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1/12 THIS DAY IN HISTORY

By Mike Johnson on 2012-01-12 08:00:36

January 12th

On this day in history in ....

1938 - George Pete defeats Billy Spendlove for the Montana State Middleweight Title in Great Falls, Montana, ending Spendlove's second reign.

1939 - The Great Mephisto defeats Billy Widener to win the Midwest Wrestling Association World Light Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio, beginning his third reign and ending Widener's third.

1951 - Mars Bennett defeats Nell Stewart for the NWA Texas Women's Title in Houston, Texas.

1953 - Yvon Robert and Whipper Billy Watson defeat Al and Tiny Mills to win the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario.

1954 - Brian Blair is born in Gary, Indiana.

1958 - The Corsicans (Jean and Joe) defeat Yvon Robert and Billy Wicks in Memphis, Tennessee to win the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title, beginning their fourth reign.

1959 - The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) defeat Juan Garcia and Miguel Lopez (Mike DiBiase) for the Rocky Mountain Tag Team Title in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1959 - Jesse James defeats Yvon Robert in Birmingham, Alabama to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign.

1959 - Frenchy Champagne defeats Bobby Jones in Winnipeg, Manitoba to become the first Madison Wrestling Club Heavyweight Champion.

1962 - Luna Vachon is born in Montreal, Quebec.

1968 - Bobo Brazil defeats Buddy Austin for the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California, ending Austin's third reign and beginning Brazil's second. Bobo Brazil would be the last to hold the title, as on October 1, the WWA joined the National Wrestling Alliance and became NWA Hollywood Wrestling, recognizing NWA World Champion Gene Kiniski. Kiniski and Brazil fought to a draw for the Undisputed NWA World Title on December 18 in Los Angeles.

1968 - Bobby and Lee Fields defeat Frank and Jack Dalton for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama.

1971 - Bob Armstrong and El Mongol defeat The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) to win the NWA Macon Tag Team Title in Macon, Georgia.

1971 - Ripper Collins and Mad Dog Mayne defeat Ed Francis and Johnny Barend and Billy Robingson for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1973 - Abdullah the Butcher wins his sixth Stampede North American Heavyweight Title, ending the third reign of Geoff Portz, in Calgary, Alberta.

1973 - The Wrestling Pro wins the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title from Ricky Gibson in Dothan, Alabama, beginning his second reign.

1974 - The Interns (Tom Andrews and Jim Starr) defeat Bearcat Brown and Don Greene to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning their fifth reign.

1976 - The WWWF holds an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Dominic DeNucci defeated Bugsy McGraw by disqualification.
- Ivan Putski defeated Jerry Blackwell.
- Kevin Sullivan and Frank Monte fought to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Francisco Flores.
- Pat Barrett and Pete Sanchez fought to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champion Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi defeated Spiros Arion and Ivan Koloff.
- Ernie Ladd defeated Gorilla Monsoon when the referee stopped the match due to Monsoon bleeding.
- Superstar Billy Graham defeated WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino by countout.

1976 - Dean Higuchi and George Wells defeat Dale Lewis and Siegfried Steinke for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending their second reign.

1979 - In the third such match and title switch between the two men in as many days, Tully Blanchard wins his third Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Television Title, defeating Dale Valentine (Buddy Roberts) in Austin, Texas, ending his second reign. The title would change names, from Television to Heavyweight, in February.

1979 - Twin Devil #1 defeats Chavo Guerrero to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California, beginning his second reign and ending Guerrero's 13th.

1980 - Kevin Von Erich defeats Ox Baker for the World Class American Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Baker's second reign and beginning Von Erich's second.

1980 - Carlos Colon defeats Abdullah the Butcher to win the held-up WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The title was held up a week earlier after a match between them, also in Bayamon. This began Colon's fifth reign and ended Abdullah's second.

1980 - Austin Idol wins his second NWA Georgia Television Title in Atlanta, Georgia, defeating Steve Travis.

1981 - Barry Windham defeats Dory Funk, Jr. to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in West Palm Beach, Florida.

1981 - Raul Mata and Billy White Cloud defeat Raul Castro and Killer Tim Brooks for the World Class Texas Tag Team Title in Fort Worth, Texas.

1981 - Rip Oliver and Buddy Rose defeat Joe Ventura and Jay Youngblood to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1982 - Bruce Hart defeats The Great Gama to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title in Regina, Saskatchewan, beginning his second reign.

1982 - Jumbo Hori defeats Wild Kazuki for the vacant AJW All Pacific Title in Chiba, Japan. Mimi Hagiwara had vacated the title on August 29, so that she could pursue the WWWA World Singles Title.

1985 - Don Running Bear and Billy Two Eagles defeat Mr. Ebony and Mike Miller to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Portland, Oregon, ending their second reign.

1986 - The WWF holds an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
- King Tonga defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
- Hercules defeated Scott McGhee.
- Danny Spivey defeated Les Thornton.
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Moondog Spot.
- Tony Parisi defeated Ron Shaw.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Mr. Fuji in a Kung Fu match.
- WWF Canadian Heavyweight Champion Dino Bravo defeated Randy Savage via disqualification.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine defeated The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid).
- Andre the Giant defeated King Kong Bundy in a steel cage match.

1987 - Bob Bradley defeats The Dingo Warrior for the vacant World Class Texas Heavyweight Title in Fort Worth, Texas.

1987 - Jerry Blackwell defeats Goliath to win the Continental Wrestling Association Super Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

1987 - Wendell Cooley defeats Tony Anthony for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama, ending Anthony's second reign and beginning Cooley's third.

1990 - At a CMLL event in Mexico City, Mexico, Pierroth, Jr. defeats Mogur for the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign. At the same event, Angel Azteca defeats Emilio Charles, Jr. to win the NWA World Middleweight Title, ending Charles' second reign.

1991 - The WWF held a matinee event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- Dustin Rhodes (subbing for Sam Houston) pinned Buddy Rose.
- Haku defeated Koko B. Ware.
- Jake Roberts defeated Rick Martel by disqualification.
- The Barbarian pinned Saba Simba.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect by disqualification. Roddy Piper was guest referee.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma), when Hart pinned Roma.
- Hulk Hogan and Tugboat defeated Dino Bravo and Earthquake, when Hogan pinned Bravo.

1996 - Fuerza Guerrera and Psicosis defeat El Mexicano and Volador for the vacant Mexican National Tag Team Title in Netzahualcoyotl, Mexico, or so they thought. Fuerza and his son, Juventud Guerrera had held the title, defeating Latin Lover and Panterita del Ring on September 18 in Nuevo Laredo, but it was vacated in December when AAA and Promotora Mexicana de Lucha Libre (PROMELL) ended their working relationship. The Mexico City Boxing and Wrestling Commission, which controls the Mexican national titles, returned the title to Fuerza and Juventud, since they never were defeated for it. The title would be officially vacated in August 1996, after Juventud left AAA to wrestle for ECW.

1996 - D'Lo Brown defeats Scott Stevens in a tournament final in Westland, Michigan, to become the first Great Lakes Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.

1997 - At a Midwest Championship Wrestling and Insane Championship Wrestling event in Roseville, Michigan, two titles are decided. Death Wolf defeated Alexis Machine to become the first ICW Brass Knuckles Champion, and Brian Fury won the MWCW Heavyweight Title from Tex Monroe.

1998 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro defeating WWF RAW is WAR, 4.6 to 3.4 in the ratings.

WWF RAW s WAR was held, along with the January 17 edition of Shotgun Saturday Night, at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- In a dark match, Black Bart (Bart Gunn) pinned The Brooklyn Brawler after a bulldog.
In Shotgun Saturday Night matches:
- Owen Hart defeated Brian Christopher by submission with the Sharpshooter.
- Faarooq (with D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa) pinned Mark Schrader after the Dominator.
- Los Boricuas (Jose Estrada, Jr. and Jesus Castillo (with Savio Vega and Miguel Perez, Jr.)) and The Truth Commission (Recon and Sniper (with The Jackyl and Kurrgan)) fought to a double disqualification when all the men started fighting in the ring.
- Steve Blackman defeated Al Phillips by submission with a guillotine choke.
- Tom Brandi pinned Jimmy Cicero after a full nelson slam.
In RAW matches:
- WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn) defeated The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas), The Truth Commission (Recon and Sniper) and The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) in a non-title four-way match, when Gunn pinned Phineas after hitting him with a foreign object.
- Kurrgan (with The Jackyl) defeated Jimmy Cicero and Lance Diamond in a handicap elimination match, by placing one man on top of the other and pinning them with his foot.
- Vader defeated Marc Mero (with The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust, dressed as Sable) by disqualification, when Goldust hit Vader over the head with one of the coconuts he had in his bra.
- Mark Henry & Ken Shamrock and D'Lo Brown & WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock fought to a no contest, after Henry turned on Shamrock and joined The Nation of Domination.
- The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball and Skull) defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson (with Jim Cornette)) in a non-title match by disqualification, after Cornette attacked DOA with his tennis racket. The Express was awarded the title before the match, beginning their third reign.
- Mankind and The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust (with Luna), dressed as Dude Love and a Dudette, fought to a no contest when Steve Austin came in and gave both men Stone Cold Stunners.
- Los Boricuas (Jesus Castillo and Savio Vega) defeated WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku and Scott Taylor, when Castillo pinned Taylor).
- In a post-show dark match: The Undertaker (with the Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball, Chainz and Skull)) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock (with The Nation (D'Lo Brown, Mark Henry and Kama Mustafa, subbing for the injured WWF European Champion Triple H), in a non-title casket match.

WCW Monday Nitro was held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Jacksonville, Florida. Nitro's results:
- Bill Goldberg defeated Jerry Flynn.
- Marty Jannetty defeated Black Cat.
- Chris Benoit defeated Dean Malenko by submission with the Crippler Crossface. Raven attacked Benoit, Malenko and Perry Saturn afterwards..
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Perry Saturn.
- Lex Luger defeated Hugh Morrus.
- Steve McMichael defeated Chris Jericho.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Juventud Guerrera defeated Rey Misterio, Jr.
- Jim Neidhart and Ric Flair fought to a double disqualification.
- The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) to win the title, This began their second reign, and ended the Steiners' fifth.

2001 - ECW held its next-to-last event, a house show at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The results:
- Michael Shane defeated Oz.
- The Prodigy defeated Phoenix.
- Joey Matthews and Christian York defeated The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tony Mamaluke).
- Jack Victory defeated C.W. Anderson in a Street Fight.
- Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Super Crazy.
- ECW World Tag Team Champions Danny Doring and Nova (subbing for Roadkill) defeated Hot Commodity (Julio Dinero and EZ Money), when Nova pinned Dinero, to retain the title.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned Justin Credible.
- ECW World Heavyweight and World Television Champion Rhino pinned The Sandman to retain the Heavyweight title.

2001 - Don Brodie defeats champion Terry Knight and Ricky Murdock in a three-way match in Greenville, Mississippi, to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign. He would vacate the title in August after a car accident.

2001 - Danny Rose defeats The Bad Butcher for the Hardway Wrestling Hardcore Title in Northhampton, Pennsylvania.

2001 - Robbie Ellis defeats champion Jonathan, Amanda Storm, Derik Destiny, The Portuguese Stallion and Johnny Nash in an elimination match, to win the South Coast Championship Wrestling Lightweight Title in Fall River, Massachusetts.

2002 - Chris Harris defeats Ashley Hudson in Nashville, Tennessee for the USA Championship Wrestling North American Heavyweight Title.

2002 - Chicano ends Super Crazy's fifth reign as IWA World Hardcore Champion in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Super Crazy then won the title back, beginning his sixth reign.

2002 - Los Cubanitos (Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero) win a tournament in Sherman Oaks, California to become the first, and only, Millennium Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions. The promotion closed in March.

2002 - Moondog Manson wins his fifth ECCW Hardcore Title, defeating Wrathchild in Cloverdale, British Columbia.

2002 - The NWA East Women's Title changes twice in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, as Jazmynn Viktoria wins the title from Katerina Heiss, then back to Heiss, beginning her second reign.

2002 - Jet Jaguar defeats Chasyn Rance in DeBary, Florida to win the Southern Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Title. Also, Live Wire won his second SCW Heavyweight Title, ending the third reign for Frankie Capone.

2003 - Christopher Daniels defeats Chris Divine for the Premier Wrestling Federation United States Heavyweight Title in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

2003 - Ebessan last eliminated Miracle Man in a 10-man battle royal in Osaka, Japan, to win his fourth Osaka Pro Wrestling Battle Royal Title. The champion coming into the match was Kengo Takai.

2003 - Alex Lunar defeats Derek Frazier to win the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation Cruiserweight Title in Northpoint, Maryland. At the same event, The Holy Rollers (Earl the Pearl and Rich Myers) defeat Chad Bowman and Dino Casanova for the MEWF Tag Team Title.

2004 - At the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, WWE holds a live RAW and tapes the January 18 edition of Sunday Night Heat. The results:
- In a dark match, Lance Storm and Val Venis defeated Kevin Fertig and Travis Tomko.
In Sunday Night Heat matches:
- Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak defeated The Hurricane and Rosey, when Jindrak pinned Rosey after a dropkick from Cade.
- Rico pinned Tommy Dreamer with a spinning heel kick in a Royal Rumble qualifying match.
- Rob Conway pinned Spike Dudley after a springboard corkscrew suplex.
- Scott Steiner pinned Steven Richards with the Flatliner.
In RAW matches:
- WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly and Jazz defeated Trish Stratus and Lita, when Jazz pinnd Trish with a roll-up.
- Goldberg pinned Matt Hardy after the Jackhammer.
- WWE World Tag Team Champion Batista pinned D-Von Dudley with the Batista Bomb.
- Booker T defeated Kane by disqualification after throwing Booker into the ring steps twice.
- Mark Henry pinned Chris Jericho after the World's Strongest Slam.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton pinned Rob Van Dam with a top-rope DDT.

2007 - The Logan Brothers (Bryan and Matt Logan) defeat champions The Berlin Bad Boys (Kermon The German and Max Von Bauer) and The Valedictorians (Billy Bax and Rob Eckos) to win the ECWA Tag Team Title in Newark, Delaware.

2007 - Chucky the Boy Wonder defeats Randy Myers in Calgary, Alberta for the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title.

2008 - Former WWE star Chris Nowinski met with Ring of Honor officials to work on a method of preventing and dealing with concussions suffered by ROH performers as the company, realizing their high impact style, wants to be proactive towards protecting their wrestlers' health.  Nowinski, who formed the Sports Legacy Institute after several concussions ended his WWE career, authored Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis, which details his career-ending injury and discusses the dangers of concussions in football and other contact sports.

2009 - WWE announced Bill Watts would be inducted into their Hall of Fame.

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

We are now less than two weeks from the Royal Rumble and we continue to build to the company’s first pay per view, the Royal Rumble. The main event from the Raw brand will be John Bradshaw Layfield versus John Cena. Tonight, John Cena will be facing the man who employs his opponent at the pay per view. Despite being tag team partners last week, Shawn Michaels and John Cena will be on opposite sides of the ring and Bradshaw will be in Shawn’s corner. Last week, we saw CM Punk get his shot at the Intercontinental Title, but his match was derailed by a disqualification. This week, they will meet again, but if Regal tries the same tomfoolery against Punk tonight, he will be a former Intercontinental Champion. What is next for The Legacy now that there are only two members and all of the Samoan people who were ever associated with the group have been removed because Randy Orton did not like them. What will happen when Kane takes out his frustration over Kelly Kelly denying his advances on the man who Kelly had a one night fling, Randy Orton? Will we find out any more participants in the Royal Rumble match or in matches on the pay per view? Who will Mike Knox attack this week and how much has his beard grown? Will they mention tonight if Vince McMahon will be returning to Raw?

Make sure to check out the many viewpoints from other members of the site. There is the always entertaining Someday to be sponsored by Shamwow Mike and Mike Post Raw Audio Show (if Big Vision can sponsor the football show, why not get a sponsor for the audio recap) during the overnight shift on Monday night; Buck Woodward’s written thoughts about Raw on Tuesday; and Dave Scherer’s audio thoughts on Raw. Also make sure to check out the PWInsiderElite.com message board for threads on Raw, other wrestling talk, and the 24/7 Entertaining Cheeseville section where you never know what Jared will be talking about (and if you have been on the board in the last week, you know exactly what I mean).

We see a limo in the parking lot and it is very long and belongs to JBL. Inside the JBLimo are Shawn Michaels and John Bradshaw Layfield. Bradshaw reminds Shawn that he is facing John Cena tonight. Bradshaw tells Shawn that he could have been him if he did not fall on hard times. Shawn is not fighting for a title tonight, he is fighting for a paycheck. With him in Shawn’s corner tonight, Shawn can consider this his Wrestlemania. Bradshaw leaves the limo.

We are live from Sioux City, Iowa and your announcers are Michael ‘If you announce it . . . it still won’t make sense’ Cole and Jerry ‘Where are the children of the corn’ Lawler.

Stephanie McMahon comes out and she walks to the ring. Stephanie says that the road to Wrestlemania starts in two weeks with the Royal Rumble as thirty superstars will compete to see who wrestles in the main event. Before we get to the Royal Rumble, the big story is that her father will be back next week.

Stephanie is interrupted by Chris Jericho’s music and he walks to the ring. Chris tells Stephanie that she is a liar. He says that Stephanie is no worse than any of the hypocrites sitting in the arena. The truth is that she can wait. He says that Stephanie is scared to death of her father’s return because she will no longer be in control. Chris says that Vince will listen to his protest and replace Bradshaw with him at the Royal Rumble. He says that Vince appreciates the 2008 Superstar of the Year.

Stephanie says that Raw is her show. Chris tells Stephanie to continue to think that is the case. Stephanie says that Vince does not have a clue. She says that Vince supports him. Chris wonders if Vince approved Stephanie’s decision to appoint Mike Adamle as GM. Stephanie says that was Shane’s call. Stephanie tells Chris that if he worried as much about Stephanie as his career, he would still be champion. Stephanie announces that there will be a contract signing next week.

Chris says that he will not wrestle unless there is a title match. He says that he is done talking to Stephanie and he calls Stephanie a ‘lame duck’ because the real McMahon is coming back. Nothing that Stephanie says will mean anything next week. Stephanie reminds Chris that she is still in charge. Stephanie says that Jericho has lost his opportunity to talk to ‘her father’ Vince, wrestle in the Royal Rumble, or wrestle for the World Title again. Chris says that he does not give a damn. Stephanie tells Chris that maybe he will give a damn because he is fired.

Stephanie walks to the back and Chris is not a happy camper as we go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Chris being the latest victim of the WWE chopping block.

We see Chris Jericho being escorted out during commercial.

Lawler and Cole talk about the bombshell we just saw.

We find out that The Miz is in the Royal Rumble match. We also see Mike Knox attacking Rey Mysterio last week.

Match Number One: The Miz versus Rey Mysterio
They lock up and Miz with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Rey with a drop kick and a kick to the head. Miz with an Irish whip but Rey with a kick. Rey tries for a wheelbarrow move but Miz sends Rey into the turnbuckles. Miz with the clothesline into the corner and Rey goes down and Miz gets a near fall. Miz with a knee to the back but Rey gets to his feet and he kicks Miz but Miz with a forearm. Rey gets out of a belly-to-back attempt but Miz sends Rey to the mat for a near fall. Rey with a kick to Miz and then Rey goes to the apron for a springboard swashbuckling seated senton for a near fall. Rey with a drop toe hold and guess where Miz falls. Miz avoids the 619 and then Miz sends Rey to the apron. Rey with a shoulder tackle and Rey with a sunset flip attempt but Miz does not go over and he drops down for a near fall. Miz with a kick followed by a knee lift but Rey escapes the neck breaker. Rey sends Miz into the ropes and Rey hits the 619 this time. Rey with a dive onto Miz for the three count.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

After the match, Mike Knox comes out and attacks Rey from behind and then he connects with a series of knees and then Knox runs Rey into the turnbuckles. Rey kicks Knox away and then he gives Knox a rana that sends him out of the ring. Knox stares Rey down from the floor.

Candice is talking to someone and it turns out that it was Punk that she was talking to. Punk takes out his headphones and says that he was getting ready for his match. Punk walks towards the ring as we go to commercial.

We are back and No Chance comes back next week. Remember when Vince McMahon was an announcer?

We see footage of last week’s disqualification finish to the match between William Regal and CM Punk. Then we see Stephanie’s announcement to set up tonight’s match.

Match Number Two: CM Punk versus William Regal for the Intercontinental Title
They lock up momentarily. Punk with a shoulder tackle and a near fall Regal with a European uppercut but Punk with a back slide. Punk with a side head lock take down and Regal with a near fall. Regal with a single leg take down but Punk with a side head lock take down for a near fall. They return to their feet and Punk avoids a belly-to-back suplex and Punk with a knee and bulldog but Regal kicks out. Regal sends Punk into the turnbuckles and then he connects with knees to the back. Punk with a low punch and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: William Regal by disqualification

After the match, Regal walks to the back gingerly while Punk pleads his case to the referee.

Mickie James is with Cody Rhodes and Mickie is talking about the show. Cody says that he hates snow and doesn’t know why they are in Iowa. Sim Snuka and Manu stop by and Sim still complains about last week. Cody says that they would have done the same thing in his shoes. Manu says that he is coming after Randy Orton tonight, so Cody is with them or against them. Sim says that they brought some backup. Someone who is second generation just like them. Cody thinks about who it might be as we go to commercial.

We are back with the latest ‘Barry O Moment’.

Todd Grisham stops William Regal and Layla and he asks Regal if he is happy about what happened. Regal says that he is happy that this is over and he is satisfied with the result. Stephanie McMahon stops by and she says that since each of them were disqualified, we will have a third and final match to determine the champion and it will be a No Disqualification Match.

It is time to find out that Steve Austin is going to be in the Hall of Fame.

Shawn Michaels is in his locker room and Bradshaw asks Shawn if he thinks Stephanie will be in charge of Raw when Wrestlemania happens. Bradshaw tells Shawn that he will beat John Cena. Shawn says that if this is his Wrestlemania, he does not need Bradshaw in his corner because he is the showstopper. Shawn leaves the locker room as we go to commercial.

We are back with another Vince video package of the ‘best FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHREDs’

Match Number Three: Kane versus Randy Orton with Cody Rhodes
Orton with a kick and punches to Kane as he backs Kane into the corner. Kane with a punch to Orton and Orton goes down holding his jaw. Kane with a back elbow and kick to the back of the neck. Kane with a punch and back elbow followed by another punch. Orton with an elbow to Kane but Kane clotheslines Orton over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.

We are back and Orton with a side head lock. During the break Orton hit a DDT on Kane. Kane with punches and a European uppercut followed by more punches and forearms. Kane with a punch to Orton’s chest and Orton goes down. Orton with a boot to Kane’s head and then he drops a knee to the head. Orton with the Garvin Stomp. Orton with boots to the solar plexus and then it is time for the reverse chin lock. Kane with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Kane with the rare uppercuts and a big boot. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline. Kane with another running clothesline and then he hits the side slam for a near fall. Orton with a forearm to the back but Kane goes for the choke slam. Orton kicks Kane and then Orton with a neck breaker. Orton with push ups but Kane pushes Orton away on the RKO attempt. Kane goes up top and Orton hits a drop kick as Kane comes down and Orton gets the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton

Kane goes after the referee because Kane thought his shoulder was up before the three count.

Orton is back in the ring and he celebrates with Cody.

Manu and Sim come out and Manu tells Randy that he needs to listen to him. Manu says that they are coming after Orton so he wants to know if they are with them or against them. Sim says that he has back up and it is Ted DiBiase.

They surround three quarters of the ring with Cody behind Orton. Manu, Sim, and Ted enter the ring. Cody comes into the ring too. Orton figures out what to do and Orton goes after Sim. DiBiase and Rhodes attack Sim while Orton goes after Manu. It is a three-on-two attack as DiBiase, Rhodes, and Orton attack the Samoans. Rhodes gives Snuka Roll the Dice. DiBiase with the Million Dollar Leg Sweep. The Legacy stand at the top of the ramp.

It is time to take a look back at the end of Chris Jericho’s time in the WWE since Stephanie McMahon fired him.

Todd Grisham is in the interview area with John Cena. Todd asks John about the Royal Rumble. Cena says that he knows about the Royal Rumble because of what he did last year. Cena says that the Royal Rumble is the most exciting pay per view of the year. Anything can happen at the Royal Rumble. Cena points out that he has to face Bradshaw for the title at the Royal Rumble. Cena says that Bradshaw is a former champion and he has been responsible for some of the most brutal matches that he has been involved in. He says that Bradshaw bought the best because Shawn Michaels is in the corner of Team JBL. Cena says that Michaels is the showstopper, the Heartbreak Kid, and the main event. Cena says that Shawn is Mr. Wrestlemania. Cena says that he will be facing Shawn in his Wrestlemania.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: Rosa Mendez attacks Melina again and security lets it happen.

Match Number Four: Jillian Hall and Beth Phoenix versus Melina and Kelly Kelly
One of the photographers happens to be Rosa Mendez and security eventually makes their way to take her away.

Beth and Jillian attack Kelly and Melina on the floor. Melina is sent into the ringside barrier. Beth takes some photos of Melina and Beth wants Melina to smile.

We go to commercial.

We are back with more Vince McMahon ‘Barry O Moments’ with Vince McMahon getting his star on the Walk of Fame.

It is time to run through the card for the Royal Rumble.

The Legacy are in the locker room and Cody thanks Ted for tipping them off. Randy says that they both proved that they want to be part of The Legacy. Ted points out that all three of them are in the Royal Rumble match. Randy says that there can only be one winner.

Jamie Noble, Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, and Cryme Tyme are outside Stephanie’s office and Santino comes out of the office and he is happy and he tells them that he will see them at the Royal Rumble and he says goodbye to his home cheeses.

Shawn Michaels and his shadow John Bradshaw Layfield walk in the back as we go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Shawn Michaels with John Bradshaw Layfield and JBLimo versus John Cena
Before the bell rings, Cena offers his hand to Shawn and Shawn shakes it.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the match is almost ready to start. Michaels with an arm bar and take down but Cena with a head scissors and Michaels escapes. They lock up and Michaels with a side head lock and take down but they return to their feet. Michaels pushes Cena and Cena knocks Michaels down. Michaels backs into the corner. Michaels with a hammer lock and Cena goes down to one knee. Cena with an elbow and shoulder tackle. Cena with a hip toss followed by a drop toe hold but Michaels gets out of an attempted STF and then Michaels tries for Sweet Chin Music but Cena gets away.

They lock up again and the referee tries to separate them in the corner. Michaels with chops instead of a clean break. Now it is time for Cena to connect with forearms. Michaels turns things around and chops Cnea. Cena with a back body drop and then Cena clotheslines Michaels over the top rope to the floor. Michaels gets back on the apron and Cena is dropped on the top rope.

Michaels with knees to the head and then he stomps on Cena’s head. Michaels with a kick to Cena followed by an elbow drop. Michaels with a chop in the corner and then he takes Cena on a tour of the turnbuckles for more chops. Cena with clotheslines. Michaels does the Michaels Flip and Cena with a bulldog for a near fall. Cena with an Irish whip and Cena tries for the fisherman’s suplex but Michaels escapes it and he puts Cena in a figure four leg lock. Cena is able to reverse the hold and Michaels releases the hold. Michaels slams Cena’s head into the turnbuckle. Cena Irish whips Michaels and Michaels goes onto the turnbuckles. Cena kicks Michaels and he tries for the FU but Michaels gets out of the hold. Michaels with a kick and leap frog. Cena tries for the leg drop from the top turnbuckle but Michaels moves and he puts Cena in the Crippler Crossface.

Cena gets to his feet but Michaels keeps the hold applied. Cena gets to the ropes and the people of Sioux City are not happy. Michaels kicks Cena to the floor and we go to commercial.

We are back and Shawn Michaels is down on the floor but Cena brings him back in. Cena with a side slam for a near fall. We see footage from during the commercial when Michaels went to the floor. Back to live action and Cena hits a belly-to-back suplex. Cena with an Irish whip and Cena with a suplex for a near fall. Cena tries for the FU but Michaels holds on to the ropes. Cena with a bear hug. Michaels gets out of the hold and connects with an elbow and forearm. Cena returns to the bear hug like maneuver and Cena runs Michaels into the turnbuckles. Cena charges into a boot from Michaels and both men are in a down like position. Michaels with a chop but Cena with punches. Both men with punches. Michaels with the flying forearm and kip up. Michaels with the reverse atomic drop and punch but Cena with the flying shoulder tackles followed by an attempted Blue Thunder Bomb. Michaels with a slam and then he crawls toward the apron and goes up top to win the battle of the moves of doom but Cena stops Michaels before he can hit the elbow drop. Cena tries for an FU from the second turnbuckle but Michaels counters with a power bomb.

Michaels goes up top eventually but misses the elbow drop. Cena goes to the apron and he tries to go up top and he hits the leg drop. Cena sees Michaels on the mat and it is time for the five knuckle shuffle and he hits it. Cena gets Michaels up for the FU but Michaels counters with a DDT but he can only get a two count because you can’t kill Superman.

Michaels goes up top and he hits the elbow drop. Michaels gets ready for Sweet Chin Music but Cena moves and Cena hits the FU and both men are down. Cena makes the cover but only gets a two count. Michaels with Sweet Chin Music out of nowhere but Cena kicks out. Michaels with a sunset flip for a two count. Cena puts Michaels in the STF but Michaels tries to get to the ropes. Bradshaw nudges the ropes closer to Michaels and Michaels gets to it and Cena releases the hold.

Michaels gets to his feet and Cena gets Michaels up and Michaels gets out of the hold. Cena sees Bradshaw and he stops before the ropes. He turns into Sweet Chin Music for the three count.
Winner: Shawn Michaels

Shawn walks to the back while Bradshaw gets in the ring and he stands over Cena as we go to credits.



2010 - EVOLVE announced they would have Tommy Dreamer appearing on their debut event.

2010 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We start off tonight’s show with a look back a the people who have qualified for the ECW Homecoming Over The Top Rope Challenge tonight. Who will face Christian at the Royal Rumble?

We are live on tape from Green Bay, Wisconsin and your announcers are Josh ‘Aaron Rodgers is filling in for Favre perfectly’ and Byron ‘Royale with Cheese’ Saxton.

Rosa Mendes comes to the ring and she dances in the ring for no apparent reason. She now has a mic and she introduces the man who ended Tommy Dreamer’s ECW career, Zack Ryder.

Zack thanks Rosa for the introduction and he says that it is a pretty big night for them. He says that there is a lot of buzz for tonight. He says that everyone is here to celebrate the new heart and soul of ECW, Zack Ryder. He says that he is the man here. He has the looks and the hottest girl in the entire WWE. He says that all of the other superstars trying for the ECW Title is cool, but he is above the ECW championship because he is ECW. Zack lets out a few woos but he is interrupted by the Hurricane.

Hurricane says that he has been sent here from a galaxy far far away to tell him to shut up. Zack reminds Hurricane that he is the heart and soul of ECW. Hurricane says that it takes more than one match to become the heart and soul of ECW. Hurricane says that Zack is the rear end of ECW because that is what he is talking about.

Rosa speaks in Spanish and Hurricane wants to know what she said in English. Rosa slaps Hurricane and Hurricane punches Zack and sends Zack over the top rope to the floor. Zack and Rosa leave the ringside area.

We go to commercial.

Match Number One: Zack Ryder with Rosa Mendes versus Hurricane

The match is joined in progress and Hurricane with a shoulder tackle and arm drag. Hurricane with another arm drag into an arm bar. Zack with a sunset flip but Hurricane rolls through and stomps on the solar plexus. Ryder with an Irish whip and Ryder anticipates that Hurricane will try a float over so he stops short and then he sends Hurricane shoulder first into the ring post. Ryder with a running boot in the corner followed by a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock on Hurricane. Ryder with a neck breaker followed by elbows and then he rubs his forearm across Hurricane’s face. Ryder misses an elbow drop but Ryder does not miss with a knee or forearms. Hurricane with kicks but Ryder with a kick to the chest and then he slams Hurricane’s face into the mat for a near fall. Ryder chokes Hurricane in the ropes and kicks him in the back. Ryder with a leaping leg lariat for a near fall. Ryder kicks Hurricane in the chest but Hurricane punches back. Ryder with an Irish whip and Hurricane goes face first into the top turnbuckle and Ryder gets a two count. Ryder with a reverse chin lock but Hurricane with a jawbreaker and a neck breaker. Hurricane with punches followed by a kick and missile drop kick. Hurricane with a Thesz Press and punches to Ryder. Ryder with a head butt to the midsection followed by an Irish whip but he runs into an uppercut followed by a Randy Savage clothesline. Hurricane goes up top and Rosa reaches under the ropes to will Zack out of the way and the referee tells Rosa to move out of the way while Zack knocks Hurricane off the turnbuckles. Ryder hits the Zack Attack for the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder

We go to the back where CM Punk is with Luke Gallows. Punk says that winning the ECW Homecoming to go on to the Royal Rumble to win the title is an interesting opportunity because he is the only three time Straight Edge Heavyweight Champion in history. That has allowed him to convert the masses to the straight edge lifestyle. He will be able to teach the new ECW superstars the right way to behave so he can mold them in his likeness. He will be able to force ECW to cease to exist and be replaced by his Straight Edge Society.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we see footage from Superstars when Yoshi Tatsu defeated Caylen Croft.

Match Number Two: Goldust versus Trent Barreta with Caylen Croft

They lock up and Goldust with a side head lock and shoulder tackles and he gets a near fall. Goldust with an arm drag into an arm bar. Goldust works on the arm but Barreta with a forearm and he tries for a leap frog but Goldust stops short and hits a reverse atomic drop and then he catapults Barreta into the ropes and then Barreta falls onto Goldust’s knees. Goldust returns to the arm and then Barreta with a forearm to Goldust. Goldust with a leaping butt block and then he clotheslines Barreta over the top rope to the floor. Croft provides Barreta with moral support and then Goldust tries for a shoulder while Barreta is on the apron and Barreta side steps Goldust and hits a leg drop with Goldust going to the floor. Barreta with a screaming running clothesline to Goldust on the floor. They return to the ring and Barreta with a leaping knee drop for a near fall. Barreta with a modified camel clutch on Goldust that turns into a rear chin lock and he works on Goldust’s back. Barreta with a few elbow drops for a near fall. Barreta returns to the rear chin lock but Goldust with a punch and back body drop to stop Barreta’s momentum. Goldust with a power slam to Barreta and both men are down. Goldust with punches followed by clotheslines. Goldust with a drop down punch followed by a reverse atomic drop and bulldog for a near fall. Goldust with a kick to the back and then he tries for an inverted suplex but Barreta lands on his feet. The referee is out of position and Barreta with a back elbow followed by a screaming flying knee to the head for the three count.
Winner: Trent Barreta

We go to the back where William Regal is with Ezekiel Jackson. Regal mentions that Zeke’s name is biblical and his abilities are biblical as well. Zeke says that it is appropriate that tonight is the finale because in the Book of Ezekiel it is written that to all of his opponents, the end has come, it has awakened against you.

Kane is walking in the back and we go to commercial.

We are back with a Raw Rebound.

Tiffany comes to the ring and she has something to say before our main event. She says that the eight best from ECW’s past and present will meet tonight to see who faces Christian for the ECW Title at the Royal Rumble. She brings out Christian who will be joining Josh and Byron at the announce table for commentary. Christian has some questions for Saxton to ask him tonight after their last time together at the announce table.

Match Number Three: ECW Homecoming Over the Top Rope Challenge Match featuring Kane, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Ezekiel Jackson, CM Punk, Vance Archer, Yoshi Tatsu, and Shelton Benjamin

Benjamin goes after Archer with a take down and the match has not officially started. The referees separate Archer and Benjamin as we await Kane’s entrance.

The bell rings to start the match and everyone goes after Kane and Kane takes care of them. Bourne comes off the turnbuckles and Kane grabs him by the throat and then he throws Bourne over the top rope to eliminate him. Jackson punches Hardy and then he goes after Yoshi. Yoshi punches Hardy and kicks Jackson. Hardy tries to eliminate Yoshi while Kane punches Punk in the corner. Yoshi kicks Archer and then Hardy tries to eliminate Vance. Jackson with knees to Benjamin and then he connects with a shoulder in the corner. Punk kicks Kane in the knee and leg while Archer hangs on the turnbuckles. Archer has Hardy over the ropes but he tries to stay in. Hardy with punches and then Kane with an uppercut to Archer. Yoshi with kicks to Jackson’s back and Hardy joins in and they try to eliminate Jackson. Punk rolls back into the ring after Shelton tries to eliminate him. Punk with an Irish whip and a running knee into the corner. Archer punches Kane and tries to eliminate him. Hardy tries to clothesline Jackson over the top rope but Jackson does not go over. Jackson kicks Hardy while Kane hits a side slam on Yoshi. Archer kicks Punk while Benjamin is on the apron. Benjamin kicks Archer and connects with shoulders. Kane with an uppercut to Hardy as they renew their issues from a few years ago. Punk tries to suplex Yoshi over the top rope to the floor but Yoshi blocks it. Hardy hits an elbow from the turnbuckles. Yoshi throws Punk over the top rope but Punk rolls back in. We go to commercial.

We are back and we still have seven men in the match. Punk is down in the corner while Kane and Hardy continue to exchange punches. Benjamin sends Archer into the turnbuckles and Jackson works over Yoshi. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Jackson tries to eliminate Punk but Punk holds on and rolls back in. Archer tries for a running boot to Benjamin but Shelton moves and Archer crotches himself. Benjamin punches Archer but Archer stays on the apron and punches Benjamin and Hardy. Benjamin with a cross body and he eliminates Archer and himself.

We are now down to five. Kane with an uppercut to Yoshi while Hardy punches Punk in the corner. Kane with a slam to Yoshi and Hardy punches Jackson. Hardy punches Kane from behind and Yoshi with forearms to Hardy. Hardy punches Yoshi but Yoshi with chops to Hardy. Hardy with a Side Effect to Yoshi and then he tries to give Jackson one but Zeke blocks it. Punk is on the apron one more time and he fights off elimination while Hardy comes off the turnbuckles and he is caught by Jackson and Zeke tries to eliminate Hardy but Matt holds on to the ropes but Jackson with a kick to the back and Matt is eliminated.

We are now half way through the match and all four men circle each other. Punk kicks Yoshi and Jackson but Kane with an uppercut to Punk and Punk goes down. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner. Punk with the running knee into the corner and then Kane sends Punk into a clothesline from Jackson. Jackson with a clothesline to Kane as well. Jackson throws Punk over the top rope and eliminates him. Yoshi with a kick to Kane followed by running knees into the corner but when he tries for the rolling mare, Kane counters and eliminates Yoshi.

We are down to the final two and it is Ezekiel Jackson and Kane. They look at each other and realize that they have a title shot in their grasp. They lock up and Jackson pushes Kane away and then he poses and freaks out. They lock up again and Jackson has Kane against the ropes. Kane now backs Jackson against the ropes but Zeke with a knee and forearms. Jackson tries to slam Kane over the top rope but Kane holds on for his life and he stays in the ring. Kane with a vintage uppercut and another punch. Kane tries to eliminate Zeke but Zeke holds on and he punches Kane in the upper chest. Kane grabs Zeke and tries for a choke slam but Jackson with a series of elbows to the head. Kane with a big boot and then he goes up top for the clothesline and he misses when Zeke moves out of the way and Ezekiel with a clothesline that sends Kane over the top rope to win the match.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson

After the match, Jackson and Christian have a long distance stare down and we go to cred
2011 - Scott Steiner returned to TNA during an Impact taping in Orlando, FL.

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