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8/10 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: WWE WELLNESS POLICY SAVES MVP FROM POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION, THE MAN WHO WOULD BE HOGAN MAKES IN-RING DEBUT, WWE RELEASES FUTURE NXT CHAMPION, HOGAN VS. GIANT AT WCW HOG WILD AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2023-08-10 08:00:00

August 10th

On this day in history in ....

1956 - Fred Ottman, who would be professionally known as Tugboat, Typhoon and The Shockmaster, among other ring names, is born.

1964 - Savio Vega, also known as TNT and Kwang over the course of his career, is born.

1977 - Terry Boulder, soon to be known as Hulk Hogan, made his in-ring debut, facing Brian Blair in Tampa, Florida.

1979 - Kongo Kong is born.

1980 - Wade "Bad News" Barrett is born.

1992 - Big Van Vader defeated Riki Choshu to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

1992 - Reno Riggins defeated Brian Christopher for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Christopher's fifth reign with the belt.  On the same show, The Moondogs (Spot & Cujo) defeated Jerry Lawler & Jeff Jarrett for the USWA Tag Team Title, ending Lawler & Jarrett's third title reign, and starting the second run for this version of the Moondogs.

1996 - WCW held their "Hog Wild" event at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.  The event would later be renamed "Road Wild" when Harley-Davidson motorcycles, claimed ownership of the "Hog" term when it comes to motorcycles. The show, which included a WCW Saturday Night broadcast, consisted of 16 live matches before a crowd that didn't pay anything to see the event.  Here are the results of the show:
In matches that aired on WCW Saturday Night:
- The Public Enemy defeated Dick Slater & Mike Enos.
- Konnan defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
- The Nasty Boys defeated High Voltage.
- Alex Wright defeated Bobby Eaton.
- Kevin Sullivan, Meng & Barbarian defeated Joe Gomez, Jim Powers & Mark Starr.
- David Taylor defeated Mr. JL (Jerry Lynn).
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated The Renegade.
- Arn Anderson defeated Hugh Morrus.
In matches that aired on the Pay-per-view:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio, Jr. defeated Ultimo Dragon with a springboard rana.
- Scott Norton defeated Ice Train via submission with a Fujiwara armbar.
- Madusa defeated Bull Nakano when both women had their shoulders down after a Nakano suplex, but Madusa raised hers at the two count.  As a result, Madusa was allowed to destroy Nakano's Honda motorcycle.
- Chris Benoit defeated Dean Malenko with a rollup.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat defeated Rick & Scott Steiner when Booker pinned Scott after Col. Robert Parker hit Scott with a cane.
- WCW United States Champion Ric Flair defeated Eddie Guerrero with a figure four leglock after Guerrero missed a frog splash.
- Scott Hall & Kevin Nash defeated Lex Luger & Sting when Hall pinned Luger.
- Hulk Hogan defeated The Giant to win the WCW World Title when Hogan hit Giant with the title belt after the Outsiders had interfered.

1997 - Shinjiro Otani defeated El Samurai in Nagoya, Japan to win the J-Crown.

1998 - The Monday Night Wars continued, with WWF Raw earning a 4.5 for a show that saw Kane & Mankind defeat Steve Austin & Undertaker, Rock & D'Lo Brown, and the New Age Outlaws to win the WWF World Tag Team Title.  WCW Nitro pulled in a 4.6 to win the night on a show that featured Lex Luger defeating Bret Hart for the United States Title, and Chris Jericho defeating Stevie Ray for the WCW Television Title.

2002 - WWE ran a Stadium show in Sydney, Australia, Global Warning.  Sleeper filed the following live report:

WWE GLOBAL WARNING TOUR - MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
by The Sleeper

Night opened with Desire video, music by Kid Rock. Was followed by Creed, My Sacrifice, with compilation of recent footage.

Stephanie came to the ring and welcomed everyone. She introduced Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar, who came out to the stage - Heyman told the crowd Lesnar was the reason Hogan wasn't here, feeding suspicions that Hogan may be there to do a run-in. No such luck. (Didn't stop crowd casting glances to the stage during the main bout)

Heyman added Australians would never see Hogan wrestle live, that he was finished. Lesnar said he would leave Australia with the undisputed champion's belt.

Steph said let's get this party started. Rikishi came to the ring, stopping to dance with the SmackDown! general manager at the bottom of the ramp before hitting the ring.

RIKISHI vs RICO in a Kiss My Ass match. (Time: 2.30)

Lots of martial art-type moves from Rico early but he missed nailing a moonsault and gave Rikishi an easy pin. After the cover, Rico went to leave but the ref halted his departure. A super kick from Rikishi laid him out and the stinkface followed. Predictable.

Rikishi plucked two kids from the crowd and held their arms up in the air to a good pop. Then they danced to his music. One kid did a modified spinarooni and got a huge laugh.

REVEREND D-VON & BATISTA vs MARK HENRY & RANDY ORTON (7.00)

D-Von and Batista interchanged and the bulk of their offensive was performed on Orton. Henry got tagged in and Orton was sent out in a flurry of action that saw Batista hit a spinebuster on Henry. He tried to spear Henry in the corner, while D-Von waited, perched on the top rope.

Henry stepped clear, Batista cleaned up D-Von and once Henry tossed D-Von's disciple from the ring, a cover soon followed. Henry for the three-count over D-Von, the crowd not overly worked up.

HURRICANE HELMS vs JAMIE NOBLE (with Nidia) (10.00) - Cruiserweight title match.

Crowd was into Helms, who had the upper hand early until he chased Nidia outside the ring, getting leveled by Noble as he came back into the ring.

Helms hit two neckbreakers in quick succession, the second from the second rope, which got a nearly got the pin. Pinning predicaments seesawed, at one stage both men were down for 10-count that stopped at seven. Nidia ultimately influenced the result, standing on the ring apron and distracting Helms, who was rolled up and pinned by Noble, who retained the belt, the ref not seeing his feet on the ropes for added leverage.

Good-paced contest that continued beyond the pinfall. Hurricane went to chokeslam his ex-girlfriend Nidia but saw Noble coming for the save and pushed her into him. In the end it was Noble who was chokeslammed. Good pop for Hurricane.

CHUCK & BILLY (with Rico) vs HARDCORE HOLLY & CHAVO GUERRERO (with Maven) (15.00)

***Maven is due an MRI on his ankle next week and made a cameo appearance while Holly's regular partner, Big Valbowski, is recovering from a neck injury suffered when 300lb pounds came down on his neck when bolts broke on an apparatus while he was in the gym***

It was almost four minutes from the time they arrived at ringside that Chuck and Billy got down to action. A lot of goading from Holly, Chavo and Maven - Chavo grabbing Billy's headband and putting on himself.

It didn't take long for a "boring" chant to go up from the crowd. This seemed to fire Hardcore Holly up before he tagged in Chavo. A slow handclap broke out next. Holly tagged in and connected with a flying drop-kick.

The crowd loved it when Rico jumped in and got Alabama-slammed. Chuck super-kicked Holly sending him out and Billy hoisted Chavo on his shoulders as Chuck went to the top rope. He missed with the clothesline and then Chavo botched his huracanrana but put the crowd out of its pain and pinned Chuck.

Maven DDT-ed Rico for good measure. The fans popped for that but you have to realize the Aussies make noise for something good or something or someone they like but not for the sake of it. The tempo of the event needed to lift and it soon did.

TEST vs KURT ANGLE (11.00)

Test came out and said Australia sucks like America. Angle's music hit and the crowd got into the "You Suck" chorus.

Angle said insult Australia and it is like insulting America, you insult me. At the point, he started hitting Test and the match was underway. There was lots of good back and forth in and outside the ring. Test had the momentum his way when he hung Angle over the top rope and had him roll off onto the floor below.

As he came back up on the apron, Angle tugged down on the top rope and a charge by Test aw him spill out onto the floor. Back inside, Test tried for a pump-handle slam but Angle got out of it and slapped on the ankle lock. Test struggled to the ropes.

Angle was forced to twice kick out of pinning attempts, the second-time from a big boot. Test went to the top rope but Angle ran up, only to slip and sending Test to the floor once more. Test soon after kicked out of the Angle slam.

After going out for a chair, Test swung wildly, missing everything with one sweep and then smacking the top rope, after Angle ducked, on his second swat with it. It bounced back and caught Test in the face and there would be no kicking out of the Angle slam this time. Entertaining match before 20 minute intermission.

Michael Cole made his sole appearance of the night when the show resumed. He told the fans they had to get louder and said they should give themselves a roar. This would be a celebration. The WWE Global Warning Tour had set a new attendance record at Colonial Stadium (in its third year of existence) - 56,734 people. (This beat the previous number by around 700)

BILLY KIDMAN & REY MYSTERIO vs LANCE STORM & CHRISTIAN - Tag-Team title match (9.00)

Good heel heat for the reigning champs. Huge pop for Mysterio, who was teaming with his ex-WCW tag team championship-winning partner. Kidman started the match and soon had the crowd with him, after being double-teamed, he double-clotheslined Storm and Christian, bringing Mysterio in.

Rey hit all his moves during the match - including the top rope huracanrana and the 619. Kidman launched him into the former, bringing Storm down and leaving the crowd in disbelief at what they had seen. Kidman scaled the ropes to hit the shooting star press and Mysterio took Christian outside. Somehow, Storm rolled through to pin Kidman and keep the belts.

So much was happening at the precise moment in and out of the ring and there was no replay. Can't be more definite on the match ending.

Storm and Christian scampered away with their title while Mysterio and Kidman milked the plaudits of the crowd. A very popular duo, the crowd especially into Mysterio

CHRIS JERICHO vs EDGE in a RAW vs SMACKDOWN! match (15.00).

Jericho got a great pop when his opener came on screen but it soon turned to heel heat. They went wild for Edge (I think my wife nearly peed her pants she squeeled that much) who came to the ring filming the crowd with a hand-held video camera.

A "You are a wanker" chant went up - wanker = masturbator. Jericho called us Australian jackasses and to shut up and listen to him.

"Have you forgotten I was the first undisputed champion and now I am the undisputed King of the World," Jericho said.

"I'm not going to listen to you convicts call me a wanker. I don't even know what a wanker is."

At this point, Edge gestured with his hand leaving nobody in uncertain terms as to what it meant, getting a big laugh. Jericho called him a stupid son of a bitch and that was like waving a red rag at a bull.

Jericho was caught in the ropes early and Edge speared him. Jericho put a submission hold on in the center of the ring but Edge responded to the crowd calling his name. He almost pinned Jericho when he rolled Y2J up while he was berating fans at ringside. Jericho put Edge in an abdominal stretch, using the rope to get leverage. The match moved to the top rope and Jericho went to suplex Edge but instead he got pancaked.

Jericho left the ring and grabbed a chair but Edge speared him. The ref was down after an collision moments earlier with Edge, preventing a surefire three count. Jericho soon landed a chair shot to Edge's chin and hit the lionsault but Edge kicked out at 2-1/2.

Edge sent Jericho into the turnbuckle with a slingshot maneuver before attempting the Edgecution. Jericho countered and applied the Walls of Jericho but Edge turned through it and wrapped him up in a small package for the 1-2-3. Immensely entertaining match between this pair, as we have come to expect.

Jericho trashed the ringside area in his frustrated state, throwing a chair in the ring before sliding up the ramp and tearing up a "Melbourne is Jericho" sign belonging to a fan. Edge, quick as a flash, grabbed the chair and sat back with his hands behind his head, one leg crossed over the other...only serving to make Jericho more furious. Edge then scaled the scaffolding at ringside supporting the ring lights and popped the crowd.

STACY KEIBLER vs TORRIE WILSON in a Bra & Panties match (5.30) - Big Valbowski guest ring announcer.

Valbowski said he and Australians had a lot in common. "Outside of Australians, nobody knows more about going down...under than me."

On a scale of one to 10, we would give both ladies one without hesitation (think about it). Sadly, that is also what mark we could give for their wrestling ability. Some funny moments, however. They rolled over the ref (might have been young Hebner), who adjusted his fly as he got up off the mat. He duly had his pants pulled down to reveal a pink g-string and retreated to the corner to hoist his trousers.

Torrie lost her top first, revealing a hot pink bra. Then Stacy's black one was revealed. Nidia did a run in and lost her "sawn off" jeans to expose a red pair of knickers and she ran away. Torrie rolled Stacy up and peeled off her skirt to show us all her black panties before spanking her curvaceous bum in a "whose your daddy" fashion.

Torrie left the ring but was called to a halt by Big Val, who reminded her of his earlier suggestion that nobody knew more about down under. She gestured to him with a finger to come...to her...and they left up the ramp arm in arm.

BROCK LESNAR vs TRIPLE H vs THE ROCK in a no DQ triple threat match for the WWE Undisputed Championship (13.00).

I couldn't split the pops for Triple H and The Rock. The crowd went wild for both.

Once all were in the ring, a stare down took place. The Rock then told Lesnar to "just bring it" and it was on. Rock and Triple H double-teamed Lesnar and then Lesnar and Triple H double-teamed Rock.

Rock rallied and sent Lesnar into Triple H and then put the young challenger over the top rope. The People's Champ chased Paul Heyman but ran into Lesnar and was ironed out. Lesnar and HHH went at it for a while, Tripper beating him down. All three men were soon back at it again.

Hunter got Rock with a neck-breaker and then spinebustered Rock. Rock narrowly avoided an F-5 from Lesnar and nearly walked straight into a pedigree, just managing to flip HHH over. Triple H was then sent into a corner and wound up on the floor, blood streaming from a forehead wound.

Lesnar slapped a bear hug on Rock, the arm lifted a third time by the ref before he responded. Rock narrowly avoided another F-5 and gave Lesnar a DDT before getting a two-count. Before we knew it, Rock had Lesnar in a sharp shooter and Triple H broke the hold with a headshot before there was any tapping out done.

Rock got pedigreed by Triple H but Lesnar broke the count. Lesnar F-5ed HHH, Rock making an 11th-hour save. Rock hit the spinebuster followed by the People's Elbow but Lesnar kicked out. Heyman hit the apron but Rock punched him, only to FINALLY find himself on the end of the F-5. Triple H broke the near three-count.

With that Triple H pedigreed Lesnar, who kicked out but Rock re-entered the fray and hit the Rock Bottom on Triple H. The ref counted three and The Rock retained the gold. Lesnar came at Rock with a chair after the bell but Triple H made the save, sending Lesnar to the outside and he did not re-enter the ring.

Heyman was trapped between Triple H and Rock and the deliberated for sometime as to what they would do. Heyman made gestures as to what they might do - very comical. In the end, Triple H gave him the pedigree. Rock put his head between the ropes to leave but HHH grabbed an arm and pulled him back inside.

He signalled to Rock to give Heyman the People's Elbow and he did. Then Rock suggested Hunter do the same and he did, mimicking every element of the Rock's move.

They shook hands, Triple H raised Rock's arm and then posed on the ropes in each corner to his music before departing up the ramp to massive applause.

Rock's music then hit but he killed it and grabbed a microphone. The fans had waited to hear him say the obvious.

"Finally, The Rock has come back to Melbourne," he said.

"The Rock wants to thank Australia for three things...all the kangaroo steak he could eat, laying the smack down on all their candy asses and for getting some of the best damn Australian pie The Rock has ever had.

"Just four more words...much love, thank you."

With that he retreated to the back to an enormous ovation and the show was over.

BIGGEST POPS

1. The Rock, just got in front right at the end.

2. Triple H, so close to The Rock for the honor it wasn't funny.

3. Edge, right over with the Aussie fans.

4. Rey Mysterio, the fans are so into him...a belt before the year is out, surely.

5. Hurricane Helms, the surprise of the night to make the top five.

BIGGEST HEAT

1. Chris Jericho.

2. Chris Jericho.

3. Chris Jericho.

BUCKETS & BOUQUETS

Fans seated on the arena - ticket price $A200 plus - couldn't see the stars in the ring clearly because of a metal structure for the lighting with uprights on the corners of the ring. This would have been countered had the ring and the immediate area beyond it been a little higher. It is a lot of money to pay to go and watch the big television screens.

The security staff were to be commended for allowing the young kids every opportunity to come down to the fences near ringside as each star made his entry to see them close up before asking them to resume their seats. It was appreciated by many. On the whole a good show, the second half of the card carrying the day.

2002 - WWE ran Kamloops, British Columbia.  Darren filed the following live report:

Saturday August 10, 2002 Sportmart Place Kamloops, BC

7:30pm is the time, the lights go dark and over the loudspeakers "Welcome to the Jungle" starts blaring!

Howard Finkel makes his way down to the ring and welcomes us and goes over the usual speech "Don't throw things at the ring or be ejected and arrested, don't take pictures for commercial use etc etc.."

Sean O' Haire over Shelton Benjamin

O' Haire is over huge, even though he tries his best to play the heel, Crowd pops for Benjamin on his entrance because he was escorted to the ring by two local VERY HOT women, but the crowd starts very vocally booing him mid match and continues till the end.. Crowd cheers wildly when O'Haire wins... with a powerbomb pin combo. Go figure..

Tommy Dreamer over Steven Richards

Exact same as the Kelowna match on Friday.. same spots it was weird.. the salad tongs to the balls into a flip was nifty.. even for the second time. only slight difference is Tommy looked bored, and didn't take a fans drink to spit at Richards like he did in Kelowna..

Molly Holly over Victoria

Molly dissects Victoria in a very technical match, wins with feet on ropes.

Bradshaw over Chrisopher Nowinski 

Almost same match as last night, except no powerbomb.. just a clothesline from hell, and match was a few min longer.  Bradshaw truly seemed to like Kamloops and even got on the stick for a spell and flirted with a local female DJ who was acting as a timekeeper crowd popped HUGE when Bradshaw said "Shut on Nowinski i am talking to a lady. if i want to talk to a ho i would talking to you instead of her.. you stupid ass Harvard Ho".  Bradshaw was wearing boots that said "Blackjacks" was this normal? or kinda odd.. he hasn't done the blackjacks gimmick for a number of years..

Goldust over William Regal

Same as last night in Kelowna, Dust's left arm was majorly bandaged and seemed to be favoring it the whole match.

Chris Beniot over RVD

Identical match as last night almost like it was choreographed heh heh..  Pissed of the guy beside be telling him 30 seconds before Guerrero ran in the 'spoiler' lol.. he was a drunken yelling idiot.

Intermission

Howard Finkel welcomes us back and holds a draw from a Nintendo Gamecube Game that I have never really heard of.. didn't win, oh well don't own a gamecube system anyways and the game would do me no good.

Spike Dudley over Johnny Stamboli

Same spots as last night, same Hogan bit, different ending. Spike wins this with the Dudley dog?

Bubba Ray Dudley over The Big Show in a "Kamloops Street Fight Tables Match"

Match of the night! EXCELLENT Four *'s, PPV calibre..Totally different then last nights match.. lots of cool and very funny spots..laughed my head off..Funny spots of note..Bubba and bigshow having a contest running ropes buhbuh stops after about 10 passes, and show keeps going for about 20!!  After show finally stops buh buh pats him on the back and raises his hand.. and then pulled out a few of his chest hairs.. it was so freaking funny... you had to be there..

Then of the match had the entire locker room empty out (heels and faces) and after many many attempts and the show beating them all off. put show through the table via a suplex.  It was crazy seeing 8 guys suplex one big guy... cool stuff.. After the table was destroyed by the shows massive body crushing it they ALL went into the crowd and took fans drinks and went back into the ring and toasted there victory over show... even the ref had a beer after a while of celebrating show got back up all wobbly and asked for a beer Bradshaw gave him one and as show was about to drink he spit his beer at show and gave him the clothesline from hell.. good stuff.. after that Bradshaw and buh buh got on the stick and told everybody in the crowd that they loved kamloops and would most definitely be back soon. Seemed very genuine and honest.. they did NOT do this in Kelowna the night before. I know my wrestling angles and bullsh*t but this seemed genuine.. anyways awesome match and aftermath! should have been the main event!

The Hardy Boys over Raven and Justin Credible

Pretty much the same match, and same ending as Kelowna.  Jeff was dressed different then last night his face was totally blue as was his hair.. looking like he was dieing his hair blue and spilt the die all over his face and neck.  Also 2 hot blonds with massive breasts where in the front row beside me and flashed Raven,  Raven's eyes almost popped out of his head and he said to Justin (no mike but i over heard it it was right beside me) "Hey man check em out.. she f***ing flashed me! so they both walked over to the women and visited with them (this was all taking place during the Hardys entrance).  After the match raven did a fully spot that his back was stuck with his legs in the air.. the ref and Justin tried righting him to hilarious results.. again you had to be there! I hated raven before this match... he is my favorite now..

Booker T over Eddie Guerrero

Exactly the same match with slightly different finish.. bookend, frog splash from RVD and pin. Guerrero got on the stick before the match but was pretty much unintelligible, marblemouthish.

2002 - WWE broadcast Confidential.  John Keane filed the following TV report:


Recorded at the WWE TV Studios in Stamford CT.
Your Host: Mean Gene Okerlund.

Gene welcomes us in and we go straight to work. First up: tonight's 'Cover Story', focusing on Rikishi. Gene prefaces the main body of the piece by mentioning that back in 1987 Rikishi, then 21 years old and living in a rough neighborhood, was nearly killed in a drive-by shooting.

Rikishi briefly describes the event, which he admits was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Upon regaining consciousness at a hospital, he was informed he'd 'passed away' for 3 minutes. He praises his wife and family for aiding his recuperation.

The incident took place while Rikishi was still in training to become a pro wrestler. Upon entering the Fed he and his cousin Samu established themselves in the tag team ranks as the Samoan Swat Team and later the Headshrinkers. He admits his initial singles run, as Phatu and later the Sultan, was less than successful. A conference with Vince McMahon, wherein Rikishi was told it was time to go 'back to the chalkboard', led to him spending some time in the Memphis developmental territory.

During this time a new version of an old gimmick (quick shot of Yokozuna hits the screen) was decided upon-that of a Sumo wrestler. Rikishi brought his weight from 270 lbs. to over 400, and adopted his current style of ring attire featuring the thong. He admits he was a bit uncomfortable having his 'butt hanging out', primarily due to the embarrassment his wife and children might feel. No problem, his family backed him up and got totally behind the gimmick.

(Commentary: Yep, guess I get to spend a week in the punitentiary. Sorry.)

Rikishi soon started tweaking his character, adding non-traditional Sumo touches such as bleached blond hair and dancing. He feels his in-ring work as both a wrestler and an entertainer helped him avoid being pigeon-holed as 'the guy with the butt'. More with Rikishi later on, we take a break.

WWE Rewind: Molly Holly, cheating to win, defeats Trish Stratus earlier this year at the King of the Ring PPV to become Women's Champion.

Back, Gene brings us a 'Before They Were Superstars' segment focusing on Molly (real name Nora Greenwald). We see video footage of Molly as a child growing up in a small town in Minnesota. She got into gymnastics early on, and later followed in her dads footsteps as a power lifter. Stuff about cars follows-Molly likes to restore classic models, cites her dream vehicle as a '67 Chevelle. Moving along, Molly mentions she got an invite to attend a wrestling school when she was working at a Subway. Molly admits she had no idea women seriously wrestled, but decided to give it a shot. Turns out she enjoyed the training, and decided to go with wrestling on a part-time basis. She had her first match in Land of Lakes FL-outdoors on a rain-soaked ring before a crowd of about 6. Thing improved after that, and after working the indies for a while Molly got a try-out match with WCW. Dean Malenko was present, and he invited Molly to attend his wrestling school. She did so, and continued working the independents, primarily in Florida. This led to her big break-Randy 'Macho Man' Savage noticed her abilities, and retained her services in training his girlfriend to become a wrestler. Molly soon became part of Macho's entourage, which got her some TV time in WCW (she was then known as Miss Madness). WCW archived footage rolls-don't know the particulars, but it featured Molly and Madusa being treated to double noggin-knockers at the hands of Hulk Hogan, followed by a catfight.

Molly finishes the segment with thanks for her parents support and praise for WWE. Break.

Gene returns to reference the Hulkster as the personification of wrestling in the '80's. This leads to a follow-up piece on a segment that aired 2 weeks ago, focusing on one of the more notable factions of the 90's, D-Generation X, and their 'Invasion' of WCW in April of '98.

We see the faction, then consisting of HHH, Chyna, Billy Gunn, Road Dogg and X-Pac, riding military vehicles while searching for what they expect will be the huge building serving as WCW HQ. Upon coming across the actual site, which pretty much looked like the home office of a small legal firm that specialized in ambulance chasing, they voiced their disgust and amusement. Sadly, they had no luck gaining entry, and were forced to leave under pressure from the police. They next visited the nearby CNN Center and tried to arrange a meeting with WCW owner Ted Turner-no luck meeting the boss, but they did meet one high-ranking employee named Dick Cheetham (sp?) who expressed his support of DX. Hunter ends the segment by stating that if Eric Bischoff was upset with what actually happened, he's lucky DX didn't get a chance to accomplish all they'd planned. Break.

Back, Gene presents us more on Rikishi. Big man talks about his Samoan roots, references High Chief Peter Maivia, Afa, Sika, Superfly Jimmy Snuka, Samu, the Tonga Kid, Haku, The Barbarian and The Rock as members of the largest extended family in the business of professional wrestling. Rikishi offers his thoughts on one other member, sadly no longer with us-his cousin, road partner and former WWF Champion Yokozuna, who he describes as more like a brother. He tells of receiving a call from his wife back in '93-she and their son were stuck in a cold house due to a broken heater. Yoko immediately signed him a blank check and dispatched him to tend to his family. 

Rikishi and Afa talk about their extended family, stressing the strength of their Samoan traditions and Christian values. Rikishi finishes up by stating he wants to be remembered as a good family man. Break.

Back, we get a segment on a lady who may be the worlds oldest WWE fan-107 year old Gertrude Gash. 

(Gene: "Love that name!" Whatta perv.)

Gertrude's been watching wrestling since television first arrived on the scene, and is a huge fan of The Rock. For her 107th birthday party, the People's Champ sent her a personal video extending his best wishes. Separate piece of video sees Rocky stating he hopes he gets a chance to meet Gertrude in the future. Break.

Next up, Gene presents us a segment promoting NASCAR-The Big Show and Kurt Angle both had cars bearing their likeness running in the Stacker 2/GNC 250 race that ran in Daytona on July 5th. No word on how they did. 

Gene finishes up with a plug for the new movie 'XXX' and mentions next week we'll be seeing in-ring and behind the scenes footage of the WWE Australian tour. 

OK show this week-highlight had to be seeing Molly putting on a brave face as she headed to the ring for her first match. Have to wonder if some wiseguy at WWE thought it would be amusing to have her and Rikishi spotlighted on the same show.

2002 - WWE broadcast Velocity.  Matt Zylbert filed the following TV report:

Hosted by Mark Lloyd and Tazz (In for Michael Cole)

NO MICHAEL COLE! NO MICHAEL COLE! YES! YES! What a great week to be a Velocity reporter! Hello all and welcome back to my domain of excellence. As you already know, I am your esteemed reporter, Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that gets two thumbs up worldwide. With no Michael Cole this week, it's gonna be a lot easier to report, or SO I thought....

Before the opening video montage rolls, we see Rico doing Marky Mark's hair in the backstage area. Unfortunately though, that jerk Hardcore Holly, who I lost ALL respect for last week shows up, and Mark gets scared. Well I'm not there to protect him so I understand. Anyway, Rico tells Holly get on line and take a number, and before leaving, the Hardcore-One shaves off a piece of Rico's hair. Let me tell you this, if I ever see Hardcore Holly in person, don't blame me if I give him a Baldo Bomb!

NOW that the opening montage has rolled, let me send it down my buddy, and yours, TONY THE CHIM, for our opening bout....

Chavo Guerrero vs. Tajiri
Oh yeah! A Chavo Guerrero match to kick things off is all I need. And I like I say every week, Chavo has the best music! Yes, it's true. And of course, the strut is awesome as well. After all, there IS no one cooler than Chavo, as he gets set to take on Tajiri here, in what I assume is the BATTLE OF THE BEATEN BY REY MYSTERIO!

Before the match, Tazz says this match is gonna be a ROCKETBUSTER, and if he says it, you know it's right. To the match now as we get a nice chain sequence of basics, leading into a stand-off from both men. After another series of some reversals, Tajiri blasts ma' man Chavo with a superkick, giving him control. On the follow-up, Chavo pulls off a sunset flip, but in a weird manner, Tajiri would head to the outside from that position. Chavo comes out as well, and he would somehow slam Tajiri's right shin into the steel post. That's gonna hurt. Back in now, Chavo goes to work on the right leg, and despite Tajiri pulling off a victory roll for two at this point, the potential-Cruiserweight champion keeps in control with a single leg takedown. Chavo now works a submission hold, only to break it up as Tajiri reached the ropes. He would now go for a corner ram, but Tajiri avoids it, and here it comes, and executes the TUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHRANTULA! Of course, Tajiri breaks it up after three because it's an "illegal" move and all. Tajiri would continue his current offense with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, and although he would receive a dropkick to the gut from Chavo, both men engage in an exchange of chops. The Japanese Buzzsaw would gain the upper hand, allowing him to hit a nice German suplex for two. Meanwhile, on commentary, Tazz says he's gonna call Mark as Mitch Lloyd. It's Marky Mark! Anyway, Tajiri would now go for a moonsault, but misses and lands on his injured leg. Chavo takes advantage with a modified backbreaker for a near fall, and then yells at the crowd to draw some boos. Gotta love Chavo. Guerrero would now backdrop Tajiri to the apron, where he gets in a kick to the face. As he goes up though, Chavo corrals him and slams him off the top. The former Jr. now heads up top himself, and as he comes down in axe-handle smash form, Tajiri, out of desperation, sprays the GREEN VELOCITY MIST into the face of Chavo. Unfortunately, he was caught, giving the DQ win to Chavo! YEAH! Good match, and what made it better was that their was no annoying Michael Cole.
Winner via Disqualification: Chavo Guerrero

Commercial

Rewind: Third time's a charm. Shannon Moore and Hurricane prove that statement to be true, as on Smackdown, Billy and Chuck are unable to execute the Doomsday Device, enabling Shannon to pull off a victory roll on Chuck to give his team a win. I guess it has to do with the fact that they were on Smackdown for once.

Rico vs. Funaki
You look soooo..... good to me. ONCE AGAIN, I have Billy, Chuck, and Rico's theme music stuck in my head, but since Rico is Mark Lloyd's stylist now, I got no problems. Anyway, this match should prove one thing: Is Funaki REALLY that much of a jobber? Well, I'm still waiting for his first Velocity win, where you DON'T have the Jakked Jobbers to beat.

To the match now as Tazz calls Velocity a family show. No WWE show is a family show anymore. This ain't Superstars or All-American Wrestling, or even friggin' Prime Time! To me though, Velocity is the best show on television, especially with Michael Cole in Australia this week. I feel bad for those Aussies though. NOW let's get to the match, where we get some reversals from both men, leading into a small package by Funaki for two. We then get a staredown, and here's some advice for both guys: When you do the exact same thing that happened in the match before this, you're not gonna get as big of a reaction. Anyway, Rico now claps and gives the Japanese Bow, and as Funaki does the same, Rico clotheslines him. Well, that's what you get for showing Rico Japanese respect. This current offense by Rico would not last long though, as he would quickly fall victim, to what I now call, the THREE JAPAN MOVES OF PAIN! That would be a hip-toss, arm-drag, and dropkick, all in that order. Rico would now head to the corner for a break, and as he looks to get a handshake from Funaki, he gets a kick instead. HA! I think I may consider Funaki as the dirtiest player in the game. However, Funaki loses control soon after, as Rico gives him a snake eyes in the corner, before drilling him with a superkick. Rico now gets in some more of his martial-arts kicks, before hitting a dropkick for a near fall. After a spinning kick at this point, Rico gets another two count, and the Stylist now would continue the punishment with a bodyslam. He then drops Funaki's hand twice while he was on the ground, which is the referee's job, and then heads up top. From there, Rico would miss a nice moonsault, enabling Funaki to take control. He gets in some punches, prior to hitting a bulldog for a near fall. Funaki would now issue an enziguiri, and a school boy gives the Indeed One yet another two count. Rico would come back at this point, as he takes a page out of Matt Hardy's book, executing a hip-toss into a neckbreaker. Guess he watches HeAT a lot. Rico now looks to perform a modified powerbomb, but Funaki wiggles free. He would, however, run into a vicious spinning heel kick, and that's all Rico needs to pick up the 1,2,3. Good win for the Stylist, in a pretty good match.
Winner: Rico

Commercial

Boot of the Week: After Chris Benoit makes John Cena tap out to the Crippler Crossface, chaos ensues, which saw Edge, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio take out their respective foes.

OH NO! I just realized that during recaps, I have to listen to Michael Cole, which absolutely sucks. Marky Mark and Tazz show us the six-man tag match between Angle/Benoit/Eddie and Edge/Cena/Mysterio. And for the 63rd time Michael, IT IS NOT RUTHLESS AGGRESSION! Stop blaming it on everything. Ya know, if I ever go to Stamford, Connecticut and see Michael Cole, I think I'm gonna give him some "ruthless aggression." Folks, I think that may be the most annoying word I've ever heard.

Commercial

Mike Awesome vs. Bull Buchanan
It's the return of Bull Buchanan! This is his first match back since the demise of the Right to Censor, who were always a favorite of mine. Now take a look at all of them. Steven Richards is pretty much back to being the old Jakked Jobber he used to over on HeAT (Despite beating Matt Hardy two weeks ago), Godfather is injured, Ivory is nowhere to be found ever since Tough Enough, and Val Venis is using the most ridiculous name in wrestling history. Will the trend continue for Bull? Well luckily for him, he's taking on NEW Jobbers Inc. member, Mike Awesome.

To the match, and before we begin, I notice that Awesome's hair grows every week. Maybe that's why he's losing. Bull starts out with cheap shots in the corner after a break-up, and I guess he'll be playing the heel. Oh yeah, he also has red rights so you know he's EVIL. Awesome would retaliate with some of his usual jobber offense, that being a diving shoulder block, and a clothesline, sending Bull over the top and to the outside. After doing some work on the outside, Awesome takes his offense to the air, as he connects on a top-rope clothesline for a near fall. Awesome now gets in some punches, but would end up missing a ram in the corner, allowing Bull to issue some kicks, followed by a neckbreaker for a two count. Bull now hits his nice springboard clothesline from the top for another two count, and now resorts to the rear chinlock. Oh, how exciting. What makes it strange is that Awesome actually taps the mat SEVERAL times while in the hold, but since there's so many flaws, that doesn't mean he's tapping out. "Why Mike Awesome taps on the mat I have no idea," says Tazz. He then proceeds to tap the announcer's table for some odd reason, and the people behind him think he's nuts. Well as long as we don't have Michael Cole this week, everything's all good. Anyway, Awesome gets out of the chinlock, but Bull stays in control by sending his opponent to the outside. He then sends him into the steps, but on the follow-up, as Bull is back in the ring and bouncing off the ropes, Awesome slingshots himself from the apron into a cool shoudlerblock, nailing the running Bull. That actually makes sense. Awesome would continue his offense with a suplex and a clothesline, and then heads up top. From there, he takes WAY too much time, which of course, is followed by Bull moving out of the way on the Awesome Splash attempt. For some weird reason, Tazz now starts quacking like a duck, but like I said before, ANYTHING is better than Michael Cole. Back to the action as Bull connects with a boot to the face in the corner, and then pulls himself up top, where he is able to perform a top rope leg drop to pick up the win. Impressive re-debut for Bull, but unfortunately for Awesome, he's gonna keep jobbing all the way to hell. I think Justin Credible better watch his position as being President of Jobbers Inc. Awesome's closing in.
Winner: Bull Buchanan

Commercial

The Kane promo is shown.... and let's hope he's not brought back as a face. In my opinion, he is totally USELESS and really boring to watch as a face, so as I said, let's hope the WWE is smart enough to bring him back in as a heel, where he was a dominant, watchable threat in the ranks.

Lloyd and Tazz recap the Hogan/Lesnar match from Smackdown, including the highlights package before it. Why they left out Akeem and Bossman when Hogan's biggest opponents were mentioned is beyond me.

Commercial

Hardcore Holly vs. Albert
Here's a strange pattern: This is the second week in a row here on Velocity, in which the main event had already taken place the week before. Hardcore Holly and Albert already fought last week, and on that same week, Billy and Chuck took on Shannon Moore and Hurricane in the main event, when previously, they fought on the week prior to it. Don't you just love this stuff? Well I just love Albert, being my second favorite wrestler at the moment, and let's hope he can destroy Hardcore Holly and put him in his place.

To the match now as Albert doesn't wait for the bell, sending Hardcore over the top rope with a clothesline. Albert would follow up by sending Holly into the steps, but as he then tried to ram Holly in the post, the Hardcore-One sends Albert into it instead. Back in now, and the match now officially begins, as Albert is able to execute a sit-down gorilla-press slam for a two count. Holly would come back with some chops, but would fall victim to a backbreaker soon after from the big man. After doing some work on Holly on the outside, Albert performs his signature slingshot-into-the-second rope move, giving him another two count on the pin after. We would head outside again, as Holly gets in a boot from the apron, and he follows it up by sending the North American Grizzly into the post. More chops now as we head back inside, and Holly hits his picture-perfect dropkick for a near fall. Albert would try to take control with his "I-Like-To-Scream-When-I-Ram-People-In-The-Corner" maneuver, but Holly gets out of the way, and manages to hit a flying clothesline for yet another near fall. Holly would now head up top, only to be crotched by Albert. The hairy-one now calls for the Baldo Bomb, and as he tries to get his adversary up, Holly punches his way out of it. However, Holly would run right into a bicycle kick soon after.... for a close two count. Albert would now argue with referee Mike Chioda about the speed of the count, and even shoves him. Uh-oh, you can't do that to referees anymore, big boy. Chioda retaliates with a shove of his own, and this one goes right into a Hardcore Holly roll-up for the quick three-count. Albert gets pissed after the match and knocks Holly to the outside. He then tries to send him into the steel steps, but Holly counters and Albert ends up eating the steel. Hardcore now walks over to the announce table, and takes advantage of the fact that I'm not there to protect Marky Mark. He grabs Lloyd by his shirt, and drags him all the way to the apron. Thankfully though, Rico comes from out of nowhere, and blasts Hardcore Holly with a superkick. YES! Take that, jerk. Now in a bit of more strange stuff, Rico goes to shake Mark's hand, and as Lloyd does so, the stylist slaps him instead. Huh? Hopefully we'll learn soon enough why ma' man Funky Bunch is getting such crappy treatment.
Winner: Hardcore Holly

As Lloyd is down on the ground, Tazz hypes up Smackdown this Thursday and that's that.

That's gonna wrap up another 'five-star' report, so until next week, this is Matt Zylbert wishing you guys and gals a great week. Peeeeeaaaaace!

2002 - AAA and CMLL TV aired on Galavision.  Victor Martinez filed the following report:

AAA/EMLL Lucha Libre Report
Galavision Network
August 10th, 2002

This was a strange show, it aired 1 hour later than usual and was 30 minutes shorter at 2hr/30mins. Thank God, for my digital on screen cable thing, that told me where it would air. But the worst part of it was AAA came first this week, and EMLL was the show that was trimmed. AAA came in at 1hr/08mins, EMLL came in at 1hr/15mins.

AAA:

The show starts with an interview with Mascarita Sagrada and Mini Gronda. Sagrada talks of winning his two mini's titles one from Rocky Marvin the other from Mini Psicosis.

Mascarita Sagrada, Octagoncito, & Mini Gronda vs. Mascarita Maligna, Mini Psicosis, & Mini Abismo Negro

1st Fall: Very fast pace and not bad. Mini Abismo delivers a top rope elbow drop and submits Sagrada. Mini Maligna does a top rope leg drop and pins Mini Gronda.

2nd Fall: The tecnicos make their comeback. The commentators spend some time talking about Eddy Guerrero, saying how he finally seems to have found his spot, and sending him their best wishes. Octogoncito delivers a corkscrew plancha from the apron to the floor onto Mini Psicosis. Mini Sagrada does a Huricanrana pin on Mini Abismo and that ends this fall.

3rd Fall: Octagoncito does a corkscrew moonsault on Mini Maligna. Mini Sagrada does a senton to Mini Abismo outside the ring. Mini Gronda does a 'Rana pin on Mini Psicosis and that ends this. Tecnico Mini's win.

In the News section: They introduce the Warriors, 3 guys one dressed as a German, one dressed like a Eyptian, the other like a Aztec Warrior.

Lady Apache says she respects El Apache and thanks him for everything he's done for her, but she has chosen to side with El Zorro. And Faby Apache his daugther is her enemy.

El Apache & Faby Apache talk next, He says he doen't understand her attraction to Zorro, and he issues a challenge to a match between him and Faby vs Lady and Zorro. Faby said she was only coming to the aid of her father. And they are much better.

Octagoncito and Mascarita Maligna begin talking about who's fully grown Luchador is better. They soon begin fighting.

Pentagon, Mascara Maligna, & El Brazo vs. Octagon, Mascara Sagrada & La Parka Jr.

1st Fall: Brazo is dressed like the Hulk complete with green hair and skin. Before the match begins the refs and commisioner Bobby Lee come out and make Pentagon remove his mask, since he's lost it, he can't wrestle in it anymore. Rudos control this fall and it ends quickly, Brazo submits La Parka, and Pentagon submits Octagon.

2nd Fall: La Parka goes into his comedy routine as the tecnicos make their comeback. This time Sagrada submits Maligna, and Octogon submits Pentagon.

3rd Fall: Octogon low blows Pentagon but the refs don't see it. This ends when Pentagon unmasks Octagon, Maligna unmasks Sagrada, and Brazo unmasks La Parka. The rudos are DQ'd. They then put on the tecnicos masks and leave with them. Brazo does his version of a La Parka dance.

EMLL:

This begins with Bulldog and Rico Suave trying to talk. Bulldog doesn't speak one word of spanish. When Tarzan boy comes along thier partner for tonights match. Rico tells him they are Boricuas and he must wrestle their style and do what they say. Tarzan says he wrestles his own way, and he can handle anyone on his own. But we'll see.

Tarzan Boy, Bulldog, & Rico Suave vs. Gran Markus Jr., Rayo De Jalisco Jr., & Poder Mexica

One Fall match: Poder does a tope on Bulldog, Marcus does a plancha from the apron onto Rico. Rayo does his backward headbutt on Tarzan and submits him with a mexican surfboard.

El Hijo Del Santo talks, welcoming the viewers to the 5th edition of the Legends of the Silver Mask tournament. Which was created in honor of his father. He displays one of his fathers original masks, and a photo taken in 1943 of El Santo. He said he would have been 70 July 26th.

The Legends of the Silver Mask tournament:

Group A consists of: Atlantis, Safari, Blue Panther, Virus, Satanico, Averno, Mephisto, and Felino

Group B consists of: Tony Rivera, Olimpico, Violencia, Fuerza Guerrera, Volador Jr., Black Tiger, Negro Casas, and Hombre Sin Nombre.

Guys wrestled for short periods of time in a elimination style, they could tag anyone of thier group. It was very good, and very exciting. Fuerza is the first to be eliminated via pin, by Safari. Volador did a moonsault on Averno. Safari is the second to be eliminated when he is submitted by Violencia with a sharpshooter. Mephisto eliminates Tony Rivera via pin. Olimpico eliminates Mephisto via pin. Blue Panther eliminates Olimpico via submission to an armbar. Volador Jr. and Virus somehow manage to pin each other, eliminating both. Atlantis eliminates Violencia via pin. Casas eliminates Blue Panther via pin. Hombre Sin Nombre eliminates Averno via pin. Satanico eliminates Hombre via pin. Black Tiger eliminates Atlantis via pin. Casas eliminates Sataniico via pin. Felino eliminates his brother Casas via pin. Felino and Black Tiger are the two finalists and will meet later for the title. They begin fighting tearing each other's masks.

Highlight Moments: Rayo Tapatio doing a tope and hurting himself. Hombre Sin Nombre doing a tope on Apollo Dantes. Mascara Ano 2000 doing a backdrop. Chris Stone doing a armbar submission on Valentin Mayo. Virus doing a 'Rana.

In a lenghy bit, Mascara Magica and Shocker are screening luchadors for thier 3rd Guapo teammate. The 1st one is guy named the Sexy Machine. Magica is impressed but Shocker isn't. 2nd is Chris and Alan Stone, Shocker and Magica just laugh at them. 3rd is an enormously fat man named Tony Jackson, he promises to lose weight if picked. They say they'll let him know. 4th is a sloppily dressed guy who never said his name and said he just happened to be in the neighborhood, they say no. 5th is a guy wearing a feathered mask. They ask him to unmask, he said he can't. They tell him they'll think about it. Magica said he looks very familiar, Shocker said he didn't. (Magica's right it was Veneno of the Boricuas). 6th was Shockercito, he tells them he wants in, they tell him to stay in training and someday who knows. Shockercito asks Shocker what he's drinking he answers ShockerMilk.

Then the commerical airs where Magica and Shocker ask for try out volunteers.

Next Week: The Finals to the Legends of the Silver Mask tourney. Plus Villano's 3, 4, & 5 vs Mephisto, Averno, and Satanico. And Emilio Charles Jr., Bestia Salveje, Scorpio Jr., Shocker, Magica, and Apollo Dantes.

The match that was edited out, some of it played as the show went off the air, it was: Ultimo Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Shocker, Magica, & Hijo De Santo. Damn! ! ! ! !

And that was it for this week.

2003 - Christian defeats Booker T for the WWE Intercontinental Title in Des Moines, Iowa.  This marked the start of Christian's third IC Title run.  The title change took place on a house show, and was never aired on television. Booker T was suffering from a back injury at the time, and was going to need several months off, so the decision was made to drop the title quickly and allow him the time off.

Bill Jensen filed the following report:

Building was 2/3 full, normal for a house show. This was a hot crowd that was totally into every match they threw at us. It was an outstanding night.  This is the way it's supposed to be.

Rob Van Dam vs. Kane in (an advertised but not even close) 15-foot high steel cage:  
Kane picks up the victory after kicking out of a five-star (top rope, not top cage) and a hit a chokeslam from the top rope.

World Tag Team Championship - La Resistance vs. Dudley Boyz: 
La Resistance cheats with the flag and wins. Dudleys get revenge with 3-D through a table, thanks to Spike run-in. Dudleys give piece of table to fan wearing Dudleys shirt at ringside and pose in the ring with the kid for a photo.

Intercontinental Championship - Booker T vs. Christian:
In the shock of the night, Christian wins the I-C title after Booker T collapses while setting up the scissor kick.

Scott Steiner, with Stacy Keibler, vs. Lance Storm:
Storm comes out to make a prepared speech after announcing Steiner missed his flight. Steiner didn't miss his flight. Thanks for coming, Lance.  Stacy wore black panties. Second row seats RULE.

Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel, with special guest Stone Cold Steve Austin.  
This just ruled from beginning to end. It was outstanding. It ended with a beer fest and a Stunner for Jericho when he gave Austin a friendly slap on the back.

Maven vs. Randy Orton:
They actually made a point of announcing this as a "Ten Minute Time Limit" match.  Then Finkel kept reminding us. "Five minutes". "Two minutes". "One minute". Orton gets the pinfall with less than a minute remaining.

Women's Championship - Molly Holly vs. Ivory vs. Victoria vs. Gail Kim - Special Guest Ref: Val Venis:
Victoria and Kim are eliminated early but remind us they're heels by interfering later and costing Ivory the match. Post-match, Val took off his referee shirt at the behest of the crowd. Ivory put it on, then took her's off under the referee's shirt.

Hurricane, Goldust, Mark Jindrak vs. Rodney Mack, Steven Richards, and Rico, with Miss Jackie:
Absolutely hilarious. Hearing Goldust call Rico "faggot" was definitely the ironic moment of the night. Faces win.

2003 - WWE ran a house show at the Kansas Coliseum outside of Wichita, Kansas,  Brad Cramer filed the following live report:

The house was about half-full.

Triple Threat Match for Cruiserweight Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Hardy vs. Nunzio

Entertaining match that started out with the heels trying to work together until they started going for pins.  Mysterio pins Nunzio with the Hip Hop Drop to retain the title.  FYI, on TV they had been advertising this as just Mysterio vs. Hardy.

Zach Gowen & Spanky vs. The Basham Brothers w/ Shaniqua

Bad indicator of how the brand split is going in getting over talent as the people behind me were wondering who Spanky is.  Shaniqua accompanied the Bashams complete with her cat-o-nine tails and each brother received a lash before the match started.  Zach got a huge ovation and to see him live doing what he can do is truly amazing.  To my surprise, Spanky & Zach get the win with Spanky hitting Sliced Bread #2 followed by a Zach moonsault.

Billy Gunn vs. Sean O' Haire

Fairly slow match.  Mostly stalling and punching.  O' Haire didn't show many, if any, of his martial arts moves.  Crowd was fairly split as to who to root for.  Billy just doesn't get the same reaction without Torrie.  Gunn wins with the Fame-Asser.

WWE Tag Title Match:  The World's Greatest Tag Team vs. APA

Possibly the most bumps I've seen Bradshaw take in an APA match.  Match ends with Simmons trying for a Dominator on Haas only to get hit with a superkick by Benjamin followed by Hass rolling Simmons up for the pin.  World's Greatest go for the beatdown on the APA after the match, but APA cleans house after Bradshaw hits the Clothesline from Hell on Haas.

John Cena vs. Orlando Jordan

For God's sake, get Jordan a gimmick!  Cena comes out first, runs down the crowd and says the Kansas City Chiefs suck (which I happen to agree with, but this is Chiefs country so it got the expected reaction).  Crowd on Cena's case the entire match, easily the most heat of the night.  Match ends with Cena hitting an F-U on Jordan.  Jordan did hit a pretty flying body press off the top during the match though.  Cena easily the most entertaining wrestler as not only did he have a good match he spent the match playing up to the crowd as he just couldn't believe they would keeping booing him even though he said Wichita sucks.

U.S Title Match - Eddie Guerrero vs. Tajiri

A lot less exciting than I had hoped.  Tajiri blew the green mist into the air at the beginning of the match.  A lot of rest holds.  Tajiri hits the springboard elbow and the Tarantula.  Eddie hits the three suplexes and the hilo.  Tajiri goes for the big kick and almost hits the referee after Eddie ducks, referee turns away to avoid it and Eddie takes advantage hitting a low blow and then the pin.  FYI, on the TV ads which were obviously put together a few weeks ago it was advertised that Guerrero & Tajiri would be a team against Haas & Benjamin.  Too bad they started showing those ads AFTER Guerrero put Tajiri through the windshield.

I Quit Match - Chris Benoit vs. Rhyno

Hmmm, I wonder who will with what move?  Pretty good back-and-forth match.  Benoit goes for the Crossface early.  Both men take turns hooking in Sharpshooters.  Benoit hits the flying headbutt and hooks the crossface again but Eddie Guerrero runs out for the distraction.  Benoit goes for the crossface yet again and gets the submission when Eddie is prevented from interfering again by Tajiri.

Undertaker vs. The A-Train

Undertaker got the biggest pop of the night.  Fairly typical Undertaker match.  Taker hit all his signature spots like the flying clothesline, the big boot and Old School.  Ref takes a bump and A-Train hits the Baldo Bomb (or whatever it's called these days) and goes for the chair.  Taker kicks chair into Train's face, hits the chokeslam and goes for the pin as the ref wakes up for the win.  During the match, Taker did sell the rib injury.

Diva Bikini Contest - Nidia vs. Sable vs. Dawn Marie

Just this morning I was considering send an e-mail  asking what happened to Dawn Marie.  The most, ahem, interesting "match" of the night.  Funaki and a local radio personality were guest emcees.  Nidia did her typical goofball routine with Funaki misting her with a spray bottle.  Nidia also had the most clothing on of the three women.  Dawn Marie took her turn and WOW, talk about teeny-weeny bikini.  Funaki was sitting in a corner and Dawn Marie did a bump-and-grind in front of him and he reached into his pocket and gave her a wad of cash.  Sable also had a very skimpy bikini and she still knows to shake what she's got.  Sable got the loudest cheers and was declared the winner to the chagrin of Dawn Marie, who stormed off, and Nidia who had tried to bribe the radio guy with cash to declare her the winner.

Triple Threat for WWE Title: Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show

Crowd response mixed for both Angle and Lesnar.  Show got a good pop as he went to college at Wichita State so a bit of a hometown reaction.  Lesnar and Show double up on Angle and take turns doing moves and team up as Lesnar pressed Angle and threw him to Show who caught him and gave him a backbreaker.  But, of course, the heels turn on each other as they try for pins.  Lesnar hit an F5 on Angle.  Show hit a chokeslam on Lesnar.  Angle put the anklelock on Show.  Angle then floated out of another F5 and gave the Angle Slam to Lesnar for the pin.  FYI, another changed match original advertised as just Angle vs. Lesnar.

All the matches were pretty good although I was a bit disappointed with Guerrero/Tajiri, thought it'd be more action-packed.  Gunn/O' Haire just seemed a waste of time.  Undertaker and Train seemed to work well together so that bodes well for Summerslam.   Would like to see more of Gowan and Spanky together as they looked and worked well as a team and to see them beating an established team as the Bashams was surprising.

Crowd at times didn't seem much into it.  In the matches where there were a lot of rest holds and stalling, a lot of people voiced their displeasure at it.  Some chants were started but I don't recall the entire arena getting into it and all chants died out pretty quickly.  Crowd did come together for the Undertaker and the Divas and was fully against Cena.  As I said, the house was about half-full.  A lot of empty seats and even some empty seats on the floor.

2007 - WWE announced that during a standard Wellness policy physical, an abnormal accessory pathway to the heart (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) was discovered in then-WWE U.S. MVP. It is a potentially life threatening condition that could lead to a heart attack if untreated. He will be able to continue wrestling because according to WWE.com, MVP "underwent a precarious radio frequency treatment this past Monday – a procedure that is equally dangerous in that one in 1,000 individuals die during it. Next week, tests will be performed again to see if the procedure was a success."

2007 - World Wrestling Entertainment released developmental talent Tomasso Whitney.  Tomasso had been doing a Rick Martel-esque heel gimmick in Ohio Valley Wrestling carrying around a spray bottle.  Prior to that gimmick, Tomasso had been the anger management coach/therapist for former OVW Southern Tag Team champions Justin LaRoche and Charles Evans as "Dr. Tomas."  Whitney originally trained at the Chaotic Wrestling school in New England and has also worked under the name Thomas Penmanship.  He would go on to recreate himself as Tommaso Ciampa and was eventually re-signed by the company and currently reigns as the WWE NXT Champion.

2008 - TNA held their Hard Justice PPV.  Richard Trionfo filed the following PPV report:

Tonight’s pre-show starts off with a video package for the six women’s tag match. The next video package is for the Tag Title Match. The next match featured is the TNA Heavyweight Title Match. The next match featured is the Tuxedo and Chain Match between Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal. Up next is a look at the Jersey Street Fight. They show the video package for the Last Man Standing Match between A.J. Styles and Kurt Angle.

The pay per view starts with a series of video packages with a crime theme to it looking at the matches.

Lauren is outside the building ‘fifteen minutes ago’ and Lauren sees Sting, not wearing any makeup, but he has a baseball bat. She wants to know why he is here and why he helped Booker T with Samoa Joe. Sting will not talk. Sting enters the building.

We go inside the building and we have Filthee and GrandMaster Caz perform on their way to the ring.

Don West and Mike Tenay are your announcers as the pyro goes off in the building. They welcome everyone to New Jersey and their pay per view debut in the state. Mike wonders how Sting will impact tonight’s event. Don and Mike run through the matches on the pay per view.

We see the X Factors and it is mentioned that Scott Steiner is not there with Petey. They also mention the upset that Consequences Creed had to get this title match.

Match Number One: Petey Williams with Rhaka Khan versus Consequences Creed for the TNA X Division Title
The referee tells Khan to get off the apron before they lock up. She gets back on the apron and Creed is not distracted as he blocks a kick and has Williams in a side head lock. Creed with a front face lock and Williams tries to roll out and he eventually escapes. Williams misses a springboard cross body but Creed hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Williams tries for the Canadian Destroyer but Creed escapes and gets a near fall. Creed pushes Williams and Williams goes into the ropes to get the referee to stop Creed. Creed presses Williams over his head and hits a gutbuster. Williams goes out of the ring and then he hits a somersault senton that hits Williams and the apron. Creed tries for a power bomb on the floor but Williams gets into the ropes and he hits a leg drop on the apron. Khan hits Creed while Williams is with the referee.

Williams rolls Creed back into the ring and Williams with the slingshot gutbuster for a near fall. Creed with punches and then he turns them into jabs but Williams knows that the split is coming and he hits a drop kick. Williams punches Creed in the corner and he Irish whips Creed but Creed goes to the floor. Williams with a drop kick that sends Creed off the apron. Williams with a slingshot rana on the floor. Williams rolls Creed back into the ring. Creed with a bridge for a two count. Williams with a drop toe hold that sends Creed into the ropes and then he hits a hesitation drop kick. Creed pushes Williams away but Williams rakes the eyes. Creed swings wildly because he cannot see. Creed with a super kick to Williams as Williams comes off the ropes and both men are down. Williams gets to his feet first and then Creed and Williams exchange forearms and the crowd cheers for Williams and boos for Creed. Williams with an Irish whip and running clothesline but Creed with a clothesline and elbow. Creed with an Irish whip but Williams sends Creed to the apron. Creed hits a springboard bulldog.

Creed with jabs and then he does the splits and hits a roundhouse punch but only gets a two count. Creed pulls Williams up and Williams lands on his feet and Williams hits the tilt-a-whirl into the side Russian leg sweep. Williams sets for the Canadian Destroyer but Creed blocks it. Williams with a jawbreaker but Creed with a somersault into a clothesline. Creed charges into a shoulder from the apron and then Williams comes back in. Creed catches Williams on his shoulders but Williams with a rollup. Creed and Williams with near fall. Creed with an enzuigiri after getting out of the Canadian Destroyer. Creed tries for another gutbuster from a gorilla press but Williams is able to counter and he puts Creed in the Sharpshooter. Creed eventually makes it to the ropes but Williams does everything to keep him from getting the ropes including grabbing Creed’s arm.

Williams slaps Creed and Williams wants him to get up. Williams chops Creed and Creed wants more. Williams with another chop and Creed asks him if that is all he has. Williams with a back elbow but Creed bounces up. Creed with a German suplex and then he hits a knee in the corner followed by a DDT. Creed goes up top and he hits a leg drop but he can only get a two count. Khan gets on the apron and then she gets into the ring while Williams rolls out. Creed blocks a slap and Creed hits a TKO on Khan. Williams comes back in and he tries for the Canadian Destroyer but Creed counters with a Jig N’Tonic but Creed can only get a two count.

Sheik Abdul Bashir comes out and he has a chair with him. Creed with a kick and Bashir hits Creed in the back with the chair. Williams with the Canadian Destroyer for the three count.

Winner: Petey Williams

After the match, Bashir gets on the mic and he pulls a cameraman into the ring. He wants the cameraman to show the red, white, and blue, laying on the floor. He says that this is a representation of this pathetic company. Bashir says that the American Dream was destroyed by the Middle Eastern Nightmare.

We go to the locker room where Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash are being interviewed by Jeremy Borash. Jeremy asks Joe if Sting’s presence will distract him from his match. Joe says that he has never been more focused. Joe says that he knows that Sting is here and he knows what he has to do. He is tired of the hocus pocus, the light show, and Showtime. Nash tells Joe to think this out. At Victory Road he had to focus on Booker. Kevin tells Joe that he has his back and to trust him with Sting. Nash says that Sting will not be coming down to the ring. Joe says that Nash is right. It is about Booker tonight. The paper champion will go into the cage and he is going to stomp Booker’s ass all over New Jersey. Joe says that Booker will learn that Joe is ‘Pro Wrestling’.

Match Number Two: Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Awesome Kong with Raisha Saeed versus Gail Kim, ODB, and Taylor Wilde with guest referee Traci Brooks
ODB and Angelina start things off and ODB does her mannerisms before they lock up. ODB pie faces Angelina. Velvet tags in to start off. Velvet smells something so she gets some air freshener. Velvet mocks ODB and then ODB blocks punches but ODB with a kick to the groin area and ODB follows that with a clothesline. ODB uses the air freshener on herself. Gail tags in and she hits a flying clothesline followed by punches and a splash into the corner. Velvet with an Irish whip but Gail with a sunset flip for a near fall. Gail with an arm drag using the turnbuckles. Angelina comes in and Gail gives her a Japanese arm drag. Gail tags in Taylor and Taylor works on the arm. Angelina with forearms and kicks to Taylor. Taylor with forearms followed by an arm drag and drop kick. Angelina backs into her corner.

Kong is tagged in after Angelina asks the fans if they want to see her. Taylor with kicks to the legs but Kong with a body block. Gail tags in and she hits forearms but Kong catches Gail on a cross body attempt and Kong tosses Gail down. ODB and Kong exchange chops and ODB tries for a shoulder tackle but Kong stays up. Kong takes ODB down with a shoulder tackle of her own. Gail and Taylor come in while ODB recovers. Kong with a double clothesline. ODB with forearms to Kong. Taylor clothesline Kong while Gail trips her. Kong charges at ODB and Gail, but they move out of the way and Kong goes to the floor.

Kong returns to the ring and ODB with forearms to Kong. Saeed trips ODB and Traci Brooks tells Saeed to go to the back. Kong continues to batter ODB in the ring. Kong is confused when Saeed leaves and ODB spits some beverage in Kong’s face and then she hits a splash after a brief confrontation between Traci and Kong. Velvet tags in and she puts ODB in an octopus and she bites ODB’s arm. ODB backs Velvet into the turnbuckles. ODB tries to make the tag and she tags in Gail. Gail with a clothesline and drop kick to Angelina. Angelina with a kick followed by an Irish whip. Gail avoids a charge. Angelina sends Gail into the ring post and the guardrail. Angelina rolls Gail back into the ring and hits an elbow drop for a two count. Angelina chokes Gail with Gail’s hair. Gail kicks Angelina but Angelina punches Gail. Angelina choke Gail and Traci pulls Angelina off Angelina. Angelina pokes Traci and tells her to mind her own business. Angelina with an Irish whip and she chokes Gail, but Traci pulls Angelina off. Angelina pushes Traci and Traci pushes Angelina. Gail tags in Taylor and Taylor with a clothesline to Angelina followed by a drop kick to Velvet. Taylor with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a two count on Angelina. Kong enters the match and Gail attacks Kong.

All six are in the ring but Gail and Kong go outside and Kong sends Gail into the rails. Angelina with a bicycle kick to Taylor. Kong tries to clothesline Gail against the ring post but Gail moves. In the ring, Taylor with a rollup on Angelina for the three count.

Winners: Taylor Wilde, Gail Kim, and ODB

Lauren is with Team 3D in the back. Lauren admonishes Devon to stop grabbing her. Ray says that he is up there. Ray is looking for Sting. Lauren says that Ray is afraid of heights. Lauren tries to make light of his phobia. Ray says that he has Sting’s back. Devon tells Sting that they are behind him 110 percent in whatever he wants to do. Ray reminds Sting that he is welcome to help them out during their Jersey Street Fight. Ray says that Devon is afraid of the dark. Ray goes downstairs quickly.

 

Match Number Six: Kurt Angle versus A.J. Styles in a Last Man Standing Match
The match starts with Angle on the apron. Angle goes outside when Styles approaches him to get inside Styles’s head. Angle returns to the ring and then Styles goes after Angle but Angle returns to the floor. Angle goes outside one more time. Angle spits at Styles and Styles chases Angle. Angle returns to the ring first and he hits Styles and connects with a European uppercut. Angle with punches and kicks in the corner. Angle chokes Styles with his boot. Angle with a suplex to Styles for a one count. Angle with a reverse chin lock. Styles punches Angle and chops him. Styles punches Angle and kicks him in the corner. Angle with a rake of the eyes. Styles hits the phenomenal drop kick and then he clotheslines Angle over the top rope to the floor.

Styles hits the somersault plancha and he takes Angle down. Styles gets a two count on the floor. Styles slams Angle’s head into the apron and the guardrail. Styles with a kick to the chest and Angle returns to the ring and begs for mercy. Styles with a slam and then he connects with a knee drop and he gets a two count. Angle sends Styles out of the ring to the floor so he can recover from the beating he has taken. Angle goes outside and he sends Styles into the guardrail and then he hits a European uppercut. Angle sends Styles into the crowd and Styles with a forearm. Styles tries for a springboard DDT off the guardrail, but Angle catches him and he throws Styles into the rails and gets a two count. Angle slams A.J.’s head into the ring steps. Styles with punches and chops to Angle as they continue to battle on the floor. Angle goes towards the ramp and Styles follows him. Angle with a suplex attempt on the ramp, but Styles blocks it and he hits a suplex of his own for a two count.

They fight to the stage and Angle is barely staying on the stage. Styles with punches to Angle but Angle with a belly-to-back suplex to the floor and Angle with a somersault splash onto Styles. Angle can only get a two count. Angle brings Styles to the ring in a side head lock and then Angle slams Styles’s head into the announce table. They return to the ring and Angle kicks Styles in the ribs. Angle with a back breaker for a series of two counts. Angle with a reverse chin lock. Styles returns to his feet and then he backs Angle into the corner. Styles with an enzuigiri and a kick to the ribs. Styles with a chop. Angle misses a charge into the corner and Styles with another chop. Angel with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex throw. Angle with a slam for a two count and then he puts Styles in a side head lock. While Angle has Styles in a side head lock, Styles checks his wrist and arm. Styles with punches and chops to Angle and then he adds in some knees.

Angle and Styles each try for cross body blocks and both men go down. Styles blocks punches and he connects with one of his own. Styles with clotheslines. Angle sends Styles to the apron and Styles with a springboard shoulder tackle. Styles with a power bomb from the torture rack for a two count. Styles sets for the Styles Clash but Angle gets out of the hold and Angle puts Styles in the ankle lock. Styles gets out of the hold and then he hits a spinebuster on a charging Angle. Styles goes up top and Angle tries to suplex him from the buckles. Angle catches Styles as he comes off the turnbuckles and hits a power bomb. Angle gets a two count and then he tries for an Angle Clash but Styles blocks it and he puts Angle in an ankle lock. Styles grapevines the leg when Angle appears to be getting to the ropes. Angle taps out. The referee starts his count and Angle gets to his feet at nine. Angle sends Styles to the apron and then Styles punches Angle and he tries for the springboard moonsault into the DDT, but Angle moves out of the way and he hits a low blow. Angle with four German suplexes and the final one sends Styles to his chest. Angle gets a two count and then the straps come down. Angle sets for the Olympic Slam and Styles gets out of the hold and Styles hits the Pele kick and he gets a two count. Styles goes up and Angle punches Styles on the turnbuckles. Styles with elbows to knock Angle off. Angle climbs the turnbuckles and he hits a German suplex for a three count. The referee starts his count for A.J.

A.J. gets up and Angle hits the Olympic Slam for the three count. The referee starts the ten count again. Styles gets up again and Angle waits for Styles and Styles with the Styles Clash for the three count. The referee starts his count for Angle. Angle gets up just before the ten count. Styles with a running shoulder into the corner and he puts Angle on the top turnbuckle. Styles sets for a superplex but Angle tries to hit a belly-to-belly suplex from the top to the floor. Styles hits a DDT from the top turnbuckle. Styles gets the three count and then the referee starts his count for Angle. Angle is unable to get up after the ten count.

Winner: A.J. Styles

After the match, the medical staff checks on Angle and they have him in a neck brace. Styles comes to the ring and he hits a brainbuster on Angle and then he has words for Angle before finally leaving the ring.

The lights go out and when they come back on Sting has A.J. and he hits the Scorpion Death Drop on the ramp. Nash appears behind Sting after the attack and he wants to know what that was for.

Don and Mike wonder why Sting did what he did. We see highlights from the Last Man Standing Match as we wait for the cage to be erected. Don and Mike want to hear from Sting to explain his recent actions.

Booker is walking in the back with Sharmell as he gets ready to make his entrance. We see the same with Samoa Joe.

Match Number Seven: Samoa Joe versus Booker T with Sharmell in a Six Sides of Steel with Weapons Match
Joe throws his towel at Booker before the ring announcements can be made (starting at 10:39 according to my DVR).

The match starts (at 10:41) and the men circle each other. They lock up and Booker is sent into the cage. Joe with chops to Booker followed by an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Booker with a chops and punches to Joe followed by forearms. Booker grabs a kendo stick but Joe kicks Booker and connects with a head butt. Booker receives an elbow followed by an enzuigiri in the corner. Joe has a trash can and he snap mares Booker and puts a chair in his groin and Booker with a chop followed by a kick to the can and then a senton splash. Joe picks up the kendo stick and he hits Booker with the stick.

Joe with punches to Booker in the corner and then Booker Irish whips Joe into the corner followed by elbows in the corner. Booker hits Joe with the trash can and Joe goes down. Booker gets the hockey stick and he tries for a slap shot but he misses and Joe hits an enzuigiri. Joe has trash can lids and he gets ready to use them and he hits Booker from the side and then the back and front of the head for a two count. Joe gets a chair and he swings and misses but Booker hits a spinning heel kick into the chair. Booker hits Joe with the chair and Joe is bleeding from the forehead. Booker puts the lid on Joe’s head and he hits a leg drop. Booker uses one of the weapons to choke Joe. Booker climbs to the top of the cage and Joe joins him. Joe with jabs to the throat and then Joe with an Ace Cutter from the top turnbuckle. Joe with punches to Booker and then he sends Booker into the cage. Joe punches Booker in the head and then Joe tries to climb the cage but Booker pulls Joe off the cage and Booker gets a two count. Booker with a guillotine choke on Joe and Joe gets his foot on the rope and Booker releases the hold. Booker tosses the lid to Joe and Joe catches it but Booker with a super kick into the lid. Joe gets his hand on the rope.

Booker climbs the cage and Joe joins him on the top rope. Joe and Booker exchange punches and then Joe hits an enzuigiri on the top rope and Booker is crotched on the top rope. Joe with clotheslines to Booker followed by a power slam for a two count. Joe with the power bomb and then he puts Booker in the STF. Joe turns it into the Crippler Crossface. Booker gets his foot on the rope to break the hold. Joe grabs a chair and he puts it in the center of the ring. Joe puts a second chair on the pile. Joe puts Booker on the top and then he hits an enzuigiri. Booker fights off the muscle buster. Booker hits the Bookend onto the steel chairs and Booker gets a two count. Booker does the spinaroonie and then he hits the axe kick as the lights go out.

The lights go back on and Joe has a guitar and he hits Booker with it for the three count.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Don and Mike wonder what the deal is with the guitar as we go to credits.

 

Match Number Six: Kurt Angle versus A.J. Styles in a Last Man Standing Match
The match starts with Angle on the apron. Angle goes outside when Styles approaches him to get inside Styles’s head. Angle returns to the ring and then Styles goes after Angle but Angle returns to the floor. Angle goes outside one more time. Angle spits at Styles and Styles chases Angle. Angle returns to the ring first and he hits Styles and connects with a European uppercut. Angle with punches and kicks in the corner. Angle chokes Styles with his boot. Angle with a suplex to Styles for a one count. Angle with a reverse chin lock. Styles punches Angle and chops him. Styles punches Angle and kicks him in the corner. Angle with a rake of the eyes. Styles hits the phenomenal drop kick and then he clotheslines Angle over the top rope to the floor.

Styles hits the somersault plancha and he takes Angle down. Styles gets a two count on the floor. Styles slams Angle’s head into the apron and the guardrail. Styles with a kick to the chest and Angle returns to the ring and begs for mercy. Styles with a slam and then he connects with a knee drop and he gets a two count. Angle sends Styles out of the ring to the floor so he can recover from the beating he has taken. Angle goes outside and he sends Styles into the guardrail and then he hits a European uppercut. Angle sends Styles into the crowd and Styles with a forearm. Styles tries for a springboard DDT off the guardrail, but Angle catches him and he throws Styles into the rails and gets a two count. Angle slams A.J.’s head into the ring steps. Styles with punches and chops to Angle as they continue to battle on the floor. Angle goes towards the ramp and Styles follows him. Angle with a suplex attempt on the ramp, but Styles blocks it and he hits a suplex of his own for a two count.

They fight to the stage and Angle is barely staying on the stage. Styles with punches to Angle but Angle with a belly-to-back suplex to the floor and Angle with a somersault splash onto Styles. Angle can only get a two count. Angle brings Styles to the ring in a side head lock and then Angle slams Styles’s head into the announce table. They return to the ring and Angle kicks Styles in the ribs. Angle with a back breaker for a series of two counts. Angle with a reverse chin lock. Styles returns to his feet and then he backs Angle into the corner. Styles with an enzuigiri and a kick to the ribs. Styles with a chop. Angle misses a charge into the corner and Styles with another chop. Angel with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex throw. Angle with a slam for a two count and then he puts Styles in a side head lock. While Angle has Styles in a side head lock, Styles checks his wrist and arm. Styles with punches and chops to Angle and then he adds in some knees.

Angle and Styles each try for cross body blocks and both men go down. Styles blocks punches and he connects with one of his own. Styles with clotheslines. Angle sends Styles to the apron and Styles with a springboard shoulder tackle. Styles with a power bomb from the torture rack for a two count. Styles sets for the Styles Clash but Angle gets out of the hold and Angle puts Styles in the ankle lock. Styles gets out of the hold and then he hits a spinebuster on a charging Angle. Styles goes up top and Angle tries to suplex him from the buckles. Angle catches Styles as he comes off the turnbuckles and hits a power bomb. Angle gets a two count and then he tries for an Angle Clash but Styles blocks it and he puts Angle in an ankle lock. Styles grapevines the leg when Angle appears to be getting to the ropes. Angle taps out. The referee starts his count and Angle gets to his feet at nine. Angle sends Styles to the apron and then Styles punches Angle and he tries for the springboard moonsault into the DDT, but Angle moves out of the way and he hits a low blow. Angle with four German suplexes and the final one sends Styles to his chest. Angle gets a two count and then the straps come down. Angle sets for the Olympic Slam and Styles gets out of the hold and Styles hits the Pele kick and he gets a two count. Styles goes up and Angle punches Styles on the turnbuckles. Styles with elbows to knock Angle off. Angle climbs the turnbuckles and he hits a German suplex for a three count. The referee starts his count for A.J.

A.J. gets up and Angle hits the Olympic Slam for the three count. The referee starts the ten count again. Styles gets up again and Angle waits for Styles and Styles with the Styles Clash for the three count. The referee starts his count for Angle. Angle gets up just before the ten count. Styles with a running shoulder into the corner and he puts Angle on the top turnbuckle. Styles sets for a superplex but Angle tries to hit a belly-to-belly suplex from the top to the floor. Styles hits a DDT from the top turnbuckle. Styles gets the three count and then the referee starts his count for Angle. Angle is unable to get up after the ten count.

Winner: A.J. Styles

After the match, the medical staff checks on Angle and they have him in a neck brace. Styles comes to the ring and he hits a brainbuster on Angle and then he has words for Angle before finally leaving the ring.

The lights go out and when they come back on Sting has A.J. and he hits the Scorpion Death Drop on the ramp. Nash appears behind Sting after the attack and he wants to know what that was for.

Don and Mike wonder why Sting did what he did. We see highlights from the Last Man Standing Match as we wait for the cage to be erected. Don and Mike want to hear from Sting to explain his recent actions.

Booker is walking in the back with Sharmell as he gets ready to make his entrance. We see the same with Samoa Joe.

Match Number Seven: Samoa Joe versus Booker T with Sharmell in a Six Sides of Steel with Weapons Match
Joe throws his towel at Booker before the ring announcements can be made (starting at 10:39 according to my DVR).

The match starts (at 10:41) and the men circle each other. They lock up and Booker is sent into the cage. Joe with chops to Booker followed by an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Booker with a chops and punches to Joe followed by forearms. Booker grabs a kendo stick but Joe kicks Booker and connects with a head butt. Booker receives an elbow followed by an enzuigiri in the corner. Joe has a trash can and he snap mares Booker and puts a chair in his groin and Booker with a chop followed by a kick to the can and then a senton splash. Joe picks up the kendo stick and he hits Booker with the stick.

Joe with punches to Booker in the corner and then Booker Irish whips Joe into the corner followed by elbows in the corner. Booker hits Joe with the trash can and Joe goes down. Booker gets the hockey stick and he tries for a slap shot but he misses and Joe hits an enzuigiri. Joe has trash can lids and he gets ready to use them and he hits Booker from the side and then the back and front of the head for a two count. Joe gets a chair and he swings and misses but Booker hits a spinning heel kick into the chair. Booker hits Joe with the chair and Joe is bleeding from the forehead. Booker puts the lid on Joe’s head and he hits a leg drop. Booker uses one of the weapons to choke Joe. Booker climbs to the top of the cage and Joe joins him. Joe with jabs to the throat and then Joe with an Ace Cutter from the top turnbuckle. Joe with punches to Booker and then he sends Booker into the cage. Joe punches Booker in the head and then Joe tries to climb the cage but Booker pulls Joe off the cage and Booker gets a two count. Booker with a guillotine choke on Joe and Joe gets his foot on the rope and Booker releases the hold. Booker tosses the lid to Joe and Joe catches it but Booker with a super kick into the lid. Joe gets his hand on the rope.

Booker climbs the cage and Joe joins him on the top rope. Joe and Booker exchange punches and then Joe hits an enzuigiri on the top rope and Booker is crotched on the top rope. Joe with clotheslines to Booker followed by a power slam for a two count. Joe with the power bomb and then he puts Booker in the STF. Joe turns it into the Crippler Crossface. Booker gets his foot on the rope to break the hold. Joe grabs a chair and he puts it in the center of the ring. Joe puts a second chair on the pile. Joe puts Booker on the top and then he hits an enzuigiri. Booker fights off the muscle buster. Booker hits the Bookend onto the steel chairs and Booker gets a two count. Booker does the spinaroonie and then he hits the axe kick as the lights go out.

The lights go back on and Joe has a guitar and he hits Booker with it for the three count.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Don and Mike wonder what the deal is with the guitar as we go to credits.

2010 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Sacramento, California and your announcers are Jerry ‘I wonder if we can get anyone from The Expendables tonight’ Lawler and Michael ‘Happy 8/9/10’ Cole.

Bret Hart comes to the ring. He says that for the past two weeks, he has been back in Calgary training like an absolute lunatic getting ready for SummerSlam only to see everything fall apart. Bret says that he is a bit disappointed. One week ago, Edge and Chris Jericho decided to quit the team. Bret says that he put his reputation on the line three weeks ago to vouch to John Cena that Jericho and Edge would be good for the team. They know the big picture and how Neuxs’ momentum needed to be stopped. Bret says that he guesses he was wrong. Bret says that he wants Chris Jericho and Edge to come down and face him face to face to put the machine together.

Chris Jericho comes to the ring and he wants to be dazzled by Bret to be told why he is the best in the world. Bret tells Jericho that he doesn’t have time for that crap. He says that it is put up time. He says that it is time for Chris to be a man and step up to the plate and change things. Bret says that he put his reputation on the line to get Chris and Edge on the team. If they don’t join the team, Chris isn’t hurting the team, he is hurting himself. Bret says that Nexus doesn’t want anything to do with him and the superstars on Raw don’t want anything to do with him. If Nexus wins at SummerSlam, Jericho is only hurting himself. They will be outcasts, men without countries, and dogs without bones. Bret wants Chris to join the team and do the honorable thing. Bret wants a response and then he asks Chris if he is ready to disappoint all of his fans by breaking his word.

Chris tells Bret that he said some things that really made him think. Jericho says that his answer is . . . still no. Jericho says that he had Bret figured out years ago. He calls Bret a hypocrite and a phony. Bret is only concerned about getting the worst beating of his career at the hands of him and Edge. He is worried about being speared and being forced to submit to the Walls of Jericho. He says that Bret is desperate and scared. Chris says that Bret knows that they can’t win at SummerSlam without him and Edge. Chris says that they cannot be replaced by anyone in the business. He says that Bret Hart is screwed one more time. Jericho says that he was not interested in teaming with John Cena or Bret Hart. He is only worried about dismantling the mighty Bret Hart right here.

Edge’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Edge wants to know what is wrong with Chris. Edge points out that he is talking to Bret Hart. They grew up idolizing them. Edge says that Bret is the reason why they got into the business. Edge says that Jericho trained in his father’s dungeon while Edge had Bret’s poster on his wall. Edge says that he shoveled driveways to get enough money to go to Maple Leaf Gardens with the hope of having Bret put his sunglasses on him. Edge says that he is in.

Edge tries to kick Bret but Bret blocks it and tries for a Sharpshooter but Jericho stops Bret and hits him with a thumb to the eye.

Natalya goes to the ring to check on her uncle. She wants Bret to help her.

We see Tyson Kidd being attacked by Nexus in the back. We also see that David Hart Smith is down. Barrett kicks Smith in the head.

Barrett says that it is a rough day for Bret since the Hart Dynasty won’t be their replacements. Bret and Natalya run to the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and the medical staff is checking on Kidd. Bret gets a chair and he says that he is going to take things into his own hands. John Cena stops Bret from doing anything crazy. He tells Bret to calm down. He says that if Bret walks out the door, they are going to pick them off one by one. Cena says that he is going to go to the Great Khali and he tells Bret to check on his family.

Match Number One: The Miz versus Evan Bourne

They lock up and Miz with a knee to the midsection and a punch. Bourne with kicks to the leg but Miz with a boot to the head. Miz with a kick to the head and an elbow to the chest. Miz chokes Bourne in the ropes and then he hits a splash to the back of the head and then gets a near fall. Miz with a kick to Bourne. Miz with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Bourne with kicks but Miz drops Bourne on his head when he sidesteps a leaping kick. Miz sets for the clothesline into the corner and he hits it. Bourne with a rear chin lock but Bourne gets back to his feet.

Bourne with a kick but Miz with a knee. Miz tries for a suplex but Bourne counters it with knees to the head. Bourne with a series of kicks and leaping kicks to the midsection. Bourne with a double jump rana for a near fall. Miz with a clothesline to stop Bourne’s momentum. Miz waits for Bourne to get up and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.

Winner: The Miz

After the match, Miz says that he doesn’t care if Sheamus or Randy Orton wins the title on Sunday. When he is ready to cash in his contract, he will be the WWE Champion. Miz tells us that the is the Miz and he is AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOME.

John Cena is in the back talking to Great Khali, but without Runjin Singh, can Khali understand what Cena is saying?

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look back at last week’s Six Diva Tag match and the return of Melina.

Match Number Two: Melina versus Alicia Fox

Alicia runs Melina into the corner and she connects with a forearm. Alicia tosses Melina by the hair and then she kicks Melina in the ribs. Melina with a shoulder and then she slides back in and hits a back breaker on Alicia. Melina gets a near fall and then she connects with forearms. Melina with a matrix followed by an elbow and a snap mare DDT. Melina with a flying clothesline and then she kicks Alicia to the floor. Melina goes to the floor but Alicia hits her with a clothesline. They return to the ring and Alicia tries for a near fall. Alicia picks Melina up by the hair and sends her back to the mat. Alicia with a forearm followed by a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Alicia with a rear chin lock on Melina and then drives a knee into the back. Melina with punches but Alicia with a forearm. Alicia with a back breaker on Melina and then turns it into a Gory Special. Melina screams and that means it is time for the Code Red and the three count.

Winner: Melina

We go to the interview area and Josh is with Khali but there is no Runjin Singh. Josh asks Khali what team he is loyal to. Khali says WWE. Khali takes the mic and he starts to speak in Hindi and nobody has any idea what he is saying. Khali says that he wants to face Wade Barrett tonight.

We go to commercial.

We are back and during the commercial break, the general manager told Michael Cole that we will have a Divas Title match at SummerSlam between Melina and Alicia Fox.

We also get confirmation that Great Khali will face Wade Barrett tonight.

We are going to have a Divas Summertime Spectacular with the Bella, Eve, Gail Kim, Jillian, and Maryse.

We will also see Sheamus call out Randy Orton.

Edge and Jericho are in the back and Edge wants to know where Bret gets off trying to put him in the Sharpshooter. Jericho says that Bret could be right. If Nexus wins and they take over Raw, they will be ostracized. Jericho says that they might have bitten off more than they could chew. Steve Austin, the Rock, Undertaker, DX, Mr. McMahon, the Alliance. You mention those names and they all have in common that Edge and Jericho have outlasted them. Jericho says that they are architects and generals. If they take out Cena and Hart at SummerSlam, they are in the clear because there won’t be a match.

John Morrison and R Truth are in the back and Morrison says that they have to hold up their part. Truth and Morrison say that they are looking for replacements. Mark Henry says that if they are looking for replacements, they don’t need two. Mark says that this match will be his audition.

Nexus is in their gold dressing room looking at the monitor. Wade gives them the look and the other six leave as we go to commercial.

We are back and Did You Know that WWE has more Facebook fans than the Big Four Sports?

Match Number Three: Ted DiBiase with Maryse versus Mark Henry

Before the match starts, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel are on the steps to prevent Henry’s entrance into the ring. The other four attack Henry and then Gabriel and Slater join in. They send Henry into the ring steps. Nexus go through the crowd.

The medical staff checks on Henry at ringside.

Sheamus is walking in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: Randy Orton versus Miz from last week and Sheamus teasing interference.

Sheamus comes to the ring . . . fella.

We see Mark Henry helped to the back as Sheamus passes him.

Sheamus says that after Raw went off the air last week, the WWE Universe was certain that he was afraid to get in the ring with Randy Orton. It was true. He was afraid of what he would do to Randy Orton. Sheamus says that he hurts people and that is why he is the WWE Champion. If there is anyone who doubts him and thinks that Randy Orton is going to swoop in and take his title at SummerSlam, he advises that you watch the following.

We have a video package of the devastation that Sheamus has caused in WWE.

Sheamus asks how many people think that he is afraid of Randy Orton now. He is afraid of no one in the WWE. He says that he has ended careers in this ring. He wants Randy Orton to come out so he can tell him face to face . . .

Orton jumps the gun and he slithers to the ring as only a viper can. Sheamus says that he is surprised that he accepted his invitation.

Orton says that he thinks Sheamus is capable of hurting people, but Sheamus saying that he didn’t come into the ring last week because he was afraid of what he would do to Orton, he is full of it.

Sheamus tells Orton that everyone takes him seriously . . . fella. Orton tells Sheamus that he had the opportunity last week and he blew it, just like he will on Sunday.

The crowd chants for an RKO. Orton says that you can show all of the footage that you want, but the fact remains the same . . . Sheamus never beat him and he never will.

Sheamus says that they are wrong. He says that Triple H and John Cena looked him in the eye. Orton interrupts and he says that he is not Triple H and he is not John Cena. Sheamus tells Orton that he isn’t the WWE Champion and he won’t be after SummerSlam. Sheamus says that after Sunday, that will be it and he will go to the back of the line like John Cena.

Orton says that he will beat Sheamus on Sunday at SummerSlam. Orton says that Sheamus has never beaten him and he will never beat him. If Sheamus wants to redeem himself for what he didn’t do last week, he tells Sheamus to do something about it.

Sheamus and Orton stare each other down and . . .

We’ve got mail. Cole tells us that Sheamus’ title matches in the past have been marred with outside interference. If anyone interferes on Sunday, they will be suspended indefinitely. If Orton loses at SummerSlam, there will be no rematch and he will go to the back of the line. If Sheamus is not scared, then he encourages Sheamus to do something about it right now.

Sheamus backs away from Orton and he teases a punch before getting ready to leave the ring again. Orton attacks Sheamus from behind and Sheamus with a double sledge. Sheamus misses the pump kick and Orton with a back breaker. Orton stands over Sheamus and then he backs up for a field goal attempt. Orton stops short and Sheamus backs into the corner with a scared look on his face. Orton leaves the ring and has the title belt in his hand.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Sheamus is at ringside.

Match Number Three: Percy Watson, Lucky Cannon, and Kaval versus Michael McGillicutty, Alex Riley, and Husky Harris

Michael and Percy start things off and Michael with a side ehad lock and shoulder tackle. Percy with a flying back elbow for a near fall. Watson with an arm bar but Michael with an arm drag. Michael with a leap frog and drop kick for a near fall. Riley tags in and he punches Watson and kicks him in the corner. Riley with a near fall on Watson and then he puts Watson in an arm bar with chin lock. Watson with punches but Riley with a knee. Watson with an enzuigiri and he tags in Kaval and he hits a running elbow and kicks. Kaval gets sent to the apron but he puts Riley in a Dragon Sleeper in the ropes and he has to release the hold. Kaval with a springboard kick and he gets a near fall that is broken up by Michael. Lucky takes care of Michael and hits a pescado. Kaval goes to the apron and Husky makes the blind tag. Kaval with a sunset flip and double stomp. Harris with a clothesline to the back of the head followed by a back senton for the three count.

Winners: Husky Harris, Michael McGillicutty, and Alex Riley

After the match, Sheamus hits Riley with the pump kick and then he sends McGillicutty into the ringside barrier. Sheamus goes into the ring and he hits the Celtic Cross. Sheamus gets the mic. He says to everyone, especially the fans that he will be the WWE Champion next week.

R Truth and John Morrison walk in the back as we go to commercial.

Match Number Four: R Truth and John Morrison versus William Regal and Zack Ryder

Truth and Regal start things off and Regal kicks Truth. Ryder tags in and hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Ryder with a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock. Ryder sends Truth into the corner and then misses the running boot in the corner and both men are down. Morrison tags in and hits a clothesline and drop kick followed by a leg lariat followed by a Flux Capacitor for a near fall. Regal and Truth get into the ring. Morrison with a kick and he sends Ryder into the turnbuckles and hits the springboard spin kick. Morrison with the corkscrew split legged moonsault for the three count.

Winners: John Morrison and R Truth

It is time to run through the card for SummerSlam.

The Bellas are walking through the back for their match and we go to commercial.

Match Number Five: Bellas versus Eve and Gail Kim versus Maryse and Jillian Hall in a Divas Summertime Spectacular Match

Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov are the guest referees.

Maryse and Eve start off and Maryse puts a hat in her face. Eve with a Thesz Press and she slams Maryse’s head into the mat. Brie tag in and she connects with forearms to Maryse. Maryse with a slap and Jillian holds Brie with the towel. Maryse punches Brie and Jillian tags in. Brie is tossed across the ring by Jillian and Jillian with a surfboard. Brie with a mare to get out of the hold and Nikki tags in with a clothesline and drop kick. Nikki with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and drop kick for a near fall but Eve breaks things up. Eve with a swinging neck breaker to Nikkie. Gail puts an inner tube over Maryse and hits Eat Defeat. Jillian knocks Eve out of the ring and then she sends Gail onto Eve. Brie with a bulldog to Jillian and Nikki with a cross body for the three count.

Winners: The Bellas

After the match, Tamina comes to the ring in her swimwear and Santino tries to leave. Tamina slaps Santino on his rear end and he leaves the ring with a smile on his face.

It is time for the SummerSlam Recall: Big Bossman versus The Mountie from 1991.

Great Khali is walking in the back as we go to . . . a sneak attack from Nexus. They clip Khali and then the other six guys continue the attack. A referee calls for medical attention for Khali.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we see the attack on Great Khali moments ago.

The Nexus are in the ring and Wade Barrett has the mic. He says that his match with Great Khali has been cancelled. On Sunday, a new chapter in the history of the WWE is going to be written by the Nexus. The balance of power on Raw is going to shift dramatically and permanently. They will beat Team WWE and they will have achieved more than anyone ever could have imagined.

Skip says that Raw has been become their show. Bret Hart will join Ricky Steamboat and Mr. McMahon as their victims. He tells R Truth, John Morrison, and John Cena that they will beat them physically and mentally so they will never recover.

Otunga says that if anyone is thinking of joining Team WWE, think about what they did to the Hart Dynasty, Mark Henry, and the Great Khali. Otunga tells them to think if they want to be next.

John Cena and Bret Hart are walking in the back and the Miz stops them. Miz says that Cena’s team is in trouble. Two members quit, three potential members got injured, and one got Nancy Kerriganed. Miz says that it was a matter of time before he asked Mr. Money in the Bank to be a part of the team. He wants Bret to ask him to join the team to save Raw. Bret asks Miz and then Miz says that he wants to hear it from both of them. Cena asks Miz and Miz thinks about it. He says that times have changed in a year. Miz thinks about it a little more. He says that he will let Cena know on Sunday.

Cena and Bret talk about having to use him and Cena says that it has come down to using him.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Justin Long is the Guest Host next week.

Match Number Six: John Cena and Bret Hart versus Edge and Chris Jericho in a Nexus are the Lumberjacks Match

Cena and Edge start off and Edge kicks Cena. Cena with a bulldog and Hart with a punch from the apron. Cena with a side head lock take down. Edge with a forearm to the back and Cena is thrown to the floor and they attack Cena before rolling him back in. Edge with a kick to the back. Jericho tags in and he throws Cena to the floor for some more Nexus battery.

Jericho picks Cena up and throws him outside the ring one more time. The attack on John Cena continues while Jericho and Edge celebrate on the apron. Slater with a punch to Cena before he gets rolled back into the ring. Cena reverses things and throws Jericho to the floor. Jericho cowers but then sees that Nexus are not going to do anything to him. Jericho returns to the ring and Edge watches in shock. Cena tries for Attitude Adjustment but Jericho escapes and tries for the Walls of Jericho but Cena gets out of the hold.

Cena goes to the floor and he punches Barrett. Jericho goes after Cena but Cena moves and Jericho knocks Barrett off the apron. Jericho is sent to the floor and Jericho yells at Barrett and Nexus attacks Jericho. Edge joins in the brawl on the floor.

Bret brings Gabriel into the ring and punches him. Barrett pulls Gabriel out of the ring. The lumberjacks discuss strategy.

Cena and Hart stand in the ring and Nexus get on the apron.

R Truth and John Morrison enter the ring. Edge walks to the back along with Jericho as we have a seven on four situation in the ring.

No Contest

Edge and Jericho look at each other and they start to walk to the back but then they stop and go to the ring to join Cena and his cohorts. We have a seven on six situation.

We have mayhem in the ring as Barrett and Sheffield leave the ring along with the other members of Nexus since their plan got ruined.

Team WWE returns to the ring as we see Nexus in the crowd looking down on the ring.

We go to credits.

 

2011 - Stan Hansen's official autobiography was released by Crowbar Press.

2011 - Mike Pavone, the Executive Vice President of WWE Studios, left the company.  There was no public reason given yet for the departure nor was there any word as to whether Pavone's exit meant WWE was changing their film strategy going forward but it was believed the poor performance of "That's What I Am" and the overall quality of "The Reunion" which had yet to be released at that point, were major factors.

The week before during a teleconference with WWE stockholders, Vince McMahon discussed the Studios division of the company, noting that while Randy Orton vehicle "That's What I Am" was an award winning movie, it didn't matter since it lost $3.3 million. McMahon noted some planned changes for the Studios, stating they would adjust the genre of the movie division to fit what WWE audiences expect of their performers. McMahon said, " That's What I Am" was a great movie, but it didn't appeal to our audience." He also noted they were going to lower their production budgets.

2012 - Lifetime announced former WWE star Stacy Keibler would be hosting their series "Supermarket Superstars."

2012 - WWE released Abraham Washington.

2013 - Ring of Honor broadcast ROH TV.  Richard Trionfo filed the following report:

We are in Providence, Rhode Island and your announcers are Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness.

We take a look back to the July 13th episode of television when Mike Bennett attacked Cheeseburger and Bob Evans pulled Bennett off of him. Maria told Mike something and Bob falls victim to the Box Office Smash.

 

Match Number One: Bob Evans versus Michael Bennett (with Maria Kanellis)

 

Michael with a super kick before the bell when Bob had something to say to Maria. Bob rolls to the floor and Bennett with a clothesline off the apron. Bennett with an Irish whip into the guardrails. Bennett with a running kick to the head.

Bennett with another Irish whip into the guardrails followed by a kick. Bennett pulls up the mats at ringside and Bennett sets for a powerbomb on the floor but Evans with a back body drop. Evans with an Irish whip into the guardrails a few times. Bennett with a boot when Evans charges at him. Evans with a back drop onto the apron followed by a series of clotheslines.

They return to the ring and Bennett with a running back splash into the corner. Bennett is put on the turnbuckles and Evans with punches and a forearm to Bennett.

Bennett with an Irish whip but Bennett is sent to the apron. Evans with a kick and then Bennett with a drop kick from the floor to Evans who was hanging in the ropes. Bennett with boots to Evans. Bennett with a back elbow as he continues to take control of the match. Bennett with a super kick (after one that we missed due to focusing on the announce table). Evans blocks a third attempt and Bennett with a choke slam. Bennett with a shoulder tackle for a near fall.

Evans goes up top but misses a leg drop. Bennett with the Box Office Smash followed by a TKO for the three count.

 

Winner: Michael Bennett

 

After the match, Maria joins Bennett in the ring and Bennett takes the contract. Bennett is about to sign it and he puts it on top of Evans. From out of nowhere, Cheeseburger tries for a missile drop kick and Bennett swats him aside. Bennett with a piledriver to Cheeseburger.

Nigel gets in Michael’s face when Bennett leaves the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Maria joins Kevin at the announce table to replace Nigel for this match.

 

Match Number Two: Bonesaw Brook versus MsChif

 

MsChif with a punch to the midsection and she follows with knees to the midsection. MsChif with more knees and she sends Brook into the ring post. MsChif with a single leg crab in the turnbuckles. MsChif with forearms followed by a running knee to the head. MsChif gets a near fall. MsChif puts Brook in a Muta Lock and Brook gets to the ropes.

Brook with a shoulder and a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Brook with a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Brook with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner but she misses a second one. Brook with a shoulder in the corner followed by forearms.

Brook misses a boot in the corner and MsChif with forearms and then she puts Brook in the ropes and MsChif with a head butt and Obliteration for the three count.

 

Winner: MsChif

 

We go to commercial.

We are back with this week’s episode of Inside Ring of Honor.

This week’s topics are the World Title Tournament, the Tag Team situation, and next week’s milestone.

 

Silas Young is in the Title Tournament after winning last week. Silas says that all 16 men are vying for the chance to be the World Champion. He sees a bunch of boys trying to be men. He sees a bunch of boys trying to be Silas Young. One by one, they are all going to fall by the wayside. Whether you love him or hate him, when it is all said and done, he will not be called the Last Real Man in Wrestling, but the World Champion.

 

Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards are not in the tournament. We found out last week on television that Davey and Eddie are looking to regain the World Tag Titles.

We are reminded that we have new tag team champions after Romero and Koslov defeated Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly.

What will happen when the American Wolves get their shot at the titles?

 

Next week is the 100th episode of Ring of Honor Television. Roderick Strong and Jay Lethal will look back at some of the best matches from Ring of Honor Television.

We go to commercial.

 

Match Number Three: Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, and BJ Whitmer versus Michael Elgin, Kevin Steen, and Tommaso Ciampa

 

Before the match, we get the Code of Honor but Davey takes it a step further by hugging Steen.

Whitmer and Ciampa start things off for their respective teams. They lock up and Whitmer with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Ciampa with an arm drag but Whitmer with an arm drag and they return to their feet and a stalemate. Edwards tags in and so does Steen. They lock up and Steen backs Edwards into the corner and Steen with a break of honor because he is no longer affiliated with SCUM.

Steen and Edwards discuss the chants for Eddie before locking up again. Edwards with a clean break. They lock up again and Edwards with a clean break but Steen pushes Edwards and Edwards chops Steen. Elgin tags in and Steen falls to the floor in pain over the chop.

They lock up and Edwards with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Elgin stays on his feet. Edwards with another shoulder tackle and Elgin stays on his feet. Edwards with chops to Elgin but Elgin with a back elbow. Edwards with a chop and Elgin with a shoulder tackle.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Elgin has Richards up for a delayed vertical suplex and after minutes of guardrail banging from the crowd, he sends Richards to the mat. Whitmer with a kick to Elgin and Ciampa kicks Whitmer and Ciampa gets Whitmer up for a delayed vertical suplex of his own and he sends Whitmer to the mat. Edwards kicks Ciampa and Steen gets Edwards set for a suplex but Eddie with a suplex of his own.

Elgin and Richards resume the action and Elgin with an Irish whip but Richards moves out of the corner and Edwards tags in and he chops Elgin. Edwards with an Irish whip and forearm into he corner followed by a suplex and he gets a near fall. Edwards with a head butt and forearms. Elgin with forearms of his own.

Elgin with an enzuigiri and Edwards is down. Elgin sends Edwards to the apron and Elgin prepares for the delayed superplex standing on the middle ropes but Richards stops Elgin with an enzuigiri. Richards with a boot to Steen’s head on the apron. Richards with a sunset flip power bomb and Edwards with a kick for a near fall. Elgin with a boot and then Elgin with a forearm to Richards and he gets Davey on his shoulders.

He picks up Edwards and hits a combination fallaway slam and Samoan Drop on the Wolves. Whitmer and Steen tag in and Steen with chops. Whitmer with a kick but Steen with a pop up power bomb for a near fall and then he tries for a Sharpshooter but Edwards comes in. Steen hits a Codebreaker on Edwards at the same time he hits a back senton splash on Whitmer. Steen pulls Whitmer into position and Steen goes up top and he goes for the senton but Whitmer gets his knees up.

Richards tags in and Elgin sends Richards to the apron but Edwards comes in and they hit stereo kicks to Steen’s head. Eddie with a belly-to-back Falcon Arrow and Richards goes up top for a missile drop kick for a near fall.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Ciampa with forearms to Richards in the corner. Richards with kicks to the chest of Ciampa. Ciampa with an Irish whip but Ciampa misses a forearm in the corner. Richards with a running kick to the chest and he tags in Edwards. Edwards with chops. Edwards with Kobashi chops to Ciampa. Edwards with an Irish whip but Ciampa with a boot. Edwards with an enzuigiri to Ciampa on the turnbuckles.

Ciampa escapes the backpack stunner and Edwards with a forearm. Ciampa with a forearm. Edwards with the Maple Leaf and Elgin with a boot to the head but Edwards holds on. Elgin tries for another kick but Richards cuts him off and he rolls through to put Elgin in the ankle lock. Edwards turns the single leg crab into the Achilles Lock. Steen and Whitmer come in and Whitmer with a Flatline and he applies a modified Koji Clutch. Steen turns it into a Sharpshooter while Ciampa turns things into a Crossface. Elgin has Richards in the Crossface as well.

Richards and Edwards roll Ciampa and Elgin to get a near fall but Steen breaks up the cover on Elgin even though Ciampa was the legal man. Elgin and Whitmer try for clotheslines and neither men go down. Elgin with a Mick Foley clothesline to Whitmer and they go to the floor.

Richards with a Mick Foley clothesline to Steen and that leaves Edwards and Ciampa in the ring. They go face to face and Edwards with a chop. Ciampa with a slap and Eddie responds. They go to a slap fight and Edwards with a boot to the head. Ciampa with a boot to the head. Edwards with a super kick but Ciampa with a lariat that flips Edwards.

Whitmer comes in and he chops Ciampa. Ciampa chops back. They go back and forth and Ciampa gains control. Whitmer with a power slam and then he hits rolling fisherman’s suplexes on Ciampa while Edwards and Richards take care of Elgin and Steen. Whitmer gets a near fall.

Ciampa with a jaw breaker and then The Wolves hit the Alarm Clock on Ciampa. Edwards with a super kick and then Whitmer hits a Saito Suplex on Ciampa. Whitmer gets a near fall and then Davey with a double stomp but Elgin breaks up the cover.

Richards tags in and he kicks Ciampa in the chest. Ciampa gets back to his feet and Richards continues to kick him. Ciampa blocks the kick and Ciampa with a knee and forearm to the head. Richards tries for Alarm Clock again but Ciampa blocks it and he connects with a knee to Richards. Ciampa hits a Schwein on Richards and Elgin and Steen go after Whitmer and Edwards while Ciampa gets a near fall.

Elgin sets for a buckle bomb and he hits it on Richards. Ciampa with a running knee to the head and then Steen hits a Cannonball. Ciampa gets a near fall when Edwards breaks up the cover. Steen with a forearm to Edwards but Edwards with a boot to Steen. Steen with a sidewinder suplex to Edwards but Whitmer with a boot to Steen.

Whitmer blocks a suplex from Ciampa. Ciampa blocks a suplex attempt from Whitmer. They both go over the top rope to the floor on a suplex. Elgin tags in and he goes face to face with Richards. Elgin with a kick and he tries for a buckle bomb but Richards blocks it. Edwards comes in and Elgin gets him on his shoulders. Edwards with a sunset flip but Elgin rolls through and power bombs Edwards to the floor from the ring.

Richards backs into Elgin and they go back and forth with forearms. Richards with a super kick and German suplex but Elgin pops up. Richards goes for the cross arm breaker but Elgin avoids Richards from locking it in. Elgin gets Richards up for a tombstone piledriver and he runs Richards into the turnbuckles. Richards reverses and Edwards kicks Elgin in the head before Richards hits the tombstone and Elgin kicks out.

Richards with the ankle lock while the other four men fight on the floor. Elgin gets to the turnbuckles and Elgin with an enzuigiri. Elgin with a back fist followed by a buckle bomb. Richards with a round kick but Elgin with a spinning back fist. Richards with a sunset flip to counter a buckle bomb. Richards with a back heel kick but Elgin with a short arm clothesline followed by a spinning sit out power bomb for the three count.

 

Winners: Michael Elgin, Tommaso Ciampa, and Kevin Steen

 

We go to credits.

2014 -  The Rock posted the following on his Twitter account.

"My mom & cousin @linafanene were struck head on by a drunk driver this week - they lived. First reaction is to find the person who did this and do unrelenting harm to them. But then you realize the most important thing is my family lived thru this and we can hug each other that much tighter these days. Hug your own family tighter today and be grateful you can tell them you love them. #BearHugsAndGratitude #100PercentPreventable #ChoicesMatter"

Fanene would later go on to debut as Nia Jax.

 

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