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3/1 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: FLAIR STRUTS INTO MSG FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE SLAMMY AWARDS DEBUT, TAZ AND BIGELOW HEADLINE ECW LIVING DANGEROUSLY, CHEECH & CHONG GUEST HOST RAW AND MUCH MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2012-03-01 08:00:00

On this day in history in ....

1937 - Ben Jordan defeats Bill Collins to win the Georgia Southern Light Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning his third reign.

1939 - Adnan Al-Kaissie is borrn in Iraq.

1940 - Kenny Mayne defeats Henry Jones in Salt Lake City, Utah for the Utah Middleweight Title.

1942 - Ciclon Veloz defeats Jack O'Brien to win the Mexican National Welterweight Title in Pachuca, Mexico.

1952 - Ben and Mike Sharpe defeat Ron Etchison and Sandor Szabo for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title, beginning their fifth reign.

1953 - Al Kashey and Tom Rice defeat Bobby Bruns and Rikidozan to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1955 - Mike Tenay, renowned announcer for WCW and TNA, is born.

1965 - Former WCW and WWE World Champion, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is born in Houston, Texas.

1966 - Duke Keomuka and Fritz Von Erich defeat The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) and The Golden Terror for the Texas NWA World Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.

1967 - Curtis Iaukea wins his sixth Hawaii NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii, from Johnny Barend.

1968 - Dennis Hall and Ken Lucas defeat Chin Lee and Pancho Villa to win the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama.

1971 - Former WCW and ECW star Scotty "Riggs" Anton is born.

1972 - Goliath and Kinji Shibuya defeat Dory Dixon and Earl Maynard to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California.

1975 - Pierre Martel defeats Carlos Colon for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ending Colon's second reign. At the same show, Toru Tanaka won a tournament final to become the first WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Champion.

1976 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Rocky Tamayo defeated Johnny Rivera.
- Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Ric Flair, in his MSG debut, defeated Pete Sanchez.
- Louis Cyr defeated Pat Barrett.
- Superstar Billy Graham and Ivan Koloff defeated WWWF World Tag Team Champions Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi in a two-out-of-three falls match.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ernie Ladd to retain the title.
- Susan Green defeated Kitty Adams. Adams replaced World Women's Champion The Fabulous Moolah, who suffered a broken collarbone the night before in Toronto, Ontario in a match with Green.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil defeated Jerry Blackwell to retain the title.

1977 - Dick Murdoch defeats The Great Zimm (Waldo Von Erich) in Shreveport, Louisiana to win the NWA Tri-State North American Heavyweight Title.

1980 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Johnny Rodz defeated Mike Masters.
- Joyce Grable and Vivian St. John defeated Winona Littleheart and Cindy Majors.
- Ken Patera defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Bruno Sammartino by disqualification.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Sika defeated Tito Santana.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Afa.
- Pat Patterson defeated Bulldog Brower.

1981 - Steve Keirn wins his second NWA National Television Title from Kevin Sullivan, ending his second reign.

1981 - Villano III defeats Fishman for the UWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.

1982 - Jerry Lawler defeats Dutch Mantel to win the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. This ended Mantel's second reign and began Lawler's 20th.

1986 - The first-ever WWF Slammy Awards airs on MTV, which was taped in December at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The show was mainly used to promote the WWF's "The Wrestling Album", which was released in November of 1985. Award winners were:
- Roddy Piper for Best Personality in the "Land of a Thousand Dances" video.
- Mona Flambe (Cyndi Lauper) for Best Producer.
- Gene Okerlund for Best Commentator.
- Nikolai Volkoff for Most Ignominious.
- Junkyard Dog for Best Single Performer.
- Gene Okerlund, Jimmy Hart, Hillbilly Jim and The Junkyard Dog also performed their respective songs from The Wrestling Album.

1986 - The fifth edition of the WWF's Saturday Night's Main Event, taped February 15 in Phoenix, Arizona at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, airs on NBC and earns a 10.0 rating. The results:
- Mr. T defeated Bob Orton, Jr. (with Roddy Piper) by countout in the second round of a boxing match.
- King Kong Bundy (with Bobby Heenan) pinned Steve Gatorwolf after the Avalanche, after the match Bundy said he wanted Hulk Hogan.
- WWF Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Don Muraco (with Bobby Heenan, subbing for Mr. Fuji, who was sick) by disqualification to retain the title, when Heenan entered the ring to prevent Hogan from pinning Muraco after the legdrop. King Kong Bundy then ran in and attacked Hogan, giving him three Avalanches and two splashes. The British Bulldogs and Pedro Morales made the save.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine (with Johnny V) defeated The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid (with Captain Lou Albano)) to retain the title, when Valentine pinned Dynamite.
- The Junkyard Dog pinned Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart).

1986 - Ben Bassarab and Chris Benoit defeat Wayne Farris (Honky Tonk Man) and Ron Starr to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Regina, Saskatchewan, ending Farris and Starr's second reign.

1987 - Bruno Sammartino is inducted into the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1987 - The WWF held an event at Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- Paul Roma defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
- The Honky Tonk Man defeated Jerry Allen.
- Steve Lombardi defeated Sivi Afi.
- Dan Spivey defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash) in a handicap match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell).
- Paul Orndorff and WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage defeated Ricky Steamboat and George Steele.

1988 - Rey Misterio defeats Fishman in a tournament final to become the first WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Champion in Tijuana, Mexico.

1989 - Carlos Colón wins his second WWC Television Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, ending Jason the Terrible's second reign.

1992 - Bam Bam Bigelow and Big Van Vader defeat Hiroshi Hase and Keiji Muto for the IWGP World Tag Team Title in Yokohama, Japan.

1992 - The Heartbreakers (Wendell Cooley and Frankie Lancaster) defeat Rex King and Ricky Santana to win their third WWC World Tag Team Title in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, ending King and Santana's second reign, which lasted just one day.

1992 - Los Misionares de la Muerte (Black Power II, Negro Navarro and El Signo) defeat Los Villanos (I, IV and V) for the UWA World Trios Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

1992 - Mascarita Sagrada defeats Espectrito in a tournament final to become the first CMLL World Mini-Estrella Champion.

1993 - The WWF held a live Monday Night RAW at the Manhattan Center in New York City, New York. The results:
- WWF Champion Bret Hart defeated Fatu (with Afa) by submission with the Sharpshooter.
- Doink the Clown defeated Koko B. Ware by submission with the Stump Puller.
- Lex Luger pinned P.J. Walker, with his pinky, after the running forearm.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated Duane Gill and Barry Hardy, when Scott pinned Gill with the Frankensteiner.

1993 - Jeff Jarrett wins his seventh USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Brian Christopher's seventh reign. At the same show, JC Ice defeats Danny Davis in a tournament final to become the first USWA Middleweight Champion.

1993 - Bobby Eaton defeats Tim Horner to win the SMW Television Title in Sevierville, Tennessee.

1996 - The Tennessee Equalizer defeats Eddie Bruiser in Fall Branch, Tennessee to win his second Southern States Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

1997 - La Ley and Ricky Santana defeat The Texas Hangmen (Psycho and Killer) for the WWC World Tag Team Title in Cayey, Puerto Rico, ending the Hangmen's third reign.

1997 - Flash Flanagan and Billy Travis defeat PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) to win the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending PG-13's 13th reign.

1998 - ECW held the first-annual "Living Dangerously" pay-per-view event at the Convention Center in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
- In a dark match, Sabu (with Bill Alfonso) pinned The Sandman in a Duelling Canes match, after Rob Van Dam interfered and Sabu and RVD double legdropped Sandman through a table on the entrance ramp.
- Chris Chetti and Jerry Lynn defeated The Full-Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers (with Tommy Rich)), when Lynn pinned Smothers with a roll-up after Rich hit Smothers with the Italian flag, intended for Lynn.
- Masato Tanaka, in his ECW debut, pinned Doug Furnas (with Mr. Right; subbing for W*ING Kanemura) after the Roaring elbow.
- Rob Van Dam (with Bill Alfonso) pinned 2 Cold Scorpio with a victory roll.
- New Jack & Spike Dudley defeated The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray & D-Von) (with Big Dick, Sign Guy and Studley Dudley) and Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney in a three-way elimination match. Buh-Buh Ray pinned Mahoney after the 3D, and New Jack pinned D-Von after a chairshot off the top.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned Justin Credible (with Jason Knight and Nicole Bass) after a DDT.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned ECW World Television Champion Taz to win the title. Taz had Bigelow locked in the Tazmission, with Bigelow dropping on his back in an attempt to break the hold. Bigelow broke the hold, and the ring. Both men crashed through the wooden ring floor, Taz hit his head on a ring support, which knocked him out. Bigelow climbed out of the hole in the ring, pulled Taz out, and pinned him to win the title in his hometown. During the delay of fixing the ring, ECW aired the Sabu-Sandman match taped before the pay-per-view went live. A match with Al Snow vs. Kronus was to take place next, but was cancelled.
- Al Snow and ECW World Tag Team Champion Lance Storm defeated ECW World Tag Team Champion Chris Candido (with Tammy Sytch) and ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas (with Francine), when Snow pinned Douglas after the Snowplow. Sytch initially came to the ring with Storm and said that she was his surprise partner, but she turned on him. Candido asked Storm what his surprise was then, with Storm simply saying "Head." After the match, as Snow celebrated in the audience, the fans littered the ring with styrofoam heads to close the show.

1998 - Dr. Cerebro defeats Shiima Nobunaga (CIMA) in a tournament final in Naucalpan, Mexico to become the first IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Champion.

1999 - The Monday Night War continued, with WWF RAW is WAR winning the week with its 6.3 rating on USA Network, beating WCW Monday Nitro's 4.3 on TNT.

The 181st edition of WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The results:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman defeated Psychosis to retain the title.
- Rey Mysterio, Jr. defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
- The Cat (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Jerry Flynn.
- Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Perry Saturn.
- Chris Benoit defeated Bret Hart by disqualification.
- Goldberg and Rick Steiner defeated Buff Bagwell and WCW World Television Champion Scott Steiner.

The 301st edition of WWF RAW is WAR was live from Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The show featured Jim Ross' return to television after a three-month absence due to Bell's Palsy. The results:
Dark matches:
- Lou Marconi defeated Sean Casey.
- Test vs. The Godfather ended in a no-contest.
RAW:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Val Venis defeated Goldust (with The Blue Meanie and Ryan Shamrock) and Ken Shamrock to retain the title, when Shamrock and Goldust were both counted out after Goldust kissed Ryan Shamrock and Ken Shamrock attacked Goldust. Billy Gunn attacked Venis after the match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) fought Triple H and X-Pac to a double-disqualification to retain the title, when everyone began fighting in the ring, with Ivory coming to ringside and disrobing Debra.
- WWF Champion The Rock pinned Road Dogg after the Rock Bottom and Corporate Elbow.
- Droz defeated Steve Blackman in a Kendo Stick match.
- Mankind and The Undertaker were both counted out.
- Ivory defeated Debra by disqualification when Terri Runnels and Jacqueline interfered.
- Steve Austin and Kane (with Chyna) fought to a no-contest when the referee was taken out. If Kane had lost, Chyna and Kane would have been fired from the Corporation.
Shotgun Saturday Night, which aired on March 13:
- Mideon defeated WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Gillberg.
- Too Much (Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor) defeated The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff).
- Viscera defeated Tiger Ali Singh.
Super Astros, which aired on March 14:
- Negro Casas defeated El Bandito.
- Max Mini and Nova defeated Battalion and El Torito.
- Armando Fernandez defeated Funaki.

1999 - Perro Aguayo, Sr. and Perro Aguayo, Jr. defeat El Cobarde and El Cobarde, Jr. for the Mexican National Tag Team Title in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, beginning their second reign.

1999 - Tomohiro Ishii and Yuji Yasuraoka defeat Shinjiro Otani and Tatsuhito Takaiwa to win the WAR International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning their second reign.

2000 - Nanae Takahashi defeats Miyuki Fujii in a tournament final in Fukuoka, Japan for the vacant AJW Singles Title.

2002 - 16,000 fans attended a WWF house show in Yokohama, Japan at the Yokohama Arena. The results were:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion William Regal defeated Edge to retain the title.
- Lita defeated Mighty Molly.
- WWF European Champion Diamond Dallas Page defeated Haku to retain the title.
- Funaki defeated The Hurricane.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Billy and Chuck defeated The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt) to retain the title.
- WWF Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri defeated Billy Kidman to retain the title.
- Big Show and Kane defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von).
- WWF Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho defeated The Rock to retain the title.

2002 - IWA Mid-South held "Spring Heat" at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Indianapolis, Indiana. The results were:
- Cash Flo defeated Hy-Zaya.
- Brad Bradley defeated Chuck E. Smooth.
- Ace Steel defeated Vic Capri.
- Trent Baker defeated Chris Hero.
- Colt Cabana defeated Ian Rotten.
- Mitch Page and Rollin' Hardy defeated Todd Morton and Mitch Ryder.
- Axl Rotten defeated Bull Pain in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
- Eddie Guerrero defeated Rey Misterio, Jr. and IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion CM Punk in a three-way match to win the title.
- Mad Man Pondo and Nate Webb defeated Necro Butcher and Corporal Robinson in a Barbed Wire Boards match.

2002 - Scotty Riggs defeats Dustin Rhodes in Carrollton, Georgia for the Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign. At the same show, Glacier and Ron Studd won the TCW Tag Team Title from Southside Trash.

2002 - Majik wins a tournament in Bedworth, England to become the first NWA United Kingdom Junior Heavyweight Champion.

2002 - Prince Aladdin defeats Wrathchild for the NWA Pacific Northwest Hardcore Title in Surrey, British Columbia, ending Wrathchild's second reign.

2003 - Kenta Kobashi defeats Mitsuharu Misawa to win the NOAH GHC Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Misawa's second reign.

2003 - The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) defeat The Shane Twins (Mike and Todd) to win the Independent Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Yokohama, Japan, ending the Shanes' fourth reign.

2003 - XPW held the second of two My Bloody Valentine events at North Hills, California's X-Park. The results:
- XPW World Tag Team Champions Youthanazia (Josh and Matt Cross) defeated Team Futura (Jardi Frantz and Bobby Quance) to retain the title.
- Vic Grimes (with Lucy) defeated Salem (with Altar Boy Luke).
- Jonny Storm defeated Altar Boy Luke.
- Jerry Lynn defeated Super Crazy in an XPW European Title Tournament second round match.
- Justice Pain defeated Chris Candido (with Tammy Lynn Sytch).
- Southern Comfort (Chris Hamrick and Tracy Smothers) defeated Mexico's Most Wanted (Damian 666 and Halloween) in a two-out-of-three falls match.
- XPW Television Champion X (Sean Waltman) defeated Juventud Guerrera to retain the title.
- Justin Credible defeated XPW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas by disqualification. Douglas retained the title.
- XPW King of the Deathmatch Champion Supreme defeated Ian Rotten in a No Rope Barbed Wire match to retain the title.

2003 - Salvatore Rinauro defeats Slim J. for the NWA Wildside Junior Heavyweight Title in Cornelia, Georgia.

2003 - Dante and Tim Renesto defeat The Heartbreakers (John Caesar and Larry Valentine) for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Columbia, Tennessee.

2004 - WWE held a live RAW and Sunday Night Heat taping at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia. RAW got a 3.8 rating on Spike TV. The results:
Sunday Night Heat:
- Rene Dupree pinned Spike Dudley after reversing the Dudley Dogg into a Death Valley Driver.
- Steven Richards pinned Kyle McNeely after the Stevie-T.
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated Lance Storm and Val Venis, when D-Von pinned Venis after the 3D. With the win, the Dudleys earned a spot in the Fatal Four-Way World Tag Team Title match at WrestleMania XX.
RAW:
- Lita and WWE Women's Champion Victoria defeated Jazz (with Theodore Long) and Molly Holly, when Victoria blocked a suplex by Molly and reversed it into an inside cradle.
- Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak defeated The Hurricane and Rosey, when Cade pinned Rosey with a roll-up, to earn a spot in the WrestleMania XX Fatal Four-Way World Tag Team Title match.
- Batista and WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels, when Orton pinned Michaels with a roll-up after Michaels and Benoit began fighting.
- World Tag Team Champions Booker T and Rob Van Dam defeated Matt Hardy and Test, when Booker pinned Test after Booker's scissors kick and a Five-Star Frog Splash from RVD.

2005 - At a SmackDown! taping in Albany, New York, Orlando Jordan defeats John Cena to win the WWE United States Title, ending Cena's second reign.

2006 - Brent Albright defeats CM Punk in a tournament final for the OVW Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning his second reign. The title had been vacated on February 8 by Matt Cappotelli.

2007 - Deep South Wrestling held its weekly television taping at the Deep South Arena in McDonough, Georgia. The show aired on March 11 on Comcast Sports South. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Angel Williams defeated Brooke Adams.
- Kofi Kingston defeated Ace Steel.
- Keith Walker defeated Ray Gordy.
- The Freakin' Deacon and G-Rilla defeated Brian Cage and Bobby Hopkins.
- Heath Miller defeated Shawn Osbourne.
Televised matches:
- Robert Anthony and Johnny Curtis defeated Frankie Coverdale and Keith Walker.
- Eric Perez defeated Afa, Jr.
- Derrick Neikirk defeated Deep South Tag Team Champion Brett Majors.
- Ryan O'Reilly defeated Deep South Heavyweight Champion Bradley Jay to win the title, beginning his second reign and ending Jay's second.

2009 - Ring of Honor held their second ROH on HDNet taping in Philadelphia, PA at the ECW Arena.  Stu Carapola filed the following report:

Pre-Show Notes: Pelle Primeau is here.  He was at ringside in street clothes before the show.  Also, I heard from someone who saw Eddie Kingston here in his gear.  I don't know 100 percent but there it is.

They opened the taping with the episode 5 main event.

-Claudio Castagnoli defeated Brent Albright. Claudio attacked Albright before the bell and they brawled around ringside.  Back in the ring they went toe to toe, exchanging chops in the corner.  Claudio caught Albright on a dive to the floor and rammed him into the guardrail and knocked me and several others back a row.  Jerk made me drop my Blackberry!  Claudio continued working him over in the ring with a lot of stiff shots and went back to the floor where Albright hit him with an overhead belly-to-belly out of nowhere.  Albright went to work back in the ring, but Claudio was able to get him in the giant swing.  Albright got him in the crowbar, but Claudio made the ropes.  They did a reversal sequence that ended with Claudio getting a victory roll with the ropes for the win.

-Austin Aries defeated Kenny Omega.  The crowd was chanting "Austin A--hole" and "you tapped out" at Aries.  Aries outwrestled Omega to start, but Omega came back with some nice athletic moves, but Aries yanked him off the top rope to the floor and went back to work.  Aries gave him a wet willie (serously) and it the Power Drive Elbow for 2. Omega came back with a spinkick and an enziguiri, then mounted a comeback.  Omega with a springboard moonsault to the floor, but Aries went to the eyes and rammed him into the ringpost.  Corner dropkick, kick to the head, and brainbuster wins it for Aries.  Very competitive match and Omega looked great.

-Delirious defeated "Dirty" Ernie Osiris. Delirious is bringing back elements of the old, funny Delirious in his persona, basically acting like he used to except he's a heel now. He ripped off Konnan's highspot and threw Osiris' sneaker at him. This was almost all Delirious, finishing Dirty Ernie off with a Panic Attack and then Shadows Over Hell.

-Daizee Haze and a partner whose name I didn't catch defeated Sara Del Rey and another unnamed partner. Daizee and her partner outmaneuvered Sara to start. This was almost all Sara, who even kept shoving her own partner around and tagging herself in when the partner didn't do well enough. Sweeney was in total sleaze mode, hitting on anything female out there. Daizee hit the Mindtrip on Sara's partner for the win.

-Jerry Lynn defeated Brodie Lee. I love Brodie Lee's look, like a big oil mechanic you don't want to mess with. Brodie overpowered Jerry for most of the match, catching Jerry with some big slams and beating him up on the outside. Brodie continued beating Jerry up in the ring and hit a nice Michinoku Driver for 2. Brodie Lee threw Jerry into the guardrail right in front of me again and this time he went clean through it. Jimmy came to ringside yelling at Brodie to put Jerry out, but Jerry mounted a comeback with a hurricanrana and a top rope dropkick. Jerry hit Brodie with a dive to the floor and a missile dropkick, but Brodie got a top rope butterfly suplex for 2. Brodie with a big boot in the corner and a Black Hole Slam for 2, but Jerry with an inside cradle for the win. Jimmy reamed Brodie out after the loss.

-Rhett Titus and Kenny King defeated Cheech and Cloudy. Fun tag match with Cheech and Cloudy getting some nice double team moves in to start, until King got a cheap running knee to Cloudy. Titus and King are great at working a crowd. King killed Cloudy with a big lariat, but Cloudy rolled under a second one and made the hot tag to Cheech, who came in and cleaned house. Cheech with a nice superkick followed by he and Cloudy doing the Quebecers' old finisher for 2. Cloudy got tossed off the top rope and onto the guardrail hard, and Titus and King finished Cheech with a doubleteam powerbomb/blockbuster.

-Eddie Kingston defeated Sami Callahan. Kingston was crazy over with the crowd and looked in better shape than when he wrestled Jigsaw last year. This was really stiff as both men took turns smacking the taste out of one another's mouth. Callahan got busted open and it looked hardway. Kingston hit a spinning backfist for the win.

-Bobby Dempsey squashed Orange Cassidy in about 30 seconds with a Death Valley Driver.
-Necro Butcher defeated Jimmy Jacobs by disqualification. Necro came out with a staplegun, but the referee took it away from him before the match. Jimmy tried to shake hands, so Necro did...then socked him in the face. Necro continued pummeling him in the ring then on the floor, but Jimmy got a belly-to-back suplex on the floor then put a plastic bag over Necro's head. Jimmy went for the spear, but Necro just decked him in the face, then hit a chokeslam and tiger driver, but instead of going for the win, he went and grabbed the staplegun. Brodie Lee ran in for the DQ.

-The Dark City Fight Club defeated Grizzley Redwood and a partner whose name I didn't get. Total squash by the DCFC, who looked better tonight than they did at last night's taping. DCFC with a double-team press slam into a powerbomb/neckbreaker for the win.

-ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness defeated Alex Payne. Nigel cut a pre-match promo saying that after all the injuries over the years, he still doesn't have the respect of the fans, and that's okay because he doesn't want the fans' respect anyway, but will take it out on Alex Payne. Payne with a nice flurry to start, but Nigel quickly took control and went to work on Payne's arm. Payne tried a comeback, but Nigel killed him with a lariat and the Tower of London for the win.

-Jay Briscoe and Kevin Steen defeated Chris Hero and Eddie Edwards. Hero and Edwards attacked before the bell, but Steen and Briscoe turned the tide quickly. Sweeney distracted Briscoe and allowed Hero to hit a yakuza kick to send Briscoe to the outside where he was attacked by the other members of Sweet N Sour Inc. Mark Briscoe came down to ringside to chase Sweeney's boys off and the match went back in the ring. Jay made the hot tag and Steen came in and cleaned house, hitting the moonsault on Hero for 2. Hero hit the roaring elbow for 2, but went after Mark on the floor. Jay took Hero out and Steen hit the package piledriver for the win.

-Tyler Black and Bryan Danielson went to a time limit draw. Feeling out process to start, until Black hits a hurricanrana for 2. Danielson comes back with some European uppercuts then puts him in a surfboard, then turns that into a hanging dragon sleeper. Danielson is so the man. Black catches him with an inverted sunset flip for 2, but Danielson puts him right back down with a European uppercut. Danielson with the diving elbow to the floor, but Tyler catches Danielson coming off the top with a dropkick and hits a nice Pelle kick to turn the tide. Tyler with a sweet dropkick sends Danielson to the floor and Tyler hits a somersault senton to the outside. Danielson catches him in a heel hook, but Tyler makes the ropes. Tylet tries a superkick but Danielson catches the foot and goes back to the heel hook, but Tyler escapes again. Tyler went for the Phoenix Splash but Danielson moved and locked Tyler in a triangle choke, but Black escaped just as the time limit expired. After the match, Austin Aries came out with a microphone insulting both men and distracting them so Jimmy Jacobs and Brodie Lee could run in from behind and attack. Necro made the save and they chased the heels off and stood tall in the ring with the crowd chanting ROH as the show ended.

2010 - WWE announced Mad Dog Vachon would be inducted into their Hall of Fame.

2010 - Women's comedy promotion Wrestlicious made its official debut on MavTV in the United States and BiteTV in Canada.  The series ran for one season.  There has been talks off and on of filming additional material but to date, it hasn't come to pass.

2010 - Ecki "Umaga" Fatu's cause of death was ruled accidental, caused by "acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and diazepam."  Hydrocone (aka Vicodin) is a painkiller.  Carisoprodol (soma) is a muscle relaxer.  Diazepam (Valium) is an anti-anxiety medication.

2010 - Cheech and Chong guest host Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and your announcers are Michael ‘Bret, can you take some of JR’s BBQ to the Canadian Hockey Team to help them celebrate’ Cole and Jerry ‘Why is every match going 4:20 tonight?’ Lawler.

We start things off with the man who will be facing the Undertaker in the greatest rematch in the history of rematches from Wrestlemania 25 so they can really tear down the house at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania.

We go to highlights from the World Title Match at the Elimination Chamber Pay Per View as well as Shawn’s confrontation with the Undertaker on last week’s Raw.

Shawn waits for the crowd to stop chanting HBK and then he says that there is a buzz around the locker room. They think that he is crazy for putting his career on the line against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Shawn says that as he walks the halls of the locker room and he sees his peers and they look away from him. They stand in the corner whispering at him and then they look away. None of them believe in him and think that he can beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Shawn says that he knows that the Undertaker is 17-0 but no one has given him a run for his money like he did. Shawn says that every man, woman, and child on Earth knows that he is Mr. Wrestlemania. He says that he can end the Undertaker’s undefeated streak. Shawn tells all of his peers that he is going to give them an opportunity to come out and tell him to his face that he cannot win.

The official spokesman comes out and it is his Degeneration X partner, Triple H. Shawn looks a little shocked that Hunter would come out. He says that Hunter is his friend for fifteen years. Hunter says that Shawn is wrong. He says that he doesn’t think that Shawn can beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. He says that he knows that Shawn can. He says that he knows it and he tells Shawn to look him in the eye. Hunter says that he has wrestled everybody in this business and he has looked in their eyes. He tells Shawn that he is the best he has ever been in the ring with. Hunter says that Shawn has no peers. He is in a class by himself. Hunter points to the sign and he tells Shawn that he is Mr. Wrestlemania. Hunter says that they might be on different paths right now, but DX will never die. It will be a long time before they are in the ring together. Hunter says that he doesn’t want their last image in the ring to be a loss to Big Show and the Miz. That is why he has invoked their rematch clause and they will have the match tonight.

Shawn tells Hunter that he appreciates everything that Hunter said and he appreciates that they are going to have the rematch. Hunter says that it is not about tag titles. Hunter says that you don’t have to defend the title for 30 days as champion. Hunter says that 30 days is the night after Wrestlemania. Hunter says that they go to that Raw and throw a celebration like only DX can throw. He says that Shawn will be known as the man who ended Taker’s streak at Wrestlemania. Hunter says that he believes in Shawn and he believes that Shawn will still be here the night after Wrestlemania, that the Undertaker’s streak will be over, and that Shawn’s career will be alive and well because he believes that Shawn will beat the Undertaker. Hunter wants to know what Shawn believes.

Shawn says that he believes that they have some tag team titles to win tonight.

We go to the office and Cheech and Chong are surprised at what they brought to the show. The Arm Candy Twins stop by and ask if Cheech and Chong are impressed. They want to get tickets to one of their shows. Cheech says that they are not really those characters and they are down home guys. The Bellas offer to take them on a backstage tour and Tommy decides to take a rest. Tommy sees Hornswoggle and he has some Lucky Charms. Hornswoggle has the munchies and then Tommy hallucinates a little.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: The Six Man Match that saw the further implosion of Legacy from last week.

Match Number One: Randy Orton versus Ted DiBiase in a Heart and Soul of Legacy Match

They circle each other before locking up but DiBiase with a kick and punches. Orton with a series of punches. DiBiase with a kick but Orton with a clothesline and Ted backs into the corner. DiBiase backs Orton into the corner and DiBiase with a knee and shoulders in the corner. DiBiase with a kick and punches in the corner but the referee holds him back. DiBiase puts Orton on top and tries for a superplex but Orton pushes him off and DiBiase with a drop kick and then he sends Orton to the floor. DiBiase tries to send Orton into the ring post but Orton stops him and he sends Ted into the post and follows it up with a European uppercut. DiBiase returns to the ring but he heads to the floor and we go to commercial.

We are back and DiBiase is stomping a mud hole into Orton as the referee pulls him off again. DiBiase punches Randy and stomps on his chest. Ted punches and kicks Randy in the corner and chokes him. Ted with a snap mare and kick to Randy’s head for a near fall but he is too cocky with his cover. DiBiase continues to work on the neck with an arm bar and chin lock. Orton tries to escape the hold but Ted holds on until Randy with a punch. Ted with a follow up clothesline for a near fall. Ted with a punch to Orton but Orton with a punch of his own. It is time for the boo-yay punches and the booer gets the advantage. Orton with a power slam and Randy gets his voices talking as he does the Garvin Stomp followed by a leaping knee drop. Orton pushes Ted away and then he does the RKO push ups but Cody comes up from behind and Cody avoids a punch and Ted with a rollup but Orton rolls through and gets a near fall. Orton punches Cody and then Orton punches Ted but it is now a two on one situation as the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Randy Orton by disqualification

After the match Orton fights back and he hits a drop kick on Ted before hitting the back breaker on Rhodes. Randy tries for the IEDDT on Rhodes but Ted pulls him out of the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and a limo has arrived at the building and we see a cast emerge from the limo and it is Bret Hart attached to the cast. He limps to the building.

We are back and Tommy is massaging Eve and he has an idea for a Divas Match and it is going to be a pillow pajama fight. Cheech returns and he wants to know if Tommy is eating sugar because he is diabetic. We see that it is really William Regal, not Eve who he was massaging.

Tommy wants to hang with Kelly Kelly but it is Chris Masters with Kelly’s voice. Hornswoggle returns and he wants to give Tommy some cereal. Cheech wants to know if there are any marshmallows and then he joins Tommy in dreamland.

It is time for the John Cena/Batista video package.

We are told by Jerry Lawler that we could see John Cena and Batista confront each other tonight. Stay tuned.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: Christian getting into the Money in the Bank Match against Carlito.

Match Number Two: Jack Swagger versus Santino Marella in a Money in the Bank Qualifier Match

They lock up and Santino with punches to Swagger and then he does a split but Swagger blocks the hip toss and Swagger with the Doctor Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Jack Swagger

After the match, Swagger points to the sign since he earned the opportunity.

We see Batista with his security detail. He walks in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Did You Know that Raw gets better ratings on Mondays than CNBC and ESPN.

John Cena’s music plays and he comes to the ring. He waits for the roar to die down in the building and he says that a few people told him that Batista stole the title from him at the Elimination Chamber. John says that he was not screwed. He agrees with Vince that it was about business. He aligned himself with Vince McMahon and became the champion. Cena says that it wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last. The next night, things got personal when Batista ambushed him. He doesn’t know why. Cena says that he knows that everyone wants to be champion and he never had problems during their time in WWE. Now Batista has a problem with him. John says that he sees a silver lining and that he is going to be in a main event match at Wrestlemania for the WWE Title against Batista. John says that after what happened last week, he needs to pay Mr. Batista back. John wants that to happen right now.

Batista’s music plays and he is flanked by security as he comes out to his spotlight. John wants to make sure that he sees that Batista now has security. Batista says that the security is here to protect John. Dave says that those men are going to make sure that he doesn’t come to the ring. Cena wants to thank Batista in the ring right now. John says that Dave can stand behind security and act like a six foot six three hundred pound pansy. Batista tells John that he is a funny guy and then he tells Cena that he did what he did last week because he wants to face John at Wrestlemania. Batista says that he lost so Cena gets what he wants and he gets what he wants. Batista says that they started out together and their rises to the top were practically identical. Even though they are very different. Batista tells Cena that they are the two biggest stars since the Attitude Era. They both won titles at Wrestlemania 21 and never looked back. Batista says that for some insane reason, the company has labeled John Cena as ‘The Man’ and the name and face of the WWE. Dave runs through the things that Cena has been in and then says that the torch was passed from Steve Austin to John Cena for some reason. It should have been passed to him. Batista says that he should be the name and face of the WWE because he is the biggest thing in the company. Batista says that he did what he did for two reasons. One was to beat the hell out of John Cena at Wrestlemania to show how much better he is than Cena. Second, he can’t stand Cena.

Cena wants to know if this is about a fictional torch. Cena says that he wants to be WWE Champion and he will beat Batista at Wrestlemania. Cena says that he worked his butt off and got there early and left late while Batista shows up whenever he wants. Cena says that everyone knows that he has sacrificed for this business while Batista expects it to be given to him. Cena tells Batista to look in the mirror and he calls Batista selfish.

Batista says that he agrees with Cena and says that he doesn’t care about the people. He is here to win titles and make money. He doesn’t care if they cheer him or boo him. He is not here for the fans. He tells Cena to kiss babies and hug fat girls while Batista says that he will be in the gym training to beat the hell out of John Cena at Wrestlemania. Batista says that it is a fact that when they are in the ring together, bad things happen to John Cena. Batista reminds Cena that he broke Cena’s neck.

Batista says that he doesn’t care what Cena thinks. He tells Cena to say whatever he wants. He tells Cena that Cena knows what Batista is good at. He tells Cena to throw out a fancy catchphrase.

Batista tells Cena that he can’t beat him and deep down, Cena knows it.

Batista drops his mic and walks away.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cheech and Chong are with Chavo and he says that he doesn’t feel comfortable wearing the mustache and sombrero. We go to Primo and Carlito and Primo points out that they are Puerto Rican, not Mexican and they hate each other. Katie Lea Burchill is there too and she says that she is British. Yoshi is also dressed the same way and he says something in Japanese. There is a knock on the door and a chicken enters sounding a lot like Santino to let everyone know about the Divas Match.

Match Number Three: Zack Ryder with Rosa Mendes versus Montel Vontavious Porter in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match

Ryder with a kick and forearms followed by an Irish whip and Porter with a float over and an overhead belly-to-belly throw followed by a facebuster. Porter with the Ballin’ Elbow and then he hits the Playmaker for the three count.
Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter

After the match, Porter does his contractually obligated point to the Wrestlemania sign.

We see Gail Kim, Eve Torres, and Kelly Kelly walking in the back and we go to commercial saying Hello Kitty.

It is time for Cheech and Chong to make their in building appearance. They welcome everyone to the last quarter of Raw. Cheech reminds them that the show has been on for an hour and a half. Tommy says that he has been doing some magic Cheerios. Cheech brings out the participants in the Divas Pillow Fight.

Match Number Four: Kelly Kelly versus Eve Torres, and Gail Kim versus Maryse, Jillian Hall, and Alicia Fox in a Divas Pillow Fight

This match is being done under Texas Tornado Pillow Rules and everyone goes after Maryse for doing her pose. Then Jillian attacks everyone with clotheslines and pillow shots before howling. Kelly smothers Jillian with the pillow and hits the leg drop off the back for a near fall. Maryse with a DDT on Kelly but she only gets a two count. Eve and Gail with pillow shots followed by a Japanese neck breaker to Maryse. Alicia with a double clothesline to Gail and Eve. Gail hits Alicia with Eat Defeat and then Eve hits the flip leg drop on Alicia for the three count.
Winner: Eve Torres

After the match, Hornswoggle comes out and he gives Cheech and Chong some more cereal. Then it is time for a cereal fight.

We have a new Hall of Fame inductee and it is Maurice ‘Mad Dog’ Vachon and he will be inducted by Pat Patterson.

We are back and Michael Cole talks about NXT tomorrow night and then it is time to run through the card for Wrestlemania.

It is time for Bret Hart to . . . be interrupted by Vince McMahon who is sporting a lovely lavender shirt as he stomps to the ring. Vince says that it is an honor to introduce the man who will make his final farewell. Vince goes through the nicknames for Bret Hart and he says that he has the greatest and utmost respect for Bret.

Bret comes out and he has his crutch. As Bret walks to the ring, we have a video package.

Bret has made his way into the ring and Vince wants to have Bret clear Vince’s name as it relates to the accident. Bret says that he doesn’t know if it is true but ever since he came back, Vince has treated him like a piece of garbage. Bret wants Vince to get out of the ring.

Vince says that Bret called him a World Champion Liar so if you need to be a liar, it is good to be a World Champion. Vince says that he didn’t bring Bret out to say his goodbye. Bret asks Vince why he brought him out. Vince says that he screwed Bret and it feels good. Vince asks Bret about a challenge to a match at Wrestlemania. Vince says that he remembers hearing those words. Bret says that he is currently a little incapacitated and Vince acknowledges it. Vince says that he knows about the broken leg, but he knows that a broken fossil can heal in six weeks. Vince says that Bret didn’t come back for his mea culpa to set the record straight. Bret came back because it has been eating him for years and he wanted to fight Vince. Bret says that he has wanted to fight Vince for 13 years.

Vince wants Bret to fight him at Wrestlemania because it is Bret’s dream. Vince reminds Bret that he screwed him in Montreal and sent him to WCW where Bret embarrassed himself. Vince says that he spit in Bret’s face and lied to him about Stu Hart being in the Hall of Fame. Vince tells Bret to do it for all of his fans all over the world who want to see Bret Hart in the ring one more time. Vince tells Bret not to let the fans down. Vince asks the fans if they want to see Bret face him at Wrestlemania and they want to see it.

Bret says that he knows that Vince is trying to goad him into the match but he has a broken leg and he calls Vince an idiot.

Vince says that he hates to hear those words because Bret’s last name meant something, but now he has no heart. Vince says that he has let everyone down and he calls Bret a cowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwward and then he kicks Bret’s crutch away.

Vince acts like a big man but Bret throws the crutch at Vince. Vince calls Bret a coward again as he walks away. Bret tells Vince that if he wants a match at Wrestlemania, he has it.

Vince walks to the back and stops on the stage. He tells Bret that Bret might not be at 100%, Vince is. Vince says that he is going to be in a match next week against John Cena.

The Unified Tag Team Champions are walking in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Criss Angel is you guest host next week. Good luck to the new Raw Report guy.

We are told that the Epsenhart Special returns next week with Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes facing Randy Orton to add to the John Cena versus Vince McMahon match.

Match Number Five: Degeneration X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) versus The Shiz (Big Show and the Miz) in a Unified Tag Title Match

Michaels chops Show and Show misses a chop of his own. Shawn with more chops and Michaels does the Michaels flip in the corner and Show hits a clothesline. Miz tags in and he kicks Shawn in the chest. Show tags in and he punches Shawn and stands over him. Show with a bear hug but Shawn with a rake of the eyes and then he chops Show. Michaels tries to make the tag but he cannot get over Show. Show blocks a super kick and then Shawn escapes a choke slam and makes the tag. Hunter with punches and a face buster followed by a spinebuster and he finishes the second half of the moves of doom with a pose. Hunter with a spinebuster to Miz who interferes. Show with a choke slam to Hunter and Shawn with Sweet Chin Music when the ref was dealing with Miz. Both men are down and the referee starts his count. Miz tags in and so does Shawn. Shawn with punches and Michaels with the flying forearm and then he hits the reverse atomic drop and chop. Michaels with a slam and then he goes up top for the elbow drop and then it is time for vintage band tuning. The Undertaker’s image appears on the Titantron and Shawn breaks Rule #2 by acknowledging something outside the ring while a match is going on. Shawn turns around and Miz with a jackknife cover for the three count.
Winners: The Miz and Big Show

After the match, Shawn looks despondent in the ring while Hunter stands over him. Hunter tries to say something to Shawn but Shawn tells Hunter not to touch him and he leaves.

Sheamus comes out of nowhere as he blends into the background like a chameleon and he attacks Triple H. They go to the floor and Sheamus with the pump kick that sends Hunter into the announce table. Sheamus waits for Hunter to get up and then he hits another pump kick that sends Hunter over the announce table. Sheamus stands on the announce table and poses as we go to credits.

2011 - Abdullah the Butcher confirmed he would be going into the WWE Hall of Fame.

2011 - TruTV picked up Hulk Hogan's Micro Championship Wrestling, which ran for a five episode first season featuring the storyline of Hogan trying to help his friend's midget wrestling promotion get off the ground.

2011 - WWE NXT Season Four comes to an end.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

This week’s show starts off with a look back at what has happened during Season Four of NXT. Who will become the new head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s . . . whoops wrong reality show. Whowin the chance to wrestle for the tag title? Will it be Brodus Clay and Alberto Del Rio (or Ricardo Rodriguez) or Johnny Curtis and R Truth? What will be up, but you already knew that.

We are live on tape online from Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are Josh ‘Give ‘em the heater Ricky’ Mathews and Todd ‘California Penal’ Grisham. Your host is Matt ‘I look like a banker’ Striker.

We go to the ring and Matt welcomes everyone to the season finale. He brings out the pros. Out first is Daniel Bryan and he is rubbing his neck after last week’s attack. Chris Masters comes out too. Maryse is the third person to come out but where is Ted DiBiase?

R Truth comes out and he introduces the rookie that’s gonna win tonight . . . Johnny Curtis.

Ricardo Rodriguez comes out and he introduces the rookie who will win NXT. . . Brodus Clay.

Matt says that they have come this far and after all of the challenges, this is what they are working for. Not only does the winner become the next breakout star, but they earn a tag title match with their pro.

Matt wants Johnny to tell what it means to make it to the finals.

Johnny says that he is not going to come out and verbally bash Brodus Clay. It has been more than a verbal debate. From Day One, Brodus has attacked him and has tried to take away his dream. Johnny says that he is going to fight Brodus tonight and he is going to knock his teeth down his throat.

Matt gives Brodus the chance for a rebuttal.

Brodus calls him poor little Johnny. When this competition started, everyone but him blinked. Brodus admits what he did to Johnny to try to get into his head. He says that Johnny is a man’s man. In any other walk of life, they would probably be friends. However, Johnny is trying to take away his dream. Brodus says that just like Lebron James, he is going to walk out of here a winner.

Matt says that they will have a match so they need to keep the intensity.

Match Number One: Johnny Curtis with R Truth versus Brodus Clay with Ricardo Rodriguez

Curtis goes to the floor to avoid Clay and Truth checks on him. Curtis with a forearm and punch to Clay followed by forearms from the apron. Clay pushes Curtis away and then he hits a forearm. Clay catches Curtis and he tries for a slam but Curtis escapes and hits a forearm. Clay with the Tongan Grip but Curtis with kicks. Curtis kicks Clay in the corner but when he comes off the turnbuckles, Clay with a clothesline and Clay grunts.

We go to commercial after an elbow drop.

We are back and Clay with a nerve hold on Curtis. Curtis gets away but Clay with a shoulder to the midsection. Clay with an exploder suplex and then he takes his time to make the cover and Curtis kicks out. Clay returns to the nerve hold. Curtis gets back to his feet and he hits a jawbreaker.

Clay with an elbow to the back of the head to stop Curtis. Clay with a back fist in the corner and then Clay goes after Truth. Clay gets ready to charge into the corner but Curtis moves out of the way. Curtis with European uppercuts and forearms to Clay. Curtis with a drop kick to the knee and Clay is down. Curtis with a kick to the head and chest. Curtis goes up top but Clay stops him. Clay with an arm wringer from the turnbuckles followed by a big splash for the three count.

Winner: Johnny Curtis

After the match, Truth comes into the ring to check on his rookie while Rodriguez announces that Clay was your winner of the match.

We go to footage from earlier today when Derrick Bateman was with his pro. Derrick says that he knows what is coming. He is used to heartbreak being from Cleveland. Daniel reminds Derrick that he would punch him in the face if he got eliminated. Derrick wants to know if Daniel is going to punch a friend, especially a friend who is wearing glasses. Bryan punches him and then says that he wants Derrick to win the Rookie Reunion tag match. He wants him to do it for chicks, for America, and for Cleveland.

Derrick gets fired up as we go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to look back at the Rock’s response to John Cena’s rap from two weeks ago.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Derrick Bateman and Conor O’Brian versus Jacob Novak and Byron Saxton

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Novak and Bateman start things off and Bateman with a drop kick to Novak followed by chips and a snap mare followed by a kick to the back. Bateman with a front face lock and he tags O’Brian in. O’Brian with an arm wringer as he works on Novak’s arm. Novak with a forearm and a shoulder in the corner. Saxton tags in and he connects with a shoulder and elbow. O’Brian with a snap mare and kick and then he works on the neck and gets a near fall. Conor with a European uppercut but Saxton runs O’Brian into the ropes. Novak with a knee to the head while Saxton deals with the referee.

Saxton with kicks and then he tags Novak in. Novak with elbow drops to O’Brian and he gets a near fall. O’Brian with a punch and European uppercut. Novak kicks Conor and he gets a near fall. Novak with a reverse chin lock but Conor gets to his feet and he gets out of the hold. O’Brian kicks Novak away but Saxton tags in and he stops Conor from making the tag.

O’Brian kicks Saxton away and Bateman tags in. Bateman with a forearm and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex and gets a near fall. Bateman with a chop but Saxton with a modified bareback and Novak leaves the apron as he refuses a tag.

Bateman with a running drop kick into the corner and then Bateman with a neck beraker and he gets the three count.

Winners: Conor O’Brian and Derrick Bateman

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Raw Rebound.

We are back and Josh and Todd talk about Wrestlemania and we go to Shawn Michaels’ comments about Undertaker versus Triple H.

While some are looking ahead to Wrestlemania, which one of the remaining rookies can take their first step towards a Wrestlemania appearance?

We go to commercial.

We are back and remember that you can watch this episode online.

Todd and Josh talk about Season Five of NXT, that debuts next week and they say it will be like nothing we have seen before.

Matt is in the ring and he thanks the pros for guiding the rookies this season (and some of them actually show up most weeks).

It is time to find out who wins this season of NXT . . . and it is . . .

Johnny Curtis

Johnny falls to his knees and starts to cry while his pro comes into the ring to celebrate with him.

Meanwhile, Brodus Clay shows his frustration about making it so close to winning.

Truth tells everyone to look at Johnny’s face because they are real tears and he is showing real emotions. That is what the blood, sweat, and tears are for. Truth hugs Curtis.

Matt asks Johnny to make some comments. Johnny thanks Matt and then he offers his hand to Brodus and they shake and hug. Johnny says that Truth summed it up perfectly. He says hello to his dad who worked 18 hour days to support him and his sister. He says that if it wasn’t for him, he wouldn’t be here today. He thanks the WWE Universe and R Truth.

Matt asks Brodus for some comments. Brodus tells the WWE Universe that they took away his moment. He says that he won every competition that he was in. He did everything that he had to do. He gets it. He doesn’t look like the guys in the ring. They took his dream away. He promises to take his heroes away. He will make them feel like he felt tonight. He says that he is the thing that goes boom in the night. What they love, he will take because they took who he loves. He does not need a roster spot, he only needs a parking lot. He says that the WWE Universe broke his heart.

Clay leaves the ring and walks away.

Matt asks Truth and Curtis how they feel about getting a tag title match. Truth gets the crowd to chant ‘what’s up’.

We go to credits.

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