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6/15 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE VINCE MCMAHON ALLEGATIONS ARE REVEALED, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAYLEY, MLW'S DEBUT, THE FORGOTTEN HELL IN A CELL MATCH, DDP VS. SAVAGE HEADLINES WCW GREAT AMERICAN BASH, DICK MURDOCH PASSES AWAY AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2023-06-15 08:00:00

June 15th

On this day in history in ....

1961 - Scott Norton is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1962 - Brad Armstrong is born in Marietta, Georgia.

1962 - Sailor Art Thomas defeats The Mummy for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.

1971 - Chuck Palumbo is born in Providence, Rhode Island. 

1979 - Seiji Sakaguchi and Riki Choshu defeat Hiro Matsuda and Masa Saito in Los Angeles, California for the NWA North American Tag Team Title.

1979 - The Blond Bombers (Larry Latham and Wayne Farris) defeat Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Tupelo, Mississippi, ending Lawler and Dundee's third reign. 

1980 - Sangre Chicana defeats Cachorro Mendoza for the NWA World Middleweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico.

1982 - One day after losing the World Class American Title to Fritz Von Erich in Fritz' retirement match, King Kong Bundy is awarded the title due to Fritz vacating it.  This was Fritz' 15th and final reign. 

1986 - Cezar Bononi is born.

1986 - Rufus R. Jones and Mike George defeat Hacksaw Higgins and J.R . Hogg in Sedalia, Missouri, to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title.

1989 - Bayley is born.

1990 - John Tatum defeats Bill Dundee for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Dundee's second reign and beginning Tatum's second. 

1992 - Eddie Gilbert defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's 12th reign with the gold. 

1996 - Dick Murdoch dies from a heart attack at age 49.  Jess McGrath filed the following article on Murdoch's life in the Wrestling Lariat's 42nd issue:

Goodnight, Captain Redneck
by Jess McGrath


Dick Murdoch, one of the most famous wrestlers of his era and a star in many territories throughout a career that lasted up until just a few weeks ago, passed away on 6/15 of a heart attack. He will undoubtedly be remembered by those who saw him as an incredible heel and a great wrestler in his prime.

Murdoch debuted as a pro in the late-1960’s and was quickly recognized by promoters for his skill in the ring. In fact, in 1969, when Gene Kiniski made some remarks at the annual NWA convention that caused the Board of Directors to go looking for a new World champion, Murdoch was one of the top three candidates to replace Kiniski for that honor (the other two being Bill Watts and Dory Funk Jr.). Even though it was Funk and not Murdoch who got the belt, to be considered so highly was praise enough for his ability as a worker.

One of Murdoch’s early successes in his career was his tag team with Dusty Rhodes, known as The Outlaws. The team captured a few titles throughout the circuits, including the NWA World tag team title in Detroit from Ben Justice & The Stomper. They would hold those belts for five months. Murdoch also worked Funk’s Amarillo territory in those days, wrestling there on and off during the early 1970’s.

Murdoch spent a large amount of time in Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling Association. While there, he captured the North American title five times, the first in 1975 from Danny Miller, and the last a decade later from The Nightmare (“Moondog Rex” Randy Culley). In addition, he won the U.S. (later just Mid-South) tag team belts with numerous partners, from Killer Karl Kox to Junkyard Dog.

In discussing Murdoch’s run in the Mid-South area, one would be remiss to not mention one of the greatest angles of all-time which involved “Captain Redneck.” In late-1985, Ric Flair was scheduled to come through the Mid-South area to defend his NWA title. At that time, Butch Reed was being put over as the top babyface in the area, and they played up the story that Flair was scared to wrestle Reed. In fact, Flair stated that he refused to defend his belt against anyone but the North American champion, who happened to be Dick Murdoch at the time (a heel and an ally of Flair’s). Reed ended up winning the North American belt from Murdoch, pushing himself into the number-one contenders’ slot and a guaranteed title match with Flair.

“Nature Boy,” in an effort to get out of defending against Reed, offered a $25,000 bounty to anybody who could put him out before the title defense. Dick Slater captured the money, injuring Reed’s neck after Reed got a non-title pin on Flair.
With Reed out of the title match, Ted DiBiase was announced as the sub for Reed. Murdoch hit the ring and told DiBiase that he was the rightful challenger. When DiBiase refused to turn over the title shot, Murdoch attacked him from behind and ran his head into the ringpost. DiBiase juiced buckets, and the “bravery” he showed in wrestling Flair despite his loss of blood turned him into the area’s top babyface almost instantly. Flair won the match by countout, and afterward Murdoch returned and gave DiBiase a brainbuster on the floor. Ted “retired” after the match, but not before one of the best scenarios in wrestling history had played itself out.

Murdoch was a success in almost every area he wrestled. He did a lot of work out of the St. Louis/Kansas City office during the late-1970’s and early-1980’s. In the Muchnick area, he won the Missouri belt three times during an era where the Missouri champion was considered to be the next in line for the NWA title (due to Muchnick’s incredible influence over the championship at that time). Murdoch mostly feuded with Dick the Bruiser for that belt, as they did a few back-and-forth switches in St. Louis. In the Kansas City promotion, run at the time by future NWA president Bob Geigel, Murdoch won both the Central States heavyweight and tag team belts (with Bob Brown) within a two month period in 1980.

The Northeast fans were introduced to Murdoch via his tag team with Adrian Adonis, “The North-South Connection.” Managed by Fred Blassie, they captured the WWF World tag team belts from Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas at a TV taping in Hamburg, PA. After reigning for nine months, they lost the titles to Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo (The U.S. Express) at a house show in Hartford, CT, in January 1985.

Murdoch divided his time in the mid-1980’s between World Championship Wrestling and New Japan. Here in the States, Murdoch teamed with Ivan Koloff to win the U.S. tag team belts from Barry Windham & Ron Garvin. They were stripped of the titles a month later when Murdoch did a brainbuster on the floor on Nikita Koloff, causing him to “suffer” a severe neck injury and be forced to wear a neck brace for several months.

Murdoch frequently toured Japan during this time. He and Adrian Adonis took their tag team to New Japan, billed as the WWF International tag team champions (a short-lived title that was awarded to them at a Madison Square Garden show but was almost exclusively defended in Japan). They dropped the titles to Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura. “Captain Redneck” also teamed with Antonio Inoki on several occasions, at one point going to the finals of what is now the SG tag team tournament in a losing effort to Fujinami and Kimura. Murdoch’s top singles success in the Land of the Rising Sun saw him go all the way to the final round of the annual IWGP tournament, losing to Inoki in the 1986 edition.

Even into the 1990's, Murdoch found work in both of the “Big Two.” He and Dick Slater formed a tag team called the Hardliners in WCW in 1991 to challenge the Steiners for the WCW tag team belts. They accidentally injured Scott legit in an angle designed to set up their feud, and ended up getting eliminated from the subsequent tag team title tournament and fading from sight. In late-1994 and early-1995, Murdoch returned to the WWF for a final tour, being billed as a “legend.” He worked the Royal Rumble and was in Bob Backlund’s corner for several matches against Razor Ramon, almost always interfering.

The independents kept Murdoch busy as well. He was brought in as Jim Cornette's man to take out The Bullet (Bob Armstrong) after Armstrong lost a loser-leaves-SMW match and was parading around as Bullet. This built to a series of matches between the two at the Christmas Chaos ‘93 tour, where Bullet put up his mask against Cornette’s hair. Murdoch won, but when the mask was removed, Bullet had another one underneath. In a rematch a couple nights later, this time with Cornette risking $5,000, Bullet won.

ECW used Murdoch at Super Summer Sizzler ‘93, as he wrestled Dark Patriot (Doug Gilbert). And the USWA had Murdoch wrestle as part of their 16-man tournament for the Unified title in 1990, after Snowman had left the promotion while still the champion.

In the past year or so, Murdoch has kept active in the Texas scene, being part of Jim Crockett's ill-fated NWA revival, and running his own promotion in his Amarillo tavern “Dick’s Dive.” Murdoch had been looking into getting TV for his group in recent weeks.

His ability to work may have deteriorated slightly with his age, but he was still incredible at getting heel heat, and when motivated could put out a good performance. For an example of this, see his match at Slamboree ‘93, where he teamed with Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco to wrestle Jim Brunzell, Wahoo McDaniel, and Blackjack Mulligan. Murdoch did a flying headscissors on Brunzell at one point in the match, which he deserved a hell of a lot of credit for no matter how one looks at it.

Dick Murdoch remained active in the wrestling business almost until the very end. And his contributions to the sport will live on for years to come.

Goodnight, “Captain Redneck.”

1996 - Brickhouse Brown defeats Bart Sawyer for the vacant USWA Television Title in Memphis, Tennessee. 

1997 - WCW held their Great American Bash Pay-per-view in Moline, Illinois, earning a 0.60 buyrate.  Here are the results:
- Ultimo Dragon defeated Psicosis via submission with the Dragon Sleeper after Psicosis accidentally kicked his manager, Sonny Ono, who was holding Dragon for the kick.
- Harlem Heat defeated Rick & Scott Steiner via disqualification when Vincent ran in and elbowdropped Booker T.  This was done because the Outsiders wanted the Steiners to lose, and not be in line for a tag title match down the road. 
- Konnan defeated Hugh Morrus via submission with the Tequila Sunrise.
- Glacier defeated Wrath after hitting him with a chair that Mortis had tossed in for Wrath to lose. Post-match, Mortis, Wrath and James Vandenburg handcuffed Glacier to the ropes and beat him up.
- WCW Women's Champion Akira Hokuto defeated Madusa with a brainbuster, forcing her to retire due to a pre-match stipulation.  Following the match, there was an unintentionally funny moment when Mean Gene Okerlund asked a crying Madusa what she would do to make a living now. 
- Chris Benoit defeated Meng via submission in a Death match with the Crippler Crossface.
- Kevin Greene defeated Steve McMichael after Jeff Jarrett mistakenly hit McMichael with a metal briefcase.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Scott Hall & Kevin Nash defeated Ric Flair & Roddy Piper.  Flair ended up fighting with Syxx to the locker room, and Piper was left alone, where he got pinned by Hall after an Outsider Edge.
- Randy Savage defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Page hit Savage with a Diamond Cutter, but Scott Hall ran in and kicked referee Nick Patrick to stop the count. Savage hit Page with Hall's tag title belt, Hall delivered the Outsider Edge, and Savage hit the top rope elbowdrop for the pin (after Hall revived the referee). 

1997 - Cibernetico defeats Mascara Sagrada for the Mexico National Heavyweight Title in Pantitlo, Mexico.

1998 - The Monday Night War waged on, with WWF RAW is WAR posting a 4.3 rating, and winning the night, with their show from San Antonio, Texas, featuring a Hell in a Cell match in the main event (a match that has since been ignored when discussing Hell In The Cell matches every since). Steve Austin and The Undertaker fought Mankind and Kane to a no contest. Meanwhile, in Uniondale, New York on WCW Monday Nitro, which got a 4.0 rating, the show featured WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg defeating Glacier, a no contest in a Randy Savage-Diamond Dallas Page Steel Cage match and Chris Jericho being awarded his fourth WCW Cruiserweight Title. 

The episode also features the first appearance of Mick Foley debuting the "Corporate" Mankind look with the shirt and tie. 

1999 - FMW holds their monthly pay-per-view event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results:
- Ricky Fuji defeated Nanjyo Hayato.
- Jado defeated Flying Kid Ichihara.
- Hisakatsu Oya and Hideki Hosaka defeated Yoshinori Sasaki and Naohiro Yamazaki, when Hosaka pinned Yamazaki. 
- Chikako Shiratori defeated Kaori Nakayama.
- Koji Nakagawa and Gedo defeated Sabu and Super Leather, when Gedo pinned Leather, to retain the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title.
- Hayabusa, Masato Tanaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion Yukihiro Kanemura, Mr. Gannosuke and Hido in a "Scramble Ladder Dog Food match" when Kuroda pinned Hido. As a result, Kodo Fuyuki had to eat dog food. 

2001 - The "Memphis Clash of the Legends" is held at the historic Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, before 4,700 fans. The results:
- PG-13 (J.C. Ice and Wolfie D.) defeated Spellbinder and Reggie B. Fine. 
- Brian Christopher defeated Mike Rapada.
- King Cobra, Chris Harris and Tommy Rogers beat Porkchop Cash, Mad Dog and Tracy Smothers.
- The Kat defeated Ying Yang.
- Bill Dundee and Robert Gibson defeated The Galaxians. 
- The Moondogs and The Bushwhackers (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) fought to a double disqualification.
- Rocky Johnson and Jimmy Valiant defeated Buddy Landell and Billy Joe Travis.
- The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) fought Stan Lane and Curt Hennig to a no contest. 
- Jerry Lawler defeated Lord Humongous. Guest referee was Lance Russell.
- Jimmy Hart won a 20-man battle royal to win a 2002 Cadillac Escalade.

2001 - Misae Genki defeats Kyoko Inoue for the NWA Pacific Women's Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2002 - Major League Wrestling holds its first-ever event, "Genesis" at Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, featuring an eight-man MLW World Heavyweight Title tournament. The results: 
- Jerry Lynn defeated La Parka in a quarterfinal match.
- Vampiro defeated Christopher Daniels in a quarterfinal match.
- Taiyo Kea defeated The Wall in a quarterfinal match.
- Shane Douglas defeated Steve Corino in a quarterfinal match. 
- Prince Nana, Super Hentai and Ultra Taro, Jr. defeated Devon Storm, Abunai and Rising Son.
- P.J. Friedman defeated Shirley Doe.
- Shane Douglas defeated Jerry Lynn in a semifinal match.
- Vampiro and Taiyo Kea fought to a draw. Both men advanced to the finals as a result. 
- Shane Douglas defeated Vampiro and Taiyo Kea in a three-way match to become the first MLW World Heavyweight Champion.  Post-match, Douglas threatened to throw down the belt (as he did with the NWA World Title many years earlier) but was informed that he would be forced to defend the title. 

2002 - Ricky Murdock defeats Doug Gilbert in Greenville, Mississippi to win the NWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title. This began and ended each's second reign. 

2002 - Steve Austin's then-wife Debra called the San Antonio police to their home to investigate an incident of alleged violence. The story would receive mainstream news coverage over the next several months. 

KMOL, the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, TX, would later report that Stone Cold Steve Austin had been "arrested on charges of spousal abuse". With the charges stemming from the June 15 incident where police were called to Austin's home after an alleged altercation with his wife Debra. At the time, Debra claimed that her husband punched her in the face and back when she called police. Austin fled the home before police arrived that day. Austin was charged with a class A misdemeanor assault. Austin turned himself into authorities, arriving at a court house with his lawyers. He was charged with an assault that caused a bodily injury, was booked and fingerprinted before posting his bond. 

On November 25th Steve Austin pleaded No Contest to the assault charges. Austin was given a $1,000 fine, one year's probation, forced to perform 80 hours of community service and told to undergo domestic violence counseling. As part of the plea, Austin will be prohibited from drinking alcohol for the year.

2003 - WWE holds Bad Blood at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. The results:
- On Sunday Night Heat, Ivory pinned Molly Holly after a Poison Ivory.
- Rodney Mack and Christopher Nowinski defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), when Nowinski pinned Bubba after hitting him with his protective face mask. 
- Scott Steiner pinned Test after a Steiner Flatliner to win the managerial services of Stacy Keibler.
- Booker T defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian by disqualification, when Christian hit Booker with the title belt. 
- La Resistance defeated Rob Van Dam and Kane, when Grenier and Dupre pinned Van Dam after a Bonsoir, to win the World Tag Team Title.
- Goldberg pinned Chris Jericho after a Spear and Jackhammer. 
- Ric Flair pinned Shawn Michaels after Randy Orton interfered and hit Michaels with a steel chair.
- Steve Austin defeated Eric Bischoff in a "Redneck Triathlon" held throughout the event. Austin defeated Bischoff in a Burping Contest. Bischoff defeated Austin in a Pie-Eating Contest (featuring Mae Young as the pie) by forfeit, which then results in Mae giving Bischoff a bronco buster. Both men agreed they were horrible singers, so the Singing Contest was a draw. Austin won the tie breaker by throwing Bischoff into a pig pen. 
- Triple H defeated Kevin Nash in a Hell in a Cell match to retain the World Heavyweight Title, pinning Nash after a sledgehammer shot and a Pedigree.

2004 - At a WWE SmackDown! taping in Chicago, Illinois, Rey Mysterio defeats Chavo Guerrero, Sr., who was on his way out of the company, for the WWE Cruiserweight Title, beginning his eighth reign overall, and third in WWE. At the same taping, The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) defeat Charlie Haas and Rico to win the WWE Tag Team Title, becoming the first team to win both current WWE Tag Team Titles (the other being the World Tag Team Title). 

2004 - Tack defeats Gotti to win the HWA Television Title in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2006 - ECW Founder Tod Gordon issued the following statement to PWInsider.com following the debut of ECW on Sci Fi:

From the Desk of Tod Gordon:

I have received hundreds of calls and e-mails regarding what the WWE's version of ECW looked like to me last night. Actually, nothing about the show was surprising to me in any way. It was what it was; a third brand extension of a stale wrestling product. If Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer have to worry about serving all of these masters from WWE creative (you know who I mean) to the Sci-Fi network, then any fan must realize you're not going to get authentic crowd reactions, let alone chants on basic cable. I assume that rather than dub over the crowd's vulgarity, it was easier to just feed them a crappy show so they could never get truly riled up. Enjoy it for what it is, but don't fool yourselves into thinking that it really IS possible to catch lightning in a bottle twice, because that is not the case.

2007 -WWE Hall of Famer Sherri Martel, real name Sherri Russal, passed away.  A former WWF and AWA Women's champion, Martel is probably best remembered for her role of one of the best female heel managers of all time during her 1990s WWF run, working alongside Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, and Randy Savage, among others.  Moving to World Championship Wrestling in 1994, Martel worked on top with Ric Flair during his feud with Hulk Hogan before moving on to manage The Harlem Heat tag team.  Martel was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in Chicago during Wrestlemania 22 weekend and still made semi-regular appearances at conventions and media events. Jakks Pacific had just released a Classic Superstars action figure in her honor just prior to her passing at the age of 49.

2008 - WWE Smackdown and ECW ran a combined show in Sydney, Australia.  Arthur Crowley filed the following report:

G'Day gents, just thought I'd send you guys a brief report of the 15/06 SmackDown!/ECW show in Sydney.

  • Shane McMahon welcomed the Sydney crowd and said that it was up to the Undertaker if he wanted to wrestle tonight, however, he could not contest for the World title.
  • Matt Hardy def. MVP by T.O.F.
  • Michelle McCool & Kelly Kelly def. Natalya Neidhart & Victoria after Victoria tapped to a McCool submission. What I found most interesting was that Kelly Kelly took nearly all of the punishment in the match. I tip my hat to her since she showed a lot of ticker last night.
  • CM Punk def. Shelton Benjamin via G.T.S. (My pick for match of the night)
  • Funaki came to the ring and picks a kid from the front row to be the guest bell-ringer for the next match.
  • The Miz & John Morrison def. Finlay & Hornswoggle. This was a great match that was punctuated by Hornswoggle's comedic spots.
  • Kane & Undertaker def. Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely & the Great Khali. The crowd went nuts over Undertaker's entrance.
  • Mark Henry def. Jamie Noble. Henry is freakin' huge!
  • Kofi Kingston def. Chuck Palumbo.
  • Edge V Batista ended in DQ after interference from Chavo and Neely. Undertaker came out to make the save which blew the roof off the joint. This was the second time for me to see Edge live and now I see why he is seen as the best heel in the business. During his entrance he was taunting everyone, even the kids on the ramp. He even ripped up some poor kid's sign, blew his nose with it then gave it back - CLASSIC! Not to mention running around the ring calling everyone wankers (hahaha). Edge stalled for nearly ten minutes. The match wasn't anything special apart from the few minutes where they brawled in the crowd. Edge tried to run off with the title after having his ass handed to him only to be stopped at the curtain by Shane McMahon, who said that Edge had ten seconds to get back into the ring otherwise Batista would be awarded the Title. Cue the interference from La Familia. 

BIGGEST POPS:
Undertaker
Hornswoggle & Finlay
Batista
 
BIGGEST HEAT:
Edge
Chavo, Neely the Great Khali
MVP
 
Overall, it was a great night and by far the best live WWE show that I have attended. The joint was a near sellout with a crap load of kids in attendance. The deeper voices chanting for Edge were drowned out by the higher pitched voices chanting for Batista during the main event, which made for good fun.

2009 -Long-time referee Ted Tanabe, who worked for Super Delphin's Osaka Pro Wrestling, passed away after suffering a heart attack during an OPW event.   Tanabe was working a bout when he suffered the attack.  They used CPR and rushed him to the hospital, but he passed away shortly afterwards.   Tanabe worked for years for a number of promotions, including FMW, Battlarts and Michinoku Pro during its really hot era in the 1990s and came over with Michinoku to referee their show stealing six-man tag at the ECW Barely Legal PPV in 1995. He also helped out backstage with a number of promotions, including Michinoku, as well over the years.  Tanabe always stood out visually because he was a short, squat referee (I can recall NECW promoter Sheldon Goldberg describing him as Lou Costello-esque, which is better than anything I could come up with) keeping up with all these incredibly athletic flyers and fast-paced matches.   Tanabe had also promoted some independent events in Japan and truly loved the business. On his visit to the United States in 1997, Tanabe was grabbing every American-wrestling related magazine and item he could find because he was such a huge fan. 

2009 -  Vince McMahon announced  during a special "Three For All"  extended episode of Raw that he had "sold" Monday Night Raw, which will now be "independently owned and operated" by Donald Trump.  Trump appeared "via satellite" to announce he was going to give back to the WWE audience and present next week's episode commercial free - as originally broken by PWInsider.com last week.  Trump also announced he'll be at Raw live next week to run things "the right way."  The next week, Vince would "buy back" Raw and the angle would kick off a series of celebrity hosts appearing on WWE's flagship series.

Richard Trionfo's coverage of Raw:

We are live from Charlotte, North Carolina and your announcers are Jerry ‘The Hornets could be a good GM’ Lawler and Michael ‘Just like the Baltimore Colts’ Cole.

Michael Cole reminds us that Vince McMahon is here and he is expected to announce a new General Manager. Jerry Lawler says that Vince is here for something else.

Do you remember last week when Batista celebrated his victory by being interrupted by Randy Orton and his deliberate walk to the ring as a set up for the attack by Legacy. At least Triple H was available to get revenge for what Legacy did to Dave Batista’s arm.

We are also joined by Josh ‘so this is what Mondays are like’ Mathews and Matt ‘Jim Mitchell ’ Striker to talk about the ECW Title Match. Jim ‘RIP Misawa’ Ross and Todd ‘Who does the interviews tonight’ Grisham are here to talk about the World Title Match.

Chris Jericho comes to the ring and he says that since he was drafted to Smackdown, Raw has gone into the toilet. It is in a tailspin that they will not be able to recover from. He talks about the General Manager situation as well as the title being vacated. Chris does not have nice things to say about the fans and then he says that they will someday realize how important he is to Raw. Jericho says that someday Rey Mysterio will realize that his mask will be his downfall and only Chris Jericho can be his salvation and set him free.

Match Number One: Chris Jericho versus Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title

Rey goes for the legs and takes Jericho down. Rey with a kick to the legs and then Rey with a kick in the corner followed by a rana and a clothesline that sends Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Rey with a kick when Jericho tries to re-enter the ring. Rey with a leg drop while Jericho is hanging in the ropes but Jericho gets his foot on the rope. Rey charges and Jericho moves as Rey goes to the ring post. Jericho tries for the springboard drop kick but Rey counters and he sends Jericho to the floor. Jericho tries for a seated splash but Jericho sends Rey into the announce table. We go to commercial.

We are back and Jericho with a reverse chin lock but Rey escapes with kicks. Jericho with an Irish whip and Rey with an enzuigiri that sends Jericho into the ropes in 619 position. Jericho is able to get out of the ropes and hit a version of Shock Treatment on Rey. Jericho goes for the mask and Rey is able to get away and goes to the floor to adjust his mask. Rey with more kicks as Jericho continues to go for the mask. Jericho with a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and hits a drop kick. Rey with a kick to the leg and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Rey drops Jericho on the top rope and then he hits the springboard seated splash for a near fall. Rey with a forearm to Jericho in the corner. Jericho tries for a bulldog but Rey sends Jericho into the turnbuckles and Jericho hangs from the second turnbuckle. Rey with a drop kick and Jericho goes to the floor.

Rey with a suicide dive onto Jericho. Rey sends Jericho back into the ring and then he goes up top but Jericho stops him. Jericho tries for a superplex but Rey blocks it and hits the sunset flip power bomb for a near fall. Rey tries for a victory roll but Jericho drops down and gets a near fall. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho and Jericho goes into the ropes again in that position. Rey is hit with a drop kick and Rey goes into the ropes. Jericho has a thought go through his head and it does not work as Rey hits a springboard moonsault. Rey with a rana and Jericho is in the ropes again. Rey with a 619 followed by a springboard seated senton attempt but Jericho catches Rey and adjusts the mask and then hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Vince McMahon is in his chair in the office and we are going to have his announcement after the commercial.

We are back with a Striker Fact that almost two million women watched Raw last week.

Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Randy Orton. Josh asks Randy about his attempt to win the title by forfeit only to be stopped by Triple H. Randy asks Josh if he is going to try to show him up by giving his recap. Randy reminds Josh that he put Hunter out six weeks ago, just like he did to Batista and Flair. Orton says that Hunter cannot get back at him alone. Randy says that he will get back the WWE Championship.

We see John Cena when the camera pans and Josh is asked to leave. John mentions that the WWE Universe will still talk about Randy Orton. They will talk about how a WWE superstar with so much talent will whine about everything. John reminds Orton that there are two more people in the match. He has five hundred pounds of angry giant as well as him. They will not take the night off.

It is time to take a look back at the end of Vickie Guerrero’s time as the head of Raw. We are excused into her official announcement that she quit the company.

We go to Vince McMahon who is in the office. They ask if he is going to announce the new General Manager. Vince says that he has considered all of the candidates but someone else will make the announcement. Vince says that when opportunity knocks, you need to seize the moment. When you are given an offer you can’t refuse, don’t refuse it. Vince says that with mixed emotions, he is selling Monday Night Raw. Vince says that he will announce who he is selling Raw to after the WWE Title situation is cleared up. Vince says that if he was going to announce this person as the new owner of Monday Night Raw, they would have no chance in hell.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the sale heard round the world that Vince is selling Raw.

We go to Lawler and Cole and they are in shock about the announcement.

Match Number Two: Christian versus Tommy Dreamer for the ECW Title

They lock up and Dreamer with a side head lock but Christian with a hammer lock and side head lock. Christian with a spin kick for a near fall. Dreamer charges into the corner and he blocks the Pendulum kick and hits a neck breaker. Dreamer puts Christian in the Tree of Woe but Christian escapes and hits a back elbow for a near fall. Christian throws Dreamer out of the ring and then he hits a springboard cross body. They return to the ring and Christian with a near fall. Christian works on the neck but Dreamer with punches. Dreamer throws Christian off on a Tornado DDT attempt. Dreamer tosses Christian in the air and then hits an inverted DDT for a near fall. Christian backs Dreamer into the turnbuckles and then he charges but runs into a Dreamer clothesline for a near fall. Christian hits the pendulum kick and goes up top and tries for a sunset flip but Dreamer drops down. Christian with a near fall of his own. Christian goes up top and avoids a charge by Dreamer but Christian appears to have hurt his ankle and Dreamer with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Tommy Dreamer

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Bellas are talking to Kelly about who is going to buy Raw. The Bellas look like they might have found a new man to fleece while Kelly wonders if they still have jobs.

Did you miss the opening video package? We have it again.

We go to footage from Batista’s surgery last week. We are told that he will be out for a number of months.

Match Number Three: John Cena versus Randy Orton versus Triple H versus Big Show for the WWE Title

The bell rings and Hunter goes after Orton while Show goes after Cena. Hunter and Orton fight on the floor by the announce table. Orton is sent into the bell area. Show sends Cena out of the ring and Hunter returns as we go to commercial.

We are back and Orton is punching Hunter while Show works on Cena in the other corner. Orton kicks Hunter and Show has Cena in the ropes. Orton with a leaping knee drop and more punches. Orton tries for another leaping knee drop but Hunter moves. Cena kicks Show as he charges into the corner. Hunter with the facebuster to Show and then we see Cena and Hunter with clotheslines. Cena with a flying shoulder tackle and Show goes to the floor.

Hunter and Cena realize they are in the ring together and the crowd clamors for them to lock up. Hunter with a shoulder tackle but Cena with flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Hunter with a spinebuster instead of getting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena blocks a Pedigree and sets up for the Attitude Adjustment but Show with a double clothesline. Orton kicks Hunter to the floor while Show and Cena stay in the ring. Orton kicks Hunter while Show suplexes Cena. Orton sends Hunter into the ring steps and punches Hunter in the head. Cena punches Show and tries to slam him but Cena collapses under Show’s immense size. Orton breaks up the cover and then leaves the ring. Show gets Cena and Hunter by the throat but they stop him and they hit a double suplex. Orton hits Hunter and Cena. Show blocks the field goal kick but Orton and then Show with a short arm clothesline followed by a head butt and punches. Show with clotheslines to Hunter, Orton and Show. Time for head butts for Hunter and Orton. Hunter goes to the floor and Show gets Orton out of the ring so he can focus on Cena. Show slams Cena and then he goes to the second turnbuckle for the Vader Splash but Orton breaks up the cover. Show throws Orton out of the ring. Show with a spear to Hunter for a two count. Show goes to the turnbuckles for the elbow but Hunter moves. Orton waits for the RKO but Show pushes him away. Show misses a charge into the corner. Hunter tries for the Pedigree and hits it. Cena with Attitude Adjustment to Hunter but Show kicks out at two. Cena waits for Show to get up and he gets Show for Attitude Adjustment but Orton breaks up the cover. Orton throws Cena into the ring post. Orton with the RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton

Vince McMahon is walking as only a McMahon can as we go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the return of the Age of Orton.

It is time to find out who is the new owner of Raw. Vince walks to the ring and he has something to say. Vince says that he comes to us tonight with a heavy heart. He has done a lot of soul searching. He has talked with his family, friends, and financial advisors. He has made the right decision to sell Monday Night Raw. Raw will be independently owned and operated with a man he has a history with. You never let your feelings get in the way of a good business decision. Vince says that he has been well compensated, even for himself. We go live via satellite to the new owner, Donald Trump.

Trump tells Vince that he finally put his ego aside to make a good business decision. Trump says that he never saw Vince show his appreciation to the Raw fans. People deserve something special. It is about time that they give something back to the fans. Vince says that the WWE Universe should give back to him. Trump says that it is because of the WWE Universe that they got something back. As his first act, he will do something unprecedented. Next week’s Raw will be commercial free on USA. Vince says that Trump cannot be serious. Trump says that he will be at Raw to run things his way, the right way. Trump tells Vince not to get in his way.

Vince says that he wanted to come out and give his farewell address to the fans, but he says that he is a bit too emotional tonight, so maybe he can do it next week. Vince says that we will find out who will face Randy Orton at The Bash. It will be determined in a ten man battle royal.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we are reminded that Donald Trump is the new owner of Raw.

We have the WWE Rewind: Last Month’s Divas Battle Royal and the issue between Maryse and Mickie James.

Match Number Four: Mickie James versus Rosa Mendes

Rosa tells Beth Phoenix that she has things under control and sends her to the back. Maryse comes to ringside.

Rosa with forearms to Mickie but Mickie with forearms of her own followed by a clothesline. Mickie goes up top but Rosa goes to the floor. Mickie pulls Rosa to the apron but Rosa drops Mickie on the top rope. Rosa with a neck breaker for a series of near falls. Rosa kicks Mickie and then connects with forearms. Rosa with a rear chin lock but Mickie escapes. Mickie sends Rosa into the turnbuckles and then hits some clotheslines and a drop kick for a near fall. Rosa tries for a neck breaker but Mickie blocks it and hits the DDT for the three count.
Winner: Mickie James

After the match, Maryse storms away from the ring. Then Maryse gets on the apron and poses but she gets to the floor before Mickie can knock her off.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Hornswoggle and Goldust are shooting shirts into the crowd.

The Miz comes out and he has a message for Donald Trump. Miz says that if he is really looking to take this show to the next level and do something unprecedented, it is to make The Miz the new face of Raw. He says that Cena is the past while he is the future. Miz says that he told everyone that he backs up everything he says about John Cena. He left Cena unconscious in the middle of the ring. Tonight, he will throw Cena over the top rope and win the battle royal to earn a WWE Title match at The Bash. Miz says that he is not going to stop at the WWE Title. He says that he wants it all. He wants the magazines, the t-shirts, and the movies. He says that the fans will eat it up and beg for more. Miz tells Goldust and Hornswoggle to get out of the ring.

Goldust says that he has been watching Miz trying to play mind games with Cena, but he is not working. He wonders where the imagination is. Goldust reminds Miz that he gave Ahmed Johnson mouth to mouth to get inside his head. He tells Miz to change his name to ‘The Whiz’ because that is what everyone gets up to do when he talks.

Miz wants to know what Hornswoggle said and Goldust tells him that he called Miz a loser. Miz tells Hornswoggle to grow up. Miz wants to know if this is Goldust’s fourth or fifth time in the WWE as he attempts to find some of his old glory. Goldust of 2009 is nothing. Miz says that he would beat him now, but nobody would care. Miz says that he is going to show Donald Trump that he is not afraid to take risks. Miz hits Goldust with the mic and then he hits a DDT. Miz throws Hornswoggle down and then he points the t-shirt gun at him. Miz shoots Hornswoggle with a t-shirt and Hornswoggle goes down and he goes down hard.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: photos of the Ladder Match and photos of Punk cashing in Money in the Bank.

CM Punk is in the locker room and Josh Mathews is there to interview him. He asks Punk if he has any regrets. Punk says that last year, he saw Batista attack Edge and he was able to cash in Money in the Bank. Everyone loved that one. Punk says that if Edge had won the ladder match, he would have been back as the conquering hero. Punk says that now he is the villain because of Jeff. Punk says that most of the WWE Universe believes him, but there is a vocal minority.

Matt Hardy enters and he tells Punk that was really good stuff. Matt tells Punk that he should not feel any regret because if he was in the same situation, he would have done the same thing. Punk points out that Matt never won Money in the Bank and was never champion twice. Punk says that they are not friends. Punk says that Hardy did everything because of jealousy and spite, while Punk has done everything by earning it.

We go to footage from Edge demanding a divorce from Vickie.

Match Number Five: Edge versus CM Punk versus Jeff Hardy for the World Title

The match starts and Hardy goes after Punk and then Edge. Hardy punches Punk and then he sends Punk into Edge. Hardy with forearms as he is the obvious aggressor at the start. Hardy with a rollup but Edge with one and then Punk gets one too. Punk takes over and then he clotheslines Edge over the top rope to the floor. Punk with a suicide dive onto Edge but Punk is favoring his knee. Hardy with a pescado as Edge and Punk are about to get back into the ring.

Hardy with a snap mare and drop kick to Punk for a near fall. Punk with a boot to a charging Hardy. Punk with a clothesline for a near fall on Hardy. Punk with a slam and a snap elbow drop for a near fall. Punk with a reverse chin lock. Edge with a boot to Punk followed by one to Hardy. Edge throws Hardy to the floor and then Edge gets a near fall on Punk. Edge kicks Punk and then he connects with a forearm and punches. Edge with an elbow to the top of the head. Punk punches Edge but Edge is about to superplex Punk but Hardy pulls Edge to the mat. Hardy tries for the superplex on Punk but Edge gets Hardy on his shoulders. Punk tries for a clothesline but Hardy avoids it and gets a victory roll for a near fall. All three men are down and we go to commercial.

We are back and Edge with a waist lock but Punk with elbows to escape. Punk with a kick and then he hits a running knee lift. Punk with a drop kick to Edge while Hardy is on the floor. Hardy gets back into the ring and Punk with the running knee to Hardy followed by one to Edge. Punk with the bulldog to Edge while he clotheslines Hardy. Punk gets a series of near falls. Punk gets Hardy up for the Go To Sleep but Edge with a clip and then Edge with a Sharpshooter but he turns his back to Hardy and Hardy with a sleeper. Edge releases the Sharpshooter while Hardy keeps the sleeper applied and then he gets a near fall on Edge. Edge sends Punk into Hardy in the turnbuckles. Punk with a sunset flip but Edge would not go down. Hardy with a clothesline but Hardy kicks Punk. Hardy with a leg drop to Edge and then a double drop kick for a near fall. Edge is on the apron and Punk goes over to him and tries to suplex him back into the ring, but Hardy goes outside and he pulls Edge down to the floor and Punk is down. Hardy goes up top but Edge knocks Hardy off the turnbuckles.

Edge sets for the spear and Punk with a power slam for a two count. Punk gets Edge up for Go To Sleep but Edge sends Punk into Hardy. Hardy cannot hit the Twist of Fate on Punk and Edge with a spear to Hardy when Punk leap frogs him. Edge gets a near fall. Punk with a forearm to Edge but Punk misses the knee in the corner and then Edge pushes Punk over the top rope and Punk lands on the ring steps. The medical staff checks on his knee.

Back in the ring Hardy and Edge both hit cross bodies and both are down. Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind but Punk struggles his way to break up the cover. Hardy and Punk are on the floor and Hardy kicks Punk repeatedly in the leg. Hardy returns to the ring and Edge with an inside cradle for a near fall. Hardy with a Twist of Fate and then he goes up top for the Swanton and he hits it but Punk pulls Hardy out of the ring. Punk sends Hardy into the apron and steps and then Punk rolls back in and gets the three count on Edge.
Winner: CM Punk

Teddy Long comes out after the match. He tells Punk that his next title match will be at The Bash against Jeff Hardy.

Lawler and Cole talk about the momentous and vintage night we have seen. Lawler talks about how there is no general manager, but they have an owner and a champion.

We go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that men love watching Raw.

Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes are at ringside with the Raw announce team as we go to our next match.

Match Number Six: Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith with Natalya versus Carlito and Primo

Primo and Smith start things off and Smith with a shoulder tackle and punches. Smith with an Irish whip but Primo with an elbow. Primo tries for a rana but he cannot connect. Primo with a drop kick to the knee and Natalya distracts the referee and Kidd and Smith are able to double team Primo. Smith with a back breaker and he puts Primo in a reverse chin lock. Smith goes to the turnbuckles and he tries for a leg drop but Primo moves. Primo is able to tag in Carlito and he this a missile drop kick followed by a punch. Smith with a kick but Carlito with a kick of his own and a springboard back elbow but Kidd breaks up the cover. Kidd charges at Primo but Primo moves and Kidd goes to the floor. Primo with a splash onto Kidd. Carlito with a lungblower but Legacy attack Carlito and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith by disqualification

After the match, Rhodes and DiBiase throw Carlito and Primo out of the ring.

Triple H is walking in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and the Raw brand was in Europe last week.

In case you missed it live, or on one of the many replays, we see the announcement of the new owner of Raw.

Santino is in Vince’s office and Vince wants to know what Santino has to tell him. Santino wants to make sure that he still has his job. Vince says that Donald might be attracted to Santina but there is no guarantee. Trump will do whatever he wants.

Vince’s phone rings and there’s no chance he won’t answer it. Vince is on the phone with Trump and Vince says that it was supposed to be a smooth transition. Vince tells Trump that he should save some time and tell him the announcement that needs to be made. Trump won’t tell Vince because he wants to make an impact. Vince tries to convince him to wait until next week, but Trump won’t have any of it. Vince says that he hates billionaires with massive egos. Santino says that Vince must hate himself. Santino is digging a deep hole for himself, and he gets out of the office before Vince can fire him.

We see footage of The Miz attacking Big Show and John Cena last week on Raw.

Match Number Seven: Number One Contender Battle Royal featuring Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, Montel Vontavious Porter, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, Big Show, John Cena, Triple H, The Miz, and William Regal

The bell rings and they separate into groups. Show goes after Miz and chops him. Hunter sends Rhodes over the top but Rhodes returns to the ring. Cena punches Show but Show with a head butt.

Randy Orton slowly makes his way to the ring to see who his opponent will be.

Regal tries to eliminate Kofi while Show with a head butt to Cena. Hunter tries to eliminate Rhodes again but DiBiase makes the save. Show stands on MVP while Rhodes and DiBiase work on Hunter. Hardy tries to eliminate Miz and he goes to the apron. Kofi tries to eliminate Regal. Miz and Hardy work on Cena. Regal with a forearm to Porter followed by a European uppercut. Show makes a save for Cena as he goes after Miz. Rhodes tries to get Hunter off DiBiase in the corner. Regal and Hardy fight as the alliance is over now that Vickie is gone. Show with head butts to anyone who gets in his way. Now it is clotheslines. Hardy thinks the better of the situation and he goes to the floor but under the ropes. Show brings Hardy back in and then he eliminates Hardy. Porter with a running boot and he goes to the apron and Show knocks him to the floor. Regal and Miz try to eliminate Show but Show choke slams Miz and Miz rolls under the ropes. Everyone in the ring goes after Show and they eliminate him.

Randy Orton looks at the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Cena is fighting off Rhodes and DiBiase while Hunter and Kofi work on Regal. Hunter punches Regal and then he kicks him. Kofi punches DiBiase while Rhodes deals with Cena. Rhodes tries for a pile driver near the ropes but Cena with a back body drop and Rhodes rolls back in from the apron. DiBiase and Rhodes continue to work over Cena. Hunter with a Harley Race knee to Kingston. Regal with a running knee to Cena. Hunter fights with Rhodes and DiBiase. Regal works on Cena but Kofi stops him. Hunter is almost over the top rope but he hangs on. Kofi with a belly-to-back suplex to Regal. Rhodes punches Cena and connects with an elbow to the head. Hunter joins Kofi to try to eliminate DiBiase but Regal makes the save and so does Rhodes. Hunter with a spinebuster to Regal while Cena fights DiBiase and Rhodes. Cena watches Hunter kicking Regal but he does not try to eliminate him. Hunter and Cena get face to face in the center of the ring and it is time to exchange punches. Hunter has Cena but Cena holds on to the ropes. Cena gets Hunter up but Hunter stays in. Both men with clotheslines and they are both down. Rhodes and DiBiase send Kingston into the turnbuckles. Kofi with a pendulum kick to DiBiase. Kofi with the leap onto the turnbuckles and he stays in. Rhodes and DiBiase eliminate Kofi and then they ‘celebrate’ but Regal attacks them from behind. Regal is eliminated by Rhodes and DiBiase. They figure out whether to go after Cena or Hunter and Orton starts to move down the ramp inch by inch.

DiBiase goes after Hunter while Rhodes goes after Cena. Cena is left alone as they work on Hunter. DiBiase punches Cena and then he wants Cody to help him. They give Cena a double flapjack and then they return to Hunter. Cena punches DiBiase and he hits the bulldog and then he clotheslines Rhodes. Cena with a fisherman’s suplex on DiBiase. Cena with a back body drop to Rhodes. DiBiase charges at Cena and Cena with a back body drop. Cena throws Rhodes over the top but Cody skins the cat. Hunter eliminates Rhodes and Orton is livid.

Hunter kicks Cena and hits the Pedigree. Rhodes and DiBiase come into the ring and they attack Hunter. Referees come out and pull Rhodes and DiBiase off Hunter. Both men are down and Orton hears voices in his head and they talk to him. The Miz emerges from Hornswoggle’s home and he enters the ring slowly while Hunter and Cena are down. He waits for them to get to their feet and he charges at them but they both duck down and Miz is eliminated. Hunter throws Cena over the top rope and is eliminated.
Winner: Triple H

After the match, Donald Trump appears on the TrumpTron and he congratulates Hunter on his victory. Trump says that he was going to do things unprecedented. They are not going to wait for the Bash, it is going to happen next week. It will be a Last Man Standing Match.

2009 - ROH aired ROH on HDNet.  Stu Carapola filed the following report:

Welcome to this week's ROH On HDNet report! Before we get started, I've got a lot to say about the Ric Flair situation from this past weekend's show in New York City, and that'll come later this week in the ROHotline on the Elite site and the pROHfile on Xtra, so stay tuned for that one.

We open the show with a flashback to highlights from last week's four way ROH Title Match, then go to promo time in the ring with Austin Aries. He says that he's fooled people into thinking he's some kind of hot, up and coming youngster, but the truth is he's a seasoned professional wrestler who has come out there for years and given the fans more and more, but the fans just keep demanding more and more. Now he's tired of giving, and it's time for him to start taking, and he's started by taking the spotlight, because he's been the star since the beginning of ROH On HDNet. The second thing he took was everything that Tyler Black, Bryan Danielson, and Jerry Lynn threw at him last week, but nobody was able to beat him. He says that Jerry Lynn is too worried about the fans and it's gotten him nowhere, so if he wants to do the right thing, he should come to the ring and hand Aries the ROH World Title. Shockingly, Jerry Lynn doesn't show up, so Aries tells him that if he can't accept reality and give Aries what he deserves, then reality's going to have to go smack him upside the head.

We go backstage with Kyle Durden and Chris Hero. Durden asks Hero for thoughts on tonight's match with Jerry Lynn, and Hero says that HD stands for "Hero Destroys" and "Hero Decapitates" and that Lynn doesn't have Hero's hunger and Lynn doesn't need it as bad as Hero. Hero says Lynn knows what Hero is all about and that tonight he's going to get his bell rung courtesy of a KO from Hero's elbow.

We go to the studio with Mike Hogewood and a suddenly dark haired Dave Prazak. Not a bad look for you, Dave! They deliver the bad news that Ric Flair has stepped down as ROH Ambassador, but will still be making all his advertised appearances. Unless, of course, they involve refereeing a heavily hyped main event of a major show in ROH's largest market.

Match Number One: Jay Briscoe vs D'Lo Brown

This is a rematch of a bout they had in New York City some months back that didn't exactly connect with the crowd, let's see what they do here. Actually I already know because I was at the taping, but it'd be no fun if I told you here, would it? Briscoe catches Brown with a big boot before the bell, then goes to work pounding away on Brown in the corner, then gets a cross corner clothesline. Brown tries to bail to the floor, but Briscoe goes after him and tosses him back in. Briscoe continues working him over in the ring and gets a crossbody for 2. D'Lo with a leapfrog out of the corner and a lungblower to take control. D'Lo with a stiff lariat shuts down a Briscoe comeback attempt and then he talks trash! D'Lo smacks him in the mouth and continues pounding away. Vertical suplex gets 2 for D'Lo as Mark cheers his brother on from ringside. D'Lo quiets the crowd down and then hits a really wussy chop that I guess was meant to sound a lot more impressive. Briscoe gets the foot up on a corner charge, then ducks a clothesline and gives D'Lo a flatliner into the second turnbuckle. Briscoe starts firing back and gets a superkick and a Death Valley Driver for 2. Briscoe countered the Sky High into a Frankensteiner and D'Lo bails to the floor, where he runs away before Briscoe can dive onto him, and he sits in a chair at ringside and takes the countout. Well, it was a lot better than the New York match but had a really lame finish, and you can hear the groans from the crowd.

Winner: Jay Briscoe by countout

After the match, Briscoe tells him to bring his patootie back into the ring and stop being a coward. I'm paraphrasing to make it a little more PG. D'Lo starts back to the ring...then changes his mind and heads to the back.

We go back to the American Wolves title victory from two weeks ago (or, as the graphic says, one week ago...gotta update those recycled video packages, guys!)

Match Number Two: Kevin Steen & El Generico vs Bobby Fish & Silas Young

Steen overpowers Fish to start and gets a spinkick to Fish, then tags out to Generico, leading to the drop toehold/somersault legdrop combo for 1. Fish tags out to Young, who runs right into a backdrop and diez punches in the corner from Generico, followed by a spinkick from Generico for 2. A distraction from Fish allows Young to take Generico down with a clothesline and the heels are in control! Fish with a vertical suplex for 2 and a tag back out to Young, and the two of them mug Generico in the corner. Generico tries a sunset flip but Young turns it into a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. That was really cool. Fish back in the ring and Generico tries the tornado DDT, but slips off the ropes (which may or may not have been done to play up the knee injury, I couldn't tell), but still slips away and tags out to Steen, who comes in and cleans house. Steen with the pop-up powerbomb on Fish and a lungblower on Young, then hits a vertical suplex and a Swanton on Fish, but Young breaks the count at 2. Generico back in and hits the Yakuza Kick on Young and then one for Fish, followed by the Package Piledriver/Brainbuster combo on Fish for the win. SLAP THE PORPOISE!

Winners; Kevin Steen & El Generico

After the match, Kyle Durden gets in the ring and asks them where they're going from here. Steen makes fun of Durden's hair, then tells the American Wolves that they made a mistake by thinking they had them down after the Tables Match, but that just made them hungrier. The hunt is on, and Steen & Generico want their titles back, and they're going to gosh darn skin them. (Again, that last line was edited for PG.)

Coming up, ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn faces Chris Hero!

We come back to a shot of a kid in the crowd making faces, then we go to Mike Hogewood making fun of Dave Prazak's hair. Hey, whoever said ROH was just about the wrestling?

We go to Kyle Durden backstage with Jerry Lynn, who says last week's four way was one of the toughest matches of his career. Nigel McGuinness comes in and shakes Lynn's hand and tells him he knows how it feels when the fans turn on you after you win the title, then reminds Lynn that he's getting healthy and will be back. Lynn responds by saying he had several chances, and he can't wait for Nigel to come back.

Back in the ring, Prince Nana introduces a man who brings a tear to his eye with his greatness, an ROH legend, a man who has sold out ROH arenas from England to New York City, and tonight he's going to beat Grizzly's butt...the crown jewel of the Embassy, Jimmy Rave! Prince Nana is so awesome.

Match Number Three: Jimmy Rave vs Grizzly Redwood

Rave gets the usual toilet paper treatment during his entrance, which gets more of a reaction than anything he does during his matches. Rave with a cheapshot to start and goes to work pounding away on Grizz. Rave misses a charge in the corner and Grizz starts chopping him down, but Rave with an STO for 2. Rave rams Grizz into the corner and starts working him over, but Grizz crawls away and hits a flying forearm and THE STRAPS COME DOWN!! Unfortunately, he walks right into Ghanarhea and that's enough to get the win for Rave.

Winner: Jimmy Rave

Rave puts the heel hook on Grizz after the match, but Necro Butcher runs out with a chair to make the save.

Hogewood and Prazak put over next week's main event between Roderick Strong and KENTA, and trust me when I say you do not want to miss that one.

Match Number Four: ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn vs Chris Hero

This match is non-title, not that it matters since Lynn lost the title to Austin Aries about an hour after this in the real world. Lynn and Hero exchange wristlocks and headlocks to start, but Lynn gets a schoolboy rollup for 2 and a crossbody for 2, then takes an armdrag into an armbar. It's funny how many people don't know the difference between an armbar and a wristlock, or a top wristlock for that matter, which is what Lynn transitions into next. Hero escapes, but Lynn gets a flying headscissors and goes back to the armbar. Hero takes Lynn to the corner and goes for an elbow, but Lynn moves out of the way and gets a monkey flip, but Hero cartwheels out, but thel Lynn gets another headscissors to send Hero to the floor. Great sequence. Hero back up to the apron, but Lynn with the springboard dropkick sends Hero back to the floor. Lynn rolls Hero back in and goes for the cover, but only gets 1. Lynn puts his head down for a backdrop and Hero yanks his hair and rams him backwards into the mat, then hits a kick to the head. Hero works Lynn over in the corner, then distracts the ref while Sara Del Rey chokes Lynn on the bottom rope. Hero continues laying into Lynn in the corner, and Lynn botches his twisting sunset flip out of the corner, but turns it into a schoolboy rollup for 2, followed by a big boot from Hero for another 2. The fans start chanting for Hero to knock him out, and Hero does his best with a series of elbows and chops. Lynn gets an inverted sunset flip for 2 out of nowhere, but another kick from Hero puts him back in the driver's seat. Hero starts stomping away but puts his head down and Lynn reverses the favor from earlier with a hair yank of his own, then hits a series of shoulderblocks and a flying clothesline on Hero. Lynn eats boot on a corner charge, but blocks a second boot and gets a top rope bulldog for 2. Lynn goes for the Cradle Piledriver, but Sara distracts the referee while Shane Hagadorn grabs Lynn's ankle from the floor and drags him out. Hero misses a dive to the floor and Lynn hits a somersault dive off the apron onto Hero. Hero gets a boot to Lynn and hits a forearm off the guardrail, then starts pulling up the mats off the floor. Hero goes for a running senton on the floor, but Lynn moves out of the way and tosses Hero back in the ring. Lynn goes for the Cradle Piledriver again, but Hero rolls through, and a series of reversals leads to Hero getting the rolling elbow to the back of Lynn's head for a close 2. Lynn ducks another rolling elbow and hits an inverted windmill DDT for 2. Hero reverses a corner whip and gets a forearm on Lynn, but Lynn catches him in the opposite corner and goes for a top rope Frankensteiner, but Hero fights out and sends Lynn to the floor. Lynn rolls back in and Hero goes for a cover, but only gets 2. Hero tries going for the Cradle Piledriver, but Lynn escapes and goes for it himself, then Hero escapes that and hits a pair of rolling elbows for another close 2. Hero puts on the loaded elbowpad, but Lynn ducks the elbow and catches Hero in an inside cradle for the win.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

Austin Aries comes in the ring after the match and knocks Lynn out with the ROH World Title belt, then stands over him holding up the belt as we fade to black.

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

We begin with a look back at the debut episode of Season Two of NXT.

We are live on tape from Raleigh, North Carolina and your announcers are Michael ‘Hurricanes and Wolfpack’ Cole and Josh ‘Can I use the name Hennig’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘The Human Vuvuzela’ Striker.

Matt Striker is in the center of the ring and he welcomes us to NXT. Matt says that there are some unanswered questions after last week. It is time for the rookies to come to the ring. The pros come to the ring to join their rookies and they face off in the ring.

Matt tells the rookies that he knows they have questions. Instead of explaining why the pros did what they did, the pros will explain why they did it. Montel Vontavious Porter tells them to relax and take their angry expressions off their face. There will not be a confrontation tonight. There won’t be any finger wagging or brow beating. He says that last week was an initiation. It is a privilege and honor to be a WWE superstar and they are not going to be given it easily. There might have been an underlying meaning behind last week’s attack. They paid for the transgressions of the people from Season one. They are going to teach the rookies and they both need to work hard. This class of rookies are going to do it the right way. He wants to know if they are willing to take that step and move forward. He wants to know if they can let bygones be bygones. He wants to know if they are cool.

The pros and rookies shake hands and we have a bit of a détente.

Matt tells the rookies that the first pro’s poll will be in two weeks. The first elimination will be in five weeks.

Matt has Kaval and Alex Riley come forward because they will be wrestling each other.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Michelle and Layla have something to say before the match. It is time for a look at the cute and cuddly Kaval.

He mentions that he is from Brooklyn. He says that his father was a member of the military. He learned about discipline as a child and started watching wrestling as a child. He has been wrestling since 1998 and has wrestled all over the world and has wrestled in front of 40,000 at the Tokyo Dome. He mentions that he is at an advantage because he has wrestled in Japan and has been a champion. He says that his size could be a problem but he will overcome it. He says that it doesn’t matter the size of his opponent.

Match Number One: Alex Riley versus Kaval

They lock up and Riley backs Kaval into the corner and Riley tries to impress the pros. Riley with a kick and punch followed by a side head lock. Riley with a shoulder tackle. Kaval with a kick to the leg and chest. Kaval with a kick and double chop in the corner. Kaval with more kicks and that sends Riley to the mat and Kaval with a near fall. Kaval with a front face lock and Riley backs Kaval into the corner. Riley with a punch in the corner and the referee warns Riley. Kaval with a mule kick as he tries to float over. Kaval with a running kick for a near fall. Kaval with kicks followed by a snap mare and figure four head scissors but Riley gets to the ropes. Kaval with a chop and forearm to the head. Kaval with a kick to Riley’s chest but Riley drops Kaval on the top rope. We go to commercial.

We are back and Riley with an arm bar and cross face. Kaval with a kick to the leg followed by a double chop. Riley with a belly-to-back into a uranage for a near fall. Riley returns to the arm bar and cross face. Kaval with kicks to Riley and Kaval with a sunset flip into a double stomp. Kaval with more kicks but Riley with a punch. Kaval with running elbows to the head followed by a back kick and another kick to the head. Riley sends Kaval to the apron and Kaval with a Dragon Sleeper in the ropes. Kaval with a springboard kick to the head and he gets a near fall. Kaval winds up for a round kick into the chest. Riley with a kick to Kaval but Kaval with a Liger kick. Kaval goes up top for the Warrior’s Way but Riley moves out of the way. Riley with a TKO for the three count.

Winner: Alex Riley

Matt Striker wants to know how Riley is still standing. He mentions that the Miz was not here tonight. Riley mentions that the Miz had a big night last night after winning the United States Title. Riley says that he turned down the opportunity to party with Miz in Los Angeles but he said that he could do it all by himself.

Matt asks Michelle and Layla about the match. Layla and Michelle applauds Kaval’s performance and even though they aren’t used to seeing someone lose, Kaval will be flawless.

Striker asks John Morrison for his thoughts. Morrison says that Miz isn’t partying, he is at a lipo consult. He says that Riley was competent. He was impressed by Kaval’s kicks and made a good impression.

Zack Ryder is the next to comment. He says that he didn’t care about the wrestlers, but he was impressed by the new ring announcer.

Matt asks Josh and Michael. Cole says that they liked Ryder’s comments and then they talked about the performances in the ring.

It is time for an Eli Cottonwood video. Eli says that he is seven foot one inch. He grew up on a farm and is the product of a military family. He did not see his father that much. He had few friends and learned to do things on his own. He was a professional basketball player, but it wasn’t physical enough for him. He says that he has a dominating style in the ring. He is afraid of what he might do next. It is time to show the world who the real Eli Cottonwood is. His goal is to inflict pain and carnage on everyone in his path.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to take a look back at last night’s Raw. We have the footage.

Cole talks about how Bret Hart was shaken up and he suffered physical and emotional trauma. We do not know if Bret Hart will give Barrett an answer.

It is time to run through the card for the Fatal Four Way title matches and the fact that there is only a twenty five percent chance of retaining the title.

We go to footage from earlier tonight between Zack Ryder and Titus O’Neil. We go to G-TV in the locker room. Zack says that they each have tempers but things are okay. Ryder tells O’Neil that he needs to respect everybody. They sit down and talk about their Tweets.

It is time for a video package about Husky Harris. He talks about wanting to be a WWE wrestler but everyone was laughing at him. He says that he is a third generation superstar. His grandfather is Blackjack Mulligan and his father is Mike Rotundo. He talks about getting out of the small town shadow. He talks about his football and wrestling careers. He says that he went to Troy University. He calls his style unorthodox. He says that he has an advantage over everyone on NXT. He says that he is the wild card.

Match Number Two: Michael McGillicutty and Kofi Kingston versus Lucky Cannon and Mark Henry

Kofi and Henry start things off and Henry says that he wants to face McGillicutty. They lock up and Henry pushes Michael to the mat. Michael with a side head lock but Henry with a shoulder tackle and then he presses Michael over his head and drops him to the mat. Cannon tags in and he slams Michael and gets a near fall. Cannon with a side head lock but Michael with a hip toss and arm drags into an arm bar. Kofi tags in and hits a double sledge from the turnbuckles and he works on the arm. Cannon with a reversal but Kofi with a leg sweep and splash for a near fall. Michael tags back in and punches Cannon. Michael with a running back elbow for a near fall and he returns to the arm bar. Michael with a kick and vintage Hennig drop kick. Kofi and Michael with a double drop kick to send Henry to the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Michael with a side head lock and take down into an arm bar. Michael pulls Lucky back to the mat and he returns to the arm bar. Cannon with a kick and a near fall. Cannon with a side head lock take down. Henry tags back in and he punches Michael in the ribs and follows it with a head butt and Irish whip. Henry misses a splash into the corner and Michael punches Henry. Henry with a forearm and front face lock. Lucky tags back in and punches Michael and hits a side head lock take down into a side head lock. Michael with punches and forearms to get out of the hold. Cannon with a shoulder tackle and a near fall. Cannon with another shoulder tackle and another near fall. Cannon with a third shoulder tackle and another near fall. Cannon with a side head lock take down. Cannon with a shoulder in the corner. Cannon misses a cross body and Michael hits a snap swinging neck breaker for the three count.

Winners: Michael McGillicutty and Kofi Kingston

After the match Matt asks Kofi about Michael’s performance. Kofi says that he did good for himself. He has gotten to know Michael and he is on a mission. He says that Michael took a step in the right direction.

Mark says that Lucky has a lot of potential. He has a ways to go, but he thinks Lucky will get there.

Cody is asked about the rookies and Cody tells Lucky that he has a real dumb look on his face. He reminds Lucky that he lost but shook the hand of the people who beat him. The winners make more money than the loser. He calls Lucky a loser. He talks about how Lucky played in the CFL and Arena Football League. He says that Lucky is all style and no substance.

Mark says that Cody sounds like he is a lot better than Lucky. Mark tells Cody to put his money where his mouth is and if he thinks he can beat Lucky, why not face him one on one.

Matt runs up the ramp to ask Cody if he will accept the challenge. Cody tells Lucky that if he was aptly named, he would be lucky to last five minutes. Cody accepts the challenge and he wants a week to get ready. Matt asks Cody what he can expect next week from Cody. Cody punches Striker and Matt falls to the floor.

The other pros check on Striker as we go to credits.

2010 - TNA sent Scott Hall home and was no longer using him.  To date, his brief return with Kevin Nash during TNA's Monday Night run was his last appearances on the national scene.

2011 - Trevor Murdoch stated in an interview with Kansas City's Pitch.com stating he was about to sign a new WWE deal.  WWE rescinded the contract, citing budget cuts.  Murdoch worked for TNA India off shoot Ring Ka King instead.

2012 - WWE broadcast Smackdown.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We begin with a look back at Vince McMahon’s attempt to fire John Laurinaitis only to get a meeting with Big Show’s fist. What is in store for the main event participants on Sunday?

We are live on tape from Manchester, New Hampshire and your announcers are Booker ‘Happy Day After Flag Day’ T, Josh ‘Happy Lobster Day’, and Michael ‘Happy Father’s Day’ Cole.

AJ Lee makes her way to the ring and she has stars in her eyes. Is she thinking of her new BFF CM Punk, her ex-boyfriend Daniel Bryan, or the center of her universe and owner of AJ’s tongue Kane?

AJ says that she wanted to say something before the show started. There is a very simple reason for why she kissed Kane on Raw. She says that she did it . . .

We will never know because Vickie Guerrero had to interrupt. She tells AJ that she is not the story tonight. Everyone is not talking about her kissing Kane. They are not going to talk about Big Show punching Mr. McMahon. They are talking about the winner of the Fatal Four Way Match to determine the number one contender for the World Title. They are talking about Dolph Ziggler.

Dolph comes out and he has something to say. Dolph says that two weeks ago after a pointless tag match with Jack Swagger, he told everyone that he is better than this. On Monday night, he did what he does best, he stole the show and he proved it. Dolph says that he is going to become the new World Champion. He says that he is not going to let some 95 pound whacked out, hair brained, disgruntled Hot Topic employee go all non compos mentis and steal his spotlight.

AJ says that she stopped listening half way through what Dolph had to say and she wonders if she is supposed to feel insulted. AJ says that Dolph’s bleach has seeped into his brain. She tells Dolph that he is delusional if he thinks he is going to become World Champion. AJ says that also goes for his grandma.

Dolph slaps AJ and Vickie tells AJ that she will not talk to them again. She tells AJ to get out of Dolph’s ring or she will throw her out.

AJ starts to stare at Dolph and this might become a Pentagon of Love, but CM Punk’s music plays and the obsession of Ms. Crazy Chick comes to the ring.

Punk smiles awkwardly at AJ after their eyes meet. Punk says that after all of the screeching, he thinks she said Excuse Me. Punk says that him, AJ, and the WWE Universe do not have to excuse Vickie simply because she says it. Punk says that there is not an excuse in the world to have to listen to her. Punk says that she is a broken record whether it is Raw or Smackdown. She comes out and touts Dolph Ziggler and he doesn’t come through. Punk reminds Ziggler that he said it in January and he lost. It will be the same thing on Sunday against Sheamus. It will be the same thing tonight against him and Sheamus.

Punk tells Vickie that if he is the voice of the voiceless, then Vickie is the voice of the pointless.

Dolph tells Punk that he is the voice of the next World Heavyweight . . .

Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ramp as his music plays. Bryan says that this is priceless. Punk is AJ’s knight in shining armor. She is making out with Kane on Monday and saving her on Friday. Bryan calls CM Punk ‘the Hero’.

He says that AJ probably told Punk that she kissed Kane to save Punk from the monster, but AJ has Punk wrapped around her finger without Punk realizing it. The great thing about learning from his mistakes is seeing Kane and Punk make the exact same mistake. That mistake is AJ.

Bryan reminds everyone that AJ cost him the World Title at Wrestlemania. If AJ is in Punk’s corner, her bad luck will help Daniel Bryan become the new WWE Champion.

Bryan starts to Yes, but Sheamus’ music plays and we have all four men in the main event in the ring.

Sheamus says hello to Danny Boy and he asks Bryan if he still thinks AJ cost him the title. Sheamus wants to know how many times we have to prove Bryan wrong and then he wonders which side to listen to because Bryan talks out of his arse so much.

Sheamus tells Dolph that he will admit that Dolph had an impressive showing on Monday but that was one night. Dolph says that he will become the new World Champion on Sunday. Sheamus says that all Alberto Del Rio’s injury has done is give him another time to beat him.

Sheamus wants to know if they are all ready for their match, even if it is scheduled for the main event.

AJ says that she has some old business to take care of and she wants a piece of Vickie Guerrero but Punk and Sheamus keep AJ from going psycho on Vickie.

We go to commercial.

 

Match Number One: Sheamus and CM Punk with AJ Lee versus Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero

 

Bryan and Sheamus start things off and Sheamus with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Sheamus catches Bryan and gets him on his shoulders for the rolling fireman’s carry slam and he hits it and gets a near fall. Sheamus works on the arm and Punk tags in and hits an elbow from the turnbuckles. Punk with a hammer lock and sends Bryan into the turnbuckle. Punk with an Irish whip but he runs into a knee.

Ziggler tags in and Punk with a drop toe hold for a near fall. Sheamus tags in and he hits the slingshot shoulder tackle for a near fall. Sheamus works on the arm and he slams Ziggler and tags Punk back in and Punk with a slingshot senton for a near fall.

Punk with a front face lock into a delayed vertical suplex and he gets a near fall. Sheamus tags in and he punches Ziggler. Ziggler tags Bryan in and Bryan with a kick and European uppercut. Sheamus with a back elbow followed by a knee and forearm. Ziggler distracts Sheamus and Bryan with a running drop kick into the corner. Ziggler tags in and he punches Sheamus in the corner until the referee pulls Ziggler out of the corner. Bryan chokes Sheamus while Ziggler distracts the referee.

Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop and an arm bar before tagging Bryan back in. Bryan with a European uppercut but Sheamus with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Punk tags in and he hits a springboard clothesline followed by a leg lariat, clothesline, and swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Punk with an Irish whip but Bryan sends Punk to the apron. Punk stops Ziggler on the apron but Bryan knocks Punk off the apron and Bryan with a running knee off the apron.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Bryan with a seated abdominal stretch but Punk with elbows. Bryan with a knee to the midsection and Ziggler tags back in. Ziggler with a boot to the chest and then he taunts Sheamus before pulling Punk back into his corner. Bryan tags in and he kicks Punk with a resounding Yes. Bryan with a front face lock suplex and then he goes up top for the diving head butt, but Punk moves at the last minute.

Punk struggles to get to the corner to make the tag and Sheamus does as well as Ziggler. Sheamus with double sledges followed by a shoulder in the corner and a running knee lift and uranage back breaker for a near fall but Bryan breaks up the cover. Punk with a forearm and Bryan is sent to the floor. Bryan sends Punk into the ringside barrier.

Sheamus avoids a Fameasser and hits White Noise. Sheamus knocks Bryan off the apron and then he looks into the crowd and gets motivation to turn around for the Brogue Kick but Vickie gets on the apron. AJ pushes Vickie into the ring and Sheamus gets distracted long enough to allow Ziggler to get the rollup for the three count.

 

Winners: Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan

 

After the match, Sheamus chases Ziggler through the crowd. Meanwhile, back in the ring, AJ and Vickie are in the ring and Vickie pushes AJ. AJ has that happy go kill someone look on her face and AJ attacks Vickie but Vickie gets out of the ring. AJ goes after Vickie and she grabs Vickie but Vickie kicks AJ into the apron. Vickie goes to the back and AJ is down.

From out of nowhere, the Big Red Monster comes to the ring to check on his woman.

Kane picks up AJ and takes her to safety. Punk attacks Kane and Kane drops AJ. Kane punches Punk as they fight to the ring. Kane with an uppercut and then they get into the ring and Bryan joins in and kicks Punk. Kane choke slams Bryan and then he choke slams Punk.

AJ stares at Kane and she drops to her knees and then she starts to laugh.

We go to commercial.

We are back and are you ready for some preshow wrestling on Sunday because the Funk faces the Ivy League.

Brodus Clay says that it is time for some real talk. John Laurinaitis has banned him from Monday Night Raw. If he gets anywhere near the Big Show, he will be fired on the spot. He says that he is confident that John Cena is going to take care of Big Show at No Way Out. He says that he will agree on one condition, that he get some competition.

Brodus wants to know who Johnny is going to bring out to put him on his back.

 

Match Number Two: Brodus Clay with the Funkettes versus Heath Slater

 

Clay with a running head butt followed by an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Clay with a Sheeeplex followed by a big splash for the three count.

 

Winner: Brodus Clay

 

After the match, it is time to dance.

David Otunga attacks Clay while he was dancing and he clips Clay and works on the hamstring. Otunga slams the leg into the mat and then the apron while Cameron and Naomi stand around and don’t try to get anyone to help Brodus.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Layla joins the announce team for our next match because Divas are wrestling, including Layla’s opponent on Sunday, Beth Phoenix.

 

Match Number Three: Beth Phoenix versus Alicia Fox

 

Beth with a kick and then she sends Alicia into the turnbuckles. Beth with an Irish hwip but Alicia with a back elbow from the turnbuckles. Alicia misses a flip leg drop and Beth tries for a running boot to the head but Alicia with a rollup for a near fall. Beth with a back breaker as she looks at Layla and then Beth hits the Glam Slam and gets the three count.

 

Winner: Beth Phoenix

 

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Raw 1000 Memorable Moment. This week it is Hornswoggle and he says that it is the Muppets guest hosting Raw on Halloween last year.

It is time for John Laurinaitis to come out and he reminds us who he is and what he does. He says that he apologized to Vince McMahon on Tuesday but he wants to make a public apology. He says that he is sorry and he says that it was a mistake. He says that at Vince’s age, he should stay out of the way of the Big Show.

We have a video package from Raw showing what Show did to Vince McMahon.

John says that at Wrestlemania he willingly put up his job and Team Johnny was victorious. At Over the Limit, his job was in jeopardy and he beat John Cena. At No Way Out, his job is on the line, but he put his faith in the man who will defeat John Cena inside a steel cage, the Big Show.

Show makes his way to the ring.

He says that he has no reason to lie whether he punched Vince McMahon intentionally. Show says that he could get fired, but he would be paid millions of dollars to stay home. Even when he was in WCW, he was never given the ability to reach his fullest potential by outshining the faces of the company. People like Hulk Hogan, Sting, and Ric Flair.

When the chance came to be a free agent, he was told by everyone to come to WWE because he could be the biggest star. Show says that he talked to Vince McMahon and Vince told him that he has to be a better business man and let people care about him. He has to know how to put on a show. Your name is now The Big Show.

For fourteen years, he did it Vince’s way. Meanwhile, John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton, and Sheamus rose to the top while Show was on the sidelines being happy about being a special attraction.

Show says that he smiled and told jokes for ten years. He says that he is proud that he is not John Cena. In this steel cage match, he is going to make up for lost time. He is going to show what he is truly capable of. He will not be burdened by what people think any more.

Unlike what he did to Vince McMahon, what he does to John Cena will be extremely deliberate and calculated. It will be uncomfortable. Show says that he may be a sell out to some but he will make John Cena suffer.

For fourteen years, he has been in the WWE. Show says that he is looking at Sunday as his first match. He says that he will be victorious and he guarantees it.

Michael Cole stops John and he tells John that he has to hear this. Cole says that he has it on good authority that John Cena has left his home in West Newbury, Massachusetts and he will be in the arena tonight.

Show gets back into the ring and he says that if John Cena is coming here tonight, he won’t be hard to find. He will be right here.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Christian comes to the ring. We see how Christian became the Intercontinental Champion.

 

Match Number Four: Jack Swagger with Vickie Guerrero versus Christian in a Non Title Match

 

Christian with a waist lock but Swagger with a standing switch and he sends Christian into the corner and connects with a forearm to the back followed by a shoulder to the midsection. Christian with a pendulum kick and then he ducks down and Swagger goes to the floor. Vickie distracts Christian and Swagger hits Christian from behind.

Swagger rolls Christian back into the ring and gets a near fall. Swagger with a power slam and a leaping leg drop for a near fall. Swagger rolls back to his feet and he does a lap before trying another leg drop but Christian moves out of the way. Christian punches Swagger and hits a running forearm and then he slingshots himself to the floor and he punches Swagger.

Christian waits for Swagger to get to his feet and he tries for the spear but Swagger trips Christian and applies the ankle lock. Swagger is sent into the turnbuckles and then Christian with a back elbow from the turnbuckles and he tries for the Killswitch. Christian is sent to the apron but Christian goes up top. Swagger goes up and tries for a superplex but Christian knocks Swagger off the turnbuckles and Christian gets the three count after a frog splash.

 

Winner: Christian

 

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for Ryback’s latest meal to talk about how they are not going to suffer the same fate as the prior victims of Ryback. This time they tells some jokes.

 

Match Number Five: Ari Cohen and Mike Testa versus Ryback

 

Testa and Cohen try to surround the marching man but Ryback grabs Testa. Cohen climbs on Ryback’s back and Ryback sends Testa to the floor. Ryback with a power bomb to Cohen and then he focuses on Testa and Ryback hits a fallaway slam that sends Testa into Cohen. Ryback sends Testa into the corner and then the same to Cohen. Ryback with a splash into the corner followed by a lariat to Testa. Cohen doesn’t miss out on a Ryback lariat. Ryback with the double muscle buster for the three count.

 

Winner: Ryback

 

We go to commercial.

We are back and Tyson Kidd is in the ring waiting for his opponent.

The music plays and Damien Sandow emerges. Damien says that he is here to help all of us. Last week on this very serial, he was compelled to resort to physical means to liberate their falsely anointed idol from the shackles of his own self imposed inadequacies. He demands that the people remain silent when he is speaking.

Sadly, before he could impart his lesson, he was accosted from behind by the ignoramus in the ring in front of him. This said ignoramus will learn the consequences for undermining not only his enlightenment, but the enlightenment of everyone. Damien tells everyone thank you.

 

Match Number Six: Tyson Kidd versus Damien Sandow

 

They lock up and Sandow with a knee followed by a side Russian leg sweep and an emphatic elbow drop. Kidd with a shoulder from the apron followed by a kick to the head. Kidd goes up top and hits a moonsault but Kidd can only get a near fall. Kidd tries for the Dungeon Lock but Sandow kicks Kidd into the turnbuckles. Sandow with knees to the head followed by a strait jacket neck breaker for the three count.

 

Winner: Damien Sandow

 

After the match, Sandow does a victory cartwheel.

We go to commercial.

We are back with another Raw 1000 Memorable Moment. This time, we see Michael Cole’s favorite and it was the night he got ‘knighted’.

We have an Earlier Tonight Moment from the opening match main event.

It is time to run through the card for No Way Out.

We see another Earlier Tonight Moment of what Big Show said about 45 minutes ago.

We are interrupted by the sight of John Cena walking through the back of the arena and he enters John Laurinaitis’ office while the Booker T Emergency Broadcasting Network Signal sounds. Johnny is not in his office.

Cena leaves the office and we go to commercial.

We are back and John Cena comes to the ring and he has something to say. John says that he is sorry for being late, but he wasn’t supposed to be here tonight. Cena says that he was on his way to Hampton Beach and he gets a call from his boy that Big Show called him out.

Cena says that he didn’t want to disappoint so here he is. He didn’t want the big lug to know he was hiding. Cena tells Big Show that he is the guy in the ring wearing green and jorts. He says that he is not hiding. Cena has been looking for Show and John wonders how you hide a seven foot five hundred pound sell out like Show.

John Laurinaitis’ music plays and he limps his way to the ring.

Cena wants to know what is going on.

Laurinaitis tells Cena that Big Show is not here any more. Laurinaitis tells Cena that what happened to Vince McMahon was his fault. The match will happen no matter what so Laurinaitis sent Big Show home.

Cena says that is unfortunate because he did not come here to talk. Cena says that either Show was going to knock him out or he was going to knock out Show. Since Laurinaitis sent Show home, that means that Johnny moved up to the number one spot.

Laurinaitis reminds Cena who he is and what he does because we have never heard it before. Laurinaitis says that if Cena lays a hand on him, he would fire Cena.

Cena pulls a rabbit of logic out of a hat and tells Laurinaitis that he needs to listen to what he said because the Board of Directors said that the match would happen no matter what. That means that he is just going to move Laurinaitis’ nose a little bit.

Laurinaitis reminds Cena that he beat him at Over the Limit and he has no problem embarrassing him again.

Cena says that Laurinaitis is embarrassing. He says that he is embarrassed by the fact that Laurinaitis has a position of power in this company. He says that Laurinaitis’ biggest asset is being the biggest ass kisser. If Show loses on Sunday, Laurinaitis is fired. If Laurinaitis is gone, that means that Cena cannot fire him.

Laurinaitis tells Cena to think about what he is going to do. If Cena loses at No Way Out, the first thing he will do on Sunday is FIRE JOHN CENA

Cena thinks about it and he must not be concerned about his match on Sunday because he drills Laurinaitis in the head.

2013 - WWE signed Smith James (now Bull Dempsey in NXT) and Dan Eckos (now refereeing) to developmental deals, it was announced at a NYWC live event.

Mike Johnson filed the following live report:

We are live at New York Wrestling Connection's return to the NYWC Sportatorium in Deer Park, Long Island.

Reckless & Wasted vs. J-Redd & Jolly Roger

Believe it or not, Roger is NOT a pirate!

Reckless and Wasted controlled J-Redd early.  Bryce tagged in and fought back and forth with Roger, but was snapmared over and drilled with a kick to the back.  Redd tagged in and dropkicked Bryce in the face for a two count, then drilled him with a leaping legdrop across his back for another two count. 

Bryce came back with a great running clothesline that sent Redd inside out.  JT Kasin tagged in and cleaned house with power spots.   They battled to the outside to set up a nice dive spot.   Redd nailed an overhead belly to belly suplex.

Reckess and Wasted came back wiith a double team hiptoss into a powerbomb but Roger broke up the pin.  Roger and Redd double teamed Kasmir and pinned him with a Lionsault.

Your winners, J-Redd & Jolly Roger!

Flawless Blake Morris vs. Braydon Knight

They started out hot going back and forth as they have been feuding here.  Knight went for a tope but Morris nailed him from the floor.   Morris nailed him with a powerbomb into the corner and peppered him with punches.

He worked over Knight and cinched in a side chinlock.  He worked him over for some time but Knight mounted a comeback and backdropped Morris over the top to the floor.  Knight followed up with a slingshot plancha.

When they returned to the ring, they battled back and forth, slugging it out.  Knight nailed a belly to back suplex and drilled Morris with a clothesline.  He sent him into the corner and caught him with an overhead belly to belly suplex.

Knight went to the top for a move but waited too long and was caught with a superkick as he came down.  He barely kicked out.   Morris went for a piledriver but was backdropped over.  Knight nailed him with a neckbreaker for a two count.

Morris came back with a knee to the back of Knight's neck for a two count.  He charged Knight but was sidestepped and hit the corner hard.  Knight hit the Big Finsh on Morris, who rolled to the floor and walked out.

Your winner, by countout, Braydon Knight!

For more on NYWC, visit www.NYWCWrestling.com.

s his back for another two count. 

Bryce came back with a great running clothesline that sent Redd inside out.  JT Kasin tagged in and cleaned house with power spots.   They battled to the outside to set up a nice dive spot.   Redd nailed an overhead belly to belly suplex.

Reckess and Wasted came back wiith a double team hiptoss into a powerbomb but Roger broke up the pin.  Roger and Redd double teamed Kasmir and pinned him with a Lionsault.

Your winners, J-Redd & Jolly Roger!

Good back and forth opening tag. Roger and Redd worked hard. Reckless and Wasted do a nice frat boy drunken gimmick that the crowd was into.

Flawless Blake Morris vs. Braydon Knight

They started out hot going back and forth as they have been feuding here.  Knight went for a tope but Morris nailed him from the floor.   Morris nailed him with a powerbomb into the corner and peppered him with punches.

He worked over Knight and cinched in a side chinlock.  He worked him over for some time but Knight mounted a comeback and backdropped Morris over the top to the floor.  Knight followed up with a slingshot plancha.

When they returned to the ring, they battled back and forth, slugging it out.  Knight nailed a belly to back suplex and drilled Morris with a clothesline.  He sent him into the corner and caught him with an overhead belly to belly suplex.

Knight went to the top for a move but waited too long and was caught with a superkick as he came down.  He barely kicked out.   Morris went for a piledriver but was backdropped over.  Knight nailed him with a neckbreaker for a two count.

Morris came back with a knee to the back of Knight's neck for a two count.  He charged Knight but was sidestepped and hit the corner hard.  Knight hit the Big Finsh on Morris, who rolled to the floor and walked out.

Your winner, by countout, Braydon Knight!

Morris has a good heel aura to him and looked like the part. Knight does an All American gimmick and the crowd was behind him. They had some nice intensity.

DJ Hyde & Ryan "Adrenaline" Rush vs. David Star & Alvin Alvarez

 Hyde and Star started out.  Hyde used his power.  They locked up in a est of strength.   Star rebounded off the ropes with shoulderblocks to no effect.  He finally smashed Hyde back into the ropes.  Hyde rebounded and drilled Star down with a shoulderblock.

Alvarez and Rush tagged in and faced off.  Rush gained control and tagged in Hyde, who drilled Alvarez with a hard running knee.  He dropped an elbow for a two count.   Rush and Hyde tagged in and out working over Alvarez as the crowd tried to rally him.

Star finally tagged in and worked over Hyde to no effect.  He chopped Hyde hard in the corner.  Hyde dared him to do it again and he did.  Hyde grabbed him and chopped him.  Star went to the floor, where Hyde sent him into the guard rail, the ringpost and chopped the hell out of him.  Hyde slammed him on the floor.

Rush tagged in and drilled Star with a nice looking dropkick.  He and Hyde tagged back and forth.  Star tried to battle his way out but was trapped.   Star tried to superkick Hyde but Hyde caught his foot.  Hyde suplexed him rudely on his head.

Alvarez tagged in and speared Rush off the ropes.  He went back and forth battling with Hyde.   He slammed Hyde and tagged Star back in.  Star went to the top but was crotched when Alvarez was shoved into the ropes by Rush.  He crashed into the ring.

Rush and Hyde doubleteamed Starr, pinning him with a lariat.

Your winners, DJ Hyde and Ryan Rush.

Good tag match that told a story of power vs. finesse. Rush and Starr both have nice looks and work well. Hyde has really improved his game and looked like a monster at times. He works a really rough, strong style. Alvarez showed some nice charisma and worked hard.

Mike Mondo vs. Dickie Rodz

Mondo started here, so he got a big reaction coming out.  They announced this as his NYWC return.  The crowd chanted his name and "Ring of Mondo."  Rodz has been working indies in this area for about a decade or so and plays a solid heel.  He was stalling and walking around the ring early to stall Mondo's momentum.  The crowd chanted "Little Dickie" at him.  That was sophomoric but I laughed.

When they returned to the ring, Mondo controlled him on the mat.  He shoulderblocked Rodz down and sent him into the corner.  Mondo used several pinfall attempts.  Rodz went to the floor, then returned to the ring full of piss and vinegar shoving at Mondo.    Mondo chased him into the corner and Rodz cowered.

They went to the outside battling, where Mondo nailed Rodz, who landed hard on the apron.   Mondo brought him back into the ring for a two count.   Mondo was caught with a knee to the face as he rebounded off the ropes but fought back and slammed Rodz into the buckles as he was on the apron.  Mondo went on the apron to get at Rodz but was kicked into the ringpost and crashed to the floor.

Rodz worked over Mondo on the floor, sending him into the guard rail.   He worked over Mondo, sending him into the buckles and locking in a rear chinlock.  Mondo battled back but was cut off with a series of knees to the mid-section.  Rodz stomped him and dropped a leg for a two count.

Rodz went to the top but was cut off by Mondo.  Mondo nailed several headbutts and nailed a superplex into the ring.    Mondo made a comeback and drilled him with two knees in the corner.  He nailed a sideslam for a two count.

They battled back and forth over several pinfall combinations.  Rodz reversed a move and nailed a Samoan Drop.  He came off the top with a flying elbow for a two count.  They battled back and forth, slugging it out.

Rodz rebounded off the ropes byut was nailed with a high knee.  Mondo hit a ton of offense and drilled him with a big clothesline for a two count.  He came off the ropes with a splash for a two count. Rodz scored a two count with a backslide.  He went for a Sharpshooter but Mondo rolled him up for the pin.  Great finish.

Your winner, Mike Mondo!

Good match. Mondo looked really crisp.  Rodz did a good job as well.

Milk Choclate - Brandon Watts and Randy Summers - came out.  They do a boy band sort of gimmick.  Summers came out singing.  Watts cut a promo announcing their name.  Watts, who is African-American said he was milk and Summers, who is Caucasian, is chocolate.  They complained they are held back.  The Beaver Boys came to the ring to stop their rant.

 John Silver & Alex Reynolds - The Beaver Boys vs. Milk Chocolate.

Silver and Summers started out going back and forth wrestling.  Silver unloaded with a series of stiff chops.    The two teams battled back and forth.

Summers was tied to the tree of woe.  Reynolds and Silver nailed a double dropkick to his face.  They then ran Watts into him and they landed on each other in a sexually suggestive manner.  The Boys then hit stereo dives to the outside on opposite dives of the ring.

Summers snapped Reynolds' neck on the ropes, allowing Watts to drill him with a kick.  They tagged in and out working over Reynolds.  They used armwringers on Reynolds and kissed his cheeks to infuriate him.  Watts scored several two counts and drilled Reynolds with a running clothesline.

Milk Chocolate continued beating down Reynolds   He fought to make a tag out but just as he almost reached Silver, he was nailed with a back suplex.  Silver finally made the hot tag and nailed several clotheslines.  He pressed and dropped Watts.  He nailed him with a hard forearm smash and drilled him with a back suplex with a bridge for a two count.

Silver drilled Summers with a running kick in the corner, then whipped him hard into Watts.  He dragged Watts into the ring.  He and Reynolds went for a double team move but Summers speared Reynolds. Watts rolled up Silver for a two count.  He and Summers drilled him with a series of double team moves for a two count.

The Beaver Boys came back with a double enziguiri on Summers.  They wiped out Watts and drilled him with their finisher for the win.

Your winners, The Beaver Boys!

Really good work from all involved.  Milk Chocolate are really young in their careers but you can see they are workhorses already,  Silver and Reynolds keep getting better.

They all shook hands and showed respect but the second they turned, Milk Chocolate attacked the Beavers from behind and laid them out. They are obviously going to do a program between the two.

We are now at intermission.

After intermission, they introduced NYWC co-owner John Cursie.  He was on crutches.  He said in 1999, he was new in the business and there was one guy who always helped him out and got him bookings.  He said they they are good friends and probably better enemies.  He said that they were supposed to fight but he hurt his ankle.

He called out his opponent Frankie Starz.  He said they always had fun teaming together and battling in the ring.  He said that if Cursie can't go tonight, he can accept that.  He said that he thanks everyone for having him.  He told Cursie he loves him, then said he didn't come here not to wrestle.  He drilled Cursie and began beating him with his crutch.

Mega hit the ring and ran him off.  He told Starz that if he wanted to wrestle, he could fight him.  They rang the bell.

Mega vs. Frankie Starz

Mega controlled him early, beating him from pillar to post.  Starz tried to come back with an eziguiri but missed.  He nailed several clotheslines to no effect.  Mega nailed a chokeslam and pinned him.

Your winner, Mega!

Too short to be anything of consequence but it put Mega over as a monster.

Mega helped Cursie to the back.

Rick Cataldo vs. NYWC Starlet  Marti Belle with Nikki Adams as the guest referee - Bra & Panties Match

Cataldo is a guy who does an effeminate gimmick, so he works with the women.  He's great in the role.  He attacked Belle before the bell.  He ripped off her boots.  She responded by ripping his shirt off of him and whipped him hard with a belt before choking him with it against the ropes.

Bella choked Cataldo in the corner.  Nikki Adams reprimanded her and got into it with her.  She shoved Belle down.  Cataldo ripped her pants off and spanked her hard.  Cataldo and Adams began arguing.  That allowed Belle to pull the last piece of clothing of him.

Your winner, Marti Belle!

The others chased her under the ring and disrobed her, leaving her trapped.  They celebrated in the ring.  Matt Justice, her boyfriend, hit the ring and ran them off.  He gave her a tshirt.

NYWC Fusion champ Francis Kipland Stevens & DJ Phat Pat vs. Matt Justice &  Jesse Vaine.

Pat, a heavy performer, used his girth to his advantage early.  He and Kipland, a nerd character controlled the match early.  Justice, who has the type of body and look WWE covets, tagged in but was unable to get a handle on Stevens, who tricked him and Vaine into colliding.

Vaine was set up in the ropes, where Stevens nailed him with a cross body and Pat splashed him.  Justice tried to nail Pat but was sent into the rail,  Marti Belle tried to interfere but Pat grabbed her.  That allowed Vaine to dropkick him from behind.  Justice tagged in and worked over Pat.  He set up Pat in the corner for a Vaine charge.

Pat battled back but missed a ledrop.  Vaine worked him over but couldn't score the pin  Justice and Vaine worked over Pat in the corner.   They wore him dow but were unable to get a three count.  Pat finally fought his way out of the corner and made the hot tag to Stevens.

Stevens came off the top with a bodypress on both and nailed them with elbows and pounches.  He nailed running headbutts on each, then bulldogged Justice as he clotheslined Vaine.   Stevens hit a rana on Vaine but was caught by Justice with a hard shot.  He reversed a Vaine move and covered him but Justice drilled him and broke up the pin.  Everyone battled to the floor, where Pat hit a tope, which is quite the sight, I assure you.

Back in the ring, they worked over Justice but were unable to beat him. Stevens chased Belle back into the locker room.   He went to the top for a double team move with Pat but was shoved off by Justice.  Vaine and Justice destroyed Pat and scored the pin.

Your winners, Matt Justice & Jessie Vaine!

NYWC Commissioner Brian Vitko came out and cut a heel promo as he was told to come out and apologize for cursing on the mic last time they were here.  He said he would kick all the owners' asses.   He said he has friends in high places and anyone who crosses him will pay "the extreme price."  That was a tease of ECW guys working here down the line.

NYWC champ Big O vs. Dan Eckos

Eckos tried to nail O to no effect.  O grabbed him and charged him into the turnbuckles.  He charged for a move but was kicked away.  Eckos grabbed a headlock but was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked down.  O drilled him down again.

O worked over Eckos.  He pressed Eckos and teased tossing him to the floor but Eckos punched him.   O whipped him hard into the buckles and Eckos went over the top to the floor, hard.  O went to the floor and sent him into the entranceway (the old ECW brick entrance) and brought him back into the ring.  O worked him over on the floor.

Eckos made a comeback, dropkicking O through the ropes.  He brought O into the ring and nailed dropkicks and scored several two counts.  He stomped away at O.  O made a super human comeback and backdropped Eckos.  He nailed an over the shoulder powerslam for a two count.

Eckos tried to kick O but had his foot caught.  He nailed a kick with the other to take down the champ.  O was caught with a kick and several chps in the corner.  He reversed a whip but was nailed with a leg lariat.  O fought back but was caught with a superkick for a two count.  O came back with a big chokeslam for the pin.

Your winner and still NYWC champion, The Big O!

After the match, O cut a promo on the "suspended" Tony Nese, challenging him to e a man and face him instead of disrespecting the company.

 

NYWC Tag Team champions Bill Carr & Smith James vs. Mikey Whipwreck & Stockade.

Whipwrec went nuts looking under the ring for all sorts of weapons.  The champs didn't want to put the collars on.    When they did the challengers crossed the streams and caused Carr to fall over.   Carr and Stockade brawled on the floor as Mikey and James battled in the ring.

Stockade used a Christmas wreath on Carr.  The crowd chanted "Merry Christmas."   In the ring, James choked Whipwreck with the chain.   Carr whipped Stockade into the railing.

Whipwreck and James battled to the outside when Whipwreck pulled him to the guard rail and choked him by pulling the chain.  Stockade grabbed the ring bell and beat Carr's groin with it by ringing the hammer.  Stockade went for a barbed wire bat but Carr nailed him and had security  take it to the back.

Whipwreck clotheslined James on the floor.   He put the wreath on James who staggered around with it.  Carr and Stockade continued to battle on the floor.  Jame choked Mikey with the wreath.  Carr drilled Stockade with a chair.

Stockade was laid out on the floor allowing the champs to work over Mikey.  They chained Mikey to both chains and then locked them to the ringposts, trapping him with nowhere to run.  They drilled him with a chair to the gut.  Whipwreck tried to free himself but was beaten across the back with a chair.  Carr went to the floor and nailed Stockade with another chair.

They each tied themselves to their chain and went to hit Mikey with a chair.  He ducked and they nailed each other.  Stockade splashed the chair and they collided.  Mikey hit stunners on each of them.  Stockade nailed them with chairs.  He placed a chair low between James' legs and dropkicked it.  No babies tonight.

Stockade wedged a chair in the ring and whipped James into it.  James reversed the whip and Stockade hit the corner hard.  Carr and Mikey battled on the outside.   Carr gor the better of him and brought a table into the ring.  James set it up, then kicked off Stockade as he tried to return to the ring.

Carr and James set Mikey up on the table.  He blew mist in Carr's face.   He placed him on the table and pulled Smith off the ropes onto his partner, puttigng through the table.  They scored the pin.

Your winners and new NYWC Tag Team champions Mikey Whipwreck & Stockade!

After the match, the entire locker room came to ringside to pay tribute to Smith James and Dan Eckos as they have signed WWE developmental deals.  It was a really classy moment. 

2013 - ROH TV aired.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are a week away from the next iPPV, Best in the World, from Baltimore, Maryland. It is time to go outside of the normal television taping environment and we have our latest Road Rage episode. The matches will come from the show that took place in Richmond, Virginia.

We are in the studio and your host is Steve Corino. Steve suggests that Kevin might have been given the wrong directions to the studio. Steve tells everyone to enjoy things while they last because this ship is sicking.

The main event will feature Jay Briscoe and BJ Whitmer for the Ring of Honor World Title. Steve gives his thoughts on both men and his desire to see harm done to both men, if possible. In another match, Steve tells us that the no good, ingrate, turd Kevin Steen against Jimmy Jacobs.

Steve says that everyone is jealous because they know that they will bow down to the next and last Ring of Honor Champion . . . the greatest human being known to man, Matt Hardy.

First, we have a six man tag match featuring Caprice Coleman, Cedric Alexander, and Jay Lethal against Matt Taven, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly.

Steve says that Jimmy Jacobs will be the Television Champion at Best in the World and Rhett Titus and Cliff Compton will win the Tag Titles.

Steve says that he hopes the six men in the match injure themselves.

 

Match Number One: Caprice Coleman, Cedric Alexander, and Jay Lethal versus Matt Taven, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly

 

The match is joined in progress and O’Reilly with a series of kicks. Lethal hits the Lethal Combination on O’Reilly. Lethal goes up top for the elbow drop but Taven crotches Lethal. Fish knocks Lethal off the apron. Taven with an enzuigiri to Coleman from the apron but Alexander with a forearm to knock Taven off the apron. Fish with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and O’Reilly with a Yakuza kick to the head. O’Reilly with a fisherman’s belly-to-back suplex while Fish connects with a knee to the head while Alexander goes up but Alexander kicks out.

Alexander with a knee to the O’Reilly’s head when he is taken up for a suplex. Fish is pulled to the floor by Coleman. Alexander with a running drop kick into he corner and then Coleman with a leaping rana and Alexander with the frog splash for Overtime and the three count.

 

Winners: Caprice Coleman, Cedric Alexander, and Jay Lethal

 

We go to commercial.

We are back with comments from BJ Whitmer. He wonders if Jay thought about what the title means to him. BJ says the title is his redemption from years of bad decisions and destructive behavior.

Steve Corino is back and he says that he will not say what management wants him to say and he does it in a wacky voice. Steve says that he talks about truth.

At Best in the World, the destiny he has talked about will come true. Jimmy Jacobs will win the World TV Title. Rhett Titus and Cliff Compton will win the World Tag Titles. Matt Hardy will beat Kevin Steen.

Then Matt Hardy will win the World Title. Steve says that he will take his men to face Nigel’s men in Steel Cage Warfare. When SCUM wins, Steve says that he will be the matchmaker. The first match he will make will be Ring of Honor versus Destiny. He has waited eleven years to destroy this company. His prophecy will come true and his spiritual son will be World Champion. They will sit in their Kingdom of Heaven looking down upon the bodies of those they have vanquished.

 

Match Number Two: Kevin Steen versus Jimmy Jacobs

 

They fight on the ramp and exchange punches. Steen with punches to Jacobs and then he sends him into the guardrails. They continue to fight around the ring and Steen with an Irish whip into the guardrail. Jacobs sends Steen into the guardrails but he misses a spear when he hits the guardrail head first. Steen with another Irish whip into the guardrails.

Steen sends Jacobs back into the ring and the match officially begins. Steen with a clothesline that sends Jacobs over the top rope to the floor. Steen with another Irish whip into the guardrails. Steen punches Jacobs in the head. Jacobs chokes Steen with a chain and the referee calls for the bell.

 

Winner: Kevin Steen (by disqualification)

 

Other officials and security make their way to the ring to pull Jacobs off Steen.

Steen with a clothesline and then he pushes security away and he sends Jacobs to the floor. Steen punches security and then he goes to the floor and he sends Jacobs into the guardrails again. Steen grabs a chair and he wants to hit Jacobs but security gets in the way.

Rhett Titus and Cliff Compton come out to ringside to check on Jacobs.

Steen tells Jacobs that this is not the plan. After eight years of trying to prove that he is a man, he wants Jimmy to come back into the ring so they can finish this in a NO DQ match.

The referee restarts the match and Steen grabs the security member who was not too smart to stay in the ring with Steen and Steen throws him onto Jacobs on the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Steen hits Jacobs with a shoe. Steen gets on the apron and Jacobs pulls up the ropes to crotch Steen when he tries to get back into the ring. Jacobs punches Steen on the floor. Jacobs sends Steen’s head into the guardrails. Jacobs sends Steen into the guardrails and then he sends Steen back into the ring.

Jacobs stomps on Steen’s stomach and then he rakes the eyes. Jacobs slams Steen’s head onto the chair a few times. Jacobs wedges the chair into the turnbuckles. Steen with a chop and Jacobs returns to raking the eyes. Jacobs with an Irish whip into the chair and Jacobs with a spear for a near fall.

Jacobs grabs the chain and he tries to tie up Steen’s hands but Steen fights him off. Jacobs chokes Steen with the chain. Jacobs sends Steen to the floor and then he hits a suicide dive. Jacobs limps onto the apron but Steen with a punch as Jacobs comes off the apron. Steen power bombs Jacobs into the apron.

Steen goes up top for the Swanton and he can only get a two count. Steen goes for the chair and Jacobs jumps on Steen’s back. Steen backs Jacobs into the turnbuckles and then Steen goes for the cannonball but Jacobs moves. Jacobs with an Ace Crusher and he gets a near fall. Jacobs sets up the chair on the mat for the Contra Code but Steen avoids the hold. Steen puts Jacobs on the turnbuckles and then the tree of woe. Steen with a chop and then he hits the cannonball.

Steen grabs Jacobs but Jacobs hits the Contra Code for a near fall. Jacobs takes the chair and he hits Steen in the back and the leg. Jacobs hits Steen in the back one more time with the chair. Jacobs goes up the ramp and he grabs a guardrail and brings it into the ring. While Jacobs has trouble with the guardrails, Steen wraps the chain in his hand. Steen punches Jacobs with the chain and then Steen sets for the package piledriver but Jacobs drops Steen onto the guardrails.

Jacobs grabs the chair and he is going to hit Steen with it but he misses. Steen with a kick to the groin and Steen hits the package piledriver on the guardrail for the three count.

 

Winner: Kevin Steen

 

We go to commercial.

We are back and next week’s episode of Ring of Honor television will be dedicated to the Briscoes.

 

Match Number Three: BJ Whitmer versus Jay Briscoe for the Ring of Honor World Title

 

They lock up and Whitmer backs Briscoe into the corner and he gives a clean break. They lock up again and Briscoe backs Whitmer into the corner and he gives a clean break. They lock up again and they go to the floor while still in the collar and elbow tie up. Whitmer with a chop and Jay returns fire. They go back and forth until BJ with an Irish whip into the guardrails and Jay bounces off with a boot to the head.

Jay sends Whitmer into the chair and then he connects with a forearm to the back. Jay with an Irish whip into the guardrails. Jay with a forearm to the back as they continue to fight on the floor. Jay sends BJ into the guardrails one more time. Jay with a forearm to the back and Jay with a head butt. They finally return to the ring.

Jay runs into an elbow from Whitmer. Whitmer with a spinebuster and both men are down. Whitmer sends Jay to the floor and then he hits a suicide dive and Jay hits the guardrails. We go to commercial.

We are back and Whitmer with a reverse chin lock. Jay with punches and jabs to Whitmer but BJ blocks the punch and BJ with chops. Whitmer with a kick. They go back and forth with forearms. Jay with a head butt and then he gets BJ on his shoulders but Whitmer escapes. Whitmer with a power slam for a near fall.

Whitmer sets for a running knee into the corner but Jay moves. Jay with an elbow and he hits a float over stunner for a near fall. Whitmer with a kick and a boot to the head followed by a dragon suplex for a near fall. Whitmer with two rolling fishermen suplexes for a near fall. Whitmer tries for a German suplex but Jay holds on to the ropes.

Whitmer with a forearm and the referee warns BJ. Jay with a Saito suplex that sends Whitmer over the top rope through a ringside table. The referee checks on BJ and Jay tells the other officials to get to the back. Jay picks up BJ and he says that BJ is fine. Jay sends BJ back into the ring and he gets a near fall as BJ kicks out due to instinct.

Jay with a neck breaker for a near fall. Jay sets for the Jay Driller but Whitmer backs Jay into the corner. Jay with a boot to the head followed by the Jay Driller for a near fall. Jay cannot believe that Whitmer kicked out of that.

BJ tells Jay to bring it. BJ with a kick but he misses a clothesline. Whitmer with a rollup for a near fall. Whitmer with an Exploder for a near fall. Both men are down. Whitmer tries for another Exploder but Jay with elbows and forearms to the neck. Jay with a kick to the head followed by a running boot to the head but Whitmer stays on his feet. Jay with two more boots to the head and BJ stays on his feet. Another boot and Whitmer bounces off the ropes. Jay with another boot to the head and then he kicks Whitmer in the back of the head and the referee checks on Whitmer.

Jay with another running boot to the head. Jay kicks Whitmer while the referee checks on him. Jay with a dragon sleeper and he applies a body scissors. The referee checks the arm and he calls for the bell.

 

Winner: Jay Briscoe

 

We go to a video package for Best in the World as we go to credits.

2013 - TNA ran a Basebrawl event in Lexington, TN.  Trent Van Drisse filed the following live report:

I attended my first ever TNA house show tonight, and also my first ever show at a baseball stadium, as TNA presented BaseBrawl at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky on an absolutely perfect night weather wise.

I did attend a few TNA shows way back in the early days at the Nashville Fairgrounds, but nothing since. It's hard to guesstimate an attendance at a ballpark, but mine would be in the 700ish range, but I could be wrong a fair bit in either direction on that one. The crowd was pretty responsive most of the show, and most of the matches on the show were in the "about what you'd expect" range quality wise. The ring was set up on home plate.

I was surprised at the TV like star quality of the card on this show going in, considering some of the much weaker house show line ups they've presented the past few months. The top stars were out tonight, including Sting making a rare house show appearance. I'm guessing he appeared here in Lexington because his son, who is also named Steven Borden, is attending the University of Kentucky as a football player, and was the first player signed by UK head coach Mark Stoops.

Jeremy Borash was the ring announcer, and also handled doing the music. Middle Tennessee's own Jason James handled the pre-show and intermission emceeing duties.

All in all it was a real bad night for Aces & Eights, and a good night for winning by submission. Zero OVW involvement at all on this show, which mildly surprised me with it being so close to Louisville. A golf cart brought the wrestlers part way to the ring. Brian and Earl Hebner split the refereeing duties tonight, with Earl reffing more than just the ladies match. He of course also did his usual "I screwed Bret" routine to sell his T-shirts.

It was revealed tonight that using the code "BaseBrawl" on Ticketmaster will allow you to buy a ticket at regular price and get a second one for five dollars to the July 18th Impact tapings in Louisville.

1. Chris Sabin beat Kenny King to retain the X Division championship

Sabin won with his "Future shock" finisher. Both Sabin and King looked good here.

2. Mickie James beat Velvet Sky to retain the TNA Women's Knockouts Championship

You know the drill here, Velvet has a bum left knee so Mickie took advantage of it, and eventually won with a dropkick to the bad knee.

3. AJ Styles beat Garett Bischoff by submission

Styles is always such a pleasure to watch perform, and Garett Bischoff did fine here as well, all things considered. This one went awhile, ending with Styles winning with his new "Calf Killer" submission finisher.

4. James Storm & Gunner beat Bobby Roode & Austin Aries by submission to retain the TNA World Tag Team Championships

Lots and lots of stalling before the start of this one. James Storm helped himself to a vendors cotton candy, and took a sip from a fans' beer. Roode & Aries went to the pitchers mound and acted as if they were warming up in the bullpen. Storm later hit Roode with a few fans' beers, while Gunner and Aries battled on the infield. The heels later sipped from Storm's beer bottle, but he hit them both to make them spit beer in the air. The match ended when Gunner forced Roode to submit to the "Gun Rack".

They tried to put Gunner over strong here, and he looks tremendous physically nowadays, but he was clearly the least over guy in this match, which makes sense given how little time he's been back, and in this role with a push. He still has things to work on, both in ring, and as far as connecting with the crowd goes. But its easy to see the legit potential in him. Oh, and Austin Aries is a fantastic man, and talent. In other news, fire hot!

Intermission

5. Jeff Hardy beat Mr. Anderson

Hardy got the win with the "Twist of Fate". Not a long match, but all action while it lasted.

6. Sting & Kurt Angle beat Bully Ray & Devon by submission

With Angle down outside the ring, Referee Brian Hebner got bumped, and Bully Ray hit Sting with a large chain, but Sting kicked out in a close near fall. In the end Sting forced Bully Ray to tap out to the "Scorpion Deathlock". I knew this match wouldn't go long, but it was even shorter than I expected, maybe 7 or 8 minutes tops, and that's probably being generous. The crowd enjoyed it, but not much of a match really, but it had the all important "star factor" going for it. So Aces & Eights goes 0-3 on the night, and 3 of the 6 matches end via submission.

Sting, who seemed to be in a great mood, took the mic after the match and mentioned he was wearing blue trim on his black tights in honor of the University of Kentucky. Sting then stayed in the ring and posed for pics with fans, at 30 bucks a pop.

2013 - The State of Alabama placed several new rules into effect for professional wrestling in the state. The new rules were:

1. All promoters, wrestlers. referees, etc are now required to have a license. Licenses are $100 for promoters and $30 for the wrestlers, referees, etc. All licenses must be paid by July 15, 2013. Licenses expire on December 31st and must be renewed.

2. The Alabama Athletic Commission gets 5% of all gross ticket sales for each event.

3. Barricades must surround the ring and be 6' from the ring.

4. No hard sole shoes on wrestlers.

5. Wrestlers' ring attire must be neat and clean.

6. Foreign objects can only be used with prior approval of the Alabama Athletic Commission.

7. No intentional blood without prior approval from the Alabama Athletic Commission. For events where blood is approved, blood tests must be taken and a doctor is to be present at the event.

8. A licensed EMT is to be at all events.

2014 - Championship Wrestling from Hollywood held their Red Carpet Rumble.  Steve Ronquillo filed the following report:

Championship Wrestling from Hollywood held its second annual Red Carpet Rumble from the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme, California. A very great turn out for the show considering CWFH normally holds free events to their TV tapings and this was a paid event. Prior to the event there was a meet and greet that featured the stars of CWFH and Jake “The Snake” Roberts and AJ Styles.

Eli Everfly, Rudy, & Omar Asif vs. Terex in a Handicap Match

This was a typical squash match that saw the larger Terex toss around the younger wrestlers. To their credit the younger guys did a hell of a job selling for Terex. Terex wins with a Samoan Drop to Everfly.

Winner: Terex!

After the match Terex began to stack the three wrestlers on top of each other as he did a series of standing sunset flips and big splashes.

Matchmaker Danielle is in the ring and introduces Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Jake comes out to a large ovation and “Hall of Famer” chants. Jake is humbled by the crowd and thanks everyone. Jake talks about how thankful he is but is interrupted by the Grappler. The crowd chants “DDT.” The Grappler say he is the one who invented the DDT and says Jake belongs in the hall of shame. The Grappler brings out Sgt. Major to show Jake who will win the Red Carpet Rumble match. Jake says all his life people of stole from him. Jake says he is tired of holding back because he is clean and sober now. Jake says the Grappler can stick it up somewhere. The Grappler bets Jake if Sgt. Major can win the Red Carpet Rumble then the Grappler can have the bragging rights to the DDT. Jake says he can toss out Sgt. Major and hold claim to the invention of the DDT.

MAV-TV Champion Ryan Taylor vs. Joey Ryan for the MAV-TV Championship

A good back and forth battle to start off the match. Both men showing incredible athletic skill sets. Both guys battle to the outside and make their way to the main stage. Ryan with a scoop slam on Taylor onto the stage. The competitors make their way back into the ring and Taylor takes the upper hand with a series of strikes in the corner. Taylor had the advantage in the early goings by applying several submissions. Ryan fights back but Taylor finds ways to counter. Ryan makes his comeback starting with a pump handle slam followed by a strong spine buster for a two count. Ryan went for the super kick but Taylor caught the foot and applies the ankle lock. Taylor fights back and counters with another ankle lock. Taylor hits a scissors kick but only gets a two count. Ankle lock is applied on Ryan again but Taylor gets back in control again. A nice running boot by Taylor is followed by a suplex into a pin for a two count. Taylor hits his finisher but Ryan kicks out. Taylor looks confused as he does not know what to do to finish off Ryan. Ryan with a super kick from out of nowhere but the Vermin make their way to the ring. Ryan spears Nick Madrid who was on the ring apron. Peter Avalon comes into save Ryan. Back in the ring Taylor attempts his finisher again but Ryan counters with a roll up for the pinfall.

Winner and new MAV-TV Champion: Joey Ryan!

Johnny Yuma takes the microphone and tells Taylor he’ll get the title back. Yuma tells the rest of the guys to get ready for the Rumble. Yuma tells Avalon to get his tag partner so they can get this tag title match started now.

Heritage Tag Team Champions RockNES Monsters (Johnny Yuma & Johnny Goodtime) vs. “Pretty” Peter Avalon & Colt Cabana for the Heritage Tag Team Championships

Cabana and Avalon clear the ring of RockNES and the crowd is loving it. Cabana starts off with Yuma and takes the early advantage. Cabana with some early comedy stuff that the crowd loves. Avalon and Cabana with several double team attacks on Yuma. Goodtime makes the tag and is in the ring with Cabana. Cabana has Goodtime in the corner and pulls off some of Goodtime’s chest hair and throws it at the referee. Yuma comes in and takes several chops from Cabana. RockNES begins to take control of an injured Cabana who fell off the top rope onto the outside floor. Yuma and Goodtime take turns tagging in and out of the match working over Cabana. Cabana finally starts making a comeback but Yuma pulls Avalon off the apron as Cabana was about to make the tag. Cabana is feeling it and no sells Yuma’s attacks. Finally Avalon tags in and hits a cross body off the ropes onto Yuma. Avalon with a sit down power bomb on Yuma for a two count. Goodtime comes in and attacks Avalon. Avalon fights back and tags in Cabana. Avalon and Cabana with a double atomic elbow on the RockNES Monsters. Avalon connects with a crossbody on the outside onto Goodtime. Cabana is in the ring with Yuma. Cabana has control of Yuma but the Vermin come out again. With the referee distracted Goodtime hits Cabana with a title belt allowing Yuma to cover Cabana for the pinfall.

Winners and still Heritage Tag Team Champions: RockNES Monsters!

A fun back and forth match for the four men. The Vermin are already making presence tonight.

Hollywood Heritage Champion Ricky Mandel vs. Matt Hardy for the Hollywood Heritage Championship

I believe this is Hardy’s first appearance at CWFH. A good start to the match as both men take turns trying to take the early advantage. Hardy is the one who ends up taking the early control. He looks like he is having a lot of fun early on. Hardy screams that Mandel sucks leading to a “You suck” chant. Mandel challenges Hardy to a test of strength but Mandel kicks Hardy in the gut. Hardy fights back and connects on a swinging neck breaker. Mandel finally takes the advantage in the match and connects on a series of strikes in the corner to Hardy. Hardy attempts to fight back but Mandel is able to block the counters. Mandel showing a lot of aggressiveness once he is in control. Mandel connects with a big boot and almost gets the pinfall before Hardy kicked out after the two count. Hardy tries to mount a comeback but is caught by a clothesline from Mandel. Mandel to the top rope but Hardy catches him. Hardy pulls down Mandel from the top and both men are down on the mat. The crowd is pulling for Hardy as both men finally get to their feet. Hardy with a bulldog headlock and covers Mandel for a two count. Mandel with a running knee followed by a dropkick. Hardy calls for the Twist of Fate but Mandel blocks it only to have Hardy connect on a move for a two count. Mandel gauges Hardy’s eyes and then pushes the referee. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner by DQ: Matt Hardy!

The Hobo runs in and throws Mandel back in the ring and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on Mandel. Hobo and Hardy celebrate in the ring.

A really good match but an ending that came out of nowhere. Great job by both guys despite the lack luster ending.

Ring announcer Dan Masters introduces the special guest referee for the next match… Nigel McGuiness!

IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles vs. Trent Baretta with special referee Nigel McGuinness

Styles came to the ring wearing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt. The crowd is really into Styles as the match starts. McGuinness is enforcing the rules early on as Baretta tries to go around the five counts. A lot of mat work between the two men with nobody really getting the advantage. Lots of “Impact sucks” chants followed by “Hollywood” chants. This is a PG crowd so there are no “F**k TNA” chants… yet. Baretta is yelling at the crowd that he is better than Styles and Chuck Taylor (Baretta’s tag team partner in PWG). Scoop slam by Styles followed by a knee drop to Baretta’s face. Styles with a back breaker on Baretta for a two count. Styles goes for a springboard from outside of the ring but Baretta with a nice super kick sending Styles to the outside floor. Out on the floor Baretta throws Styles into the ring steps. Both men are back in the ring. Back and forth strikes for both men until Baretta nails Styles with a stiff chop to the chest. Baretta connects on a hard clothesline and takes control of the match. Styles starts to fight back but Baretta slams Styles’ head to the mat. Baretta gets in the face of McGuinness. Baretta goes for a running knee on Styles in the corner but Styles moves and Baretta flies to the outside of the ring. Styles goes for a crossbody onto Baretta but Baretta moves. Styles with a sunset flip off the ring apron connects onto Baretta. Both men are down on the outside floor and McGuiness begins the count to ten. Both men enter the ring before the count of ten. Styles with a series of clotheslines followed by a flying springboard forearm. Styles with a neck breaker for a two count. Baretta fights back with a stomp to Styles’ chest. Swinging DDT off the ropes from Baretta but only gets a two count. Styles connects on a face plant but gets a two count. Styles goes off the top rope but Baretta connects with a drop kick. Enziguri by Baretta sends Styles to the mat. From out of nowhere Styles applies an ankle lock but Baretta grabs the bottom rope. Styles teases a Styles Clash but Baretta reverses it and hits the Styles Clash on Styles for a two count. Both men are on the top rope but Baretta goes to the mat. Baretta runs back up and hits an over the head suplex on Styles and gets a two count. Styles fights back and hits a pile driver followed by a Styles Clash for the win.

Winner: IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles!

An awesome match from both men. Styles really put up a great effort for the live crowd and the crowd loved it. Baretta showed what an awesome talent he is and was able to hang with the fan favorite Styles. The crowd chanted for Baretta as he left the ring. Awesome match.

Red Carpet Rumble match with the winner getting a guaranteed title match for the Hollywood Heritage Championship and a guaranteed slot in the United Wrestling Network World Heavyweight Championship Tournament. Royal Rumble rules except the final two men left standing have a traditional wrestling match.

Entrant #1: Johnny Yuma

Entrant #2: “Pretty” Peter Avalon

Avalon runs in the ring and goes right after Yuma. The two rivals go at it with Avalon having the upper hand. Avalon hits an over the head suplex on Yuma.

Entrant #3: Johnny Goodtime

The RockNES Monsters are in full force and begin the double teaming on Avalon.

Entrant #4: Todd Chandler

The Footloose member enters the match and saves Avalon from the double team attack. Yuma begins working on Chandler as Goodtime works on Avalon.

Entrant #5: Dan Joseph

The second member of Footloose enters and he and Chandler attack the RockNES Monsters.     Goodtime is almost eliminated by Footloose but Yuma makes the save.

Entrant #6: Leo Blaze

Blaze runs in and attacks Chandler. Blaze and the RockNES Monsters take turns attacking Footloose and Avalon.

Entrant #7: Ethan HD

Ethan comes in and helps out Blaze as he attacks Avalon.

Entrant #8: Willie Mack

Mack comes in and runs through all of the heels. Mack with a powerful spine buster on Blaze. That is followed by a back drop to Goodtime from Mack. Yuma eliminated Chandler.

Entrant #9: Sasha

Somehow the other member of Footloose, Dan Joseph, was eliminated.

Entrant #10: Hoss Sutton

Hoss goes right after Sasha who was waiting outside of the ring.

Entrant #11: Tito Escondido

The third member of Vermin enters the match and Escondido goes after Hoss. Sasha charges after Mack but Mack with the back drop sends Sasha out of the ring and is eliminated. The Vermin and Blaze are teaming up on Avalon.

Entrant #12: Sgt. Major

Major comes in and goes after everyone including the Vermin. The Grappler came out to the ring with Major. Major and Mack exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Major with a loud Samoan Drop to Mack.

Entrant #13: Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Jake enters with a snake bag in hand. Jake hits the DDT on Major. Grappler comes in and throws out Jake from the match. Jake goes to his snake bag and releases the python and wraps it around the Grappler. All the wrestlers roll out of the ring.

Entrant #14: Che Cabrera

The wrestlers slowly make their way back in the ring as Jake leaves with the python. Major is eliminated from the match followed by Hoss and Blaze.

Entrant #15: Othello

The 7 footer Othello makes his way in the ring and towers over everyone. Everyone takes their turn going after Othello but he takes everyone down. Othello with a big boot to Avalon and Avalon goes over and is eliminated.

Entrant #16: Big Duke

Mack eliminates Cabrera. That is followed by Mack throwing out and eliminating Yuma.

Entrant #17: Stu Stone

Stone enters from the announce position. He takes his time entering the ring. Stone rolls under the bottom rope and hangs out on the apron. Stone hangs out with Othello as everyone battles it out.

Entrant #18: Tyler Bateman

 Everyone goes after Othello but he takes everyone down again. Stone is excited and carefully stays next to Othello.

Entrant #19: Cedric the Hitman

We now have three members of the Family Stone with Cedric, Othello, and Stone. The Family Stone members attack Mack in the corner. Mack fights back and delivers and hard chop to Cedric.

Entrant #20: Jarek Mathews

The returning Mathews comes running in but is quickly eliminated by Othello and Stone. Escondido, Cedric, and Bateman are eliminated. Mack eliminates Goodtime.

Entrant #21: The Hobo

Hobo goes after everyone in the match. The match is currently Vermin free at the moment. Hobo throws Mack right into Othello.

Entrant #22: Eric Cross

Othello with a spear to Hobo. Cross and Ethan try to eliminate Hobo but Duke makes the save. Crowd starts chanting for Mack. Othello and Stone double team on Mack in the corner.

Entrant #23: Nick Madrid

Another member of the Vermin enters the match. Madrid goes right after Hobo. Duke tries to go after Stone but he rolls under the bottom rope. Ethan and Cross almost throw out Mack but he hangs on to the ropes.

Entrant #24: X-Pac

The crowd goes nuts as he comes out to the DX theme. Pac tosses out Madrid and Cross. Ethan attacks Pac but Pac with a clothesline. Othello throws out Duke and takes down Pac. Othello tries to throw out Pac but Mack drop kicks Othello in the back.

Entrant #25: Joey Ryan

Othello tried to charge at Mack but Mack ducks and Othello goes over and is eliminated. Ryan goes right after Stone who has no one to back him up. Mack and Ryan pick up Stone and toss him over the rope and he lands on Othello. Stone is eliminated.

Entrant #26: Ryan Taylor

The final member of the Vermin enters the match and goes after Ryan. Taylor tries to toss out Ryan but Ryan is blocking it. A huge “1-2-3” chant for Pac.

Entrant #27: Mikey O’Shea

O’Shea goes right after Taylor. Ryan tries to throw out Mack but Taylor attacks Ryan.

Entrant #28: Ian Sutton

Ian goes right to O’Shea and O’Shea hits him with a chop. O’Shea gives a series of chops to Pac.

Entrant #29: Fidel Bravo

Only one competitor left to go. There are currently nine guys in the ring. Ethan and Mack have been in the ring the longest so far.

Entrant #30: Matt Striker

The newest member of the Family Stone Matt Striker makes his way to the ring as the final competitor to enter the match. Striker remains on the outside. Mandel comes into the ring and hits Hobo over the head with the Hollywood Heritage belt. Striker finally enters and takes the injured Hobo and throws him over the ropes. O’Shea and Bravo are tossed out. Ian Sutton is gone too. Ryan with a super kick to Striker.  Ryan and Taylor are fighting on the outside apron and Ryan superkicks Taylor out. Pac sends Ryan out next. The final four are Ethan, Striker, Mack, and Pac. Mack with a splash on Ethan and Pac goes for the Bronco Buster followed by an X-Factor on Ethan. Ethan is tossed out by Mack and Pac. Pac goes for an X-Factor on Mack but Mack with a backdrop sending Pac out of the match.

Willie Mack vs. Matt Striker

The final two competitors now compete in a traditional one on one match. Striker hits a shoulder block to Mack and gets a two count. Mack with a flying knee sends Striker to the ground and is covered for two. Mack hits with a standing shooting star press but Striker kicks out after two. Striker with an arm bar but Mack fights back and counters with a Rock Bottom. Mack with an Anaconda Vice and Striker taps out.

Winner of the Red Carpet Rumble: Willie Mack!

A really fun match overall and a deserving winner in Willie Mack. Mack celebrates in the ring as the show ends.

Overall a really fun show as usual from CWFH.

2014 - TNA held their Slammiversary PPV.  Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:

The show opened with Sanada defending the X Division Title in a Ladder match against Crazzy Steve, Manik, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Manik and Tigre Uno.

Sanada won in about 10 minutes. This was a spotfest. The crowd liked it.

MVP came out with Bobby Lashley and Kenny King and did a promo talking about his knee injury and he told us the new main event scenario.

Bobby Lashley vs. Samoa Joe for a spot in the main event TNA Title match is next. Lashley won with a Spear. He goes on to the main event.

They had Dixie Carter up in a box and she cut a promo about MVP and Bully Ray.

Willow, with Abyss, vs. Magnus, with Bram, is up next.

Magnus pinned Willow with a suplex into a slam.  Bram and Abyss were involved and Abyss chased him off with Janice.

Kurt Angle announced the new TNA Hall of Famers were Team 3D.  Bully Ray and Devon came out.  Devon gave a nice speech where he said when he left, he thought he would never return but when he got the invitation, he decided to come back and leave on top.

More to come!

*Austin Aries pinned Kenny King with a brainbuster in a really good match.

The Von Erichs are next. They received the biggest reaction of the night so far. Kevin Von Erich is sitting ringside. They defeated Rockstar Spud and Jesse Godderz by DQ when Zema interfered, setting up Kevin to make the save with the Iron Claw. The place was rocking with Von Erich chants. It was easy to see what drew the house. The pop was awesome.

Angelina Love vs. Gail Kim is next. Love retained the Knockouts title after referee Brian Stiffler made a fast count when he returned to make the count. He had been tossed out by Earl Hebner for favoring Love but returned after Hebner was knocked out.

EC3 defeated Bully Ray in a Texas Death Match. Dixie Carter came out when Bully was about to put Carter through tables. Ray chased her into Ethan and she went down like she was out. Bully was going to put Dixie through a table when EC3 attacked him. Ray was put through the tables and didn't make the count. Lots of weapons.

*Mr Anderson defeated James Storm with a Mic Check after some of the Dallas Cowboys, who had gotten into it with Storm, then grabbed his beer bottle from him to set up Anderson nailing Storm.

Main event time: Aries vs. Young vs. Lashley.  Lashley ended up on the outside of the cage after missing a spear and going through the door.  The rules were there had to be a pinfall so Aries and Young went back and forth and Young scored the surprise win after blocking the brainbuster and nailing a piledriver.  Young is still the champ.

2022 - 

Journal reported that the WWE Board of Directors were investigating an alleged $3 Million payment made by Vince McMahon in January 2022 to a former WWE Employee who he allegedly had a sexual relationship with him.The WSJ report stated that the "January 2022 separation agreement bars the now-former employee, who was hired as a paralegal in 2019, from discussing her relationship with Mr. McMahon or disparaging him."

The article also noted:

"The board’s investigation, which began in April, has unearthed other, older nondisclosure agreements involving claims by former female WWE employees of misconduct by Mr. McMahon and one of his top executives, John Laurinaitis, the head of talent relations at WWE, the people said. The Journal couldn’t determine how many previous agreements were being scrutinized.

The board’s outside counsel was still collecting information about the other NDAs this week but has determined that the payments totaled in the millions of dollars, the people said."

A WWE spokesperson told WSJ they were cooperating with the investigation and that the relationship with McMahon and the former employee was consensual. 

The spokesperson also stated, "the company takes the allegations seriously and is dealing with them appropriately."

Neither McMahon nor Laurinaitis returned requests for comments.  WWE's longtime attorney Jerry McDevitt stated, according to the article, "that the former paralegal hadn’t made any claims of harassment against Mr. McMahon and that “WWE did not pay any monies” to the ex-employee “on her departure.”

The article states that the Board of Directors learned of the allegations when they received an email from a friend of the former employee in March.  The email claimed the employee was hired with a $100,000 salary that doubled once she began a relationship with McMahon.

The WSJ report noted, "The email to the board also alleged that Mr. McMahon “gave her like a toy” to Mr. Laurinaitis. The board is investigating the allegations in the email, the people familiar with the inquiry said."

“My friend was so scared so she quit after Vince McMahon and lawyer Jerry paid her millions of dollars to shut up,” the initial email to the board stated.  The Jerry would obviously be in reference to Jerry McDevitt.

WWE later issued a statement to employees that read: "WWE issued a memo to their employees this afternoon, noting that the The Wall Street Journal "has published an article containing accusations the Board of Directors takes seriously. WWE is cooperating fully with the Board’s independent investigation.”

This report sets of a chain of events that are still unfolding today and the likes of which couldn't have been scripted by anyone, much less WWE

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