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8/29 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE MEGA-POWERS VS. THE MEGABUCKS HEADLINES THE FIRST-EVER WWF SUMMERSLAM PPV, STAN HANSEN IS BORN, BRUNO SAMMARTINO'S FINAL WWF MATCH AND MORE

August 29th

On this day in history in ....

1949 - Stan Hansen is born.

1970 - An event in Omaha, Nebraska saw the following results:

-Billy Red Cloud (sub Pedro Sanchez) defeated John Gadaski.
-Beautiful Brutus (Bugsy McGraw) defeated Plowboy Stan Frazier (aka WWF's Uncle Elmer) by DQ.
-Reggie Parks Harleyfought Harley Race to a double DQ.
-Midwest Heavyweight Champion Tarzan Tyler defeated Red Bastien.

1970 - Big Time Wrestling ran Akron, OH, headlined by Chief White Owl & Johnny Powers beating Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch to win The International Tag Team Titles.

The remainder of the card featured a tournament to crown the new International Champion with the following results:

-Sonny King beat Bill Miller via referee's decision.
-Hans Schmidt beat Stomper via referee's decision.
-Mitsu Arakawa beat Johnny Powers by DQ.
-Chief White Owl pinned Masked Executioner.

Semi-Finals:

-Sonny King beat Mistu Arakawa by DQ.
-Hans Schmidt beat Chief White Owl by countout.

Final:

-Sonny King beat Hans Schmidt via referee's decision to win International Title

1973 - Sinn Bodhi aka Kizarny is born.

1977 - An event in Ft. Worth, Texas saw the following results:

-Jimmy Snuka & Tommy Siegler beat Ox Baker & Big John Studd by countout.
-Mike Paidousis beat Bruce Lankford.
-Al Madril beat Bull Ramos DQ.
-Skip Young beat Eddie Mansfield.
-Iron Sheik Farouk beat Joe Blanchard.

1977 -  The WWWF ran New York City's Madison Square Garden with the following results:

-Lenny Hurst defeated Rocky Tomayo.
-Johnny Rivera defeated Joe Turco at 10:51.
-SD Jones defeated Jack Evans at 8:19.
-Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak at 7:35 via countout after Maivia avoided the Heart Punch on the floor and Stasiak accidentally hit the ringpost.
-Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated George Steele & Baron Mikel Scicluna in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0.  Fall One: Steele & Scicluna were disqualified after Steele shoved the referee.  Fall Two: Garea pinned Scicluna with a sunset flip off the top.
-WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski via countout at 18:01 after the challenger was backdropped to the floor.
-Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) pinned Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match at 12:13 by kicking off the corner, as Patera had a full nelson applied, and falling backwards onto his opponent.
-Verne Gagne pinned Nikolai Volkoff at 7:10 with a roll up as Volkoff attempted an over-the-knee backbreaker.
-Chief Jay Strongbow fought Mr. Fuji to a curfew draw at around the 6 minute mark.  Fuji was subtituting for Toru Tanaka.

1980 - A live event in the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA saw the following results:

-Tom Prichard defeated Prof. Ito.
-Al Madril defeated the Assassin.
-Ron Starr defeated John Tolos.
-The Golden Boy defeated Walter Johnson.
-Mando Guerrero defeated the Great Goliath.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Butcher Brannigan.

1981 - Georgia Championship Wrestling ran The Omni in Atlanta, GA with the following results:

-The French Angel defeated Rick Ferrara.
- Bruno Sammartino Jr. defeated David Sierra.
-Steve O defeated Prof. Sonoda.
-Kevin Von Erich defeated Bryan St. John.
-Bruiser Brody defeated Chris Cannon.
-Mr. Wrestling II & George Wells defeated Iron Mike Sharpe & Big John Studd.
-National Heavyweight Champion Masked Superstar defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Tommy Rich to unify the titles.
-Andre the Giant & Michael Hayes defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka.

1981 -  Championship Wrestling from Florida ran St. Petersburg, Florida with the following results from the Bayfront Arena:

-Hiro Matsuda wrestled Tommy Gilbert to a draw.
-El Gran Apollo defeated Bobby Jaggers.
-The Kiwi Sheepherders (Jonathan Boyd and Luke Williams) defeated Mike Graham and Steve Keirn.
-Florida champ Charlie Cook defeated Buzz Sawyer.
-Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk ended without a winner as a double countout in a Taped Fists match.
-Jerry Brisco defeated Assassin #3 in a Hair vs. Mask match.
-Jack Brisco defeated Dory Funk Jr.
-NWA World Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Assassin #1 in a Texas Death match.

1982 - Otto Wanz defeats Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in St. Paul. Minnesota, ending Bockwinkel's second run with the belt.  The remainder of the event, held at the Civic Center saw the following:

-Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Jesse Ventura fought to a no contest against Baron Von Raschke & Larry Hennig & Brad Rheingans.
-AWA World Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Rick Martel & Tito Santana when Brunzell pinned Santana after a dropkick.
-Steve Olsonoski beat Jacques Goulet.
-Bobby Heenan beat Ray Stevens by DQ in 5:31 when Stevens assaulted referee Curt Hennig.
-Buck Zumhofe beat Kenny Jay (substituting for Greg Valentine).

1982 - Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) wins a tournament for the Georgia National Heavyweight Title at the Omno in Atlanta.  The title had been vacated by Paul Orndorff so he could "train" for an NWA World Title match with Ric Flair (which he lost).  The complete results of the show saw the following:

Quarterfinals:

-Matt Borne defeated Johnny Rich
-Paul Orndorff defeated Ole Anderson
-Buzz Sawyer defeated Tom Prichard
-Brad Armstrong defeated the Iron Sheik
-Ernie Ladd fought the Masked Superstar to a double countout.

Quart Finals:
-Super Destroyer defeated Brad Armstrong
-Paul Orndorff defeated Matt Borne
-Paul Orndorff defeated Buzz Sawyer

Final:
-Super Destroyer defeated Paul Orndorff to win the title.

Non Tournament matches:

- The Samoans (with Sonny King) defeated National Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy to win the titles,
-Tommy Rich defeated Don Muraco in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

1982 - Mid-Atlantic Wrestling ran Roanoke, VA with the following results:

-Kelly Kiniski beat Bill White.
-Mike Rotundo beat Ben Alexander.
-PVT. Nelson & PVT. Kernodle beat Jake Roberts & Jay Youngblood.
-Ricky Steamboat beat Matt Borne.
-Jack Brisco beat Sgt. Slaughter via DQ.
-Jimmy Valiant beat Ivan Koloff in a Steel Cage match.

1982 - The WWF ran Baltimore, Maryland at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center with the following results:

-Little Beaver & Tiger Jackson defeated Sky Low Low & Sonny Boy Hayes.
-WWF Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah defeated Sherri Martel.
-Steve Travis defeated Jose Estrada.
-Salvatore Bellomo defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Ivan Putski defeated Jimmy Snuka with special guest referee SD Jones.
-Andre the Giant defeated Blackjack Mulligan.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Buddy Rose.

1983 - Southeastern Championship Wrestling ran The Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama with the following results:

-Super Olympia defeated Norman Frederick Charles III.
-Tom Stanton defeated Randy Barber.
-Ricky Gibson defeated Chick Donovan via countout.
-Mr. Olympia defeated Buck Robley.
-Brad Armstrong & Ricky Gibson defeated Randy Rose & Ron Starr via DQ.

 

1983 - Mid-South Wrestling ran Baton Rouge, LA with the following results:

-Art Crews defeated Rip Rogers.
-George Weingeroff defeated Doug Vines.
-Johnny Rich defeated Boris Zurkov.
-Crusher Darsow defeated Tim Horner.
-The Missing Link defeated Magnum TA.
-Hacksaw Butch Reed defeated Tommy Rich.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated King Kong Bundy.
-Hacksaw Jim Duggan defeated Ted DiBiase in a steel cage match.

1984 - An event in Waco, Texas at the Convention Center saw the following results

-Steve Dupree beat Bo Beck.
-Al Madril beat Juan Reynosa.
-Tony Falk beat Dan Greer.
-Chicky Starr beat Eric Embry.
-Killer Brooks beat Manny Fernandez.
-The Road Warriors fought The Sheepherders to a Double DQ.

1985 - Central States Wrestling ran Memorial Hall in Kansas City, featuring the following results:

-Art Crews fought David Peterson to a draw
-Rufus R. Jones defeated Dave Nevins.
-Mr. Pogo defeated Gypsy Joe.
-Bart & Brad Batten defeated Rick Starr & Starship Coyote.
-Mr. Pogo fought Akio Sato to a draw.
-Rufus R. Jones & Sonny Myers defeated Edcar Thomas & Sheik Abdullah.
-NWA World Juniorheavyweight Champion Gary Royal defeated Denny Brown.
-Bulldog Bob Brown battled Harley Race to a double countout.

1986 - The WWF held the Sam Mushnick Tournament in St. Louis, MO at The Kiel Auditorium before an announced sellout of 10,612 for the following results:

Round One:

-Harley Race defeated B. Brian Blair.
-Don Muraco fought Greg Valentine to a double DQ.
-Adrian Adonis defeated King Tonga.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Hercules.
-Brutus Beefcake defeated Lanny Poffo.
-Pedro Morales defeated Dory (Hoss) Funk Jr.
-Billy Jack Haynes defeated Jimmy Jack Funk.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Jim Brunzell.

Quarter Finals:

-Harley Race receives a bye.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Adrian Adonis.
-Brutus Beefcake defeated Pedro Morales.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Billy Jack Haynes.

Semi Finals:

-Harley Race defeated the Junkyard Dog.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Brutus Beefcake.

Finals: Harley Race defeated Ricky Steamboat.

In a non-tournament match: Paul Orndorff defeated WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan by DQ.

1987 - The WWF ran Baltimore, MD -at the Baltimore Arena before 12,000 fans with the following results:

-SD Jones defeated Barry Horowitz.
-Sika defeated Jerry Allen.
-Demolition defeated Chavo Guerrero & Sam Houston.
-WWF Women's Champion Sensational Sherri defeated the Fabulous Moolah.
-Butch Reed defeated Superstar Billy Graham.
-Tito Santana pinned Hercules.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Kamala via disqualification.
-Brutus Beefcake fought Ted Dibiase to a 20-minute draw.
-WWF Champion Hulk Hogan & Bruno Sammartino defeated King Kong Bundy & The One Man Gang when Hogan pinned Bundy in Sammartino's final WWF appearance until he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.

1987 - The WWF ran Los Angeles, CA at The Sports Arena before 4,000 fans with the following results:

-Rick Rude defeated Scott Casey
-Outback Jack defeated Tiger Chung Lee
Greg Valentine & Dino Bravo defeated Jacques & Raymond Rougeau
-Butch Reed pinned Billy Jack Haynes
-Don Muraco pinned Bob Orton Jr.
-Killer Khan defeated George Steele via disqualification
-Superstar Billy Graham (with Ken Patera) pinned King Harley Race in a whipping match after Patera interfered.  After the bout, Patera whipped Bobby Heenan.

1988 - WWF holds their first Summerslam Pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  Here are the results:
- The British Bulldogs vs. Jacques & Raymond Rougeau ended in a twenty minute draw.
- Bad News Brown defeated Ken Patera.
- Rick Rude defeated The Junkyard Dog via DQ when Jake Roberts ran in and attacked Rude, who was wearing tights with a picture of Roberts' wife on them.
- The Powers Of Pain defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zuhkov.
- The Ultimate Warrior defeated The Honky Tonk Man in 31 seconds, the fastest Intercontinental Title win ever, to end the longest Intercontinental Title reign of all time.
- Dino Bravo defeated Don Muraco.
- WWF World Tag Team Champions Demolition defeated The Hart Foundation.
- Big Bossman defeated Koko B. Ware.
- Jake Roberts defeated Hercules.
- Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage defeated Andre The Giant & Ted DiBiase when Savage pinned DiBiase after Miss Elizabeth distracted him by taking off her skirt.  Jesse Ventura was the special referee, and wouldn't count the pin until he was forced to.

1988 - All Japan Pro Wrestling ran a Bruiser Brody Memorial event as part of their Summer Action Series II tour in Tokyo, Japan at Nippon Budokan featuring the following results:

-Mitsuo Momota defeated Tsuyoshi Kikuchi in 7:24.
-Isao Takagi defeated Tatsumi Kitahara in 6:42.
-Mighty Inoue and Isamu Teranishi defeated Haruka Eigen and Motoshi Okuma by disqualification in 9:55.
-Toshiaki Kawada and Yoshinari Ogawa defeated Masanobu Fuchi and Kenta Kobashi 9:38.
-Akira Taue and Shin'ichi Nakano defeated Rocky Iaukea and The V in 11:22.
-The Great Kabuki defeated Goro Tsurumi in 5:24.
-Hiroshi Wajima and Takashi Ishikawa defeated Tom Zenk and Jerry Oates in 15:36.
-Jimmy Snuka and Johnny Ace defeated Tiger Mask #2 (Misawa) and Shinichi Nakano in 10:10.
-Giant Baba defeated Rusher Kimura in 11:20.
-Stan Hansen defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification in 10:39.
-Genichiro Tenryu and Ashura Hara defeated Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu in 29:51 to win the AJPW Tag Team Titles.

1990 - WCW, under the National Wrestling Alliance banner, ran Rome, GA at Baren Stadium with the following results:

-Brad Armstrong defeated Dutch Mantell.
-Tim Horner defeated Buddy Landell by DQ.
-Mike Rotunda defeated the Iron Sheik.
-NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger pinned Barry Windham (substituting for Sid Vicious).
-The Rock N' Roll Express defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Doom in a non-title match
-The Junkyard Dog pinned Mark Callous (the future Undertaker).
-Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane.

1991 - Sam Gradwell is born.

1991 - WCW ran The Meadowlands in East Rutherfold, NJ with the following results:

-Dustin Rhodes pinned Joey Maggs at 7:52.
-Richard Morton pinned Robert Gibson at 7:25.
-Terrance Taylor pinned Big Josh at 7:11.
-Tom Zenk pinned the Diamond Studd in a tuxedo match at 3:22.
-Ron Simmons pinned Thomas Rich at 3:29.
- The Patriots, Todd Champion & Firebreaker Chip fought WCW U.S. Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin to a double countout.
-WCW World TV Champion Steve Austin defeated Johnny B. Badd via disqualification at 9:23.
-El Gigante & Rick Steiner & Bill Kazmaier & The Yellow Dog (Brian Pillman) defeated Dick Murdoch & Dick Slater & The One Man Gang & Oz (Kevin Nash) at 14:17 when Gigante pinned Slater.
-WCW U.S. Champion Sting pinned Cactus Jack at 7:01.  Lex Luger attacked Sting but Barry Windham made the save...
-WCW World Champion Lex Luger pinned Barry Windham at 9:52 by putting his feet on the ropes for leverage.

1991 - The USWA ran Humboldt, TN with the following results:

-Leatherface defeated Lord Humongous.
-Bill Dundee defeated Danny Davis.
-USWA Southern Champ Eric Embry defeated Dirty White Boy Tony Anthony.
-USWA Tag Team Champs Jeff Jarrett & Robert Fuller defeated Goon Squad #1 & Leatherface.
-Jimmy Valiant vs. Tom Prichard ended in a double countout.

1992 - WWF Summerslam is held in London, England at Wembley Stadium in front of almost 80,000 fans.  This is the first (and so far, only) major WWF Pay-per-view event to be held outside of North America. Because of the time difference, WWF decided to air the Pay-per-view on a tape delay, so it wasn't shown in the U.S. until August 31st. Here are the results:
In matches not shown on the PPV broadcast but later aired on Prime Time Wrestling:

- Papa Shango defeated Tito Santana.
- Tatanka defeated The Bezerker.
- The Bushwackers & Hacksaw Duggan defeated The Nasty Boys & The Mountie.

In matches shown on the PPV broadcast:
- The Legion Of Doom defeated Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster.
- Nailz defeated Virgil.
- Shawn Michaels vs. Rick Martel ended in a double countout.
- WWF World Tag Team Champions The Natural Disasters defeated The Beverly Brothers.
- Crush defeated Repo Man.
- The Ultimate Warrior defeated WWF World Champion Randy Savage via countout after interference from Ric Flair.
- The Undertaker defeated Kamala via DQ.
- Davey Boy Smith defeated Bret Hart to win the WWF Intercontinental Title.

1992 - WCW ran Kansas City, MO at the Municipal Auditorium before 1,100 fans with the following results:

-The Junkyard Dog pinned Vinnie Vegas.
-Erik Watts pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker.
-Cactus Jack pinned Van Hammer.
-The Barbarian pinned Brian Pillman.
-Johnny B. Badd pinned Scotty Flamingo.
-Dick Slater pinned Tom Zenk.
-Dustin Rhodes pinned Greg Valentine.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton.
-WCW World TV Champion Steve Austin pinned Ricky Steamboat.
-WCW U.S. Champion Rick Rude & Jake Roberts defeated Sting & Nikita Koloff when Roberts pinned Koloff following the DDT.
-WCW World Champion Ron Simmons pinned Big Van Vader.

1993 - The USWA  ran "Caged Kings' 93" in Memohis at theMid-South Coliseum drawing 2,100 fans for the following results:

-Jeff Gaylord pinned Colin Scotts in 3:29.
-JC Ice pinned The American Eagle (Danny Davis) in 10:01.
-Mike Anthony pinned Wolfie D in 5:26.
-Brute Forcz beat Randy Rockett & Johnny West in 6:01 when Brute Forz #1 pinned Rockett.
-Miss Texas pinned The Black Pussycat in 2:42.
-Giant Gonzales pinned The Vampire Warrior (Gangrel) in 2:21.
-USWA Southern Champ Jeff Jarrett pinned Owen Hart in 12:18.
-USWA Tag Team Champs The Dog Catchers beat Moondogs Spike & Cujo in 3:50.
-Brian Christopher pinned Chris Adams in 10:33 in a loser leaves town match.
-Jerry Lawler pinned Bret Hart in 15:39 in a steel cage match.

1994 - WWF Summerslam is held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.  Here are the results:  
- In a dark match, Adam Bomb defeated Kwang.
- Bam Bam Bigelow & Irwin R. Schyster defeated The Headshrinkers via DQ.
- WWF Women's Champion Alundra Blayze defeated Bull Nakano.
- Razor Ramon defeated Diesel to win the WWF Intercontinental Title.  Ramon was accompanied to the ring by Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton.
- Tatanka defeated Lex Luger.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Mabel.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart in a steel cage match.
- The Undertaker defeated Ted DiBiase's Undertaker (Brian Lee).

2000 - Al Snow defeats Perry Saturn for the WWF European Heavyweight Title in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

2002 - Former WCW champion Bill Goldberg made his first appearance inside a professional wrestling ring since the demise of WCW this morning for All Japan Pro Wrestling at Budokan Hall, defeating Satoshi Kojima.  The complete results of the event:

- Kazushi Miyamoto defeated Tomoaki Honma in 2:26.

- Hideki Hosaka defeated Nobukazu Hirai in 4:16.

- Mitsuya Nagai, Yoji Anjoh, & Shigeo Okumura defeated Arashi, Nobutaka Araya & Yuto Aijima in 10:36 when Nagai pinned Aijima.

- George Hines, Johnny Smith & Gran Hamada defeated Steve Williams, Mike Rotundo & Gran Naniwa in 12:46 when Hines pinned Naniwa.

- Abdullah The Butcher & Kendo Ka Shin defeated Masa Fuchi & Mr. Problem in 8:12 when Abdullah pinned Fuchi.

- Kaz Hayashi defeated Jimmy Yang in 13:58 to become the top contender to the Junior Heavyweight Title.

- Genichiro Tenryu defeated Hiroshi Hase in 14:32.

- Bill Goldberg defeated Satoshi Kojima in 4:02.

- Kronik defeated Mike Barton & Jim Steele to retain the World Tag Team Championship when Brian Adams pinned Jim Steele in 17:25.

- Keiji Mutoh defeated Taiyo Kea in 19:47.

2002 - WWE broadcast Smackdown.  Jeff K. filed the following TV report:

Location:  Uncasville, CN

[A commercial/promo aired featuring Brock Lesnar.  The voiceover asked “What is in store for Brock Lesnar?” and hyped the show coming up next.]

[WWE Attitude montage airs.]

Highlights of Lesnar’s SummerSlam win over Rock are shown, including Cole’s call of the match.  Heyman’s laughter grows louder as the promo goes on.

[Opening Airs]

Stephanie McMahon strides to the ring with a smile, as Cole announces that the “Brock Lesnar Era has begun.”  Cole and Tazz discuss Stehpanie’s “coup for all time” in bringing Brock to Smackdown.

Steph welcomes the crowd to Smackdown, the Home of Brock Lesnar.  The crowd boos Lesnar at first mention.  Steph hypes Lesnar’s exclusivity, to more boos.  She next asks who the number one contender is.  “It’s not Triple H, and we’re going to find out who it is tonight.”  Starting “right now” a single elimination style series of matches will proceed, with the final winner being named number one contender. 

Edge’s music hits, and he runs to the ring where Steph is waiting.  Tazz and Cole hype the match series, and put over Steph for her ability to bring surprises to Smackdown.  Steph fawns over Edge, and then announces that Latino Heat will be his opponent.  Steph stresses that Eddie jumped from Raw for the competition on Smackdown. 

The Smackdown ring has a new apron as well as a silver frame.  The refs are in their new blue shirts.  These differences at least try to give Raw and Smackdown a different feel.

1.  Eddie Guerrero Defeats. Edge in 7:57.

Eddie took control early, going to work on the left shoulder he brutalized at SummerSlam.  A large Eddie Sucks chant broke out.  Edge takes over offense with a faceplant for one.  Eddie offers Edge his hand, and Edge pulls him into a clothesline.  Eddie hides behind the ref, and takes down Edge.  Eddie kicks Edge repeatedly into the corner, and taunts him, following up with punches, uppercuts, and more kicks.  An Irish whip is reversed, but Edge runs into an Eddie elbow.  Suplex by Eddie, for two.  The announcers stress the injured shoulder.  Fujiwara armbar applied.  Eddie fights back with punches, but a low dropkick to the knees stops Edge’s momentum.

Edge countered a suplex and reversed Eddie back over the ropes to the outside.  Edge went up top and flew into Eddie on the outside.  After throwing Eddie back into the ring, Edge again went up top, but Guerrero was able to get to the turnbuckles and superplex Edge.  Eddie crawled into a cover but Edge kicked out at two.  Eddie hammered away with punches and elbows as Edge remained on one knee.  Edge reversed an Irish whip into a faceplant and then hit a strong powerbomb.  Both men stay down, with Edge selling the previous damage done by Eddie.  Both men struggle up, with Eddie using the ropes and making it to his feet at seven.  Edge fights back with right hands and hits a back body drop, followed by a clothesline.  The EdgeOMatic puts Eddie down for two.  Cole and Tazz speculate on who the next competitor in the tournament will be.  Edge again goes to the top rope, and hits a missile drop kick into Eddie’s chest.  Edge dropped to the Apron as Edge tried to set him up top.

Eddie grabbed two chairs and walked around the ring.  Eddie entered with one chair, which Edge grabbed only to have it taken away by the ref.  Eddie grabbed the other chair while the ref tossed the other away, and the chair attempting a spear hits Edge.  Eddie showboats up top and hits the frogsplash to get the win at 7:57.

Guerrero punks out Edge, and strides to the back holding his ribs.  Tazz and Cole marvel at Eddie’s ability to manipulate the ref.

[Commercial Break.  Unforgiven commercial hypes Lesnar’s upcoming defense.]

[Second Quarter Hour]

Steph is walking backstage when Matt Hardy grabs her and alludes to his huge pop.  Steph informs Matt that he is not the next competitor and announces Rikishi as the next entrant.  Matt wants a shot in the tournament.

Back at the ring, John Cena walks out.  D-Von enters next, and highlights of Bautista’s turning on D-Von are shown. 

2.  Revered D-Von defeats John Cena in 4:05

D-Von starts the match by tossing his jacket in Cena’s face, but Cena fights back with dropkicks and a cross body block.  D-Von his Cena with elbow and rams his head into a turnbuckle.  The announcers put over D-Von as being “extra intense and vicious.”  D-Von punches Cena and hits an elbow “right to the heart” for two.  Cena fights back with punches and elbows, but runs into a powerslam by D-Von for a series of quick covers and two counts.  D-Von pounds on Cena who tries to fight back, only to again fall victim to a D-Von punch.  Cena reverses a suplex attempt into a spinning neckbreaker of some kind, and hits D-Von with two clotheslines and two crossbody blocks for two.  Cena hit an inverted atomic drop but D-Von hit Cena with an elbow when Cena tried to come off the ropes.  D-Von missed a flying headbutt, and Cena blew a rollup which the announces put over as being due to inexperience.  D-Von hits an inverted atomic drop and puts Cena away with the Curtain Call to score three at 4:05.  Bautista clears the ref and Cena from the ring and hits D-Von with a clothesline.  Bautista destroyed D-Von with a falling powerbomb on D-Von.  The announcers put over Bautista more in the two minutes at the end of the match than they put over Cena in the entire match.

A vignette airs hyping Rey Mysterio.  Sort of a Hispanic-sounding rap music video montage which ends with the word “Next” below Rey’s mask. 

[Commercial Break]

[Third Quarter Hour]

[Commercial hyping confidential airs.]

Rey Mysterio’s music hits!  According to Cole, Rey is the “poster boy for motion sickness.”  All righty.  Rico comes out with Billy and Chuck.

3.  Rey Mysterio defeats Rico (with Billy and Chuck) in 5:33.

Rico goes for a bodyslam but Rey lands on his feet, and then sends Rico out of the ring.  As Billy and Chuck push Rico back in the ring, Rey hits a crossbody on the duo after launching off Rico’s back.  The ref throws out the Ambiguously Gay Duo, but Rico takes control while the ref is distracted.  Rey comes back with a flying leg scissors, but Rico hits a kick, latches on the dragon sleeper, and then hits a powerslam/sidewalk slam combo.  Rico grounds Rey by pinning him into a corner.  Rico holds a headlock and hits two suplexes and then a powerbomb.  Rico chokes Mysterio and begins to kick him, but he crowd distracts him with a “Rico sucks” chant.  Rico hits a series of heel kicks, throws Rey into the ropes and then catches him and hits a hard powerslam.  Rico styles above Rey, and Rey rolled out of the way of a moonsault.  Rey hit a bulldog for two, and then rana’d Rico into the turnbuckle.  Rey hit a split-leg moonsault, but Rico fought back with chops on a frustrated Rey.  Rico countered another Rey rana into a sidewalk slam.  Rey kicked Rico into the ropes for the 6-1-9, and then nailed the West Coast Pop at 5:33.  Cole “loves this guy.”  Tazz and Cole put over Mysterio after the match and hype his exclusivity to Smackdown. 

Backstage, Bob Holly demands to be in the number one contenders’ tournament.  Bob rags on the other entrants, but Steph blows him off for a phone call announced by Dawn Marie.  Bob berates Marie and then storms away.

[Commercial Break]

[Forceable Entry commercial airs featuring and intense Chris Benoit.]

[Commercial for the Hogan DVD airs.]

Back at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Cole and Tazz put over the Pledge to Participate Tour and highlights are shown. Angle, Edge, and Rock are featured with Gov. Pataki. 

Steph is shown on the phone with someone from Raw.  Steph offers to have Dawn deliver papers to the mystery person.  Matt Hardy barges in, asking when he will be in the tournament.  The caller hangs up on Steph, who is angry, and puts Matt in a non-title batch with Lesnar.  Matt is excited, and Steph is livid.

Backstage, Rikishi and Mark Lloyd are having a pow wow.  Rikishi remembers being F5’d, and announces his intent to destroy Lesnar.  Eddie Guerrero strides in and makes fun of Rikishi’s vow to give Brock a “piece of the ‘Kish.”  Eddie makes fun of Rikishi’s diaper being too tight and cutting off blood flow to Rikishi’s ass.  Eddie is angry about being overlooked for Brock, and Rikishi demands to know how to say “Back dat ass up” in Spanish before leaving a fuming Eddie.

[Fourth Quarter Hour]

[Commercial Break]

[Fozzy commercial airs.]

Lugz boot of the week:  Eddie’s chair gambit earlier tonight.

Eddie is in the ring as the break ends, with Rikishi following.

4.  Rikishi defeats Eddie Guerrero in 5:03

After tossing Eddie from a lockup, Edie comes back with a headlock.  Rikishi shoulder blocks Eddie off the ropes and punches Eddie, setting up a Stinkface tease.  Eddie gets up, escapes a body slam, and dropkicks the knees of Rikishi.  Eddie continues to work over the knee, leaping onto it while falling outside the ring.  Eddie uses the ring steps to further break down the knee.  Back in the ring, Eddie uses and ankle lock.  Tazz makes a good point by saying that Eddie isn’t doing a lot of good due to Rikishi’s fat.  Guerrero kicks Rikishi’s knee and beats him down into a corner, choking Rikishi, and then kicking him yet again.  Back on their feet, Rikishi fights back with right hands, but Eddie barely gets out of the way of Rikishi’s falling ass when Eddie was on the ground.  Great facials by Eddie. 

Eddie goes back to left leg of Rikishi, using his own knee as a fulcrum.  Rikishi fights back with chops, knocking away Guerrero.  Eddie again takes control but Eddie issues an elbow into the corner.  Rikishi hits a superkick on Guerrero for three at 5:03.

After the match, Benoit runs down and the two men doubleteam Rikishi, setting up a frogsplash by Eddie onto Rikishi’s back.  Benoit then locked on the Crossface, but Edge broke up the hold and cleared the ring.

[Fifth Quarter Hour]

The announcers ponder the status of Rikishi and wonder who the next in line for a match is.

[Commercial Break]

[WWE commercial ripping on MLB airs.]

Benoit walks backstage, and is criticized by Steph for his aggression and for losing the IC title.  Steph makes Benoit the next entrant.

Tajiri’s music hits, and he walks out accompanied by Jamie Noble and Nidia. Nidia poses for the announcers.  Cole mutters something about kissing and Nidia.  Shannon Moore, with the Hurricane, enters the ring next.

5.  Shannon Moore defeats Tajiri in 6:36.

Tajiri takes control first with an armbar but Moore gets a two count with an armdrag and heel kick.  Tajiri tosses Moore midsection first into the ropes, and begins to work on Moore’s back and neck with kicks and a headlock.  Cole and Tazz finally hype the phone call Steph made, and wonder who the Raw star is.  Tajiri hit a vicious heel kick on Moore, and then his great baseball slide into Moore’s head while he hung upside down on the ropes.  Tajiri went back to a headlock, with Noble cheering him on.  Tajiri locks on a modified Cobra Clutch, but Moore escaped into the ropes.  Tajiri punks out Moore and gets a two count when Moore put his foot on the ropes.  Another two for Tajiri.  Tajiri locked on another chinlock, while Hurricane tried to rouse Moore, who fought back with right hands after breaking the hold.  Moore hit an elbow and then a neckbreaker, and then a flying headscisors from the top rope.  Moore landed awkwardly, and Tajiri hit a brutal looking German suplex for two.  Noble tripped Moore, but was assaulted by the Hurricane.  Tajiri cleaned up the Hurricane, but was rolled up and defeated by Moore in 6:36. 

The announcers hype the contenders’ series as it’s time for a break.

[Commercial Break]

[An NOW highlight film is hyped for InDemand.  This is the first time I have seen WWE market something that is based mostly on WCW library footage.  Most interesting.]

[Sixth Quarter Hour]

Whack of the Night:  Rikishi’s superkick on Eddie, followed by the beatdown.

Back on the show, Rikishi is waiting in the ring for Benoit, who enters promptly. 

6.  Chris Benoit defeated Rikishi in 3:35.

Rikishi took the lead early with right hands, but Benoit stopped the momentum with an elbow, and then kicks to Rikishi in the corner.  Benoit continued to hammer at Rikishi, who tried to fight back with right hands and a Samoan drop, which hurt Rikishi.  Benoit locked on the Crossface suddenly.  The announcers urged Rikishi to struggle on, putting over the importance of the match.  Rikishi made it to the bottom rope, but Benoit drug him out and locked on the Crossface again, making Rikishi tap rapidly in 3:35.

Benoit smirked and went to the back, with the announcers speculating as to who the final challenger would be.

[Commercial Break]

Back from the break, Kurt Angle “apologized” for beating Rey Mysterio.  Kurt makes a pun about his medals, and speculates that he will be the final entrant in the series, making reference to Benoit’s stealing his medals and hiding them in his pants.  Angle turns serious and pledges to beat both Benoit and Lesnar.

Funaki tries to interview Brock Lesnar by grabbing Paul Heyman.  Heyman runs down Funaki, and Funaki decides it’s not a good time to bother Brock.  Matt Hardy shows up, and claims that from here on, WWE will have “Mattitude.”  Heyman and Funaki are stupefied as Matt departs, and Heyman enters the dressing room to inform Brock of Matt’s “death wish.”

[Commercial Break]

[“See it Live” spot airs.]

[Seventh Quarter Hour]

Lesnar and Heyman enter to good heat.  The “animalistic future of the WWE” has arrived, according to Cole.  Cole really puts over Lesnar, probably a little too much so to sound believable.  Matt Came out to mild applause as well as some boos.

7.  Brock Lesnar defeated Matt Hardy in 3: 39.

Lesnar drills Hardy to the outside as he strutted on the second rope.  Lesnar forces Hardy into the post, and then continued the back assault by driving him into the turnbuckle and giving him repeated shoulder blocks.  Hardy dodged a block and then hit an elbow, but was immediately driven down with a clothesline after a legsweep.  Lesnar grabbed Matt’s right arm and began to choke the prone Matt Hardy, throwing in clotheslines for good measure.  Lesnar punked out Hardy by slapping him, but Hardy scored a two-count rollup.  Lesnar took control again with a belly-to-belly suplex.  A powerful scoop-slam led to more strutting by Brock.  Lesnar is showing a lot of confidence and heelish posturing in this match. 

Hardy threw Lesnar out of the ring but was caught in mid air attempting a flying body press.  Hardy took control and tried for a Twist of Fate which was reversed into an F5 for three in 3:39.  Tazz puts over Lesnar as the “scariest human he’s ever seen.”  Lesnar took the belt and began to walk to the back, but hesitated and then returned to the ring to deliver a pair of powerbombs after Hardy gave the Hardy Boyz hand signal.  Heyman was pleased.

The announcers hyped the main even of Benoit and Angle, but Dawn Marie was shown delivering papers to Steph, who then made the match a triple threat.  Dawn dialed up Bischoff to make sure he watched the debut.

[Commercial Break]

[Eighth Quarter Hour]

Blast of the Night:  Benoit’s Crossface on Rikishi

Returning from the break, Benoit waited in the ring for Angle and the mystery opponent from Raw.  The announcers expressed their puzzlement at who the mystery man could be.  Angle entered to a lot of crowd heat.  Steph came out to announce the mystery opponent…. “A legendary superstar…. The Undertaker!”  The crowd pop was good, as Angle and Benoit looked surprised in the ring. 

8.  The Undertaker defeated Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle in 8:49 to earn a number one contender’s status.

Angle and Benoit began by double-teaming the Undertaker, beating him in a corner.  Cole put over Angle and Benoit’s submission specialties.  Undertaker fought off both men, while Cole stressed that the first man to score a pinfall would win.  I would prefer an elimination match, but alas.  Angle crotched Taker on the ropes, and the doubleteam began again.  Doubleteam backbody drop on the Undertaker.  After dispatching Taker from the ring, Angle tackled Benoit and tried for the Ankle Lock, but Benoit escaped, only to receive two German suplexes.  Benoit reversed, and hit 2 Germans of his own.  Angle then reversed yet again and hit another German, and locked on the Ankle Lock.  Benoit made it to the ropes, but Angle continued to apply pressure with Taker on the outside.  Benoit hit a release German which flipped Angle and scored a two count when the Undertaker saved reentered the ring and began to beat on Benoit as Angle languished on the outside.  A Big Boot from taker le to a two count.  Undertaker signaled for the Last Ride,  but Angle hit the knee of the Undertaker.  Angle tried to bring in a chair, but Benoit was able to hit a hard chairshot while the ref was distracted.  Angle drug Benoit off Taker and tried for his own pin attempt, but Taker kicked out.  All three men in the ring at 5:20, but Taker threw Angle out.  Benoit then hit a German on Taker who fought his way out of another with elbows.  Taker then hit a chokeslam for two, but Angle locked in the Ankle lock breaking up the pin.  Take was able to flip taker in a preposterous spot, and knocked him to the floor.  Benoit then used the Crossface on Taker, who struggled to get to the ropes.  Angle reentered and locked on an Ankle Lock to Taker.  The announcers wondered what would happen if Taker tapped and both men were involved.  Angle missed an Angle slam on Benoit, who used the Crossface, but Angle reversed and used the Ankle Lock on Benoit.  Taker remained lying to the side.  Benoit cried out and tried to make it to the ropes.  Cole and Tazz think Benoit would tap, but he made it to the ropes but was drug out.  Benoit kicked Angle away into a rollup by Taker for two.  Angle slam to Undertaker, but Angle was tossed from the ring.  Undertaker got up and set up Benoit for the Last Ride, hitting it for three at 8:49.  The Undertaker is now the Number One Contender. 

As the match ended, Cole and Tazz put over the Undertaker’s surprise appearance and hyped the coming match with Lesnar. 

Summary:  A solid if not spectacular Smackdown.  The Undertaker’s appearance was a surprise, but it leaves Raw very thin on several levels.  Also, I’d prefer someone younger and fresher to face Lesnar, but the triple threat match was at least passably good.  I like the idea of the double submission ending, and wouldn’t have minded seeing where that could have gone.  However, the match did a good job of not making the Undertaker look like he could defeat two excellent workers by himself.   Well done.

2005 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:

This week's Raw emanated from Tampa, Florida and opened with a video package reviewing last week's You're Fired Match between WWE champion John Cena and Chris Jericho, which featured the WWE departure of Jericho and Kurt Angle's attack on Cena. They then aired the Raw opening video.

WWE Intercontinental champion Carlito Caribbean Cool came to the ring for this week's installment of Carlito's Cabana. Carlito said that now that his good friend Chris Jericho has been fired, there's no more Highlight Reel, and that's cool.

 He then introduced Shawn Michaels as his special guest this week. Michaels came to the ring dressed in a suit and tie. Cool said that he hates to admit it, but he admires Michaels. Cool said the things Michaels have done and accomplished in the ring have paved the way for the things that Carlito has accomplished in WWE. He asked Michaels if it was ironic that he was now a guest on Carlito's Cabana because Carlito is the Intercontinental champion. Carlito said that he used to look up to Michaels, but now its the other way. Michaels called him an egomaniac and asked that he be sympathetic because Michaels can't deal with any more ego in his career, taking a shot at Hulk Hogan. Michaels then asked Carlito how long he's been Intercontinental champion. The crowd chanted "Hogan" and Michaels quipped that he wouldn't be coming back until he needs another payoff.

Michaels asked if people are talking about Cool's matches and said that they aren't because they are still talking about his matches ten years ago. He told Carlito that he hasn't had  had any matches to speak of and said that it's the man who makes the title, not the other way around. He asked Carlito when was the last time he defended the Intercontinental championship, but Carlito ducked the question saying that no one has the cajones to face him. Carlito claimed that even Ric Flair backed down from him. He told Michaels that, “Guys like you need to learn there's a pecking order around here...a ladder so to speak." Carlito said that he was at the top while Michaels was down on the bottom. He grabbed an apple and saying that by Shawn coming on his show and insulting him, that's not cool. Michaels warned him that if he took a bite of the apple, Shawn would kick it down his throat.

Carlito asked him to calm down and said that he had another guest tonight, introducing Chris Masters. Michaels took his suit jacket off and loosened his tie. Masters said that Michaels talks tough but would pass out to the Master Lock. Michaels said that after 21 years in wrestling, he's smart enough not to get into these situations and attacked Masters and Cool. Cool DDT'd Michaels and Masters called for the Master Lock. Before he had the chance to do so, Ric Flair hit the ring in street clothes and made the save. Michaels clotheslined Masters over the top. Michaels and Flair embraced after running off their foes.

When they returned from commercial, Carlito and Masters were complaining to Eric Bischoff. Bischoff ruled that he was putting off the Masterlock Challenge until next week, and announced Michaels & Flair vs. Carlito & Masters for later tonight.

Big Show vs. Steve Madison & Buck Quartermain in a handicap match

Jim Ross said that Show, who was growing his hair in, was having problems finding opponents of late. They both attacked Show. He flung Madison away as Buck went for his legs. Show chopped the hell out of Buck in the corner. He then did the same to Madison. He hit Madison with a huge hiptoss, then hit the same on Buck and Madison retreated to the floor. Show pulled them up on the apron but they kicked him and snapped him throat first over the ropes. They tried to suplex Show together but he reversed it. An angry Show cleaned house on both and called for a double chokeslam. He hit it and scored the pin. Your winner, The Big Show.

Gene Snitsky attacked Show immediately after the bell. Show knocked him out of the ring but Snitsky jumped back in and cracked Show with the ring bell from behind. He hit Show in the back of the head, knocking him out. Snitsky stood over the fallen Show and celebrated. The crowd chanted "You suck" at Snitsky.

They showed a replay of last week's attack on Ashley by Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle.

Wilson and Michelle came to the ring, wearing matching silver outfits. It appeared they were trying to outdo Melina's entrance with Michelle coming up between Wilson's legs. Wilson said that last week they shocked everyone by coming to Raw and no one more then the woman they “initiated " last week, Ashley. They asked her to come out, in a not so sincere manner, saying they felt bad and wanted to apologize. Ashely came to the ring. Michelle said that she and Wilson were really sorry and she wanted to apologize from the bottom of her heart. She asked for forgiveness. Ashley said she was skeptical but that if they were serious, she accepts. They said that they wanted to show how sorry they were by pulling some strings with Eric Bischoff getting Ashley her very first wrestling match tonight.  Ashley said that she knew what was going on and asked who she was facing. They told her she wasn'tt facing them, but Victoria.

Ashley Massaro vs. Victoria

Ashley shoved Wilson and Michelle down and kicked Victoria through the ropes as she got to the ring. She unleashed a series of punches but Victoria came back and dragged her into the ring. Ross said Ashley was “still in training and this wasn't fair". Victoria hit the Widow's Peak and scored the pin. All three looked down at the beaten Ashley.

They aired a vignette of TNT in a bar promising they were coming to be WWE World Tag Team champions. Trevor Murdoch, who was doing shots, really looks like Dick Murdoch. I like that as Murdoch was one of the all time great characters in the business and was pretty entertaining.

Edge was sitting with Altarbridge, which performs his theme song. They were playing a song and Todd Grisham tried to ask Edge a question. He asked where Lita was and Edge said that she was running an errand for him. Edge said he feels great about his Street Fight and said he would finish what he started at Summerslam. He said Matt Hardy can go back to his website and his whining postings and his “podunk independent shows that no one has ever heard of" after tonight because Tampa will be the burial site of his wrestling career.

Backstage, Matt Hardy was pacing the halls. Lita showed up and said that she wanted to warn him before his match because she spent a long time "warming Edge up."  She unzippered her shirt and asked what it felt like to know that he'll never experience her body again. She said that it probably feels pathetic because he is pathetic and told him to go to hell. Hardy looked at her for a long time and smirked. He said he's taking Edge with him. He walked off, leaving a worried Lita behind.

When they returned from commercial, they showed several members of the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at ringside.

Backstage, someone ran up to Shawn Michaels and said Ric Flair was down. They ran over to find a bloodied and unconscious Flair. Michaels was upset and screaming. I am guessing it was Triple H.

Edge vs. Matt Hardy in a Streetfight

Edge came out wearing jeans like an old school NWA Streetfight. He and Hardy both looked intense as they came to the ring. Hardy unloaded with a series of rights and backed Edge into the corner. They went to the floor where Hardy threw him into the crowd. They brawled back and forth. They battled up the arena stairs. They returned to the ringside area, where Hardy nailed Edge and then pulled out a ladder. As they went to commercial, Edge nailed Hardy.

When they returned, they showed clips of action from the commercial including a superplex. The ladder was propped in the corner. Edge went to spear Hardy off the apron but was hit with a trash can lid. Hardy whipped him into the ladder. Hardy and Edge battled atop of the ladder. Hardy knocked Edge off then hit a legdrop from the top of the ladder. He scored a two count. Hardy went to hit Edge but was nailed then struck with a Kendo Stick. Edge grabbed a steel chair and laid Hardy atop of it. He grabbed a second chair and went for a conchairto, but Hardy took his legs out from under him. Hardy and Edge pulled themselves up and stared at each other from opposite corners. Hardy went after Edge but was flapjacked into the ladder. Edge nailed him with the trash can lid several times. The referee pulled Edge away and asked Hardy if he could continue. Hardy said he could. The referee kept checking on Hardy. Edge began battering him with rights and Hardy, who had just gotten to his feet, went back down. Edge hit a Yakuza Kick to Hardy's face., The referee was going to stop the match but Hardy begged him not to. Edge hit him again. The crowd began chanting for Hardy. Edge put Hardy's head next to the stairs and went for a Yakuza Kick but Hardy moved at the last minute. On the floor, Edge tried to DDT Hardy on the steps but Hardy fought him off and hit a DDT of his own.

Hardy battered Edge's  head into the ring steps several times and grabbed a chair. Lita hit him from behind with Edge's briefcase. Hardy went after her but Edge took Hardy down. Edge and Hardy battled on the floor. Hardy rolled Edge back in the ring, grabbed the ladder and ran it into Edge several times like a battering ram. He pulled Edge over the ladder, which was laid out across the mat. Hardy went for a moonsault but Edge moved. They both rolled to the floor and began brawling again. Edge got a trash can and beat it over Hardy's back. They brawled up the ramp and Hardy threw Edge into the Titantron wall. Lita went after Hardy. They teased Hardy was going to piledriver her out of respect for Tommy Dreamer's legacy but Edge stopped him. Hardy tried to throw Edge off the stage but he saved himself. Edge tried to spear Hardy off but Hardy moved and Edge saved himself. Hardy grabbed Edge and hit the sidewinder off the stage onto "electrical equipment" which sparked after they hit it. The referees were screaming to have the power turned off and neither man got up. Eric Bischoff and all the officials came out. They were putting collars on both men's necks as they went to commercial. I guess that means it's a no contest. A really great brawl with an awesome spot at the end. This was the followup they needed to put some buzz back into the storyline after their Summerslam bout.

They returned from the commercial break with both men being checked by officials. A somber Jim Ross said that Edge was complaining of neck pain and noted his previous neck surgeries. They replayed the big bump at the end of the match. They had the EMTS carting both men to the ambulances with Lita consoling Edge. They replayed the spot again before going back to commercial. The follow up was great and just exactly the heavy type of angle that has been missing from WWE's version of sports-entertainment of late. It was a really good intense brawl with a serious followup to the major bump that ended it.

When they returned to the show, WWE champion John Cena made his way to the ring. Cena said that last week he was attacked by Kurt Angle and that's the bad news. He said the good news was that he saved a bunch of money on his car insurance. He then said the great news is that after last week, the champ is still here. He challenged Angle to come to the ring if he wanted some of Cena.

Angle's music began to play and Angle came out on stage. Angle said that he must have hurt Cena's brain more then he thought he had, if Cena is calling out Angle. He warned Cena that he didn't want anything of Angle and showed the footage from last week. Angle said he wasn't going to get in the ring and risk losing his PPV title shot. He said that with all due respect, he wasn't Chris Jericho and ran down his collegiate and Olympic wrestling credentials. He said that Cena has been wrestling for 5-6 years while Angle has been wrestling his entire life and is at the top of his game. He ran down his recent wins including Shawn Michaels, Eugene, and Shelton Benjamin. The crowd chanted, "ass***" at Angle. Angle said he's never been more vicious in his life and he wants the WWE title more then any other time in his career. He says he doesn't care about anyone or anything that gets in his way. Cena tried to speak but Angle told him to shut his mouth. Angle said at Unforgiven, he was going to end Cena's charade and make him tap out, calling him a street punk.

Cena began reciting Angle' accomplishments back to him and said he might be the baddest man alive, but I'm still calling your a** out.  He took off his shirt. Angle asked him if he really wanted a piece of him, walking slowly to the ring. Ross called Angle a “Blue Eyed Demon. That's an AWESOME nickname for Angle. Angle teased getting in the ring, then walked out. Angle stopped and began arguing with the fans and began walking back to the ring. He got up on the apron and had a staredown with Cena but got back down and walked away.

Cena said that he forgot that Angle likes Cena said that no one is judging him and turned his back to Angle, saying he was"putting the vibe out there" and Angle can do anything he wants. He said, “Nobody's watching us."  Angle tackled Cena and took him down, then turned him into the Ankle Lock. Cena kicked him off and knocked him out of the ring. He jumped up and dared Angle to return to the ring. The referees stopped Angle from getting back in and walked him to the back. Cena's music played and he played to the crowd.

They showed boxer Ronald Wright at ringside. Jim Ross said that Ric Flair, Matt Hardy, and Edge have all gone to the hospital tonight.

Tyson Tomko vs. WWE World Tag Team champion Rosey.

They showed highlights of Tomko's recent wins on Sunday Night Heat, putting over that he's been on a role. Hurricane came to the ring with Rosey. They locked up and Tomko shoved off Rosey. Tomko took Rosey down and hit him with a series of knee strikes to the back and neck. Rosey shoved him off and went to the ropes but Tomko kicked him in the gut as he was in the air. Rosey was knocked out and they stopped the bout. Tomko kicked and knocked out Hurricane after the bell. That does wonders for the Tag Team straps. Your winner by knockout, Tyson Tomko.

They showed clips of Carlito's Cabana from earlier tonight. They said that due to Flair going to the hospital, Michaels would be facing Carlito and Masters in a handicap match.

Shawn Michaels vs. WWE Intercontinental champion Carlito Caribbean Cool & Chris Masters  Handicap Match

Michaels and Carlito started out with Michaels evading Carlito after he was backed into a corner. Michaels locked up Carlito with a wristlock, but was decked. Masters tagged in and they doubleteamed Michaels in their corner. They both stomped Michaels before Masters got out of the ring. Carlito continued the assault, kneeing Michaels in the solar plexus. He worked over Michaels with chops in the corner and then whipped Michaels into the ropes, nailing him with an elbow as he rebounded for a two count. Michaels made a comeback and chopped Cool into the corner. He attempted to shoulderblock Carlito in the corner, but he moved. Michaels' shoulder hit the ringpost. Carlito peppered Michaels with punches. Michaels hit a back suplex on Cool. Cool whipped Michaels into the ropes but Michaels hit a swinging neckbreaker as he came off the ropes. Michaels hit an inverted atomic drop and a clothesline. He knocked Masters off the apron and clotheslined Cool over the ropes. Michaels skinned the cat and then backdropped Masters out of the ring as they went to commercial.

When they returned, Michaels was coming off the ropes with a flying forearm while rebounding off the ropes. Michaels hit an elbow off the top ropes and began signalling for Sweet Chin Music. Chris Master cut him off and whipped him into the corner, getting a two count. Masters hit a backbreaker over his knee on Michaels, then nailed another. He tried to force a submission by forcing Michaels' back backwards over his knee but Shawn broke free with several punches. Michaels and Masters fought back and forth in the corner. He whipped Michaels into the corner, where he did a flip bump, and then gorilla pressed and slammed Michaels.

Masters went for the Masterlock, but Shawn turned and hit a series of rights. Michaels hit a big DDT on Masters. Flair, bandaged up, ran to the ring in his street clothes to the ring and tagged in going off with offense on Carlito and Masters. Flair chopped Masters and worked him over with punches. Flair went for the figure four on Masters, but Carlito struck a low blow. Michaels tossed Carlito out of the ring and hit a plancha to the floor. Masters locked the Masterlock on Flair, who was still feeling the effects of the low blow in the middle of the ring. Flair tried to fight it off but faded fast and went out. The referee called for the bell. Your winners by submission, Carlito Caribbean Cool and Chris Masters. As they went off the air, Jim Ross pushed that Michaels would be in next week's Masterlock Challenge.


2006 - Chris Jericho, who fronts metal band Fozzy, is eliminated on the first episode of FOX reality series "Celebrity Duets."

2007 - TNA officially began to quietly tell wrestlers that the Impact series would be expanded in the Fall of 2007 to a two hour series on SpikeTV.

2008 - Imus Sidekick Rob Bartlett, who does character voices and sidekick duties on Don Imus's morning show, heard locally on WJZW (105.9 FM), has been hospitalized suffering from multiple blood clots. Bartlett made a full recovery.  Bartlett was one of the first hosts of Monday Night Raw, alongside Randy Savage and Vince McMahon.  Beyond his duties with Imus, Bartlett has appeared in featured roles in a number of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including recent stagings of Little Shop of Horrors and Sweet Charity.  He's regularly popped up in guest-starring roles on New York-based TV series, including Law & Order.

2008 - WWE broadcast Smackdown.  Taylor Millard filed the following TV report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage Smackdown coming from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh.

No opening theme (except for a quick “Welcome to Friday Night Smackdown!” from JR) as the gong sounds, the lights go dark, the flames leap into the air, and the Undertaker makes his way towards the ring. JR recaps the history between Undertaker/Edge/Vickie and Tazz says “That’s just the beginning” and they discuss Edge being sent to Hell by the Phenom. JR says Vickie tried to apologize to the Undertaker last week (emphasis on try).

Undertaker stands in the middle of the ring with a mic and tells Vickie he’s not the forgiving kind. He tells her he will be coming for her and her soul, while La Familia watches in the back. Undertaker says Vickie will burn in Hell, after he takes her soul. He then kneels in the ring and it goes up in flames. In Vickie’s office, Chavo, Bam Neely, and the Edgeheads slowly back out, leaving Vickie locked in the room alone. Undertaker with slow paces towards the back and JR tells us Jeff Hardy and MVP will face each other in a Summerslam rematch. Tazz then says there will be a ‘Champion vs. Champion’ match with Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and a vignette for R-Truth is shown. Clips of Truth walking through the ghetto, talking how he can never hide from the truth, building a better future, and wanting to head towards the top.

The bell rings and Justin Rogers says, “Making his Smackdown debut is R-Truth”. Tazz says this is the much anticipated debut for R-Truth. JR talks about Truth’s mistakes and Tazz says he’s pointing his life in a positive direction. Out next is Kenny Dykstra with a mic who says he’s done everything he can to make the company care for him, but no one does. Says he’s a hot prospect while Truth is a convict. Talks about how he never had vignettes, promos, and he never went to jail. Says the company needs to build around him, not R-Truth.

Match One: R-Truth (Ron Killings) vs. Kenny Dykstra:

R-Truth with a quick uppercut to Dykstra’s chin, then he goes for a quick cover but ony gets one.  Dykstra sends Truth into the corner and gets a two count. JR says he admires Dykstra’s talent and brashness, but if he’s going to be like this he has to “just win”. JR and Tazz agree Dykstra is jealous of Truth, as Dykstra focuses on Truth’s back. Truth with a shoulder throw, then several clotheslines to Dykstra. The man formerly known as Ron Killings hits a nice looking corkscrew flying elbow, gives Dykstra a scissors kick, and gets the win. Winner by pinfall: R-Truth.

After the match, highlights of R-Truth are showed and JR says he truly wants to be a WWE superstar.

Michelle McCool is shown getting her picture taken and Maryse interrupts her. McCool says Maryse will never be Divas champion because she doesn’t have talent. Maryse says, she has everything and McCool won’t be Divas champion soon. Maryse leaves with an “Aur Voir” for Michelle McCool.

Back from commercial and the WWE Rewind from last week, where Maryse and Natalya Neidhart attacked Maria during her match with Natalya. McCool made the save but Tazz said it was a setup.

JR says Diva action is getting hotter than ever, as Michelle McCool heads to the ring. Tazz says the young lady is a tremendous role model and always has a smile on her face. Out comes Maria, who Tazz says he loves. Out next is Maryse, with a nice cloak and a cocky attitude. Tazz says Maryse is the sexiest of the sexy. Out next is Natalya Neidhart, who represents Canada very well. Tazz says Natalya is all about power and says she reminds him of her dad…just without the goatee.

Match Two: Michelle McCool and Maria vs. Natalya Neidhart and Maryse:

McCool and Natalya start off the match, as McCool reverses a side headlock into a quick cover. Back to their feet and McCool sends Natalya into the ropes with a takedown, then a Russian leg sweep. Maria with a tag and she hits several kicks, but takes a shot to the face. Maria with an inside cradle, but Natalya kicks out and gives a nasty right hand to Maria. Natalya misses a leg drop but Maria is forced into the corner. Maryse tags in but takes several punches to the face. Maria goes into the ropes, but takes a cheap shot forearm from Natalya. Maria knocks Natalya off the apron, but takes a very nasty looking DDT from Maryse. Maryse with the pin and the victory. Winner by pinfall: Maryse and Natalya Neidhart.

After the bell, Maryse and McCool catfight out of the ring and Tazz says Maryse wants the Divas title. Natalya pulls McCool off of Maryse and the French-Canadian hits a stiff forearm to the face. Natalya and Maryse laugh as they head to the back. Tazz says McCool needs to be careful with Maryse wanting her title.

A video recap of the MVP/Jeff Hardy feud is shown.  MVP is talking about the risks Hardy takes and how’s he’s a detriment to everyone around him.  Highlights of MVP’s sneak attacks against Hardy are shown, followed by highlights of Summerslam, with Shelton Benjamin’s interference. Video ends with MVP saying he’s better than Hardy.

Eve Torres then welcomes Jeff Hardy. A very fiery Hardy says MVP is criticizing everything he does, but he’s only an obstacle in his quest for the WWE Championship. Hardy says MVP and his attitude will be flat on his back. Hardy walks off and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and the rules for the Championship Scramble Match are shown. JR says Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin is later on tonight.

In the back, Vickie is shown locked in her office. She tries to get a phone line out but can’t. With authority she throws the phone against the wall.

Back to the ring and on his way to it is Jeff Hardy (with his own version of the Game Fountain). JR says it seems Hardy is extremely anxious for tonight’s match and Tazz says he respects Hardy calling MVP an obstacle. JR says now is the time for Hardy to seek retribution. Out next is MVP, who JR says could be a natural disaster for Jeff Hardy if he nails the drive-by kick.

Match Three: Jeff Hardy vs. MVP:

The bell rings and MVP says “Come on let’s go”. The two stare at each other, while MVP talks trash. Two shoves by the combatants and Hardy with the first takedown. Hardy with a headlock and JR says Hardy doesn’t always take chances. Tazz says Hardy is a good wrestler, not just a high-flyer. MVP sends Hardy into the ropes, but takes two shoulder blocks by Hardy. Tazz says the momentum is on the side of Hardy, just as MVP sends him out of the ring. Hardy lands on his feet and lands several right hands against MVP. MVP goes to the outside to regroup and Tazz says that’s not a bad thing to do. MVP into the ring and the two lock up. Another headlock by Hardy, but MVP uses the hair to send him down. Smack talk by MVP but he takes a leg sweep to the ground. Several good arm drags by Hardy, who then gives MVP a shoulder wrench. JR says he’s asking MVP for a loan next time he hears MVP say he is the highest paid Smackdown superstar. Charles Robinson tells MVP to get out of the corner and wrestle. Quick elbow by MVP who starts to focus on Hardy’s leg but Hardy remains one step ahead of him. Hardy gets a two count and MVP takes another time out. Hardy attacks MVP on the outside. We go to commercial with both men down outside the ring.

Back from commercial, with Jeff Hardy and MVP punching each other but Hardy is sent into the turnbuckle. MVP gives Hardy a hard kick and he goes to the outside. MVP continues the attack on the outside and Tazz says Hardy has a ton of intestinal fortitude. MVP with two pins but Hardy kicks out of both at two. Tazz says MVP is starting to get frustrated. MVP with an abdominal stretch, but Hardy counters but standing up and falling onto his back (a side slam from an abdominal stretch). Hardy with a kick to MVP’s face, goes for the swanton but MVP counters with knees to Hardy’s chest. MVP with a low dropkick into the ring post then gives Hardy a back stretch against the ringpost. Hardy kicks out at two and JR praises MVP for not complaining when he didn’t get three. MVP with another kick and another cover but only gets a two count. MVP taunts Hardy but takes a punch for it. Another cover, another kick out. Camel clutch by MVP and Tazz talks about how it affects the whole spinal region of Hardy. Hardy gets to the ropes and JR says this might be a Championship Scramble preview but Hardy wants to beat MVP tonight. Scoop slam by MVP, then a knee to the heart. Hardy kicks out again. MVP with a back suplex but Hardy kicks out at two again. Hardy with punches but MVP with a quick throw and a cover, but only two. Tazz says he’s digging the match and wonders what MVP has to do to beat Jeff Hardy. The two exchange right hands and Hardy with a kick to the gut. Jeff Hardy tries to climb the turnbuckles but takes a nasty fall to the mat. It looked nasty. MVP with a cover but Hardy kicks out. Tazz says he hopes Hardy’s okay as MVP tries for a suplex from the top rope, but Hardy counters. Hardy with a cover but only gets two. MVP tries to go for the drive-by but Hardy counters. Hardy with Whisper in the Wind, then a swanton bomb and gets the win via pinfall. Winner by Pinfall: Jeff Hardy.

Tazz says he can’t believe Hardy won, but Shelton Benjamin nails Hardy with Paydirt. MVP says, “Nice work” but Benjamin then nails MVP with Paydirt. Tazz says Benjamin didn’t forget the inadvertent drive-by kick from two weeks ago. More highlights of the match are shown (which was really good by the way), then a recap of Benjamin’s attack on Hardy and MVP. Tazz wonders if Paydirt is in the future for Triple H and the match between the two is hyped and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and we learn Tazz is a big Jets fan because the Steelers are in the front row.

Josh Matthews and Candice Michelle then give highlights of the Democratic National Convention.

It is Biscuits and Gravy time as Jesse and Festus (who apparently do vote) make their way out to the ring. Tazz calls Festus very dangerous and the Edgeheads (Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins) come out to the ring. Tazz says he’s happy for the Edgeheads being WWE Tag “Champeens” because they’re Long Island Boys.

Match Four: Jesse and Festus vs. Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins:

The bell rings and Festus quickly takes out Hawkins and Ryder. The Edgeheads huddle outside and JR says it’s a non-title match. All of a sudden…here comes The Big Show, who looks rather annoyed. Tazz says he’s not sure why he’s out there. Big Show takes out the Edgeheads and JR says this is an example of manhandling. Show takes the mic, smiles, introduces himself, and wonders why he was left out of the Scramble Match. Show says he will never be overlooked again and says “My bad” and “Oops” with interrupting the match. He also calls it an “oversight”, then leaves. No contest.

We go to commercial.

Back from commercial with Vickie still locked in her office. If she’s trapped in the office, why is the cameraman with her?

Out comes Victoria, who is called a classic in the Diva’s division on Smackdown. JR says he loves WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand (somewhere Jared is cursing aloud). Then out comes Brie Bella from my future hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. Victoria taunts Brie with a version of her own dance before the bell rings.

Match Five: Victoria vs. Brie Bella:

The two lock up and Victoria controls from the start (with her usual form of taunting). Victoria sends Brie into the ring but Brie with a quick cover and two quick snap mares. Victoria with a backbreaker, but Brie kicks out. Brie sent into the turnbuckle and Victoria with a nasty suplex. Standing moonsault by Victoria but Brie kicks out at two. Victoria with a hard dropkick which sends Brie to the outside. Brie tries to crawl under the ring, but is pulled out by Victoria. Tazz says Brie’s hurt and that’s why she tried to escape to kill time. Brie then gets a small package out of nowhere and Victoria loses. Tazz and JR say Victoria fell asleep at the wheel, as Brie smiles at her victory. Winner by Pinfall: Brie Bella

Raw Rebound focuses on Cena’s injury, as well as highlights of Cena’s surgery shown. Mike Adamle then announces Rey Mysterio is the replacement for Cena in Raw’s Championship Scramble Match at Unforgiven.

JR then plugs the Triple H/Shelton Benjamin match and we go to commercial.

We’re back and The Brian Kendrick says he won the biggest match of his career last week. Kendrick says he doesn’t need to beat all the others this week, but is spending his time studying ‘The Art of War’ and the masters. It’s not about who wins the little battles, but who wins the war. Kendrick says the Scramble Match is all about who gets the last pin. JR says if The Brian Kendrick becomes WWE Champion he can write a new book.

The two announcers run down the Unforgiven card including: the Scramble Matches, the Chris Jericho/Shawn Michaels unsanctioned match (but the Cryme Tyme/Simply Priceless match isn’t mentioned).

It’s time to play The Game, as Triple H makes his way to the ring. JR wonders if he’s the odds-on underdog to lose the WWE Championship at Unforgiven. Champion vs. Champion coming up next and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and WWE’s Slam of the Week is shown, with Triple H’s attack on Khali to help Jeff Hardy qualify for the Championship Scramble Match.

Comments from Shelton Benjamin are shown, who calls himself the Gold Standard of the WWE. Speaking of Shelton Benjamin, out to the ring he comes and Tazz says his confidence and swagger make him deadly. Benjamin’s attack on Hardy and MVP is shown and JR says he sent a message but he needs to let his actions do the talking against Triple H.

Match Six: WWE Champion Triple H vs. United States Champion Shelton Benjamin (neither title are on the line):

The bell rings and the two circle before locking up. Quick arm drag by Benjamin, as Tazz puts over the Scramble match. Tazz says Triple H picks his spots, as Triple H gets Benjamin into a headlock. Shoulder block by the WWE champion but the US Champion counters with several arm drags. Tazz wonders if Benjamin has Triple H scouted and JR says Benjamin is just really athletic and praises him for it. Triple H with his own arm drag, but Benjamin quick to recover. Triple H gives Benjamin a right hand and down goes Benjamin. Triple H sends Benjamin into the corner and nails him with several rights to the face. Triple H works on the arm, but Benjamin opens up several quick rights. Triple H locks on an armbar and forces Benjamin to the mat. Benjamin breaks free but Triple H counters with a very physical counter (to quote JR). Tazz says Triple H does a good job at keeping a match at his pace. Benjamin with knees to the quad of Triple H. Tazz says it’s a smart game plan since Triple H has a history of quad injuries. Benjamin escapes a Pedigree attempt and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and Triple H is crawling across the ground trying to get back in the ring. He’s outside the ring because Benjamin sent him out with a hard Irish whip into the corner. Benjamin with a neck breaker but Triple H kicks out at two. Benjamin keeps Triple H in a neck vice and Tazz says it’s like trying to rip off a bottle cap off of a bottle. Benjamin with a Figure Four headlock, but Triple H counters for a quick pin (only netting one). Benjamin charges and takes an elbow to the face. Benjamin tries to suplex Triple H from the inside of the ring to the outside. Triple H counters the move by attempting a suplex of his own, but Benjamin lands on his feet and nails a neck breaker (nice move). Benjamin gets a two count. Triple H with a kick and down goes Benjamin. Benjamin with a successful splash to Triple H in the corner. He goes for another one and misses, then takes shot to the head. Both men hit the ground and the ref starts counting them out. Ref gets to eight on the count but both men get up. A Harley Race-like high knee by Triple H, then a power slam, but Benjamin kicks out at two. Triple H with a DDT, but Benjamin kicks out at two. Benjamin with a VERY hard kick and Triple H is out. Cover by Benjamin, but Triple H kicks out. Spinebuster by Triple H and Tazz says his timing was perfect. Triple H tries for the Pedigree, but Benjamin with a backbreaker. Cover, but only two. Facebuster by the Game, but here comes Khali (with Ranjin Singh). Benjamin goes for Paydirt, but Triple H counters with a Pedigree and gets the win. Winner by pinfall: Triple H.

Triple H dares Khali to come into the ring, but Khali stands near the ring, popping his knuckles. Benjamin nails Triple H with the US Title and holds his title up (with JR saying it’s all about the gold). Benjamin signals for the belt and exits the ring. Khali now gets into the ring and gives Triple H a tree chokeslam. Khali stands victorious over Triple H and a recap of the end of the match is shown.

In the back Vickie is shown still locked in her office, quivering in fear. Suddenly, the lights go out and the show ends with Vickie’s screams of horror.

2009 - NBC aired a broadcast version of Wrestlemania 25.

2010 - JC Bailey, real name Joseph Carl Bailey Jr., passed away from a brain aneurysm. He was only 26 years old.

Bailey, the namesake and son of promoter Joe Bailey, had been wrestling since 2001 and was originally trained by Ian Rotten, Chris Hero and Tracy Smothers. He worked for a number of promotions, specializing in Death Matches and utilizing a high flying style with a lot of crazy spots, most notable Rotten's IWA Mid-South and Combat Zone Wrestling.

Bailey was CZW's first Ultraviolent Underground champion and had won IWA Mid-South's King of the Death Match tournament. He also held the CZW Tag Team belts with the late Chris Cash. He had been involved in a number of major IWA angles including the promotion's original invasion of CZW several years back, which was an incredibly heated angle.

Bailey had returned to wrestling at the end of 2009, making a surprise return to CZW just days after being released from jail, where he served a multi-year sentence for a TV theft. This past June, he had won the aforementioned IWA Mid-South Death Match tournament and had just also competed in CZW's Tournament of Death, losing to Scotty Vortekz in the finals.

2010 - World Wrestling Today ran El Paso, Texas.  Patrick Torres filed the following live report:

The promotion was called World Wrestling Today and it was held in a minor league baseball stadium named Cohen Stadium. This was the first wrestling event ever held there.

This even was original scheduled for July but was postponed due to thunderstorms. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of buzz going into the show last night and there was a lot less advertising. A lot of my friends, who would normally go, did not go because of a lack of confidence that the show was actually going to take place.

I can't be certain about paid attendance but there seemed to be a good 900 to 1200 people in the stands. The stadium has 9000 permanent seats. Of course they added seats on the filed around the ring. I am not sure how 900 stacks up in the world of independent wrestling.

There was a very long lucha libre six man tag team match to start off the show. It was 2 out of the 3 falls and each fall had to have a double pin. Very confusing. It was fun and the wrestlers were very entertaining. I literally have no idea what their names were.

Konnan and a luchadore defeated Rodney Mack and a luchadore. Konnan appeared to be in really bad shape. I mean really bad. Not weight or physical wise but medically. He literally had a hard time getting into the ring. Inside the ring, all he could do is punches and clothelines. They did a spot where the heels were against the turnbuckles and the face hopped to the second rope to deliver punches. Rodney Mack had to literally pick up Konnan to get him onto the second rope. After Konnan delivered the 10 punches, Mack had to lower him back down. Very sad to see.

Jazz defeated Simply Luscious is a very fun match. The crowd loved it.

Rikishi defeated Rob Terry. Rikishi is really big now. The wrestlers entered the stadium from right field. They would then walk all the way to the pitchers mound where the ring was set up. Rikishi had to be driven down to ring. He also needed help getting into the ring. He is that big now.

Chavo Guerrero defeated Ryan Genesis. Ryan seemed like a good kid. He completely carried Chavo in the match and convincingly put him over. I know he was simply trying to get heat but he sort of crossed the line with a "wetback" comment. Obviously he was simply trying to work the crowd. Just the wrong time and place.

There was an Eddie Guerrero tribute and an award was given to Chavo by a local Lucha Libre promoter.

Intermission

The next match is actually the reason I decided to write you guys. If you could use anything, I would hope this is it. Believe it or not, Billy Gunn and Kevin Thorne put on a clinic. It wasn't a technical masterpiece but these put on an extremely fun and entertaining match. I really can't say enough about the effort these two put out. I am being serious and this not setting up a joke. These guys did everything except selling hot dogs and making change.

To say security was lax would be an understatement. I am actually very proud of the home crowd. There was a ton of beer being sold and very very little security. Gunn and Thorne started off with a brawl outside the ring. When I say outside the ring, I don't mean a curtained off area, or an area surrounded by security. These guys took it right into crowd. Right through the rows of seating. The whole time, tons of kids were following them around. There was a small mob following them as the two battled literally over the baseball field.

I wish I could paint a better picture but Gunn and Thorne did an awesome job. Thorne specifically would stay in character, and yet still control the crowd for their safety. The mob of kids were constantly within 2 feet of the brawling wrestlers. Yet, when they needed more room for a spot, they were to stay in character, control the mob of fans, and move them were needed. The brawl went from outside the ring, through the rows of seating, to home plate, to the dug out, to the concession stands, to right field, and finally back to the ring. Like I said, being followed the entire time by 50 to 60 kids. Gunn and Thorne were working everything perfectly. Honestly, these two did an awesome job. Both were in awesome shape. Great great job by both. Gunn wins with Famouser.

In the main event, Booker T defeated Carlito. Good match. It was a very long night and the crowd was a bit tired by this point. The show was advertised for 8:00 pm but didn't start till around 8:20. The opening six man tag was very long. Also, the ring entrances were very long due to the distance between right field and the pitcher's mound. Hopefully the promoters and wrestlers made money.

2010 - WWE ran Newark, NJ with a Raw live event.  Mike Johnson filed the following live report:

World Wrestling Entertainment returned to the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ for the first time since last October's Hell in A Cell PPV with a matinee Raw house show

Full results;

*John Morrison pinned Ted DiBiase in a good back and forth match. Maryse got on the apron to distract Morrison so DiBiase could nail him but Morrison ducked and Ted knocked her off the apron instead. Morrison then nailed Starship Pain for the pin.

*WWE United States champion The Miz (With Alex Riley) pinned Evan Bourne. Riley did some good mic work before the match putting himself and Miz over and ripping on Kaval since Tuesday is the NXT finale. Miz then ripped on Newark and tore down the fans when they tried to do his catch phrase. Miz worked over Bourne early but Bourne nailed him with knee strikes during a suplex attempt. Bourne went for a shooting star but Riley tried to interfere. Bourne fought him off and nailed a dive to the floor. Miz and Bourne went into a series of near falls. Bourne went for the shooting star press but Miz got his knees up and scored the pin. Real entertaining on the mic and in the ring.

*Mark Henry defeated William Regal. Regal stalled, playing to the crowd. Henry flung him into ring, cleaned house on Regal and hit the World's Largest Slam for the pin. Over before it began.

*Yoshi Tatsu pinned Zach Ryder gained control after an early flurry of offense by Tatsu. Ryder kept him on the mat for a long time. Tatsu came back with chops and kicks, scoring the pin with a spinkick off the top. OK but it seems criminal to give us Regal for two minutes and Ryder for 12.

As Tatsu celebrated, Chris Jericho hit the ring and nailed the Codebreaker. Jericho said that he proved once again that he's the best in the world and that WWE owes everything to him at Summerslam. Jericho said that Team Jericho owes everything to him and John Cena listened to him, which is why they won. Jericho demanded Cena come to the ring and admit he was wrong.

Cena came out but was attacked by Sheamus and brawled to the back. The Nexus hit the ring and attacked Jericho. Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan made the save. The mystery GM emailed and announced Cena vs. Sheamus in a Cage and a six man for right now, switching Orton and Cena from their original placement on the card.

*Nexus members Michael Tarver & Wade Barrett & Justin Gabriel. Jericho took the mic and told Nexus he was pissed off and they were going to see the return of Y2J. Jericho and Orton worked over Gabriel early on. Bryan tagged in and scored with a dropkick. He locked in the surfboard. Tarver tagged in against Jericho. Tarver took control and tagged to Barrett, who drill Jericho with a big boot. Jericho escaped a Fireman's Carry and turned it into a rollup but was caught with a clothesline. Nexus controlled Jericho as Tarver locked in a rear chinlock as he mocked the babyfaces.

Danielson tagged in and cleaned house on Tarver until he was tossed out of the ring. Nexus worked on Danielson. He was tossed back out and Nexus beat him on the floor. Jericho went after Nexus on the floor with a chair. Danielson was worked over and finally made the hot tag to Jericho. Jericho forced Gabriel to tap to the Walls of Jericho. Nexus laid out Jericho and Bryan. Orton laid out Nexus with clotheslines, then punted Tarver in the head. The babyfaces all shook hands and left. Tarver laid in the ring for a long time before being walked out by the official.

*The ring announcer brought out Eve Torres to helped toss some t-shirts to the crowd but Alicia Fox came out. She said if they thought this was intermission, they are sadly mistaken. Fox told Torres to get out of her ring and they faced off. Out came WWE Divas champion Melina. Eve exited the ring but stayed at ringside for a bit before heading back to the back.

*WWE Divas champ Melina pinned Alicia Fox in a fun back and forth match.

*They plugged the 9/10 release of John Cena's Legendary and the 9/5 White Plains, NY house show which will be headlined by Big Show vs. CM Punk.

*WWE Tag Team champions The Hart Dynasty with Natalya defeated the Usos with Tamina. Some good stuff here, specifically with Tyson Kidd who was working his rear end off. The Usos controlled for a long time to set up DH Smith's hot tag. Smith cleaned house and hit the over the shoulder powerslam but the other Uso broke it up. Smith went for the Sharpshooter but Tamina got on the apron but Natalya laid her out. They hit the Hart Attack for the win.

*WWE champion Sheamus defeated John Cena in a Steel Cage match. Cena, who received the biggest reaction of the night for his entrance, opened up with a bulldog for a near fall. Sheamus came back with a clothesline and several pinfall attempts. Cena came back with a back suplex for a two count Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus escaped and nailed him with a kick to the face. Sheamus tried to climb out but Cena nailed a back suplex off the ropes. Both men were down but Sheamus got to his feet first. Sheamus took down Cena with a clubbing blow to the side of the head and ragged on the crowd. He went for a kick but Cena ducked it and opened up with a series of rights, only to be kicked in the gut. Sheamus drilled him with a right hand.

Sheamus called for the door to be opened but Cena came up from under him and dropped Sheamus backwards with the Electric Chair. Sheamus recovered first and drilled Cena with a knee. Cena reversed a suplex attempt for a two count. He began to climb the cage but Sheamus followed him up. The battled on the top rope. Sheamus pulled himself to the top of the cage but Cena prevented him from going over. They had a nasty spill into the ropes. Cena went for the shoulderblock but Sheamus ducked and Cena crashed into the cage. Sheamus covered him for a two count.

Sheamus tossed Cena into the cage facefirst. He then tied Cena's arms up in the ropes and began working him over with right hands and kicks. He climbed the cage right past Cena, who pulled himself free from the ropes and caught Sheamus. They battled standing on then ropes and Sheamus was crotched. Cena came back with several shoulderblocks and a slam. He nailed the five knuckle shuffle. Sheamus escaped the Attitude Adjustment and nailed an Uranage into a backbreaker for a two count. Sheamus called for the Celtic Cross but Cena turned it into the Attitude Adjustment. Sheamus grabbed the cage and scrambled up it from Cena's shoulders. Cena followed and they battled on the ropes. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment off the ropes. Cena scored a two count.

Cena set up for the STF but Sheamus nailed him. Sheamus began crawling for the cage door but Cena dove and grabbed his leg. Cena scooted past Sheamus and almost escaped but Sheamus pulled him back in. Sheamus nailed the Pump Kick for a two count. Sheamus went for the Celtic Cross but Cena escaped and turned it into the Attitude Adjustment for a two count.

Cena climbed to the top of the cage but Sheamus caught him as Cena made it over. Sheamus pulled him back in, then slipped over the top but Cena grabbed him. Cena hit a superplex into the ring. Cena locked on the STF but The Nexus' Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel hit the ring and attacked Cena. Sheamus crawled out the door for the win. Great main event!

After the match, Nexus beat on Cena. Cena avoided being tossed in the cage and ducked a Barrett clothesline. Barrett clobbered Otunga and Gabriel was nailed with a big right. No idea where Slater went. Cena cleaned house and ended the night saluting the fans.

Notes: They were selling Randy Orton, Nexus, and several John Cena shirts as well as Rey Mysterio masks...The show drew well but wasn't a sellout....Cena and Orton were clearly the biggest babyfaces based on crowd reactions. Jericho's rant on the mic got the most heat.

2011 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Tulsa, Oklahoma and your announcers are Jim ‘Important Football Game this weekend’ Ross, Jerry ‘Jim Thome is back home’ Lawler, and Michael ‘Did you watch the Video Music Awards last night’ Cole.

If it is Monday night, we must be starting off with the Game and Triple H makes his way to the ring. Hunter says that it is his job to make sure that they give everyone the absolute best that the WWE has to offer at all times. It is his time to make sure that this company thrives and survives. Starting tonight and for the foreseeable future, not only are you going to get the superstars of Raw, but you will get the superstars of Smackdown to make the Raw Supershow.

That is the cool part of being COO. It also comes with some not so cool parts. Like people lying to you or disrespecting you. People said I was sent a text or wasn’t sent a text or someone is in a car accident or isn’t in an accident. Those lies are coming from one of his best friends, Kevin Nash. Kevin is angry that Hunter wouldn’t let him be a man against CM Punk. Hunter tells Nash to come to the ring to tell him why he wasn’t able to be a man.

Instead of Kevin Nash, CM Punk’s music plays and he comes out and he is clapping. Before he makes it to the ring, we see highlights from Monday when CM Punk was outsmarted by Kevin Nash.

Punk continues to applaud Hunter and he says that he appreciates his performance. He says that he knows that Hunter was in some movies but that was Oscar worthy. He says that was like Al Pacino in Heat. He tells Hunter that he is not in one of his movies so he tells Hunter to stop acting. Punk says that Hunter doesn’t want Nash to lie to him, but he wants Hunter to tell the truth. He says that he knows that Hunter and Big Daddy Cool have been in on this and . . .

The music of the nWo plays and Kevin Nash makes his way to the ring. Nash tells Hunter that he lied. He had his driver call Laurinaitis to tell him that he was in a wreck because Hunter wouldn’t let him finish things. Nash says that he had to get Hunter out of the building so he could finish what he had to do. His problem is with Punk.

Nash says that Punk has been trying to make a fool out of him for weeks and it is done. Nash says that it is not him, but it is Hunter that Punk is insulting. He tells Hunter that it is his wife. Nash says that he might not have acted the way he wanted to, but what kind of man is Hunter?

Hunter says that he is the kind of man who doesn’t expect to be lied to by his best friend. He is the kind of man who he expects the truth when it comes to his best friend. Hunter says that Kevin lied to his face. Hunter tells Nash to leave and he tells Nash not to come back.

Nash says that he lied about the accident, but not about the text. Last week, while Hunter was out of the building, John Laurinaitis signed him to a very lucrative WWE contract so he tells Hunter that if he is going to fire him, he will have to do it in front of all of these people and the millions at home. Nash says that the contract is guaranteed so he can go home and be paid.

Hunter says that he is not going to fire Nash, but he isn’t going to hug him either. He tells Nash that the lying stops now.

Punk imitates throwing up at this conversation between friends. Punk says that he is acting like he is sick. Just like Hunter and Nash are acting. Punk says that nobody believes this crap. He tells Hunter that he can’t be the bad guy and get his hands dirty so he has Nash do it. Not only does Hunter accept the apology, he hires Nash. Punk points out that the Cliq is back. Punk says that it is fitting because ‘click’ is the sound people make when Nash appears on television. It is also the noise when Nash walks.

Nash says that while he is under contract, he wants Hunter to book the match that everyone wants to see. He tells Hunter to book the match that Punk thinks he wants. Book Kevin Nash versus CM Punk.

Punk suggests that they do it at Night of Champions because Nash is a champion ass kisser. Punk reminds Hunter he has to ask the Board of Directors if it is okay and Punk says that he is talking about Hunter’s wife. Punk wants Hunter to ask his wife especially since Stephanie texted Nash at SummerSlam. He says that Hunter might not wear the pants in the family, but he wears the panties.

Hunter turns around to look at Punk and he says that if Punk wants the match, it is official. CM Punk faces Kevin Nash at Night of Champions. Hunter tells both of them that he has two words for both of them and he lets the crowd yell ‘Suck It’.

Randy Orton’s music plays because this is a Super Show and we go to commercial.

We are back and we see footage from last week when Dolph Ziggler knocked over Vickie at ringside and that cost Jack the match against Alex Riley.

Match Number One: Randy Orton versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero

 

They lock up and Ziggler with punches but Orton with a punch and European uppercut and then he sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles. Ziggler with an Irish whip but you don’t Irish whip Orton into the corner because he will clothesline you. Orton with a knee drop but Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall.

Ziggler punches Orton and kicks him in the corner. Orton kicks Ziggler and he punches him followed by a Thesz Press and punches. Ziggler rolls to the apron and Orton tries for the IEDDT but Vickie gets on the apron and that distraction allows Ziggler to back body drop Orton to the floor.

Ziggler with a slingshot pescado onto Orton and both men are down. The referee starts his count and Orton struggles to get into the ring and he makes it at nine. Ziggler kicks Orton and the referee warns Dolph. We go to commercial.

We are back and Ziggler has moved the ring steps and Ziggler slams Orton’s head into the steps. We see Jack Swagger watching in the back while Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler with an elbow to the head followed by a reverse chin lock. Ziggler with elbows to Orton and then he returns to the reverse chin lock. Orton with a punch but Ziggler with a back elbow.

Ziggler goes to the turnbuckles but he waits too long and Orton punches him. Orton with more punches and then he head butts Ziggler. Orton sets for a superplex and he hits it. Orton gets a near fall. Orton with a few clotheslines followed by a power slam and then Orton gets that look in his eyes but he runs into a boot. Orton with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall.

Ziggler with a kick followed by a Fameasser for a near fall. Ziggler tries for a neck breaker but Orton counters with a back slide. Ziggler has a drop kick blocked and he catapults Ziggler into the ring post and then Orton with a neck breaker for a near fall.

Orton backs up for the kick to the head but Orton runs into a super kick for a near fall because Orton was lining up on the wrong side. Orton misses the Zig Zag and then Orton sends Ziggler to the apron for an IEDDT and then Orton sets for the RKO with the twist and push ups. Ziggler counters the RKO with a sleeper but Orton with a snap mare to escape. Orton sends Ziggler into the air and then he hits an RKO for the three count.

Winner: Randy Orton

After the match, we see Swagger in the locker room and he appears to be in a good mood.

We see footage from last week when Alberto Del Rio attacked the number one contender after his match with CM Punk.

John Cena is in the interview area with Josh Mathews and Josh asks Cena for his reaction to last week’s attack. Cena refuses to say anything and he walks away. Josh suggests that John is going to address the situation in the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Did You Know that WWE shows are available to the people in the military?

John Cena makes his way to the ring after saying nothing during his pre-promo interview.

Cena welcomes everyone to tonight’s show and he asks everyone how they are doing. Cena says that he loves the mixed emotions in the crowd. Cena says that he is a bit uneasy because Alberto’s actions have been speaking louder than his words. He said that he would be a champion with class and dignity. Cena says that Alberto’s actions are not the same and Cena says that for every action there is a reaction. Cena says that he will kick Alberto’s teeth so far down his throat his mouth will become his anus. Cena tells Alberto to come to the ring to get some.

Instead of Alberto Del Rio, a larger vehicle enters the building and it is the Number One Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, Mark Henry. We see highlights from last week when Henry hits the World’s Strongest Slam to Sheamus on the ring steps.

Henry says that he came down here to get him some. Mark says that he has dismantled Kane, Big Show, and many others. Last week he gave the World’s Strongest Slam to Sheamus on the ring steps. He says that Cena is going join the Hall of Pain. Regardless of who wins the cage match on Smackdown, the winner is going to join his list. At Night of Champions, Mark Henry will be the new World Champion.

Christian’s music plays and he comes out to the ring.

Christian tells Mark that after he beats and embarrasses Randy Orton on Smackdown, he will be facing him at Night of Champions. Christian tells Cena that he makes him sick to his stomach. Christian says that one thing that he can’t stand is someone who comes out week after week and bitches and complains. Then they whine and complain more until they get what they want. Christian says that Cena is embarrassing himself.

Cena says that he isn’t whining and then Cena mocks someone whining and he insults Christian and Henry. Cena tells them if they want some to get some or else they can leave. Christian tells Cena that there are two of them and maybe he should learn about repurcussions.

Before Christian and Henry can do anything to Cena, Sheamus’ music plays and he makes his way to the ring to stand next to Cena.

Christian leaves the ring and it is two-on-one again but Henry is at the disadvantage now. Henry leaves the ring.

John Laurinaitis says that he likes what he sees in the ring so we have a tag match. John asks Charles Robinson if he likes it and Charles says that he does. Hunter enters and he tells John that he already made that match and he reminds John who he works for. Hunter tells John that he is John’s boss.

We go to commercial.

We are back and before our next match, Miz has something to say. He says that he has never heard anything like the garbage spewing out of Punk’s mouth. It was worse than Cena. He throws out a few reallys and he tells Punk that he was speaking his mind before Punk was setting off pipe bombs. Miz says that he is the most must see champion of all time. If last week was not a lesson, this week will show what will happen if he doesn’t get his way. Miz reminds us who he is and that he is AWESOME.

Match Number Two: CM Punk versus Miz

 

They lock up and Punk with a side head lock and shoulder tackle and Punk mocks Miz. They lock up again and Miz backs Punk into the corner and Miz with a punch on the break. Punk with a back kick and an elbow followed by a back elbow and kick to the back.

Punk sets for a suplex and he hits it. Punk with another kick and then he goes up top for the Macho Man Elbow Drop but Miz crotches Punk. Miz with kicks to Punk followed by a running kick to the head and he gets a near fall. Miz with a knee to the back followed by a kick to the chest and another knee to the back and elbows to the chest. Miz with knees to Punk followed by a running knee lift and he gets a near fall.

Miz punches Punk but Punk with kicks to the leg and back. Miz with a kick of his own followed by a DDT and he gets a near fall. Miz with a reverse chin lock. Punk with kicks and a head butt. Miz with the Reality Check to get a near fall. Miz sets for the Awesome Clothesline and he hits it. Miz with a double sledge to the head from the turnbuckles for a near fall.

Miz goes up top again but Punk with a punch to the midsection followed by kicks and punches. Miz with a kick to Punk followed by a boot to the head for a near fall. Miz with a reverse chin lock to Punk, but Punk with elbows to get out of the hold and then he gets Miz on his shoulders for a Go To Sleep but Miz counters and hits an inverted DDT and gets a near fall.

Miz with kicks but Punk with slaps and a spinning back fist. Miz blocks a suplex attempt and he hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Miz with a cravate but Punk with head butts and forearms to Miz. Punk with a punch but Miz with a kick and he sends Punk shoulder first into the ring post.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Miz with a reverse chin lock on Punk but Punk with a Saito suplex and both men are down. We see footage from the commercial break when Miz sent Punk into the ring post. Punk with kicks to Miz followed by a leg lariat. Punk with a running knee into the corner followed by a bulldog and Punk goes to the apron. Punk with the springboard clothesline and then Punk gets Miz up for the Go To Sleep but Miz counters with the Skull Crushing Finale set up but Punk with a snap mare. Punk with a butterfly back breaker and Punk signals for the Go To Sleep but he goes up top first.

Miz stops Punk and punches him. Punk blocks a superplex attempt and Punk sends Miz to the mat. Punk signals for the Macho Man elbow drop and he hits it. Punk says that it is time for the Go To Sleep but from out of nowhere, R Truth makes his way into the ring and Punk tries to give Truth the Go To Sleep but Miz kicks Punk from behind as the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: CM Punk By Disqualification

Miz misses a clothesline on Punk on the floor and Punk takes care of Truth and Miz. Punk with a Go To Sleep to Truth. Nash makes his way to the ring and Punk forgets that Miz is still at ringside. Miz attacks Punk from behind and then Nash gives Punk a jackknife power bomb.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Sin Cara versus Jack Swagger

 

They lock up and Swagger backs Cara into the corner and Cara with an enzuigiri and a head scissors take down followed by a drop kick. Swagger goes to the floor and he teases a dive but he holds on to the ropes. Cara with a kick and an Asai moonsault onto Swagger.

Swagger with a clothesline when they return to the ring and Vickie Guerrero comes out to the ringside area as Swagger hits a Swagger Bomb and a leg drop. Swagger with an arrogant cover using his knee and he gets a near fall. Cara flips out of a suplex attempt. Cara with a sunset flip for a near fall. Swagger gets a near fall after a running shoulder tackle.

Dolph Ziggler comes out to talk to Vickie and then he makes his way to the ring and he calls Swagger a loser. Swagger falls victim to a springboard DDT and then Cara goes to the apron and he hits a springboard swanton followed by a quebrada for the three count.

Winner: Sin Cara

After the match, Dolph and Vickie argue and Dolph goes to the back.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne winning the Tag Team Titles last week.

Match Number Four: Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston versus David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty for the WWE Tag Team Titles

 

Evan and Michael start things off and Michael backs Evan into the corner and he misses a punch. Bourne with a series of arm drags but he misses a charge into the corner and Michael with kicks. Otunga with a clothesline from the apron while Michael was with the referee. Michael with a running drop kick for a near fall. Michael sends Bourne into Otunga’s boot and then Michael with an elbow followed by a running splash into the corner and Otunga gets a near fall.

Michael tags in and he punches Bourne followed by a back breaker for a near fall. Bourne tags in Kofi and Kofi with a flying clothesline from the ropes and then he takes care of Otunga. Michael avoids the SOS but Kofi with a cross body to Michael. Kofi helps Bourne with a springboard cross body onto Otunga. Kofi with Trouble in Paradise for the three count.

Winners: Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne

After the match, Otunga and McGillicutty want to talk to Jerry Lawler. Otunga takes Lawler’s headset and then he throws it back at him and then they stare at each other very awkwardly.

We see Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres talking in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Eve Torres versus Nikki Bella from last week.

Match Number Five: Kelly Kelly with Eve Torres versus Brie Bella with Nikki Bella

 

Brie has something to say to Kelly but Kelly with forearms. Brie sends Kelly to the mat and she kicks Kelly. Brie with a kick to the back and then she stands on Kelly’s hair and drops her to the mat again.

We see Beth and Natalya watching in the back and they say that they should be in the ring.

Brie misses a splash into the ropes followed by the Thesz Press and punches. Kelly spanks Brie and then she connects with a forearm. Kelly with the screaming head scissors take down. Brie sends Kelly to the floor and Eve takes a baseball slide for Brie. Kelly with a clothesline on the floor. Kelly sends Brie into the ring and instead of trying to win the match, she checks on Eve and that allows Nikki to switch and she hits an Factor on Kelly for the three count.

Winner: Brie Bella (kind of)

We go to commercial.

We are back with an Alex Riley video package talking about how he wanted to be special and become a WWE Superstar. He says that he is going to show that he deserves respect.

It is time to see the trailer for Inside Out featuring Triple H and it is the World Premiere (if you don’t count Superstars).

Match Number Six: Mark Henry and Christian versus Sheamus and John Cena

 

Christian and Sheamus start things off and Christian with a waist lock but Sheamus with a punch. Christian with a slap to Sheamus but Sheamus with a double sledge to Christian and Christian wraps up in the ropes. Christian goes for the ribs but Sheamus with a power slam and Henry is tagged in.

Henry pushes Sheamus but Sheamus pushes back. Sheamus with forearms to the back and leg as he sends Henry to a knee. Sheamus with a kick to Henry but Henry with a body block and Sheamus goes down. Henry kicks Sheamus in the ribs and then he head butts Sheamus.

Christian tags in and he kicks Sheamus in the corner. Christian with a front face lock as he tries to restrict Sheamus’ breathing even more. Sheamus tries to power his way to the corner to make the tag but Christian with knees to the ribs when Sheamus gets about halfway across the ring.

Henry tags in and he kicks Sheamus and then he connects with a series of shoulders in the corner. Henry with a punch to Sheamus and then he kicks Sheamus. Henry stands on Sheamus’ chest as the referee counts. Christian tags in and he kicks and punches Sheamus. Christian goes to the turnbuckles but Sheamus stops him and he hits the uranage back breaker and both men are down.

Cena tags in and he hits the two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the Attitude Adjustment set up but Christian gets to his feet and he kicks Cena. Christian tries for a tornado DDT but Cena stops him. Cena with a power slam and then he knocks Henry off the apron. Christian tries for the springboard sunset flip but Cena catches him and he tries for the Attitude Adjustment but Chritian gets to the ropes.

Cena with an STF but Henry breaks it up. Henry misses a splash into the ropes and Sheamus with a shoulder tackle off the apron. Christian with a spear to Cena for a two count. Cena escapes a Killswitch and he sends Christain into a Brogue Kick and Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment for the three count.

Winners: Sheamus and John Cena

We see Triple H in his office and CM Punk enters the office and Hunter says that he talked to the Board of Directors and Punk wants to know if he retired or if he got divorced. Hunter tells Punk that the match with Kevin Nash is off for Night of Champions because CM Punk will be facing him at Night of Champions.

2012 - Then-current TNA TV champion TNA TV champion Devon departed the company.

On his Twitter account, Devon wrote, "I would like to thank the TNA fans for making the last seven years fun . I'm sure we will see each other again down the road real soon. I'm ready to see where God brings me to next. I can't wait. I see big things on the way. Oh and HELL NO I'M NOT RETIRING"

Devon would return to TNA, leave again and return earlier this year.

2012 - WWE Diva Cameron was sent home from a WWE tour of Australia after her DUI arrest in Florida was made public.  She had not informed WWE officials about the arrest.

2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling.  Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Impact Wrestling, featuring the final regular season matches in the 2013 Bound For Glory Series!

Bully Ray comes out to the ring with the remaining members of Aces & Eights, and he says he's not happy that his brother is gone, and he goes around and asks each member of the gang what happened, but the only one with a meaningful answer is Ken Anderson, who says they all knew what the risks were going in. Bubba says Anderson is right, and that Devon has always been a disappointment, he's always been his sidekick, and not that Devon is gone, it's out with the old and in with the new because Tito Ortiz is his best friend and the only one he needs. Anderson is livid when Bubba says he wants to patch Tito into the group, asking Bubba if he's out of his mind and that they don't need him, then asks if we don't vote anymore and if Bubba can just patch people in anytime he wants. Bubba reminds Anderson that he's the President of the Aces & Eights and tells Anderson to get back in his place, then tells his girl Brooke, the hottest piece of you-know-what, to come down to the ring with Tito's cut. Brooke Tessmacher comes out with the cut and Anderson again loudly protests this decision, but Bubba shoves Anderson into the corner and puts the cut on Tito, tearing the nametag off of it and revealing that this was Devon's cut. Bubba tells Anderson and the rest of Aces & Eights that if they don't like it, they can get out. He's going to sit back and watch the rest of the Bound For Glory Series because he doesn't have to wrestle again until the tournament ends, and then says that his father-in-law is here, and he can't wait to see him so he can introduce the only Brooke who has ever mattered in his life.

Later on tonight: the Main Event Mafia speaks, ODB takes on Gail Kim in a 2 out of 3 falls match for a shot at the Knockouts Title, and it's Must Win Thursday as the final matches in the regular season of the Bound For Glory Series take place!

Jeff Hardy is backstage talking about last year when he got into the final four at the very last moment, and now he's in the same spot when he faces Frankie Kazarian tonight. He's out for the win, the points, and the glory...CREATURES!

Time for our first Bound For Glory Series match of the evening!

Bound For Glory Series: Frankie Kazarian vs Jeff Hardy

Both men need a win here to stay alive, though Kazarian can still get in if he loses since he has one more match against Hernandez on the Xplosion taping. Both men repeatedly try to catch each other with quick pinfall attempts, but Kazarian quickly gets frustrated and turns to the ol' right hand. Hardy headscissors Kazarian out to the floor and nails him with a running clothesline off the apron, then they go back inside where Kazarian blocks a Twist of Fate attempt, crotches Hardy on the top rope, and knocks him silly with a leaping enziguiri. Kazarian gets Hardy in a rear chinlock, Hardy tries to escape but Kazarian yanks him down by the hair and gets a legdrop for 2. Hardy reverses a suplex attempt to a sitout gourdbuster, then starts unloading on Kazarian with clotheslines and the double legdrop to the ding ding. Hardy gets Kazarian in a figure four to try for the 10 points, but Kazarian fights and fights and makes it to the ropes. Hardy is up and goes for a Twist of Fate, Kazarian quickly counters to a backslide for 2, then immediately drills Hardy with a bicycle kick for another 2. Kazarian comes off the second rope and Hardy catches him coming down with an inverted atomic drop, hits a Twist of Fate, and gets the Swanton for the win.

Winner: Jeff Hardy

Hardy picks up 7 points, moving him into third place and bumping Austin Aries out of the top four. Aries will have the chance to reclaim a spot in the final four if he defeats Christopher Daniels later tonight.

Aces & Eights, sans Bully Ray and Tito Ortiz, is backstage griping about Tito getting patched into the club. Anderson is leading the charge and all the troops seem very angry about not getting to vote on Tito, and Anderson says they'll have another vote later tonight and Bully Ray won't be happy with this one. Oh, methinks this is going to backfire in Anderson's face.

2 Out Of 3 Falls #1 Contender Match: ODB vs Gail Kim

They go at it right from the start of the match, with ODB turning it into a brawl and overwhelming Gail. She gets a delayed vertical suplex for 2, but Gail catches ODB on a leapfrog attempt and drops her knee first onto the mat, then starts putting the boots to ODB's knee. ODB gets a quickl schoolgirl rollup for 2, but Gail takes her down to the mat and hits a kneeDT before dragging ODB to the ropes and slamming her knee over the edge of the ring apron. Gail gets a modified version of the Sharpshooter and ODB tries to fight, but is eventually forced to tap out and give Gail the first fall. We'll return with the second fall after this commercial break!

We're back and Gail is still working ODB's knee over, but ODB catches her in an inside cradle and pins her within seconds of coming back to take the second fall. Gail is undeterred, calmly dragging ODB to the corner and putting her in a ringpost figure four. They go back inside and ODB kicks Gail off into the corner, then nails her with a big clothesline for 2. ODB goes for a TKO, but Gail slips out the back, clips the knee, and gets ODB in a stretch muffler. ODB makes it to the ropes and goes for another TKO attempt, Gail slips out again and goes for a sunset flip, but ODB rolls through and gets Gail in the Texas Cloverleaf. Gail tries to crawl to the ropes, but ODB drags her back out to the middle of the ring and Gail taps out.

Winner: ODB

Big win for ODB, and glad to see her back in a position of importance after more or less being put on the back burner for so long with the Eric Young angle and then the Knockouts referee gig.

Jason Hervey catches up backstage with Velvet Sky and asks about ODB, and Velvet says that she's a great wrestler and will make a great challenger for Mickie James, then she puts over the Knockouts PPV. Hervey asks why she wasn't at Hardcore Justice, and Velvet says she was supposed to be but had to go home to take care of some personal business. Hervey asks if it's about Chris Sabin, and Velvet says she and Sabin have been together forever, but they keep business and personal stuff separate, and it was clever of Hervey to try and work that in, but she walks off without elaborating further.

Christopher Daniels is backstage fretting to Bobby Roode over Frankie Kazarian losing his match earlier, but Roode says not to worry because he'll take care of AJ Styles and Daniels has to take care of Aries. Daniels gets fired up over Aries turning down their invitation to join them last week, and he storms out of the room to do something about it right now.

Jeremy Borash is backstage with Austin Aries, who says that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, and he's going to count on the only man he can trust, himself, to make it into the finals of the Bound For Glory Series. JB asks about AJ Styles, and Aries says he doesn't know what's going on in AJ's head, but he hopes he makes it to the finals because they make magic every time they're in the ring together. Christopher Daniels bursts in and gets in Aries' face over turning down the invitation, but Aries says that he's going to go out there and hit Daniels so hard he'll start growing hair again.

Jason Hervey catches up with Hulk Hogan backstage and asks him about Bully Ray regaining the TNA World Title and his relationship with Brooke Tessmacher, and Hogan says he'll address all that later in the ring, when he'll have a huge announcement. Hogan then goes into his dressing room and closes the door behind him.

We see a video package of last week when AJ Styles came to the rescue of the Main Event Mafia and banished Devon from TNA forever, then the Main Event Mafia comes out to the ring for a promo segment. Rampage Jackson says that after Tito Ortiz hit him with the hammer a couple of weeks ago, he decided not to wait for their fight on November 2nd and he's going to knock him out every time he sees him from now on. Samoa Joe gets the microphone and says that they were outnumbered and outmanned last week, but they went to the ring anyway and one man stepped up to the plate and did the right thing, and that man is AJ Styles. Sting says they want to thank AJ publicly for what he did, and asks AJ Styles to come out to the ring. AJ comes out and does the same flip from evil AJ to good AJ on his way to the ring as he did last week, and he says he appreciates them being out here, but he needs to do this himself. The Main Event Mafia nod their heads in respect at AJ, then leave the ring so AJ can say his piece. He knows the fans have questions and he has answers. People want to know if he's the newest member of the Main Event Mafia, and he respects what they're doing and hope they kick Aces & Eights' butts, but it just isn't him. He's developed some trust issues over the last year like his best friends stabbing him in the back and the guys in the truck airing his dirty laundry for the sake of good TV without even asking whether it was true or not, or maybe it was just him finally realizing the business is what everyone told him it was all along and that the only man he can trust is Allan Jones. The fans want to know why he changed, and his perception of the business has changed, but he's still better than the best because he's the Phenomenal AJ Styles, and while he loves what he does in the ring, he had to admit to himself that this is just a job, and he thinks the fans can relate. You've had that job, the job just plain sucks, and it doesn't matter what the job is, there comes a point where you keep getting shafted even though you're the hardest working man in the building, and for what? He realized over the last year that he deserves better. He tells Mike Tenay and says to Dixie Carter that he deserves better, and he's busted his ass for 11 years, and he's sat here watching one wrestler after another come in and fail, one new direction after another fail before the company gets dumped back on his shoulders, and he prayed so many times over the last year that she'd fire him so he wouldn't have to quit, but he did his job because he has a family to take care of and this is what he does. He came out to the ring and started tapping people out, but something clicked over the next few months, and he realized that he likes being to go-to guy who can deliver the goods, steal the show, and give the fans their money's worth. He likes being the go-to guy, he can still be that guy, he can still carry this company on his shoulders, and the question that needs to be answered is whether he can win the BFG Series and go on to earn the World Title to deserve the label of go-to guy. Bobby Roode's music hits, and he comes out to the ring to face AJ Styles in a Bound For Glory Series match...right after this commercial!

By the way, that was an AMAZING promo by AJ.

Bound For Glory Series: Bobby Roode vs AJ Styles

AJ has to win this match by submission to make it into the final four, and a win by Roode will clinch a spot in the finals. AJ quickly goes for the calf killer, Roode gets to the ropes and gets a cheapshot in, but AJ explodes on Roode with a dropkick that sends him out to the floor and then wipes him out with a moonsault off the apron. They go back inside and Roode catches AJ with a spinebuster for 2, then snaps him over with a vertical suplex for 2. AJ retaliates with a series of strikes and a clothesline, then nails Roode with a leaping forearm in the corner. AJ comes off the top rope and leaps over a charging Roode, then drills him with a spinebuster of his own, hits a Lionsault, and goes for the calf killer. Roode kicks him off, but AJ drills Roode with the Pelle kick and goes for the Styles Clash, but Roode backdrops him out to the ramp. AJ tries to springboard back in with a forearm, but Roode catches him coming down in a crippler crossface, but AJ quickly makes it to the ropes so Roode releases, drags AJ to the middle of the ring, and reapplies. AJ quickly escapes and rolls Roode into the calf killer, but Roode also manages to fight his way to the ropes. Roode goes for a perfectplex and AJ reverses to a small package for the win.

Winner: AJ Styles

Styles picks up the win, but is one point shy of making it into the final four. The only way he gets in now is if Daniels gets disqualified in the final match of the evening.

Jeremy Borash is outside Hulk Hogan's locker room, and he says that after the final match of the evening, he'll come out and address the fans.

We take another look at the Bound For Glory Series leader board, and then it's main event time!

Bound For Glory Series: Christopher Daniels vs Austin Aries

Whoever wins this gets the fourth place spot in the final four, and the loser goes home. Daniels quickly takes Aries to the corner and rams a few shoulderblocks into Aries' gut, then slams Aries and covers for 1. Aries ducks under a leapfrog and takes Daniels down, floats over him, and goes for the Last Chancery. Daniels quickly slips out of Aries' grasp, but Aries takes him down with a deep armdrag. They go out to the floor where Daniels goes for an Arabian press, Aries avoids it by sliding into the ring and going for the heat seeking missile through the ropes, but Daniels catches him with a leaping enziguiri and quickly slides into the ring and covers Aries for 2 as we go to commercial.

We're back as Daniels hits a Lionsault for 2 and then follows up with a side bulldog for another 2. Aries catches Daniels in an abdominal stretch and uses the ropes for leverage, but Daniels gets out and they collide head-to-head and both men go down. Daniels is up first and catches Aries with a series of jabs,but Aries fires up and starts drilling Daniels with one punch after another, then hits an STO and the pendulum elbow for 2. Daniels charges Aries and gets hiptossed out to the floor, and Aries goes for the heat seeking missile again and connects this time, but then they go inside and Daniels hits a blue thunder driver for 2. Daniels puts Aries on the top rope and goes for Iconoclasm, but Aries fights him off and hits a missile dropkick. Aries hits the IED, Daniels slips out of the brainbuster and hits Last Rites, but Aries just kicks out at 2. Aries drills Daniels with a dropkick out of nowhere and hits the brainbuster to make it into the final four.

Winner: Austin Aries

So there we have it: our final four are Brutus Magnus, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, and Jeff Hardy. Kazarian and Hernandez still have their match at Xplosion, but it's going to be pretty much meaningless since both men are mathematically eliminated from the tournament.

Bully Ray is backstage with Tito Ortiz and Tessmacher, saying that he started to feel sorry for all he's done to Hogan's family, but then he snaps out of it. He's got Hogan right where he wants him, and if Hogan steps out of line, he tells Tito to take him out. Bubba and Brooke walk off, and Tito stares after them wordlessly.

Hulk Hogan comes out to the ring for the first time in a month, and says he's been really busy over the last couple of weeks, but while he was gone, the stars of TNA were tearing it up with Hardcore Justice and it's great to be back on Impact right here in Cleveland, Ohio, BROTHER. He has the Bound For Glory Series leader board brought up on the big screen, but he says the landscape is changing, and he and the SpikeTV executives decided to have one more match in the Bound For Glory Series which will take place next week and will be for a big 20 points. Well, that kind of tosses the importance of tonight's matches out the window, doesn't it? Bully Ray's music hits and he comes strolling out with Brooke Tessmacher in tow and goes "DAD, YOU'RE BACK!" Love it. Bubba tells Hulk that a lot's gone on since he's been gone, then he holds the belt up in Hogan's face and says he's got this again, and he says he's been waiting to introduce him to his little lady. Hogan says he can shut it down right there because he's been taking care of personal business as well as wrestling business, and he came up with a set of divorce papers and his little girl Brooke is moving on with her life whether Bubba likes it or not, DUDE. Bubba doesn't care about divorce papers or his daughter and never did, because he did what no toher man has done to his daughter: he used her to get the World Title. He used her, he used Hulk, he used Sting, and he used the Schmuckamaniacs to get exactly what he wanted. He's got Tito Ortiz, he's got Aces & Eights, and he's on cruise control and doesn't have to do anything until Bound For Glory. Hogan asks Bubba if he knows who he is, and says he runs the show around here and will give Bubba something he does care about and he's going to start tearing Bubba's family apart as well. In two weeks, Bubba will have to defend the title against one of his own family members from Aces & Eights. Bubba says Hulk can't do that, but Hogan says again that he's running the show, then says that Bubba will defend the title tonight against...the Icon, Sting! Sting comes out, high fiving Hulk on his way to the ring, and beats Bubba up until Bubba hightails it out to the floor. He grabs his belt and cowers in a corner with Brooke while Sting's music hits and we close the show.

That's it for this week's Impact Wrestling, I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!

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