PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

 
 

9/29 THIS DAY IN HISTORY

By Mike Johnson on 2012-09-29 08:09:01
September 29th

On this day in history in ....

1964 - WWWF ran a TV Taping in Bridgeport, CT featuring:
-Bill Watts fought Waldo Von Erich to a double count-out
-Waldo Von Erich defeated Manuel Soto in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0
-Bill Watts defeated Frank Martinez
-Klondike Bill defeated Roger Dupree
-Freddie Blassie defeated Victor Rivera
-Don McClarity defeated Pedro Rodriguez in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0
-Robert Duranton defeated Rocky Storm

1966 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Dan Miller in Newscastle, Australia.

1966 - WWWF ran Washington, DC with a television taping, featuring:
-Bulldog Brower defeated Ricky Sexton
-Sonny Myers defeated Angelo Savoldi
-Mr. Kleen defeated Tony Nero
-Tony Pugliese defeated Frank Hickey
-Johnny Valentine defeated Arnold Skaaland
-Baron Mikel Scicluna & Smasher Sloan defeated Miguel Perez & Pete Sanchez

1971 - WWWF held their first ever TV Taping at the Fieldhouse in Hamburg, PA, a venue that would become a mainstay taping venue for many, many years.

1972 - WWWF ran Pittsburgh, PA with the following results:
-Larry Zbyzsko defeated Tom Reisman
-John L Sullivan defeated Frank Durso
-Lil Abner Osborner defeated Abdullah the Butcher via disqualification
-Victor Rivera defeated Joe Abbey
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Luis Martinez via countout
-Bill & Dan Miller defeated Tony Altimore & Killer Lopez
-Giant Baba defeated Frank Holtz
-The Fargo Brothers defeated Dominic DeNucci & Bruno Sammartino

1972 - WWWF ran Philadelphia, PA with the following results:
-Chuck O'Conner defeated Miguel Feliciano
-WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji defeated Frank Romano
-Ernie Ladd defeated Juan & Jose Rodriguez in a handicap match
-The Spoiler defeated Ben Ortiz
-Joe Turco defeated Paul Figuaro
-El Olympico defeated the Blue Demon
-Sonny King defeated Bull Pometti
-Chief Jay Strongbow defeated George Steele via disqualification
-WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Angelo Savoldi
-Little Beaver & Little Louie defeated Pee Wee Adams & Sonny Boy Hayes
-Chief Jay Strongbow won a battle royal

1979 - WWF Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson defeats WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification in Baltimore, Maryland. Patterson hit Backlund with brass knucks, unseen by the referee, and Patterson was about to score the pin when Arnold Skaaland ran in and broke up the cover, getting Backlund disqualified.  Other results from the event saw:
-Pete Sanchez fought Jose Estrada to a draw
-Hussein Arab (sub. for Bulldog Brower) defeated Dominic DeNucci
-Ted Dibiase defeated Moose Monroe
-Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Valiant via count-out
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna (sub. for SD Jones)
-Chief Jay Strongbow fought Greg Valentine to a draw

1982 - WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Jimmy Garvin in Miami, FL.

1984 - WWF ran Landover, MD at the Capital Centre, featuring the following results:
-David Schultz defeated Steve Lombardi
-Brutus Beefcake defeated Bob Bradley
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated B. Brian Blair
-Ken Patera defeated Rick McGraw
-The Wild Samoans defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch via disqualification
-Kamala defeated SD Jones
-WWF Women’s Champion Wendi Richter defeated the Fabulous Moolah
-Sgt. Slaughter defeated Iron Mike Sharpe
-Greg Valentine defeated Tony Garea
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan pinned Paul Orndorff

1984 - WWF ran Kansas City, Missouri with the following results:
-The Fabulous Freebirds defeated the Moondogs via disqualification
-Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated the Spoiler & Bob Orton Jr.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated George Steele
-Roddy Piper defeated Rocky Johnson
-Andre the Giant fought Big John Studd to a draw

1985 - The longest tag team title reign in the career of the Road Warriors comes to an end. After over a year as AWA World Tag Team Champions, Hawk & Animal lost the title to Jim Garvin & Steve Regal in St. Paul, Minnesota when Freebird Michael Hayes interfered, costing the Warriors the match.

1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia with the following results:
-Buddy Landell defeated Denny Brown
-Abdullah the Butcher defeated Sam Houston
-Ron Bass defeated Black Bart via disqualification
-Ron Garvin & Terry Taylor fought National Tag Team Champions Ole & Arn Anderson to a draw
-NWA TV Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated the Barbarian
-Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Ivan & Nikita Koloff via disqualification
-Magnum TA fought NWA US Champion Tully Blanchard to a no contest
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Nikita Koloff in a steel cage match; after the bout, Krusher Kruschev closed the cage door as Ivan & Nikita Koloff double teamed the champion; moments later, NWA TV Champion Dusty Rhodes came out to make the save and cleared the Russians from the ring; moments later, Ole & Arn Anderson came out and locked the cage behind them as they helped Flair triple team Rhodes, with Flair eventually hitting a kneedrop off the top to Rhodes' ankle as the Andersons held Rhodes' leg down; Flair then applied the figure-4 on Rhodes while Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson, Magnum TA, Sam Houston, and others came out to try to make the save; after the cage door was opened, Flair and the Andersons escaped while the other wrestlers tended to Rhodes

1985 - WWF ran the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, IL, featuring:
-Cpl. Kirshner defeated Barry O
-Les Thornton fought Scott McGee to a draw
-Cousin Junior defeated Tiger Chung Lee
-B. Brian Blair defeated Rene Goulet
-Jim Brunzell defeated Steve Lombardi
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Randy Savage via disqualification
-Uncle Elmer defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Brutus Beefcake
-Ivan Putski pinned Nikolai Volkoff
-Andre the Giant & WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan (with Mr. T) defeated Big John Studd & King Kong Bundy when Andre pinned Bundy

1985 - WWF ran St. Louis, Missouri at the Arena, featuring:
-King Tonga pinned Moondog Spot
-Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid defeated Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart
-The Junkyard Dog pinned Terry Funk
-Don Muraco defeated Ricky Steamboat via disqualification
-Paul Orndorff fought Roddy Piper to a double countout

1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Wichita, Kansas with the following results:
-Rufus R. Jones defeated Mark Fleming
-The MOD Squad defeated Rocky King & George South
-Denny Brown defeated Thunderfoot #1
-Thunderfoot #2 defeated the Italian Stallion
-Magnum TA fought Buddy Landell to a draw
-Todd Champion & DJ Peterson defeated Big Bubba Rogers & the Warlord via disqualification
-Sam Houston defeated Teijo Khan
-NWA World Tag Team Champions The Rock N' Roll Express, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated NWA TV Champion Dusty Rhodes via disqualification

1986 - WWF ran Cincinatti, Ohio at the Riverfront Coliseum, featuring:
-Steve Lombardi pinned George Wells
-Tito Santana pinned Steve Regal
-Mike Rotundo pinned Bret Hart
-The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff defeated Big & Super Machine  

1987 - Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard won the NWA World Tag Team Championships, defeating The Rock N' Roll Express in Misenheimer, NC.  Prior to the bout, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane, with Jim Cornette, ambushed the champions from behind as they made their way out to the ring.  Gibson worked the match alone, with Morton returning late in the bout heavily bandaged and with his left arm in a sling.  Gibson threw in the towel when Morton, already injured was trapped in an armbar.

1987 - WWF ran Flint, Michigan at the Sports Arena, featuring the following results:
-The Dingo (soon to be Ultimate) Warrior pinned Steve Lombardi
-Rick Rude defeated Brady Boone
-The One Man Gang pinned George Steele
-Paul Orndorff defeated King Kong Bundy via countout
-Sam Houston pinned Frenchy Martin
-Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Sika
-Strike Force, Rick Martel & Tito Santana defeated the Islanders

1988 - The Junkyard Dog made his final appearance at Madison Square Garden, defeating King Haku by disqualification when Bobby Heenan interferes.   In other results from the card, which was televised on the MSG Network:
-Terry Taylor defeated Sam Houston via referee's decision at 8:19; when the referee stopped the match, Taylor was trying to get Houston in a cradle as Houston fought back with punches
-The Rockers, Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty defeated the Conquistadors at 12:13 when Michaels scored the pin with a splash from Jannetty's shoulders
-Dino Bravo pinned B. Brian Blair at 13:45 with the side suplex
-WWF World Champion Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) fought Andre the Giant to a double count-out at 9:57 when Savage attacked Andre on the floor after Andre grabbed Elizabeth by her ankle; after the bout, Savage carried Elizabeth backstage as Andre posed with the title belt (WWF Greatest Champions, Legends of Wrestling: Andre the Giant and the Iron Sheik)
-Scott Casey pinned Sandy Beach at 6:06 with a bulldog
-Brutus Beefcake pinned Ron Bass with a crossbody at 10:50
-Bad News Brown pinned Tito Santana with the Ghetto Blaster at 7:44
-The Honkytonk Man (with Jimmy Hart) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion the Ultimate Warrior via countout at 3:48 after Hart jumped on the champion's back as he was on the arena floor

1988 - WWF ran Miami, Florida, featuring:
-The Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) pinned Barry Horowitz
-Mr. Perfect pinned Jim Brunzell
-Jake Roberts pinned Rick Rude
-Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated Jacques & Raymond Rougeau
-Greg Valentine pinned Don Muraco after hitting him with his shin guard
-WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition defeated The British Bulldogs, Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid
-Hulk Hogan defeated the Big Bossman via countout

1989 - The Blackhearts (Tom Nash & Dave "Gangrel" Heath) defeat Kensuke Sasaki & Sumo Hara for the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Blackhearts would be the final champions, as the promotion would shut down in December of 1989.

1989 - WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Randy Savage in a steel cage match in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   Other results from the card:
-Barry Windham pinned Tim Horner
-Rick Martel fought Tito Santana to a draw
-Dusty Rhodes pinned the Big Bossman
-Bret Hart fought Haku to a double count-out
-Bad News Brown pinned Hercules with the Ghetto Blaster
-The Bushwhackers defeated the Powers of Pain via disqualification

1989 - WCW ran Syracuse, NY with the following results:
-Eddie Gilbert defeated the Cuban Assassin
-Tom Zenk defeated Norman
-Dan Spivey defeated Johnny Ace
-Mike Rotunda defeated Steve Williams
-The Road Warriors defeated the New Zealand Militia
-NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger defeated Tommy Rich
-Sting defeated NWA TV Champion the Great Muta via disqualification
-NWA World Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Terry Funk

1989 - Jeff Jarrett & Matt Borne defeat Sheik Braddock & Mark Starr for the held-up USWA World Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas. The belts had been held up on September 22, 1999 following a match between champions Braddock & Starr and Jarrett & Borne. With this win, Jarrett and Borne started their second reign as champion.

1990 - WWF ran Uniondale, Long Island at the Nassau Coliseum, featuring:
-Haku pinned Iron Mike Sharpe
-The Warlord pinned Jim Brunzell
-Shane Douglas pinned Buddy Rose
-Rick Rude pinned Jimmy Snuka
-Earthquake pinned the Big Bossman
-Jake Roberts defeated Akeem (sub. for Bad News Brown) in a Harlem Streetfight
-Jim Duggan & the Bushwhackers defeated the Orient Express & Mr. Fuji when Duggan pinned Fuji

1991 - WCW ran a pair of events in Illinois.

A matinee event in Rockford, IL at Boylan High School saw:
-WCW U.S. Tag Team Champion Todd Champion pinned Michael Hayes
-Brian Pillman pinned Johnny B. Badd
-Van Hammer pinned Terrance Taylor
-Ron Simmons & Barry Windham defeated WCW World Champion Lex Luger & Mr. Hughes
-WCW TV Champion Steve Austin fought Dustin Rhodes to a draw
-Tom Zenk defeated Oz (Kevin Nash)
-WCW U.S. Champion Sting fought Abdullah the Butcher to a double countout
-WCW World Tag Team Champions The Enforcers, Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyszko defeated Rick Steiner & Bill Kazmaier

An evening event at The UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL featured:
-WCW US Tag Team Champion Todd Champion defeated Michael Hayes
-Brian Pillman defeated Johnny B. Badd
-Van Hammer defeated Terrance Taylor
-Barry Windham & Ron Simmons defeated WCW World Champion Lex Luger & Mr. Hughes when Simmons pinned Hughes
-WCW World TV Champion Steve Austin fought Dustin Rhodes to a draw
-Tom Zenk defeated Oz (Kevin Nash)
-WCW US Champion Sting fought Abdullah the Butcher to a no contest
-WCW Tag Team Champions The Enforcers, Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyszko defeated Rick Steiner & Bill Kazmaier when Anderson pinned Kazmaier

1991 - Slick made his final appearance in WWF for a year during a TV taping Wheeling, WV. Slick, who was managing the Warlord, was powerslammed by Davey Boy Smith.  When he would return to the company, it would be as Rev. Slick, a babyface.

1992 - In a turn that was forgotten by history, WCW turned Scott Steiner heel during a TV taping in Columbus, Georgia.  Steve Austin & Brian Pillman defeated Scott Steiner & Marcus Alexander Bagwell when Austin pinned Bagwell with the Stun Gun after Steiner attacked his partner and left ringside.  Steiner was slated to defeat Ricky Steamboat for the TV title and work heel as a singles competitor, but contractual issues and Steiner's unhappiness about his team with his brother being split resulted in his departure from WCW, with the turn forgotten.

1992 - WWF ran Birmingham, Great Britain with the following results:
-Rick Martel defeated Virgil
-Ted Dibiase & IRS defeated the Bushwhackers when Dibiase pinned Butch
-Randy Savage pinned Papa Shango
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Natural Disasters defeated the Beverly Brothers when Earthquake pinned Blake
-Tito Santana pinned the Genius
-Road Warrior Animal & Crush defeated Kato & Skinner when Crush pinned Kato
-WWF World Champion Ric Flair defeated Bret Hart via countout

1993 - One of the most beloved teams in the history of the NWA, the Rock N' Roll Express, make their WWF television debut at a taping in Portland, Maine. Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson, at the time Smoky Mountain Wrestling tag team champions, lose to Well Dunn after interference by Jim Cornette and the Heavenly Bodies. This was the result of a talent agreement between SMW and WWF.

1994 - WWF ran Providence, Rhode Island with the following results:
-The Bushwhackers defeated Well Dunn
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Bob Holly
-Mabel defeated Kwang
-Adam Bomb defeated Johnny Polo
-WWF Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels & Diesel defeated the New Headshrinkers via disqualification
-WWF Women's Champion Alundra Blayze defeated Bull Nakano
-WWF World Champion Bret Hart defeated Jim Neidhart
-The Undertaker defeated Yokozuna in a casket match

1995 - WWF ran Port Huron, Michigan featuring:
-Goldust defeated Bob Holly
-Dean Douglas defeated Doink the Clown
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Smoking Gunns defeated Jacob & Eli Blu
-WWF Women's Champion Bertha Faye defeated Alundra Blayze
-Razor Ramon defeated Psycho Sid via disqualification
-The Undertaker defeated King Mabel
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels fought Davey Boy Smith to a double count-out
-WWF World Champion Diesel defeated Yokozuna

1996 - WCW ran Steubenville, Ohio with the following results:
-Jim Powers defeated Juventud Guerrera
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Dean Malenko via disqualification
-Rick Steiner defeated Lex Luger
-Syxx defeated Eddie Guerrero
-Ric Flair & Chris Benoit defeated Scott Hall & Kevin Nash via disqualification
-Randy Savage fought the Giant to a double disqualification

1996 - WWF ran Madison Square Garden featuring:
-Salvatore Sincere defeated Bob Holly with the Sincerely Yours
-Justin Bradshaw pinned Alex Porteau with a lariat
-Jake Roberts pinned TL Hopper
-Barry Windham pinned the Goon with the superplex
-WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith defeated Henry & Phinneas Godwinn, the Smoking Gunns, and the Grimm Twins in a four corners match; Billy Gunn pinned one of the Grimm Twins; the Bulldog pinned Henry; Owen pinned Bart as Sunny distracted Billy
-Vader pinned Psycho Sid in a lumberjack match with the moonsault after Steve Austin interfered and hit the Stunner on Sid
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned Freddie Joe Floyd with the Pedigree
-Steve Austin pinned Savio Vega with the Stunner
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Marc Mero defeated Farooq via disqualification after Farooq hit the champion with the title belt
-WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels & the Undertaker defeated Mankind & Goldust when Michaels pinned Goldust with the superkick after kissing him

1997 - WCW broadcast Nitro from The Worcester Centrum in MA featuring the following results:
-Diamond Dallas Page pinned Buff Bagwell (with Vincent) with a reversal into the Diamond Cutter at 6:36, moments after hitting the Diamond Cutter on an interfering Vincent; prior to the bout, Kimberly Page escorted DDP to the aisle; during the match, Raven was shown sitting in the crowd with Stevie Richards; after the contest, Page briefly came face to face with Raven in the crowd before then celebrating with the fans (The Very Best of Nitro)
-Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned El Caliente; after the bout, Mysterio unmasked his opponent to reveal him as WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero
-Bill Goldberg pinned the Barbarian with the Jackhammer
-WCW World TV Champion Disco Inferno pinned Juventud Guerrera after Jacqueline interfered and tripped Guerrera
-Jeff Jarrett pinned Steve McMichael with a foot on the rope for leverage
-Chris Jericho fought Syxx to a no contest when Scott Hall, Lex Luger, and Larry Zbyzsko interfering before the match began
-Lex Luger defeated Wrath via submission with the Torture Rack
-The Giant defeated WCW U.S. Champion Curt Hennig via disqualification at around the 3:20 mark when, after the challenger kicked out of the Hennig Plex and hit the chokeslam, Syxx, Vincent, Buff Bagwell, Scott Norton, and Randy Savage interfered to prevent a pinfall; after the bout, the Giant fought off the nWo members until Norton hit him with Hennig's title belt, with the nWo then ganging up on the Giant until Sting appeared with a baseball bat; after climbing in the ring, Sting dropped the bat and then fought off each of the nWo members as the show came to a close

1998 - D'Lo Brown defeats X-Pac in the very European locale of East Lansing, Michigan to win the WWF European Heavyweight Title for the second time with the help of Mark Henry, who rammed X-Pac into the ringpost to set up Brown's top rope splash for the pin.  

Other results from the Raw taping saw:
-The Headbangers fought the Insane Clown Posse to a no contest after they were brutally attacked and later saved by the Oddities
-Marc Mero (w/ Jackie) pinned Vader with the Shooting Star Press after a low blow
-Edge defeated Owen Hart via forfeit when Owen came to the ring in street clothes and said he was so upset over 'breaking' Dan Severn's neck that he was quitting
-Val Venis (w/ Terri Runnels) defeated Gangrel (w/ Christian) via count-out when Gangrel and Christian attacked Edge at ringside; after the match, Goldust announced on the Titan Tron that he would be returning the following week
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Al Snow via disqualification after Sgt. Slaughter interfered
-Ken Shamrock pinned Kane with a belly to belly suplex off the top after the Undertaker interfered
-WWF Tag Team Champion the Road Dogg (w/ X-Pac & Chyna) pinned Mark Henry (w/ D-Lo Brown) after X-Pac interfered and hit the X-Factor
-The Undertaker pinned the Rock with the tombstone, despite being hit with a chair by Kane; Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown had attacked the Rock earlier in the bout

1999 - WCW ran Huntsville, Alabama with the following results:
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Konnan
-Prince Iaukea defeated Blitzkrieg
-Brian Knobbs & Hugh Morrus defeated Lenny Lane & Lodi
-Eddie Guerrero defeated Perry Saturn
-Buff Bagwell defeated Berlyn via disqualification
-WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat defeated Kendall Windham & Curly Bill (Virgil)

2001 - Pain defeated Nuevo Gran Apolo in Bayamon, Puerto Rico for the IWA World Heavyweight Title.

2001 - WWF ran Jacksonville, FL with the following results:
-Tajiri pinned Justin Credible with a kick
-Chris Jericho defeated Raven by reversing a DDT attempt into the Walls of Jericho
-Lita & Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Lance Storm, Hurricane Helms, & Ivory following Lita's Hurricanrana
-WWF Hardcore Champion Rob Van Dam pinned WWF Light Heavyweight / WCW Cruiserweight Champion X-Pac with the Five Star Frog Splash
-The Undertaker & Kane defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Booker T & Test in a non-title match
-Bradshaw pinned Mike Awesome with the Clothesline from Hell
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated the Big Show & Spike Dudley following the 3D on Spike
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Christian defeated Edge
-WWF World Champion Kurt Angle pinned Steve Austin with the Olympic Slam
-WWF World Champion Kurt Angle pinned Steve Austin in a rematch with the Stunner

2002 - WWE's Smackdown brand ran Bossier City, LA, featuring:
-Sho Funaki defeated Crash Holly
-Batista & Doug Basham defeated Albert & Bull Buchanon
-Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo defeated D-Von Dudley & Farooq
-John Cena defeated Shelton Benjamin
-Matt Hardy defeated Shannon Moore
-WWE World Champion Brock Lesnar pinned Edge
-Billy Kidman & Torrie Wilson defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble & Nidia
-Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr.
-Chris Benoit defeated Val Venis
-Rikishi defeated Kurt Angle in a Kiss my Ass match

2002 - WWE Raw ran Beaumont, Texas with the following results:
-D-Lo Brown, Johnny Stamboli & Mark Jindrak defeated Justin Credible, Steven Richards & Raven
-Test defeated Randy Orton
-The Big Show defeated Tommy Dreamer
-Rosie & Jamal defeated Goldust & Spike Dudley
-Rob Van Dam defeated Ric Flair
-WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus & Jackie defeated Victoria & Molly Holly
-WWE Tag Team Champions Kane & the Hurricane defeated Lance Storm & Christian
-WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho defeated Booker T
-World Heavyweight Champion Triple H defeated Bubba Ray Dudley

2003 - WWE Smackdown ran Valparaiso, Indiana, featuring:
-Chris Benoit defeated John Cena
-Nunzio defeated Jamie Noble
-Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore defeated Spanky & Paul London
-Rhyno defeated Orlando Jordan
-The Acolytes defeated Sean O'Haire & Albert
-WWE World Champion Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri defeated Rey Mysterio Jr.
-Shaniqua defeated Dawn Marie & Nidia in a handicap match; Sho Funaki was the guest referee for the contest
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions - WWE US Champion Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated Doug & Danny Basham

2003 - Future WWE stars Ken Anderson and Shawn Daivari worked a Sunday Night Heat taping in Chicago, IL, putting over Rodney Mack and Tommy Dreamer, respectively.

The Raw broadcast that evening featured the following results:
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated Test (w/ Stacy Keibler) & Scott Steiner at 2:45 when Test was pinned with the 3D after suffering a chair shot from Stacy; after the bout, Steiner hit a belly to belly suplex on Stacy after she cost him his match at Unforgiven as well as a shot at the tag team titles
-Maven, Mark Jindrak, & Garrison Cade defeated Sylvian Grenier, Rene Dupree, & Rob Conway at 3:44 when Jindrak pinned Conway
-Jim Ross pinned Jonathan Coachman at 4:46 with the Stunner in a Country Whipping Match; due to pre-match stipulations, Ross & Jerry Lawler regained their announcing position from Coachman & Al Snow
-Kane pinned the Hurricane at the 57-second mark with a chokeslam; after the bout, Kane hit a second chokeslam; no one was allowed at ringside for the duration of the bout, especially Hurricane's tag team partner Rosey
-World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg & Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair & Randy Orton via disqualification at 5:48 when Rodney Mack interfered and hit Goldberg with a chair; while disposing of Mack in the ring, Goldberg failed to notice Mark Henry at ringside who brutallized Shawn Michaels, leaving him a bloody mess
-Rob Van Dam defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian to win the title in a ladder match at 13:43 after hitting the Five Star Frog Splash off the top of the top of a ladder, then climbing a second ladder as Christian lay underneath

2004 - Ring of Honor announced that Jay and Mark Briscoe would be taking a leave of absence from the promotion as Mark still had yet to recover from a motorcycle crash, which left him in a lot of pain. The promotion announced that Jay had "received a concussion during his last Philadelphia, PA bout from a Low Ki kick" as well. Jay has been taking care of his brother since the wreck, which is why he hasn't worked since. The promotion noted that The Briscoes would be back when they are ready and the team eventually returned and have remained with ROH to this day.

2004 - It was announced that Former WWF Ladies champion Wendi Richter would be making her first in-ring appearance in many year as part of the January 2005 WrestleReunion event in Tampa, Florida. Richter and Sherri Martel would go on to captain opposing sides of a six women's tag team bout.

2004 - Wrestlemania 21 sells out.  WWE issued the following press release:

WrestleMania 21 Tickets Sell Out In Less Than One Minute; Fastest Sales in World Wrestling Entertainment and STAPLES Center History

STAMFORD, Conn.--Sept. 27, 2004--

Fans From Around The World Will Attend World Wrestling Entertainment(R)'s Premier Event To See WrestleMania(R) Go Hollywood

All available seats for WrestleMania 21 were sold in less than one minute on Saturday, Sept. 25, setting records for the fastest ticket sell-out in STAPLES Center and World Wrestling Entertainment history.

A capacity crowd comprised of fans from more than 14 countries and 34 states is now set to attend WrestleMania 21 on Sunday, April 3, 2005. The WWE(R)'s premier annual event also will be seen on pay-per-view, cable, and satellite television by millions of fans from more than 90 countries.

The 15,000 available tickets, ranging in price from $40.00 to $750.00 (where you can sit ringside and keep your commemorative WrestleMania 21 ringside chair), were sold in less than one minute between Internet orders and the line gathered to buy tickets at the STAPLES Center box office. More than a thousand WWE fans gathered at the STAPLES Center, starting as early as Wednesday, Sept. 22, in hopes of purchasing tickets to WWE's annual extravaganza.

"The speed in which this event sold out further reinforces WrestleMania's position as a beloved icon in pop culture," said Kurt Schneider, WWE's Executive Vice President, Marketing. "The event is more than six months away, and still our great fans rushed to purchase tickets simply on the basis that this is WrestleMania, and that this will be a Hollywood experience like no other. After WrestleMania 21, 'Tinsel Town' may never be the same."

Schneider added that once staging requirements for WrestleMania 21 are completed closer to the event, additional tickets may be made available for sale.

"Every one of WWE's 10 previous appearances at STAPLES Center has sold out, but to sell out in less than a minute is unprecedented in the five-year history of our arena," said Brenda Tinnen, Senior Vice President Event & Guest Services, STAPLES Center. "There is no doubt that the STAPLES Center continues to lead the nation in hosting the most popular events and WrestleMania 21 is another example of that. Thanks to Vince McMahon for bringing WWE's crown jewel to Los Angeles and STAPLES Center, and we look forward to presenting this event to the millions of fans worldwide on April 3."

When WrestleMania 21 plays the STAPLES Center on Sunday, April 3, it will be the first time in a half-decade that the Big Event returns to Southern California, and the first time a WrestleMania has been performed at STAPLES. Monday Night RAW(R) on April 4, the evening after WrestleMania 21, also will be held at STAPLES Center. Tickets for RAW are still available.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For additional information on WrestleMania 21, to be broadcast live on Pay-Per-View from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 3, 2005, go to wrestlemania.wwe.com.

2005 - WWE developmental promotion Deep South Wrestling ran McDonough, GA.  Ted McGuinness filed the following live report: 

The seating inside has been reconfigured to accommodate more fans, since last week, it reached capacity of 250 and they turned away some 50 to 75 fans. This week, it looked like capacity was close to 300, and was definitely Standing Room Only again. This is a good sign for the promotion in only it's 5th week.
 
"The Miz" defeated "Irish" Ryan O'Reilly. Crowd was way into the Miz tonight. Good opener
 
Mike and Todd Shane, the Regulators defeated Joseph and Joe, the Slaughter Boys. For the second week in a row, an African American female, came to ringside to take notes, like she is scouting talent. No word to the fans on who she is yet. Also last week, the Slaughter Boys fell victim to the dreaded "T***y Twister" at the hands of High Impact, so the crowd was chanting for the Shanes to apply the hold. Thankfully, they didn't.
 
Jack Bull defeated Vic Delicious. Lots of derogatory chants to Delicious, inferring a same sex preference.
 
Johnny Parisi w/ Angel Williams defeated Ray Gordy when Angel Williams hit Gordy in the head with her shoe when referee MIKE POSEY's back was turned. Boring chants during this match.
 
"Big Time" Nick Mitchell defeated Kid Kash. Mitchell's weird dancing looks more like a seizure, but it works for him. Kash had the usual big time (no pun intended) heat, going 0-5 in DSW
 
Palmer Cannon came out, and said Kane's attack wouldn't be tolerated, when The Freakin Deacon came out. Deacon at one point grabbed Cannon by the throat, teasing an attack, but ended up licking the face of Cannon (to his delight). Cannon said that the Deacon would be following him everywhere from now on to ensure Kane doesn't attack him again.
Team Elite and High Impact went to a 30 draw. TONS of double teaming, tons of crowd interaction, including a fan who brought a replica of the BIG WORLD BELT handing it to Mike Taylor. Taylor and Tony Santorelli took turns posing with the belt to the crowd's delight, while Derrick Neikirk posed with it to a chorus of boos. Mike Knox stuck it down his pants, to the disgust of all.
 
Lots of back and forth action at first, lots of impressive looking double team moves. Team Elite double teamed Santorelli for 20 minutes, before Santorelli made the hot tag to Taylor. Finish came when Taylor could have pinned Knox following a Santorelli enzuguri, but went for a moonsault, only to slip off the top and crash to the mat as time expired. Crowd began chanting 5 more minutes, and High Impact challenged Team Elite to exactly that, 5 more minutes, but the Elite Ones begged off and went into the back.
 
Great show, a huge step up from last week.
 
2005 - Vince and Linda McMahon, Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin were the guests on CNBC's "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch".  The whole idea of their appearances was to plug the move back to USA.  Deutsch referred to it a few times as "rasslin'", which no doubt made Vince's day.

The first guest on the show was Hulk Hogan, who appeared via satellite.  Deutsch said that the recent episode of his show where he had Hogan and his family on to push "Hogan Knows Best" was one of their best and highest rated programs.  Hogan said that his show works because they are “normal and real”.  He acted as if none of it was scripted and that they were just normal people in regular everyday situations.  OK Hulkster, whatever you say.

Deutsch asked what made Hogan come back to wrestling at 52. Hogan said that Vince McMahon called him and they were going to "re-launch the brand", since Hogan was older and had knee and hip replacement.  The idea was that his competing days were done, so they were going to take his character in a new direction.  He said that from there he found out his brand was still strong and that his body could hold up to wrestling, so he came back.  

When asked what has made Hulk so popular, he said it's because he was a good wholesome character that people identified with, a hero.  He said that he thought we were past needing that kind of guy, then 9/11 happened and with hatred everywhere, the character still works.  Donny said that his character is about hope and All-American ideals.  Hogan said that in WCW, he turned heel because that is what the fans wanted at the time, but they "got sick of the negativity" and it's come full circle today.  

Deutsch said that wrestling is a diversion business and with all the bad stuff going on in the world, wondered if they take that into account when booking.  Hogan said that they do, but you also have to take into account what is going on in the world as well.  Deutsch asked Hogan to defend wrestling against all of the complaints people can make about it (violent, anti-female, etc.).  He said it's been around for a long time and it's best asset is that in the end, it's about good over evil.  Hogan also talked about the job of athletes and entertainers as being 24-7 and are the property of the public.  He said people need to take that responsibility seriously and give back to the fans.

They came back from break airing the "We're moving" WWE commercial.  Deutsch promoted the move back to USA.  In studio, they were joined by Vince and Linda McMahon.  Hulk and Vince joked that their wives are the real bosses of their families.  Deutsch asked about their past creative differences and what brought them back together and Vince said that it made sense for business and the "fact that we should be together.  We should never be apart.  Ever."  Deutsch talked about how the arrival of Hogan's character in 1984 started the big boom.  He asked what made it work back then.  Hulk put over Vince as being the guy who laid out the blueprint and it took the two of them to make it successful.  He said he has been successful working with others, but never as much so as he was with the McMahons.  Deutsch asked about how the creative process worked with Hulk and Vince put over Hogan saying that he brought more to the table than he was taking credit for.  He said he helped, but the performer is who gets it done and that Hogan has done it for years.  It was a serious lovefest.

Deutsch asked Hulk to compare working for Vince and his father.  Hulk said that when both men told you something, you could take it to the bank.  Bret Hart would no doubt disagree with that.  He said that the differences are that dad was more restrained in how he promoted compared to his son.  He said that if dad were still alive, son probably wouldn't have been able to do some of the things he has done, but Hulk is on son's team.  He likes the way the son takes things to the edge.  Hogan mentioned how Vince always gave him the right guidance.  He said sometimes he didn't listen and  mentioned going on the Arsenio Hall show (where he was asked about steroid use).  He said Vince told him not to go on but he was "hell bent" on doing it and it was probably the worst mistake he ever made.  He said that when he went on the show, he wanted to take a "diversionary cute tactic and it blew up in my face".  He said that Vince wanted to play it straighter (and that means don't work people about it).  He asked Hulk if there was ever a time when he had a good idea and Vince wouldn't do it.  Once again, he put over Vince and said he could tell us a time when he was dead wrong and Vince was right.  He talked about bringing in Mark Calaway and Vince said he was going to be the Undertaker and Hogan said it would never work.  He was wrong.

He asked Hogan his favorite wrestlers of all time.  He said Andre The Giant first, then Billy Graham and then Jimmy Snuka because he had what Hulk wanted.  Vince said Dr. Jerry Graham was his all-time favorite.  He talked about riding around in a red Cadillac in 1959 riding around with Graham, saying it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

Deutsch then asked Vince to tell a story to embarrass Hogan.  Vince said that he has good stories on the Hulkster and Hogan responded that he had some on Vinnie Mac as well.  They kept it easy and talked about Hogan wearing a helmet with a fist on it in the ring, which bombed.  Hogan talked about how the first time they went to the NAPTE convention, they weren't invited but crashed it anyway.  He said that someone was giving Hogan static for being there and Vince jumped in and almost beat the guy up.  Deutsch asked about working with his own family now on his series and Hogan said that the more they learn about TV, the harder they have gotten to work with.  He said going to wrestling is a day off, despite working 16 hours, compared to being home.

Deutsch asked the Macs if it ever gets to be too much to talk about wrestling at home.  Linda says usually not, but with the internet Vince is always checking his email.  (He's probably reading website too!).  Hogan then said he learned a lot from Vince McMahon about how to successfully run a business.  He then asked when Vince would hop back in the ring again with Hogan.  Vince said tune in Monday because you never know.  Deutsch said to Vince that he was just called out and Vinnie said he had to go back to the gym.  Deutsch asked Hogan about calling out Steve Austin for a match and he said, "That's one that needs to go down".  He said people thought they would never see it but now that Hogan's back, it's something that should happen.  They went to break and Deutsch said Hogan was leaving but would be back tomorrow night. Then on a break, they said that Jesse Ventura would be on tonight as well.

They showed a clip of Steph and HHH on this show in February where Steph said the times are calling for them to be more conservative in their storylines and Vince was behind doing that.  Deustch asked him about it and he said "That was then".  He said that everything is subject to change.  He said he thinks they will open up the envelope on Monday at Raw on USA.  Talk turned to being on Spike.  They ran a clip of Vince being censored on the last Spike Raw.  Vince said, "It's called censorship".  He said Spike never said a word to them about what they could or couldn't say.  He said he loathes censorship and is a big mouth.  Vince then actually then complained that Spike blocked out signs in the crowd saying that WWE was going to USA and he didn't like that.  Wow, given how they pull signs at shows, that is an amazing statement.  I guess when he says he hates censorship, what he really means is he hates being censored.  For the record, I have no problem with WWE censoring signs at their show, just as I don't have a problem with Spike censoring what airs on their network. Vince should be consistent on this issue.

Linda was asked about how women are portrayed and she said they are strong and tastefully done. Talk turned to Muhammad Hassan, and this one was a doozy.  Vince said that they have the ability to go anywhere and do what they want with characters.  He then said, "Really, the reason this character didn't work for us is because of the individual playing the character, more or less."  That was the problem.  Yep, it was all Mark Copani's fault.  It wasn't how it was booked.  Nope, it was all Copani.  Jeez, that has to be the stupidest thing he has ever said.  Whether you liked the character or not, Copani played it as well as it could have been played.

Linda was asked about the overall business.  She said that ratings have been steady and even on a bit of an uptick.  I guess she hasn't looked at the recent Smackdown and Raw numbers, and certainly Deutsch didn't because he didn't correct her.  She said that they are seeing a "trend up in all of our business units".  Uh, OK, if you say so.  Please explain how your advertising business will be going up now that you don't sell your cable advertising any more Linda.  Deutsch said Forbes has Vince's net worth at $700 million and he said he doesn't pay any attention to that.  He's not driven by money.  It's fun, but it's not just about that.  That was it for the McMahons.

After commercial, Steve Austin joined the show, in studio.  Austin said wrestling is the greatest job he ever had.  If people don't like it, he doesn't care.  Deutsch said people don't realize that they are on the road 250 days a year.  Austin says it's a grind.  They don't travel in tour buses.  He said when you sign up, you are only off the road when you are hurt, and then you aren't making any money.  He said you do it week in, week out.  He said you get addicted to it and it's a great job.

Austin was asked why his character got over.  He said he was brought in to have good matches, be a mechanic.  He said that The Ringmaster name wouldn't get anyone excited, so he came up with the Stone Cold character.  He said it got over.  He said he believed in all of the things he did in the ring, that they were fun and real and that is why people got into it.  He said it's real entertainment.  He was asked about basing the character about the "I don't care" attitude of serial killers.  He mentioned that his attitude started after getting released by WCW while he was hurt.  He said he watched a special on a serial killer named the Iceman.  He doesn't endorse the guy, but he was playing a heel and took some of the attitude he saw in the guy and put it in his character.  He said "someone" in his house came up with the Stone Cold name over a cup of hot tea (it was his ex-wife Jeannie).

They talked about doing "The Longest Yard".  He said he had a ball doing it, even though the critics didn't like it.  He said it's about drawing money at the box office, and they did.  He was asked if he ever has a problem celebrating violence to kids.  He said for the most part, he's a good role model for kids.  By that he meant it in a "kid from a small town made good" kind of way.  He said that wrestling isn't about violence, though it's in the show.  He said it's about good guys and bad guys, and titles.  He said "sometimes violence is a means to an end".

Talk turned to the WWE movie, "The Condemned" that Austin is working on.  He said it's not a wrestling movie.  He doesn't know who will distribute it yet.  He said Vince's idea is to use WWE characters in other areas.  Deutsch compared WWE to Disney.  Austin said, "It's a different way to make more money".  He said "The Condemned" will start filming in January.  He said that he is working on other projects in LA right now.  He said going back to USA is a big move for WWE because they understand WWE business.

The show ended with Deutsch giving his top five wrestlers of all time.  They were:

Moolah
Chief Jay Strongbow
Jimmy Snuka
Bobo Brazil
Arnold Skaaland

2005 - CM Punk made his official WWE developmental debut in Ohio Valley Wrestling.  Dan Willis filed the following live report from a TV taping in Louisville, Kentucky:

In the big news of this tv show, Johnny Jeter defended the OVW Heavyweight Championship against Daniel Puder with help from Smackdown's Ken Kennedy, but Matt Cappotelli made a shocking return to the New Davis and nearly got his hands on Jeter. This match was built up nicely for the past few weeks. While Puder has been in the heel clique of Jeter and Mr. Ken Kennedy, he's been booked smartly as a babyface. So when OVW Owner Danny Davis's storyline feud with Johnny Jeter came into play, and the match between Puder and Kennedy was made, everyone was quick to embrace Puder as a top babyface.

The Jeter vs Puder match was done really well, as Puder 's cornermen, The Riggs Brothers, were thrown out of ringside because they countered Mr. Kennedy's interference. But Puder was doing great against both Jeter and Kennedy, until Puder caught Kennedy in the ropes with the Key Lock and had Kennedy tapping in the ropes in a really cool spot. Puder turned around right into a Jeter superkick, and was pinned. Jeter and Kennedy decided to end Puder's career with a chair, much like the bloody angle Jeter did with Matt Cappotelli weeks ago, but The Riggs Brothers came back and brawled with Jeter and Kennedy.

However, Jeter and Kennedy got the advantage and threw the Riggs Brothers from the ring, but when Jeter turned around, Matt Cappotelli was in the ring. You have to see the New Davis Arena react to this amazing moment. Cappotelli, crutch in hand, was face to face with Jeter, but Mr. Kennedy tried to get Cappotelli, who broke a crutch over Kennedy's back. Jeter took advantage of the distraction and nailed Cappotelli in Matt's injured leg. As soon as Jeter started kicking at Cappotelli's leg, the locker room cleared out and the show went off the air. Amazing finale to Puder's WWE career, and a great reminder of the fact Cappotelli is returning to face his former partner Jeter for the OVW Heavyweight Title. Paul Heyman got the most out of this situation.

Sheik Khosrow Daivari returned to WWE-affiliated television but got demolished by Bobby Lashley. Daivari was introduced in a locker room pre-tape by Kenny Bolin as the new Director of International Publicity for OVW TV Champion Ken Doane, whose match last week with Brent Albright (featuring the 10 German Suplexes and double pin) was the OVW Match of the Year. Daivari asked Dean Visk, a thickly muscled strongman whose gimmick is to scream insanely until he's on the verge of passing out, to force someone to sign the open contract Daiviari has already put his signature on. Daivari went out to the ring, and when the cameras cut backstage again, Bobby Lashley interrupted Visk's tirade by signing the contract himself. Lashley came out and while Daivari jumped Lashley at the start of the match, Lashley soon took over and destroyed Daivari, as the crowd went crazy.

After the match, Visk stormed the ring and went nose to nose with Lashley as Bolin and Doane kept them apart. The Lashley turn is being done so right, and he's playing the role perfectly. The heels (Aaron "The Idol" Stevens with his valets Beth Phoenix and Shelly) beat the babyfaces (Chris Cage and Alexis Laree) in a 3 vs 2 handicap match when Stevens victimized and pinned the babyface female to tremendous heat. This is a really good feud. Stevens and Cage work great together, and the girls provide enough sex appeal to last a long time. Shelly knocked out Cage with a wrench, and Alexis Laree fell victim to Aaron Stevens when she tried, for the second week in a row, to hit him with the spinning Tornado DDT, but he countered it into a backbreaker and then picked up the lifeless Laree by the hair and planted her with his Idolizer DDT.

Former ROH Champion CM Punk made his OVW TV debut but got his face pummeled for real by Danny Inferno in the process. Inferno slapped Punk hard right in the beginning of the match and followed up later with a punch that you could see land right in Punk's face. Punk won by pinning Inferno after a pull of the tights, but you could see how badly beat up Punk's face right after the match.

Elijah Burke pinned Paul Burchall, but it was presented as Burchall had the match won in a really interesting twist. Even the babyface announcers Dean Hill and Al Snow went out of their way to protect Burchall, as Burchall just kept bodyslamming Elijah over and over again, but Burke turned one of the slams into a roll and pinned Burchall. This was a good match for both Burchall and Burke. A lot of happenings in one hour, but it was never rushed. Another great show, as the feuds for the fall season shape up to be Cappotelli's return to challenge Jeter, Lashley's babyface turn against Visk and Doane, Albright's challenge to TV Champion Doane, and the Cage (with Laree) vs Idol (with Beth and Shelly) feuds.

OVW just announced on their website they are finally selling DVD's. The first releases are the July and August and September TV Shows. More information is available at www.ovwrestling.com. If you want to see why OVW has such a buzz right now, check it out. Paul Heyman's name has not been mentioned once on OVW, and he's not once shown his face. I think his old statements about bookers not booking themselves holds true, and he's proving it in OVW. OVW returns to the New Davis Arena this Wednesday Night for another TV Taping, no doubt a newsworthy one as these feuds continue. The New Davis Arena is located at 4400 Sheperdsville Road in Louisville, Kentucky.

2006 - Justin Credible's tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW brand finished as he was officially released.  Credible had already been written off by the company after The former ECW World champion no showed a ECW taping and had little (or no) communication with WWE management afterward.  Credible would later state that he walked from the company after seeing how they intended to treat him and the ECW brand.

2006 - Chris Jericho appeared on the series finale of Celebrity Duets on FOX.

2007 - Word came out that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's first Disney film "The Game Plan" was the top grossing movie for the weekend, earning an estimated $22.7 million.

2007 - The Smackdown and ECW brands ran Peoria, IL with the following results:
-Kane pinned Finlay, despite interference by Hornswoggle
-Miz (with Extreme Expose) pinned Balls Mahoney
-Jimmy Wang Yang defeated Kenny Dykstra (with Victoria)
-Big Daddy V pinned Tommy Dreamer
-Michelle McCool defeated Krissy Vaine
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions WWE U.S. Champion MVP & Matt Hardy defeated Deuce & Domino
-Chuck Palumbo defeated Chris Masters in Masters' return after a 30-day suspension)
-ECW Champion CM Punk defeated John Morrison in Morrison's return after a month suspension)
-The Undertaker & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated the Great Khali & Mark Henry when Mysterio pinned Henry with a splash after Taker hit the chokeslam

2008 - Plans were made for the retirement robe Ric Flair wore to the ring for his Wrestlemania XXIV retirement match against Shawn Michaels to be donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.  The plan was for the robe to be displayed in their Pop Culture exhibit, which also features such items as the original Muppets Jim Henson worked with, Fonzie's jacket from "Happy Days" and the original Howdy Doody marionette.  It would be the first professional wrestling item displayed by the museum.

2008 - PWInsider.com confirmed plans to broadcast a live Impact episode from Las Vegas, the first time TNA would run that market for TV.

2008 - TruTV announced the debut of Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura with the following press release:

Governor Jesse Ventura Working on New Project for truTV to Investigate Conspiracy Theories

NEW YORK, Sept 29, 2008  -- Pilot From A. Smith & Co. Productions Begins Shooting Next Month

Jesse Ventura, a man who has lived a dangerous life, is about to explore mysteries behind the most compelling modern day conspiracy theories for truTV. Production of a pilot featuring Ventura begins in October. The project comes to truTV from A. Smith & Co. Productions.

Ventura will travel across the country, investigating cases and getting input from believers and skeptics to make a final determination about a theory's validity.

Ventura embodies truTV's promise to bring viewers real-life, high-stakes action and fascinating characters. Ventura was a U.S. Navy frogman/SEAL; a famous professional wrestler; mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; and governor of Minnesota. All the while, Ventura maintained his reputation as a rebel and free-thinker.

Ventura is passionate about the world of conspiracy theories and holds non-traditional opinions on many of them. He has no qualms about questioning authority and seeking truth. No matter how dangerous, who is involved or what is uncovered, Ventura will hunt down answers, plunging viewers into a world of secret meetings, midnight surveillance, shifty characters and dark forces.

Ventura stated "I've been a mayor; I've been a governor. Now, I get to be a detective, and seek the truth."

"We are thrilled to be working with Jesse Ventura and with our production partners at A. Smith & Co.," said Marc Juris, executive vice president and general manager at truTV. "Jesse is a savvy, high-energy and highly intellectual person. Above all, he's someone who is as real as they come."

"This show will tackle some of the most popular conspiracy theories. Who better than Jesse Ventura to get to the bottom of each and reveal the truth?" said executive producer Arthur Smith of A. Smith & Co. "There is also no better place to exhibit the show than on truTV, which has an audience prepared to join Jesse on each of his investigations."

The pilot will be executive-produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Frank Sinton of A. Smith & Co. and by Michael Braverman and Barry Bloom of the Braverman/Bloom Co. Ventura will serve as producer. For truTV, Robyn Hutt is the executive in charge of production. David Schiff, A. Smith & Co.'s vice president of production and development, will oversee the project for the company.

Founded by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed in 2000, A. Smith & Co. Productions generates some of the most innovative, highly rated and high-quality unscripted programming for the domestic and international television marketplace. Since its launch, the company has created over 500 hours of programming and developed and produced the number one show in America an astonishing 12 times and a top five show over 50 times. The company's current production slate includes the Emmy(R)-nominated hit show Hell's Kitchen, as well as Kitchen Nightmares with Chef Gordon Ramsay, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, Trading Spaces with host Paige Davis, the critically acclaimed documentary series American Gangster and UFC Countdown.

truTV is television's destination for real-life stories told from an exciting and dramatic first-person perspective. Currently seen in 91 million U.S. households and enjoying more than a year of solid and consistent ratings growth, truTV features high-stakes, action-packed originals that give viewers access to places and situations they can't normally experience. Among truTV's primetime fan favorites are the original series Smoking Gun Presents; Most Daring; Speeders; Ocean Force; Principal's Office; Forensic Files; and Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice. During the daytime, the channel features expert trial coverage under the name IN SESSION.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world

2008 - MyNetwork TV touted the debut of Smackdown, which would run on the network for two years, with the following announcement:

MyNetworkTV issued the following press release today:

MyNetworkTV Presents a One-Two WWE® Punch
All-Star Kick-Off of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown®” & “WWE WrestleMania® – The World Television Premiere”

NEW YORK, N.Y., September 29, 2008 – MyNetworkTV presents a one-two WWE punch beginning on October 2nd at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) with “WrestleMania – The World Television Premiere” leading up to the October 3rd all-star network premiere event of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown” at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) announced Greg Meidel, president of MyNetworkTV.

In making the announcement, Meidel stated, “WWE – THE sports entertainment powerhouse is launching on MyNetworkTV in big-way – complete with the biggest Superstars, historic broadcast television matches, and back-to-back nights of powerful programming.”

The MyNetworkTV debut of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown” begins with a Superstar-studded night. For the first time ever on broadcast television, it will be a night of Champion vs. Champion including a “Triple Threat Match” between WWE Champion Triple H®, World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho® and ECW® Champion Matt Hardy™.

In addition to the “Triple Threat Match” the following matches, comprised of WWE Superstars from all three WWE television brands (SmackDown, RAW®, ECW) are scheduled for the premiere episode of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown:”

    Eight-Man Tag Team Match: Rey Mysterio®, Batista®, Jeff Hardy™ and Finlay™ vs. Kane®, MVP™, JBL™ and The Brian Kendrick™
    WWE Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella™ vs. WWE United States Champion Shelton Benjamin®
    WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix™ vs. WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool™
    World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes™ & Ted DiBiase™ will square off with the newly-crowned WWE Tag Team Champions Carlito™ & Primo™

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon added, “The WWE and MyNet will become the tag team champions of Friday night television.”

In anticipation of the debut of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown,” MyNetworkTV will present “WrestleMania - The World Television Premiere” the night prior to launch. Viewers can re-live the action and excitement from WrestleMania XXIV. Now, for the first time ever, MyNetwork TV and WWE invite you to enjoy that same exhilaration on broadcast television in an innovative presentation combining the high impact action of the WWE scored to music from some of the industry’s biggest stars including U2, Metallica, Three Doors Down, Three 6 Mafia, and Kid Rock.

About MyNetworkTV®

MyNetworkTV is a primetime general entertainment broadcast television network. Reaching over 97% of the country and targeted to Adults 18-49, MyNetworkTV provides its affiliates 12 hours of diverse programming Monday through Saturday, including “Celebrity Exposé,” Langley Productions’ “Jail” and “Street Patrol” and debuting in October 2008, “Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed,” “The Tony Rock Project” and “WWE Friday Night SmackDown®.” For more information, please visit www.mynetworktv.com.

About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

2008 - WWE Smackdown ran Stevens Point, WI at The Quandt Fieldhouse.  The advertised main event was WWE World Champion Triple H & the Undertaker vs. the Great Khali & MVP; both Triple H and Khali were on Raw instead.  Results from the card saw:
-Jesse & Festus defeated Curt Hawkins & Zach Ryder
-The Brian Kendrick defeated Jimmy Wang Yang
-WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool defeated Eve defeated Maryse & Natalya Neidhart; Maria was the guest referee for the bout
-Vladimir Kozlov pinned Jeff Hardy with the reverse DDT
-Finlay defeated Jack Swagger
-WWE U.S. Champion Shelton Benjamin defeated R Truth and MVP by pinning Truth
-ECW champion Matt Hardy pinned Mark Henry in a No DQ match with the Twist of Fate
-The Undertaker defeated the Big Show via submission with the leglock choke

2008 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are now in the final week before No Mercy and it is time for the final Raw before the pay per view. How will Chris Jericho prepare for his ladder match against Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Title? Does Shawn have anything in store for Jericho this week? What does Lance Cade’s victory in the handicap match mean for the student of the Heartbreak Kid? Since we had the wrestlers in the top two matches from the brand working together on last week’s show, how will they set up those matches on tonight’s show? Will Candice Michelle confront Beth Phoenix before their match on Sunday? What is next for the Honk-A-Meter? Who will Charlie Haas be tonight?

We are live from Minneapolis, Minnesota and your announcers are Jerry ‘Happy Rosh Hashanah’ Lawler and Michael ‘Please win Twins’ Cole.

Match Number One: Batista with the Wonder Woman spin versus Santino Marella with Beth Phoenix

Before the match begins, Santino says that they finally meet. Before they meet in battle, it is time for the Honk-A-Meter and we are 58 weeks away from Santino catching the Honky Donkey Man to be the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Time for the Brain Barometer. Santino says the average brain has 6 Trillion cells. Santino has 10 Trillion brain cells, twice as many as the average human being. Batista has 12 brain cells. Santino says that he is going to knock out ten of them because Batista has gotten on his bad side. Santino says that he is going to leave Batista in worse shape than the U.S. Economy.

The bell rings and Batista with a clothesline that takes Santino down. Batista sends Santino into the corner with shoulders. Batista with an Irish whip and running clothesline followed by a spinebuster. Time to shake the ropes and we go to the Batista Bomb while he looks at Beth. Batista gets the three count.
Winner: Batista

After the match, Beth gets on the apron and from out of nowhere, Bradshaw hits Batista with a Clothesline from Wall Street.

Bradshaw walks to the back and we see Batista on the mat.

Todd Grisham is with Shawn Michaels in the interview area. Todd asks Shawn about his mystery partner tonight against Chris Jericho and Lance Cade. Shawn says that he knew ten years ago that Lance Cade was good, when he trained him. Shawn says that he never expected Lance to show it to him in the ring. Shawn says that Chris Jericho has six more days to walk around as the champion because he will win the title at No Mercy. Todd asks Shawn who his partner will be tonight and suggests Batista. Shawn says that Batista had to deal with Bradshaw. Shawn suggests a tag team alliance between HBK and a man who considers himself to be a ‘Real American’. Maybe not. What about a Texas Rattlesnake? Not really. Shawn suggests teaming with the “Best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.’ Maybe not. Shawn says that he is looking for someone who like him. We go to commercial.

We are back with the latest ‘WWE message’.

Before our next match, we see the latest Dirt Sheet.

Match Number Two: JTG with Shad versus The Miz with John Morrison
Miz with a waist lock but JTG with a standing switch. Miz mocks JTG but JTG with an Irish whip. JTG with a flying shoulder tackle and drop kick. JTG follows that with a leap frog neck breaker for a two count. JTG with a front face lock into a side head lock. JTG with a drop down uppercut, but Miz with a hot shot and a kick. Miz slams JTG’s head into the turnbuckle and punches him. Miz with a running clothesline into the corner. Miz with boots to the shoulder followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Miz with a cravate. Miz tries for a slam but JTG gets out of the move and gets a rollup. Miz with a clothesline and he returns to the cravate. JTG with punches to Miz followed by a knee and a leap frog leg drop. JTG with a flying back elbow and then he bounces in the ring before going to the second turnbuckle for a leg lariat and a two count. JTG with a clothesline but Morrison gets on the apron, only to trip Morrison. Miz with the Reality Check for the three count.
Winner: The Miz

Jamie Noble is walking in the back and he sees Jillian. Jamie asks for a favor. He says every time she opens her mouth, he almost swallows his skull. Noble says that he needs a partner of the female anatomy. Noble asks sweet cheeks if she wants to team with him. Jillian says that if Layla doesn’t want to be seen with him, why would someone ten times hotter than Layla want to be with him? Jillian starts to do something resembling ‘singing’. Dolph Ziggler stops by to introduce himself and interrupt the ear bleeding. Noble walks away.

We go to commercial.

We are back and ECW is now on at 9:00 pm on Tuesdays.

Match Number Three: Jamie Noble and unknown female partner versus Katie Lea and Paul Burchill
Before the match starts, William Regal comes out to his throne with Layla.

Noble is without a partner until the match is about to start and Mickie James comes out to join Noble. The men start off and Burchill with punches. Noble with head butts and forearms but Paul runs Noble into the corner. Katie tags in and Burchill hits a clothesline and Katie gets a near fall. Katie kicks Noble. Noble pushes Katie into Mickie and Mickie with a forearm and she tags in. Mickie with a drop kick and snap mare. The referee was out of position and Paul trips Mickie. Katie gets a near fall and then she slams Mickie’s face into the mat. Katie works on the arms but Mickie gets to her feet only to be stopped by a kick. Mickie with a neck breaker and both are down. Paul and Noble tag in and Noble with a drop kick and running sledges followed by a suplex. Noble goes up top and dedicates this to Layla as he hits a missile drop kick but Katie breaks up the cover. Mickie with a Thesz Press from the turnbuckles and then she throws Katie over the top rope. Burchill with a head butt to the midsection and then Noble hits a Northern Lights Suplex into a cross arm breaker and Burchill taps.
Winners: Jamie Noble and Mickie James

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cody Rhodes, Manu, and Ted DiBiase are in the back looking for Kane. Cody says that he will do all the talking. They see the red lights and figure that Kane is there. They would be right. Cody says that he knows that Kane is not necessarily a tag team type of guy, but since his father is Paul Bearer, that makes him a second generation superstar like them. If they act as a unit in the ring, they should be okay for their match. Ted says that they did not ask for this match, but they want to make sure that they are all on the same page. Kane turns around and he says that he does not take orders from anyone. He says that he is going to massacre Rey Mysterio tonight, even if they aren’t on the same page. Kane tells them to stay out of their way and there will not be a pile of second generation carcasses in the ring. Kane says that he is going to look for his buddy Mike Adamle.

We go back to last week’s main event when Lance Cade pinned Shawn Michaels.

Lance Cade comes out and he says that he was the man who beat his one time mentor, Shawn Michaels. The truth is that over the last three months, he has learned from Chris Jericho than in ten years with Shawn Michaels. Lance says that Chris is a better teacher, a better influence, and just better. Lance tells Shawn that he could care less who Shawn’s partner is because either Shawn loses to him again or he is going to lose to Chris Jericho just like he win on Sunday. After No Mercy, Chris Jericho will still be the champion.

We see footage of Kane breaking Rey in half on last week’s show.

Match Number Four: CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, and Rey Mysterio versus Kane, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Manu
Manu and Bourne start things off and Manu with a kick and forearm to the back. Manu with a back elbow but Bourne kicks back. Manu with a forearm and suplex attempt but Bourne lands on his feet and he tags in Rey who Bourne uses to knock Manu out of the ring. Rey elevates Bourne onto Manu. DiBiase and Rhodes are sent outside and Punk and Kofi with suicide dives. Kane is sent to the floor and Rey hits a seated splash onto Kane and we go to commercial.

We are back and Rhodes with a snap mare to Bourne followed by an arm bar and cross face. Bourne returns to his feet and he punches Rhodes, but Rhodes sends Bourne back to the mat. Manu tags in and he punches Bourne followed by a belly-to-back suplex for a two count. Manu punches Bourne but Bourne with a kick and jawbreaker before tagging in Punk who hits a springboard clothesline and back kick. Punk with a knee in the corner and then he kicks DiBiase, but Manu clips Punk. Rhodes works on the leg and he has Punk in a spinning toe hold and then he wrenches the knee. Punk with punches and kicks to try to get out of the hold. Kane tags in and he hits an elbow drop before kicking Punk. Kane with punches and kicks to Punk. DiBiase is tagged back in and Ted wraps the leg in the ropes. DiBiase with an elbow drop to the knee and he continues to wear down Punk.

Punk gets slammed in the corner and Punk tries to fight his way out but DiBiase stops him. Punk gets a double suplex from Rhodes and DiBiase. Rhodes continues to work on the knee and then he tags in DiBiase. DiBiase with a double sledge to the knee and then he tags in Manu who splashes on to the leg. Manu with a spinning toe hold. Punk gets an inside cradle for a near fall. Rhodes gets tagged in and he continues to work on Punk’s leg. Punk and Rhodes exchange punches until Kane tags in. Kane gets a punch and kicks from Punk but Kane continues to keep Punk from making the tag. Punk with an enzuigiri but Kane stops Punk from making the tag and he adds a kick to Rey’s head. Rhodes tags in and he slams the knee into the mat. Punk misses an enzuigiri but Rhodes misses an elbow and Kingston is tagged in. Kingston with a cross body and a drop kick to Rhodes followed by a side Russian leg sweep. Kofi with the People’s Leg Drop but the cover is broken up by Manu. Bourne with a cross body that takes him and Manu over the top rope. Rey with a springboard drop kick to Kane to stop him. Kane with a choke slam to Kingston for the three count.
Winners: Kane, Ted DiBiase, Manu, and Cody Rhodes

After the match, Kane leaves the ring while Punk and Bourne check on Kingston.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Mike Adamle is in the ring. Mike says that Kane made a request to him earlier tonight and he would grant the request based on whether or not Kane won. Since Kane won, he will be a man of his word. On Sunday, if Kane beats Rey Mysterio, Rey will have to take off his mask in the middle of the ring.

Mike is interrupted by Randy Orton’s music and he comes to the ring. Mike wants to know what Randy would like. Randy says that he wants to make sure that Mike has his cell phone with him. Randy wants to make sure that Mike called Shane McMahon to see if it is okay with him. Randy suggests that Mike shines Shane’s shoes. Randy does not like the fact that Mike let Shane McMahon overrule his suspension of CM Punk. Randy tells Adamle to stand up for him. Orton says that when he gets back into the ring, he will own things. Randy says that Adamle will need him more than he will need Shane McMahon.

Bradshaw comes out and he says that he lost a lot of money this week. Bradshaw tells Randy that his wife is one of the most powerful women in the business world. Bradshaw says that he will beat Batista on Sunday and then he will be the next world champion. Bradshaw wonders what Randy will take solace in. Bradshaw calls Orton a one armed gimp who is living in the past. Bradshaw mentions that Orton is the youngest champion in history. Bradshaw wants a stipulation that when he wins the title, Orton never gets a shot at the title.

Batista’s music plays and Batista shows up behind Bradshaw and Bradshaw has that ‘oh crap’ look on his face before he turns into a spear from Batista. Batista tells Bradshaw that at No Mercy, his week will get a lot worse.

Santino is in the back and he is on the phone. He wonders how she got his number, but then he sees Beth and starts talking to Frank. Beth wonders who Santino was talking to. Santino says he was talking to a sick kid named Frankie. Santino says that he is ready to walk Beth to the ring. Beth says that he does not want Santino out there to cost him like he did last week in her match against Kelly, and she is not going to lose another match. Santino says that it is a good thing that Beth doesn’t have a Fabulous Mool-A-Meter because she is so far behind.

Kelly and Candice are walking in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and we see footage of Kelly beating Beth because of Santino’s involvement.

Match Number Five: Kelly Kelly and Candice Michelle versus Beth Phoenix and Jillian Hall
Beth and Candice start things off and Candice with a waist lock and kicks to the leg but Beth with a forearm to Candice. Candice with a drop kick and Kelly is tagged in and they hit a double drop kick and Kelly gets a near fall. Candice is tagged in and she hits a double sledge from the turnbuckles. Beth sends Candice into the corner and Jillian is tagged in. Jillian with forearms to Candice but Candice punches and kicks her way out of the corner. Candice with a kick to Jillian followed by a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Candice sends Jillian into the turnbuckle. Jillian drops Candice on her face and chest. Beth is tagged in and she kicks Candice in the abdomen. Beth with a back breaker and then she hits another one for a near fall. Jillian tags bac in and she punches Candice. Jillian pulls Candice by the hair and the ref makes her stop. Jillian slams Candice’s head into the mat. Jillian with an Irish whip but Candice gets her knees up for the handspring back elbow. Candice with a kick that takes Jillian down. Beth and Kelly tag in and Kelly with forearms and a kick. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Beth flips Kelly over and then she hits a clothesline. Candice with forearms but Jillian pulls her outside. Kelly with a rollup but Beth turns it into a sit out butterfly driver for the three count.
Winners: Jillian Hall and Beth Phoenix

Michael Cole talks about how they have done 800 episodes of Raw. Because of the 800 previous shows, there is going to be a big tag team main event. Who will Shawn’s partner be? Which commercial will we see?

Match Number Six: Deuce versus The Great Charli with Runjin Singh
Before the match starts, Charli speaks in some language and it is translated by Singh.

The match starts and Charli wants Deuce to go off the ropes. Charli with a chop but Deuce with a kick. Charli with a head butt but he is staggered. Deuce with a jumping kick. Deuce with a leaping stroke, but Charli gets his boot up. Charli with punches and a drop kick to Deuce. Charli goes up top and hits a clothesline for the three count.
Winner: Great Charli

After the match, the real Khali comes out with Runjin and the arms go up for no reason. Khali comes into the ring and Singh wants to make the introduction between two great men. Charli raises his arms and Khali is honored. Charli offers his hand and Khali gives Charli and hand to the top of the head.

We are back with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler and we are reminded that ECW is now on Tuesday at 9:00 Eastern. Keeping up the changes, Smackdown will be on MyNetworkTV.

It is time to take a look at a preview of the Wrestlemania special that will air on Thursday night.

Time to run through the card at No Mercy.

Chris Jericho has a mic and he is going to address the crowd. When he came into the arena, someone had the audacity to wish him luck on Sunday. Chris says that he does not need luck. He will be victorious on Sunday because he is better. Jericho asks Cade to get a ladder. Jericho says that people are obsessed with the final moments of the match when the wrestlers grab for the ladder. Jericho has Cade send the ladder into the ring post and ring steps as a preview of what he will do. Jericho slams the ladder down and vows to do the same on Saturday. Then he will cave in Michaels’s rib cage with the ladder. There is not another man on this planet who can maim someone as well as him with a ladder. He walks through the ladder and says that you don’t need luck when you are the best in the world.

We go to commercial.

We are back and walls are still being broken down. Now it is time to see who Shawn Michaels chose as his tag team partner.

Match Number Seven: Chris Jericho and Lance Cade versus Shawn Michaels and Your Guess is as Good as Mine
Shawn runs to the back after his music plays so he can come out with Triple H as DX reunites for one night only (unless they want to do it more times)

Are you ready because the bell rings and Hunter and Jericho start things off. Jericho with a punch and kick but Hunter with a shoulder tackle and punches. Hunter tries for the high knee but Jericho blocks it and tries for the Walls of Jericho. Cade tags in and he kicks and punches Hunter. Hunter blocks a suplex and he hits one of his own. Hunter with a knee drop and then Michaels is tagged in. Michaels with a chop followed by a flying forearm. Michaels goes after Jericho and then he hits a reverse atomic drop on Cade. Michaels chases after Jericho and when they return to the ring, Cade with a big boot. Jericho tags back in and hits a belly-to-back suplex. Jericho punches Michaels in the head. Cade tags back in and he punches Michaels followed by an elbow to the head. Jericho with a snap mare and a modified sleeper. Michaels punches Jericho followed by a chop. Jericho with an Irish whip and bulldog. Cade and Hunter tag in and Hunter with the high knee and punch. Hunter with the facebuster and then he knocks Jericho off the apron. Hunter with a clothesline to Cade but Cade with a boot. Hunter with a spinebuster and then it is time to pose. Hunter waits for Cade to get up and he sets for the Pedigree but Jericho with the Codebreaker to Hunter. Cade with a clothesline to Michaels and then they work over Michaels and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Shawn Michaels and Triple H by disqualification

After the match, Jericho brings a ladder into the ring and he wants to use it on Michaels but Hunter returns to the ring with the GameHammer, making his return to Raw. Cade does not know why Jericho left the ring, but now he does after Hunter hits him in the ribs with the GameHammer. Shawn with Sweet Chin Music followed by a Pedigree from Hunter. Hunter sets up the ladder and then he puts Cade in front of it. Michaels climbs the ladder and he hits a splash onto Cade. We go to credits.

2009 - The following statement was posted on the official website of Shane Douglas' planned November to Remember event: "Due to numerous circumstances beyond our control, N2R, The Final Chair Shot has been postponed indefinitely. We are all just as disappointed by this as most of you are. We are remaining optimistic however and hope that all of you will do the same. Thank you for your continued support."    The event would never take place.

2009 - WWE taped a "Decade of Smackdown" special in Boston, MA.  Billy Krotchsen filed the following results:

The Decade of Smackdown special starts off with Jim Ross and Todd Grisham inside the ring talking about their ten year anniversary and how the party has begun.  They showed clips of numerous talents from all three brands backstage at a party.

*Batista pinned Kane.

*Backstage at the party, Teddy Long is seeing and greeting people.  Michael Cole sees Finlay and calls him "Vintage Finlay."  Teddy Long bumps into Vickie Guerrero, who has short hair.  She introduces him to her new boyfriend Eric (I believe Eric Escobar from WWE developmental). Vickie said she's back.

*Hornswoggle kicks Michael Cole in the shin. Everyone is allowed into MVP's VIP area except Zack Ryder. Iron Sheik is there.

*Video package remembering Eddie Guerrero. It was really well done and got a huge reaction.

*Dolph Ziggler & The Miz defeated WWE United States champ Kofi Kingston & WWE Intercontinental champ John Morrison.  Jack Swagger did commentary at ringside.

*More party nonsense including Yoshi, Funaki and Jillian doing karaoke, The Iron Sheik choking on food, Hurricane gives him Heimlich maneuver.  Jericho and Show walk into the party, Michael Cole throws up from drinking

*Taped Rock promo.  They're doing like 5 or 6 takes.  He makes a random comment asking who Dolph Ziggler is. He then goes on to do the "Finally the Rock has come back to Smackdown" and talks about being there since the beginning.  The crowd chants his name, etc.  He talks about CM Punk, says he should be called BM Punk (bowel movement). He talks about making history with Taker, tells a camera guy to shave his chest, talks about Hell in the Cell and says maybe its time he guest hosts Raw.  The crowd went nuts for that.

*WWE Women's champ Michelle McCool defeated Melina in a Lumberjill match when Beth Phoenix interfered.

*Backstage Undertaker promo.  He said that after the beating he gives CM Punk Sunday, Punk will crave the pills and alcohol he claims to despise.

*Drew McIntyre proposes a toast to himself at the party. Ron Killings attacks him and they brawl. It gets broken up and Teddy Long declares the party over.

*WWE champ John Cena & DX & Undertaker defeated World champ CM Punk & Legacy & Randy Orton when Taker pinned Orton. They dumped TONS of blue and white confetti in the Arena to celebrate the anniversary and close the show.

2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

William Regal is in the office and he says that Tiffany was in an accident earlier in the week and she is at home nursing her injuries. Regal says that he is the interim general manager. He was told not to do anything that affects the title match. He is going to make the main event Christian versus Zack Ryder, Vladimir Kozlov, Ezekiel Jackson, and William Regal in a four-on-one Epsenhart Special.

We are live on tape from Boston, Massachusetts and your announcers are Matt ‘On the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere’ Striker and Josh ‘Mass Transit’ Mathews.

Tony Atlas is out to introduce Abraham Washington whose guest tonight is John Morrison. Abe welcomes everything to the critically acclaimed Abraham Washington show. Abe talks about the Hell in a Cell pay per view. On Friday, there will be the Decade of Smackdown celebration. He brings out John Morrison and Abe helps John mention his new t-shirt. John tells Tony that he loves the laugh and then he says that he likes John’s show. Abe brings up the Dirt Sheet. John says that the Miz reminds him a lot of Dolph Ziggler, the man he will face on Sunday. He says that both men think they will win gold on Sunday and if Dolph is half as good as he thinks he is, he will be champion. However, it will not happen this Sunday.

Dolph Ziggler interrupts and joins John on the couch. Abe makes a Rocky IV reference and confuses Dolph’s name. Abe says that he is out of time and he suggests having his people contact Abe’s people. Morrison brings Mr. Ziggles to ECW.

William Regal is in his office and he is on the phone talking about the match he set up. Zack Ryder enters while Regal apologizes. Zack says that he has things under control. Regal says that the Board did not like Regal’s idea so Yoshi Tatsu, Goldust, and Tommy Dreamer are now part of the match and it is an eight man tag match. Regal asks Ryder if he is questioning his ability to be general manager and Zack says that he is.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we see footage of last week’s confrontation between Sheamus and Shelton on the Abe Washington Show.

Match Number One: Paul Burchill with Katie Lea versus Shelton Benjamin

Shelton takes too much time to come to the ring and Sheamus attacks Shelton from behind and sends Shelton into the ring post. Sheamus kicks and chokes Shelton while referees come out to separate them.

Sheamus sends Benjamin into the ring and Shelton is in a lot of pain. The referee holds Burchill back until Shelton says that he wants to wrestle. Burchill runs Benjamin into the corner and kicks him. Burchill with a Saito suplex for a two count. Burchill kicks Shelton and then connects with a knee drop. Burchill stomps on Shelton and the referee admonishes him again. Burchill gets another near fall. Burchill with a short arm clothesline for a near fall and then he works on the arm and puts Benjamin in an arm bar. Benjamin with punches but Burchill returns to the arm and then he sends Benjamin into the ring post. Benjamin slumps to the floor and the referee holds Burchill back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Burchill is working on Benjamin’s arm again as we see the damage that Benjamin’s shoulder has endured. Benjamin punches Burchill and then he kicks Paul but Burchill with another Saito suplex for a near fall. Burchill is back with the arm bar. Burchill with kicks to the arm and then he applies a key lock. Benjamin punches Burchill but Burchill with a kick and a suplex attempt but Benjamin lands on his feet and hits a neck breaker. Both men are down. Benjamin with punches and a kick followed by a chop but Burchill with a running back elbow and a kick to the shoulder. Burchill puts Benjamin on the top turnbuckle and punches him and then tries for a superplex but Benjamin blocks it and then he knocks Burchill off the turnbuckles. Benjamin tries for a move from the top but Burchill moves. Burchill with a knee drop but he can only get a two count. Burchill with another arm bar but Benjamin sends Burchill into the turnbuckles. Burchill and Benjamin exchange punches and Burchill with a shoulder tackle. Benjamin counters a clothesline with Paydirt for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin

We go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that ECW did better than any show on any of the former Turner networks.

It is time to talk about the Randy Orton/John Cena feud that will culminate at Hell in a Cell.

Now we run through the card for Hell in a Cell.

Tommy Dreamer and Christian are in the dressing room. He gives a pep talk to him and says that he is the heart of ECW. Christian tells Yoshi Tatsu that he is the future and then they thank each other a few times. Christian tells Goldust that he is a freak but an important part of the team. They go to the ring for their match.

Match Number Two: William Regal, Ezekiel Jackson, Vladimir Kozlov, and Zack Ryder versus Tommy Dreamer, Christian, Yoshi Tatsu, and Goldust

Dreamer and Ryder start things off and Dreamer with a side head lock shoulder tackle and hip toss followed by an arm bar. Goldust tags in and he works on the arm followed by a reverse atomic drop and short arm clothesline for a near fall. Ryder with a knee and then Kozlov is tagged in. Goldust with clotheslines to Kozlov but the big Russian stays on his feet. Yoshi is tagged in and he kicks the arm from the turnbuckles and then he works on the arm some more but Kozlov with a forearm and then he tags in Jackson but Yoshi with kicks. Jackson with a slam to Yoshi but he misses an elbow drop. Goldust is tagged back in and he tries for a shoulder tackle but Jackson stays up. Jackson with a clothesline and then Regal is tagged in. Regal with forearms and then he gets a near fall. Regal with an uppercut and Ryder is tagged in. Goldust with the drop down uppercut followed by a bulldog and Christian is tagged in. Christian with punches and running elbow followed by a corkscrew elbow from the turnbuckles. Christian takes care of the men on the apron and then he hits an inverted DDT followed by a low clothesline for a near fall. Dreamer tags in and they hit a double team inverted DDT and side slam for a near fall. Dreamer with a power slam to Ryder for a near fall. Dreamer goes to the turnbuckles but Regal distracts Dreamer long enough to allow Ryder to pull Dreamer from the turnbuckles. Regal with punches to Dreamer as we go to commercial.

We are back and Jackson has Dreamer in a double underhook and then he connects with a few forearms to the back. Jackson with punches in the corner and while Jackson is with the referee, Ryder and Regal attack Dreamer. Jackson with a biel to Dreamer and a slam for a near fall. Kozlov tags in and he drops an elbow to the ribs and then kicks Dreamer in the back. Kozlov with shoulders in the corner. Regal tags in and he knees Dreamer in the head but Dreamer fights back and that leads to a series of forearms. Jackson tags back in and he punches Dreamer. Christian tags in and Kozlov sends Christian to the floor when he pulls down the ropes. Christian struggles to get back into the ring and Jackson helps with a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Jackson punches Christian in the head and then hits a back breaker or two. Regal tags in and he connects with a knee to the midsection for a near fall. Christian with punches of his own. Christian and Regal collide by the turnbuckles but Regal keeps Christian from making the tag. Kozlov tags in and he connects with forearms and gets a near fall. Kozlov with a back breaker on his shoulder. Christian with a forearm but he tries to make the tag but Kozlov stops him and Kozlov with a fallaway slam. Ryder tags in and he kicks Christian and then gets a near fall. Ryder with a body scissors on Christian as he tries to wear him down. Kozlov is tagged back in and he kicks Christian and then sends him into the turnbuckles for a series of shoulders. Kozlov puts Christian on the top turnbuckle and hits a number of head butts followed by a kick that sends Christian to the mat. Christian avoids a charge and then he hits a missile drop kick from the second turnbuckle. Yoshi and Ryder tag in and Yoshi with kicks and a drop kick followed by a clothesline. Yoshi hits a spinning back elbow followed by running knees into the corner and the rolling snap mare and kick. Yoshi goes up top for the spinning heel kick and he hits it but Jackson breaks up the cover. Everyone is in and out of the ring. Regal makes the tag while Christian hits the springboard cross body on everyone else. Yoshi hits the roundhouse kick for the three count.
Winners: Yoshi Tatsu, Christian, Tommy Dreamer, and Goldust

2010 - The St. Petersburg Times has reported that Hulk Hogan has reached a settlement with Post Foods in regards to the lawsuit the Hulkster filed against the cereal company.  Hogan had sued the company last May over a commercial for Cocoa Pebbles that featured a cartoon wrestling character that, in all honesty, did look a lot like Hogan's old "Rock N' Wrestling" cartoon character.  Details of the settlement were not disclosed, but Hogan is reportedly happy with the settlement he is getting.

2010 - SyFy issued the following press release:

SYFY GETS READY FOR SMACKDOWN(R): MULTI-PRONGED, NATIONWIDE CONSUMER MARKETING CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF 52 WEEK A YEAR EVENT SERIES

WWE(R) FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN MOVES TO SYFY ON FRIDAY OCTOBER, 1st AT 8 PM

NEW YORK - September 29, 2010 - To support the move of WWE Friday Night SmackDown - the ultimate in imagination-based sports entertainment - to Syfy beginning Friday, October 1st at 8 PM (ET/PT) with a live broadcast from Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Syfy has launched an ambitious, multi-pronged national marketing campaign reaching consumers via social networking sites, airlines, in-person appearances, cutting edge creative spots, WWE live events, WWE DVD releases and on digital platforms such as YouTube, video games, wireless and Twitter.

Joining Syfy's diverse programming mix of popular scripted and non-scripted series along with its bellwether Saturday Original Movies, Friday Night SmackDown features a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas including Undertaker(R), Rey Mysterio(R), Big Show(R), Kane(R), Kofi Kingston(R), CM Punk(R), Jack Swagger(TM), "Dashing" Cody Rhodes(R), Michelle McCool(R), Kelly Kelly(R) and Layla(R). The debut episode of Friday Night SmackDown will be presented by Five-Hour Energy. The program, which premiered more than 10 years ago, is the most watched, regularly scheduled TV program on Friday nights among Males 55 and under.

Said Blake Callaway, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Brand and Strategic, Syfy: "The move of SmackDown to Syfy represents the partnership of two powerful and successful brandsthat are united by their embrace of imagination. Syfy and the WWE Superstars are a great combination. These are superheroes come to life. We're telling the WWE Universe(R) that SmackDown is bigger, better and more exciting than ever!"

Said Michael Engleman, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Global Brand Strategy and Creative, Syfy: "WWE and Smackdown bring a style high-octane entertainment to Syfy that makes it a dynamic fit for the brand. Thanks to our new partnership, every Friday night the Superstars of SmackDown will bring imagination and action to life in ways we've never seen before."

The marketing campaign kicked off on July 6 with the premiere of the groundbreaking House of Imagination 2 brand film, which featured WWE Superstars Jack Swagger, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston, and Rey Mysterio. WWE Superstars Kane and Jack Swagger attended Syfy's Comic-Con party in San Diego. Syfy talent such as Warehouse 13 star Eddie McClintock were incorporated at SummerSlam(R) in Los Angeles, along with a Syfy branded WWE Superstar entrance photo opportunity at SummerSlam Axxess.

In cross-promotions on Syfy programming, Cody Rhodes guest starred on the August 10 episode of Warehouse 13 while WCG Ultimate Gamer will integrate the "SmackDown vs. Raw(R)" video game on the September 23 show.

Promotions for SmackDown moving to Syfy at WWE live events began with public address announcements, postcards and videos, followed by WWE Shop mailings; on-air promotions on Monday Night Raw; tune-in on WWE DVD releases of Money in the Bank(TM), SummerSlam 2010 and Breaking The Code: Behind The Walls of Chris Jericho(R), as well as spots during MyNetworkTV presentations of Friday Night SmackDown.

Syfy.com will showcase a clip of the week featuring SmackDown match highlights; trivia contests; photo galleries; promo videos and Twitter feeds from Superstars and Divas.

Syfy will promote the series with videos on select Virgin America flights, and NBC Everywhere content distribution on Taxi TV and gas pumps. In addition, Syfy is reaching out to SmackDown's strong Hispanic and African-American audience through targeted outdoor advertising in select markets and promotions with sister networks Telemundo and mun2.

Digital media outlets including YouTube, Facebook, IGN and Yahoo! Sports will all be presenting SmackDown videos.
 

 

 


If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!