This Day in History - 10th January 2013

January 10th

On this day in history in ....

1950 - Sandor Szabo wins the San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title for the 13th time, defeating Ray Eckert in San Francisco, California, ending his second reign.

1951 - Pez Whatley is born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

1957 - Boris and Nicoli Volkoff defeat Reggie and Stan Lisowski for the Chicago NWA World Tag Team Title in Indianapolis, Indiana. This began and ended both team's third reigns.

1958 - Jerry Estrada is born in Monclova, Mexico.

1958 - Ciclon Anaya and Ramon Torres defeat Ben and Mike Sharpe to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in Oakland, California. This ended the Sharpes' 16th reign, which lasted one day.

1958 - The Mighty Yankee defeats Ray Gunkel for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.

1958 - Nick Kozak defeats Kurt Von Himmler to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title.

1959 - Red Hangman and Ben Sharpe defeat Johnny Barend and Ron Etchison for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in Fresno, California.

1961 - Buddy Austin defeats Don Curtis for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.

1967 - Bobby Hart defeats Louie Tillet to win the Georgia NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title in Macon, Georgia.

1968 - Thunder Sugiyama and Toyonobori defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Don Kent) for the Trans-World Wrestling Alliance (International Pro Wrestling) World Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.

1969 - Fred Blassie defeats Bobo Brazil to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California, beginning his second reign.

1969 - Don Kent defeats Dusty Rhodes in St. Joseph, Missouri for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title.

1970 - Marcus "Buff" Bagwell is born in Marietta, Georgia.

1972 - Brian Lawler is born in Memphis, Tennessee.

1972 - The Infernos (Frankie Cain and Rocky Smith) defeat The Australians (Ron Miller and Larry O'Day) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in West Palm Beach, Florida, ending The Australians' third reign.

1975 - Mike George and Jerry Oates defeat The Interns (Tom Andrews and Jim Starr) in a Losers Leave Town match to win the Central States NWA World Tag Team Title.

1976 - The Spoilers defeat Carlos Colón and Bob Ellis for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

1977 - Gene Kiniski defeats Don Leo Jonathan in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title. This ended Jonathan's fifth reign and began Kiniski's sixth.

1979 - Tully Blanchard defeats Dale Valentine (Buddy Roberts) for the Southwest Championship Wrestling Southwest Television Title, beginning his second reign.

1981 - The WWF holds two events at two of their major northeastern arenas.

At the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts:
- Joe Crugnale defeated Mike Striker.
- Pete Doherty defeated Fred Marzino.
- Jose Estrada and Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez and Steve King.
- Stan Hansen defeated Bruno Sammartino by countout.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Dave Darrow.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated The Hangman.
- Killer Khan defeated Rick McGraw.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci in nine seconds.

At the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
- Frank Savage and Jim Duggan to a draw.
- Larry Sharpe defeated Rick McGraw.
- Pat Patterson defeated Bulldog Brower.
- The Moondogs defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea and Rick Martel by disqualification.
- Tony Atlas defeated Larry Zbyszko by countout.
- Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund by countout.

1983 - Nick Bockwinkel defeats Jerry Lawler for the held up AWA World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. The title was held up after Lawler defeated Bockwinkel for the title on December 27 in Memphis. This began Bockwinkel's fourth reign.

1983 - Robert Gibson defeats Norman Frederick Charles to win the Southeastern NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

1983 - Bobby Eaton wins the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title for the seventh time, ending Jacques Rougeau's second reign, in Memphis, Tennessee.

1985 - Mr. Pogo defeats Harley Race to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Kansas, ending Race's eighth reign.

1987 - The WWF runs an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Scott McGhee pinned Terry Gibbs.
- Koko B. Ware and Don Muraco fought to a time-limit draw.
- Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine defeated Mike Rotundo and Dan Spivey, when Beefcake pinned Spivey.
- The Honky Tonk Man defeated George Steele by disqualification.
- Dino Bravo pinned Paul Roma.
- King Kong Bundy and Jake Roberts fought to a double countout.
- The Junkyard Dog (subbing for The Dynamite Kid) and WWF Tag Team Champion Davey Boy Smith defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart), when JYD pinned Neidhart.
- Jose Rivera pinned Barry O.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage defeated Ricky Steamboat (subbing for André the Giant) by disqualification.

1987 - The Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) defeat Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka) in Memphis, Tennessee for the Continental Wrestling Association International Tag Team Title.

1988 - The WWF holds an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
- WWF Women's Tag Team Champions The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin) defeated The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki) to retain the title.
- The Conquistadors defeated The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond).
- Danny Davis defeated Sam Houston.
- Dino Bravo defeated Koko B. Ware.
- George Steele and Ron Bass fought to a double disqualification.
- Brutus Beefcake defeated Greg Valentine.
- Ted DiBiase defeated Jake Roberts.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man defeated Randy Savage to retain the title, after interference from The Hart Foundation.

1988 - Rumi Kazama defeats Mayumi Ozaki to win her second Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling Junior Title in Tokyo, Japan.

1992 - Rod Price and John Tatum defeat Black Bart and Bill Irwin for the Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning their second reign.

1994 - The WWF has its "Monday Night RAW" first-anniversary edition, which aired from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. The next two weeks of RAW were taped as well. The results from the January 10 show:
- In one of the biggest upsets in WWF history, The 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre) after a simultaneous Jannetty suplex and crossbody from The Kid, to win the titles.
- Ludvig Borga defeated Brad Anderson by submission with the Torture Rack.
- The Undertaker pinned Ray Hudson after a Tombstone piledriver.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Bastion Booger after a diving headbutt.

1994 - Ron and Don Harris win their fourth USWA Tag Team Title, defeating Far 2 Wild (Chris Michaels and Todd Morton) in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Far 2 Wild's two-day second reign.

1994 - Robbie Eagle defeats Chris Candido to win the SMW Television Title in Chilhowie, Virginia.

1994 - Shinobi the Oriental Assassin (Al Snow) defeats Sean Casey in Lima, Ohio for the World Wide Wrestling Alliance Light Heavyweight Title.

1996 - Jerry Lawler defeats Tex Slazenger for the USWA Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Slazenger's second reign. Also, Lady Satan (Debbie Combs) defeats Miss Texas (Jackie Moore) to win the USWA Women's Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning Lady Satan/Combs' second reign and ending Miss Texas' 12th.

1998 - Mike Tyson and the WWF agree to a deal for Tyson to appear at March 29's WrestleMania, as "special enforcer" for the event's WWF Title match.

1998 - The WWF holds an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku pinned Brian Christopher to retain the title.
- The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) in a Country Whippin' match, when Henry pinned Thrasher.
- Tom Brandi defeated Marc Mero by disqualification.
- Ken Shamrock pinned Faarooq.
- The Undertaker and The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn) in a steel cage match, when Undertaker pinned Michaels after Owen Hart attacked Michaels as he tried to escape the cage.
- Vader pinned The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust.
- Kane pinned Chainz.
- Steve Austin and Cactus Jack (subbing for Dude Love) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock and D'Lo Brown in a falls count anywhere match.

1998 - ECW holds "House Party '98" at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten defeated The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido, Tommy Rich and Tracy Smothers).
- Jerry Lynn defeated ECW World Tag Team Champion Chris Candido by submission.
- Gran Hamada pinned Gran Naniwa.
- Al Snow pinned Roadkill.
- Justin Credible pinned The Great Sasuke.
- Rob Van Dam pinned Bam Bam Bigelow.
- ECW World Television Champion Taz defeated 2 Cold Scorpio by submission.
- The Dudleys (Big Dick, Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) defeated New Jack, Kronus and Spike Dudley.
- The Sandman pinned Sabu in a Stairway to Hell match, after a shot to the face with a Singapore cane. Just before, Sabu had Bill Alfonso tape shut his apparently broken jaw.

1998 - Wolfie D defeats Terry Golden to win the Music City Wrestling North American Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee.

1999 - ECW holds the first-annual "Guilty as Charged" pay-per-view before 2,600 fans at the Millennium Theater in Kissimmee, Florida. The results:
- The Hardcore Chair Swingin' Freaks (Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney) defeated The Full-Blooded Italians (Little Guido & Tracy Smothers) and Danny Doring & Roadkill in a three-way dance. The FBI both pinned Doring, and, simultaneously, Rotten pinned Guido and Mahoney pinned Smothers.
- Yoshihiro Tajiri pinned Super Crazy.
- Sid Vicious, in his ECW debut, pinned John Kronus.
- The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von) defeated New Jack and Spike Dudley.
- ECW World Television Champion and World Tag Team Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Lance Storm to retain the Television title.
- Justin Credible pinned Tommy Dreamer in a Stairway to Hell Ladder match, after Terry Funk came ringside and hit Dreamer with a garbage can.
- Taz defeated ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas by knockout to win the title, ending Douglas' fourth reign, which had lasted just over 13 months.

1999 - Abdullah the Butcher defeats Shadow WX for the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Title in Fukuoka, Japan.

1999 - Bombero Infernal defeats Mr. Niebla (not the original) for the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.

2000 - WWF RAW is WAR more than doubled WCW Monday Nitro's rating in this week of the Monday Night War.

WCW Monday Nitro, which earned a 3.5 rating, came live from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Crowbar & David Flair defeated Billy Kidman & Konnan and Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn in a three-way falls count anywhere match.
- George "The Animal" Steele defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett in a Bunkhouse Brawl.
- Tito Santana defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Dungeon match.
- Jimmy Snuka pinned Jeff Jarrett in a steel cage match.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart and Kevin Nash fought to a no contest. This would be Bret Hart's last match, as he would have to retire due to injuries suffered in his December 27 Starrcade match with Goldberg.

WWF RAW is WAR gained a 6.8 rating for its show from the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The WWF also taped the January 15 edition of Shotgun Saturday Night. RAW featured The Rock and the entire WWF roster holding the show hostage in the opening segment, demanding that Mankind, who had been fired two weeks prior due to losing a Pink Slip on a Pole match to The Rock, be reinstated. Rock's demands also included that the members of D-Generation X all face eachother in matches throughout the night as well. The Rock said if the demands weren't met, the entire roster would walk out. Naturally, they agreed. The entire event's results were:
In dark matches:
- Papi Chulo defeated Tom Howard.
- Steve Bradley defeated Ali Stevens.
In Shotgun Saturday Night matches:
- Kaientai (Taka Michinoku and Funaki) defeated Danny Holiday (Danny Basham) and Jason Lee
- Jacqueline defeated Ivory.
- Jack Black, Jerry Miller and B.J. Payne defeated The Mean Street Posse (Joey Abs, Pete Gas and Rodney) after interference from Kaientai.
In RAW matches:
- WWF Tag Team Champion Road Dogg pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn after reversing the Fameasser into a pumphandle slam.
- The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) defeated Kurt Angle and Steve Blackman, when Matt pinned Blackman.
- WWF European Champion Val Venis pinned Edge with a fisherman suplex. After the match, Edge told Val that although he was the best man that night, he wouldn't be the best man at his sister's (engaged to Edge) wedding, but that Christian would be. Val agreed and the three shared a hug in the ring.
- Crash and Hardcore Holly defeated WWF co-Intercontinental Champions Chris Jericho and Chyna, when Hardcore pinned Chyna after Jericho didn't see Chyna reaching for a tag. He then left with the title belt.
- WWF Champion Triple H pinned X-Pac after Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley caused X-Pac to crotch himself on the top rope.
- Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) and Rikishi defeated Al Snow and The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher), when Rikishi pinned Mosh after the Rikishi Driver.
- D'Lo Brown and The Godfather defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) by countout when the Dudleys tried to take The Godfather's hos.
- Big Show and Test defeated Prince Albert and the Big Bossman, when Test pinned Albert.
- D-Generation X (WWF Champion Triple H, WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn) and X-Pac) defeated The Rock, Mankind and The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq), when Triple H pinned Mankind after a shot with the ring bell, and two Pedigrees, one through the announce table and one in the ring.

2001 - Paul E. Smooth defeats Mark Wolf to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Charlestown, Indiana, ending Wolf's second reign and beginning Smooth's third.

2004 - Jerrelle Clark defeats Chris Draven in St. Petersburg, Florida to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. As a result, the NWA Sunray Pro Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Title, won on November 15 by defeating Justice in a tournament final in Melbourne, Florida, and the NWA Florida X Division Title, won on December 13 in St. Petersburg from Roderick Strong in a four-way match also involving Stron and Naphtali, were both vacated.

2004 - Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshinari Ogawa defeat Yuji Nagata and Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NOAH GHC Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning their second reign.

2004 - Kensuke Sasaki defeats Lopaka for the Hawaii Championship Wrestling Kamehameha Heritage Title in Kaneohe, Hawaii, ending Lopaka's second reign. At the same event, The Nightmarchers (Ahuna and Akua) defeat Hawaiian Blood (Kaimana and Kaniela) to win the HCW

2004 - Charisma defeats Kid Justice to win the Rochester Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Rochester, New York. During his reign, the title changed names along with the promotion, when RPW joined the National Wrestling Alliance and became NWA Upstate.

2005 - TAKA Michinoku defeats Kaz Hayashi in Tokyo, Japan for both the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title and Kaientai Dojo Strongest-K Title.

2006 - The January 13 edition of "SmackDown!" and January 14 "Velocity" are taped in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Wachovia Center, and SmackDown! featured Batista surrendering the World Heavyweight Title, due to a a torn right tricep, which he suffered in a match with Mark Henry two days earlier at a house show in Verona, New York. SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long announced that the winner of a 20-man battle royal would be the new champion. JBL and Jillian Hall were guest on Piper's Pit, although originally the guest was to be The Boogeyman. Piper ended up bringing him out anyway, and the segment ended with The Boogeyman biting Jillian Hall's "mole" off her face. Match results from the event:
In Velocity matches:
- Jamie Noble defeated Scotty 2 Hotty by submission with a Dragon sleeper.
- The Gymini (Jake and Jesse), in their wrestling debut, defeated Billy Baxter (the ECWA's Billy Bax) and John Trouski.
- Paul Birchill pinned Nick Burke (CZW's Nick Berk) after the C-4.
- The Mexicools (Psicosis and Super Crazy) defeated The Dicks (Chad and James), when Crazy got the pin after a tornado DDT, after Road Warrior Animal pushed one of The Dicks off the top rope.
In SmackDown! matches:
- Randy Orton (subbing for the injured Booker T) pinned Chris Benoit in the seventh match of Booker and Benoit's best-of-seven series, to win the held up WWE United States Title, beginning Booker's third reign. Orton won the match after Booker hit Benoit with the title belt while Orton was in the Crippler Crossface.
- Kurt Angle, who was still a member of the RAW roster, won the 20-man battle royal for the vacant World Heavyweight Title, last eliminating Mark Henry. The battle royal also included Paul Birchill, Simon Dean, Matt Hardy, Orlando Jordan, Brian Kendrick, Bobby Lashley, JBL, Paul London, Joey Mercury, Rey Mysterio, Johnny Nitro, Nunzio, Psicosis, William Regal, Road Warrior Animal, Super Crazy, Sylvan and Vito. The title change was reported on WWE.com shortly after the event ended, the first case of WWE itself posting show spoilers.

2006 - Canadian Extreme (C.K. Sexx and J.T. Thorn) defeat Kwan Chang and Rip Impact for the vacant Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Mikiwakatasitque, Quebec. The title was vacated on December 31, due to inactivity. The previous champions were The Blood Brothers (Steve Jaworski and Wavell Starr).

2007 - "Armed & Famous" a reality show featuring celebrities training to be police officers in Muncie, Indiana, debuted on CBS, featuring former WWE Women's champion Trish Stratus. The series would only last a few episodes.

2008 - NBC picked up American Gladiators for a complete season. The revived series was hosted by Hulk Hogan.

2008 - The USA Network has announced that Monday Night Raw will not be pre-empted on February 11th as previously reported. For the first time, the USA Network is ending it's coverage of the Westminster Dog Show at 9 PM so that Raw can air in it's regular time slot. Hour 2 and 3 of the dog show will air on CNBC, a sister station of the USA Network, beginning at 9 PM.

2009 - Gavin/Shawn Spears (Ronnie William Arniell) and developmental talent Mike Kruel were released by World Wrestling Entertainment. Kruel, who had been an independent standout and a second generation talent in the New York City area, would leave the business altogether.

2010 - Former professional wrestler, boxer and politician Tony Halme was found dead in his apartment at age 47. Halme, who wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling in the early 90's, had a brief run in 1993 and 1994 for the WWF under the name Ludvig Borga, feuding with Lex Luger. After his wrestling career, Borga tried his hand at MMA, then later he served in parliament in Finland from 2003-2007.

2011 - Shawn Michaels was announced as the first member of the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame Class.

2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Nashville, Tennessee and your announcers are Michael ‘Volunteer’ Cole and Jerry ‘Fang Fingers’ Lawler.

Match Number One: Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella with Tamina versus . . .

Nexus comes to the ring and they attack Marella and Kozlov while CM Punk watches them brutalize the champions. Kozlov is thrown out of the ring and so is Marella.

Punk apologizes and says that the tag title match has been rescheduled for a later date. Since Nexus first made its impact on Monday Night Raw, they have been the most dominant force the WWE has ever seen. As scary as it sounds, they are even stronger. Punk tells Nexus that they have the ability and chance to shine brighter than any superstar in history. He can give them the tools to succeed and the path to follow, unlike their previous leader. Two weeks ago, he single handedly put John Cena out of the equation.

Punk reminds everyone that everyone’s hero in his broken down glory will appear tonight. John Cena will hopefully deliver a tear jerking encore farewell speech tonight because his days of hustle, loyalty, and respect are over. Punk says that his are just beginning.

The coup de grace, in an act of selfless leadership, he will make the ultimate sacrifice when he initiates himself the new leader of the new Nexus. Punk says that he is getting ahead of himself. It won’t be the only initiation tonight. The members of the group must prove to themselves, the group, and the worthless people in the crowd that they belong to the new Nexus. If they pass, then the Nexus will be at its apex of power. They will not only rule Raw, but the entire WWE.

David Otunga gets a mic and he says that he would be honored to be initiated into the New Nexus tonight.

Punk tells David that the honor is all his. He wants to start off by bringing up Michael McGillicutty. Punk says that everyone knows that Nexus is famous for their group beat downs. They have beaten down Hall of Famers and the Chairman of the Board. Punk also mentions that they have beaten down John Cena too. Punk tells Michael that he needs to be one the receiving end of one of the Nexus beat downs. Punk tells Husky to take the first shot but Otunga jumps the gun and gives Michael the World’s Most Dangerous Spinebuster followed by Sweetness from Slater. Husky stands over Michael and hits the back senton. They pull him into the corner for the 450 splash. They are not done because they put Michael on Punk’s shoulders for the Go To Sleep.

The members of Nexus carry Michael to the back as they follow CM Punk.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Royal Rumble sub-site is up and you can check it out.

Match Number One (let’s try this again): R Truth versus Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez

Del Rio avoids a charge by Truth but Truth with punches and a clothesline into the corner. Truth climbs the turnbuckles and punches Del Rio but Del Rio with a reverse atomic drop and Irish whip followed by a lungblower for a near fall. Del Rio punches Truth but Truth with a head scissors and clothesline. Truth with another clothesline that sends both of them over the top rope to the floor. They fight on the floor and Rodriguez distracts Truth long enough to take a punch and enable Del Rio to get in the ring before the ten count. Truth cannot beat the count.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio by count out

After the match, Alberto gets on the mic and he says that is another victory for him, but everyone already knows that. Alberto says that it is his destiny to win the Royal Rumble and headline Wrestlemania.

Tonight, Alberto mentions that we are in Nashville, and he calls it ‘The Music City’. He calls everyone silly Americanos because they know nothing about music or culture. You only know about your Justin Biebers, American Idol, hip hop, and the boring country music. Alberto says that in Mexico, they know about music. They know about culture. He wants to show everyone real music, the mariachis. He tells Ricardo to sing for him. Ricardo sings, but he sounds like a male Jillian Hall.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: Michael Cole reading an e-mail from the General Manager which is only the subterfuge for Miz’s attack on Jerry Lawler two weeks ago.

Jerry Lawler says that he is not fully recovered by the attack from Miz and Cole says that Randy Orton won’t be able to beat Miz at Royal Rumble. Lawler calls Miz a megalomaniac and Cole wants Lawler to apologize. The bickering stops due to the clinky clinky noise. Cole quotes that Michael Cole has been on the receiving end of criticism but he supports Cole in every conceivable way. Even if he is a conceited, pompous, arrogant, self centered, pretentious jerk. He says that he is just kidding. Michael Cole is doing a phenomenal job and is the epitome of manhood. He wishes that there were more people who had the guts to stand up to popular opinion. He is a journalist, a two time Slammy Award winner. He is highly intelligent, witty, and handsome. The highest honor is to be called a Cole Miner.

Jerry Lawler interrupts and he says that he received a message from the WWE Universe . . . and he quotes. Will you please shut up. Nobody would think, say, or type that Cole is handsome. Cole is a coward. Lawler approaches Cole and Cole says that Lawler can’t touch him or he will be fired. Lawler closes the computer.

We get another e-mail and Cole quotes. Michael Cole is not a coward and neither is Jerry Lawler. Even if his body isn’t fully healed, he knows that Lawler wants revenge. Miz and Alex Riley will face Jerry Lawler and Randy Orton.

We go to the Nexus Locker Room and he says that McGillicutty is in Nexus and he passed with flying colors. Punk tells Husky that he is next. He will take three lashes from everyone in the room. Otunga takes the strap and Harris accepts. Punk tells Husky to take the shirt off. It is time for the strapping to start. Punk unloads with more than three lashes on Harris as we go to commercial.

We are back and Did You Know that they are using the same Did You Know about Wrestlemania and WWE Magazine.

Match Number Two: Mark Henry and Daniel Bryan with the Bellas versus Tyson Kidd and Ted DiBiase with Maryse

Ted and Daniel start things off and Bryan with a drop kick to Ted and then he kicks Ted in the corner until the referee warns him. Ted throws Bryan to the floor and Kidd goes out after Bryan and he kicks Bryan while the referee deals with Ted. Ted goes to the floor and he kicks Daniel in the head. Ted with a near fall when they return to the ring. Kidd tags in and he kicks Bryan until the referee stops him. Ted chokes Bryan until he gets tagged back in. Ted with a kick to the midsection followed by a reverse chin lock. Bryan avoids the short rebound clothesline and then he hits DiBiase with a kick.

Henry and Kidd tag in and Henry with a shoulder tackle and head butt. Kidd avoids a charge into the corner. Ted and Tyson try for a double drop kick but Henry stays on his feet. Henry with clotheslines followed by the World’s Strongest Slam on Kidd for the three count.

Winners: Mark Henry and Daniel Bryan

Big Show is in the back talking to a production assistant. He starts walking as we go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: The elimination of Jacob Novak last week on NXT and Dolph Ziggler’s comments when he traded Novak away earlier in the show.

Michael Cole talks about NXT and where you can watch it. This time he doesn’t rip the product.

Big Show comes to the ring. He thanks everyone and is glad to be back on Raw. He thanks the General Manager for time to discuss some issues. He mentions Wade Barrett. He says that he finds it funny that he got knocked out of Nexus last week but this Friday Wade will be knocked out on Smackdown. Show says that he wants every Superstar to know that they are on notice because Big Show is coming to the Royal Rumble and he is going to win the match.

Nexus’ music plays and they come out onto the stage. Punk is joined by the three men who have not been initiated yet. Punk looks at Otunga and David walks to the ring. Otunga looks back at Punk and then he realizes what he has to do.

Otunga comes into the ring and he slaps Big Show. Otunga does not run away but he waits for the response from Show. Show with a kick and then he throws Otunga out of the ring. Show sends Otunga over the announce table and then he chops Otunga on top of the announce table. Show yells at Otunga while he slams the man who met the President . . . twice on the floor. We see Punk, Slater, and Gabriel watching from the stage while Show sends Otunga into the ring steps.

They return to the ring and Show with a choke slam to Otunga. Show picks Otunga up and then connects with a right hand. Show’s music plays so that must mean the beat down is over. The three men on the stage do the Nexus power salute.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we go to highlights from last week’s WWE Title match between John Morrison and Miz.

Match Number Three: John Morrison versus Sheamus

They lock up and Sheamus with a side head lock take down but Morrison with a head scissors and Sheamus escapes. They lock up again and Sheamus punches Morrison but Morrison responds with forearms. Sheamus with a knee to the midsection. Sheamus with a forearm and elbow followed by a gutbuster for a near fall. Sheamus chokes Morrison in the ropes followed by a knee to the midsection and he chokes Morrison some more against the ropes.

Sheamus stands over Morrison and then he picks Morrison up and Morrison with punches to the midsection. Sheamus with a running back elbow to the head and then he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a bow and arrow on Morrison but Morrison with a knee to the head to get out of the hold. Morrison with a rollup for a near fall. Morrison tries for a back slide but Sheamus won’t go down. Morrison with a forearm and clothesline followed by a leg lariat and Sheamus goes into the corner. Morrison kicks Sheamus in the corner but Sheamus kicks Morrison.

Morrison with a kick to take Sheamus down and then he goes to the corner for the corkscrew split legged moonsault but Sheamus pushes Morrison over the top rope to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Sheamus with an arm bar and chin lock on Morrison. Morrison gets back to his feet and he punches Sheamus and kicks him. Sheamus with a standing power slam on Morrison and then he pulls Morrison to the apron and he connects with an elbow to the back of the head and the chest. Sheamus gets a near fall. Morrison stays on the mat and tries to kick Sheamus but Sheamus with a kick to Morrison and he returns to the chin lock and arm bar. Morrison gets back to his feet and he knees Sheamus. Morrison with a punch and kick. Morrison with more punches and kicks in the corner and the referee pulls him off. Sheamus with an Irish whip but he misses a charge. Morrison tries for the spring board round kick but Sheamus moves. Sheamus charges at Morrison but Morrison drops down and Sheamus goes to the floor. Morrison with a pescado but Sheamus sees him coming and connects with a kick to the ribs. Sheamus with a gourdbuster onto the ring steps.

They return to the ring and Sheamus sets for the pump kick but Morrison falls to the mat. Sheamus with a kick to the back and then he puts Morrison on the turnbuckles. Sheamus with a punch and then Morrison drops Sheamus on the turnbuckle as he goes to the floor. Morrison with a Shining Wizard for the three count.

Winner: John Morrison

Michael Cole talks about what CM Punk has done to the members of Nexus. Lawler talks about saying no to any organization that would do something like Nexus did tonight.

We go to the next initiation and Punk has kendo sticks as he talks about how Otunga has joined Husky and Michael. Punk says that he won’t beat them with kendo sticks. They are going to beat each other with kendo sticks until Punk tells them to stop. They hesitate and Punk tells them to swing for the fences because if they don’t do it they are out of the group.

Slater and Gabriel think about it and Punk wonders if they will try to hit him. Punk tells them to hit him. Slater and Gabriel drop the kendo sticks so it looks like they are no longer in Nexus.

We will find out who the first inductee into the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame . . . when we come back from commercial.

We are back and Jerry Lawler is in the ring. He says that the greatest accomplishment in his career was getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. So many people dream of competing in the ring and of those who do, less than 100 have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Hall of Famers share qualities like skill, drive, determination, and charisma. They also share the respect of all of the people in the WWE Universe. The first inductee has earned the respect of everyone. He deserves more than anyone to be a first ballot nominee.

Shawn Michaels.

Shawn Michaels’ music plays and he comes out to the ring and he addresses the WWE Universe, but before he can speak, he is interrupted by Alberto Del Rio. He reminds us who he is (because he has already been on the show). Alberto points out that Shawn is the Heartbreak Kid and a legend. He is the icon, the Showstopper. Alberto says that the people used to cheer Shawn, but now the people cheer him. They know that Alberto is the present and the future of the WWE. Shawn is just history. Alberto tells Shawn that after he wins the Royal Rumble, he will win the World Title . . . or the WWE Title. Then he will be known as the New Mr. Wrestlemania. Alberto starts to laugh but the smile is wiped off his face with some Sweet Chin Music.

Shawn cleans off his boot and then he struts around the ring. Shawn waves goodbye and applauds the fans before taking Alberto’s scarf and leaves the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Miz is in the back and Alex Riley says that opportunity kicked in the door tonight because they get to face Jerry Lawler and Randy Orton at the same time. Miz says that in two weeks, he assaulted a Hall of Famer and defeated John Morrison in a match that should be talked about for years. But all people talk about is Randy Orton getting the number one contender spot. People should be talking about him, not Randy Orton. People are saying that Randy Orton will win the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble. Miz says that nobody is giving him respect that he deserves. He wants to demoralize and embarrass Lawler and Orton tonight. He wants to show that he will be WWE Champion for a long time. Riley interrupts and starts to use the Miz’s catchphrase but Miz cuts him off and says that catchphrases are for closers and he will say it when he wins tonight.

Josh Mathews has taken Jerry Lawler’s place at the announce table.

Michael Cole is in the ring and he says that we are about to hear from John Cena. Cole is interrupted by CM Punk and he says that he is on top of the TitanTron. He says that we are done talking about John Cena because this is the CM Punk Show. He wants to talk about the New Nexus. Tonight has shown that Michael McGillicutty, Husky Harris, and David Otunga have proven themselves strong enough to be in the New Nexus through their initiations. Punk says that he is ready to do the same. Punk says that he will take the ultimate sacrifice and through his sacrifice, it will prove that not only was he a member of Nexus, he was their leader. Punk asks if he should dive and break every bone in his body? The fans want him to do it. Should he rupture every muscle?

Punk has one more question. He wants to know how gullible the people are. He says that he is wearing a harness and he has two guys spotting him. He says that he is safer than anyone in the seats. He asks who would jump off the tron. Punk says that everyone in Nashville are the biggest mindless group of sheep he has ever seen in his life.

The beaten and battered members of Nexus come out.

CM Punk has lowered himself from the TitanTron and has joined his followers in the ring.

Punk says that if anyone believed that he would jump off the Tron, they are stupid. Punk shows the harness. Punk says that anyone who would do something like that is mentally challenged. Punk says that he is mentally superior. Punk says that there never was a thought in his mind to jump off the Tron. Punk says that he doesn’t need initiations. He is the new leader of Nexus.

Punk says that Cena is not here.

Cena says that he is here. He says that we saw the act of a delusional phony. He says that Punk is insincere and then insults him some more. Cena says that Punk is also wasting everyone’s time. Cena asks why would Punk put them through a physical initiation since he already did that. Cena says that there is one member that he has not initiated. Cena says that it is Punk.

Punk says that he is not afraid of Cena and he will not be intimidated in his ring on his show.

Cena wants Punk to prove it in a match next week on Raw.

Punk accepts the challenge and Cena says that he was hoping that Punk would. Cena says that everything that Punk said about him are right. If he is provoked, he will be the most animalistic person on the planet. Cena says that Punk will be dealt with next week. It ain’t about t-shirts or arm bands, it is about Cena whooping Punk’s ass.

We go to commercial

Match Number Four: Miz and Alex Riley versus Randy Orton and Jerry Lawler

Riley and Lawler start things off and Riley wants Lawler to get in a punch. Lawler goes after Miz on the apron and Riley attacks Lawler from behind and he tags in Miz. Miz with a kick to the midsection and then he punches Lawler in the head. Lawler with a roundhouse punch and then he connects with more punches. They go to the floor and Lawler sends Miz into the announce table while Miz’s cheerleader tries to encourage him. Lawler sends Miz into the apron and ring steps. Miz with a thumb to the eyes and he tags in Riley but Lawler with a back body drop and Orton tags in.

Orton with a kick to Riley and then he connects with European uppercuts and punches. Orton kicks Riley in the corner and then Riley with a kick and he tags in Miz. Orton with a clothesline to Miz and then he stomps on Miz’s head. Orton with another boot to the head and then he does the same to the solar plexus. Lawler tags back in and he punches Miz. The referee warns Lawler and Miz with a boot to the head. Miz punches Lawler in the head and the referee pulls Miz off Lawler. Miz with a snap mare and reverse chin lock.

Miz with an Irish whip and then he sets for the Awesome Clothesline and he hits it.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Riley has Lawler in an arm bar but Lawler with punches. Riley misses a charge into the corner and he hits the post. Lawler goes to the wrong corner but he punches Riley. Miz distracts the referee and he disallows the tag. The referee did not see Miz make the tag but he is allowed in. Miz tries for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Orton hits an RKO. Riley makes the save and then Riley tags in. Orton tags in and Orton with clotheslines and a power slam. Orton with a back breaker to Riley and then he sees Riley on the apron. Orton with a kick and the IEDDT. Orton twists into the RKO push ups and Miz waits to pounce. Orton sees Miz trying to enter the ring. Riley comes up behind Orton but Orton with an RKO to Riley. Orton hisses at Miz and Miz stays on the apron. Orton tags Lawler back in and Lawler goes to the turnbuckles as the strap comes down and Lawler with the fist drop for the three count.

Winners: Jerry Lawler and Randy Orton