On this day in history in ....

1982 - Wahoo McDaniel defeats Sgt. Slaughter for the NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Charlotte, North Caroline, starting his third reign as champion. Slaughter had been awarded the title two months earlier when he injured McDaniel, leaving him unable to defend the title against Slaughter.

1999 - WWF Summerslam was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Target Center. In his return to WWF, then-Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, who had received criticism for taking the booking as the special referee in the main event declated, "I was proud to be a wrestler, I am proud to be a wrestler and I am proud to be here tonght!" on the ring mic.

Here are the results:
- Jeff Jarrett pinned D-Lo Brown (7:27) to win the WWF I-C and European Title.
- The APA won a tag team elimination match:
* Edge & Christian defeated Matt & Jeff Hardy when Christian pinned Matt.
* Edge & Christian defeated Mideon & Viscera when Edge pinned Mideon.
* Edge & Christian defeated Droz & Prince Albert when Edge pinned Albert.
* Faarooq & Bradshaw defeated Edge & Christian when Bradshaw pinned Christian.
* Faarooq & Bradshaw defeated Hardcore & Crash Holly when Faarooq pinned Hardcore to win the match.
- Al Snow defeated Big Boss Man to win the WWF Hardcore Title.
- WWF Women's Champion Ivory defeated Tori.
- Ken Shamrock defeated Steve Blackman via knockout in a Lion's Den match.
- Test defeated Shane McMahon.
- The Undertaker & Big Show defeated Kane & X-Pac to win the WWF World Tag Team Title when Undertaker pinned X-Pac.
- The Rock defeated Billy Gunn in a Kiss My Ass match.
- Mankind defeated Steve Austin and Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a Triangle match to win his second WWF World Title when he pinned Austin. Jesse Ventura was the special referee.

2000 - In Lafayette, Louisiana, one McMahon lost a title, and one gained a title, as Lita defeated Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley for the WWF Women's Title, while Shane McMahon defeated Steve Blackman for the WWF Hardcore Title.

2002 - Steve Austin filed for divorce from Debra Marshall in Texas.

2002 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Manny A filed the following TV report:

Taped On : August 20th, 2002
Location : Fayetteville, NC
Hosted by : Michael Cole & Tazz

Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar walked down to the ring. The crowd chanted "Rocky" at them. Paul talked about how Brock is the number one box attraction in WWE, as well as the biggest star in the history of Smackdown. He went to talk about the legend of Hulk Hogan and how it was destroyed by Brock. Paul promised that the same thing would happen to the Rock at SummerSlam. However, tonight, Brock would give Rock a little taste of SummerSlam.

Brock grabbed the mic and mentioned that he feels the same way tonight as he did when he wrestled Hogan. He claimed that he would make the Rock "cry like a little bi$$h." This brought out the Rock.

Rock talked about how Brock has been all talk and has not backed it up. He stated that since Brock refused to bring it to him, he would bring it to Brock. Rock then approached the ring but was ambushed on the ramp by Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. Benoit put Rock in the Crippler Crossface, as Lesnar and Heyman laughed in the ring.

Backstage, Edge entered the arena but was ambushed by Guerrero and Benoit as well. They left him lying before some help arrived.

*1st match : The Hurricane & Shannon Moore vs. Tajiri and Jamie Noble (w/ Nidia)
During the match, Hurricane nailed Tajiri with a flying kick, which Tazz called the "Flying Wizard." Tazz also commented that Smackdown had the best announcing team in the business, to which Cole responded "amen." The end came when Noble went for a powerbomb but Shannon rolled through it for the pin. After the match, all 4 guys brawled in the ring until Matt Hardy ran down. He started celebrating and even boosted himself on Moore and Hurricane's shoulders as if he had helped them. Both guys seemed very surprised.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon confronted Guerrero and Benoit. She scolded them for attacking Rock just 3 days before SummerSlam. She told them that they would get a cut in pay if Rock didn't make his match. She would have no problem with it if it was done in a competitive match. She then asked them about attacking Edge. At this point, Edge attacked both men and left them laying. He asked for a tag match with Rock against both of them. Stephanie agreed to it.

Backstage, Matt Hardy bragged about his crowd reaction to Moore and the Hurricane and claimed it wasn't because it was his hometown. He then bet them that if he went out again that the reaction would be double. He then went out to the ring again. He received another loud reaction. But, it was interrupted when Chavo Guerrero came out. Chavo referred to Matt as "white boy." He told Matt that they would see the reaction he got once they were done in the ring.

*2nd match : Chavo Guerrero vs. Matt Hardy
Matt went for a few cocky covers during the match. As Matt was about to nail the Twist of Fate, Kane's video appeared on the Titantron. This allowed Chavo to roll him up for the pin. After the match, Matt scolded the ref for what happened. The ref told him that his shoulders were down. Matt compared being screwed in North Carolina to Bret Hart being screwed in Canada.

Backstage, Funaki teased that they would be entering the women's locker room after the commercial break.

After the break, Funaki entered the locker room, where he found Nidia changing. Nidia was topless (behind something) and didn't mind him watching. Molly Holly then walked up and questioned why he was there. She then questioned why Nidia would be so "loose." Nidia claimed that she wasn't loose but actually "open." She then claimed that if she beat Molly for the Women's title later on, she would expose her bare breasts to everyone in the arena.

Michael Cole and Tazz interviewed Rey Mysterio, who was in the back. He talked about how even though he is small, he had proven that he could hang with Angle. This brought out Kurt, who questioned if reality existed to him. Kurt told him that he requested a match against Billy Kidman on Smackdown so that he could show Rey what was in store for him at SummerSlam. He claimed that he would lay a beating on Kidman that would make Rey run for the border. Angle then promised to break Rey's ankle if he interfered tonight.

*3rd match : Kurt Angle vs. Billy Kidman
Kurt nailed Kidman with 3 consecutive German suplexes. At this point, Rey Mysterio shot out of the ramp. Rey stared at Angle, which made Kurt leave the ring to confront him. Kurt then realized that he was going to get counted out so he returned to the ring to continue the match. Kidman then hit Angle with head scissors, which threw Kurt to the outside. As he recovered, Kurt saw Rey Mysterio at ringside. It turned out to be some fan wearing Rey's mask. Kurt ripped it off and pushed the fan. In the ring, Kidman went for the Shooting Star Press but Angle climbed the ropes for the belly to belly from the top. The ref then got bumped. This allowed Rey to run down and nail Angle from the top rope. Rey ran away with Kurt in hot pursuit, allowing Kidman to win by countout. After the match, Kurt beat him up out of frustration.

Backstage, the trainer worked on the Rock's ribs. A video package aired showing Brock Lesnar training for his match at SummerSlam. Edge walked up to ask him how he felt. Rock told him that nothing, including sore ribs, a ripped off arm, leg or People's testicle, would keep him from taking on Brock.

*4th match : John Cena & Rikishi vs. Reverend D-Von & Batista
Throughout the match, there was ongoing tension between Batista and D-Von. They finally ended up yelling at each other, resulting in Batista nailing him with a Spinebuster. Rikishi then dragged him into the corner for the 2nd rope splash and the pin.

Backstage, Nidia and Jamie Noble were walking. Jamie convinced Nidia to give a security guard a sneak peak at her boobs, saying that this is what the world would see tonight.

*5th match : Molly Holly vs. Nidia (WWE Women's title)
Nidia had a ton of 2 counts during this match. In the end, Molly hit the Molly Go Round for the pin. After the match. Noble told Nidia to give the fans what they want to see. Nidia started to take her top off when Molly hit Jamie with a dropkick into her.

Stephanie McMahon came down to the ring. She bragged about how the Smackdown side has much more to offer to SummerSlam than Eric Bischoff's Raw. She promised that the Smackdown stars would steal the show. This led to the SummerSlam video package which ran down all of the matches.

*6th match : The Rock & Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chris Benoit
Backstage, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman watched the match on a monitor. The match ended after the Rock hit Benoit with the RockBottom. Edge then nailed Eddie with a spear to get the pin. After the match, Brock came down to the ring. Rock and Brock had a staredown and Rock motioned for Edge to leave the ring. Rock and Brock then went at it. Rock got the advantage with some punches but Brock came back and worked on the injured ribs. Rock made a comeback and hit Brock with the spit punch, knocking him over the top rope. Heyman then held Brock back, telling him to wait until Sunday, as the show ended.


2007 - WWE releases Daniel Rodimer, the former Tough Enough contestant the company signed after the reality show ended, yet never placed on television.

2008 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Taylor Millard filed the following TV report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage Smackdown coming from Moline, IL

The show begins with a recap of Summerslam, including Triple H “defending his kingdom” against Khali, MVP defeating Jeff Hardy, and the Hell in a Cell match between Edge and the Undertaker (which included multiple shots of end).

The show begins with Vickie Guerrero on the Titantron welcoming us all to Smackdown (except for the fact she did it on the ramp during the taping). Guerrero says Edge is the real problem and that she’s a victim and became corrupted. She also says she cheated all the fans because of Edge and the Vickie Guerrero we all loved was changed. She blames Edge for everything and cackles at Edge now residing in Hell. She says she’s ready to feel like a person again and feels good about reinstating the Undertaker. She asks everyone to give the Undertaker a standing ovation when he arrives. Guerrero also explains the Scramble match a bit and basically says whoever has the championship when the match is over, they’re WWE champion.

JR and Tazz welcome us to the show and the two talk about Undertaker’s return and Scramble Match. Out comes Maria, as we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and JR announces Jeff Hardy will face Khali to qualify for Unforgiven, plus MVP will face Festus. Maria remains in the ring as Natalya Neidhart walks out to face Maria. JR says Neidhart has a lot of heritage.

Match One: Maria vs. Natalya Neidhart:

Tazz says Maria loves competition and Maria applies a headlock before getting caught in a head scissors. Natalya works on the arm but Maria counters for an arm drag. JR says Maria’s gotten better, but Natalya with a leg drag. Tazz says Maria got slowed down as Natalya slams Maria into the ropes and puts her into a leg wrench. Maria gets free but both women are selling their legs. Maria with a clothesline then gives Natalya a bronco buster in the corner. Natalya knocked outside the ring, but out comes Maryse. Maryse and Natalya attack Maria and Tazz says this is in response to Maryse’s nose getting broken by Maria. Out comes Michelle McCool and out go Natalya and Maryse. Tazz says the two set up Maria. Result: No Contest.

In the back, Chavo and Bam are wheeling Vickie when Big Show interrupts saying he’s excited about the matches. Big Show says he wants to know who his opponent is but Vickie says she accidentally forgot to put him in a qualifying match. Show says he understands and walks away.

Coming up next is a ten man Battle Royal for the scramble match. Big Show walks out to the ring, smiling and waving, and Tazz says he wonders what Big Show is doing out there. JR says he’s going to take a seat and watch the Battle Royal as we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and its time for the WWE to announce more people watched Smackdown than the NFL on FOX. Big whoop.

The Brian Kendrick, with Ezekiel Jackson, enters ring for the Battle Royal (Tazz calls Kendrick the favorite for the match). The Edgeheads are on their way to the ring and Armando Estrada, Super Crazy, Ryan Braddock, Scotty Goldman, and Funaki are all ready in the ring. Jimmy Wang Yang and Vladimir Kozlov come out too.

Match Two: The Brian Kendrick, the Edgeheads, Super Crazy, Jimmy Wang Yang, Vladimir Kozlov, Scotty Goldman, Ryan Braddock, Funaki, and Armando Estrada in a Battle Royal for a spot in the Scramble Match:

Jimmy Wang Yang and Scotty Goldman are fighting each other and Tazz says the Edgeheads have an advantage early in the match because they’re tag partners, but not if it goes later on. Estrada, Edgeheads, Braddock and Yang eliminate Kozlov. The Edgeheads take out Goldman. All of a sudden the Big Show gets into the ring and stars eliminating everyone, including a great spot where he took out the Edgeheads and Super Crazy at the same time. Big Show throws out Funaki and all that’s left is Kendrick and Wang. Ezekiel catches Kendrick as he gets thrown out but Big Show throws out Wang. Meanwhile, Big Show walks out and Ezekiel puts Kendrick in the ring who says his feet never touched the ground. Charles Robinson says, he’s the winner and Kendrick is announced as so. Kendrick rocks in the ring and a recap of Big Show cleaning house is shown. JR says the Big Show thought he eliminated Kendrick and Tazz says he never knew he was put back in the ring. Tazz and JR say it was the right call by the officials. Winner: The Brian Kendrick.

Still to come: The Undertaker returns to Smackdown and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial with a recap from Battle Royal and Tazz says The Brian Kendrick has amazing talent on his own, but with Ezekiel Jackson at his side, he has a big advantage. JR says R-Truth debuts next Friday and another promo for Truth’s life in the gutter is shown. Truth says he’s headed for the top.

Back in the ring and it’s time for our next Championship Scramble Qualifier as MVP comes to the ring. JR says MVP won controversially over Jeff Hardy and MVP is shown telling Eve Torres he said before the Summerslam match Jeff Hardy would beat Jeff Hardy. Hardy is a loser and MVP is a winner. MVP says he’s going straight to the top and only the WWE champ is left. He promises to win the WWE championship and will be “straight up ballin’”.

Out come Festus and Jesse and Tazz wonders if he knows what ballin’ means.

Match Three: MVP vs. Festus in a championship scramble qualifying match:

The bell rings and the two exchange punches, with Festus sending MVP into the corner. JR says Festus is a very unrefined performer. The Corn-fed Colossus gets a two count and MVP gets more punches in on Festus but takes a hard uppercut in response. Festus with a very hard clothesline and Tazz says MVP might think he’s Jesse after that one. Tazz says Festus knows what’s going on because he’s trying to cover MVP quickly. MVP slams Festus into the ringpost twice, trying to take away Festus’ power. Festus sent to the ground and MVP starts focusing on the left arm again. The crowd chants for Festus as Jesse encourages him next to the announce table. Festus gets to his feet, but MVP sends him to ground again. Another cover but Festus kicks out at one. MVP pulls Festus into the middle of the ring and locks a reverse keylock on the left arm. Festus gets up to his feet and hits MVP with two hard head butts. JR and Tazz talk about the damage Festus might have to his left arm and MVP hits an armbar takedown. Festus goes for a splash and MVP avoids it. Cover for two. MVP goes back for the keylock and Tazz says MVP has a great strategy. JR says MVP has his sights set on the WWE Championship but Festus sends MVP to the ground like a bail of hay. Festus nails the reverse splash and takes control of the match. MVP goes back to the arm and JR calls it an intelligent move. Festus with a big boot and MVP rolls out of the ring. Festus walks around the ring and nails MVP with another clothesline. Festus with a backbody drop and the ref’s count is up to eight. MVP gives Jesse a drive-by kick and hurries into the ring as Festus goes to check on Jesse. MVP gets into the ring just before the ten-count and is announced as the winner. Winner by count out: MVP

Festus gets into the ring, but the bell rings sending him back into LaLa Land. MVP nails a kick to the face and stands triumphant. Tazz says he feels bad for Festus and we see a replay of the end of the match. Tazz says MVP assumed Festus would check on Jesse and JR says coming next is Finlay vs. Shelton Benjamin in a Scramble Qualifying Match.

Back from commercial and it’s time for a showing of WWE 24/7 Classics featuring Torrie Wilson, Stacey Keibler, and Trish Stratus. JR and Tazz talk about WWE 24/7 and encourage everyone to check it out because it’s got over 40 years of great tapes.

The Gold Standard, Shelton Benjamin, makes his way to the ring and JR says Benjamin has other gold on his mind (not just the US Title around his waist). Tazz says he looks forward to the upcoming match between Benjamin and Finlay. Benjamin gets on the mic and says he’s obsessed with championships and winning. Benjamin says Michael Phelps isn’t the new gold standard, but he is. Good promo.

Out comes Finlay with Hornswoggle who have gifts for the crowd. Tazz says he thinks Finlay can match Benjamin “hold for hold” as the bell rings.

Match Four: Finlay vs. Shelton Benjamin in a Scramble Qualification Match:

The two lock up and go into the corner and separate before Finlay hits an elbow. He goes for a cover, but Benjamin escapes. The two try a knucklelock but Finlay slaps Benjamin and locks him into a headlock. Tazz calls Hornswoggle a “shady little man” then says Benjamin has a lot of respect for Finlay and went into the match with a different strategy. Benjamin with quick kicks and Charles Robinson separates them but Finlay brushes past Robinson, right into Benjamin. The two brawl on the mat before rolling out of the ring, and separating. The two eyeball each other and get back into the ring. Tazz says both men are loaded with aggression and don’t want the match to end like the MVP/Festus match did. Finlay with a single leg takedown and JR says Finlay’s trying to slow down Benjamin. Finlay with an ankle hook and keeps working on the leg. Finlay with a submission move but Benjamin gets to the ropes, forcing Finlay to break the hold. Finlay goes for a shoulder to the gut but Benjamin moves and into the ring post goes the Irishman. Benjamin takes down Finlay and Tazz says he’s got the wrestle the match at his pace. Hornswoggle tries to encourage Finlay but Benjamin stays in control. Robinson asks if Finlay wants to continue the match but Benjamin won’t let him answer. JR and Tazz wonder if Finlay is concussed but Finlay uses the ring apron to counter the baseball slide. The two go up top and Finlay is sent to the outside as we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and Benjamin is working on Finlay’s back and shoulder as JR and Tazz wonder how he’s still in the match. Benjamin rains down punches on Finlay’s body, but Finlay with a reversal into a two count. Benjamin with a clothesline into a cover for a two count then kicks Finlay in the ear. Really good match so far and Tazz says the two have a real desire to advance into the title match. Benjamin keeps working on the left side of Finlay but Finlay with a quick move into a two count. Benjamin with a kick to Finlay but only gets a two count. T-Bone suplex by Benjamin but he only gets a one count. Finlay with clotheslines and a cannonball but only a two count. Finlay sets up for the Celtic Cross but out comes Mike Knox who goes after Hornswoggle (who escapes under the ring). Benjamin hits Paydirt and gets the win. Winner by pinfall: Shelton Benjamin.

JR and Tazz say Knox and Finlay have had issues with each other. Knox attacks a downed Finlay and JR wonders how Knox can attack Finlay when he wouldn’t face him on ECW on Tuesday. Knox with punches as Finlay turtles up. A replay of the end of the match is shown, plus the aftermath with Knox’s attack on Finlay. Tazz says Knox better watch his back come ECW time.

JR says Undertaker is coming back and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and JR says Jeff Hardy will face Khali in the last scramble qualifying match. JR and Tazz talk about the incident between Shawn Michaels, his wife Rebecca, and Chris Jericho. Footage from Summerslam is shown. I’m glad they showed it because I didn’t order Summerslam.

In the back, La Familia is talking about the Scramble Match and Chavo says he wished he’d been in a qualifying match. Chavo wonders why the Undertaker hasn’t shown up yet and says he’s worried Undertaker might hold a grudge. Vickie says it wasn’t her who made those decisions and says she’ll apologize to the Undertaker. Or at least says she’ll think about doing it.

Out comes Triple H and Tazz wonders what his opinion of the championship scramble match is. JR says Jeff Hardy vs. Khali is coming up next as we go to commercial.

The WWE Rewind is shown with a recap of the match between Triple H and Khali at Summerslam. Triple H, obviously, won.

Triple H is joining Tazz and JR for the last qualifying match between Khali and Jeff Hardy. Khali walks out with Ranjin Singh and Triple H says it was a monumental task to defeat Khali at Summerslam. Triple H says he wondered if he could hit Khali with the Pedigree and puts over Khali as a freak of nature. Tazz calls Khali sub-human but also says he wouldn’t tell that to Khali’s face (or shoulders as JR puts out). Out comes Jeff Hardy and Triple H says it could be his time to take the next step into the championship picture. He also says Khali’s chances in the Scramble Match are “Slim, Jim.” Get it?

Match Five: Jeff Hardy vs. Khali (with Ranjin Singh) in a Scramble Qualification Match:

The two face off and Triple H says Hardy needs to use his quickness to beat Khali. Hardy sends multiple kicks into Khali’s knee but crashes to the mat after a hard clothesline. Triple H says he’ll mention his thoughts on the scramble match once he knows who’ll be in it. JR also says Vickie is preparing a prepared statement for the Undertaker when he arrives. Hardy is down on the mat, as Khali locks in a nerve pinch. Hardy won’t submit and Triple H says it’s a basic nerve hold but it hurts. Khali with a body slam and Jeff is down. Khali calls for the vice but Hardy with a rake of the eyes. Khali knocks him off the top turnbuckle and Triple H says we might be seeing the end of Jeff Hardy. Hardy nails a Twist of Fate out of nowhere, goes up for the swanton but Ranjin Singh distracts Hardy. Khali with the vice grip but Triple H attacks Singh with a steel chair. The WWE Champion then hits Khali with the chair after he tries to attack Triple H (the ref was distracted by Hardy being on the ground incapacitated). Hardy with a Whisper in the Wind and a swanton for the win. Winner by pinfall: Jeff Hardy

JR says Hardy’s win is ironic because it’s thanks to ‘The Game’ and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and JR goes over the winners of tonight’s matches: The Brian Kendrick, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and Jeff Hardy.

Triple H is in the ring and he gives his thoughts on the championship scramble match. He discusses all his opponents and says the odds don’t favor him very much. Triple H says no one needs to celebrate their win yet because Triple H is a 12-time champion and has been in every match the WWE has offered and come out on top. He says he is the King of Kings, but out comes Kenny Dykstra. Dykstra gets in the ring and says he’s sick and tired of not being taken seriously. His name is Kenny Dykstra and ... he just got Pedigreed by the WWE champion. Triple H says, “Good to see you, Kenny” and walks off. Tazz gives Dykstra props for coming out but says he took a nasty Pedigree.

In the back Vickie is still working on her apology. The Edgeheads run in saying Undertaker is here and they head towards the ring to make their apology. We head off to commercial.

Back from commercial, a recap of Summerslam is shown, focusing on Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell match with Edge. Vickie and La Familia are in the ring and she says she has prepared a statement for tonight. She considers herself a great woman who is not too big to admit to making mistakes. She says she stands on her own two feet (while sitting in a wheelchair) and is here to apologize to the Undertaker. She offers a standing ovation (and gets out of her chair) and gives us our beloved Undertaker.

Out comes The Deadman and La Familia look a little nervous encountering him face to face. Vickie says she delivered Edge to him at Hell in a Cell and all she wants is an opportunity to earn forgiveness. She asks Undertaker to accept her apology then says he can have more time if he wants. Vickie says she really wants to apologize, stands from her chair, gets on her knees, and begs him to accept her apology. Please? Undertaker takes the mic, tells her to look at him, and says he didn’t come out for an apology but came for her soul. Chavo and the rest of the family surround him and Undertaker cleans house of La Familia. The Family gets the Undertaker down and starts assaulting him. Chavo grabs a chair but takes a boot to the face. Undertaker with a chokeslam to the Edgeheads then looks for Vickie who’s all the way by the Titantron. He gives his throat slash and we go to credits.