On this Day in History...
1969 - Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeat Crusher & Dick the Bruiser for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Chicago, Illinois, ending Crusher & Bruiser's fourth title reign.
1977 - WWE announcer Scott Stanford is born.
1977 - Mid-Atlantic Wrestling ran Columbia, SC at the Township Auditorium with the following results:
-Rufus R Jones beat U.S. Champion Ric Flair by DQ when Flair tossed Rufus over the top rope.
-Mid Atlantic Champion Wahoo McDaniel fought to a DDQ vs. Greg Valentine.
-Paul Jones & Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Jerry Blackwell & Kim Duk.
-Charlie Fulton beat Jim Grabmire.
-Burrhead Jones beat George Two Ton Harris.
1977 - A World Class Championship Wrestling event in Dallas, TX at the Sportatorium saw the following results:
-Texas Champion Ox Baker beat Jimmy Snuka
-Kevin Von Erich & David Von Erich beat Big John Studd & Bull Ramos
-Al Madril beat Siegfried Stanke
-Tommy Siegler beat Joe Blanchard
-Skip Young beat Iron Sheik
1980 - WWF ran Baltimore, Maryland with the following results:
-Rick McGraw pinned Paul Figueroa.
-Pat Patterson (substituting for El Olympico) pinned Rick Stallone.
-The Hangman pinned Rene Goulet at 13:19.
-Ernie Ladd pinned Frank Savage (substituting for Ivan Putski) at 3:28.
-Tony Atlas defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via countout.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Larry Zbyszko at 19:28; Pat Patterson was advertised as the guest referee for the bout.
1981 - The AWA ran St. Paul Minnesota, featuring the following results:
-Buck Zumhofe beat Kenny Jay.
-Baron Von Raschke beat Eddie Boulder (aka the future Brutus Beefcake).
-Billy Robinson fought Tito Santana.
-Hulk Hogan & Brad Rheingans beat Ray Stevens & Jerry Blackwell.
-AWA World Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura.
-AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnan Al Kaissie via DQ.
1982 - The WWF ran a matinee at the Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena featuring the following results:
-Tony Garea pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 11:20.
-SD Jones fought Jose Estrada to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Jimmy Snuka at 25:10 following a fast count from guest referee Ivan Putski.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji at 14:45 with a backbreaker.
-Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah & Donna Christanello defeated Sherri Martel & Penny Mitchell at 14:30 when Christianello pinned Mitchell.
-Ivan Putski (substituting for Tony Atlas) pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Saito at 4:50 with a small package.
1982 - WWF ran Madison Square Garden with a show televised live on the MSG Network featuring the following results:
-Tony Garea pinned Charlie Fulton at 6:39 with a crossbody off the top
-Killer Khan pinned Steve Travis at 5:31 with a kneedrop from the middle turnbuckle
-Bob Orton Jr. defeated Pat Patterson via countout at 9:28 after crotching Patterson on the top, causing him to fall to the floor
-WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask pinned the Dynamite Kid at 6:34 with a suplex and moonsault after the challenger failed a diving headbutt. This was the MSG debut both Tiger Mask and Dynamite Kid.
-WWF Intercontinental champion Pedro Morales fought Jimmy Snuka to a double disqualification at 17:55 after both men refused to break choke holds, with Snuka also hitting a headbutt on guest referee Ivan Putski; prior to the bout, Capt. Lou Albano escorted Snuka to the ring.
-Tiger Jackson & Little Beaver defeated Sky Low Low & Sonny Boy (w/ Thomas Charles Cassidy) in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Jackson pinned Sonny Boy at 4:46 wit a forearm to the chest; fall #2: Beaver pinned Sky Low Low at 1:17 with a gorilla press slam
-Tatsumi Fujinami pinned WWF International Champion Gino Brito with a suplex at 11:34 to win the title; prior to the bout, WWF President Hisashi Shima was introduced to the crowd.
-Salvatore Bellomo pinned Swede Hanson at 3:26 with a roll up after Hanson hit the corner; prior to the bout, Freddie Blassie escorted Hanson to the ring.
-WWF champion Bob Backlund defeated Buddy Rose via submission with the Crossface Chicken Wing at 20:24 after reversing an attempt at a back suplex; prior to the bout, Backlund was escorted to the ring by Arnold Skaaland while Rose was escorted to the ring by the Grand Wizard and Sherri Martel as well as a second, unnamed female.
-Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah defeated Penny Mitchell at 4:49 after the challenger missed a crossbody from the middle turnbuckle
-Andre the Giant, Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow defeated Blackjack Mulligan, WWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #1: Fuji pinned Jay at 8:16 with a karate chop to the throat; fall #2: Jay pinned Fuji at 3:26 with a forearm blow; fall #3: Jules pinned Saito at 2:21 after releasing a sleeper hold; after the bout, Andre applied a claw on Mulligan for several minutes while wearing a black glove similar to Mulligan's.
1983 - Caleb Konley aka Kaleb with A K is born.
1983 - The CWA ran The Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky featuring:
-The Jaguar defeated Frankie Laine.
-Dennis Condrey defeated Don Anderson.
-NWA Mid America champion Buddy Landel defeated Terry Taylor.
-AWA Southern tag champs the Grapplers defeated Spike Huber and Steve Regal.
-The Fabulous Ones defeated CWA tag champs the Assassins via DQ.
-Austin Idol challenged CWA International champ Ken Patera, going to a draw.
1984 - WWF ran two events.
Hartford, CT at The Civic Center saw the following results:
-Moondog Rex defeated Salvatore Bellomo
-Bob Orton Jr. defeated Rick McGraw
-Greg Valentine defeated Terry Daniels
-Afa defeated Moondog Rex
-Roddy Piper defeated Samula
-WWF Intercontinental champion Tito Santana defeated Paul Orndorff
-Sgt. Slaughter pinned the Iron Sheik after a second referee counted the pinfall after the original guest referee Freddie Blassie had his back turned to the action
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan fought Kamala to a double count-out
In the company's debut in Birmingham, Alabama, WWF results were:
-B. Brian Blair defeated Butcher Vachon
-WWF Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch defeated SD Jones & Rocky Johnson
-WWF Women's Champion Wendi Richter defeated the Fabulous Moolah
-Ivan Putski defeated Jesse Ventura via disqualification
-The Junkyard Dog defeated the Spoiler
-Andre the Giant defeated Big John Studd
1984 - A live event in Birmingham, Alabama presented by Southeastern Championship Wrestling at the Boutwell Auditorium drew 2,500 fans for the following results:
-The RAT Patrol (Johnny Rich, Scott Armstrong, Tonga Kid) defeated Arn Anderson, Tommy Gilbert & The Eliminator.
-Robert Fuller fought to a draw vs. Boris Zukhov.
-Ted DiBiase defeated Brad Armstrong.
-Austin Idol defeated Rip Rogers in a cage match.
1986 - WWF ran The Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, IL featuring the following results:
-Billy Jack Haynes defeated Jimmy Jack Funk via submission with the full nelson
-Hercules defeated Lanny Poffo via submission with the backbreaker
-Pedro Morales pinned Dory Funk Jr.
-Harley Race pinned King Tonga
-The Killer Bees fought Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake to a time limit draw
Ricky Steamboat pinned Don Muraco
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Adrian Adonis via disqualification.
-Paul Orndorff defeated WWF champion Hulk Hogan via disqualification.
1993 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Owen Hart defeated Barry Horowitz.
- Razor Ramon defeated Ted DiBiase with the Razor's Edge. This was DiBiase's last U.S. PPV match as a wrestler.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Heavenly Bodies (Jimmy Del Ray & Tom Pritchard) when Rick pinned Del Rey after Del Rey accidentally moonsaulted Pritchard, and Scott gave Del Rey the Frankensteiner.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig via countout after Diesel pulled Hennig from the ring and rammed him into the ringpost.
- Irwin R. Schyster defeated The 1-2-3 Kid with a clothesline.
- Bret Hart defeated Doink The Clown via submission. Doink was replacing Jerry Lawler, who claimed to have a broken leg. However, as Doink was submitting, Lawler ran into the ring and hit Bret Hart with his crutch. WWF President Jack Tunney ordered Lawler to then wrestle his scheduled match.
- Jerry Lawler defeated Bret Hart via disqualification. Bret won the match via submission with the Sharpshooter, but refused to release the hold, so the decision was reversed, and Bret was disqualified. As a result, Lawler was able to proclaim himself the "Undisputed King Of Wrestling" (Bret had won the King Of The Ring tournament that year, and Lawler attacked him).
- Ludwig Borga defeated Marty Jannetty via submission with a torture rack.
- The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez in a Rest In Peace (No DQ, no countout) match with a top rope clothesline.
- The Smoking Gunns & Tatanka defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & The Headshrinkers when Tatanka pinned Samu after all three members of the Headshrinkers/Bigelow team missed top rope headbutts.
- Lex Luger defeated WWF World Heavyweight Champion Yokozuna via countout after hitting him with a forearm that sent him from the ring (Luger has a steel plate in his forearm). Post-match, there was a huge celebration, as this was the culmination of the "Lex Express" summer bus tour of Luger traveling all over the U.S. that was designed to get Luger over as a patriotic babyface. However, the celebration made no sense, as Luger didn't win the belt, and it had been made clear that he was not going to get another title match after Summerslam (he would eventually, at Wrestlemania X). The whole push of Luger was a disaster, as he never got over the way WWF wanted him to, and stars like Undertaker and Bret Hart were obviously much more popular.
1993 - Dustin Rhodes defeats Rick Rude to reclaim the WCW United States Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The title had been vacated since May, following a bout between the two, and several rematches were held before a clean win took place here.
1996 - Sid Vicious defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, starting his second reign with the gold, and ending Lawler's 23rd run with the belt.
1998 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City. Here are the results:
- In matches shown on Sunday Night Heat:
- Too Cool defeated LOD 2000.
- Gangrel defeated Dustin Runnels.
- DOA defeated Bradshaw & Vader.
In matches from the PPV:
- WWF European Champion D'Lo Brown defeated Val Venis via disqualification when Venis hit the referee.
- The Oddities (Kurrgan, Golga, & Silva) defeated Kaientai (TAKA Michinoku, Men's Teioh, Sho Funaki & Dick Togo) in a handicap match when Golga splashed all of Kaientai for the pin. The Insane Clown Posse performed The Oddities theme song live.
- X-Pac defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Hair vs. Hair match after X-Pac hit Jarrett with his own guitar. Post match, Jarrett had his head shaved while the Headbangers and DX held him down.
- Sable & Edge defeated Marc Mero & Jacquelyn when Edge hit Mero with the Downward Spiral and tossed Sable on top for the pin.
- Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart via submission in a "Lion's Den" match with an anklelock. This match was held in a UFC style cage that was set up at The Theater, a smaller venue within the Madison Square Garden complex. Several thousand fans bought tickets to see the Lion's Den match live, and watch the rest of the PPV on a giant screen.
- The New Age Outlaws defeated Mankind in a Falls Count Anywhere match to win the WWF World Tag Team Title after a spike piledriver. Kane, Mankind's partner, abandoned him and the belts before the match, then showed up with a sledgehammer afterwards to attack Mankind.
- Triple H defeated Rocky Maivia in a Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Title after Chyna gave Rock a low blow to allow Triple H to climb the ladder and get the belt.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Steve Austin defeated The Undertaker with a stunner after blocking the Undertaker ropewalk.
2002 - WWE's Raw brand ran Lincoln, Nebraska. Bobby Q filed the following live report:
This event was in a very small arena, and it couldn't even sell out, it looked like a WCW event, but it was still awesome.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Steven Richards Vs Raven (triple threat)
The crowd was really into this one, the match itself was pretty boring, and really had no point.
Winner : Tommy Dreamer
Justin Credible vs. Shelton Benjamin
I went to go buy snacks on this match, I didn't really care for either wrestler, but the crowd seemed to be behind the Benjamin dude.
Winner: Justin Credible
Bradshaw vs. Lance Storm
Lance Storm got a HUGE heel pop for his un-american gimmick. We were behind Bradshaw 100%. Great Match.
Winner : Bradshaw
Chris Nowinski and William Regal vs. Goldust and Booker T
This match was awesome, Norwinski and Regal got huge heel pops, and Booker -T and Goldust were hilarious as always. The Match was pretty good, the goldustaroni topped it all off.
Winners: Goldust and Booker-T
Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar (Undisputed Title Match)
I was very surprised they had this match, Taker got the biggest face pop of the night. The match itself was nothing special, Brock wins by DQ.
Winner: Brock
Victoria and Molly vs. Trish and Jackie
This match pretty much sucked. The crowd was really into it though. It got over pretty fast.
Winners: Trish and Jackie
Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Chris Jericho
This match was great, Jericho definitely got the biggest heel pop of the night. The crowd was behind Bubba.
Winner: Jericho
RVD vs. Big Show
Everyone was happy to see there faaaaavorite superstar - ROB VAN DAM. The Big Show is huge in real life. RVD got a huge pop, the match was good, RVD got the win with the Van Daminator.
Winner: RVD
TOP 5 Pops
1.Undertaker
2. RVD
3. Bradshaw
4.Bubba
5.Trish
Top 5 (Most Heat)
1.Jericho
2. Lance Storm
3. Brock Lesnar
4. Nowinski / Regal
5.Steven Richards
(Live Notes All the superstars interacted with the fans, it was great. We told Fink we liked his red trousers and he said "I liked them to." Fink was really cool to hang out with. Chris Nowinski went up to my sign (which said: I graduated from Harvard) and he said, "No you didn't!" After he lost his match, he swatted the sign from my hand as he was exiting, it was great. Jericho went up to me, I was saying "You're the King of the World! He said, "Shut up, you didn't buy my t-shirt you stupid Nebraskan!!
2002 - Larry Goodman filed the following NWA Wildside TV report:
"Your search for good pro wrestling stops right now at NWA Wildside, the number one wrestling alternative in these United States of America."
Steven Prazak introduced the show alongside broadcast partner Dan "The Dragon". Prazak narrated a clip of the finish from last week that showed Briscoe Brother using some chicanery (and some ringside distraction by Lost Boyz) to beat T-N-T and become the number one contenders for the NWA Wildside tag team titles.
Wilson said this hour would feature double gold. It would be "Suicidal Tendencies divided" when NWA Wildside heavyweight champion, Adam Jacobs met former partner John Phoenix in the main event.
1) The Rage (Scott Cage & Mike Pittman) beat G-Rated (Kid Xtasy & Kid Kool). The crowd noise was almost non-existent in the audio mix. Crowd was smaller than usual, but I don't remember it being that quiet. They all gave up their bodies trying to get the match over. G-Rated was portrayed as the team that tries hard but seems to always come up short.
Match was joined in progress at the two-minute mark, as Rage did a double hiptoss on Kool. Pittman hit connected with a moonsault out of the corner and followed with a Northern lights suplex and a bridge for a near fall. Blind tag to Xtasy, who entered the ring with a springboard moonsault on Pittman. He used the Unprettier for a two count. G-Rated doubled on Pittman with an Xtasy drop toehold into a facebuster across Kool's knee. Kool hit a flying back elbow for a two count. Kool suplexed Pittman and climbed to the top. Nice tight shot of Kool missing on a 450 splash when Pittman moved. The editing has improved 100% since they got the new system. Crowd rallied mildly behind the Rage. Double tags. Cage whipped Xtasy to the ropes. Xtasy went up and over and tried for a rolling reverse cradle. Cage blocked it and hit a fireman's carry into an Ace crusher. Rage tried for their finisher, but Kool pulled Pittman out as backed up toward the ropes. Xtasy used a forward rolling cradle for a near fall on Cage, as Kool battled with Pittman on the outside. Xtasy ducked a clothesline and climbed the ropes to hit a dive to the floor. Cage followed with a springboard twisting crossbody, also to the outside. Kool made it three, with a corkscrew plancha. Pittman capped off the sequence by overshooting a springboard 450 that left all four down on the hardwood. Cage and Kool crawled back inside. Prazak noted the arbitrary decision as to who were the legal men.
They all did finishers. Cage used a double underhook rocker dropped on Pittman for a near fall. Xtasy made the save. Xtasy used the elevated rocker dropper on Cage for a near fall. Pittman saved. Pittman did the sitout uranage on Xtasy. Kool broke up the pin and caught Pittman with an up and over reverse X factor. No three count because Pittman got a foot over the ropes. Xtasy went to the top for his springboard spinning DDT and was rudely pulled off the top into a brutal face first landing on the floor. Damn, there he goes again another insane bump. Cage made the catch when Pittman shoved Kool off the turnbuckles. Rage did an off the top (Pittman) nagasateru neckbreaker combo on Kool for the pin.
Tony Mamaluke's backstage promo was introduced by tuxedo boy, Dustin Fordham. "The I-talian Monster" said he had nothing personal against Caprice Colman, it (being the World TV title) was just business. Mamaluke said that a look at the lineage of the title proved that many great wrestlers had held it. Mamaluke said if The championship Committee didn't give him a shot at the belt, he was just going to take it.
2) David Young beat Dagon Briggs (with Seven). Not sure what to make of Briggs' (IPW Florida) gimmick. It was like a cross between La Parka and Jerry Only. Seven was coming off recent appearances as Fluff Dupp on NWA TNA. Match was clipped down to the opening minute and the finishing sequence. Segment served dual purposes of giving Young a clear win and furthering his feud with Iceberg.
Young started out throwing Briggs around like a rag doll with a sitout swinging face plant. Two lariats and a high back drop later, it was time for Seven to come to the rescue in her low cut top. Prazak said she was bringing up a couple of impressive points to ref Andrew Thomas. Wilson said they looked familiar. Seven distracted Young with her primary assets long enough for Briggs to him with a double ax blow in the back. Briggs went on the attack with a drop toehold. He walked across Young's back and kicked him in the face while he was still down. Briggs hit a rolling neckbreaker. Returning from commercial break, Briggs was in control with a grapevine on the leg. Young reversed a whip and ducked a clothesline. Leg feed enzuigiri by Young, followed by a Shining Enzuigiri. Counters back and forth. Spinebuster. Done. Decent pop for the finish at least.
Cut to Jeff G. Bailey and Phoenix in the back. Iceberg blew past them on his way to the ramp. "Iceberg! Damn it! What are you doin?" Cut back to the ring, where Iceberg proceeded to paste Young with chairshots to the back and head. Bailey ran out to join him. Iceberg did two Ground Zero splashes before security was able to roll Young out of the ring. Iceberg grabbed Bailey by the lapels. He appeared to be going into a bizarre enraged trance. Bailey whipped out the potato peeler and held it in front of Iceberg's eyes. That seemed to pacify "The Being of Inconceivable Horror." Iceberg took the peeler in hand and stared at it. Wilson said he was "fix-e-ated" on it. He said Iceberg was going to make Young's life a living hell as retribution for pinning him at Freedom Fight.
3) Jeremy Lopez beat Slim J to retain the NWA Wildside junior title. This had potential to be a style clash, but Slim's first title shot turned out to be a good match. You would have never known by the crowd reaction. Wilson called J the "problem child" that was becoming a cult favorite with the NCW Arena fans due to his heart and guts.
J got the best of the chain wrestling battle that began the match. Lopez went to outside. J faked a dive and grabbed his crotch. Prazak challenged Wilson to come up with a name for it. Wilson did. Lopez wanted to do the Roman knuckles test of strength. J had Lopez's panties in a wad by switching hands each time Lopez tried to lock up. J used a boot to the gut. Lopez whipped J to the corner. J stepped up and jumped over Lopez to grab a waistlock. Standing switch by Lopez. Standing switch by J. He pulled Lopez's hand through his legs to flip him on his back and got two with a back bridge. J scored with a pair of right hands. This time it was Lopez going up and over off a whip. He went for a back suplex, but J landed on his feet and hit a Russian legsweep. J missed bigtime on a running corkscrew shooting star press. Lopez missed with a legdrop and caught a kick from J with his face. That was good for a two count. J fired a right hand. J ducked a clothesline off a whip reversal. Lopez boosted J up and let him land on his face. Lopez applied the Mexican surfboard...and again...and again stretching J with a rear chinlock. Lopez stood on J's throat using the ropes for added leverage. Lopez went for a springboard monkey flip, with J landing on his feet. Lopez followed with a Yakuza kick and a hangman neckbreaker that folded J in half. 1..2..no. J fought back with gutshots from his knees. Lopez pounded a forearm into his back. A series of counters left J on the apron. J hit a shoulder tackle through the ropes and went for a springboard huracanrana that Lopez turned into a devastating sitout powerbomb. J kicked out, causing Lopez to show signs of frustration. Lopez landed two knees to the head. J did a messed up headscissors/rana that the announcers called as such. Lopez dropped J with a back elbow. It looked like J' shoulders were down at three, so Lopez started going nuts when the ref ruled it a two count. Lopez stomped on J. Lopez nailed J with a forearm shot in the corner. Lopez whipped J towards the opposite corner. J stepped up the ropes for the 3-6 Mafia kick. Both down. J blocked two punches and connected with a roundhouse to the back of the head. Flying roundhouse by J for a near fall. J slowly climbed to the top. Lopez rolled out of the way of J's hang time moonsault. Lopez struggled to his feet and started to climb. J mounted Lopez on his shoulders. Lopez countered J's attempt at the Anger Management, using a victory roll with a fistful of tights for the pin.
Caprice Coleman cut a promo on Mamaluke. He said Mamaluke had a lot of growing up to do before he could take the TV strap. Coleman did his catch phrases. He was having fun with tuxedo boy, who didn't seem to know quite what to do. Coleman said Mamaluke's face wasn't pretty enough to be on TV, so he would have to beat him fast before the ratings went down.
A promo by John Phoenix and Jeff G. Bailey was next. Phoenix said for one year he had been thinking about one thing, to become the absolute best and bring the title back to the Elite. Bailey said he hoped Jacobs had lots of pictures taken with the Wildside heavyweight belt and had a chance to show it off to his friends, because his title reign was ending tonight. Bailey again referred to Jacobs as the weak link. Bailey said Jacobs was the member of the Elite that could never get the job done and somehow lucked into the belt. "Your only purpose in life is to show the world that forced sterilization isn't such a bad idea...you insult the air by breathing it."
Slim J cut a promo wearing handcuffs. He gave Lopez props for beating him because nobody else had lately. J said the weird thing was way he did it. Like something J would do. "But if you wanna play those games, we can play those games. I'm on lockdown. I learn new things every day, so yo' ass might just get shanked. I'm gonna find my loophole and get another shot at my title, the Wildside Junior heavyweight strap, and that's coming from the real Slim J, Buuuhh-ster."
4) Adam Jacobs beat John Phoenix by DQ to retain the NWA Wildside heavyweight title? Heat building controversy or just garden variety confusion? This first two matches of the Phoenix-Jacobs program have both ended shows with the viewers not knowing who won. Setting aside the finish, it was another excellent match that was shown in its entirety (10:45). Finally some audible crowd response. Phoenix is like a lankier version of Jason Cross on offense. No surprise, since they trained each other growing up in Macon.
They were flailing away at the opening bell. They did a sequence of running the ropes maneuvers, with Jacobs coming out on top. Jacobs pounded and kicked Phoenix. Jacobs did a huracanrana. Jacobs clotheslined Phoenix over the top to set up the first big spot of the match. At the 1:20 mark, Phoenix moonsaulted to his feet off the camera stand, and Jacobs bounced his head off the floor with a back suplex. Jacobs rolled Phoenix back in the ring for a two count. Jacobs went for a spinning headscissors, but Phoenix countered with a hotshot. Phoenix got two with a brainbuster. Phoenix missed on a running shooting star senton. Spectacular spot at 2:55 when Jacobs went for a pescado, and Phoenix met him in midair with a dropkick. Phoenix rolled Jacobs back inside for a two count. All Phoenix now. Rear chinlock applied at the commercial break. Phoenix used a boot the gut on the deadly telegraphed backdrop. Jacobs took a midair spin off a clothesline. Phoenix hit a high elevation guillotine legdrop off the top. Two count only as Phoenix failed to hook the leg. Jacobs went down after a hard whip into the buckles. Bailey whacked Jacobs in the head with his Gucci shoe while the ref was distracted. Phoenix covered, but Jacobs grabbed the ropes. Jacobs went for a small package. Phoenix escaped at two and stomped on him. Bailey got in the act again with a choke hold. Prazak called him the most bloodthirsty boss since Vlad the Impaler. Wilson shuddered to think about what the Wildside CEO might have planned for the company picnic. Jacobs caught Phoenix on the top rope for a slam ala Flair. Phoenix used a blatant shot to the gonads to regain control. Phoenix hit a flip ax kick. Cover and Jacobs got a shoulder up at two and a half. Phoenix slowed things down with a rear chinlock. Fans started chanting for Jacobs, who elbowed out of the hold. Phoenix knocked him down with a knee and followed with a leaping legdrop. Phoenix hit a moonsault for another two count. At 7:40, Jacobs came back with a superkick that left both men down. Jacobs blocked Phoenix's punches and pounded away. Jacobs got a flurry of offense- back elbow, back bodydrop, clothesline. Phoenix got hung in the tree of woe for Jacobs' patented baseball slide/dropkick. Phoenix kicked out at two. Jacobs pulled Phoenix down from behind and went to the top. Phoenix kipped up and bumped the ropes to crotch Jacobs. Phoenix was able to land kicks to the head from a standing position, even though Jacobs was sitting on the top rope. Impressive. Jacobs knocked Phoenix off the ropes, but he backflipped to land on his feet. Jacobs hit a flying bodypress and Phoenix rolled through for a good near fall. They exchanged ragged looking pinning combinations. Commentary pointed out they were tired by the pace. Phoenix leveled Jacobs with a spinkick, as he was going for his rolling neckbreaker.
Phoenix came off the top with a 450. Nobody home. Jacobs did a sitout reverse Russian legsweep on Phoenix. Jacobs went to take a swipe at Bailey, who tossed a chain into the ring. Phoenix clocked Jacobs with the chain in plain view of ref Andrew Thomas. He started to count the pin, but ref Speedy Nelson stopped the count at two and called for the bell to DQ Phoenix. The refs got into a shoving match. Thomas decked Nelson with a "bionic" forearm (Wilson explained that Thomas had a steel plate put in it when it was broken by Boogaloo Crew last year). Phoenix hit a big splash off the top and Thomas made the three count. The bell rang again. Wilson said the bell had already rung and announced Jacobs as the winner by DQ. Bailey brought the belt to Phoenix and announced him as the new Wildside heavyweight champion. Wilson was going berserk at this point. He said that going back to the days when Sputnik Monroe was the NWA Georgia champ, once the bell rings, the match is over. Phoenix left with the belt. Prazak said Jacobs was still the champion.
2007 - Huge day for the WWE Wellness Policy as WWE posted the following on their corporate website:
WWE Statement On Performer Suspensions
STAMFORD, Conn., August 30, 2007 - Based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County, NY D.A.'s office, WWE has today, under the penalty provisions of its wellness policy, issued suspension notices to 10 of its performers for violations. It has been WWE's practice not to release the names of those who have been suspended, but notice has been sent to all WWE performers that names of anyone who is suspended under the Wellness Policy as of November 1 will be made public.
Following WWE's announcement that it had suspended 10 stars for Wellness Policy violations, the New York Daily News ran an article online listing the names of WWE stars that were identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by law enforcement agencies in February for distributing drugs (including steroids) to clients that had not been examined by doctors. The newspaper later added Eddie Fatu (Umaga) and Shoichi Funaki to their list of WWE wrestlers that were clients of Signature Pharmacy.
The same day, Sports Illustrated posted an article online, part of their ongoing investigation of the illegal steroid business in Florida, listing what drugs WWE performers received from the pharmacy that federal agents raided this past February. The list not only includes the substance the wrestler received, but gives dates as to when the wrestler received them.
Three of the wrestlers on the list are deceased:
- Chris Benoit, received nandrolone and anastrozole in February 2006.
- Eddie Guerrero received nadrolone, testosterone and anastrozole two weeks before passing away in November of 2005.
- Brian Adams (Crush) received nandrolone, testosterone, and somatropin in December 2006. He was not employed by WWE at that time, and hadn't worked for the company for several years.
One of the wrestlers on the list no longer works for WWE:
- Sylvain Grenier, who received somatropin, nandrolone, genotropin and stanozolol from February 2005 through July 2006.
The other ten wrestlers on the list are all currently employed by WWE (although some are out injured). Remember, WWE started their Wellness Policy on February 27, 2006.
- Chavo Guerrero received somatropin, nandrolone and anastrozole from April 2005 through May 2006.
- Shane Helms received testosterone, genotropin and nandrolone from November 2003 through February 2007.
- Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol form September 2004 through February 2007.
- John Hennigan (Morrison) received somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin from June 2006 through February 2007.
- Ken Anderson (Kennedy) received anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone from October 2006 through February 2007.
- Shoichi Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.
- Charlie Haas received anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin from August 2006 through January 2007.
- Edward Fatu (Umaga) received somatropin between July and December 2006.
- Darren Matthews (William Regal) received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin and anastrozole between November 2004 and November 2006.
- Adam Copeland (Edge) received somatropin, genotropin, andstanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007.
In the end, all of the named wrestlers were suspended, while Mike Bucci (who publicly maintained that he was undergoing testoscerone replacement therapy after retiring and was not subject to the performers' Wellness Policy, as he was now a WWE employee and retired as a performer), was let go by the company.
The lone talent not suspended was Randy Orton, who had already served a suspension stemming from the issue.
2007 - WWE signed former WCW star Johnny Stamboli for the second time.
2007 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We approach the home stretch for the No Surrender pay per view in a little more than a week and tonight we will find out who will be Kurt Angle's tag team partner to face Pacman Jones and Ron Killings for the TNA Tag Team Titles. Will A.J. Styles become a tag team champion one more time or will he be forced to lay down for Christian Cage? Will one of Angle's best friends, Samoa Joe be the man who accepts tags from Angle? Will we see an icon join the Olympic gold medalist and have Sting be the tag team champion with Kurt Angle? We already know that Kurt Angle will be wrestling three times at No Surrender but what other matches will we see on the pay per view? Will we see the next challengers for Kurt Angle's titles emerge on this week's show? Will Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko continue to go after Samoa Joe this week? What will Karen Angle be wearing this week? Will we finally see the vein on Jim Cornette's head explode after everything that has happened over the last few weeks?
We start off tonight's show with a look back at last week. We see Eric Young get spray painted by Pacman Jones. We then see Christian unable to appear on Impact only to ambush Samoa Joe from behind. We hear comments from Team 3D that they were sorry, but they were only sorry that they did not attack the Steiners earlier as they helped Kurt Angle defeat the Steiners and save Karen Angle from five minutes alone with Rick and Scott.
Ron Killings and Pacman Jones are walking in the back with Crystal behind them. She asks Killings about the rumors that he is trying to clean up Jones's image. She wonders how spray painting Eric Young's back is cleaning up his image. Killings says that it was charity. Jones asks Crystal if she knows how much he charges for an autograph and then he says that he gave Young a free autograph. Jones says that he could have received five hundred grand for that autograph. Jones says that tonight there is going to be another charity autograph as he shakes the can of spray paint. Crystal asks who it will be.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don "Deal" West.
Don and Mike talk about the main event where Kurt Angle's tag team partner will be determined in a four way match between Samoa Joe, Sting, Christian Cage, and A.J. Styles.
We go to Jeremy Borash in the back and he is in Kurt Angle's locker room with Kurt, his Wife Karen, and his Svengali Kevin Nash. Kurt says that this does not feel right as he looks at promotional photos of his four potential co-holders of the TNA Tag Team Titles on the wall. He says that none of these guys are suitable to be his tag team partner. He says that they are going to try to hurt him and not look out for Kurt's best interests. They hate him. Nash tells Angle that they don't hate him. Nash points out that Angle is an Olympic gold medalist and hating Kurt is like hating the flag. Nash says that they don't know how much money Kurt gives to charity on a weekly basis. They all start to laugh and Karen says that everything was taken care of last week by Kurt so she is going to take care of things this week. Karen says that she will go out there and do her magic. She tells Kurt to put his feet up, relax, and have a cold drink with Kevin. She says that she is going to pay the usual suspects a visit. Karen leaves the locker room and then Kurt wonders if she is going to talk to Joe.
Team 3D comes to the ring for their match with the Motor City Machine Guns. We see footage of Team 3D attacking Rick Steiner last week and putting him through a table with a power bomb from the second turnbuckle. Before Shelley and Sabin can enter the ring, Scott Steiner comes to the ring. Team 3D wants Scott to come into the ring. Scott comes into the ring and Brother Ray attacks Steiner as he rolls in. Scott with a double clothesline to Ray and Devon. Steiner with an exploder suplex to Ray and then he hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Devon. Scott goes under the ring for a table and he brings it into the ring. Scott gives Ray an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Devon hits Steiner from behind as he gets the table set up. Scott falls victim to the 3D and then Brother Ray gets on the mic and tells the loser to get up. Brother Ray says that it is sorry that he almost destroyed Rick last week. Brother Ray keeps the referees at bay and then he puts a chair on Scott's throat and Devon hits the chair with another chair. Brother Ray tells Scott that it is time to go back to the hospital. Security and EMTs come to check on Scott. Brother Ray gets the hammer from the bell and security leaves the area and Devon helps hold them at bay and attacks a few members of security. Scott is rolled back into the ring and they set up the table but nobody is able to stop Team 3D. Brother Ray power bombs Scott through the table from the turnbuckles. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment from the commercial break where we saw Scott Steiner taken from the Impact Zone on a stretcher and taken from Universal Studios in an ambulance. We also see footage of the attack again.
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are in the ring and Alex is on the mic. He says that if there is one thing he learned and that is that TNA needs heroes just like Detroit needs heroes. They want a match so the Motor City Machine Guns can pump up the ratings.
Match Number One: Motor City Machine Guns of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley versus the Voodoo Kin Mafia of Kip James and BG James (with Roxxi Laveaux)
As we see Roxxi walk to the ring, the action has already started in the ring with all four men exchanging punches. Sabin is thrown out of the ring by Kip and Shelley is sent into the turnbuckles by BG. Kip chokes Shelley while the referee is focused on Sabin and BG. Sabin hits a springboard drop kick while Shelley hits a Flatliner on BG. Sabin and Shelley follow that with Sabin hitting a running drop kick to Kip off Shelley's back that knocks Kip off the apron. Shelley with a drop toe hold to BG followed by an elbow drop from Sabin. Shelley holds BG's head up for a running drop kick from Sabin. Shelley slides between Kip's legs on the apron and he pulls Kip off the apron. Kip blocks a punch from Shelley and responds with a punch of his own before Kip sends Shelley into the guardrails. Kip gets in the ring and he misses a clothesline on Sabin but he does not miss the Cobra Clutch Slam and BG covers for the three count.
Winners: Voodoo Kin Mafia
After the match, Kip gets on the mic and he says that now that the "Ticket Ride" is over, he wonders if there are any other worthy tag teams in the building who are worthy of the VKM? The Latin American Xchange comes out to the ring. LAX is not the only team who wants a piece of the VKM as we see the team of Elix Skipper, Christopher Daniels, and Senshi emerge from the Chute of Heelish Impact. There is one more team who wants to get involved and that is Shark Boy and Eric Young.
Kip wants all of them to come to the ring and we have all nine men battling in the ring. Homicide and Senshi battle in the ring while Kip takes on Eric Young. Hernandez and Christopher Daniels battle in the corner while we see Elix Skipper, BG James, and Shark Boy fight. While all four teams battle in the ring, we go to the back to Jeremy Borash.
Jeremy is walking in the back with Karen Angle. Jeremy tells Karen that he does not think it is a good idea for her to go into Samoa Joe's locker room. Karen asks Jeremy why and Jeremy reminds Karen about Hard Justice. Karen says that she was not the one to hit Joe with the chair. Jeremy says that it was two weeks ago, but Karen says that Samoans have short memories so it will be fine. Karen knocks on Joe's door and enters and Joe is on the phone. Joe is surprised that Karen is in his locker room. Joe asks Karen if she realizes what she did to him and what he should be doing to her right now. Joe sees the piece of paper in Karen's hand and he says that she should have come in with a SWAT team. Joe tells Karen that before he does something that they will both regret, he tells her to leave or make it quick. Karen tells Joe that she knows that Joe hates her husband and that he probably hates her too, but she wants to know how long this war is going to go on. They could buy this company ten times over. She wonders who is winning this war. She says that it is only dividing the two most powerful forces in wrestling today. She says that this is crazy and none of them are winning. She says they can make it work if they work together. Joe tells Karen to close the door so they can talk about it. Joe says that when you take the emotion out of it, they could be unstoppable and they could run the world. Karen agrees with Joe and says that is what she has been telling Joe. Joe says that he wants to be Kurt's partner in the worst way. Joe says that he wants Karen to be there when he dismembers Kurt and tears him apart piece by piece. Joe says that he is going to take her husband's broken body and lay it at her feet as he backs Karen into the door. He tells Karen that she will know that she caused this. He then tells Karen to tell Kurt that he will see him soon. Karen and Jeremy leave as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is in another locker room with Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko but before Jeremy can ask his first question, Karen Angle enters the locker room. Karen asks what is going on and Christian says that they are a little busy and he wants to know if Karen is in the right place and Christian points out that the strip club is down the street. Karen and Christian yell at each other and A.J. reminds Christian that Karen is a lady. Karen appreciates A.J. defending her. Christian wants to know what is on Karen's mind and she says that she says that she is here for business. She says that she has an offer that she does not think Christian can refuse. Karen says that she helps Christian win the match tonight and then Christian becomes Kurt's partner. Together they successfully defend the tag titles at No Surrender. Christian asks what is in it for him and Karen tells Christian that he would get a title match against Kurt. Christian says that he is not biting at something that easy. Christian says that the only liar bigger than Karen is himself. Christian tells A.J. that tonight they are going to take care of Samoa Joe and Sting and then it will come down to the two of them and the best man is going to win. Christian and Tomko leave and Karen talks about their attitude problem and A.J. asks if the deal was for both of them. Karen says that the offer applied to A.J. as well. A.J. says that he is not gullible or stupid and he leaves. He comes back and asks if Karen is serious. A.J. wants to make sure that he understands the deal. A.J. wants to know if he needs to help Christian win or if he has to win; and Karen tells A.J. that all he has to do is win the match. Karen kisses A.J. on the cheek and leaves. A.J. says that Karen wants him so bad, but then he tells Jeremy not to tell Kurt.
We are back with Don and Mike and they talk about No Surrender and how Kurt Angle will be defending all three TNA titles. We will also see Robert Roode face Frankie Kazarian at the pay per view.
It is time for the latest Cowboy Pub Crawl in search of Rhino. We go to James Storms' vehicle where he says he made a mistake last week by going to bars that were too high class for Rhino. We go to Bullseye Sports Bar. Storm says that there are some ugly people in the bar. Storm wants to know if anyone is aware of where Rhino is. He says that if nobody talks up, he will whoop everybody in the bar. Storm leaves the bar and says that he wants to talk to the owner. Storm was told that they heard about what happened last week and don't want the same thing to happen there. Storm asks if Rhino was there and he is told that Rhino was there yesterday. Storm says that he is going to find Rhino and wants to know if Rhino is coming back. The segment ends with a graphic stating “Have you seen Rhino? If so call 1-888-HAVE-A-BEER."
Before Sting goes to the ring for the main event, Karen and Jeremy are backstage to talk to him. She talks about how Sting and Kurt have a lot in common. They have great family morals and both stand up for what is right. Karen asks Sting what is better than for him to stand side by side. She tells Sting that they can change the world together for the children. Sting tells Karen if she cares so much about the children then she should change her dress.
After all of the wrestlers come to the ring, we see Kurt and Karen Angle rise in the Angle-Vator and come to ringside with the TNA Tag Title belts.
Match Number Two: Christian Cage versus A.J. Styles versus Samoa Joe (with Samoan Dance Troupe) versus Sting to determine the other half of the TNA Tag Team Titles
The match starts with Joe and Sting in the ring and A.J. and Christian on the floor. Joe and Sting attack Christian and A.J. as they enter the ring. Joe punches and kicks Christian while Sting works over Styles. Styles with a double thrust to Sting's throat to stop his offense and Styles starts to work over Sting with a series of punches. Styles attacks Joe and Christian helps with the double team. Christian kicks Joe while Styles returns to Sting and then we cut to the Angles watching from ringside.
We return to the ring where Joe is punching Christian in the corner but Styles comes from behind and hits Joe. Styles and Christian throw Joe out of the ring and they turn their attention to Sting. Sting fights off both men for a few seconds but Christian hits Sting. Christian and A.J. alternate holding Sting for the other to punch Sting. We return to Kurt and Karen watching the match while Kurt holds his title belts.
Back to the ring, and Christian and Styles punch Sting and then they come off the ropes but Sting with a double clothesline. Sting throws Styles out of the ring in front of the Angles. Christian with a boot but Sting with a drop kick. Sting tries for the Scorpion Death Lock but Christian makes it to the ropes. Christian with a kick to Sting followed by a punch and chop. Sting with a kick and bulldog but Styles pulls Sting out of the ring. Sting is sent into the ring steps by Styles, but in the ring, Joe comes up behind Christian and puts him in the Choke. Styles comes in to make the save and Styles kicks Joe in the back. Styles punches Joe but Joe punches and kicks Styles and Christian. Joe hits a running clothesline into the corner on Christian and then he Irish whips Styles into the corner and then he hits a running back elbow and a jumping spin kick. Joe sets for the running boot to Christian with the face wash and he turns around and he sees Styles coming at him. Joe with a kick and then he sends Styles into Christian's nether regions head first. Joe with a belly-to-back suplex on Styles but he can only get a two count. Joe puts Styles on the top turnbuckle to set up for the Muscle buster but Christian hits Joe from behind. Joe slaps Christian and then Styles hits the moonsault into an inverted DDT on Joe. Sting goes up top and he hits a double cross body block on Christian and Styles. Sting throws Christian over the top rope to the floor and then Sting sends Styles to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Sting and Joe are in the ring and Sting is punching Joe. Joe with a jumping spin kick to Sting. We see footage from during the commercial break of Sting pressing Christian and dropping him to the floor as well as Joe dropping Styles on the top rope sending A.J. to the floor. We return to the live on tape action and Joe catapults Sting into A.J. on the apron and A.J. goes to the floor. Joe with a powerslam for a two count on Sting. We go to the reaction from the Angles. Joe with jabs to Sting followed by an Irish whip but Joe misses an elbow when he charges into the corner. Sting tries for the Stinger Splash but Joe moves out of the corner. Joe goes to the apron and then he climbs to the top and sets for an Island Driver but Sting hits a superplex. Styles covers Sting and gets a two count. Christian covers Joe but Styles breaks up the cover. Christian yells at Styles and then Styles with a small package for a two count on Christian. Christian and Styles alternate near falls on each other. Christian kicks and chops Styles and then he chokes A.J. in the corner. Christian with shoulders in the corner followed by an Irish whip. Styles with a boot to a charging Christian and then he goes to the top. Christian charges into the corner and Styles leaps over Christian. Styles with a kick and then he sets for the Styles Clash. Sting misses a clothesline on Styles but Styles does not miss with the Pele kick. Joe and Styles each hit clotheslines and both are down. Christian goes up top for a Frog Splash but Styles and Joe both move out of the way. All four men are down and the referee starts his count. Sting is the first to his feet followed by Styles. Sting sends Christian to the floor but Styles sends Sting to the floor. Joe sends Styles to the apron and then punches him off the apron. Joe hits a corkscrew plancha onto all three men and we go to commercial.
We are back and Christian kicks and chokes Sting in the ring. We go to footage from the commercial break when Christian gave Joe an Unprettier on the floor. We return to the live on tape action and we see the Angles watching from their chairs at ringside. Christian and Styles with a double suplex to Sting and Christian and Styles choke Sting. Sting punches Styles and Christian and then he sends both men into the corner and he sets for a Stinger Splash on both but Christian moves out of the way. Christian sets for the Unprettier but Sting counters into the Scorpion Death Drop but Styles breaks up the cover. Styles tells Christian to get a chair but Joe takes the chair from Christian and he tries to hit Christian with the chair but Christian moves out of the way. Joe and Christian fight to the announce table and to the back. Styles goes for the turnbuckle and the referee tries to stop him. With the referee out of position, Tomko comes to the ring and hits a big boot on Sting. Styles can only get a two count when he covers Sting. Styles goes for a springboard move but he is met with a reverse atomic drop and then Sting puts Styles in the Scorpion Death Lock and Styles taps out.
Winner: Sting
After the match, Kurt and Karen Angle go into the ring to celebrate with their new tag team partner. Karen holds the ropes for Kurt and then Kurt stares at Sting. Karen gives one of the TNA Tag Team Title belts and hands it to Sting. Kurt offers his hand to Sting and they shake hands in the center of the ring while Karen applauds the new alliance. Karen holds up both men's arms before the Angles leave the ring.
As the Angles go up the Ramp of Heelish Impact, Ron Killings comes into the ring and he attacks Sting from behind while Pacman Jones walks down the Ramp of Facial Impact with the can of spray paint for another charitable autograph. Killings hits the axe kick and then Pacman spray paints Sting's back. Kurt Angle comes back to the ring to make the save for his new tag team partner. We go to credits.
2008 - WWE Hall of Famer Walter "Killer" Kowaslski, one of the top heels of his era before becoming a top flight trainer, passed away. WWE issued the following statement:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) is saddened by the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Walter “Killer” Kowalski. Kowalski, who was an in-demand performer in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, was a former WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) Tag Team Champion in the late-1970's. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996. He was instrumental in the training of many WWE Superstars, including current WWE Champion Triple H. WWE extends its condolences to the Kowalski family.
2008 - WWE ran Jonesboro, Arkansas, despite a power outage. Brian Thompson filed the following live report:
WWE SmackDown!/ECW Live
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Arkansas State University Convocation Center
Jonesboro, Arkansas
World Wrestling Entertainment fans were treated to an interesting evening of wrestling action with an old school feel. Why you ask? I'll have more on that in a moment!
Crowd looked to be in the 3,700 - 4,000 range. This was the second time that WWE has held a house show in Jonesboro this year. The first was a January SmackDown!/ECW card.
The Big Show defeated Carlito in the opener. Crowd popped huge for Big Show after many around me seem dumbfounded by the new "old" hairstyle of Carlito. Some thought it wasn't even him, thinking it might be his brother.
R. Truth defeated The Brian Kendrick by disqualification when Ezekiel Jackson interfered. It was during this match that the power in the building went out. Those of us in Section B of the arena later learned that power was out all over town.
Ring announcer Justin Roberts was forced to introduce the next match using a bull horn, straight from Jimmy Hart's closet. Okay that was lame, but he really did introduce the next few matches with a bull horn. Also for the next few bouts, participants had to come out to no music. Was definitely an "old school" feel with no music and no overhead ring lights working.
WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool & Maria defeated Maryse & Natalya in a Divas tag team match.
Vladimir Koslov defeated Super Crazy. Pretty much a squash here. Lots of people took bathroom breaks and visited the merchandise tables or concession stands during this one.
Finlay (with Hornswoggle) defeated Kenny Dykstra.
WWE Tag Team Champions Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins defeated Jesse & Festus to retain their titles. The lights came back on during this match.
Jeff Hardy defeated MVP in a "No Disqualification" match. The match did not start out this way but after a brief brawl on the floor, Hardy got on the house mic and made the challenge. MVP acted like he didn't want to do it and ended up arguing with and then shoving referee Mickey Henson. The referee, after the shove, declared the match to be a "No DQ" contest.
Main Event: WWE Champion Triple H & The Undertaker defeated The Great Khali & WWE U. S. Champion Shelton Benjamin.
The Undertaker, Triple H and Jeff Hardy received the biggest pops of the night. Undertaker was tops with Triple H and Jeff Hardy close seconds. Big Show was next in line.
There was no intermission as it appeared that they were trying to get through the show before dark, in case the lights never came on. The show started at 5 p.m.
Original main event, as advertised, was scheduled to be Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP. Also, originally set was Shelton Benjamin vs. Jeff Hardy. Guess those were changed last minute. In addition, Matt Hardy was scheduled to challenge Mark Henry for the ECW Title. That match did not happen.