bryan hears the crowd as they chant for him. Bryan thinks about it and he walks dejectedly to the back.
We go to credits.
2020 - AEW produced a Brodie Lee tribute on Dynamite. Anthony Pires penned the following coverage:
I am a father. In some circles I am considered a good one. Never once held a candle to my own, but I did my best what what I had.
Tonight, AEW Dynamite honors the legacy of a great man, Jon Huber aka Brodie Lee. His children are front and center for the 10 bell salute and, by god, one of them is wearing a Dark Order Mask (-1 from what I've been told). I can't even begin to describe how sad it is for me to see them without a father. Jon Huber was a good man. Don't forget that. Forget the Intercontinental title, the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title, the AEW TNT Title. The man and the legacy is what you leave behind. I couldn't care less tonight if the Huber family wants and books Marko Stunt to become AEW, TNT and tag team champion tight. I will applaud everything AEW does to honor him.
Honest to goodness, it seems silly for me to critique a wrestling show tonight. So I won't. Wrestling doesn't matter tonight. An amazing man and the people who hurt for him are what matters. These men and women tonight are competing tonight to honor him.
JR, Tony, Excalibur and Chris Jericho are on commentary.
THE MIGHTY DARK ORDER KICK US OFF!!! Colt Cabana comes out and he can't control his emotions. He's joined by the Young Bucks to take on Matt Hardy and Private Party. I like Colt. Always respected him for doing his career on his own terms. He came in to AEW floundering and, on screen at least, Mr. Brodie Lee took him in as a friend of the mighty Dark Order (YES, THEY'RE MIGHTY AGAIN) and gave him storyline direction.
A Brodie Lee tribute shirt is on AEWShop. All proceeds are being donated to the Huber family. I'm asking every Elite tonight to go there and buy it. It's a great shirt for a great cause.
Damn this is a tough show to watch right now. These AEW stars are in pain.
A week before Christmas, the fan in my furnace blew. My house dropped to 45 degrees. Stupidly, I wondered why bad things happened to me. My parents put me and my family in their vacation home while it got fixed. I'm lucky. I feel silly for complaining about menial problems like heat.
Colt survives a double team to kick out at 2 after the nefarious Matt Hardy hangmans him on the top rope. Beautiful facebuster and moonsault by Nick Jackson. Colt (of THE mighty Dark Order) with a great save after PP and Matt Hardy empty the tank on Nick Jackson. Chicago Skyline and a Superman Splash by Colt and he and the Bucks get the duke. GREAT match as -1 and 5 of the Dark Order cheer them on.
Here comes the Acclaimed and SCU has none of it as they run off the newcomers. -1 is a pretty good sized kid. I wouldn't want to be Kenny Omega with that kid looking over my shoulder.
A makeup-less Darby Allin pays tribute to Mr. Brodie Lee. The next person I hear saying something negatory about him will be the first.
Stu Grayson, Evil Uno and Lance Archer (dressed as Luke Harper- I might cry) vs. Eddie Kingston, Butcher and Blade is next. I hope the Dark Order dominates these guys. I'm not an Eddie Kingston fan tonight. Go get 'em Dark Order.
AEWShop.com's website just crashed on me. Good for you fans! Keep trying! I hope that T shirt sells out and it takes them 4 years to replenish from the demand. I'm refreshing as glorious Picture-in-Picture takes place.
AEW shop is still refreshing. AWESOME!!!
JR tells us upon return that every match tonight will have a Dark Order theme. Wasn't I the guy on this website saying AEW should change its name to DOW. Archer with a moonsault form the Old School position. I bet Brodie would have done it better! Stu Grayson, showing the resilience of Shawn Michaels, kicks out from a double team. DARK ORDER WINS!!!!! They're riding high tonight as damn well they should. OMG Jake the Snake with a short arm clothesline! -1 approves.
Tribute Time! AEW stars extoll the virtues of one Jon Huber and family. We see family pictures. -1 looks VERY comfortable with that TNT belt. Darby Allin better watch out.
Adam Page (almost as good as Brodie Lee), Reynolds and Silver are out next. Silver is in full Brodie Lee outfit. I'll never forget their steak dinner with The Exalted One (btw THAT was how to do a steak dinner skit). They take on Santana, Ortiz and MJF (with Puerto Rican themed trunks). MJF is talking trash to -1. Honest to goodness I hope that kid lays out MJF. It's beautiful how well AEW is treating the family. The story Silver relayed was that Brodie bought him the outfit he wears tonight. I am on minute 13 of waiting to check out my T shirt order. Are you buying one? Get on it NOW!
BTW in case you care, the Wyatt's vs. The Shield is my second favorite 6 man feud ever behind Freebirds vs. Von Erichs. Great match in the ring so far as we go picture in picture. Right before this match, various AEW paid respect to him. NONE of them mentioned how great he was in the ring, rather, what great REAL person/man he was. Arn Anderson called him a Hall of Fame father and husband. Cash Wheeler called him a hero, a leader.
I STILL can't check out my Brodie Lee T Shirt purchase. Good for you, fans! Damn good for you.
MJF might be the only guy who can get away with being mean to -1 tonight. I wouldn't mess with that kid. I bet his dad taught him that discus lariat. Wardlow interferes on behalf of the Inner Circle. Erick "ROWAN" Redbeard with the save! This. Is Awesome! A Bludgeon Brother taking up for his comrade.
-1 WITH A KENDO STICK TO MJF!!! Where is the "this is awesome" chant when we need it. Dark Order and Page win with a discus lariat from Silver. Erik Redbeard (aka Rowan) rejoins them. He's in tears, I'm in tears, you should be in tears.
Eddie Kingston is backstage in tears. He talks about them busting each others chops and thanking him for believing in him when no one else did. Brodie was a warrior in and out of the ring. He have a message to Brodie's children that they will never be alone.
99 (Ana Jay) and Tay Conti (why hasn't she smartened up and joined Dark Order yet?) come to the ring as we go to commercial.
Website crashed again! Good for you, guys! Keep it going. As the bWo used to extoll, "BUY THE SHIRT! BUY THE SHIRT!"
Penelope Ford and Dr. Britt Baker are tonight's opposition for the Dark Order's representatives.
Ana Jay has a ways to go, but someone told me she's had less than 50 matches. She has amazing poise. I feel like I'm watching 4 legitimate future MAJOR stars in wrestling. All four of these women scream starpower as far as I'm concerned. As we go to commercial, Jericho reminds us that picture in picture will be restaurant quality.
We're back and AnNa Jay breaks down as she does the Dark Order salute. Dr. Baker is thinking Lockjaw. I got a feeling Ana Jay's got this one. No sooner do I say that then 99 puts Ford away with the Queen Slayer. The emotions come out. Don't blame them a darn bit.
Tony Schiavone (always present when the lovely ladies are around) wants a word with Dr. Baker. She complains the whole match was rigged. A BIG RIG (Baker winks to the sky). Here comes Thunder Rosa and we've got a pull apart.
We're reminded that Snoop Dogg will be here next week. Week 1 of New Year's Smash takes place. Chris Jericho returns to commentary.
Chris Jericho with his tribute. He wrestled Harper 27 times. He talks about a time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Brodie educated him about the religious importance of the area. Jericho said Lee proved that he could be a main event star. He isn't wrong
Main Event time. Cody Rhodes, Orange Cassidy and 10 vs. Team Taz.
Over an HOUR so far to try and buy the tribute shirt! AWESOME! I have zero problem waiting! We're getting either a long match or a hell of a post match tribute. -99 remains at ringside with the Kendo Stick. Keep an eye on him, ref!
Earlier tonight, referee Bryce Remsberg declared Lee belonged on the Mt. Rushmore of wrestling fathers.
Awesome seeing a young talent like Vance in the main event. Orange Cassidy doing his thing, Cody, who had THE roughest Brodie Lee match I ever saw. Rhodes, 10 and Cassidy are -1's Dream Team so the pressure's on. C'MON 10! The Dark Order needs a clean sweep tonight! Orange Punch, Cross Rhodes and a spinebuster and the babyfaces get the win! A clean sweep by the Dark Order.
Team Taz with a cheap shot from behind. The lights go out and Darby Allin comes out for the save. They're still over matched. I say -1 needs to help him. But instead, we get STIIIIIIIIIING! Still out numbered, though. Please let the kid join. Team Taz retreats to the stage, no doubt terrified that -1 was going to join in. The big tribute is next.
The spot light is on Cody, who is VERY red-eyed (can't blame him). You can judge a man by how he treats others who can do him no good. By that measure, Brodie Lee was one of the greatest men ever. Cody says he was a beautiful man who left behind a beautiful legacy. He brings out the NEXT AEW World Champion, -1! I think that's mom with him. Kid looks dapper in his suit and Dark Order mask as he lays his father's ring gear in the center. Tony Khan comes out a awards the TNT Championship for Life! Nope, not crying....maybe a little. Mr. Khan thanks the fans for attending and watching.
We see a tribute video of the AEW career and early footage, spliced with personal photos, of the great Brodie Lee.
Rest in Peace, sir. Thanks for reading. Cory and I will have a post game show up later.
Btw I got my shirt!
2022 - The great Don West passed away. Mike Johnson reported the following:
Mike Tenay announced this afternoon that his longtime friend and former announcing partner in TNA Don West has passed away following a long battle with brain cancer:
Just heard from wife Terri that our brother @DonWestDeals will be spending New Years in heaven. Terri said D-Dub finally had to tap out from his match with lymphoma. We bonded as soon as we met, both as broadcast partners and friends. Years of great moments both on and off camera
— Mike Tenay (@RealMikeTenay) December 30, 2022
West was an extremely popular part of TNA as an announcer, manager and heading up TNA's merchandise side from 2002 through 2012, when he made the decision to exit the company to take a position as the General Manager of the Wenatchee Wild hockey team in Wenatchee, Washington. He and Mike were very much the defining voices of what is now Impact Wrestling.
In recent years, West popped up occasionally in pro wrestling at Starrcast events and had been doing radio on KPQ 560 in Washington. West took a hiatus from his broadcasting duties to focus on his health after a recurrence of his brain cancer.
A huge contingent of those he worked with in pro wrestling came together to raise money to assist Don and his family.
Don first became known nationally as a pitchman for Shop at Home, where he became so popular Will Ferrell once played him in a sketch on NBC's Saturday Night Live..
Don was one of the truly great people in life and I truly enjoyed every time we spoke.
Everyone at PWInsider.com is absolutely heartbroken to hear of Don's passing . He was a friend to every single person he ever met. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Don was only 59 years old.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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