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10/30 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: ORIGINAL MIDNIGHT EXPRESS CAPTURE AWA TAG TITLES, DGUSA FREEDOM FIGHT IN NEW JERSEY, WWE'S FAN APPRECIATION EVENT IN CT, HALL RETURNS TO TNA, NWA HOLLYWOOD IS BORN, ECW'S MONSTER MASH BATTLE ROYAL AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2012-10-30 08:00:00

October 30th

On this day in history in ....

1969 - Antonio Inoki & Michiaki defeat Buddy Austin & Mr. Atomic to win back the JWA All Asian Tag Team Championship in Gifu, Japan. The belts had been held up following an earlier match between the two teams on October 10th. This would be Inoki's last title in the JWA, as he would was fired from in December of 1971 while still holding the tag titles. Reportedly, Inoki was planning a coup against JWA management. Inoki would go on to form New Japan Pro Wrestling three months later. 

1978 - Ric Flair & Big John Studd defeat Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat in Greenville, South Carolina to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title. 

1986 - Ashura Hara & Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata) defeat Takashi Ishikawa & Mighty Inoue to win the All Japan All Asian Tag Team Title in Aomori, Japan. 

1987 - The Original Midnight Express, Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose, managed by Paul E. Dangerously, defeat Bill Dundee & Jerry Lawler for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Whitewater, Wisconsin, ending Lawler & Dundee's second reign after only four days. All totaled, Lawler & Dundee's two reigns, both taking place in October of 1987, added up to twelve days. 

2001 - Two titles changed hands at the WWF Smackdown taping in Cincinnati, Ohio. Christian defeated Bradshaw to win the WWF European Title, and Booker T & Test defeated Chris Jericho & The Rock to win the WWF World Tag Team Title.

2007 - Junior Fatu aka Rikishi departed TNA following a short run, said to be over an inability for the two sides to reach financial terms.

2007 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi.  Buck Woodward filed the following TV report:

ECW on Sci Fi for October 30th opened with a "Halloween" video hyping the Monster Mash Battle Royale later tonight.  The ECW entranceway is also done up in a Halloween style.  They announced that Miz and John Morrison would be wrestling later tonight to determine the number one contender to CM Punk's ECW Title.

Elijah Burke vs. Jimmy Wang Yang.

Burke will be on Sci-Fi's live Ghost Hunters special tomorrow night.  Yang, of course, is from Smackdown and is on ECW as part of the "talent agreement" between the brands.  Burke got on the mic and cut a promo about how he can't stand "working class people" like Yang.  Burke grabbed a side headlock at the start and hit a shoulderblock, but Yang came back with a lapfrog, back elbow and standing moonsault for a two count.  Burke backdropped Yang to the apron and rammed him shoulder first into the ringpost, sending him to the floor.   Burke rammed Yang into another post on the floor, then brought him into the ring and stomped him.  Burke dropped a knee on Yang's arm and worked it over with a wristlock.  Yang punched out of it, but Burke hit a knee to the gut and delivered a shoulderbreaker.  Burke continued to work on the arm, but Yang fought back with shoulderblocks to the midsection, then a legsweep and a pair of clotheslines.  Burke hit Yang with a boot to the chest and flipped over the top rope to the apron.  Burke went to the top rope, but as he dove off, Yang caught him with a spinkick.  Yang scored a two count, Yang rammed Burke into a corner and went for the top rope moonsault, but Burke sidestepped it.  Yang landed on his feet, but Burke threw him shoulder first into the ringpost, then hit the Elijah Express (double running knee to the back) for the pin at the five minute mark.

Winner: Elijah Burke.

Kane did a promo about how he has been facing "monsters" his whole life, and that the Monster Mash Battle Royale, for him, was a "dream come true". 

They recapped the "DX reformation" from Raw.

Backstage, Nunzio, dressed as Dracula, was escorting a group of trick or treaters backstage.  They approached a skull carrying Balls Mahoney, who gave candy to the kids (and Nunzio).  Next up was CM Punk, who also gave them candy.  Nunzio noted Punk's lack of costume, and he said he was dressed as "The ECW World Champion" and noted he had a match tonight.  Next up was the Boogeyman, and Nunzio ran off scared.  The kids stood their ground .... and Boogeyman put handfuls of worms into their bags. 

Nunzio (still in Dracula gear) vs. Tommy Dreamer (dressed as Paul Heyman).

This was a "Trick Or Treat Match, contested under Extreme Rules".  There were pies, whipped cream, apples for bobbing in a metal tub, and other things spread around ringside. Nunzio tried a kick to the gut, but Dreamer had a pillow in his shirt to give himself a bigger gut, and it cushioned the blow.  Nunzio hit some kicks to the leg, but Dreamer yanked Nunzio to the mat by the collar, then his a face buster.  Nunzio knocked Dreamer to the floor, but missed a pescado.  Dreamer hit Nunzio with a pumpkin.  Dreamer sucked down some whipped cream, then put some on a pie and rammed it in Nunzio's face.  Nunzio floated over a slam and rammed Dreamer into the ringpost.  Nunzio used apples and whipped cream, but slipped on the floor when he went to use a pumpkin.  Dreamer dunked Guido in the tub used to hold the bobbing apples, then dumped the tub on himself.  Back in the ring, Dreamer pulled out a cell phone, then hit Nunzio with it.  Dreamer put Nunzio in the tree of woe, put the metal tub in front of him, and hit a baseball slide dropkick, knocking it into Nunzio's face.  Dreamer hit a DDT for the win at the four minute mark.  For the whole match, Tazz and Joey Styles tried to figure out who Dreamer was dressed as, but could never "figure it out".

Winner: Tommy Dreamer.

A horror movie-style package was done on the Great Khali, talking about how he is a monster, and voiced over by a Boris Karloff-soundalike.

They aired a commercial putting over the return of DX and Stone Cold Steve Austin next week on Raw, calling it the "Event Of The Year".

They showed some fans in the crowd that had showed up in costume.

They recapped the Divas Battle Royale from last night, including Beth Phoenix beating up Kelly Kelly after the match.

John Morrison vs. The Miz - Winner to receive an ECW Title match next week.

Morrison rolled up Miz for a two count at the bell and shoved down Miz as he tried to grab an armlock.  Miz went for a hammerlock, and Morrison went to the ropes for a break.  Morrison tripped Miz, and Miz responded with a slap to the face, a drop toe hold and a kick to the gut.  Miz hit some body punches, but Morrison hit a shoulderblock from the ring apron.  Morrison tried to jump off the apron and pull Miz throat first across the top rope, but Miz blocked it.  Morrison tripped Miz from the floor, but Miz kicked Morrison away. Miz got on the floor, and Morrison finally scored with a move, a flapjack on the security wall.  Back in the ring, Morrison hit a few shots, but missed a springboard kick.  Miz hit his jumping through the ropes clothesline for a two count, then a face plant.  Miz went for the Reality Check, but Morrison rolled up Miz for a two count.  Miz reversed into his own rollup for two, then hit a clothesline.  Miz choked Morrison against the ropes. Miz backed off a bit, then when he went back towards Morrison, Morrison hit a kick to the gut, then his forward flip neckbreaker for the pin at the four minute mark.

Winner: John Morrison.

Another horror movie-style video package, this one on Mark Henry.

A Cyber Sunday recap was shown.

Another horror movie-style video package, this one on Big Daddy V.

John Morrison had joined the announcers at ringside.

ECW Champion CM Punk vs. James Curtis.

They locked up, and Curtis grabbed a side headlock.  Punk reversed and Curtis shoved him to the ropes.  Punk hit a shoulderblock.  Punk grabbed a headlock, but Curtis backed Punk in a corner and hit some shoulderblocks. Curtis whipped Punk across the ring and hit a clothesline.  Curtis did another whip, but Punk dodged a reverse elbow.  Punk hit a series of kicks to the head, a running knee in the corner, and a bulldog.  Punk hit a springboard clothesline, then the GTS for the pin at the 1:30 mark.

Winner: CM Punk.

John Morrison was already in the ring as the count was finished and ambushed Punk from behind.  Morrison laid out Punk with his forward flip neckbreaker.  After they showed the replays, we saw Morrison in the aisle, staring at Punk who was holding his neck in the ring.

Monster Mash Battle Royale: Great Khali vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Daddy V vs. Kane.

Everyone seemed to agree to gang up on Kane to start the match, but Henry and BDV were soon disagreeing and began slugging each other while Khali worked over Kane in a corner.  BDV and Henry ran into each other and both men went down from simultaneous clotheslines.  Kane went for  a chokeslam on Khali, but Khali shoved it away and hit a boot to the face.  Henry actually lifted Khali, but BDV hit him. Lots of clubbering all around.  BDV gave Kane the worst sidewalk slam ever.  Khali and Henry went at it in one corner, while Kane and BDV fought in the other.  BDV ended up avalanching Khali and Henry together in a corner, then went back to work on Kane.  BDV missed an avalanche on Kane in a corner, and Kane hit a clothesline, then shoved BDV over the top rope to eliminate him.

Big Daddy V is eliminated.

Khali put Kane in the Vice Grip, but Henry hit him, so Khali put Henry in the vice grip.  Henry and Kane pounded Khali, then sent him over the top rope with a double clothesline.

The Great Khali is eliminated.

Kane hit Henry with a forearm and tried to lift him for a slam, but couldn't do it.  Henry it some punches, then ran into a Kane boot to the face.  Kane went to the top rope, but jumped into Henry's bear hug.  Henry then flung Kane over the top rope to eliminate him, and win the match, at the four minute mark.

Kane is eliminated.

Winner: Mark Henry.

Henry stood triumphant, and the announcers wished us a Happy Halloween to end the show.

Next Week: ECW Champion CM Punk vs. John Morrison (again).

2007 - TNA taped an episode of Impact, bringing back Scott Hall for an angle leading into the Turning Point 2007 PPV.  Alex Hernandez filed the following live report from Orlando, FL at Universal Studios:

Show starts with the Fight for your Right Finals: Christian Cage Def. Kaz. Good match through but of course there was interference. AJ first came out but Kaz hit a dive on him to outside. Tomko comes in and the ref is distracted. Christian sets up the ladder halfway in the ring from outside and gets on the apron and see-saws so it hits Kaz to pick up the win. Matt Morgan, who is in charge while Cornette is gone he says says that it was another Instant Screwjob and that he declares it a no contest. He says at Genesis they will have a rematch Christian Vs. Kaz this time in a ladder match. (Interesting to note, Dave Penzer tried to get some heel heat on Christian before the match by saying that Christian told him to tell the fans they are some of the ugliest he has ever seen. This has to do with Christian being over as a face yesterday. I guess the people didn't care cause there were still tons of Christian chants so expect some editing.)

-Gail Kim def. Alexis James (Something like that too loud to hear, but she was hot). Gail wins with the celtic cross. After the match VKM come out the heel ramp and tell her she wont be champ much longer after Genesis cause there will be a new champ, Roxxi. Roxxi comes out from behind and hits the dominator on her. Angel Williams comes out and attacks Roxxi, then ODB returns her the favor. Guess there saving Kong Vs. Kim.

-Team 3D Def. Black Machismo Jay Lethal & Abyss. Towards the end of the match, Black Reign with James Mitchell come out and attack Abyss. They end up brawling through the crowd to the back. Lethal continues on, but gets a 3D. After the match they set up a table and lay Lethal on it and both 3D members take off their belts and whip him with it. Motor City Machineguns come out for the save.

- Takedown challenge- I'm not sure if its a no contest or if Scott Steiner won. There was a 5 minute time limit. AJ wins the first 3 takedowns after he threw powder/salt in Steiners eye. Should note AJ looked funny as he wore his Amateur gear that read " Gainesville Vocational". Steiner takes him down 4 times and was about to again when Tomko comes out. Also note they removed all the ring ropes to make it like a real amateur contest. Rick Steiner comes out for the save.

-Sting, Samoe Joe, and Eric Young Def. Cowboy James Storm, Robert Roode, and Kurt Angle. When Roode made his entrance the Shimmer girl showed a sign that said " I love Robert Roode" and on the back "Robert why Ms. Brooks?" He looked at it with a smirk and Ms. Brooks just stared at her. Roode tries to avoid Joe most of the match. Ends with James Storm tapping out to the Scorpion Deathlock.

- Kevin Nash comes to the ring. He calls out Scott Hall. Hall makes his way to the ring. He does the "Hey yo". Hall says it been a while and makes note that Nash is wearing a suit. He said he didn't know that we matured and don't have to dye our hair anymore. Nash says sometimes we have to grow up. They mention how Nash couldn't take Hall's lifestyle anymore and Hall says he use to leave him alone while drunk and forgot about him. They also mention the Kliq. Hall says they dont want to bore the people talking about the past and they have all day to do it, but he wants Nash to know he is not Sting's mystery partner. Hall says Nash will be his partner 4 life. Kurt Angle comes down to the ring and wants to know who the hell it is. Sting comes out and says you will have to wait till Sunday when its Showtime. 

-Xplosion: LAX & Sonjay Dutt Def. Triple X after LAX hits the cutter off of Hernandez's shoulders and Sonjay follows up with a 450 on Daniels for the pin.

2008 - Former WWE and ECW star Steve Richards became an instructor at the Connecticut School of Broadcastng.

2008 - NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood is publicly revealed with the following announcement, although by the time CWH launches, Big Vision will have imploded:

BIG VISION ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES NEW WRESTLING SHOW WITH THE NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE (NWA™)

Big Vision sets out to reclaim the glory for the legendary NWA wrestling franchise which has spawned WWE, WCW, and TNA among others.

Los Angeles, Calif., Oct. 30, 2008 –Big Vision Entertainment, a leading independent licensee, production company and DVD label for special interest programming announced today the plans to reclaim the glory for the legendary wrestling brand of the National Wrestling AllianceÆ (NWA™) via a new series to be taped out of the historic Columbia Square Studios on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, CA.

The exclusive worldwide production and distribution agreement includes all television and home entertainment rights to the new NWA franchise, which Big Vision plans to produce and sell into worldwide syndication and cable outlets.

“Big Vision is thrilled to be working with the NWA in effort to take the oldest and most respected brand in wrestling back into mainstream media.” Said Big Vision founder and CEO, Houston Curtis. “Our new show will focus on a more intimate vibe and feel best described as a modern version of the way wrestling used to be produced before the WWE era. Our goal is to bring pure wrestling entertainment back to the family.”

Curtis, who created the multi-million dollar Backyard Wrestling franchise as well as WSX for MTV has made pro-wrestling a focus of Big Vision since the inception of the company in 2003. Sales for home entertainment and television will be handled through Big Vision’s TV and home video arm, which currently has distribution for over 100 titles throughout the US and around the world.

The most recent nationally televised NWA show was called NWA Wrestling Showcase and aired on the Dish Network.

“The 'Showcase' was a great first step in getting our talent ready for television and the best thing we could have done is gone dark for a while.” said NWA Executive Director Robert K. Trobich. “Our new show 'NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood' will continue to highlight some of the great talent you have already been introduced to while creating an opportunity for us to expand and be in the middle of the entertainment industry.”

Creator/Producer of XPW, WSX and Big Vision Exec VP Kevin Kleinrock added, “With legendary names like Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Harley Race and the Von Erichs as the foundation for what the NWA franchise was built on, we are confident that NWA Championship Wrestling From Hollywood will quickly become a must see weekly event for the millions of wrestling fans in the US and around the world.”

Production, which is being co-produced and directed by the NWA’s Dave Marquez is slated to begin Friday, November 14th, 2008 with a live taping scheduled to start at 7:30pm. Tickets to the taping are FREE and available on a first come first serve basis. Additional FREE tapings will be held Saturday, November 15th at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 16th at 3:30pm. Fans wanting to attend the Hollywood tapings can call (818) 232-0770. Tickets can also be reserved online at www.nwawrestling.com or www.bigvisionentertainment.com.

About Big Vision Entertainment:
Big Vision Entertainment, founded by Houston Curtis in 2003, is the number one special interest home video label in the United States. BVE titles can be found in every major retail outlet in the US including, Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy. Big Vision is also the number one independent pro wrestling distributor in the world, second only to WWE in worldwide sales.

In addition to home video, Big Vision is also a leading production company and creator of alternative programming across a variety of genres. Company is currently in production on Cheech & Chong’s Smokin’ Animated Movie due out in 09. TV shows include The Ultimate Blackjack Tour on CBS, Wrestling Society X on MTV and Aruba Poker Classic on GSN. The company has recently completed pilots for A&E, Tru TV and the G4 network. In September of 08, company signed a muti-year distribution agreement with Image Entertainment for the North American home video rights to the entire BVE catalog of titles. Big Vision is represented for television by Greg Lipstone of ICM and attorney Jon Moonves of Del , Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein,& Lezcano. BVE’s home video deals are represented by Rob Rader of Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp, LLP.

About NWA
Established in 1948, the National Wrestling AllianceÆ is the world’s largest and oldest sanctioning body in professional wrestling. The NWA’s rich history includes World Championship reigns by countless wrestling legends including Ric Flair, Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, Terry Funk and Kerry Von Erich. Today, in partnership with Live Nation, Global Spectrum, Boyd Gaming, Inc. and many independent promoters produces thousands of live events worldwide. The NWA™ has offices in 14 US States, Japan, Mexico, Canada, England and Australia.

2009 - WWE broadcast Smackdown.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We start off with a look at the end of the biggest bromance on the Smackdown brand when Batista attacked Rey after Undertaker retained the World Title. What will happen next?

We are live on tape from Rochester, New York and your announcers are Matt ‘Two Hours to Talk’ Striker and Todd ‘Good Thing I don’t get paid by the word’ Grisham.

Teddy Long comes out to the ring and he is a lot happier than he has been in the past. Teddy starts off by congratulating Team Smackdown on their victory at Bragging Rights. Teddy says that this proves that Friday night is the home to the superior ‘A’ show. He says that Bragging Rights was historic and disturbing. He talks about Batista’s attack on his long time friend Rey Mysterio. Teddy says that he knows that everyone is waiting for an explanation of his actions. Tonight, they will be having a heart to heart conversation to settle their differences.

Teddy turns his attention to the man who will face the Undertaker at Survivor Series, and that is the Big Show. Show’s tag team partner comes out and he has his title belts and the Jericho Cup. Jericho wants to say something to Teddy, but Teddy tells Jericho that the trophy is property of Smackdown and he takes it. Jericho stares at Teddy and then he tells Teddy that the trophy belongs to him. Jericho says that he was the genius of Team Smackdown. He didn’t do it for Teddy or the hypocritical sycophants in the crowd. He did it to prove that he is the best in the world. Jericho says that to give the Big Show a title match instead of him is one of the most underhanded and devious decisions that Teddy has made. Jericho says that he is the crown jewel of the show and the face of Smackdown. Jericho says that he single handedly brought the victory to Smackdown.

Kane’s pyro goes off and he comes to the ring. Kane questions Jericho’s use of the phrase ‘single handed’ because they were co-captains. That means that the trophy and all of the bragging rights that go with it belong to him as much as they belong to Jericho. Kane says that if anyone deserves a title match against the Undertaker it is him. Jericho asks Kane if he is suffering from selective memory because he got the pinfall, not Kane. Jericho points out Kane’s history with Undertaker. He also tells Kane to be thankful that he got his hand raised because of Jericho. Jericho tells Kane to get out of his face and Kane grabs Jericho by the throat.

Teddy tries to stop Kane and he says that he has something to say. Kane sends Jericho out of the ring and Teddy tells Kane that the Undertaker will defend the title at Survivor Series, but if Raw can have a Triple Threat Match, he is going to do the same. There will be a Triple Threat match for the World Title. Because of what they did for Smackdown at Bragging Rights, one of them will be rewarded and they will wrestle for the third spot in the title match.

We go to commercial.

Before our next match, Dolph Ziggler gets on the mic and says that for a show that has a lot to brag about, he likes his chances because they did their job and he faces the only member of the Smackdown roster who did not win at Bragging Rights.

Morrison asks where Dolph was at Bragging Rights so he should not be part of the celebration. Morrison then comments on Dolph’s former relationship with Maria.

Match Number One: John Morrison versus Dolph Ziggler

They lock up and Ziggler pushes Morrison away. Morrison with a waist lock into a double leg take down and front face lock. Ziggler with a chin lock and side head lock. Ziggler with a shoulder tackle and Ziggler escapes a hip toss but Morrison with a flap jack followed by a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Morrison with a leg sweep but Ziggler sends Morrison into the ring post for a near fall. Ziggler punches Morrison and then he kicks Morrison in the head. Ziggler with a slam and a leaping elbow drop. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Morrison punches Ziggler but Ziggler sends Morrison into the turnbuckles and then he hits a reverse t-bone suplex for a near fall. We go to commercial.

We are back and Ziggler with a chin lock and then he sends Morrison to the mat. Ziggler with a leap frog neck breaker and a near fall. Ziggler rubs Morrison’s face in the mat. Ziggler returns to a chin lock and he tries for a body scissors as well. Morrison with a punch and knees but he cannot get out of the hold. Ziggler with a forearm and a front face lock but Morrison with a back body drop to get out of the hold. Ziggler and Morrison exchange punches and Morrison with a clothesline and flying forearm. Morrison with a leg lariat for a near fall. Ziggler blocks a neck breaker and he tries for one but Morrison turns it into a back slide for a near fall. Ziggler with a power slam for a near fall. Ziggler tries for the Zig Zag but Morrison turns around and he blocks it. Morrison catapults Ziggler onto the turnbuckles but Ziggler lands on the middle turnbuckles. Morrison moves out of the way and then Morrison hits the springboard spin kick but Ziggler gets his foot on the ropes to stop the count. Morrison pulls Ziggler into the corner and he takes too much time for the moonsault so Ziggler goes to the floor. Morrison goes to the apron and Ziggler trips Morrison and Morrison lands on the apron. Ziggler with a wheelbarrow driver into the announce table and Ziggler returns to the ring to win by count out.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler by count out

We take a look back at the attack by Batista and the summit will take place later tonight.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Teddy Long is in his office and he is looking at the Jericho Cup. Vince enters the office and he congratulates Teddy and says that if he keeps it up, he might be off probation. Punk says that Teddy does not deserve the trophy because Teddy has given a title match to a man not even on the Smackdown roster. Then Kane and Jericho are wrestling for a shot at the match. Punk says that he would have been in the match if not for Scott Armstrong’s shoddy refereeing. Vince says that Punk has had enough shots at the title. Tonight, Punk wrestles Scott Armstrong. Punk likes the idea and thanks Vince.

Match Number Two: Beth Phoenix versus Jenny Brooks

They lock up and Beth sends Jenny to the mat and then Beth punches and kicks Brooks. Beth kicks Brooks out of the ring to the floor. Beth pulls Jenny back into the ring and Beth with a delayed vertical suplex. Beth picks Jenny up by the throat and then she hits a back breaker before throwing Jenny into the turnbuckles. Beth with a clothesline to Brooks and then she hits the Sit Out Inverted Butterfly Driver for the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix

We go to commercial.

We are back and Vickie Guerrero is out dressed like a princess and she throws out a few royal Excuse Mes. Vickie introduces her Prince Charming, Eric Escobar.

Match Number Three: Eric Escobar versus Matt Hardy

Hardy with a forearm to the back followed by more forearms. Escobar with a back elbow and an elbow drop that misses. Hardy sends Escobar into the ropes and Matt with a splash into the ropes. Hardy punches Escobar and then Escobar fights back after the referee stops Hardy. Escobar with an Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner and Hardy with a bulldog. Hardy goes up for a moonsault but Escobar stops him. Hardy knocks him off the turnbuckles and hits a moonsault and he can only get a near fall. Hardy favors his knee and Escobar kicks Hardy in the knee. Escobar kicks Hardy in the leg and works on the knee. Hardy with forearms to the back of the head to get out of the hold. Hardy kicks Escobar but Escobar with a slam that sends Hardy’s leg into the ropes. Hardy with a modified Twist of Fate for the three count.
Winner: Matt Hardy

Rey Mysterio is walking in the back and we go to commercial.

We are back with a look back at the aftermath of the World Title match when Rey Mysterio cost Batista the World Title.

Rey Mysterio comes out and he is not as peppy as he usually is when he comes to the ring. Rey talks about what they just saw after the World Title Match. Rey talks about how Dave Batista beat him down. Rey says that Dave beat him down real bad. Rey says that as much as Batista beat him physically, the pain inside hurt more because he thought Batista was his best friend in the world and he still does. Since Sunday, he has been playing the tape over and over in his head. He says that he felt so much anger inside but then he thought about what was important and that is Batista being his family. Rey says that he owes Batista the benefit of the doubt regardless of how he feels. He says that he is not leaving until they straighten this out like men . . . like the family they are.

Batista comes to the ring and he asks Rey if he is disappointed because he hurt Rey. Batista tells Rey that he doesn’t get it and he doesn’t realize how bad it can get for Rey. Batista wants to know who Rey is for calling him out. Rey says that he wants to clear things up. Batista says that he is going to be the bigger man this time and let Rey walk out of his ring. Rey starts to walk out of the ring and then he thinks about it and refuses. Rey says that he came out here to straighten things out. They have been through so much. Rey says that it was a Fatal Four Way match and wants to know if he shouldn’t have fought. Rey says that he is willing to let bygones be bygones. Rey tells Batista that he is like his big brother and he looks up to Rey. They fight like brothers. They will be family even after they are done wrestling. Batista wants to know what Rey is thinking and then he tells Rey what he is thinking. Batista says that Rey is thinking about how little he had to do to hurt him on Sunday. Batista says that Rey is thinking that he shouldn’t have stabbed him in the back and then he is thinking about what Batista is going to do if he does not leave the ring. Rey wants to know if Dave is serious and he tells Rey to look into his eyes. Rey says that he never would have done what he did if it would have hurt their friendship. Batista says that Rey knows now. Rey says the biggest mistake was becoming a part of the Fatal Four Way. Batista tells Rey that he is giving him one more chance to get out of the ring.

Rey thinks about it again and he says that he isn’t leaving. He tells Dave that he can do what he needs to do, but he is standing his ground. Rey tells Dave to look at everything they have been through. He mentions Eddie Guerrero and Batista says that Eddie is dead. Batista says that he is thinking about himself, not Rey. Batista drops his mic and walks out of the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Batista is walking in the back and Matt Hardy stops him. He says that he knows how close they are and he probably shouldn’t butt in, but he knows about conflicts between brothers. He says that there is a lot that he wishes he could take back but he tells Batista not to make the same mistakes he did. Batista laughs at Hardy as he leaves the building.

He comes back and sends Hardy into a fence and he leaves again.

We have the Smack of the Night: Last week’s Battle for Team Smackdown.

Drew McIntyre takes the mic before his match. He congratulates Team Smackdown for their victory at Bragging Rights. He wants to make one thing perfectly clear. He never wanted to be part of the team because he wants to make his own impact. Drew says the party is over for his opponent.

Match Number Four: Drew McIntyre versus Finlay

Drew with a big boot as Finlay tries to get into the ring before the bell rings. McIntyre sends Finlay into the ring steps and then he stomps on Finlay’s head. McIntyre punches Finlay and then the referee admonishes McIntyre and then McIntyre leaves while Finlay is checked on by the referees.

We are back and it is time for the Cryme Tyme Diva Costume Contest. We start off with yo yos from JTG. The participants are Mickie James dressed as Electra; Michelle McCool comes out as a devil; Natalya comes out as a bullfighter; and Layla comes out as Michael Jackson.

After their performances the fans vote and the winner is Mickie James and Layla and Natalya get in Mickie’s face. Mickie slaps Natalya but Natalya clotheslines Layla. Mickie with a Thesz Press to Natalya. Michelle attacks Mickie and hits her with her pitchfork. Michelle leaves the ring.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Four (take two): CM Punk versus Scott Armstrong

Punk charges at Armstrong in the corner and the referee tries to pull him out of the corner while Punk yells at Armstrong. Punk pushes Armstrong and slaps him but then Armstrong punches Punk after feeling his jaw. Punk with a back kick and a kick to the head. Punk with a kick to the back and then he slaps Armstrong in the head. Punk stomps on Armstrong’s chest. Punk picks up Armstrong for the Go To Sleep and he hits it. Punk uses the one foot cover to get the three count.
Winner: CM Punk

Kane and Chris Jericho walk in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and next week, Batista will face Matt Hardy.

Match Number Five: Chris Jericho versus Kane in a Who gets to join Show and Taker at Survivor Series for the World Title Match

Jericho goes to the floor as the bell rings. The referee tells Jericho to get back into the ring. Jericho has some words for Kane and Jericho punches Kane and kicks Kane. Jericho tries for a cross body and Kane catches him and hits a running power slam for a near fall. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Jericho with a punch to Kane and a kick to the midsection. Jericho with kicks to Kane in the corner. Kane with a kick to Jericho and then he misses an elbow drop. Jericho with an elbow drop for a near fall. Jericho punches Kane but Kane grabs Jericho by the throat. Jericho escapes the hold. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho and Kane sends Jericho to the floor. Jericho kicks Kane as he comes back into the ring and then Jericho knocks Kane off the apron as we go to commercial.

We are back and Jericho kicks Kane. Jericho chokes Kane in the corner and the referee tries to pull him back. Jericho catapults Kane’s throat into the bottom rope for a near fall. Jericho with a chin lock. Kane gets to his feet and he runs Jericho into the turnbuckles. Kane runs into a boot but Kane hits a side slam when Jericho charges at him. Kane with a clothesline and Irish whip and running clothesline followed by a side slam for a near fall. Jericho with an enzuigiri that sends Kane to the floor. Jericho tries for the springboard drop kick but Kane catches him by the throat. Jericho with a kick and Kane with a big boot for a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip but Jericho escapes the side slam and hits the Codebreaker. Jericho takes too long and can only get a two count. Jericho with a kick to the chest and he hits the bulldog. Jericho hits the Lionsault but Kane grabs Jericho by the throat and hits the choke slam. Jericho goes to the floor. Kane rolls Jericho into the ring and he gets a near fall. Kane is sent into the turnbuckles and Jericho clips Kane and he applies the Walls of Jericho. Kane gets to the ropes. Jericho thinks he won but then he heads into the corner and is met with an uppercut. Jericho crotches Kane on the top turnbuckle and then he punches Kane. Jericho tries for a superplex but Kane holds on to the rope and he knocks Jericho off. Kane tries for the clothesline but Jericho hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho

 

2010 -WWE held a "Fan Appreciation" event in CT, timed amazingly with Linda McMahon's senatorial campaign.  Steven Fernandes filed the following results:

Howard Finkel is the ring announcer.

Big Show won a 24-Man Battle Royal, to face Dolph Ziggler for the IC Championship, eliminating Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.

Daniel Bryan beat The Miz to retain US Championship.

Melina won a Diva Dance off which included Santino Marella.

Vince McMahon made an appearance.

Sheamus defeated John Morrison.

Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett with an RKO to retain WWE title.

Dolph Ziggler beat Big Show by countout to retain IC Championship.

Triple H beat Alberto Del Rio with the Pedigree.

Main Event was Kane defending the World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena. Nexus invades. Orton makes the save but gets beat down. Entire WWE roster led by Triple H makes the save.

2010 - Dragon Gate USA taped their Freedom Fight 2010 PPV in Rahway, NJ, their first event in the market.  Stu Carapola filed the following live report from the taping:

The show opened with a video package counting us down to the beginning of the show, and then we went right into the first match.

-Jimmy Jacobs defeated Arik Cannon via submission with the End Time. Solid, back and forth opener and Cannon got a lot of offense on Jacobs and got several very close near falls on him before Jacobs caught him out of nowhere with the End Time for the win. Cannon looked really good in this match.

-We see a backstage promo with Johnny Gargano, Chuck Taylor, and Rich Swann. Gargano says it felt good to kick CIMA in the face, and they're going to do whatever they want to do. Taylor said they made an example out of CIMA, Homicide and Austin Aries, and they're going to make an example out of Genki Horiguchi & Ricochet tonight as well.

-Brodie Lee defeated Akebono in about three minutes. This was really bad, Brodie literally did all the work and Akebono didn't sell a thing until the referee got bumped and Brodie hit him with a chair several times. Akebono finally went down and Brodie covered just as the referee revived. Akebono looked like he got the shoulder up at 2, but the ref counted the fall anyway and Akebono was back on his feet immediately. This led to a postmatch, pull-apart brawl with the locker room clearing out to get them apart.

-Sami Callihan cuts a backstage promo saying that chances never go right in the life of Sami Callihan, even when he was little, in Middle School and wanted to take a girl to the dance, and even now in his professional wrestling life. Callihan is putting Dragon Gate USA on warning and demands them to give him a chance.

-Homicide and BxB Hulk (representing World 1) defeated Jon Moxley & Akira Tozawa (representing Kamikaze USA) in a really good match. Tons of action in this one with a lot of brawling around outside the ring. Homicide and Moxley knocked over a portion of the guardrail while fighting outside the ring while BxB Hulk put Tozawa away in the ring with his version of the Island Driver. Jon Moxley grabbed a microphone after the match and told Homicide that the Yankees suck, he hits like a girl, and he wants Homicide to come back and fight him. YAMATO came out and stole the Open The Freedom Gate Title belt and knocked Hulk out with it and ran to the back, and Homicide went back into the ring and fought Moxley. The brawl spilled out of the ring and through the crowd. They ended up fighting well out of the ringside area to parts of the building that didn't have good lighting and I couldn't see what was going on from where I was, but then they fought back toward the ring and ended up at ringside where Moxley destroyed Homicide with a chair. They wiped out two completely different segments of the guardrail during the fight. Several wrestlers ran out of the back to break up the fight but just stood there and watched Moxley beat Homicide up with a chair. After Moxley left, Homicide got back to his feet and started throwing stuff around at ringside. Really good match and an intense postmatch brawl, and the crowd was on their feet applauding the whole segment.

-Austin Aries cut a backstage promo with Genki Horiguchi and Ricochet telling Ronin that they're going to pay the price tonight because he's joining up with Warriors for one night only.

-CIMA defeated SHINGO in an awesome, back and forth match where both men just killed each other with a ton of high impact moves. They both hit their finishers several times before CIMA finally put SHINGO away with double knees off the top rope. Both guys worked their asses off in this one and they got a standing ovation from the crowd after the match. SHINGO has come such a long way and is such an amazing worker today that he's one of the few guys around on the indies that I see who just can't have a bad match. Both of his performances this weekend were off the charts, and he's easily the best guy Dragon Gate has right now. CIMA cut a postmatch promo thanking the DGUSA fans for their support in 2010 and said they're going to have an even better 2011. He went on to say that when they return in 2011, they will crown tag team champions when they Open The United Gate. This was far and away the match of the night.

-Just before intermission, they announced their first show in 2011 when they return to Philadelphia on January 29th and crown the Open The United Gate Tag Team Champions, and also plugged the upcoming EVOLVE show in Union City, NJ on November 20th.

-Coming back from intermission, Sami Callihan annihilated James Small in about three minutes. This was literally just Callihan beating Small into oblivion the whole time with what I would guess were the stiffest shots he could physically muster. He mercifully put Small away with a Horse Collar for the submission win.­ I love watching Callihan, he is really intense and a really believable worker, and the way DGUSA has been booking him as this insane wrecking machine works really well. I really look forward to seeing where he goes in DGUSA and EVOLVE in the next few months.

-Jimmy Jacobs cut a backstage promo saying that not many people think he's in contention for a title, but that makes the next chapter of his life more interesting, because his comeback is going to see him win his first major singles championship. At the end of his long road, he sees Jimmy Jacobs as the next Open The Freedom Gate Champion.

-Ronin (Johnny Gargano, Chuck Taylor, and Rich Swann) defeated Austin Aries, Ricochet, and Genki Horiguchi (representing Warriors) in six man action. Ronin has AMAZING chemistry as a team, they work really well together both in the ring and playing off one another's personalities, and in one appearance as a team, showed more fluidity and smoothness as a team than some two man teams do after a year together. The match really picked up at the end when Ronin just killed Ricochet dead with a killer combination of triple team moves that I can't do justice to here to pick up the win.

-Jon Moxley cuts a backstage promo with YAMATO, saying that he knew his path would cross Homicide's one day, and that day has finally come. Moxley doesn't think he's as tough as he thought he was, and tells YAMATO that he's got the main event tonight so they have to end the night on a high note.

-Masato Yoshino defeated YAMATO in a slightly disappointing main event. It wasn't a bad match by any means, but it didn't blow me away like I expect a main event in this company to. Yoshino locked YAMATO in his weird twist leg choke thing and the referee stopped the match when YAMATO passed out. Yoshino grabbed the mic after the match and thanked everyone for coming and asked if they enjoyed the show and if they want DGUSA to return. This got a very positive response from the crowd, so he said that they'd be back next year.

I thought this was a very good show overall, I really enjoyed CIMA vs SHINGO and the Ronin match in particular, and the Homicide-Moxley brawl was very intense, and I'm glad to see Moxley go right into another feud with a top name coming off the Jacobs feud. The main event wasn't quite what I expected and we could do just as well to forget Akebono-Brodie Lee, but I thought this was a very good show overall and I think that DGUSA should be proud of the effort they put forth this weekend.

 

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