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February 4th
On this day in history in ....
1938 - Jack Ross wins his sixth Southern Lightweight Title in Augusta, Georgia by defeating Raoul Lopez.
1940 - Tarzán López defeats Octavio Gaona for the World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1950 - The Demon defeats Tom Marshall to win the Jack Pfeffer-promoted World Heavyweight Title in Akron, Ohio, to begin his third reign.
1957 - Baron Von Heczy defeats George Pencheff to win the Australian Heavyweight Title in Adelaide, Australia, ending Pencheff's second reign.
1959 - Super Bowl XXI and XXV Champion and "WrestleMania XI" main-eventer Lawrence Taylor is born in Williamsburg, Virginia.
1961 - Dr. X (Bill Miller) defeats Don Leo Jonathan for the Omaha World Heavyweight Title in Omaha, Nebraska, beginning his second reign.
1964 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Bobo Brazil defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Dr. Jerry Graham defeated Miguel Pérez.
- Don McClarity defeated Frank Hickey.
- Tony Marino defeated Jerry Miller.
- Argentina Apollo and WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Klondike Bill and Gorilla Monsoon in a Best-of-Three Falls match, 2-0.
1964 - Ulises defeats Chanoc in Mexico City, Mexico for the Mexican National Lightweight Title.
1965 - Dr. Bill and Dan Miller defeat Gorilla Monsoon and Bill Watts in Washington, D.C. to win the WWWF United States Tag Team Title.
1966 - The Mysterious Medics defeat Al Costello and Louie Tillet in the finals of a two-week tournament to win the Georgia NWA World Tag Team Title. In the first round on January 28, the Medics beat Chief Little Eagle and Mario Galento, and Costello and Tillet beat Karl and Kurt Von Brauner.
1969 - Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki defeat Danny Hodge and Wilbur Snyder for the NWA International Tag Team Title in Sapporo, Japan. This began Baba and Inoki's third reign.
1969 - Hans Mortier defeats The Gladiator (Rick Hunter) to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.
1970 - Ripper Collins defeats The Missing Link (Pampero Firpo) for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii. This began Collins' fourth reign and ended the Link's second.
1970 - Don Carson ends Pepper Martin's second reign as NWA Beat the Champ Television Champion in Los Angeles, California.
1974 - Albert Wall defeats Horst Hoffman for the European Heavyweight Title.
1975 - Ron Garvin and Roger Kirby defeat Robert Fuller and Jimmy Golden to win the NWA Macon Tag Team Title.
1975 - Bobby Fields and Bob Kelly defeat The Hell's Angels for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Mobile, Alabama, beginning their second reign.
1976 - Thunderbolt Patterson defeats Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody) to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Miami, Florida.
1977 - Chavo Guerrero defeats Dory Funk, Jr. to win his eighth NWA Americas Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California.
1977 - Ted Oates defeats Bob (Sgt.) Slaughter in St. Joseph, Missouri for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title.
1978 - Invader I and José Luis Rivera defeat The Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in a rematch from January 14 in Caguas, Puerto Rico, to win their second WWC World Tag Team Title. At the same event, Dick Steinborn wins the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title from Joe Novak.
1979 - Gran Markus defeats TNT in Mexico City, Mexico to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign. At the same event, Gran Hamada wins the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title from César Valentino.
1979 - Bob Armstrong and Ken Lucas defeat Jerry Blackwell and The Invader (Bob Orton, Jr.) for the NWA Southeastern Tag Team Title in Knoxville, Tennessee.
1982 - Chris Sabin is born in Pinckney, Michigan.
1985 - Rip Oliver defeats Buck Zumhofe for the vacant World Class Television Title in Fort Worth, Texas. The title was vacated after Billy Jack Haynes left the area.
1986 - Vin Gerard is born in Coal City, Pennsylvania.
1990 - Toronto mainstay Whipper Billy Watson dies of a heart attack in Orlando, Florida. Watson won several titles in Maple Leaf Wrestling as well as other promotions across Canada. He was one of the most popular wrestlers in the Toronto history. Watson had a eight-month reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1956, after he ended Lou Thesz's over six-year run with the title in Toronto on March 15. He lost the title back to Thesz on November 9 in St. Louis. Watson also was a promoter in Seattle, Washington, as he was one of a few wrestlers to also hold NWA membership. Watson was 74 years old.
1990 - The WWF held an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results:
- Hercules defeated Conquistador #1 (José Luis Rivera).
- Jim Powers defeated Frenchy Martin
- Jim Neidhart defeated The Honky Tonk Man.
- Richard Charland defeated José Luis Rivera. Akeem and Jimmy Snuka were scheduled to wrestle in this spot, however both were unable to appear.
- Jim Duggan and The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) defeated Mr. Fuji and The Powers of Pain (The Barbarian and The Warlord), when Jannetty pinned Fuji.
- Ted DiBiase defeated Jake Roberts by countout.
- WWF Champion Hulk Hogan defeated The Genius and Mr. Perfect in a handicap match to retain the title, after pinning both men individually.
1990 - The Mercenaries (Cuban Assassin and Ron Starr) defeat Chris and Mark Youngblood in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, ending the Youngbloods' sixth reign.
1991 - Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Lawler defeat The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) in Memphis, Tennessee to win the USWA Tag Team Title. This was a rematch from the previous week in Memphis when the teams drew.
1994 - Jerrito Estrada defeats Mascarita Sagrada in Cuernavaca, Mexico for the Mexican National Minis Title.
1995 - ECW held "Double Tables" at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Jason the Terrible and The Pitbulls (#1 and #2) defeated Hack Myers and The Young Dragons (#1 (Paul Lauria) and #2 (Mikey Whipwreck)).
- Tommy Dreamer defeated Stevie Richards.
- Mikey Whipwreck defeated Paul Lauria.
- Ian Rotten defeated Axl Rotten.
- Chris Benoit defeated Al Snow.
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas defeated Tully Blanchard to retain the title.
- Cactus Jack defeated The Sandman in a Texas Death match.
- Sabu and The Tazmaniac defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) in a Double Tables match to win the title.
1998 - Gene Austin defeats The Canadian Destroyer in Sandusky, Michigan to become the first two-time Southern Michigan Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
2000 - Johnny Devine and Greg Pawluk defeated Tiger Khan and Dick Raines in a tournament final in Calgery, Alberta to win the vacant Stampede International Tag Team Title.
2000 - Harry Palmer defeats J. Prodigy for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Charlestown, Indiana. This began Palmer's third reign and ended Prodigy's second.
2001 - The WWF Hardcore Title goes from Raven to K-Kwik to Crash Holly at a house show in Columbia, South Carolina, before returning to Raven. This began their second, 14th and 4th respective reigns.
2001 - Women of Wrestling's only pay-per-view, "Unleashed" was held at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The show suffered technical difficulties and a low buyrate (0.03) and was the primary reason for the eventual collapse of the promotion. The results of the show:
- Randi Rah Rah defeated Jacklyn Hyde (with Nurse Bellum and Nurse Mercy).
- The Beach Patrol (Sandy and Summer) fought Farah and Paradise to a double-pin draw.
- Tanja the Warrior Woman defeated Jane Blond.
- Nicky Law (with Kristy Order) defeated Heather Steele.
- Boom Boom and Caliente defeated The Asian Invasion (Jade and Lotus).
- Bronco Billie defeated The Disciplinarian.
- Roxy Powers and Slam Dunk fought to a double-disqualification.
- Riot defeated Wendi Wheels in a Hardcore match.
- Jungle Grrrl defeated Beckie the Farmer's Daughter in a Splash match, where the winner was the first to hit a splash. Jungle Grrrl hit a splash off the top of a ladder set up outside the ring.
- Caged Heat (Delta and Loca) defeated Harley's Angels (Charlie Davidson and Easy Ryder) to become the first WOW Tag Team Champions.
- Terri Gold defeated WOW Champion Danger to win the title, beginning her second reign.
Dark matches:
- Patti Pizzazz defeated Ice Cold and Poison in a Hair vs. Hair match.
- Thug (Peggy Lee Leather) defeated Selina Majors in a Steel Cage match.
2002 - The WWF's 454th episode of "RAW" aired live on TNN from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, earning a 4.5 rating. The 128th edition of "Jakked" was taped beforehand. The results were:
- In a dark match, Rico Costantino and Randy Orton defeated Brock Lesnar and Ron Waterman, when Orton pinned Waterman after a crossbody from the top rope.
Jakked:
- Christian defeated The Hurricane.
- Albert and Scotty 2 Hotty defeated Crash Holly and Funaki.
- WWF Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri defeated Jason Partain to retain the title.
RAW:
- Triple H defeated Booker T by disqualification when Kurt Angle interfered.
- Rob Van Dam pinned Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von Dudley and Stacy Keibler) after the Five-Star Frog Splash.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Spike Dudley & Tazz defeated The A.P.A. (Bradshaw & Faarooq) and Billy & Chuck in a Triple Threat Elimination match to retain the title. Billy pinned Bradshaw after the Fameasser, and Spike pinned Billy after the Dudley Dog after The A.P.A. interfered.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion William Regal defeated Rikishi by disqualification to retain the title when Edge interfered and attacked Regal.
- Jazz pinned WWF Women's Champion Trish Stratus after a fisherman buster to win the title.
- WWF Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho and The Undertaker defeated Steve Austin and The Rock, when Jericho pinned Rock after Taker hit Rock in the head with a pipe.
2002 - 2,150 fans attended an FMW pay-per-view event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Biomonster DNA and Leatherface defeated Happy Ikeda, Satoshi Makita, Sun Paul and Yoshito Sasaki, when Leatherface pinned Paul.
- Shinjuku Shark defeated Nihei Assassin.
- Onryo defeated Nosawa.
- Sanshiro Takagi defeated DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion Chocoball Mukai to win the title.
- GOEMON, Kintaro Kanemura and Mammoth Sasaki defeated Mitsunobu Kikuzawa, Paul LeDuc and Vic Grimes, when Sasaki pinned Kikuzawa.
- Kodo Fuyuki and The Sandman defeated Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Sabu, when Fuyuki pinned Kuroda, to win the vacant WEW Tag Team Title.
2003 - TNA's 83rd weekly pay-per-view event was held live at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The results:
Xplosion:
- Trinity defeated Daizee Haze.
- A.J. Styles defeated Gabriel.
- America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) defeated Delirious and Shadow (Lance Hoyt).
Pay-per-view:
- The Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J) defeated Glenn Gilberti and David Young.
- Sonny Siaki defeated Kid Kash.
- Abyss defeated El León by disqualification.
- The Gathering (Julio DiNero and CM Punk (with James Mitchell)) defeated Terry Funk and The Sandman.
- Abyss and A.J. Styles defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Red Shirt Security (Joe E. Legend and Kevin Northcutt) to win the title.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Dustin Rhodes to retain the title.
2003 - "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was a guest on "Best Damn Sports Show Period" tonight on Fox Sports Net. Buck Woodward filed the following report:
Before commercial breaks leading to his appearance, they showed clips of his classic Starrcade '83 chain match with Greg Valentine, and footage of him walking to the ring on NWA:TNA.
- As Piper entered the set, he could be heard saying to Tom Arnold that "you have a lot of guts having me on".
- After the pleasantries, Piper was asked about the famous coconut incident with Jimmy Snuka. Piper said that when they filmed that edition of Piper's Pit, Chief Jay Strongbow gave him a bag of fruits and told him that Jimmy wanted to be hit with the coconut. Piper said that he didn't think Snuka realized how heavy the coconut was when he hit him. Piper then joked that he started whipping Snuka with his belt because he was afraid Snuka would kill him when he got up.
- Regarding Jesse Ventura, Piper felt he made a better governor than wrestler. He joked that when Ventura and Piper teamed, Ventura had a great entrance, then would stay in the corner and let Piper do the work.
- Piper said he hopes Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon destroy each other at Wrestlemania for real, so they both get out of wrestling. Piper said he felt Vince was not good for wrestling anymore, because he became consumed by it.
- Piper, when commenting about Rikishi's gimmick, asked Tom Arnold if he would take the Stinkface, and Arnold remarked that he had a 300-pound rear end in his face during his first marriage.
- They read off a joke list about why show co-host John Kruk would be a good tag team partner.
- They plugged Roddy's book "In The Pit With Piper" and that ended the segment.
2004 - Zorro defeats Pirata Morgan in Veracruz, Mexico for the Mexican National Heavyweight Title.
2005 - WWE taped the 611th episode of "RAW" at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. 16,657 fans attended the show, which got a 3.7 rating on Spike TV. The 336rd edition of "Sunday Night Heat", which aired February 13, was taped as well. The results were:
Heat:
- Muhammad Hassan (with Daivari) defeated Rhyno by submission with the Camel Clutch.
- Snitsky pinned The Hurricane after a pumphandle slam.
RAW:
- Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho in a Submission match with a variation of the Crippler Crossface.
- Batista pinned Maven with the Batista Bomb in 32 seconds.
- William Regal and Tajiri defeat World Tag Team Champions La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) to win the title. Tajiri pinned Grenier after the Buzzsaw Kick after ducking Grenier swinging the Quebec flag and spitting green mist in his face. This ended Conway and Grenier's third reign.
- Shawn Michaels pinned Ric Flair after the Sweet Chin Music.
- Randy Orton pinned Tyson Tomko with a roll-up.
- World Heavyweight Champion Triple H pinned Edge after the Pedigree, after Batista interfered and gave Edge a spinebuster, to retain the title.
2005 - Shocker defeats Dr. Wagner, Jr. in Mexico City, Mexico to win CMLL's Copa Junior. Shocker beat Brazo de Plata, Blue Demon, Jr. and Apolo Dantés on the road to the final. Wagner had defeated Volador, Jr., Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. and Dos Caras, Jr. to get there.
2005 - IWA Mid-South held the "Indiana State Title Tournament" in Valparaiso, Indiana at the National Guard Armory. The show featured an eight-man tournament to crown the first NWA Indiana Heavyweight Champion. The results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Trik Davis defeated Eric Priest.
- Ian Rotten defeated Josh Abercrombie.
- Alex Shelley defeated Petey Williams.
- Brandon Thomaselli defeated Matt Sydal.
Non-tournament:
- IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Champion Delirious defeated Jimmy Jacobs in a Steel Cage match to retain the title.
- Samoa Joe defeated Brad Bradley.
Semifinals:
- Trik Davis defeated Ian Rotten.
- Brandon Thomaselli defeated Alex Shelley.
Non-tournament:
- Danny Daniels defeated IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to win the title, ending Punk's fifth reign.
Final:
- Brandon Thomaselli defeated Trik Davis to become the first NWA Indiana Heavyweight Champion.
2005 - Gino Martino defeats champion Apocalypse and The Outpatient in a Triple Threat match in Sanford, Maine to win the NWA New England Heavyweight Title.
2006 - The UFC held "UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3" before 11,183 fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event had a live gate of nearly $3.5 million. The results were:
Preliminary card:
- In a light heavyweight bout, Keith Jardine defeated Mike Whitehead by unanimous decision.
- In a heavyweight bout, Jeff Monson defeated Branden Lee Hinkle by technical submission (north/south choke) at 4:35 of round one.
- In a heavyweight bout, Paul Buentello defeated Gilbert Aldana by TKO (strikes) at 2:27 of round two.
- In a light heavyweight bout, Alessio Sakara defeated Elvis Sinosic by unanimous decision.
Main card:
- In a welterweight bout, Joe Riggs defeated Nick Diaz by unanimous decision.
- In a light heavyweight bout, Renato Sobral defeated Mike van Arsdale by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:21 of round one.
- In a heavyweight bout, Márcio Cruz defeated Frank Mir by TKO (punches and elbows) at 4:10 of round one.
- In a heavyweight bout, Brandon Vera defeated Justin Eilers by KO (head kick and knee) at 1:25 of round one.
- UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell defeated Randy Couture by KO (punch) at 1:28 of round two to retain the title. Couture announced his retirement after the fight.
2006 - The World Wrestling Council held "La Hora de la Verdad (The Moment of Truth) III" before 1,300 fans at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The show featured an eight-team tournament for the vacant WWC World Tag Team Title. The results:
- Los Adorables (Love and Rick Adonis) defeated D'Jour (Dave and David D'Jour) in a tournament quarterfinal.
- Ash and Bison defeated Brent Dail and New Demolition X in a tournament quarterfinal.
- Los Nenes de las Nenas (Chris Joel and Alex Montalvo) defeated El Bandido and Chicky Starr in a tournament quarterfinal.
- The Market Crashers (Dow Jones and NASDAQ) defeated Los Broncos (I and III) in a tournament quarterfinal.
- Abyss and Black Pain fought to a double-countout.
- Los Nenes de las Nenas defeated Los Adorables in a tournament semifinal.
- The Market Crashers defeated Ash and Bison in a tournament semifinal.
- Amenazá Bryan defeated WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion Glamour Boy Shane to win the title.
- Los Nenes de las Nenas defeated The Market Crashers to win the vacant WWC World Tag Team Title.
- Abbad defeated WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Champion Rico Suave in a No Ropes Barbed Wire match to win the title.
2006 - Two IWA titles change hands in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. La Cruz del Diablo (Cruzz and Ricky Banderas) defeat Thunder and Lightning for the IWA World Tag Team Title and Hammet ends Blitz's fourth IWA World Junior Heavyweight Title reign.
2006 - Jaysin Strife defeats Matt Sydal for the NWA Midwest X Division Title in Lawrence, Kansas, ending Sydal's second reign.
2006 - The Zebra Kid defeats Ricky Knight in Skegness, England to win Real Deal Wrestling's King of the Castle tournament and the vacant RDW Heavyweight Title.
2006 - Chris Stevens defeats John Bogie to win the Great Championship Wrestling Television Title in Columbus, Georgia.
2006 - D-Unit (Shaun Avery and Jed Masters) defeat Harry Pain and Pac for the Independent Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Gateshead, England.
2006 - Nick Steel defeats Brickhouse Baker in New Bedford, Massachusetts to win the Top Rope Promotions Interstate Title.
2006 - Mike Jackson defeats The Wrestler in a tournament final in Irondale, Alabama to become the first NWA Wrestle Birmingham Junior Heavyweight Title.
2006 - Mitch Connor and Garry Stevens defeat The Southside Playas (J-Money and Will B. Smooth) for the Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title in Burlington, North Carolina.
2007 - Crazy G defeats Ape Atomica, Payday Patterson, Psycho Mike, Raid and Red Devil in a six-way elimination match at "Il Numero 100" in Vistarino, Italy to become Italian Championship Wrestling's first Italian Lightweight Champion.
2008 - WWE released developmental talents Cassidy Riley, Ace Steele, George Murdoch (who would eventually return to the company as Brodus Clay), Shawn Osbourne, Michael DiPaolo (ECW's Roadkill) and Robert Anthony.
2008 - WWE aired the 767th episode of "RAW" on tape delay, because the following week's show was being taped as well) from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, which got a 3.6 rating on USA. The results:
- In a dark match, Charlie Haas defeated Val Venis by submission with the Haas of Pain.
- Mickie James and Kelly Kelly defeated WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix and Victoria, when Mickie pinned Victoria after a tornado DDT.
- Mr. Kennedy defeated Super Crazy by submission with an inverted Figure-Four Leglock.
- Santino Marella (with Maria) and Carlito defeated Paul London and Brian Kendrick, when Carlito pinned Kendrick after the Backstabber.
- World Tag Team Champions Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes defeated Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch, when Rhodes pinned Murdoch after a DDT.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels defeated JBL, Snitsky and Umaga, when Hardy pinned Snitsky after a Swanton.
- John Cena fought Mark Henry to a no-contest in an arm wrestling match when Randy Orton interfered when Cena was about to beat Henry. Cena threw Orton out of the ring and gave Henry and FU to end the show.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off last week when Jack Swagger lost his title belt only to find out that it was the man-child Hornswoggle who took the title. Then we see the start of issues between Swagger and Fit Finlay over the ECW title because Swagger decided to push Hornswoggle, the person who stole something that belonged to Jack Swagger.
We are live on tape from St. Louis, Missouri and your announcers are Todd ‘Kurt Warner’ Grisham and Matt ‘Weighing the Potato Salad’ Striker.
Match Number One: Paul Burchill with Katie Lea versus Tommy Dreamer
They lock up and Dreamer with a rollup for a near fall. Dreamer with a front face lock and then he kicks Burchill in the corner until the referee admonishes him. That gives Burchill the chance to attack Dreamer and he punches him. Dreamer with a hip toss and arm drag into an arm bar. Burchill with shoulders and punches in the corner. Dreamer with an Irish whip and he tries for a bulldog but Burchill sends Dreamer into the ropes and Dreamer goes down awkwardly. Burchill with forearms and a slam and then he puts Dreamer in a reverse chin lock. Burchill with a clothesline into the corner and then he continues the attack in the corner. Burchill misses a charge into the corner and Dreamer with a punch and back elbow. Dreamer charges into an elbow from Burchill but Dreamer with a sit out spinebuster for a two count. Dreamer puts Burchill in the Tree of Woe. Dreamer with the E . . . C . . . (This is PG). . . W baseball slide drop kick. Burchill sends Dreamer into the turnbuckles and gets a near fall. Burchill with a neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Paul Burchill
Teddy Long is walking in the back and he sees Jamie Noble and Teddy wonders why Jamie is here. Jamie says that he is here to save the show. Since Matt Hardy went to Smackdown, ECW needs a quality superstar. Noble reminds Teddy that he is the big dog on Raw so ECW could use him because Jamie Noble equals ratings. Teddy welcomes Jamie to ECW.
John Morrison and The Miz come out and Dreamer is still in the ring. What will happen when they all meet. We will have to wait until after the Afro Samurai commercial.
We are back and Miz and Morrison are talking to Dreamer. Morrison tells Dreamer that he is so slow that he cannot get out of the ring in time for the next segment. Morrison suggests that if Tommy was told about food being put out in the back, he might move faster. Miz tells Morrison not to make Dreamer cry. After some play acting, Dreamer gets in their faces. Morrison asks Dreamer if he thinks he could be the ECW Champion again. He says that it is 2009 and champions do not look like Dreamer, but like them. Miz calls Dreamer the ‘anti Ric Flair’ and the fans are hoping that his next loss will be his last. Miz tells Dreamer to call it a mediocre career and go home to wait for the call from the WWE Hall of Fame that will never come. Miz says that the only people who want to see Dreamer less is his wife and kids. Dreamer goes after Miz but Morrison jumps in. Miz hits the Reality Check on Dreamer.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Jamie Noble versus The Boogeyman
Boogey foams at the mouth before they lock up and Noble is afraid of the sack of worms. Noble with punches but Boogeyman throws Noble into the corner and punches him. Noble with kicks and punches but Noble is pushed off. Boogeyman with a slam and then he sends Noble into the turnbuckles. Boogeyman with a hip toss and shoulder tackle that sends Noble off the ropes and to the floor. Boogeyman goes out after Noble and sends him back into the ring. Noble with a knee and kicks when Boogey returns to the ring. Noble goes to the top turnbuckles and he hits a forearm to the back of the neck and Noble with a near fall. Noble with a reverse chin lock. Boogeyman with a snap mare to get out of the hold but he charges into boots. Boogeyman with a hard Irish whip and then he connects with a head butt. Boogeyman with a short arm clothesline or two. Noble crawls to the corner and then Boogeyman with a Stinger Splash and a pump handle slam for the three count.
Winner: Boogeyman
After the match, Boogeyman tries to feed Noble, but Noble gets out of the ring. Boogeyman decides to eat the worms.
Finlay and Hornswoggle are exercising in the locker room as we go to commercial.
We are back with the latest ‘Look at Me’ factoid. Now we take a look at the Legacy versus the McFamily situation from Raw.
Todd and Matt talk about next week’s Raw when the Undertaker returns.
It is time to run through the card for No Way Out.
Jack Swagger is in the locker room and Todd asks Jack about his motivation. He points out that he is self-motivated because he is a two time All American and the ECW Champion. Jack says that Finlay and his snot nosed troll of a kid ruined his celebration. Tonight, it will be Finlay who will be ruined. The closest that Finlay will get to the title will be last week when he hit Swagger with the belt.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Jack Swagger versus Fit Finlay with Hornswoggle
They lock up and Swagger backs Finlay into the corner and he gives a clean break. Finlay with a waist lock but Swagger with a standing switch and take down. Swagger with a waist lock take down but Finlay escapes and then he slaps Swagger. Finlay with a waist lock and rollup for a near fall. Swagger with a kick and a key lock. Swagger tries for the leg but Finlay blocks it and he puts Swagger in a front face lock. Finlay with a single leg take down and he works on the knee. Finlay with an Indian Death Lock but Swagger is in the ropes. Swagger punches Finlay and then Swagger with an Irish whip but Finlay and Swagger bump heads and they are staggered. Finlay with a backslide but Swagger gets out of the cover and he goes to the floor to regroup and provide a logical time to go to commercial.
We are back and Finlay with a European uppercut and a short arm clothesline to Swagger and Finlay gets a near fall. Finlay with a forearm followed by another short arm clothesline. Finlay with a rear chin lock and a near fall. Finlay slams Swagger’s head into the turnbuckles and follows it with a European uppercut or two. Swagger with a hard Irish whip and Finlay hits the turnbuckles awkwardly. Finlay goes to the floor and Swagger wants to go out after him and he does. Swagger with a forearm to the back and then he runs Finlay’s back into the apron. They return to the ring and Swagger gets a near fall. Swagger runs Finlay into the turnbuckles. Swagger with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Swagger with a body scissors on Finlay and then Swagger uses the ropes for leverage but he has to release the hold because the referee sees him. Swagger with a punch but Finlay with a kick and a head butt. Finlay with an inside cradle for a near fall. Swagger with a punch and then he sends Finlay into the turnbuckles. Finlay with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow and then a kick to the head.
Hornswoggle appears and that distracts Swagger. Finlay with a reverse atomic drop and a clothesline that sends Swagger over the top rope to the floor. Swagger sends Finlay into the apron and the ring post. Swagger grabs the shillelagh and sends it up the ramp so it cannot be used.
Finlay tries to suplex Swagger back into the ring but Swagger drops Finlay on the apron. Swagger stands on the apron and he re-enters the ring but Hornswoggle hits him with a mashie shillelagh. Finlay with a clothesline and the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Fit Finlay
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with the Raw brand and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
Match Number One: Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres versus Alicia Fox and Katie Lea Burchill
Alicia and Eve start things off and they lock up with Alicia hitting a side head lock and take down. Alicia with a shoulder tackle but Eve with a drop kick and Eve backs into the corner. Katie tags in and she puts Eve in a waist lock but Eve with an arm bar and she tags in Kelly. Eve with an arm wringer to take Katie to the mat and then Eve and Kelly with a double elbow drop. Katie runs Kelly into the corner but she fights out of there. Kelly with a hip toss to Katie and then she works on the arm and tags Eve in. Eve with a sunset flip from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Eve with forearms to Katie and Eve with a kick and clothesline followed by a flip back senton. Eve runs into a boot but Eve gets Katie up and hits a Samoan drop. Eve goes up top but Alicia shakes the ropes and Eve comes down. Eve focuses too much on Alicia and Katie is able to throw Eve over the top rope to the floor. Alicia kicks Eve in her knee, which appears to have been injured when she went to the floor. Katie slams Eve’s injured leg into the apron. Katie gets a near fall and then she tags in Alicia who slams the leg into the mat. Alicia with a single leg crab on Eve and Alicia with a knee to the back after releasing the hold. Eve with a monkey flip and she is able to tag in Kelly who hits a series of clotheslines followed by a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and a handspring back elbow. Kelly with a rana but Katie breaks up the cover. All four women are in the ring for a moment but Kelly gets rid of Katie. Kelly with a kick and a cross body but Alicia rolls through and gets the three count.
Winners: Katie Lea Burchill and Alicia Fox
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that a lot of people read WWE.com? If you watched WWE television in the last two weeks, you would already know.
Match Number Two: Evan Bourne versus Carlito
They lock up and Carlito with a knee and forearm followed by a punch to the head. Bourne with kicks to the leg and he gets a near fall. Bourne misses a charge into the corner but he lands on the turnbuckles and hits an arm drag followed by a drop kick to the head and a near fall. Bourne with more kicks to the leg. Carlito with a drop kick for a near fall. Carlito with a slam and an elbow drop for a near fall. Carlito with a chin lock but Bourne escapes and he hits a head scissors and running elbow and drop kick that sends Carlito to the floor. Bourne gets ready to fly but Carlito pushes Bourne away on the pescado but Bourne lands on his feet and he hits a knee to the head. Bourne rolls Carlito into the ring but Carlito rolls out of the way. We go to commercial.
We are back and Bourne with a head scissors and a flying elbow. Bourne kicks Carlito into the head but Carlito hits Bourne with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Carlito with punches and kicks in the corner and then he catapults Bourne’s throat into the bottom rope and gets a near fall. Carlito works on Bourne’s back but Bourne gets to his feet. Carlito with a kick and swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Carlito with a rear chin lock. Bourne with kicks to the leg and Carlito with a springboard back elbow to Bourne and he gets a near fall. Carlito returns to working on Bourne’s back but Bourne gets to his feet. Carlito tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Bourne counters with a lateral press. Bourne with a double knee take down for a near fall. Bourne misses a spin kick and Carlito with a rollup. Carlito with a knee to the head but Bourne with a sunset flip for a near fall. Carlito with a sit out spinebuster for a two count after a lax cover. Bourne with a knee and kick to take Carlito down from the apron and then Bourne goes up top but Carlito crotches Bourne. Bourne with a sunset flip power bomb and then he goes up top and hits the shooting star press for the three count.
Winner: Evan Bourne
We go to commercial.
We are back and so is Edge with a video package.
It is time for the Smackdown half of the show and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
It is time for the Raw Rebound. Did you know that Bret Hart was on the show?
We will have footage of John Cena confronting Batista after Raw went off the air tomorrow night on Smackdown.
Match Number Three: John Morrison, Matt Hardy, and Great Khali with Dancing Runjin Singh versus Drew McIntyre, David Hart Smith, and Tyson Kidd with Natalya
Matt and Tyson start things off and they lock up with Kidd getting a waist lock. Hardy escapes and he works on the arm but Kidd with a reversal. Hardy with a short arm clothesline and front face lock before he tags in Morrison. They hit a double back elbow followed by a standing shooting star press by Morrison and elbow drop for Hardy. Kidd backs Morrison into the corner and he kicks Morrison. McIntyre tags in and he kicks Morrison and then hits a European uppercut. McIntyre with a kick to the head and then Morrison with a kick to McIntyre followed by a clothesline and punches. Morrison with an arm bar and then he tags in Khali. Khali with a head butt to McIntyre followed by a chop to the head. Khali with a boot to Kidd who charges at him. Khali with a chop to the midsection. He tags in Hardy who hits the screaming elbow while Khali holds McIntyre. Matt gets a near fall. And then he puts McIntyre in a side head lock. Kidd with a kick to the back of Hardy’s head when Smith distracts the referee. Smith tags in and he kicks Hardy in the corner. Smith with a suplex for a near fall and we go to commercial.
We are back and Smith with a reverse chin lock on Hardy and he adds more pressure to the neck. Hardy with punches to Smith but Smith with a kick and then he tries for a power bomb but he takes too long and Hardy with a side Russian leg sweep and both men are down. Kidd and Morrison tag in and Morrison drops Kidd on the top rope and then he punches Kidd and hits a clothesline. Morrison with a leg lariat and then he sets for the swinging neck breaker but Smith distracts him. Morrison with a sit out power bomb for a near fall and then he is distracted again by Smith. Morrison with a kick but Kidd with an Irish whip and then Morrison tries for a float over but Kidd sends Morrison to the floor. Natalya with a kick to the midsection while the referee was not looking. McIntyre sends Morrison into the apron and then he kicks Morrison in the head. Smith tags in and he kicks Morrison in the chest. Smith with two belly-to-belly suplexes followed by an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Smith with a knee to the midsection and then he tries for a power slam but Morrison escapes the hold and then he hits a mule kick to the head. Hardy tags in and he hits clotheslines on Smith followed by a running clothesline into the corner and a bulldog for a near fall. Hardy with a Side Effect and then Kidd and McIntyre knocks Khali off the apron. Khali trips McIntyre and Kidd and then Morrison runs the ringside barrier and hits a clothesline on Kidd and McIntyre. Hardy with a Twist of Fate on Smith and then Khali tags in for the vertical choke slam for the three count.
Winners: Great Khali, Matt Hardy, and John Morrison
Now is the time on Superstars when Khali waves his arms and everyone else ‘dances’.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at the Mick Foley/Eric Bischoff/Hulk Hogan issues from last week. We also see the issues that Hulk Hogan had with Kurt Angle, but Kurt was the bigger man and he apologized. Then we see Jeff Jarrett try to fix his problems with Hulk Hogan and Bischoff.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Mardi Gras’ Tenay and Taz.
Before our first match, we get Ken Anderson’s introduction to let us know what his current weight and home town are. Ken says that he is the future of the four sided ring. Anderson says that since Hogan said he is the future, it is true.
We also see footage from Anderson’s match with Jarrett from last week.
Match Number One: Brutus Magnus versus Ken Anderson in an 8 Card Stud Tournament Qualifying Match
Anderson with a knee and forearm followed by a punch. Magnus with punches of his own. Anderson with a kick to Magnus and then he stomps on Magnus’ hand. Anderson with a hard Irish whip. Anderson kicks Magnus and continues to do so while he talks to the referee. Anderson punches Magnus but Magnus punches back. Magnus with a kick to Anderson followed by a boot to the chest. Magnus with a back elbow and a Japanese clothesline for a near fall. Magnus gets Anderson on his shoulders but Anderson with a rake of the eyes and the mic check for the three count.
Winner: Ken Anderson
We see Mick Foley arrive at the Impact Zone compound in his compact rental. He gets out of his car and he walks towards the Impact Zone. We go to commercial.
We are back to talk to Kurt Angle. Christy asks him about his match with Tomko. Angle says that he will take care of Tomko quick. He wants to talk about Hulk Hogan who looks him in the eyes and then has his jackals attack him. Christy wants to know if Angle thinks that Hall and Waltman were doing it for Hogan. Angle tells Hogan, screw me once, shame on me, screw me twice, shame on you.
We run through the card for tonight’s show featuring the Knockouts, Tag Team, and World Champions in the ring, with two of them defending titles.
It is time for Eric Bischoff to make his first of many appearances tonight as he comes to the ring. Eric says that it is good to be here one more time. He says that last week he was clear with Foley that they needed to be on the same page, but Foley did not want to be on the same page. Eric says that it is a decision that will cost Foley dearly.
Mick Foley’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Foley circles Bischoff before addressing him. Foley tells Eric that his reputation in the business is that there is something wrong in his head. It wasn’t because of what he did to his body that nobody would do. It is because he likes about everybody. Foley says that people would get him to say negative things about people like Marcus Bagwell, Paul Heyman, and Jim Hellwig. However, he does not dislike anyone . . . other than Eric Bischoff because he hates his guts. He calls Bischoff a slick little hustler and the opposite of everything that he believes in. Foley says that Bischoff came in from the outside as a salesman and announcer. Foley calls Bischoff the worst announcer ever. Foley says that Eric became an executive because he did not embody old school wrestling. Foley says that he wasn’t old school, but he might have gone to the school that burned down before old school.
Bischoff says that it is not about the two of them, it is about other people. Foley says that he loves being part of TNA but he has prepared for the worst case scenario. Foley says that he has been saving every time. He talks about how he didn’t deal with the luxuries even when he was WWE champion. Foley wants to know who Bischoff is to play with Borash and Abyss’ careers. He says that the Impact Zone would shut down without JB and he says that Bischoff doesn’t know or care about it and shows that he doesn’t know what makes TNA tick.
Eric says that the control and power makes him tick. Eric says that if Foley doesn’t want to be on the same page as him, he can respect that. If he isn’t going to get on the same page, he will have to turn the page. Eric says that he is going to write the next chapter in the Mick Foley story. Foley and Bischoff both mention that they are New York Times Bestsellers. Foley reminds Bischoff what he wrote about him. Foley tells Eric that he knows that it might not last forever and he can understand if the relationship is over, but he won’t let Bischoff mess with the ‘woman’ that he loves.
Bischoff tells Eric to look at his hand because he still has Borash and Abyss’ futures in his hand. Eric tells Foley that he will be wrestling tonight and he will be facing Kevin Nash in a No Disqualification Match. Eric talks about Foley’s past with Nash and how he jumped him so it is tit for tat. Eric tells Foley that Nash gets his revenge tonight.
Abyss is watching in the back with Jeremy Borash and Abyss is freaking out. He wants to know if he is going to be okay. Borash asks Abyss if he is okay. He suggests that he should get his final paycheck. Borash says that he worked for Bischoff ten years ago and it is never okay. Abyss babbles and pulls at his hair as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to go to Tara who is with Christy Hemme. She asks Tara about her title defense against Angelina Love. Tara says that Angelina made her life miserable when she started in TNA, but she has seen a change in Angelina since her return. Tara says that Angelina earned her respect last week but she says that she is ready for Angelina.
Match Number Two: Hernandez and Matt Morgan versus Team 3D for the TNA Tag Titles
Ray and Hernandez start things off and they lock up. Ray backs Hernandez into the corner and he breaks clean. They lock up again and Ray with a side head lock but Ray blocks a punch and Hernandez does the same to Ray. They lock up and Ray with another side head lock but Hernandez with a shoulder tackle and he misses a splash into the corner. Ray with an Irish whip and Ray with a splash into the corner. Hernandez kicks Ray away and he goes up to the turnbuckles. Ray with a chop to Hernandez and Ray throws Hernandez off the turnbuckles. Ray with an elbow drop for a near fall. Devon tags in and he connects with elbows. Hernandez with a forearm and Morgan tags in. Devon with punches to Morgan and hits a flying clothesline followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Morgan with a clothesline to Devon for a near fall. Hernandez tags back in and he works on Devon’s neck. Devon with an elbow but Hernandez with a body block for a near fall. Hernandez puts Devon on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a superplex but Devon bites Hernandez and then he hits a diving head butt to the ribs. Ray and Morgan tag in and Ray punches Morgan and then he tries for a German suplex but Morgan blocks it. Morgan with elbows but Ray hits the German suplex followed by a Samoan drop on Hernandez. Team 3D hit a belly-to-back and neck breaker combination for a near fall. Team 3D with a double shoulder block on Hernandez followed by a slam by Ray. Devon goes up and The Nasty Boys push Devon off. Hernandez pushes Ray into the Carbon Footprint for the three count.
Winners: Matt Morgan and Hernandez
After the match, the Nasty Boys comes out and they Knobs has a chair but Hernandez and Morgan come out and the Nasty Boys leave. Morgan and Hernandez check on Team 3D and then Team 3D leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back for a bit and D’Angelo Dinero is getting ready for his match and then we go back to commercial.
Match Number Three: Jesse Neal versus Samoa Joe
Jesse attacks Joe before the bell rings but Joe with a suplex and punches and chops in the corner. Joe with an Irish whip and running elbow followed by an enzuigiri. Jesse with punches to Joe but Joe with a head butt. Neal with a rake of the eyes followed by a forearm to the back and head. Jesse goes to the turnbuckles but Joe moves out of the way when Jesse tries for a cross body. Joe with slaps to Jesse followed by an Irish whip and running knee into the corner. Joe with the muscle buster and he gets the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
We go to the back where Christy is with Hulk Hogan and she wants to know if Hogan has anything to say about Kurt’s comments. Hogan says that he did not hear Angle’s comments. Hogan says that he didn’t have anything to do with that attack and he tells Angle that he will be around. Christy tells Hogan that Angle said that he was looking for him. Hogan says that he will be around. We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: D’Angelo Dinero versus A.J. Styles with Ric Flair in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Dinero works on the arm and wrist but Styles backs Dinero into the corner. Styles with a break but he chops Dinero but he looks at Flair and Dinero with a slap and then he hits a drop toe hold and works on the arm. Styles with a kick and he tries for a slam but Dinero with a series of elbows and then he punches Styles. Dinero with a back body drop and Styles goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Styles with a kick and elbow to Dinero’s head. We go back to commercial.
We are back and Styles with a shoulder tackle and then he connects with an elbow to the back of the head and chops him. Styles with the phenomenal drop kick and we see Flair strut on the floor. Styles with kicks to Dinero and then he catapults him into bottom rope. Styles with a chop and punch but Dinero with a chop of his own. Styles with a rear chin lock and then he chokes Dinero. Styles chokes Dinero in the ropes and then he hits a suplex and then he punches Dinero. Dinero punches Styles and then he gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Styles with a back elbow to Dinero and then he returns to the chin lock. Styles pulls Dinero to the mat by the hair. Styles with a kick to the head and Dinero with a chop but Styles with more kicks. Dinero blocks a punch and he connects with punches of his own. Dinero with a series of punches and then he hits a reverse atomic drop and a flying shoulder for a near fall. Styles with a rake of the eyes followed by a Pele kick. Flair taunts Dinero while he tries to get to his feet. Styles misses a splash into the corner. Dinero with a chop but Styles moves out of the way when Dinero tries for the splash in the ropes. Styles tries for a suplex but Dinero with an inside cradle to counter and he gets the three count.
Winner: D’Angelo Dinero
After the match, Ric Flair and Styles attack Dinero. Samoa Joe comes to the ring and he punches Styles. Joe chokes Styles with his shirt but Flair chops Joe and Joe doesn’t feel it. Styles clips Joe and then he punches Joe. Flair with a knee to the hamstring. Dinero kicks Styles while Joe clotheslines Flair over the top rope onto the ramp.
Security finally makes their way to the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ric Flair asks Joe if he wants to die tonight while Joe is being held back by security. Flair tells Joe that it is the new TNA and he will get his ass beat. Joe tells Flair to shut his mouth. He then tells A.J. that he is a scum bag. He doesn’t care if they were friends or enemies, but A.J. was a warrior. He tells A.J. that he has given up on that for a few suits and hookers. Joe says that he needs to remind A.J. that he is a man so he is going to cash in his title shot at Against All Odds. Joe tells A.J. that he will have to deal with the inevitable. Joe suggests to Dinero that they give A.J. and Flair a preview . . .
but we go to Angelina Love in the interview area with Christy and Christy asks them if Velvet, Lacey, and Madison will get involved in her match. Angelina taught them everything they know but she did not teach them everything she knows. She says that they never should have replaced her and wonders how that is working. Angelina suggests that she might become a three time champion tonight. She says that she is awesome at revenge.
Kevin Nash and Eric Young are in the dressing room and Eric Bischoff enters and he doesn’t know who Eric Young is. Eric introduces himself and then Eric remembers and asks him to leave. Eric says that it is another name he probably won’t remember in the morning. Eric says that he needs a favor from Kevin. He wants Kevin to mop up Foley in a No Disqualification Match. Kevin wants some reciprocity from Bischoff and mentions Hall and Waltman. Eric calls them screw ups and he tells Nash that if he likes that tune, he can play it too . . . or he can destroy Mick Foley for him. We go to commercial.
We are back with an Earlier Tonight Moment of Eric Bischoff announcing the match between Mick Foley and Kevin Nash. We see the footage from two months ago when Foley attacked Kevin Nash in the empty arena.
We go to Mick Foley with Christy Hemme. Christy asks Mick about his match with Kevin Nash. She asks if he is going to fall in line. Foley says that while he is not in traditional wrestling attire, he will be lacing it up instead of falling in line. Christy asks about the bad blood. Foley says that they have unresolved differences, but then he thinks about what Nash put him through the last few weeks. He talks about being sent to meet with Lou ‘Hulk’ Ferrigno. Abyss interrupts and he wants to know if Foley is going to fall in line. Foley says that he will take care of business in the ring. Foley wants Abyss to promise that he doesn’t get involved in the match.
Match Number Five: Tomko versus Kurt Angle in an 8 Card Stud Qualifying Match
Angle with a German suplex but Tomko with a big boot and Angle pops up and then he connects with a head butt and clotheslines Tomko over the top rope to the floor. Angle slams Tomko’s head into the ring steps. Tomko with a power slam to a charging Angle followed by an Irish whip and a running clothesline. Tomko with an Irish whip and Angle’s shoulder goes into the ring post. Tomko with a standing power slam for a near fall. Tomko with a head lock but Angle with punches. Tomko with a vertical choke slam and then he goes to the apron. Eventually he goes up top but Angle recovers and hits a belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down. Angle tries for the Three Rivers German suplex combination but Tomko stops him after two. Angle with an Olympic slam but he can only get a two count. Tomko with a clothesline and then he misses the big boot. Angle with five rolling German suplexes and the straps are down and then he puts Tomko in the ankle lock and he grapevines the leg. Tomko taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Angelina Love and Tara are walking in split screen as we go to commercial.
We are back with footage from the TNA tour of Europe and the ring looks different from the one in Orlando.
In case you forgot all of the problems between Mick Foley and Kevin Nash, here is a recap.
Hulk Hogan is in his office and Nash enters. Kevin talks about the Foley thing and he says that he is on the team. Nash says that he doesn’t like Foley. He asks Hogan if he can give Pac and Hall another chance. Hogan says that he wanted them here, but he has given them too many chances. He tells Nash to distance himself from those guys. Hogan says that he doesn’t get their thing right now. Nash tells Hogan to keep an open mind. Hogan tells Nash not to let them suck him in.
We have a video package showing the issues between Angelina Love and her former tag team partners as well as the arrival of Lacey Von Erich on the scene.
Match Number Six: Angelina Love versus Tara for the TNA Women’s Title
They lock up and Tara with a side head lock and take down. Angelina gets a near fall by rolling Tara over. Angelina with a head scissors and Tara escapes and gets a near fall but Angelina with a bridge into a back slide for a near fall. After all of that action, we go to commercial.
We are back and Tara is working on the wrist but we go back to commercial.
We are back and we have a test of strength and Angelina with a take down into a hammer lock. Angelina works on the arm some more but Tara with a cartwheel but Angelina with a take down for a near fall. Tara with an Irish whip and Angelina with a sunset flip for a near fall. Tara with the uranage side slam for a near fall. Angelina with a forearm but she misses a bicycle kick. Tara sets for the Widow’s Peak but Angelina counters. Tara with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Tara
After the match, Tara and Angelina shake hands but Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, and Lacey Von Erich attack Angelina. Tara punches Lacey, Velvet, and Madison. Angelina joins in the attack. Madison and Lacey are unable to take care of Angelina and Tara but Velvet is able to escape.
We go to the outer parts of the Impact Zone compound and we see Scott Hall and Sean Waltman trying to prepare their entry into the Impact Zone. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle storms into Hogan’s office and he wants Hogan to explain what happened last week. Hogan says that he didn’t give Hall and Waltman contracts because they are thugs and then he talks about Angle’s conspiracy theories brother. Hogan brings up Angle’s blown opportunities brother. Angle says that he wants to know what Hogan’s agenda is. Angle talks about the people that Hogan has done business with in the past. Angle says that Hogan will not screw with him. He tells Hogan this is his last warning. Hogan tells Angle, brother, to get out of his office and he says please.
Match Number Seven: Mick Foley versus Kevin Nash in a No Disqualification Match
Nash comes to the ring with Raven’s shopping cart of weapons. Foley has a barbed wire baseball bat. Foley hits the trash can with the barbed wire bat. Nash gets a chair and he blocks the bat some more. Nash hits Foley in the legs with the hockey stick and then Nash has the bat and he uses it on Foley. Foley with a back kick to the groin and then Foley with a running forearm to the head. Foley sends Nash’s head into the guardrail and the apron. Foley with punches to the top of the head. Foley is about to hit Nash with something but Nash with a big boot and he gets the three count.
Winner: Kevin Nash
After the match, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman make their way through the crowd and into the ring. Hall punches Nash and Waltman with a spin kick. Waltman and Hall continue the attack on Nash.
We go to credits.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
By Richard Trionfo on 2011-02-04 22:00:22
We are live on tape from Uniondale, New York and your announcers are Michael ‘Potvin Sucks’ Cole, Josh ‘Trottier’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Bossy’ T.
Josh reminds us that Alberto Del Rio won the Royal Rumble on Sunday, giving him the opportunity to be the first to officially point to the Wrestlemania 27 sign.
Michael Cole tells us that there will be a fiesta on tonight’s show and we see a Wrestlemania 27 piñata above the ring.
Booker T comes out and he is the newest announcer on Smackdown. Booker goes into the ring and he gives us a spinaroonie.
Vickie Guerrero comes out with Dolph Ziggler to interrupt the debut of Booker. Josh points out that Teddy is not doing well in his rehabilitation from his injury. Josh suggests that we might not ever see Teddy again.
Vickie says that this is a Smackdown that you will not forget. She says that she has set up qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber match and that we will see a World Title Match that we will never forget. Tonight, the uncrowned World Champion Dolph Ziggler will team up with LayCool to face Kelly Kelly and Edge. Vickie tells the little tramp Kelly Kelly to come to her ring right now.
Kelly does not listen to Vickie and she yells for Kelly to come out.
Kelly makes her way to the ring and Vickie asks Kelly who she thinks she is to put her hands on Vickie at the Royal Rumble. Vickie says that Kelly is the reason and distraction why Dolph is not the World Champion right now. Vickie says that she thought about how easy it would be to fire Kelly this week, but that is too easy. After an evil chortle, Vickie says that she is going to humiliate Kelly and break down her dignity piece by piece so Kelly can realize that she is the reason and distraction that will cost Edge the World Title tonight. Vickie tells Kelly that she forgot who she is dealing with.
Kelly says that we all know who Vickie is. She is the one who is trying to destroy her character. Vickie is the one who goes through all of Kelly’s stuff in the locker room. She is the one who is constantly in her personal life. Kelly says that Vickie says that she should fire her, but Kelly says that maybe she should quit.
Vickie says that she has no idea what Kelly is talking about. Vickie calls Kelly ‘Little Barbie’.
Kelly responds by calling Vickie vindictive, paranoid, power hungry witch and she says that everyone is sick of Vickie.
Dolph tells Kelly that she cost him the World Title so she has nothing to say. Kelly is the reason why he is not the World Champion. Kelly coming to the ring during the match on Sunday allowed Edge to hit him with an illegal spear. Dolph asks Kelly if she remembers interfering in the match.
We see a photo of the spear on Sunday.
Dolph says that Vickie cannot reverse the referee’s decision but he is the Uncrowned World Champion. Dolph says that the only reason why Kelly is standing in the ring right now with him and Vickie is because Kelly might be the reason why he officially becomes the World Champion. Dolph says that they are done with her so she can get out.
Kelly decides to slap Dolph in the face instead of leaving the ring. Vickie tries to hit Kelly and Kelly knocks Vickie to the mat.
Michelle McCool and Layla come to the ring to get between Kelly and Vickie and they back Kelly into the corner.
Nobody puts Kelly in the corner and Edge comes to the ring to recreate what Husky Harris did for CM Punk on Sunday night during the Royal Rumble. Dolph runs into a punch from Edge while Vickie, Michelle, and Layla leave the ring. Edge and Kelly go up the ramp while we have a long distance stare down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that Smackdown has been the number one show on SyFy every week since it debuted in October?
Booker gives his thoughts on what we have seen so far on this week’s show.
We see footage from Monday night when Randy Orton ran past Vladimir Kozlov, Santino Marella, and Tamina after their match with Husky Harris and Michael McGillicutty to RKO both men and kick Husky Harris in the head.
Match Number One: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov with Tamina versus Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater in a Non Title Match
Gabriel and Kozlov start things off and Gabriel with a waist lock but Kozlov with a take down and side head lock. Kozlov with a hip lock take down into a side head lock. Slater tags in and he kick Kozlov. Kozlov with a shoulder tackle and hip toss. Santino tags in and he takes Slater to the mat and gets a near fall. Santino with another near fall. Marella with a side head lock but Slater with kicks to Marella. Slater punches Santino and then he Irish whips Santino but Santino floats over. Slater with a punch and he gets a near fall. Slater with a kick and punches to Santino. Slater misses a splash into the corner and Kozlov is tagged in.
Kozlov with a head butt and then he sends Slater into the turnbuckles and kicks Slater. Slater with a power slam to Slater but Gabriel breaks up the cover. Gabriel sends Santino to the floor and then Kozlov throws Gabriel out of the ring. Kozlov forgets about Slater, who kicks Kozlov in the back of the leg and then hits an inverted DDT. Gabriel tags in and he hits the 450 splash and gets the three count.
Winners: Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told by Michael Cole that there are only four qualifying matches because Edge is already in the match and Dolph Ziggler is also in the match without having to qualify.
Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston versus Drew McIntyre in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
They lock up and Drew backs Kofi into the corner and Kofi uses the turnbuckles for an arm drag and then he tries for a rollup and gets a near fall. Drew tries to kick Kofi but Kofi blocks the kick. Drew with a punch and then he gets a near fall with a rollup. Drew with a punch and kick to the head. Drew with a slam and he gets a near fall. Drew with a running forearm and then he slaps Kofi in the head. Kofi with a few leap frogs and then hits a flying back elbow for a near fall. Kofi with an arm bar. Drew tries to escapes but Kofi holds on to the arm bar. Kofi gets a near fall and maintains the arm bar. Drew with a kick and forearm to the back and then he slams Kofi’s head into the mat. Drew charges into the corner but Kofi moves out of the way and hits the pendulum kick. Kofi goes up top but Drew moves out of the way so Kofi lands on his feet and then he clotheslines Drew over the top rope to the floor.
Kofi goes to the floor and he hits Drew in the back with a forearm. Kofi with a European uppercut. Drew pushes Kofi away but Kofi charges at Drew and McIntyre sends Kofi into the air and Kingston lands on the ring steps.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Drew with a back elbow and gets a near fall. Drew tries for a seated abdominal stretch on Kofi and locks it in. Kofi gets to his feet and he punches Drew but Drew with a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster for a near fall. Drew kicks Kofi but Kofi with an elbow. Kofi with a forearm but Drew with an Irish whip. Kofi tries to float over but Drew sees it coming and he kicks Kofi in the ribs and gets a near fall. Drew punches Kofi.
Kofi kicks Drew in the head but Drew recovers and he hits a series of clotheslines in the corner and then follows that with a short arm clothesline. Drew lines up Kofi and hits a drop kick and gets a near fall. Drew with another clothesline in the corner and he tries for another short arm clothesline but Kofi floats over and hits a DDT. Kofi is unable to make the cover immediately so Drew is able to kick out.
Kofi and Drew exchange punches and Kofi adds some kicks and more punches. The referee pulls Kofi out of the corner and then he hits the Superman punch. Kofi with a twisting Boom Drop on Drew and then he gets ready for Trouble in Paradise and Drew avoids it and goes to the apron.
Ricardo Rodriguez appears on the TitanTron and he introduces the winner of the Royal Rumble, Alberto Del Rio. Alberto winks at the screen and Drew kicks Kofi in the midsection and hits the Future Shock DDT and gets the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
We go to commercial.
Michael Cole has an update on Cody Rhodes as Jack Swagger comes to the ring. He says that Cody is disappointed that nobody in the locker room has checked on his condition and that he will be undergoing reconstructive facial surgery next week.
Match Number Three: Rey Mysterio versus Jack Swagger in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Rey with kicks to Swagger and Rey with a sunset flip for a near fall. Swagger with a kick but Rey with a kick of his own. Swagger charges at Rey and Rey drops down by the ropes and Swagger goes over the top rope to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and they lock up. Swagger misses a punch and Rey with shoulders in the corner. Rey with a kick to the leg. Swagger with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Rey. Swagger with forearms to Rey’s back in the corner and then he tries to take Rey down but Rey with a bulldog and he gets a near fall. Rey with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Swagger pushes Rey into the ropes but Rey with a kick to the head. Rey with a drop kick to the back and Swagger goes into the ropes.
Swagger goes to the floor before Rey can hit the 619. Rey uses the ropes to kick Swagger away and then he tries for an Asai Moonsault but Swagger pushes Rey and Rey gets caught in the ropes. Swagger works on the leg and he adds a chin lock as he weakens the leg for the ankle lock and neutralize the 619. Swagger slams Rey’s knee into the mat. Swagger wrings Rey’s leg into the ring post.
Swagger gets a near fall on Rey and then he punches Rey in the corner. Swagger puts Rey’s leg in the ropes and the referee warns Jack. Swagger with kicks to the leg while Rey is still in the ropes. Rey falls to the floor and Swagger goes to make sure that Rey is not lonely on the floor. Swagger slams Rey’s head into the announce table and Booker’s Red Bull is the biggest casualty so far. Swagger stands on Rey’s chest and points to the Wrestlemania sign.
Swagger rolls Rey into the ring and Rey is down near the corner so it means it is time for the double jump Swagger Bomb but Jack can only get a near fall. Swagger works on Rey’s leg some more and then he picks Rey up by the leg. Swagger with an elbow to the knee. Rey kicks Swagger away but Jack is able to maintain control of the match. After some punches Swagger gets a near fall. Swagger with a biel to Rey and he tries for another double jump Swagger Bomb but Rey rolls out of the way.
Rey goes to the turnbuckles and Swagger catches him but Rey counters with a DDT and he gets a near fall. Rey drop kicks Swagger in the knee and Jack goes into the ropes. Swagger grabs Rey on the 619 and Swagger with an ankle lock. Rey is able to escape the hold and he sends Swagger into the ring post. Rey with a kick to the head and Rey gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
After the match, Rey points to the Wrestlemania 27 sign.
Josh asks Booker for his thoughts on the Swagger/Mysterio match before we go to the announcement that Alberto Del Rio made on Monday night about which title he will challenge for at Wrestlemania.
Edge is talking to Kelly Kelly in the back. Edge says that he knew he would not be the champion forever, but he did not think that it would end this way. Kelly asks Edge if he doesn’t have any faith in her. Edge says that isn’t the case, but she has to face both members of LayCool and he says that Kelly can’t beat both of them.
Kelly says one more time that Edge doesn’t have faith in her. She says that he is just like Drew McIntyre.
Edge asks what Drew McIntyre has to do with it. Kelly says that Edge doesn’t think that she can win and sorry isn’t good enough.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole gets his shots in at Jerry Lawler saying that he will not win the WWE Title at the Elimination Chamber and that he will be back at the announce table doing his job.
We run through the card for the Elimination Chamber.
Hornswoggle and Rosa Mendes come to the ring and they are throwing shirts into the crowd.
Ricardo Rodriguez has a big stick with him and he introduces Alberto Del Rio.
Alberto drives into the arena and walks to the ring. Alberto introduces himself, but we already know that. Alberto says that we also know that it was his destiny to win the biggest Royal Rumble match in history. It was his destiny to go to Wrestlemania. It was his destiny to become the new World Champion. Alberto says that he was planning on having his celebration later on, but when he saw his little amigito, he decided to start the celebration early. He tells Hornswoggle that not only is he in the ring with the future World Heavyweight Champion, he has a present for Hornswoggle. Alberto points to the piñata over the ring. He says that it is filled with candies and toys and he wants to share it with all of his friends here . . . (he checks with Ricardo for where they are) here in New Jersey.
He tells Hornswoggle all of the prizes are for him. Ricardo covers Hornswoggle’s eyes and he gives Hornswoggle the stick. Ricardo spins Hornswoggle around and he swings wildly not even coming close to the piñata. Alberto wants to lower the piñata so it gets to ‘the thing’s’ level.
Hornswoggle hits Alberto with the stick and Hornswoggle reaches for the candy that should have come out of Alberto’s belly. Hornswoggle is confused and blindfolded so Alberto kicks Hornswoggle in the head. Rosa yells at Alberto from outside the ring. Alberto punches Hornswoggle until Kofi comes out to stop Alberto. Kofi clotheslines Alberto over the top rope to the floor. Alberto decides that he is done for the night until Kofi is distracted by Ricardo. Alberto attacks Kofi from behind and then Alberto hits Kofi with the stick and he focuses on the arm. Alberto stands over Kofi and then he puts Kofi in the cross arm breaker. Referees come out to separate Kofi and Alberto.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the announcement that Steve Austin will be hosting Tough Enough. Booker T announces that he will be a coach on Tough Enough.
Match Number Four: Chavo Guerrero versus Kane in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Chavo with some punches but they have no effect. Chavo tries for a cross body but Kane catches him. Chavo avoids Kane when he charges into the corner. Chavo goes up top but Kane grabs him by the throat. Chavo drops Kane across the top rope. Chavo with a frog splash but Kane grabs Chavo by the throat on contact and Kane hits a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kane
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Big Show versus Wade Barrett with Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater, and Justin Gabriel in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Barrett backs into the ropes and the referee stops Show. Show with a chop to Barrett and then they go to a different corner and Show punches and chops Barrett. We move t a third corner and he tries for the Shhh chop but Barrett with an elbow followed by punches. Barrett with a drop kick to the knee and then he continues to work on the leg. Barrett punches Show and Show pushes Barrett away. Show with a back elbow and then he chops Barrett across the chest. Show with an Irish whip and Barrett collides with the referee and the referee goes down.
Slater tries to interfere but he is knocked off the apron by Show. Gabriel gets on the apron but he goes back to the floor before Show can do anything to him. Jackson with a clothesline to the Big Show and Barrett gets a two count when the referee recovers just in time. Barrett with a DDT and he gets the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett
Wade’s victory celebration is short lived because Big Show attacks him from behind and sends Barrett to the floor. Show takes care of Slater and Gabriel. Jackson hits Show but Show grabs Jackson by the throat. Slater and Gabriel grab Show by the ankles to stop him from choke slamming Jackson. Jackson with a slam to Big Show.
Jackson kneels over Show with a mic and he tells Show “The end has come. It has awakened against you.”
We see the six men who will be in the Elimination Chamber Match from the Smackdown brand.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Edge and Kelly Kelly versus Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool, and Layla with Vickie Guerrero for the World Title
Before the match starts, Vickie declares that if Edge uses the spear in any shape or form, he will be stripped of the World Title immediately.
The men start off and Dolph with a kick and punch to Edge followed by an elbow and more punches to Edge before the referee stops Edge. Ziggler with another punch. Edge with a running forearm and punch followed by an Irish whip and flapjack. Ziggler goes to the floor and Edge with a baseball slide that sends Ziggler into the ringside barrier. Ziggler is returned to the ring and he tags in Michelle and Layla. Michelle and Layla discuss who is in the match. Michelle convinces Layla to let her continue. Kelly enters the match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michelle has Kelly in the corner. Kelly with a kick to Michelle and then she puts Michelle in a head scissors and then she pulls Michelle to the floor and slams Michelle’s head into the floor. Layla tries to interfere but Kelly stops her. Michelle tries to power bomb Kelly on the floor but Kelly stops her and Michelle sends Kelly into the ringside barrier instead.
Michelle kicks Kelly and then connects with a forearm to the back. Michelle runs Kelly into the corner and Layla tags in. Michelle Irish whips Kelly into a clothesline from Layla and Layla gets a near fall. Michelle tags back in and Michelle hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Michelle tries for a suplex but Kelly lands on her feet and she slaps Michelle. Michelle stops Kelly from making the tag.
Michelle kicks Kelly and sends her into the corner. Layla tags back in and snap mares Kelly and kicks her in the back of the head. Layla with a head scissors to Kelly as Kelly tries to maintain consciousness. Kelly gets out of the hold but Layla with a forearm. Kelly with a kick and X Factor. Kelly tries to make the tag but Layla stops her. Ziggler interferes and the referee does not see the tag so it is not allowed.
Edge punches Ziggler and they fight to the floor and then Edge sends Ziggler into the ringside barrier. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Layla and Michelle double team Kelly. Layla holds Kelly for Michelle and Michelle with a round kick that accidentally hits Layla when Kelly moves out of the way. Kelly kicks Michelle out of the ring. Kelly with a spear to Layla for the three count.
Winners: Edge and Kelly Kelly
After the match, Vickie gets into the ring with Edge and Kelly Kelly. Vickie congratulates Kelly on her victory. She says that Kelly is going out in style because she has just competed in her last match. Vickie fires Kelly and tells her to get out of her ring. Vickie says that Kelly always had it in for her and that this is her show and tells Kelly to get out of her arena.
Edge is still standing behind Vickie and he is going in to ‘spear’ mode. Vickie turns around and addresses her former Husband. She tells Edge that he will be the former World Champion next week because he will be defending the title against Dolph Ziggler. Next week, there will be a special guest referee and it will be . . . cue the maniacal laughter . . . Vickie Guerrero.
Dolph come up behind Edge and hits the Zig Zag as we go to credits with Vickie continuing to laugh.
2012 - A trailer was released for the Jeff Katz Wrestling Revolution Project, which, to date, has never been officially released.
2012 - In his latest column for the Whig-Standard, Tommy Dreamer wrote about his love for the online world, including Twitter. Dreamer noted that he had always avoided having an online presence but has grown to love the medium in the last year. He commented that as he's coming deal with that he's "at the end of my career", he has the chance to follow the careers of his friends and live through their Twitter accounts. Two years later, Dreamer is still wrestling full-time.
2012 - TNA ran Concord, NC. Rufus Jones sent the following live report:
Just got back from Impact Wrestling at Concord, NC. Here are the results:
*Robbie E & Robbie T lost to ODB and Eric Young in a comedy match.
*TNA X-Division champ Austin Aries defeated Zema Ion and Jessie Sorensen.
*TNA Knockouts champ Gail Kim defeated Velvet Sky. This is why the Knockouts are better then the Divas- they had a good match and it lasted longer then 50 second. In a sidenote, Robert Irvine from The Food Network, Gail Kim's boyfriend, was present at the event
*AJ Styles beat Kaz. Thhis was the Match of The Night.
*Gunner w/Ric Flair beat Garrett Bischoff. Ric cut a babyface promo before the match talking about Flair country and the great wrestlers and fans. He said that he would not interfere in the match but he got into it with Earl Hebner which let Gunner deliver a low blow to Garrett.
*Jeff Hardy & James Storm beat TNA champ Robert Roode & Kurt Angle. Before the match Roode got in it with a fan and told him to cross the line and show him what a real man was but not in those words.
Most Cheers:
Jeff Hardy
Ric Flair
AJ Styles
Most Heat:
Robert Roode
Kurt Angle
Earl Hebner, due to the fact he screwed Bret Hart
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last week, we almost saw Paul Heyman get fired because a man who looked a lot like Paul Heyman, but who was not Paul Heyman was seen consorting with The Shield. Before Vince McMahon could utter the words that made him famous, but was usurped by Donald Trump, Brock Lesnar returned and he gave Vince an F-5. We also found out which title John Cena would put in the main event at Wrestlemania. What will happen as we move closer to the Elimination Chamber?
We are in Atlanta, Georgia and your announcers are Michael ‘I miss the Omni’ Cole and Jerry ‘Breaking the Hearts of Sports Fans except for 1995’ Lawler.
CM Punk makes his way to the ring and he is introduced as the People’s Champion, after destroying a fan’s sign on his birthday.
CM Punk says that he wants to explain what having a week to sit back and let things digest does to a person. Did he overreact last week? If you thought he overreacted, you never held anything as special as the WWE Championship. He says that nobody in the building has done anything great.
He has been able to watch the footage and think about what happened. He did not overreact. Every action has its reaction. He reacted like any normal person would act. He was screwed. The WWE Championship was stolen from him and is held by someone who does not deserve it. Someone who does not know what it is like to be a champion.
Punk talks about the ‘supposed’ video that show that him and Paul Heyman worked with Brad Maddox and The Shield. Punk has a question for everyone in the crowd.
Punk asks a fan if he saw Punk in the video last week. Punk reminds everyone that he was not in that video. People still point their fat incriminating fingers at him.
Punk asks Michael Cole if he saw CM Punk working with Brad Maddox and The Shield last week. Cole says that Punk was not in the video.
Punk says that if Paul Heyman says that it was not him in that video last week, then it was not him. As ridiculous as that may sound to you, put it up against what they are dealing with, people have bought into a video that Vince McMahon put on his show and on his TitanTron as the gospel truth.
Punk says that was not Paul Heyman. Vince has the money to make it look like Paul Heyman. If Vince wants to make it look like it was him and Paul doing that, the people are going to eat it up.
Last week, Vince was hoisted high in the air and he was dumped on his hip. Vince got what he deserves. Brock broke Vince’s hip and that is what Vince deserved. Punk says that is karma. That is why the people are not going to amount to anything. They do not deserve it.
Punk challenges anyone to come into the ring to prove him wrong.
Punk says that he will get his title back from The Rock. Rock can hold on to the belt to keep up his fancy pants. Punk says that the real champion is here and he is going to grant Rock a rematch at the Elimination Chamber. Today is Day 442 of the . . .
Booker T’s music plays and he starts to talk but Punk interrupts him.
Punk says that this isn’t even Booker’s show and no one wants to hear him.
Vickie Guerrero allowed Booker T to come out and decide Punk’s fate. Instead he is going to let the WWE Universe make the decision.
Booker suggests that Punk should face one of his former Wrestlemania opponents. Maybe Rey Mysterio. Maybe Randy Orton. Maybe Chris Jericho.
Punk calls the WWE Universe a bunch of idiots.
In case you forgot how to download the WWE app, Michael Cole has made a how-to video.
Michael will tell us when we can vote for CM Punk’s opponent.
There is an ‘Epic Announcement’ about the Hall of Fame tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Randy Orton’s comments from Raw Active. Randy mentions that he beat CM Punk at Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta. Punk has a solution to shut up Punk and that is an RKO.
Match Number One: Ryback versus Antonio Cesaro in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Ryback sends Orton into the corner. Cesaro with a forearm to the back. Cesaro with a waist lock but Ryback with a back body drop. Ryback with forearms to the back. Cesaro with a head butt but Ryback with a hip toss and a leg drop for a near fall.
Ryback puts Cesaro in the tree of woe and he kicks Cesaro in the chest. Cesaro goes to the floor and Ryback follows and he sends Cesaro back in. Cesaro with kicks to Ryback. Cesaro with a knee to the midsection followed by a European uppercut. Ryback with a Thesz Press and he slams Cesaro’s head into the mat. Ryback misses a charge into the corner.
Cesaro with a clothesline to the back of the head and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ryback with a shoulder tackle and body block followed by a spinebuster. Ryback sets for the lariat but Cesaro remembers that he has to leave the ring and try to get counted out each time. Ryback stops Cesaro on the ramp. Cesaro is rolled back in and Cesaro drops Ryback on the top rope and he drop kicks Ryback off the apron. Cesaro sends Ryback into the ring post and then the ring steps.
Cesaro wants the referee to start the count. Ryback is able to get back into the ring at nine. Cesaro with punches and a kick. Cesaro with a knee drop from the turnbuckles to the upper chest for a near fall.
Cesaro runs into a knee and a back elbow. Ryback with a back body drop and Ryback sets for the lariat and he connects. Cesaro gets to the floor again and he tries to go through the crowd. Ryback pulls Cesaro back in. Cesaro with a boot to the head. Ryback blocks a kick and hits a power bomb.
Ryback with the lariat and now he gets Cesaro up for the marching muscle buster and he connects and gets the three count.
Winner: Ryback
In case you missed it earlier tonight, or last week on Raw, we go back to look at John Cena’s announcement of his opponent at Wrestlemania and the attack by the Shield.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole mentions that Rey Mysterio was on Raw Active during the break. Rey says that he should be in the ring with Punk since he beat him at Wrestlemania 26.
We take a look at the Shield. We start with their debut at the Survivor Series when they attacked Ryback. We see some of their comments from their prior comments about WWE Superstars.
John Cena is in Vickie’s office watching the video. Vickie says that she heard a rumor that John Cena was going to call out the Shield. Vickie asks John if he has a Death Wish.
John says that he appears on Raw and he won the Royal Rumble. He says that he will be the WWE Champion at Wrestlemania. The Shield needs to be stopped and they need to be stopped tonight.
It is time to take a look at the person who was announced at the end of last week’s Raw . . . Trish Stratus.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to comments from Chris Jericho during Raw Active. Chris says that others call you the best in the world when you are the best in the world. Tonight we can see who is the best in the world.
Booker T has joined Michael and Jerry at the announce table.
Match Number Two: Santino Marella versus Jack Swagger
They lock up and Swagger sends Santino to the mat. Swagger with a knee and Santino with some power walking but Swagger with a knee to the midsection and he goes for Santino’s knee. Swagger with a punch and knees to the midsection. Swagger with punches in the corner but he misses a splash. Santino with punches and then he does a split but blocks a hip toss.
Swagger with knees and then he does the double jump Swagger Bomb. Swagger with the ankle lock and Santino taps out.
Winner: Jack Swagger
After the match, Swagger goes to the announce table and he tells Booker that he is just getting started.
Now it is time to vote for CM Punk’s opponent.
We are back and we are only 62 days away from Wrestlemania. It turns out that Ticketmaster is involved with the Raw Active voting because they are overloaded.
We take a look at what has happened between Big Show, Alberto Del Rio, and Ricardo Rodriguez last week on WWE Television.
Match Number Three: Alberto Del Rio versus Cody Rhodes
Cody with a kick and forearms. Rhodes with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow and Del Rio with a rana and then he sends Rhodes into the air and then to the mat. Del Rio with a kick. Cody with a slap and Del Rio with kicks to Rhodes.
Del Rio with the running step up enzuigiri to the shoulder for a near fall. Rhodes with a kick to the leg and then Cody with an atomic drop to the leg. Rhodes with boots to Del Rio and punches. Rhodes with a head butt and then he charges into the corner but misses.
Del Rio with two clotheslines and then he avoids one and instead of a power slam, Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Del Rio with a super kick for a near fall. Rhodes with Beautiful Disaster but he can only get a two count. Del Rio floats over into the cross arm breaker and Cody taps out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Alberto Del Rio says that he is a different person. He used to look down on everyone, but now he knows that he was wrong. Big Show tried to bully him, just like everyone. He was not going to let that happen. That is why he appreciates the support of the fans. They make him open his eyes and now he is the World Champion, not just for him. He is doing this for the people who struggle and fight.
Alberto tells Big Show that he is going to pay what he did to his best friend Ricardo. If Show thinks that what happened last Friday was bad . . .
Big Show interrupts on the TitanTron and he tells Alberto to calm down. Show says that he is in a secured location off sight.
Del Rio calls Show a coward and says that Show has no cajones.
Show tells Del Rio to speak in English. Show says that it is hard for him to control the rage that he has. It would be so easy to snap Del Rio in half. He is not afraid because Del Rio had a stick with him in the parking lot. Show says that he left to keep himself from ripping Del Rio apart.
This is about Del Rio stealing the title from him. Show says that he wants a rematch against Del Rio at the Elimination Chamber.
Show tells Del Rio that Booker knows where he is and if Del Rio signs the contract, he will have Booker bring the contract to him. Show tells Del Rio not to look for him in the hotel. If Del Rio thinks that what he did to Ricardo was bad, wait to see what happens if Del Rio looks for him.
The man who will face CM Punk tonight is Chris Jericho.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rewind: Footage of the tag team champions losing a non-title match to Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio.
Daniel Bryan blames Kane for their loss on Friday. Bryan says that Kane has to do his part as his tag team partner. Kane says that he thought Bryan could take care of himself. Bryan tells Kane not to help him because he does not want to hurt his chances in the Elimination Chamber.
Match Number Four: Rey Mysterio versus Daniel Bryan
They lock up and Bryan with a snap mare and kicks to the back. Bryan gets a near fall but Rey with a bridge. Rey with an arm drag out of a wheelbarrow move. Rey with a drop kick and knees to the head. Rey with a kick. Bryan with a fallaway gutbuster and we see Teddy and Booker talking about something while watching the match.
Rey with forearms but Bryan with forearms of his own. Rey kicks Bryan from the apron. Rey tries for a moonsault but Rey is crotched and put in the Tree of Woe. Bryan with shoulders but he charges into the corner and Rey pulls himself up and Bryan goes into the ring post and then to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rey with forearms but Bryan with an overhead throw on Rey and then he stomps on Rey’s elbow. Bryan continues to work on Rey’s shoulder and elbow. Bryan with kicks to the chest and shoulder. Bryan sends Rey under the bottom rope and Rey gets up and tries to get back into the ring but Bryan with a baseball slide.
Bryan tries for a suicide dive but Rey with a forearm to the head. Rey with a seated splash and a head scissors. Rey with a rana but Bryan rolls through but you don’t try for a sunset flip on Rey. Rey rolls through and kicks Bryan in the head and Rey gets a near fall.
Bryan is in the ropes and Bryan blocks it and he catches Rey. Bryan applies the No Lock but Rey counters with a rollup. Bryan tries for a power bomb but Rey counters with a rana and Bryan falls into the ropes. Rey hits the 619 and Rey misses the dive from the turnbuckles. Bryan applies the No Lock and Rey taps.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
After the match, it is time for someone to get their ass kicked and their wig split. Mark Henry comes to the ring and Daniel Bryan confronts him on the floor. Henry sends Bryan into the ringside barrier.
Henry goes into the ring and he sees Rey on the mat. Mark picks up Ray and he hits a running spinebuster. Henry puts Rey in the corner and Sin Cara comes to the aid of Rey but Mark catches Cara on a springboard cross body and Henry with the World’s Strongest Slam. Rey with forearms to the back but Henry pushes Rey into the ropes and Rey tries for a cross body but Henry catches Rey. Henry with the World’s Strongest Slam.
Henry says this isn’t enough and he hits the Vader Bomb on Rey and he tells everyone that’s what he does.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kane is walking in the back. Daniel Bryan asks Kane if he saw what Mark Henry did. He wants to know where Kane was. Kane says that Bryan told him not to go out there. Bryan tells Kane that he owes him an apology. Kane says that there is nothing stronger than their friendship. Bryan asks Kane if he is serious and Kane tells him ‘Hell No’.
It is time to take a look back at what happened at the end of Raw between Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman.
We go to Big Show on satellite and he says that he is not waiting all night. Show wants to know if the contract is there. Room service arrives and Show gives him a tip, next time get a better job.
Match Number Five: Sheamus versus Kane
They lock up and Sheamus pushes Kane. Sheamus with punches to Kane in the corner. Kane sends Sheamus into the corner and misses a punch. Sheamus with punches. Kane with an Irish whip and clothesline. Kane sends Sheamus into the turnbuckles and connects with an uppercut and kicks. Sheamus with a kick but Kane with a side slam.
Sheamus kicks Kane into the ringside barrier and they return to the ring. Kane with a punch. Sheamus and Kane exchange punches until Sheamus hits a uranage back breaker. Sheamus runs Kane into the turnbuckles and then hits a knee lift. Kane is sent over the top rope to the floor with a double sledge.
Sheamus with the ‘JBL hopes he would do this to Josh’ forearms but Kane stops Sheamus at five and drops Sheamus on the top rope. Kane misses the clothesline from the top. Kane blocks the Brogue Kick. Sheamus avoids the choke slam. Kane escapes White Noise. Sheamus blocks a tombstone attempt. Kane with a DDT and Daniel Bryan gets on the apron to distract Kane.
Kane grabs Bryan by the throat and Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick when Kane turns around and Sheamus with the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Brock Lesnar giving Vince McMahon an F-5.
Miz is in the ring for MizTV. Miz says that his guest shocked the world by reintroducing the beast Brock Lesnar to the WWE.
Paul Heyman comes out and he tells Mr. Mizanin to not say another world. At least it looks like Paul Heyman.
Paul says that he is out here to clear his name. He will not let someone like Miz soil his reputation.
Paul offers his best wishes to the Chairman of WWE. Paul says that Vince had hip surgery earlier today. He says that it would behoove.
Miz asks Paul if he really cares about what happens with Vince McMahon after what happened last week.
Paul says that he will spell it out so even Miz can understand. He did not know that Brock Lesnar was in Las Vegas and he did not tell Brock to attack Vince. Paul reminds Mike that he tried to stop Brock.
Miz says that he saw a tape of Paul paying off The Shield and Brad Maddox to keep the title on CM Punk. He also saw Vince McMahon about to fire Paul last week. Miz calls Paul the most committed liar he has ever met.
Paul says that he will not let Miz look good at his own expense. Paul has some questions for Miz. He wants to know if Miz agrees that Punk was screwed out of the title. Doesn’t Miz agree that Punk should be the champion and doesn’t he agree that Punk will stay the WWE Champion after Elimination Chamber.
Paul says that he will answer Miz’ questions as soon as Miz answers his questions.
Vickie Guerrero interrupts MizTV. Vickie tells Miz that Paul is telling the truth. Paul had nothing to do with Brock returning last week. She is responsible. She was negotiating with Brock for a while and she wanted to keep it quiet because of Brock’s track record. Brock is an elite free agent. Resigning Brock was a chance for her to impress Mr. McMahon to allow Vince to make her the permanent general manager. They finalized their deal last week. Vickie says that they had no idea of what Brock would do to Vince.
Paul tells Vickie that he believes her. Paul asks for everyone to have a moment of silence for Vincent Kennedy McMahon . . .
Vickie has an idea. Vickie wants everyone to pray for Mr. McMahon’s well-being.
Miz with a few reallys. Miz says that they are both lying through their teeth. Paul has hated Vince since Vince crushed his little company. Vickie hates the times that Vince pulled the General Manager job from him.
Paul says that Miz is offending him.
Miz calls Paul and Vickie ‘bottom feeders’.
Vickie reminds Miz that she is his boss.
Miz says that it is only a matter of time before Vince fires Vickie and Paul.
Brock’s music plays and Vickie and Paul moves out of the way. Brock does the Brock Bounce before making his way to the ring to confront Miz for what he has said.
Brock gets in Miz’ face and Miz pushes Brock and Brock with a clothesline and then he throws Miz to the floor. Brock throws a few chairs onto Miz and then Brock throws the couches around. Miz hits Brock from behind but Brock with a knee and an F-5. Paul tells Brock to stop.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the F-5 on Miz.
Bo Dallas says that he accomplished more than he ever thought last week. He eliminated the Intercontinental Champion and then beat him on Raw. Bo says that this dog has a bite.
We see footage from Raw when Bo defeated Wade. Then we see Wade beat the smile off Bo’s face on Smackdown.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton versus Wade Barrett
Barrett punches Orton and kicks him in the corner. Orton with a Thesz Press and punches to Barrett. Orton with European uppercuts. Barrett with an Irish whip into the corner but Orton with a clothesline. Barrett goes to the floor and Orton sends Barrett into the apron. Orton with a belly-to-back suplex onto the ringside barrier.
They return to the ring and Orton gets a near fall. Orton with the Garvin Stomp to Barrett. Barrett clotheslines Orton and then he connects with a knee. Barrett with a suplex and he clotheslines Orton over the top rope to the floor.
Barrett sends Orton into the apron and then they return to the ring and Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with elbow drops. Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Orton blocks a back heel kick. Orton with two clotheslines and he avoids one from Barrett. Orton with a power slam. Barrett rolls to the apron and then Orton sets for the IEDDT and he hits it.
Orton looks around and he gets ready for the RKO push ups. Barrett rolls to the floor. Orton sends Barrett back into the ring. Barrett with the Blackpool Slam for a near fall. Barrett with a front face lock and he gets Orton up for Wasteland but Orton escapes. Barrett avoids an RKO. Barrett misses a boot into the corner and Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
We go to commercial.
We are back and if you thought Fandango was dead . . . you would be dead wrong. Now he looks like Frankie Kazarian and sounds like Alberto Del Rio.
Match Number Seven: Chris Jericho versus CM Punk in a Wrestlemania Rematch Match
They lock up and Punk with a kick and chop. Jericho chops back and connects with a back elbow. Jericho kicks Punk and chops him. Jericho with a suplex and he drops a fist to Punk’s head and gets a near fall. Punk with kicks to Jericho. Punk with a knee to the midsection and he gets a near fall. Punk with a wrist lock and turns it into a key lock.
Punk wants the referee to ask Jericho if he wants to continue. Jericho backs Punk into the corner and he punches Punk. Jericho with a chop but Punk with an Irish whip. Punk runs into a boot from Jericho. Punk sets for a tornado DDT but Jericho pushes Punk to the mat and Jericho clotheslines Punk over the top rope to the floor and then Jericho with a baseball slide and Punk almost hits the announce table a second time.
Jericho goes for the springboard drop kick but Punk knows what is coming and he drops Jericho’s throat on the top rope and we go to commercial.
We are back and Punk with a belly-to-back suplex and then he drops a leg to the back of Jericho’s neck. Punk gets a near fall. Punk with a cravate but Jericho punches Punk and chops him. Punk with an Irish whip and Jericho sends Punk to the apron. Punk misses the springboard clothesline when Jericho moves.
Jericho with a shoulder tackle or two. Jericho is sent over the top rope to the apron but Jericho goes up top and he hits a double sledge. Jericho with a bulldog and then he tries for the Lionsault but Punk gets his knees up. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Punk sends Jericho to the turnbuckles. Jericho avoids the running knee into the corner. Jericho punches Punk on the turnbuckles and Jericho hits a super rana.
Jericho gets a near fall. Jericho tries for the Lionsault again but Punk gets to his feet and he gets Jericho on his shoulders and Punk tries for the Go To Sleep but Jericho counters and tries for the Walls of Jericho. Punk with a near fall on an inside cradle followed by one from Jericho. Punk with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall.
Punk goes for the running knee into the corner and he connects. Punk with a short arm clothesline and then Punk struggles to get to the top turnbuckle. Punk sets for the elbow drop but Jericho moves. Jericho with the Lionsault but Jericho is unable to make the cover immediately after the move and that allows Punk to kick out.
Punk with a round kick to the head for a near fall. Punk applies the Anaconda Vice and Jericho tries to get to the ropes and Jericho gets to the ropes and Punk has to release the hold but he waits until four to do it.
Jericho with a shoulder to the midsection and then Jericho goes up top but Punk kicks Jericho’s leg and Jericho gets crotched. Punk gets Jericho on his shoulders for the Go To Sleep. Jericho blocks it and he puts Punk in the Walls of Jericho. Punk struggles to get to the ropes and he succeeds.
Punk cannot get Jericho on his shoulders. Jericho tries for the Walls but Punk is able to send Jericho into the turnbuckles. Punk sends Jericho shoulder first into the ring post and then Punk hits Go To Sleep for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
It is now time to announce that Bruno Sammartino will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
We go to commercial.
We are back and CM Punk is walking in the back and Matt Striker apologizes for bothering him. Punk yells at Striker. Striker asks Punk where his head is at. Punk says that he is not mad at the Rock filming commercials. He is mad that Rock stole his title. Rock might have the belt, but he is not the champion. Punk says that he will prove at Elimination Chamber that he is the best in the world.
John Cena is in the interview area. Josh Mathews asks John why would he call out the Shield alone. Cena says that he called out the WWE Champion. He has been in a funk for a while but he is back. That is why he is going to the ring to call out the Shield. There is a time to smile and laugh, but that time is gone.
Last week, the Shield pushed . . . and he is pushing back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Big Show is finishing his dinner and he is on the phone with Booker wanting to know if the contract is on the way. There is a knock at the door. Show thinks it is the person with the contract.
The person has the contract and he wants to tell Show something. Show signs the contract and he says that he knows that this guy is his biggest fans. Show says that he does not do birthday tweets or photos. Show opens the door and Alberto Del Rio is waiting outside.
They fight in the hallway and Del Rio gets in a few shots but Show with punches and kicks. Show throws Del Rio onto a table in the hallway. Show kicks Alberto as they fight by the elevator. Show takes the leg of a table and he is going to use it but Del Rio sprays the contents of a fire extinguisher in Show’s face.
The elevator opens and Del Rio tries to make up a story and he gets on the elevator.
Brad Maddox is in the ring and he says that last week Vince McMahon exposed the truth that he was manipulated by Paul Heyman to help him at Hell in a Cell. Paul preyed on his because Paul knew that he was an up and coming superstar. Now everyone knows the truth.
Brad says that he is an innocent victim. He is a wronged man and he did the only thing he could do. He gave Vince the footage that proved that Paul Heyman was lying about him and the Shield’s involvement with CM Punk.
Brad says that he is the hero of this story. As the hero, it will be him and not John Cena who will call out The Shield and teach them about justice.
Brad tells Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns that Justice awaits them. He wants them to come on down.
Dean has a mic and he thanks Brad for the invitation but he does not need one. Brad is just a rat scurrying under the floor board looking for scraps.
Brad reminds them that they were not the only ones to take money from Heyman.
Seth asks Brad if he understands the concept of justice. Justice is the Shield putting a fame hungry weasel like Brad the beating that he deserves.
Reigns says that last time it was business, but this time they will enjoy this.
Dean says that maybe Brad Maddox doesn’t believe in the Shield.
Reigns, Ambrose, and Rollins attack Maddox. Reigns with a short arm clothesline. They get Maddox ready for the Cerberus power bomb and they hit it.
John Cena makes his way to the ring. Cena is coming through the crowd instead of from the back.
Ryback’s music plays and he comes from another part of the crowd.
Sheamus joins the party through the crowd. They stand at the ringside barrier and the Shield go up the ramp.
Randy Orton leads a group of wrestlers to keep The Shield in the ring.
Cena, Sheamus, and Ryback play the part of the Shield surrounding The Shield in the center of the ring.
All six men battle in the ring. Ryback, Cena, and Sheamus are in control and Rollins and Reigns get into the crowd. Ambrose finally joins them and they leave.
We go to credits.
2014 - "It's like the Cuban Missile Crisis", former WWE star Cliff "Domino" Compton said about the WWE-CM Punk situation during a PWInsider Elite audio.
So, perhaps it was fitting that WWE has begun to silently remove CM Punk from packages and graphics within their programming. Punk was removed from the WWE open that is seen at the start of every WWE broadcast, replaced with an old masked shot of Kane. Punk was also removed from a Raw graphic on the WWE App over the course of the previous 24 hours. Perhaps most telling, a clip of Punk talking about Paul Heyman was removed from a preview package of the WWE Network's WWE Countdown series.
2015 - It was announced that Former NWA President and one of the top professional wrestling promoters of all time, the late Sam Muchnick would be inducted into the 2015 St. Louis Media Hall of Fame, it was announced by The St. Louis Media History Foundation. Muchnick's bio for the Hall of Fame reads:
A phenomenal showman, promoter and broadcaster, Sam Muchnick was a staple in the sports scene here spanning seven decades. A native Ukrainian, he moved with his family to St. Louis in 1911. In 1926, he joined the St. Louis Times, where he covered the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team while developing many influential acquaintances, including Babe Ruth and Al Capone. Muchnick also covered professional wrestling, and in 1932, when the Times merged with the St. Louis Star, he began his career as a long-time sports promoter. His TV series, “Wrestling at the Chase,†aired on KPLR-TV from May 1959 through September 1983.
Muchnick was considered one of the best promoters in the world and during his heyday, the city of St. Louis was the epicenter of the National Wrestling Alliance, a city where major title changes took place and stars went to be born.
Muchnick passed away in December 1998.
For more on the St. Louis History Foundation, click here. Muchnick's bio can be found in their Hall's Television area.
2015 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are Rich Brennan, Alex Riley, and Corey Graves.
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady come out to the ring for their sing along entrance promo. He introduces Carmella.
The crowd chants for "Blue Pants" and Carmella says she was sent back to the bargain rack. She tells Emma that she likes dancing, just like Emma does. She will be dancing after embarrassing Emma tonight.
Match Number One: Carmella (with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady) versus Emma
Emma marches around and she kicks Carmella from behind. Emma with a double leg take down and she slams Carmella’s head into the mat. Carmella with a knee and she sends Emma into the turnbuckles and she mocks the dance. Carmella chokes Emma in the ropes. Emma sends Carmella into the turnbuckles and she clotheslines Carmella a few times. Carmella with an Irish whip but Emma with an elbow and she applies the DilEmma.
Emma kicks Carmella in the back and she dances around Carmella. Carmella with a drop toe hold into a head scissors stretch and Emma taps out.
Winner: Carmella
We see the brackets for the two semi final matches in the Number One Contender Tournament.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Adrian Neville versus Baron Corbin in a Number One Contender Tournament Semi Final Match
They lock up and Corbin with a clean break. Corbin stares at Neville and Neville with a kick to the leg. Corbin catches Neville on a cross body attempt but Neville gets to his feet. Neville with a back heel kick. Neville floats over and he goes to the apron to avoid Corbin. Neville with a drop kick to Corbin but Corbin with a clothesline and Neville goes to the floor.
Cobrin picks up Neville and rolls him back into the ring. Corbin kicks Neville in the head and he chokes Neville. Corbin punches Neville and then he kicks Neville in the corner. Corbin gets a near fall after a kick and then he applies a rear chin lock. Neville with a Falcon Arrow slam for a near fall.
Neville with a forearm to Corbin but Corbin stays on his feet. Corbin with an Irish whip but Neville with a drop kick to the knee to stop Corbin. Neville with an enzuigiri that staggers Corbin and a springboard drop kick sends Corbin to the floor. Neville with a pescado but Neville is caught by Corbin and Corbin hot shots Neville onto the guardrails. Corbin rolls Neville into the ring and while the referee is checking on Neville, Bull Dempsey attacks Corbin from behind.
Corbin is able to get back in at nine and Neville with a low drop kick to the temple and then he hits Red Arrow for the three count.
Winner: Adrian Neville (Advances to face the winner of Hideo Itami versus Finn Balor)
We go to comments from Sami Zayn. Sami says Kevin is a master manipulator. When he looks at everything that Kevin has said and it being about the title, Kevin got to the point where he fleeced him and William Regal. Regal has seen every trick in the book. If Owens was doing this just for the title, Owens got him angry enough to get the non-title match. Then Owens wasn't going to do the match if it wasn't for the title. Sami says that Owens got him to do the match for the title.
At Takeover, he cannot say what will happen, but he will beat the hell out of him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that Bull Dempsey will face Baron Corbin in a No Disqualification Match at Takeover next week.
Match Number Three: Bayley versus Becky Lynch
Becky goes for the knee but Bayley avoids her. They lock up and Bayley with a side head lock and arm bar. Becky grabs the injured knee and takes Bayley to the mat. Becky kicks Bayley in the leg and connects with a series of knees to the hamstring. Becky with a knee to the midsection followed by a suplex. Becky with a kick and she hits a series of leg drops. Becky with a headbanging leg drop for a near fall.
Becky tries for a figure four leg lock but Bayley kicks her away. Becky with a leg drop to the injured leg. Becky is sent to the floor and Bayley kicks Becky away.
Sasha Banks comes to ringside and Becky enters the ring and Bayley with a series of double sledges. Becky moves when Bayley charges into the corner. Becky with a dragon screw leg whip and then she goes for a spinning toe hold drop but Bayley with an inside cradle for a near fall.
Bayley works on the leg and she drives the knee into the mat and she applies a single leg crab but Becky gets to the ropes to force Bayley to release the hold. Becky rolls to the floor and Sasha tries to motivate Becky and then she rolls Becky into the ring and Bayley with a belly-to-belly suplex for the three count.
Winner: Bayley
After the match, Sasha smirks at what happened to Becky. Sasha gets into the ring and Becky argues with Sasha. Sasha pushes Becky but Becky pushes Sasha back.
Charlotte comes out because the Women's Champion isn't going to be left out of this and she stands at the top of the ramp.
We get some comments from Kevin Owens. He says what happened at the contract signing was what he expected to happen. He wasn't going to sign anything until the contract said it was going to be for the title. On February 11th, at Takeover, two months after his debut, to the day, he will take the NXT Championship. He says to trust him.
We go to commercial with an interruption from the Solomon Emergency Broadcast System.
We are back and Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy will face The Lucha Dragons next week for the title.
Tyler Breeze says to himself that he is the most gorgeous man in the world. Devin Taylor asks him what are his plans since he is out of the tournament.
Tyler says that he is not impressed with Devin's line of questioning. He says that he lost one match in 2015. He will be watching the rest of the tournament closely. He says this interview is done.
Adrian Neville joins the commentary team to watch who his opponent will be.
Match Number Four: Finn Balor versus Hideo Itami in a Number One Contender Tournament Semi Final Match
They lock up in a knuckle lock. They lock up and Itami with a waist lock and Balor and Itami with reversals. Itami with a drop toe hold and head scissors but Finn escapes. They lock up and Finn works on the wrist and Itami with a reversal. Finn with a reversal. Itami with a wrist lock. Itami with a side head lock. Finn with a forearm and drop kick.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Itami gets a near fall. Itami with a punch and neck breaker for a near fall. Itami with a rear chin lock. Itami with an elbow and he gets a near fall. Itami returns to the reverse chin lock. Itami with a punch and snap mare followed by a kick to the back. Balor with a forearm and Itami fires back. Itami with a sunset flip but Balor rolls through and hits a drop kick for a near fall.
Balor with a cravate chin lock and he applies a modified abdominal stretch for a near fall. Balor with a La Magistral for a near fall. Balor sends Itami into the turnbuckles. Balor with a chop followed by a snap mare and kick to the back for a near fall. Balor with a reverse chin lock. Itami gets back to his feet and he connects with elbows. Balor with a back elbow and he gets a near fall.
Balor with a snap mare and seated abdominal stretch. Balor with a rollup for a near fall. Balor runs into boots from Itami but Balor with an enzuigiri to knock Itami off the turnbuckles.
Balor gets a near fall and we go to commercial>
We are back and Balor chops Itami in the corner. Balor with an Irish whip and a running chop into the corner. Itami with an Irish whip but Balor floats over. Itami with a drop kick and he clotheslines Balor a few times. Itami with a running knee into the corner and then he tries for a tornado DDT but Balor sends Itami to the apron. Itami with a clothesline from the top turnbuckle for a near fall.
Itami gets Balor on his shoulders but Balor gets back to his feet. Itami with a kick to the head but Balor with a Pele Kick and both men are down. Balor with a forearm and Itami with a forearm of his own. Balor with a forearm and Itami responds. They continue to go back and forth until Itami gets in a few kicks followed by a back heel kick.
Itami with a hesitation drop kick into the corner and then he misses a running boot. Balor with the Slingblade. Balor with a running drop kick that sends Itami into the turnbuckles. Balor goes up top for the double stomp and he connects and gets the three count.
Winner: Finn Balor
After the match, Balor and Itami shake hands.
As Balor goes up the ramp, Neville leaves the announce table and they shake hands.
Kevin Owens says that he walked into NXT with a plan and it worked wonderfully. Sami says that he watched Kevin's first match from the crowd. Kevin says that he was excited for Sami's win as much as he was for his first match. Owens says he is happy for Sami. Zayn says that getting that nod from Owens meant a lot to him.
Sami says he should have seen the whole thing coming. Owens says he waited for that spotlight for 14 years and he wasn't going to wait at the back of the line. Owens says he traveled with Sami for ten years. It was all to get here. Owens says Sami got called first. Owens says he didn't think he would get the call.
Sami says they were on the same path, but then Kevin got married and had kids. That is when it changed. Kevin says Sami only has to worry about himself.
Sami says Owens was never going to do this for a non-title match. Zayn says he is going to hurt Owens. Owens says he is going to win the NXT championship, two months to the day after his debut. He is going to do it.
We go to credits.
2016 - Brian "Axl Rotten" Knighton passed away due to an accidental overdose, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland, The Baltimore Sun reported that Knighton Rotten had pulled down the infant changing table and placed on it drug paraphernalia and a broken burnt tablespoon with a "crystalline residue." He was found on the floor of the bathroom. The Sun's article also reported that atop a paper-towel dispenser in the bathroom, authorities found unlabeled pill bottle with capsules of a "brownish substance," which they suspected was heroin.
Johnson reported the following on Knighton's passing before the cause of death was officially announced on 2/16:
Brian Knighton, professionally known as Axl Rotten, was found deceased today in Baltimore, Maryland. According to sources we have spoken with, he was found by authorities in a McDonalds next to the motel he was staying in. He had tweeted earlier today, so the belief is he passed away sometime in the last ten hours. Knighton was only 44 years old.
Knighton was best known for his run in the original Extreme Championship Wrestling, where a feud with his storyline brother and former tag team partner Ian Rotten resulted in ECW getting a ton of magazine press and online buzz for the usage of barbed wire baseball bats and a level of blood and violence that wasn't the norm in 1995 anywhere but some of the Japanese death match promotions. The feud was named the 1995 "Feud of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine and at the time, the throwback to the old days of wide-eyed, bloody photos in the magazines, mixed with the storyline of two "brothers" trying to maim each other with barbed wire, led to ECW far more coverage than it would have likely received otherwise.
Knighton, as Rotten, was trained by late WCW enhancement talent Joey Maggs and Maryland independent wrestler Ricky Lawless. Although he grew up in Baltimore, Rotten was billed as from the Newcastle, UK and for a time carried a cockney accent. His ring name was a tribute to heavy metal and punk rocker Johnny Rotten while the Axl came from Eddie Murphy's character in "Beverly Hills Cop", which Knighton was a huge fan of. Metal music was a huge influence for Knighton, who was specifically a massive Kiss fan.
After wrestling in the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation in Maryland, Rotten and his "brother" Ian (who was broke into the business by Axl) appeared on the early episodes of The Global Wrestling Federation, a promotion run out of the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas that initially had a nice collection of talent and a daily ESPN afternoon timeslot.
Prior to that run, Rotten had a short and somewhat forgotten run in World Championship Wrestling, where he was brought in to work with "The Rapmaster" PN Newz, a hip hop character booker Dusty Rhodes was trying to get over at the time. Rotten rarely, if ever, worked TV but did appear on a number of house shows.
Rotten also had several runs in Memphis, appearing at different time periods for the promotion before he really made a name for himself and then later, after his feud with Ian Rotten in ECW ran it's course to give himself and the ECW fans a break from all the violence he did over the course of the feud.
When Paul Heyman took over the booking in ECW, Rotten found himself a home for much of his career. He and Ian were originally brought in as Terry Funk's "Few Good Men" and would run interference for him during his feuds with Sabu and Shane Douglas during the fledgling era of the company. The two would feud with the two other signature ECW tag teams of the era - The Public Enemy and The Pitbulls, putting on entertaining brawls.
At the end of 1995, The Pitbulls and The Rottens faced off in a bout where the losing team would never team again in ECW. At the time, wrestling stipulations were discarded left and right. Wanting to be different, Paul Heyman stuck to the stipulation and the two never teamed officially again, although it was teased once. The dedication to respecting the fans with the stipulation was so strong that years after ECW closed, Axl and Ian were involved in a brawl together at Jeremy Borash's Hardcore Homecoming event in Philadelphia and they and the promoters made it clear there was never an "official match" so that the stipulation wasn't technically violated.
While Rotten was a solid - and at times, good to great - performer in the ring with a very underrated gift for gab, he was also his own worst enemy at times. It would never fail that any time Paul Heyman and ECW put some momentum behind him or gave him some television time, that Rotten would inevitably have something happen where he, either backstage or in the ring or in real life, would do something that would cause the promotion to hold back on pushing him. If you ever wondered why Rotten was never used more prominently on TV in ECW, that was likely the answer.
As time went on, Knighton was absolutely angry about seeing others pushed to more prominent positions. While he was around longer and was put with D-Von Dudley as a tag team to help bring D-Von along, when time came for D-Von to get the big push, the ECW Tag Team titles, the PPV and WWF TV appearances, etc. that came with the push, Rotten would often voice privately that he was the one who scarred his arms and face for the company and wasn't being treated fairly or appreciated for his contribution. While he never failed to help others improve, he had an underlying feeling of often being passed over for someone else when "his" time should have already come.
The reality, which Knighton may or may not have figured out at some point in his life, was that he was his own worst enemy. If there was a second-worst enemy, it was his personal demons. By his own admission during interviews, he had been through rehab a number of times and he regularly told friends that he had been "x" days sober and this time, he was finally beyond his addictions. Even with the help of the WWE Wellness Program, which assisted him and spent far more money on his health than Rotten could have made the company given how little time he spent under contract to the company, Knighton would still, eventually return to old behavior, to the point that those who had been his best friends in the Maryland wrestling scene had given up on him.
After Axl won the feud against Ian in the first ever "Taipei Death Match" with both men taping their fists and "dipping them in broken glass" in July 1995, he disappeared to Memphis to give himself a break from ECW and returned working as an undercard babyface. He turned and worked with D-Von Dudley and would eventually end up teaming with Balls Mahoney as the Chair Swinging Freaks.
The team with Mahoney was Rotten's other major claim to fame in the original ECW, a team that could be the babyface foils for heels like the Dudley Boyz, The FBI or Sabu and Rob Van Dam and remain over and popular no matter how often they lost, for they helped provide the blood and violence that was ECW's mantra. Rotten remained a regular in the company until late 1999 when ECW decided to purge a number of talents who management (read: Paul Heyman) felt - even by ECW standards, where partying was never frowned upon as long as you could wrestle - were in a very dangerous place and were "suspended", which was really a cover to fire them.
Rotten never returned to the original ECW and at times, knocked Paul Heyman personally. In the years that followed, while he was very proud of the fact that he was in ECW video-games and had an ECW action figure, his bluster and pride over scarring himself to get over ECW and being a walking billboard for the company with those scars would disappear in the years that followed. In the documentary "Barbed Wire City", Rotten referred to it as one of the stupidest things he'd ever done.
The difference in physical appearance for both Axl and his partner Balls Mahoney in that film, from interviews filmed in 2001 and then additional material filmed nearly a decade later was sobering, sad and depressing. It's even sadder watching the footage as Rotten, obviously not well, makes Mahoney cry with all the kind things he says about his partner.
Post-ECW, Rotten worked in Japan and for a number of independent promotion. In the aftermath of ECW and WCW closing, WWE did have interest in hiring him and Mahoney as an underneath tag team. For some reason, it never happened.
Rotten was brought back to ECW when WWE resurrected it for their One Night Stand events. WWE wanted to hire him in 2006 when they resurrected ECW full-time and Rotten signed the deal. He would never appear for the brand and at the time, sources indicated that Rotten never followed through with necessary blood and medical testing that was needed to clear him to tour and wrestle internationally. There were theories as to why this happened, but no one who knows for sure is ever going to go on record as to why.
Rotten, in conversations I had with him over the years, would never directly respond to questioning that asked him why, in the face of getting exactly what he always wanted, a chance to make big money in wrestling, he didn't do what was necessary to finalize the paperwork. Once again, sadly, he was his own worst enemy. He had the chance to work for WWE as a contracted talent, where chances are, his vastly underrated mic skills would have caught someone's eye, but it was not to be. WWE would never call again.
That said, to WWE's credit, despite the fact that the only real contracts Brian Knighton ever signed with them were related to ECW reunion shows, they still assisted him under their Wellness Policy and sent him to rehab a number of times. Rotten would credit them for their help in getting his life together during periods he was doing better.
Rotten made one lone appearance in TNA, when Tommy Dreamer put together the Hardcore Justice show. It was the typically frustrating weekend for friends of Brian Knighton. He showed up on Saturday and was clean and in great spirits for a pre-show dinner party with fans. The Knighton who showed up Sunday at the show was in another world with Balls Mahoney tasked with hiding him out of sight and trying to get him coherent. He came out of his fog long enough to work a tag match that night but later that night, there was a lot of anger towards him by other ECW alumni for "screwing up." When TNA quickly killed the ECW angle, Knighton's behavior was one of the things that was used as a scapegoat.
In recent years, Rotten made very rare appearances in the ring, most often appearing on ECW-related reunion style show. He had back issues that were going to require surgery and he and friends had attempted to fundraise money for his recovery. WWE's Chris Jericho had personally donated $10,000 to assist Rotten, who at one point, was so badly hurting, he was in a wheelchair.
Rotten had also dealt with bouts of Bell's Palsy as well.
There were always stories of Rotten getting things together personally but just as often, stories of him being back in the thick of his personal problems would return. It was a broken record and one that eventually overshadowed the natural talent and love for pro wrestling that he undoubtedly had.
Rotten had visited with Ian Rotten, his storyline brother, just last week, returning home to Maryland on 1/31. On Facebook tonight, Ian wrote that he knew when Rotten left, it was going to be the last time he saw his mentor, friend and brother alive. Sadly, he was right.
On a personal level, I dealt and spoke with Axl so many times over the last 20 years of my life that I couldn't even begin to count how many conversations we've had. He loved pro wrestling and in most of my dealings, was extremely honest and blunt about himself as much as he was about others. I always liked him personally and I am extremely sad for his family and friends. I am sorry he never found the happiness and peace in life that he deserved.
While the circumstances of his death are not yet known, the fear (and in some cases, belief) among those who knew him is that it was likely drug-related as the motel he was staying at was well known locally in Baltimore as being a seedy location. If that is indeed the case, Brian Knighton deserved better but moreso than that, his family did.
On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, I'd to express our deepest condolences to Knighton's friends, family and fans.
Brian Knighton was only 44 years old.
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