This Day In History - August 26th

August 26th

On this day in history in ....

1975 - Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan defeat Irish Pat Barrett & Dominic DeNucci for the WWWF Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Barrett was a substitute for Victor Rivera, who had left the company while holding the belts with DeNucci.

1979 - Harley Race defeats Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Title in Orlando, Florida. Race begins his third run with the belt, ending Rhodes' first World Title reign after only five days.

1991 - WWE holds their Summerslam Pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Billed as "The Match Made In Heaven/The Match Made In Hell" the show actually ended with the "wedding" of Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. The wedding went off without incident, and WWF gave their viewers a "happy ending" to the show, instead choosing to do an angle with Jake Roberts and Savage at the "wedding reception" which would air on television the following weekend. Here are the results from the show:
- In a dark match, Koko B. Ware defeated Kato.
- Ricky Steamboat, Davey Boy Smith & Kerry Von Erich defeated Paul Roma, Hercules Hernandez & The Warlord.
- Bret Hart defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig with the Sharpshooter to win the WWF Intercontinental Title, Hart's first major singles championship in the U.S.
- Irwin R. Schyster defeated Greg Valentine.
- Earthquake & Typhoon defeated The Bushwhackers. Andre The Giant, in his final WWF television appearance, was in the corner of the Bushwackers.
- Big Bossman defeated The Mountie in a Jailhouse match. As a result, the Mountie was locked up in a New York City jail for the night.
- Virgil defeated Ted DiBiase to win the Million Dollar Belt.
- The Legion Of Doom (Road Warriors) defeated The Nasty Boys to win the WWF World Tag Team Title, making Hawk & Animal the only tag team to ever hold the AWA, NWA and WWF World Tag Team Titles.
- Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior defeated Sgt. Slaughter, Gen. Adnan (Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie) & Col. Mustafa (The Iron Shiek) in a handicap match. Sid Justice (Vicious) was the special referee.

1991 - The Dragon Master defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's ninth reign with the belt.

1999 - ECW held a TV taping for the second edition of "ECW on TNN" at the Elk's Lodge in Queens, New York (aka, the Madhouse Of Extreme). The first edition of the show was an "introduction to ECW" special. At this event, Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley defeat Spike Dudley & Balls Mahoney to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship for the eighth time, shocking the fans, since it was known that this was the final ECW event for the Dudleys before going to the WWF. However, at the end of the show, the Dudleys came back out and goaded an injured Tommy Dreamer into fighting them. Raven, making his return to the company after leaving WCW, ran to the ring and won the belts with his longtime rival Dreamer. After the TV cameras were turned off, the fans chanted "Dudleyville" and gave Bubba & D-Von a standing ovation as a farewell.

2000 - On the second night of ECW's two consecutive shows at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom, Tony Marmaluke & Little Guido defeat Yoshihiro Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck for the ECW World Tag Team Title, ending their title reign after one day. Also on the card, Kid Kash defeated Rhino for the ECW World Television Title.

2007 - WWE holds their Summerslam event in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here is the original report from the show.

Summerslam opened with a video highlighting Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero, Batista vs. Great Khali, and Randy Orton vs. John Cena, in that order. They went into a music video, but it was interrupted for a video package highlighting Triple H vs. King Booker. That should tell you where things stand on the WWE priority scale for this event.

The three announce teams then welcomed us to the Continental Airlines Arena. The stage area is decorated like a beach party, with surfboards and tiki torches.

Kane vs. Fit Finlay.

Kane came out first, his ribs taped. Kane immediately decked Finlay at the bell, then worked him over in a corner. Kane hit a back elbow, then dropped an elbow, but hurt his ribs in doing so. Kane slammed Finlay, then delivered a right hand to the jaw. Kane choked Finlay against the ropes, then delivered some knees to the midsection in the corner. Kane hit an uppercut, then kicked Finlay in the gut and hit a shoulderblock in the corner. Kane choked Finlay against the middle rope, but Finlay booted a charging Kane. Finlay went to the second rope, but Kane punched him over the top rope and Finlay fell to the floor. Kane went outside as well and hit a boot to the face. Kane threw Finlay back in and went to the top rope, but Finlay knocked his legs out and Kane fell gut first across the ropes. Finlay knocked Kane to the floor, and as Kane rolled into the ring, Finlay went after the ribs with kicks and knees. Finlay hit a back splash for a two count. Finlay applied a single leg crab, stepping on Kane's back as well. Kane managed to get to his feet and hit an enzugiri.

Kane hit a boot to the face, then hit a clothesline in the corner. Kane hit a second clothesline, then dropped Finlay with a side slam for a two count. Kane went to the top rope and hit a clothesline. Kane was favoring his ribs. Kane missed a charge in the corner, and Finlay hit a sit-down splash on Kane's ribs for a two count. Finlay went to ringside and pulled out Hornswoggle. As they got in the ring, Kane sat up and Hornswoggle ran away. Kane hit Finlay with a boot to the face, then went to ringside and kept Hornswoggle from getting back under the ring. Kane tossed the Cruiserweight Champion into the ring. Kane went for a chokeslam on Hornswoggle, but Finlay ran over to stop him. Kane grabbed Finlay by the throat as well, and threw away Hornswoggle. Kane couldn't get the chokeslam off because of his injured ribs, and Finlay kicked Kane in the gut and hit a DDT for a two count. Finlay pulled the turnbuckle pad off in one corner, and as the referee fixed it, Finlay grabbed the Shillelagh. Before he could use it, Kane knocked him down. Kane stood over Finlay and went to pick up the Shillelagh. The referee turned back around and took it away from Kane. As the referee put it back at ringside, Hornswoggle handed Finlay a second stick. Finlay nailed Kane in the ribs with it, but couldn't get the pin. Finlay missed a charge in the corner, going shoulder first into the turnbuckles, and Kane hit the chokeslam for the pin at the nine minute mark.

Winner: Kane.

Backstage, Jonathan Coachman, William Regal, Armando Estrada and Theodore R. Long were partying backstage. Vince McMahon entered and commented on "four guys partying together". Vince sent Armando out with orders that if the mother of his illegitimate child shows up, to let him know. Santino Marella entered to stake his claim as Vince's son, but was sent out by Regal. MVP entered, noted he didn't know if he was Vince's son or not, and said he wanted to issue a non-wrestling challenge to Matt Hardy. After MVP left, Regal said that Vince's son might be "more regal" and walked off. Vince commented to Coachman that he wouldn't do an English woman with Coach's equipment.

A video hyping Rey Mysterio's return later tonight was shown.

Intercontinental Champion Umaga vs. Carlito vs. Ken Kennedy.

Kennedy came out first and declared himself the "next Intercontinental Champion" during his entrance. Carlito was out second, and the two argued a bit until Umaga came out. Kennedy and Carlito both tried to convince Umaga to work with them, but Umaga decked both of them. Umaga went back and forth between his opponents, knocking them down with ease. Carlito and Kennedy ended up on the floor as Umaga cleared the ring. Carlito and Kennedy bickered a bit on the floor, then Kennedy tried to distract Umaga while Carlito went for his leg. It didn't work, as Umaga swatted Carlito away and knocked Kennedy back to the floor. Umaga was setting up for the posterior charge on Carlito, but Kennedy hooked his leg from the floor. This allowed Carlito to dropkick Umaga to the floor. On the outside, Kennedy kicked Umaga's head into the ring steps.

With Umaga down, Kennedy got back in the ring and Carlito rolled him up for a two count, but the referee saw Carlito grabbing the ropes. Kennedy fought back, but Carlito hit a springboard elbow for two. Kennedy came back by reversing a whip into the corner, then hitting a forward legsweep. Umaga was up on the floor and Kennedy went to kick him, but Umaga grabbed his leg and yanked him to the floor. Umaga then got into the ring, slammed Carlito and hit a second rope headbutt for a two count. Umaga went for a charge in the corner, but Kennedy pulled Carlito out of the way and Umaga went over the turnbuckle and into the ringpost. Kennedy grabbed a TV monitor and hit Umaga in the head. Carlito then knocked Kennedy off the apron and covered Umaga for a two count.

Kennedy got back in the ring, and Carlito convinced him they needed to take out Umaga first. They tried to double suplex Umaga, but Umaga reversed it and suplexed both of his opponents. Umaga gave them a double clothesline, then went back and forth decking his opponents. Carlito was given a Samoan Drop and Kennedy a spinning side slam. Umaga covered Kennedy, but Carlito broke it up. Umaga gave Carlito a superkick, then the posterior charge in the corner. Umaga then charged at Kennedy, who ducked and pulled down the top rope. Umaga fell over the top and to the floor. Kennedy then picked up Carlito and gave him the forward flip Samoan Drop and covered him. However, Umaga got back in the ring and picked up Kennedy and nailed him with the Samoan Spike. Umaga pinned Kennedy at the seven minute mark.

Winner: Umaga.

They showed a video hyping the return of the Undertaker at Unforgiven.

A video package on Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero was shown.

Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero.

Chavo wore a poncho to the ring that said "Warrior". Rey Mysterio came out wearing silver pants and mask, and silver body paint covering his chest, arms and back. Wow, they didn't do a very good paint job, as it looks like someone applied silver suntan lotion and forgot to rub it all in. Rey is a lot less toned than he used to be as well. They went nose to nose at the bell and shoved each other. There was a "Chavo Sucks" chant. Chavo went for a leg, but Rey stepped away from him before he could grab it. Rey took Chavo down with a legsweep, and they went for a test of strength on the mat. They flipped each other over while maintaining the hold, then Rey released and grabbed a bodyscissors, then switched into an armdrag. Chavo fell to the floor and regrouped. They locked up when he returned to the ring and Chavo attacked the leg, kicking it and wrapping it around the middle rope. Chavo went to dropkick it, but Rey moved and Chavo slid through the ropes and to the floor. Rey went outside after Chavo and rammed him into the ringsteps. Rey tossed Chavo back into the ring and went after his leg with kicks. Rey hit a rana off the second rope, and then went to the top rope, but Chavo knocked his leg out and Rey got hung in a tree of woe. Chavo hit the leg repeatedly, then went to the floor and whipped Rey's leg into the ringpost.

Back in the ring, Chavo kicked Rey's leg repeatedly, then dropped several elbows on it. Chavo applied a torture rack to Rey's leg, but Rey managed to hook Chavo with his other leg and headscissor him to the mat. Chavo came right back with a dropkick to the leg, and told Rey he should quit. Chavo applied a stepover toehold, then bridged back. Chavo applied a leg stretch, then drove his knee into Rey's leg, telling him again that he should quit. Rey managed to hit an enzugiri, and Chavo fell in 619 position. Rey went for the move, but as he ran across the ring, he leg gave out. Chavo put Rey in a single leg crab. Rey managed to make the ropes. Chavo hit a forearm uppercut, then went for a slam, but Rey shifted his weight and landed on top for a two count. Rey went to the apron, but Chavo grabbed him and pulled him near the ropes for a possible superplex. Rey fought him off and pulled Chavo into a tree of woe. Rey hit some shots on Chavo's leg. When Chavo got down, he grabbed Rey and tried to push him out of the ring, but Rey reversed and shoved Chavo to the floor.

Mysterio came off the apron and gave him a seated senton. Back in the ring, Rey hit a springboard senton, but was favoring his leg. Chavo went for a sunset flip, but Rey rolled through it and hit a kick to the head. Rey went for a springboard moonsault, but Chavo caught it and as going to slam Rey, but Rey floated around him and hit a DDT for a two count. Rey went for a top rope bodypress, but Chavo ducked and Rey crashed to the mat. Chavo hit Rey with the Gori Bomb, but Rey kicked out at two. Mysterio hit two kicked to Chavo's gut and tripped him into 619 position. Rey went for the 619, but Chavo ducked it. Chavo grabbed Rey for the Three Amigos, but after two suplexes, Rey blocked the third and tripped Chavo into the ropes. Rey hit the 619, then delivered a springboard splash for the pin at the twelve minute mark.

Winner: Rey Mysterio.

They hyped that Raw is on SciFi tomorrow night.

Todd Grisham interviewed King Booker & Queen Sharmell. Booker noted that Mysterio's win was a "fairytale dream come true" but Triple H's return would be a Shakespearean Tragedy. King Booker said he knew Triple H would have a grand entrance, and said that the entrance would be the highlight of his night, because in the end, he would bow down to King Booker.

Diva Battle Royale - Winner to receive a future title match.

Candice Michelle came out to ringside to watch the match. She has new theme music. The Divas in the match are Maria, Beth Phoenix, Melina, Jillian Hall, Mickie James, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Kristal, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Brooke and Layla. Everyone went right at it, and the rules were that both feet had to touch the floor to be eliminated, no over the top rule. Brooke was the first to go out, and actually went over the top rope. Jillian Hall knocked Maria off the apron with a shoulderblock to eliminate her. Melina flung Layla between the ropes to eliminate her. A lot of generic brawling and struggles by the ropes, but no big spots to speak of. Kristal kicked Victoria between the ropes to eliminate her. Mickie James put Kristal on the apron. Michelle McCool knocked Kristal to the floor in what looked to be a poorly timed attempt at an "accidental" punch. Kelly Kelly was tossed out by several women. Mickie James tried to rana Jillian Hall to the floor, but they got caught in the ropes. Torrie knocked Jillian to the floor, then Melina knocked James to the floor.

It was down to Torrie, Melina, Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool. Michelle and Torrie teamed up and eliminated Melina. Torrie and Michelle double clotheslined Phoenix. Phoenix survived the double team and flung Torrie through the ropes and to the floor. Michelle and Phoenix went at it, with Michelle hitting a few shots, but Phoenix just lifting Michelle and easily depositing her over the top rope to get the win seven minute mark.

Winner: Beth Phoenix.

Almost instantly, MVP's music hit and by the time he got to the ring, the Divas had vanished. MVP had some officials bring a cooler to the ring. MVP said no one paid to see the Divas, they paid to see him. MVP said that when he was younger he "opened a 40", but now he enjoys finer beverages, like champagne. However, he said he would "lower himself" tonight to the level of the fans, and that he would have a beer drinking contest with Matt Hardy. Hardy came out, and they opened a couple of Miller Lites. Before they drank, Matt said that he is proud to be a "common man" like the fans. Matt said he knew he could outdrink MVP, but tonight he wasn't even going to try. Matt noted that when they were supposed to have a boxing match, MVP picked a substitute. Hardy said that for tonight, he has a substitute. Fans were already chanting "Austin" before the music hit. The star of The Condemned came out, and Matt Hardy had a toast with Steve Austin before leaving. Austin then "warmed up" with some push-ups and jumping jacks. Austin handed MVP and beer, and they were about to drink, when Austin kicked MVP in the gut and gave him a stunner. With MVP laid out, Austin then had a beer bash in the ring.

Backstage, Theodore R. Long was pleased with Austin besting MVP, while McMahon, Coachman and Regal were ticked off. Cryme Tyme came in, and said one of them might be Vince's son, noting they like to make money, just like Vince. Long and Coach joined Cryme Tyme in the "Money, Money" dance. Regal even joined in on the fun eventually. Ron Simmons appeared in front of the dancing Regal and said .... Damn.

Kat DeLuna, who did the Summerslam theme song, was shown at ringside.

A video on the CM Punk-John Morrison feud was shown.

ECW Champion John Morrison vs. CM Punk.

Punk grabbed a double leg takedown at the bell and Morrison squirmed out from under him. Punk hit a hiptoss and bodyslam on Morrison. Punk put Morrison on the apron and then hit a second rope springboard dropkick. Punk went for a suplex, but Morrison blocked it, then kneed Punk as he tried a shoulderblock between the ropes. Morrison then hit a neckbreaker from the apron, jumping to the floor and driving Punk's back into the ring apron. Morrison got a two count, then whipped Punk hard into the corner. Morrison hit a pair of forearms, then applied a half-nelson with a chinlock. Punk punched out of it and hit a hard slap. Morrison tripped Punk into the ropes, then hit a hard kick to the chest for a two count. Morrison applied a rear chinlock, but Punk battled out. Punk grabbed a sunset flip out of the corner, but Morrison kicked out. Morrison went for a catapult into the corner, but Punk jumped onto the second rope and hit a bodypress for a two count. Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, then went for a bulldog, but Morrison blocked it. Punk hit an enzugiri for a two count.

Punk hit a Ted DiBiase-style powerslam for a two count. Punk went for a short-arm clothesline, but Morrison ducked it and hit a backbreaker/neckbreaker combo for a two count. Morrison went for his flipping neckbreaker, but Punk blocked it and hit a clothesline. Punk hit a moonsault for a two count. Morrison whipped Punk hard into a corner. Morrison charged and Punk lifted him and crotched him on the top rope. Punk hit a second rope clothesline on Morrison for a two count, then grabbed a small package for another two count. Punk hit a kick to the head, then sat Morrison on the top rope. Punk went for a top rope rana but Morrison held onto the top rope and Punk crashed to the mat. Morrison cradled Punk for the pin, putting his feet on the ropes for leverage (which he had trouble doing) at the seven minute mark.

Winner: John Morrison.

Batista and Great Khali were shown in the back warming up for their match later.

Triple H vs. King Booker, with Queen Sharmell.

As Booker made his entrance, recent events between Booker and the Raw announce team were shown. They did a video package on Triple H being "bigger, stronger, and faster" after Booker's entrance. They had Triple H yell "Are You Ready?" before playing Motorhead's "The Game". Tons of spotlights for his entrance. Triple H stepped out, and was noticeably grinning. From that point on, it was just a typical Triple H entrance, with the crowd popping huge and him soaking it in. Triple H looked in great shape, but not freakishly muscular.

Booker kicked Triple H in the gut at the bell, but Triple H fired off some right hands and clotheslined him over the top rope and to the floor. Booker regrouped, but when he stepped back into the center of the ring, Triple H hit some punches and whipped Booker across the ring. Triple H ran into a Booker elbow. Triple H reversed a whip, and Booker grabbed the ropes to stop himself from bouncing off. There was a pause, then Triple H clotheslined Booker over the top rope to the floor again. Triple H went outside and punches Booker and rammed him into the guard rail. Back in the ring, Booker hit a few shots, but Triple H hit the facebuster on the knee. Booker came back with a knee to the gut, and Sharmell hooked Triple H's leg as he came off the ropes, allowing Booker to dropkick the knee. Booker stomped the leg, then went to the floor and rammed it into the ring apron. Back in the ring, Booker went for a slam, but Triple H floated over it and hit a chopblock.

Triple H applied a figure four leglock, but Sharmell reached in and raked Triple H's eyes to break the hold. King Booker hit a superkick for a two count. Booker hit a series of rights on the mat, then stomped him in a corner. They traded punches, and Triple H got the better of it and threw Booker over the top rope and to the floor. Triple H rammed Booker into the ring steps, then whipped him into them. Triple H rolled Booker back into the ring and hit a clothesline in the corner. Triple H went for a backdrop, but Booker kicked it away. Booker then ran right into a Triple H spinebuster. Triple H set up for the Pedigree, but Booker hit Triple H's leg to break out.

Booker ran into a Triple H elbow, but then kicked Triple H in the gut. Booker went for the ax kick, but Triple H dodged it, only to be caught with a Bookend for a two count. Booker hit some knees, then planted him with a side slam. Booker went to the top rope and went for the old Harlem Hangover, but Triple H moved out of the way. Triple H gave Booker a crotch chop, then went for the Pedigree. Booker popped out of it and went for a spinkick, but Triple H ducked and hit the Pedigree for the win at the nine minute mark.

Winner: Triple H.

Triple H celebrated and smiled as he bowed to the fans.

They hyped Undertaker's return at Unforgiven again.

They showed a video package on the Batista vs. Great Khali feud.

World Champion Great Khali vs. Batista.

Khali shoved Batista in the corner at the bell and stomped him down, then hit a series of right hands to the head. Batista fired back with punches, but Khali just shoved him back into the corner and hit some elbows. Khali hit a clothesline, then a short-arm clothesline. Khali kicked Batista in the head, and he fell through the ropes and to the floor. From the apron, Batista pulled Khali throat first across the top rope. Batista got in the ring and hit two clotheslines. Khali blasted Batista with a chop to stop his momentum and got a two count with his foot on Batista's chest. Khali pounded Batista some more, then applied a double nerve hold. Batista made the ropes for a break, and Khali hit a forearm to the back, then shoved Batista into the ropes and hit another forearm to the back. Khali applied the double nerve hold again.

Batista started to pass out in the hold. Fans chanted "boring". Batista powered up and hit a jawbreaker to break out, but Khali hit a boot to the face, and got another two count standing on Batista's chest. Khali went for the head vice, but Batista blocked it and gave Khali a spinebuster. Batista set up for the Batista Bomb, but Khali shoved it away. Batista hit an elbow to the mouth, then went to the top rope. Batista jumped into a Khali choke. Khali hit the double handed chokeslam for a two count. Ranjin Singh slid a chair in to Khali. Khali shoved the referee to the side and hit Batista in the back with the chair. Khali was disqualified at the eight minute mark.

Winner via DQ: Batista.

Khali went for a post-match chairshot, but Batista ducked it and hit Khali with a spear. Batista grabbed the chair and hit Khali repeatedly in the back with the chair until the referee finally pulled it away from him.

They promoted the DVD release of The Condemned.

Backstage, Vince McMahon was chatting with Jonathan Coachman. William Regal said a woman had arrived. Before Regal could explain, Vince told him to bring her in. Regal brought in Mae Young and the Fabulous Moolah. Regal explained that Mae didn't give birth to Vince's son, but she wants to give birth to one. Mae tackled Vince and put him in a liplock. Regal and Moolah eventually pulled Mae out of the room. Vince spat and complained about the taste in his mouth. Coach offered him a Tic-tac. Vince suddenly realized he liked the taste, and said that Mae had turned him on. Coach said that was disgusting, and Vince said "Old chickens make good chicken soup".

Jim Ross announced that there were 17,441 fans in attendance at the Continental Airlines Arena tonight.

A video package on the John Cena-Randy Orton feud was shown.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Randy Orton.

Mixed reactions for both men as they came to the ring. They locked up and jockeyed for position. Cena grabbed a headlock and Orton struggled in the hold. Orton shoved him off, but Cena hit a shoulderblock and applied the headlock again, taking Orton down with a side mare. Dueling chants for Cena and Orton. They went to the ropes, and as they broke, Orton grabbed a headlock. Orton hit a shoulderblock, then he grabbed a side mare and kept Cena in a headlock. Cena shoved it off and hit a drop toe hold, then went for an STFU, but Orton made the ropes. Orton decked Cena with a punch, then stomped Cena down on the mat. Orton hit some punches, and Cena sold it like he was totally dazed. Orton hit an uppercut, but Cena reversed a whip into the corner and hit a bulldog for a two count. Cena went for a backdrop, but Orton kicked it away and hit a forearm to the back of the head for a two count.

Cena hit some shots, but missed a flying forearm when Orton dropped down and crashed to the mat. Cena rolled to the apron and Orton hit a shoulderblock, sending Cena off the apron and head first into the announce table. Orton rolled Cena back into the ring for a two count. Orton applied a chinlock, more like a rear naked choke, and Cena began to slump to the mat. Cena got back to his feet and hit a back suplex to break out. Cena missed a charge and ran into the turnbuckles. Orton covered for a two count. Orton stomped Cena's left shin, then the right shin. Orton kept stomping Cena's extremities, but took his time between stomps. Orton stomped the side of Cena's head, but then missed a kneedrop after taking another long pause. Cena bounced off the ropes, but Orton hit a powerslam for a two count.

Orton applied a rear chinlock on the mat, as the fans were doing chants for both men again. Cena powered up and got out of the chinlock, but Orton nailed him with a dropkick for a two count. Cena and Orton traded punches, then Orton applied a sleeper. Cena tried to suplex out, but Orton turned it into a side mare and clamped on a side headlock. Orton rolled into a sleeper, and wrapped his legs around Cena with a bodyscissors. Cena got to his feet and rammed backwards into the corner to break the hold. Cena hit some punches and a pair of shoulderblocks. Cena hit a back suplex into a powerbomb, then did the "You Can't See Me" gesture. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop. Cena went for the FU, but Orton hit a pair of elbows to the head to break out of it, and then hit Cena with a side backbreaker. Cena rolled to the apron and Orton dragged Cena in, so Cena was hanging off the second rope by his feet. Orton hit a DDT and got a two count.

Orton began measuring Cena for the RKO. Cena slowly got up, and Orton went for it, but Cena shoved him into the ropes. Cena charged, but Orton dropped down and pulled down the top rope. Cena fell to the floor. Randy went after him on the outside and whipped him into the ringsteps. Orton rolled Cena back into the ring and covered for a two count. Orton ran into a Cena elbow. Cena hit a Throwback, although it ended up more like a hangman's neckbreaker. Cena went to the top rope, but Orton crotched him. Orton hit some forearms, then set up for a superplex. Cena blocked it and shoved Orton to the mat. Cena hit a top rope Rocker Dropper then went for an FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope. Orton pulled himself to the ring apron and then dropped down to the floor and pulled Cena throat first across the top rope.

Cena was down, and Orton measured Cena for the RKO again. Cena wasn't moving, so Orton instead prepared for the kick to the head. Cena started to move, and Orton went for the kick, but Cena dodged it, gave Orton a drop toe hold and applied the STFU. Orton struggled in the hold and made the bottom rope. Cena released the hold and staggered back. Cena moved forward and Orton grabbed him and hit the RKO. Orton held his knee, then crawled over to Cena and covered, but Cena kicked out at two. Orton went to pick Cena up off the mat, but Cena popped up and grabbed the FU for the pin at the twenty-one minute mark.

Winner: John Cena.




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