This Day in History - 15th Jul, 2016
On this day in history in ....
1942 - Mil Máscaras is born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
1942 - Gene Bowman defeats Earl Wampler for the Iowa Heavyweight Title in Des Moines, Iowa.
1946 - Danny Dusek defeats Joe Savoldi to win the Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title in Denver, Colorado.
1949 - Tom Mahoney defeats Al Massey in a tournament final for the vacant Georgia Southern Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1951 - Jesse Ventura is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1954 - Eddie Gossett (Eddie Graham) defeats Frankie Talaber to win the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio, ending Talaber's 10th and final reign.
1959 - The Mighty Yankee (Ray Villmer) defeats Papa Pasquale for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.
1960 - After 38 years of operation, Boston's American Wrestling Association closes.
1960 - Tony Borne and Danny McShain defeat El Gladiador and Torbellino Blanco in Houston, Texas. to win the vacant NWA Texas Tag Team Title.
1960 - Billy Joyce defeats Dennis Mitchell for the British Heavyweight Title in Bradford, England, to begin his third reign.
1963 - Bobo Brazil becomes the first two-time WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by defeating Johnny Barend.
1963 - Dick the Bruiser defeats Curtis Iaukea to win the Hawaii NWA United States Heavyweight Title, ending Iaukea's second reign.
1965 - Giant Baba and Toyonobori defeat The Destroyer and Billy Red Lyons for the JWA All-Asia Tag Team Title in Shizuoka, Japan, beginning their second reign.
1966 - Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy defeat Mark Lewin and Dominic DeNucci to win the International Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia.
1967 - In San Francisco, California, a double-title match takes place between WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino and San Francisco NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Ray Stevens. Stevens defeated Sammartino by countout after hitting him with his Bombs Away. Stevens claimed to be the new WWWF Champion because he won the match, but the WWWF did not recognize him, since the rules stated that a WWWF title cannot change hands on by countout.
1967 - Nebraska Heavyweight Champion Bob Orton, Sr. defeats Doug Gilbert in Omaha, Nebraska to become the first AWA Midwest Heavyweight Champion. The title was unified with the Nebraska title, ending its lineage.
1967 - Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher defeat The Devil's Duo (Chris Markoff and Angelo Poffo) for the World Wrestling Association World Tag Team Title in Indianapolis, Indiana, ending and beginning both teams' second reign.
1970 - Pantera Negra and Tony Rocco defeat The Great Kojika and John Tolos to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California, beginning their second reign.
1971 - Dan Miller defeats The Missouri Mauler for the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
1972 - Don and Ron Wright defeat Tommy Gilbert and Sputnik Monroe to win the NWA Tennessee Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to begin their fifth reign.
1972 - Frank Rodriguez defeats Bobby Pics to win the West Virginia Heavyweight Title.
1975 - Cherry is born in Morristown, New Jersey.
1975 - Al Madril defeats John Toloes for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning his second reign.
1976 - Bob Kelly wins his 18th and final NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title, defeating Sweet Daddy Banks in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Kelly vacated the title when he retired on September 3.
1977 - Ernie Ladd defeats Dusty Rhodes to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Tallahassee, Florida, ending Rhodes' fifth reign.
1977 - Tiger Jeet Singh and Umanosuke Ueda defeat Strong Kobayashi and Seiji Sakaguchi for the NJPW Asia Tag Team Title in Sapporo, Japan. Those two teams were the only to hold that title, and it was abandoned on May 21, 1981.
1977 - Johnny Eagles defeats The Blue Yankee to win the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title in Dothan, Alabama.
1978 - Otto Wanz defeats Don Leo Jonathan in Graz, Austria to become the first two-time Catch Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion.
1978 - Armand Hussein defeats Invader I for the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, ending Invader I's third reign. At the same show, Kendo Kimura defeats Carlos Colón to win the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title, ending Colón's second reign.
1980 - Animal Hamaguchi and Mighty Inoue defeat Haruka Eigen and Strong Kobayashi to win the International Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Title in Fuji, Japan, beginning their second reign.
1982 - Rocky Johnson defeats Rip Oliver for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title.
1983 - A 20-man tournament is held in St. Louis, Missouri for the vacant NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title, left vacant by Harley Race after winning the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair on June 10. The results were:
First round:
- Ric Flair defeated Bob Brown.
- George Wells defeated Dewey Robertson.
- Butch Reed defeated Baron Von Raschke.
- Jesse Ventura defeated ???.
- David Von Erich defeated ???.
- Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Manny Fernandez.
- Dick the Bruiser defeated Bobby Duncum.
- Blackjack Lanza defeated ???.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Kortsia Korchenko.
- Jerry Blackwell defeated Buzz Tyler.
Quarterfinals:
- Ric Flair defeated George Wells.
- Butch Reed defeated Jesse Ventura.
- David Von Erich defeated Bob Orton, Jr.
- Blackjack Lanza defeated Dick the Bruiser.
- Jerry Blackwell and Hulk Hogan were both counted out.
Semifinals:
- Ric Flair defeated Butch Reed.
- David Von Erich defeated Blackjack Lanza.
Finals:
- Ric Flair defeated David Von Erich to win the vacant NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title.
1985 - Terry Taylor defeats Phil Hickerson to win the CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his second reign. At the same event, Jerry Lawler wins his second NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title from Rick Link.
1985 - Iceman Parsons defeats Killer Tim Brooks for the World Class Television Title in Fort Worth, Texas, beginning his third reign.
1985 - Bill Ash defeats Scott Armstrong for the Southeast NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama, ending Armstrong's fourth reign and beginning Ash's fifth.
1986 - Ron Bass defeats Kendall Windham to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.
1989 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Hercules defeated The Brooklyn Brawler.
- Dino Bravo defeated Sam Houston (subbing for The Blue Blazer).
- Mr. Perfect defeated The Red Rooster.
- Tito Santana fought Rick Martel to a draw.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated The Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart).
- WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition (Ax and Smash) defeated The Twin Towers (Akeem and The Big Bossman (with Slick)) to retain the title.
- The Ultimate Warrior defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Rick Rude (with Bobby Heenan) by countout. Rude retained the title.
1989 - Ivan Koloff defeats Invader I for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, ending his fifth reign.
1990 - Astro de Oro defeats Dr. Wagner, Jr. to win the UWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, beginning his second reign.
1991 - Robert Fuller and Jeff Jarrett win their second USWA Tag Team Title, defeating The Barroom Brawlers (Bonecrusher and Crowbar) in Memphis, Tennessee.
1992 - Sakie Hasegawa defeats Mariko Yoshida to win the AJW Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1994 - Eddie Golden and Alex Shane defeat The Tennessee Equalizer and Chic White for the Southern States Wrestling Tag Team Title in Fall Branch, Tennessee, ending the Equalizer and White's second reign.
1995 - AAA held an event at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The results:
- Mascarita Sagrada, Octagoncito and Mexican National Mini-Estrella Champion Super Muñequito defeated Espectritos I and II and Jerrito Estrada by disqualification.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated Perro Aguayo, Jr.
- Mexican National Tag Team Champion Latin Lover, Rey Misterio, Jr. and IWC World Middleweight Champion Rey Misterio, Sr. defeated Jerry Estrada, Mexican National Trios Champion Fuerza Guerrera and Mexican National Trios and Welterweight Champion Psicosis, when Lover pinned Estrada.
- Los Villanos (III, IV and V) defeated Los Payasos (Amarillo, Azul and Rojo) in a best-of-three falls match, 2-1.
- Octagon, La Parka, Mascara Sagrada and Super Calo defeated Mexican National Middleweight and Trios Champion Blue Panther, Fuerza Guerrera, Máscara Año 2000 and Pentagon, when Sagrada pinned Panther.
- Cien Caras lost a three-way Hair vs. Hair Steel Cage match to Perro Aguayo and Konnan. By being the last man remaining in the cage, Caras lost his hair.
1995 - ECW held its first of six annual "Heat Wave" events, at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Mikey Whipwreck defeated Mike Norman.
- Don E. Allen and Tony Stetson defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions Stevie Richards and Raven by countout. Richards and Raven retained the title.
- Hack Myers defeated Val Puccio.
- Tommy Dreamer and The Pitbulls (#1 and #2) defeated The Dudleys (D-Von and Snot) and ECW World Tag Team Champion Raven, when Pitbull #2 pinned Snot.
- Dean Malenko and 2 Cold Scorpio defeated ECW World Television Champion Eddie Guerrero and Taz, when Malenko pinned Guerrero and Scorpio pinned Taz.
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion The Sandman defeated Axl Rotten to retain the title.
- Luna Vachon defeated ECW World Tag Team Champion Stevie Richards by submission in a Steel Cage match.
- The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed) defeated The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) in a Steel Cage match, when Saed pinned Grunge.
1996 - WCW won this week of the Monday Night War, as Monday Nitro beat WWF Monday Night RAW, 3.4 to 2.6 in the ratings.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The results:
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated Fire and Ice (Scott Norton and Ice Train), when Rick pinned Ice Train.
- Dean Malenko defeated Billy Kidman by submission with the Texas Cloverleaf.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) defeated Rough 'n' Ready (Mike Enos and Dick Slater (with Col. Robert Parker)), when Booker pinned Slater, to retain the title.
- Madusa pinned Malia Hosaka with a German suplex.
- Meng (with Jimmy Hart) pinned Arn Anderson after The Barbarian interfered.
- Eddie Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit by countout.
- WCW World Television Champion Lex Luger fought Big Bubba Rogers (with Jimmy Hart) to a no-contest to retain the title, after Scott Hall and Kevin Nash interfered.
WWF Monday Night RAW was taped June 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the Brown County Expo Center. The results were:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Bart Gunn (with Sunny) with the Pearl River Plunge to retain the title.
- Marc Mero (with Sable) defeated T.L. Hopper after a right jab and left punch.
- WWF Champion Shawn Michaels (with Jose Lothario) defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn (with Sunny) after Sweet Chin Music to retain the title.
1996 - Brickhouse Brown and Reggie B. Fine defeat Flex Kavana (The Rock) and Bart Sawyer for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Kavana and Sawyer's second reign.
1996 - Tony Rumble wins his third Century Wrestling Alliance New England Heavyweight Title in Revere, Massachusetts, defeating Big Val.
1998 - Shiro Koshinaka and Genichiro Tenryu defeat Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan in Tokyo, Japan for the IWGP Tag Team Title, ending Chono and Tenzan's third reign.
1999 - Derek Domino and Ryan Wing defeat The Bushwhackers (Butch & Luke), Afa, Jr. & L.A. Smooth, and Don Montoya & Flash Wheeler in a four-way match in Wildwood, New Jersey to become the first Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions.
2000 - Funaki defeats Charles Poindexter Anderson to win the Texas Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Title in San Antonio, Texas. Also at that event, Rudy Boy Gonzalez and Bonecrusher defeat The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) for the TWA Tag Team Title, beginning Gonzalez and Bonecrusher's second reign.
2000 - Otis Apollo and Barry Horowitz defeat Bobby Clancy and Larry Destiny to win the vacant Border City Wrestling Can-Am Tag Team Title in Windsor, Ontario.
2000 - Tomoko Watanabe defeats Azumi Hyuga in Tokyo, Japan for her second AJW All Pacific Title.
2000 - The Ballard Brothers (Shane and Shannon) defeat Team Hardkore (Hardkore Kidd and Justin Sane) for the UPW Tag Team Title in Huntington Beach, California. This ended Team Hardkore's second reign and began the Ballards' fourth.
2000 - Jimmy Cicero and Dino Divine defeat Joey Matthews and Christian York to win the Atlantic Terror Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title.
2000 - Paul E. Smooth defeats The Suicide Kid for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Charlestown, Indiana, ending Suicide Kid's third reign.
2000 - Michael Kovac defeats Christian Eckstein in Lingenfeld, Germany to become the first German Wrestling Association Heavyweight Champion.
2001 - Ken Sweeney defeats The Masked Maniac for the United States Extreme Wrestling United States Heavyweight Title, ending the Maniac's second reign.
2002 - WWE held a live "RAW" at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which got a 3.8 rating on TNN. The show featured the shocking moment of Vince McMahon introducing former WCW President Eric Bischoff as the new RAW General Manager. The results:
- Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and William Regal defeated Bubba Ray Dudley, Spike Dudley and WWF European Champion Jeff Hardy in an elimination match. Guerrero pinned Spike with an inside cradle, Bubba Ray was disqualified after he hit Regal with the European Title belt, Hardy pinned Regal after a Swanton Bomb, Hardy pinned Guerero with a roll-up and Benoit made Hardy submuit with the Crippler Crossface.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned Steven Richards in a Singapore Cane match, after he broke a cane over Richards' head.
- WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly defeated Trish Stratus to retain the title.
- Booker T defeated The Big Show by disqualification.
- Johnny Stamboli pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Bradshaw to win the title, after hitting him in the head with a kendo stick backstage. This took place while Bradshaw was defending the title against Christopher Nowinski.
- Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) and WWE Undisputed Champion The Undertaker defeated Ric Flair and WWE Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam, when Undertaker pinned RVD after the Last Ride. After the match, Lesnar turned on Taker and gave him an F5.
On the live edition of Raw, Eric Bischoff, former President of WCW, makes his WWE debut in the on-camera role of "General Manager" of Raw. After being introduced and embracing Vince McMahon, Bischoff talked about his success with WCW, and the long war between Raw and Nitro. He promised to bring the "E" into WWE. The manner in which he appeared was very close to the scenario that Vince Russo had laid out to Vince McMahon when the two men were discussing Russo's return to the company the previous month. McMahon was intrigued by Russo's idea at the time and all signs pointed to him running with it when he brought Russo in. Then, according to sources close to the situation, when the members of the creative team heard Russo's ideas, they reportedly went to Vince McMahon and talked him out of the program. In the interim, Russo (who had just returned to the company) was taken off the WWE creative team and was given a consultant role. Russo then turned that job down to go work for Jeff Jarrett's TNA. The idea obviously stuck with McMahon however, since they used it for Bischoff.
WWE.com later posted a story on Bischoff's arrival. The story stated that Bischoff was not backstage at Raw during the day and that everyone saw him for the first time as he debuted. He didn't get to the building until 8:45, spending a lot of time in a limo in the parking lot. When asked how the deal with WWE came about Bischoff said, "We've been talking unofficially through third parties for almost a year now. We've come close to doing something a couple of times, but for a variety of reasons it's just never worked out. About a month or two ago, we'd gotten a little bit more serious in our conversations, and I got a chance to talk directly to Vince (McMahon). I think we were able to break a lot of ice, just over the phone. Once we did that, it just seemed like it was much easier to move forward and get a deal done for sure. Really, this just came together within the last week or 10 days."
Bischoff's WWE on-camera role would last for well over two years, to the surprise of many, before ending on December 5, 2005 when Vince McMahon threw him into a garbage truck.
2005 - Eugene makes his surprise return at a house show in Lexington, Kentucky, six months after suffering a dislocated patella in San Juan, Puerto Rico at New Year's Revolution. Jonathan Coachman had come to the ring and introduced René Duprée, who said there was no one in the locker room that could stand up to his greatness. Eugene came out, gave a Rock Bottom to Coachman and a Stunner to Duprée. The event also featured Shawn Michaels defeating Ric Flair and WWE Champion John Cena retaining his title over Triple H.
2005 - CMLL held "Leyenda de Azul", an event in honor of the legendary Blue Demon, at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. The results were:
- Espectrito and Fire defeated Bam Bam and Fantasy.
- Amapola and Dark Angel defeated Lady Apache and CMLL World Women's Champion Marcela.
- Atlantis defeated NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion Dr. Wagner, Jr.
Torneo Leyenda de Azul:
First round:
- Rey Bucanero defeated Heavy Metal.
- Dos Caras, Jr. defeated Tarzan Boy.
- Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Canek.
- CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion Último Guerrero defeated Bronco.
- Pierroth, Jr. defeated Blue Demon, Jr.
- Héctor Garza defeated Brazo de Plata.
- Black Warrior defeated Máscara Sagrada.
- Lizmark, Jr. defeated Olímpico.
Quarterfinals:
- Dos Caras, Jr. defeated Rey Bucanero.
- CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion Último Guerrero defeated Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.
- Héctor Garza defeated Pierroth, Jr.
- Lizmark, Jr. defeated Black Warrior.
Semifinals:
- CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion Último Guerrero defeated Dos Caras, Jr.
- Lizmark, Jr. defeated Héctor Garza.
Finals:
- Lizmark, Jr. defeated CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion Último Guerrero to win Torneo Leyenda de Azul.
2005 - "Ballpark Brawl IV: fridaynightSMASH" was held at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, New York. The results:
- The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere) defeated The Outcast Killaz (Diablo Santiago and Oman Tortuga).
- John McChesney defeated Johnny Devine.
- Matt Striker defeated Johnny Devine.
- Chris Sabin defeated Jay Lethal, Mastiff, Shawn Spears, Roderick Strong and Petey Williams in a six-way match.
- Abyss and Slyck Wagner Brown fought to a no-contest.
- CM Punk defeated Homicide.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated Kid Kash.
- Ariel defeated April Hunter.
- Christopher Daniels defeated Natural Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles in a best-of-three falls match to win the title.
2005 - Garry Stevens defeats Ric Converse to win the Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Burlington, North Carolina, ending Converse's second reign.
2005 - J.T. Money defeats Shane Matthews to win the NWA Bluegrass Junior Heavyweight Title in Inez, Kentucky.
2005 - The Vegas Connection (Dan Evans and Vincent D. White) defeat Chris Cannon and GBH for the 3 Count Wrestling Tag Team Title in Billingham, England. At the same event, Kid Richie defeats Chris Whitton in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match to win the 3CW Young Lions Title.
2006 - Brock Lesnar is stripped of the IWGP Heavyweight Title by New Japan Pro Wrestling. Lesnar and New Japan management had a disagreement regarding a defense against Hiroshi Tanahashi, scheduled to take place on July 17, resulting in Lesnar quitting the promotion.
2006 - WWE held the 33rd edition of "Saturday Night's Main Event" live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, which got a 2.6 rating on NBC. The results:
- Batista, Bobby Lashley and World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio defeated King Booker, WWE United States Champion Finlay and Mark Henry (with Queen Sharmell and William Regal), when Batista pinned Booker after the Batista Bomb.
- Carlito and Trish Stratus defeated Melina and WWE Intercontinental Champion Johnny Nitro, when Carlito pinned Nitro after the Backcracker.
- D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) defeated World Tag Team Champions The Spirit Squad (Johnny, Kenny, Mikey, Mitch and Nicky) in an elimination match. Michaels pinned Mitch after Sweet Chin Music, Triple H pinned Johnny after a spinebuster, Triple H pinned Mikey after the Pedigree, Triple H pinned Nicky after Sweet Chin Music from Michaels, and Triple H pinned Kenny after Sweet Chin Music and the Pedigree.
- Sabu pinned Stevie Richards in an Extreme Rules match, after the Atomic Arabian Facebuster through a table.
- John Cena defeated WWE Champion Edge (with Lita) by disqualification, when Lita hit the referee while Cena had Edge in the STFU. Edge retained the title.
2006 - ROH held "Death Before Dishonor IV" at the National Guard Armory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Delirious defeated Seth Delay.
- The Embassy (Jimmy Rave and Sal Rinauro (with Prince Nana)) defeated Colt Cabana and Jay Lethal.
- ROH Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness defeated ROH World Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong by countout to retain the title.
- The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) defeated The Irish Airborne (Dave and Jake Crist).
- A.J. Styles defeated Davey Richards.
- ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson defeated Sonjay Dutt by referee stoppage to retain the title.
- Team ROH (ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson, Homicide, Adam Pearce, Samoa Joe, Ace Steel and B.J. Whitmer (with J.J. Dillon)) defeated Team CZW (Claudio Castagnoli, CZW World Heavyweight Champion Chris Hero, CZW World Tag Team Champion Eddie Kingston, Necro Butcher and Nate Webb) in a Cage of Death match.
2006 - Brent Dail defeats Superstar Romeo to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. This ended Romeo's second reign and began Dail's seventh.
2006 - Bad Boy Bradley and Mr. Big defeat Thunder and Lightning in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico for the IWA World Tag Team Title, ending their seventh reign. At the same event, Magnificent Chris wins a 15-man battle royal to win the vacant IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
2006 - Robbie Brookside defeats Jonny Storm and champion Hade Vansen in an elimination match to win the FWA British Heavyweight Title in Morecambe, England.
2006 - Octagón defeats Zumbido for the Mexican National Middleweight Title in Torreon, Mexico, beginning his fourth reign.
2006 - Martin Stone defeats Ashe to win the LDN Title in Romford, England, ending Ashe's second reign and beginning Stone's second.
2006 - N8 Mattson defeats Petey Williams for the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Television Title in Windsor, Ontario.
2006 - Steve Douglas and Emil Sitoci defeat Swi$$ Money Holding (Ares and Marc Roudin) in Marburg, Germany to win the German Stampede Wrestling Tag Team Title.
2006 - Mark Orton defeats Kevin Northcutt for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Beaumont, Texas, ending Northcutt's sixth reign.
2006 - Bulla Punk defeats Brooklyn in a Lumberjack match in Combles, France to win the International Catch Wrestling Alliance World Ladies' Title, beginning her second reign.
2007 - James Fawcett, better known as Devil Bhudakhan, is found dead at his home in Munhall, Pennsylvania at age 32. Apparently his wife had left him a few weeks before this, and a distraught Fawcett committed suicide by hanging.
2007 - TNA held its third-annual "Victory Road" pay-per-view at the iMPACT! Zone in Orlando, Florida. The results were:
- In a preshow match, Serotonin (Havok and Martyr) defeated Brute Issei and Akira Raijin, when Martyr pinned Raijin.
- Christopher Daniels defeated Sonjay Dutt, Homicide, Kaz, Jay Lethal, Puma, Senshi, Elix Skipper, Shark Boy, and Petey Williams Ultimate X Gauntlet match. Daniels became #1 contender to the TNA X Division Title.
- The Voodoo Kin Mafia (B.G. and Kip James (with Roxxi Laveaux)) defeated Basham and Damaja (with Christy Hemme and Lance Hoyt), when Kip pinned Damaja after B.G. hit him with a steel chair.
- James Storm pinned Rhino after hitting him with a beer bottle.
- The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley (with Kevin Nash)) defeated Bob Backlund and Jerry Lynn, when Sabin pinned Lynn after an Enzuigiri/Superkick combination.
- Gail Kim and Eric Young defeated Ms. Brooks and Robert Roode, when Kim pinned Brooks after Roode hit her with an elbow drop accidentally.
- Christian Cage pinned Chris Harris with a roll-up after Dustin Rhodes hit Harris in the back with a pair of handcuffs.
- Abyss and Sting defeated A.J. Styles and Tomko, when Abyss pinned Tomko after a Black Hole Slam.
- TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle and TNA X Division Champion Samoa Joe defeated TNA World Tag Team Champions Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon), when Joe pinned Ray after Scott Steiner hit Ray with a steel pipe and Kurt hit an Olympic slam. The rules stated that whoever got a pin won that person's title, so Samoa Joe won the TNA World Tag Team Title.
2007 - Crazy Boy and Joe Lider defeat Cuervo and Ozz in Naucalpan, Mexico to win the AAA World Tag Team Title.
2007 - Bison Smith wins his second IWA World Heavyweight Title in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, ending Chicano's third reign.
2008 - WWE broadcast ECW on SciFi. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's ongoing coverage of ECW on Sci Fi for the brand's "go home show" prior to this Sunday's Great American Bash PPV.
The show opened with a video review of Tony Atlas' heel turn and alliance with ECW champ Mark Henry last week.
Dumb Question: How come the guy challenging for the ECW title on the PPV isn't even in the ECW opening montage?
Mike Adamle welcomed everyone to the show and plugged the Hardy Boyz vs. Miz and John Morrison tag team bout later in the evening.
Tazz, inside the ring, welcomed ECW champ Mark Henry (with Tony Atlas) to the ring. They are calling Henry "The World's Strongest Champion." I really liked that nickname. Tazz said this Sunday, Henry will be defending his championship against Dreamer. Tazz said that Henry and Atlas wanted to come out and answer the question that was on everyone's mind - "Why?" Atlas said that Henry offered him a chance to carry his bags and make some money. Atlas said he's a Hall of Famer and a legend and wouldn't carry just anyone's bags but would be gracious enough to carry Henry's bags. Atlas said they have a demonstration for everyone to prove how strong Henry was.
A ringside attendant gave Atlas a number of props, including a frying pan. Atlas had Henry bang it against the ringpost to prove it was real. He said that he realizes the fans don't believe it's real so he called for someone to come in from the crowd and they picked someone wearing an orange Bobcats shirt. He had the fan check out the pan to make sure it was real then asked him to try and bend it. The fan couldn't do it and Atlas sent him back to the front row. Henry then took the pan and bent. Atlas said the only person who could do that is Henry.
Tommy Dreamer's music hit. You know he isn't bending it! Dreamer got into the ring and Tazz tried to calm everyone down. Dreamer said he wasn't here to fight, because he was going to save it for Sunday and win the ECW title. Dreamer said what Henry did was impressive, but he's been working out and wants to see if he can give it a shot. Henry shoved a frying pan into Dreamer's chest. Dreamer tried but was unable to do it. He stood there, then cracked Henry in the head with it, then rolled out of the ring. Dreamer walked up the aisle and made his signature pose, then said the ECW title was going to be his.
WWE showed a quick replay of the angle that opened the show.
Teddy Long informed Dreamer he was to leave the building. Dreamer was upset and asked what he did that was so bad.
Mike Knox vs. Shannon Moore
Knox backed Moore into the corner and nearly shoved him out of the ring. Moore went for a go-behind but was again backed up into the corner. Moore fired up with several rights but was cut off. Knox controlled Moore and nailed him with his finisher. Just a squash.
They showed a Raw Rebound.
Chavo Guerrero vs. Evan Bourne
They aired another Bourne promo as he came to the ring, saying tonight he was going to prove he was on the same level as a former ECW champion and he was going to defy the odds, like he defies gravity. Chavo grabbed Bourne in a side headlock but Bourne maneuvered out with a hiptoss and several dropkicks. Bourne went for a quick pin, then applied a wristlock. Bourne missed a running clothesline and was backdropped over the ropes. He landed on the apron and went to the top but was shoved off. Guerrero tossed him back in the ring and took control, locking on a variation of the Camel Clutch. Bourne came back with a standing moonsault press for a two count. Chavo missed a dive but Bourne got his knees up. Bourne hit a shooting star press off the top and scored the pin. Fun little match and nice to see Bourne getting the win.
Colin Delaney was talking to Tiffany. Mark Henry and Tony Atlas told her to get lost. Henry told Delaney he knows he had nothing to do with what happened out there and was OK with him. Henry walked away, then attacked Delaney and put him in a bear hug, squeezing the life out of him, then left him laying.
They showed clips of Batista laying out CM Punk last night, then ran down the lineup for the Bash PPV.
WWE Tag Team champs Miz and John Morrison vs. WWE United States champ Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy
They started the match while off the air on commercial. When they came back, Miz and Matt were going back and forth with counter wrestling. Hardy ended up in control with a side headlock but Miz backed him into the corner. Miz ate a right hand. Jeff tagged in and double-teamed Miz in their corner. Morrison tagged in but Jeff kicked him and hit the Cruncher legdrop. The Hardys grabbed Morrison and flung him upside down onto his back.
Matt tagged back and worked over Morrison on the mat. Miz interfered to help Morrison gain control. They cut the ring in half and took turns working over Matt. Morrison went for a piledriver but Hardy countered with a sidewinder. Jeff tagged in and took control on Miz. They went to commercial.
When they returned, Morrison was working over Jeff with a rear chinlock. Jeff fought back to his feet and hit a spinning kick to escape. Jeff went for a tag but Miz grabbed him and dragged him back. Miz worked over Jeff and whipped him in the corner. Jeff tried again to make a tag but Miz knocked Hardy off the apron. They tried Jeff to the tree of woe and choked him.
Hardy finally came back with a twisting moonsault off the corner to take Miz out. Cue the hot tag. Hardy cleaned house and got a two count on Morrison, then hit a running clothesline in the corner for another two count. Morrison went to the ropes but Hardy nailed him. He nailed Miz with the Side Effect. Jeff nailed a swanton on Morrison and Matt scored the pin.
Some fun action here. Just a good athletic back and forth match.
2009 - TNA signed Bobby Lashley.
2009 - TNA signed Ayako Hamada.
2010 - After ABC's Downfall was canceled without a planned sixth episode airing of the game show, Chris Jericho, who hosted the series, wrote on his Twitter,"FYI-Downfall wasn't pulled or canceled. Due to a faster paced edited show, we simply ran out of contestants after the fifth show and didn't have enough material for a sixth show. We re gonna film more episodes in the fall. Sorry haters.."
The series never returned.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com!
Tonight's show opens with a video package recapping the events of Victory Road, and then we go to Orlando, where we are (not) live in the Impact Zone! First things first, the new Top 10 Contender's list is announced, and if you want the complete list you can go to TNA's website, but the top three contenders, in descending order, are Abyss, Jeff Hardy, and Ken Anderson. Speaking of the new #1 contender, he opens the show by coming out to the ring with the nail bat and...a giant slab of beef. He tells RVD that "they" have a plan for him, and it involves him and his girl (the nail bat), and it's beyond extreme and beyond anything he's done in this business, EVER. A little later, he's going to share the plan with RVD, but first, he's awaiting some final instructions from "them", but for now, he wants to introduce us to his girl "Janice", who he finds tall and beautiful, sophisticated, sexy, and sharp. But there's also a dark side to Janice that likes pain and suffering and...well, we don't get the rest, because Abyss repeatedly hits the beef with Janice until she breaks, and then he chews a big bite of the beef from the slab, and I'm not making that up. Oh, and did he mention that she's also one hell of a cook? But don't worry, RVD, because before it's all over and done with, he's going to find out what a bitch his girl is. He chews more meat off the slab as we cut to a shot of some fat broad in the audience looking either grossed out or really hungry.
Wait a minute, there's something going on backstage...and it's Sarita and Taylor Wilde brawling in the back. Sarita tells Taylor that she's finally rid of the dead weight as she repeatedly rams her into the wall, but Taylor fights back and now Sarita goes to a wall, then a big crate, but then Sarita comes back and says that everyone has always known that she's better than Taylor. Taylor swings a pipe at Sarita and misses, and Sarita knocks her down and puts her in a nasty armbar...and we go to commercial!
Okay, we're back and Taylor and Sarita have made their way out from the back and into the crowd. Taylor launches Sarita out to ringside, grabs a chair, and pastes Sarita with it. You know, Sarita's right, she's light years better than Taylor. Sarita grabs a water bottle and tosses the contents at Taylor, which somehow blinds her long enough for Sarita to crawl under the ring, sneak around behind Taylor, and suckerpunch her from behind. Okay, I guess the match has officially started since a ref's there, so...
Streetfight: Sarita vs Taylor Wilde
Sarita rams Taylor into the steps and then pulls back the mats at ringside, she picks Taylor up and they just start brawling it out, with Sarita again getting the advantage. She tries to slam Taylor, but Taylor blocks and gives Sarita a facebuster on the floor. Ouch. Taylor with a series of kicks to Sarita and then rams her into the ring apron. Sarita tries to escape into the ring, but Taylor keeps pulling her back to the floor. Sarita finally gets away long enough to try a running dive off the apron, but Taylor grabbed a chair and tossed it right in Sarita's face, then rams Sarita to the ringpost, and then to the guardrail. Taylor with a running dropkick that sends Sarita over the guardrail into the crowd, but Sarita steals somebody's pocketbook and uses it to choke Taylor unconscious, and the ref calls for the bell.
Winner: Sarita
Backstage, Rob Van Dam says Abyss has a hell of a weapon, but RVD isn't intimidated easily, so Abyss had better try his threats somewhere else. He'll also see if Abyss is ready to use that thing tonight.
Backstage, Miss Tessmacher is shouting at someone on her cell phone, saying that when she's in charge, they'll be the first to go. Kevin Nash comes strolling in because he has an appointment with Eric Bischoff, but he's conveniently absent. Hmmmmm. Miss Tessmacher asks if there's something she can help him with, Nash says no and starts to walk away, but then comes back and says there is something she can do for him after all, and tells her that he'll see her at 10pm tonight. She doesn't know him very well just now, but he promises to be her last meeting of the night.
Back to the ring...
I Quit Match: X Division Champion Douglas Williams vs Brian Kendrick
Kendrick goes nuts, furiously attacking Williams and quickly trying for the choke, but Williams reverses a whip into the corner, ties Kendrick's leg in the ropes, gives his leg a stiff kick, then rips his head off with a short clothesline. Williams with a rear chinlock, but Kendrick won't quit. Kendrick escapes and gets Williams in the corner where he attacks him again, but Williams with a takedown and a crossface, but again Kendrick won't quit. Kendrick escapes a slam and goes for a sleeper, but Williams rams him into the corner. Williams misses a charge and Kendrick chokes him in the corner with his boot, but Williams won't quit. Williams escapes and gets a double leg takedown into a slingshot, then turns that into a Boston Crab, but Kendrick makes the ropes. Williams rams Kendrick to the corner and follows in with a running knee, then a vertical suplex/gutwrench suplex/exploder suplex combo, pausing between each suplex to give Kendrick a chance to quit and then suplexing him when he doesn't. Nice touch. Williams takes out his Michael Jackson glove and gets a nice European Uppercut, but Kendrick starts firing back and gets an enziguiri. Now Kendrick with a series of dropkicks, Williams goes for the Chaos Theory but Kendrick escapes and Kendrick gets the Cobra Clutch and Williams quits.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Kendrick celebrates his win, and...oh, wait a minute, here comes Kevin Nash. Kendrick puts the mouth on Nash, and I have a feeling I know what's next. Yep, Nash lays him out, then casually takes the mic and turns his back to Kendrick to address the crowd. He's tired of Hogan and Bischoff dodging him and not getting any TV time. He'll tell us something: when Kevin Nash dies, he'll never be replaced because there's only one like him: 7 feet tall and built like a god...as Miss Tessmacher is about to find out. He's a living legend, and when he starts taking his frustrations out on all the young boys, everyone will pay attention. He goes to Jackknife Kendrick, but now Jeff Jarrett comes out and tells Nash to relax because they don't need this. Sting's already suspended, and he asks Nash if he wants to be next. Nash asks what this is about, and Jarrett says it's because Nash has a personal issue with Hogan and Bischoff...just like Sting did. Jarrett says to look around and see who Hogan and Bischoff are getting behind, like Jay Lethal. Nash says he doesn't care about Lethal and he's just out here to get Hulk and Bischoff's attention. Jarrett says it's business as usual, just like it's always been: Kevin wants everyone's attention, and he calls Nash a glory hound and an egotistical son of a bitch. Big OOOOOOOH from the crowd for that one. Nash says that there's a lot of people who say he's the greatest worker in the business because he always gets his way and always gets the money, but he looks into Jarrett's eyes and he's not sure they fool him, and he's not sure why Jarrett would be taking up for Hogan and Bischoff, but if he wants trouble with Nash, he's got it. As far as who the best worker is and who gets his way, just keep watching and we'll find out.
Backstage, the Mystery Interviewer asks Nash about Jeff Jarrett, and he says he's one of the smartest guys around, and sometime around 10 tonight we'll get all the answers we need.
Back to the ring...
Global Champion Rob Terry vs Desmond Wolfe vs Samoa Joe
Taz says he doesn't like Wolfe's chances because he has a big target on him. I don't like his chances because HE'S BEEN JOBBING TO EVERY STIFF IN THE COMPANY FOR SEVEN MONTHS. As Terry and Joe take turns beating Wolfe up, Brutus Magnus comes out to join the broadcast booth. Joe with a nice enziguiri that sends Wolfe to the floor, leaving him alone with Terry. They go toe to toe and Terry takes Joe down with a shoulderblock, but Joe reverses to a rolling heel hook. Wolfe comes in and breaks it up, but Joe lays into him with chops. Wolfe yanks Joe down to the mat by the arm and kicks him to the floor, then goes after Terry, tying his leg in the ropes and kicking away at it. Joe tries to get back in the ring but Wolfe kicks him back to the floor, then turns his attention back to Terry's knee. Wolfe with the running European Uppercut in the corner and then he...stops to yell at Chelsea. Joe rushes back in and goes after Wolfe, but Wolfe dumps him back to the floor and then goes after Terry's knee again. Great thinking: play like he's got a bad knee to cover for the fact that he's an immobile slug. Wolfe goes for a spinning toehold, but Terry kicks him off into Joe and knocks him back to the floor. Terry picks Wolfe up and tosses him across the ring, then hits a pair of clotheslines and a spinkick that misses by a mile, but Joe comes off the second rope with a boot to Terry, and then locks in the Kokina Clutch on Wolfe for the tapout win.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Terry climbs back in the ring after the match and goes nose to nose with Joe, as they exchange a look of respect. We go to commercial and...hey, we're almost at the 10 o'clock hour! I wonder what's going to happen?
Ric Flair is backstage, and if you're watching TNA Impact tonight, he's going to make an announcement later on that will have huge implications that will change TNA forever, and he'll do that because he's Ric Flair and he can. Oh good, TNA will change forever! That's only the five zillionth damn time I've heard that THIS YEAR.
Back to the ring for the first match in the...
Best Of Five Series, Match One - Ladder Match: World Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns vs Beer Money
Beer Money jump the Guns before the bell, and incidentally the object at the top of the ladder is a contract to determine the stipulation in match #2. Beer Money go for a double suplex on Shelley, but Sabin catches him coming down and they hit a double dropkick to send Beer Money to the floor, then follow them out with a double dive. Sabin grabs a ladder from ringside as Shelley blocks Beer Money from getting the ring and he starts to climb, but Storm yanks him off the ladder. Storm sets the ladder up in the corner, but gets nailed and the MCMG get a double wishbone and double dropkick on Roode, then whip him into the ladder and follow in with a running forearm/leaping elbow combo, but on the third try Roode moves and Shelley hits the ladder, and Beer Money double team Sabin, picking him up and ramming him spread eagle into the ladder, and that looked REALLY nasty. Storm climbs the ladder but Shelley catches him and pulls him off, but then Roode dropkicks the ladder into Shelley's face. Now Roode climbs the ladder, but Shelley pulls him off, then takes a ladder in the ribs from Storm. Roode puts the ladder on top of Shelley, then Storm brings in a second ladder and Beer Money uses it to repeatedly hammer the first ladder into Shelley. Ye gads. Beer Money go for a double team move but Sabin dropkicks the ladder into both members of Beer Money and then Shelley with a double stomp. Sabin sets up the ladder as a ramp and runs up it, loses his footing, regains it, and gives Storm a really stiff kick to the face that appeared to really rattle Storm. Sabin then turns around and gets killed with a clothesline from Roode, but Shelley nails him from behind and they do anoter double team move I don't have time to try and describe. Shelley goes to climb the ladder but Storm pushes him off onto the top rope, then hits a lungblower that sends Shelley to the floor. Hey, it's after 10. Storm puts Sabin up top and goes for a superplex, but Sabin nails him and hangs in in the Tree of Woe, then Shelley puts a ladder in from of Storm's face and Sabin baseball slides the ladder into Storm's face. Roode nails Sabin from behind, but Shelley (who had just set of a ladder as a platform between the apron and the guardrail) comes in and backdrops Roode onto the ladder, and the MCMG both hit dives onto Roode on the ladder, but then Storm comes running up and rams the ladder into Shelley's face. Sabin and Storm wind up back in the ring and on top of the ladder, but Shelley and Storm bump referee Brian Hebner to the floor. Roode goes off the ladder and over the top rope and Sabin grabs the contract, but the ref is out, so Storm nails Sabin with the beer bottle and grabs the contract just as Earl Hebner comes out and, seeing Storm with the contract, calls for the bell and awards the win to Beer Money.
Winners: Beer Money
That match was just insanely good, everyone NEEDS to see this match.
Backstage, Abyss seems to have repaired Janice and is using her to smash a watermelon, which he then eats off of Janice. What a weird angle, but I bet Gallagher would be proud.
Matt Morgan vs D'Angelo Dinero
Pope dodges around Morgan to start, trying to avoid Morgan's power, and goes to the legs with kicks to try and chop Morgan down, but Morgan gets him by the throat and tosses him into the corner and comes in with the rapid fire elbows. Pope tries a crossbody, Morgan catches him, but Pope slips out the back and dropkicks Morgan onto the second rope. Pope ducks a clothesline and hits a lungblower for a really, surprisingly quick win.
Winner: D'Angelo Dinero
Morgan nails Pope from behind after the match and gives him a fallaway slam, then runs him over with the Carbon Footprint. Pope rolls to the floor, but Morgan follows him out and places his head next to the ringpost, but before he can go for the Carbon Footprint, Mr Anderson comes out with a chair to stop Morgan. Then he suddenly tosses Pope into the ring and heads in after him. Morgan follows Anderson into the ring with a big smile on his face, but suddenly Anderson turns around and goes after Morgan, sending him out to the floor. Morgan yells that Anderson made a big mistake as he heads to the back, and now Anderson picks his chair back up...then drops it and extends the hand to the Pope. Pope just stares back at Anderson like he's nuts and they have a long staredown, but all Pope will give him is a nod of the head. Anderson nods back and he heads to the back as Pope continues to stare at him in confusion.
Backstage, Lacey is trying to calm down Velvet Sky, but Velvet Sky is pissed at Madison Rayne for acting like they don't even exist and then, on top of that, bringing in somebody from outside the group. Lacey thinks they should hear Madison's side of the story, and Velvet says she'll listen to it and then plant her foot up Madison's ass.
We go back to the ring where Madison Rayne is in the ring, and formally protesting the outcome of the Knockouts Title match at Victory Road. The rules said that if Velvet or Lacey interfered, then she could lose the title on a DQ, but since neither of them were involved, she is demanding that within seven days, either the decision is reversed and she has the title returned to her, or she will sue TNA for every penny it's worth. I can just hear the message boards lighting up with lame jokes right as I type this. Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich come out, and Velvet is pissed. Velvet asks Madison what makes her think she can bring in someone new, not only without their approval, but without even asking them first. Madison tells Velvet to relax and that she's obviously been taking her dumb blond pills again. Madison did what she had to do and took matters into her own hands. Velvet says it's not just about Madison making a decision without either of them, it's about Madison saying that she didn't need them anymore, and asks Madison to explain herself. Madison says fine, she doesn't need them. Velvet says that how about she kicks Madison's ass all over the ring right now. Lacey gets between them to break them up, and now Angelina Love comes out and asks Velvet if she honestly thinks Angelina believes anything she's saying, because she recognized her big fake boobs in the motorcycle outfit. Velvet says if she thinks that was Velvet on the motorcycle, she was mistaken, because she obviously didn't see the dumpy ass on that person, because clearly (indicating her ass), it wasn't her. Velvet says that if she doesn't believe that, then believe this: that bitch (indicating Madison) is all hers, and tells her to have at it. Velvet walks out, and Madison stands in the ring yelling at Angelina to come down and give Madison her belt back. Angelina enters the ring and asks if she wants her belt back, then tells her to come get it. Madison nails Angelina with a forearm, but Angelina drops the belt and goes after Madison. Suddenly the Bike Girl comes out on the bike and goes after Angelina ramming her to the corner and then choking her out with her boot. Madison brings a chair into the ring and picks Angelina up and DDTs her on the chair as Lacey stands helplessly on the rampway looking heartbroken over this whole unfortunate series of events. Madison and Bike Girl get on the bike and ride away.
Backstage, Jeff Hardy says that he really enjoyed watching Jay Lethal beat Ric Flair, but now he's up against Jeff Hardy and we'll see if Lethal can beat the Charismatic Enigma.
Jay Lethal vs Jeff Hardy
Hardy with a shoulderblock to start, they do a fast paced sequence and Hardy gets a rollup for 2. Hardy whips Lethal into the corner but gets backdropped to the apron and dropkicked to the floor. Lethal gets a big dive through the ropes onto Hardy, and...wait a minute, here comes Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Raven and Stevie Richards. Crowd chants ECW as Lethal rolls Hardy back in the ring and covers for 2. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Lethal counters with a hiptoss and the cartwheel dropkick for 2. Lethal tries a whip into the corner, Hardy reverses, Lethal leapfrogs, Hardy back kicks him, and hits the Whisper In The Wind. Hardy and Lethal exchange blows, but Hardy takes the advantage with a short clothesline, inverted atomic drop, and dropkick to the face for 2. Hardy goes for the springboard dropkick in the corner, but Lethal gets the feet up and catches Hardy coming down, then hits Hardy with a springboard dropkick for 2. Hardy with the Twist Of Fate out of nowhere, then goes up top and hits the Swanton for 3.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Meanwhile, Abyss is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We go to commercial, and when we come back, Ric Flair is in the ring and says that Jay Lethal is first in his sights, but right now he wants to introduce the first two members of Fortune: AJ Styles and Frankie Kazarian. Desmond Wolfe comes out and says he knows Americans don't like giving anyone else credit, but if anyone deserves to be in Fortune, it's him. Flair blows him off, but Wolfe grabs him and repeats that he should be in Fortune. Flair tells Wolfe to keep his hands off of him, but before he can continue, Abyss' music hits and out comes Abyss with Janice. Fortune heads for the hills, so Abyss calls out Rob Van Dam instead. Abyss tels RVD that it's time for him to share the plans that "they" have for him: he's said it for the past few weeks, and he'll say it again, "they" are coming to TNA, and when "they" get here, "they" are taking TNA over, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Abyss says that "they" have asked him to continue to pave the way for them, and in that process, "they" instructed him to take the TNA World Title off of RVD, and "they" laid out a blueprint, so he has a question for RVD. They're going to take Janice and hang her above the ring, and then the two of them are going to have the most extreme match in the history of professional wrestling. They're going to use whatever weapons RVD wants, but Janice told Abyss that she wants a piece of RVD's ass. So, the only thing left is the when and the where, but how about the two of them get...EXTREME? RVD grabs the mic and says he knows what the title means to himself and everyone else, and he doesn't want Abyss to take this personally, but the title is his, and then he attacks Abyss and lays him out with several spinkicks. RVD goes for a monkey flip but Abyss shoves RVD off and boots him in the face, then chokeslams him. Suddenly, Mick Foley comes out from the back and Abyss looks quite surprised to see him. Even more suddenly, the ECW guys come out of the crowd and attack Abyss. Security comes out to try and stop them, but Stevie and Rhino easily lay them out. Now some of the TNA wrestlers come out to try and stop them, but no dice. The two fat security guys, Desmond Wolfe, Brian Kendrick, Doug Williams, Terry Taylor, D-Lo Brown, they all come out to try and stop it to no avail. Pat Kenney and Al Snow also come out, ostensibly to try and stop the attack, but then they join up with the ECW guys. Now a whole bunch more TNA guys come running out and it turns into this giant schmozz that I can barely keep track of. Brother Devon comes out and joins the ECW side. Jeff Jarrett comes running out and starts yelling at Tommy Dreamer to get the ECW guys under control as Dixie Carter stands at ringside looking concerned. Now finally the cops come out to break it up, and Dixie Carter grabs a mic and tells everyone to stop it. She says that she invited the ECW guys and everyone stops and looks shocked as we fade to black.
That was one HELL of an awesome episode. Big thumbs up to TNA for this one.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Todd Grisham and Matt Striker.
Before our opening match, we see footage from last week’s match involving Chavo Guerrero when Dolph Ziggler qualified for Money in the Bank.
Match Number One: JTG versus Chavo Guerrero
They lock up and Chavo with a waist lock but JTG with a standing switch. Chavo with a standing switch but JTG with a side head lock take down. JTG with a shoulder tackle and a near fall. JTG returns to the side head lock and then JTG with a boot to the back as he returns to the side head lock. JTG with punches and an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Chavo sends JTG into the turnbuckles and punches him followed by a Latino uppercut. Chavo with an arm bar and chin lock but JTG with forearms. JTG sends Chavo to the apron and then he slides to the floor. Chavo avoids JTG from the apron but then he goes into the ringside barrier. JTG with a shoulder but Chavo with a drop kick that knocks JTG off the apron. Chavo goes to the floor and he hits a running body block on JTG. Chavo with a slingshot senton onto JTG and then he bows to the crowd. Chavo chokes JTG in the ropes and then he snap mares Chavo and returns to the arm bar and chin lock into a key lock. JTG with punches to Chavo followed by a flying back elbow and a back body drop. JTG with a near fall. JTG with a neck breaker for a near fall. Chavo with a knee and he sends JTG into the turnbuckles and punches him. JTG with a short arm clothesline and then he leaps into the turnbuckles but Chavo hot shots him on the turnbuckle. Chavo with a frog splash for the three count.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins versus Matt Cross and Jamin Canseco
Canseco and Hawkins start things off and they lock up with Hawkins applying a side head lock followed by a drop toe hold and then he works on the legs. Hawkins with a boot to the back and then he sends Canseco into the turnbuckles. Canseco with a kick but Hawkins with a slam. Hawkins sends Canseco into Archer’s boot before he tags Archer in. Hawkins trips Canseco and then Archer hits a running boot to the head. Archer with an Irish whip and then he chokes him in the corner. Archer with another Irish whip but he misses the charge and Cross tags in but Archer punches Cross and sends him to the floor. Archer brings Cross back in and he hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Archer gets Cross on his shoulders and Cross gets a near fall with a rollup but he runs into a clothesline from Archer. Archer punches Cross and the referee warns Archer. Archer tags in Hawkins. Archer hits the inverted DDT and Hawkins hits the elbow drop from the top turnbuckle for the three count.
Winners: Curt Hawkins and Vance Archer
It is time for a look back at this week’s NXT with the return of the season one rookies.
The Bellas are walking in the back as we go to commercial.
It is time for the Raw half of the show and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
We take a look back at last week when the Bellas decided to switch while doing their job as referee of the mixed tag match in Jillian Hall’s match.
Jillian has a message for the Bellas and it is going to be in song. She sings ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’.
Match Number Three: Maryse and Jillian Hall versus The Bellas
Jillian and Nikki lock up and Jillian sends her to the mat and then she mocks Maryse’s pose. Nikki with a kick and arm drag off the turnbuckles. Jillian with a clothesline and she gets a near fall. Jillian pulls Nikki’s hair and then tosses her by the hair. Maryse tags in and she chokes Nikki in the ropes and then hits a running knee. Maryse gets a near fall and the she applies a rear chin lock. Nikki gets Maryse on her back and hits an Electric Chair drop. Brie tags in and hits a few clotheslines and then kicks Maryse. Brie with an Irish whip and monkey flip in the corner followed by a drop kick for a near fall but Jillian breaks things up. The Bellas hit a double bulldog and then Jillian pushes Maryse out of the ring to switch places. The switch fools nobody, not even a referee. Maryse with a clothesline to Brie from behind and then Jillian tags back in and kicks Brie. Jillian with a Samoan drop and then she punches Brie. The referee pulls Jillian off and Nikki pulls Brie out of the ring. Jillian is taken down and Nikki gets the three count with a jackknife cover.
Winners: The Bella Twins
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Edge Money in the Bank winning and cashing in video package from the first time he won.
It is then time for a Raw recap and we see what happened in the main event handicap match. Then we run through the card for Money in the Bank.
Match Number Four: Yoshi Tatsu versus Chris Jericho
They lock up and Yoshi with a clean break but Jericho with a rake of the eyes. Jericho with a snap mare and kick to the back. Jericho with a side head lock on Yoshi followed by a shoulder tackle. Yoshi with chops to Jericho but Jericho avoids a round kick and goes to the floor. Yoshi with a baseball slide to Jericho and they are both on the floor. Yoshi punches Jericho and they return to the ring. Jericho pushes Yoshi off the turnbuckles and we go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho slaps Yoshi in the head but Yoshi punches and chops back. Jericho with a kick and then he hits a running boot to the head. We see footage from the commercial break when he sent Yoshi into the ringside barrier. Back to the action in the ring, Jericho with a knee drop and then he punches Yoshi before kicking him again. Jericho throws Yoshi to the floor and Jericho relaxes in the corner while the referee checks on Yoshi who appears to have an injured eye. The medical staff and referee check on Yoshi and this allows Jericho to take a seat in the ring and wait for Yoshi to be okay.
Jericho goes to bring Yoshi back in the ring and then he chokes Yoshi in the ropes. Jericho goes for the splash in the ropes but Yoshi sees it coming and he moves out of the way. Yoshi with kicks to Jericho followed by chops. Yoshi with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Jericho as he charges into the corner. Jericho with a reverse chin lock. Jericho with a back elbow and then Jericho tries for a Lionsault but Jericho lands on his feet. Yoshi with chops followed by a spinning heel kick and he gets a near fall. Jericho with a butterfly backbreaker for a near fall. Yoshi with a kick and running knees into the corner followed by a rolling mare and kick to the chest. Yoshi with the Shining Wizard but he can only get a two count. Yoshi runs into a clothesline from Jericho and Jericho gets a near fall. Jericho tells Yoshi to stay down before he throws Yoshi to the floor but Yoshi returns and he connects with a series of kicks and a super kick. Yoshi goes up top and waits for Jericho to get up. Yoshi misses the spin kick and Jericho with the Walls of Jericho on Yoshi and Yoshi tries to get to the ropes but Jericho pulls Yoshi back into the center of the ring and Yoshi taps out.
Winner: Chris Jericho
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Uncasville, Connecticut and your announcers are Booker ‘Why did someone tell me we were taping at Foxwoods’ T, Michael ‘Pot Limit Omaha’ Cole, and Josh ‘Seven Card Stud’ Mathews.
Josh Mathews is in the ring and he welcomes everyone to Smackdown and then Josh welcomes Randy Orton to the ring.
Josh asks Randy about the stipulation that if Orton is disqualified that Christian becomes the new World Champion. Josh asks Randy if he is worried about losing the title in that manner because of his anger management issues. Randy tells Josh that he will not get disqualified. He says that he has proven that there is more than one way to beat Christian. All this is is a cheap attempt to get his title because Christian knows that he can’t beat him.
Christian appears on the TitanTron and he tells Randy that he doesn’t want to beat Orton by disqualification and he doesn’t need to beat him by disqualification. He says that his attorneys forced him to include the stipulation. He wants to go out there and have the best match possible.
Christian says that he has a gift for Orton and it is a photo of Christian standing over Orton holding the World Title after Christian hit him with the title belt. He tells Orton that he should put it in his locker room on Sunday because this is how the match is going to end with Christian standing over Orton as the new Champion.
Orton says that a stupid picture is not going to get him angry. He says that he expects more and he calls Christian pathetic.
Christian calls Orton’s family pathetic. He calls Randy’s dad pathetic because he faked an injury for seven years and never got a title match. He says that Randy’s dad was a sidekick. There is a side of the Hall of Fame for people like Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart. Then there is the wing that is reserved for Drew Carey and Bob Uecker. He is one of the jokes. Christian says that they put Bob Orton in the Hall of Fame to make Orton happy.
Randy tells Christian that he would like to have him come to the ring to repeat what he said to Orton’s face.
Christian says that he will come to the ring to tell Orton to his face after he beats Orton on Sunday. He will tell Randy how pathetic a champion he was.
Orton calls Christian a pathetic excuse for a man and superstar. He says that after Sunday, he will be nothing more than a pathetic, whiny, bitchy flash in the pan whose claim to fame is that his friend helped him become World Champion for a whole five days. Orton says that is pathetic.
Josh mentions the Big Show/Mark Henry match and it is time to look at the match with a video package showing the path of destruction left by these two behemoths.
Match Number One: Ezekiel Jackson versus Ted DiBiase for the Intercontinental Title
They lock up and Jackson with a clean break but Ted with a slap. Jackson with forearms and a knee followed by a biel and a running shoulder tackle. Jackson gets a near fall. Jackson clotheslines Ted over the top rope to the floor. Jackson goes after Ted and he sends Ted’s head into the apron. Ted tries to send Jackson into the ring post but Jackson stops short so Ted runs Jackson back first into the post and then hits a drop kick before returning to the ring and getting a near fall.
Ted with kicks and the referee warns Ted. Jackson with a head butt to the midsection but Ted with a kick. Jackson with an Irish whip but Ted with a drop toe hold as Jackson charges into the corner. Ted with a belly-to-back suplex or a near fall. Ted with a reverse chin lock while Cody watches from his locker room.
Jackson gets back to his feet and Jackson with elbows but Ted with knees. Ted tries for the rebound clothesline but Jackson with a clothesline and body block. Jackson with the running clothesline into the corner followed by a slam. Ted escapes a second slam and Ted tries for Dream Street but Jackson with a snap mare counter. Jackson with two more slams to Ted to work on the back and then he tries for the Torture Rack. Ted escapes and tries for Dream Street again but Jackson backs Ted into the corner. Jackson gets Ted into the Torture Rack and Ted taps out.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
We go to commercial.
We are back with the same music that they use for Las Vegas shows so we now have generic casino music in WWE.
Ted DiBiase is walking in the back and Cody is standing there. Ted tells Cody that he tried. Cody gives Ted a bag and he tells him to put it on. The bag is for losers like any man who gets in the ring with him or any of the losers in the WWE Universe who put it over their head. Cody tells Ted that he will give him one more chance, but he tells Ted that if he loses one more match, he is going to come to the ring and personally put a paper bag over Ted’s head.
Someone makes the mistake of walking by and Cody puts the back over his head.
We have a Cody Rhodes/Daniel Bryan video package for their feud over the last few months.
Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan versus Cody Rhodes with his Bag Men
They lock up and Cody punches Bryan but Bryan with a chop and European uppercut. Bryan with an Irish whip and then Cody catches Bryan trying for a float over. Bryan avoids the Alabama Slam and he tries to get Cody into the LeBell Lock. Rhodes with a shoulder in the ropes and then Cody misses another shoulder and Bryan with a kick and then he puts Rhodes in the ropes and Bryan hits a running drop kick that sends Rhodes to the floor. Bryan hits a suicide dive and both men are down on the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Rhodes with a gourdbuster followed by a punch to the head. Rhodes with a slam to Bryan and then he puts Bryan in a single leg crab. Bryan kicks Rhodes off and then he punches and chops Cody followed by another European uppercut. Bryan with a rollup for a near fall. Rhodes with a forearm to a charging Bryan. Rhodes with a series of boots to Bryan. Rhodes with knees as he sends Bryan into the ropes and then Rhodes hits a side Russian leg sweep and he gets a near fall.
Rhodes with a kick to the ribs followed by a punch and Rhodes returns to the single leg crab. Bryan gets to the ropes. Bryan with punches to Rhodes but Rhodes responds with a punch of his own. Bryan with more punches and European uppercuts. Bryan with a flying clothesline and both men are down.
Bryan with a jawbreaker followed by a flying leg lariat for a near fall. Bryan punches Rhodes and the referee warns him. Rhodes sends Bryan into the ropes and Rhodes with the kick to the midsection and then he hits the Alabama Slam and gets a near fall. Cody tries for Cross Rhodes but Bryan uses the ropes to escapes. Rhodes sends Bryan into the turnbuckles and Bryan tries to apply the LeBell Lock while in the ropes.
Bryan is sent to the floor but he recovers first and he goes up top for the missile drop kick and he hits it. Bryan crawls over to Rhodes for the cover but Rhodes kicks out at two. Rhodes retreats to the corner and Bryan goes for the running drop kick into the corner and he hits it. Bryan puts Cody on the turnbuckles but Rhodes crotches Bryan and then he hits Beautiful Disaster to get the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Teddy Long is on the phone with someone and he is talking about plans for something. Teddy tells a referee to let Mark Henry and Big Show know that if there is any physicality between them tonight during their confrontation later tonight, he is going to cancel their match on Sunday. Teddy’s plans for later are interrupted by Kane who thanks Teddy for honoring his request for a match against Randy Orton. Kane says that something is wrong with him. Kane says that he is a monster and monsters don’t lose to anybody. Kane says that he is feeling less and less like a monster. He wants to know what is happening. Teddy tells Kane that he is scaring the hell out of him right now.
We go to commercial.
We are back and there is a photo shoot for Jinder Mahal and Great Khali. Mahal yells at the photographer for taking photos of Khali because Khali serves him. Mahal says that his face is the only one that matters.
Christian is in the parking lot and he sees Randy Orton’s motor coach and Christian is impressed. He sees that someone has defaced the motor coach by putting Orton Sux! Teddy Long = Moron Christian Uncrowned World Champion. Christian says that he will find out who did this.
Wade Barrett has joined the men at the announce table to watch the next match since it includes two men in the Money in the Bank match with him on Sunday.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Sheamus attacking Wade Barrett with the chair last week.
Match Number Three: Sheamus versus Sin Cara
Sheamus sends Cara into the corner and then he punches Cara. Cara with a springboard heas scissors. Sheamus misses a splash into the corner followed by kicks from Cara. Cara with a drop kick and kick to Sheamus’ head. Cara with a wrist hold and then Sheamus kicks Cara and puts him on the turnbuckels. Cara kicks Sheamus and he uses the ropes for an arm drag. Sheamus with a running double sledge followed by a uranage back breaker for a near fall.
Sheamus with a front face lock followed by an Irish whip but Cara with a head scissors. Sheamus with a clothesline and he puts Cara in the ropes and he connects with forearms across the chest. Sheamus with repeated forearms across the chest before he goes to the apron and he hits a running knee lift.
Sheamus points to the briefcase before returning to the ring. Sheamus with a cravate to Cara. Cara with punches but Sheamus with a forearm and back elbow. Sheamus punches Cara as he continues to toy with Cara. Sheamus with a snap mare and he returns to the cravate. Cara with punches but they have no effect. Sheamus with a knee and he tries for a power slam but Cara escapes the hold. Sheamus misses a Brogue kick and he gets caught in the ropes and he goes to the floor and appears to have hurt his knee.
Cara with a drop kick to the leg and he gets a near fall. Cara with an enzuigiri and he tries for a springboard cross body but Sheamus catches Cara and he runs Cara into the turnbuckles and then hits a fallaway slam. Sheamus points to the case again and then he goes for the Outsider’s Edge but Cara counters with a rana and gets the three count.
Winner: Sin Cara
After the match, Wade Barrett decides to leave the announce table and Barrett hits Sheamus with a big boot and then he hits Wasteland. Barrett points at the briefcase.
Christian is in the casino and he says that he found someone’s wallet. Christian realizes that he has Randy Orton’s wallet. Christian looks through the wallet and he decides to help Randy earn a little extra money at the tables. He says that Orton will need the extra money after Sunday. Maybe he can use the money for Anger Management classes or for his daughter’s college fund.
Christian sits down at a Roulette table and he puts it all on 1. Of course Christian loses and he tells Orton that it looks like his luck ran out.
We go to commercial.
Teddy Long is in the ring and he says that before the Big Show competes with Mark Henry at Money in the Bank, he has arranged this forum so they can talk about whatever they have on their mind. He says that there will be no physical contact or the match will be cancelled.
Big Show comes out first and then Mark Henry comes out and he says that he is not going any further than the stage because Show knows what happens when he loses his temper. Show says that his temper is all that is keeping him from choke slamming Henry to hell.
Henry tells Show that he is going to bring him into his hell. Henry blames Show for all of this and we go to the footage from last month when Show came to Smackdown to attack Mark Henry, forcing Henry to be stretchered out of the building.
Show says that what he did changed Henry and the WWE. For fifteen years, the WWE Universe has been waiting for the World’s Strongest Man to wake up. Now he has some fire and potential. Show tells Mark not to target him because he can put out that fire.
Henry says that Show thinks big is better. Henry says that stronger is better. Meaner is better. Better is better. Mark tells Show that he has no idea what he is capable of. Show says that Henry has no idea what he is capable of. Show does not want to wait for Sunday and Henry looks like he wants to kick somebody’s ass tonight.
Teddy stops them and warns them that he will fine them if they do something. On Sunday, they will let God sort it out.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Rosa Mendes with Alicia Fox versus Kelly Kelly in a Non Title Match
Kelly with a victory roll for a near fall. Rosa sends Kelly into the ropes and Rosa gets a near fall. Rosa punches Kelly and then she stretches Kelly with her knee in Kelly’s back. Kelly gets to her feet and Kelly with a butt bump and arm drag. Kelly slams Rosa’s head into the mat and then Kelly spanks Rosa and hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Kelly with an Irish whip and Kelly with the Stinkface to Rosa. Kelly tries for the bulldog and Rosa avoids the hold. Kelly with a kick and the K2 for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
Johnny Curtis is in the locker room and he says that he has a secret for everyone. He says that he will be making his debut sooner than you think. Johnny says that he is going to let the cat out of the bag but there was an elephant in the bag instead. Johnny yells at the production guy who says the cat ran up a tree. Johnny says that the Elephant in the room is next week.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the participants in the Money in the Bank matches and a video package on the match.
Before the next match starts, Heath Slater has something to say to his tag team partner. He says that they were on top of the world in the tag team division. They were three time champions, but Justin has been dropping the ball and Heath says that he is tired of sharing his spotlight with Gabriel. On Sunday, it will be his time to shine because he is the One Man Rock Band.
Match Number Five: Heath Slater versus Justin Gabriel
Gabriel works on the wrist and Slater reverses. Gabriel with a reversal of his own. Slater with a reversal. They continue to work on each other’s arm and Slater with a hammer lock. Gabriel with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Slater tries for a hip toss but Gabriel lands on his feet and he hits a leg sweep. Slater takes Gabriel to the mat and then Slater points to the briefcase. Slater with kicks to Gabriel followed by a reverse chin lock.
Gabriel with elbows and then he flips over Slater’s back and Gabriel with a spin kick and roaring elbow. Gabriel avoids a charge into the ring and Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash but Slater with a back body drop to send Gabriel to the mat. Slater misses a moonsault and Gabriel goes up top and he hits the 450 Splash for the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
We go to commercial with Kane and Orton walking in the back in split screen.
We are back with “A Message from CM Punk” showing some of the things that he said on Monday night.
Match Number Six: Kane versus Randy Orton in a Non Title Match
Kane misses a punch but Orton with a series of punches until Kane connects with a few uppercuts. Kane with a running clothesline into the corner followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline and side slam.
Christian makes his way to the ring while Kane gets a near fall. Kane goes up top and he hits a clothesline and then he sets for the choke slam. Kane grabs Orton by the throat and Orton escapes the hold and he punches Kane. Kane with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot and Orton wit a clothesline but Kane stays on his feet. Orton with another one and Kane stays on his feet. Kane misses a clothesline and Orton with a power slam and then Kane hits the IEDDT. Orton twists into the RKO push ups and Orton tries for an RKO but Kane pushes Orton away. Orton sees Christian on the ramp and that allows Kane to clothesline Orton over the top rope to the floor and both men go to the floor. Kane returns to the ring and Orton goes after Christian and Orton gets counted out.
Winner: Kane by count out
After the match, Orton has to let off some steam and he chases after Christian and they go into the ring but Kane was still in there and Kane with an uppercut to Orton. Kane and Christian kick Orton and Kane is not happy that Christian is helping out. That delay enables Orton to recover and he gives Kane an RKO. Christian returns to the ring and he hits a spear and then he punches Orton.
Christian gets the title belt and a chair and he brings them both into the ring. Christian gets ready to hit Orton with the chair but Orton blocks it with a kick and Christian leaves. Not to make the chair feel wasted, Orton drills Kane in the back with the chair. In case he missed any vertebrae, he hits Kane six more times in the back before throwing the chair down.
We go to credits with Orton and Christian staring each other down.
Continued ...
