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November 26th
On this day in history in ....
1942 - Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Orville Brown for the Midwest Wrestling Association version of World Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Kansas. This was a rematch following a bout where Lewis beat Brown on November 5th.
1960 - Al Costello & Roy Heffernan defeats Johnny Valentine & Chief Big Heart for the United States Tag Team Title, which is the forerunner to the WWF World Tag Team Title.
1981 - Mid South Wrestling ran the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here are the results:
- Terry Orndorff defeated Don Serrano.
- Jerry Novak defeated Tony Charles.
- Ed Wiskowski defeated Jimmy Garvin.
- Frank Monte & Barbi Doll defeated Ricky Ferrara & Diamond Lil.
- The Iron Sheik defeated King Cobra.
- Ernie Ladd defeated Kerry Von Erich via countout.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated The Great Kabuki.
- Mid South Wrestling North American Champion Ted DiBiase defeated Bob Roop/
- Mid South Wrestling Tag Team Champions Junkyard Dog & Mike George defeated Paul Orndorff & Bob Orton.
1987 - The first, and only, head-to-head Pay-per-view war between the WWF and NWA/Jim Crockett Promotions, takes place.
After years as a live and closed circuit event, the decision was made to turn Starrcade into the very first non-WWF Pay-per-view wrestling event. However, WWF countered them by presenting the very first Survivor Series. Due to WWF's track record with Pay-per-view (Wrestlemania III was the biggest event of its kind on PPV), many cable systems opted to present WWF's event over the unproven Starrcade. The result was Survivor Series pulling in a 7.0 buyrate, while Starrcade (on a lot less systems) did a 3.3. Cable companies stepped in after this showdown and made it clear that they would not allow the companies to go head to head (at least PPV to PPV) again.
The first WWF Survivor Series was held at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, drawing 21,300 fans to see the first in-ring meeting of Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant since Wrestlemania III. The show was a unique event, as the card was made up of four elimination matches, one of which featured 10 tag teams in one bout. Results from Survivor Series, courtesy www.thehistoryofwwe.com:
*Randy Savage (w/ Miss Elizabeth), Jim Duggan, Jake Roberts, Ricky Steamboat, & Brutus Beefcake defeated WWF IC Champion the Honkytonk Man (w/ Jimmy Hart), King Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan), Danny Davis, Hercules, & Ron Bass in an elimination match at 23:38; Duggan fought Race to a double count-out at 4:33 when both began brawling on the floor; after the decision, both men were pulled apart by their team members; Beefcake pinned Bass with a high knee at 6:58 after Savage made a blind tag; Honky pinned Beefcake with the Shake, Rattle, & Roll at 10:47 after Davis hit Beefcake from behind as Beefcake ran the ropes; Roberts pinned Davis with the short clothesline and the DDT at 15:06; Savage pinned Hercules with the flying elbowsmash after a chop from Steamboat at 20:56; Honky was counted-out when he left ringside after sustaining an atomic drop from Savage which knocked him to the floor
*The Fabulous Moolah, Velvet McIntyre, Rockin Robin, & the Jumping Bomb Angels defeated WWF Women's Champion Sensational Sherri, WWF Women's Tag Team Champions Lelani Kai & Judy Martin (w/ Jimmy Hart), Dawn Marie, and Donna Christianello in an elimination match at 20:17; McIntyre pinned Christianello with a victory roll at 1:57; Robin pinned Dawn Marie with a crossbody at 4:12; Sherri pinned Robin with a bodyslam and suplex at 6:55; Martin pinned Moolah at 10:55 after a double clothesline by she and Kai; McIntyre pinned Sherri at 14:56 with a victory roll; Kai pinned McIntyre at 17:24 by blocking a victory roll, dropping McIntyre throat-first over the top rope, and dropping backwards; Kai was pinned at 18:38 following a crossbody off the top after missing a splash off the top; Martin was pinned following a clothesline off the top after the other Bomb Angel dropkicked Hart off the apron
*WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Rick Martel, Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid, Jacques & Raymond Rougeau, Jim Powers & Paul Roma, and B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell defeated Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (w/ Jimmy Hart), the Islanders (w/ Bobby Heenan), Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zhukov (w/ Slick), Demolition (w/ Mr. Fuji), and Dino Bravo & Greg Valentine (w/ Johnny V) in an elimination match at 37:14; prior to the bout, some of the lighting in the arena briefly went out; Santana pinned Zhukoff with the flying forearm at 1:45; Demoliltion Ax pinned Jacques at 5:49 after Jacques missed a reverse crossbody off the top; Demolition was disqualified at 9:11 after Smash shoved the referee to the mat; Neidhart pinned Santana at 12:04 after Bret hit Santana with a double axe handle to prevent Neidhart from being pinned following the flying forearm; Haku pinned Dynamite at 19:57 with a kick to the face after Dynamite hurt himself delivering a headbutt off the middle turnbuckle; Roma pinned Valentine at 23:39 with a sunset flip off the top as Valentine attempted to put the figure-4 on Powers; Brunzell pinned Bret at 30:27 after Tama dropkicked Hart onto Brunzell, with Brunzell rolling on top for the win; Blair, the illegal man, pinned Tama with a sunset flip into the ring after putting on one of the Killer Bees' masks as Tama fought with Brunzell in the ring (Johnny V's last appearance with Valentine & Bravo)
*Andre the Giant (w/ Bobby Heenan), Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, Butch Reed (w/ Slick), & the One Man Gang defeated WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink), Paul Orndorff, Ken Patera, & Don Muraco in an elimination match at 24:07; prior to the bout, Hogan came out carrying the American flag; Hogan pinned Reed at 3:06 with the legdrop after a double clothesline from Hogan and Orndorff; the Gang pinned Patera at 8:45 after both men hit a clothesline, with OMG falling on top; Rude pinned Orndorff at 10:25 with a roll up and using the tights for leverage after Bundy attacked Orndorff from behind; Muraco pinned Rude with a powerslam at 11:20 after Rude jumped over Hogan; OMG pinned Muraco at 12:56 with a splash after a headbutt from Andre; Hogan was counted-out at 18:05 when Bundy and OMG prevented him from returning to the ring; Bigelow pinned Bundy at 20:32 with a slingshot splash into the ring after Bundy missed a splash in the corner; Bigelow pinned OMG at 22:52 after OMG missed a splash off the top; Andre pinned Bigelow with a butterfly suplex after Bigelow missed a splash in the corner; after the match, Hogan returned to the ring and blasted Andre in the head with the world title belt, sending him to the floor; moments later, Gene Okerlund conducted a backstage interview with Andre & Heenan in which they discussed a rematch against Hogan and bragged about the win.
The fifth annual Starrcade event was the first non-WWF Pay-per-view event, and was presented from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, drawing 8,000 fans. As with other Starrcade events, the show was also broadcast in closed circuit locations throughout the country. The show also annoyed some longtime NWA fans, as the event was taken out of the South and presented in Chicago. Here are the results of the show:
- Sting, Michael Hayes, & Jimmy Garvin vs. Eddie Gilbert, Rick Steiner, & Larry Zbysko ended in a 15-minute draw just as Hayes had Gilbert pinned with a sunset flip.
- UWF Champion Steve Williams defeated Westen States Champion Barry Windham (only the UWF belt was on the line) when Windham missed a flying bodypress and Williams cradled him for the win.
- The Rock N' Roll Express defeated The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) in a Scaffold match.
- NWA World Television Champion Nikita Koloff defeated UWF Television Champion Terry Taylor to unify the titles with the Russian Sickle.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard defeated The Road Warriors via DQ. The Road Warriors actually got the pin, but original referee Tommy Young (who was knocked out during the match) reversed the decision and disqualified the Warriors for throwing Arn over the top rope before the pinfall. The Chicago crowd (Warriors were billed as being from Chicago) chanted "Bulls***" and many feel this "Dusty Finish" killed Chicago as an NWA town.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated Lex Luger in a Steel Cage match to win the NWA United States Title with a DDT on a chair.
- Ric Flair defeated Ronnie Garvin in a Steel Cage match to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title with a Hot Shot into the cage.
1987 - World Class Championship Wrestling held their Thanksgiving Star Wars card in Dallas, Texas at Reunion Arena. Here are the results from the show:
- Tim Brooks defeated Vic Steamboat.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated The Thing.
- Frankie Lancaster defeated Al Madril.
- The Spoiler defeated Tony Falk.
- Chris Adams & Matt Borne defeated The Iron Sheik & The Thing via DQ.
- Shaun Simpson defeated Eric Embry to win the World Class Light Heavyweight Title.
- Kevin Von Erich defeated Al Perez in a Texas Death Match.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated Brian Adias.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated Al Perez.
1994 - Three days after winning the WWF World Title from Bret Hart, Bob Backlund loses the title in Madison Square Garden in New York City to Diesel (Kevin Nash), who had turned babyface three days earlier (at Survivor Series) as well. Backlund, who had come out earlier in the show for a rambling interview, came out for his match and lost in eight seconds, with Diesel kicking him in the gut, hitting a Jacknife powerbomb, and pinning him. Later in the show, Diesel came back out, got on the mic, and said "Big Daddy Cool says thank you."
Other results for the show:
Other results from the show saw:
-The Bushwhackers defeated Well Dunn.
-Aldo Montoya pinned Kwang at 7:03 with a hurricanrana into a roll up (Montoya's MSG debut).
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon pinned Jeff Jarrett with the Razor's Edge at 20:13 after blocking a backdrop. attempt; prior to the bout, Jarrett cut an in-ring promo; Jarrett initially won the match via count-out at 16:23 after sending Razor into the ringpost as the two fought on the floor; after the decision was announced, Jarrett took the mic and said he came to win the belt and wouldn't let Razor sneak out of getting beat for it, then challenging the champion to continue the bout.
-Mabel pinned Quebecer Pierre with a crossbody from the middle turnbuckle at 10:01.
The New Headshrinkers defeated the Executioners (sub. for Shawn Michaels & Diesel) at 12:43 when Fatu scored the pin with one foot after hitting the splash off the top; a fan was the guest ring announcer for the match.
-Davey Boy Smith fought King Kong Bundy to a double count-out at 6:53, moments after Smith hit the powerslam on Bundy as the two fought on the floor (Bundy's MSG return after a nearly 7-year absence).
-The Undertaker pinned IRS with the tombstone at 8:06 after catching IRS in mid-air.
1995 - After over four years of running shows, Smoky Mountain Wrestling held its final event, Thanksgiving Thunder in Cookeville, Tennessee. The promotion, run by Jim Cornette, was very reminiscent of an old-school territory, taping TV once a month and then running a loop of house shows in the same Kentucky-Tennessee market. At the close of the final show, all of the wrestlers attacked Jim Cornette, hitting him with their finishing maneuvers, and laying him out in the ring. Referee Mark Curtis (the late Brian Hildebrand, who was Cornette's right hand man in running SMW), then, fittingly, pinned Cornette, while the wrestlers counted three, ending SMW forever.
1995 - WCW's World War 3 Pay-per-view took place at The Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. Here are the results:
- WCW Television Champion Johnny B. Badd defeated Diamond Dallas Page.
- Big Bubba Rogers defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a Taped Fist match.
- Bull Nakano & Akira Hokuto defeated Mayumi Ozaki & Cutie Suzuki when Nakano pinned Ozaki.
- WCW United States Champion Kensuke Sasaki defeated Chris Benoit.
- Lex Luger defeated Randy Savage via submission.
- Sting defeated Ric Flair via submission.
- Randy Savage won the 60-man, three ring World War 3 Battle Royal.
2000 - WCW's Mayhem Pay-per-view was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Cellular Arena. Here are the results:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Mike Sanders defeated Kwee Wee.
- Three Count (Shannon Moore & Shane Helms) defeated Evan Karagias & Jamie Knoble and The Jung Dragons in a triangle match when Shane Helms pinned Yang.
- Mancow defeated Jimmy Hart.
- WCW Hardcore Champion Crowbar defeated Reno and Big Vito in a Triangle match when he pinned Reno.
- Rey Mysterio, Jr. & Billy Kidman defeated Alex Wright & Kronik in a Handicap match when Kidman pinned Wright.
- Ernest Miller defeated Shane Douglas.
- Bam Bam Bigelow defeated A-Wall.
- General Rection defeated Lance Storm to win the WCW United States Title.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Buff Bagwell.
- Kevin Nash & Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chuck Palumbo & Shawn Stasiak to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when Nash pinned Stasiak. The belts were later returned to Palumbo & Stasiak.
- Bill Goldberg defeated Lex Luger.
- Scott Steiner defeated Booker T in a Straight Jacket Steel Cage match to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
2003 - Lucha Libre AAA ran Arena Solidaridad with the following results: Angel Dorado Jr. & Shakira beat Demonio del Ring & Halcon Infernal….Ben Hur & Gavilan Negro & Sky defeated Coco Rayado & Coco Viper & Turbina….Cuerno de Chiva & La Justiciera & Tigresa del Norte beat La Chacala & La Felina & Princesa Sugeith….Diluvio Negro I & Hator & Sergio Romo Jr. defeated Los Caifanes Rockeros I and II & Silver Star.
2003 - A lucha libre event at Arena Solidaridad saw the following results: Angel Dorado Jr. & Shakira beat Demonio del Ring & Halcon Infernal….Ben Hur & Gavilan Negro & Sky defeated Coco Rayado & Coco Viper & Turbina….Cuerno de Chiva & La Justiciera & Tigresa del Norte beat La Chacala & La Felina & Princesa Sugeith….Diluvio Negro I & Hator & Sergio Romo Jr. defeated Los Caifanes Rockeros I and II & Silver Star.
2003 - NWA: TNA ran their weekly Wednesday night PPV. Buck Woodward filed the following report:
NWA: Total Nonstop Action for November 26th began with clips from last week's show.
We saw that earlier today, Scott Hudson accompanied Jimmy Hart as he started to select the fans for the "Fan's Revenge" match, in which nine fans and Jimmy Hart will be stationed at ringside with leather straps so they can whip Jeff Jarrett if he leaves the ring during his match with Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes then entered the picture to cut a promo on Jarrett.
The TNA opening aired.
Jeff Jarrett came out, accompanied by Don Callis and the Red Shirt Security (Kevin Northcutt & Legend). Jarrett told the announcers that he wasn't going to put up with any crap from them tonight. Jarrett said he had a few things to discuss. He started off with Hulk Hogan, saying that he was officially declaring that Hulk Hogan's career was "finished" and that he doesn't have the "balls" to show up. Jarrett said they were going to have a moment of silence for Hulk Hogan. They lowered the lights, put a Hogan picture on the screen, and had a ten bell salute for Hogan. Actually, Jarrett stopped after a few rings, saying Hogan didn't deserve ten bells. Jarrett then said that everyone who works for TNA needs to realize that they need to make a decision as to whether they are with him or against him. Erik Watts, NWA Director Of Authority, came out on the stage. Jarrett told Watts that Callis really runs the company, not Watts. Watts said he was in charge because he makes decisions. He said that he was the one that brought in Jimmy Hart, Rick Steiner, and Sting. Watts told Jarrett he looks like a "D-I-C-K", spelling out the word. Watts said that Jarrett would face Dusty Rhodes tonight in the Fan's Revenge match, and would defend the NWA World Title against AJ Styles next week. Watts got the fans to call Jarrett a "jackass". Jarrett said that Watts wasn't smart enough to make decisions, and that someone was telling him to make them. Jarrett demanded to know who had his ear. Watts turned it around and asked Jarrett why he laid down at Bash At The Beach several years ago. Abyss emerged and attacked Watts. Watts was dragged to the ring and was beaten down by everyone. AJ Styles, Raven and America's Most Wanted ran in for the save as Jarrett and company ran off. Goldylocks came down to check on Watts.
Scott Hudson interviewed Glen Gilberti, Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger and David Young. Diamond said that they defeated every challenger that stood in their way, and that they would get their belts back tonight. Swinger ripped on America's Most Wanted, asking why they didn't have a t-shirt with their likeness on it. Gilberti was whispering something to Young during the entire segment.
Kid Kash vs. Low Ki. Kid Kash had a sign that said he fears no man, especially Don Harris. Christopher Daniels joined the announcers on commentary. Kash and Low Ki exchanged holds, while Daniels talked about how the X Division title is now his focus. Low Ki kicked out of an armbar, rolling up on his shoulders and kicking a standing Kash in the head. Kash snapmared Ki and kicked him in the back, then went back to an armbar. Low Ki reversed into a hammerlock. Daniels said that Low Ki is the reason XXX isn't a team anymore. Kash hit a shoulderblock, but Ki came back with a kick to the midsection, and Kash went to the floor for a breather. Kash picked up a chair, but tossed it back down. Kash eye raked Low Ki, but Ki came back with a kick to the head for two. Ki hit a powerdrive elbow for a two count, then a kick to the back for another two. Low Ki hit a running elbow, then a butterfly suplex with a bridge for two. Low Ki chopped Kash in the corner, but Kash came back with a fisherman's buster-style neckbreaker for a two count. Kash applied a full nelson/camel clutch, but Ki stood up out of it and hit a series of shots to the midsection. Kash grabbed an airplane spin and tossed Low Ki down facefirst. Kash stood on Ki's throat, then the two exchanged chops. Ki got the better of it, hitting a flying chop. Low Ki applied a Iron Octopus (armbar while in a crucifix position, I think that is what Tenay called it). Ki got a two count with a kick, but Kash booted a charging Low Ki and hit a springboard moonsault for a two count. Ki hit a sunset flip for a two count, but Kash kicked off a backdrop and hit a double springboard rana for a two count. Kash went for the Moneymaker, but Low Ki rammed him into the corner, then hit the Tidal Crush (handspring into a kick). Low Ki went for a superplex, but Kash hit a low blow. Kash went for a powerbomb, but Ki reversed it into a rana off the top. Kash rolled to the floor, and Ki went after him. Ki and Daniels started arguing, and Kash knocked Low Ki into Daniels. Low Ki grabbed Kash and tossed him into the ring. Daniels grabbed Low Ki and tossed him into the ring. Low Ki turned to yell at Daniels, and Kash rolled up Low Ki from behind. Kash held the tights and got the pin at the nine minute mark. Winner: Kid Kash.
Daniels and Kash briefly argued, then Kash left as Low Ki and Daniels started arguing. Don Harris came out to confront Kash, and Kash slapped Harris before running away. Kash ran off into the crowd, with Harris in pursuit. Ki and Daniels continued to argue all the way to the back, with a referee trying to separate them.
Scott Hudson interviewed Don Callis, Abyss, Kevin Northcutt and Legend, who promised to take out AJ Styles and Raven tonight for Jeff Jarrett.
Shark Boy vs. Abyss. Don Callis came out with Abyss, holding an AJ Styles photo to motivate Abyss. Shark Boy ducked out of Abyss' initial charge, and tried a flying bodypress and a dropkick, but it had no effect and Abyss slammed him down. Abyss mauled Shark Boy, chopping him in the corner and choking him with his boot. Abyss avalanched Shark Boy in the corner and hit a side slam. Abyss missed a second rope legdrop, and Shakr Boy hit a clothesline, but Abyss grabbed Shark Boy by the throat. Shark Boy managed to get a springboard bulldog, then punched and bit Abyss in the corner. Shark Boy went for reverse bodyblock, and Abyss caught him, but Shark floated over and bit Abyss on the butt before rolling him up for two. Shark Boy managed to float out of a torture rack, but was caught in the Black Hole Slam (sidewalk slam) for the win at the three minute mark. Winner: Abyss.
Post match, Callis stood over Shark Boy, and Shark grabbed Callis by the throat, so Abyss gave Shark Boy a Torture Rack slam. Callis brought a table into the ring, and Abyss powerbombed Shark Boy through it.
Scott Hudson interviewed Raven about his decision to wrestle both Legend and Kevin Northcutt in the same night. Raven said he put Ryan Wilson, Jim Mitchell, Vampiro, Sinn and Slash out of wrestling in recent weeks. Raven said he would have to deal with both men anyway, so he is taking care of it in one night, so he can move on to Jeff Jarrett and his destiny of becoming NWA World Champion. CM Punk and Julio Dinero entered, wanting to talk to Raven, but Raven walked off. Hudson asked them what was going on with their relationship with Raven. Dinero said that Raven would know how they fell tonight.
A video package on X aired.
Chris Sabin vs. X. X tossed Sabin over the top rope as soon as they locked up. Sabin came right back in but was unable to shoulderblock X down. On his third try, X hit a lariat, then pounded Sabin. Sabin hit a dropkick, was backdropped to the apron, but came right back with a slingshot rana. X grabbed Sabin by the throat and hit a chokeslam style spinebuster. Sabin whipped X into a corner, but X came back with a clothesline. X hung Sabin across the top rope, then hit a guillotine legdrop off the top rope. X put Sabin in a surfboard, but Sabin broke out and hit a series of chops. X delivered some forearms and a pair of chops. X missed a bodyblock and fell to the apron, and Sabin dropkicked him to the floor. Sabin hit an over the top rope tope con hilo then tossed X back into the ring. Sabin hit a springboard leg lariat for a two count. X booted Sabin and went for the package piledriver, but Sabin reversed into a pinning position. X bridged out and powerbombed Sabin. X hit a top rope cannonball on Sabin, who rolled out of the ring and up the ramp. X gave Sabin a backbreaker on the floor. X went for a cannonball off the top rope to the floor, but Sabin rolled out of the way and X landed hard on the ramp. Sabin rolled X back into the ring, and hit a fireman's carry into a Michinoku Driver for the pin at the seven minute mark. Winner: Chris Sabin.
Jimmy Hart and Scott Hudson were in the crowd, hyping up the Fan's Revenge match. Two fans were selected and given straps.
A video package on Raven's relationship with CM Punk & Julio Dinero and feud with the Red Shirt Security was shown, including Raven picking Sandman and Erik Watts as his partners last week over Punk & Dinero. Raven was shown asking Punk and Dinero to leave him alone.
Kevin Northcutt & Legend vs. Raven. This was two separate singles matches. Legend started, pounding Raven with right hands, but Raven returned fire and went for a DDT, but Legend rolled to the floor. Raven hit a pescado on Legend and Northcutt. Back in the ring, Legend hit a boot to the face for a two count. Legend dominated for a minute, and we saw that Punk & Dinero were watching from the stage. Northcutt got an pair of elbows in from the floor. Legend worked over Raven with a rear chinlock, but Raven fought up and elbowed out. Raven hit a shoulderblock, but Legend caught him with a superkick. Legend went to the top rope, but Raven slammed him off. Raven hit a pair of clotheslines and a big lariat followed by a kneelift. Raven went for a bulldog, but Legend shoved him off into the corner and hit a reverse DDT for a two count. Legend went for a running kick, but Raven caught it and hit a DDT for the pin at the 4 minute mark. Winner: Raven. Northcutt ran right in to begin his match, hitting a running knee in the corner. Northcutt applied an armbar and mulekicked Raven in the face. Northcutt decked Raven with some right hands, but Raven came back with a superkick. Raven went for a DDT, but Legend ran in and attacked Raven. The referee didn't call for the bell, so I guess it is no-DQ. Northcutt held Raven, and Legend grabbed a chair. Raven kicked the chair into Legend and was rallying, but Abyss ran in and gave Raven the Black Hole Slam. The referee called for the bell, and declared the match a no contest at the seven minute mark (total match time). Decision: No contest.
Don Callis came out, and a table was set up at ringside, but Punk & Dinero finally ran down with chairs and ran off the Red Shirts, Abyss and Callis. Abyss wanted to get back in, but the Red Shirts and Callis convinced him to leave.
The "Triple Chance" tournament was recapped, which Sonjay Dutt won. It was mentioned that Shane Douglas and Tracy had been scouting the X-Division matches of late. Interviews with X Champion Michael Shane and Sonjay Dutt also aired.
Jimmy Hart and Scott Hudson were on the stage with his nine selected "fans" for the Fan's Revenge match. They promised that if Jarrett left the ring, they would "whip him like a dog".
X Division Champion Michael Shane vs. Sonjay Dutt. Michael Shane went on the offense right away, pounding Dutt down. Shane Douglas and Tracy were watching from the balcony. Shane missed a charge in the corner and Dutt hit a headscissors. We saw that Don Callis, The Red Shirts and Abyss were arguing in the back. Dutt sent Shane to the floor and went for a tope, but Shane caught Dutt with a forearm. We learned that Callis' men were challenging Raven, Punk & Dinero to a match next week. Dutt went for a springboard bodypress, but only got a two count. Douglas & Trinity came to ringside, and were cheering for Sonjay Dutt. Shane decked Dutt, and argued with Douglas. This allowed Dutt to roll up Shane for a two count and to hit a swinging DDT out of a headscissors. Dutt fired off some punches and backdropped Shane. Dutt hit a running knee and a DDT into a knee, following with a stunner for a two count. Dutt flipped out of a Shane suplex attempt, but was caught with a cradle DDT by Shane for a two count. Shane set up Dutt for Sweet Chin Music, but Dutt caught it and hit a backflip into a reverse DDT. Dutt hit the Hindu Press off the top, but Tracy pulled Dutt off Shane on the cover. Tracy got on the apron and argued with Dutt, then Tracy yanked the referee into her cleavage. Meanwhile, Shane pulled out a chain and slugged Dutt with it. Tracy released the referee, who counted Dutt down at the six minute mark. Winner: Michael Shane.
Shane Douglas introduced Tracy and Michael Shane as part of his "new Franchise", saying the three of them were going to make some noise in TNA.
Scott Hudson interviewed Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes talked about how success breeds power, and how he tried to help Jeff Jarrett become the "mothership" of TNA, since he held the NWA World Title. Rhodes said he was a "national treasure" and that the people put food on his table and sent his kids to school. Rhodes said he had ten of the people with leather straps tonight, since Jarrett's daddy never took off his belt and whipped him enough as a child. AJ Styles entered, cutting a promo on Jarrett for their title match next week.
The events leading to the six-man match for the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championship were recapped. We saw that Diamond & Swinger and less than thrilled with Gilberti's management of late.
NWA World Tag Team Championship Decision Match: Glen Gilberti, Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger vs. 3 Live Kru (Konnan, BG James & Ron Killings). America's Most Wanted came out before the match started and joined the announcers at ringside. Killings started out with Swinger, who pounded Killings down to the mat and hit a shoulderblock. Killings came back with a rana and an armdrag, then tagged in Konnan for a double elbow. Swinger was set up for Killings top rope legdrop to the groin. We saw that Raven was talking with Punk & Dinero in the back, saying he didn't want to team with them. Gilberti tagged in and Konnan hit him with a rolling clothesline. Gilberti hit a drop toe hold, but missed an elbowdrop and Konnan hit a faceplant. Swinger came in and hit a clothesline on Konnan for a two count. Swinger choked Konnan, then his team made several quick tags while working over Konnan. Konnan DDT'd Gilberti on a backdrop attempt, then tagged in BG James, who cleaned house. Diamond superkicked James to stop his momentum. James was dumped to the floor, and Gilberti tossed him into the rails. Diamond tossed James back into the ring, and Swinger covered him for a two count. Diamond tagged in and mocked James' dance moves. James hit a low blow, but Swinger tagged in before James could make a tag. The heels had some miscommunication, and Diamond and Gilberti argued. James clotheslined both of them, and made the hot tag to Killings. Killings hit a flying forearm on Swinger, a dropkick on Diamond and a leg lariat on Gilberti. James came in and lifted Gilberti for Killings' side kick. The match broke down, with all six men in the ring. The ring started to clear out, with Killings and Swinger left in the ring, while the others brawled on the floor. Killings hit Swinger with the ax kick. The referee was on the floor for some reason. David Young ran in and hit Killings with a tennis racket. The referee went back in, but James Storm ran in and stopped the referee. AMW started interfering, with one distracting the referee while the other one would attack members of Gilberti's team. The camera man totally missed Chris Harris' spear. Killings hit a gourdbuster on Swinger and got the pin at the ten minute mark. Winners and new NWA World Tag Team Champion: 3 Live Kru.
After the match, America's Most Wanted handed 3 Live Kru the belts. James and Killings held the belts in the ring, so I don't know if they will exclusively defend the belts, or if Konnan will be involved like the old Demolition and Freebird rules, where any two of the three can be involved in title defenses.
Roddy Piper was shown working out, and talking about how Jeff Jarrett informed him that Johnny Cash had died the last time he was in Nashville. I don't get it either. Roddy Piper said he would be coming back soon.
Scott Hudson was with Raven, CM Punk and Julio Dinero. Raven said that for "one night only", The Gathering would reunite. Raven promised that the Red Shirts and Abyss would not want a rematch after next week, and then he could move on to Jeff Jarrett.
Fan's Revenge Match: Jeff Jarrett vs. Dusty Rhodes. The NWA World Title was not on the line in this match. Jimmy Hart (who was not wearing his Hulk Hogan jacket this week) escorted the nine fans to ringside, all carrying leather straps. Jarrett got on the mic and said he was going to whip every single fan at ringside tonight, then he was going to whip Rhodes. A lot of stalling the first two minutes, then the locked up and Dusty hit the bionic elbow. Jarrett rolled to the floor, and the fans and Hart started whipping Jarrett, who scurried back into the ring. They locked up again, and Rhodes whipped Jarrett across the ring. Jarrett went to the floor again, voluntarily, and got whipped before running back in. Jarrett and Rhodes locked up, and Rhodes tossed Jarrett to the floor. Jarrett got whipped again. Jarrett tried to go after Hart, who was on the floor, and Jarrett got whipped again. Jarrett was starting to get welts on his back. Jarrett went after Rhodes, poking him in the eyes and kneeing him in the head. Jarrett rolled Rhodes to the apron, but the fans weren't going to whip him. Jarrett hit a series of right hands, but Rhodes came back with the Flip, Flop and Fly and the bionic elbow. Jarrett went to the floor and got whipped again. Rhodes grabbed a belt and whipped Jarrett, then accidentally hit the referee. Jarrett low blowed Rhodes, then pulled the belt off the downed referee and whipped Rhodes. Hart ran in and whipped Jarrett. Don Callis ran in and Hart whipped him as well. Jarrett knocked Hart down, but Erik Watts ran in and chokeslammed Jarrett. Watts went after Callis, but the Red Shirts ran in and attacked Watts. The referee called for the bell, and I guess a no-contest, at the seven minute mark. Decision: No contest.
The Red Shirts and Jarrett were brawling with Watts and Rhodes. AJ Styles ran in, as TNA was having satellite problems and lost the signal for a few moments. The signal came back in time for us to see Styles pounding Jarrett on the rampway as the show came to a close.
Next Week:
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett vs. AJ Styles.
- Raven, CM Punk & Julio Dinero vs. Abyss, Kevin Northcutt & Legend.
2007 - Tyson Tomko signed a deal to return to WWE, although he would be released before returning to the main roster.
2008 - The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, based out of Amsterdam, New York announced their inductees for the Class of 2009 after tallying the results of invited voters:
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is proud to announce the names of the 2009 Induction Class. Inductees include: Evan "Strangler" Lewis, Wladek Zbyszko, Billy Graham, Jay Strongbow, Randy Savage, Paul Orndorff, Antonio Inoki, the tag team of Mark Lewin & Don Curtis, Lou Albano, and Donna Christantello.
The Senator Hugh Farley Award will be given to Hank Garrett.
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin this week with another reminder that Hulk Hogan is a part of TNA. We also see footage of people talking about the new era in the company.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ Tenay and Taz.
We see the participants in the TNA Championship Series and Mike and Taz mention how eight wrestlers will be participating in a tournament to earn a title match in their regular division.
We see footage from last week of the attack by Raven and Dr. Stevie on Abyss.
Match Number One: Bobby Lashleywith Kristal versus Abyss in a TNA Championship Series First Round Match
Lashley with clotheslines but Abyss does not go down. Abyss with a big boot to Lashley and then he tries for a charge into the corner but Lashley moves and he punches Abyss. The referee warns Lashley and Abyss with a clothesline. Abyss with forearms to the back and then he chokes Lashley in the ropes. Lashley with punches but they have little effect on Abyss and Abyss works on the neck. Abyss puts Lashley in a bear hug and Lashley is able to get out of the hold with head butts. Abyss charges at Lashley but Lashley with a drop toe hold and then Lashley with a clothesline and a forearm to the upper chest. Lashley charges into an elbow but Lashley with a spinebuster and then he poses and clotheslines Abyss over the top rope to the floor. Abyss pulls Lashley out of the ring and Kristal is knocked down by Abyss. Abyss sees Kristal on the floor and he realizes what he did. Abyss turns around and Lashley hits a spear and then he makes Abyss tap to a dragon sleeper.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
We go to commercial.
We are back and in Mick Foley’s office with Mick and Jeremy Borash. Jeremy tries to talk to Mick about how good Hogan is for TNA. Mick is not so happy. Jeremy says that Hogan will help to make TNA into the number one company like Foley wanted when he came to TNA. Foley still does not like the clandestine manner in which Hogan came into the company. Foley then talks about how Bubba the Love Sponge heard about Hogan coming to TNA before Foley. Foley says that he should be informed as a majority shareholder. Foley then talks about what Nash said about Hogan not coming in alone. Foley talks about the backstabbing and politics in the underbelly of the business. Foley says that he is going to talk to Kurt Angle about this.
Match Number Two: Suicide versus Desmond Wolfe in a TNA Championship Series First Round Match
They lock up and Wolfe takes Suicide to the mat and he stomps on Suicide’s arm. Wolfe with a wrist lock and he continues to work on the arm. Wolfe with an overhead suplex using the arm. Suicide uses the ropes to reverse the wrist lock and he hits an arm drag. Wolfe slams the arm back to the mat. Wolfe with a European uppercut and then he hits a running European uppercut in the corner for a near fall. Wolfe with a chin lock using Suicide’s arm followed by a shoulder to the arm. Wolfe returns to the chin lock. Suicide with a springboard back elbow followed by a clothesline and drop kick. Suicide with a rolling fireman’s carry slam followed by a slingshot leg drop from the apron for a near fall. Suicide misses a charge into the corner and Wolfe with a short arm clothesline followed by the Tower of London but Suicide escapes the hold. Suicide with a drop kick that sends Wolfe into the turnbuckles. Suicide avoids a forearm but Wolfe crotches Suicide and hits the Tower of London for the three count.
Winner: Desmond Wolfe
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: D’Angelo Dinero versus Kurt Angle in a TNA Championship Series first round match
They lock up and Angle with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Dinero with an arm drag into an arm bar. Dinero with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Angle. Angle runs into an arm drag and arm bar. Dinero with a wrist lock but Angle reverses. Dinero with a back kick and a flying shoulder tackle for a near fall. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex followed by a punch and European uppercut. Angle with another suplex for a near fall. Angle with a rear chin lock with his knee in Dinero’s back. Angle with a forearm to the back followed by an Irish whip but Dinero with an elbow and clotheslines. Angle tries for the Three Rivers German suplex combination but Dinero blocks the third one and Dinero counters with a German suplex of his own. Dinero with an STO for a near fall. Dinero with a chop to Angle and Angle falls into the ropes and Dinero with a splash through the ropes and he hits a hesitation elbow drop and then he poses. Angle with the ankle lock but Dinero counters. Angle with the Olympic Slam for the three count.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle offers his hand to Dinero and they shake hands and hug.
We go to commercial.
We are back briefly and we see Homicide asking for pyro for his match.
We are back in Kurt Angle’s locker room. Mick wants to know where the Main Event Mafia is. Angle says that the Mafia is no more. Foley says that Angle is the most valuable acquisition in TNA and then he asks Angle what Dixie has told him about Hogan. Angle says that Hogan is coming in to make the company better and Foley should embrace that. Foley says that Hogan is coming in to take Foley’s spot. Angle says that they formed a partnership and he is on board. Angle asks Foley if he remembers Dixie’s speech. Foley mentions that Nash told him that Hogan is not coming alone. Angle wonders why Foley would listen to Nash.
Match Number Four: Homicide versus Robert Roode in a TNA Championship Series first round match
Homicide attacks Roode from behind before the bell rings and he punches Roode. Homicide with an Irish whip but Roode with a clothesline coming out of the corner. Homicide goes to the floor and he pulls Roode out as well. Homicide with punches to Roode and then he connects with elbows to the head and a rake of the back. Homicide with a knee to the ribs before they return to the ring. Homicide with a clothesline in the corner but Roode with punches and a chop. Homicide with a hard Irish whip and elbow drop. Homicide with knees to the back and then he goes for the nerve hold. Roode gets to his feet but Homicide with a flying back elbow for a near fall. Homicide with a kick and he tries for a cutter but Roode avoids it and hits a clothesline. Roode with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Homicide with a knee and he sets for the Gringo Killer but Roode escapes. Roode tries for Payoff but Homicide escapes. Homicide tries for a cutter but Roode escapes. Roode hits a spinebuster and gets the three count.
Winner: Robert Roode
After the match, Homicide has a chair and he yells at a producer before throwing the chair and leaving.
We go to commercial.
We go to Kurt Angle’s locker room where Jeremy Borash asks Kurt about his second round match against Robert Roode. Angle says that he has a lot of respect for Robert Roode but he has his eyes on the prize, a title match against A.J. Styles. Angle guarantees that he is going to win the tournament. Angle says that he hopes Wolfe wins his match with Lashley so he can beat Desmond to get the title shot.
Match Number Five: Knockout Battle Royal featuring Hamada, Alissa Flash, Daffney, Lacey Von Erich, Velvet Sky, and Madison Rayne, Sarita, Taylor Wilde, Tara, and Traci Brooks With Guest Referee ODB to determine ODB’s opponent at Final Resolution
The bell rings and everyone pairs off with Hamada eliminating Daffney after a head butt. Wilde goes after Traci while Flash joins Velvet and Madison going after Tara. Flash sends Traci to the apron and then she connects with a forearm but Traci fights back with a forearm of her own. Wilde and Sarita send Flash to the apron and then Sarita and Wilde with drop kicks to Flash and Brooks to eliminate them. After they are eliminated, Brooks and Flash continue to battle as we go to commercial.
We are back for a second and we see the action continue and Lacey is thrown over the top rope by Tara but she lands on the apron. Tara gives her a kick to send her to the floor and Lacey is eliminated.
We are back and Hamada kicks Tara and connects with a head butt. Velvet and Madison with a double side Russian leg sweep to Wilde. Velvet and Madison eliminate Sarita. Hamada charges into the corner and Wilde with a kick. Wilde with a head scissors that eliminates herself and Hamada joins in the elimination. Tara with a flying clothesline to Velvet and Madison. Tara with kicks and punches but Velvet attacks Tara from behind. Tara sends Madison to the apron and then Velvet accidentally knocks Madison off the apron to eliminate her.
We are down to the final two and Tara sends Velvet to the apron. Velvet with a shoulder and then she tries for a slingshot move back into the ring but Tara with a kick that sends Velvet to the floor to eliminate her.
Winner: Tara
After the match, special referee ODB raises Tara’s hand. Tara offers her hand to ODB, but ODB slaps it away. Then she takes a drink and leaves the ring.
Jeremy is in the locker room with Eric Young and Kevin Nash. Jeremy wonders how a title shot for Eric’s title is not involved in the tournament. Eric says that it is an example of the discrimination that he faces every day by not being shown respect. Eric says that it is ironic that American wrestlers are mauling each other on Thanksgiving in an attempt to get gold. Eric says that his belt will never be defended on American soil against an American wrestler.
We go to the weekly Hulk Hogan video package and he gives his Patton motivational speech about how TNA is the future of sports entertainment.
Foley is on the phone and he wants to know if Dixie is meeting with Hogan while she is in Tampa. Foley tells Dixie’s assistant that he wants to talk to her. There is some commotion in the back and Scott Steiner is trying to get some Main Event Mafia stuff made. Foley tells Steiner that Kurt Angle alluded to the fact that there was no more Main Event Mafia. Steiner asks if Angle actually said the Mafia was done and since Foley did not say that Angle said it was over, he says that it is still alive. Foley asks Steiner about Hogan since Scott worked with him in WCW. Steiner says that he did not date Hogan so he doesn’t know anything about Hogan personally, but they were part of the nWo and they were a band of thieves and there was honor among thieves. Steiner asks Foley who the smartest man he knows and Steiner tells Foley to multiply that by ten because that is how smart Hogan is. Steiner says that the young guys don’t know about the storm that is coming on the horizon with Hogan. Foley also asks Steiner who he thinks Hogan is bringing in. Steiner says that he doesn’t know and then he says that if Kevin said that, it must be true. The costume designer asks Steiner if he wants his gear designed the way he wants because there is only one ‘f’ in Mafia. Steiner tells her to make it. We go to commercial.
Mick Foley is in the back with Kevin Nash and Eric Young and Foley has a bag with him. Foley says that Nash is making more money than he thought and then Foley says that he doesn’t have the money to give Nash what he lost during the suspension. Foley says that he knows that money is important to Nash but Foley wants to know what is going on with Hulk Hogan since Dixie is not returning his calls. Nash jokes around with Foley and he says that Virgil is coming in. Then he says the Disciple is coming in and he laughs about it. Nash continues to mess with Foley and Foley says that this company is important to him and he thinks that Dixie is taking it in the wrong direction. Nash says that if Knobbs comes in, he is quitting. Nash says that as soon as Hulk gives him any information, he will tell Foley.
We see highlights of how the participants in the first semifinal match advanced.
Match Number Six: Desmond Wolfe versus Bobby Lashley with Kristal in a TNA Championship Series semifinal match
Wolfe with a full nelson but Lashley powers out of the hold. Now it is Lashley’s turn for a full nelson and Wolfe has to get to the ropes to get out of the hold. Wolfe works on the arm with a wrist lock but Lashley reverses. Lashley takes Wolfe to the mat but he cannot reverse the hold. Wolfe with a front face lock but Lashley returns to the wrist. Wolfe backs Lashley into the ropes and Wolfe with an elbow. Wolfe with a double thrust to the throat and then he takes Lashley to the mat with a chin lock using Lashley’s arm. Lashley counters with a hammer lock and forearms to Wolfe. Wolfe with a kick to the rope while Lashley’s arm is wrapped in the ropes. Wolfe with a European uppercut but he misses a charge into the corner. Lashley with a running shoulder into the corner followed by a gut buster on his shoulder. Lashley with a full nelson slam for a near fall. Wolfe with an arm wringer and then he puts Lashley on top but Lashley counters the Tower of London with a Dragon sleeper but Wolfe gets to the ropes. Wolfe goes to the apron and then he punches Lashley and then drops him on the second rope. Nigel puts Lashley in the London Dungeon but he is in the ropes and the referee disqualifies Wolfe.
Winner: Bobby Lashley by disqualification
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Bobby and Kristal Lashley. Kristal says that whether it is TNA or MMA, nobody can stop Lashley. He will win the tournament and then the Boss will write his own tickets and dictate his own future.
We see highlights from the first round matches for the people in the second semifinal.
Match Number Seven: Robert Roode versus Kurt Angle in a TNA Championship Series semifinal match
Angle with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Roode with a back elbow. Angle punches Roode in the corner but Roode responds with punches of his own. Angle with a kick to Roode but Roode with a neck breaker for a near fall. Roode with a slam and a knee drop. Roode chops Angle and then he gives Angle a snap mare and a leap frog neck snap. Angle sends Roode to the floor and then Angle slams Roode’s head into the ring steps. They return to the ring and gets a near fall. Angle with a suplex for another near fall. Angle with a waist lock but Roode gets to his feet and he escapes the hold, but Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Angle with a snap mare and then he puts Roode in a body scissors. Roode escapes but Angle puts Roode in a side head lock. Roode with punches but Angle with an Irish whip but Roode with an elbow and boot. Roode with a blockbuster from the second turnbuckle and both men are down. Roode and Angle exchange punches with Roode gaining the advantage. Roode with a flying forearm for a near fall. Angle with an ankle lock but Roode escapes. Roode with a spinebuster but he can only get a two count. Roode with a kick and he tries for Payoff but Angle with a German suplex. Angle sets for the Olympic Slam but Roode counters with an arm drag. Roode misses a charge into the corner and Angle hits the Olympic slam but Roode kicks out at two. The straps come down but so does Desmond Wolfe as he approaches the ring. Wolfe spits at Angle and Angle goes after Wolfe. Angle punches and kicks Wolfe as they fight up the ramp. The referee makes the ten count and Angle is not in the ring so he is counted out.
Winner: Robert Roode by count out
We go to commercial.
We are back A.J. Styles comes to the ring. A.J. says that he came out to say one thing, but first he wanted to tell Sting to give him a call because he is a concerned friend. The ‘f’ word forces Daniels to come out to the ring.
Daniels tells A.J. that he is thrilled that he is such good friends with Sting, but he wonders if Sting knows how much a friendship with A.J. costs. Daniels says that he has been a better friend to A.J. than A.J. has ever been to him. All of the years they traveled and worked out together, A.J. is a World Champion, but Daniels points out that he has gotten nothing out of the friendship. Daniels mentions that he did not get title matches and he even lost his job for sixteen months. Daniels wants to know where A.J. was. With all of the power that A.J. has in the company, he couldn’t make one call to bring Daniels back. Daniels points out that he is back and when he gets his shot at the title, A.J. stabbed him in the back and stole his only chance at greatness. Daniels tells A.J. that he knows why he did it. It was because A.J. knows that Daniels is a better wrestler because A.J. wanted to keep Daniels as a friend instead of his worst enemy. Daniels will not let A.J.’s friendship be an anchor around his ankle. Now they are enemies and on opposite sides of the fence. Daniels tells A.J. to tell his family that Uncle Chris is sorry that someone had to put daddy in their place.
A.J. says that he is not going to tell his kids because they will know what Uncle Chris is all about. At Final Resolution, Daniels will find out what A.J. is all about at Final Resolution. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the finals of the TNA Championship Series before we return to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is in the interview area with Robert Roode and James Storm. Roode says that he has nothing but respect for Lashley but this is where we separate the men from the boys. Roode says that since he is the only tag team wrestler in the tournament, he is doing this for his partner. Roode says that the British Invasion are doing everything to avoid them. After beating Lashley tonight, they will get another chance to regain their tag titles.
Did you know that Hulk Hogan has made a deal with TNA? Next week, we will hear from Dixie Carter.
We review how Roode and Lashley made it to the finals of this tournament.
Match Number Eight: Bobby Lashley with Kristal Lashley versus Robert Roode in the TNA Championship Series finals
They lock up and Lashley backs Roode into the turnbuckles. Lashley with a clean break and a stare down. Roode with a waist lock but Lashley with a standing switch and a take down into a Dragon sleeper attempt but Roode gets to the ropes before Lashley can lock it in. Roode with a kick and side head lock. Lashley with a shoulder tackle and back elbow followed by a slam. Lashley with an elbow drop for a near fall. Roode gets off Lashley’s shoulder and Roode works on the left arm and shoulder as we go to commercial.
We are back and Lashley with punches but Roode returns to the arm. We see footage from the commercial of Roode working on the arm. Roode with a chop as we return to the current action in the ring. Roode charges into an elbow but Roode with a take down into a Fujiwara arm bar. Lashley makes it to the ropes and Roode releases the hold. Roode punches Lashley but Lashley punches back. Roode with a thumb to the eyes and then he connects with a forearm. Lashley with a full nelson slam followed by clotheslines. Lashley with a spinebuster for a two count. Lashley has Roode up for a torture rack but Roode gets to the mat and hits a divorce court for a near fall. Roode tries for Payoff but Lashley with a back body drop. Lashley misses a charge into the corner and Roode hits the Payoff but can only get a two count. Roode returns to the arm but Lashley with an Irish whip. Roode tries for a Blockbuster but Lashley moves out of the way. Lashley with a spear for the three count.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
2009 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a match from the Raw brand, but we are told about the main event from the Smackdown brand, R Truth versus Dolph Ziggler.
Match Number One: The Miz versus Santino Marella
Santino with a few kicks that miss the target and then he does the cobra pose. They lock up and Miz with an arm bar and he slaps Santino and then applies a side head lock and take down. Santino returns to his feet and Miz with a shoulder tackle. Miz pushes Santino and Santino pushes back and takes Miz down with a side head lock. Santino with a shoulder tackle and then he hits a few arm drags but Miz with a forearm when Santino tries for a third. Miz with kicks and punches to Santino and the referee warns Miz. Miz with a running boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Miz with a chin lock and arm bar. Miz with a knee and punch to take Santino back to the mat. Miz with an Irish whip and clothesline but Miz only gets a two count. Miz rubs Santino’s face in the mat. Miz with a kick but Santino blocks a punch and connects with a few punches before Miz with a kick and neck breaker for a near fall. Miz punches Santino and then he runs Santino into the turnbuckles. Miz sets for his running clothesline into the corner and he hits it. Miz goes up top but he is met with a punch to the midsection. Miz misses a clothesline into the corner. Santino with a series of punches and a belly-to-back suplex. Santino with a split and hip toss. Santino tries for the cobra but Miz with a kick to the viper like hand and then Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winner: The Miz
It is time for Ask the Divas and they are asked about their favorite part of Thanksgiving.
Vladimir Kozlov and William Regal walk in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for our ECW contribution to the Thanksgiving festival. Before the match, we see Ezekiel Jackson leaving his association with William Regal and Vladimir Kozlov on Tuesday night.
Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov with William Regal versus Goldust
They lock up and Kozlov pushes Goldust away. They lock up again and Kozlov backs Goldust into the turnbuckles and Goldust pushes Kozlov and avoids a punch and hits one of his own. Goldust with a punch and side head lock but Kozlov with a shoulder tackle and then he poses to celebrate his achievement. Kozlov charges at Goldust but Goldust moves and Kozlov goes over the top rope to the floor. Goldust with a clothesline from the apron but Kozlov with a kick and he tries to send Goldust into the ring post but Goldust is the one who sends Kozlov into the post. We go to commercial.
We are back and Goldust with an arm bar and then he connects with a few elbows to the shoulder. Kozlov runs Goldust into the turnbuckles and hits a shoulder. Kozlov charges into a boot and then Goldust comes off the turnbuckles but he is met with a head butt. Goldust goes to the floor and Kozlov goes after Goldust and returns him to the ring. Goldust punches Kozlov but Kozlov locks the arms and hits a series of head butts to the chest followed by a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Kozlov with forearms to the midsection and then he gets a near fall. Kozlov with a waist lock but Goldust escapes and connects with a series of punches including the drop down uppercut. Goldust with a flying clothesline and a bulldog. Goldust punches Kozlov in the corner but Kozlov with an Irish whip and a cross body into the corner but Goldust catches Kozlov and hits a power slam for a near fall. Goldust tries for an elbow drop but Kozlov blocks it with his knee and then Kozlov hits the spinebuster for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
After the match, Regal with the running knee to Goldust’s head.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a John Cena video package.
It is now time for our main event featuring the Smackdown brand.
We go to the Raw Rebound featuring Jesse Ventura’s job as guest host.
We also run through the announced card for TLC so far.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: R Truth versus Dolph Ziggler
Before they lock up R Truth does a little dancing. Ziggler refuses to lock up at first but eventually he does and he works on the arm with a hammer lock. Ziggler with a side head lock and Truth tries to take Ziggler off his feet but Ziggler maintains control. Ziggler with a punch and then he runs to the floor to avoid Truth. Ziggler returns to the ring and Truth goes after Ziggler but Ziggler gets to the ropes again. Ziggler attacks Truth and hits a snap mare followed by a leap frog neck snap for a near fall. Ziggler returns to the arm bar. Truth with punches to the midsection followed by an arm drag and punch to the head that sends Ziggler to the floor. They lock up again and Ziggler backs Truth into the corner. Truth blocks a punch and connects with punches of his own. Truth tries to get the crowd pumped up and that allows Ziggler to recover. Ziggler with a kick to the midsection followed by a punch and more kicks. Ziggler with an Irish whip and a punch and kick to Truth in the corner. Truth with a float over and then he does a split and hits a leg lariat that sends Ziggler back to the floor. Truth with a pescado that takes out Ziggler and we go to commercial.
We are back and Truth has Ziggler in an arm bar. Ziggler with a kick and punches and he finally gets out of the hold. Truth with a kick to Ziggler but he misses the axe kick and the flying spinning forearm. Truth rolls to the floor based on the momentum. The referee starts his count but Truth tries to return to the ring but Ziggler with a baseball slide that returns Truth to the floor. Ziggler sends Truth into the apron and then they return to the ring. Ziggler with a chin lock from the apron and then he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock and he adds pressure to the hold to work on the neck. Truth with punches but Ziggler pulls Truth to the mat by the hair. Ziggler with a slam followed by a series of elbow drops culminating in the hesitation leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler punches Truth and the referee warns Ziggler. Ziggler with a body scissors and chin lock. Truth gets to his feet and he punches Ziggler but Ziggler tries for a neck breaker that is countered into a back slide for a near fall. Truth with a series of clotheslines followed by a hip toss. Truth with a stunner out of a suplex set up and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with an X Factor but he can only get a two count. Ziggler misses a charge into the corner and Truth with a kick to the midsection followed by the axe kick and he can only get a two count. Ziggler with an inside cradle for a near fall that is also countered by Truth for a near fall. Ziggler tries for a variation of an axe kick of his own but he misses. Truth with the flying spinning forearm for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
2010- Impact Championship Wrestling ran The Elks Lodge 828 in Queens, New York. Mike Johnson filed the following live report
Pre-Show Notes: Visiting at the show are Nick Gage, Danny Havoc and former ROH regular Deranged.
AJ Risk vs. Justin Toxic vs. BSK vs. Joey Janella
They actually had "tag team" ring announcing with the announcers tagging in and out for each competitior's announcement. Uh...OK!
All four competitors began shoving each other at the bell. Risk hit a solash in the corner on Janella, then got a two count off a shining wizard. They went back and forth with some cool spots, includingg a moonsault by Janella on all three. Risk ducked a Toxic charge and Toxic took a bump over the top to the floor. There were some cool dives to the floor. Janella slammed Toxic and hit a top rope moonsault, scoring the pin. Fun, fast paced match.
Your winner, Joey Janella!
Danny DeManto (with his valet Tina) hit the ring and clobbered Toxic with a chair to the head, then nailed a nasty looking powerbomb. He took the mic and asked the fans if they liked the match and Janella. He said that when pieces of garbage like Janella, he knocks them out. He said that tonight he's in the main event against the Amazing Red. He said backstage, Red was kissing Tina's rear end. He brought out an Amazing Red action figure and started talking to it, saying that he knows Red doesn't get TV time anymore in TNA because he's not a Jersey Shore guy, but not to worry because tonight will be the last match of his career. He then said he was going to rip Red's head off his shoulders, ripped the head off the figure with his mouth and spit it into the crowd. Good mic work.
Sami Callihan vs. Quiet Storm
Callihan came out with a mic saying he was the hardest hitting wrestler in the world and he was going to kick Quiet Storm's ass. Callihan shoved the referee out of the ring as he announced Storm. They began exchanging stiff forearm strikes in the middle of the ring. Callihan missed a charge in the corner, then Storm missed one. Storm caught Callihan with a big clothesline but was cut off with a chop. They continued the beating with lots of stiff chops and punches. Storm caught Callihan and tossed him with a double arm suplex. Callihan went to the floor. Storm tried to suplex him back into the ring but Storm halted it and kicked him in the head.
Callihan drilled Storm with a series of kicks to the chest for a two count. He tore at Storm's face and ripped at it. Callihan began slapping Storm in the face and chopping him. He ducked a Storm clothesline but was caught with a knee. Storm went for a running charge but was nailed with a leaping elbow. The referee began counting both men down. Storm nailed a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. He called for the Storm Cradle Driver. Callihan blocked it but was caught with a big suplex. Storm went for his finisher again but it was blocked. Callihan nailed several kicks but was caught in a rear salto suplex for a two count. Good match. Storm went for it again but was caught with a forward roll into a pin.
Your winner, Sami Callihan!
Prince Nana came to the ring with his Nana Corp. of Papadon, Xavier and Pinky Sanchez. Nana started ripping on the crowd and pointing out fat people. He said that his limo driver just called to say that Christopher Daniels is stuck in traffic on the BQE. He said it was because all the stinky New Yorkers drive like Chinese people. He said that they are going to wait and they will have to put Daniels and Xavier's ICW Tag Team belts at a later time. Daniels came out in street clothes and wasn't happy they didn't want to wrestle. Nana then handed Stephen DeAngelis a card and said they were going to have a match. DeAngelis announced Daniels and Xavier vs. Sanchez and Papadon. Daniels looked like he was confused and didn't know what the hell was going on. They rang the bell, so I guess it's an official match.
Sanchez was taken "out" by Xavier and then pinned. Holy Hogan-Nash, folks. The storyline here was that Daniels wasn't happy with the situation.
A quick update, Colt Cabana is NOT on the show as the promotion canceled his booking a few days ago. The promotion advertised him all week, which completely lame.
Bandido Jr. vs. Devon Moore
Moore hit the ring and nailed Bandido with a bunch of punches, then backdropped him. Bandido powdered out of the ring. They battled out of the ring. Bandido crotched Moore as they returned to the ring, then worked him over. He nailed a snap suplex but only received a one count. He controlled Moore on the mat. Bandido drilled him with several kicks and a dropkick. Bandido went to the top but was caught with a superkick. Moore nailed a Hollywood Star Press for a two count, then drilled Bandido with a big boot to the face for a two count. He drilled him with an enziguri.
Moore went to the top rope but was cut off by Bandido. Bandido nailed a top rope hurancanrana for a two count. He nailed a Lungblower for a two count. They battled on the top rope. Moore got the better of him with several headbutts, then nailed a shooting star press for the pin.
Your winner, Devon Moore!
After the match, Bandido tried to attack Moore but was laid out with a superkick.
ICW Tag Team champions Xavier & Christopher Daniels vs. "Heaven and Hell" Azrieal and The Grimm Reefer vs. The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz - Elimination Match.
Reefer took the mic and said they were looking for revenge. DRS came out and announced themselves as the Tag Team champions of the Universe. This brought out ICW Tag Team champions Xavier and Christopher Daniels came out. Daniels said that he didn't care how many belts DRS bought at Toys R Us, they can never call themselves champions because they lost to Daniels and Xavier. This set up a Three-Way for the title.
Daniels and KC Blade started the match. Daniels shoved him and caught him with a headlock. Blade shoved him off into the ropes. Daniels tried to shoulderblock him down but Blade didn't budge. Daniels tried again and again, no movement. Blade caught him with a knee to the gut and raked Daniels' back. Daniels ducked a clothesline attempt and drilled Blade with a series of forearms. Blade came back with a clothesline. Daniels drilled him with kicks to the legs and a dropkick. Blade powdered out of the ring and tagged out ton Azrieal.
Azrieal and Daniels went back and forth, culminating in Daniels being caught in flying head scissors. He cut off Azrieal and tagged out to Xavier. Xavier drilled him with a great dropkick in the corner. Azrieal came back with a hiptoss and an armbar. Reefer tagged in and controlled Xavier. Xavier tagged out to EC Negro. Necro whipped Reefer into the ropes but was caught with a kick to the face. Reefer charged and was backdropped onto the apron. Daniels went after him but was tossed into the ring. Reefer hit a missile dropkick on both.
Negro whipped Reefer into Daniels. who clotheslined him down. KC Blade tagged in and cinched in a rear chinlock. He whipped Azrieal into the ropes and caught him with a knee to the gut. Daniels tagged in and rode Azrieal on the mat, cinching in a chinlock. Azrieal made a comeback and nailed a double clothesline on Negro and Daniels. Reefer made the hot tag and locked Daniels in the Crippler Crossface. Xavier broke up the hold.
All six began brawling in the ring. Azrieal ducked down and Blade bumped over the ropes to the floor. Azrieal hit a nice tope through the ropes on him. Daniels and Xavier began over Daniels. Xavier went to use a foreign object but nailed Daniels by accident. DRS covered Daniels and he and Xavier were eliminated.
The match continued DRS hit a tornado DDT on Reefer as he was on Negro's shoulders. It looked nasty. They covered him but Azrieal broke it up. Reefer rolled to the outside as DRS worked on Azrieal, who mounted a comeback. He drilled Blade with a stiff dropkick in the corner and captured Blade with a small package for the pin.
Your winners and new ICW Tag Team champions, Azrieal and Grim Reefer!
DRS attacked and laid out the new champs, then walked out with the belts.
After intermission, a woman came out and showed off a towel.
Eddie Kingston & Monster Mack vs. Ricky Reyes & Joel Maximo (with Julius Smokes)
Smokes did some of his trademark promo work and said that win lose or draw, he has problems with that "African Booty Scratcher" Prince Nana and that they wanted Kingston and Mack on their side against Nana Corp. Mack said that you don't go into a fight without knowing who your partners are, so they should face off and test each other out.
MaximHeo and Kingston started out. They went back and forth. Mack tagged in and he and Maximo tried to outpower each other. Maximo nailed him with an enziguiri kick and brought Mack into their corner. Reyes and Maximo worked over Mack, who made a comeback. Mack didn't sell some hard chop and overpowered Reyes. He tagged in Kingston who snapmared Reyes over and covered him for a two count.
Mack and Kingston cut the ring off on Reyes and continued beating on him, focusing on the leg. Kingston continued the assault, choking out Reyes. Maximo tagged in and cleaned house on Kingston, nailing a moonsault for a two count. Mack went to the top rope but was cut off by Reyes and Mack hit a double superplex. The fans chanted, "Holy sh**" Reyes continued working over Mack but was caught and powerslammed down. Reyes tagged in and caught Kingston in a Dragon Sleeper but Kingston kneed him to escape.
Kingston and Reyes went back and forth. Mack came from behind and drilled Reyes with a lariat. Kingston dropped the elbow and made the cover.
Your winners, Monster Mack & Eddie Kingston!
After the match, Kingston did some mic work to set up shaking hands with Smokes.
Pinky Sanchez vs. Rich Swann
Sanchez did some grandstanding early. Swann got tired of it and went after Sanchez. They ended up chasing each other around the ring. Sanchez begged off when they returned to the ring. Swann finally began chopping away at him. Sanchez caught Swann and crotched him on the ropes. Sanchez drilled him with kicks to the gut. Sanchez worked over Swann's leg. Swann made a comeback with a big dropkick. Swann drilled him with a sitdown Michinoku Driver. Swann went for his standing leaping shooting star but Sanchez got his knees up. Sanchez caught him with a DDT for the pin.
Your winner, Pinky Sanchez!
Dan Maff vs. Papadon.
If Maff loses, he must join Nana Corp. If Papadon, Nana has to be Maff's b**ch for a month. All of Nana Corp. came to the ring. Maff said that he realized that he needed some new friends and out came Mack, Kingston, Reyes and Maximo came out and there was a huge brawl. Everyone powdered out. Maff worked over Papadon and knocked him out of the ring, then hit a dive on him. They battled around the ring.
Back in the ring, they went back and forth. Papadon clobbered Maff with a clothesline but he kicked out at two. Papadon slammed Maff and then nailed a top rope headbutt. Maff clobbered Papadon and whipped him into the turnbuckles. He went for a cannonball in the corner but Papadon moved out of the way. Papadon came off the ropes with a back elbow. He went for a clothesline but Maff kicked him in the gut, nailed him with a foreign object and scored the pin.
Your winner, Dan Maff!
After the match, Maff cornered Prince Nana in the corner and snapped him across the ring, flipping him. The other babyfaces surrounded the ring as Maff went to nail Nana with a Burning Hammer but Eddie Kingston nailed him, turning heel. Monsta Mack did as well and they, and Nana Corp. beat down Maff in the ring. Chris Daniels turned babyface to make the save for Nana. The babyfaces made a comeback and ran off Nana Corp. Maff pressed Sanchez over his head into the aisle, wiping out Nana Corp. Fun stuff here.
Homicide vs. Jon Moxley
They have some good back and forth wrestling to kick it off. Moxley went to the floor. Homicide went for a sliding kick but missed. Moxley worked him over on the floor. Moxley charged but Homicide backdropped him into the crowd and threw a chair in his face. They began brawling through the crowds. They wiped out a table full of DVDs while brawling. Moxley locked a figure four on Homicide on the floor. They battled back and forth. Homicide slammed Moxley on a table.
Back in the ring, Moxley superplexed Homicide into the ring for a two count. Moxley began working on Homicide's shoulder and arm. He choked Homicide's thoat with the middle rope. Homicide made a comeback with a hangman's neckbreaker. He nailed Moxley with a tornado DDT for a two count. Moxley came back to work over Homicide and lock him in a STF. Homicide battled his way to the ropes and finally made it to them.
Moxley went for a clothesline but Homicide ducked and nailed one. Homicide went for a lariat but was caught with a stunner. Moxley went to the ropes but Homicide crotched him and made a comeback with several lariats and scored the pin.
Your winner, Homicide!
The Amazing Red vs. Danny Demanto (with Tina) - TLC Match
DeManto smashed Red with several forearms but Red refused to budge. Red came back with several kicks. They grabbed chairs and slammed them at each other. DeManto went to the floor and Red hit a dive to the floor. They battled outside the ring as the referee counted them out - why? It's a TLC match. Red came off the top rope but was caught and slammed. They dragged a ladder into the ring. DeManto went to moonsault Red but got caught and tied to the tree of woe. Red nailed a big dropkick into DeManto as he was tied up.
Red went to the top rope but Tina shoved him off and he took a bump to the floor. DeManto hit a slingshot dive over the top to the floor, putting Red through a table. DeManto went to the top but Red cut him off. DeManto hit a top rope frog splash for a two count. Divina Fly, a female worker, hit the scene and nailed a flying headscissors off the top on DeManto. DeManto came back to powerbomb Red, then set up a table. He went to put Red through it but Red slipped out of the powerbomb attempt and sunset flipped DeManto off the apron through a table.
The referee began counting them out of the ring (REALLY?) but they rolled back into the ring. DeManto gained control and got several two counts. DeManto drilled Red with a sick over the shoulder powerbomb but Red kicked up. The fans were chanting, "This is awesome." They went back and forth but I couldn't see much due to the sightlines. Red finally got the pin. The crowd was bigtime into this. There's no way I did this one justice and I was really impressed with DeManto, who has completely remade himself from the last time I saw his work.
Your winner, The Amazing Red!
After the match, Red thanked the fans and marked the anniversary of Eddie Guerrero's death and led a chant for him.
2010 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Jacksonville, Florida and your announcers are Matt ‘Keeping Pay Per View Commentary Interesting since 2009’ Striker, Todd ‘I wish I knew what it was like to do commentary for a pay per view’ Grisham, and Michael ‘On Wednesdays, Miz lets me touch the WWE Title belt’ Cole.
We start things off with the World Champion Kane, who was able to retain the World Title, but there is some controversy over the finish to that match. He comes to the ring to address those issues and Paul Bearer.
He says two weeks ago, Edge abducted the one thing that means more to him than the World Title and his own life. Edge abducted Paul Bearer. Then last week, Edge humiliated him and Paul Bearer in his perverted game of cat and mouse. Edge mentally tortured Paul Bearer by forcing him to play dodge ball and smothering him in pizza and buffalo wings. Worse than all of that, Edge used Paul Bearer as bait to try to lure him into a trap. At Survivor Series, when he thought the ruse was up, Edge taunted him with an empty wheelchair to prevent him from successfully defending his title.
Despite all of this, Kane reminds us that he is still the World Champion. What is Kane without Paul Bearer. He says that this abduction is unprecedented and unlawful. Kane says that he is willing to not press charges and let this whole thing slide. He tells Edge that all he has to do is bring back Paul Bearer. Kane promises not to destroy Edge. He promises not to annihilate Edge. He promises not to eviscerate Edge. Kane says that he is not what Edge thinks he is. He is not a freak. He says that he is not a monster. This hardened exterior is not really him. Kane says that he has feelings. He says that he is a human being and deep down, he is a warm, caring human being who only wants to be with his family for the holidays. Kane says that he loves the holidays. He says that he loves Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukkah, and Kwanzaa. He says that he loves New Year’s too. Kane just wants his father back. He says that he has a great family life . . .
But before we hear about holiday celebrations at the Kane residence, Edge’s music interrupts and he has an empty wheelchair with him.
Edge asks Kane how he is doing. He says that he heard what Kane said and Edge says that he loves the holidays too. Edge says that Paul was sitting in the wheelchair a few minutes ago and if Kane wants him back, all he has to do is ask.
Kane channels Mel Gibson from Ransom and demands that Edge give him back his father, but Edge doesn’t like Kane’s tone of voice. He asks Kane where his manners are and then he says that his daddy’s didn’t teach him any. Edge wants Kane to ask him politely.
Kane obliges and asks for Paul Bearer back. Edge says that Kane didn’t use the magic word. Edge tells Kane to say ‘please’. Kane requests his father back slower and more deliberately than the first two times and he adds the magic word.
Edge thinks about it and he says that was not a proper please. Kane gets humble and asks please. Edge wants to hear Kane say it again while the fans want Kane to ask on his knees. Kane asks one more time and Edge says that it was insincere and Kane didn’t mean a word of it so Edge decides to leave with the wheelchair.
Kane is incensed and we go to commercial.
Match Number One: Kofi Kingston versus Jack Swagger with the Swagger Soaring Eagle in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match
They lock up and Swagger with a front face lock and take down for a near fall. They lock up again and Swagger with a waist lock and take down as he tries for a bridge. Swagger with another waist lock take down into a bridge for a near fall. Swagger holds on to the waist lock. Kofi with a rollup for a near fall followed by a crucifix for a near fall. Swagger gets to the ropes and then he goes to the floor and gets some advice from the Eagle. They lock up again and Swagger backs Kofi into the ropes and he gives Kofi a knee on the break. Kofi tries for a drop kick but Jack blocks it and tries for the ankle lock but Kofi fights out of it. Swagger turns it into a catapult that sends Kofi into the turnbuckles. Kofi lands on the turnbuckles and he responds with a cross body for a near fall.
Kofi with a chin lock as Swagger gets to the ropes to stop Kofi’s momentum. Kofi with a waist lock but Swagger with an elbow followed by a punch and forearm. Swagger with a kick and forearm to the back. Swagger rubs Kofi’s face in the mat while he has his knee in Kofi’s back. Swagger with a side head lock but Kofi turns it into a top wrist lock. Kofi with a side head lock and Swagger with a shoulder tackle. Kofi tries for a leap frog but he cannot get the same height he usually does, possibly due to residual effects of the ankle lock from Sunday night and Swagger takes advantage as he goes for the leg and takes Kofi down.
Swagger tries for the ankle lock but Kofi gets to the ropes. Swagger hyperextends Kofi’s knee and then he puts Kofi in a step over toe hold. Kofi kicks Swagger away and Kofi goes to the floor to try to recover as we go to commercial.
We are back and Kofi kicks Swagger and then Kofi hits a monkey flip. Swagger sends Kofi to the apron and the Eagle tries to trip Kofi but he fails in his attempt to cheat. Kofi knocks the Eagle down but Swagger is able to knock Kofi off the apron and to the floor. Swagger chokes Kofi on the floor and then he returns Kofi to the ring. Swagger gets a near fall on Kofi and then he puts Kofi in a body scissors. Swagger turns it into a waist lock. Swagger with a knee to Kofi’s midsection. Swagger stomps on Kofi’s abdomen and then starts to work on Kofi’s back. Swagger with knees to Kofi against the ropes and the referee warns him. Swagger with an elbow to the back and then Swagger puts Kofi in an abdominal stretch in the ropes. Swagger with a near fall on Kofi.
Swagger with a seated abdominal stretch but Kofi gets to his feet and backs Swagger into the corner. Kofi with forearms but Swagger hot shots Kofi onto the turnbuckle. Swagger kicks Kofi to the floor and Swagger follows after him. Kofi with a kick and forearm to Swagger. Swagger tries to send Kofi into the ring steps but Kofi stops it and he sends Swagger into the ring steps.
They return to the ring but Swagger recovers first and hits a clothesline but can only get a near fall. Swagger with a double over hook of the arms but Kofi with elbows to escape. Swagger with a punch to Kofi as he stops Kofi’s momentum again. Kofi with a kick and punch as he blocks punches from Swagger. Kofi with kicks and forearms followed by punches in the corner. The referee pulls Kofi out of the corner and then warns him. Swagger charges at Kofi but Kofi with chops to Swagger followed by a drop kick. Swagger blocks the Superman punch but Kofi avoids a belly-to-back suplex and Kofi sends Swagger into the turnbuckles and he puts Swagger on the bottom rope and hits the Boom drop but can only get a two count.
Kofi goes to the turnbuckles and he tries for a cross body but Swagger catches him and hits a standing power slam. Swagger sets for the double jump Swagger Bomb but Kofi gets his feet up and hits Swagger in the head. Kofi with a pendulum kick attempt but Swagger puts Kofi in the ankle lock when he blocks the kick. Kofi is able to use the ropes to escape and send Swagger into the ring post. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Kane is in Teddy Long’s office and he wants to apologize for intimidating Teddy last week and he says that he didn’t mean to destroy his office. Kane wants Teddy to do what is right. Kane asks Teddy if he was close with his father. Teddy says that he barely knew his father and that didn’t prevent him from being who he is or from reaching for the stars.
Edge appears on the monitor in Teddy’s office. Edge says that he didn’t have a dad either. Edge says that you can count on Mother Nature calling and after Edge smells around, he says that Mother Nature is calling. He asks Kane to join him over by the cotton candy stand.
Paul says that Edge didn’t deserve to have a father. Paul says that none of the people in the building deserved to have fathers. He says that even if they did, they still deserved to be bastards.
Edge reapplies the tape to Paul’s mouth and then he wheels Paul away.
Kane leaves the office and we go to commercial.
We are back and Kane is looking for Paul but Paul is not there. Kane enters a men’s room and the wheelchair is there, with a note on the mirror that they had ‘Gone Fishin’.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Alberto Del Rio and he is still smiling despite what happened on Sunday night. Josh asks about Alberto being knocked out on Sunday night and how Alberto might be considered the underdog. Alberto says that he learned a valuable lesson at Survivor Series. You should never share the spotlight with someone who is not your equal. He says that Big Show is not his equal. He says that he will be victorious tonight and on Monday night, he will become King Alberto Del Rio.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you remember the Did You Know about the award that WWE earned from their China tour?
Match Number Two: Alberto Del Rio versus Big Show in a Mamacita Said Knock You Out King of the Ring Qualifying Match
Del Rio has something to say to Show and he says that he is better than Show. Show objects to that statement and he pushes Del Rio into the corner but misses a punch. Del Rio with punches but Show pushes him down. Del Rio goes to the turnbuckles but Show grabs him by the throat. Del Rio goes to the floor and in the process forces Show’s arm into the rope as we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio has Show in a waist lock but Show channels Andre and pulls the arms apart and hits a butt bump. Show has Del Rio in the corner and connects with a shhh chop. Del Rio goes for the leg but Show with a head butt. Del Rio begs for some mercy but Show with a head butt. Show chokes Del Rio in the ropes. Show with a clubbing forearm to the back. Del Rio with a jawbreaker to Show and then he kicks Show in the leg. Del Rio comes off the ropes but Show grabs him by the throat and tries for a choke slam but Del Rio escapes the hold. Show tosses Del Rio away but Del Rio with a drop kick to the knee. Del Rio with another drop kick to the knee and he has Show down and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with kicks and another drop kick to the knee. Show with shoulder tackles to Del Rio followed by an Irish whip. Show charges into the corner and Del Rio with a boot to the knee. Del Rio with a running enzuigiri into the corner followed by another kick to the leg. Del Rio has Show to his knee and then Del Rio tries to flip Show over for the cross arm breaker but Show picks up Del Rio and hits a suplex.
Show signals for the punch and Del Rio sees it coming so he goes to the floor. Show follows and Del Rio kicks Show in the leg. Show with a chop to Del Rio and then he does the same against the announce table. Del Rio is thrown back into the ring and Ricardo Rodriguez grabs Show to prevent him from getting into the ring. Show grabs Rodriguez and punches him. Unfortunately for Show, the referee gets to ten and Show has been counted out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio by count out
While Alberto Del Rio heads to the back, Edge gets on the house mic and they are near the concourse. Edge says that they would like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays. Edge says that he usually gains five pounds over Thanksgiving. However, holidays are not all about eating. They are about bonding and conversing. He wants Kane to come out so they can have a conversation man to man.
Kane comes out onto the stage and he wonders how dare Edge do it. Edge asks ‘How dare I shove Paul Bearer down these stairs’. Kane calls Edge cold blooded, heartless, and a miscreant. He says that Edge is a monster.
Edge says that after all of the things that Kane has done over the years, it sounds like he is talking about himself. Edge suggests that Kane doesn’t like it when these things happen to himself. Edge says that he is going to do the right thing. He is going to ask the people what they think he should do with Paul Bearer. Edge asks Paul for some input, but Paul says that he hates everyone.
Edge asks for the vote of the people and their choices are 1) Give Paul back to Kane; 2) Shove Paul down the steps; or . . .
Kane says that he knows what Edge wants. It is all to agree to another World Title match. He tells Edge that he can have his match. Kane wants to know if Edge is satisfied.
Edge says that he is satisfied and he will accept that match. Edge says that since Kane put it that way, why not come up and join them. Edge says that he is going to take Paul to the hot dog stand. Kane follows after Edge as we go to the concession area but there is only an empty wheelchair.
Kane is still angry as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Montel Vontavious Porter versus Drew McIntyre in a Remember when we were pushed King of the Ring Qualifying Match
They lock up and Drew backs Porter into the turnbuckles and the referee separates them and Drew with a facewash but Porter with a punch and he sends Drew into the corner. Porter with more punches followed by a drop toe hold and knee to the back of the head for a near fall. Porter punches Drew some more and the referee warns him. That allows Drew to roll towards the ropes and Porter sends Drew to the floor with a baseball slide. Porter sends Drew into the ringside barrier but Porter tries to slam him on the floor but Drew gets to his feet and he sends Porter into the ring steps. Drew stomps on the arm that is laying on the ring step.
Drew breaks the count and then he returns to the floor where he sends Porter’s arm into the ring steps. Drew slams the arm into the steps again. They return to the ring and Drew gets a near fall. Drew stomps on the injured arm and then he kicks Porter in the leg. Drew stomps Porter in the head as he continues to wear down Porter. Drew with a key lock on Porter but Porter with punches. Drew stops any momentum by wringing the arm and slamming it into the mat again. Drew punches Porter in the back of the head. Porter rolls to the floor to try to get some of the feeling back in his arm but Drew comes over to Porter.
Drew tries to stomp on Porter’s head but he takes too long and Porter is able to sweep the leg and Drew lands on the apron before going to the floor. Porter rolls back in while Drew is holding his back. Porter with a few clotheslines followed by a facebuster and he kicks Drew to the mat so he can hit the Ballin’ Elbow and he connects. Porter wants Drew to get up and he kicks Drew in the chest before trying for the Playmaker. Drew blocks it and then he tries to punch Porter but Porter blocks it with his injured arm and it probably did more damage than if the punch had landed. Porter with punches of his own but Drew with an Irish whip. When Porter tries to float over, he cannot get any height because of his arm. Drew hits the Future Shock DDT for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
After the match, Drew mimes his coronation.
We go to Jack Swagger in the back with the Eagle and he blames his loss on the Eagle. He tells the Eagle to straighten up and fly right.
Swagger walks away and we see Hornswoggle in his Indian princess costume waiting for dinner. Rosa Mendes, taking time from jumping rope, brings Hornswoggle his dinner and it is a burnt turkey. She says that she might have overcooked it a little. She asks Hornswoggle if he wants some soup or potatoes, but she might have burnt those too. Hornswoggle is depressed but he sees the Eagle equally depressed. Hornswoggle has an idea but Rosa tries to stop him. Hornswoggle gets a bow and arrow and must have hit the Eagle because we hear a scream. We go to commercial.
We are back and the former Diva Champion Collective Michelle McCool and Layla come out. Michelle wants the music cut off and they say that they are not in the mood. They say it is the worst week ever. It started on Sunday when Natalya stole their title. Michelle says that the belt doesn’t even look good on her. Layla calls her a cheating, unshaven liar. Then on Monday, Natalya got them kicked out of Raw. Michelle wants to know who would do that. Michelle calls Natalya a hater. Michelle and Layla say they hate Raw. Layla points out that they are in Michelle’s home town. Michelle says that everyone looks amazing and gorgeous, but she is not sincere. Michelle says that they have each other and Layla says that they will always be Flawless.
Match Number Four: Michelle McCool with Layla versus Kelly Kelly in a Battle of Jacksonville Match
Before the match starts, Layla tries to get the Kelly Kelly odor out of the ring with some air freshener, but Kelly kicks Layla from the apron to the floor.
Kelly with a rollup for a near fall when Michelle charges at her. Michelle with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Michelle slams Kelly’s head into the mat and then kicks her in the back of the head and then connects with a series of knees to the midsection. Michelle drops Kelly on the top rope and then she tries for the McCool Clash but Kelly holds on to the ropes so Michelle lets her go and Kelly falls to the mat. Michelle takes too long with her next move and Kelly with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
After the match, Michelle attacks Kelly from behind and then Layla joins in the attack. Beth Phoenix’s music plays in the building and Michelle and Layla appear to have acquired Rage Deafness because they don’t realize that Beth has come to the ring since they continue to attack Kelly. Beth hits Michelle with a double sledge to the back and then Beth clotheslines Layla. Beth with a Polish Hammer to Michelle and then she hits the Glam Slam on Michelle. Beth checks on Kelly and raises her arm since she won the match.
Layla checks on Michelle and then she sees Beth in the ring and she screams.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at John Cena’s greatest farewell speech in WWE history . . . this year that wasn’t made by Shawn Michaels.
We go to the announce table where Cole, Striker, and Grisham talk about the way that John Cena went out and the loss of one of the top stars in WWE history.
In case you haven’t seen enough from this week’s Raw, we go to the Raw Rebound when the WWE Title got a little AWESOME.
Match Number Five: Rey Mysterio versus Cody Rhodes in a If you aren’t feeling dashing, you could always wear a mask King of the Ring Qualifying Match
Before the match starts, Alberto Del Rio comes out to the ring to watch his little friend Rey Mysterio in his match with Cody Rhodes to give him some advice on how to advance to the tournament like Alberto did. While Striker puts on Cody’s new shirt, Cole greets Del Rio with a manly hug because that is what Cole does when he isn’t answering e-mails from the Raw General Messenger.
Rey kicks Cody in the leg and then he connects with forearms to the face. Cody with a kick and sunset flip but Rey rolls through and since you never give Rey Mysterio a sunset flip, Cody knew that the kick was coming so Cody ducked to protect his face. Cody backs up and goes to the floor. Cody wants his jacket to make sure his face is okay. Rey follows after Cody and kicks him in the leg. Cody begs for Rey not to hit him in the face and Cody backs away. Cody hits Beautiful Disaster using the ring steps for the momentum and then he sends Rey back into the ring. Cody with an Alabama Slam for a near fall. Cody with a boot to the chest and then he kicks Rey with the referee warning him. Rey goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Cody is working on Rey’s arm but Rey with punches. Cody with an arm bar and then Rey sends Cody into the corner. Rey charges into a boot and then Cody goes to the turnbuckles for a knee drop to the back and Cody gets a near fall. Cody with forearms to the back followed by a kick. Cody wraps Rey’s arm in the rope and then he hip tosses Rey from the apron into the ring. Cody gets a near fall and then he punches Rey in the corner. Cody puts Rey on the top turnbuckle but Rey with a head butt to Cody and Rey with a seated senton and springboard cross body for a near fall. Rey with a kick but Rhodes grabs Rey by the tights to keep him from going off the ropes. Cody tries for CrossRhodes but Rey counters with a jackknife cover and gets a near fall.
Rhodes with a backslide for a near fall. Cody misses a drop kick and Rey with a round kick to the head but only gets a near fall. Rey with a drop kick to the back and Cody falls into the ropes. Del Rio moves from his announce position against the announce table and he tells Cody to get out of the ring. Del Rio thinks that he has outsmarted Rey but Rey goes to the apron and Cody sees him out of the corner of his eye so he ducks and Rey hits a seated senton splash on Del Rio.
Rey sends Rhodes into the ringside barrier and then they return to the ring. Rey kicks Cody and that sends Cody into the referee. Del Rio trips Rey and pulls him into the ring post. Rhodes hits CrossRhodes and gets the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Del Rio is pleased that Rey is not in the King of the Ring Tournament. Del Rio enters the ring as Rey backs into the corner.
Teddy Long is in his office and he is trying to make a call, but Kane enters and tells Teddy that he has had it. He says that he has tried to reason with Edge. He has tried to talk with him, but Edge will not listen to him. Kane blames this on Teddy and he tells Teddy that he will pay for it.
Edge appears on the TeddyTron and he tells Kane that he shouldn’t lose his temper over this. He tells Kane that he should join them outside for some air in Jacksonville. Edge tells Kane that he should give Paul back before there is an accident. He says that they are in the parking lot so he should get him. Edge has some small talk with Paul while Kane goes out after his father.
Kane makes it outside and he sees Paul in the wheelchair. As Kane gets closer to Paul, a car starts driving towards the wheelchair and the car hits the wheelchair and we find out that Paul Bearer is made of giant cotton balls, or it was a dummy that was just hit. The car stops and we see Edge is the driver and Paul is in the back seat. Kane picks up dummy Paul’s head and he throws it at the car. Kane kicks Paul’s upper torso and then throws the wheelchair as we go to credits.
2011 - Billy Corgan's Resistance Pro Wrestling debuted in Chicago, IL. Gregory Davis filed the following live report:
Here is my live report of the debut show for Resistance Pro in Chicago.
The show took place at the Excalibur nightclub. As a result, the show was only for 21+. I know this disappointed a lot of people leading up to it, but I can see why the company picked this place, as it was a very unique setup.
The impression I got was that they wanted all the matches to have an underground fight feeling. There were very few seats in use, so it was 90% standing room only. The club had four tiers of areas to watch the show, so we're all standing, looking down onto the ring. All the music was brand new, created by SSTARIA just for the company. I loved the general theme of all the songs, which was "you're entering a fight", although for the most part, they were interchangeable among the wrestlers, and in the cases of some people, like the comedic Colt Cabana, it didn't seem to fit. And finally, they wanted it to be gritty, so smoke was constantly being pumped in. But overall, an interesting, unique setting.
After an opening video, the ring announcer introduced one of the commentators, Joel Gertner. He did his usual thing, being disgusting and hilarious all at once. They then brought out the four men in the mini tournament to crown the first World Champion: The Shiek (w/ Rinaldo Piven), El Generico, Kevin Steen, and Harry Smith. Piven, Steen, and Smith gave their comments on why they or their men will win the tournament. This lead to the first match:
1. The Shiek defeated El Generico. This was a decent match, which picked up as it went along. Although the ending left a lot to be desired, as the Shiek used a spike for the win.
2. Team Ambition: Kyle O'Reilly and Tony Kozina (w/ The Canadian Destroyer) defeated Hallowicked and Matt Classic. Classic was a last minute replacement for Frightmare, who's out injured. The Destroyer, as you could guess, is Petey Williams in a mask. This was essentially a handicap match, as Classic spent the whole time doing his usual pre-match stretching, constantly walking away from the corner when Hallowicked was ready for a tag. Solid action from all three who wrestled, but the injury really screwed things over for this match. Hallowicked eventually tapped out to a submission. Afterwards, Team Ambition said they wanted tougher competition.
3. "Lonesome" Jay Bradley defeated Icarus. Squash city, including a killer lariat for the win. Bradley then talked about how he was gone for a year, and got a new nickname (it used to be "Ass Kicker"), and made some comments about women and drinking.
Before the next match, some of the VIPs were introduced. Shane Douglas, who was helping out the show in unspecified aspects, Tara, a last minute addition, longtime Chicago broadcaster Chet Coppick (who I believe arrived in a Macho Man cape), and finally, NBC 5 Sportscaster, and yes, former Raw General Manager, Mike Adamle, who was booed out of the building.
D'arcy Dixon, a fitness model, came out as the new manager for the Briscoes. She gave a little speech, and the crowd didn't care. But, they went crazy when the Briscoes came out. Jay made some rather lewd comments about Dixon too. Gran Akuma then came out, followed a full minute later by Teddy Hart.
4. The Brisco Brothers defeated Gran Akuma and Teddy Hart. As far as pure action, this was the match of the night. Lots of brawling inside the ring, and in the small area outside. Several huge high spots as well, including superplexes and moonsaults from the second level. Briscoes with the Doomsday Device for the win. Teddy seemed to really be favoring his knee, and puked up something in the ring as the match ended.
5. Melanie Cruise won a "gauntlet" match to become the first Women's Champion. This was a weird match. First the rules, and I'm not sure if I have them down properly. Anyone can enter the ring at anytime. Elimination occurs via pinfall, or being thrown over the top rope. A gong would be hit when someone was entering. Initial participants include Cheerleader Melissa, Miss December, Sassy Stephie, Serenity, Simply Luscious, Taylor Made, and a guy wearing a cheerleader outfit. No idea who it was, nor do I care. Melissa was the first one in, and this match was pretty much all about her. The guy eliminated most of the women, although Melissa would kill him with a lariat, and eventually eliminate him. It appears that Melissa would win, pinning Serenity, until Melanie entered in her street clothes. One spinebuster later, she wins the match and the title. She says everyone is the drizzling s*its, and says while Melissa is the Future Legend, she's THE Legend.
6. The Canadian Destroyer defeated Colt Cabana and the Necro Butcher. This was to determine the "King of the Nightlife", for whatever that's worth. This had a lot of comedy in it, thanks to Colt. A lot of it consisted of Colt calling the Destroyer Petey, with phrases such as "Come on, we know it's you Petey" and "*cough*PETE!" Moving past the comedy, good action from all involved. Necro Butcher was powerbombed on a guardrail, and following interference from Team Ambition, the Destroyer won with his namesake finisher. Petey wasn't happy with his team getting involved, and turned on him, although Cabana then took out Petey.
7. Kevin Steen vs. Harry Smith ended in a time-limit draw. Another solid match, although Steen spent a lot of time yelling at various people, including Tara. Smith locks on the sharpshooter, but the match ends as a time limit draw. They're given five more minutes, and the same thing happens again, with Steen surviving the sharpshooter. They were going to then restart the match with no timelimit, but Steen refused, saying he's injured, and that Corgan said this promotion is all about safety. Therefore, the Championship match at the next show will be a three way: Kevin Steen vs. Harry Smith vs. The Shiek.
The Shiek and Piven come out, saying Shiek should be awarded the title right now, and Shiek and Steen start beating up Smith, until he fights them off.
The afterparty began immediately in the room next door. Everyone was signing for free, although they did have merchandise available for purchase. A CD of all the show's music was being handed out, and SSTARIA was there to autograph it. Posters of the show were being sold, including some autographed by the entire roster for $50. Raven, who's officially the promotion's agent, was also out signing.
Billy Corgan was not at the show, as the Smashing Pumpkins is currently on tour, but he later noted on Twitter that he watched the whole show via Skype.
Overall, I liked the atmosphere, and the general theme of the evening, but I felt many of the matches could have been done better. I get that Billy wants to tell stories, and some of these are only the first chapter, but some of these actions had me scratching my head. It's a decent start, and I'm looking forward to what they have in the future.
Resistance Pro returns to Excalibur on Friday, January 13 with "RISE."
2014 - After remaining silent for nearly a year after departing WWE, former WWE champion CM Punk opened up about the decision to leave the company on an episode of Colt Cabana's "Art of Wrestling" podcast. Mike Johnson penned the following recap of the episode:
Quick Highlights:
*Punk made it clear that he's the happiest he's personally been in many years and that at times, he will come off bitter while discussing what happened, but it's "OK to be bitter" and that's part of going through the process of dealing with everything and that his appearance wasn't meant to be an attack on WWE, but a discussion of what his led to his departure.
*The most amazing thing to come out of the interview is that Punk didn't quit WWE after all - he was fired. While he left the company in January, he was told weeks later by Vince McMahon via text that he was suspended for two months. The next day, Vince told stockholders that Punk was on a "sabbatical." When the suspension ended, no one in WWE contacted Punk. When Punk finally reached out asking where royalties that were owed to him were, he got a run-around from WWE Execs until he received termination papers informing him he was in breach of contract on his wedding day. So, they technically fired him on his wedding day in June 2014, which Punk said was "going too f***ing far." Punk claimed the company tried to find him in "retro-breach" in June, instead of claiming he breached his deal back in January 2014. Punk said he knew legally, that wouldn't stick.
*Punk said he left WWE the day after The Royal Rumble for one main reason: his health. During the podcast, Punk went into great, exquisite detail about the last several months in the company, which includes Punk being so injured that he's working with broken ribs ("thanks" to Ryback, he said), a concussion (which he ignored after WWE medical asked him if he was OK to go on a European tour, so he toughed it out, which he noted was his own personal mistake) and injured knees.
*During the November tour, Punk stated he was getting so sick that he was puking and dry heaving every night after wrestling, had a fever for months and had no appetite. WWE medical had given him so many antibiotics by that he pooped himself in the ring on Smackdown all while watching his checks shrink. Punk described it as the worst he ever felt in his life and being unable to sleep because he was so sick. This went all the way through the end of his WWE run.
*At the Royal Rumble, Punk suffered a concussion early on and still worked the entire match. The next day, he passed the company's concussion test (which he described as "bullsh**") while texting Colt Cabana and wearing headphones. WWE then told him he passed the test but they wanted him to go run the ring ropes to check him again. Punk said he felt like they wanted him to go run the ropes like some 2 week rookie in front of everyone and refused. At that point, Punk demanded they just decide he has a concussion and admitted that until then he was just trying to deny he was hurt and tough it out.
*That same day, Punk said the company began pressuring him about signing visas for future tours and taking a drug test instead of listening to his requests to "f***ing help me" because something was obviously wrong with all the issues that had built up. Deciding he had enough, Punk said he decided to tell Vince McMahon and Triple H he was going home.
*Punk's version of that conversation is something to behold as he calmly tears into Triple H for cutting off his momentum in 2011 (Punk goes into great detail on issues with HHH), complains to Vince that he's stifled Punk's creativity and tells them both it's garbage they aren't considering Daniel Bryan for the main event of Wrestlemania 30, passing him by the way they've passed Punk by. He told them he was done and didn't want to do this anymore. Vince hugged him goodbye in tears and told him he was family, yet later suspended and fired Punk.
*Punk also told a story of going to WWE's doctor because he found a lump on his back during the same time period as the November 2013 European tour. The WWE Doctor, identified by Punk as Dr. Chris Amann, diagnosed it as a fatty deposit. Punk told several stories of asking for Amann to cut it out, but Amann says no because it wasn't hurting Punk. Punk explained that WWE docs cut things out of the wrestlers on a regular basis. Amann declined several times to remove it with Punk describing him as "lazy" in explicit, colorful terms. The day of the 2014 Rumble, Punk told Amann that it was now badly hurting and purple and bigger. Amann told him he couldn't do it then because Punk had to work the Rumble. After the Rumble, Punk demanded it be cut out right now and Amann noted that Punk would need to be on antibiotics, to which Punk responded that had been put on antibiotics WWE docs have given him for three months, which is why he pooped his pants.
*After leaving WWE and still not feeling any better weeks later, his wife AJ Lee convinced him go to her doctor. Her doctor (without knowing who Punk was or having any background information), immediately looked at the lump and diagnosed Punk with a MRSA staph infection. The doctor proceeded to squeeze the lump so hard the puss hit the ceiling. Punk said getting it cleaned out was the worst pain in his life and he needed specific medications for the infection, so none of the meds WWE had been giving him were any help. So, Punk stated he had been wrestling the last few months of his WWE run with a staph infection in his back, which he stated was ignored and/or misdiagnosed by WWE's medical staff. When the doctor asked Punk how long he had the lump and Punk told him a few months, the doctor told him, "You should be dead."
*Punk talked about how badly hurt he was during his 2011-2014 WWE run and that on two occasions, he literally came out of surgery (and in one story, was walking out of the hospital following knee surgery) to find out he was being brought back almost immediately to TV with no time off. After elbow surgery, he was told he was being brought back to the road and TV to cut promos and after the knee surgery, was told he was being brought back in three weeks to work a TLC match against Ryback. Punk's version of these stories were enough to really make you shake your head and really need to be heard in his own voice.
*Punk described his wrestling career as a failure as he failed to get to the main event of Wrestlemania and that he's come to terms with that as he's moving on to the next stage of his life. He said that it was ridiculous that so many current roster members have not been in the Mania main event position. Punk talked about politicking to get to that level, but it was never about winning or being the guy. He said he needed to get there so he could learn to work at that level and get better, draw more and be an asset to the company. He said he would hear he wasn't a draw, but every chance he had, he "shoved it down their f***ing throats." He said that it all comes down to an "out of touch old man" (obviously, a reference to Vince McMahon) and his decisions.
*Punk said he knew he had the best match at Wrestlemania 29 and he was praised for it, but he knew he didn't get the money that John Cena, Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Rock, and Triple H got for the show.
*Punk said that for anyone complaining he left WWE in a lurch, he didn't hold WWE up for money and didn't ask for anything and didn't walk out in the middle of a storyline. He was chokeslammed by Kane and he was gone. He went home for his health and sanity, although he did note he was frustrated with seeing smaller checks and not getting answers as to how the WWE Network would change the pay scale. Punk noted that everyone was afraid to ask Vince McMahon and even Randy Orton was coming to Punk asking if he knew anything.
*Punk said that when WWE fired him and issued him a contract breach, he hired a very "vicious" Los Angeles lawyer to go after WWE to fight the breach and in the end, he got a settlement that gave him everything he asked for "and more." He said he's just not allowed to talk about the settlement, but pretty much made it clear he got everything he wanted and noted it was stupid of WWE to even advertise him for the next WWE 2K15 videogame. He said he is completely done and clear of WWE and they will never, ever have a working relationship ever again.
*Punk said they were terrified that as an independent contractor for the last ten years, that he would take them to court and ruin their way of doing business.
*When WWE later asked to issue a joint statement between the two, he told them to "F*** off."
*Punk talked in detail about WWE using the independent contractor status, noting the company does concussion testing to help themselves, not the wrestlers. He noted all the money the NFL Player's Union is forcing the NFL to pay for old injuries and medical concerns of players and that WWE is doing all this to prevent wrestlers from being able to say that they aren't. Punk said that if WWE truly cared for the talents, they would allow a union to be created for the talents.
*Punk also noted that he was to star in WWE Studios' 12 Rounds 2 while he was WWE champion. When signing the paperwork, he noticed the filming dates were the same as a WWE European tour. Triple H told him that was not the case but he would look into it. The next day, WWE announced Randy Orton would star in the move with HHH never calling Punk to inform him of the change because, as Punk said, "He thinks I'm a piece of sh**." Punk said it was indicative of the lack of respect he was shown by those in the company.
*Punk said wrestling Ryback took "20 years off his life" and talked in detail about how badly hurt he was working with, as Punk described him, "Steroid guy."
*WWE was afraid he was going to TNA, but his lawyer told WWE that he despises wrestling now and will never wrestle again.
The podcast led to Dr. Chris Amann filing a lawsuit against Punk that went to trial, with Punk and Cabana emerging victorious. Punk had alleged WWE is financially backing the lawsuit as a way to get back at him for the podcast interview.
2015 - WWE announced the release of Brad Maddox. Maddox was released due to language he used during a pre-match promo during a dark match at last night's Smackdown taping against R-Truth, specifically the phrase "cocky pr**ks." We are told that WWE officials, upset with the language, then made the decision to issue Maddox's release.
2015 - TNA announced the cancellation of a planned India tour.
The official announcement that the tour of India has been postponed will likely come tomorrow.
Talents were told via email that there were logistical issues with the tour, specifically maintaining the safety of those traveling abroad. A number of those who have reached out to PWInsider have noted they were to fly to Paris, France and then change over for flights into India. TNA had 50-60 wrestlers and staffers heading over for the tour.
As you can imagine, there are a lot of angry wrestlers since they just want to work and 2015 has been a very light year for them, TNA wise. There's a lot of scrambling to get bookings right now. TNA has told the wrestlers they will be paid for the missed dates.
TNA had been planning to tape several One Night Only PPVs at the tour as well as material for Impact Wrestling. TNA had already taped the Semi-Finals of the World Title Series before announcing they would be held in India, so they could always go back to the initial footage that was filmed back in July.
We've had some readers ask if low ticket sales were an issue here. That was not the case as all the promotion and ticketing for the events were being done through TNA's television partner in India, Sony Six. TNA emails to talent indicate that the tour would be rescheduled for 2016 but offered no further information on when that might be. The tour was never rescheduled.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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