Wrestling History Today - Aug 31st
On this day in history in ...
1944 - Jos LeDuc is born in Montreal, Quebec.
1945 - Ted Cox defeats Buddy Rogers for the Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
1947 - Animal Hamaguchi is born in Shimane, Japan.
1950 - Don Eagle defeats Gorgeous George in Columbus, Ohio to win the Ohio AWA World Heavyweight Title, to begin his second reign.
1951 - Art Neilson and Jack Steel defeat Farmer Jones and Al Massey to win the Georgia NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1954 - Águila Solitaria is born in Tulancingo, Mexico.
1954 - Al and Tiny Mills defeat George and Sandy Scott for the Calgary NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Edmonton, Alberta, ending the Scotts' second reign.
1965 - Don Carson defeats Ken Lucas to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Pensacola, Florida, ending Lucas' second reign.
1967 - Len Rossi defeats The Great Yamaha (Kantaro Hoshino) for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to begin his fifth reign.
1968 - Verne Gagne defeats Dr. X (Dick Beyer) to win the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Bloomington, Minnesota, to begin Gagne's ninth reign.
1968 - José Lothario and Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow) defeat Boris Malenko and Johnny Valentine to win the Florida NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida. This began Lothario and Scarpa's second reign.
1972 - Art Neilson and Johnny Weaver defeat Brute Bernard and Larry Hamilton for the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
1972 - Gorgeous George, Jr. wins a battle royal in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to win the vacant NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title.
1973 - Mr. Wrestling II defeats Bill Watts for the vacant NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. Fred Blassie was the referee for the match. The title had been stripped from Watts two weeks earlier after he purposely got disqualified in a match against Wrestling II.
1974 - Manny Soto defeats Mr. California (Salvador Lothario) for the NWA Beat the Champ Television Title in Hollywood, California. At the same event, Butcher Brannigan and Man Mountain Mike defeat Angel Blanco and Dr. Wagner to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
1974 - Chris Gallagher and Don Kent defeat Ricky Gibson and Steve Kovacs to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to begin their second reign.
1975 - SUWA is born in Kawanabe, Japan.
1977 - Jeff Hardy is born in Cameron, North Carolina.
1977 - Jane O'Brien defeats Maki Ueda to become the first Hawaiian Pacific Champion. This title later became known as the All Pacific Title.
1978 - Doug Gilbert defeats Bob Sweetan for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Kansas, ending Sweetan's second reign.
1979 - Mickie James is born in Montpelier, Virginia.
1979 - Ole Anderson and Ivan Koloff win their fifth NWA Georgia Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, by ending the second reign of Stan Hansen and Tommy Rich.
1981 - Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Morton defeated Mr. (Masa) Fuchi and Mr. (Atsushi) Onita in Memphis, Tennessee to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Title, ending Fuchi and Onita's third reign.
1983 - Junbo Tsuruta defeats Bruiser Brody for the NWA International Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Brody's second reign.
1985 - AJPW held an event at RyÅgoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) in Tokyo, Japan. The main event featured seven title belts between the participants, though only one of the five titles held by them was at stake. The results were:
- Yoshihiro Momota defeated Shinji Sasazaki.
- Norio Honaga defeated Mitsuo Momota.
- Tarzan Goto and Toshiaki Kawada fought Shinichi Nakano and Fumihiro Niikura to a time-limit draw.
- Mighty Inoue and Great Kojika defeated Tim Horner defeated Marty Jannetty.
- Tor Kamata defeated Motoshi Okuma.
- Animal Hamaguchi, Masanobu Kurisu and Isamu Teranishi defeated Rusher Kimura, Masahiko Takasugi and Goro Tsurumi.
- Killer Khan defeated Ashura Hara by disqualification.
- Tiger Mask (Mistuharu Misawa) defeated NWA International Junior Heavyweight Champion Kuniaki Kobayashi to win the title. He was the last champion as the title was retired in 1986.
- Killer Tim Brooks and Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Giant Baba and Takashi Ishikawa.
- The Great Kabuki defeated Haru Sonada.
- PWF World Tag Team Champions Ted DiBiase and PWF Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen defeated NWA International Tag Team Champions - NWA United National Heavyweight Champion Genichiro Tenryu and NWA International Heavyweight Champion Jumbo Tsuruta to retain the title.
1986 - Eddie Gilbert and Sting defeat The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) for the UWF World Tag Team Title in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to begin their second reign. The title had been held up after a match between the two teams on August 17.
1987 - AJPW held an event at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Masanobu Kurisu defeated Yoshinari Ogawa.
- Haruka Eigen and Isamu Teranishi defeated Gene Ligon and Nelson Royal, when Teranishi pinned Royal.
- Joel Deaton and Isao Takagi fought to a double-countout.
- Rusher Kimura and Goro Tsurumi defeated Motoshi Okuma and AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champion Mighty Inoue, when Tsurumi pinned Okuma.
- Nick Bockwinkel, Austin Idol and Dick Slater defeated Masanobu Fuchi, Samson Fuyuki and Akio Sato, when Idol made Sato submit.
- Ashura Hara and Toshiaki Kawada defeated The Great Kabuki and Haru Sonada, when Hara pinned Sonada.
- Giant Baba and Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) defeated Hiroshi Wajima and AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champion Takashi Ishikawa, when Baba pinned Ishikawa.
- PWF Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen defeated Yoshiaki Yatsu by disqualification to retain the title.
- NWA United National Heavyweight Champion Genichiro Tenryu defeated NWA International Heavyweight Champion Jumbo Tsuruta by countout.
1987 - Jerry Lawler defeated Don Bass in a Hair vs. Title Steel Cage match for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Bass' second reign and beginning Lawler's 50th. At the same show, Bill Dundee defeated George Barnes to win the CWA International Heavyweight Title.
1990 - Steve Gatorwolf defeats The Japan Bomber (Riki Ataki) to win the American Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title in Holbrook, Arizona.
1991 - FMW held an event at Koen Park Gym in Chiba, Japan. The results:
- Yukihido Ueno besiegt Eiji Ezaki.
- Megumi Kudo besiegt Yukie Nabeno.
- Yoshika Maedomari, WWA World Women's Champion Combat Toyoda and Erika Tsuchiya defeated Keiko Iwami, Rie Nakamura and Miwa Sato.
- Billy Mack defeated Masashi Honda.
- Ricky Fuji and Turtle Mask defeated Battle Ranger and Amigo Ultra.
- Gregory Veritchev defeated The Shooter.
- Katsuji Ueda defeated AWA World Light Heavyweight Champion Mark Starr to win the title, beginning his second reign.
- Sambo Asako, Jimmy Backlund and WWA Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion Atsushi Onita defeated Horace Boulder, Tarzan Goto and The Gladiator in an Elimination match.
1991 - Kyoko Inoue defeats Debbie Malenko for the vacant IWA World Women's Title in Mita, Japan.
1992 - The WWF's fifth-annual "SummerSlam" airs on pay-per-view. The event took place two nights earlier in London, England at Wembley Stadium before 80,355 fans, and got a 1.5 buyrate. The show marked the first and only time an Intercontinental championship match main evented a WWF/WWE PPV. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Jim Duggan and The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke) defeated The Mountie and The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) (with Jimmy Hart), when Duggan pinned The Mountie after Sags accidentally hit an elbow drop on him.
- Papa Shango pinned Tito Santana after a shoulderbreaker.
- Tatanka pinned The Berzerker (with Mr. Fuji) after a Samoan drop.
Pay-per-view matches:
- The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated Money, Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster (with Jimmy Hart)), when Animal pinned DiBiase after a powerslam, after DiBiase ran into Schyster on the apron.
- Nailz defeated Virgil by TKO when Virgil passed out from a sleeperhold.
- Rick Martel and Shawn Michaels (with Sensational Sherri) fought to a double-countout. Due to pre-match stipulations made by Sherri, neither man was to hit the other in the face. Sherri got on the apron during the match, and fainted. Martel and Michaels both went to check on Sherri, but ended up getting in a fight over who should check on her, resulting in the double-countout.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) defeated The Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake (with The Genius)) to retain the title.
- Crush defeated Repo Man by submission with the Cranium Crush.
- The Ultimate Warrior defeated WWF Champion Randy Savage by countout, due to interference from Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect.
- The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) defeated Kamala (with Harvey Wippleman and Kim Chee) by disqualification after Kim Chee hit Undertaker with his helmet.
- The British Bulldog (with BBBofC, Commonwealth and EBU Heavyweight boxing Champion Lennox Lewis) pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart by countering a sunset flip attempt with a roll-up, to win the title. This ended Hart's second reign.
1992 - The USWA held an event at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- Doug Gilbert and The Russian Unified Team defeated Eric Embry, Tony Falk and The Hornet.
- USWA Women's Champion Miss Texas defeated Lauren Davenport to retain the title.
- The Star Chaser (Paul Diamond) defeated Barry Horowitz.
- "GWF Light Heavyweight Champion" Danny Davis defeated Brickhouse Brown by disqualification to retain the title. Davis was not the actual champion, he brought the title with him after leaving the GWF in April. The actual GWF Light Heavyweight Champion at the time was Alex Porteau.
- USWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Brian Christopher defeated Tom Prichard to retain the title.
- The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) defeated Doug Gilbert and USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Gilbert.
- USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Gilbert defeated The Dirty White Boy to retain the title.
- USWA Tag Team Champions Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Lawler defeated The Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka) to retain the title.
- Bill Dundee defeated Tommy Rich by disqualification in a Steel Cage match.
1993 - Crypt Keeper (José Estrada, Jr.) defeats Crash the Terminator (Bill DeMott) in Akita, Japan for the W*ING World Heavyweight Title.
1996 - Jamie Dundee defeats Wolfie D to win the USWA Television Title in Memphis, Tennessee. Dundee was the last to hold the title before the USWA closed in November 1997.
1997 - Kensuke Sasaki defeas Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in Yokohama, Japan, ending Hashimoto's third reign.
1997 - Hayabusa, Kouji Nakagawa and Masato Tanaka defeat Mr. Gannosuke, The Gladiator and Hisakatsu Ooya in Yokohama, Japan for the FMW World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Title.
1997 - PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) defeat Steven Dunn and Flash Flanagan for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee. This began their 15th reign, and they were the last champions before the USWA closed.
1998 - WCW held its 155th episode of "Monday Nitro" live from the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. The show ran unopposed in the ratings, as USA's U.S. Open tennis coverage kept "WWF RAW is WAR" off the air again. The show was taped this night, but would air as "RAW Saturday Night" on September 5. "Nitro" got a 6.04 rating (hours of 5.10, 6.62 and 6.41). The results were:
- Wrath pinned Jim Powers after the Meltdown.
- Scott Norton (with Vincent) pinned Norman Smiley after a powerbomb.
- Brian Adams (with Vincent) pinned Eddie Guerrero.
- Ernest Miller pinned Riggs after a kick.
- Konnan defeated Marty Jannetty by submission with the Tequila Sunrise.
- Lodi and Saturn (with Kanyon and Raven) defeated High Voltage (Kaos and Rage), when Lodi pinned Rage after a Spicolli driver from Saturn.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Juventud Guerrera pinned Evan Karagias after a Juvi Driver to retain the title.
- WCW World Television Champion Chris Jericho defeated Disco Inferno by submission with the Liontamer to retain the title.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg pinned Al Greene after the Jackhammer to retain the title.
- Lex Luger and Sting defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart and Hollywood Hulk Hogan (with The Disciple) by countout.
1998 - ARSION held its first Zion Tournament in Osaka, Japan. The results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Ayako Hamada defeated Mari Apache.
- Mikiko Futagami defeated Rie Tamada.
- Michiko Omukai defeated Yumi Fukawa.
- Mariko Yoshida defeated Reggie Bennett.
Semifinals:
- Ayako Hamada defeated Mikiko Futagami.
- Mariko Yoshida defeated Michiko Omukai.
Final:
- Mariko Yoshida defeated Ayako Hamada to win the Zion Tournament. She was now scheduled to face Candy Okutsu, winner of May 5's ARS Tournament, to determine the first Queen of ARSION Champion on December 18.
2000 - J.W. Idol defeats Awesome Arpin in Pennsboro, West Virginia to win the NWA West Virginia/Ohio Heavyweight Title, to begin Idol's second reign and end Arpin's fourth. At the same show, Viper wins his fourth NWA West Virginia/Ohio Hardcore Title by defeating Mr. Attitude.
2001 - Kayoko Haruyama and Azumi Hyuga defeat Misae Genki and Ran Yu-Yu for the JWP Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2002 - AJPW held "Royal Road 30 Giant Battle 3rd" at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Nobukazu Hirai defeated Ryuji Hijikata.
- Gran Nanaiwa, Mike Rotunda and Johnny Smith defeated Masa Fuchi, Gran Hamada and Kazushi Miyamoto.
- Abdullah the Butcher and Kendo Kashin defeated Yoji Anjo and Mitsuya Nagai, when Abdullah pinned Nagai.
- Dragon Kid, Masaaki Mochizuki and Jimmy Yang defeated Darkness Dragon, Magnum TOKYO and Susumu Yokosuka, when Dragon Kid pinned Yokosuka.
- AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions Kronik (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) defeated Yuto Aijima and Tomoaki Honma, when Adams pinned Aijima, to retain the title.
- Mike Barton and Jim Steele defeated Hideki Hosaka and Shigeo Okumura, when Barton pinned Hosaka.
- Satoshi Kojima defeated AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champion Nobutaka Araya.
- Goldberg defeated Taiyo Kea.
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champion Arashi, Koki Kitahara, Masao Orihara, AJPW Triple Crown Champion Genichiro Tenryu and Steve Williams defeated Hiroshi Hase, Kaz Hayashi, George Hines, Keiji Muto and Jinsei Shinzaki in an Elimination match. Kitahara made Hayashi submit, Arashi pinned Hines, Shinzaki pinned Orihara, Williams pinned Shinzaki, Hase pinned Kitahara, Tenryu pinned Hase, Muto pinned Arashi and Williams pinned Muto. Tenryu and Williams were the survivors.
2002 - Phoenix Championship Wrestling held the "Haas Cup" in honor of the late Russ Haas in Toms River, NJ at the Rec Center before a crowd of around 500-600.
1. SAT's defeated Red and Matt Striker and the team of Divine Storm. In 8:23 SAT's pinned Storm with Spanish Fly. Match continued immediately to second round match. Continued from first match, Red and Stryker pinned SAT's total time of 13:08. Striker suffered a leg injury slipping off the apron several minutes before the match ended and Red got the victory on his own.
2. Island Boy Jamal wound up teaming with RC Haas due to an injury to his brother''s leg. His brother was there but unable to wrestle. Jamal and Haas won after Hit Squad was eliminated at 6:09, followed by Malice and Seven being eliminated at 6:41.
3. Damaja and The Machine Doug Basham defeated Christian York & Joey Matthews and the Ballard Brothers. York and Matthews lose at 7:58, Ballards pinned at 12:22.
4. The PCW tag team champs, the United Nations(Tiger Khan and the Prophet) defeated Bo Dupp and Matt Vandal(subbing for Pete Gas), as well as the team of Lance Cade and Nick Dinsmore(subbing for STEVE BRADLEY--no announcement for Bradley's no-show) in total match time of 14:09.
5. In the best match on the show, PCW TV Champ Frankie Kazarian retailed title by PINNING Low Ki in the middle of the ring after Jerry Lynn gave Ki the cradle piledriver off the middle freaking rope!!! 10:19
Damaja and Doug Basham advanced to the finals defeating the team of RED and his new partner, STEVE CORINO in 10:54.
Island Boy Jamal and RC Haas defeated The United Nations in 7:03. Afterwards, Island Boy Rosie came out and yelled at his brother for teaming with RC. Together they turned on RC and laid him out till the save was made by---NOVA, who offered to go to the FINALS with RC Haas as his new partner.
A local DJ from 98.5 radio, named Kid Knight defeated Little Ricky in a lumberjack match in 3:21.
In the finals of the RUSS HAAS MEMORIAL CUP, NOVA and RC HAAS defeated Doug Basham and Damaja in 10:32.
2002 - WWE ran Springfield, IL with a Raw brand event. Steven Lucas filed the following live report:
WWE Wrestling, Springfield IL, 8-31-2K2 [RAW] Brief Results
Crowd looked to be about 4-5K in a 9-10K arena, with the floor seating full mostly, elevated seating about 60% full on the three sides, lower deck about 40% full, and the upper deck 30% full.
Spike Dudley d. Raven with Dudley Dog/Acid Drop pin -> 4 mins. **
Shelton Benjamin d. Justin Credible with standing spin kick to the head out of a caught foot pin -> 7:30 mins. ***
Golddust & Booker T d. Steven Regal & Chris Harvard with Booker hitting the axe kick on Harvard pin -> 10:10 mins. *1/2 Booker & Golddust did spineroonies.
Tommy Dreamer d. Steven Richards with the DDT pin -> 4:30 mins. *1/2
Brock Lesnar d. Undertaker by DQ -> 18 mins. * Brock whacked Taker twice with the chair with the ref KO'ed, but the ref saw Taker use it for the DQ.
Trish Stratus & Jacqueline d. Molly Holly & Victoria with Trish stratusfaction'ing Victoria pin -> 6 mins. **
Bradshaw d. Lance Storm with clothesline from hell pin -> 6:45 mins. **1/2
Chris Jerchio d. Bubba Ray Dudley with the Boston Crab submission -> 12:40 mins. ***1/2
Rob Van Dam d. The Big Show with the Five Star Splash pin -> 6 mins. **1/2
2002 - WWE's Smackdown side ran Corpus Christi, Texas. Mike Jenkins filed the following results:
Rikishi beat Rico of Chuck and Billy Fame.
Chuck and Billy beat Hardcore Holly and Randy Orton.
Rev. D-Von beat Batista.
Mark Henry beat Albert.
Kane made his return by beating Bull Buchanan.
Matt Hardy beat John Cena.
Billy Kidman, The Hurricane and Shannon Moore beat Jamie Noble, Tajiri and Chavo Guerrero.
Rey Mysterio beat Eddie Guerrero in the match of the night.
Edge beat Chris Benoit in the second best match.
2002 - XPW held "Hostile Takeover" at Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Psicosis defeated Super Crazy.
- Pogo the Clown and The Sandman fought to a no-contest.
- XPW World Tag Team Champions Mexico's Most Wanted (Damian 666 and Halloween) defeated The New Panthers (K-Malik Shabazz (Ron Killings) and Raphael Muhammed).
- XPW King of the Deathmatches Champion Supreme defeated Angel to retain the title.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated Chris Chetti.
- Vic Grimes defeated Altar Boy Luke and Little Guido in a three-way match.
- XPW Television Champion Kaos defeated Chris Hamrick in a Ladder match to retain the title.
- XPW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas defeated Terry Funk to a no-contest to retain the title.
2002 - CZW held its first "Tournament of Death" at Rack's Bar and Billiards in Dover, Delaware. The results were:
- In a quarterfinal match, Nate Hatred and Zandig fought to a no-contest in a Barbed Wire Boards match.
- In a quarterfinal match, The Messiah defeated Adam Flash.
- The Arsenal and The Green Phantom defeated The Hardcore Ninjaz (#1 and #2).
- In a quarterfinal match, Wifebeater defeated Necro Butcher in a Staplegun Falls Count Anywhere match.
- In a quarterfinal match, Nick Gage defeated Toby Klein in a Barbed Wire Boards and Wooden Strips with Nails match.
- In a quarterfinal match, Nick Mondo defeated Homeless Jimmy in a Weapons match.
- The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid & Johnny Kashmere) defeated Jon Dahmer & Towel Boy, Sonjay Dutt & Derek Frazier and The New School (Chris Cash & GQ) in a four-way Elimination match. The Backseat Boyz eliminated all three opponents.
- Ruckus defeated Nick Berk and Justice Pain in a three-way match.
- In a semifinal match, Wifebeater defeated Nick Gage in a Panes of Glass match.
- In a semifinal match, Nick Mondo defeated The Messiah in a Fans Bring the Weapons match.
- In the finals, Wifebeater defeated Nick Mondo in a 200 Lighttubes Barbed Wire match to win the Tournament of Death and win the unofficial CZW branch of the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Title. The title, which was held by Zandig previously, was vacated when BJW and CZW's working relationship ended. The official title's vacancy was not filled until Kintaro Kanemura defeated Shadow WX on March 30, 2003.
2002 - El Dandy defeats Perro Aguayo, Jr. in Reynosa, Mexico to win the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title.
2002 - Three Future of Wrestling titles change hands in Plantation, Florida. Antonio Banks (MVP) and The Punisher defeated Anthony Michaels and Jeff Roth to win the FOW Tag Team Title, Bruno Sassi ended Billy Fives' fifth FOW Heavyweight Title reign, and David Babylon wins the FOW Light Heavyweight Title from Johnny Vandal, ending Vandal's second reign and beginning Babylon's second reign.
2002 - The Furies defeat Jason Dukes and Skull Crusher for the Mid American Wrestling Tag Team Title in Big Bend, Wisconsin.
2002 - Don Heavy defeats SigMasta Rappo at "On Fire 2" in Oberglatt, Switzerland to win the Swiss Wrestling Federation Powerhouse Title, ending Rappo's third reign.
2002 - Chris Sanders defeats Void in Magee, Mississippi for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title.
2002 - Andy Douglas and Ricky Santell defeat Dante and Leatherface to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Columbia, Tennessee.
2002 - WWE broadcast Confidential. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Confidential Report for 8/31/2002.
Recorded at the WWE TV Studios in Stamford, CT.
Your Host: Mean Gene Okerlund.
(Tonight's show is a replay of the episode that aired back on June 8th. Guess Gene and the Confidential crew got to take advantage of the Labor Day holiday-must be nice! Here's my original recap, very slightly revised.)
Gene welcomes us in, announces that tonight we'll be hearing from The Rock about his plans for the future. First though, we're going to talk about last weeks controversial Tough Enough 2 finale. Out of the final 4 contestants, both winners were female, Linda and Jackie. Later on tonight, Gene will be taking phone calls from the 2 presumably disappointed male finalists, Jake and Kenny. Also later on, Tough Enough 2 head honcho John 'Big' Gaburick will be joining Gene in the studio.
We go to video of the Tough Enough 2 crew setting up 'The World' (formerly WWF New York) for the shows final episode. Head trainer Al Snow discusses the difficulty of picking a winner. Also present were the other trainers (Bob Holly, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Ivory) as well as cast members from both seasons of the show. We hear some of their picks to win:
1. Female Tough Enough 1 winner Nidia: Kenny and Jackie.
2. TE2 contestant Hawk: Jake and Linda.
3. TE2 contestant Pete: Jake and Jackie.
4. TE2 contestant Robert: Linda, not sure who else.
We go to 'Big', who reminds us that this season, there is no '1 female, 1 male winner' stipulation, which was the case for Tough Enough 1. We go to video of the opening of the show. Big explains the winners were chosen by himself, the 4 trainers and 'other' WWE executives. We see the announcement of Linda as a winner and her acceptance speech. Cut to Jackie in the crowd-she appeared to think she was done, feeling that a male would be chosen next. When she was announced as the second winner, Jake and Kenny both looked to have taken one to the gut. Al explains the ladies were chosen as winners because of merit, not for shock value. We'll be hearing from Jake and Kenny later on. Break.
Gene returns with a 'Personality Profile'. This week we focus on Bradshaw (real name John Layfield). We hear from his parents and sister about his early mischievous tendencies. Bradshaw talks about growing up in Sweetwater TX, home of the worlds largest 'Rattlesnake Roundup'. We see him and his friend Tom Henderson handling the venomous reptiles. Early in life, Bradshaw was big into sports and his life goal was to be a rancher. We see video of highlights of his high school football days. He talks about his college football career-playing for the conference championship for the University of Abilene (ACU, sorry, don't know what the 'C' stands for), he was going head to head with future NFL star John Randle. He suffered a broken fibula, but went on to finish the game. Later on he played for the L.A. Raiders, then had a stint with the WFL. He knew that his recurring knee problems would never take him to the 'next level' on the football field. His dad talks about Bradshaw being hurt when he was cut by the Raiders, but feels his son re-gained his spark when he got into the wrestling business. Bradshaw ends the segment by expressing his high level of satisfaction with his current situation. Break.
Gene returns to talk about The People's Champion, The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment…The Rock.
(Commentary: Yeah I'm a Rocky fan.)
We get an update on what The Rock has been up to (as of 6/8). Recently he presented an award to Janet Jackson at the 2002 Essence Awards. We see video of him making the rounds promoting 'Scorpion King'. He'll be starting the filming of his next movie, 'Helldorado', shortly. Video rolls of some of his in-ring moments, he talks about missing the interaction with the fans and announces he will 'be back'.
Gene claims he wishes he could be Rocky for a few days, which leads into video of current WWE stars doing impressions of The People's Champ. Best are by Booker T and Goldust, worst is everyone else. Break.
WWE Rewind: Announcement of Jackie as Tough Enough 2 winner, leaving the guys shut out.
Back, John 'Big' Gaburick joins Gene in the studio. Gene goes straight into it, asks why neither male was chosen a winner. Big appears a bit shaken up by the directness, then goes into details on both males.
1. Jake. Pro: Great look, fantastic physique, good guy. Con: Slow learner, a fact he readily admitted to prior to the season finale.
2. Kenny. Pro: Young, plenty of potential. Con: Needs to gain maturity and improve physique.
Gene has Jake and Kenny on the phone. First up is Jake. Gene wants to know why he left New York for California before they could do a post-Tough Enough 2 interview. Jake claims he didn't want to talk while he was in a bad emotional frame, feeling it could result in burning some bridges with WWE. Gene asks about his future plans. Here's where it gets REAL interesting-before Jake answers, he has a question for Big. He wants to know when the decision was made to choose 2 women as winners. Jake (pretty illogically) states that if this conclusion was known about in advance by the contestants, no males would have bothered competing. Big, seeming rather nervous and a bit pissed off, assures Jake that the 2 winners were chosen solely for their abilities and potential. He tells Jake that if the 2 best contestants on the upcoming Tough Enough 3 are both males, they'll be the winners. Gene asks if Jake would 'do it again' He bitterly replies that if he'd known that 2 women would be chosen winners, no.
(Commentary: Enjoy the indies, dude.)
Gene bids Jake good luck and gets Kenny on. Kenny praises the ladies, but mentions hearing from various people that he and Jake were 'robbed'. Big feels Kenny is being unduly influenced by biased talk from those who are basically sucking up to him. He informs Kenny the 4 trainers, who have a bunch of years in the business, were unanimous in choosing Linda and Jackie as winners. Big feels Kenny has a right to be disappointed, but that the right decision was made. That's it for Kenny, Gene thanks Big, we take a break.
(Commentary: Anybody else betting Big cracked a beer immediately after this segment was filmed?)
Back, Gene presents us a segment centering on Stone Cold Steve Austin. We see footage of some 'off the air' moments of WWE TV, usually post-Raw/Smackdown. Stone Cold entertains the fans with songs, also delivers career critiques to some lucky spectators at ringside. Austin claims he likes to give the fans in attendance a little more than they'd get watching the show on TV. On the subject of the post-show cracking of the Steveweisers, we hear from Timekeeper Mark Yeaton-he's the guy that tosses Stone Cold the beers. He claims to have thrown Austin hundreds of beers over the years, and claims Stone Cold 'goes through' about 24 in a night. We see Austin enjoying post-show toasts with Jim Ross, HHH, The Rock, 'Taker, Stone Cold Will Sasso (of Mad TV), Booker T and Vince McMahon-the last three also took Stunners. Mark discusses the time they ran out of beer-he mentions having to be carried out that night. Black and White footage on the subject of drinking a beer Stone Cold style follows, and Mark, Debra and Kurt Angle discuss his unique technique.
We hear next from mobile camera operator Tom Stewart. He's taken his share of abuse from the Rattlesnake, and claims while protecting his $80,000 camera is important, his own safety comes first. We get tributes to Austins abilities as an entertainer from referee Earl Hebner and former WWF Women's Champion Harvey Whippleman.
Gene turns to the subject of Mark Henry. A contest winner by the name of Andres Maldonado got a chance to work out with the Worlds Strongest Man.
We see Mark putting Andres through the wringer-did alright. Break.
Back, we see Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler taking the Tough Enough 2 crew on a shopping trip to a lingerie shop. Footage airs of some of the male contestants 'modeling'-I join Al Snow in admitting to being scarred for life….
(End of pre-recorded segment.)
Gene announces that next week we'll be getting an 'all new' episode-looks like we'll be going in depth with Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy.
2002 - WWE broadcast Velocity. Mayy Zylbert filed the following TV report:
WWE Velocity
Hosted by Mark Lloyd and Michael Cole
Damn it, Michael Cole is back. Ugh. Well in any case, welcome back to my domain of excellence, in which low-carders take center stage! I am your tough-as-nails reporter, Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that rocks your world. With another Velocity ready to hit the airwaves, let's send it down to my buddy, and yours, TONY THE CHIM, for our opening bout....
Chavo Guerrero vs. The Hurricane
YES! YES! Chavo Guerrero has returned to Velocity! And I've said it so many times before, so I'll say it again: Chavo has the best music! I mean, come on. You can't sit there and tell me Chavo isn't the coolest wrestler right now. The strut, the music, the wrestling... it's all, as Stuart Scott says, cool as the other side of the pillow.
Before the match, Chavo proves me right once again, by taking Hurricane's cape from the ring post, and then tossing it down on the outside. You show 'em Chavo! There's that Guerrero 'careesma'! Obviously though, Hurricane is pissed, so he attacks Chavo from behind as he played up to the heel heat, and we're off. After getting in some punches, Hurricane delivers the ol' thumb to the eye, and now I wonder what kind of super hero he really is. He then follows up his offense by putting Chavo in the tree of woe position, and I don't really know how to say that, but let's just say Hurricane puts the boot right into the crotch, and then he starts to push down. Boys and girls, that's gonna do some damage. Hurricane would continue the punishment with his Japanese shining wizard for a near fall, and Chavo would then make the smart move of heading outside for a breather. He is so cool. However, he doesn't get much time for a breather, as Hurricane launches himself over the top rope for a pescado attempt. Chavo would avoid it, and although Hurricane landed on his feet, the future potential Cruiserweight champion scores with a clothesline, and he would then send his foe hard into the barricade. The action would now head back inside, where Chavo takes his time with some uppercuts, and on commentary, Michael Cole brags about how Stephanie kept Brock Lesnar exclusive to Smackdown. Oh god, not only is he one of the worst commentators in recent memory, but he's also an ass-kisser. If he's trying to get a date with Stephanie, he's gonna be in for a big rude-awakening. Maybe Steph will do something useful and help Michael realize that WOMEN DON'T LIKE HIM AT ALL! And no, I don't believe Michael is married. Like I said a few weeks ago, what woman would ruin their life by marrying Michael Cole? Ugh, that thought just makes me wanna puke. Man, back to the match as Hurricane executes a modified Edge-O-Matic out of nowhere, but he would not be able to follow up. Chavo drills him with a BEAUTIFUL dropkick, and folks, let me officially announce that Chavo now has the best dropkick in the business. It is just crisp, picture-perfect. Anyway, with Chavo back in control, he hits a back suplex for a two count, and then goes for his brainbuster. However, Hurricane would block the attempt, and then counter it with the Eye of the Hurricane. Both men are down now, and as they get up, Hurricane gains the upper hand with some punches, right before connecting on a flying clothesline. After a big back body drop now, Hurricane heads up top, and proceeds to fly, hitting Chavo with a nice crossbody for two. Hurricane would keep up the offense with a neckbreaker for another two count, and at this point, he sets up the evil fiend for the HurriChokeSlam. Unfortunately for all the innocent people, Chavo elbows his way out, but then gets caught in a Vertebraker attempt. He would get free of that manuever as well, and that allows him to roll up Hurricane, with a handful of tights, and pick up the three count. Evil comes through again, folks. Good match as Chavo picks up the needed win, and for the little children out there, I hope this match set a good example of cheating for you. Remember, cheat to win!
Winner: Chavo Guerrero
Highlights of the Smackdown Your Vote campaign in New York City are shown. Ya know, with wrestling these days, I'm surpised the Un-Americans didn't show up to ruin everything. Can you blame me for thinking like that? WWE has poisoned my mind!
Commercial
Whack of the Night: "NO I'm not a Deacon anymore!" Batista lays out D-Von with a clothesline, and finishes the beating with a sit-down powerbomb. Let me just add in how we people in New York didn't even get to see Smackdown on Thursday night because some idiot decided it would be a smart idea to pre-empt the show, and in its place, put in pre-season football, which doesn't even count. One, NO ONE in their right mind is going to stay home on a Saturday night from 8-10 PM to watch, for the most part, crappy WWE programming, and two, whoever came up with the idea should be fired.
Albert vs. Mark Henry
If WWE even THINKS of putting Mark Henry over ma' man Albert, then I'll THINK of going on strike. No, it's not going to be because of a luxury tax or revenue sharing. It's because of Mark friggin' Henry, one of the worst overall wrestlers in WWE history. The man sucks at everything that has do with wrestling, and I am sick of the WWE not giving up on him already. Vince should just ADMIT he made a mistake with the guy, and just GIVE UP already. But oh wait, I forgot. He's a McMahon. It's been stuffed down our throats how McMahons don't make mistakes, and that no one is smarter than a McMahon. Pray the almighty McMahon!
"What a match this is going to be," said Marky Mark. I love ya Mark, and you will always be the coolest guy in WWE, but please tell me you were being sarcastic there. Anyway, to the match now as Henry shows off his meaningless-power-that-doesn't-at-all-help-in-wrestling, as he shoves Albert into the corner after a tie-up. Albert would come right back though with a kick to the mid-section, but would walk right into an impressive gorilla press slam from Henry. Even I'll admit that was impressive. Meanwhile, back on commentary, Michael Cole asks why Lloyd can't get into the Women's locker room like Funaki can. You wanna know why, Michael? Because Marky Mark is DOING HIS JOB! Maybe you could learn a thing or two from that. My god, how WWE even hired Michael Cole is one of the strangest things I've ever wanted to know. It baffles me. Back to the match as Albert scores with an elbow to the face, but as he goes for a suplex, Henry blocks the attempt. He then counters it with a delayed suplex of his own, and once again, I'm going to have to admit that was impressive. Wow, two impressive Mark Henry spots in ONE match?? Never thought I'd see the day. And it only happens right here on Velocity! Anyway, Henry gets a count of two on the pin after, but he would stay in control by jumping on Albert as his neck was on the ropes. From the outside, he would then yell, "Who's house is this?!" Cole then gives one of his really annoying laughs, and god, I think I'm gonna puke over my keyboard. Thankfully, Albert takes control, as he blasts Henry while he was coming in with a kick to the face, and the impact sends the "World's Strongest Man" over the top rope. The North American Grizzly would follow up on the outside, as he sends Henry into the barricade, and the action would head back in quickly from there. Albert continues his current dominance by sending Henry chest-first into the corner, enabling him to follow up with one of my FAVORITE moves of all-time.... the "I-Like-To-Scream-Really-Loud-When-I-Ram-People-In-The-Corner" maneuver. Yeah! Albert then actually connects on a Vader Bomb to the back, and that may have been the first time he actually didn't miss. MY GAWD, HE HIT IT! Albert now resorts to the modified surfboard, which only leads to Henry powering his way out, but Albert would stay with the advantage after some clubs to the back. However, the former Intercontinental Champion would run into a clothesline next, and now Henry looks to capitalize. He would hit a few more clotheslines, before executing a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. He now looks to finish things off with his new powerslam finisher, but Albert wiggles free. The hairy-one then tries to perform the Baldo Bomb, but Henry blocks it, and is then able to hit the powerslam... for the win. Ugh, you've gotta be kidding me. It should be considered a crime when Mark Henry wins a match. It's downright sinister.
Winner: Mark Henry
Commercial
Marky Mark and Michael "I suck at my job" Cole show some of the highlights from Smackdown, and I'm actually happy to see a recap! Well, let me mention again that the show was pre-empted for some reason. **Cough** Whoever thought up that idea should be fired **Cough** Anyway, luckily for me, we get to see Matt Hardy interrupting Steph's "important" phone call, followed by the Lesnar/Hardy squash match. You all know how I LOVE squashes, but unfortunately, I didn't get to see all of it. And no, I was not going to stay home from 8-10 PM on a Saturday night just to watch it. As it is, I have to come home at 10 the most for Velocity, but hey, at least it's better than Smackdown. In my humble opinion, Velocity and HeAT are better than RAW and Smackdown. 1 hour... usually all great wrestling, none of the worthless, annoying segments.
Commercial
Rewind: Rey Mysterio performs the 619 and West Coast Pop, all in his victory over Rico. "I love this guy," said Michael Cole, proving the fact that he loves men, once again. And it was only a few weeks ago on Velocity when he said the same thing about Hardcore Holly. Wow, Michael sure loves his men.
Randy Orton & Hardcore Holly vs Billy & Chuck w/Rico
You look soo.... good to me! Sorry, couldn't resist again. Every week here on Velocity, Billy, Chuck and Rico ALWAYS appear on the show in one way or another, and their theme song always ends up getting stuck in my head. Well after saying all of that, let me ask you this.... How do ya like me now?! Oh wait a minute, I forgot. Along with Rico and company, Hardcore Holly is another one of the Velocity main-eventers that appears on the show every week, and now with Randy Orton in the mix, he may become the next main-eventer on this show as well. And I'm sure his family is honored.
Footage of what happened last week between all four of these stars is shown, and if you don't know what happened, go fetch last week's 'five-star' report. Heheh. To the match now as Holly and Orton get in their opponents' faces, and of course, the expected brawl takes place. Holly and Orton would of course dominate, sending the former Tag Team champions to the outside, before referee Mike Chioda is able to settle it down to Hardcore and Chuck. How much wood could a HardcoreChuck chuck, if a HardcoreChuck could chuck wood? I have no clue where that just came from. Anyway, Holly starts out on his adversary with an arsenal of chops across the chest, but the tide would soon turn as Billy gets involved. Orton wants to help out his partner, but only ends up playing the distraction role, allowing Billy to drop Hardcore neck-first on the ropes. Billy and Chuck now have the advantage, as Chuck tags in the former multi-time Tag Team Champion, and I'm sure he'll be looking for some revenge on Bob here. No, not because of what's happened over the past several weeks. I'm talking about from years ago! Bob Sparky Plugg Holly and the 1-2-3 Kid took the Smoking Gunns place in a Tag Title tournament in I believe '95 when the Gunns were "injured", and the team of Spark Plugg and The Kid went on to win the Tag Team titles. It was all an evil plan! Now Billy works over Holly with punches, and then a clothesline out of the corner for a two count. Tag to Chuck, who hits his beautiful overhead belly-to-belly suplex for another two count, and he then tags back in Billy. He would so some minor damage on Holly, before Chuckie Cheese delivered a cheap shot, and Orton gets pissed. However, he would only end up playing a distraction again, as Chuck, who didn't even tag in, cinches in a chinlock. Holly would of course get out of the hold, but he runs right into a kick to the gut, just before falling victim to a modified backbreaker. Tag to Billy now, and he signals for the Fame-Asser as he comes in. Instead, he receives Holly's awesome dropkick to the face, and now both men are down. They both tag out, and that could only mean some LOW-CARD MAYHEM! Orton cleans house like a maniac, and he would then head up top, where he connects on his crossbody, but only for a close two count on Chuck. Billy was supposed to break up the pin, but arrived too late, so Chuck had to kick out on his own there I noticed. Anyway, Holly enters the ring so all four men are in now, and as he takes out Billy to the outside, Orton hits weird finisher, which is kind of like a modified neckbreaker, on Chuck, but when he goes for the pin, Rico distracts. Holly comes back in as he sees this to knock the stylist off the apron, but then stupidly goes to the outside. This allows Billy to come back in and give Orton the One and Only, enabling him to roll Chuck out of the ring, and then make the winning pinfall as referee Mike Chioda turned around. Something tells me that this never-ending feud will continue.
Winners: Billy & Chuck
Commercial
Lloyd and Cole show us more highlights from Smackdown, and this time, it's the series of matches to determine the number one contender for the Undisputed Championship. First, it was Eddie Guerrero defeating Edge, then Rikishi defeating Guerrero, followed by Benoit making Rikishi tap out, and then in the final match, it would be Benoit, Angle.... and the Undertaker. Of course, the Undertaker wins the match because he HAS to take the spotlight and all, and of course, he "paid his dues", meaning, the younger, much-better, more watchable talent don't get any spotlight at all. I am so SICK of the Undertaker, and I am so SICK of how he keeps other people down. Yeah, he had his time. He had his spotlight. But what he can't face is that it's OVER. We don't want to watch him anymore in the main event! And what I can't stand is that people actually still cheer this guy. Listen to me, for those people attending future WWE events, DON'T CHEER TAKER! It only encourages the morons known as the WWE Booking Team to continue to use him in the main event, and it only puts everyone through torture to watch him squash the younger, better talent. This is getting so ridiculous, because it's SO SIMPLE! Bring the Undertaker down to the mid-card, let him put over the younger talent, and that's the only wise thing to do with him at this point. It's becoming an atrocity watching him main-event shows, when he doesn't earn it AT ALL. I mean, Smackdown this past week was a great example, kind of like how it works in real life. Angle and Benoit EARNED that match. Then Steph brings Taker to Smackdown like anyone cares, and during the match, Angle and Benoit were doing most of the work! Why do people cheer for Taker? Because he's a lazy, no-talented, hasbeen who sits on the apron and lets other people do all the wrestling? Oh wait, I forgot. It's because he's an "American Badass" and all. What a disgrace.
Commercial
Funaki vs. Jamie Noble w/Nidia- Cruiserweight Championship
Well after that long rant, we finally make it to the main event. And it's a title match! For those wanting some background info, these two actually met not too long ago in a non-title match, and Funaki actually had the match won at one point. Nidia had the ref distracted, and Noble would of course capitalize with the Trailer Hitch to pick up the submission win. Now that Funaki is more over with the crowd again, would this be his night to shine?
Cole is repeatedly calling Funaki "Smackdown's number one interviewer", like he's trying to make Marky Mark feel bad or something. For one, Cole has no right to insult ANYONE, and two, I like how Marky Mark basically ignores it. He knows Michael's an idiot, and he knows that nobody likes Michael. So why even acknowledge that piece of garbage? And that, my friends, is why Marky Mark is da' man! To the match finally as Funaki starts off with the advantage after some punches and a kick to the face, and at this point, the crowd is actually chanting for Funaki! Buncha gold-diggers. How come they were never cheering for him several weeks ago before he was an interviewer? How come they never cheered for him back in his Jakked/Metal days? Just making a point. Anyway, Funaki would dispose of Noble to the outside, but is unable to follow up with a pescado, since Nidia had moved Noble out of the way. Nidia then distracts the challenger, allowing Noble to sneak back in and start his offense. After an elbow to the back, Mr. "I DON'T LIKE SPECIAL K CEREAL!" executes a neckbreaker for a near fall, and he would now work the tree of woe. Noble would then work a submission out of it, pulling the neck back, but soon breaks the hold after not getting the Indeed One to tap out. "Come on, boy!" shouts Noble. Funaki would attempt to come back now, as he ducks a clothesline from Noble, and then proceeds to get in some punches. He does not capitalize, however, as Noble avoids a dropkick by holding the ropes, and then goes for the cover, where he gets a count of two from referee Mike Sparks. Speaking of Mike Sparks, I wonder if he misses Saturn. That, folks, is a Jakked/Metal inside joke. Now concentrating on the match again, Noble pulls off a nice t-bone suplex for another near fall, and he stays with the advantage after a leg drop across the throat. Noble now works a variation of the Million Dollar Dream, and I wish Ted DiBiase was here to see this. Actually, Noble doesn't even get Funaki to tap out, so I'm not sure if the Million Dollar Man would be happy about that. Funaki punched his way out, and then manages to give Noble a back suplex. On commentary, Cole refers to Lloyd again as the number two Smackdown interview, and I would wish Cole would just SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY! Anyway, Funaki continues his current offense with an enziquiri for two, and then a bulldog for another two count. Now Cole is telling Lloyd he should be calling the play-by-play better, and folks, I am really getting pissed off here. First of all, CONCENTRATE ON THE DAMN MATCH! This has been a great Cruiserweight match, and Cole is ruining it with his disgraceful commentary. And how is Lloyd supposed to do his own job if you, Michael, keep interrupting him?? I swear, if I ever see Michael Cole, I'm gonna punch him right in the face. I don't care what happens to me, but just to make Michael Cole shut up for once would be the biggest accomplishment in my life. Anyway, back to the match as Funaki counters a Tiger Bomb attempt with a pinning predicament for another near fall. Mr. Indeed now tries to follow up with another roll-up out of the corner, but instead, Noble counters that with a dangerous move, dropping Funaki by his neck. Ouch. Somehow, Funaki miraculously kicks out, and the match would continue with Noble going for another Tiger Bomb attempt. Funaki, however, denies it once again with a backdrop. This allows him to execute a beautiful swinging DDT from the second rope... for a CLOSE two count. The two would engage in some reversals at this point, allowing Noble to finally give Funaki the Tiger Bomb, and retain the Cruiserweight Championship. After the match, Funaki takes a microphone, saying, "I may have lost, but I know you people still love because I... am... Smackdown... number... one... interviewer!" He would then fall back down to the mat, concluding an excellent match, which could've been even better if Michael Cole didn't such so much.
Winner and STILL Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble
Marky Mark and Michael quickly shill for Confidential coming up next, and that's all she wrote.
Another 'five-star' report has come to an end, so until next week, this is Matt Zylbert wishing you guys and gals a great week, and I'll see ya next week! Peeeaaaace.
