Wrestling History Today - Aug 23rd
On this day in history in ....
1929 - Dick Shikat defeats Jim Londos in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to win the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title. Shikat was already recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission since defeating Hans Steinke five months earlier in Chicago, Illinois.
1941 - Frank Sexton defeats Bill Longson for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California, ending Longson's third reign and beginning Sexton's third reign.
1944 - Yvon Robért defeats Frank Sexton to win the Montreal Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Title in Montreal, Quebec. This began Robért's 10th of 16 reigns.
1944 - Sandor Szabo defeats Dean Detton for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title, to end Detton's third reign and begin Szabo's eighth.
1958 - Gene Dubuque and Mike Valentino defeat Ramon Torres and Dick Warren for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in Sacramento, California, to end their second reign.
1961 - Whipper Billy Watson defeats Gene Kiniski in Vancouver, British Columbia to become the first two-time Vancouver NWA British Empire Heavyweight Champion.
1961 - Dick Dunn defeats Dr. Jerry Graham for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.
1963 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Tim Woods defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Dory Dixon defeated Tony Nero.
- Johnny Barend defeated Karl Steif.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ron Reed.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil and Lucas Pestano defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan).
- Buddy Rogers defeated Hans Mortier.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Kowalski by submission to retain the title.
- Argentina Apollo and Pedro Morales defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champions Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy in a Best-of-Three Falls match, 2-0. The match was in the midst of the second fall when the 11:00pm curfew came, and Apollo and Morales won the second fall by referee's decision.
1963 - Bearcat Wright defeats Fred Blassie by countout in Los Angeles, California to win the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title. This ended Blassie's third reign.
1964 - TARU is born in Kobe, Japan.
1965 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Arnold Skaaland defeated Wild Red Berry.
- Miguel Pérez defeated Rick Sexton.
- Chief Big Heart defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Tarzan Tyler defeated Chief White Owl.
- Johnny Valentine defeated The Golden Terror.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil and Argentina Apollo defeated Smasher Sloan and Waldo Von Erich.
- Bill Watts defeated Gorilla Monsoon.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champion Dr. Bill Miller in 48 seconds to retain the title.
1968 - The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeats Tarzan Tyler to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1973 - Ken Lucas defeats Rocket Monroe for the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This ended Monroe's fifth reign and began Lucas' third.
1975 - The Invaders defeat Moondog Mayne and Pat Patterson for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in San Francisco, California, to begin their second reign.
1977 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Fort Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida. The results:
- Scott Casey and Keith Franks (Adrian Adonis) fought to a draw.
- Mr. Saito defeated Charlie Cook.
- Lars Anderson defeated Tony Rocco.
- Jerry Brisco and Steve Keirn defeated Tony Marino and Buddy Roberts.
- NWA Florida Television Champion Pedro Morales defeated Pat Patterson to retain the title.
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Buddy Wolff to retain the title.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Rocky Johnson to retain the title.
- Don Muraco defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff by disqualification to retain the title.
1977 - The Medics win their fourth Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana by defeating Porkchop Cash and Mike George.
1978 - Killer Karl Krupp defeats The Lawman in Abilene, Texas for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title.
1980 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Dominic DeNucci defeated The Hangman.
- Hulk Hogan defeated René Goulet.
- André the Giant and Pedro Morales defeated Capt. Lou Albano (subbing for WWF Tag Team Champion Sika) WWF Tag Team Champion Afa, when Morales pinned Afa.
- Pat Patterson defeated Tor Kamata.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon to retain the title.
- Rick McGraw defeated José Estrada.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski in a Texas Death match.
1980 - Wahoo McDaniel defeats Tully Blanchard in San Antonio, Texas to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Blanchard's fifth reign.
1982 - Dean Ho and Moondog Moretti defeat Bruiser Costa and Butcher Hughes in a tournament final for the Vancouver NWA International Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1984 - The Uptown Boys (Marty Jannetty and Tommy Rogers) defeat The Grapplers (Tony Anthony and Len Denton) to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas. This began and ended each team's second reign.
1986 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Paul Roma defeated Les Thornton.
- José Luis Rivera defeated Ron Shaw.
- Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) defeated The Junkyard Dog.
- Big Machine (Blackjack Mulligan) and Super Machine (Bill Eadie) (with Giant Machine (André the Giant)) fought King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) to a double-disqualification.
- Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine fought Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey to a time-limit draw.
- Jake Roberts defeated Cousin Luke.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick), when Dynamite pinned Sheik with a diving headbutt, to retain the title.
1986 - Dump Matsumoto and Bull Nakano defeat The Crush Gals (Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo) in Kawasaki, Japan to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title, ending the Gals' third reign. At the same event, Yukari Oomori defeats Devil Masami for the WWWA World Singles Title.
1991 - The Patriot defeats Al Perez to become the first GWF North American Heavyweight Champion in Dallas, Texas. As a result, the GWF Television Title was vacated. Perez had beaten The Patriot on August 10 in a tournament final, but it was later shown that his feet were on the ropes during the pin.
1993 - The USWA held "A Matter of Pride" at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- The American Eagle and Billy McGullig defeated Leon Downs and The (Road Warrior) Hawk.
- Miss Texas (Jacqueline) defeated USWA Women's Champion Luna Vachon to win the title, to begin her seventh reign.
- Colin Scott defeated Tony Falk.
- USWA Tag Team Champions The Dog Catchers (#1 and #2) defeated The Moondogs (Cujo and Spike) by disqualification to retain the title.
- Brian Christopher (with Toni Adams) defeated Chris Adams.
- PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) defeated Jimmy Valiant and Mario.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion The Vampire Warrior (Gangrel) (with Luna Vachon) to win the title. This began Jarrett's ninth reign. This title was renamed as simply the Heavyweight title in September.
- USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler defeated referee Paul Neighbors (with Vince McMahon) in a Stretcher match.
- Lex Luger defeated WWF Champion Yokozuna (with Mr. Fuji).
1994 - Super Muñequito defeats Fuercita Guerrera in Zacatecas, Mexico to win the Mexican National Minis Title.
1996 - Super Boy defeats Naohiro Hoshikawa for the vacant WWA World Middleweight Title in Gosen, Japan.
1996 - Mike Legacy defeats Calavera Cortez in Westland, Michigan to win the vacant Great Lakes Wrestling Light Heavyweight Title.
1998 - Aja Kong and Mayumi Ozaki defeat Chikayo Nagashima and Sugar Sato in Osaka, Japan for the AAAW Tag Team Title. At the same event, Chigusa Nagayo becomes the first two-time AAAW Singles Champion by defeating Devil Masami.
1998 - Momoe Nakanishi and Nanae Takahashi win their second AJW Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan, defeating Sumie Sakai and Megumi Yabushita for the vacant title.
1998 - Mitsuhiro Matsunaga defeats The Great Pogo to win the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Title in Osaka, Japan.
1998 - Los Vipers (Histeria II, Maniaco, Mosco de la Merced II and Psicosis II) defeat Los Payasos (Coco Amarillo, Coco Azul, Coco Negro and Coco Rojo) in a tournament final in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico for the vacant Mexican National Atómicos Title.
1999 - The WWF more than doubled WCW's viewership in this week of the Monday Night War. "Monday Nitro"'s 2.95 rating (hours of 3.34, 2.71 and 2.8) couldn't stack up to "RAW is WAR"'s 5.68 rating (hours of 5.64 and 5.72).
"WCW Monday Nitro" was live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The results:
- Chase Tatum pinned Mikey Whipwreck after a powerbomb.
- Buff Bagwell pinned Ernest Miller (with Sonny Onoo) after the Blockbuster.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lenny (with Lodi) by disqualification when Sid Vicious interfered.
- The Barbarian, Brian Knobbs and Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The Revolution (Shane Douglas, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn), when Knobbs pinned Saturn after a splash.
- Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J (with Vampiro)), when Kidman pinned Shaggy after Vampiro hit Shaggy by mistake, intending to hit Kidman.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification, after Sid Vicious interfered, to retain the title.
- The West Texas Rednecks (Barry and Kendall Windham (with Bobby Duncum, Jr. and Curt Hennig)) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), when Kendall pinned Booker after Hennig hit Booker with a cowbell, to win the title. This ended Harlem Heat's eighth reign.
- Vampiro pinned Eddie Guerrero.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan fought Sting to a no-contest to retain the title, after Sid Vicious and Rick Steiner interfered.
"WWF RAW is WAR" was live from Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. This night was the debut of new RAW ring announcer Lilian Garcia. The results were:
- WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow fought Road Dogg to a no-contest to retain the title, after Chris Jericho and Road Dogg fought backstage, after Snow had been powerbombed through a table on the floor. The Big Bossman came out, hit Snow with his nightstick, and stole Snow's dog, Pepper.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Big Show and The Undertaker fought The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) to a no-contest to retain the title, after Kane and X-Pac got involved.
- D-Lo Brown (taking Meat's place in the match after attacking him backstage) defeated WWF European Champion Mark Henry (with Debra, WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett and the debuting Miss Kitty) by disqualification when Jarrett broke up the cover after D-Lo had hit Henry with the Lo-Down. Henry retained the title.
- The Rock pinned Gangrel (with the Hardy Boyz) after the People's Elbow.
- Crash and Hardcore Holly fought to a no-contest after they fought outside of the building.
- Mideon and Viscera defeated Kane and X-Pac, when Viscera pinned X-Pac after a splash. The Acolytes attacked Kane on the floor during this.
- Triple H (with Chyna) pinned WWF Champion Mankind after the Pedgree to win the title, ending Mankind's third reign.
1999 - FMW held an event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Mr. Gannosuke and Jado defeated Flying Kid Ichihara and Naohiro Yamazaki, when Jado pinned Yamazaki.
- Giant Steele defeated Yoshinori Sasaki.
- Kaori Nakayama defeated Emi Motokawa.
- Ricky Fuji and Independent World Heavyweight Champion Masato Tanaka defeated Shoichi Arai and WEW Six-Man Tag Team Champion Kodo Fuyuki, when Fuji pinned Arai.
- Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Hisakatsu Oya defeated WEW Tag Team and Six-Man Tag Team Champions Koji Nakagawa and Gedo, when Oya made Gedo submit, to win the title.
- Hayabusa defeated FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion Yukihiro Kanemura to win the title. This began his third reign.
2000 - E.Z. Ryder and Spyder defeat Alex Rain and Gene Swan to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Elmwood, Manitoba.
2000 - Staz defeats Smelly in Santa Ana, California for the UPW Heavyweight Title, ending Smelly's second reign. Also at that show, Mikey Henderson ends Stretch's third UPW Lightweight Title reign.
2002 - Takashi Sasaki and GENTARO defeat Hi69 and TAKA Michinoku in Tokyo, Japan to become the first WEW Tag Team Champions. Also, Kintaro Kanemura defeats Tetsuhiro Kuroda to become the first WEW Heavyweight Champion.
2002 - Madison defeats Bam Bam Bambi at an ECCW event in Surrey, British Columbia to win the vacant NWA World Women's Title.
2002 - Jim Ross announced on WWE's website that the company and Sean "X-Pac" Waltman had "mutually agreed" to part ways, therefore Waltman had been released from the company.
2002 - NWA Wildside TV aired. Larry Goodman filed the following TV report:
"No geriatrics, no garbage, and no general managers, just pure unadulterated NWA Wildside."
Steven Prazak introduced this week's edition with a recap of last week's main event, a tag match featuring AJ Styles & Adam Jacobs vs. John Phoenix & Rainman. The replay of the finish showed two referees making simultaneous three counts on Phoenix and Jacobs. Prazak said the winners of the match was still an unknown.
The other half of the broadcast team, Dan "The Dragon" Wilson, previewed the feature matches for the upcoming hour.
1) Derrick Driver & Jeremy V beat Future Shock (Brandon P & Jay Freeze). Match was joined in progress for the final minute with V reaching in vain for a tag. P grabbed a leg to cut him off. Future Shock doubled with a leg drop/slingshot senton combo. Freeze went for a one foot cover, but the ref wouldn't count it because V was under the ropes. Future Shock went for the Aftershock finisher on V. Freeze hit the hanging tree of woe baseball slide but as P reared back for the powerbomb, Driver made a blind tag. Ref Speedy Nelson wouldn't count P's pin on V because he was no longer the legal man. Freeze turned around right into Driver's top rope bodypress for the pinfall.
2) Rainman (with Jeff G. Bailey) beat Rick Michaels via DQ. A short intense brawl. These guys threw (and sold!) some of the stiffest looking old style punches in the history of Wildside television. A believable grudge match for a change. The commentators were still talking about the happenings in the "Holy Wars" cage match at Freedom Fight, where Rainman took barbed wire brass knucks to Michaels and eliminated him with a Spinesplitta off the top. Wilson called it "the most disgusting and brutal bloodletting" he had even seen. Prazak said that one match was responsible for a Red Cross center opening in Cornelia.
Michaels hit ring and was met by three right hands from Rainman. Michaels ducked a couple of wild swings and landed three lefts to the head. Michaels put Rainman on the canvas with a high knee. He followed with a snap suplex and pounded Rainman into the mat. Michael dumped Rainman through the ropes. They exchanged more heavy blows at ringside. Michaels rammed Rainman into the rail. Rainman used a boot to the gut, as Michaels came back through the ropes. Rainman hit a leg lariat. Now Rainman was doing the pounding. Michael raked the eyes. He laid in some southpaw punches to the gut and three more to the face that had Rainman reeling in the corner. Michaels whipped Rainman to the opposite corner and charged into a boot. Rainman occupied the ref, while Bailey choked Michaels over the ropes and followed with a stinging right hand. Rainman booted Michaels off the apron. Michaels was on his knees at ringside with Rainman ripping at his face. Back inside the ring, Rainman hit the Spinesplitta. Michaels was face down on the mat. No pin attempt. Wilson said it was too early. Prazak said Rainman wanted to do more damage. Rainman booted Michaels out of the ring again.
The finish saw Rainman and Michaels wailing away on each other at ringside. Rainman was the first to shove Senior Wildside Official, Andrew Thomas, but it was Michaels who got the DQ. They continued to trade blows after the bell. Michaels challenged Rainman to get back in the ring. Bailey said no and needed help to hold his man back.
3) "The Original XTC" Jimmy Rave beat "Mr. Delicious" Jacey North to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. A couple of bad spots, but an overall decent match. This marked North's return to Wildside after suffering a concussion in a match against AJ Styles. The announcers pointed out that the NWA Virginia champion had a dismal won-loss record in Wildside. They seemed surprised by the wrestling skills he displayed here. Prazak said it was the most offense that Mr. Delicious had ever gotten in a Wildside match. Prazak praised Rave's move to a mat-based style. Said he might even have cartilage left in his knees when he was fifty.
Mr. D used the element of surprise by going for a couple pin attempts in the first 30 seconds. They went back and forth chain wrestling. Delicious used a Japanese armdrag. Rave took Delicious down with an armdrag and hung on. Working back to their feet, Mr. D whipped Rave to the ropes and grabbed a waistlock, reversal by Rave. Rave decked Mr. D with a forearm to the back and did a baseball slide to the face for a two count. Rave started lighting Delicious up with chops. Delicious reversed a whip and went for a tilt-a-whirl. Rave landed on his feet. Mr. D hit a full nelson bomb. He first put Rave in the Nirvana strangle and then, into a camel clutch. Delicious rolled through for a two count. Mr. D went to work on Rave's midsection. Boots to the gut...fireman's carry into a gutbuster...gutwrench suplex for a two count. Rave came back with a roll up. Rave used a cool rolling headscissors/hammerlock pinning combination. Rave with more blistering chops. Rave blocked a rolling reverse cradle and hit a pair of clotheslines. Rave used a sitout gourdbuster. He got two with a back cover. Hilariously horrible Irish whip here. Mr. D crotched Rave on top to block the Gravity Killer. Delicious hit the cross arms Iconoclasm. Delicious hit knees first on a top rope headbutt, as Rave was able to roll out of the way. Rave did a German suplex with a release. Delicious kicked out of the pin attempt. Delicious reversed a whip. He pulled up short with a kick to nuts on Rave's up and over move. Delicious mounted Rave on top buckle and started to climb. Rave jumped down and planted Delicious with a running jackknife powerbomb for the pin.
Briscoe Brothers were seen backstage with interviewer Dustin Fordham, who was asking them up their upcoming match with T-N-T. That dude talks too much. Jay Briscoe accused "those punks" T-N-T of ruining the match (with their run-in). T-N-T entered the room. Tony Stradlin started whining about Briscoes getting the interview time instead of T-N-T. Stradlin said Briscoes looked like "a couple of Down's Syndrome rejects." That lead to a brief shoving match with both referees getting in between the two teams. That tiny room was getting awfully crowded. Stradlin: "We do what we want. We're from the (Shawn Michaels) Academy. It's expected."
4) In a "Loser Leaves Wildside" match, Caprice Coleman & Onyx & Sweet Dreams & Kevin Hardner beat Cru Jones (with Destiny) & Malaki & Tony Mamaluke & Lazarus (with Neysa). Jones was banished from Wildside as a result of losing the fall. Some entertainment value here, but not much wrestling. The face team dominated. Jones put Coleman over again on the way out, and Mamaluke's postmatch attack set up a program over the TV belt.
The face team admired their reflections in Coleman's belt, while the heels huddled on the outside. Jones lead Mamaluke and Lazarus in one last round of that goofy football drill. Coleman mocked them.
The faces totally dominated the first five minutes. Coleman and Jones were cautious about locking up. Jones overpowered Coleman. Collar and elbow again. Coleman scored with an armdrag, back to back drop toeholds, a hiptoss and a dropkick. Jones bailed out. Mamaluke and Onyx tagged in. "The I-talian Monster" gave the Sicilian Salute. Onyx was not impressed. Mamaluke sold like crazy for Onyx's power game. Mamaluke went flying on a shoulder tackle. Onyx gave him a high backdrop. Onyx gorilla pressed Mamaluke and tossed him rudely over the top rope. Mamaluke crawled back in for an immediate tag. Dreams had his way with Malaki. Lazarus and Harden were the last ones in. Harden gave Lazarus a belly to belly suplex, a snap suplex and a clothesline. Lazarus was begging for mercy. Arm wringer and a tag to Coleman. Whip to the ropes by Coleman. He dropped down and hit a leg lariat. Coleman shuffled as he peppered Lazarus with punches. Prazak said that Lazarus had more names than Ed Leslie. Lazarus reversed a whip. Coleman ducked a clothesline to hit a sitout spinebuster.
Close up of Neysa, who was up on the apron, cupping her breast. Whoa, is this Wildside? The sexless wrestling alternative turns over a new leaf? That calls for a replay. Neysa reached out to rub Coleman's chest. Coleman looked interested. Lazarus took advantage of the situation with a kick to the nether regions. Lazarus clubbed Coleman with a forearm behind the ear. Lazarus choked Coleman over the ropes. Mamaluke tried to follow suit, but Onyx chased him away. Jones tagged Coleman with a right hand and flattened him with a flying lariat. Jones baited Harden. The rudos worked over Coleman, while the ref was busy holding Harden back. Malaki did further damage with a headbutt and a clothesline that turned Coleman inside out. Malaki gave Coleman a gorilla press toss. Malaki mixed it up with the face corner as the match went to an 8 man schmoz. Destiny tossed the football helmet to Jones, but Coleman kicked it out of his hand and hit the Thermal Shock for the three count. Goodbye to the "One Bad Mofo" and one of the most entertaining personalities in Wildside. Mamaluke made a sneak attack on the TV Champion. He hit a high angle back suplex and locked Coleman in a figure four choke, until the faces cleared the ring.
5) Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark) beat T-N-T (Todd Sexton & Tony Stradlin). I could watch a whole lot of these two teams going at it. Seven minutes was just a little too short. One of the reasons Briscoes are over in Wildside is that they wrestle with smarts. I understand that they were supposed to go longer. Some subtle psychology worked into it and picked up in the commentary, around Briscoes injuring Stradlin's knee.
The match opened with Jay faking a lock up in favor of a boot to Stradlin's midsection. Jay hammered Stradlin with blows in the Briscoe's corner. Stradlin spun Jay around and fired back, but Mark made the tag and landed more punches. Stradlin whipped Mark to the ropes. Sexton's attempt to knee Mark in the back came too late. Mark whipped Stradlin to the ropes, where Jay kneed him in the back. Mark went for a vertical suplex. Stradlin landed on his feet. Mark blocked a rolling reverse cradle. Stradlin dropped down as Mark ran the ropes. Mark blocked a hiptoss. Mark knocked Stradlin down with a clothesline. Mark put the boots to him. Tag to Jay and more boots. Jay slammed Stradlin's head into the turnbuckle. Stradlin whipped Jay to the opposite corner, but Mark laid across the ropes to act as a cushion. Jay set up for a whip on Stradlin. Sexton tried to do the human cushion thing for his partner, but Mark punted him instead. As Jay did a drop toehold on Stradlin on the inside, Mark did a springboard plancha to the outside on Sexton. Mark reached in to trip Stradlin as he ran the ropes, and Jay followed with a legdrop. Stradlin kicked out of Jay's cover. Jay used a snap suplex. Stradlin reversed a whip and went for a backdrop. Jay dropped down to land an uppercut on Stradlin. Sexton raked Jay's eyes to set up a leg lariat by Stradlin. Tag to Sexton, who went right to work with a jawbreaker and dropkick for a two count. Mark made the tag as Jay was whipped to the ropes (it would be more realistic if that was done more often), and greeted Sexton with a springboard dropkick for a two count. Mark did a gutwrench suplex. Mark did a flying Flair kneedrop to Sexton's nose. Briscoes doubled off the tag with a sideslam/reverse DDT combo for a two count.
At the 3:30 mark, Stradlin shoved Jay into a superkick by Sexton to launch T-N-T's first sustained attack of the match. Stradlin got two with a back elbow. Jay came back with a dragon screw, but Sexton cut off his tag attempt. Jay got a sunset flip, but Stradlin made the blind tag. He connected on a dropkick and locked on the dreaded rear chinlock. Jay got to his feet for an escape. Jay ducked a clothesline and landed a dropkick to do the first damage to Stradlin's knee. Sexton tagged in and caught Jay coming off the ropes with a big powerslam. Sexton covered for a two count as he failed to hook the leg. Sexton slammed Jay's head into the turnbuckle. Sexton sent Jay criss-crossing the ring with hard whips into the corner. Jay blocked a superkick, countering with a sitout gourdbuster. Jay hit a beautifully sick looking DVD. He was too hurt to follow up. Both men reached out for tags. Mark did a springboard dropkick to Stradlin's knee and put Sexton on the canvas with a pair of right hands. Sexton elbowed his way out of a waistlock, only to get nailed by Mark's fishermanbuster. Mark blocked Stradlin's enzuigiri and locked him in an Indian deathlock. Sexton broke it up. 4 way action lead to T-N-T regaining the advantage, as Sexton low blowed Jay and Stradlin posted Mark on the floor.
T-N-T did an awesome double team. Sexton put Jay in an inverted tarantula and Stradlin covered the length of the ring with a springboard dropkick to the solar plexus. Stradlin appeared to aggravate the knee injury with the move. Stradlin slowly climbed to the top, as T-N-T started setting Jay up for the cradle spike piledriver. A ringside appearance by Lost Boyz sent T-N-T into a stupor. Mark quickly pulled his brother out and swapped places, playing possum on the mat. Mark shocked Sexton with a roll up pin, as Stradlin's diving save came too late. Crowd popped strong. Sexton was left hopping mad, while Stradlin stayed down l holding his knee. Briscoes left with their hands raised in victory.
2002 - WWE broadcast Byte This on their website. John Shearer filed the following report:
WWE Byte This! Report for 8/23
By Joe Shearer
The WWE’s internet broadcast begins with the RAW main event. Shawn Michaels preventing Triple H from taking the sledge to The Rock. The Game levels HBK, Rock and Triple H go at it again, Brock hits the ring and Michaels disposes of him, Rock calls back Lesnar, goes after him, HBK hits the floor the long way to get to Triple H and puts him down while J.R. screams, “Four years, my ass! HBK is back! HBK is back!”
Coach and Dr. Tom Pritchard comin’ at ya, hype Summer Slam. Coach calls this one of the biggest Byte This programs ever, with Triple H and Shawn Michaels appearing. Dr. Tom said KK is not here this week because he’s having a hysterectomy…er, hernia surgery. Dr. Tom says this truly may be the biggest Summer Slam ever with all the buzz going around about it.
Droz comes in via telephone. Droz says that at first he thought that Brock may have been coming in too quickly, but says that his performance recently, along with the stellar training video/promos playing with Rock and Brock, has got him jacked about the main event. Droz is impressed at how the two stars train after the strain of being on the road. Dr. Tom mentions that, though they’re trying to reach KK, he’s sleeping now, and then they show the bald Hermie picture. Droz talks about The Game/HBK match. Droz says he was scared when Michaels, and he’s looking forward to seeing HBK between the ropes. Coach and Dr. Tom move on to Rey Mysterio/Kurt Angle, saying that the match could steal the show. He says that Kurt will be humiliated if Rey Rey beats him, though Rey is an unbelievable performance. Naitch/Y2J is next on the agenda, and Droz says to look for a bloodbath after seeing Flair Monday night. Dr. Tom takes a net question, “What do you think about HBK’s back injury?” Droz said that the two are going to have a brawl, and Michaels’ drive will carry him through the match.
From there Coach mentioned that with Summer Slam being in New York so close to Sept. 11, how important the event will be to the city. Droz agreed, saying that WWE action takes away from the somberness of the day. Droz then exited, wishing a happy belated birthday to Dr. Tom. Coach then says that he wants to take a moment to show what happened when SmackDown went off the air, with the Rock in the ring with a young man named Mitchell, who, as I understand, is having his wish from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Rocky is on the mic, and asks Mitchell if he likes pie. Everyone in the crowd cheers, Rock looks to the crowd and says, “I meant apple pie, you sick sumbitches!” Mitchell replied with “I’ve never had pie before,” and Rock answers, “Good, because, as every man in here will attest to, pie will get your ass in trouble every time!” At that point Tazz approached the ring to give Mitchell his sunglasses, and Rock piped in with “he doesn’t want those junky-assed glasses!” Mitchell was glad to take them, though, then ended the night with his own version of “If ya smmellll, what the Rock is cookin’,” along with the Rock’s music. A wonderful moment.
Coach then recaps with saying that’s one of the things you miss when you don’t attend live events, and pointed out that The Rock did do that as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation with Mitchell. They then went to the phones and got Ryan, who asked why the 24/7 rule was done away with. Dr. Tom said that Eric Bischoff wanted to change some things and Coach added that the rule had become a bit passé. Dr. Tom then noted that whatever people think about Bischoff, he’s not afraid to take risks, and noted that RAW will be edgier with him in control. Coach noted that matches like the mud match (which was entertaining on many levels) shows the edge Eazy E is bringing to the show.
Matt from Jersey asked the next question, who asked about Kane’s intro videos and if they’re an indicator that he’s coming back. Coach said that he sure hopes so, and Dr. Tom said he’s ready to go, though whether he’ll be on RAW or SmackDown has yet to be determined. He was last a RAW superstar, but with WWE’s revisionist history, I guess he’s now a free agent.
Coach then takes us back to RAW and his interview with the Rock, where The Great One called Lesnar “The next big bitch,” and said once and for all, “Just bring it.” Coach then says they’re waiting for Tazz to get out of the sauna in preparation for the Summer Slam broadcast Sunday night. In the meantime, he hypes the Tag title match, and Dr. Tom says that WWE fans would love to see Booker T and Goldust become tag champs. Personally I would love to see Booker wrestling for the title rather than being wasted as tag champ, but that’s just me. Dr. Tom says then that Tazz will not be on the show today, and the two talk about Edge and Eddie, saying that it could steal the show, at least the fourth match that could steal the show. They go back to the phones with Josh from Ohio, who asked about the Hardyz breaking up. Dr. Tom says that Matt has been overlooked and is now bringing his own attitude to SmackDown. Coach then says that Lita will be doing commentary on Velocity with Marc Loyd.
From there, Triple H is introduced on the show. Triple H says that Shawn Michaels has bitten off more than he can choose, as everyone knows. He says that for four years he has sat on his couch and done nothing, now he’s getting in the ring with The Game. He says that he’s looking for HBK to never take another step after the match. Hunter said that Shawn Michaels at 50% is still dangerous, but he’s looking to take him out at Summer Slam. Dr. Tom asked if Triple H hasn’t bitten off more than he can chew, and Triple H said no, because he knows that the only way to beat him will be to cripple him, and that’s what he’s going to do. Coach then asked about X-Pac, and Triple H said that’s the first he’s heard of it, but he’s sure it’s for good reason. He added that he has some personal problems that are more important than his career, and thinks that once he gets over those, he’ll be back. Dr. Tom asks The Game how he’s feeling after his elbow problems and his leg. HHH answered that his leg feels 100%, but his elbow isn’t perfect, but isn’t bothered with it in the ring. Coach asked if all the travel to Australia and around America has taken a toll on his body. Triple H said not really, because the schedule is a little less grueling than it used to be, plus he does so much yoga and aerobics that he doesn’t worry about it. Dr. Tom said “yeah, you can tell,” and the three men laughed. Dr. Tom asked if he liked being a heel again, and Triple H said yes, that he enjoyed being a babyface, but as soon as he started acting like a heel again it felt like he had a leash taken off, so he enjoys it. They then went to the phones, Rebecca from Long Island. Rebecca said she had third row tickets, and The Game warned her to try not to get any of Shawn’s blood on her. She asked what his expectations of Shawn during the match. Triple H said that he expects HBK to be 100%, and he is training as such. He expects him to perform as one of the greatest performers ever. Coach asks The Game about Rock vs. Brock, and Triple H said that the pressure is on Brock, being a young guy in the main event with a veteran. He said that it’s both a good and unenviable position for The Next Big Thing to be in. He predicted a Rock win. Next up was Rey Mysterio/Angle, and Triple H hailed Rey as one of the great cruiserweights, with or without the title. He said that Rey has proved he can hang with the big guys not only here, but in WCW. The Cerebral Assassin closed by saying that there’s not a single match he’s not looking forward to. He said that his match with Shawn has been seven years in the making. After a most interesting break that included about five seconds of dead air and a soundless Summer Slam promo, Coach and Dr. Tom returned with HBK in-studio. Coach asked Shawn how excited he was. HBK said he was really excited. He said that “we” (HBK and Triple H?) were in the ring for 45 minutes trying to shake off the ring rust. He said that it would be impossible to shake off four years’ worth of rust, but he’s loosening up. Shawn said he’s been praying a lot about it, and the lord and the people will determine how the match goes. He said that he felt the electricity in the ring Monday night, and that the people’s emotions will drive him Sunday. Coach says that with the changes Shawn has gone through in his life, how much the crowd can pump him up. Shawn said that most of his excitable personality came from being behind the curtain, but as soon as he entered the arena he was always in a good mood and pumped up. He said he’s glad to be having his comeback with Vince, and that Vince told him the first time around to just enjoy his push, and that’s what he’s trying to do now. Dr. Tom asked how his wife felt about it, and he said that she’s fine. Whenever past comebacks were discussed, she wasn’t happy about it, but now he said she’s at peace with it and comfortable. His son, he said, doesn’t watch wrestling because he doesn’t think he needs to see it yet (maybe when he’s older, he said—an interesting statement to me). He said that there was a lot of animosity with his feeling at his last WrestleMania, and that this time around there a totally different feeling. Dr. Tom asked that, with how things are going, whether there will be more matches on the horizon. Shawn laughed and said that this he looks at this as his last singles match. He may be willing to do a tag match, but he can’t put his body through the strain of a match on a regular basis. Coach compared this match to Rock/Hogan at WrestleMania, saying that the last time he felt a buzz like this was in that match. Shawn said things were different for Rock and Hogan because they knew what was going to happen, which he and Hunter really don’t know what’s going to happen. A lot of the match is just going to have to be there, he said. Shawn then said he is nervous, and that’s something he’s worried about that. He is in good shape, he said, but he’s concerned about nerves. He said that Monday night he got excited and superkicked Brock when he wasn’t supposed to. They then took a call, and the caller said that Shawn’s style before his injury was that he took a lot of bumps, and asked if Triple H was going to take more bumps to make up for it. Shawn said this time it’s different because this is a street fight and the bumps aren’t quite the same. He said he’s not capable anymore of wrestling a classic wrestling match any more, and a street fight, where you spend more time selling moves, that the match is better for him. He also mentioned that he was 35, and getting older. He also said that he’s been trying to lower expectations by saying he’s not the showstopper anymore, but after Monday those expectations are high. Back to the phones. Caller asked what HBK asked about new superstars like Brock and John Cena. Shawn said that those guys are on SmackDown so he doesn’t know them well, but thinks that they’re really talented, and mentioned RVD among those guys.
Dr. Tom talked about the cliq’s curtain call and how after that it became Hall and Nash on WCW, and that the four of them tried to take over the business, and asked if he felt a responsibility to the locker room now. Shawn said that they did try to become influential at the top of both companies, but today, he said that “everyone knows who his role model is now,” (God), but he doesn’t come at any one unless they approach him. He mentioned that he thinks Test has really come into his own. He says that now he sits there with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson saying “back in our day…” but mentioned that people today seem to have their heads on straight for the most part. He said that in his day people told him not to come off the top rope so much, and he ignored them, and when people ask them if people like the Hardyz should take such high risks he says “no, but they’re going to do it anyway,” and says it’s part of the changing business. Shawn then talked about his son, and how he doesn’t watch the program, but he knows that “Daddy’s going to work,” and that the schedule is better because he is home for a couple days out of the week, when in the old days he would be gone weeks at a time. Shawn seemed surprised at X-Pac’s departure (no one told him?) and said that you have to make choices in the business, change or face the consequences. He said that he’s still friends with all of those, and says that everyone knows that the door is always open in WWE, and if they can straighten out their problems, they’ll be welcomed back. He said that it had been six weeks since he’d seen “Kev” and “Kid,” but they picked up right where they left off, because they were truly friends.
They then took a question from a pastoral student, who asked him what turned Shawn to Christ, where he gets his shirts, and if he’s spoken publicly about his salvation. Shawn couldn’t remember the name of a web site that he buys his shirts from. He says that he speaks about Christ, and people have approached him, and a few in the dressing room who ask, but he doesn’t speak with people who don’t want to hear it. Shawn said he found salvation because he felt that he was missing something in his life. He said that the Bible is a blueprint for how to live your life. Shawn said he has a beautiful wife, a great son, a boss who, even after everything he put him through over the years, never stopped caring about him.
Now back to wrestling. Dr. Tom asked an e-mail question, about how he wanted to be remembered. He said he wanted to be known as someone who gave everything he had and that he has grown from starting in wrestling as a boy to being a man today. He wants to be remembered as someone he has done everything he can for the business. He invited Shawn to stay to watch the Rock’s training video. They did watch the kick-ass training video with Rock’s voice-over where he took the viewer through running sprints, box jumps, running the steps of the Orange Bowl, doing pull-ups with a towel, and doing the clean and jerk.
Back to Coach and Dr. Tom. Coach lauded The Rock for his workout routine, then moved into point/counterpoint. Coach said this will be the highest-rated Byte This in a long time, and not because of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, then took the position the Rock will leave Summer Slam as champion. He called Rocky the Yankees of WWE, having been in the big matches and the history of winning. Dr. Tom takes Brock, saying the “tangible intangible” of Paul Heyman will make the difference. He thinks that if Brock doesn’t win, he will no longer be seen as the next big thing. Coach gave a quick recap of the Summer Slam card, then closed with Shawn Michaels vs. Vader from Summer Slam ‘96. Boy, Vader was a monster. How misused was he? Vinnie Mac and Good ‘ol J.R. on commentary with not one, but two false finishes, with the referee, then President Gorilla Monsoon restarting the match before HBK finally put Vader away with Sweet Chin Music. Nice old school language with Cornette calling HBK a “stinkin’ coward."
2003 - Los Broncos (II and III) defeat Brent Dail and Ricky Santana in Caguas, Puerto Rico for the WWC World Tag Team Title, to begin their fourth reign.
2003 - CZW held "Respect" outside at Rack's Bar and Billiards in Dover, Delaware. The results were:
- Zandig defeated Ian Rotten in an Exploding Barbed Wire and Lighttube Steel Cage match.
- Z-Barr defeated Jon Dahmer.
- CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion Ruckus defeated Derek Frazier to retain the title.
- CZW World Tag Team Champions Adam Flash & Ian Knoxxx defeated The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid & Johnny Kashmere) and The Rebel's Army (Greg Matthews & The Rockin' Rebel) in a three-way match to retain the title.
- IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Champion Sonjay Dutt defeated Jonny Storm to retain the title.
- Necro Butcher defeated JC Bailey in a Fans Bring the Weapons match.
- CZW World Heavyweight Champion The Messiah defeated Corporal Robinson to retain the title.
- BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Champion Nate Hatred defeated Nick Gage in a 200 Lighttubes match to retain the title.
2003 - Brian Black and The Mighty Mini defeated Attrition (Christian Angers and Big Mike Studd) to win the Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title in South Portland, Maine.
2006 - Charles Evans defeats Seth Skyfire in Louisville, Kentucky for the OVW Television Title.
2007 - "Ballpark Brawl VIII" was held at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, New York. The results:
- Jake O'Reilly won a 10-man battle royal.
- Krystal Banks and Cody Deaner defeated Cody 45 and Sara Del Rey.
- Xtremo defeated Kevin Dunn.
- Matt Cross besiegt Ruckus.
- Brutus Beefcake besiegt Cody Deaner und Jonny Puma in a Hair vs. Hair vs. Mullet match.
- Sterling James Keenan defeated Trent Acid, El Generico, John McChesney, Pac and Xtremo in an six-way Elimination match.
- Claudio Castagnoli defeated Delirious in a European Rules match. The judges for the match were Headbanger Mosh, Jaime D and Slick.
- Steve Corino & Ricky Reyes defeated Brodie Lee & Big Cat Lemmer and Devon Moore & Detox in a Tag Team Table Turmoil match.
- Kelly Couture and Gail Kim defeated Traci Brooks and Sara Del Rey. Jennifer Blake was the guest referee.
- PWU Heavyweight Champion 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Joey Matthews to retain the title.
- Sterling James Keenan defeated Rikishi and Natural Heavyweight Champion Samoa Joe in a three-way match to win the title.
2008 - WWE ran Madison Square Garden in NYC. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
*Primo Colon (Eddie Colon) pinned Willam Regal with a backslide in his MSG debut. Good solid opener with some back and forth wrestling. Colon celebrated his upset at ringside.
*Kelly Kelly asked a family a trivia question, which was the site of Wrestlemania XXIV. They answered correctly and won front row seat upgrades.
*Lance Cade pinned D'Lo Brown with a sitdown slam after Brown missed a top rope frog splash. Run of the mill.
*Kelly Kelly came to the ring and picked a child up to be a guest manager for the next match.
*WWE Women's champ Beth Phoenix pinned Mickie James with the Dominator. Good back and forth match. James hit a Lou Thesz Press off the apron to the floor during the bout and they had some good near fall sequences. Best thing on the show thus far.
*Jamie Noble defeated Snitsky with a front choke submission.
*WWE Tag Team champions Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase defeated Cryme Time. The champs did a heel promo on the mic before the match. Really good match. Cryme Time showed some real improvement from last time I saw them work live. The crowd popped huge for the hot tag. After the bout, Cryme Time laid out the champs, stole the Tag belts and ran off. The champs threw a fit in the ring, which led to the crowd chanting "You suck".
Kelly Kelly picked a kid to a "guest bellringer."
*WWE Intercontinental champ Santino Marella, with Beth Phoenix, defeated Kofi Kingston. Marella sang a song about himself to the tune of "New York, New York" then told the fans that was free. Marella told Phoenix that he didn't mind her having an off week last week because she "did good too." Santino was hysterical. He promised to win with a new move, the Mazaradi Clutch. It was Kingston's MSG debut. He even had pyro for his entrance. They went back and forth with Marella playing cowardly heel early. Kingston got a 2 count after a big elbow. Kingston went to monkeyflip Marella but Beth saved Santino by holding him. Kingston went down and hit the back of his head. Marella rolled him up for the pin. Kingston got a nice round of applause leaving.
*John Cena & Batista defeated Chris Jericho & Kane. Yet another lineup change! Jericho came out first and cut a promo. He said that he hears chants for HBK. He told the fans to chant all they want because they will never see Shawn Michaels wrestle again and that he was proud of what he did. Jericho said it was Shawn and the fans' fault that Rebecca Michaels was hit by Jericho, because Michaels came back to tell the fans he was retiring. Since the fans wanted to hear it, it was their fault she has a "fractured jaw." Jericho told the fans they should be ashamed for supporting a liar and cheater like Michaels. Jericho said that if the fans had listened to him, none of this would have ever happened and now the fans have to live with that. He promised to lay John Cena and Batista out in a beaten, battered pulp and that the worst was yet to come for everyone thanks to Jericho. Real good promo on the level of what he's been cutting on Raw. Kane had new darker ring music. Cena and Batista posed on the ropes together to signal a ton of pyro going. Of the two, Cena got the bigger pop but both received the biggest reactions of the show thus far. Jericho did a lot of stalling early. Batista hit the floor and threw him into the guard rail. Cena tagged in and cleaned house on Jericho. Kane tagged in and demanded Batista, who tagged in to oblige. They went back and forth until Jericho interfered to help Kane. Jericho dropkicker Batista out of the ring, where Kane lifted and dropped him over the railing. Jericho and Kane worked over Batista as they teased the hot tag several times. Jericho missed a Lionsault and made the hot tag. Cena shoulderblocked Jericho and then knocked Kane off the apron. He went for the FU but Kane blind tagged in. Kane kicked him, then went for a chokeslam. Batista speared Kane. Cena tossed Jericho over the top and hit the FU for the pin. Solid stuff. Cena went into the crowd to celebrate. Batista grabbed a sign that read "Batista Hates Cancer" from the first row and held it up in the ring.
*WWE World champ CM Punk defeated JBL in a Steel Cage match. JBL did mic work saying it was the greatest night of MSG history because it would be the day NY's favorite son JBL comes home. He said that he understands NY needs a savior and it will be JBL. He said he was proud to be NYC's favorite son and promised to top it all by winning the greatest match in wrestling history - the steel cage match - and he'll take his place among the immortals by becoming the World champ. When CM Punk made his way around ringside, he stopped to hug ROH owner Cary Silkin and Larry Sweeney, who were sitting ringside. Punk's pop wasn't as huge as Cena and Batista but healthy for sure. JBL controlled early after a swinging neckbreaker. Punk tried to toss him into the cage but JBL blocked it. JBL tried to walk out after a big boot but Punk grabbed his leg. JBL scrambled up the cage but Punk caught him and hit a Russian leg sweep off the cage while both were standing on the ropes. There were Punk chants throughout the bout scattered in the building. JBL laid out Punk with a series of elbowdrops. JBL tried to slingshot Punk into the cage but he caught himself and tried to scramble out. JBL caught him and they battled atop the cage. Punk slammed his head into the cage several times and JBL fells into the ring. Punk dove off the ropes but was caught and hit with a Fall Away Slam. JBL worked Punk over with punches and uppercuts in the corner. Punk teased a GTS but JBL raked his face and threw him into the cage several times. JBL climbed the cage but Punk grabbed him as he got a leg over. They battled inside the cage in the corner with Punk nailing knees. JBL fell into the ring and the crowd popped as Punk tried to get out. JBL kept grabbing Punk's leg. JBL hit a back suplex off the top rope into the ring with both standing on the top. JBL got a 2 count. JBL opened the cage, pushed Punk's head in between the ropes and pulled the cage door back onto his head. That didn't get the big reaction you'd think.
The cage door legitimately got jammed as the other refs were working frantically to get it opened as the match went on. JBL put Punk up in a corner and teased another superplex but Punk hit a Tornado DDT into the ring for a two count. Punk hit his running high knee into a bulldog combination for a two. JBL came back with the clothesline from hell. Punk kicked up. At that point, the building seemed to get behind him chanting his name. JBL and Punk battled in the corner and Punk tossed off JBL. Punk went to the top and came off the cage with an elbow but JBL moved. Punk was covered but got his shoulder up at the last second. JBL called for the cage door to be open but Punk tackled his legs. JBL tried in vain to stretch his hands and reach the floor but was pulled back. He and Punk exchanged punches by the open door and when JBL hit Punk he bumped to the floor and won. JBL tried to attack Punk but was nailed with the GTS on the floor. Punk celebrated in the ring to close the show. He even dropped in the center of the ring making snow angels like he did in a blizzard outside his last ROH appearance in Long Island. Punk, limping slightly did a long victory lap around the ring before heading to the back. Solid main event.
Notes: The show was a legitimate advance sellout....They had pyro for the entrances and used MSG's screens for Titantron videos during entrances...WWE announced a Sunday 12/28 Raw house show return for MSG, one day after ROH's Final Battle 2008 at the Hammerstein Ballroom down the block.
2009 - WWE held their Summerslam PPV. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
Summerslam opened with DX putting shadow puppets over the opening video package, making fun of Legacy's image, then "breaking" the film, followed by a DX highlight reel, which also "broke" after a few moments. DX reminded is that they were back, and we went live to the Staples Center.
Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler.
Mysterio was wearing an outfit and mask in Los Angeles Lakers colors. Ziggler was not accompanied by Maria for the match. Ziggler attacked Rey at the bell with forearms, but Rey returned fire with punches. Ziggler hit a scoop powerslam for a two count, then cradled Rey for another two. Ziggler threw punches and kicks in a corner, but Rey reversed a whip into a corner. Ziggler went to throw Rey in the buckles, but Rey landed on the top rope and hit a moonsault on a standing Ziggler. Rey avoided a charging Ziggler, and Dolph fell to the floor. Rey hit a rana off the apron on Dolph on the floor, taking down a camera man as well.
Rey tossed Ziggler back in, but Dolph attacked as Rey was climbing the ropes. They fought on the ropes, but Rey headbutted Ziggler off. Rey went for a rana, Ziggler dropped Rey to the mat, then lifted him and powerbombed him into the turnbuckles for two. Ziggler mounted Rey and hit some punches, then got a two count before moving to a chinlock. Rey elbowed out of it, but Ziggler hit a side slam for a two count. Ziggler dropped an elbow for another two, then went back to the chinlock. Rey fought out, but Ziggler hit a clothesline for another two, then lifted Rey in a fireman's carry and hit a gutbuster for two. Ziggler applied a body scissors and chinlock, but Rey fought out of it. Dolph hit a knee to the head, then whipped him into a corner. Ziggler missed a avalanche and Rey hit a springboard senton. Ziggler came right back with a kick to the gut and a sunset flip, but Rey rolled through it and hit a kick to the chest for a two count.
Rey went for a springboard bodypress, but Ziggler dropkicked him as he came off the ropes for a two count. Ziggler stomped Rey, then worked him over in a corner. Rey leapfrogged Ziggler and went for a sunset flip, but Ziggler blocked it and hooked Rey's legs for a two count. Ziggler hit a clothesline for another two. Ziggler threw Rey into a corner, then went for a back suplex, but Rey flipped over and hit an enzugiri. Rey went for a 619, but Ziggler ducked it and sweep Rey's legs out from under him. Ziggler hit a Rocker Dropper legdrop for a two count. Ziggler went for a side slam, but Rey turned it into a sunset flip for a two count. Rey hit a DDT for another two. Rey kicked ZIggler into the ropes and hit the 619. Mysterio went for a springboard splash, but Ziggler dodged it and rolled Rey for a two count. Ziggler screamed in frustration after Rey kicked out.
Ziggler rammed Rey into a corner and pounded him with punches. There were some fans chanting for Ziggler. Ziggler kicked Rey in the head as Rey went to climb the ropes. Dolph got on the middle rope, pulled up Rey, and went for a gutbuster off the middle rope, but Rey reversed it into a rana for the pin at the 12 minute mark.
Winner: Rey Mysterio.
Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed MVP and Jack Swagger. Swagger brought up that MVP was once in jail, and MVP cut a promo about how he paid for the decisions he made in life, and that he wasn't born with a silver spoon like Swagger was.
MVP vs. Jack Swagger.
MVP went right at Swagger, who went for a backdrop, but MVP floated over into a sunset flip for two. MVP dodged a charging Swagger and hit a clothesline and side slam. Swagger rolled to the floor, and MVP hit a pescado. MVP tossed Swagger back into the ring for a two count, then went MVP went to the second rope, Swagger swept his legs out from under him. Swagger dropped MVP on the turnbuckles, then threw him into the ropes and drove a forearm into his back. Swagger did it a second time, then choked MVP on the top rope. Swagger went for a third, but MVP hit a back elbow. Swagger grabbed MVP in an abdominal stretch.
MVP struggled in the hold, then reversed out for a hiptoss, but couldn't get him over, and Swagger nailed a clothesline for a pair of two counts. Swagger applied a camel clutch, but MVP stood up and dropped Swagger with an electric chair. They were both slow to get up, and MVP hit a series of shots, decking Swagger. MVP hit a kneelift, then went for the Ballin' elbowdrop, which he hit for a two count. MVP went for the Playmaker, but Swagger blocked it and shoved MVP in a corner, then cradled him with a pull of the tights for a two count.
Swagger rammed MVP into a corner, then went for a reverse splash off the ropes, but MVP got the knees up. MVP hit a running kick to the head, then the Playmaker for the pin at the six minute mark.
Winner: MVP.
Luke Perry was shown in the crowd. No, he wasn't selling popcorn either. It was to show how WWE attracts celebrities. This led to a video package on the recent Raw guest hosts. Back live, Nancy O'Dell was in the crowd with a mic, and plugged BettysBattle.org and her upcoming Raw appearance. She then interviewed Freddie Prinze Jr., who said he would "be back" at some point to settle things with Randy Orton. Nancy joked that she wanted to see Prinze in spandex. Prinze said Cena would take care of Orton tonight.
Unified Tag Team Champions Big Show & Chris Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme.
Jericho and Show have new theme music, still a mix of their old music, but actually put together as a song, not just cuts between the two old themes. Chris Jericho cut a promo about how he and Show are "above celebrities" and that they are the most famous people in the building tonight. Jericho turned the mic over to Show, but before he could talk, Cryme Tyme's music hit.
JTG and Jericho started off, with Jericho grabbing a headlock and hitting a shoulderblock. JTG leapfrogged Jericho and hit a back elbow for a two count, then a blockbuster for another two count. Jericho cradled JTG, and went right into a Walls Of Jericho attempt. Jericho threw JTG into the corner with a catapult, but he landed on the middle rope and jumped off with a leg lariat on Jericho for a two count. Jericho nailed JTG with a right hand after getting a break on the ropes and tagged in Big Show. Show chopped JTG and put him in a headlock. Show punched JTG in the gut, then chopped him in the corner. Show charged JTG, running into a kick.
Shad tagged in and hit Big Show with some clotheslines, but couldn't knock him down. Show reversed a whip and went for an avalanche, but Shad dodged it. Jericho ran in, and Shad gave him a press slam. Show speared Shad, then stood on his head. Show chopped Shad, then held him so Jericho could hit a series of forearms. Jericho bounced off the ropes, but Shad caught him with a boot. Jericho knocked JTG off the apron, then pushed Shad into his corner while the referee kept JTG out of the ring. Big Show tagged in and put Shad in a full nelson. Show threw Shad to the mat, then tagged in Jericho, who missed an elbowdrop. Jericho stopped Shad from making a tag and put him in a sleeper.
Shad got to his feet, and powerslammed Jericho. Shad made the tag, and JTG hit Jericho with shoulderblocks and a facebuster. JTG pulled Show throat first across the top rope as well, but Show didn't go down. JTG hit Jericho with a Slingblade clothesline. Big Show broke up the cover. Shad ran in and clotheslinesd Show over the top rope, taking them both to the floor. JTG rolled up Jericho for two, then Jericho grabbed his legs and hooked in the Walls Of Jericho. JTG struggled in the hold, but made the ropes. Big Show, from the floor, punched out JTG with one shot. Chris Jericho got the pin at the eleven minute mark.
Winners: Chris Jericho & Big Show.
DirectTV decided to drop my feed for a moment, so Mike Johnson tags in:
Josh Matthews interviewed former World champion CM Punk backstage. He asked Punk for his thoughts going into the TLC bout. Punk said he wanted to talk about that but instead a friend gave him a copy of a screenplay called "The Jeff Hardy Story" and in it, the story is about Hardy overcoming his demons and defeating Punk tonight. Punk said that it's a great feel good story but it's not reality. He said just like Los Angeles, it's a fake world. Punk went on about people idolizing the hip cool stars instead of trying to better themselves, even though it doesn't matter how bad reality is, because it's "cool." Punk said he's been accused of being preachy, but he's just telling the truth and Hollywood doesn't want to show his truth, because its real. Punk said he was going to re-write the end of the screenplay and that will be the new World champion, CM Punk.
And DirecTV has decided it's viewers need to see the next match, so I am back. Damn you, DirecTV!
The Great Khali vs. Kane.
As Kane made his entrance, they reviewed the history leading to this match. Runjin Singh accompanied Khali to the ring. Khali muscled Kane into a corner at the start, but Kane came back with punches. Kane went to the floor and pulled Khali throat first across the top rope. Kane got back in the ring and Khali clotheslined him, but missed a legdrop. Kane dropkicked the seated Khali, then hit three elbowdrops. Kane called for the chokeslam. Khali broke Kane's grip and went for his own chokeslam, but Kane broke free. Khali hit a clothesline and an elbowdrop for two. Kane threw forearms at Kane's head for a one count. Khali rammed Kane in a corner, then hit a clothesline.
Khali hit a chop on Kane in a corner, but Kane came back with a kick. Kane went to the top rope and hit a clothesline for a two count. Kane put Khali in a chinlock. For a second, DirecTV lost the feed again. But, unfortunately, it came back. Khali got out of the chinlock, hit a big boot, and then a chop to the head for a two count. Khali grabbed Kane in the Vice Grip, but Kane made the ropes. Khali broke the hold, and Kane grabbed Singh at ringside and pulled him into the ring. Kane let him go, and then dropkicked Khali in the leg as he was making sure his brother got out of the ring. Kane hit a DDT for a three count at the six minute mark.
Winner: Kane.
They showed Vince McMahon's star on the Walk Of Fame. They then showed Maria Menounos of the Today Show in the crowd, then Robert Patrick from Terminator 2, and Slash from Velvet Revolver.
The history leading to DX vs. Legacy was shown.
Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.
DX entered on a tank that shot fireworks out of the cannon. They did the classic DX mic work as well, with Triple H adding that since Rhodes & DiBiase wanted a "war" they were going to get one. HHH started off with DiBiase, locking up and then HHH decking him with a right hand. HHH grabbed a headlock, but DiBiase worked him over with punches in a corner until the referee broke them up. Triple H then hit a barrage of punches and a clothesline when DiBiase went for an Irish whip. Triple H hit a vertical suplex, then did a crotch chop before a kneedrop for a two count. DiBiase kicked away a backdrop and tagged in Rhodes, who got hit by a jumping knee by Triple H. Cody got to his feet and slapped HBK on the apron. Rhodes said he wanted Michaels, and the fans chanted for HHH to make the tag, which he did.
Michaels and Rhodes locked up, and Michaels grabbed a headlock. HBK hit a shoulderblock, then Cody leapfrogged him. Cody went for a second, which Michaels avoided, then Cody ducked a punch by Michaels and hit a slap. They brawled, with Cody getting the better of it. Michaels reversed a whip and hit a Thesz Press and a series of punches. Michaels then hit a slap, and teased a superkick, but Rhodes exited the ring. HHH tossed him back in, and Michaels went for it again, but Cody rolled out the other side of the ring and regrouped with DiBiase on the floor.
Back in the ring, Michaels hit Cody with a drop toe hold and put him in a headlock. Cody used a back suplex to escape and tagged DiBiase, who missed an elbowdrop. Michaels rammed DiBiase in a corner and hit a chop, but DiBiase took Michaels down and hit some right hands. Rhodes tagged in and stomped Michaels, then slammed him. Cody hit a kneedrop on Michaels for a two count, then tagged in DiBiase, who hit an elbowdrop for a two count. Michaels came back with a neckbreaker on DiBiase and tagged HHH. HHH came in and hit DiBiase with right hands. Cody kicked HHH from the apron, but HHH pulled Cody into the ring and decked him. This allowed DiBiase to catapult HHH in a corner, but HHH came back with a clothesline.
HHH gave both members of Legacy a spinebuster. HHH went for the Pedigree on DiBiase, but Rhodes broke it up. Michaels sent Rhodes to the floor. Triple H backdropped Michaels out of the ring and into Rhodes. DiBiase kicked Triple H low, as the referee was looking at Michaels and Rhodes on the floor. DiBiase tagged Rhodes, who stomped HHH. Legacy kept tagging in and out, stomping HHH in their corner. DiBiase covered HHH for a two count, then stood over him and delivered right hands. DiBiase put HHH in a chinlock, but Triple H fought up and hit a back suplex. Rhodes tagged in and gave HHH a DDT before he could make a tag. Rhodes went for a jackknife cover and got another two count. Rhodes then applied a front facelock. Triple H backdropped out of it, but DiBiase tagged in and knocked Michaels off the apron to prevent a tag.
DiBiase worked over Triple H in a corner, but Triple H returned fire. They went back and forth with punches, then DiBiase hit a back elbow. Triple H sidestepped a charging DiBiase and flung him over the top rope and to the floor. Rhodes threw DiBiase back into the ring. Rhodes tagged in, but Michaels got the hot tag. Michaels hit Rhodes with punches, then a reverse atomic drop and a chop. Michaels repeated the seqeunce, then hit a flying forearm. Michaels kipped up, but DiBiase hit him from behind with a clothesline. Triple H pulled DiBiase to the floor and flung him into the crowd. In the ring, Rhodes went for a top rope elbow, but Michaels moved out of the way. Michaels went to the top rope, but Rhodes crotched him. They fought on the ropes, with Rhodes going for a superplex. Michaels blocked it and knocked Rhodes to the mat. Michaels went for the top rope elbow, but Rhodes got his knees up in Michaels' midsection and got a two count.
Rhodes went for a tag, but DiBiase was still out in the crowd where Triple H had tossed him. Michaels grabbed Rhodes and put him in a figure four leglock. DiBiase got back in the ring and broke it up. Triple H grabbed DiBiase for a Pedigree, but Rhodes broke it up. Rhodes gave Triple H a head driver. Michaels went for a superkick, but Cody caught it. Cody spun Michaels into DiBiase, and Michaels punched DiBiase. Cody hit Michaels with Crossroads, but Triple H broke it up. The referee was getting DiBiase out of the ring, and Triple H gave Cody a Pedigree. As Triple H was getting out of the ring, DiBiase gave Michaels Dream Street. Triple H tackled DiBiase out of the ring. Triple H and DiBiase brawled out of the ring and over one of the ringside tables. In the ring, Rhodes and Michaels slowly got up, leaning on each other as they got their feet back under themselves. Just as they were standing, Michaels fired off a superkick for the pin at the twenty minute mark.
Winners: Shawn Michaels & Triple H.
They showed a commercial for the Wrestlemania special on NBC.
ECW Champion Christian vs. William Regal.
Regal was accompanied by Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov. The bell rang before Regal had taken off his ring robe. Regal turned to take it off, and Christian grabbed Regal and hit the Killswitch for the pin.
Winner: Christian.
Ezekiel and Kozlov attacked Christian and took turns slamming him down, and then Regal put Christian in the Regal Stretch. Regal and his henchmen stood over the downed Christian, then walked off.
They showed a video package on all the Summerslam events that took place this weekend, including appearances by Batista and Roddy Piper.
Recent events between Randy Orton and John Cena were recapped.
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena.
They showed Freddie Prinze Jr. in the crowd and talked about how badly Randy Orton beat him up on Raw while Orton made his entrance. They did the "big match" introductions for this bout. Cena got a mixed reaction. Orton got mostly boos. Cena went for an arm wringer at the start, and Orton punched him in the head. Orton hit a series of punches, then stomped Cena down in a corner. Cena bounded back with a tackle and hit some punches, then a bulldog off the ropes for a two count. Orton came back with a back elbow, and there was a "RKO" chant from some fans. Orton kicked Cena in the gut, then raked the laces of his boot across Cena's face.
Orton hit an uppercut in the corner, then knocked him down with a punch. Orton appeared to have hurt his mouth, as he kept checking it for blood. Orton whipped Cena hard into a corner, then kicked him again. Orton let Cena get to his feet, then whipped him hard across the ring. Orton spit out some blood. Orton did the Garvin Stomp to Cena. Orton hit a huge knee drop, getting big air on it, for a two count. Orton hit a side backbreaker for a two count, then applied a rear chinlock. There were dueling chants for Orton and Cena. Cena got to his feet, and Orton switched to a sleeper, adding a body scissors and taking him back down to the mat. Cena got back to his feet and broke out.
Cena hit a shoulderblock, then a back suplex into a powerbomb. Cena did the "You Can't See Me" and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Orton floated out of it and hit a powerslam for two. Orton stomped Cena again, then missed a kneedrop. Cena hit some right hands, but Orton dodged a flying shoulderblock and Cena went rolling out of the ring. Cena got on the apron, and Orton grabbed him and pulled him into the ring, so Cena was hanging off the middle rope by his ankles. Orton nailed the DDT, but Cena kicked out at two.
Orton measured Cena for the RKO, then changed his mind and got set for the punt. Orton missed the kick and Cena hit the Throwback. Cena went to the top rope and hit the Rocker Dropper legdrop for a two count. Cena measured for the Attitude Adjustment, but Orton grabbed the ropes. Cena let go of the hold, and then they clotheslined each other. Cena and Orton got up and exchanged punches. Cena got the better of it and delivered a backdrop. Orton then intentionally shoved the referee, grabbed the title belt and left.
Lilian Garcia got on the mic and said Randy Orton is the winner. Yep, the winner. Then she said that she just got word from Mr. McMahon that the match would continue, and that if Orton got himself disqualified, he would lose the title. Hmmm... makes you wonder if someone is messing with Lilian during her final weeks with the company, doesn't it?
Orton got back in the ring, and Cena got a two count with a side slam. They battled to the floor, and Orton whipped Cena into the ringsteps. Orton rolled Cena into the ring and covered him several times, but Cena kept kicking out. Orton went to ringside and grabbed the title belt, then walked up the aisle. The referee counted ten. They announced that John Cena was the winner. Lilian Garcia then had another message from Mr. McMahon. Yep, the match is restarted, and if Orton gets counted out, he loses the title.
Orton got back in the ring, and Cena went for an STF, but Orton escaped the attempt. Orton went for an RKO, but Cena shoved it off. Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment, but Orton slid out, rolled up Cena and got the three count, using the ropes for leverage. A second referee came out and told the first referee what had happened. Guess what? Another restart.
Cena tripped Orotn and grabbed an STF. Orton almost made the ropes, but Cena pulled him back into the center of the ring. Someone ran in from the crowd and tackled the referee just as Orton was about to tap out. Security dragged the "fan" out of the ring. They kept the camera focused on the fan as they dragged him off, which they never do, so it would appear it was a plant. Orton rolled to the floor, and the referee told Cena the match was to continue. Orton got on the apron and Cena approached him. Orton yanked Cena throat first across the top rope. Orton then hit an RKO for the pin at the twenty minute mark.
Winner: Randy Orton.
So, Orton was disqualified once, counted out once, pinned Cena once, a fan ran in once, and Orton pinned Cena a second time.
They showed the events leading to the main event.
World Champion Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.
For some reason, Jim Ross' mic was out during Punk's entrance. Todd Grisham talked, then Jim Ross said "I wish I could have heard what you said, I bet it was good" and Grisham said "It was". They noted that Jeff Hardy has been involved in five of the eight TLC matches that have taken place in WWE.
Punk went right to work on Hardy, taking him to the floor and hitting Hardy with a chair. Punk immediately put a ladder in the ring and started climbing, but Hardy got in and knocked him down. Hardy tried a Twist Of Fate, which was blocked, but Hardy pounded Punk in a corner and hit an elevated kick. Hardy climbed a ladder, but Punk kicked it, knocking Jeff off it. Punk went for a GTS, but Hardy floated over and rammed Punk into a ladder. Hardy set up a chair and then went for a leg lariat off a chair launch, but Punk caught it and dropped Hardy on the chair. Punk dropped the ladder on Hardy, then slammed it on Hardy three times.
Punk sent Hardy to the floor, then blasted him with a tope. Punk threw a chair into the ring then rearranged a table at ringside. Punk put a chair around Hardy's head, but he shrugged it off. Punk went to hit Hardy with the chair, but Hardy ducked and Punk hit the ringpost. Hardy whipped Punk into the steps, but Punk jumped on them and turned to leap off. As he did, Hardy blasted him with a chairshot. Hardy did a chair launch and gave Punk a leg lariat against the security wall. Jeff Hardy threw a chair at Punk's back. Hardy put Punk on a table on the floor, then went to the top rope. Hardy jumped off, and Punk rolled off the table. Hardy crashed through the table on his splash attempt.
Punk set up a ladder in the ring and began to climb up. Hardy got in and climbed up over Punk, getting ahead of him on the ladder. They jockeyed for position, with Punk looking for a GTS off the ladder, and Hardy ended up giving Punk a sunset flips-style powerbomb off the ladder. Hardy climbed the ladder, almost reaching the belt, but Punk tipped the ladder over and Hardy crashed into the turnbuckles. Punk set up Hardy for a superplex and hit it, with both men crashing onto a ladder that was laying in the ring.
Both slowly got up, and Punk went for a suplex, but Hardy blocked it and hit a Twist Of Fate. Hardy went to the top rope, and dove for the Swanton, but Punk got the knees up. Both were slow to get up again. Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, but as he went for a bulldog, Hardy picked him up and threw him over the top rope, sending him crashing through a table at ringside. Hardy set up a ladder and began to climb. Punk got on the apron and hit a springboard double axhandle to knock Hardy off.
Punk threw Hardy to the floor, then got a chair and put it around his neck. Hardy stopped Punk from shoving him into the ringpost. Hardy threw Punk knees first into the step, then blasted him with three chairshots to the back. Hardy the threw a chair at Punk. Hardy took the lid off of an announce table and hit Punk with it, then hit Punk with a monitor. Hardy hit Punk with a chairshot, put him on the ECW table, then hit him with another chairshot. Hardy set up a ridiculously tall ladder, so tall that two referees had to stand next to it and keep it steady. Hardy did a Swanton off the ladder, putting Punk through the table. Totally insane spot, which they showed over and over on replay. To give you an idea how high up Jeff was when he dove, I would say it was pretty much the same height that Mick Foley was for his famous bump off the Hell In A Cell (but a much nicer landing).
They were putting Jeff on a stretcher, and Punk was crawling back into the ring. Jeff got off the stretcher as Punk was reaching the ladder. Punk went up one side of the ladder and Hardy went up the other. They exchanged punches, both trying to grab the belt at the same time. Punk took a step down the ladder and threw some kicks at Hardy, then knocked him off it. Hardy went straight down off the ladder onto the mat, landing hard on his back. Punk grabbed the belt at the twenty two minute mark.
Winner: CM Punk.
Punk stood over Jeff Hardy. The lights flickered. Punk held up the title belt. The lights went out, and a gong sounded. The lights came back on, and Punk looked up the aisle, but saw nothing. He held up his belt again, but a hand reached up and grabbed him by the throat. He wasn't standing over Jeff Hardy anymore, he was standing over the Undertaker. Undertaker chokeslammed Punk, then stood over him and posed. Undertaker walked up the aisle, knocking over the remaining tables and ladders. Undertaker posed on the entrance way, and flames shot up everywhere, as the show ended.
