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September 23
On this day in history in ....
1949 - Bruce Springsteen was born. Had he not been, Dave Scherer would have never become the man that he did and would have never started this website.
1961 - Dick The Bruiser defeated Verne Gagne to win the United States championship in a Best of Three Falls bout that headlined a Cobo Hall event in Detroit, Michigan promoted by Johnny Doyle & Jim Barnett.
1963 - WWWF ran Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena, drawing 6,253 fans to witness:
-Duke Hoffman defeated Tony Simon at 17:12.
-Johnny DeFazio defeated Chet Wallick via disqualification at 13:00.
-The Shadow defeated Ace Freeman at 10:41.
-Gorilla Monsoon defeated Arnold Skaaland at 3:21.
-Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon defeated the Fabulous Kangaroos.
-Eduard Carpentier defeated Baron Gattoni at 10:39.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Crusher in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1: Crusher pinned Sammartino following a bodyslam at 11:00; fall #2: Sammartino defeated the Crusher via submission with the backbreaker at 5:51; fall #3: Sammartino won via disqualification at 7:29 when the Crusher began choking the champion.
1964 - Pacific Alliance Champion Fred Blassie defeated WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino via referee's decision after Sammartino suffered an eye injury in Baltimore, MD.
1966 - WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Destroyer in Sydney, Australia.
1967 - WWWF ran Baltimore, MD at the Civic Center featuring:
-Sammy Rubin defeated Lou Albano.
-Bette Boucher & the Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable & Doris Ponds.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Smasher Sloan.
-Miguel Perez defeated Guillotine Gordon.
-Spiros Arion fought Hans Mortier to a draw.
-Eduard Carpentier defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino fought Gorilla Monsoon to a no contest.
1968 - Nick Kozack defeats Johnny Valentine in Orlando, Florida for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title, ending Valentine's third title reign.
1968 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Rocky Fitzpatrick with a backbreaker in the main event of a card at Madison Square Garden. Fitzpatrick is also known as Bob Orton Sr., grandfather of current WWE star Randy Orton.
The remainder of the card saw the following results:
-Spiros Arion defeated Virgil the Kentucky Butcher.
-Victor Rivera defeated George Steele.
-Gorilla Monsoon fought Bobo Brazil to a no contest.
1968 - A live event in El Paso, Texas at The Coliseum featured the following results:
-NWA World champion Gene Kiniski beat Nick Bockwinkel in a Best of Three Falls bout.
-Ricky Romero fought Pat Patterson to a no contest in the third and deciding fall of a Best of Three Falls bout.
-The Infernos beat Lou Thesz & Dory Funk Sr.
-Princess White Dove beat Kay Noble.
1970 - Championship Wrestling from Florida ran Miami Beach at the Auditorium, featuring:
-In a Brass Knuckles Match with Special Referee Louie Tillet, Jose Lothario beat The Great Mephisto.
-Florida Tag Team Champions Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes beat Argentine Apollo & Big Jake The Kentuckian.
-Sandy Parker & Sherri Lee beat Barbara Owens & Kathy O'Day.
-Dale Lewis beat Dick Steinborn.
-Ronnie Garvin beat Joe Flaherty.
-In a Judo Jacket Match, Hiro Matsuda beat Mr. Saito.
-Roy Welch beat Flash Monroe.
1971 - A live event in Toledo, Ohio at the Sports Arena featured the following results:
-The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent) defeated Mitsu Arakawa & Yoshino Sato in 16:20.
-Chris Tolos defeated the Stomper (Guy Mitchell aka Jerry Valiant) in 8:17 via countout.
-Fred Curry defeated the Medic (a substitute for Ernie Ladd) in 4:30.
-Killer Tim Brooks fought Big Jess Ortega to a draw.
-Dingo the Sundowner (Les Roberts) defeated Irish Mickey Doyle in 9 minutes.
1971 - Dusty Rhodes fought Dale Lewis to a time limit draw in the main event of an event in New Orleans, LA.
1971 - An event in Bakersfield, CA at Strelich Stadium featured:
-Mil Mascaras beat Kinji Shibuya via DQ.
-El Sicodelico beat Black Gordman.
-El Olympico beat Great Goliath.
-Al Steele drew Bengali.
1971 - A Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling event in Greenwood, SC at the Legion Stadium featured the following results:
-Atlantic Coast Tag Team Champions George Becker & Johnny Weaver beat Rock Hunter & Pampero Firpo.
-Argentina Apollo beat Missouri Mauler.
-Tommy Seigler (sub Angelo Martinelli) beat El Gaucho.
-Johnny Heidman beat Bill Bowman.
-Tommy Seigler beat Joe Turner.
1971 - A Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling event in Norfolk, VA at the Arena featured the following results:
-Jerry Brisco & Sandy Scott & Luther Lindsay beat Gene Anderson & Art Nelson & Brute Bernard in a Best of Three Falls Bout, 2 Falls to 1.
-Joe Soto fought Jesse James to a draw.
-Bob Griffin beat Nikita Mulkovich.
-Frank Morrell beat George Grant.
1971- A live event in Salem, Oregon featured the following results:
-Lord Jonathan Boyd beat Dutch Savage.
-Kurt Von Steiger & Karl Von Steiger beat Len Shelly & Eric Froelich.
-Beauregard beat Chuck Karbo via DQ.
-Norman Frederick Charles III beat Bobby Nichols.
1972 - The WWA ran Hammond, Indiana at the Civic Center with the following results:
-Wilbur Snyder & Bobby Bold Eagle & Billy Red Cloud defeated Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan & Baron Von Raschke.
- Sailor Art Thomas defeated Bobby Heenan.
- Moose Cholak defeated Red Dupree.
- Jose Martinez fought Johnny Kace to a draw.
1972 - WWWF ran Springfield, MA with the following results:
-Chief Jay Strongbow defeated the Spoiler (Don Jardine).
- Joe Crugnale defeated Tomas Marin.
- Arnold Skaaland defeated Joe Turco.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated the Blue Demon.
- Sonny King defeated Chuck O'Connor (the future Big John Studd)
1972 - A Roy Shires promoted event in San Francisco, CA featured the following results:
-Luke Graham defeated Beauregard.
-Samoans (Reno Tuufuli and Tio Taylor) defeated Ripper Collins and Jack Bence.
-In a midget tag, Great Mephisto & Sky Low Low & Little Brutus defeated Pepper Martin & Farmer Jerome & The Haiti Kid
-Ray Stevens defeated Superstar Graham.
-Pat Patterson and Rocky Johnson defeated Lars Anderson and Paul DeMarco, 2 falls to 1, to win the NWA World Tag Team Titles (San Francisco version)
1972 - An event in Chattanooga TN featured:
-Pepe Lopez fought Sam Bass to a time limit draw.
-Ken Lucas and Ox the Ripper defeated The Medics.
-Roy Lee Welch and Frankie Laine defeated Frank Martinez and Jack Donovan.
-Len Rossi, Joey Rossi and Kevin Sullivan defeated Jim White, Jerry Lawler and George Hultz.
1972 - Championship Wrestling from Florida ran Sarasota featuring the following:
-Mike Graham defeated Phil Robley.
-Robert Fuller and Jimmy Golden defeated Mike Webster and Redbeard.
-Bob Orton fought Hiro Matsuda to a time limit draw.
-Johnny Walker defeated Buddy Colt by countout.
-Bobby Shane defeated Eddie Graham by disqualification.
-Florida Heavyweight champion Robert Fuller defeated Paul Jones by DQ.
-Tim Woods defeated Dick Murdoch.
1972 - A live event in Carrollton, GA featured the following results:
-George Grant defeated Cisco Grimaldo.
-Jesse James defeated Dick Shannon.
-Koa Tiki defeated Juan Caruso.
-Joe Turner and Bill Bowman defeated Man Mountain Mike and Dick Steinborn.
-Oki Shikina vs. Roberto Soto ended in a double disqualification.
1972 - Stampede Wrestling ran Calgary, Alberta featuring the following results:
-Lenny Hurst and Dan Kroffat defeated Tor Kamata and Sugi Sito.
-George Gordienko defeated Beautiful Brutus.
-Kendo Nagasaki defeated Geoff Portz to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight championship.
1974 - Championship Wrestling from Florida ran Orlando at The Sports Stadium featuring:
-NWA World Champion Jack Brisco beat Bill Watts.
-Bob Armstrong (substituting for Ron Fuller) & Tony Charles beat The Hollywood Blondes, Buddy Roberts & Jerry Brown.
-Bob Armstrong beat Greg Valentine.
-Jerry Brisco beat Dick Slater.
-Dennis Stamp beat Frank Monte.
-Mike Pappas beat George McCreary.
1975 - A Fritz Von Erich promoted event in Dallas, Texas featured the following results:
-Jose Lothario beat Superstar Billy Graham to win Texas Brass Knuckles title.
-Al Madril beat Dory Funk Jr. by DQ/
-Red Bastien beat Hans Schroeder.
-Geoff Portz beat El Gran Markus.
-Rick Martel beat Steve Strong.
1977 - Andre The Giant defeated Gorilla Monsoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Roberto Clemente Stadium. However, this wasn't a wrestling match, with was a boxing match, with Jersey Joe Walcott as the special referee. The match is available on the WWF's Andre The Giant DVD.
1977 - Southeastern Championship Wrestling ran Knoxville, TN featuring the following results:
-Ricky Gibson (substituting for Jerry Lawler) fought to a no contest with The Mongolian Stomper.
-Bob Armstrong beat Don Carson by DQ.
-Bob Orton, Jr. & Mr. Knoxville beat Jos Leduc & Ron Fuller by DQ.
-Robert Fuller beat Al Costello.
-Roy Lee Welch draw The Pro.
-Tony Charles beat The Bounty Hunter.
1979 - WWWF ran Wheeling, WV at the Civic Center with the following results:
-Nick Busick defeated Jojo Andrews.
-Johnny Valiant defeated Dominic DeNucci via countout.
-Ivan Putski fought WWF Intercontinental champion Pat Patterson to a no contest.
-Jim Grabmire defeated Ronnie Lee.
-Johnny DeFazio defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification.
1979 - An event promoted by the Tunney Family in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at The Maple Leaf Gardens featured the following results:
-Canadian Champion Dewey Robertson beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel in a non-title match.
-U.S. champion Jimmy Snuka beat Ricky Steamboat.
-Andre The Giant beat Ken Patera by DQ.
-Jay Youngblood & Pedro Morales beat Swede Hanson & John Studd.
-Billy Red Lyons beat Frank Marconi.
-Chris Tolos fought Johnny Yachetti to a draw.
1981 - WWF ran Baltimore, MD with the following results at The Civic Center:
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Joe Cox.
-Angelo Mosca defeated SD Jones.
Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito defeated Dominic DeNucci & Manuel Soto.
-Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada via disqualification.
-Pedro Morales defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco via disqualification.
-Tony Atlas fought George Steele to a no contest.
-WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Killer Khan.
1981 - Championship Wrestling from Florida ran Miami Beach with the following results:
-Les Thornton defeated Jerry Brisco by DQ.
-Bobby Jaggers fought Tommy Gilbert to a double DQ.
-Charlie Cook defeated Mike Bond.
-Eddy Mansfield defeated Cocoa Samoa.
-Assassin II defeated Ray Hernandez (future Hercules).
-The Kiwi Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) defeated David Sierra and El Gran Apollo by DQ.
-Avalanche Tyler defeated Steve Sybert.
-Bullrope Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Assassin I.
1982 - The AWA ran Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Arena with the following results in front of 6.588 fans:
-Dino Bravo & Rick Martel beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell in 25:21 to apparently win the AWA Tag Team Title when Bravo pinned Brunzell. The belts were later returned after the AWA determined Brunzell tagged Gagne right before the pin, so he was no longer the legal man.
-Nick Bockwinkel beat AWA Champion Otto Wanz by DQ when Wanz tossed Bockwinkel over the top rope.
-Adrian Adonis beat Baron Von Raschke.
-Bobby Heenan beat Ray Stevens via DQ.
-Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum fought to a no contest against Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan Al-Kaisee.
-Sgt Jacques Goulet beat Buddy Lane.
1982 - Championship Wrestling from Florida ran Jacksonville with the following results:
-Terry Allen defeated Vic Rossitani.
-Sweet Brown Sugar defeated King Tonga.
-Kevin Sullivan defeated Kendo Nagasaki.
-Jake Roberts defeated Barry Windham in a Death match.
-Mike Graham and Ron Bass defeated Bruiser Brody and Kamala.
-Dusty Rhodes defeated John Studd in a lights out Texas Bullrope match.
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair fought Butch Reed to a 60 minute draw.
1983 - World Class Championship Wrestling ran Dallas, Texas with the following results:
-Iceman Parsons beat Bill Rathke.
-Johnny Mantell drew Buddy Roberts.
-David Von Erich & Chris Adams beat Mongol & Boris Zurkhov by DQ.
-Bruiser Brody beat Michael Hayes by DQ.
-Terry Gordy beat Kerry Von Erich by DQ.
1983 - A Mid-South Wrestling event in Houston, Texas saw the following results:
-Charlie Cook defeated Tom Stanton.
-Crusher Darso defeated Tony Torres.
-Debbie Combs defeated Donna Day.
-Kamala defeated Johnny Rich.
-The Missing Link defeated Magnum TA.
-Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Steve Williams defeated One Man Gang and King Kong Bundy.
-Hacksaw Butch Reed defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification.
-Junkyard Dog defeated AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel in a non-title match.
1984 - WWF ran Minneapolis, Minnesota at The Met Center featuring:
-David Schultz defeated Salvatore Bellomo (substituting for Pat Patterson)
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Cowboy Bob Orton.
-Roddy Piper defeated SD Jones.
WWF champion Hulk Hogan & Mad Dog Vachon defeated George Steele & Big John Studd (substituting for Jesse Ventura).
-Pat Patterson & Michael Hayes defeated The Moondogs. This bout replaced Fabulous Freebirds vs. Spoiler & Moondogs.
-WWF Intercontinental champion Tito Santana defeated Paul Orndorff via disqualification.
1984 - A San Antonio, Texas event featured the following results from the Hemisfair Arena:
-Leo Burke beat Steve Dupree.
-Princess Jasmine beat Evelyn Stevens.
-The Road Warriors beat The Sheepherders by DQ.
-Killer Brooks beat Manny Fernandez in a Loser Leaves Town Steel Cage match.
-Pierre Lefebvre & Frenchy Martin beat Voodoo Malumba & Al Madril by DQ.
-The Fabulous Blondes (Eric Embry & Dan Greer) vs. Brett Sawyer & Chicky Starr in a match for the Southwest tag title belts on a pole match resulted in a no decision.
-Carlos Colon beat Abdullah The Butcher in a no DQ match.
1984 - WWF ran Toronto, Ontario in Maple Leaf Gardens with the following results:
-Davey Boy Smith defeated Goldie Rogers.
-The Dynamite Kid defeated Jerry Valiant.
-Bret Hart defeated Paul Vachon.
-Brutus Beefcake defeated Nick DeCarlo.
-Iron Mike Sharpe defeated B. Brian Blair.
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Richard Cummings.
-Ken Patera defeated Rick McGraw.
-Ivan Putski defeated Greg Valentine.
-Sgt. Slaughter defeated the Iron Sheik via disqualification.
-Kamala defeated Andre the Giant via countout.
1985 - Andre The Giant defeated King Kong Bundy at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a bout billed as "The Colossal Jostle". Andre won via disqualification when Big John Studd interfered as Andre was about to score the pin with a sit-down splash. Andre then grabbed a chair to run off Studd and Bundy. The remainder of the card saw the following results:
-Scott McGee pinned Les Thornton.
-Adrian Adonis pinned Rick McGraw.
-Randy Savage pinned Paul Roma.
-Bob Orton Jr. pinned SD Jones.
-The British Bulldogs defeated the Hart Foundation after the Dynamite Kid hit Bret Hart with a flying headbutt off the top behind the referee's back as Hart had Davey Boy Smith covered.
-The Missing Link pinned Lanny Poffo.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Don Muraco via disqualification.
-Crpl. Kirschner pinned Moondog Spot.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Terry Funk via disqualification.
1985 - WWF ran the Forum in Montreal, featuring:
- Tiger Chung Lee defeated Ivan Putski.
-B. Brian Blair defeated Barry O.
-Gino Brito Jr. defeated Richard Charland.
-Uncle Elmer and Cousin Junior defeated Mad Dog Lefebvre and Destruction #1.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Sailor White.
-Jacques and Raymond Rougeau defeated Mike Sharpe and Rene Goulet.
-Jos LeDuc fought Tony Atlas to a time limit draw.
-King Tonga and Dino Bravo defeated WWF Tag Tea, champs Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake in a non-title match
1986 - Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura defeat Akira Maeda & Osamu Kido in Tokyo, Japan for the IWGP Tag Team Title, ending Fujinami & Kimura's second and final reign as champs.
1986 - An AWA event in Portland, OR at Memorial Coliseum featured the following results:
-Road Warriors beat Bruiser Brody & Rip Oliver by DQ.
-AWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Curt Hennig by DQ.
-Sgt. Slaughter beat Abudda Dein.
-Ricky Santana beat Mike Miller.
-Coco Samoa beat Verne Siebert.
-Brady Boone beat Joey Jackson.
-Tama Samoa drew Vinnie Valentino.
1987 - WWF taped their twelfth Saturday Night's Main Event show at the Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The show would air on October 3rd, earning a 9.7 rating for NBC. Here are the results from the televised portion of the show:
- Randy Savage defeated Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man via disqualification. As the Hart Foundation worked over Savage, Miss Elizabeth brought Hulk Hogan out to help Savage, starting the storyline that would eventually lead to Hogan and Savage teaming as the Megapowers.
- WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Samoan Sika.
- King Kong Bundy defeated Paul Orndorff.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation defeated Paul Roma & Jim Powers.
1987 - Jim Crockett Prmotions ran The Great Western Forum in Los Angeles with the following results:
-Steve Cox defeated Gary Young.
-Shane Douglas, Brad Armstrong, & Tim Horner defeated the Enforcer, Shaska Whatley, & Tiger Conway Jr.
-Michael Hayes & Ron Simmons defeated Big Bubba & the Terminator.
-NWA Western States Heritage Champion Barry Windham defeated Rick Steiner.
-Terry Taylor & Eddie Gilbert defeated Sting & Shane Douglas.
-UWF Champion Steve Williams defeated Black Bart.
-NWA US Champion Lex Luger defeated NWA World TV Champion Nikita Koloff.
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair fought Ron Garvin to a no contest.
1989 - NWA World Champion Ric Flair, NWA US Champion Lex Luger, Tommy Rich, NWA World Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin, Road Warrior Hawk, Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane, and Terry Funk all missed an event in Richmond, VA due to Hurricane Hugo shutting down airports. The NWA, after offering refunds, presented the following reshuffled card:
-Ron Simmons pinned Scott Hall.
-Eddie Gilbert pinned the Cuban Assassin.
-Shane Douglas pinned Rip Morgan.
-Norman pinned Johnny Ace.
-Road Warrior animal defeated Sid Vicious via DQ.
-Steve Williams fought Mike Rotunda to a draw.
-Tom Zenk defeated Dick Slater.
-Sting defeated NWA World TV Champion the Great Muta via disqualification.
1989 - WWF ran Detroit, Michigan with the following results:
-Tim Horner defeated Barry Horowitz.
-Paul Roma defeated Bill Woods.
-Brutus Beefcake fought Mr. Perfect to a draw.
-Ted Dibiase fought Jim Duggan to a double countout.
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan defeated Randy Savage in a steel cage match.
1990 - Rick Valentine & Eric Embry defeat Hurricane Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez to win the WWC Caribbean Tag Team Title in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, ending the fourth reign of Castillo & Perez.
1990 - WCW ran The Omni in Atlanta, GA with an event that featured free Sting watches to all kids in attendance and the following results:
-The Juicer (Art Barr) pinned Dutch Mantell
-Terry Taylor pinned the Iron Sheik
-The Master Blasters defeated Mike Rotunda & Alan Iron Eagle
-Big Van Vader pinned Tom Zenk
-NWA U.S. Tag Team champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The State Patrol (sustituting. for the Samoan Swat Team).
-NWA U.S. champion Lex Luger fought Stan Hansen to a double countout.
-NWA World Tag Team Champions Doom fought Ric Flair &
Arn Anderson to a Double DQ.
-NWA World Champion Sting pinned the Black Scorpion (Randy "Moondog Rex" Culley)
1990 - WWF ran Sacramento, CA at The Arco Arena featuring:
-Shane Douglas pinned the Brooklyn Brawler.
-Tugboat defeated Dino Bravo.
-The Big Bossman pinned Haku.
-Boris Zhukov defeated Jerry Monti.
-Mr. Perfect defeated WWF Intercontinental champion the Texas Tornado via count-out.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Hart Foundation defeated Greg Valentine & The Honkytonk Man via disqualification.
-Hulk Hogan defeated Earthquake via disqualification after Jimmy Hart interfered.
1991 - FMW hold's their Fall Spectacular at Kawasaki Stadium, drawing 33,000 fans for a show headlined by Atsushi Onita defeating Tarzan Goto in a No Ropes Explosive Barbed Wire match.
1992 - New Japan Pro Wrestling abandons the WWF Martial Arts Heavyweight Title. The Great Muta would be the final champion, having beaten Riki Choshu for the belt on August 16, 1992 in Fukuoka, Japan. The belt was mostly a plaything for Antonio Inoki in the 70's and 80's when he would wrestle in the U.S., and it often went years without being defended or referred to.
1994 - After a three year hiatus, Herb Abrams' UWF would revive itself for one final event, the UWF Blackjack Brawl, which was broadcast live on Sportschannel America, featuring commentary by Blackjack Mulligan and an apparently inebriated Abrams, who at one point yelled, "Let's hear it for the Jews" in an extremely embarassing moment. Results of the show. held before a sparse (and I mean SPARCE) crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas:
-Danny Spivey beat Johnny Ace to win the first UWF Americas Title when manager Missy Hyatt threw in the towel. The match was joined in progress on the broadcast.
-Jack Armstrong pinned Mando Guerrero (to win the first UWF Junior Heavyweight Title.
-Sunny Beach beat Dr. Feelgood via DQ to win the vacant UWF Sportschannel TV Title.
-UWF Southern States Champ Bob Orton, Jr. DDQ The Finnish Hellraiser (Ludvig Borga).
-Little Tokyo pinned Karate Kid to win the first UWF Midget Title.
-Samson pinned The Irish Assassin (4:30).
-Tyler Mane pinned Stevie Ray to win first UWF MGM Grand Title
-Candi Divine pinned Tina Moretti (the future Ivory) (3:24) to win vacant UWF Women's Title.
-The Killer Bees beat Warlord & Power Warrior (Larry Power) to win the first UWF Tag Title when Blair pinned Power. David Power, Warrior's Twin Brother, became involved.
-Cactus Jack went to a double countout against Jimmy Snuka in a Lumberjack match. (don't ask).
-UWF champ Steve Williams beat Sid Vicious (10:45) via DQ.
1994 - Extreme Championship Wrestling debuted in in Tampa, FL running the Expo Park and drawing 338. Howard Brody was the local promoter for the show, which saw:
-Dean Malenko pinned Osamu Nishimura.
-The Tazmaniac won a Battle Royal for a title shot that night against Shane Douglas.
-Ian Rotten & Hack Meyers beat Phi Delta Slam.
-Dory Funk, Jr. pinned Dean Malenko.
-ECW World champ Shane Douglas pinned The Tazmaniac.
-911 pinned Mr. Hughes.
-Sabu pinned Ron Simmons.
-The Public Enemy beat The Bruise Brothers in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
1994 - WWF ran Sacramento, CA at Arco Arena with the following results:
-The 1-2-3 Kid & Sparky Plugg defeated Well Dunn.
-Abe :Knuckleball" Schwartz defeated Louie Spicolli.
-WWF Intercontinental champion Razor Ramon defeated Owen Hart.
-WWF Tag Team champions Shawn Michaels & Diesel defeated the Headshrinkers via disqualification.
-WWF Women's champion Alundra Blayze defeated Bull Nakano.
-WWF champion Bret Hart defeated Jim Neidhart.
-The Undertaker defeated Yokozuna in a Casket match.
1995 – Steve Austin, after being let go by WCW, made his debut appearance for Extreme Championship Wrestling at a live event in Middletown, NY at The Sportland Cafe, billed as “Superstar” Steve Austin. Austin came to the ring before ECW World champion The Sandman faced challenger Mikey Whipwreck and made his designs on the ECW World title clear.
Later that evening, backstage, Austin filmed his infamous “Stevester” promo mocking Hulk Hogan by doing a Hogan-like promo before stopping and saying, “This sh** ain’t gonna cut it here in ECW” before angrily walking off, leaving a stunned Joey Styles to say, “Oh my God” quietly.
Results from the show saw:
-Primo Carnera III (future Big Guido) defeated Jason via Knockout.
-JT Smith pinned an unnamed opponent (Dino Sendoff under a mask).
-Cactus Jack pinned Hack Myers.
-ECW World TV champion 2 Cold Scorpio pinned Tommy Dreamer after Cactus Jack interfered.
-The Steiners defeated Raven and Stevie Richards.
-In their first title defense, ECW World Tag Team champions The Pitbulls defeated The DW & Dudley Dudley.
-ECW World champion The Sandman pinned Mikey Whipwreck
-The Gangstas defeated The Public Enemy in a Streetfight with two special guest referees, 911 and Bill Alfonso. Alfonso brought a big burly guy named Mongo with him as his bodyguard. Mongo was the future Bubba Ray Dudley in his ECW debut.
1996 - During a Raw taping in Hershey, Pennsylvania with Marc Mero defeated Faarooq with a shooting star press to win a tournament for the Intercontinental Title. During a match with Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith vs. Skip & Zip, ECW star Taz jumped over the rail with a sign that said "Sabu Fears Taz". This was night two of the "invasion" angle that would eventually result in ECW wrestlers appearing on Raw in 1997.
1996 - Kensuke Sasaki defeats Shiro Koshinaka in the finals of New Japan Pro Wrestling's "Japan-U.S. All Star Tournament". Sasaki defeated Lex Luger, Ric Flair, and Scott Norton on his road to winning, while Koshinaka beat Hugh Morrus, Sting, and Shinya Hashimoto to reach the finals.
1998 - Shadow WX defeats "Mr. Danger" Mitsuhiro Matsunaga in Tokyo, Japan to win the Big Japan Pro Wrestling Death Match Title.
1998 - Scott Norton defeats Yuji Nagata for the vacant IWGP Heavyweight Title in Yokohama, Japan. The title had been vacated by Masahiro Chono due to a neck injury.
1999 - WWF ran Oklahoma City, Oklahoma featuring the following results:
-Edge defeated Jeff Hardy.
-Matt Hardy defeated Christian.
-Joey Abs defeated Terry Taylor.
-WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow defeated Crash Holly.
-Edge & Christian defeated Matt & Jeff Hardy.
-The Godfather defeated Mideon.
-Kane defeated Bradshaw.
2000 - Inferno Kid defeats JJ The Ring Crew Guy for the ECWA Heavyweight Title in Newport, Delaware.
2001 - WWE holds their Unforgiven Pay-per-view in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, highlighted by hometown hero Kurt Angle defeating Steve Austin for the WWF World Heavyweight Title, Angle's second World Title win. The show also saw Christian defeat Edge for the Intercontinental Title and Rhyno defeat Yoshihiro Tajiri for the United States Title. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show:
Unforgiven was yet another good WWF PPV event, airing live from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The key matches were all good and the crowd was hot for them, even if some of the mid-card came off heatless and sometimes disappointing. Commentary from Jim Ross & Paul Heyman was great. There are way too many titles now, though, and their significance is essentially nil except for the WWF World Title.
Jennifer Holliday opened the show singing "America the Beautiful".
THE DUDLEYS beat THE HARDYS, LANCE STORM & HURRICANE, and BIG SHOW & SPIKE DUDLEY in a four-way elimination match to retain the WWF Tag Titles in 14:20. Real good opener. They put Hurricane over big by letting him do hot spots with both Hardys and with Spike early. Hurricane put on his cape, which is a sign he's going to fly, and did a crossbody from the top. JR noted that Hurricane is getting popular and hinted that he should therefore be in the WWF, which is a problem because they seem to want all the popular guys out of WCW. Everyone ended up on the floor except Show and Spike. Spike vaulted off Show's shoulders onto everyone on the floor. Show then started up the ropes as if he was going to jump off but Bubba Ray stopped him. In the ring, Storm came off the top and was caught and chokeslammed by Show for a pin at 6:52. Matt and Spike traded some good spots, with Matt nailing Spike with the twist of fate for the pin at 7:56. The Dudleys then worked Jeff over until he suddenly hit a springboard twisting moonsault and hot tagged Matt. Matt did an Asai Moonsault. The Dudleys hit the 3D on Matt but Jeff saved with a swanton. However, the Dudleys recovered and Bubba gave his bomb move to Matt for the pin.
Stephanie offered to help Rob Van Dam in his match with Chris Jericho in any way she could. She was being very suggestive. RVD said he's a one man show and doesn't need help, but thanked Steph anyway. He did suggest that he deserves a bigger dressing room since he's a superstar. She agreed and told him to take the largest one.
Kurt Angle's family was shown on the front row, and they interviewed his mother and one brother.
PERRY SATURN beat RAVEN in 5:06. Nothing much to it, and no heat. As if a feud over a mop is gonna blow the lid of the place. Terri was out there with Raven. Actually, the match wasn't really bad, it was just sort of there. At one point, Raven did a cobra clutch. Saturn won clean with a fisherman suplex.
CHRISTIAN beat EDGE to capture the IC Title in 11:52. Kind of disappointing as there was no heat. I don't think the fans wanted to see this team break up. Christian tried to flee early but was caught on the ramp. They brawled a lot, standard action mostly. Christian kept calling Edge names to try and anger the crowd but they stayed silent. Edge got a hardway cut below one eye. Edge went under the ring and came out the other side to do a crossbody spot but the crowd still barely reacted. Christian tried to do the one man concerto but Edge blocked it. Edge then tried it, and as the ref struggled with him for the chair, Christian hit Edge with the other chair in the crotch and got the pin. It was a weak finish but the crowd gave it a babyface pop. Weird!
UNDERTAKER & KANE beat KRONIK to retain the WCW Tag Titles in 10:20. Just slow brawling with not much heat. Not a lot of selling, either. They all brawled some on the floor. Kane got doubled on for a while. Undertaker won the thing by chokeslamming Bryan Clarke for the pin. Afterward, Steven Richards got trapped between UT and Kane, and Kane chokeslammed him, which was the most entertaining part of the match.
Tazz told Booker T & Shane that Stephanie pinned Rock last week so it would really be a disgrace if the two of them together couldn't beat him. They didn't appreciate that comment.
Steph was outside RVD's door, talking to him through it, saying tomorrow is her birthday and it would be very pleasurable for her if he totally massacred Jericho. Jericho walked up and asked if she's going to be 37 or 38. She indignantly said 25, and Jericho said that's the number of men she was with last week. He promised to bring party items but not balloons, since Steph already has those. He wished her the "breast" for her birthday.
ROB VAN DAM defeated CHRIS JERICHO to retain the Hardcore Title in 16:32. They got a big pop early for a series of moves and counters. They sort of messed up one move but quickly recovered. There were competing "RVD" and "Y2J" chants, with the RVD's getting the upper hand. He's definitely over. Jericho hit an enzugiri. Jericho bumped out and RVD hit a crossbody. They did some spots along the ring barrier. Jericho used a ladder on RVD. They sold it as if RVD's shoulder was hurt, and Jericho followed up on it by sending his shoulder twice into the post. Each guy took a sick bump on the ladder. RVD did his split leg moonsault but Jericho got his knees up. Jericho juiced hardway below the eye. RVD threw in the kicks but missed a frog splash when Jericho rolled clear. RVD hit Jericho with the ladder and a chair. He then climbed the ladder but Jericho clocked him with a chair and hooked a submission hold on him on the ladder. RVD bumped off the ladder to the floor. Jericho came off the ladder but hit the barrier when RVD moved. RVD did a tope but went straight into a chair. Jericho hooked the Fujiwara arm bar, with RVD making the ropes. Jericho used a chair on RVD. Stephanie then showed up on the apron. Jericho swung the chair at her, missing, and when he turned around got nailed with the Van Daminator. One frog splash later and Jericho was pinned. Excellent finish to a great match!
ROCK beat BOOKER T & SHANE McMAHON in a handicap match to retain the WCW World Title in 15:21. Heyman put Shane over as a PPV legend, and he wasn't far off the mark. The early part of the match was Rock dominating Booker except when Shane interfered to turn the tide. They ended up outside and took bumps across the Spanish table. Back in the ring, Shane tried to hit Rock with the belt but accidentally hit Booker. Shane then successfully hit Rock with it, and it was right in front of WCW ref Nick Patrick, who did nothing about it. JR was furious over that. Shane missed an elbow off the top. Rock did a big comeback and hit a Rock Bottom on Shane and a spinebuster on Booker. He was going for the People's Elbow when Test attacked him and kicked his head off. Bradshaw ran Test off. Patrick rolled Rock back in the ring for Booker to pin but WWF ref Mike Ciotta stopped the pin. Patrick finally started counting but Rock kicked out at two. Ciotta walloped Patrick. Booker walloped Ciotta. Rock hit the Rock Bottom on Booker and this time Earl Hebner ran in and counted the pin. Good match!
RHYNO beat TAJIRI in 4:50 to capture the U.S. Title. Tajiri's ribs were taped from the gore he took on RAW. He sold the ribs throuughout which limited his repertoire, so this was another match that was just sort of there. Rhyno chased Torrie Wilson and tried to gore her but Tajiri made the save. However, Tajiri then got gored and pinned.
KURT ANGLE beat STEVE AUSTIN in 23:10 to capture the WWF World Title. They brawled immediately on the ramp. Back in the ring, Austin found an opening to go for a stunner but hesitated, which was a great spot since they sold it that he was afraid to try it since Angle blocked it and hit his slam in a similar spot on RAW. Angle hit the Thesz press, which is an Austin move. Angle superplexed Austin and then sold it as if it hurt his own neck, a match-long storyline from the piledriver spot on Smackdown. Austin tried to flee with his belt but Angle caught him at the ramp top, pounded him, and threw him off to the floor. He dragged Austin back to the ring area and posted him. Austin began juicing somewhere along here, possibly hardway. Angle lifted the mats to piledrive Austin on the floor, but Austin nailed him from behind. Austin tried to piledrive Angle but Angle backdropped him. The same thing happened to Angle when he tried to piledrive Austin. Austin went to work on Angle's neck as a "USA" chant started. Austin flipped off Angle's family. They went to rest holds for a while, before Angle started throwing suplexes, again selling that it hurt his own neck. Austin started shoving the referee to try and get a DQ like last month. Angle low blowed Austin and gave him a DDT. Angle gave Austin a stunner but only got two. Austin then used Angle's own Angle slam on him, also only for two. Austin then piledrived Angle, which JR sold like it was the end but Angle kicked out at two for a big pop. Angle immediately hooked the ankle lock out of nowhere and Austin, unable to reach the ropes, tapped out to a huge pop for the submission title change. Great match! And the follow up was great as well as Angle's family all came in the ring and hoisted him in the air, and the WWF wrestlers all came out to congratulate him for bringing the belt home.
2002 - On an edition of Raw from Anaheim, California, Kane and his mystery partner, The Hurricane, defeat Lance Storm & Christian with a double chokeslam to win the WWE Tag Team Title. Tim Whitehead filed the following TV report:
The 9/23 episode of RAW IS BACK TO NORMAL aired live from Anaheim. It was another show that could be categorized as a mixed bag, but I did like the fact that they focused more on wrestling and made a strong effort to push some new guys. Not all of it got over, but when pushing new talent, or established talent that has been misused, it takes a while to build heat. And this show was a start in that direction, if it's allowed to continue. Hopefully the recent preoccupation with bizarre sexual fetishes is ending.
Trish Stratus defeated Molly Holly and Victoria in a three-way to retain the women's title in 3:17. Molly & Victoria doubled on Trish at first, including a somersault legdrop from Victoria. Molly did a handspring elbow. The crowd chanted "HLA". Trish double lariated both opponents. Molly literally hurled Trish out to the floor for a hard bump. Victoria suplexed Molly, but Molly rolled clear to avoid a Victoria moonsault. Trish came back in. Molly ended up colliding with Victoria, and Trish rolled Molly up for the pin.
Booker T & Goldust had a TV & VCR set up backstage. A mixture of heel and babyface wrestlers were there watching, including Big Show, Jeff Hardy, Steven Richards, Kane, and Bubba Ray Dudley. Booker played a tape of the segment at Unforgiven where Rikishi, in drag, backed his ass up into Eric Bischoff's face. Everyone laughed at it, which was pretty funny. Goldust said he hadn't seen anything that scary since Chris Jericho's last Fozzy concert. Goldust then displayed a portrait of Bischoff, which had a fat ass in place of his face. Everyone was laughing at all this when Rico arrived. He did the little sissy tattletale gimmick, announcing that he was gonna tell on all of them to Eric.
Bischoff was in his office, welcoming a new recruit from Smackdown to RAW. The new guy's back was to the camera so he couldn't be identified. Rico came in, but before he could say anything, Bischoff went off on him for not being there to rescue him at the PPV from Rikishi's ass. Rico defensively said that Bischoff had earlier given him the night off to go out on the town and party with Rosey, Jamal, and the girls. Rico insisted he's loyal to Bischoff, and to prove it, he rat finked on Booker & Goldust for making fun of him. Bischoff was furious and vowed to put a stop to it. Jim Ross called Rico a tattletale but Jerry Lawler defended his actions.
Bischoff came out to the ring and warned the fans not to start anything. He complained that when he invaded Smackdown a couple of weeks ago and attacked Stephanie, the entire Smackdown locker room emptied to rescue her. But not one single RAW wrestler came to his aid when Rikishi gave him the ass to the face. He was outraged that his roster members were actually watching tapes of the incident and laughing about it. As if that weren't enough, Bischoff revealed that Vince McMahon has issued a ruling that there can be no more roster raiding or jumping between RAW and Smackdown. Instead, wrestlers can only move from one show to the other if there is a trade agreed upon by all parties. Bischoff hated that, but said he had managed to raid two wrestlers from Smackdown before the new rules came down, and they would debut later on the show. He then reminded everyone on the RAW roster that they belong to him now, and can't jump to Smackdown on their own anymore. It was a threat that they had better behave and obey his authority. He thus called Booker out to the ring. Booker arrived, and Bischoff demanded to know if he thought what Rikishi did was funny. Booker, who was hilarious, said, "You damn skippy, hippy!" He told Bischoff that HLA now stands for "huge lumpy ass", and said Bischoff's breath is heinous like a fat man's anus. An outraged Bischoff demanded respect, and in came Rosey & Jamal for the attack. Booker held them off until Rico ran in and he fell victim to the three-on-one. Goldust ran in for the save but was also left laying after a three-on-one.
Backstage, Bischoff praised Rosey & Jamal & Rico. He said he wasn't through punishing Booker & Goldust and was open to suggestions for matches for them. Rico volunteered to fight Booker, so Bischoff set that match up. Jericho overheard all this and said he wanted to fight Goldust because of his insult against Fozzy. So Bischoff set up a Jericho IC Title defense against Goldust. Jericho, with a worried expression on his face, stammered that he just wanted the match and didn't say anything about putting up his IC belt, as Bischoff walked off unconcerned.
Big Show defeated Jeff Hardy in 3:23. Jeff looked out of it again, just like last week in his match against Triple H. I sort of brushed it off last week since they were in Denver and the altitude appeared to throw everyone off a little, but Jeff has really been looking dazed lately. Before the bell rang, Jeff did a glancing lariat off the rail and a sloppy dive through the ropes. Show held Jeff up over his head and just dropped him to the floor. Jeff kicked Show and swantoned him for a two count. Show then totally manhandled him and chokeslammed him for the pin.
Footage aired of Tommy Dreamer caning Christopher Nowinski a couple of weeks ago. Nowinski was then shown in a classroom, complete with chalkboard, maps, desks, and other typical school items. He said cane matches are Dreamer's element, but classrooms are his. He said he had challenged Dreamer to come there to face him in the classroom. On the chalkboard it said, "Lesson: Don't Mess With A Harvard Grad".
Kane was shown doing warm-up exercises in his locker room. He was scheduled to team with a mystery partner later in the show against tag champs Lance Storm & Christian.
Dreamer showed up at the classroom, apologizing for being tardy. Nowinski immediately attacked him with a cane. They brawled all over the classroom. Dreamer turned a bookshelf over on Nowinski. He also rammed Nowinski's head through a ceiling tile. Nowinski made a brief comeback, but Dreamer rammed him into a wall, creating a hole. Dreamer again caned Nowinski. There was no referee and no ruling, but I assume Dreamer won since he was the one left standing.
Randy Orton defeated Steven Richards in 6:01. Orton was the first of Bischoff's two new recruits. To make it appear to be a big deal, JR got in the ring and introduced him. Orton did the old style babyface routine of walking all the way around the ring and high fiving all the fans. He shook JR's hand. Orton wasn't over with the crowd, though, as they were quiet for the match. Still, this is the type of thing they need to do to eventually get guys over. It was a pretty good match, and Orton clearly has major potential. He was on offense until hitting the post. Richards went after him. Orton came back with a suplex and a backbreaker. Richards did a DDT. Orton did a powerslam. These moves led to several near falls. Richards hit a Stevenkick. Orton won with a very high crossbody off the top. Great looking finisher!
Ric Flair was shown arriving at the arena. JR said he has a lot of explaining to do for turning on Rob Van Dam last night at the PPV.
Union Underground performed live, doing the RAW theme "Across the Nation". Musical interludes usually don't draw ratings but this one seemed at least to be relevant to the show. Plus Terri, Jackie, and Stacy Keibler (who is awesome) danced during the song.
Hour two began with Flair coming out. He said HHH made him realize that he had indeed lost his passion, guts, and instincts. He said he had been worrying too much about what the fans think and had been wasting his time trying to be a mentor to young guys who aren't interested in his advice. The crowd started the "what" crap. No wonder Flair turned on them. Flair said HHH grew up idolizing him (i.e., the heel Flair) and now he's the world champion and the best in the business. By the way, that's true that HHH grew up as a huge Flair fan. Flair promised to support HHH and to lead him to an even higher level, as well as to teach him to style & profile, and to be a Rolex wearing, limousine riding, jet flying, son of a gun. He said HHH will stay champ as long as he wants to. RVD came out, with his ribs all bandaged up to sell the sledgehammer shot from the PPV. Flair boasted that he's the dirtiest player in the game. Before RVD could say or do anything, HHH ran out and walloped him from behind. Flair & HHH doubled on him, stomping his ribs. HHH kept yelling "you can't win" at RVD. Bubba Ray Dudley ran in but got double-teamed as well. Flair & HHH returned to beating on RVD until Bubba got a chair and ran them off. Pretty good angle, even though I wasn't a fan of turning Flair heel again.
Jonathan Coachman interviewed Bubba, who did a great shoot promo. He said RAW isn't the HHH show or the Flair show, it's the fans' show, adding that he'll be damned if he sits through another long HHH or Flair speech. RVD arrived and asked Bubba if he was ready to finish the job. Bubba certainly was, so they headed back towards the locker room area as if they were going to confront HHH & Flair. But Bischoff stepped in front of them. He said RAW is his show and he calls all the shots. He said if they want to fight HHH & Flair, they'll have to do it in the ring. So he set that match up as the main event. Bischoff sarcastically told RVD to watch his ribs, because HHH & Flair surely will.
Jericho beat Goldust in 6:37 to retain the IC Title. Lots of brawling and chops. Plus, a big "Fozzy sucks" chant. Goldust went on offense towards the end, scoring some near falls. He set Jericho up for shattered dreams but the ref stopped it from happening. Jericho then hit an enzuigiri and won with the walls hold.
Meredith Brooks was shown in the crowd. She's producing Lilian Garcia's new CD.
Kane & Hurricane defeated Lance Storm & Christian to capture the WWE World Tag Titles in 6:25. Hurricane was the mystery partner and also Bischoff's second new recruit. Hurricane started off with strong offense. William Regal, who was at ringside, pulled out the knux but Hurricane slugged him. Kane got doubled on for a while. So did Hurricane. Kane came back in and gave Storm an ultra-high backdrop. Test came out and distracted the ref, allowing Regal to hit Kane with one of the title belts. But Kane kicked out at two. The ref ordered Regal & Test to leave. When they argued, several more refs arrived and they were eventually forced to the back. Meanwhile, Hurricane hit a huracanrana on Christian. Storm accidentally kicked Christian. Kane chokeslammed Storm as Hurricane simultaneously chokeslammed Christian. Kane was the legal man, so he pinned Storm for the title change, which drew a good pop. A nice way to debut Hurricane.
Terri asked Hurricane why Kane picked him as a partner. He said it was because both wear masks, both do chokeslams, and both have outstanding physiques. Hurricane acted like Kane was his sidekick, but when Kane walked up, he said he was only joking. Kane put his hand over Hurricane's mouth. He said he picked Hurricane because he's a freak, just like himself and the "Kane-anites". He said freaks are cool. Hurricane said it was time to go celebrate their title win, and Kane agreed, but only after kissing Terri. It's always funny seeing Kane talk and act like this.
Coach interviewed the UnAmericans. Christian started whining that they were cheated by the referees, but Regal told him not to whine like an American. Regal said they have no one to blame but themselves and that they need to regroup and come back stronger than ever. Regal told Coach to "piss off".
Booker beat Rico in 2:04. They brawled, with Booker in command and doing a spinaroonie. Rico did some kicks. Booker won with a scissor kick. Rosey & Jamal hit the ring. Once again Booker held them off until Rico revived and they did the three-on-one. Goldust made the save and sent both Samoans from the ring. He also delivered shattered dreams to Rico. But Rosey & Jamal laid Goldust out. Both Booker and Goldust got splashed by Jamal. Rico sold the shattered dreams huge.
Booker & Goldust were being helped back to their locker room by some referees. Bischoff laughed at them and informed them that next week on RAW, in Booker's hometown of Houston, they'll face Rosey & Jamal in a tag match. Booker told Bischoff, "You are what you eat.....an a**hole!"
Bubba asked RVD if he was in good enough condition to face HHH & Flair. RVD said they took his IC Title and his shot at the World Title, so he has nothing else to lose.
HHH & Flair defeated RVD & Bubba in 7:06. The match was kind of sloppy and almost everyone seemed to get hurt a little. Bubba actually injured his arm at some point. Bubba backdropped and lariated HHH, and also slugged Flair on the apron. Flair and Bubba traded chops. Flair tried to do his flip over the turnbuckle but again didn't make it. RVD hit a thrust kick on Flair and the rolling thunder on HHH. RVD threw a kick at HHH which missed, but HHH dropped anyway. Bubba did his Dusty Rhodes routine. RVD did the wazzup on Flair, but it was more like a legdrop because he couldn't do a headbutt since he was selling that he was unable to take blows to the front ribs. Bubba got a table and laid Flair out on it. RVD went up but HHH shoved him off to the floor. Bubba went after HHH. HHH snapped Bubba's throat across the ropes and he staggered back into a roll-up by Flair for the pin. HHH got his sledgehammer and was going to use it on RVD but Bubba made the save with a low blow. Bubba hurled Flair over the top and powerbombed HHH through the table. Or at least he tried, because HHH only went through the edge of the table, which must have hurt like hell. RVD then legdropped HHH through the table. Everyone seemed pretty banged up afterward.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Is Hurricane now spelled Hurrikane?
Why does Lance Storm always do the job for the UnAmericans?
Does Lawler's routine of siding with the heels unless they're foreign invaders make him America's version of Canek?
Isn't Booker hilarious when they let him have real mic time?
Does the lack of follow-up to any of Molly's relationships (Regal, Nowinski, etc.) prove she really is a virgin?
Isn't it time for Flair to stop trying to do that turnbuckle flip?
2002 - Roddy Piper's autobiography In The Pit with Piper was officially announced.
2002 - WWE held a press conference to announce Wrestlemania 19 would be held in Seattle, Washington at Safeco Field. Dave Scherer reporting...I watched the WWE press conference to for WrestleMania coming to Seattle next year. Early on, WWE superstars were introduced. They mostly stayed in character. It was like a big, worked pep rally. Here are the items of note that came out of the "press conference". Vince McMahon said that the Rock would be at WrestleMania. Someone asked him about business being down seemingly everywhere but Seattle, and Vince said that the business runs in cycles and that they will have it back up to where it was by Mania. Some goof asked Vince if he believed there were actually people who thought that wrestling wasn't real. HHH had a great line and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the dumbest man in America". Brock Lesnar asked the fan to 'bring his dumb ass up here and find out". Of course, the "reporter" didn't take him up on it. A guy asked Vince about the drug and steroid testing program from years ago, and Vince said he didn't understand the question and told the guy to stand up and take his shirt off. Those dirty words ended the Q and A quite abruptly. Chris Jericho made the save and asked if the people were excited to have Mania come to Seattle, and they popped. Coach then quickly ended the press conference.
2002 - The top two titles in Pro Wrestling Noah changed hands at their show at legendary Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito defeated Takeshi Rikio & Takeshi Morishima for the Global Honored Crown Tag Team Title, and Mitsuharu Misawa defeated Yoshihiro Takayama to win the Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Title.
2002 - XPW TV aired on Channel 48 in Philadelpha. Phil X filed the following TV report:
XPW Monday Nightmare Episode #4
9/23/02 on WGTW Channel 48 out of Burlington/Philadelphia
Segment #1- Shane Douglas and Lizzy Borden are sitting around trying to figure out who the mystery man coming to confront Shane in Philly on 10/5/02 is. Shane says he does not have heat with anyone, but everyone seems to have heat with him. He says he never does a thing to anyone, but everyone screws him! He then says to Lizzy "do you think it's her??" to which Lizzy says "That skank? I'll f'ing kill that yeast infected skank" (I am assuming that are referring to Francine). He then goes on to run down a few others by saying such things as "we go way back to the early years", "I stole his girl", "he owes me money", "I backed him down in Florida", "I told him off to his face all over the world", and so on. They then decide to go to the gym and think it over during a workout.
Segment #2- Kaos and G.Q. Money are sitting around getting ready for a drug test. Kaos pulls out a pipe. GQ asks him what he is doing. Kaos says everyone knows that your pee isn't detected as easily if you use a pipe! GQ doesn't believe him. They pick up their glasses and head for the bathroom.
Segment #3- Altar Boy Luke cuts a promo at a grave stone outside of a church in regards to his match with Supreme on October 5th "June 29th, 2002, I made my debut in XPW. Three weeks later, by an act of God, I entered the Deathmatch tournament. I lost to Supreme in the 2nd round. After that night, I went home and prayed every night! October 5th, it will be me in one corner, and the son of Satan in the other corner. October 5th, I will take home that title! Peace be with you, because it won't be on October 5th, in the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit, amen!"
Segment #4- (From Hostile Takeover 8/31/02)- XPW Tag Team Champions Mexico's Most Wanted (Damien 666 & Halloween) vs. The New Black Panthers (Smokey Carmichael & Malcolm XL). Smokey Carmichael cuts a promo on Ron Killings before the match. "I have something I want to get off my chest in regards to the supposed leader of the Panthers. (K-Kwik's XPW name) ain't gonna be here tonight, but that's okay, I got Malcolm XL here tonight! That (bleep) sold out to those mothers down south! His white bread a$$ ain't gonna live another day, now bring out the Mexicans!". This is Mexico's Most Wanted first title defense. Lots of good moves early on in this one as the crowd was really into it and chanting "Gary Coleman" at Malcolm XL. The Mexicans double teamed XL and eventually gave him a double face drop followed up by a double drop kicked. Halloween then backed him in a corner and chopped XL until XL reversed it and started chopping on Halloween. Halloween heel kicked XL out of nowhere and got a 2 count. The Panthers then showed some good team work and tossed the Mexicans outside of the ring. The Panthers both dove out of the ring on to the Mexicans but seemed to hurt themselves more on the railing. The crowd started a "holy (bleep)" chant with the (bleep) being bleeped out each time on tv. The match came back to the ring and XL maintained the upper hand, but Damien 666 soon took over and delivered a Mexican Guillotine for a 2 count. Damien went for a hurancanrana but XL pushed him off and crotched him. XL gave Halloween a face buster and went for a drop kick off the top only to be meant by a Halloween dropkick. Carmichael jumped off a crouched XL into Halloween in the corner but Halloween caught him and powerbombed him on to XL's back ... nice spot. Damien then got Carmichael by his ankles and begun to spin him. About the 3rd time around, Halloween dropkicked Carmichael and Damien released him and got the pinfall victory. Great finish!
Segment #5- Kaos and G.Q. Money are coming out of the bathroom with the cups filled for their drug tests. Veronica Caine appears and sits down with them. She begins to rip on "Snoring Boring" Danny Doring. Caine picks up the cups GQ and Kaos brought out of the bathroom and drinks them. Kaos and GQ do not tell him what she just did. Veronica notices that Kaos is wearing The Franchise t-shirt that Shane Douglas sent all the workers. She tears it off of him and yells at him for doing so. They continue to rip on Doring.
Segment #6- (From Hostile Takeover 8/31/02)- XPW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas (with Lizzy Borden) vs. Terry Funk. Shane grabs the mic before Funk is introduced. He said he has a couple points before he takes the night off. Shane said The Franchise has made history time and time again in this building and he feels like making history again, so "Sit down, shut up and listen, cuz the Franchise has an announcement that will send Philadelphia and the rest of the wrestling world on it's a$$! In about 43 minutes, yours truely becomes the sole owner of XPW and that piece of shi% Rob Black is heard from no more, but that ain't the announcement, this is! You see, there is a record house here tonight, the biggest since I raised this building in 1993 and I gotta f'ing believe it's cuz I am back here tonight cuz you know when the Franchise is back in town, big things happen. It's no secret you guys said f you to a bunch of a$$holes who said don't come see XPW! If I were part of CZW, Blue Meanie's organization, Tod Gordon's organization or anyone else in Philly, I would be afraid of XPW cuz they have the Franchise. Yours truly at midnight becomes the sole owner of the XPW F'ing Arena that you are standing in. I own it at midnight tonight, so all of you who wanna have shows here can come bow down before the Franchise and say Franchise please ....".
At this point Shane sees Funk coming to the ring. Shane thought he injured Funk earlier sending him to the hospital, but Funk is back and throwing chairs in the ring while Shane crouches in a corner in disbelief. Funk gets in the ring and Shane bails. Funk goes out after him and Shane tries to get back in the ring. Funk pulls him off the apron and they brawl into the crowd. They fight over the rail and towards the merchandise tables. Funk whips Shane onto one of the tables breaking it. He then throws him through another merchandise table and dumps a trash can on him, then another. Funk then takes a TV camera and hits Shane over the head with it twice and tosses it against a wall. Funk slams Shane's head into the poll. The second time he did so sounded sick and it busted Shane open. They then fight outside the Arena. This is where the now famous incident took place. Funk rams Shane into the wall causing a big blood stain to be left behind. Funk gets a bottle and breaks it off and carves up Shane's head with it. When the camera goes back on Funk he is holding his arm and cursing that he is cut wide open. Funk is trying to get back inside. He finally gets the door open and Shane is right behind him.
Funk's arm looks limp and Shane takes control and starts working the arm. Funk is holding his arm and making his way back to the ring. XPW censors the arm with an XPW logo whenever a good view arises. Shane throws Funk in the ring and then gives him a piledriver. Funk kicks out at 2. Shane takes a chair and hits Funk's arm with it causing Funk to submit. Referee John Finnegan calls for the bell as Funk rolls around in pain. The referees try to help Funk wrap his arm. Funk is wrapping his arm yelling "Where is he?". Funk kicks Shane out of the ring and piledrives Lizzy Borden. He then lifts up her skirt and rips off her thong with his left arm while his right arm is wrapped in a towel. Lizzy's top falls off as Funk rips off her thong. A referee covers up Borden while Funk punches Douglas a few times and beats him down in the corner. Funk then bails out of the ring to "Terry" chants. The crowd chants "XPW". They then show Funk backstage talking about what happened. He said Shane stuck his finger in Funk's cut touching his muscle.
Segment #7- Shane Douglas and Lizzy Borden are at a gym. Shane said he doesn't care who the mystery man is. He said he kicked Sabu's a$$, Funk's a$$, The Kliq's a$$, Paul Heyman's a$$, and he has sat home for 2 years collecting money and doesn't really care who has heat with him. He said he ended Terry Funk's career just like he ended Pit Bull #1's career. Shane said he is back on top now and behind every great man is a great woman!
Segment #8- The mystery man is silhouetted again. He says "Shane, try as you might, you won't figure out who I am. Just as you reach into the corners of your mind and think you know, you have no idea. Maybe we crossed paths once and it was enough to rub me the wrong way. Or maybe I am closer than you think. October 5th, you can end my misery!"
Segment #9- Kaos, G.Q. Money, and Veronica Caine end the show still making fun of Danny Doring!
NOTES:XPW Fallout is on October 5th, at Viking Hall. Pogo the Clown vs. Sandman; XPW Deathmatch Champion Supreme vs. Altar Boy Luke; Juventud Guerrera vs. Julio Dinero; XPW TV Champion Kaos vs. Danny Doring; XPW Tag Team Champions Mexico's Most Wanted vs. challengers to be named next week.
2002 - WWE Smackdown held a live event at the UCSB Events Center from the campus of UC Santa Barbara out in Santa Barbara, CA. Leck Intharath filed the following live report:
The arena was about 1/2 full. About 3000 people were there. It was a lively crowd for the most part. Tony Chimmel was the ring announcer.
The show began with Funaki, and his claim to being the #1 announcer on Smackdown. Then Dawn Marie comes out, claiming that she is the #1 WWF Diva. That brought out Torrie Wilson and they had their cat fight with a spot where they roll over Funaki. In the end, Torrie tears off Dawn Marie's shirt.
First match: Funaki vs. D-Von
D-Von wins the match with his finisher, an elevated reverse DDT.
2nd match: The Big Valbowski and some guy with a mullet (Doug Basham?) vs. Billy and Chuck
Val tries to achieve some cheap heat by telling the crowd that Santa Barbara doesn't have any hot chicks. Obviously Val doesn't know about life in Isla Vista, the community right next to campus. Billy and Chuck come out afterwards and Billy tells the crowd that the chicks are pretty damn out here. That got a major pop. During the match, Billy and Chuck implied some gestures, amusing the crowd. Billy and Chuck win with their version of the Doomsday Device.
3rd match: John Cena vs. Matt Hardy
Cena gets a cheap pop by wearing the UCSB Colors, blue and gold. Matt Hardy got a loud face pop from the women in the crowd. Matt reminds the crowd that Jeff wont be there tonite. That gets the crowd booing. Matt Hardy wins with a low blow that leads to the Twist of Fate.
4th match: Jamie Noble & Nidia vs. Torrie Wilson & Billy Kidman
Kidman wins with a short powerbomb to Noble.
5th match: Brock Lesnar vs. Edge for the WWE Championship
Lesnar comes out alone without Paul Heyman in ringside. A good back and forth match. Rdge knocks out the referee by accident and hits a spear with no referee, then Edge goes up to the top rope then Eddie Guerrero interferes and pushes him off the top rope. Lesnar hits the F-5 and gets the win. After the match, Lesnar confronts Guerrero and they are both attacked by Edge.
A 15 minute intermission takes place.
6th match: Batista vs. Bull Buchanan
The crowd were dead silent, both man wore identical trunks almost. A very boring match, people were chanting for the match to end quickly. Batista wins with a spinebuster.
7th match: Rikishi vs. Kurt Angle in a "Kiss my Ass" Match
Loud pops for each guy, Angle being cheered with a bunch of "you suck" chants, and Rikishi just receiving a loud pop. A very interesting match, the crowd was very into the match. Best match of the night. Many near falls, with Rikishi hitting the Banzai Drop and Angle hitting the Angle Slam and the Ankle Lock. Rikishi wins the match with a Rikishi Driver. After the match, Angle attacks Rikishi and tells Rikishi that he's going to show him some real Olympic ass and pulls down his trunks and his briefs and attempts a stinkface and failed. Then Rikishi crotch shots Angle and gives him a stinkface of his own. Rikishi also threatened the referee to give him a stinkface as well, but let him survive.
8th match: Tajiri vs. Shannon Moore
A good match. Shannon Moore wins after ducking under Tajiri's knockout kick and wins with a victory roll.
9th and final match: Rey Mysterio & Crash vs. Chavo Guerrero & Chris Benoit
A good tag team match. Rey hits a 619 on both Benoit and Guerrero at the same time. Rey hits a springboard legdrop on Chavo to win the match.
The show lasted about 2 and 1/2 hours. It was a fun show.
2003 - Yoshihiro Tajiri defeats Rey Mysterio to win the WWE Cruiserweight Title at a Smackdown taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania after spitting red mist in his face and delivering a kick to the head.
2003 - The European Wrestling Promotion continued it's Gilde Wrestling Festival events in Hannover, Germany with the following results:
-Karsten Kretschmar defeated Leon van Gasteren.
-Brody Steele defeated Drew McDonald.
-Robby Brookside fought Cannonball Grizzly (PN News) to a no contest when Gangrel attacked Grizzly.
-Doug Williams fought Ulf Herman to a time limit draw.
-Gangrel & Joe X-Legend defeated Ecki Eckstein and James Mason when Gangrel pinned Mason.
2005 - TNA announced that they had signed Austin Aries, who would be appearing as Hollywood Austin Starr.
2007 - WWE's ECW brand ran Tyler, Texas. Friday filed the following live report:
Justin Roberts announced that due to weather related issues, Rob Van Dam was not
able to make it to the venue, so refunds were available up until the 2nd match.
Nobody seemed to leave.
Matt Striker came out and said nobody cared if RVD couldn't make it to the building, since they were here to learn. He was then interrupted by Sandman, who came from the crowd. He walked right over my chairs (I had 2nd row). He then caned Striker to a huge pop.
Christopher W. Anderson defeated Rene Dupree with the Spinebuster. Nice pop for the finisher.
Paul Heyman's Personal Enforcers (Basham and O'Reily this time) defeated the FBI after a nightstick to the head of Mamaluke behind the ref's back.
Kevin Thorne defeated Stevie Richards with the Hanging Rope DDT. Scary spot where Stevie was thrown out of the ring and his face smashed into a ringside folding metal chair by Justin Roberts and made a dent. Fully spot at ringside earlier saw WWE Red Hat Sign Guy (Rick) have a sign that said "Stevie Richards' odds of winning: 1-4,000,000", on the other side of the arena someone drew a picture of Thorn with the phrase "I want to suck your d***". The opening spot saw Stevie grab that sign and then Thorn grabbing the sign guy sign, totally breaking kayfabe, it was great.
Intermission
CM Punk bead Mike Knox with the Anaconda Vice. Nice match, my personal favorite of the night. Knox showed a lot of personality.
Kelly Kelly beat Trinity and Francine in an Extreme Vixens Best Body Contest
Main Event- Sabu, Sandman and Tommy Dreamer defeated Test, Hardcore Holly and Big
Show in an Extreme Rules Match. Basic six man tag until it broke down at the end.
Dreamer pinned Test after an Irish whip into the table.
I have to be honest, I went to Tyler for a Raw House Show in March, and it had all the main stars, and the show just wasn't good. The same goes for this ECW show to me. I went to an ECW house show in Huntsville in July and the show was off the charts just for the fans alone. It must be the crappy venue, but Tyler shows just aren't good for me. Too many kids in the crowd for any good chants to gain steam.
2008 - Mark Briscoe was injured in a bad motorcycle accident, keeping him out of the ring for many months.
2009 - Lauren Mayhew debuted as a WWE ring announcer. The actor and singer would be with the company for several months before moving on without signing a contract.
2010 - Bret Hart makes his first appearance inside Madison Square Garden since September of 1997, appearing during the New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils game. As a promotion for a WWE event at MSG taking place several days later, Hart appeared on the ice during a slapshot competition between two children, with the winner getting two tickets to the show.
2010 - Former WCW, WWF and AWA star Mike Enos (Blake Beverly of the Beverly Brothers tag team) was arrested in Tampa, Florida and charged with contempt of court after failing to appear for a Deposition in small claims court. Court records indicate Enos' arrest stems from a 2008 small claims case filed by Alvarez Plumbing. Enos, who retired in 2000, listed himself as employed by his own business Eno's Painting, in the Tampa area on his arrest report. Enos was best known for his team with Wayne Bloom (Beau Beverly) as the Destruction Crew, the masked Minnesota Wrestling Crew II and The Beverly Brothers. After Bloom retired, Enos worked as a singles talent for WCW during the Nitro era. The duo have made appearances at several fan conventions in recent years.
2010 - TNA debuted in The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
TNA Wrestling returned to the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City tonight, drawing a healthy crowd in the 1,800-2,000 range, filling the floor and first balcony of the Hammerstein Ballroom as well as parts of the second balcony, which has hosted ECW and Ring of Honor events in the past. TNA didn't sell the venue out, but with tickets priced at $75 and $50, they had a nice gate.
Amazing Red won the TNA X Division championship, pinning Jay Lethal with Code Red. Big TNA chant before the bell. They did some nice back and forth counter wrestling early. Red armdragged Lethal, who went to the floor. Red hit a spinning plancha to the floor. Red nailed a missile dropkick off the top. Lethal came back with a cartwheel into a dropkick, then a Gori Guerrero Especial. Red came back with a spinning kick, which connected after Lethal ducked twice and Red kept spin kicking. Jay went for the Lethal Combination but Red escaped and hit a Red Star Press for a two count. Red nailed a superkick but Lethal escaped a Code Red attempt. Lethal nailed the Combination but Red kicked up. Lethal went to the top and motioned for the elbow, then missed when Red rolled out of the way. Red nailed Code Red for the win. Nice pop for the title win, which was a great idea to make the show "special." Red had no idea he was winning the belt until it was handed to him in the ring, so his reaction after winning was legitimate. Really strong opener and from an in-ring athletic standpoint, this was the best match on the card.
TNA Knockouts champion Angelina Love pinned Tara with a Yakuza Kick. Tara teased tossing her t-shirt into the crowd, then blew off the crowd. Tara attacked Love as soon as she hit the ring, choking her against the ropes. Tara controlled early with clotheslines, getting several near falls. Tara grabbed her by the hair and pulled her backwards into a backbreaker of sorts, then did it again. Love went to the floor, where Tara continued working over her, then tossed her back in. Fans began chanting that Hebner screwed Bret Hart. Tara did a standing moonsault press but Love got her knees up. Love nailed a jawbreaker and several clotheslines. Love nailed a head scissors. Love then nailed the Yakuza for the pin.
Pope Dinero pinned Rhino with the Elijah Express. Fans chanted ECW at the bell. Rhino cleaned house early and teased a Gore after a backdrop but Pope dove out of the ring. Rhino followed him and slammed Pope facefirst into the canvas Pope cut off Rhino as they returned to the ring but Rhino made a comeback. Pope reversed a whip and sent Rhino hard into the buckles, then drilled him into the mat. Rhino was choked against the ropes. Pope came off the ropes and dropped an elbow. Pope cinched in a side chinlock. Rhino came back but Pope cut him off and went back to the side chinlock. They went back and forth until Rhino missed a gore in the corner and Pope nailed the Express for the pin. Pope snatched sunglasses off a young kid's face as he left, put them on and walked out. That's heat! Fans chanted "Thank you Rhino" after the match.
Team 3D defeated Ink, Inc. in a Tables Match. Brother Ray took the mic before the match. Big "ECW" chant. Ray said that "These people are ready." He told Ink, Inc. that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time because they were in the most hardcore city in the world. He said that if there's one thing that 3D does better than anyone else, it was giving their people what they want to see. Fans began chanting for Tables. Ray played up to the crowd before they made it a Tables match. Of course, it was advertised as one but hey, whatever! 3D was attacked from behind. 3D came back and tossed them to the floor. They brawled on the floor and the aisle. Fans chanted ECW. Devon took a camera from a cameraman and then shot Moore as he was out on the floor. Devon and Neal returned to the ring with Devon drilling him with a back elbow. Neal came back with a swinging neckbreaker.
Moore tagged in with a slingshot senton. Ink, Inc. worked over Devon in their corner. Ray tagged in and cleaned house. They nailed the wazzup headbutt on Moore. Devon got a table and they set it up as Neal returned to the ring. Bubba did some clubbering. They nailed a 3D through the table for the win. Entertaining brawl and mic work.
After the match, Brother Ray said they were in the old Bingo Hall tomorrow and that it was NYC's competition. He lead a "TNA" chant, then said that they say you should never forget where they came from and this is where they came from. He thanked the fans and said the most decorated tag team in the history of the business comes from NYC. They joked they were going to get fined for it, but gave out pieces of the broken table anyway to a kid they brought into the ring. Devon took the mic and said that even though ECW was started in Philadelphia, the true fans were in NYC and those fans went from ECW to TNA. He closed out with his "Testify" line. No tease of 3D leaving at all.
Jeremy Borash introduced TNA President Dixie Carter. She said they were so excited for being back in NYC and said she especially wanted to thank their "partners" SpikeTV. She said that TNA has the greatest fans in wrestling and they wouldn't be anywhere without them. She put over their sponsor, the United States Army and said she couldn't be more proud and put over all the current and former servicemen inp the military and brought out several servicemen who were then sworn into the United States Military in the middle of the ring.
After intermission, they brought out a DJ from Hot 97 DJ to ring announce Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson. He introduced Anderson, then dropped the mic when he went to hand it over. Anderson led a "douchebag" chant at him, then did his deal on the mic.
Jeff Hardy pinned Ken Anderson with the Twist of Fate.. There was a small "We want Matt" chant at the bell. They faced off and played to the crowd, then did some good back and forth wrestling early. Anderson took control, working on Hardy's arm. Hardy came back with a bulldog out of the corner. Anderson came back to choke him against the ropes. Anderson went to the ropes and came off but Hardy tried to kick him. Anderson caught the boot and went for an elbow but Hardy moved. They traded punches in the center. Hardy came back with a flying forearm. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate but Anderson avoided it and hit the rolling Samoan Drop for a two count. Anderson missed the top rope swanton. Hardy nailed the Twist of Fate and scored the pin. Much more of a slower paced bout than you might have expected.
They embraced after but Anderson teased hitting him. Jeremy Borash put them over as two thirds of the Bound for Glory main event. Hardy took a long time slapping hands as he left and picked up a young baby out of the crowd, posing for a photo.
Tommy Dreamer pinned Abyss in a Monster's Ball match, with Mick Foley as the special referee. Foley took the mic and said it was great to be back in the Hammerstein, but there wasn't much he could do given the rules so he was going to enjoy the best seat in the house and count 1-2-3. Dreamer was sporting the Tommy fn' Dreamer shirt from www.thetommydreamer.com. "ECW" chant for Dreamer. They locked up but Abyss shoved Dreamer down to the mat. They locked up again but Abyss kicked him in the gutand began beating on Dreamer. Fans began chanting, "You're not Mankind" at Abyss, which Foley seemed to get a kick out of. That was a pretty damn funny chant.
Dreamer came back and tossed Abyss to the floor. Dreamer did the flip off the apron to the floor. Dreamer tossed a bunch of weapons into the ring. He then took chairs from the front row and tossed them into the ring. Dreamer beat Abyss with punches against the rail outside but Abyss nailed him. Dreamer signalled for taking Abyss out into the crowd but was picked up and crotched on the railing. Abyss whipped him into the rail, then beat him with a chair. They battled back into the ring.
Abyss wedged a chair in the corner but Dreamer nailed Abyss several times with a trash can to the head. Abyss finally punched the can into Dreamer and took him out. Abyss grabbed a broom and nailed Dreamer with it. Dreamer was busted open by this point. Abyss trashed Dreamer with weapons to the head. Abyss began cranking on Dreamer's neck and wrenched it as Dreamer looked to the crowd for support. They rallied him but he was caught with a clothesline. Abyss drilled Dreamer in the gut with a chair, then did it a second time.
Abyss went to do the Earthquake splash but Dreamer crotched him on a chair. Dreamer fired up on offense and nailed a high cross bodyblock for a two count. Dreamer nailed Abyss with a chair. He whipped Abyss into the corner but was caught and sent into the chair that was positioned there. Abyss chokeslammed Dreamer for a two count.
Abyss went to the top rope but was caught by Dreamer and tied upside down to the tree of woe. Dreamer nailed him with a trash can. He went to the corner and fans chanted ECW with him. Dreamer ran for the dropkick in the corner but then stopped and led the fans to instead chant TNA, then finally hit a running dropkick into the corner. Abyss nailed the Black Hole Slam but only got a two count. Pissed, he nailed Foley and took him out.
Abyss went to the outside and poured thumbtacks across the mat. Foley went to pull on Socko but Abyss nailed him again. He pulled Dreamer up but Rob Van Dam's music hit, which got the biggest pop of the night, by far. RVD, with his arm taped up, hit the ring and shoulderblocked Abyss through the ropes, then hit the Ryder Kick off the top, sending Abyss into the tacks. Van Dam hit the five star frog splash and Dreamer rolled onto Abyss and scored the pin.
Dreamer and Van Dam celebrated together in the ring. Dreamer took the mic as the fans chanted "Whole Fn' Show." Dreamer said that if you told him he'd be back in the Hammerstein in 2010, he'd thought you were crazy. He said ECW meant the world to everyone who worked there and they changed the business thanks to "all you sick hardcore motherf**ers." He said there's a new revolution thanks to Dixie Carter, who was hotter than his last two bosses and joked he wasn't any from Beulah tonight because of that. He told Dixie they needed to come back with a camera crew for a PPV. Fans chanted PPV. Dreamer thanked everyone again and said he was going to get some stitches.
After the show, they had their traditional post show autograph session with everyone signing or doing photos in the ring.
Overall, a solid effort.
Notes:TNA Management was very happy with the turnout...Vince Russo, Pat Kenny, Serg Salinas and D'Lo Brown were in attendance. That's the first time I've heard of Russo attending a house show. He was surrounded by fans for autographs and photos during intermission....Visiting at the show was original ECW music composer Harry Slash....Dreamer received two stitches....In a new wrinkle, TNA were selling "backstage passes" for $50 which gave the buyer entry for two people and guaranteed signed photos with Ken Anderson, Mick Foley and Angelina Love...As is usual for the Manhattan Center facility, of course there were problems with security before the show. Security didn't allow fans to leave the Arena to return to the lobby to buy merchandise , nor would they let fans in the balcony down to the floor for a Ken Anderson signing. Once TNA was notified of the issues, they forced security to change their tactics....Don West was all over the place, including in the ring, pushing merchandise. How that man has enough energy to do everything he does, I have no idea. He really is a sight to see...They pushed that SpikeTV officials and cameras were in the house. I noticed one handheld camera shooting. They really need to start taping every event for their archives, especially in major markets.....When Earl Hebner was introduced, he came to the ring doing Bret Hart's pose and teased going after a fan that was giving him static from the front row....Atlas Security ran ringside security........Jeremy Borash promised they'd be back soon. Hey if WWE can run PPVs here, so can TNA.
2010 - The same evening, TNA ran Oklahoma City. Jeremiah Allen filed the following live report:
TNA in OKC 9/23 results
The show was held at the State Fair Arena and the place was about half empty or more at show time. VIP ticket holders -- I overheard the merch guy Adam say there were 450 -- were allowed in early to get autographs from Ric Flair, Matt Morgan, Beer Money, AJ Styles, Doug Williams, Kazarian, the Motor City Machine Guns, Eric Young, Brian Kendrick and Samoa Joe.
They sold everyone picture programs but we were rushed through the line and they wouldn't let us let the wrestlers sign their own respective pages so everyone's signature ended up on one or two pages in the back and some of them are really, really hard to tell apart. The line was kept moving so fast a person barely had time to say a couple words to each wrestler before being shuffled onward, kind of defeating the purpose of a "Meet and Greet" (as it was advertised).
Merch guy Adam announced Christy Hemme as guest MC of the night and she showed up wearing a smoking hot red dress.
Christy was trying to hand out some backstage passes when Kazarian came out to tell her that Fortune wasn't allowing anyone backstage. Cue Jeff Jarrett, who wrestled Kaz with the passes on the line. Jarrett won with a Stroke so they gave the passes away to some random fans in the audience.
Next up was Eric Young and Doug Williams in a comedy match that was unique, to say the least, and offered a few nice surprises for someone who's been watching the sport for twenty years. EY was a clown and the crowd, such as it was, really ate it up. Lots of "U-S-A" chants.
There were a couple "multiple bounces off of opposite ropes" spots where the crowd kept waiting for one of the guys to hit each other but they just kept hitting the ropes instead, about six times apiece before Young stopped and pointed at the ceiling and said, "Wait! What's that?!" Williams looked, of course, and got popped for it. (He tried the same trick on Young later but EY was wise to his games.)
At one point, Young took off the referee's shirt and convinced the ref -- it looked like Andrew Thomas but he had a beard -- to fight Williams instead. Douglas, to his credit, went along with it as the official hammed it up like an old Popeye cartoon. EY went back to business before the ref got killed and Doug Williams pulled out the win.
At this point, we noticed Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins sitting at ringside. He was by himself on the other side of the barricades, away from the fans and right near where the ramp opened up to the ring. There were only a few moments when you could actually tell he was enjoying himself; otherwise, he just sat there expressionless and watched, always alone, though I understand that he signed autographs at intermission for the people who had backstage passes.
Velvet Sky beat Madison Rayne in a ridiculously sexy match that featured a series of one-ups-manship spots, including an "anything you can do, I can do better" battle of between-the-ropes rump shaking. Both ladies played the crowd like champs and they did women's wrestling a solid.
Samoa Joe beat AJ Styles clean with a Muscle Buster in exactly the kind of high impact match you'd expect; I can't say much more than that, as a Joe/Styles match has a connotation beyond anything I can describe, but the crowd loved it and Styles got a lot of heat for taunting the crowd. They must've used about all the time they had before a time limit draw.
My friends Ben and James were recognized by Christy for wearing their military fatigues so they got to stand up and get an ovation, and now neither of them will shut up about it. :)
Morgan massacred Spanky and I'll go as far as saying that Morgan was better at riffing the crowd than Styles was. Kendrick mounted a little offense here or there but it was Davey vs. Goliath and this was definitely the way to do a squash; the match lasted awhile and, after the bell, Morgan was going to hit Spanky with a chair to add insult to injury but BK reversed with a Van Daminator-like kick.
What was really weird, Spanky seemed super pissed after the match; he unfolded the chair and sat briefly over the injured Morgan and flipped him the double digits and yelled, at the top of his lungs, "Fuck you!" And immediately left. I don't know if it was a shoot or if that's part of Spanky's Jedi persona but it seemed really out of place.
Some really rude TNA security guy who looked like Jim Zorn kept telling everyone at ringside to sit down, and of course we wouldn't listen -- because, WTF, we're at a wrestling show -- so he finally gave up after about thirty minutes and disappeared, which was fine with all of us because the "chairman of the seating committee" was a huge buzz-kill.
The Motor City Machine Guns beat Beer Money after landing all of their big signature moves. There was a lot of booze-related crowd play from James Storm and painful looking spit-sells from the Machine Guns. It seems like I'm knocking these guys when I say it was a typical MCMG/BM match but typical for them is a career-making, five-star bout for anyone else.
Flair vs. Angle was short with Angle winning via submission after an Olympic Slam and Ankle Lock. I don't even think they went ten minutes, which was kind of a disappointment after having so many other great matches on the card, but it was what it was and the two legends were still entertaining.
Flair bailed and Angle thanked everybody for supporting TNA, and stayed around in the ring to do autographs and pictures for $20 a pop while the rest of the talent came out to ringside to talk to the fans and sign stuff. It was crowded and we'd gotten their autographs before the show so we didn't stick around but they seemed like they were going to be out there for awhile.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Todd Grisham and Matt Striker.
Match Number One: Primo with AJ versus JTG
They lock up and Primo with an elbow and he works the wrist followed by a drop toe hold into a front face lock. JTG with a hammer lock and kick and he maintains the hammer lock. Primo with an elbow and wrist lock but JTG reverses using the ropes and he hits an arm drag. They shake hands as a sign of respect. They lock up again and JTG with a side head lock. JTG with a drop kick followed by a hip toss and knee. JTG with a flip shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall. JTG backs Primo into the corner and he goes to the turnbuckles and punches him. Primo sends JTG to the floor but Primo misses a baseball slide. JTG tries to hit a clothesline but Primo moves and he stops short of AJ. Primo hits JTG from behind and then sends him into the ring steps as we go to commercial.
We are back and Primo with a reverse chin lock but JTG escapes after punches. JTG with a sunset flip but Primo rolls through and kicks JTG. Primo with a near fall. Primo with a drop kick for a near fall. Primo with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Primo with a body scissors as he works on JTG’s ribs. Primo adds an arm bar and gets a near fall. Primo with an arm bar but JTG with an arm drag. Primo charges into a boot and then he connects with a back elbow. Primo sweeps the leg but misses the diving head butt. JTG with punches followed by a back elbow and clothesline. JTG with a back body drop for a near fall. JTG goes to the apron and hits a shoulder and the flip shoulder tackle. JTG goes into the corner and he hits the Mug Shot. JTG sets up for the wraparound clothesline but Primo hits the Backstabber for the three count.
Winner: Primo
It is time to take a look back at the highlights from the greatest 40 minutes of the week and the worst 20, otherwise known as NXT.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE provides their shows to the military.
It is time for the Raw section of the show, a bit early as your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
In a special treat from Monday night, we will see the match between John Cena and Nexus in the You Can’t Cee Me Gauntlet.
Wade Barrett gets on the announce table and he tells John Cena that there is a change in plans. Since Cena wants to take apart Nexus one by one, Cena will want to face them in a gauntlet match. Barrett says that if Cena can get through the other four, he faces Wade Barrett. Barrett gives Cena an alternative that they can all face him at once and kick his teeth in.
John Cena versus Nexus in a You Asked for it you got it Gauntlet
First Victim: Heath Slater
Cena with a side head lock to Slater followed by a knee and gutwrench suplex for a near fall. Cena charges into a boot and Slater with a punch. Slater with a running forearm into the corner followed by a drop kick. Slater gets a near fall. Slater with a reverse atomic drop and neck breaker for a near fall. Slater punches the mat in frustration before he punches Cena in the head. Cena with punches but Slater with a flapjack for a near fall. Slater goes up top but he takes too long and Cena rolls through on a cross body and he gets Slater on his shoulders and hits the Attitude Adjustment for the three count.
We go to commercial before David Otunga gets in the ring.
Victim Number Two: David Otunga
The match is joined in progress and Otunga with shoulders followed by an uppercut. Otunga with a suplex while Barrett continues to pay tribute to Dead Poet’s Society on the announce table. Otunga with another suplex and he gets a near fall. Otunga takes too long for another suplex and Cena with an inside cradle for the three count.
Victim Number Three: Michael Tarver
Tarver punches Cena in the corner and he adds some kicks. Cena with a kick to the head and he puts Tarver in the STF and Tarver taps.
Victim Number Four: Justin Gabriel
Justin Gabriel with a spin kick for a near fall. Gabriel with a kick to the leg and midsection. Gabriel with a jumping back kick and he gets a near fall. Gabriel goes to the apron for a slingshot senton but he can only get a two count. Gabriel waits to connect with a forearm. Gabriel with a forearm but Cena with punches and a standing drop kick that connects for a near fall. Cena goes up top but Gabriel punches Cena. Gabriel with a forearm and then he hits a superplex and both men are down. Gabriel gets a near fall. Gabriel goes for a top rope quebrada and hits it but he can only get a two count. Gabriel stands over Cena and then he tries for a suplex but Cena blocks it and hits a suplex of his own. Cena gets a near fall on Gabriel.
Cena punches Gabriel but Gabriel responds with punches of his own. Gabriel with an STO but he can only get a near fall. Gabriel with a cross body into the corner and then he goes to the apron for a springboard move but Cena moves. Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena sets for Attitude Adjustment but the members of Nexus interfere.
They all go after Cena but Cena takes the chair from Barrett and Nexus leaves the ring because one man and a chair is not as effective as five men.
John Cena gets on the mic and he tells Barrett that he owes him. They end it now.
Barrett tells Cena that is quite the offer, but to be perfectly honest, he doesn’t gain anything for laying him out one more time. Barrett says that he wants something to sweeten the deal.
Cena accepts the deal sweetener.
Barrett says that Cena will put everything on the line for the WWE. Barrett says that he tried to recruit him in the past and has had it thrown in his face. Barrett says that he is taking the choice out of his hands. Barrett says that he will fight Cena at Hell in a Cell on one condition. Cena wants Barrett to cut to the chase. Barrett says that if he beats Cena, John becomes a part of Nexus. No ifs, no buts, no maybes, no excuses, and no escape clauses.
Cena says that he isn’t going to back down from a fight and the match is on. Cena interrupts Barrett and he says that if we are going to make this big, they need to make it big. If Cena is going to put his lifeblood on the line, Barrett can’t just show up. Cena says that if he wins, Nexus is done. Cena says that he doesn’t mean Nexus is weakened or the foundation is shaken. He says that Tarver goes to Macy’s selling women’s fragrances. Gabriel goes back to the Twinkie factory as a cream filler. Otunga goes back to mooching off his wife, but that is what he is doing now. Slater goes back to working at Wendy’s as ‘The Chick from Wendy’s’. Wade Barrett goes down in history as the winner of NXT Season One. The man with the golden opportunity but flushed it down the toilet. Cena wants to know if the stakes are too big for him.
Barrett says that he is on.
Match Number Two: Goldust with Aksana versus William Regal
Regal with an arm drag into a wrist lock. Goldust reverses and he hits a snap mare and leg drop to the arm. Regal and Goldust with a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock but Regal with a kick and side head lock. Goldust with a top wrist lock but Regal returns to the side head lock. Goldust with a shoulder tackle and near fall. They lock up and Goldust backs Regal into the corner and Regal tries to control the leg but Goldust escapes. Regal with a cravate and take down and gets a near fall. Goldust with a punch but Regal with a knee and side head lock. Goldust with a leaping butt bump and Regal goes to the floor. Regal walks over to Aksana and Aksana confused as she back up. Goldust attacks Regal from behind but Regal drops Goldust on the ring steps and Regal with a running boot to the groin as we go to commercial.
We are back and Regal works on Goldust’s leg as he continues the momentum he gained before the commercial break. Goldust tries to fight off Regal but Regal with a single leg take down and then he drops a knee to the leg. Goldust punches Regal but Regal with a drop toe hold and he returns to the leg. Goldust gets to his feet and he hits a monkey flip as he finally gets out of Regal’s grasp. Regal dives into the front of the knee as he continues to work on the leg and he stands on Goldust’s leg while holding the ropes. Regal with kicks and knees to the leg in the corner. Goldust with a kick but he runs into a forearm. Goldust with uppercuts to Regal and then Goldust with the Final Cut and he gets the three count.
Winner: Goldust
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We open with a recap of the events of last week, as Eric Bischoff declared a three way main event at Bound For Glory, then Dixie Carter overruled him and made an Angle-Hardy match with the winner facing Anderson at Bound For Glory, the match going into overtime and continuing into Reaction, the match ending in a double pin, and Bischoff declaring a three way main event after all as Dixie Carter stalks angrily to the back where she offers an inquiring cameraman a friendly "no comment."
Let's head to the Impact Zone and go right to the ring for our first match! Well sort of, as during the entrances, we go backstage to Rob Van Dam being held back from doing some drastic thing by Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore. Hey, here's the guy RVD was probably going to go after...
Rob Terry vs Abyss
For those who weren't listening to the Impact Postgame Show last week in the Elite section, Dave Scherer figured out that "Janice" and "Bob" are named after Dixie Carter's parents. Abyss jumps Terry before the bell as the fans chant "Abyss sucks", and I wonder why, of the two guys in the ring, they chose to chant that at Abyss. Terry levels Abyss with a clothesline, then takes him out with the 50/50 spinkick. Abyss gets the boot up when Terry charges him in the corner, and Abyss runs him over with a clothesline. Abyss beats Terry down in the corner and follows him in with a running splash. He goes for the chokeslam, but Terry breaks free and, in an admittedly impressive display, picks Abyss up, holds him for a few seconds, and powerslams him, then in an even more impressive display, picks Abyss up over the shoulder and delivers a British Bulldog powerslam for 2. He goes for a chokeslam on Abyss, but Abyss goes to the eyes and hits a side suplex for 2. Abyss goes for the chokeslam again and gets it this time, but only gets 2. Abyss clotheslines Terry over the top to the floor, at which point we get a camera shot backstage of Rob Van Dam walking backstage with Jeff Hardy and planning his attack on Abyss. Back to the match, as Abyss tears off a piece of the guardrail from ringside and rams it into Terry's face, causing the ref to call for the DQ. God forbid Rob Terry of all people do a job.
Winner: Rob Terry by DQ
Abyss continues pounding on Terry with the piece of guardrail as Rob Van Dam, covered in bandages and carrying a chair, limps down the stairs through the crowd. Abyss sees him and grabs Dixie's Mom, but security runs out with chairs and Abyss backs off. Van Dam doesn't, and cracks one of the security guys in the face and then climbs in the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks the fans for their support, and says the reason he's here tonight is to show the fans that he's not going anywhere. He asks Eric Bischoff to come out to the ring, and we'll find out what happens...after this commercial!
We're back and RVD is in the ring with Bischoff, and RVD is telling Bischoff how upset he was about being stripped of the TNA World Title and the announcement of the title tournament, but there's nothing he can do about it, so he wishes luck to Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, and Ken Anderson, and challenges the winner to give him the first title shot. But what he's here to talk to Bischoff about is his physical condition because he hates looking like this and appearing vulnerable. His doctor has given him a date of clearance to return to the ring, and guess what that date is? That's right, 10/10/10, and he wants Abyss at Bound For Glory. Bischoff says he wants it, the fans want it, and Bischoff wants it for him, so he makes the match: Rob Van Dam vs Abyss at Bound For Glory.
Tonight: Dixie Carter has a major announcement! But wait, Bischoff is still in the ring and the Pope's music hits. Pope comes walking out and he looks none too happy. Pope says hi to Eric and says since he's in a mood to do favors, he can do Pope a favor and tell him what the hell's going on around here. Bischoff looks confused, and Pope says he can smell crap a mile away and Bischoff is full of it. In the past month or so, he's done what few men have been able to do: he beat Matt Morgan, then the week after that he pinned Frankie Kazarian, and then the week after THAT, Pope pinned Kurt Angle. He's not going to complain about what happened at No Surrender, but he wants to know how RVD is going to get the first title shot after Bound For Glory, and how Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy got into the main event of Bound For Glory without winning. Bischoff says he hopes Pope is not accusing him of what he's accusing him of, to which Pope replies that he's not accusing Bischoff of anything, he's telling him straight to his face that he's a con man. Bischoff says they need to take this in the back and discuss it like professionals, not this way and not right now. Bischoff drops the mic and walks off, followed closely by Pope.
We go backstage to the women's dressing room as Angelina Love & Velvet Sky are getting their makeup done, and Lacey Von Erich strolls in, pulls a chair up behind them, and sulks. Velvet asks Lacey if she's okay, and Lacey says no, she's really ******* pissed off over Madison Rayne getting Tara to beat her ass. She kicks her chair over and stalks off, leaving a stunned Velvet and Angelina staring after her in shock.
We go backstage to Pope and Bischoff, and Pope is yelling at Bischoff to put him in the title match at Bound For Glory. Bischoff says if he's up for it, he'll put him in the ring with Samoa Joe tonight and if he can get by Joe, he'll put Pope in the title match.
Back to the ring for our next match...
Jeremy Buck vs Chris Sabin
Sabin goes to a side headlock, Jeremy fires him into the ropes and Max trips him from the floor. The referee sees what happened and kicks Max Buck out of ringside. Sabin rolls Jeremy up from behind, then gets a hiptoss and a shoulderblock and covers for 2. Sabin is heavily favoring his shoulder, and gets an armbar on Jeremy. Jeremy makes the ropes and elbows Sabin in the shoulder on the break, then leaps to the apron and comes back in with the slingshot facebuster for 2. Jeremy with a snapmare and Dragon Sleeper on Sabin, then gets a neckbreaker for 2. Jeremy chokes Sabin on the top rope and then charges him in the corner, but Sabin gets the boot up, heads out to the apron, suplexes Jeremy to the outside but he lands on his feet on the apron and DDTs Sabin on the apron, then rolls him back in the ring and covers for 2. Jeremy with a full nelson, but Sabin backs him into the corner to break, so Jeremy with a chinbreaker to the back of the head and then goes for a tornado DDT, but Sabin escapes and gets an enziguiri and a schoolboy rollup for the win.
Winner: Chris Sabin
Max comes running back in and nails Sabin and GenMe beat him down 2-on-1. GenMe with the hanging DDT on Sabin, then Max grabs the title belt from ringside and he and Jeremy hold it up high.
Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
Last week on Reaction, the Pope said his top priority is to win the TNA World Title, and he feels like he's being held back. Jeff Jarrett said that Pope's got an ego problem, and he can complain when he has the kinds of matches and gets the kinds of reactions that Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle do.
Back to the ring for our next match...
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Taylor Wilde & Hamada vs Velvet Sky & Lacey Von Erich
Can someone please explain why Sarita hasn't been on TV in weeks? Yeah, didn't think so. Lacey and Taylor start, Lacey gets an armdrag but Taylor comes back with an ankle pick and a side headlock takeover. Lacey sends Taylor into the ropes and manages to drop down and hiptoss Taylor, then hiptoss and armdrag Hamada without screwing it up. Lacey tags Velvet (who is already in the ring) and she cranks the arm of Hamada, who rolls out and plants a running boot right in the chest of Velvet. Hamada with a slam and goes up top, but misses the moonsault and Velvet with a diving dropkick to Hamada. Taylor tags in and exchanges pinning combinations with Velvet, but Velvet gets the advantage and drops a few elbows on Taylor before tagging Lacey back in. Taylor kicks her legs out from under her and gets a running dropkick to Lacey. Tag out to Hamada and they hit a double suplex for 2. Hamada with an enziguiri and a cradle suplex for 2. Taylor tags back in and lays Lacey out with a clothesline, but Lacey whips Taylor to the corner and tries to go up and mount her, falls off, does it again, and does a bad Frankensteiner that she completely blows. Velvet and Hamada come in and brawl and wind up out on the floor, and then Madison Rayne runs in and nails Lacey with the motorcycle helmet, and Taylor takes advantage of it and hits a spinning kick and covers Lacey for the win. God forbid Lacey of all people does a job.
Winners: Taylor Wilde & Hamada
Angelina comes running out and stares angrily after Madison Rayne as Velvet checks on Lacey.
Backstage, Tommy Dreamer is arriving at the Impact Zone, and he's got EV2.0 with him. And up next, the Pope takes on Samoa Joe!
We go to a video package of Jesse Neal, detailing his history aboard the USS Cole and dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He trained at Team 3D's school and then was signed to a contract by TNA, left the Team 3D fold, and formed a team with Shannon Moore.
We go to the broadcast booth as Mike Tenay and Taz are joined by Dixie Carter, who announces that the main event of the live Impact on 10/7, everyone on the Bound For Glory card will participate in a $100,000 battle royal. Tenay then asks Dixie about the major change she teased months ago on her Twitter, and she said that details about that are going to start to come out on the live Impact.
Back to the ring...
The Pope vs Samoa Joe
Joe attacks Pope before the ring, tosses him into the corner, and pummels him with rights. Joe whips Pope into the ropes and catches him with a flying knee. Joe unloads with a series of rights, but Pope comes back with a few kicks and an STO and covers for 2. Pope tries coming off the ropes again but Joe wipes him out with a double axhandle, whips him into the corner and charges in with an elbow and a leaping enziguiri for 2. Joe HITS THE CHINLOCK! Pope fights his way out but Joe rips his head off with a clothesline and goes back to the chinlock. Pope fights out again and takes Joe down with a series of double axhandles, an inverted atomic drop, and a flying shoudlerblock for 2. Pope comes off the ropes but Joe catches him with a snap powerslam for 2, and then Pope ties Joe up in the ropes and gets a neckbreaker. Jeff Jarrett comes out to cheer for Joe as Pope puts the boots to him in the corner. Joe recovers as Sting and Kevin Nash come down to ringside and attack Jeff Jarrett, he hooks the Kokina Clutch and Pope passes out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Joe immediately goes out to the floor and helps even the odds, and he and Jarrett are able to turn things around on Sting and Nash.
Backstage, Christy catches up with EV2.0, and Tommy says that he forgot who he was, but these guys helped remind him, and Dixie Carter made a Lethal Lockdown match at Bound For Glory, and Sabu will face AJ Styles later tonight to decide who gets the advantage.
Ken Anderson is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We're back from commercial, and Ken Anderson comes out and tells the assholes he loves it when they make noise. Yep, can't argue with that: there's nothing better than a noisy asshole. He asks Kurt Angle to join him in the ring, which of course he does. Anderson says it's no big secret that he is what his t-shirt says, which by the way, can be purchase on shoptna.com. That's not going to change at Bound For Glory, and the interesting thing they have in common is that they both don't play politics and they don't swing from the boss' nuts. Well, Anderson admits that would technically be impossible in TNA, but the point is that he thinks Kurt is without a shadow of a doubt the best in the business, but at Bound For Glory, he plans to be better. Angle says he respects that and the fact that he's saying this to Angle's face like a man, and when he started in this business, he had the mindset that he wanted to be the best, and anything less would be failure. Here he is, ten years later, and he's accomplished everything he's set out to do. They're going to have a problem at Bound For Glory, because he promised everyone that if he lost on his way to regaining the TNA World Title, he'd retire. But there's something Anderson needs to understand: what Angle does in this ring is who he is, he's sacrificed everything and many people don't know where his drive and determination come from and that he's some kind of freak, maybe he is and maybe he isn't, but at Bound For Glory, he's not going to lose because without wrestling, Kurt Angle doesn't have anything. Angle extends his hand to Anderson and Anderson shakes it, then raises Kurt's hand so everybody can applaud him...for the last time.
Ric Flair is backstage with Fortune, and he calls them the heart and soul of TNA, and in Lethal Lockdown, EV2.0 are going to be gone from TNA. Tonight, AJ has a ladder match with Sabu and the winner gets the advantage at Lethal Lockdown, but before that, they give Flair a Smirnoff Ice so he can chug the entire thing. Hey, if TNA thinks it's important for us to see that, it's their dime.
Hey, good news: The Shore is coming in two weeks!
Backstage, Kevin Nash and Sting ask the Pope if he has the information they need. Pope says he doesn't know what information they want, and they mention his rendezvous with Miss Tessmacher. Pope looks shocked and asks them if they know, and Sting says that's what they've been fighting for all this time. Pope says he's in.
We go to a video package hyping the Fortune-EV2.0 match at Bound For Glory, and then it's off to the match to decide the advantage in Lethal Lockdown...
Ladder Match: Sabu vs AJ Styles
AJ unloads with some heavy rights to start, but Sabu fires back and beats AJ down. Sabu tries to go for the ladder, but AJ kicks the middle rope into Sabu's groin as he stepped through the ropes to take the advantage. AJ sends Sabu into the ropes, but Sabu comes back with a flying headscissors and a clothesline off the ropes. Sabu climbs out of the ring and goes after the ladder, but AJ chases him out to the floor and nails him. AJ tries to suplex Sabu, but Sabu picks him up and dumps him chest-first on the guardrail. Sabu slides the ladder in the ring and heads back in, but AJ yanks the ladder back out and slings Sabu's neck across the top rope. Now AJ wants the ladder, so he picks it up and puts it on the apron, so of course you have to have Sabu baseball slide it into AJ's ribs like in every ladder match. Sabu rams AJ into the rail and grabs a chair, then heads back in. Sabu nails AJ as he gets back in the ring and tries to climb, but AJ nails him and Sabu falls to the mat. AJ tries charging Sabu in the corner, but Sabu moves and then takes the ladder and nails him with it. He picks it back up and tries to launch it at AJ, but AJ dodges and the ladder flies out to the floor. AJ goes out and brings it back to the apron, and Sabu tries the baseball slide spot again, but AJ lifts the ladder out of the way and Sabu slides to the floor where AJ cracks him with the ladder. Mick Foley comes wandering out of the back, and we're at commercial.
We come back to Sabu tossing a chair at AJ's head, then setting the chair up for a triple jump into the corner on AJ. Sabu follows that up with a triple jump dive at AJ and both of them tumble over the top to the floor. Foley gets in Flair's face on the floor and Matt Morgan nails Foley from behind and holds him so Flair can kick him in the nuts. Tommy Dreamer comes running out to help, but Frankie Kazarian comes out of nowhere to tackle Dreamer and they brawl at ringside. The rest of EV2.0 and Fortune all come pouring out to ringside and a big brawl erupts as AJ sets up the ladder and starts climbing, but Sabu pushes the ladder over and AJ falls onto the top rope, and then Sabu hits a springboard dive onto everyone on the floor. Sabu sets up the ladder and starts climbing, but Bobby Roode comes in and nails Sabu, but then Rhino comes in and gores Roode. James Storm comes in and superkicks Rhino, but Sabu nails him and sets the ladder back up, and he and AJ each climb up one side of the ladder. They fight at the top of the ladder and Sabu knocks AJ to the mat, but Storm runs back in and cracks the beer bottle over Sabu's head, then literally carries AJ to the top of the ladder where he can grab the key.
Winner: AJ Styles
Fortune will now have the advantage in Lethal Lockdown.
Jeff Hardy is backstage with Rob Van Dam and saying how good it is to see him back here, and says that if he wins the title at Bound For Glory, he'll give RVD the first title shot. RVD says he has no doubts about Hardy and walks off, leaving Hardy staring off into space, deep in thought when all of a sudden, Abyss runs in and I guess knocks out the cameraman because the camera ends up on the floor as we hear Abyss beat Hardy up and ask him if he wants to fight like his buddy.
After commercial, Abyss is carrying Jeff Hardy's unconscious form out from the back. He tosses him in the ring, then grabs the mic and asks RVD if he's wondering why he's got his best friend Jeff Hardy here with him. Seeing RVD here was like seeing a ghost because he was never supposed to come back, and the fact that he did only proves that he's just as ignorant and pathetic as he thought. THEY gave Abyss strict orders to eliminate him from TNA, and he made one mistake: he left RVD breathing. He's going to correct that on 10/10/10 because at Bound For Glory, THEY will finally reveal themselves and begin the takeover of TNA. And on 10/10/10, Abyss and Janice are going to finish the job once and for all because they're not going to hurt, maim, or cripple RVD. On 10/10/10, Abyss and Janice are going to slaughter RVD. After talking to Janice backstage, she doesn't want to wait until 10/10/10, she wants another piece of him tonight, so Abyss yells for RVD to come to the ring. RVD's music finally hits and he comes staggering out with a chair. Abyss tears Hardy's shirt off and starts to go after RVD, but RVD throws the chair at Abyss' head and gets in the ring. Abyss boots him in the fact and starts pounding on RVD, hanging him up in the corner and charging in with a splash. Abyss grabs Janice and stands over RVD and...you're going to have to watch Reaction to find out what happens because Impact is off the air!
2012- WWE Smackdown ran Ottawa, Ontario. John Canton sent the following live report:
I went to a WWE SmackDown house show on Sunday September 23rd in my hometown of London, Ontario. I would guess the attendance was about 5,000 people.
At the beginning of the show, Dolph Ziggler was shown on the video screens cutting a promo about his match against Tyson Kidd.
1. Tyson Kidd d. Dolph Ziggler
The crowd was very supportive of the Canadian Kidd while Ziggler got some cheers. Ziggler did a good job of limiting those by taunting the crowd as much as he could. They worked for about 12 minutes. When you see Ziggler work in person you can really tell that he does all of the little things right. Kidd's an awesome worker too that just needs the chance to showcase that on television on a regular basis. Kidd won with a cradle after battlinging over a submission move. It was the best match of the day, in my opinion.
After the match, Ziggler said that even though he lost he was still Mr. Money in the Bank and he may cash in his briefcase later.
2. Kofi Kingston d. Ted Dibiase
Dibiase worked as a face. Early on, Dibiase's nose started bleeding. The doctor ran out to ringside while the ref put on the white gloves. Dibiase shook Kingston's hand and then gave him a clothesline in a bit of a heel move. Kingston fought back for the win with Trouble in Paradise. Post match, they shook hands. The crowd wasn't into it that much because there was no story with the two of them.
Ring announcer Tony Chimel encouraged us to vote, via Twitter, for the stipulation of the Sheamus/Del Rio match. It was either a street fight or 2 out of 3 falls. They put the hashtags on the screen and you had to put #wwelondonon on them as well.
3. Natalya d. Rosa Mendes
Pre-match, Rosa spoke in Spanish to get some heat. Natalya worked as a babyface in her native Canada. She led the crowd in "Canada" chants a few times. Of course Rosa is Canadian as well. She was born in British Columbia. Natalya won by putting her in the Sharpshooter. She started to apply the move when she was on her back. Rosa tapped out quickly.
4. Kane & Daniel Bryan d. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young & Titus O'Neil)
It's one thing to see how much the fans love the Kane/Bryan duo on Raw & SmackDown, but to experience it live is another story. Early on they grabbed a fan sign that said "I'm the tag team champions" and took turns holding the sign up as they yelled about it. For the finish, Kane was setting up for the Chokeslam when Bryan tagged himself back in, put Young into the No Lock and got the submission win. Post match, Kane and Bryan argued again. Then they hugged it out. After the hug, Bryan took both tag titles and ran away with Kane chasing after him. All of the pre-match and post-match hijinks made the whole thing last about 20 minutes. It was fine by us because we absolutely loved the Kane/Bryan team.
Intermission. It was a 15 minute break.
5. Wade Barrett d. Yoshi Tatsu
Barrett did a pre-match promo as people were still returning to their seats. I'm surprised Tatsu got as much as offense he did, but Barrett finished him off rather easily with his elbow shot to the head.
6. Ryback d. Jinder Mahal
It went about 8 minutes. The crowd was into Ryback early, but then he was selling Mahal's offense in the middle of the match, so the crowd was losing some interest. Ryback finished it off with his Shell Shocked finisher. After the match, Ryback led the crowd in "feed me more" chants and the fans were into that. Not many "Goldberg" chants for the record.
The main event was next. They had about 30 minutes until the end of the show, so they did a lot of pre-match stuff. Ricardo Rodriguez ripped up a kid's Sheamus sign. The kid was very sad about it, so Sheamus gave the kid his t-shirt. Before the match started, Tony Chimel announced that the voting was in and "Street Fight" won as the stipulation.
7. Sheamus d. Alberto Del Rio in a Street Fight
They used kendo sticks and chairs as weapons. They worked for about 15 minutes. The crowd was into it even though it's a match we've seen on PPV many times in recent months. Both guys worked hard and the chemistry was there. Del Rio went for the Cross Armbreaker. Sheamus fought out of it and won the match with a Texas Cloverleaf submission.
Post match, Del Rio and Rodriguez attacked the arm of Sheamus with chair shots. They left proudly. Dolph Ziggler's music started up and he came out there with his Money in the Bank briefcase along with ref Jack Doan. Just as he was about to cash in, Sheamus got to his feet and gave him a Brogue Kick.
After the show, Sheamus spent a few minutes interacting with fans around ringside. He signed autographs, took pictures with kids and went around the entire building mingling with the people.
All of the wrestlers worked hard, the fans were into most of the matches and the crowd was loud as usual. I've been to dozens of house shows in my life and they are generally a good time. This was no different.
Biggest Cheers
1. Sheamus
2. Kane
3. Daniel Bryan
Biggest Heat
1. Alberto Del Rio
2. Dolph Ziggler
3. Wade Barrett
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week, we begin with a tribute to Angelo Savoldi, who passed away at age 99.
Was last week an anomaly in the WWE where Daniel Bryan got the upper hand on Triple H and his minions? Who else is in on the conspiracy to make Triple H look bad? Does it start from within? What will happen as we move closer to Battleground where we will have a WWE Champion? What will Vince McMahon do?
We are in Chicago, Illinois and your announcers are John ‘I feel like I am working with the Cubs on commentary’ Layfield, Michael ‘Iron Clad’ Cole and Jerry ‘Will the Cup be successfully defended this year’ Lawler.
The Raw 10 are on the stage, but they are not the focus because Triple H and Stephanie McMahon make their way past the Raw 10 and to the ring.
Triple H and Stephanie welcome everyone to Raw. Hunter points out that the ten men who were in the ring with Daniel Bryan at the end of last week’s Raw are on the stage.
Hunter says that there has been speculation on social media over what will happen to these ten men. Hunter says that he asked all of them to stand on the stage for one simple reason. Stephanie thanks all of them for taking matters into their own hands. She thanks them for stepping up to the plate for finally being men.
Hunter thanks them for stepping up. It had nothing to do with Daniel Bryan or the fact that Daniel was in the ring.
Rob Van Dam tells Hunter, dude, that the fact is that they were fighting for Daniel Bryan. Rob says that Hunter would have done the same to them.
Hunter says that he finds it hard to believe that they were fighting for Daniel Bryan. He thought WWE Superstars did not fight with champions, they fight to be champion. Hunter asks Dolph if he was fighting for a guy who squandered so many title opportunities instead of for himself.
Stephanie asks Truth the last time he had a title match. What about Zack Ryder? They should be the face of the WWE. Stephanie says that they do not have that championship opportunity. Hunter says that it is because of The Shield.
The Shield has run roughshod on the place since they entered the company. They have defeated everyone on the stage. He can sense the frustration among everyone. It has nothing to do with Daniel Bryan. The show of unity had to do with frustration with the Shield. They will get to take that frustration out tonight.
Darren Young, Titus O’Neil, The Usos, Rob Van Dam, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Zack Ryder, R Truth, and Justin Gabriel the opportunity to take that frustration out tonight. They will be in an elimination handicap match against the Shield. They will have a partner. Hopefully a partner they will care about so much about them as they do with him. The man who thinks that he should be the face of the WWE. Their partner will be Daniel Bryan.
Stephanie says that this will be the first ever 11 on 3 handicap match. Stephanie also wants to thank the WWE Universe. Everyone will get to choose to see who faces Randy Orton tonight. Will it be R Truth, Dolph Ziggler, or Rob Van Dam.
Hunter says that is what is best for business.
We see the Shield discussing what they have been placed into tonight.
We see photos of what happened to CM Punk at Night of Champions.
We go to commercial.
We are back and after being reminded how to download the WWE App, we see footage of Alberto Del Rio’s attack on Rob Van Dam.
Match Number One: Kofi Kingston versus Alberto Del Rio in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Del Rio backs Kofi into the corner. Del Rio with a thrust kick followed by a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Kofi with leap frogs but Del Rio holds on to the rope to avoid the back elbow. Del Rio with kicks and an Irish whip but Kofi with a head scissors and a clothesline that sends Del Rio over the top rope to the floor. Kofi with a flip dive onto Del Rio.
They return to the ring and Kofi leaps into the corner and he punches Del Rio. Kofi with a European uppercut and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a kick and a boot to the head. Alberto with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Kofi with punches but Del Rio sends Kofi to the mat by the hair and then he kicks Kofi.
Del Rio with a boot to Kofi’s head while Kofi was hanging over the apron. Del Rio returns to the ring and he kicks Kofi. Kofi with punches and forearms to Del Rio. Kofi with a kick and then he sends Del Rio to the apron. Del Rio grabs Kofi by the hair but Kofi with a drop kick that knocks Alberto off the apron. Del Rio moves out of the way when Kofi teases a dive to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kofi is on the floor and Del Rio is on the turnbuckles. Kofi returns to the ring and Del Rio with a snap mare and kick to the back. Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with a key lock and we see ‘exclusive’ footage from the app during commercial when Del Rio sent Kofi into the ring post and the ringside barrier.
Kofi with punches and a forearm to the back. Kofi tries for a sunset flip but he cannot use his injured arm to get Del Rio over. Del Rio with shots to the injured arm. Kofi with punches followed by shoulders in the corner. Kofi puts Del Rio on the turnbuckles and he punches Del Rio.
Del Rio with a cross arm breaker in the ropes and the referee warns him. Kofi with a rollup for a near fall. Del Rio with a clothesline. Del Rio with punches to the head. Kofi kicks Del Rio and punches him to get out of the corner. Kofi runs into an elbow from Del Rio and then Del Rio goes to the turnbuckles. Kofi meets Del Rio with a drop kick and both men are down.
Del Rio misses a clothesline and Kofi with chops followed by a drop kick. Kofi misses the leaping clothesline and Del Rio with a super kick. Kofi with SOS for a near fall. Kofi with a kick to the chest and then he hits the Boom Drop. Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise, but Del Rio catches Kofi and hits a German suplex for a near fall.
Del Rio with a double stomp to the back and then he signals for the cross arm breaker. Del Rio tries to float over but Kofi counters and he hits a DDT to counter a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Kofi gets a near fall. Kofi with a pendulum kick and Kofi misses a springboard cross body. Del Rio sends Kofi shoulder first into the ring post.
Del Rio with Divorce Court and then he applies the cross arm breaker and Kofi taps out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
We go to commercial.
We are back and Renee Young is with The Miz. Renee reminds everyone what happened to the Miz last week when Randy Orton attacked him in front of his friends and family.
Renee asks Miz for his thoughts about last week and Triple H interrupts and asks Miz how he is feeling. He knows that Miz wants to get his hands on Randy, but he will not allow Miz near Randy because he does not know what Orton will do to Miz.
Hunter says that the people of Chicago want MizTV. He will let Miz ask the tough questions. He will get to ask the questions to the man who knocked out the American Dream. His guest will be The Big Show.
We see the recent events with the Rhodes family.
Match Number Two: Erick Rowan and Luke Harper (with Bray Wyatt) versus Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Darren and Luke start things off and Luke backs Darren into the ropes. Darren with forearms and punches but Luke with a thumb to the eye. Harper with a boot to the head. Rowan tags in and he kicks Young followed by a slam. Rowan thinks about taking off the mask and he finally does it. Rowan with head butts.
Rowan follows with an elbow drop. Rowan puts Young on the turnbuckles and Harper tags in and he connects with forearms to the chest. Harper with a front face lock to stop Young from making the tag. Harper with a back elbow for a near fall.
Harper rakes the face and Rowan tags back in and he drops a knee in the back. Rowan with forearms and the referee warns him. Young with a kick and punches but Rowan with a knee to stop him and then Rowan with a back breaker. Harper tags in and he punches Young. Harper with kicks followed by an elbow to the back of the neck.
Harper with a rear chin lock and a fish hook while the lights go out for a moment. Young tries to get away from Harper and he kicks Harper in the head. Titus tags in and he connects with a shoulder tackle and punches. Titus with an Irish whip and splash in the corner followed by some barking.
Titus throws Harper aside and then Titus goes after Rowan. Young with a clothesline to Rowan that sends both men over the top rope to the floor. Harper with a lariat for the three count.
Winners: Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
After the match, Young checks on Titus in the ring and Bray Wyatt attacks him. Wyatt with Sister Abigail to Young and then he tells everyone to follow the buzzards.
We go to commercial with Big Show walking in the back.
We are back and it is time for MizTV.
Miz says that normally he comes out here with a smile on his face, but he is really banged up and he is pissed off. Last week, he was humiliated by Randy Orton in front of his friends and his family. This is not over by a long shot. Payback will come and it will be awesome.
Per the orders of Stephanie McMahon, one of the most beloved superstars and a Hall of Famer was knocked out by his guest tonight.
We see what happened last week when Big Show punched a three time NWA World Champion and WWE Hall of Famer.
Miz says that he has known Show for more than a decade. They have been partners and opponents. He respects Show but he wants to know how he could do that to Dusty Rhodes. He was a mentor and a father figure to him.
Show says nothing.
Miz says that he knows that we all know what would have happened if Show did not do it. They are trying to break Show because he is the biggest one in the locker room. If they break Show, they can break everyone. The WWE Superstars are starting to step up and it is time for Show to Step Up.
Miz tells Show to stand up to that witch in the back and that causes Stephanie McMahon to make her way to the ring.
Stephanie says that Miz does not have to berate Big Show and she says that it is borderline slander.
Miz tells Stephanie that she can take her legal threats and shove them . . .
Stephanie stops Miz and she tells Miz that he is living on his own cul de sac of disappointment. Miz suffered a beating at the hands of Randy Orton last week that was humiliating. Miz is not a major player and there is nothing worse than peaking too early. Miz is a utility player. When there needs to be an early morning interview, we call The Miz. When we need to send someone to another country, Miz is the guy. When there is a supermarket opening, Miz is their guy.
Last week, we were in Miz’ home town. She saw the look in Miz’ mother’s eye good from hope to disappointment. He failed his friends, fans, and family. Randy Orton dismembered Miz in the ring. Miz does not learn his lesson. She tells Big Show to knock him out. Show punches Miz.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see who won the WWE App vote to face Randy Orton.
Match Number Three: Randy Orton versus Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Orton with punches and kicks to Van Dam and then he sends him into the turnbuckles. Orton with kicks. Van Dam flips over Orton but Orton goes to the floor to avoid a kick. Orton returns to the ring and Van Dam with a spin kick and kicks in the corner. Van Dam with shoulders followed by an Irish whip and running heel kick into the corner. Orton goes to the floor and Van Dam with a baseball slide.
Orton sweeps Van Dam’s leg on the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Orton finishes off with the Garvin Stomp. Orton with a suplex for a near fall. Orton with a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break, exclusively on the WWE App of Orton being given a belly-to-back suplex. Van Dam with punches and kicks followed by a spinning heel kick. Van dam with clotheslines followed by a thrust kick. Van Dam with Rolling Thunder for a near fall.
Van Dam with shoulders in the corner but Orton with an Irish whip. Orton runs into a boot from Van Dam. Van Dam misses a split legged moonsault when Orton moves out of the way. Orton sends Van Dam to the apron for the IEDDT and he connects. Orton looks around and then he finds the spot to twist to he mat for the RKO.
Orton tries for the RKO but Van Dam with a kick and a body scissors rollup for a near fall. Van Dam with a kick and punches. Van Dam with an Irish whip. Orton moves when Van Dam tries for the monkey flip. Van Dam with a thrust kick off the turnbuckles. Van Dam goes up top and he hits a senton. Van Dam goes up top but Orton kicks the ropes to crotch Van Dam. Orton kicks Van Dam off the turnbuckles to the floor.
Orton picks up Van Dam and he sends Van Dam head first into the announce table. Orton sends Van Dam into the ringside barrier. The referee gets to ten and Orton adjusts the ringside barrier.
Double Count Out
After the match, Orton with a backdrop driver onto the exposed portion of the ringside barrier. Orton sends Van Dam into the ring steps. Orton punches Van Dam. Orton sends Van Dam into the other set of ring steps.
Orton sends Van Dam over the announce table. Randy decides to rearrange the announce table and he rolls Orton back into the ring. Orton picks up Van Dam and puts Rob on the top turnbuckle. Orton with a Super Duper IEDDT to Van Dam.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Los Matadores video package and next Monday they will be on Raw.
Michael Cole tells everyone about what happened to Rob Van Dam as he was being helped out of the ring. Alberto Del Rio attacks Rob Van Dam and puts him in the cross arm breaker. Where was Ricardo Rodriguez? What about Rob’s part in the elimination handicap match?
The Bellas are in the back and they are stretching. Randy Orton asks them if they saw what he did. Randy tells Brie that what he did out there is only a fraction of what he will do to her boyfriend. She can always upgrade to a real man.
Brie says that she is dating a real man.
Randy says that he is a real man and the face of the WWE. He is something that her goat faced boyfriend will never be.
AJ enters Stephanie’s office and Stephanie says that AJ hasn’t always been so lucky in love. She wants to show AJ what a real wedding looks like some time.
AJ wants to discuss her match tonight against the Total Divas. Why can’t they go on a hiatus like their show? Her partners could turn on her because they don’t like her. That is no way to treat a Divas champion.
Stephanie gets in AJ’s face and AJ talks about personal space.
Stephanie says the company is her personal space. She tells AJ that she will be in the ten Divas tag match or she might not be Divas champion for long.
Match Number Four: Fandango (with Summer Rae) versus Santino Marella
Fandango tells Santino to talk to the hand while he does some dance moves. Santino does his own dancing. Santino with a split and punches. Santino misses a cross body when Fandango poses. Fandango with a kick and knee to the midsection. Santino tries to kip up but he fails. Fandango kicks Santino.
Fandango with a hard Irish whip for a near fall. Fandango with a snap mare and a body scissors followed by elbows to the chest. Fandango with a reverse chin lock. Santino with punches and a rollup for a near fall. Fandango with a clothesline. Fandango with an abdominal stretch to Santino. Santino with a Saito suplex and both men are down.
Santino with a split and a hip toss followed by a diving head butt. Santino gets the Cobra out of his gear and Summer gets on the apron to distract him. Fandango hits Santino from behind and Fandango with a suplex. Fandango goes up top. Santino tries to stop him but Fandango sends Santino back to the mat and Fandango hits the FandangoBama Jam for the three count.
Winner: Fandango
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Ryback attacking CM Punk at Night of Champions.
CM Punk makes his return to a WWE Arena and he is dressed for hockey season.
Punk says that they ruined a completely perfect bad mood. He hasn’t smiled in a week and a day. Now he cannot help himself. Punk says that he tried to get the Cup here, but it is in Montreal getting it engraved. He feels that because he did not produce the Cup that he let everyone down.
When he lets himself down, that is okay. Last Sunday in Detroit, he let everyone down. Paul Heyman pinned him in the ring. It will read in Gray’s Sports Almanac that CM Punk lost to Paul Heyman. He has lost plenty of matches in his life. He is not smart enough to stay down and this one bummed him out.
Punk says that he doesn’t know if he can do this any more. He does not deserve to wear this sweater or perform in front of the greatest wrestling crowd in the world. He feels that he has let everyone down enough to not even say that he is from Chicago, Illinois.
Then he comes out here to one hell of an ovation and he puts this sweater on with pride because he remembers being down three games to one against a tough Red Wings team. We know how that ended. The Blackhawks did not feel sorry. They did not let anyone down. They came back to tie the series and they won it. That is the Chicago way.
Maybe they lose and the other city gets the best of them. They pick themselves up by their bootstraps. He is proud of this city, this team, and this sweater. If he let anyone down, he apologizes. He says that if he is down three to one, he will tie it up and he will win. He is here live and in living color. He wants a fight. He doesn’t care who it is.
Paul Heyman starts to sing his own version of New York, New York on his new motorized scooter. Paul Heyman introduces himself.
Punk tells Paul it is the wrong place and the wrong time. He will get a bigger beating tonight than in Detroit because they are in Chicago. He has 18,000 people who will bail his ass out of jail when he gets his hands on him.
Paul says that he does not need Punk to remind him of the beating that he took in Detroit. He has been in physical therapy since Night of Champions. He suffered a relapse that has him confined to this contraption because of Punk.
Paul says that he takes solace in the fact that he can walk through life saying that he beat CM Punk. Paul says that he doesn’t want Punk to feel sorry about it. It is not Punk’s fault. It is geography. Punk is from Chicago. The Second City. Second place teams, second rate citizens, second class parents. The second best in the world.
Paul presents everyone ‘Exhibit A’ and it is the footage from Night of Champions.
Paul says that he might be a walrus, but he pinned the biggest shark in Chicago.
Punk says that he is not stupid. He knows how this ends. He tells Paul to ask himself a question. When he jumps out of this ring and he makes a move to Paul, can his two goons get to him faster than he can get to Paul? That is the question Paul has to ask himself. If he gets there two seconds before Paul, that is all he needs. He will not break Paul’s face, he will rip it off.
Paul tells Punk that not only can he beat him, he beat Punk with both hands tied behind his back. Paul says that he bids everyone a fair adieu.
Paul is unable to get his scooter to start and Punk drops the mic and it is time for the fight to start.
Punk gets a shot in on Paul but Ryback and Curtis Axel come from behind the back row of the floor seats and they attack Punk.
Axel and Ryback work over Punk. Punk with an elbow to Axel and punches to Ryback. Axel attacks Punk. Axel tries to send Punk into the light board but Punk reverses and he sends Axel into the wall. Punk with a splash off the stage and he sends Ryback into the lights. Punk takes care of Axel but Ryback hits Punk from behind. Ryback pulls the sweater over Punk’s head and he sends Punk into the lights.
The sweater is off and Ryback gets Punk on a case. Ryback presses Punk over his head and he slams Punk through a table.
Punk stands up and he leaps to the floor off the ramp.
Ryback says that this is what happens to bullies.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk is still being checked out by medical officials.
Match Number Five: Cameron, Naomi, Natalya, Brie Bella, and Nikki Bella (with JoJo and Eva Marie) versus AJ Lee, Layla El, Alicia Fox, Tamina, and Aksana
Alicia and Natalya start things off and Natalya tries for the sharpshooter but Alicia sends Natalya into the turnbuckles. Alicia with knees. Alicia with a Yakuza Kick and she gets a near fall. Alicia with a reverse chin lock. Natalya with elbows and Alicia misses a flip leg drop. Brie tags in and she connects with clotheslines and a drop kick. Brie takes care of Alicia’s partners except for AJ who pulls Brie down by the hair.
AJ sends Brie shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Brie with a kick and X Factor for the three count.
Winners: Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Natalya, Cameron, and Naomi
Did you ever wonder how impressive the RKO is? We have a video of RKOs through the year.
The Shield are in the back. Dean asks if the Boss threw them to the wolves in an 11 on 3 handicap match? Are they the hounds who hunt the wolves. What is important is that this match is what is best for business. What happens every time their backs are against the wall?
Seth says that they change the game and revolutionize things.
Dean says that they are winners because they are studs. They will do their jobs.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring and he has something to say.
Daniel says that he has something to talk about. Last week, he was stripped of the WWE Championship because he was accused of conspiring with WWE Official Scott Armstrong. It wasn’t like he went up to Scott and said that if there is any conceivable time that he could win, could you give a fast count.
He might not be the smartest, but you don’t need a fast count when you are already knocked out. If you want to talk about conspiracies, with Randy Orton and Triple H, you might have something. Triple H fired Scott Armstrong, but he gave him a good deal to leave.
Daniel says that he does not know what happened at Night of Champions because it is done. It does not matter which Randy Orton shows up at Battleground, Daniel vows to take back what is his, and that is the WWE Championship.
No fast counts, no crooked referees. There will be no more hiding in Buffalo. When Randy Orton wakes up from the B+, goat faced, troll, there will be one word that Orton will hear over and over again in the back of his brain. It is a word that will haunt him the rest of his life. It is the word that people will be chanting after he wins at Battleground. It will be ‘Yes’.
Goldust and Cody Rhodes attack The Shield and security has to take them to the back.
Match Number Six: Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Zack Ryder, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston, Darren Young, Titus O’Neil, Rob Van Dam, and R Truth versus Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns in an Elimination Handicap Match
Rollins and Jimmy start things off and Rollins with an Irish whip but Jimmy slides into the corner and he connects with an uppercut. Ziggler tags in and he head butts Rollins. Ziggler with a hard Irish whip but Rollins with a punch and he backs Ziggler into the corner.
Ambrose tags in and he punches Ziggler. Ambrose sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles and then he rubs his forearm across the face. Ambrose with a chop and then he tags in Reigns. Reigns with head butts followed by punches in the corner. Rollins tags back in and he stops Ziggler from trying to make the tag. Ambrose tags back in and he stomps on the hand.
Ambrose misses a short arm clothesline and Ziggler with a drop kick and both men are down. Van Dam tags in and he connects with clotheslines followed by a thrust kick. Van Dam sets for Rolling Thunder but Ambrose moves. Van Dam with a kick and springboard side kick. Van Dam misses a shoulder into the corner and he hits the ring post. Ambrose with a DDT for the three count.
Rob Van Dam Eliminated
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kofi works over Rollins but Rollins with a back breaker. Ambrose tags in and he punches Kofi in the ribs and then he wraps the arm in the ropes. Ambrose with an arm bar and then he turns it into a hammer lock. Ambrose with a knee to the midsection and then he punches Kofi. Kofi with a double jump cross body for a near fall.
Ambrose grabs the leg to keep Kofi from making the tag. Kofi lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt. Ambrose grabs the injured arm and he wrings it followed by the Dean Driver for the three count.
Kofi Kingston eliminated
Titus O’Neil is in and he connects with a knee. Reigns tags in and it is time for the big men to lock up. Rollins works over Titus in the corner and the referee warns Reigns while Rollins continues to work over Titus. Rollins with punches and then he tags Reigns back in. Titus with punches to Reigns and then he tags care of Rollins and Ambrose. Titus runs into a spear from Reigns for the three count.
Titus O’Neil eliminated
Justin Gabriel comes in and he falls victim to the spear.
Justin Gabriel Eliminated
Ryder gets his knees up for Reigns and he hits a missile drop kick. Ryder runs into a spear for the three count.
Zack Ryder Eliminated
Daniel Bryan comes in and he flips over Reigns and follows with kicks. Bryan with drop kicks to Reigns and Jimmy tags in for a super kick. Jey with a superfly splash to pin Reigns.
Roman Reigns eliminated
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins drops Darren Young on the turnbuckles. Ambrose tags in and Ambrose with forearms across the face. Ambrose with a drop kick to Young against the ropes. Ambrose with a rake of the eyes and then he climbs the turnbuckles and punches Young.
Rollins tags in and he kicks Young in the ribs. Young backs Rollins into the turnbuckles but Ambrose tags in and Dean with a snap mare and sleeper. Young gets to his feet and he connects with elbows and a punch. Ambrose with a kick but Young with an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Young with a clothesline into the corner followed by a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Young gets Ambrose on his shoulders but Ambrose escapes.
Young with an O’Connor Roll but Rollins makes the tag and he hits a boot to the head from the turnbuckles for a the three count.
Darren Young eliminated
Ziggler comes in and hits a drop kick and neck breaker followed by punches. Ziggler with kicks and the referee warns him. Rollins stops Ziggler and he tags in Ambrose. Ambrose gets a near fall. Ambrose kicks Ziggler. Ambrose with an Irish whip and kicks. Ambrose tries for a power slam but Ziggler with the Zig Zag for the three count.
Dean Ambrose eliminated
Rollins kicks Ziggler. Rollins with a slam and he gets a near fall. Rollins with a reverse chin lock. Rollins with an Irish whip but Ziggler with an elbow and then he hits a DDT. Truth with a flying forearm followed by a kick and a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Truth misses the scissors kick and Rollins with a spin kick followed by Black Out for the three count.
R Truth Eliminated
The remaining four surround the ring on the apron and then they attack Rollins and the referee does not know what to do.
dean Ambrose makes his way back to the ring but Ziggler clotheslines him over the top rope. The Usos with a double super kick to Reigns. The Usos with stereo planchas onto Reigns and Ambrose.
Rollins hits Bryan from behind and then he puts Bryan on the turnbuckles. Bryan knocks Rollins off the turnbuckles and then he hits the diving head butt. Bryan with the flying knee for the three count.
Winners: Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Zack Ryder, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston, Darren Young, Titus O’Neil, Rob Van Dam, and R Truth
After the match, Bryan celebrates in the center of the ring and we go to credits.
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