Wrestling History Today - Apr 13th

[LionDen]

On this day in history ..

1927 - Antonino Rocca was born.

1937 - Former WWWF champion Stan Stasiak is born.

1960 - Hard Boiled Haggerty and Butcher Vachon defeat Lord James Blears and Herb Freeman to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1963 - Kay Noble defeats Kathy Starr for the vacant AWA World Women's Title in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1964 - Former WWF star Robert "Sir Mo" Horne is born in Harlem, New York.

1964 - Enrique Torres and Bearcat Wright defeat Don Leo Jonathan and Kinji Shibuya for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1965 - Karl and Kurt Von Brauner defeat Jackie Fargo and Mario Milano for the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning their fifth reign.

1970 - Gene Kiniski defeats Mark Lewin to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1970 - Albert Wall defeats Steve Veidor for the vacant British Heavyweight Title in Nottingham, England, ending Wall's second reign.

1970 - Bob Geigel and The Stomper defeat Killer and K.O. Kox for the Central States NWA North American Tag Team Title in St. Joseph, Missouri.

1971 - Jack and Jerry Brisco defeat Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida, beginning the Briscos' second reign.

1974 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results:
- Phil Mercado and Angelo Poffo fought to a draw.
- The Great Mephisto defeated Rick Oliver.
- NWA Florida Tag Team Champions Jack and Jerry Brisco defeated Hans Schroder and Crusher Verdu to retain the title.
- Dutch Mantel and Skip Young fought to a draw.
- Ivan Koloff defeated Haystacks Calhoun.
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Buddy Wolf defeated Jos LeDuc to retain the title.
- Ox Baker and Ernie Ladd fought to a double-disqualification.

1974 - Ripper Collins defeats Jimmy Snuka to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Snuka's second reign and beginning Collins' third.

1977 - Christian York was born.

1977 - Bruiser Brody defeats Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, just one night after Von Erich beat Brody for the title. This began Brody's second reign and ended Von Erich's 14th.

1977 - Roddy Piper defeats Chavo Guerrero to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title.

1980 - Ole Anderson defeats Killer Karl Kox in Knoxville, Tennessee for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title, ending Kox's third reign.

1980 - Gringo defeats Signo to win the UWA World Welterweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico. At the same show, Antonio Inoki defeats Tiger Jeet Singh for the UWA World Heavyweight Title.

1983 - Terry Allen and Brad Armstrong defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Johnny Heffernan anad Don Kent) to win the NWA Florida Global Tag Team Title in Miami, Florida, ending the Kangaroos' fourth reign. Also at that show, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought Barry Windham to a draw to retain his title.

1983 - Ted DiBiase and Mr. Olympia defeat Tiger Conway, Jr. and Mr. Wrestling II for the Mid-South Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana.

1983 - Satánico defeats Jalisco to win the NWA World Middleweight Title, to begin Satánico's third reign.

1984 - Josh Abercrombie was born.

1985 - Mike Dupree and Sonny Myers defeat Rick Davis and Tim Patterson to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Cloverdale, British Columbia.

1985 - Mega Maharishi (Ed Wiskoski) and Kendo Nagasaki defeat Don Running Bear and Billy Two Eagles for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Portland, Oregon.

1987 - Richard Charland and Chuck Simms defeat Dan Kroffat and Armand Rougeau for the International Wrestling International Tag Team Title in Montreal, Quebec.

1988 - Invader III defeats Tony Falk in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico to win his seventh WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title.

1989 - Devil Masami and Maiko Tsurugo defeat Miss A and Harley Saito for the JWP Pacific Coast Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

1990 - The U.S./Japan Wrestling Summit was held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, before 53,742 fans. This was a joint event featuring talent from All Japan and the WWF. The results were:
- Doug Furnas, Dan Kroffat (Phil LaFon) and Joe Malenko defeated Samson Fuyuki, Toshiaki Kawada and Tatsumi Kitihara, when Kroffat pinned Kitihara.
- Jushin Liger pinned Akira Nogami.
- Tito Santana and Jimmy Snuka defeated Masa Fuchi and Kenta Kobashi, when Snuka pinned Fuchi.
- Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) and Bret Hart fought to a 20-minute draw.
- The Great Kabuki pinned Greg Valentine.
- Jake Roberts pinned The Big Bossman.
- IWGP Tag Team Champions Shinya Hashimoto and Masa Saito defeated Masa Chono and Riki Choshu, when Saito pinned Chono, to retain the title.
- Haku and Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Rick Martel and Mr. Perfect, when Tsuruta pinned Martel.
- Genichiro Tenryu pinned Randy Savage
- WWF Champion Ultimate Warrior pinned Ted DiBiase to retain the title.
- André the Giant and Giant Baba defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash) when André pinned Smash.
- Hulk Hogan pinned Stan Hansen.

1991 - El Egipcio defeats Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. to the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Puebla, Puebla, ending Jalisco's second reign.

1992 - Lauren Davenport defeats Miss Texas for the USWA Women's Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

1994 - Jesse Ventura was awarded $809,958 in video tape royalties and $8,625 in merchandising royalties by a St. Paul, Minnesota court stemming from a lawsuit against the WWF. Ventura had argued he wasn't compensated for the use of his likeness in 90 WWF home videos when other performers, such as Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Mr. T, and Cyndi Lauper, had been. Ventura had also never signed any contract indemnifying the WWF from paying him for his commentary work. As a result of this, many matches featuring Ventura's commentary, as well as during his tenure in WCW, was edited out of several later home video releases.

1994 - Diesel defeats Razor Ramon to win the WWF Intercontinental Title at a WWF Superstars taping in Rochester, New York. The match aired on April 30.

1996 - Mike Kelly defeats Scott Stevens in Warren, Michigan to become the first Championship Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion.

1997 - ECW's very first pay-per-view event, Barely Legal, takes place before 1,170 fans at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show got a 0.2 buyrate. This event almost didn't take place, at least on pay-per-view, due to the infamous . The results were:
Dark matches:
- Louie Spicolli pinned Balls Mahoney.
- Chris Chetti and J.T. Smith defeated The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Tommy Rich).
Pay-per-view matches:
- The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von), when Saturn pinned Buh Buh after a Total Elimination, to win the title.
- Rob Van Dam (subbing for the injured Chris Candido) pinned Lance Storm, after a Vandaminator and a standing Moonsault Splash. After the match, RVD cut a promo stating that he was a far better caliber wrestler than being a replacement for someone who was injured, and hinted that he might jump to the WWF or WCW.
- Gran Hamada, The Great Sasuke and Masato Yakushiji (subbing for the injured Gran Naniwa) defeated bWo Japan (Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy, and Dick Togo), when Sasuke pinned Michinoku after a Tiger suplex.
- ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas pinned Pitbull #2 after a belly-to-belly suplex to retain the title.
- Taz defeated Sabu by making him pass out with the Tazmission.
- Terry Funk defeated The Sandman and Stevie Richards (with The bWo) in a three-way dance to earn an immediate ECW World Heavyweight Title match. Funk and Sandman simultaneously pinned Richards after a double powerbomb. Funk pinned Sandman with a moonsault after Richards gave Sandman a Stevie-Kick with a trash can.
- Terry Funk pinned ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven with a roll-up, after Tommy Dreamer DDT'd Raven, to win the title. This ended Raven's second reign and began Funk's second.

1999 - Ghost Face (Tarzan Goto) defeats Doug Gilbert for the IWA Japan World Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning his second reign.

2000 - A bizarre and improbable match took place at the Murat Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, as WWF-contracted wrestler Taz defeated WCW-contracted wrestler Mike Awesome by submission with the Tazzmission, after a DDT from Tommy Dreamer while the referee was knocked out, to win the ECW World Heavyweight Title. Awesome had jumped to WCW while still champion, after not re-signing with ECW because he was owed money by Paul Heyman, and would not re-sign until paid said money. As they had in the past, but this time for an entirely different purpose, the WWF and ECW teamed up to make this match take place to get the title off Awesome. Taz choked out Awesome, who then left the same way he entered, through the crowd with WCW's head of security Doug Dillenger, and Taz had won his second ECW World Title, becoming the second consecutive wrestler not working for ECW to hold the company's top title. The match aired the following night on ECW on TNN.

2000 - The Outlaws (Ricky James and Bobby Lee) defeat The Scufflin' Hillbillies (Maynard R. Neck and Big Chuck Wagon) to win the NWA Michigan Tag Team Title in Burton, Michigan. This began and ended both teams' second reigns.

2001 - Bruce Hart defeats Principal Richard Pound for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta.

2001 - Steve Corino defeats Rodney Begnaud (Rodney Mack) for the vacant NWA North American Heavyweight Title in North Richland Hills, Texas. The title had been vacated when Mike Rapada won the NWA World Heavyweight Title in September. At that same show, The Black Attack (Mike Anthony and Al Jackson) defeat The Blackbird Posse (Larry Green and Chris Young) to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title, beginning and ending both teams' second reigns.

2002 - World Wrestling All-Stars held its Eruption pay-per-view at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The results:
- A.J. Styles pinned Nova to advance to the WWA International Cruiserweight Title match later on.
- Jerry Lynn pinned Chucky Chaos to advance to the WWA International Cruiserweight Title match later on.
- Teo pinned Puppet in a hardcore midgets match.
- Brian Christopher and Ernest Miller defeated Buff Bagwell and Stevie Ray, when Christopher pinned Bagwell.
- Alan Funk pinned Pierre Oullette.
- A.J. Styles pinned Jerry Lynn to win the vacant WWA International Cruiserweight Title. The title had been vacated in March when then-champion Eddie Guerrero returned to the WWF.
- Sabu pinned Devon Storm in a steel cage match.
- Midajah defeated Queen Bee in a evening gown match.
- Scott Steiner defeated WWA World Heavyweight Champion Nathan Jones by submission to win the title.

2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands four times at a house show in Odessa, Texas. William Regal won the title from Bubba Ray Dudley, ending Bubba Ray's fifth reign and beginning Regal's fifth. Spike Dudley began his fourth reign as Hardcore Champion by defeating Regal. Spike then lost the title to Goldust, his sixth title win. Bubba Ray Dudley left with the title though, beating Goldust, and beginning his sixth reign. This was the fourth straight house show that this same sequence of title changes occurred.

2002 - Genichiro Tenryu wins his third AJPW Triple Crown Title in Tokyo, Japan, defeating Toshiaki Kawada. The title had been vacated on March 28 due to Kawada being injured. At that same event, Kendo Kashin won the vacant AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title by defeating Masanobu Fuchi, and Arashi and Nobutaka Araya defeat Mitsuya Nagai and Shigeo Okumura for the vacant AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title.

2002 - Carly Colon defeats Vampiro to win his fifth WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. This was a rematch of their March 30 match in Caguas.

2002 - In Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Nuevo Gran Apolo defeats Savio Vega for the IWA World Heavyweight Title, beginning his fourth reign. At the same event, The Starr Corporation (Chicky Starr and Victor the Bodyguard) defeat Ricky Banderas and Shane the Glamour Boy to win their sixth IWA World Tag Team Title, and Super Crazy wins his second IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title by forfeit due to El Lobo being injured.

2003 - Josh Daniels and Matt Striker defeat Chi Chi Cruz and Rapid Fire Maldanado in a tournament final for the Premier Wrestling Federation Universal Tag Team Title in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Shinjiro Otani and Masato Tanaka had vacated the title to focus on defending their NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Title in ZERO-ONE.

2003 - O.K. Revolution defeats Yoshihiro Sakai to win the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Sakai's third reign.

2003 - Mike Pleazing defeats Steve White for the Ultimate NWA Heavyweight Title in Hanceville, Alabama.

2004 - New York Rosenfeld defeats Matt Lyder for the Israeli Pro Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title in Netanya, Israel. His reign was short-lived though, as Rosenfeld lost the title to Gery Roif that same day, beginning Roif's second reign.

2005 - Matt Morgan defeats Elijah Burke to win the OVW Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning Morgan's second reign.

2007 - Johnny Swinger defeats Lee Condry for the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Columbia, Tennessee.

2007 - New Japan Pro Wrestling holds the fifth and final event of their 35th anniversary tour at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan, which aired live on pay-per-view. The results were:
- El Samurai and Yujiro defeated Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Taichi Ishikari.
- BxB Hulk, Jushin Liger and Milano Collection A.T. defeated Wataru Inoue, Koji Kanemoto and Tetsuya Naito.
- Riki Choshu and Takashi Iizuka defeated Tomoaki Honma and Toru Yano.
- Manabu Nakanishi defeated Orlando Jordan.
- Black Strong Machine and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tomohiro Ishii and Togi Makabe.
- Dragon Gate I-J Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Gedo and Jado defeated Yasushi Kanda and Masaaki Mochizuki to retain the title.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Minoru defeated Ryusuke Taguchi to retain the title.
- IWGP Tag Team Champions Giant Bernard and Travis Tomko defeated Shiro Koshinaka and Hiroyoshi Tenzan to retain the title.
- Yuji Nagata defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the title, beginning his second reign.

2008 - TNA held their 2008 Lockdown PPV in Lowell, MA, highlighted by Samoa Joe capturing the TNA World title. Richard Trionfo filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to the live coverage of TNA's Lockdown pay per view featuring every match inside a steel cage. I will be providing the live play-by-play for tonight’s pay per view since Mike Johnson is at the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. .

The pre-show starts off with the Lockdown commercial followed by the video package chronicling the feud between Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe that aired on this week’s Impact. We next see the video package for the Booker T/Robert Roode feud. The next match previewed is the battle of the James Gang/VKM with comments from Kip James followed by BG James. The next video package is for the women’s tag match. The next package is for the Lethal Lockdown Match. This is followed by a longer video package that covers all of the matches on the card.

The show starts off with Mike Tenay in the cage talking about how tonight is about more than the TNA Heavyweight Title. It is about the career of one man. If Samoa Joe loses, he must say goodbye to the only thing he knows and the only thing he loves. Is tonight Samoa Joe’s Final Stand?

We begin with the standard TNA video package that focuses on the violence that we will see from Lockdown.

We see the Tsongas Arena as the camera pans around the arena. We get pyro and then we go to Don West in the crowd. He talks about how there is a fever pitch in the building. Don asks a few fans at ringside who they think will win the match between Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle. Don sends it to Jeremy Borash into the stands where he asks a few fans who will win the main event. Jeremy says that the roof will be blown off the building tonight.

Mike Tenay welcomes everyone at ringside and he asks if it comes any bigger than putting your career on the line.

We get the X Factors for tonight. It focuses on Jay Lethal's courtship of So Cal Val, Lethal's friendship with Sonjay Dutt, and the rules of the match.

The opening match is the X Division Xscape Match

Match Number One: TNA X Division Champion Jay Lethal versus Shark Boy versus Curry Man versus Sonjay Dutt versus Consequences Creed versus Johnny Devine in an X Division Xscape Match for the TNA X Division Title

Before the match starts, we see So Cal Val applauding Lethal's entrance into the cage. The match starts with Dutt and Devine in the ring. Devine with a kick and punch but Dutt with a rana and moonsault into an arm drag. Dutt hits Curry Man when he tries to go after Devine. Dutt and Lethal work together to hit a moonsault on Curry Man. Lethal with a backbreaker and he holds on to Devine for a moonsault from Dutt. Dutt and Lethal double team Shark Boy and then they hit a double drop kick on Creed. Lethal with a jawbreaker to Shark Boy and Dutt with a clothesline from a somersault. Dutt and Lethal continue to double team Devine. Dutt and Lethal try for a double superplex but Shark Boy and Curry Man hit power bombs on Dutt and Lethal while Devine holds onto the cage. Creed with an arm drag from the turnbuckles that sends Devine into Shark Boy and Curry Man. Lethal and Dutt take down Creed when Dutt uses Lethal for additional momentum on a head scissors. Dutt with a head scissors take down of Lethal with Lethal landing on Creed. Dutt shakes the ropes. Shark Boy with a Stunner on Lethal but Dutt makes the save for Lethal. Devine with a rollup to eliminate Sonjay Dutt.

Shark Boy with a missile drop kick to Devine followed by a jawbreaker. Shark Boy punches Devine against the cage and then he drops Devine on the top rope. Shark Boy with boots to Devine. Creed with a fisherman’s neckbreaker to Shark Boy. Creed punches Curry Man and then he Irish whips Curry Man. Creed misses a splash in the corner and Curry Man puts Creed in the turnbuckles and Curry Man with a running butt splash in the corner. Curry Man has Devine up for the Spicy Drop but Creed sends Shark Boy into Curry Man. Creed with a DDT to Shark Boy to pin Shark Boy.

Creed with a splash followed by a leaping clothesline on Curry Man for a two count. Curry Man dances on Creed's back and then he hits a flying clothesline on Creed. Curry Man goes up top and he climbs to the top of the cage. Devine shakes the cage and Curry Man hangs on top of the cage. Devine with head butts to Devine. Lethal tries to slam Devine's head into the cage but Devine knocks Lethal off the top rope. Devine misses a shooting star press and Lethal with clotheslines to Devine followed by a hip toss. Creed blocks Lethal's drop kick. Devine and Creed with a double back body drop to Lethal. Creed and Devine battle in the ring and Curry Man hits a somersault splash onto Creed and Devine.

Curry Man sends Creed into Devine and Curry Man hits a running butt splash on Devine. Curry Man hits the Spicy Drop on Creed to eliminate Creed. Devine tries for a rollup on Curry Man. Curry Man holds Devine for a Hart Attack from Lethal but Lethal only gets a two count. Curry Man gets a near fall. Lethal with a boot to Curry Man and then Lethal goes to the top turnbuckle but he misses. Curry Man with the Spice Rack to Lethal but Devine with a kick to Curry Man's head. Devine with the butterfly pile driver to Curry Man to eliminate Curry Man.

Devine goes for the open door but Lethal keeps him in the cage. Devine sends Lethal into the cage and then Devine uses the tape on his wrist to tie Lethal to the ropes. Devine punches Lethal and then he goes for the door. We see Dutt and Val on the floor. Dutt keeps the door closed and tells Devine that he needs to climb the cage. Dutt goes under the ring and he gets scissors. Devine is at the top of the cage but Lethal escapes from the tape and he dives out of the cage to win.

Winner: Jay Lethal

After the match Lethal celebrates with Dutt and Val.

Jeremy Borash is with Frank Trigg in the back and Jeremy asks about high profile matches like Joe and Angle are facing tonight. Jeremy asks who has the advantage right now. Trigg says that if Angle and Joe are like him, they would be throwing up now because it is nerve wracking. Trigg says that Angle has been in tough matches before. Trigg says that Joe hasn't been in the spotlight like this before. He says that Joe might have an advantage but when Kurt Angle is punching you in the face, it will be hard. Trigg says that Joe will be able to hang for a while, but Angle's intensity will win the match. Jeremy asks if Joe might have learned something. Trigg says that Joe had a great trainer, but to put eight weeks of training into five weeks it would be tough to win the match. It could happen, but he does not think it will happen.

The Queen of the Cage Match is up next.

Match Number Two: Velvet Sky versus Angelina Love versus Traci Brooks versus Rhaka Khan versus Roxxi Laveaux versus Christy Hemme versus Jacqueline Moore versus Salinas in the Queen of the Cage Match

The women start off outside the cage as Dave Penzer announces the rules. We see the women battle on the floor as some try to climb the cage. Velvet and Angelina work over Roxxi while Traci and Jacqueline fight on the other side of the ring. Rhaka Khan battles with Salinas. Angelina Love is at the top of the cage and she makes her way into the ring. Velvet Sky climbs the cage but so does Traci and Roxxi. Roxxi stops Velvet on the top of the cage. Traci and Jacqueline climb but Angelina stops them. Roxxi makes her way into the cage.

Roxxi Laveaux versus Angelina Love

Roxxi and Angelina get face to face to determine the number one contender. Roxxi with a forearm to Angelina followed by an Irish whip and running butt splash. Roxxi with a running boot for a two count. Angelina with a jawbreaker followed by a knee and flying clothesline. Love slams Roxxi's head into the mat. Angelina chokes Roxxi with a scarf and then she tries to send Roxxi into the cage but Roxxi blocks it. Roxxi misses a clothesline but Angelina with a bicycle kick for a two count. Angelina throws a fit in the ring and then she chokes Roxxi in the ropes. Roxxi with a boot and then she gets Angelina on her shoulders for the Dominator but Angelina gets out of the hold. Angelina hits Lights Out but Roxxi kicks out at two. Angelina with a chop. Roxxi with a waist lock but Angelina with a standing switch. Angelina with a rollup but Angelina is sent into the cage and Roxxi hits the Voodoo Drop for the three count.

Winner: Roxxi Laveaux

We go to the back where Lauren is with Samoa Joe earlier today. She brings up the stipulation for tonight's match. Joe says that there is no need to reiterate what he said five weeks ago. Joe says that he has not thought about what would happen if he loses and cannot wrestle again. Joe says that he can take from Kurt and he will not let Kurt take from him. He has bled and sacrificed for this sport so he is not going to let Angle take it away from him. Joe says that he has a mission because Kurt holds what he desires. Joe says that he will sacrifice his career and his life for the title. Joe says that he did not lay his hands on Angle at Impact because he wants Angle at his best.

The Battle of the James is next.

Match Number Three: Kip James versus BG James

Kip with a punch as the bell ring and Kip with boots to BG followed by more punches on the mat. Kip misses a clothesline and BG with jabs and Kip with an Ace Cutter to counter BG's dancing roundhouse. BG is on the apron and Kip runs the back of BG's head into the cage. Kip with an Irish whip but BG with an elbow to a charging Kip. Kip with a knee to the midsection and BG is down in the center of the ring. Kip with an elbow to the top of the head followed by a reverse chin lock. BG gets to his feet but Kip with a knee. BG with a kick to Kip but Kip sends BG face first into the cage. Kip with a kick to the midsection and he hits the Move Formerly Known as the Fameasser. Kip can only get a two count because he takes his time to make the cover. Kip goes to the second turnbuckle and BG moves. BG with a low blow to Kip and both men are down. They are up and Kip and BG exchange punches but BG with the advantage. BG with a back elbow to Kip. BG gets his chance for jabs and then he says no dance party and he sends Kip into the cage three times. BG with a punch to the top of the head. BG with a knee drop for a two count. BG misses a splash into the ropes and BG crotches himself in the ropes when Kip moves. Kip tunes up the high school band but he misses the splash in the corner and BG with a rollup for the three count.

Winner: BG James

After the match, BG offers his hand to Kip in the corner and he brings Kip into the center of the ring. They stand face to face and they talk. BG starts to walk out but Kip stops him and Kip raises BG’s arm. But it is just to set him up for a short arm clothesline. Kip stands over BG and he does a crotch chop. This feud will not die.

We go to the back where Kurt Angle is with Jeremy Borash. Jeremy says that he has gotten to know Kurt over the last year but over the last five weeks, Angle has distanced himself from everything important in his life for this match. Kurt says that when he was with the WWE, anyone they threw his way, he beat them and made them tap out. Angle says that he started to watch the competition, TNA. He saw Samoa Joe and Joe was more than a man, he was an animal. He only saw the intensity he saw in Joe one place, and that was in the mirror. Angle says that Joe has taken him to the limit four times. Joe also took everything that he gave him. He knew that he had to do something drastic because they both wanted one thing and both cannot have it. Angle tells Joe that it is not only about business, it is personal . . . it is very personal. In order to prove that he is the very best, he needs to make Joe tap out. He needs to end Joe's career. He tells Joe it is not about winning or losing, it is about survival.

The Cuffed in the Cage Match is next. As the ring entrances happen, we see Rellik and Black Reign attacking Eric Young. Kaz comes out to try to help Young and security comes out.

Match Number Four: Kaz and Eric Young versus the Motor City Machine Guns of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley versus LAX of Homicide and Hernandez versus the Rock and Rave Infection of Jimmy Rave and Lance Hoyt versus Black Reign and Rellik versus Petey Williams and Scott Steiner in the Cuffed in a Cage Match

There are only eleven men starting off the match because of what happened to Eric Young. The bell rings and Steiner clotheslines a lot of people. Hoyt hits Rave when Steiner moves out of the way. Steiner with suplexes to Black Reign, Hernandez, and Rellik. Steiner with a tilt-a-whirl slam to Homicide. Steiner hits a fireman's carry slam from the turnbuckles on Rave. Hernandez sets up Steiner for a clothesline and Homicide with a senton onto Steiner while Steiner is on Hernandez's knees. Rellik, Rave, and Black Reign cuff Steiner to the cage.

LAX work on Hoyt while the Machine Guns work on Williams. Eric Young tries to get into the cage but Rellik and Black Reign impede his entry. Young gives up, but I don't think we have seen the last of Eric. Shelley kicks Williams in the corner. Black Reign and Rellik work over Kazarian. Shelley with a back kick to Williams but Williams sends Shelley into the cage and Williams tries to lock Shelley into the cage and he does it so Shelley is eliminated.

Sabin tries for a Tornado DDT on Kazarian but Kazarian blocks it and hits the Wave of the Future into the cage and Sabin is cuffed so the Machine Guns are out of the match. Williams with a drop kick to Rellik’s knee and an Ace Cutter. Rellik and Black Reign with a spike DDT and Black Reign cuffs Williams to the cage. LAX work over Hoyt and he hits a body block on Hoyt. Kazarian sets for the Flux Capacitor on Homicide but Homicide hits a Gringo Cutter. Hernandez gets Hoyt up for a Border Toss but Rave gets out of the hold and he hits a cracker jack on Rave into the cage. Hoyt with a clothesline to Hernandez. Black Reign sets Hernandez in the ropes and he punches Hernandez down low. Hernandez is cuffed by Black Reign.

Kazarian hits the Flux Capacitor on Rave as the camera men miss the set up of the move. Homicide has been cuffed to eliminate LAX. Kazarian with a spin kick to Hoyt. Hoyt with a boot to Kazarian. Kazarian with a kick to Hoyt as Hoyt gets on the top turnbuckle. Kazarian sets for the Flux Capacitor on Hoyt but Hoyt sends Kazarian into the cage and then he choke slams Kazarian from the top turnbuckle. Kazarian is cuffed to the cage by Rellik and Black Reign.

We are down to the final four (other than Eric Young) and Rellik and Black Reign attack Rave and Hoyt.

The music plays for Super Eric and he comes to the ring and he ha horns on his mask now. Young climbs the cage as Rave and Hoyt pull Black Reign and Rellik from the corner. Young with a cross body from the top of the cage onto all four men. Young cuffs Rave. Young back body drops Hoyt into the cage and Hoyt is cuffed. Black Reign kicks Young from behind. Rellik with a big boot to Young as Black Reign sends Young at Rellik. Black Reign and Rellik try to cuff Young, but Rellik is cuffed. Young with a Death Valley Driver on Black Reign and then he cuffs Black Reign to win the match.

Winner: Eric Young

After the match, Young breaks the cuffs holding Kazarian off the cage.

Lauren is in the back with her family and dance troupe. Lauren asks Joe's father about his chances tonight and maybe having to walk away from wrestling. His father says that Joe will not fall short. This was all that Joe wanted to do. They are here tonight to support Joe and see him fight one of the icons of TNA. Even if Joe loses, he will love his son.

The women's tag match is next.

Match Number Five: TNA Women's Champion Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed versus Gail Kim and ODB

Kong and ODB start things off. They lock up and Kong pushes ODB into the corner but Kong misses a charge. ODB with forearms that do not move Kong. Kong misses a clothesline and ODB spanks Kong. Kong grabs ODB by the hair and she tosses ODB into the corner and Gail Kim tags in. Saeed tags in as well and Saeed with a full nelson but Gail with a standing switch into a waist lock. Saeed with an arm drag and then she works on Gail's arm and drives it into the mat. Saeed continues to work on Gail’s wrist. Gail with a forearm to Saeed and then she hits an arm drag. Saeed takes Gail down and she works on Gail's leg. Saeed with a forearm to Gail and then she connects with another. Saeed with a slam followed by a snap elbow drop for a two count. Saeed with a fisherman's suplex for a two count. Saeed kicks Gail in the corner and connects with forearms. Saeed with an Irish whip but Gail with a floatover and hits a drop kick followed by a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Gail with a rollup for a near fall. Gail with forearms to Saeed. Gail goes to the turnbuckles but while Saeed is with the referee, Kong sends Gail into the cage. Saeed with an Irish whip and a running forearm into the corner. Saeed put Gail on the top turnbuckle but Gail pushes her off. Saeed with a slap to Gail and then Saeed climbs the cage and kicks Gail's head into the cage and Gail is down. Saeed kicks the flask and that angers ODB. Kong is tagged in. Gail tries for a forearm, but Kong with a double thrust. Kong with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Saeed is tagged back in and she gets a near fall. Gail moves when Saeed tries for a knee in the corner but Gail with a desperation spear.

ODB is tagged in and she waits for Saeed to get up. ODB with a clothesline to Saeed and then she goes after Kong on the apron, sending Kong into the cage. Kong with a fallaway slam to Saeed and then she kips up and gets a cover but Kong breaks it up. Gail goes after Kong with forearms and ODB joins in. Saeed goes after Gail and Kong with a head butt to ODB. Gail climbs the turnbuckles and to the top of the cage. Saeed tries for a powerbomb from the top of the cage but Gail turns it into a super hurricanrana. Kong with a clothesline to Kim. ODB with forearms to Kong followed by a chop. Saeed pops up and she attacks ODB. Kong tries for the spinning back fist as Saeed holds ODB but ODB moves. Gail with a missile drop kick to Kong and then ODB hits a splash on Saeed for the three count.

Winners: Gail Kim and ODB

Kim and ODB get out of the cage and celebrate to avoid the Wrath of KONG.

Jeremy Borash is with Karen Angle in the back. Jeremy asks Karen why she is here. Karen says that regardless of their relationship, Kurt is the father of their children. She is here to provide moral support for Kurt. Karen says that this has changed Kurt's life forever. Karen says that she is here to give Kurt her support.

The Booker T and Sharmell versus Robert Roode and Payton Banks match is next.

Match Number Six: Booker T and Sharmell versus Robert Roode and Payton Banks

The men start things off and Booker keeps Sharmell from getting in and Roode attacks Booker from behind and he punches and kicks Booker. Booker responds with punches and chops. Roode comes back with chops. Booker with more chops. Booker with knees but Roode with a knee of his own. Booker with a back heel kick to Roode. Booker punches Roode in the corner but Roode tries for a reverse atomic drop but Booker blocks it. Roode with a dropkick and he punches Booker. Roode chokes Booker in the ropes and he wants Sharmell to make the tag. Roode with a neck breaker for a near fall. Roode with a back elbow followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Roode with a reverse chin lock on Booker as he tries to wear down his opponent. Booker gets back to his feet and he connects with punches and forearms to Roode. Roode with a kick to Booker but Booker with a jumping side kick to Roode. Booker with a kick and he tries for the scissors kick but Roode with a spinebuster for a two count. Roode tries to mock Sharmell to tag in. Roode with a chop in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Roode charges into an elbow. Booker with a super kick and both men are down.

Booker blocks a punch and he responds with punches and chops to Roode. Booker with a forearm and clothesline. Booker with a suplex for a near fall. Booker with a chop to Roode. Booker with a float over into a sunset flip for a near fall. Roode with an elbow to Booker but Roode runs into a spinebuster from Booker.

STOP!!!! Spinaroonie Time because you aren't in a blood feud over what happened to your wife.

Booker misses the scissors kick and he cannot hit the Bookend. Booker is sent into the cage and Roode wants Sharmell to tag in. Sharmell tags in and she slaps Roode. Roode grabs Sharmell by the hair and Banks tags in. Roode holds Banks and Banks slaps Roode when Sharmell moves about thirty seconds before she turns around. Sharmell with a rollup for the three count.

Winners: Booker T and Sharmell

After the match, Booker and Sharmell celebrate. Meanwhile in the ring, Robert Roode yells at Payton Banks and Roode leaves the ring.

Lauren is with Marcus Davis. Lauren reminds us about Joe's training and she asks how it went. Marcus says that Joe did great and that they trained in the same way that he would train for a fight. He says that Joe came out as a complete fighter. She asks Marcus what Joe needs to do to win the match. He says that this is going to be a tough fight, but he needs to implement his plan. If so, then Joe will win.

Lethal Lockdown is next.

Match Number Seven: Team Tomko of A.J. Styles, Team 3D, James Storm, and Captain Tomko versus Team Cage of Rhino, Kevin Nash, Sting, Matt Morgan, and Captain Christian Cage in the Lethal Lockdown Match

The match starts off with the captains Christian Cage and Tomko in the ring for five minutes. It isn't Tomko, but A.J. Styles who entered the cage during Tomko's entrance. Styles hits a move from the turnbuckles and then he kicks Cage. Styles with a punch. Styles punches Cage but Cage punches back. Styles with another punch to the top of the head. Styles with a rear face lock and then he tries to send Cage into the cage. Styles with a rake of the eyes. Styles with the Phenomenal drop kick. Styles with punches but Cage responds with chops and punches and a few kicks. Christian with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Styles tries for the moonsault into an inverted DDT, but Christian blocks it for a minute but Styles hits the inverted DDT. Styles punches Christian and he puts Christian in a rear chin lock. Styles sends Christian into the turnbuckles and then he Irish whips Cage, but Cage moves when Styles tries for a flying forearm into the corner. Christian with a forearm and clothesline to Styles. Christian goes up top but he misses a frog splash. Styles tries for a Styles Clash, but Christian blocks it and he hits an inverted DDT of his own. Styles with a jawbreaker to Cage. Cage counters a rana attempt with a sit out powerbomb. Cage sends Styles into the cage and then he sets for the Unprettier but Styles avoids it. Styles with a Pele after Cage gets out of a belly-to-back suplex attempt.

The next person to enter from Team Tomko is Brother Ray. Styles sends Cage at the door and Ray slams it into Cage's head. Ray with a big back body drop to Cage followed by an elbow drop. Ray puts Cage in a Boston Crab while Styles hits a knee drop to the head. Cage fights off Ray, but Styles with a punch. Ray slams Cage's head into the cage. Styles sends Christian into the cage again and then Styles holds Cage for a chop from Ray. Styles with a chop of his own.

Rhino is the next member from Team Cage. Rhino punches Styles and then he hits a belly-to-belly suplex on Ray. Rhino sets for the GORE on Ray but Styles with a kick to Rhino's head. Styles chokes Cage while Rhino Irish whips Ray into the corner. Rhino punches Styles and Ray. Ray with forearms of his own followed by a chop. Cage punches Styles and chokes him in the corner. Cage with knees and punches to Ray. Cage with a sleeper to Ray but Ray gets out of the hold.

The next member of Team Tomko is James Storm. Styles is sent into the cage as Storm enters the match. Storm hits the Eye of the Storm on Cage and then he goes after Rhino. Rhino chops Styles and punches him. Rhino sends Styles into the cage but Styles holds onto the cage. Rhino and Styles fight on the cage. Rhino and Styles fight on the top rope while Christian works over Ray. Styles gets on the top of the cage and then he kicks Rhino to the mat. Christian and Styles fight on the top of the cage with Christian punching Styles while they fight on the top.

The next member to enter for Team Cage is Kevin Nash, but as Nash is introduced, Cage falls off the top of the cage to the floor. Nash with forearms to Storm and a clothesline to Ray. Styles with a cross body but Nash catches him and Nash with snake eyes to Styles. Ray goes after Nash's knees. Cage is at the top of the cage and he hits a cross body onto Ray and Storm. Everyone is down in the ring but Rhino is the first to get to his feet. Rhino slams Storm's head into the turnbuckles and Cage chops Styles. Nash with punches to Ray.

The next member to enter for Team Tomko is Brother Devon. Devon goes after Cage as he enters the match. Team 3D with a double flap jack into the cage on Christian. They hit a double shoulder tackle on Rhino. Devon chokes Cage and Nash attacks Devon from behind. Ray hits Nash in the leg again and then Storm clips Nash. Styles with punches to Rhino. Storm with a drop kick that sends Christian into the cage.

The next member of Team Cage to enter is Matt Morgan. Morgan hits all of the members of Team Tomko. Morgan with a big boot to Styles followed by a bicycle kick to Ray. Morgan with a head butt to Devon and then he sends Devon into the cage. Nash tosses Styles into the cage and then he punches Storm. Ray punches Morgan against the ropes. Morgan with a double clothesline to Team 3D. Morgan sets for a choke slam on Styles, but Styles avoids the hold. Morgan slams Styles into the mat.

Tomko enters the match as the final member of his team and Tomko has a chair with him. The referee refuses to let Tomko bring the chair into the cage. Tomko takes Christian down and Tomko and Christian exchange punches. Ray chops Morgan while Devon holds Morgan. Devon with a leg drop to Morgan's groin. Storm works on Christian's solar plexus. Devon bleeds profusely while he chokes Morgan in the ropes.

The final member of the match is This Is Sting. When Sting gets into the cage it is time for the Match Beyondish to begin. Sting with punches to every member of Team Tomko. Styles with a rake of the eyes but Sting with a kick to the groin. Sting with a low blow to Storm after Storm accidentally clotheslines Styles. The roof is lowered. Nash grabs a chair and the wrestlers go for other weapons. Styles with a bat and he hits Nash's chair. Nash hits Styles with the chair. Morgan hits Tomko with a trash can. James Storm climbs to the top of the cage and Christian goes after him. Storm hits Cage with a trash can lid. Sting hits Tomko with the trash can in the back. Storm rake Christian's eyes and then he tries to suplex Christian on the top of the cage. Storm almost falls through the top of the cage. Christian hits Storm in the head with the trash can lid while the other eight men fight in the ring. Team 3D work over Rhino. Nash with a choke slam to Ray while Morgan choke slams Devon. Tomko with chair shots to Nash and Morgan but Sting with a VanStingenator. Sting with the Scorpion Death Lock but Styles hits Sting with the kendo stick. Styles hits everyone with the stick. Christian sets up a table on top of the cage and Styles goes up to help Storm. Styles puts Christian on the table and then Styles sets up a ladder. While the other seven men are down in the ring, Christian gets off the table and Styles and Christian fight on the ladder on top of the cage. Christian tries to push Styles off the ladder. Storm tries to stop Christian. Storm pushes the ladder over and Styles and Christian go through the table on top of the cage. Storm returns to the ring and he gets a beer bottle and he hits Matt Morgan with it. Rhino with a GORE to Storm for the three count.

Winners: Team Cage

Your main event for Samoa Joe's career is next.

Karen Angle is at ringside to watch her husband. Don and Mike are joined by Frank Trigg. We see the tale of the tape for the match.

We see Samoa Joe-berg walking in the back and he comes out with the Samoan Fire Squad. Kurt Angle is also walking in the back with his security detail.

Match Number Eight: TNA Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle versus Samoa Joe for the TNA Heavyweight Title and Joe's wrestling career is on the line

Joe is wearing his usual wrestling gear while Angle is wrestling with no boots. Angle wants Karen ejected from ringside and Atlas Security tells her to leave. Karen argues with Kurt until Karen finally leaves.

Joe with a kick but Angle moves out of the way. Joe with a kick to the ribs. Angle tries for a jab but Joe blocks it. Joe backs Angle into the ropes and the referee makes them break. Angle with a kick to the leg. Angle wants a test of strength but Angle with a kick to the leg instead. Joe blocks a kick and he kicks Angle in the leg. Joe tries for a knee bar but Angle gets to the ropes. Angle with a double leg take down and he punches Joe in the head but Joe gets to the ropes. Angle with a jab to Joe and then he takes Joe down again. Angle gets on top of Joe and then he punches Joe in the head.

Angle goes for the leg again but Joe with a kick to the head and then Joe punches Angle. Angle grabs Joe by the neck and then Angle gets to the ropes. Angle with a knee to the midsection but Joe starts to stomp on Angle's feet. Joe with a hip toss to Angle but Angle escapes. Joe tries for another hip toss but Angle counters with a Saito suplex and then he has Joe in a choke. Joe makes it to the ropes and Angle eventually releases the hold. Angle with a knee to the head and then he punches Joe in the corner. Angle with a front face lock but Joe with punches. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex but Joe gets to the ropes on the cover. Angle with a European uppercut and then Angle punches Joe. Angle with an arm bar submission but Joe is able to block the hold and Angle gets to the ropes. Angle punches Joe in the head and then connects with a European uppercut. Angle goes for Joe's knee. Angle with a figure four leg lock. Joe tries to reverse the hold but Joe cannot roll over. Joe is finally able to reverse the hold but Angle is able to grab the ropes.

Joe is limping due to the figure four and Angle works on the leg. Angle with an elbow drop to the knee. Angle with a side head lock but Joe with elbows. Angle tries for another suplex, but Joe boxes Angle’s ears and hits a desperation clothesline and both men are down. Joe with snug forearms and a clothesline to Angle. Joe with the running knee into the corner. Joe with an Irish whip but he charges into the corner. Joe tries for the muscle buster after a jumping spin kick, but Angle is able to counter and he puts Joe in the ankle lock. Joe gets out of the hold.

Angle charges at Joe and Joe hits an STO and Joe can only get a two count. Angle with a rake of the eyes. Joe with a kick and then he hits a power bomb but turns it into a Boston Crab and then the Liontamer. Joe puts Angle in the STF. Joe then puts Angle in the Crippler Crossface. Angle gets to Joe's ankle and he puts Joe in the ankle lock. Joe counters into another Crippler Crossface. Angle tries to fight out of the hold and then Angle gets out of the hold and to the ropes.

Angle tries for a clothesline, but Joe turns it into another Crippler Crossface. Angle tries to roll through and he lifts Joe up for an Olympic Slam but Joe kicks out at two. Angle applies the ankle lock one more time and they are in the center of the ring. Joe rolls through but Angle holds on to the ankle lock. Joe is able to pull Angle's trunks and he puts Angle in the Choke. Angle grabs the referee's shirt and Angle gets to the ropes thanks to help from the referee. Joe releases the hold. Angle with a kick to the midsection and he tries for the Olympic Slam but Joe gets out of the hold and then he sends Angle into the cage and he hits a super kick. Joe gets Angle up for the muscle buster and hits it. Joe gets the three count.

Winner: Samoa Joe

After the match, Marcus Davis gives Joe the TNA Heavyweight Title belt. After highlights from the match, Joe is seen in the ring with the title belt as the referee checks on Kurt Angle.

[LionDen]

Continued ..

2008 - WWE ran Nottingham, England. Rob Craddock sent the following results:

Lillian welcomed us with the Singing of the National Anthem.

1st Match - DH Smith beat Carlito.

2nd Match – Paul Burchill with Katie Lea beat Val Venus

Santino came out and said he went to some forest near Nottingham and was robbed, he then went onto complain there is no Sheriff of Nottingham. He said he was going to do a Martial Arts demonstration on his opponent, out came Brain Kendrick.

3rd Match – Santino beat Kendrick.

4th Match – Tag Team Championship – Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes beat Cade & Murdoch.

5th Match – ECW Championship - Kane beat Chavo Guerrero

Intermission

Maria came out and threw some T-shirts out to the crowd, Mickie James joined her. They ran out of T-shirts, so they started to take off Maria’s, but were interrupted by Beth Phoenix’s Music.

6th Match - Beth Phoenix beat Mickey James. Beth hit Maria on the way to the ring (I think – I was on other side of arena).

JBL Came out and ran down the country, Football and Rugby , then channeling the Nikolai Volkoff sang the US Anthem. This brought out Regal to a huge Cheer. Regal challenged JBL and then hit him with the mike.

7th Match (Impromptu - NO DQ – He’s the RAW GM) JBL beat William Regal.

Regal gets on the mike after the match and says he’s been wrestling for 25 years and one day he’ll win a match.

8th Match CM Punk & Chris Jericho beat Umaga & Snitsky. Chris Jericho faced off with Snitsky and then backed off getting the mike to say that Snitsky's breath stinks, then started a "brush your teeth" chant. Umaga then goes to check Snitsky’s breath and nearly falls over.

9th Match (Main Event) WWE Title – HHH beat Randy Orton via DQ. Lots of dueling chants which at one point HHH DX chopped at a section for chanting for Randy. Randy got his belt and hit HHH with it in front of the ref for a DQ finish.

2009 - WWE held their Draft as part of a Raw broadcast. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Before we start with tonight’s episode, I want to thank Ed Shirreffs for filling in for me last week for the Impact and Smackdown Reports while I was out of town. Make sure to check out Dave Scherer’s blog for tonight’s show on the main page starting some time after the show starts. If it is like last week’s it will be very entertaining. Also make sure to check out Buck Woodward’s draft tracker on the main page and it will have an Orange Sash. Also make sure to check out any updates from the arena that might be on the site thanks to Devin Cox and Charlie Dudley.

We are live from Atlanta, Georgia and your announcers (at least right now) are Michael ‘Vintage Draft Coverage’ Cole and Jerry ‘Paul McGuire’ Lawler for the Raw brand; Jim ‘Todd McShay’ Ross and Todd ‘Erin Andrews in the War Room’ Grisham for the Smackdown brand; and Matt ‘Mel Kiper’ Striker and Josh ‘Remember the Stanley Cup Playoffs start Wednesday’ Mathews.

We start off with footage from the last few shows where Randy Orton claimed that he would win the World Title and that he would go through the entire McMahon family, even the grandkids. We see Vince McMahon in lavender challenging Randy Orton. We have a six man tag match at Backlash and the title will be on the line but only Randy Orton and Triple H can walk out of the building with the title. Instead of Vince McMahon being a part of the match, his unofficial adopted son Dave Batista takes his place.

We go through the announce teams and we find out that there will be a fifteen brand battle royal for two draft picks. There is also a match between Jack Swagger and John Cena for two draft picks.

Batista comes to the ring and he is dressed for action but he is going to talk to the fans of Atlanta. Batista says that he cannot tell us how good it feels to be back. He says that he misses the fans more than they miss him. He says that it took four months to get back into the ring. The one thing that drove him was retribution for what we are about to see.

We go to footage from Orton connecting from 43 yards out on Batista’s head to put him on the shelf.

Batista says that he has replayed that in his head for the last four months over and over and over and over and over. That is all that he can think about. He says that the worst part was waiting counting until he could get his hands on Randy Orton. Batista says that he is tired of waiting and he is back. There is no more waiting so he wants Orton to stop being a little punk and he wants Orton to face him like a man. Batista says that if Orton does not come out, he will look for him in the arena.

Batista starts to leave the ring and Shane McMahon’s music plays and he does the Shane-O Shuffle before coming to the ring.

Shane welcomes Batista back and he needs not have to explain to Batista that Randy Orton used malicious intent to do the same to him and his father. He also talks about what Orton did to his sister. Shane says that if anyone is going to get retribution on Orton it is him.

You didn’t think they wouldn’t be joined by their tag team partner at Backlash, did you? Triple H comes to the ring and he tells Shane that he needs to understand that the reason for all of this stuff with Orton is because of what he did to Randy five years ago. Hunter tells Dave that with all due respect, what Randy did to him, Orton tried to take out his wife and the mother of his kids while he watched. Hunter says that he started it and he is going to stop it. Hunter says that Randy Orton is his.

It is time to excuse things because Vickie Guerrrero is coming out with her driver Chavo in the VickieChair. Vickie says that the only person who will determine who faces Randy Orton and when it happens will be her, the new General Manager of Raw. Vickie says that they have their shot at revenge at Backlash. If they are going to be overzealous in that match, you could be counted out or disqualified. That would mean that Randy Orton would be the new WWE Champion. Vickie says that they might have an opportunity at Orton, but it will only be one of them. Randy Orton is in the building and he has the night off. There will be a three on two handicap match against Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. If Legacy wins, they lose their chance at Randy Orton. If Team McMahon wins, the person who gets the victory will face Randy Orton next week. Vickie wishes them luck.

We go to commercial.

Match Number One: Evan Bourne versus Rey Mysterio in a Draft Pick Match
They lock up and they have a Greco-Roman knuckle lock and then Bourne pulls Rey over. Rey with a sunset flip but Bourne catapults Rey to the apron. Bourne tries for a sunset flip power bomb to the floor, but Rey blocks it. Rey with a drop toe hold into the ringside barrier. Rey rolls Bourne back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Rey with a forearm but Bourne with a back kick. Rey tries for a springboard cross body but Bourne with a spin kick and we get a near fall. Bourne with a reverse chin lock. Rey with elbows but Bourne with a jumping back kick and standing moonsault for a near fall. Bourne goes up top for the shooting star press but Rey stops Bourne and Rey with punches to set up a rana from the top and he hits it. Rey gets a near fall. Rey with the head scissors that sends Bourne into position and Rey hits the 619 followed by a splash from the top for the three count.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

We go to the Random DraftTron 2009 and the first pick goes to Raw and it is Montel Vontavious Porter.

Porter comes out to address his new fanbase.

Kane is walking in the back and we go to commercial.

We are back and Chief Jay Strongbow is in the draftee lounge waiting to see what brand he will go to.

Match Number Two: Kane versus The Brian Kendrick with Ezekiel Jackson in a Draft Pick on the Line Match
Kendrick slaps Kane and Kane walks deliberately and Kendrick runs out of the ring. Jackson gets in the way and Kane with a big boot. Kane with a vintage uppercut to Kendrick on the floor. Kendrick with a kick and then he tries for The Kendrick but Kane escapes the hold and hits a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kane

We go to the Random Draft Generator 2009 and the next pick for Raw is Big Show.

We are back and did you know that WWE is the David Hasselhoff of China.

Vickie says that she is happy to be General Manager of Raw and she mentions the support from the Board of Directors. Randy Orton enters and he wants Chavo to leave. Vickie says that Chavo can stay. Randy demands that he gets a title match when Legacy wins tonight. Vickie says that the title will not be on the line until Backlash. Randy reminds Vickie that the Board of Directors will be watching. Vickie says that if Legacy wins, all three men will face that person next week.

John Cena is in the back and he is talking to a random worker. Jack Swagger stops by and he says that he shows the entire world why he is the future tonight. Swagger says that when he wins, there will be a new poster boy and it will be Jack Swagger. Cena introduces himself and Cena forgets to mention the second American in his nickname. Swagger gets a bit agitated. Cena realizes that Swagger calls himself the All-American American and says that it sounds ridiculous. Cena calls Swagger a punk kid and he welcomes Swagger to Raw and it is time for a lesson in Respect (where is Booker T) . . . respect.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Maryse, Natalya, and Michelle McCool versus Melina, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly in a Draft Pick Goes Somewhere Match
There is tension on the Smackdown team and the Raw divas take advantage of this. The referee holds Mickie back from Michelle. They lock up and Michelle with a double leg take down and punches. Mickie with forearms but Michelle with a European uppercut. Mickie with a snap mare and drop kick to Michelle for a near fall. Michelle sends Mickie into the corner and Mickie with an elbow. Mickie with a head scissors out of the corner and then she goes up top but she is met with a kick. Michelle with the three count.
Winners: Michelle McCool, Maryse, and Natalya

Time for the third pick and we go to the SabreTron Draft SelectTron and Smackdown gets Melina.

John Cena is walking in the back and we go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: John Cena’s promo with Edge.

We recap the draft, but don’t go to any of the brand war rooms.

Match Number Four: John Cena versus Jack Swagger in a No Titles on the Line . . . but two draft picks are Respect Match
They lock up and Swagger with a single leg trip. Swagger tries for a double leg take down and he takes Cena down. Swagger with a front face lock and he rolls Cena on the mat. Cena with a flying shoulder tackle and Swagger goes to the floor and hits a clothesline on the floor. Swagger with a kick and clothesline to Cena. Swagger with a punch to Cena’s head and then he sends Cena into the turnbuckles followed by a hard Irish whip. Swagger with a clothesline to Cena and Swagger gets a near fall. Swagger chokes Cena in the corner but Cena punches back. Cena misses a charge into the corner and Swagger applies a full nelson. Cena powers out of the hold and Cena with the flying shoulder tackles and the Blue Thunder Bomb. Time to finish the Moves of Doom with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the set up for the Attitude Adjustment and Swagger gets a hold of the ropes. Swagger with a big boot for a near fall. Cena is sent into the ring post and we go to commercial.

We are back and Cena with a back body drop. Cena and Swagger each hit clotheslines and both are down. We see footage of Cena being knocked off the apron and into the announce table as they went to commercial.

Cena with punches to Swagger but Swagger with a DDT and a near fall. Cena rolls to the apron. Cena tries to re-enter the ring and Swagger with a running knee lift for a near fall. Swagger with a power slam for a near fall. Swagger tries for a double jump splash but Cena catches Swagger and hits the Attitude Adjustment and STF and Swagger taps out.
Winner: John Cena

The fourth and fifth picks of the Draft are about to be determined and we go to the Keno DraftTron 2009. The fourth pick is Matt Hardy. Matt mocks Cena as he comes out. The fifth pick is Triple H.

Hunter makes a gesture to Cena, but from out of nowhere, Edge attacks Cena and Cole calls him the Ultimate Opportunist. Edge misses a charge and Cena gets Edge up for the Attitude Adjustment but Edge gets out of the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and more people are in the arena than saw 12 Rounds last weekend.

Time for a draft recap.

Randy Orton is in the locker room with the rest of Legacy and Ted still has the shirt on. Randy reminds them that if they win, they face the man they pin. Orton wants to know their strategy for this match. Cody says that they are going to create animosity because they all want to get a shot at Orton. Ted says that they hate Orton so much that they will get disqualified.

We have the Slam of the Week: Santina Marella defeats Beth Phoenix last week on Raw.

Match Number Five: Santino Marella versus The Great Khali with Runjin Singh in a Draft Pick is on the Line Match
Before the match starts, Beth Phoenix comes out with Rosa Mendez and Beth has a mic. Beth says hello to her little cannoli. Beth says that she talked to Vickie Guerrero. In addition to a draft pick, if Khali wins, his twin sister has to be on the Khali Kiss Cam next week.

Santino wants a time out and then he almost gets in Khali’s face. Santino with punches but Khali sends Santino to the mat. Khali grabs Santino and Santino holds onto the ropes for his life. Santino comes off the ropes and Khali with a shoulder tackle. Khali with a chop and the three count.
Winner: The Great Khali

The sixth draft pick goes to Smackdown and it is time for DrafTron 2009 with Smackdown getting CM Punk.

Miz and Morrison are walking in the back and they look different only carrying their Slammys and no title belts.

12 Orange Sash Rounds commercial time.

We are back and there were a lot of people at Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary.

Match Number Six: The Miz with John Morrison versus Kofi Kingston and in a Does Miz or Morrison Switch Brands Match
They lock up and Miz with a side head lock but Kofi with an escape. They lock up again and Kofi with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. They lock up again and Miz with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Kofi with a leaping back elbow for a near fall. Kofi with an arm bar but Miz gets to the ropes. Miz with a forearm and kick. Miz pulls Kofi down by his hair but Kofi kips up. Kofi escapes the hold and he hits an arm drag that sends Miz to the floor. Kofi teases a tope but he hits the ropes and bounces back into the ring. Kofi with a baseball slide. Morrison distracts Kofi and that allows Miz to hit a baseball slide. Miz with a rear chin lock. Miz with knees and a side head lock take down. Miz with a knee to the back and he returns to the rear chin lock. Miz with more knees and then he runs Kofi into the turnbuckles.

We are told about the supplemental draft on Wednesday at Noon.

Miz chokes Kofi in the ropes and then he drops Kofi across the ropes and gets a near fall. Miz with a cravate and Kofi tries to fight out of the hold. Kofi with a snap mare and punches. Kofi with a leaping clothesline and then it is time for the boop leg drop but Miz rolls out of the way. Miz misses a charge into the corner and Kofi with a kick and cross body for a near fall. Miz with a version of The Stroke for a near fall. Kofi tries for a sunset flip but Miz stays up. Kofi tries for a back slide but Miz escapes. Kofi with a side Russian leg sweep followed by the Boop Leg Drop for a near fall. Kofi boops up and tries for Trouble in Paradise but Miz avoids it. Miz gets a near fall. Miz tries for a rollup but Kofi rolls through and gets a two count. Miz with an Irish whip and he charges into boots. Miz tries to distract the referee to allow Morrison to interfere but the referee sees it and disqualifies Miz.
Winner: Kofi Kingston

It is time for the SuperJackpot Lotto Draft Board and the Seventh Pick is The Miz

Miz and Morrison hug in the ring as the band has broken up. Miz with a kick to the midsection followed the Reality Check.

Match Number Seven: Fifteen Man in T-Shirts Everything on the Line for Two Picks featuring Montel Vontavious Porter, Big Show, Mike Knox, and Cryme Tyme from Raw; Ricky Ortiz, Fit Finlay, Mark Henry, Tyson Kidd, and Paul Burchill from ECW; and Carlito, Primo, R Truth, Chavo Guerrero, and Edge from Smackdown
The bell rings and it is a three way civil war. Show goes after Burchill while Carlito works on JTG. Show goes after his lover’s nephew in the corner. R Truth is being put on the top rope by Finlay. Show with a head butt to Finlay and then he goes after Ricky Ortiz. Carlito is saved by his brother. Edge works over Burchill while Porter holds Burchill. Ricky Ortiz is your first man eliminated. Paul Burchill is the next to go at the hands of Big Show. Mike Knox and Chavo are eliminated. Shad is gone thanks to Mark Henry. Primo is thrown out by Show. Tyson Kidd is eliminated by Show but Henry eliminates JTG. Carlito hits a springboard elbow to Show, but it has no effect on Show. Show eliminates Carlito. Mark Henry eliminates MVP. Finlay is eliminated by Edge.

We are down to Edge, Mark Henry, and Big Show. Edge realizes that he is greatly outsized. Show and Henry appear to have an alliance against Edge. Show with a choke slam to Edge but Henry punches Show. Henry tries to clothesline Show over the top but Show picks up Henry and sends Henry to the apron. Henry tries to suplex Show to the floor. Show with head butts to Henry and Show with a punch that knocks Henry to the floor.

We are down to the men who love Vickie Guerrero. Show charges at Edge and Edge drops down and Show is eliminated.
Winner: Edge and Smackdown

Time for the eighth and ninth picks. Off to Super Awesome Lucky Happy Board of People’s Faces. Your eighth pick is Kane while your ninth pick is Chris Jericho.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to see the theme music for Backlash. A member of TLC is in the crowd.

Match Number Eight: Christian versus Shelton Benjamin in a You Know The Drill Match
They lock up and Benjamin with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Benjamin with a snap mare and kick for a near fall. Christian with punches to Benjamin but Benjamin with a knee. Christian puts Benjamin in the ropes and he slingshots to the floor and punches Benjamin. Christian goes up top and Benjamin jumps to the top turnbuckle and hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Christian goes to the floor and Benjamin brings him back into the ring for a near fall. Benjamin with a slam followed by a knee to the back. Benjamin with an arm bar and cross face. Christian punches Benjamin and he Irish whips Benjamin into the corner and punches him. Benjamin misses a cross body when Christian ducks out of the way. Christian punches Benjamin and Benjamin avoids the Dragon Whip. Benjamin with a neck breaker for a near fall. Christian sends Benjamin into the corner and hits a monkey flip but Benjamin lands on his feet. Benjamin misses a Stinger Splash and Christian hits the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian

The Tenth Pick is Vladimir Kozlov

We are back and it is time to look at the card for Backlash.

Michael Cole talks about the Legacy/McMahon situation and Cole reminds us about what happens if Team McTista wins. Lawler points out what happens if Legacy 66 percent wins.

We go to the McLocker Room and Shane enters and says that Orton is his. Hunter tells Shane that Orton is his and he would tell it to Dave if he was here. Dave is here and he tells Hunter to tell him but Hunter says that if Dave heard it, he already told him.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Nine: CM Punk versus Matt Hardy in a We are on new brands Draft Pick Match
They lock up and Punk with a rollup for a near fall. Hardy with a rollup of his own. They lock up and the referee gets in the middle of things. Punk with a punch and kick. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate and Punk escapes. Punk tries for the Go To Sleep but Hardy escapes. Punk with a suplex and near fall. Punk with knees in the corner. Hardy with an inverted gourdbuster for a near fall. Hardy gets a number of near falls. Hardy with a side slam for another near fall. Hardy with an abdominal stretch and he tries to add pressure to the ribs. Punk with a back kick and forearm to Hardy followed by another kick and a knee lift that would make Mr. Wrestling II proud. Punk with a drop kick for a near fall. Hardy with an Irish whip and running clothesline. Hardy tries for the bulldog but Punk escapes the hold. Punk with the knee into the corner and the bulldog. Punk gets Hardy up for the Go To Sleep but Hardy escapes. Hardy with a side effect and then he sets for the Twist of Fate but Jeff Hardy attacks his brother. Hardy hits a sit out gourdbuster followed by a swanton set up but Matt escapes the ring and heads to the back with Jeff charging after him.
Winner: Matt Hardy by disqualification

The Eleventh Pick goes to Raw and it is Maryse

We are back and did you know that with three hours, they can do more did you know factoids. This time it is about page views on wwe.com.

Match Number Ten: Chris Jericho versus Tommy Dreamer in a The final draft pick match of the night
They lock up and Jericho with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Dreamer with a hip toss and arm drag followed by a clothesline that sends Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Dreamer attacks Jericho and sends him back into the ring. Jericho with a kick and forearm followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Jericho with a kick to the head. Jericho tries for a suplex but Dreamer blocks it and hits a suplex of his own. Dreamer with forearms to Jericho followed by an Irish whip but Jericho with a boot to Dreamer followed by punches. Jericho with a splash into the ropes followed by a snap mare into a reverse chin lock. Dreamer punches Jericho and hits clotheslines. Dreamer with an Irish whip that sends Jericho onto the turnbuckles and Dreamer with a kick. Dreamer with the baseball slide to Jericho in the Tree of Woe. Jericho with a double leg take down as he avoids a DDT and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho. Dreamer with a rollup followed by a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Dreamer goes up top and Jericho hits the ropes and crotches Dreamer on the top turnbuckle. Jericho punches Dreamer and then he tries for a superplex but Dreamer pushes Jericho off. Dreamer with a kick and then he comes off the turnbuckles but Jericho hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho

It is time for WWE’s Mr. Irrelevant as Smackdown gets the twelfth pick and it is Rey Mysterio

Time for Todd Grisham and Jim Ross to run through the draft picks.

Match Number Eleven: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase versus Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Batista in a This is almost a preview of Backlash Match
The bell rings and Shane McMahon with punches aplenty to Cody followed by kicks. Shane with a flying back elbow for a near fall. McMahon with more jabs that stagger Rhodes. Batista tags in before Shane can hit the money shot. Batista with a clothesline to DiBiase followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Batista with vintage and classic shoulders in the corner. Batista with a boot to DiBiase after a snap mare. Batista sets for the running power slam but Hunter pulls DiBiase to the apron and he punches DiBiase and tags himself in. Hunter punches DiBiase in the corner and he follows it with kicks. Hunter with a facebuster and clothesline for a near fall. Hunter charges into a boot but Hunter with a vintage classic spinebuster but Batista breaks up the cover. DiBiase attacks Hunter from behind while Hunter stares down his tag team partner. Rhodes and DiBiase with quick tags as they work over Hunter’s leg. Hunter with a punch but DiBiase with a drop kick for a near fall. Rhodes tags in and he kicks Hunter. Rhodes works on the leg and applies a step over toe hold but Hunter kicks out. DiBiase tags back in and he slams Hunter’s leg onto the apron. DiBiase punches Hunter and gets a near fall. Hunter sends DiBiase into the turnbuckles and Hunter crawls to his corner but DiBiase keeps him in the ring. Rhodes tags in and he kicks Hunter and gets a near fall.

Rhodes with a kick to the hamstring. Hunter with a suplex out of a front face lock and both men are down. Batista tags in and he works over both members of Legacy. Batista with a power slam but Rhodes breaks up the cover. Shane with a clothesline that sends Rhodes over the top to the floor. Batista with a spinebuster to DiBiase and then it is time for the Batista Bomb but Shane breaks up the cover. Batista pushes Shane to the mat and Hunter makes the tag. Hunter and Batista argue and Shane with a spear to Batista and they fight. Hunter with a Pedigree to DiBiase for the three count.
Winners: Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Batista

After the match, the three members of Team BatMan stand around DiBiase’s prone body and Randy Orton’s music plays. Orton stares at his opponents at Backlash and focuses on the man he will face next week.

2009 - WWE issued the following:

WrestleMania(R) Sets One-Day Box Office Record

STAMFORD, Conn., Apr 13, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With $52 million in gross sales, the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania(R) set a record for the highest grossing one-day entertainment event in 2009. The pop culture extravaganza, held in Houston, TX on April 5th, tops the 2009 highest grossing movie opening day record -- $30 million opening night of Fast and the Furious and the 2008 highest grossing single-day stadium concert -- Madonna's $6.1 million Sticky & Sweet concert in Dolphin Stadium -- combined.

The milestone event generated an estimated $43 million in worldwide gross Pay-Per-View revenue and packed Houston's Reliant Stadium with 72,744 fans from all 50 states, 24 countries and 7 Canadian provinces, surpassing the attendance at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa this past February. Combined with WWE's Sunday fanfest, WrestleMania Axxess, the sell-out crowd grossed more than $7.4 million in ticket sales and an additional $1.5 million in merchandise sales.

Following the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, World Wrestling Entertainment's website, WWE.com, garnered a record-breaking 105 million page views, including staggering one day totals of 2.7 million unique visitors, and nearly 2 million video streams. For the three days surrounding The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, WWE.com's page views totaled 166,239,115.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (WWE: can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

2009 - Ring of Honor issued the following exclusive statement to PWInsider.com this afternoon in response to requests for comment on recent statements made by ROH talent Larry Sweeney, who alleged the company owed him money, and Dragon Gate's CIMA, who blogged on Myspace about ROH's alleged business practices:

We would like to comment on several topics that have been addressed by outside sources over the past week in regards to Ring of Honor. This will be our only public comment in regards to these issues. b>

First, Alex Whybrow's (Larry Sweeney) claim that he is owed money from ROH. Mr. Whybrow is under contract with Ring of Honor. His contract clearly states that he is paid "X" amount of dollars when he appears for Ring of Honor. Mr. Whybrow has been paid in full for all dates in which he has performed in front of Ring of Honor fans. Any claims in regards to payment for dates in which he has been unable to perform is not in accordance with his ROH contract. Everybody at Ring of Honor would like to wish Alex the best of luck in dealing with his current issues.

Secondly, CIMA from the Dragon Gate promotion in Japan has made claims that Ring of Honor owes Dragon Gate money from our Sept. 2008 show stating "Some of the ROH wrestlers' airfare and their guarantees were supposed be shared between two companies, but the promise had never been kept." This statement is false. All Ring of Honor talent was paid in full for these events along with their airfare. CIMA and the Dragon Gate promotion are very well aware of what agreements they did not live up to in regards to the ROH/Dragon Gate show and why we choose to no longer do business with them.

2010 - WWE issued the following press release:

SMACKDOWN GOES SYFY

World Wrestling Entertainment(R) and Syfy announced today a multi-year agreement that brings Friday Night SmackDown(R) to the "Imagine Greater" network beginning in October 2010. Friday Night SmackDown will premiere on its new home October 1st at 8:00 PM ET. The program, which debuted more than 10 years ago, is one of the longest-running, weekly episodic shows on television.

Syfy's original Friday night drama series will move to Tuesday night, where hit series such as Warehouse 13 and Eureka have yielded unprecedented ratings success. WWE NXT(TM) will leave Syfy in October as Friday Night SmackDown joins the schedule.

"WWE(R) is the ultimate in imagination-based sports entertainment. The fantastical thrills of Friday Night SmackDown provide an ideal addition to the Syfy slate, as it targets the younger male and female demographics, which are the fastest growing categories for WWE," said Dave Howe, President, Syfy. "With Tuesday night, a proven winner for our original drama series including Warehouse 13, there is bigger opportunity for series such as Stargate Universe, Sanctuary and Caprica to thrive on a night with a significantly larger number of viewers available to watch live."

"Syfy is a terrific partner and we look forward to bringing our proven ratings winner and ten year television institution, Friday Night SmackDown, to the network," said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. "With this move, WWE is thrilled to be expanding its long-standing relationship with the NBC Universal family."

Friday Night SmackDown averages more than 3.4 million viewers a week and is currently the most watched TV program on Friday nights among Males under 55 and beats all Friday primetime programming on ABC, NBC, FOX and CW among Men 18-34*. The two hour television program will be presented weekly on Syfy and features a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas including Undertaker(R), Edge(R), Rey Mysterio(R), Chris Jericho(R), CM Punk(R), Michelle McCool(R), Beth Phoenix(TM) and Layla(TM).
*(Nielsen Media Research Q4 2009)

2010 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a video package from last week’s Keg Carrying Challenge and Heath Slater’s wonderful reward of having to face Kane in the main event.

We are live on tape from London, England and your announcers are Josh ‘ ’ Mathews and Michael ‘Ianto’ Cole. Your host is Matt ‘Weevil’ Striker.

Matt Striker is in the ring and he brings out the rookies and they stand in a line behind a lectern. Matt says that everyone looks like the pressure is getting to them as the competition intensifies. Matt asks Tarver about his comments from last week and how he was disqualified and lost his match last week. Tarver says that he is the pressure and he is getting to the rookies. He says that whether he wins or lose, he will not lose.

Striker goes to Otunga and he talks about what Otunga said last week about not sharing the spotlight. Matt mentions that Otunga shared the spotlight with the WWE Champion. Otunga says that he did share the spotlight with the WWE Champion and nobody else has done it on Raw.

Matt mentions that Justin Gabriel defeated David Otunga just like John Cena and then Gabriel mentions that he lost last week in the Battle Royal. Matt asks how Gabriel would do against John Cena. Gabriel says that he would look forward to a match.

Matt reminds us what happens to the winner of NXT.

Matt says that the wrestlers need to connect with fans all over the world. Last week’s physical challenge was won by Heath Slater. Tonight, we are going test the mentality of the superstars. The judges are the fans in the crowd. Matt says that the winner gets to stand out because he will have his own entrance music and will have input on that music.

Matt says that he has a list of topics and he will give a topic to each rookie. They will have thirty seconds to talk about the topic and the crowd will judge on creativity and originality.

The first topic goes to Daniel Bryan and he will talk about passion. Bryan talks about the Daniel Bryan Manliness meter but Striker interrupts him and he says that passion is an eight on the meter and then he says that he loves England.

Wade Barrett is next and his topic is blasé. Barrett says that people talk about rookies who are blasé, but there is nothing blasé about him. He says that he is the number one bare knuckle fighter in Europe and he is the best rookie. He says that he has proven it every week.

Justin Gabriel is next and his topic is flowers. Justin introduces himself and he says that a lot of flowers grow in South Africa. He is a fan of the rose, which grows in England.

It is Heath Slater’s turn and his topic is cereal. Slater says that there are so many types of cereal and the crowd boos him. Slater says that he is not finished. He says that he doesn’t eat cereal because of his body. He talks about the types of milk you can use and then he says that it is a stupid topic.

Otunga’s topic is sleep and he says that sleep is something that he doesn’t get a lot of. His mind is always racing and that is why he is better than everyone. He talks about the amount of work that he does in the gym. He says that he can sleep when the competition is over.

Skip Sheffield is next and his topic is rainbows. Skip starts off by saying howdy to the people in London and then he gets them to repeat his catchphrase. Then he finishes a few seconds early.

Michael Tarver is next and his topic is itchy. Tarver picks up the mic but he doesn’t pull his mask off until half his time is up. He puts the mic down and then he puts his mask back up.

Darren Young is the final rookie and his topic is toothpaste. Darren says that he doesn’t want to be rude but that is something that a lot of people here don’t use. Young says that if there is a place that he would much rather not be is here. Young runs out of time.

Tarver takes the mic and he says that Young and Striker doesn’t know what they are saying.

They go through the rookies and there is a tie between Wade Barrett and Skip Sheffield.

Sheffield gets to talk about bubble gum. He talks about the different types of gum and he talks about how he should have won the keg carrying contest last week. He then says that he doesn’t chew bubble gum.

Barrett talks about wind. Barrett says that Sheffield should have talked about the subject. Barrett talks about the winds of change going through the WWE because Wade Barrett is going to be the first English WWE Champion.

Your winner is Wade Barrett.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for the Raw Rebound.

We run through the card for Extreme Rules.

We go to a Smackdown recap of Darren Young backing out of his entry into the Straight Edge Society.

The Straight Edge Society is in the back with Darren Young and he apologizes. He thought he was ready but when he sat in the chair, he changed his mind. Punk says that Rey kept them from shaving him bald. Luke says that he manhandled Darren last week. Punk says that Darren had guts and you need to stand up for yourself to be in the Straight Edge Society. Punk asks Luke if he thinks he can beat Darren and Luke says he can. Punk tells Darren that if he can win tonight, his transgressions last week will be forgotten, but if Darren loses, he will have his head shaved in the ring tonight.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we see the highlights of Wade Barrett’s victory in the pro tag match due to Chris Jericho’s injury.

Match Number One: Wade Barrett with Chris Jericho versus Christian with Heath Slater

Christian with a waist lock but Barrett with a hammer lock and side head lock. Barrett with a shoulder tackle and Christian with a drop kick and side head lock. Barrett with a belly-to-back suplex and then he hits a slingshot atomic drop for a near fall. Barrett with a punch to Christian and then he kicks him in the ribs. Barrett with an elbow and choke in the ropes. Barrett charges at Christian and Christian drops down and Barrett goes to the floor. Christian with a springboard cross body and we go to commercial.

We are back and Christian with a slap but Barrett with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Barrett with an Irish whip and then he hits another backbreaker and gets another near fall. Barrett misses a punch but Christian does not miss. Christian with a running forearm and then he kicks a charging Barrett. Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall.

We see Carlito and Michael Tarver in the locker room.

Christian with a slingshot into an uppercut on the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body from the top for a near fall. Christian goes up top and Barrett avoids him and hits a big boot for a near fall. Barrett sends Christian into the turnbuckles and Barrett with a shoulder to the back. Barrett misses a charge and Christian with the pendulum kick and a back elbow from the turnbuckles. Christian starts to clap and Jericho distracts the referee and Barrett gets Christian up but Slater grabs Barrett’s leg and that allows Christian to hit the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian

It is time to take a look at David Otunga’s appearance on Access Hollywood.

The Miz is in the back and he yells at Bryan’s promo. Miz wonders if Bryan could ever be on Access Hollywood and he compares Bryan to Susan Boyle. Miz wonders if Bryan thinks he is doing something because he is number one, but it is because of the Miz. Miz tells Bryan to take his charisma and star power and he tells Bryan to try to win a match.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan with The Miz versus William Regal with Skip Sheffield

They lock up and Regal works on the arm and Bryan escapes and hits a drop kick and a running forearm. Bryan with a Tiger Suplex for a near fall. Bryan with a few European uppercuts followed by kicks in the corner but after the referee pulls Bryan off and he runs into a forearm. Regal with European uppercuts. Bryan tries for a guillotine choke but Regal turns it into a package suplex followed by a running knee to the head for the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

After the match, Miz attacks Regal from behind. Miz picks up Bryan and then he hits the Skull Crushing Finale.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Darren Young versus Luke Gallows with CM Punk and Serena

Gallows with kicks and punches followed by a head butt. Gallows with a body block and then he tries for a punch but Young blocks it. Young with a kick but Gallows blocks it and hits an uppercut for a near fall. Gallows with punches to the head and then he sends Young into the corner. Gallows with kicks and then he misses a charge after an Irish whip but Young misses a splash into the corner and he is on the top turnbuckle and Gallows with a kick and fallaway slam. Gallows gets a near fall while we watch Matt Hardy and Justin Gabriel in the back. Young gets a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young

After the match, Punk walks past Luke and Punk raises Young’s arm. Luke looks like he disappointed his daddy. Punk leaves the ring with Serena and Luke remains in the ring as we go to credits.

[LionDen]

Continued ..

2011 - WWE ran Glasgow, Scotland. Robbie Campbell filed the following results:
Evan Bourne def. Alex Riley after Air Bourne.

Percy Watson def. Tyson Kidd after a necbreaker combo.

Melina came out and chose 4 people from the audience for a competition later in the show.

Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (w/ Tamina) def. The Uso's after the Cobra from Santino.

John Morrison def. Dolph Ziggler after Starship Pain.

Diva's Championship Match: Brie Bella (w/ Nikki Bella) def. Eve Torres after a distraction from Nikki and a Bella Buster.

R-Truth hosted a dance off between the 4 people from the audience. The winner got to go backstage. 3 were from Scotland, and the other from England and was heavily booed.

Fans Choice Match - Fans chose Street Fight over 2 out of three falls: Randy Orton def. CM Punk in a Street Fight after an RKO.

INTERMISSION

Sin Cara def. Primo after countering a powerbomb into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb. After the match, Sheamus came out and attacked Sin Cara, but Sin Cara got the better of him, and hit him with a Plancha.

United States Championship Match: Sheamus def. Daniel Bryan after a Brogue Kick.

WWE Championship Match: John Cena def. The Miz by DQ after Riley broke up the count after an AA. The two started beating on Cena, until R-Truth made the save, and the Miz was hit with another AA.

2012 - EVOLVE held EVOLVE 11. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of EVOLVE 11!

Lenny Leonard welcomes us to the show, then introduces the Super Smash Bros. Chuck Taylor comes out to crash the party and introduce his new buddies Jake Manning and Drew Gulak, the Gentlemen's Club.

Super Smash Bros vs Jake Manning & Drew Gulak

Player Uno and Jake Manning start us off, Uno runs Manning over with a pair of shoulderblocks and Manning backs off to his corner to consult his Scoutmaster's Guide about what to do next. Gulak tags in and takes Dos down to the mat, and wrestles circles around Dos, who resorts to a flurry of lucha moves and a dropkick. Gulak with a headbutt to the midsection and Manning tags back in for a double flapjack. Dos quickly recovers and gets a double Frankensteiner to send both opponents to the floor. The SSB tease a dive to the outside, but stop at the last minute and wait for Manning to get back in. Manning sticks his hand out, then slaps Uno in the face and quickly tags in Gulak, who nails Uno from behind and the two of them put the boots to Uno. Uno is in the wrong part of town as he gets worked over in the Gentlemen's Corner, he fights his way back out to the middle of the ring but Manning gets a drop toehold and tags in Gulak, who stops Uno dead with a double axhandle to the back for 2. Uno dodges a charge and dumps Manning out to the floor and then he dives for a tag, but Gulak catches him at the last second and drags him out to the middle of the ring where he locks in an STF. Awesome sequence there. Uno makes the ropes, so the Gentlemen's Club goes back to working Uno over, but he gets away and makes the hot tag to Dos, who cleans house and drills Gulak's face into the ring apron with a beautiful springboard DDT. SSB with the assisted lungblower on Manning, but Gulak and Uno fight their way out to the floor where Gulak dodges a chop, leaving Uno cracking his arm into the ringpost. Manning swoops in with a backbreaker/Flatliner combo, but it only gets 2. Gulak comes in and nearly folds Dos in half with a backdrop suplex and goes to a really nasty looking crossface, but Uno breaks up the fall and goes back out to the floor with Uno. Manning fires forearms at Dos and charges, but Dos moves and Manning sails out to the floor right next to Gulak, then Uno follows with a dive of his own that wipes both men out. SSB with a series of double teams and a Gory Cutter for the win.

Winners: Super Smash Bros

Taylor looks unhappy, and stares a hole through the SSB's skulls as they do their postmatch promo with Lenny Leonard before running onto the apron to tell the SSB that he doesn't care about winning or losing.

Josh Alexander vs MK McKinnon

Alexander seems pretty over with the fans as he exchanges wristlocks with McKinnon. McKinnon does a series of lucha moves and a leaping enziguiri, then he blowsan attempt at a Pelle kick. He hits it on the second attempt, but then blows a springboard moonsault and Alexander capitalizes with some big hard forearms. Alexander with some hard chops and a European uppercut, McKinnon slips out the back on a vertical suplex, but Alexander catches him again right away and hits a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. Alexander with adelayedvertical suplex, Davey Boy Smith style, and covers for 2. Alexander says that's it and goes for a double underhook, but McKinnon escapes and sweeps out the ankles, then superkicks Alexander out to the floor and hits a somersault dive through the ropes. They go back inside and McKinnon gets a leaping kneestrike, but Alexander flattens him with the leaping double underhook piledriver (otherwise known as Stevie Ray's Slapjack finish he used in WCW) and gets the win.

Winner: Josh Alexander

Solid match, even though McKinnon looked like he was letting his nerves get the better of him. It happens, but both guys worked hard.

Mike Rollins vs Ashley Sixx

They circle one another and Sixx gets a side headlock, but Rollins fires him into the ropes and takes him down with a shoulderblock. Sixx slowly comes back to the middle of the ringas he sizes his opponent up, then boots him in the abdomen and unloads with some clubbing forearms. Rollins reverses a whip attempt to a fireman's carry with an airplane spin, then just bashes Sixx in the face with a big right hand. Rollins unloads on Sixx with a flurry of right hands and then dumps him out to the floor. Rollins goes out after him, but Sixx recovers and hits a Russian legsweep into the ring apron. They go back inside and Sixx immediately covers and gets 2, then rakes the boot laces across the eyes. Sixx goes to a rear chinlock, Rollins tries to fight his way out but Sixx just unloads with another hard forearm. More forearms and chops, but Rollins no-sells and starts firing back on Sixx with double handed chops. Rollins goes to the second rope and nicely waits up there for fifteen second or so while Sixx leaps out to the ring apron and climbs the ropes so he can hit a Frankensteiner for 2. Rollins goes for a kick, but Sixx catches the foot and slaps him in the face, which turns out to be a big mistake as Rollins hits a spinning Yakuza kick and a sitout Tombstone for the win.

Winner: Mike Rollins

I enjoyed this, Rollins seems like an interesting character and, while a bit sloppy, he's a big imposing guy who seemed to connect well with the audience.

Alex Reynolds vs John Silver

Silver entertained the hell out of me the last time I saw him, let's see how he does this time. They fight over a wristlock and then exchange pinning combinations. Reynolds blocks a kick and snapmares Silver, Silver picks out his leg and they go back and forth until Silver gets a springboard armdrag, Reynolds with a rollup for 2, and we're at a stalemate. Reynolds takes Silver down with a side headlock, Silver escapes with shots to the ribs, then snapmares Reynolds and gets a delayed basement dropkick for 1. Reynolds tries a springboard move that doesn't turn out like he hoped, and Silver responds by raking the boot laces across the eyes and drilling Reynolds with a running kneestrike to the face for 2. Silver misses an elbowdrop and Reynolds fires back with a chop, then dodges a charge by silver and hits a running kneestrike that throws Silver for a loop. Reynolds flops Silver onto the second rope and hits a running dropkick from the floor, followed by a slingshot elbowdrop for 2. Silver unloads with forearms and kicks, but Reynolds ducks a kick and gets a snap backbreaker followed by a Northern lariat for 2. That looked ugly. Reynolds goes to a COPS hold on Silver, but Silver gets out and flattens Reynolds with a hard clothesline. He follows up with a big leaping splash for 2 on Reynolds, Reynolds gets a chinbreaker, and they start trading hard forearms in the middle of the ring. Silver with a flurry of kicks, lands on his feet on a German suplex attempt, and double stomps Reynolds right in the chest for 2. Silver takes Reynolds down into a crossface attempt, Reynolds rolls through, but Silver tries it a second time and this time he gets it. Reynolds fights and fights, and makes it to the ropes. Silver releases the hold and stomps on Reynolds again, but takes too long going up top and Reynolds slams him into the ring and gets an O'Connor roll for 2. Reynolds pops Silver up into the air and catches him coming down with a Codebreaker, followed by a running Shooting Star Press for 2. Reynolds goes up for a moonsault and misses, Silver charges Reynolds in the corner with a leaping boot, bulldogs Reynolds into the second turnbuckle, and deadlifts Reynolds into a bridging German suplex for 2. Reynolds blocks a superkick, gets caught with a second, and Silver hits a running stomp to the back of the head, but Reynolds catches him out of nowhere with what appeared to be a pump handle neckbreaker over the knee for 3.

Winner: Alex Reynolds

Great match, all the NYWC guys impress me every time out and these two in particular showed a ton of fire tonight.

Before the next match, Johnny Gargano comes out to confront Chuck Taylor. Gargano reminds everyone of how Taylor turned on him in Miami and broke up Ronin, and he reminds Taylor of how he stuck up for him with the Dragon Gate office. I'm having a tough time making out exactly what Gargano's saying, but he mentions that AR Fox isn't here tonight, so he suggests making this match a three way dance. Looks like we've got an impromptu change!

Open The Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano vs Chuck Taylor vs Samuray Del Sol

This is going to be under elimination rules. Taylor runs to the floor right away, and Gargano and Del Sol go at it. Del Sol gets an early advantage, but Gargano hits a Flatliner into the second turnbuckle and then goes after Taylor on the outside. Taylor runs into the ring and Del Sol springboards off his back to dropkick Gargano off the apron, then takes control of Taylor with a lucha headscissors and goes to a leg submission, but Taylor goes to the ropesand escapes to the floor where Gargano wipes him out with a dive through the ropes. Gargano goes back inside and catches Del Sol with a slingshot DDT over the top rope. Taylor slips in and goes after both guys, booting Gargano out to the floor, but gets caught with a rollup by Del Sol for 2. Taylor tries to monkey flip Del Sol, but Del Sol lands on his feet and hits a dropkick in the corner on Taylor. Del Sol goes for a headscissors on Taylor, but Taylor powerbombs Del Sol into Gargano in the corner and then boots Del Sol in the face and covers for 2. Del Sol gets backdropped out to the floor and then Taylor dropkicks Gargano, but Del Sol gets a beautiful headscissors to pull himself back into the ring on Taylor, then sends Taylor to the floor and hits him with a dive. Gargano and Del Sol go at it in the ring, but Taylor sneaks in and dumps Gargano to the outside before rolling Del Sol up with a handful of tights and eliminating him.

Samuray Del Sol is eliminated.

Gargano stares Taylor down and unloads on him in the corner, putting the boots to him Steve Austin style. Gargano with a running basement dropkick and Taylor tries to escape out to the floor. Gargano goes out after him and continues the beating all around ringside, then slams Taylor hard onto the unprotected floor. Gargano comes over and punts Taylor in the ribs, but Taylor keeps his wits about him enough to counter a bulldog attempt into a back suplex onto the ring apron. Taylor puts the boots to Gargano on the outside, then rolls ihm back inside and connects with a double axhandle off the top rope to the back. Taylor grinds Gargano's face into the mat and connects with an elbowdrop to the back, then gets a bodyscissors on Gargano. Gargano makes the ropes, so Taylor slingshots himself off the middle rope and stomps on Gargano's back. Taylor continues stomping Gargano's back while snipingback and forth with some ringside fans, then rocks Gargano with a pair of bodyslams. Taylor gets a rear chinlock with a knee in the back, Gargano escapes and rolls Taylor backward, boots him in the face, clotheslines him to the floor, hits a slingshot dive over the top rope, and a somersault senton off the apron. Looks like Gargano may have caused more damage to himself on that one, but he sends Taylor inside and hits a leaping kneestrike to the jaw. Taylor tries a flying headscissors, but Gargano counters to a powerbomb and goes to the Gargano Escape, but Taylor makes it to the ropes to force the break. Taylor tries to walk out, but Gargano goes out after him and drags him back down to the ring. Gargano rolls Taylor inside, but Taylor catches him coming in with an elbow. Gargano goes for the spear through the ropes, but Taylor catches him coming through and turns it to a rolling backbreaker. Taylor again stomping Gargano's back and goes up top for a moonsault, but Gargano rolls out of the way and Taylor eats the mat. Gargano pulls himself to his feet and hits a running dropkick into the corner, the running Snake Eyes onto the second turnbuckle, and a superkick for 2. Gargano goes for Hertz Donut, Taylor escapes and goes for the Awful Waffle, Gargano slips out and takes Taylor down into the Gargano Escape. Taylor rolls out of it and catches Gargano in a half crab right in the middle of the ring, but Gargano somehow manages to get to the ropes. Taylor slaps Gargano around and Gargano spits at him, so Taylor unloads with another hard forearm. Gargano responds with a slap, then a forearm, and they're back trading blows in the middle of the ring. Gargano's having trouble staying on his feet, but he hits a superkick, Taylor hits a superkick of his own and a big boot, and then Gargano with a roaring lariat. Gargano goes for Hertz Donut, but he couldn't hold Taylor up and he collapses to the mat. Taylor goes right back to the half crab and Gargano goes for the ropes, but Taylor drags him back out to the middle of the ring. Gargano passes out and the referee checks the arm and it drops three times.

Winner: Chuck Taylor

Taylor has now not only beaten his former partner clean in the middle of the ring, but he has now surpassed Gargano to become the wins leader in EVOLVE. Terrific match, I liked how they gave Del Sol a rub by putting him in there, and Taylor and Gargano told a great story once it was down to just the two of them.

INTERMISSION

Caleb Konley vs Adam Page

Konley is accompanied to the ring by Larry Dallas and Leah, and Page is apparently a tobacco farmer from Virginia. Feeling out process to start, Konley takes Page down with a drop toehold and goes to a side headlock, Page escapes and gets a series of armdrags and Konley backs off, then piefaces him. Page gets mad and chases Konley outside, around the ring, and back in where Page knocks Konley senseless with a right hand and a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP. Page takes a run at Konley and gets backdropped out to the ring apron, but Page slips through the ropes and picks Konley up on his shoulders before dumping him out to the floor. Page comes off the ring apron with a running shooting star press, getting a big reaction from the crowd, then he rolls Konley back into the ring and comes off the top with...oops, Konley moved out of his way and Page landed on his feet, but promptly gets hiptossed into the corner. Konley yanks Page to the mat by the hair and covers for 2, then goes to a three quarter nelson. Page fights out and comes off the ropes, but gets popped into the air for a sort of hiptoss into a lungblower. Never seen that before, but it only gets 2. Page gets the boot up as Konley charges him in the corner, but takes too long getting to the top rope and Konley hits a delayed superplex for 2. Konley goes for a Regalplex, but Page slips out the back and nearly pins Konley with a rollup for 2. Page with a series of chops and a powerslam, but Konley kicks out of the pin attempt at 2. Konley sweeps the legs of Page and hits a diving lariat and a senton, but covering only results in a 2 count. Page gets Konley up in a fireman's carry and dumps Konley into a neckbreaker over the knee, but Konley drills Page with a roaring elbow and a sitout facebuster, then gets the O Face for the submission win.

Winner: Caleb Konley

Solid match to come back from intermission with before getting down to business with the last two matches.

Low Ki vs El Generico

These guys have had some real wars in years past, so they're very familiar with one another. Ki backs Generico to the corner and teases a chop, but breaks clean and they go back to the middle of the ring. Generico takes Ki to the corner now as the fans chant "let's go both guys" and Generico makes the same feinted chop. Ki doesn't flinch, so Generico lays in the chop and they go back to the middle of the ring. Ki takes Generico down with a side headlock, Generico makes it to his feet so Ki takes him to the ropes and drills him with a hard chop, then a snapmare and a quick elbowdrop. Ki goes for a cover and doesn't even get 1, then goes to a chinlock. Generico gets out and takes Ki to the corner, and breaks with a shove. Lots of headgames going on in this one, and Ki gets a SWEET single leg into a go behind, taking Generico down and slapping the back of his head. Generico rolls out and gets on top of Ki, but Ki gets an armbar and Generico has to get to the ropes to break. Ki is on his back waiting for Generico to come in so he can kick his legs out, Generico is hesitant to come in but he finally goes and gets caught in a triangle choke. Generico slips out, but Ki manages to get behind him and Russian the arm before transitioning to a side headlock. They get back to their feet and do a back and forth sequence that ends with Generico hitting a leg lariat. Generico with a hard chop in the corner, Ki responds with one of his own, and a chop exchange breaks out in the middle of the ring which Ki easily wins and hits Generico with his own brainbuster for 2.

Ki has Generico against the ropes and connects with a hard chop, a running boot to the ribs, and then just dumps Generico out to the floor. Ki goes out after Generico and hits a running dropkick that sends Generico crashing into the ring steps. They go back inside and Ki covers for 2, then traps Generico in a bodyscissors. Generico makes it to the ropes and gets into another chop exchange with Low Ki, but this one goes a bit better for Generico as he gets the advantage and dodges a charge from Low Ki that sends Ki out to the floor. Generico gets a running start and hits a somersault dive to the floor that wipes Ki out, and the crowd is going nuts for Generico. Generico sends Ki back inside and comes off the top rope with a bodypress for 2, then picks Ki up and goes for a Blue Thunder Driver. Ki blocks and goes for a big punt to the face, but Generico dodges and hits the Blue Thunder Driver on the second try for a 2 count. Generico goes for the Yakuza kick in the corner, but Ki BLASTS him with a boot to the face and gets the Dragon sleeper, scissoring Generico's body and dragging him down to the mat. Generico makes it to the ropes before he passes out, but Ki tries to go right back to the hold. Generico blocks and slides Ki around front to counter to a vertical suplex into a sitout powerbomb for 2. Ki dodges another attempt at the running Yakuza Kick and smashes another kick into the chest of Generico. Ki connects with more kicks, but Generico tells Ki to bring it on, so Ki obliges until Generico collapses and covers him for 2. Ki waits for Generico to get to his feet and goes for the Shotgun knees, but Generico moves out of the way and Ki crashes into the corner. Generico quickly comes into the corner with the running Yakuza kick and goes for the top rope brainbuster, but Ki slips out behind him and they both seem to lose their balance. I can't tell if Generico hurt himself on that, but I don't have time to find out because Ki comes off the top with the double stomp to the back for the win.

Winner: Low Ki

Absolutely amazing match. Low Ki said something to Generico that I didn't catch, but it seemed to be something untoward because it got a negative reaction from the fans, and Lenny Leonard says he doesn't know what got into Low Ki.

Dave Finlay vs Sami Callihan

This is a rematch from EVOLVE 9 when Finlay defeated Callihan in what was voted the EVOLVE Match of the Year for 2011. Finlay backs Callihan into the corner, but breaks clean and they go back to the middle for a shoving match. Finlay powers Callihan into the corner again and gets a double leg, but Callihan shoves him in the face until Finlay breaks. Finlay backs Callihan into the corner a third time and a clean break is met by a slap to the face, which Finlay responds to with a headbutt that busts Callihan open hardway. Callihan gets to his feet and tells Finlay to hit him, so he does, and Callihan tumbles out to the floor. Finlay goes after Callihan and rams him into the ring apron, and Finlay stalks him before rolling him back inside where he fires a hard elbow into the bloody face of Callihan. Callihan throws some wild kicks at Finlay, but Finlay responds with a kick of his own and a short clothesline for 2. Finlay drags Callihan out to the ring apron and smashes him chest first into the edge of the ring, then stomps right on his head. Callihan lays in a hard chop, but Finaly again is unfazed and picks Callihan up and rams him into the ringpost. Callihan finally gets some offense in, ramming Finlay's back into the apron and unloading with some right hands and kicks, but Finlay goes to the eyes and rolls Callihan back inside where he punishes him with a series of kneedrops to the head and covers for 2. Finlay with some hard overhand chops in the corner, Callihan tries a headbutt of his own, but Finlay again is not affected and takes Callihan down to the mat and into a leglock. Callihan tries to yank back on Finlay's chin to escape, and manages to roll Finlay to his chest where he can ram elbows into the back of Finlay's head over and over.

Finaly seems to be in trouble for the first time in this match and Callihan makes a cover, but Finlay is out at 1. Finlay responds with a forearm to the face and shoots Callihan hard into the corner, but Callihan lays in some more forearms and a kneelift before cinching in an Indian Deathlock and then a half crab, but Finlay won't turn over, so Callihan mounts Finlay and lays in chops. He makes the mistake of letting Finlay get back to his feet and Finlay knocks him on his ass with a hard forearm before ramming Callihan chest first into the corner. Finlay with another kneedrop and then he rams Callihan into the corner again, but Callihan dodges a charge from Finlay and connects with a leaping enziguiri to the back of the head and covers for 2. Finlay goes out to the apron and tries a big right hand, but Callihan ducks and connects with a kick to the head and then a springboard forearm that sends Finlay to the floor. Callihan comes through the ropes and wipes Finlay out with a dive. He rolls Finlay back inside and goes up top, but Finlay pops right back up and shoves Callihan to the floor. Callihan makes it back inside, so Finlay picks him up and bodyslams him into the ropes. A second one rattles the body of Callihan, and Finlay now kicks at the legs of Callihan and rams his knee into the ringpost, against the joint at that, and then does it again for laughs. Finlay torques Callihan over with a half crab while standing on the back of Callihan's head. Callihan stops moving and the ref checks the arm, but Callihan stays alive and gets to the ropes, so Finlay drops another knee on him. Finlay puts Callihan on top of the corner, and Callihan tries to fight his way free, but Finlay headbutts him square in the face and goes up. Callihan goes for a sunset flip off the top rope and Finlay holds his ground, so Callihan superkicks Finlay's knee out from under him and Finlay crashes hard to the mat.

Callihan goes for the Stretch Muffler, but Finlay simply shoves him out to the timekeeper's table where he lands with an audible WHACK. Callihan comes back in and Finlay hits the Celtic Cross, but Callihan kicks out at 1. Finlay hits a second one and then a third, but Callihan again kicks out. Finlay looks discouraged as the fans start a "this is awesome" chant, he goes for a Tombstone but Callihan slips free, so Finlay takes his head off with a short clothesline instead and this time hits the Tombstone and makes a cover, but Callihan again gets out at 2. Callihan has no idea where he is as Finlay picks him up for another Tombstone, but he slips out the back and hits a pump kick to the back of Finlay's head.

Now Finlay is rattled and he boots Callihan in return, then they knock each other out with stereo big boots and both men are down. Callihan looks exhausted as he hauls himself to his feet, Finlay waits for him to get up and they knock each other back down with stereo Yakuza kicks again. Back to their feet, and they both boot each other down a third time. They don't even bother to get to their feet the next time, kicking each other from the mat. Finlay goes for a backslide and only gets 2, Callihan goes for the Stretch Muffler but Finlay blocks and catches Callihan in a cross armbreaker and Callihan is finally forced to tap out.

Winner: Dave Finlay

This match was unbelievable, better than the first and I think EVOLVE has another MOTYC on their hands here. Crowd starts a "thank you Finlay" chant as Lenny Leonard gets in the ring to put over the war Finlay and Callihan just had, and gets Finlay's thoughts after that match. Finlay tells Callihan that he lost because he's so preoccupied with his feud with Sabu and others, and that if he gets his head on straight, he'll become something. He tells Callihan to get to his feet, but Callihan blows him off and walks out.

Excellent show overall, the three way and the last two matches would be worth the price of a normal PPV, and I have absolutely no problem recommending this show to anyone who enjoys a solid night of professional wrestling. Big thumbs up for a very strong EVOLVE 11.

2013 - WWE broadcast Saturday Morning Slam. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

Now that Wrestlemania is over, a New Era begins on Saturday Morning Slam thanks to General Manager Mick Foley.

With only two members of 3MB wrestling today, will Heath Slater be the difference in the tag match?

Your announcers are Josh Mathews and Kofi Kingston.

Match Number One: Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal (with Heath Slater) versus Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel

Gabriel and Mahal start things off and Mahal with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Mahal blocks a hip toss but Gabriel avoids a short arm clothesline and Gabriel with a leg sweep and he tags in Ryder. They hit a double hip toss and get a near fall. Ryder sends Mahal into the turnbuckles and then he waits for Ryder to try a float over and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep.

Drew tags in and he kicks Ryder and hits a snap suplex and gets a near fall. Ryder with a flap jack and then he hits the running forearm into the corner. Ryder gets his knees up when Drew charges into the corner. Ryder is distracted by Slater and that allows McIntyre to get a rollup for the three count.

Winners: Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal

After the match, 3MB send Ryder and Gabriel to the floor.

Kofi gets up from the announce table and he hits a springboard cross body on Mahal and McIntyre. Kofi sends Slater over the top rope to the floor.

Mick Foley makes his way to the stage and he tells everyone to calm down. Kofi might have been justified for what he did and even if the WWE Universe enjoyed what he did, as the boss he needs to maintain some direction. He cannot let a commentator to become physically involved. That means that Kofi must leave the commentary position.

Mick says that frees him up to compete in the ring. He will face Heath Slater. Jinder and Drew are banned from ringside for that match.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Dolph Ziggler has replaced Kofi Kingston next to Josh Mathews for the rest of the show.

Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston versus Heath Slater

Slater tries for a kick but Kofi blocks it and he hits an atomic drop after spinning Slater around. Kofi with a hip toss and arm drag into an arm bar. Slater with an arm drag and he escapes. Kofi leaps into the corner and he plays some air guitar before hitting a monkey flip. Kofi with a hammer lock and he stretches Slater.

Slater with an elbow and wrist lock. Slater with a shoulder tackle but Kofi with a leaping back elbow after a few leap frogs and Kofi gets a near fall. Slater holds on to the ropes and goes to the apron to force the referee to separate them.

Slater sends Kofi into the turnbuckles and then hits a running knee to the back. Kofi with a sunset flip for a near fall. Slater with a knee to the chest and he gets a near fall. We go to commercial.

We are back and Slater with a knee in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Kofi with a cross body and Kofi is unable to make the cover. Kofi with a clothesline and chop followed by a drop kick and a flying clothesline. Kofi with the Boom Drop and tries for Trouble in Paradise but Slater avoids it. Kofi and Slater with a series of counters and Kofi finally hits SOS and gets the three count.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

Mick Foley is in the back and he is making a list and Daniel Bryan enters. Bryan says that he has been waiting to hear for the Assistant to the General Manager position and he has not heard from Mick. Mick says that he is in the middle of something and Bryan tells Mick that there is nothing more important than this.

Mark Henry enters and Daniel throws a No Fit and says that they were talking. Mick says that he wanted to welcome Mark to Saturday Morning Slam. Mick starts to talk about Mark’s match. Bryan says that he wants to do it since he is the assistant.

Mark tells Mick to forget who he was going to have him wrestle because he wants Daniel Bryan.

Daniel says that doesn’t sound like a good idea.

Mick agrees and says that sounds like a great idea. Two former World Champions in the ring. It will be the biggest match in Saturday Morning Slam history.

Daniel wants to know if he will get the position. Mick says that he is not ready to give him the position now, but he will offer Bryan something else. Foley holds his arms out for a hug but Bryan says no and leaves. Mick says that Bryan must not be a hugger.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Mark Henry is in the Saturday Morning Spotlight.

Match Number Three: Mark Henry versus Daniel Bryan

Bryan wants a hug from Mark because what else are you going to do to a bear of a man? Mark hugs and he turns it into a bear hug. Bryan is not as happy as he was when someone did the bear hug when he was on commentary. Bryan gets out of the hold and Mark with a body block. Mark misses a splash when Bryan rolls out of the way.

Mark goes to the floor and then Dolph starts to laugh. He realizes that Mark has left the ring. Dolph stops and Mark wants to know what he is laughing at and Dolph tries to make an excuse. Bryan with kicks and a running drop kick into the corner followed by a cannonball but he can only get a near fall and Mark sends Bryan to the floor when he kicks out.

Bryan with kicks to the chest but he runs into a shoulder from Henry. Bryan with a drop kick to the knee and then he goes up top but Mark catches Bryan and he hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.

Winner: Mark Henry

We go to credits.

2014 - Ring of Honor TV aired. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We continue with Road Rage episodes of Ring of Honor. This week, the matches come from Supercard of Honor VIII from New Orleans, Louisiana. The main event this week is the Television Title match between Tommaso Ciampa and Jay Lethal.

Jay Lethal says the story of Jay Lethal and Tommaso Ciampa comes to an end. We see highlights of the Ciampa/Lethal Match from 2012 when Ciampa injured his knee. Lethal says that his deeper, meaner streak will come out because he wants what is his. He had him beaten twice. If it was not for Matt Taven, Jay says that he would be defending the title.

Your announcers are Kevin ‘Gumbo’ Kelly and Steve ‘Mardi Gras’ Corino.

Match Number One: Silas Young versus RD Evans (with Veda Scott and Ramon)

Silas picks up Evans before the bell rings but Evans pushes Young into the corner. Young blocks a kick and then Young runs Evans into the corner and he chops Evans. Young with an Irish whip but Evans flips to the apron and he connects with a shoulder. Evans tries to suplex Young to the floor but Young blocks it and Young suplexes Evans into the ring but Young is tripped by Scott.

Young chases Scott around the ring and then Evans tries for an elbow but misses. Ramon hits Young and Ramon begs for mercy. Evans with a forearm from the apron and then he sends Young back into the ring. Evans goes up top but Young stops him and Young press slams Evans to the mat. Young with kicks to Evans.

Young runs his boot laces across the face and then he chokes Evans in the ropes. Young with a kick to the ribs. Young with a snap mare and a back heel kick. Young gets a near fall. We go to commercial.

We are back and Evans goes up top for a splash but Young moves. Young with a back breaker followed by a lariat for a near fall. They go to the apron and Young tries for a German suplex to the floor but Evans holds on to the ropes. Evans with an elbow and punch. Young with a punch and Young sends Evans into the ring post and then he hits an Electric Chair Drop on the apron. Young rolls into the ring at sixteen and Evans keeps the streak alive by getting back in at nineteen.

Evans with an inside cradle for a near fall. Young with a kick and then he gets Evans on his shoulders. Scott distracts the referee and Young. Evans gets Ramon’s belt and Young attacks Evans and he takes the belt. Evans acts like he was hit with the belt and the referee thinks about disqualifying Young.

Evans with a rollup and then Young tries to hit Evans with the belt, but Evans moves and Young hits the referee. While the referee is out, Evans hits a flying clothesline and he has Young pinned but the referee is still out. Young with the Finlay Slam and then he hits the headstand into an Arabrian press and a second referee comes to the ring to make the three count.

Winner: Silas Young

The first referee recovers and says that Young was disqualified for hitting him with the belt so the pinfall does not count.

We have a video package showing the end of the alliance between Truth Martini and Matt Taven.

Truth says that he is not here to hurt. He is here to help. Fire me? Matt Taven, you fired him. When you did that, you proved to the entire world what you are. You are young, dumb, and full of complete ignorance. Truth Martini walks alone now and that does not bother him. He does not walk alone for long. At Supercard of Honor, on the biggest weekend in wrestling history, there is going to be a big surprise because that is the night that he unveils the newest member of the H.O.T.

Matt Taven makes his way to the ring for his match against Truth Martini’s ‘Mystery Challenger’.

Truth comes to the ring and he tells Matt that he should know better than anyone else, he is not here to hurt. He is here to help. Those who refuse his help are destined to hurt. When Matt fired him, he made the biggest mistake of his wrestling career. Without Truth, Matt is nothing. He knows that, the people know that, and deep inside Matt knows it.

Truth wants Kevin Kelly to come into the ring and Steve congratulates Kevin for being Matt’s opponent.

Truth says that they never got to the last chapter of the Book of Truth so he has some final words of wisdom. Truth says that when the man bites off the hand that . . .

Matt takes the book and wants to know if anyone wants to hear this. Matt opens the book and flames come from the book and then Truth kicks Matt in the ‘ding ding’ before leaving the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Matt is in the back looking for Truth. He goes into a restroom and he finds Truth. Someone screams about their face and we see Truth walking out with a cigarette and he says that he isn’t fired . . . you’re fired.

They go into the restroom and Matt is being checked on by security.

We see footage of Tommaso Ciampa defending the Television Title in WXW and PCW.

We are back and Nigel McGuinness has replaced Steve Corino at the announce table.

Match Number Two: Tommaso Ciampa versus Jay Lethal for the ROH Television Title in a Two out of Three Falls Match

Before the match starts, Ciampa removes his knee brace and gives it to Lethal instead of the handshake for the Code of Honor. The referee puts the brace at ringside.

Fall Number One

They lock up and Ciampa with a clean break. They lock up again and Lethal backs Ciampa into the corner. Lethal with a clean break and he has something to say to Ciampa. Ciampa with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Lethal with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Lethal with a La Magistral but Ciampa counters into a rollup for a near fall. Lethal gets a near fall of his own.

Lethal with a hip toss and cartwheel but Ciampa moves before Lethal can hit the drop kick. They lock up again and they go around the ring. Lethal with a chop but Ciampa chops back. Lethal with a slap but Ciampa with an Irish whip. Lethal floats over and then Lethal sends Ciampa to the apron. Lethal goes for the springboard drop kick but Ciampa goes to the floor and then he pulls Lethal to the floor.

Lethal kicks Ciampa into the guardrails. Lethal with a suicide dive and then he hits a second one. Lethal with a chop and then he sets for a third suicide dive and he forces Ciampa into the crowd.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Lethal punches Ciampa on the floor and he chops him. Ciampa pushes Lethal into the ring post and he puts him in the corner of the guardraisla nd he hits a running knee and the momentum sends Ciampa into the crowd. Ciampa sends Lethal back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Ciampa with another near fall.

Ciampa with a chop and then he sends Lethal into the turnbuckle. Ciampa with a chop to Lethal. Lethal with the hip toss followed by a cartwheel and drop kick for a near fall. Lethal with a chop and he gets a near fall. Lethal with a drop kick to Ciampa and then he connects with a forearm to the back and he sends Ciampa into the turnbuckles. Lethal with a drop kick to Ciampa in the corner followed by a snap mare and elbow drop for a near fall.

Lethal with a key lock but Ciampa bites the arm and he chops Lethal. Lethal with a kick and chop to Ciampa. Ciampa and Lethal continue to go back and forth with chops and punches. Lethal with an enzuigiri. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa is able to counter with a lungblower and both men are down.

Ciampa goes for a suplex but Lethal with a knee to block it. They go back and forth to try for suplexes as they move closer to the floor and Lethal suplexes Ciampa over the top rope to the floor and Lethal follows and both men are down on the floor.

Lethal and Ciampa exchange forearms on the floor while the referee makes his count. Lethal with a chop and Ciampa with a punch and Lethal with a chop and punch. They continue to exchange forearms as the referee gets to eighteen. At nineteen both men get in the ring. Lethal with a back heel kick and Lethal tries for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa blocks it and goes for an O’Connor Roll. Lethal bridges to get the three count.

Fall Number One to Jay Lethal

Fall Number Two

Ciampa kicks Lethal in the head and he sets for Project Ciampa but Lethal counters with a rana and he gets a near fall. Ciampa with a near fall and then he connects with a knee to the head but Lethal kicks out.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Lethal has a super kick blocked. Lethal hits the Lethal Combination and then he applies the Koji Clutch. Ciampa is able to escape and he applies the Sicilian Stretch. Lethal gets to the ropes. Ciampa with a forearm but Lethal with a forearm of his own. They start to alternate forearms but Lethal with a chop. Ciampa with a forearm as Lethal comes off the ropes. Lethal with an elbow as Ciampa comes off the ropes. Lethal with a chop and he sets for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa moves and Ciampa with an Ace Crusher for a near fall.

Ciampa gets Lethal up for the Air Raid Crash and then he goes to the turnbuckles. Lethal is able to get out of the hold and he hits Project Ciampa for a near fall. Lethal goes up top but Ciampa recovers. Lethal leaps over Ciampa and he tries for Lethal Injection but Ciampa moves and Lethal hits the referee with an elbow.

Ciampa with four rolling German suplexes to Lethal but Lethal with a kick. Ciampa with a clothesline that flips Lethal.

Truth Martini makes his way to the ring and he grabs the knee brace and he gives it to Jay Lethal. Lethal picks up the brace and he hits Ciampa with it but when the referee recovers, he can only get a two count. Lethal goes up top for the elbow drop and he gets a one count. Lethal with a super kick and Ciampa stays on his feet. Lethal with a second super kick and Ciampa stays on his feet.

Ciampa flips off Lethal so Lethal kicks Ciampa in the knee and hits Lethal Injection for the three count.

Winner: Jay Lethal (Two Falls to None)

After the match, Lethal and Martini celebrate in the ring. Truth gets on the mic and he gives it to the new champ. Jay says that there is a house in New Orleans. It is called the House of Truth. Lethal kicks Ciampa and then he continues his celebration as we go to credits.

[LionDen]

On this day in history ..

1931 - Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Ed Don George in Los Angeles, California to capture his fourth World Heavyweight Title.

1959 - Ben and and Mike Sharpe defeat Chief Big Heart and Little Eagle to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.

1964 - The late Bryan Adams aka Crush is born.

1971 - Terry Funk defeats The Grappler (Johnny Walker) for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Miami, Florida.

1973 - After 20 years in operation, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance closes. The JWA's top stars, Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki, had left and formed their own promotions. Baba founded All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling.

1975 - WWE Hall of Famer Amy "Lita" Dumas is born.

1975 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, which was televised on HBO. The results:
- Mike Paidousis pinned Tony Altimore after Altimore missed a kick off the ropes.
- Greg Valentine pinned El Olímpico after an elbow drop. The Garden didn't allow wrestlers to be fully masked at that time, so Olímpico wore a faceless mask.
- Waldo Von Erich defeated Chief Jay Strongbow by countout after Strongbow was attacked from behind and thrown out of the ring.
- Lord Littlebrook and Little Tokyo defeated World Midget Tag Team Champions Sonny Boy Hayes and Little Louie in a best-of-three falls match. Tokyo pinned Hayes after a kick and a handful of tights, Hayes pinned Littlebrook after Tokyo hit Littlebrook by accident, and Littlebrook pinned Louie after a shoulderblock.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) defeated Spiros Arion (with Fred Blassie) in a Greek Death (submission only) match with a half-crab to retain the title.
- Édouard Carpentier pinned Joe Nova after three senton splashes.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy and Johnny) defeated Pete Sanchez and Manuel Soto.
- Bobby Duncum (with The Grand Wizard) and Victor Rivera fought to a draw, due to the 11:00pm curfew.

1976 - Angelo Mosca defeats Tim Woods in the finals of a two-month-long tournament to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title in -

1976 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results were:
- Jeff Ports defeated Abe Jacobs.
- Hiro Matsuda defeated Mr. Hayashi.
- Darling Dagmar defeated Marie LeBeaux.
- Bob Orton, Sr. defeated Bill Dromo.
- Eddie Graham defeated Ali Pasha.
- NWA Florida Tag Team Champion Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Steve Keirn by disqualification.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion The Assassin and The Missouri Mauler defeated Mike Graham and Billy Robinson.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Pak Song by disqualification. Song retained the title.

1980 - Bulldog Brower and Luke Graham are awarded the WWC North American Tag Team Title after Gorgeous George, Jr. and Luke Graham left the promotion.

1982 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results:
- Jim Garvin defeated Bob Russell.
- Derek Draper and El Gran Apolo fought to a draw.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich defeated Bob Russell.
- Terry Allen and Eric Embry defeated King James Dillon and Hiro Matsuda, when Allen pinned Dillon.
- Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo.
- Kendo Nagasaki defeated Brian Blair in a Texas Death match. King James Dillon was in a steel cage above the ring during the match.
- Sweet Brown Sugar defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich by disqualification. Von Erich retained the title.
- Hacksaw Reed defeated Ciclón Negro in a brass knuckles bounty match.

1984 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated Charlie Fulton.
- Ivan Putski defeated René Goulet.
- Greg Valentine defeated Brian Blair.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
- Roddy Piper and David Schultz defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Atlas and Rocky Johnson by disqualification.
- Bob Backlund and Paul Orndorff fought to a double disqualification.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Sgt. Slaughter by disqualification.

1985 - Ray Steele defeats Tony St. Clair for the British Heavyweight Title, ending St. Clair's second reign.

1985 - Lola Gonzales wins her third UWA World Women's Title from Jaguar Yokota in Mexico City, Mexico.

1988 - Marina Shafir is born.

1989 - Jerry Lawler defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the World Class Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, a rematch from their match on April 5. Lawler unified the WCCW title with his AWA title to become the Unified World Heavyweight Champion, which would become the top title in the USWA.

1993 - WCW held its first-ever event in New York City, New York, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The results were:
- Johnny B. Badd defeated Tex Slazenger.
- Maxx Payne defeated Steven Regal.
- Chris Benoit and Ron Simmons fought to a double-countout.
- Van Hammer defeated Vinnie Vegas.
- NWA and WCW World Tag Team Champions The Hollywood Blonds (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman) defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell and 2 Cold Scorpio to retain the titles.
- Rick Rude defeated Cactus Jack.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes defeated WCW World Television Champion Paul Orndorff by disqualification to retain his title. Orndorff's title was not on the line.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham defeated Ricky Steamboat to retain the title.
- Sting defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader by disqualification. Vader retained the title.

1994 - Villanos IV and V defeat Emilio Charles, Jr. and Scorpio, Jr. for the UWA World Tag Team Title in Acapulco, Mexico, beginning their third reign.

1996 - Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeats Apolo Dantés to win the CMLL World Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

1997 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro winning the week over WWF RAW is WAR, 3.5 to 2.2 in the ratings.

WWF RAW is WAR was partially taped after the live April 7 edition of the show at John C. Worthen Arena in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the remainder taped on April 9 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The results:
Taped in Fort Wayne:
- The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) defeated The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk).
- Mankind and Vader defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) by disqualification.
Taped in Johnannesburg:
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley (with Chyna) defeated Jesse James.
- Savio Vega (with Crush) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia.
- Goldust defeated The Sultan (with The Iron Sheik) by disqualification.
- Ahmed Johnson defeated Crush.

WCW Monday Nitro was live from the CoreStates Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was WCW's first-ever event at the Spectrum, once a long standing WWF territory, before the CoreStates Center (now Wachovia Center) opened in 1996. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Ice Train and Joe Gomez defeated Extreme.
- Madusa defeated Luna Vachon by disqualification.
Televised matches:
- Chris Benoit defeated The Barbarian.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko defeated Hector Guerrero by submission to retain the title.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera.
- WCW World Television Champion Ultimo Dragon (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Lane Carlson (Lenny Lane) to retain the title.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Syxx defeated Prince Iaukea by submission to retain the title.
- Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated High Voltage (Kaos and Rage) in a street fight, when Rock pinned Kaos.
- The Giant defeated Big Al (911).
- Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) defeated Konnan.
- Jeff Jarrett and Steve McMichael (with Debra) defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) by disqualification.
- Lex Luger defeated WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash (with the nWo) by disqualification.

2000 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 25: Ultimate Japan 3 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Laverne Clark defeated Koji Oishi by majority decision in a lightweight bout.
- Ikuhisa Minowa defeated Joe Slick by TKO (cut) at 1:54 of round three in a middleweight bout.
- Sanae Kikuta defeated Eugene Jackson by submission (armbar) at 4:39 of round one in a middleweight bout.
- Murilo Bustamante defeated Yoji Anjo by submission (arm triangle choke) at 0:31 of the round two in a middleweight bout.
- Ron Waterman defeated Satoshi Honma by unanimous decision after three rounds in a heavyweight bout.
- Tito Ortiz defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision after five rounds to win the UFC Middleweight Title, which had been vacated by Frank Shamrock in November 1999 due to his short-lived retirement.

2000 - Big Bully Douglas and Air Paris defeat The New South (Ashley Hudson and Kory Williams) for the NWA North American Tag Team Title in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

2000 - Kevin Northcutt defeats Don Brodie to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in North Richland Hills, Texas. At the same event, Abdullah the Butcher defeats Necro Butcher for the NWA Texas Hardcore Title, beginning Abdullah's second reign and ending Necro's second reign.

2000 - Chad Bowman defeats Qeenan Creed and champion Adam Flash in a three-way match for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Title in Annapolis, Maryland, ending Flash's third reign.

2000 - Samu defeats Ace Darling in Belvidere, New Jersey to win the Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Darling's third reign and beginning Samu's second. At the same event, Billy Reil wins the ISPW Light Heavyweight Title from Judas Young, beginning Reil's second reign and ending Young's second.

2001 - The Golden Boy defeats Dustin Starr for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ending Starr's second reign.

2001 - Tony Jones and Robert Thompson defeat The Ballard Brothers (Shane and Shannon) to win the All Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Vallejo, California. The title was vacated in March when Boyce LeGrand and Robert Thompson had left the promotion.

2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands four times at a house show in Abilene, Texas. William Regal won the title from Bubba Ray Dudley, ending Bubba Ray's fifth reign and beginning Regal's sixth. Spike Dudley began his fifth reign as Hardcore Champion by defeating Regal. Spike then lost the title to Goldust, his seventh title win. Bubba Ray Dudley left with the title though, beating Goldust, and beginning his seventh reign. This was the fifth straight house show that this same sequence of title changes occurred.

2002 - Rey Cuervo defeats Oriental to win the UWA World Welterweight Title in Tualcingo, Mexico

2002 - Bombero Infernal defeats Pantera for the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, beginning Infernal's fourth reign and ending Pantera's second.

2003 - WWE held a live RAW and taped the April 20 Sunday Night Heat at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. RAW got a 3.5 rating. The results were:
Dark matches:
- The Navajo Warrior defeated Dean Baldwin.
- Joey Matthews and Christian York defeated Phil Brown and Pat Cusick.
Heat:
- Jacqueline defeated Molly Holly.
- 3-Minute Warning (Jamal and Rosey (with Rico)) defeated Maven and Al Snow.
- Rodney Mack (with Theodore Long) defeated Mike Hunter.
- Rico defeated Spike Dudley.
RAW:
- Chris Jericho defeated Test (with Stacy Keibler).
- Jazz (with Theodore Long) and Victoria (with Steven Richards) defeated Ivory and WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus.
- World Tag Team Champions Kane and Rob Van Dam defeated Chief Morley and Lance Storm in a no-disqualification match.
- Goldust defeated Christian by disqualification.
- Booker T and the Hurricane defeated Ric Flair and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. With the win, Booker earned a rematch from WrestleMania XIX against Triple H World Heavyweight Title next week.

2004 - TNA held its 93rd weekly pay-per-view event at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The results were:
Xplosion:
- The 3Live Kru (B.G. James, Ron Killings and Konnan) defeated Ryan Boz, Scotty Matthews and Chance Prophet, when Killings pinned Prophet.
- Christopher Daniels pinned Gabriel.
- Jerry Lynn and Elix Skipper defeated Chris Hero and Nate Webb.
- The Amazing Red pinned Seth Delay.
Pay-per-view:
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett pinned James Storm.
- TNA X Division Champion Frankie Kazarian pinned Sonjay Dutt to retain the title.
- Simon Diamond pinned Johnny Swinger.
- Monty Brown pinned Sabu in a falls count anywhere match.
- Apolo and D'Lo Brown defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Kid Kash and Dallas by disqualification to win the title.
- Chris Harris pinned Raven to become #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.

2005 - Ikuto Hidaka defeats Super Crazy for the ZERO1-MAX International Junior Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2007 - ROH held "Fighting Spirit" at the Inman Sports Club in Edison, New Jersey. The results were:
- Jason Blade and Eddie Edwards defeated Chris Hero and Tank Toland.
- Pelle Primeau defeated ROH Top of the Class Trophy holder Shane Hagadorn to win the trophy.
- Rocky Romero defeated Claudio Castagnoli.
- ROH World Tag Team Champions El Generico and Kevin Steen defeated FIP Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe and FIP Florida Heritage Champion Erick Stevens.
- Doug Williams defeated Colt Cabana.
- Sara Del Ray defeated Ernie Osiris.
- Shingo defeated Matt Cross.
- The No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards and FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong) defeated Delirious and Jack Evans.
- ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima defeated Nigel McGuinness to retain the title.

2007 - Dennis Condrey defeats Brad Armstrong in Graysville, Alabama to become the first NWA Wrestle Birmingham Television Champion.

2007 - Two titles change hands at an NWA Universal event in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Slam Shady wins a Sooner Stampede battle royal to win the NWA Universal Heavyweight Title, which was vacated when John O'Malley left the promotion. Also, Justin Lee wins his second NWA Universal X Division Title from Shane Morbid.

2007 - Jeff Orcut defeats Kid Cade for the Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero Ultra-X Title in Salt Lake City, Utah.

2007 - Brandon Thomaselli defeats Josh Abercrombie in Shelbyville, Indiana to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title, ending Abercrombie's second reign.

2007 - Cody Whitehead defeats Brandon Stone for the NWA Mid-America X Division Title in Columbia, Tennessee. At the same show, Lee Condry defeats Johnny Swinger to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

2007 - Zach Gowen and Krotch defeat Truth Martini and N8 Mattson in Berwyn, Illinois to win the All-American Wrestling Tag Team Title.

2008 - ECW founder Tod Gordon issued the following statement to PWInsider.coml



From the desk of Tod Gordon -



It was not my intention for this to become a matter of public record until after I had an opportunity to address my dressing room and my staff on Saturday night, but with the age of the internet upon us, that turned out not to be possible. It’s not a complicated story folks. A member of my immediate family is gravely ill and both my physical and financial resources must be devoted to 24/7 healthcare.



It would be virtually impossible for me to devote the time and energy needed to run PWU and my store and be a caretaker. Something had to give. It’s been 20 blessed years in this business surrounded by top notch quality talent both in front of and behind the camera. I will miss each and every one of them along with all of you fans who supported me so faithfully.



BUT THERE IS A SILVER LINING:



Two companies will emerge from what I leave behind. The owner of the New Alhambra has pledged to keep wrestling events happening in that building every third Saturday of the month. In fact, he plans on using most of the same talent you’ve come to love and/or hate in PWU with a few exciting additions.



After my last event this Saturday night, please check out www.newalhambra.com for information regarding this promotion that will run it’s first show on Saturday night, May the 17th to be followed the third Saturday in June with the annual New Alhambra Hardcore Hall of Fame ceremony.



Please continue to support independent wrestling and I’m hoping you’ll be there this Saturday night at Cuffed and Caged to say goodbye. God Bless you all.



Tod Gordon

Since issuing the announcement, Gordon has made several appearances, mostly for charity events, but for the most part, has left the business.

2009 - E:60 did a feature on Vince McMahon and WWE. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:

The show starts off with the pitch from Jeremy Schaap talking about WWE and how they were given access on the show. One of the other hosts asks if this is going to be the ‘Real’ Vince McMahon or a scripted one. Schaap says that it will be a different Vince McMahon you haven’t seen before.

They start off the segment called ‘King of the Ring’ with footage from Wrestlemania 25 where Schaap mentions more than 70,000 people were in Houston for the show. They show footage from the show. /p>

John Cena talks about how people come from all over the world to see Wrestlemania. Big Show says that if you are performing on Wrestlemania, you are the best in the business.

Schaap talks about how Wrestlemania is the culmination of the year in wrestling and how it is the vision of Vince McMahon. Schaap mentions that Vince is 63 years old before sitting down to talk with Vince in Stamford at WWE Studios.

Schaap asks Vince what inspired him to start Wrestlemania. Vince says that it was common sense and he mentions the Super Bowl, World Series, Academy Awards, and the Grammys and he asks why shouldn’t they have their special day.

We see footage from Wrestlemania I and Schaap mentioned that it could have been the last one. Schaap asks Vince about the first Wrestlemania 24 years ago and Vince says that they were rolling the dice. He says that if it was not successful, he would not be sitting with Jeremy Schaap tonight.

Hulk Hogan mentions that Vince gambled on the concept and he bet on himself and Hulk Hogan. Hogan mentions that Vince put everything on the line for this show. Schaap talks about the closed circuit broadcasts all over the country.

They show footage from Wrestlemania III and he mentions the 93,000 people in the Silverdome for Hogan/Andre. He talks about Vince bringing wrestling into the mainstream thanks to Wrestlemania which was a mix of sports, celebrity, and entertainment. He talks about how Vince redesigned wrestling.

Vince talks about how many promoters pushed wrestling as a sport but he says that it was never a sport and that it was the greatest theatrical event. Hogan says that many were not happy with what Vince said about wrestling. When it became an exhibition, the people who wanted to see the blood stopped coming and the families started showing up in the arenas. Hogan talks about the merchandise.

Schaap asks Vince who he was at that time and Vince says that he was a brilliant younger man and that he is a brilliant older man now so not much has changed over the years.

Vince talks about growing up in an eight foot wide trailer in North Carolina. He says that he is lower middle class Americana. Jeremy asks Vince about comments that he made in the past about how he wishes that his father hadn’t died before he could kill him. Vince says he needed it because of the beatings and the way that he beat his mom and family. He mentions intimidation. He says that his philosophy is that if he is in a fight and he is not dead, he won.

They talk about how Vince was reunited with his dad when he was twelve. He talks about the larger than life business his father was in. They talk about how Vince lobbied to be in the business. Vince says that his dad wanted him to be a lawyer instead of getting into the business and Vince mentions that he detests lawyers. Vince talks about the chance that he had in Maine and that he had one chance to be successful in Bangor, Maine.

They talk about how he bought out his father in 1982, and that was the start of the national expansion. Vince says that he does not think his father would have sold the business to him if he knew what his son was going to do because he did not know that Vince would compete with his father’s friends. Jeremy asks Vince if he drove them out of business, but Vince says that he thinks they drove themselves out of the business.

Jeremy interviews Mike Mooneyham and he says that Vince ran the old promoters out of business and things have not been the same since. Jeremy talks about the value of the company and how it is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Jeremy talks about how it is still a family business.

Jeremy is with Stephanie and she talks about the challenge of managing her father, but he is the ultimate creative say. Jeremy asks about the writers and Stephanie jokes that they are top secret people and then she says that they come from all different places.

We go to a production meeting where Michael Hayes talks abut the show. Vince mentions Mickey Rourke’s appearance at the pay per view. While Hayes talks about a promo involving the Undertaker, Vince asks the people from ESPN to leave.

Jeremy is in the back with John Morrison and the Miz and he tries on one of Morrison’s coats. He then goes into Big Show’s bus. They then go to the production truck.

Bret Hart comments on how they grind you up and spit you out. Hart says that all he got was a stack of airplane tickets and the name of the building. Mooneyham talks about how they are independent contractors with no pension benefits, no vacations, and no 401(k) plan. Mike mentions that the wrestlers sign contracts that give away their rights.

Jeremy mentions that some wrestlers decide to take shortcuts to be successful in the ring. Hart says that only a few were not getting jacked up but nobody forced them to do them. Schaap mentions the steroid trial. Mooneyham talks about Vince’s image and how it has been affected by the trial and the deaths of the wrestlers.

Schaap talks about the death of Chris Benoit and the toxicology results. Vince says that he does not know what went on in Benoit’s brain at that time. He says that was the darkest day in the business. Vince talks about the wellness policy and he says that it is as good as any sport, even though they are not a sport. Schaap asks why have testing if the movie studios don’t have them. Vince says that part of the reason is political. He talks about a double standard because of the history of steroid use. He says that they are not hiding behind any pads.

Hogan talks about how he has never seen Vince break down or give up.

Jeremy asks about what will happen when he is gone and Vince says that he plans not to die so he will always be around.

2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SciFi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live on tape from Knoxville, Tennessee and your announcers are Josh ‘Double Shot’ Mathews and Matt ‘Ivan Drago references are coming’ Striker.

We see footage from Raw when the Miz was sent to Raw thanks to interference by John Morrison. Then we see the end of the Bromance.

Match Number One: John Morrison versus Evan Bourne
They lock up and Morrison with a waist lock but Bourne with a standing switch. Morrison with an arm bar but Bourne reverses. Morrison with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bourne with an arm drag into an arm bar. Bourne with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Bourne avoids a missile drop kick attempt and Bourne gets a near fall. Bourne with kicks to Morrison but Morrison sends Bourne into the ropes but Bourne bounces off of them instead of landing on the middle rope. Morrison with kicks and then he hits a European uppercut. Bourne with a kick but he misses an enzuigiri. Bourne does not miss with a clothesline but he can only get a two count. Bourne with a boot to Morrison in the corner. Bourne with an Irish whip but he is sent to the apron. Morrison trips Bourne on the apron and then Morrison with a Shining Wizard that sends Bourne to the floor. Morrison does his pose as the ref continues the count. Morrison goes to the floor and he kicks Bourne in the head. They return to the ring and Morrison with a near fall. Morrison with an Irish whip and then Morrison with an inverted torture rack and it is time to play the accordion with Bourne. Bourne is able to counter out of an apparent TKO with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Bourne sets for a move to the floor, but Morrison returns and he hits a drop kick to the knee and we go to commercial with both men on the mat.

We are back and Morrison with a reverse chin lock and he has the arm isolated. Bourne with elbows and then he kicks Morrison. Bourne misses a kick, but Morrison does not and Morrison gets a near fall. Morrison with forearms to Bourne and then he stomps on Bourne’s lower abdomen. Morrison with punches to Bourne followed by an elbow. Bourne with punches of his own but Morrison goes for a cover and he gets a near fall. Morrison with a chicken wing and crossface and Bourne tries to escape but Morrison takes Bourne to the mat. Bourne gets to his feet and he runs Morrison into the corner. Bourne with an elbow and a kick. Bourne responds with a desperation clothesline. Bourne with a rana followed by a drop kick and a jumping back kick for a near fall. Bourne puts Morrison on the top turnbuckle and hits a palm strike. Morrison knocks Bourne off the turnbuckles but Bourne jumps up and hits a rana for a near fall. Morrison with a hot shot and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Bourne with a near fall. Morrison with an uppercut and then both men go over the top rope to the floor as Bourne hits a cross body as Morrison hits the ropes. The referee starts his count. Bourne goes up top and hits a double knee strike for a near fall. Bourne with a kick to the chest. Morrison blocks a kick and he tries for Moonlight Drive but Bourne with a knee as he escapes the hold. Bourne pulls Morrison into the Shooting Star Press position but Morrison with a spin kick and Morrison hits a super Moonlight Drive on the ropes and gets the three count.
Winner: John Morrison

Vladimir Kozlov is walking in the back and we will find out if he Loves E-C-W.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Wrestlemania attendance did you know got drafted to ECW.

Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov versus David Floridia
Kozlov with a boot to the chest and then he connects with forearms and shoulders in the corner. Kozlov with a head butt as Floridia comes off the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a fallaway slam. Kozlov with a head butt to the chest followed by a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov

After the match, Kozlov gets on the mic.

Finlay and Hornswoggle stretch in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Matt and Josh blend into the ringside barrier with their black jackets. They talk about Monday’s Raw not so live from London as well as the Supplemental Draft on Monday.

Tiffany is in the office with Katie Lea and Paul Burchill. Paul says that they are a bit concerned because they are brother and sister and they don’t want to see Tiffany break up a family. She says that everyone is available in the draft.

Jack Swagger enters and he wants Tiffany to make a good first impression so he suggests a Q&A session for Jack Swagger on Superstars. Tiffany likes the idea but she decides to put the final match in the Elimination Chase. She says that she wants Jack to continue with the ideas and then she says that she liked his match last night.

Match Number Three: Christian versus Fit Finlay with Hornswoggle versus Tommy Dreamer in the Elimination Chase Triple Threat Match
Finlay with a kick to Dreamer but Christian punches Finlay. Finlay punches Christian and then Finlay slams Dreamer and Finlay with a hip toss of Christian onto Dreamer. Finlay gets a near fall on Dreamer. Christian with a reverse atomic drop and a drop kick to Finlay. Christian with a snap mare and kick to the back. Dreamer with a punch to Christian followed by a back elbow. Dreamer with a back elbow to Finlay and then he tries to suplex Christian in from the apron. Dreamer blocks Christian’s attempt to suplex him to the floor and Dreamer drops Christian on the top rope. Dreamer charges into a boot and Finlay gets a near fall. Finlay with a boot to the solar plexus and then Finlay knocks Christian to the floor one more time. Finlay with an Irish whip and punch. Christian with a neck breaker to Finlay. Dreamer with a back body drop to Christian.

Dreamer with a suplex to Christian followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Dreamer clotheslines Finlay over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body onto Finlay and Dreamer. We go to commercial.

We are back and Christian with a kick to Dreamer and then Christian goes up top but Finlay pushes Christian off the turnbuckles to the floor. We see footage during the commercial of Finlay being sent into the ring steps. We are back to live action and Finlay gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Finlay keeps Christian out of the ring and he gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a cross arm breaker but Dreamer is able to get out of the hold. Finlay goes outside the ring and he slams Christian’s head into the ring steps and hits a short arm clothesline. Finlay returns to the ring and gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a kick to the back. Dreamer with a jaw breaker and a slam and then Dreamer with a drop toe hold of Christian onto Finlay. We get a multiple man rollup and the ref makes a two count. Finlay and Christian collide in the ring and all three men are down. Christian goes up top but Finlay stops him. Finlay sets for a superplex but Dreamer stops him and Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe and hits a superplex on Christian but Dreamer only gets a two count. Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe again and it is time for the drop kick in the corner. Finlay throws Dreamer out of the ring and then Christian gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Finlay with a fireman carry slam to Christian. Dreamer with a DDT to Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer with an elbow to Christian and Christian gets caught in the ropes. Dreamer with a rollup on Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer tries for a Death Valley Driver but Finlay escapes and hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Fit Finlay (and Christian advances too)

Christian and Finlay stare each other down as we go to credits.

2010 - Jim Cornette posted a commentary on his website, made up of two emails. The first is an email he sent to TNA's Terry Taylor, in which he wrote about his departure from the company and had a few choice words regarding Vince Russo (I know, shocking). Cornette made his disdain of Russo very clear, and apparently prompted quite a response, as the second part of the blog is a letter Cornette received from the law firm of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit & Hayes, LLP, a firm that handles several entertainmentpan> clients. The letter states that Cornette's comments about Russo constitute "terroristic threats" and that Russo "has understandably experienced extreme fear for himself and his family" as a result of the comments made by Cornette. You can read Cornette's email to Taylor, and the letter he received in response

[LionDen]

Continued ..

2011 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:

We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘i>I’ll have what Angelina is drinking’ Tenay and Taz.

We begin with a look back at last week’s invitation by ‘Sting’ to entice Ken Anderson to get attacked by Rob Van Dam. We then see Van Dam and Sting’s confrontation in the ring. Then we see Hulk Hogan setting up the match between Sting and Rob Van Dam. We see the building of the dastardly plan between Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Then we see Ken Anderson going into business for himself . . . or did he join Immortal? It turns out that Ken Anderson played Hogan . . . brother.

If it is Thursday night at 9:00, it means that it is time for Eric and the Bischoffs to make their way to the ring. Eric is joined by everyone in Immortal.

Hogan says that it is quite obvious to him and the Immortalmaniacs that there is nothing but Top Choice in the ring. However, there is the rotten stench of crap in the building. He wants Ken Anderson to come out.

Ken Anderson makes his way to the ring and he enters the Lion’s Den and stands face to face with Hogan. Hogan welcomes him to the big show . . . brother. Hogan says that he has given Anderson every opportunity to do the right thing. He tells Anderson brother that he can do things the hard way (the Anderson Way) or he can do it the easy way (The Immortal Way). Hogan says that Anderson has been spitting in the face of authority and that means that he spits in Hogan’s face.

Anderson says that he used to look up to Hogan, but he sees the sheep in the ring hanging from his nuts. Anderson points out that Bischoff has been riding Hogan’s coat tails and he wants to know why Hogan can’t see it.

Anderson says that he will not step in line like the other lemmings. At the end of the day, he has to look at himself in the mirror and he says ‘Mr. Anderson . . . Anderson, you really are an asshole.’ Anderson says that he is okay with that. The other guys have to live with the fact that they are just up Hogan’s asshole.

Hogan pushes Anderson down and that means that Immortal attacks Anderson. Gunner, Murphy, and Terry hold Anderson for Matt Hardy. Hogan tells Anderson that he has disrespected him for the last time. When Immortal gets done with him tonight, he won’t even make it to Lockdown. Hogan tells Kenny boy that he is responsible for this so whatever happens to him, he attracted it to himself. Hogan tells Kenny Boy that they are going to cross paths again. Hogan says that he will take Anderson out on his time, not Anderson’s.

Bully Ray gets spat in the face by Anderson and that means that Ray has to take a shot at Anderson and he drops him with one punch.

Anderson is left laying in the ring while Immortal stands over him.

We see Velvet Sky knocking on the door trying to talk to Angelina. Winter tells Velvet that Angelina is resting and wants nothing to do with Velvet. Winter tells Velvet that Angelina is a big girl and she tells Velvet that Angelina wants nothing to do with her.

Velvet tells Winter to tell Angelina that she is going to go to the ring and call out Angelina and if Angelina doesn’t come to the ring for her receipt, she is going to come and get her.

We go to commercial.

We are back and if you haven’t had enough Immortal, you are in luck. They are celebrating their beatdown while Eric is on the phone, probably with the network. Eric tells everyone that he got a call from the network. Immortal thinks they loved it. Eric says that they want to do a best of three series of Fortune with Immortal and the winner gets a one man advantage at Lockdown. Hogan tells Eric that he was supposed to take care of the network problem. Hogan says that someone on the inside is smartening them up. Eric and Hogan exchange bros brother. Eric leaves and it is time for a strategy session.

Match Number One: Crimson with Scott Steiner versus Jesse Neal with Shannon Moore versus Orlando Jordan with Eric Young versus Douglas Williams with Magnus

Williams and Neal start things off and Williams with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Neal with an arm drag into an arm bar. Williams with a snap mare after Neal gets distracted by Moore on the floor. Neal with a hip toss and Orlando tries to sneak in. Orlando with a side slam for a near fall while Moore and Steiner continue to argue on the floor.

Jordan with a punch but Neal with a flying shoulder and Orlando goes to the floor. Crimson comes in and he kicks Neal and hits an exploder suplex for a near fall. Crimson sends Neal into the turnbuckles and he punches him. Crimson with an Irish whip but Neal with a kick and then he hits a cross body. Neal with a spear on Crimson and Moore continues to get involved with Steiner and Neal loses focus. Moore pushes Steiner on the floor and Steiner kicks Moore.

Neal goes to help his tag team partner. Crimson with a jaw breaker and Crimson goes to the floor. Abyss attacks Crimson to get revenge for what happened with Janice. Abyss takes part of the guardrail and he grabs Crimson by the throat and he choke slams Crimson on the guardrail while security protects the fans instead of stopping Abyss.

Williams misses a charge into the corner and Orlando grinds Williams and then hits a clotheslines and gets a near fall. Magnus attacks Williams while Eric Young grabs the referee. Young with a flying forearm to Magnus. Jordan with the Gender Bender for the three count.

Winner: Orlando Jordan

Bully Ray goes into Rob Van Dam’s trailer and he tells Rob this might not be the best time to play video games. He tells Rob that he isn’t here for a fight. Ray tells Rob that Hogan is going to make an offer that Rob shouldn’t refuse. Ray tells Rob that the grass is greener on the other side and there is less seeds.

Ray asks Rob if he saw what happened to Anderson and he tells Rob that he probably doesn’t want that to happen to him.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Matt Hardy with Team Immortal versus Kazarian with Team Fortune in the Best of Three Who Gets the Advantage in Lethal Lockdown Match Number One

Before the match starts, Earl Hebner tries to show some authority and he sends the non-wrestling members of Fortune to the back. Then he sends the non-Hardy members of Team Immortal to the back. Flair realizes what just happened and he takes off his jacket.

Kazarian with a crucifix for a near fall. He gets another near fall with a rollup. Kazarian is sent to the apron and Hardy punches Kazarian and then he kicks him as he returns to the ring. Hardy with a neck breaker with Kazarian in the ropes and Matt wit ha near fall. Hardy with an elbow to the head and then he connects with a leg drop and he gets a near fall.

Hardy chokes Kazarian in the ropes and then he catapults him into the middle rope and he gets a near fall. Hardy with a cravate and then he pulls Kazarian to the mat. Hardy waves his arms for the Twist of Fate but Kazarian with a back slide for a near fall. Kazarian blocks a Side Effect and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Hardy gets a near fall after a Side Effect. Matt with another Side Effect and then he pulls Kazarian into the corner and he goes up top for a moonsault, but Kazarian moves out of the way and Hardy misses. Kazarian with a flying forearm and clothesline followed by a drop kick. Kazarian with a slam and then he hits a springboard corkscrew leg drop. Kazarian gets Hardy up for the piledriver but Hardy gets out of the hold. Kazarian with a springboard drop kick and he gets a near fall when Hardy gets his foot on the ropes.

Hardy with an Irish whip but Kazarian with a boot to the face and Hardy says that he is injured. The referee checks on Hardy and Hardy pushes the referee into the ropes to crotch Kazarian. Hardy with a guillotine choke with a double underhook and Kazarian is out.

Madison Rayne and Tara are in the back and Madison says that she is going to apologize to Mickie James. Tara says that she is so proud of Madison and we go to commercial.

We are back and Madison Rayne and Tara are in the ring. She says that for the last seven days, she hasn’t been able to sleep. Every night when she lays down to go to bed, all she can do is play the events of last week in her head over and over again. If she would have had the opportunity to do things differently, what would she have done. That is a question that has been weighing heavily on her mind.

Madison tells Tara that she would have backed that bike up and run over Mickie’s ass one more time. Then she would have taken her left hand and slapped Tara over her wretched face for questioning her.

Madison tells Tara that she has noticed that Tara has become a little too comfortable in her role. Madison wants to remind Tara what her role is. Tara is Madison’s bitch. She does what Madison says when she says. She does not question her. She does her job and keeps her mouth shut. Madison reminds Tara that she is the reason why she has her job back after she retired her. Madison tells Tara if she continues to give her the slightest bit of back talk, she will be back behind that makeup counter selling lip gloss.

Madison tells Tara if she has something to say, she better spit it out.

Tara says that she has something to say, but first we hear Mickie James’ music and Mickie’s arm is in a sling.

Mickie apologizes for interrupting this tender moment but she has something to say. If Madison thinks for one second that a separated shoulder is going to stop her from pulling every strand of her weave out of her head, Madison is mistaken. Mickie tells Madison that she was right that she should have run her over again. Mickie says that on Sunday, she will put Madison through every ounce of pain that she was put through last week plus more. Mickie says that Madison has made her life a living hell. Madison has mocked her and everything that she stands for. Mickie says that Madison took the coward’s route last week. There is no way out on Sunday and she will beat Madison within an inch of her life and she will show how hardcore country she can be.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Jeff Jarrett, Hernandez, and D’Angelo Dinero with Karen Jarrett, Rosita, Anarchia, and Sarita versus Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, and Matt Morgan with Okato

Jarrett and Angle start things off but Jarrett does his best to avoid Angle and he tags Hernandez in. We have had too much action so we need to go to commercial to sort everything out.

We are back and Dinero punches Morgan and Morgan tries for a choke slam but Dinero escapes the hold. Morgan with elbows in the corner and he misses the pump kick in the corner and Dinero clips him. Dinero with DDTs to the leg and Hernandez is tagged in. Hernandez kicks Morgan in the knee.

Morgan with a discus clothesline to Hernandez and both men are down. Hernandez goes to the corner and he pulls himself up after kicking Angle. Angle climbs the turnbuckles and hits a belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down again.

Joe and Jarrett tag in and Joe with forearms to Jarrett and Hernandez. Joe moves and Hernandez hits Jarrett. Joe with an enzuigiri and then he gets rid of Hernandez Joe puts Jarrett in an arm breaker and Dinero interferes. Joe with an enzuigiri to Dinero and he sets for the muscle buster but Jarrett hits Joe from behind. Joe is thrown from the ring. Angle chases Jarrett up the ramp and to the back.

Dinero rolls Joe into the ring and Hernandez with a slingshot shoulder tackle and then he gets Joe set for the border toss but Joe counters. Joe puts Hernandez in the choke and Dinero with an elbow drop to break it up.

Morgan with a punch to Dinero and he gets rid of Dinero. Hernandez is thrown brass knuckles but Morgan hits Hernandez. Morgan and Hernandez go over the top rope to the floor. Dinero hits Joe with the brass knuckles and Dinero gets the three count.

Winners: D’Angelo Dinero, Jeff Jarrett, and Hernandez

After the match, Matt Morgan is brought into the ring and Hernandez punches Morgan with the brass knuckles.

We go to the back and Jeff Jarrett wants to leave. Karen forgot her purse but she can buy a new one because she sees her ex-husband. Jeff drives away and Kurt tells Karen that she made a good pick with her current husband.

It is the start of hour two so that means that Immortal is going to make their way to the ring.

Hogan says that Immortal is where they should be and they are taking care of family business. Hogan wants Rob Van Dam to come out because he wants to talk to him.

Hogan tells Rob that he has seen what has been going on. He tells Rob not to make the same mistake that Anderson did. Hogan reminds Rob about March 2010 when he came to TNA and he says that he wanted Rob to be a major part of the team. Hogan says that people have been taking advantage of him. He tells Rob that he has been on fire of late and he won’t take a backseat to anyone. He tells Rob that he would fit in Immortal perfectly. Hogan says that he saw what was going on last week. Rob took advantage of the situation when Anderson took care of Sting.

Sting’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. Sting tells Hogan that was a lie because Rob never saw Anderson lay him out and the Rob he knows would never take a win like that. Sting says that it is an awesome honor and privilege to be the TNA World Champion. Sting says that he is not going to take his eye of the main issue and that is getting rid of Hogan and Bischoff. Sting tells Rob that if he is the better man at Lockdown, he will be the champion. However, if Rob isn’t the better man and he gets in bed with the two jabronies in the ring with them, he will take the title over his dead body.

Rob thinks about what he has just heard from both sides and Van Dam leaves the ring.

Eric tells Hogan that he is feeling confident right now. Eric says that despite what Sting has achieved in his career, the fact of the matter is that Sting is not quite the chess player that Hulk Hogan is. Hogan has been out manipulating Sting for his entire career. He has been playing Sting like a violin. Eric says that he is feeling a checkmate in his future.

Sting says that checkmate is right now and it is his. Sting hits Bischoff and hits the Scorpion Death Drop on Eric.

Sting says that he is going to steal a page out of Hogan’s book and do it on his time.

Hogan tells Sting that he is a lucky man as we go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Abyss versus James Storm in a Lethal Lockdown Best of Three Who Gets the Advantage Match [Immortal leads 1-0]

Before the match starts, Storm spits beer in his face. Storm clotheslines Abyss over the top rope and they both go to the floor and then Storm sends Abyss into the ring post and stairs. Storm backs Abyss into the turnbuckles and he punches Abyss. Abyss pushes Storm and then kicks him. Abyss with more punches to Storm. Abyss charges into the corner but Storm moves and James with clotheslines but Abyss stays on his feet. Storm hits a running forearm and Abyss is down. Abyss sends Storm onto the apron and then Storm with a kick to the back of the head and he gets a near fall after a cross body from the top.

Abyss grabs Storm by the throat and Storm turns it into a gutbuster and then he hits a lungblower for a near fall. Abyss with an Irish whip but Storm with a kick. Abyss grabs Storm by the throat and he hits the choke slam but he can only get a two count. Abyss tries for Shock Treatment but Storm with a rake of the eyes. Abyss blocks the super kick and then Abyss with the Black Hole Slam for the three count.

Winner: Abyss [Team Immortal wins 2-0]

After the match, Immortal come to the ring to celebrate their victory. Then Fortune makes their way to the ring and Immortal leaves the ring.

Velvet Sky has finally found her way into the back and she is going to call out Angelina Love. We go to commercial.

We are back and Eric Bischoff is on the phone and he says that he is trying to keep his temper from getting out of hand. He says that him and Hulk Hogan can smell a rat on the inside. Bischoff says that you don’t want to push Hogan. He says that he wants to know who they are working with. Bischoff is told that he will find out ‘in time’.

Velvet Sky makes her way to the ring. She says that she is going to give Angelina one last chance to come to the ring face to face and explain her actions. Velvet says that if she does not like what Angelina says, she will whoop some ass.

Angelina walks vacantly to the ring. Velvet pushes Angelina and then hits her with a forearm or two. Angelina with a spear and then she punches Velvet. Angelina crawls out of the ring and she gets a chair. Angelina with an inverted DDT and back breaker combination. Angelina moves the chair into position and then she methodically picks up Velvet and she DDTs Velvet onto the chair.

Winter makes her way into the Impact Zone and she waves her evil finger and Angelina follows like the drone that she has become.

It is time for Mike Tenay and Taz to run through the card for Lockdown, this Sunday in Cincinnati on pay per view.

Ken Anderson is walking in the back as he gets ready for the Immortal Gauntlet. We go to commercial.

Match Number Five: The Ken Anderson Immortal Gauntlet

Opponent Number One: Murphy

They lock up and Murphy misses a punch. Anderson with punches followed by shoulders in the corner. Anderson tries for a neck breaker but Murphy counters with a clothesline. Murphy with a slam and Anderson’s leg hits the ropes and Anderson holds his leg. Murphy with a DDT to the leg and then he drops a knee to the leg. Murphy with a boot to the head. Murphy misses a knee drop and Anderson hits the mic check for the three count.

Winner: Ken Anderson

Segment Number Two: Rob Terry

Anderson gets a near fall on Terry but Terry with a clothesline. Terry drives the knee into the mat. Terry with a leg bar on Anderson but Anderson pulls himself up and punches Terry. Terry with a modified spinebuster. Terry with a splash into the corner. Anderson avoids a power slam and he gets the mic check and the three count.

Winner: Ken Anderson

Segment Number Three: Gunner

Gunner with a kick to the leg and then he clips the knee. Gunner gets a near fall on Anderson and then he puts Anderson’s leg in the ropes. Gunner with a running knee into the thigh but he tries again and he runs into an elbow. Anderson with a boot to the head followed by a clothesline and elbow followed by a swinging neck breaker for a near fall.

Anderson tries for the Lambeau Leap but he can’t keep Gunner up. Anderson with the mic check for the three count.

Winner: Ken Anderson

Segment Number Four: Bully Ray

Ray punches Anderson and then he drops an elbow on Anderson’s chest. Ray hits Anderson in the hamstring. Ray puts Anderson in the tree of woe and then he punches Anderson in the chest and leg. Ray works on the knee and punches Anderson. Ray taunts Anderson and Anderson with a slap. Anderson with chops and punches. Ray with a back elbow to Anderson. Ray goes to the turnbuckles but Anderson stops him and then he hits the Lambeau Leap for a near fall.

Ray gets to his feet first and he punches Anderson but Anderson punches back and it is time for the yay/boo exchange. Ray gets a big boot to stop Anderson. Ray throws Anderson to the floor and then he hits the referee.

No Contest

Ray hits Anderson in the back and then he drags Anderson up the ramp. Anderson tries to stop Ray but Ray punches Anderson to continue to drag him up the ramp onto the stage. Ray with a forearm to the back and it looks like someone might be going through a table.

Immortal’s music plays and Hogan comes out. Hogan tells Ray that he wants to be the one to finish off Anderson. Ray plays the air traffic controller for Hogan to power bomb Anderson. Sting comes out and he has a bat. Abyss comes out and Abyss gets a shot in but Sting hits Abyss with the bat. Sting hits Ray with the bat next.

Sting stands over Anderson with the bat in his hand. Sting surveys the damage and then he goes to the back.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Robert Roode says that they are the heart and soul of TNA. They have Immortal in a cage in three days with weapons. It ends on Sunday. Storm says that he let them down and he let AJ down. He tells Immortal and ‘Abitch’ that they are still standing. On Sunday, they will do more than beat them.

Rob Van Dam is asked where his head is at and he keeps walking without answering.

They ask Ken Anderson if he is looking at Sting differently because he saved him. Anderson says that it didn’t change anything because this is wrestling. He came for the belt and he doesn’t care. He says that he has been here for a year and a half and he came here for the title.

Sting says that it wasn’t about saving anyone. It was about getting his focus back. He is focused on Hogan and Bischoff. Sting says that he is feeling good and he is fired up. It will be showtime at Lockdown and Hogan isn’t taking any belt from him.

Hogan says that if Sting wants a war, he’s got a war. Hogan says that they are going to take the belt back.

2011 - WWE moved Superstars to WWE.com domestically after it was dropped by WGN.

2012 - CHIKARA ran "I'll Be A Monkey's Uncle" in Rahway, NJ. Josh Higham filed the following live report:

“I’ll Be a Mummy’s Uncle”
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Rahway Rec Center (Rahway, NJ)

Ophidian defeated UltraMantis Black with a small package. Ophidian went under the ring and brought UltraMantis’ staff out with him. As Mantis and Ophidian fought over the staff, Ophidain sprayed black mist in Mantis’ face to allow him to cradle Mantis.

Kobald defeated Saturyne with the Demon's Toilet.

Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano got the three points in the four corner elimination tag. Chuck Taylor school boyed a Maximo (couldn’t see which one). They both pinned Jack Bonza after the Bravados hit a double-team elevated overdrive, and then Gargano pinned Lancelot Bravado after the elevated DDT/Hurts Donut combination. This result should make the previously announced match between 3.0 and FIST in Lafayette, IN, for the Campeonatos de Parejas.

Mr. Touchdown defeated Archibald Peck when Peck was disqualified for excesivo de castigo. This was the debut of the Mixed Martial Archie persona. Archie came out wearing his normal tights and cape, but with MMA shorts and a shirt, both advertising Venum. He had a towel over his head and a mouthguard in. A super fun match, which included Peck declaring the end of a round just as Mr. Touchdown mounted some offense, Dasher Hatfield getting ejected from ringside, and senior official Bryce Remsburg falling asleep while Peck locked in a guillotine choke. Veronica came out midmatch and began flirting with Mr. Touchdown, which caused the enraged Peck to begin a ground and pound. When he wouldn’t let up, Remsburg called for the bell. It has been two years since the last time a match has been stopped for excesivo de castigo.

Jigsaw defeated Tim Donst after a superplex. Jig kicked out of 2 From Dusk to Donsts and was able to avoid the shoelace-assisted rear naked choke. Donst was constantly talking to the cameras to Director of Fun Wink Vavasseur and Hallowicked about the Hallowicked and using his finger to simulate a stem on the top of Jigsaw’s mask.

Intermission. Ultramantis Black was the in-ring photo opportunity for the fans.

Jakob Hammermeier defeated Dragonfly with la magistral with his feet up on the ropes. A really short match.

In the Trial of Akuma, Gran Akuma defeated Gregory Iron with a Liger bomb. Referee Jon Barber was knocked out halfway through the match, which prompted Icarus, who was acting as guest timekeeper, to come to the ring and punch Akuma with a chain wrapped around his fist. When Iron wouldn’t capitalize on the interference, Icarus knocked him out too. Iron had his nose busted open after a Tenchi Crash from Akuma near the end of the match.

Sara Del Rey defeated Kodama with a small package. Both Obariyon and Kobald remained at ringside and attempted distractions and interferences liberally.

GEKIDO (17, The Shard, assailANT, and combatANT) defeated The Colony and Eddie Kingston when combatANT pinned Soldier Ant after a TKO. Soldier Ant was going after assailANT's mask when he got caught with the TKO. 17 and the Shard made multiple attempts at Fire Ant and Green Ant’s masks. Very much a brawl, just like the matches GEKIDO was involved in on the events in Canada. GEKIDO entered and exited through the front door. No appearance from deviANT, the third member of the Swarm.

Notes: Bryce Remsburg, Gavin Loudspeaker, Leonard F. Chikarason, and Mike Quackenbush rotated commentary duties while Remsburg and Jon Barber shared referee duties. Larry Dallas, Scott Reed, Mia Yim, and other wrestlers booked for the JAPW show watched from the crowd. Larry Dallas was even approached to participate in Billy Kumohara’s Quiz Present Crisis Battle. Dallas did not know the answer to the question “What does Gekido translate to in English?” Gavin Loudspeaker was doing the hard sell for the events in Easton (May 19), New York City (May 20), and Philadelphia (June 2). But before those events, Chikara returns to action in Chicago Ridge on April 28 and Layafette, IN, on April 29.

2012 - CZW ran their Best of The Best tournament in Voorhees, NJ. David Tees filed the following report:


Welcome to the PWInsider live coverage of Combat Zone Wrestling’s Best Of The Best 11, live from the Flyers Skate Zone in Vorhees, NJ.

Tonight’s card features…

Best Of The Best Opening Round: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. Drake Younger vs. Trent 7 vs. MK McKinnan

Best Of The Best Opening Round: Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Samuray Del Sol

Best Of The Best Opening Round: AR Fox vs. Lince Dorado vs. ACH

Best Of The Best Opening Round: Alex Colon vs. Willie Mack vs. Greg Excellent

Plus the Best Of The Best Semi-Finals & Finals!!!

CZW Wired TV Title Match: Jake Crist (Champion) vs. Dave Crist

Ultraviolent Encounter: DJ Hyde vs. Matt Tremont

Contract signing between Danny Havoc & Drew Gulak!!!

Larry Legend comes to the ring and introduces CZW Owner DJ Hyde, who comes out with the Best Of The Best Trophy. Hyde puts over the tournament as the top tournament in the world, saying that whoever wins will truly be the “best of the best.” Larry Legend then introduces all the participants in the tournament, Callihan and Younger get into it briefly before the photographers snap the group portrait.

Match #1 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. Drake Younger vs. Trent 7 vs. MK McKinnan

The first tournament match begins with Callihan attacking Younger and Trent attacking McKinnan, Trent and McKinnan battle on the arena floor. Callihan then nails Younger with a saito suplex, McKinnan then nails Younger with a missile drop kick from the top rope. Trent and McKinnan continue their battle in the ring now, Trent then catches a diving McKinnan with a leg lariat. Callihan returns to spit in the face of Trent before they exchange chops, McKinnan and Younger now battle on the arena floor. Callihan catches Trent with a bicycle kick and a death valley driver, Callihan gets the near fall with a rope assisted splash. Callihan then knocks Trent out of the ring before taking him out with a suicide dive, Younger then does a moonsault off the top rope and to the arena floor that takes out Callihan and Trent. All four competitors are then involved in a tower of doom spot, Trent then gets near falls on all three of his opponents. Callihan then destroys Younger and Trent with Inzaguri’s, Younger recovers to hit Callihan and Trent with exploder suplxes. Younger then hits a running fireman’s suplex that drops McKinnan onto Callihan and Trent, Trent recovers to hit Younger with a snap dragon suplex and stalling pile driver. McKinnan and Trent then duel in the center of the ring, McKinnan then nearly eliminates Trent after a tornado DDT. McKinnan then meets Callihan on the top rope and a fight ensues, Callihan gets behind McKinnan to super kick his leg and knock him off the top rope. Callihan then nails McKinnan with a double under shoulder breaker, Younger then breaks up the stretch muffler to hit Callihan with a tiger bomb. McKinnan slows his momentum by nailing Younger with a shining wizard, McKinnan then does a cannonball senton on his opponents as they tried regrouping outside of the ring. Younger gets up first and he re-positions the ring steps, Younger then smashes Callihan’s face on the ring steps. Callihan escapes the Drake’s Landing to hit Younger with a brain buster on the ring steps, the referee then counts out both Younger and McKinnan.

Eliminated: Drake Younger & MK McKinnan

Trent and Callihan are the last two while the crowd chants “bullsh*t”, Callihan and Trent then exchange some forearm strikes. Callihan gains the edge by hitting Trent with a bicycle kick and several chops, Callihan then gets nailed with a lariat and a spinning pile driver from Trent. Trent goes to the top rope and Callihan nails him with a kick to the head, Trent then head butts Callihan off the top before hitting him with a frog splash. Trent then picks up a tired Callihan to nail him with another pile driver, Trent then starts trading taunts with the crowd. Callihan recovers to crush Trent with a saito suplex, Callihan then hits Trent with a Forearm To Remember. Callihan locks in the Stretch Muffler and Trent eventually taps out.

Winner: Sami Callihan

After the match, Drake Younger hits the ringside area and CZW security holds him back.

Match #2 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: Best Of The Best Opening Round: Alex Colon w/Chrissy Rivera vs. Willie Mack vs. Greg Excellent

The action begins with Excellent easily winning a battle of strength over Colon, Mack then wins his battle of strength against Colon. Mack and Excellent then easily over power Colon in the lock up, Excellent then starts dancing to Brodus Clay’s theme song and he gets drop kicked by his opponents for his efforts. Colon then gets the best of Mack by nailing him with a scissors kick, Mack responds by catching Colon off guard with the pounce. Mack and Excellent then have a battle of the big men, Colon interrupts and his opponents nail him with a modified 3-D. Mack then destroys Colon and Excellent with multiple avalanche splashes in the corners, Colon then nearly rolls up Excellent. Colon then tries to keep Excellent down with a variety of kicks, Mack returns and catches Colon with a leaping inzaguri. Excellent then nails Mack with a Samoan drop, Excellent then stacks his foes in the corner before taking them out with the Rick Roll. Excellent and Mack battle on the top rope with Excellent winning, Colon then kicks Excellent in the head. Excellent recovers with Colon on the top rope fighting with him, Excellent then power bombs Colon off the top rope and onto Mack. The three competitors then take sips from their respective sodas and they spit them in each other’s faces, we then have a three way chase around the ring. The referee takes away the sodas and he gets soda spit on him for his efforts, Colon strikes next by catching Mack with the Inquisition. Excellent then grabs Colon to hit him with a tiger driver on the ring apron, Mack then takes Excellent out with a suicide dive. Excellent and Mack battle back into the ring, Mack then drops Excellent with a t-bone cuplex after getting a face full of boob. Mack then gets the three count on Excellent after hitting him with a frog splash.

Eliminated: Greg Excellent

The action resumes with Mack nailing Colon with a standing moonsault, Colon then escapes a choke slam attempt to hit Mack with a spin kick and super kick. Colon then catches Mack a springboard tombstone pile driver for the three count.

Winner: Alex Colon w/Chrissy Rivera

Match #3 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Samuray Del Sol

Our next match kicks off with Gargano and Taylor double teaming Del Sol, Gargano quickly turns on Taylor and throws him out of the ring. Del Sol quickly returns to hit Gargano with a top rope arm drag, Taylor returns to the ring and he catches Gargano with an overhead suplex. Del Sol nearly catches Taylor for the three count after a springboard roll up, Del Sol goes for a dive and Gargano stops him with a springboard dive. Gargano then does a suicide dive onto Taylor, Gargano then enters the ring by hitting Del Sol with a springboard DDT. Taylor then catches Del Sol with Soul Food, Del Sol quickly recovers to catch Taylor with a sit out sliced bread. Gargano then launches Del Sol in the air so he can drop kick Taylor, Taylor gets back up and he power bombs Del Sol into Gargano. Gargano rolls out of the ring and Taylor does a dive onto him, Del Sol then catches both men with a middle rope springboard swanton bomb. Del Sol and Gargano battle back into the ring, Gargano and Taylor then hit their Chikara tag team finisher on del Sol. Gargano then drops Taylor with a clothes line and DDT, Gargano then tries to lock Taylor in the Gargano Escape and Taylor rolls him up for the three count.

Eliminated: Johnny Gargano

The action resumes with Del Sol quickly rolling up Taylor for the three count.

Winner: Samuray Del Sol



Match #4 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: AR Fox vs. Lince Dorado vs. ACH

The final opening round match begins with Fox quickly nailing ACH with a drop kick, Dorado then knocks Fox out of the ring. Dorado was going to dive on Fox before ACH got in the way, Dorado then nails ACH with a running drop kick in the corner. ACH rebounds by taking Dorado down with a springboard arm drag, Dorado flips off ACH and he gets slapped for it. Fox returns to the ring and he does a springboard dive onto both of his opponents, Fox then does an inverted moonsault dive onto his opponents on the arena floor. Fox then tosses both of his opponents back into the ring, Fox then misses his guillotine leg drop on ACH and is back on the arena floor. Dorado then does a dive outside the ring and onto Fox, ACH then catches his opponents with a split legged moonsault on the arena floor. Fox then goes for a dive and ACH shoves him off the ropes and back into the ring, Dorado attacks Fox and Fox escapes to attempt a dive onto ACH. Dorado then does a suicide dive to the arena floor onto both of his foes, ACH and Dorado enter the ring first and have a slap battle. ACH brings Dorado to the top rope and Dorado crotches him on the top rope, Dorado stands on the top rope and Fox joins him. Dorado then does a hurricarana to take Fox off the top rope, ACH then misses his top rope dive onto his opponents. Dorado and Fox battle it out in the middle of the ring, Fox then puts Dorado in the corner to nail him with a variety of drop kicks. Fox misses a hold and Dorado catches him with a flip DDT, Dorado then avoids ACH by hitting Fox with a shooting star lariat. ACH returns and Dorado nails him with a kick to the ribs, ACH then tangles Dorado in the ropes before hitting him with a rope assisted spinning neck breaker for the three count.

Eliminated: Lince Dorado

The action continues with ACH hurting Fox with a series of strikes, Fox recovers to hit ACH with multiple ace crushers. Fox goes to the tope rope and ACH catches him with a stunner, ACH misses his top rope dive and Fox tries to take advantage. ACH keeps the pressure on Fox by nailing him with a running knee strike, ACH then nails Fox with a power bomb for a near fall. ACH then misses a middle rope 450 splash on Fox, Fox then nails ACH with a running bicycle kick before putting him on the top rope. Fox then hits him with a one man Spanish fly for the three count.

Winner: AR Fox

Match #5 - CZW Wired TV Title Match: Jake Crist (Champion) vs. Dave Crist

The title match begins with Dave attacking Jake as he was making his entrance, Jake then nails Dave with a running knee on the guard rail. Jake then power slams a running Dave into the guard rail, Jake then brings Dave to the ring before hitting him with cross face strikes. Jake then nails Dave with a dragon screw leg whip into the corner, Jake goes to the top rope and Dave nails him with a running kick and a rope assisted swinging neck breaker. Dave then keeps Jake cornered by nailing him with a lot of chops, Jake recovers by kicking at Jake and he places him on the top rope. Jake then nails Dave with a superplex and a running knee to the head, Jake then catches Dave with a super kick and roundhouse kick. Jake then nails his brother with a tiger suplex into the turnbuckles, Dave then gets his knees up when Jake goes for the moonsault. Dave then drops Jake with a nasty DDT for a near fall, Jake and Dave then battle on the top rope that ends with Dave getting shoved into the referee. Dave then catches his diving brother with a low blow, Dave follows it up with a kick to the balls for the three count.

Winner: New CZW Wired TV Champion, Dave Crist!

Match #6 - Best Of The Best Semi-Finals: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. Alex Colon w/Chrissy Rivera

The semi-finals kick off with these two immediately getting into each other’s faces, the fight spills to the arena floor and Callihan tosses Colon into the guard rail. Colon recovers by peppering Callihan with chops, Colon then crashes into the safety rail after missing a running knee strike. Callihan then nails Colon with a running chop as he is draped on the guard rail, the action returns to the ring. Callihan and Colon then start exchanging kicks and head butts, Colon then knocks himself and Callihan back outside the ring. Callihan then charges at Colon and they both collide into a member of CZW Security, Callihan then hits Colon with a Saito suplex into the guard rail. Colon is tossed back into the ring as Callihan stalks him, Callihan then nails Colon with a few running clothes lines. Colons avoids a clothes line before hitting Callihan with the Inquisition, Colon then nails Callihan with an onslaught of kicks. Colon then misses a running clothes line and Callihan makes him pay with various kicks and a few face washes in the corner, Colon recovers to catch a running Callihan with a rope assisted sit out driver. Colon then locks Callihan in the Stretch Muffler, Callihan catches Colon with a surprise roll up for the three count.

Winner: Sami Callihan

After the match, Sami Callihan grabs the microphone and says that he will not lose in the finals three years in a row and then he says that Alex Colon is the future of wrestling.

Match #7 - Best Of The Best Semi-Finals: AR Fox vs. Samuray Del Sol

The last semi-finals match begins with Del Sol immediately attacking the legs of Fox, Fox and Del Sol then have a little chain wrestling competition. Del Sol then takes Fox down with a satellite arm drag, Fox then surprises Del Sol with a springboard ace crusher. Fox follows that up by hitting Del Sol with a running clothes line and a modified cannon ball, Del Sol recovers to catch Fox with a springboard hurricarana. They battle to the ring apron and Del Sol nails Fox with a super kick and a death valley driver on the ring apron, Del Sol then does a diving arm drag that sends Fox into the guard rail. Del Sol then starts kicking Fox in the midsection, Fox recovers by tossing Del Sol into the ring post and then nailing him with a kick flip dive. They go back into the ring where Fox nearly gets the three count on Del Sol, Del Sol then catches Fox with a few kicks before locking him in a cross arm breaker. Fox eventually breaks the hold by grabbing onto the bottom rope, Del Sol goes to the ring apron and Fox kicks him off of it and onto the arena floor. Fox then does a suicide dive over the ring post and onto Del Sol, Fox then tosses Del Sol into the guard rail. Fox then slaughters Del Sol with a running senton dive into the guard rail, Fox throws Del Sol into the ring before nailing him with a springboard 450 splash. Del Sol recovers to hit Fox with a springboard reverse hurricarana, Del Sol follows it up by nailing Fox with a running shoulder tackle in the corner. Del Sol goes to the top rope and Fox surprises him with a one man Spanish fly for the three count.

Winner: AR Fox

The contract signing between Drew Gulak and Danny Havoc kicks off the second half of the show, Gulak comes out with his campaign staff (Dewey Donovan, Mr. Tofiga and Alexander James). Gulak talks about having his lawyers draw up a contract for the match with Havoc, then he says that the Nation Of Intoxication drugged James with PCP. Havoc appears behind Gulak and he attacks him with a barbed wire baseball bat, Havoc then mocks a bloody Gulak. Gulak clears his crew from the ring and Havoc returns to sign the contract, Gulak then says the match next month will be a barbed wire match. Havoc signs the contract before tasting some of Gulak's blood and the match is official for next month.

DJ Hyde comes out for his match wearing a suit and it looks like he will not be wrestling tonight, Hyde talks about Nick Gage. Hyde says that Tremont is still a boy and he will not compete against him, Hyde says that Clint Margera will face him instead.

Match #8 - Ultraviolent Encounter: Clint Margera vs. Matt Tremont

This battle kicks off with Margera attacking Tremont from behind with a fork bat, Tremont then cracks Margera a few times with a fork bat. Margera then gets nailed with a few head butts from Tremont, Tremont then nails Margera with a garbage can lid before nailing him with a clothes line. Tremont then destroys Margera with a brain buster suplex, Tremont then tries to take Margera’s head off with a few chair shots. Margera recovers and he nails Tremont with a chair shot, Tremont quickly recovers by hitting Margera with a yakuza kick. Tremont then breaks a water jug over the head of Margera, both wrestlers then start exchanging some elbow strikes. Tremont then gets a near fall with a falcon arrow suplex, both men grab a tack bat and they start whaling on each other with them. Margera then rakes the tack bat across the head of Tremont, Margera then catches Tremont with a springboard leg drop onto a chair. Tremont wakes up and he crashes a chair onto the head of Margera, Tremont then slams Margera onto a pile of thumbtacks. Tremont then goes for a splash and he lands on the tacks as Margera moves, Margera then nails Tremont with the thumbtack bat. Tremont responds by nailing Margera with a running bulldog, Tremont goes to the top rope and Margera hits him with a running kick. Tremont recovers to power bomb Margera onto a barbed wire chair for the three count.

Winner: Matt Tremont

After the match, Matt Tremont demands a match with DJ Hyde and Hyde says that he will grant him the match with one condition. Hyde says that Tremont must prove that he is on the same level and he must defeat Abdullah Kobayashi at Tournament Of Death 11.

Main Event – Best Of The Best Finals: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. AR Fox

The main event kicks off with Fox catching Callihan with a suicide dive as he was making his entrance, Callihan responds by tossing Fox over the guard rail and into the crowd. Callihan drags Fox over the guard rail before leg sweeping him into it, Callihan then brings Fox into the ring. Callihan then starts head butting the bloody ear of Fox, Callihan then takes the chance to nail Fox with a hard slam. Callihan then ties up the arms of Fox before elbowing his bloody ear, Callihan then rips at the bloody ear of Fox. Callihan then lands a knee drop on the bloodied ear of Fox, Callihan then continues to punish the ear of Fox. Callihan then corners Fox before stomping the life out of him, Callihan then starts clobbering Fox with a lot of running clothes lines. Fox tries to fight back by going to the top rope and Callihan kicks him for it, Callihan goes to the top with Fox to head butt him multiple times. Fox then gets a reprieve by knocking Callihan off the top rope, Fox then catches Callihan with a series of clothes lines and a springboard drop kick. Callihan goes to the ring apron to avoid a Fox dive and Fox kicks him in the head, Fox follows that up by diving onto Callihan. Fox then drapes Callihan on the ring apron before missing the guillotine leg drop, Callihan then takes Fox out with a suicide dive. Callihan then brings Fox back into the ring for a two count, Callihan and Fox then exchange slaps in the ring. Fox gets the edge by nailing Callihan with a death valley diver and a swanton bomb, Fox then eats a boot while attempting a 450 splash. Callihan then takes Fox out with multiple face wash kicks, Fox nearly catches Callihan with a roll up for a two count. Fox then gets another near fall with a one man Spanish fly on Callihan, Fox then misses a springboard splash and Callihan nails him with a lariat for a near fall. All of the tournament competitors hit the ring to see the action, Callihan then nails Fox with the Death Blow. Callihan then locks Fox in the Stretch Muffler and then a single leg Boston crab to get the tap out.

Winner: CZW Best Of The Best 11 Champion, Sami Callihan

DJ Hyde comes out and he presents the trophy to Sami Callihan, Hyde then spits at him and tosses the microphone down. Callihan talks about his past in the tournament and how he finally captured the Best Of The Best Tournament crown. Callihan then taunts Fox and says that he is the best, Drake Younger hits the ring and then DJ Hyde returns. Younger then challenges Callihan to a match at the May 5th event, Callihan waits for him to turn around and he nails him with a low blow. Hyde then puts over all of the competitors in this year’s tournament, Hyde then makes Callihan vs. Younger next montha two out of three falls match. The fans vote AR Fox their fans choice award winner and Hyde says that he will get a shot at any title he wants anytime.

[LionDen]

Continued ..

2012 - Pro Wrestling Superstars ran a live event in Toronto, Ontario Canada as part of WrestleReunion. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Pro Wrestling Superstars' debut in Toronto at the Doubletree Hilton as part of www.wrestlereunion.com

Pre-Show Notes: The Bruno Sammartino-Larry Zbyszko faceoff tonight is off as Zbyszko didn't get a renewed passport in time to make the trip to Toronto. There was some heat on Zbyszko as he was asked to order the passport with expedited shipping but didn't so. Zbyszko will be replaced by Shawn Blanchard....Smith Hart is here visiting, as are a ton of Canadian independent wrestlers.

PWS started with Sal Corrente welcoming everyone to the event and thanking them for their support this weekend. Corrente said that before they get started, he wanted to bring someone special. Out came WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. Howard said that this was his first time here and he loved being here and thanked everyone responsible. Howard said that he's been coming here for years and he knows that Toronto is A Plus. He hopes everyone has the perfect end to their day and night and said, "On with the show."

Michael Elgin vs. El Generico.

They locked up and Elgin manhandled Generico into the corner. He then shoved Generico down. The crowd chanted, "Ole Ole Ole!" Elgin shoulderblocked Generico down. Generico came back with a running boot to the face in the corner. He charged but Elgin moved. Generico drilled him with an elbow then came off the ropes with a leaping rana.

Elgin rolled to the outside. Generico faked a dive but bounced back into the ring. Elgin missed a clothesline and was drilled with a series of chops then beaten in the corner with a series of punches. The crowd chanted along in Spanish. Generico came off the top with a bodypress but was caught and slammed. Elgin worked him over on the back. Elgin whipped him hard into the corner.

Elgin continued working over Generico as the fans tried to rally him. Generico drilled Elgin with a series of rights but was cut off. He came back with several chops and clotheslines but Elgin didn't go down. He finally took the big man down with a leap into a dropkick. Elgin went to the floor, where Generico hit a flying dive over the top to the floor. The crowd chanted, "That was awesome."

Back in the ring, Generico went for a tornado DDT but was caught and turned into an over the knee spinebuster for a two count. Elgin drilled him with a running cloithesline in the corner. He went for a back suplex but Generico escaped and landed on his feet. Generico nailed a sit down powerbomb for a two count.

Generico missed his running boot in the corner. Elgin nailed him and drilled him with a sitdown driver for a two count. Elgin caught a running boot and whipped Generico into the opposite corner. Generico caught him on the charge and nailed a t-bone suplex into the corner. Generico nailed the big boot, then drilled Elgin with a brainbuster for the three count.

Your winner, El Generico!

Really good opener.

Still to come:

Shawn Spears with Jimmy Hart vs. Tito Santana with Rick Martel.

Spears was Gavin Spears for a short time in the WWE version of ECW and was never really given a chance there, although he's a strong worker. The crowd chanted "Tito" as Strike Force came to the ring.

They locked up and Santana backed Spears into the corner. Hart went nuts on the megaphone and people chanted for him. Spears controlled Santana early. When Santana came back, Spears claimed that he was hooking the tights and the hair. Spears began stalling and went to the outside. When he returned, Santana controlled him in the ring, leading to another retreat.

They locked up again. Santana was backed into the corner and when the referee broke them up, Spears cheapshotted Santana. Spears worked over Santana's back as Hart implored him to stay on Tito. He worked over Santana with a series of right hands. Tito fired back with a number of punches. Santana whipped him into the corner and charged but Spears pulled him knees up.

Spears locked Tito in a side chinlock. Tito started to fire up but was cut off. Spears went to the top for a splash but missed. He still cut off Santana. Hart tripped Santana when he fired up, so Rick Martel chased him out. Spears was distracted, leaping to Santana catching him in a small package for the pin.

Your winner, Tito Santana!

Pretty elementary but for this audience, it was fine nostalgia. Spears looked really good.

They introduced Brooke Tessmacher, who said hello to the crowd and said she was here to support some damn fine wrestling.

The Super Smash Brothers vs. The Great Outdoors (Jake Manning & Grizzly Redwood) vs. Asylum & Adam Page vs. Rhett Titus & Caleb Konley with Lia Von Dutch.

Page and Redwood started off. Redwood was nailed with a armdrag. Redwood tagged out to Rhett Titus. The fans chanted"Hepatitus" at him. Titus and Page went face to face. Page tagged Titus' partner, Konley. They tried to tag out but no one would let them and dropped down to the floor, pounding the mat. They "faked" wrestled. Konley covered Titus so everyone broke it up.

Page worked over Titus and then tagged out to the Smash Brothers, who worked over Titus for several near falls. Player Uno worked over Konley, chopping him. Manning and Redwood came in and drilled Konkey with a series of bulldog takedowns. They doubled on Konley for a two count.

Titus and Konley took over and worked over Redwood with a series of moves. Titus nailed a German suplex for a two count. The babyfaces tried to rally Redwood but Konley matained control. Titus catapulted Redwood's throat under the bottom rope. He choked Redwood against the ropes. Titus went for an over the shoulder move but Redwood dropped down. He went for the tag but Manning was nailed off the apron.

Player Uno tagged in, as did Konley. Everyone tagged in and did a crazy succession of highspots and reversals. It was really good and fun, but too fast paced to recap. You'll have to buy the DVD. Player Dos hit a twisting dive off the top to floor. They then hit a double team Buff Blockbuster on Konley for the pin.

Your winners, The Super Smash Brothers!

Fun eight man.

Sal Corrente introduced Gene Okerlund. Okerlund said it's been a great evening with more to come. He introduced Roddy Piper for Piper's Pit.

Piper said it was his first time here and said, "Holy cow." The crowd chanted for Piper. He told the crowd that he loved them. He said that he was supposed to fight Terry Funk tonight. He said Funk is one of the greatest guys he's ever known. Piper did some Funk impressions and talked about being hit by the mic in LA.

Piper talked about WrestleReunion and said that it gives a place for the younger guys to appear. He said that there's no place for guys to work anymore. He said that WWE is doing great and said that he just did Smackdown, then made a spitting noise, joking he's been fired there five times. Piper said that he saw the last match and it was amazing so he thought maybe he should let someone else do the Pit.

Piper said that he wanted the guy who got pinned to come out and host his own Pit and then Piper will tell him how he did. Konley came to the ring, As he did, Piper joked about Legends House and said, "Ha, my career is over." Piper said that in WWE, you get told you have three minutes to tell people who you are and told Konley to tell Piper who he is. Konley cut a good heel promo about hating Piper when he was a kid and then realizing that he wanted people to hate him too. It was good.

Piper said that was giving Konley some advice and that was to never let go of the microphone. Piper told him to introduce his guest and whispered a name in Konley's ear. Piper said that if he messes this up, he'll club him like a baby seal. Konley introduced Bruno Sammartino.

Bruno came to the ring. Piper said it was a pleasure to have him here and joked that Bruno still scares him. Piper said that this is a legend, since the word gets thrown around way too much. Konley asked Bruno how he is doing and Bruno said he was great. Konley asked him about where he was born and when he came to the United States. Konley said that he thought he could benchpress more than Bruno and Bruno talked about his own benchpress records. Konley asked him if he was on the juice. Piper took over and set the stage for Bruno to talk about doing 38 reps of 330 pounds. Piper then led the crowd in a Legend chant.

Konley asked Bruno how he thought he would fare against Caleb. Bruno said he was an old man and retired. Bruno said that he may be talented but in his day, he picked up and slammed Haystacks Calhoun. He still runs 5 miles several times a week and pumps iron every other day. Sammartino said that if Konley tried something, Bruno would face him and give him a little spanking.

Piper said that Konley did a good job and told him that when he had that chance, people smacked him and pushed him around. He started hitting Konley, who fired back. They slapped each other and finally Piper got the better of him and ran Konley off. He told Konley to work on winning matches and go back to kindergarden. Piper then raised Bruno's arm.

A little long and while I liked the idea of Konley getting the rub here, I think fans would have been just as happy with Piper and Bruo.

Dave Finlay vs. Harry Smith

They had some nice back and forth wrestling early. Finlay spotted a short woman in the crowd (about 4'6") and played off of her. The fans chanted "Mrs. Swoggle." They actually brought her into the ring for a comedy spot. The crowd loved that.

After that, they went into some good back and forth wrestling on the mat. Smith controlled Finlay on the mat with a side headlock. Finlay fired back up but was cut off and brought back to the mat. Finlay finally backed him into the corner, forcing a break and broke clean.

They locked up again with Harry grabbing a side headlock. Smith was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked Finlay down. Finlay sidestepped a charge, sending Harry to the floor. When Harry went back into the ring, Finlay kicked the ropes and crotched him, turning heel (I think). He attacked Smith on the floor and rammed him backwards into the ringpost.

Returning to the mat, Finlay controlled him with knees to the back and pulled him into a surfboard position. Finlay drilled him and covered him for a two count. He fired with shots to the back and uppercuts. Finlay tossed Smith to the floor. When Smith returned, Finlay worked over his arm and drilled him with a short arm clothesline. He dropped a knee and covered him for a two count.

Smith mounted a comeback with a series of clotheslines and right hands. Finlay kicked him off a charge but when Finlay tried to come off the ropes, Harry nailed him and turned him over into the Sharpshooter. Finlay made it to the ropes but was caught with a running powerslam for the pin.

Your winner, Harry Smith!

Solid back and forth match with some really nice matwork. Finlay is just out of this world as a worker.



They embraced after the match to a loud round of applause. Big Finlay chant.

Vader vs. The Necro Butcher for the first time ever.

I don't know about you, but I think Lou Thesz is on the edge of his seat watching this one from above! OK, maybe not.

They locked up and Vader muscled him into the corner. They locked up again with the same result but this time, Vader drilled him with a series of punches in the corner. He whipped Necro into the ropes and drilled him with a double arm clothesline and continued battering Necro in the corner.

Vader drilled Necro with another chest bursting double clothesline, then peppered him with punches. He choked Necro against the corner and drilled him across the chest with hard shots. Necro poked him in the eye to back Vader. Necro backed him into the corner with uppercuts and chops. Vader fired back with punches and they battled back and forth.

Necro was shoved off but was fired with a series of punches. Vader slammed him and nailed the Vader splash for a two count. Vader chokeslammed him and scored the pin.

Your winner, Vader!

OK but disapointing given the aura of the brawlers in the ring on paper. It was probably an unfair expectation but I was hoping for something a little more out of control.

Shane Douglas and Dominic DeNucci with Bruno Sammartino vs. Lord Zoltan & Shawn Blanchard with JJ Dillon.

Gene Okerlund handled the ring announcements.

There was a nice "Franchise" chant. Douglas took the mic but it wouldn't work. They ran him another to the ring. He asked Toronto how they were doing. He said that he heard a few people asking for a few shoot comments. He said that he sees the target right before him. Douglas said that he's known JJ Dillon for a long time and he represented a jackass named Dick Flair. Douglas said that he's brought a real legend to be in their corner and gave a hell of an intro for Bruno Sammartino.

Blanchard is replacing Larry Zbyszko.

A really nice "Thank you Bruno" chant. Blanchard and Douglas started out. They locked up and went back and forth in the ring. They locked up again and Blanchard sent Douglas to the mat, then started celebrating. They locked up again and this time Douglas was whipped into the ropes. Douglas reversed and hit a clothesline and several hiptosses. He locked in an abdominal stretch.

DeNucci tried to stop Zoltan from interfering but was admonished by the referee. They allowed Douglas to be hit but he regained control and went back to the stretch. Douglas was sent into the heels' corner, where Zoltan worked him over. DeNucci and Zoltan almost got into it.

Douglas made the hot tag to DeNucci, who covered Blanchard for a two count. DeNucci nailed him with punches and weak chops. Zoltan tagged in and worked over DeNucci. The crowd chanted for Dominic. They worked him over in the corner. Zoltan began working over DeNucci's arm for a long time. Douglas tagged in and backdropped Blanchard. Zoltan used a claw to work him over but Douglas made the comeback, slamming him into the turnbuckles.

Zoltan attacked him and worked over Douglas. DeNucci returned to the ring and all four brawled. Douglas nailed the belly to belly suplex.

Your winners, Shane Douglas & Dominic DeNucci!

WAAAAAAAAY TOO LONG. This should have been short and sweet and while the crowd was really, really forgiving, this went nowhere and it wasn't good, but really, you gotta understand the

Douglas did a nice speech after putting over DeNucci, which was classy.

LuFisto vs. Kalamity.

They started hot with some really good back and forth wrestling and kicks. Lufisto grabbed an anklelock of sorts but Kalamity made it to the ropes. Kalamity took control and charged, drilling a knee into Lufisto into the ropes. She drilled LuFisto with a stomp, then cinched in a rear chinlock.

LuFisto nailed Kalamity after avoiding a charge. LuFisto worked over Kalamity with a series of chops in the corner. Kalamity cut her off and then drilled Lufisto with a pair of driving knees. They went back and forth with forearms and punches. They began nailing each other at the same time, then charged and collided. Both went down.

Kalamity drilled her with a series of chops but Lufisto fired up with a series of senton splashes and a running double kick in the corner that propelled her outside to the floor, landing on her feet. Kalamity cut her off with a jawbreaker and a series of kicks for a two count.

Lufisto slipped out of a DVDR and nailed a sick looking back suplex. She ascended to the top but was cut off. They battled on the ropes. Kalamity went to the top and they exchanged headbutts. LuFisto nailed her and hit a top rope double stomp. LuFisto speared her several ties and locked on a front guillotine choke for the submission but Kalamity broke free.

They began kicking and stiffing the hell out of each other. LuFisto got the better of it for another near fall. They got a "This is awesome" chant. Kalamity hit a DVDR for a two count. Lufisto rolled her up for a two count. They did a series of near falls before battling back and forth with strikes.

LuFisto nailed a spinning backhanded fist and went to the top. She nailed a top rope splash but Kalamity came back with a Michinoku Driver for the pin.

Your winner, Kalamity!

The Honkytonk Man came out and lip synched his theme song. That never, ever, EVER gets old for me.

Roderick Strong vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger.

Nice Liger chant when he hit the ring. I never get tired of getting the chance to see Liger live. I mean, it's freakin' Jushin Liger!

They had some good back and forth wrestling early and then faced off. Liger took Strong to the mat and tied him up. Liger pulled him backward hard into a chinlock but Strong grabbed the ropes. They faced off again, this time with Strong working over Liger's arm and leg.

They faced off again and shoved each other. Strong sent Liger into the ropes but he was shoulderblocked down. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger threw him to the outside, nailed a dropkick through th ropes and hit a flip bump off the apron to the floor. Strong staggered around the ring, trying to regain his composure.

Back in the ring, Liger tried to avoid a charge but was caught in a Strong backbreaker. Strong stomped the hell out of Liger and chopped him hard in the corner. Strong suplexed Liger over for a two count. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger fired back and finally nailed a nice back throw suplex. Both men were down but fought to their feet. Liger continued to control Strong and locked on the bow and arrow.

Strong came back with a lift into a sideslam for a two count. He peppered Liger's chest with chops and nailed a running clothesline. Liger was locked in a Boston Crab. Liger fought his way to the ropes. Strong went for a suplex but Liger broke free and nailed a series of chops. Strong cut him off with a running knee to the gut and a gutbuster. They continued to battle back and forth until Liger nailed a superplex.

Liger went back to the top but Strong attacked him. Liger went for a sunset flip off the ropes but Strong held on. Liger held onto him and rose, nailing a running Ligerbomb for a two count. They exchanged near falls. Strong ducked a clothesline and used a landslide for a two count. He drilled Liger and nailed an over the knees backbreaker for a two count.

Strong nailed a sitdown powerbomb and scored the pin.

Your winner, Roderick Strong!

Very, very good back and forth match. The crowd seemed legitimately surprised by the finish.

Strong helped Liger up and raised his hand after.

Hardcore Rules: Raven & CW Anderson vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rhino.

As you would expect, there was a big ECW chant at the bell.

Dreamer and Raven started out face to face and circled each other. Raven backed off and tagged Anderson. Anderson and Dreamer locked up. Anderson grabbed a side headlock but was sent into the ropes. Each missed punches and clotheslines and faced off.

Dreamer got in Raven's face and spit at him. He and Anderson then locked up again. Dreamer went for a sunset flip but Anderson rolled through and they went back and forth. Rhino tagged in. He and Anderson locked up. Rhino shoulderblocked him down and clotheslined Anderson hard.

Rhino sent Anderson into the corner and workd him over with a series of punches. He and Dreamer double teamed Anderson. CW cut him off and tagged out to Raven, who worked over Dreamer and choked him in the corner. Raven ripped at Dreamer's face and distracted the referee, allowing CW to choke him against the ropes. Raven went to grab Dreamer who pulled him into an inside cradle for a two count but was nailed.

Anderson tagged back in and continued to work over Dreamer on the mat, running his elbow over Dreamer's throat and chest. Anderson nailed him with a elbow to the back of the neck but was drilled with an elbow as Dreamer charged. Dreamer made the tag to Rhino, who cleaned house on both Raven and Anderson. Rhino drilled Raven in the corner with a shoulderblock and then sent Anderson into him. He nailed a belly to belly suplex on Anderson and teased the gore but was pulled out of the ring.

Raven and Anderson worked on Rhino with stomps. Dreamer joined the fray and finally went facr to face with Raven. He was about to drill Raven with a punch when Anderson blocked it. Dreamer kicked him and went for a DDT. Raven could have made the save but walked out. Dreamer let him go and chased Raven up the aisle. They brawled back to the ring. All four brawled through the crowd. Rhino and Raven beat each other over a few ringside tables that vendors were using.

On the other side of the ring, Dreamer rang Anderson's nether-regions with the ring bell. Dreamer and Raven finally met in the center of the ring and battled back and forth with punches. Rhino and CW battled into the crowd. Dreamer brought a chair and a table into the ring. Raven nailed a drop toehold into the chair for a two count.

Rhino drilled Raven and went for the pin. Anderson broke it up and superkicked Rhino. Dreamer and Anderson battled back and forth until Anderson nailed an awesome spinebuster. Anderson set up a table in the corner. He whipped Dreamer into it but was caught and nailed with the Spicoli Driver for the pin.

Your winners, Tommy Dreamer and Rhino!

Solid ECW style match.

After the match, Raven tried to blame Anderson, who superkicked him in the face to close the show.

The crowd chanted "Awesome weekend".

[LionDen]

Continued..

2013 - Thanks to a push from UK fans, Fandango's theme song ended up #44 on the UK charts this week. It was only 239 sales away from breaking the Top 40.

However, The placement at #44 would make Fandango's theme the first WWE song since Hacksaw Duggan's single on the WWF Slamjam album in 1994 to hit the UK charts.

2014 - WWE broadcast Raw and the Raw Pre-Game Show. Mike Johnson filed the following report on the Pre-Game Show;

The WWE Raw Pre-Game Show opened with a graphic in memory of The Ultimate Warrior.



A solemn Josh Mathews noted that last week they learned of the tragic passing of The Ultimate Warrior following his appearance at the WWE Hall of Fame. Booker T said Warrior was outspoken, sometimes too outspoken and said he was an interesting character. Sgt. Slaughter said that he was happy they had a chance to speak at Wrestlemania 30 to discuss what they went through 18 years ago. He said that he’s sorry Warrior left so soon and said God must have needed “The Ultimate Angel” but he’s happy he received a WWE Hall of Fame ring before he passed away. Matthews said that Warrior wouldn’t want us to mourn him but to celebrate life. He said the Warrior will truly live forever.

They then showed the Raw Pre-Show opening.

The panel was far more upbeat and in pitch mode when they returned. They talked about Daniel Bryan winning the WWE World Heavyweight champion and whether the Authority’s power has begun to unravel. They aired a video feature on Bryan’s win and last week’s Raw.

The panel discussed Triple H’s reaction to everything and that The Shield is now poised to battle The Authority.

They went to the ring, where WWE Intercontinental champion Big E. worked over Titus O’Neal and scored the pin with the Big Ending.

They announced the Intercontinental contenders tournament with eight men competing. They noted that the tournament was happening because Christian was the top contender a month ago but is out injured.

They aired a Legends House preview.

They aired video footage of John Cena's win over Bray Wyatt, then showed Wyatt's awesome promo from this past Friday's Smackdown.

The panel discussed whether Cena's "dark side" was going to have to finally be revealed as their rivalry goes deeper. Behind the panel, 3MB vs. Los Matadores prepared to face off in the ring.

Renee Young interviewed WWE Divas champion Paige and asked her about preparing for her first title defense on Raw. She said that she's somewhat been here before on a smaller scale as she was the first NXT Women's champion. She seemed nervous, which she sort of admitted by saying she was so excited that she couldn't speak straight and said she was so happy, she couldn't stop smiling and said to bring everyone on.

The panel discussed her win. Sgt. Slaughter compared her win to the 1-2-3 Kid beating Razor Ramon.

They ran an Adam Rose preview.

They discussed the IC title contender's tournament. Josh Mathews noted that Cesaro has to be the favorite after winning the Andre the Giant Battle Roysl.

Renee Young interviewed WWE Intercontinental champ Big E. Langston said the tournament is the biggest threat to his title so far. He said there are guys who have been at the top and it's his biggest challenge yet. He also made a bunch of really bad, scripted jokes. That was lame.

In the background, we could hear that Los Matadores were victorious.

Richard Trionfo filed the following Raw TV report:

Tonight’s show starts off with a graphic in Memory of Warrior on the TitanTron and all of the wrestlers are on the stage for a video package to pay tribute to the life of the Ultimate Warrior.

Jerry Lawler asks for a moment of silence as they do the ten bell salute.

They play the Ultimate Warrior’s music.

We are in Birmingham, Alabama and your announcers are Jerry ‘Wrestlemania VI’ Lawler, John ‘Title Match versus Honky Tonk Man’, and Michael ‘His Hall of Fame Speech’ Cole.

Michael says that we will see moments from Ultimate Warrior’s life and career throughout the night.

Tonight, the Usos will face Batista and Randy Orton one more time.

We see the brackets for the Number One Contender Tournament and the first match will take place after this commercial break.



Match Number One: Rob Van Dam versus Alberto Del Rio in an First Round Intercontiental Title Tournament Match



Del Rio with kicks to Van Dam. Van Dam with an Irish whip and he rolls through into a monkey flip out of the corner. Van Dam with a spinning heel kick followed by a cross body for a near fall. Van Dam sends Del Rio to the floor. Del Rio wants Van Dam to stay back while he re-enters the ring. Del Rio with a kick and he sends Van Dam into the turnbuckles. Del Rio with a kick but Van Dam with punches.

Del Rio with an Irish whip and a step up enzuigiri to the shoulder for a near fall. Del Rio with a suplex and he floats over for a near fall. Del Rio with forearms across the chest and he returns to the ring. Del Rio is sent over the top rope to the floor while Big E watches from the back.

Van Dam with a baseball slide and he tries for a moonsault off the apron but Del Rio moves. Van Dam lands on his feet and Del Rio with a clothesline and then he sends Van Dam into the ringside barrier as we go to commercial.

We are back as Van Dam hits Rolling Thunder and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a back heel kick followed by a DDT and he gets a near fall. Del Rio catapults Van Dam but Rob lands on the turnbuckles. Van Dam tries for a side kick off the turnbuckles and he barely catches Del Rio. Van Dam with a kick and then he lands on Del Rio’s knees on a split legged moonsault attempt. Del Rio with a lungblower for a near fall.

Del Rio goes to the turnbuckles and he leaps off and is met with a spinning heel kick. Van Dam goes up top but Del Rio stops him and hits an enzuigiri for a near fall. Del Rio goes to the floor and he shows some frustration. Del Rio signals for the arm and he waits for Van Dam to get up for the float over into the cross arm breaker but Van Dam counters with a body scissors for a near fall. Del Rio with an elbow.

Van Dam pulls Del Rio off the turnbuckles and Van Dam goes up top for the Five Star Frog Splash and he gets the three count.



Winner: Rob Van Dam (Advances to face the winner of Cesaro and Mark Henry in the Semi Finals)



Michael mentions that Daniel Bryan is on his honeymoon tonight so he will not be on the show, but that does not mean that Daniel did not celebrate his victory at Wrestlemania XXX last week. We see a video package.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are in the back and they turn to Orton and shake his hand. They then shake Batista’s hand when he enters.

Michael reminds us that we will be celebrating the life and legacy of the Ultimate Warrior. We go to footage from SummerSlam 1988 when he defeated the Honky Tonk Man to win the Intercontinental Championship.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Triple H tells Orton and Batista he knows that they want to be WWE Champion, but he is not here tonight. There is a bigger problem with the Shield. If they will attack him, they won’t let Batista or Orton near the title. Hunter says they remind him a lot of Evolution. Who can stop them.

Stephanie says that she knows and she is looking at them.

Hunter says that if the three of them are on the same page, nobody . . . nobody, not even the Shield . . . nobody can stop them.

Batista says that all he wants to do is be champ.

Orton says that he has proven that he is the greatest Superstar of this generation, but he agrees with Dave and Hunter is on his own.



Match Number Two: Cody Rhodes and Goldust versus Curtis Axel and Ryback



Goldust and Axel start things off and Axel with punches and kicks to Goldust. Goldust with a shoulder tackle and a reverse atomic drop and punch. Axel misses a clothesline and Goldust with an arm drag and punch. Cody tags in and hits an elbow to the arm from the turnbuckles. Cody with a gourdbuster and then he rolls up Axel for a near fall. Cody with a wrist lock and he continues to work on the arm.

Goldust tags in and he drops down and he punches Axel in the midsection. Goldust with a snap mare and elbow drop for a near fall. Axel with a head butt, but Goldust drops down and connects with an uppercut. Ryback distracts Goldust long enough to allow Axel to attack Goldust from behind and he kicks him.

Axel with punches and he tags in Ryback. Goldust with an elbow followed by a clothesline in the corner from Ryback for a near fall. Ryback chokes Goldust in the ropes and connects with a forearm followed by shoulders in the corner. Ryback with a slam and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a belly flop after Axel tags back in and Axel with an elbow drop from the turnbuckles for a near fall.

Axel with a forearm to the back and he sends Goldust into the turnbuckles. Ryback tags in and he snap mare Goldust and gives Goldust a back heel kick followed by a near fall. Ryback with a reverse chin lock. Goldust gets to his feet but Ryback brings him back to the mat. Goldust with punches but Ryback with an Irish whip and Goldust with an elbow off the turnbuckles and both men are down.

Cody tags in and Ryback is dropped on the top rope. Ryback sets for a power slam but Cody gets to his feet and he hits a drop down uppercut. Cody knocks Axel off the apron and then he hits a moonsault onto Ryback. Cody with a double jump cross body onto Ryback on the floor.

Rhodes goes to the apron for a springboard drop kick and he connects and gets a near fall but Axel breaks it up. Goldust tries for a clothesline but Axel goes down and Goldust goes to the floor. Cody with Beautiful Disaster to Axel to knock him out of the ring. Cody tries for Beautiful Disaster on Ryback but Ryback hits a clothesline for the three count.



Winners: Curtis Axel and Ryback



Michael, John, and Jerry talk about the programming on the Network this week, that you can see with a Free Week Preview. There will be Wrestlemania Recap shows as well as the debut of Legends’ House.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Bo Dallas BOliever video package.

We see footage of Paige’s title victory on last week’s Raw.



Match Number Three: Paige versus Alicia Fox in a Non Title Match



They lock up and Paige backs Alicia into the ropes and she gives a clean break but Alicia pushes Paige. Paige with a punch and Alicia goes down. Paige with a head butt and Alicia goes down. Alicia with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker followed by a second tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Alicia with a third tilt-a-whirl back breaker and Paige rolls to the floor.

Alicia pulls Paige back in and Alicia with back elbows. Alicia with a Northern Lights suplex. Alicia with a reverse chin lock. Alicia with a forearm or two and Paige falls into the corner. The referee pulls Alicia out of the corner and Paige with a back heel kick. Paige with a short arm clothesline and she picks up Alicia for a second one. Paige with a third short arm clothesline and then she hits a drop kick followed by the Scorpion Cross and Alicia taps out.



Winner: Paige



In case you missed it last week, we take a look at the Tag Title Match when Batista and Randy Orton cared about attacking the champions more than winning the match.

We go to commercial.



Match Number Four: Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso versus Batista and Randy Orton in a Non Title Match



The Usos go after Orton and Batista and they throw Orton to the floor. Jimmy and Jey hit stereo planchas onto Batista and Orton.

Orton and Jimmy start things off and Orton with a kick and punches. Orton with an Irish whip but Jimmy slides into the corner and he punches Orton. Jey tags in and he hits a forearm in the corner and gets a near fall. Orton with a punch and kicks but Jey with a forearm. Orton with a back breaker and he tags in Batista.

Batista kicks Jey and works on his back in the ropes. Batista with a hard Irish whip followed by a suplex and he gets a near fall. Orton tags in and he goes for the Garvin Stomp and he runs his laces across the face. Orton has a punch blocked and Jey with punches and a chop. Orton sends Jay to the mat and Orton chokes him in the ropes. Batista tags in and he punches Jey.

Jey with a kick but Batista with a spinebuster for a near fall. Jey with a Samoan drop and he gets a near fall. Orton sends Jimmy into the announce table and apron but from out of nowhere, The Shield attack Orton and the referee calls for the bell.



Winners: Batista and Randy Orton (by disqualification)



The Shield sends Orton into the ringside barrier and then they surround Batista, who is in the ring by himself. Batista goes after Rollins and then Ambrose to send them off the apron and to the floor. Reigns with a Superman punch and Batista goes down and he goes down hard.

We have another Ultimate Moment from the Ultimate Warrior. Hulk Hogan versus Ultimate Warrior from Wrestlemania VI.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Orton and Batista are walking in the back and they see Hunter and Stephanie. They stare at each other for a moment and then Hunter tells them he told you and walks away.

Paul Heyman comes out and he introduces himself and he says that he is the advocate for the Conqueror of the Streak BROCK LESNAR. If you think he is going to drive that fact home as often as he can, he tells everyone that his client Brock Lesnar conquered the Streak.

It is his client Brock Lesnar who has asked Paul to show these historical photographs of the Undertaker, a defeated man on the grandest stage of them all.

Paul says that it is ironic that a loss to his client has truly immortalized the Undertaker. When Brock’s advocate speaks you must listen, especially when he anoints a new man to be a top tier talent. He presents The King of Swing . . . Cesaro.



Match Number Five: Cesaro (with Paul Heyman) versus Mark Henry in a First Round Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Tournament



Henry tells Paul to stay out of his business or he will make him his business.

They lock up and Henry backs Cesaro into the corner and Cesaro uses the turnbuckles for leverage but Henry tosses Cesaro to the mat. Henry with forearms and then he sends Cesaro over the top rope to the floor. Cesaro takes his time getting back into the ring while we watch Big E watch the match on the monitor.

Cesaro with a forearm and European uppercuts to Henry. Cesaro with forearms in the corner but Henry pushes Cesaro away. Cesaro with a running European uppercut into the corner. Henry pushes Cesaro away but Cesaro with another running European uppercut. Henry with a clothesline and he gets a near fall.

Henry staggers to the ropes and Henry is dropped on the top rope. Henry picks up Cesaro but Cesaro escapes and hits a European uppercut to the back of the head and then he hits one from the turnbuckles. Cesaro with a Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.



Winner: Cesaro (Advances to face Rob Van Dam in the Semi Finals)



We go to commercial.

We are back and Hunter tells Brad Maddox to find the Shield and tell them they have a match tonight in the main event. Brad asks if he should tell them who their opponents are and Stephanie tells him no.

Match Number Six: Alexander Rusev (with Lana) versus Xavier Woods (with R Truth)



Woods tries for a kick but Rusev blocks it and he connects with knees and kicks to Woods. Rusev with a round kick to the head and Woods goes down. Rusev with a uranage into the Accolade and Woods taps out.



Winner: Alexander Rusev



After the match, Truth comes into the ring to get Rusev to release the hold and they have a stand off in the center of the ring. Truth checks on Woods and he turns his back on Rusev and Rusev gets the command from Lana and he kicks Truth.

We are back with the next Warrior Moment. Rick Rude versus the Ultimate Warrior from SummerSlam 1990.

Did you know that you could sign up for a One Week Free Trial of the WWE Network? We see a clip of the Journey to Wrestlemania: Daniel Bryan (note from me: An amazing show that you need to watch if you have the WWE Network)



Match Number Seven: Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) versus Sheamus in a First Round Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Tournament Match



Swagger with kicks and knees in the corner as the referee warns Swagger. Swagger misses a short arm clothesline and Sheamus with punches. Sheamus with a kick followed by a clothesline. Sheamus with a punch to the midsection and a kick. Sheamus with a clothesline and then he clotheslines Swagger over the top rope to the floor.

Sheamus puts Swagger against the ropes and Colter gets on the apron to distract Sheamus. Sheamus comes off the apron and Swagger catches him and hits a belly-to-belly slam while Big E watches from the back on the monitor. Swagger gets a near fall.

Swagger traps the arms but Sheamus with head butts and Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger chokes Sheamus in the ropes. Swagger gets a near fall and then he chokes Sheamus in the corner. Swagger with a snap mare and then he traps Sheamus’ arms again. Sheamus with a clothesline and both men are down.

Swagger misses a charge into the corner and Sheamus with two double sledges followed by a shoulder in the corner followed by a knee lift. Sheamus with a snap mare and kick to the back followed by a knee drop. Sheamus puts Swagger in the ropes for the forearms across the chest. Sheamus goes up top for the flying shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall. Swagger sends Sheamus over the top rope but Sheamus lands on the apron. Sheamus goes for the slingshot shoulder tackle but Swagger moves and Swagger applies the ankle lock.

Sheamus rolls over and kicks Swagger away. Swagger with a shoulder tackle that knocks Sheamus to the floor. Swagger with a running knee against the ringside barrier and then he sends Swagger’s leg into the ring steps. Swagger rolls Sheamus back into the ring and Swagger charges back in but he runs into a Brogue Kick for the three count.



Winner: Sheamus (Advances to face the winner of Dolph Ziggler versus Wade Barrett in the Semi Finals)



Sheamus collapses as he leaves the ring.

It is time to take a look at Adam Rose on the Exotic Express.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a video feature on the Ultimate Warrior highlighting the four night series that will air starting Tuesday night.

Damien Sandow is in the ring and he says regardless of how you feel about him, he is the most deserving person in the WWE. He is not finished talking . . .

Big Show’s music plays and Sandow tells everyone to sit down. He is not going to be silenced. You will listen to every single word he has to say. He is not going to be silenced by anybody. He is a former Money in the Bank Contract Holder. He was seconds away from being World Champion. You will sit here while he gets it off his chest.

He tells Show to keep it to himself because he is not finished.

Sandow asks if you are going to boo him and cheer Show. Is it because he is a giant and smiles and shakes hands. Sandow says that you should be begging to touch him when he comes to the ring because he deserves it. He has earned it.

Sandow asks Show, what about you? What does he have to say about all of this? Show says nothing and Sandow says that he deserves it and no one can say that he does not deserve it. Sandow pokes Show and says that Show knows that he is telling the truth. You look at him and you see the future of the WWE. You look at him and you see a future champion. You look at him and you see greatness.

Show punches Sandow and Sandow is not seeing too much

The Wyatt’s graphic plays and they appear on the TitanTron. Bray says that they are next.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we are told that Big Show will be facing Jack Swagger on Main Event.

Bray says that society as a whole has become this vile and putrid thing. Do as you are told so says the man. You see what they want you to see and you feel what they want you to feel. Bray says that he is different. When you see a blank canvas, he sees a beautiful painting. When you hear silence, he hears a beautiful symphony. He has many names, abuser and destroyer. You can call him whatever you see fit, but he has never once lied to you.

We all know who has. John Cena has made a career out of lying to you all. He earns your trust hiding behind his porcelain smile. He is no man, he is beast. Bray tells everyone that he won’t let John do this to you any more. He has John where he wants, against the ropes and he just needs that one little push.

Abigail shall be his sword through this crusade. He does not wish to slay this monster . . . not yet. Right now, he wants it to come out and play. How about it John? He knows that John is back there.

John Cena’s music plays and he has a mic.

Cena says that is a great idea. John wants to have some fun because the Wyatts are so serious. He tried at Wrestlemania to bring out the monster, but it does not exist.

John wants to have some fun with Bray. He doesn’t judge anybody but he looks at the Wyatts and if he could get them to happy hour, they would be the life of the party. He says that Rowan probably has jokes for days. Harper would be the guy who would go streaking right through the quad. He tells Bray that it takes a man’s man to wear the white pants. He has the Hawaiian shirt and the Michael Jackson glove. He is a party man.

Cena tells Bray that these people like to have fun and a good time so he is going to put a smile on his face. John says that Bray talks about Sister Abigail and he wonders if she is real. John says that he got on the Google Machine and he says that he found Sister Abigail.

John comments on her beauty and facial hair. John says that he sees the two of them and he wonders what Bray’s mom looks like. After a quick search, he found her on Tinder. He shows a photo of Bobbie Jo Wyatt and she looks like Luke Harper.

There is a new member of the Wyatt Family, a beautiful baby girl born a month ago. John says that he got the photos of Chastity Lynn Wyatt and she looks like Rowan.

Bray says that any time a serious threat gets in his face, all he knows how to do is make jokes about it.

John says if Bray wants serious, he says that he can get serious just as much as anyone. His back was against the wall going into Wrestlemania and when John Cena gets serious, Bray Wyatt gets beat. He tells Bray to be careful what he wishes for. This time he’s got it, but the tables are turned. What if Bray loses again? He will be the desperate man. He is going to force Bray to do something he has not before in the WWE. With all of the talk, without his family he cannot back up what he says. John tells Bray if you take out the two Santa Claus wannabes, Bray is not the Eater of Worlds, he is the Eater of the World’s Biggest Cinnabon. If you want serious, here is a serious challenge. Cena challenges Bray to a match inside a steel cage.

Bray says that he likes it and John doesn’t realize they are playing catch with knives and sooner or later one of us is going to be stuck. How can John be 100% sure that it won’t be him? If you want to see fun and see Bray have a good time. He asks his brothers and sisters in his back yard, he will not allow this fallacy to rule them any more. This is his world.

Bray starts to sing and we go to commercial.

Fandango and Layla are in the Goldman Box and he says that things with him and Summer were professional. He understands her falling in love with him, but it not him, it is her.



Match Number Eight: Santino Marella and Emma versus Fandango and Layla El



The men start off and Fandango with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Santino with a kip up and arm drag. Santino blocks a kick and Santino with a split and hip toss. Santino pulls out his cobra and Layla tags in. Emma with a Thesz Press and she slams Layla’s head into the mat. Layla with an Irish whip and she misses a charge into the corner. Emma with the DILemma into the corner and Santino knocks Fandango off the apron.

Layla pulls Emma off the turnbuckles because Emma was looking at something outside the ring. Layla gets the three count.



Winners: Fandango and Layla El



Stephanie McMahon says that your job performance is less than satisfactory. He let his personal emotions get in the way of dealing with the Shield.

Kane apologizes for the distractions.

Stephanie says that when they hired him as the Director of Operations, they thought they had a man with no moral direction, but he cannot deal with Daniel Bryan and failed three times. She tells Kane that he is weak, pathetic and a shell of himself. He was the Big Red Machine and he made children cry. What happened to the Devil’s Favorite Demon? What happened to Kane. Kane stands up and the lights go red.

Kane looks at the mask inside the case and he lifts the case and it is time for the mask to go back on. Kane says that he will eviscerate Daniel Bryan and send him to the depths of hell.

We are back with a new Bo Dallas BOlieve video talking about Change.

We have another reminder of the programming on the WWE Network to remember the Ultimate Warrior. It will air at 10PM Eastern the next four nights.

We take a look back at Ultimate Warrior’s appearance on Raw last week.

They show a quote from Ultimate Warrior.

We go to commercial and we have a new Adam Rose Exotic Express video. They are playing Hungry Hungry Hippos and the bunny loses. He tells the bunny not to be a lemon, be a Rosebud because it is always Party Time.



Match Number Nine: Dolph Ziggler versus Wade Barrett in a First Round Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Tournament



They lock up and Ziggler with a waist lock but Barrett with a hip lock take down. Ziggler holds on to the waist lock and Ziggler goes to the floor. Ziggler rolls back into the ring while Barrett starts a Bad News chant.

Ziggler goes for the leg and Barrett with a punch to the head. Barrett sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Ziggler. Barrett is warned by the referee and Barrett with a suplex and a near fall. Barrett with a knee drop but he misses a second one. Ziggler punches Barrett against the ropes.

Ziggler with a side head lock. Barrett with a forearm and a hard Irish whip for a near fall. Barrett with a kick to the ribs and Ziggler rolls to the apron and he appears to have trouble breathing. Barrett chokes Ziggler in the ropes. Ziggler is choked in the ropes but Ziggler punches Barrett.

Ziggler with a drop kick and he clotheslines Barrett over the top rope to the floor and Ziggler’s momentum sends him to the floor as well. Barrett and Ziggler exchange punches and then Barrett sends Ziggler into the ring post and we go to commercial.

We are back and Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Barrett with an Irish whip but Barrett misses a charge into the corner and Barrett hits the ring post with his shoulder. Ziggler with a cross body and he punches Barrett. Ziggler leaps into the corner and he punches Barrett and then hits the neck breaker for a near fall.

Barrett gets Ziggler on his shoulders and he hits Wasteland but Ziggler kicks out at two. Barrett sets for the pump handle slam but Ziggler with a kick to the leg and he hits a Fameasser for a near fall. Ziggler misses a splash into the corner and Ziggler goes down. Barrett goes to the turnbuckles but Ziggler stops him. Ziggler goes for a superplex but Barrett holds the turnbuckle. Barrett knocks Ziggler off the turnbuckles but Ziggler leaps to the turnbuckles and hits a Super X Factor for a near fall.

Ziggler goes for a Zig Zag but Barrett holds the ropes. Barrett hits a Blackpool Slam for a near fall. Barrett sets up the elbow for the Bullhammer but Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler goes for the DDT but Barrett pushes Ziggler away. Barrett with the Bullhammer for the three count.



Winner: Wade Barrett (Advances to face Sheamus in the Semi Finals)



After the match, Wade Barrett says that he is afraid that he’s got some bad news. Standing right here is Bad News Barrett. Mark his words, he is the next Intercontinental Champion.

The semi finals will see Rob Van Dam versus Cesaro and Sheamus versus Wade Barrett.

We have a Kane video package because the man behind the mask is back.

We go to commercial.

We are back and on Smackdown, Batista will face Sheamus.



Match Number Ten: Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns versus Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Fandango, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre, Titus O’Neil, Curtis Axel, Ryback, Alexander Rusev, Wade Barrett



They bring Slater into the ring and they surround him while the referee holds The Shield back.

Slater and Rollins start and Rollins with a kick and he punches Slater. Ambrose tags in and he punches Slater. Reigns tags in and he head butts Slater. Reigns with another head butt and he sends Slater into the turnbuckles and kicks Slater. Rollins tags in and he kicks Slater and runs his forearm across the face. Slater with a punch but Rollins with an enzuigiri and Barrett breaks up the cover.

Amborse attacks Barrett and the referee holds Ambrose back while Slater punches Rollins. McIntyre punches Rollins and he tags in Titus. Titus with a back breaker and he tosses Rollins aside and then he barks. Rusev tags in and he kicks Rollins and hits a series of elbow drops. Rusev with a head butt and he tags in Swagger. Swagger with a knee in the corner.

Ryback tags in and he presses Rollins over his head and hits a power slam. Ryback says something to Ambrose before returning to Rollins and he throws Rollins to the floor. Reigns with a spear to Ryback and everyone goes off the apron and we have a fourteen man brawl.



No Contest



Rollins with a flip dive onto everyone and then the Shield get into the ring while the remnants of their opponents are on the floor. The Shield fight off their opponents until the numbers get the better of the Shield.

The attack continues and Ambrose gets kicked in the head by Del Rio while Barrett punches Reigns and Rollins is worked over by the men in the ring.

Evolution’s music plays and Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista make their way onto the stage.

Hunter tells everyone to leave the ring so they can finish off The Shield.

Orton kicks and punches Rollins while Hunter and Batista join in. Hunter takes control of the situation. Reigns fights off Evolution but Orton with an RKO to Reigns. Orton picks up Reigns for Batista to give him a Batista Bomb. Hunter punches Rollins while Batista kicks Ambrose.

Orton with a boot to Rollins’ midsection. Orton with an RKO to Rollins. Orton and Hunter punch Ambrose while Batista gives Rollins a Batista Bomb. Batista and Orton hit a combination Batista Bomb reverse RKO combination.

Hunter takes the mic and he tells Reigns to get up and show him. Orton and Batista hold Reigns and Hunter tells Reigns to Believe in Evolution. Hunter gives Reigns a Pedigree.

We go to credits.

Mike Johnson filed the Raw Backstage Pass report:

Welcome to the Raw Backstage Pass report for 4/14/14.

They go on the air with the reunited Evolution celebrating the beating they gave The Shield, who were still out in the ring. Evolution made the Shield’s trademark pose with their fists to mock their fallen foes. Triple H removed his pink dress shirt as he and the others left the ring. Why? I guess because he’s the Game or something.

We went backstage, where the panel of Sgt. Slaughter, Josh Mathews, Alex Riley and Booker T discussed the return of Evolution. Booker said that it was a move that HHH had to make and said tonight, we saw Evolution flex their muscle with the help of the 11 thugs that beat the Shield down. Riley said that The Shield who were responsible for this because Randy Orton, Batista and HHH weren’t on the same page but The Shield ended up forcing them to unite with their actions.

They showed the beaten Shield heading to the back, hurting as they refused help from the officials. The panel reviewed the footage of the beat-down and discussed what The Shield had done to Kane and HHH in the weeks leading up to this Raw. Booker said that going forward, The Shield is going to have an uphill battle. Slaughter said that when you put HHH against the wall, this is what is going to happen.

Riley said that he never thought he’d see Evolution again. Booker talked about all the power the trio wield with HHH’s position of CEO. Riley talked about the strategy of sending 11 men out there to take out The Shield. Slaughter wondered what The Shield’s next move will need to be. Booker said that they need to get the younger talents to unite. Riley said that The Shield is not going to run this company – HHH is. Slaughter noted that Shield didn’t have a lot of friends going into this incident.

They aired a WWE Legends House promo. When they returned, WWE Intercontinental champion Big E. joined them to discuss the tournament for a title shot at Extreme Rules on 5/4 with Rob Van Dam, Cesaro, Sheamus and Bad News Barrett still in the running.

Langston said that Del Rio has beaten him twice, so he gives RVD a lot of credit for getting the job done. He said that he’s been impressed with what Van Dam has done but he’s not ducking ADR. He said that every man was bringing his best with the tournament. He was asked how his power matches up with RVD’s unique offense. Langston said it’s an interesting match. Langston said that there are no slouches on the list and he’s looking forward to sharpening himself against whoever wins.

They talked about the power of Cesaro. Langston said he’s on “another level” in terms of power and is a force to be reckoned with. Langston said he wasn’t shocked by the win over Mark Henry.

Booker asked how his confidence is. Langston said he’s looking at the list of competitors but he’s the champion and will walk out as the champion on 5/4 at the PPV.

They talked about the physical battle between Sheamus and Jack Swagger. Slaughter said that Sheamus’ leg is injured and that may work to Langston’s favor if he ends up winning. Langston said he’s one of the toughest competitors in WWE and he expects he will be back to form next week.

They talked about the Bad News Barrett win. Langston said he looks forward to facing every man’s best but promised to walk out with the IC championship.

Langston said the one he wants to face, since he’s a little rusty. He said that if he had to predict a tournament winner, he was guessing Cesaro.

Riley asks Langston if he sees himself as a future WWE World Heavyweight champion. Langston said of course and that if you don’t have that goal in mind, there’s no reason to be here.

They signed off and thanked everyone for watching.