This Day in History - 11th February 2013

February 11th

On this day in history in ....

1942 - Tarzan Lopez defeats Black Guzman in Mexico City, Mexico to win the NWA World Middleweight Title.

1944 - Rolland Kirchmeyer is recognized as the first NWA Florida Champion. He would lose the belt 15 days later to Ed "Strangler" Lewis, who would hold it for two years before losing it back to Kirchmeyer.

1969 - Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Gene Kiniski in Tampa, Florida for the NWA World Heavyweight Title. Funk would go on to hold the title for over four years before losing it to Harley Race.

1970 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ernie Ladd & Waldo Von Erich in a Texas Death Match in Boston, Massachusetts with boxing greats Tony Galento & Tom McNeeley as special referees.

1972 - Seiji Sakaguchi defeats King Krow in Los Angeles, California to win the NWA United National Heavyweight Title. That belt is now part of the All Japan Triple Crown.

1983 - Giant Baba defeats Harley Race in St. Louis, Missouri for the Pacific Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title, starting his third reign as champion. That belt is now part of the All Japan Triple Crown.

1983 - WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeats Intercontinental Champion Magnificent Muraco in a Texas Death Match in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Only the WWF World Title was on the line.

1984 - Tito Santana defeats the Magnificent Muraco with a sunset flip for the WWF Intercontinental Title in Boston, Massachusetts, ending Muraco's second title reign.

1996 - WCW held SuperBrawl VI at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here are the results from the show:
- The Road Warriors defeated Dick Slater & Bunkhouse Buck. This match was aired on "The Main Event" on TBS before the PPV began.
- Hugh Morrus defeated Chris Kanyon. This match was aired on "The Main Event" on TBS before the PPV began.
- Big Bubba Rogers & VK Wallstreet defeated Joey Maggs & Sgt. Craig Pittman. This match was aired on "The Main Event" on TBS before the PPV began.
- Hacksaw Duggan defeated Lock Ness by disqualification. This match was aired on "The Main Event" on TBS before the PPV began.
- The Nasty Boys defeated The Public Enemy in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
- Television Champion Johnny B. Badd defeated Diamond Dallas Page.
- World Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger defeated Harlem Heat.
- United States Champion Konnan defeated One Man Gang.
- Kevin Sullivan defeated Brian Pillman in a strap match in which the winner could only be declared when the other wrestler said "I respect you". After a minute of fighting, Pillman suddenly stopped, took the mic and said "I respect you, Bookerman" and walked out. This was part of Brian Pillman's shoot-work in WCW to establish him as a "loose cannon", referring to Sullivan's real-life position as booker in WCW, and then walking out of the match. Arn Anderson came out and took Pillman's place in the match, but after a few minutes, Ric Flair came out and convinced the Anderson and Sullivan to stop fighting.
- World Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger defeated The Road Warriors.
- Ric Flair defeated Randy Savage in a steel cage match to win the WCW World Title, ending Savage's second title reign, and beginning Flair's seventeenth World title reign (depending on which records you believe).
- Hulk Hogan defeated The Giant (Big Show) in a steel cage match.

2001 - Mima Shimoda defeats Yoshiko Tamura for the NWA Pacific Women's Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2010 - Vince McMahon announces during a WWE investor conference call that, after 23 years, WWE would be dropping the "Survivor Series" name, the second longest running WWE PPV title in the history of the company. After being asked about Survivor Series being the only PPV in the fourth quarter of 2009 to show a decrease in buys from the previous year, Vince stated:

"We think that Survivor Series is obsolete, as far as that title is concerned. It was something that worked many, many years ago, in terms of a creative standpoint, various teams competing. That really is not advantageous as the consumer now looks as what actually they are buying. And it's such a broad ... Survivor Series yes, many years ago, was one of the original four pay-per-views, but it's outlasted its usage and it is one of the things in terms of rebranding, this year and going forward, that will be rebranded. No longer will we have that title, Survivor Series."

Vince would later rescind this decision, and in a funny twist the Survivor Series would end up being the only PPV event in the fourth quarter of 2010 to show an increase in PPV buys over the previous year. The PPV still exists.

2011 - TNA ran Elmira, NY. Whitney McConnell filed the following live report:

I wanted to send along results from the TNA house show tonight in Elmira, NY.

They had an early start for people with VIP passes. Instead of doing a backstage meet and greet, they had everyone go down to ringside and had some of the stars come out and do pictures and autographs for anyone who wanted them. Beer Money had a table out in the food court setup to do autographs. They also did a "Hardy Party" and had TNA trucks for $80 that came with a backstage pass to meet Jeff Hardy. Throughout the night, they were giving out backstage passes to people making the most noise.

Match 1: Tommy Dreamer defeated Robbie E. They had a little dance off at the beginning of the match. It was funny to see Dreamer really get into it before going after Robbie E.

Match 2: TNA Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne defeated Angelina Love to retain the Knockouts Championship. Earl Hebner got a LOT of heat and "You screwed Bret" chants.

Match 3: Jeff Jarrett defeated Crimson in a solid match with a lot of back and forth. A lot of "You sold out" and "Jarrett sucks" chants throughout.

Match 4: TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money defeated Ink Inc to retain the tag titles. Before they started the match, they were having some fun. James Storm through beer at Jesse Neal, soaking the mat. They messed around with each other for a few minutes, trying to let the mat dry. They all fell on it at least once. After the match, both teams shook hands, and then JB talked about Jesse Neal being on the USS Cole when it was attacked. They asked for all the veterans in attendance to raise their hands, and everyone chanted "USA" and clapped for them.

They went to intermission and Don West threw a bunch of merchandise into the audience. Madison Rayne did autographs out in concession.

Match 5: Brother Devon defeated Bully Ray in a tables match with special guest referee Mick Foley. The match started out as a normal match, with Brian Hebner as referee. But Bully Ray shoved him a couple of times. So he ended the match and called out Mick Foley to be referee and restart the match. Foley said he didn't want just any match. The crowd started a "tables" chant, and Foley made it tables. At the beginning, Bully Ray hit Devon in the head with a mic, and then proceeded to insult Foley, telling him he was a cheap Terry Funk wanna be and told him that he should just kill himself. Devon eventually got the upper hand and brought out the table. With an assist from Mr. Socko, Devon put Ray through the table.

Match 6: TNA World Champion Mr. Anderson defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the World Championship in the main event.

After the main event, for $20, not matter the size of your group, you could get in the ring and get your picture taken with Mr. Anderson. The stars came out again to do more autographs and pictures. Jeff Jarett also sat out by the door giving autographs to everyone.

Biggest pops of the night were probably Anderson and Beer Money. Jeff Hardy and Ink Inc both got a bit of a mixed reaction. Biggest heat were Jeff Jarrett and Earl Hebner, followed by Bully Ray.

I have to say, I was really impressed with the show, especially the fact that they were allowing everyone to get autographs and pictures. They are very appreciative of their fans.

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

This week’s Smackdown begins with a look back at what happened after Edge retained the World Title with the help of Kelly Kelly, despite Edge’s apprehension over his tag team partner. As a result, Kelly was fired by Vickie Guerrero. She also announced another rematch for Dolph Ziggler with guest referee Vickie Guerrero.

We are live on tape from Green Bay, Wisconsin and your announcers are Michael ‘Hey Truth, you can say hello to this crowd and get it right’ Cole, Josh ‘The Frozen Tundra’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Main Event Announcer’ T.

The ring is adorned with balloons, flowers, and other celebratory items along with Ricardo Rodriguez who introduces Alberto Del Rio, who drives into the arena.

As he walks to the ring, we see footage from last week when Hornswoggle hit Alberto and then Alberto decided to thank Hornswoggle with the shot to the groin by knocking him down. We then had Kofi Kingston come to the ring and Alberto put Kofi in the cross arm breaker.

Alberto introduces himself, but we already knew that. Alberto says that with Valentine’s Day around the corner, in addition to being a great athlete, the winner of the biggest Royal Rumble in history, and the man who will be in the main event at Wrestlemania; that doesn’t mean that there is no love in his heart. It is the other way. He has Ricardo come into the ring with a heart shaped box. Alberto says that he loves a lot of things. He loves his cars. He loves his beautiful country of Mexico. He loves the fact that the six superstars who hope to face him at Wrestlemania will destroy themselves in the Elimination Chamber.

He says that he loves the most in this life is ‘destiny’, as he opens the box to reveal the word written inside. Destiny loves him . . . Alberto Del Rio and we now see a photo of Alberto in the box. Alberto says that Aaron Rodgers may have won the Super Bowl, but unlike Aaron, he does not need to pretend that he is a Heavyweight Champion because it is his destiny and he will become the World Champion at Wrestlemania.

Kofi Kingston comes out and he stands on the stage with something to say. All Alberto talks about is destiny and the future, like he knows something that nobody else knows. Kofi says that nobody knows what the future holds and there is no such thing as a crystal ball. Kofi says that he knows about the past. He knows about Alberto beating him with the kendo stick last week. Kofi says that he may not know about destiny, but he knows about the present and it is just the two of them. Kofi says that this is Alberto’s destiny.

Kofi gets a kendo stick to show Alberto what he dealt with last week. Alberto begs for mercy so Kofi will not hit him. Kofi thinks about it, and he eventually hits Alberto and then after Alberto leaves the ring, Kofi destroys everything in the ring and throws balloons at Alberto. Kofi takes a swing at the photo of Alberto and he sends it deep to left field.

We go to commercial.

Booker, Josh, and Michael talk about what just happened and while Booker liked what he saw, Cole is indignant about what Kofi did.

Match Number One: Kofi Kingston versus Alberto Del Rio



Alberto with a kick and punch followed by a series of punches to Kofi’s head until the referee pulls Del Rio off. Del Rio with a kick and knee. Del Rio with an Irish whip but Kofi with a forearm out of the corner. Kofi with kicks to Del Rio until he is pulled out of the corner. Kofi tries for a running boot into the corner but Del Rio moves and Kofi appears to have injured his foot. Del Rio with a back breaker for a near fall. Del Rio with a rear chin lock.

Kofi with punches to try to get out of the hold but Alberto pulls Kofi down by the hair and gets another near fall. Del Rio puts his knee in Kofi’s back along with the chin lock. Alberto with a knee and then he charges at Kofi but Kofi drops down and Del Rio goes through the ropes and lands on the floor. Del Rio returns to the ring and he is met with chops from Kingston. Kofi with a drop kick followed by the Superman punch.

Kofi with the Boom drop and then he sets up for Trouble in Paradise but he sees that Del Rio recovered too much so he tries for a splash into the corner. Del Rio charges into the corner and then Kofi moves and hits the pendulum kick. Kofi goes up top for a cross body and he gets a two count. Del Rio with a kick and then he gets Kofi on his shoulders but Kofi with elbows to escape. Kofi with SOS for a near fall when Del Rio grabs the ropes. Kofi sets up for Trouble in Paradise one more time. Del Rio sees it coming and he leaves the ring.

Kofi goes after Del Rio and he wants to send Del Rio into the ring steps but Del Rio is the one to use the ring steps as a weapon and he sends Kofi into the steps twice. Del Rio returns to the ring and he puts Kofi in the cross arm breaker and Kofi taps out.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

After the match, Del Rio takes some time to release the hold but he eventually lets go.

Todd Grisham is in the interview area with Edge. Todd asks Edge about his chances tonight with his ex-wife as the referee. Edge looks at Todd and then he sarcastically says that he thinks Vickie will call things down the middle and then after the match, they will all go out together and have a celebratory dinner for Valentine’s Day. Edge says that will happen when pigs fly and Vickie Guerrero on an airplane does not count. Todd asks Edge how will he retain the title and Edge says that he has no idea. We go to commercial.

We are back and we see Aaron Rodgers celebrating his Super Bowl victory with a World Title belt over his shoulder. We then see Aaron being given a spinner belt by David Letterman earlier this week.

We go to the front row where there are members of the Green Bay Packers and they have their own World Title belts.

Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov with Santino Marella but without Tamina versus Justin Gabriel with Heath Slater, Ezekiel Jackson, and Wade Barrett



Gabriel tries for a kick but Kozlov blocks it and takes Gabriel down with a leg whip. Kozlov sends Gabriel into the corner and then hits a series of shoulders to the midsection. Gabriel kicks Kozlov away and then he goes off the turnbuckles but Kozlov catches Gabriel and then he drops Gabriel on the turnbuckles. Kozlov with head butt to Gabriel while he is laying across the top turnbuckle. Kozlov kicks Gabriel and then he tries for a power slam but Gabriel gets free and he kicks Kozlov finishing with a running boot to the head. Gabriel punches Kozlov and then gets a near fall.

Gabriel with a reverse chin lock but Kozlov pushes Gabriel away. Gabriel with a kick to Kozlov but Kozlov locks the arms up and gives Gabriel a series of head butts to the chest. Jackson gets on the apron to distract the referee and that allows Slater to trip Kozlov as he comes off the ropes. The referee asks Slater if he did anything and while this takes place, Santino comes over to Slater and announces that he is going to give him the Cobra and Santino is a man of his word. Gabriel kicks Santino but Kozlov kicks Gabriel. Gabriel gets his knees up on an elbow drop and then Gabriel goes up top for the 450 Splash and gets the three count.

Winner: Justin Gabriel

After the match, Wade Barrett sends Santino into the ring and Barrett gives Santino Wasteland. Jackson hits an uranage on Kozlov.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Chris Masters versus Drew McIntyre



Drew rolls out of the ring before locking up and he demands a mic. Drew says that as far as he is concerned, Edge is fully responsible for Kelly Kelly being fired. He tells Edge that he will not forget that. Drew tells Kelly that he knows that she is watching this at home and this one is for her.

Masters kicks Drew as he returns to the ring and then gets a near fall with a rollup. Masters with a clothesline and chop followed by a Sky High. Masters goes to the turnbuckles but McIntyre moves when Masters comes off the turnbuckles. McIntyre tries for a back slide but Masters stays on his feet and he flips McIntyre over but Drew counters with a Future Shock DDT for the three count.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to take a look back at the facial injury suffered by Cody Rhodes because of Rey’s knee brace. Cole tells us that Cody had successful reconstructive facial surgery and he is recovering.

Rey Mysterio is walking in the back and Todd Grisham stops him to ask Rey if he had anything to say to Cody Rhodes. Rey asks Todd if he is serious. Rey wonders why he would say anything to Cody. It is only a broken nose and he didn’t do it intentionally. Injuries are a part of the game and they can happen during the course of the match. He hopes that Cody has the strength and the guts to get through this difficult time. Rey says that his focus is on beating Wade Barrett tonight and then winning the World Title at Elimination Chamber.

We see footage from last week when Wade Barrett defeated Big Show to get into the Elimination Chamber.

Wade says that in less than two weeks, he will be representing The Corre in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match. Wade says that doesn’t mean that he is any better than the other men in The Corre because they are all equal. It only means that he will go to Wrestlemania as the World Champion. The master plan for the evolution of Smackdown by The Corre is in action and the next step is beating Rey Mysterio.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cole and Josh talk about how next week is the 600th episode of Smackdown and Cole makes fun of other shows that have had long runs but nowhere near the number of episodes (of course if Simpsons had a new show every week, they would be over 1,000 episodes). Josh points out that is the third highest amount of episodes for a show.

Match Number Three: Rey Mysterio versus Wade Barrett



Wade with a kick and punch to Rey followed by a knee to the head and a few more kicks. Rey slides under a boot from Wade and then Rey kicks Wade but Wade stops Rey with a knee and he gets a near fall. Wade sends Rey into the turnbuckles followed by a hard Irish whip and he gets another near fall.

Wade with a knee drop to Rey and the Barrett Irish whips Rey again but Rey with a drop toe hold that sends Barrett into the turnbuckle. Rey with a running drop kick to Wade in the corner. Rey goes to the top turnbuckle but Rey is tripped by Wade and Rey is hanging in the Tree of Woe. Wade kicks and chokes Rey. Wade gets a near fall and then he chokes Rey in the ropes.

Wade with a suplex to Rey followed by knees to the back. Wade follows that with an elbow to the neck. Rey gets out of a belly-to-back suplex and he drop kicks a charging Barrett in the knee and Wade falls into the ropes. Rey tries for the 619 but Wade recovers and kicks Rey in the midsection. Rey kicks Wade and then he drops down when Wade charges at him again and Wade goes to the floor. Rey with a seated splash off the apron. Wade hits a belly-to-back suplex onto the ringside barrier and we go to commercial.

We are back and Wade punches and kicks Rey as the action returns to the ring. Wade with his knee in Rey’s back but Rey rolls through and kicks Wade. Rey with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Wade sends Rey into the turnbuckles but Rey kicks Wade. Rey comes off the turnbuckles and Wade catches him and puts Rey on the top turnbuckle. Wade sets up for a superplex but Rey knocks Wade to the mat. Rey with a seated splash and a head scissors. Rey with another kick to Barrett’s jaw followed by a round kick and he gets a near fall.

Barrett gets Rey up for Wasteland but Rey gets out of it. Rey comes off the ropes and Barrett hits a Bossman Slam for a near fall. Barrett shows frustration that he cannot finish off Mysterio. Barrett tries for a pump handle slam but Rey counters and sends Wade into the ropes and he tries for another 619 but he sees Justin Gabriel coming to the ring so Rey hits a drop kick on Gabriel to neutralize him. Wade with a big boot to Rey and Wade gets Rey up for Wasteland and he hits it and gets the three count.

Winner: Wade Barrett

After the match, Gabriel, Slater, and Jackson come out and kick Rey. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash and Jackson tries to keep Rey on the mat in position. Big Show comes out and he sends Jackson to the floor and then he takes care of Slater and Gabriel before choke slamming Barrett. Show chops Slater and Gabriel followed by head butts. Show grabs Gabriel and Slater for a choke slam but Jackson attacks Show from behind. Slater punches and kicks Show while Jackson holds him. Gabriel with a super kick. Slater, Gabriel, and Barrett continue to assault Show. Jackson picks up a lifeless Big Show and then he suplexes him.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Five: JTG versus Kane



Kane with a knee to JTG but JTG with a sliding punch followed by a drop kick. JTG with a splash into the corner. Kane pushes JTG out of the corner and then hits a big boot to the head. Kane sends JTG into the turnbuckles and follows that with punches and kicks. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick to JTG. Kane with an Irish whip followed by a side slam. Kane goes up top for the clothesline and he hits it. Kane sets for the choke slam and he hits it and gets the three count.

Winner: Kane

We go to commercial.

We are back and Michelle and Layla are walking in the back and they talk about snakes and mention Eve. Layla points out that Eve wasn’t even supposed to be in the match at the Royal Rumble. Michelle says that it was their rematch. Michelle says that nobody ever helps them out. Michelle says that it was a fluke that Eve won and that if the referee was doing his job, Michelle would be the Divas Champion. Layla asks Michelle if she meant ‘we’ would be the champion and Michelle covers but kind of half hearted.

They happen to be walking past Vickie Guerrero’s office and Vickie walks out in her referee outfit. Vickie says that she was disappointed by LayCool and thought too highly of them. Vickie says that now she has to do things herself and that is why she is the referee in the match between Edge and Dolph tonight.

Dolph stops by and he tells Vickie to stop talking to the losers. Layla wonders what Dolph means. Dolph blames them for not winning the title last week.

Layla sarcastically thanks Michelle for having her back as we go to commercial.

We are back and we see a photo of the pinfall at the Royal Rumble where Michelle has a claim to be the Divas Champion.

Match Number Six: Layla with Michelle McCool versus Eve Torres in a Non Title Match



Layla goes to the floor and she tells Michelle that she can’t focus because she needs Michelle’s support. Eve goes to the floor and takes care of Michelle by pushing her out of the way. Eve sends Layla into the announce table. Layla with a kick to the midsection and then Layla slams Eve’s head into the mat. Layla chokes Eve in the ropes and then hits a drop kick to the back and gets a near fall. Layla with a rear chin lock and arm bar. Eve with an elbow and kick to Layla.

Eve with a fireman’s carry and drop kick or two. Eve with a series of kicks and a clothesline followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall. Layla with a back kick but Layla misses a clothesline and Eve hits a Flatliner. Eve goes up top for a moonsault but Michelle gets on the apron and distracts Eve. Layla kicks Eve and trips her. Layla tries for a cover but only gets a near fall but Eve is able to get the three count.

Winner: Eve Torres

Edge and Dolph Ziggler are walking in split screen as we go to commercial.

We are back and before the start of the main event, Vickie Guerrero reminds Edge that the spear is still banned and if he uses it, he will be stripped of the title.

Match Number Seven: Dolph Ziggler versus Edge for the World Heavyweight Title with Guest Referee Vickie Guerrero



Ziggler with a kick to the leg and he gets a near fall with a rollup on what might have been a fast count. They lock up and Ziggler backs Edge into the corner. Ziggler misses a punch and Edge punches Ziggler and Vickie pulls Edge out of the corner. Ziggler punches Edge and Vickie watches from a safe distance. Ziggler with another near fall on Edge. Ziggler kicks Edge and then punches him. Ziggler with a kick and neck breaker. Ziggler tries for the sleeper but Edge is able to keep Ziggler from locking it in properly. Edge with an Edge-o-matic and both men are down. Ziggler hits a drop kick on Edge and they go down again. Ziggler punches Edge but Edge with an Irish whip. Ziggler with a boot and then he goes to the turnbuckles but Edge blocks Ziggler’s move and hits a flapjack.

Edge with a running forearm and clothesline followed by an inverted side slam. Edge with a bareback and he tries for the Zig Zag but Edge holds on to the ropes. Edge with a kick and an Impaler DDT and Vickie puts Dolph’s foot on the rope to stop the count.

Vickie laughs at her performance and likes what she has done. Ziggler with a kick and running Fameasser for a near fall. Edge with a running forearm and both men are down. Vickie starts pulling her hair and acting like Edge when he gets set for the spear. Vickie tries to spear Edge and she bounces off Edge and appears to have hurt her ankle.

Vickie is checked on by the medical staff and helped out of the ring and Edge wonders what is going on. Edge hits a spear on Edge but Vickie is not looking. Since there is no referee, nobody makes the count. Edge looks for a referee so he can win the match. Edge sets for another spear and Vickie warns him. Edge hits a spear right in front of Vickie and we have a referee and it is Clay Matthews. He comes to the ring and he makes the three count.

Winner: Edge

After the match, Edge and Clay celebrate in the ring with their title belts.

2011 - TNA star AJ Styles teamed up with country star Sarah Darling, appearing in a music video for her song "Something To Do With Your Hands."



2012 - It was announced that New York Giants star Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul would be appearing at Monday's Impact taping in Orlando, FL to work an angle with Kurt Angle. The Giants had just won the Super Bowl.