Wrestling History Today - Aug 4th
On this day in history in ....
1966 - Fritz Von Erich defeats Johnny Valentine in Fort Worth, Texas to win the NWA American Heavyweight Title for the second time.
1976 - Seji Sakaguchi & Strong Kobayashi defeat Tiger Jeet & Gama Singh to win the National Wrestling Federation Asian Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1983 - Tatsumi Fujinami defeats Riki Choshu via countout to win the WWF International Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan at Sumo Hall.
1984 - Super Medics I & III defeated Invaders I & III in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC World Tag Team Title.
1989 - Cactus Jack & Scott Braddock defeat Jeff Jarrett & Matt Borne for the World Class Wrestling Association World Tag Team Championship in Dallas, Texas. The belts would soon become the USWA World Tag Team Championship.
1990 - Lance Idol & Rick Valentine defeat Super Medics I & III in Caguas, Puerto Rico to win the WWC World Tag Team Title.
1997 - WCW stomped WWE in the Monday Night Wars. Nitro, headlined by Lex Luger defeating Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Title, Dallas Page defeating Ric Flair via disqualification, and Chris Benoit defeating Syxx via disqualification, did a 4.4 rating. Raw earned a 2.7 rating, headlined by Dude Love defeating Owen Hart, Triple H vs. Vader ending in a double countout, and The Godwins defeating The Headbangers.
2001 - Race Steele defeats Cody Hawk in Batavia, Ohio to win the HWA Title for a third time.
2002 - Don Owen, who promoted the Pacific Northwest Wrestling territory for decades, passed away at 90 years ago.
2002 - WWE broadcast Heat. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Matches taped on 7/29 in Greensboro, NC.
Your Announcers are Jonathan Coachman and D’Lo Brown.
Pyros explode, Coach and D’Lo welcome us in, we go straight to work…
1st Match: Matt Hardy vs. Steven Richards.
Pre-match, we hear from Matt-he plans to avenge his loss to the former Right To Censor leader suffered on lasts weeks Heat.
Nice pop for Matt, crowd despises Steven. Matt bails from the ring as Steven makes his way down, throws some forearms, whips Steven into the guard barrier. Matt rolls Steven in, follows, Steven to corner, Matt ascends 2nd turnbuckle, gets in a 9-count of punches, jumps back onto ring surface to deliver #10, Steven down and up at ropes. Matt whips him off opposite, elbows Steven down, drops a fist, covers for 2. Matt removes his shirt, gets the high-pitched pop, chokes Steven with shirt until warned off by ref. Steven crawls to ropes, Matt approaches, Steven tosses him through ropes and out of ring. Matt quickly to apron, Steven scores with an elbow, tosses Matt into ring post, sending him down outside. Steven rolls Matt in, follows, drops a trio of elbows to the lower back. Matt up slowly, Steven scores kick to kidneys, suplex sends Matt down for 2. Steven brings Matt up, tosses him face first into turnbuckles, continues to work on lower back with shoulder shots, follows up with another suplex, Matt down in pain. Steven pauses for the taunt, lays in a kick to the back, gets in a snapmare followed by a full nelson into a modified Camel Clutch. Matt gets to feet, elbows out, scores a suplex, both men down. Steven up first, sets for another suplex, Matt floats over, scores with a neckbreaker, both men again down. Both up slowly, the 2 exchange punches, Steven goes for a kick, Matt grabs the boot, whips the leg, scores a knockdown punch. Up, Matt tries for whip, reversed, Matt off ropes, scores with a clothesline, Steven down for 2. Steven up in corner, Matt whips him to opposite, Steven gets the elbow up, Matt staggered, Steven charges, Matt pulls out a hiptoss into a neckbreaker, Steven down for another 2. Up, Matt tries for the Side Effect, Steven elbows out, sets for his version of the Twist of Fate, takes too long, Matt wriggles free, hits the Side Effect, just gets 2. Up, Matt scores kick to gut, sets for Twist of Fate, Steven shoves him off, Matt off ropes, Steven throws him over opposite, Matt skins the cat, makes it to feet on apron. Steven approaches, Matt gets in a shoulder to gut, springboards over top, tries for a sunset flip, Steven keeps his leverage, gets Matts shoulders down for 2, Matt counters with a body scissors, gets Steven down for 2. Up, Matt scores a textbook body slam, goes to 2nd turnbuckle, drops the leg, no cover, both to feet, Matt scores boot to gut, sets for Twist of Fate, Steven evades by grabbing ropes, Matt goes down. Up, Steven scores a running bulldog, Matt down for 2. Steven brings Matt up, sets him on top turnbuckle, goes up top himself, sets for bulldog, Matt elbows out, scores HIGHLY modified Twist of Fate off the top turnbuckle, Steven down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Matt Hardy.
Backstage, Terri interviews William Regal. She asks about his upcoming match with Goldust. After making Terri squirm by bringing up her past marriage to the Bizarre One, he promises to unleash the ‘Power of the Punch’ later this evening. Break.
Back, we recap last weeks Raw. General Manager Eric Bischoff opened the show by bringing out the 3 newest members of his roster, Test and Tag Team Champions Christian and Lance Storm, collectively known as the Un-Americans. The 3 made their presence felt later on, laying a beating on The Undertaker after he’d defeated Chris Nowinski in an impromptu match. As ‘Taker was laid out, Test announced the demise of the American Badass. Break.
Slam of the Week: As Ric Flair prepared to make an announcement in the ring last week on Raw, Chris Jericho ran in from the crowd and laid out the Nature Boy with a chair shot. He then got on the mic to declare that once again, ‘Raw is Jericho!’
Back, Raven’s music hits, and the sole exclusive member of the Heat roster heads to the announcers table. Reminding D’Lo and Coach that last week he announced his plan to make the show his personal playground, he joins the 2 on commentary. OK….
2nd Match: Shelton Benjamin vs. Justin Credible.
Polite pop for Shelton (who, by the way, is a black cat with a great physique), usual ton o’ hate for Justin. Lockup, Shelton goes behind, gets Justin down for a quick pair of 2-counts. Justin goes to ropes, voices his displeasure at being the victim of good ol’ fashioned wrestling prowess, Shelton waits him out, the two again lock up, Shelton drops to canvas, scores a fireman's carry takedown into an armbar. Justin to feet, Shelton wrings the arm, Justin fires off punches, breaking hold and sending Shelton to ropes. Justin whips him off opposite, Shelton baseball slides under a kick attempt, gets to feet, scores with a dropkick, Justin down and up, Shelton follows up with a hiptoss, Justin down and up in corner, Shelton scores with a monkey flip, follows with an armdrag takedown into another armbar. Justin to feet, camera goes off action to the announce table, Justin apparently broke free, whips Shelton into corner, goes for a monkey flip of his own, Shelton lands on feet, Justin tries a clothesline, Shelton counters with a leg sweep, Justin down for 2. Up, Shelton slaps on a side headlock, Justin to ropes, breaks out of hold, shoots Shelton off opposite ropes, shoulder block sends Justin down for 2. Up, Shelton goes for whip, Justin off ropes, scores a swinging DDT, Shelton down. Justin brings him up, sends him face first into top turnbuckle, turns him around, lays in a chop, Shelton down. Justin lays in boots, applies heel choke, broken up by ref. Justin gets in a quick forearm, scores his trademark sit out powerbomb, Shelton down for 2. Up, Shelton at ropes, Justin slaps on a headlock, Shelton shoves him to corner, breaking hold. Shelton lays in shoulders to gut, Justin counters with a kneelift, Shelton down. Justin goes to bring him up, Shelton fires off knockdown punches, whips Justin off ropes, brings him up, gorilla press slam sends Justin to canvas. Up, Shelton ducks a clothesline, scores a Northern Lights suplex into a bridge, Justin down for 2. Justin up in corner, Shelton lays in punches, tries for whip, Justin puts on brakes, whips Shelton back toward corner, Shelton puts on brakes before colliding with ref. Shelton turns, Justin scores a Superkick, Shelton down for 2. Justin up, sets for another Superkick, Shelton slowly to feet, blocks the kick, goes for one of his own, Justin catches the boot, whips the leg, Shelton scores spinning heel kick, Justin down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin.
During and after the match Raven was in D’Lo’s face, mainly questioning the legitimacy of his educational background. D’Lo took it in stride at first, seemed to be getting pissed off as we headed to break.
After a commercial for the new Fozzy CD (featuring Chris Jericho on lead vocals) we go back to work…
3rd Match: Johnny Stamboli vs. Spike Dudley.
Light heat for Johnny, surprisingly big pop for Spike. Spikes ribs are taped, Johnny takes quick advantage, laying in forearm shots to the midsection as Spike enters. Johnny sends Spike off ropes, sends him to canvas with a HUGE back body drop. Johnny continues to work on ribs, Spike to ropes, Johnny lays in choke, broken up by my hero, referee Nick Patrick. Johnny goes for another whip, Spike off ropes, scores with a dropkick, both men down and up quickly. Spike lays in chops, tries for whip, reversed, Spike off ropes, scores head to gut, Johnny staggered. Spike gets a schoolboy rollup for a 2-count, Johnny to feet, hits a kneelift, follows up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Spike down for 2. Up, Johnny scores with another knee, brings Spike up in delayed vertical suplex position-decides to drop Spike gut first onto top rope instead. Spike down at ropes, Johnny brings him up, sets for another suplex, Spike floats over, scores with a bulldog, both men down. Up, Johnny backs Spike into corner, scores shoulder to gut, lays in barrage of forearms and kicks until warned off by ‘Saint’ Nick. Johnny to opposite corner, charges, Spike sidesteps, Johnny into corner, Spike lays in forearms, tries for whip, reversed, Spike bounces off turnbuckles, goes down, Johnny makes leisurely cover for 2. Johnny brings Spike up, locks in an abdominal stretch combined with forearm shots to ribs. Johnny keeps up the stretch, grabs the ropes for leverage, Nick kicks his arm away with righteous wrath, Spike scores hiptoss out of nowhere, Johnny down and up quickly, Spike off ropes, clotheslines Johnny down. Up, Spike again off ropes, tries for a crossbody block, Johnny catches him, sets Spike on top turnbuckle. Johnny lays in forearms, sets for superplex, Spike fires off punches to gut dropping Johnny to canvas. Spike up top, flies, lands on feet on Johnny’s gut. Johnny up slowly, Spike goes for Dudley Dog, Johnny puts on brakes, scores the Fuggetaboutit, Spike down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Johnny Stamboli.
During the match Raven kept up his verbal harangue on D’Lo. After, the two appeared ready to get it on at the announce table. Raven made to exit, then turned and tried to hit D’Lo with a clothesline. D’Lo ducked and tossed Raven over the announcers table. Raven took his leave, Coach calms D’Lo down, we go to break.
After a replay of the D’Lo/Raven confrontation more we get a recap of the Shawn Michaels/HHH storyline. I’ll try to make this brief: 2 weeks ago on Raw, Eric Bischoff appointed Shawn as HHH’s manager. HBK balked at taking Bischoff's orders and made to leave the arena, only stopping when Hunter persuaded him to stay, citing interesting plans for the future. Later on that show the 2 teased a DX reunion, quickly ended when HHH laid Shawn out with a Pedigree, then exited wordlessly.
Flash forward to last weeks Raw. As Bischoff and the Un-Americans were in the ring, Shawn came down the ramp and demanded that Eric give him a match with Hunter. Bischoff stated that HHH hadn’t arrived at the venue, and Shawn left to seek him out after trading some verbal jabs with the Canadian faction. As Shawn patrolled the backstage area he had less than pleasant encounters with Booker T and The Big Show, then told a worker to inform Hunter upon his arrival that he’d be waiting or him in the parking lot.
Later in the show Hunter finally arrived and hit the ring. He announced that he’d been the one to come up with the plan to make Shawn his manager. He then challenged Shawn to either get in the ring, or to swallow his pride and accept the managerial role. As HHH waited, a ringside technician relayed a message that caused him to leave the ring and exit to the parking lot. There he found a crowd of wrestlers gathered around a bloodied and unconscious HBK next to a car with a shattered windshield. As Shawn was put into an ambulance Bischoff confronted HHH and made a thinly veiled accusation that he was responsible for the assault. Hunter responded with a not at all veiled “F*** YOU!”.
Coach announces that Shawn was released from the hospital last Friday-hopefully we’ll be getting a full update tomorrow night. Final break.
Snap of the Night: Last week on Raw, Chris Benoit defeats Rob Van Dam to become our new Intercontinental Champion.
Coach reminds us that Chris, along with Eddy Guerrero, jumped to Smackdown last week. On to our Main Event…
4th Match: Goldust vs. William Regal.
Pure hate for William, very nice pop for the Man from Hollywood. Stalling to start, extended lockup, Goldust forces William to corner, ref calls for break as William begs off. Another lockup, Goldust slaps on a headlock, William elbows out, Goldust off ropes, shoulders William to canvas. William to corner, the 2 circle, attempt another lockup, William drops to mat, scores an armdrag takedown. Up, William works an armbar, Goldust reverses, William somersaults through, attempts to re-apply armbar, Goldust counters, tosses William to canvas. William up in corner, another lockup follows, William gets in a knee to gut, Goldust to ropes. William forearms him to corner, tries for whip, Goldust reverses, William bounces out of corner, goes down to back body drop. Up, Goldust tries for a crossbody, William catches him, Goldust gets crotched on top rope. William to corner, running forearm brings Goldust down inside. William lays in boots, bring Goldust up, scores with a knee to gut, Goldust doubled over, William off ropes, Goldust takes a knee to the face, goes down for 2. Up, the 2 exchange punches, Goldust scores a pair of forearm knockdowns, tries for whip, reversed, Goldust to ropes, puts on brakes, William sets for back body drop, Goldust slides under, scores slap of doom, William down. Up, Goldust sets for the Curtain Call, William elbows out, starts digging into his trunks, gee wonder what's in there, Goldust seizes the opportunity, rolls William up for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Goldust.
Post-match, William lays out Goldust with the ‘Power of the Punch’ (AKA brass knuckles shot).
Coach and D’Lo hype tomorrow nights Raw to end the show.
OK show this week, matches were good, recap seemed WAY excessive-hopefully the ‘Who assaulted HBK’ storyline will have a decent payoff. The Raven/D’Lo angle was kind of interesting, maybe it’ll lead to a match between the 2 in the near future, possibly with the Heat announce gig on the line
2002 - NWA TNA Saturday Morning TV aired in different syndicated markets. Phil McConnell filed the following TV report:
NWA TNA Saturday Morning Report
By: Phillip McConnell
Welcome to the NWA TNA Saturday Morning Report, I'm Phillip McConnell. I was in attendance live for the show this week, as I have been each week since NWA TNA moved their live shows to Nashville. Each show has been a lot of fun and anyone with the chance should come to Nashville and see the show live, well worth the $10 or $15 for a ticket. This show airs each Saturday morning at 9am(central time) on the local UPN station.
Flames appear on the screen and the TNA logo swings in and we are underway with NWA TNA Saturday Morning.
Show starts off with B.J Whitmer vs. Matt Stryker. Stryker is the HWA Crusierweight champion. Announcers are not talking about the match but rather are talking about the match coming up this Wednesday night between Truth and Ken Shamrock. This match (along with all the other matches) are not shown in whole just the highlights. Whitmer with a firemans carry into a gutbuster. Fast foward (will indicate this from now on with FF from now on) to Whitmer nailing Stryker with the Kidman Powerbomb. Whitmer in total control. FF to Whitmer missing a diving headbutt off top rope. FF to Stryker making his comback. Announcers finally start to talk about the match. Stryker with a Victory Roll and 1, 2, 3 Matt Stryker gets the win. On a side note both guys where to wrestle last week in a dark match but due to time constraints didn't get to wrestle, with them last week was Matt Dillinger who I talked with and is a class act.
(Commercial Break)
Jermey Borash and Bert Prentice make their first appearance of the morning and they start talking about this past Wednesday nights show. Borash talks about meeting the Dixie Chicks and James Taylor at dinner last Wednesday night after the show. Prentice ask Borash to name one James Taylor song to which Borash responds "I Feel Good" which was sung by James Brown. Prentice then ask Borash to name one Dixie Chicks song to which he replies "Stand By Your Man" which was his second wrong answer in a row. Prentice says Borash may not know is music but he does know his wrestling. This leads to Borash and Prentice talking about Jeff Jarrett and his actions Wednesday night but instead of just talking about it they decided to show up some of the highlights.
Jeff Jarrett interview highlights starts off with Jarrett beating down on midget Todd Stone. Puppet comes down to the ring to confront Jarrett. Jarrett says tonight he is the Dwarf Destroyer. Puppet pulls out a (very fake looking) gun. Jarrett runs off and security enters the ring. With Puppet distracted Jarrett nails him with a steel chair which brings out Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat. Steamboat gives us the classic Vince McMahon line of "we can do this the easy way or...the hard way". FF to Steamboat jumping into the ring backing up Jarrett with karate stances. FF to Scott Hall entering the ring behind Jarrett then nailing him with a hard right hand. FF to Hall talking on the mic to Jarrett about their match and how Jarrett is going to be the one going out on a stretcher at the end of the show.
Cutback to Borash and Prentice talking about what we just saw and they go straight into...
Jeff Jarrett vs. Scott Hall highlights. Action starts on the entrance ramp. FF to action back in the ring with Hall hitting the Fallaway Slam on Jarrett. FF to more fighting on the entrance ramp and into the backstage area. Jarrett pushes Jerry Lynn out of his way and then hits Hall with a chair from Discos' Jive Talkin' set. FF to Hall throwing Jarrett into the corner where he has set up the stretcher. Hall places the stretcher across the ropes in the corner then crotches Jarrett across them. Hall takes the stretcher and hits Jarrett with it across the back. FF to Hall hitting Jarrett in the face with the stretcher and then putting Jarrett in the (Insiders, Outsiders, Razors) Edge. Truth comes out to stop the ref from counting three. Monty Brown comes out to take care of Truth and as the fight away from the ring Jerry Lynn comes in and hits a slingshot into a splash on Jarrett. Hall goes for the pin but gets only 2. AJ Styles comes down, nails Lynn and makes his way to the top top rope. Don
(CB)
Borash back and interviewing Goldy Locks. She has on her Anti-Dupp shirt. Borash ask her to pick a winner in the NWA World Title match this Wednesday night. She picks the Truth. Borash then ask Goldy to pick a winner in the TNA X Title match and Goldy picks Jerry Lynn since he is the vetern and because as she says "he is from my hometown Minnesota". Talk turns to Goldy'smusic. Borash plugs her website www.goldylocks.com
(CB) End of first half hour
Borash and Prentice back and talking about the new Miss TNA Bruce of the Rainbow Express. Leading to...
Taylor Vaughn vs. Bruce for Miss TNA. Segment starts with Vaughn making her way to the ring to talk with Don West. Bruce quickly shows up and challenges for the Miss TNA crown. FF to Vaughn taking off her heels then suplexing Bruce. She goes for the pin but Burce kicks out. Vaughn then slams Bruce and goes for the pin again. FF to Bruce and Vaughn rolling around in a catfight style. FF to Vaughn trying to whip Bruce across the ring but Bruce puts an end to the match by hitting a sitout out face down powerbomb for the win.
Borash interviews Bruce. Bruce wants to be introduced as Miss TNA. Bruce then tries to show Borash how to wave. Borash quickly tried to change the subject. Bruce says no one can take the crown from him because it means to much to him. Then says the reason nobody will take the crown from him is (Bruce licks finger and touches the back of his hip) "because I'm to hot". Bruce walks off to end the interview.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back. Prentice makes fun of Borash's voice saying it is to high pitched and giving him hearing loss. They encourage fans to keep bringing more signs and say they don't make signs like some other people do (WWE). Borash leaves to answer cell phone (running gag on the show is Borash always talking on cell phone-usually Prentice's cell). Prentice hypes this Wednesday nights show and throws it to...
Discos' Jive Talkin' from this past Wednesday night. Disco introduces Goldy Locks. The bleeped out Disco calling her a "dumb bitch". She comes out and gets in his face about what he just called her and says she is leaving. He apologizes. They sit and start to talk about her music. Disco talks mentions the Bee Gees and the Village People and ask who she sounds like. Says she is told by some she sounds like a female Kid Rock. FF to Disco telling Goldy to take off her shirt and show her breast. She says she doesn't see him showing the would his hairy balls. Balls was also beeped out. FF to Goldy slapping then kneeing Disco and the Paulina putting Goldy in what looked to be a sleeper. Paulina then walks Disco out.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back. Borash still on cell phone. Prentice says Borash is on his phone again. Borash says he isn't so Prentice goes to see where his phone is. Prentice comes back and says his phone is gone and to go to a commercial break so he can politely kick his (Borash) ass. Borash quickly turns talk to the X division and send it to...
Low Ki vs. Jerry Lynn highlights. This is my first chance to hear the AJ Styles commentary and he does sound very country. Ki and Lynn with some nice chain wrestling. Audio for some reason is out of sync with the video. FF to Ki catching Lynn with an elbow in the corner. Lynn then catches Ki bouncing off the ropes with a Tilt-A-Whirl back breaker. FF to Ki putting Lynn in the Bite of the Dragon (dragon clutch in the ropes). FF to Lynn taking Ki up in the Gory special and then flipping him out face first onto the mat. FF to Lynn going for the Craddle piledriver but Ki holds on and turns it into a armbar submission hold. FF to Ki hitting Lynn with a flying forearm then a dropkick. FF to Ki hitting Lynn with a stiff kick. Lynn bounces up and nails Ki with a clothesline as Ki was looking into the crowd. Ki back up, ducks under another clothesline attempt by Lynn, springboards off the middle rope and hits a sweet kick to the side of Lynn's head. FF to Ki going for the Tidal Crush put
(CB) End second half hour.
Borash and Prentice back and hype the show this coming Wednesday night. Prentice plugs the NWA Main Event show in Columbia, TN tonight and his show in Hopkinsville, Kentucky this Friday.
Borash interviews Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat says he was honored to be part of the first NWA TNA show. Says he has been watching the last few weeks. Mentions how Jarrett, Malice, and Truth have done pretty much what ever they wanted the last few weeks. That is why he is here. NWA asked him to be a troubleshooter. They told him his word is gold and what he says is what will happen (that could be an indication of Steamboat turning heels since people in authority with lots of power usually are heels in wrestling). Borash then talks about Steamboats career. Borash says his favorite Steamboat match (as is mine) as the WrestleWar '89(that's 1989 for you kids out there that don't remember anything before Nitro started). against Ric Flair. Steamboat says that and his match against Randy Savage at WrestleMaina III are his favorites also. Steamboat also talks about wrestling Don Muraco, Jake Roberts, Sgt. Slaughter and teaming with Jay Youngblood.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back and talk about the Truth vs. Ken Shamrock for the NWA World Title. Prentice calls Borash two faced for always talking good about everybody involved in match before hand and never picking a winner. Borash then does the same thing again talking about Truth vs. Shamrock much to Prentice disgust. Prentice calls for them to roll the footage.
Truth interview highlights. Truth shown talking to the TNA dancer. He says she is being exposed for "their" benefit and the almighty dollar. Tells her to talk about "them". He then mocks her by talking in a high pitched voice about not being used and that she is a dancer. He then says all she is is a two dollar ho. Ho of course was beeped out. Says he destiny is on the corner of a street in the hood. FF to Monty Brown attacking Truth from behind. FF to Truth throwing Brown into a wall then hitting him across the back with a trashcan followed with a 2 x 4. FF to Ricky Steambody calling out the Truth. Truth on the mic talks about Steamboats WWF (get the E out) career. Brings up WrestleMania III. Truth says the Intercontinental title was for second class citizens. Truth then says that 15 years later they are pulling the same "shiznit" on him and he isn't going to take it. Truth tells Steamboat that he (Steamboat) can change things. Steamboats says he hates to say he knows where Truth is coming from, and gives him a title shot.
(CB)
Highlights shown again of all the run ins near the end of the Scott Hall vs. Jeff Jarrett match.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back. They hype this coming Wednesday nights show again and that ends the show.
My notes:
-The Shark Boy vs. Jimmy Rave match that was taped before the PPV was not shown.
-Matches and incidents that were shown on the PPV that didn't make the morning show were...
--NWA TNA X Title Match AJ Styles (Champ) vs. Elix Skipper
--Monty Brown beating down Elix Skipper after Skippers' match
--Sonny Siaki interview and then his match against Slash. Also not shown was the post match blood ritual with James Mitchell that included Don Harris run in.
--Apolo vs. Malice and the post match blood ritual that also included Don Harris run in
-Only one new match was announced for this Wednesday night that hadn't already been announced as Miss TNA Bruce will defend his crown and sash against Taylor Vaughn in an intergender evening gown match.
This weeks show was very good and hit all the key moments from Wednesday night except the the X title match and matches involving Slash and Malice. That's it for this weeks' NWA TNA Saturday Morning, have a great week and see you after NWA TNA PPV this Wednesday night with my live notes from the show.eloci
2002 - WWE broadcast Velocity. Matt Zylbert filed the following TV report:
WWE Velocity
Hosted by Michael Cole and Mark Lloyd
Report by Matt Zylbert - BigShot5021@aol.com
Get ready to experience total Velocity!
Yes, that is the extremely corny line Michael Cole usually uses to open the show every week, but luckily, he didn't this week! Hello all and welcome yet again to my domain of excellence. As you know, I am your Weekly-Saturday Night-Wasting reporter, Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that is worth more than gold. With the intro all said and done, let's just send it down to our ring announcer, TONY THE CHIM, for the opening bout....
Hardcore Holly vs Albert
Don't ask me why, but I've really started to like Albert. Is it his music? Is it his classic squashes? Is it his hairy body? Is it his cool Baldo Bomb finisher? Is it his screaming? I don't know, but as long as I've got that "Like stuff that most people find annoying" mentality, then I'm an Albert fan! And THIS week on Velocity, here is the big man himself in the opening match, set for one-on-one action with Hardcore Holly, and I bet you can just FEEL the suspense in this one, ladies and gents.
"I love Hardcore Holly," says Michael Cole at the start. Well that explains A LOT of things. Yep, Cole likes his men, even if they are 'hardcore' or not. Wink Wink. Heh, to the match now as Hardcore Holly gets in some punches to start, but would fall victim to a club to the back of the head from Albert soon after. The big man would now work over his opponent in the corner with some punches, while screaming in the process. Oh I like that. Despite receiving a boot to the face from Holly in the corner, Albert comes back with a shoulder block. However, he misses a splash on the follow-up, and now Holly looks to capitalize. He gets in some chops and punches, but that offense wouldn't last long, as Albert drills him with a bicycle kick for a near fall. Albert would now work on Holly in the corner with some punches and choke using the boot, before hitting his famous "I-Like-To-Scream-While-I-Run-And-Squash-My-Opponent-In-The-Corner" ram. Ouch. Marky Mark calls it a "locomotive", and I officially announce Mark Lloyd to be the coolest guy in all of WWE. Unfortunately, he's stuck with a disgrace of a journalist named Michael Cole. How Cole even made it past elementary school is beyond me. Anyway, Albert continues the dominance as he slingshots Holly from under the second rope. On the pin after, Albert gets a count of two, and now resorts to the chinlock. Hardcore would punch his way out of it, but runs into a back elbow soon after, and thus, Albert is back in control. That wouldn't last long though as Albert eats knees on a Vader Bomb attempt, and now Holly drop toeholds his adversary into the second turnbuckle. Hardcore would follow up with a flying forearm, and then hits beautiful dropkick, only to get a near fall on the pin after. The North American Grizzly tries to gain the advantage at this point with a gorilla press slam, but Holly gets off, and is able to then perform his signature kick to the groin area. That's gonna do some damage. Holly follows up with a nice top rope crossbody, but again for a near fall. Hardcore then goes for the Alabama Slam, which obviously doesn't work, so Cole questions the point of going for it. Hey, Hardcore's 6'6', 400 remember? He's a damn super heavyweight! Albert now goes for a powerbomb attempt, EVEN THOUGH MICHAEL STUPIDLY THINKS IT'S A BALDO BOMB, but Holly gets out. He then actually hits the Alabama Slam to gain an impressive victory. Good win for Hardcore, and I think Michael Cole actually gets dumber every week. Is it possible?
Winner: Hardcore Holly
Commercial
Footage from during the break, as Holly goes over to the announce table to yell at Lloyd and Cole, and then actually slaps Marky Mark. Who the hell does he think he is?! First of all, no one, and I mean NO ONE, messes with ma' man Mark Lloyd, because when you do, you mess with me. Anyway, Cole and Lloyd have no idea why Holly did that, but I'm assuming it was because he heard Michael Cole say he loves him during his entrance. Only he confused Cole with Lloyd. Ya know what, I think I have lost all respect for Hardcore Holly. Plus if I ever see him, he better watch out for a Baldo Bomb courtesy of yours truly. And just remember Marky Mark, I got yo' back.
Mike Awesome vs Faarooq
Well this should be fun. For those interested, Awesome and the aPa had a pretty intense feud during the Invasion last summer. Yeah, it was never acknowledged, but to me, it was pretty BIG. There was a period of time on Jakked/Metal where most of the main events were Mike Awesome and [Insert any low-card Alliance Member right here] versus the aPa. Now one year later, after losing every single one of those matches, Awesome is out for revenge!
To the match now as after both men break-up on a tie-up in the corner, Awesome gets in a few cheap elbows, before receiving a back suplex for his troubles. Meanwhile, Cole says how he "talked to Faarooq earlier in the day", and he said that he's not in a good mood, and would like to put Mike Awesome back on the injury shelf. Uh-huh, yeah, sure. Would anyone actually waste part of their Saturday talking to Michael Cole? Didn't think so. Back to the match as Awesome heads outside, where Faarooq follows him to do some more damage. He slams his face into the steps before we head back inside, and that would be where Faarooq continues his offense with a shoulder block. Awesome would come back with a drop toehold into the ropes, and I guess this is the start of his jobber offense. Let's see, there's a clothesline from Awesome for a two count, like that will ever work, and then a scoop slam. Awesome would hit a pretty nice top-rope clothesline for another two count, and as he was heading up top, Cole said it could be a big mistake. If he actually did his homework, he would know that Awesome always does a top-rope clothesline. What an idiot. Awesome proceeds to hit another clothesline for yet another two count, and on commentary, Cole starts bragging about Smackdown and its wrestlers, and then goes on record to call it the better show. Well it's certainly NOT because of you, Michael. And I'm guessing he's totally oblivious to the fact that RAW gets higher ratings. After a rake to the eyes, the Awesome one knocks Faarooq down and puts him in a rear chinlock. A mistake though would cost Awesome his offense, as Faarooq got in a knee to the groin, and like I said with Albert, that's gonna do some damage, boys and girls. Faarooq capitalizes with a quick powerslam for two, but would fall victim to a DDT soon after. Awesome then makes the flaw of talking trash and taking his time. Uh-oh. Yeh, here it comes. Awesome runs right into the vicious spine-buster from Faarooq, and that's that. Awesome is 0-2 since returning, but I think I can now officially declare him a member of "Jobbers Inc: We job for YOU!" Hey Awesome, while you're there, you might as well get acquainted with Club President, Justin Credible. You could be there awhile.
Winner: Faarooq
Commercial
Extreme Blast of the Night: Two weeks ago on Smackdown, Lesnar makes his presence felt by giving the... oops, I pressed the "F5" button on my keyboard by accident. Silly me. Anyway, let's just put it like this: Lesnar demolishes Mark Henry and Hulk Hogan after some brief run-ins from two weeks ago.
Lloyd and Cole show us some of the highlights from Smackdown, that being the funny Kurt Angle interview, which Hogan interrupted and made a complete fool out of himself. Were the people cheering for him out of pity? And let's not forget how Hogan STOLE Jericho's "Shut the hell up" quote. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jericho complain about that. And we also see the Angle/Hogan match, which Hulk won by DQ. I think Angle may actually be the "Next Big Thing" because you gotta admit, he basically does everything without flaw.
Commercial
Billy Kidman vs Funaki
I believe this is the third time these two guys have faced each other in the past two months, but I can't really complain. Despite the winner being known from a mile away, Kidman and Funaki have went on to put up some pretty good matches together, so let's hope we get the same result here.
We get some basics from both men to start, leading into a face-first slam from Kidman for the quick two count. On commentary, Michael finally talks about that incident with Nidia, and makes the excuse that Noble and Nidia are two sick, whacked out people. Look who's talking. Michael also gets in the "I'm a happily married man" excuse, but I think that's a load of crap. What woman would actually ruin their life by marrying Michael Cole? Ugh. Back to the match as Funaki takes control after sending Kidman through the ropes and into the post. As he fell, Kidman also went into the steps, and this is the EXACT same bump Kidman took in his match with Chavo from the last episode of Jakked/Metal. Only difference is that KK isn't here to give the sound effects. "Thud, thud, boom, boom, ow, ow," says I, in honor of the great Kevin Kelly. Heh, anyway, after sending Kidman shoulder first into the fan barricade, the action would head back in where Funaki goes to work on the left arm and shoulder. A single-arm DDT from Funaki at this point would get a two count, and now Funaki continues the damage on that arm. He works a sitting arm-bar, and despite Kidman punching his way out, the Indeed One would counter a suplex attempt with an arm bar take down. That's the way. Kidman would come back anyway though, as he makes his opponent pay for a mistake with his signature fireman's carry neckbreaker. Kidman follows with a clothesline for a near fall, and would lose control after an enziquiri from Funaki. On the pin after, Funaki gets two, and he would get another two count following a DDT. The former Hardcore Champion now heads up top, where Kidman corrals him. Funaki shoves him off, but Kidman shows off his resilience by getting up, going back up top, and performing a nice top rope hurricanrana. That move beat Funaki last time, but it does NOT beat him here, as Kidman gets a close two count. As Kidman goes for a powerbomb, Funaki gets off the attempt, but then makes the mistake of going for a powerbomb of his own. YOU CANNOT POWERBOMB KIDMAN! The former Cruiserweight Champion proves my point with a face-buster, and then hits the Shooting Star Press to pick up the win. Nice, solid match-up.
Winner: Billy Kidman
Slam of the Week: The first ever UN-DES-PUTE-ED Champion interrupts Ric Flair's "big announcement" with a chairshot, and this marks his return to RAW. These two will probably face off at Summerslam, and the bad thing about it is that one of these guys will have to job again. Flair has basically been the face-jobber whipping-boy for the heel main-eventers, while Jericho's been the same vice versa.
Lloyd and Cole show more highlights from Smackdown, and this time it's Steph introducing her two newest acquisitions, that being Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. Bischoff is then of course taken out of the building, and we see the Rock/Edge vs Benoit/Guerrero match. Steph better watch out now because I have a feeling Bischoff is gonna "KNOCK HER OUT!"
In a RARE Velocity backstage segment, Hurricane talks to Shannon Moore about their re-match coming up with Billy and Chuck. He says that he shouldn't worry about losing, since Billy and Chuck are former Tag Team Champions (I don't think that even matters anymore), and if Rico gets involved, he has to stay focused on the match. Okay, that was exciting.
Commercial
Billy & Chuck w/Rico vs The Hurricane & Shannon Moore
You look sooo... good to me. Just great, I have Billy and Chuck's theme music stuck in my head. And yes, this is the same match that opened up last week's Velocity, and now one week later, it's the main event. Huh? Maybe it has to do with the fact that there was some actual build-up.
To our MAIN EVENT now as this pretty much pointless Tag Team match is set to happen. The Hurricane and "The One" start us off, and it's Billy out in control after a kick to the mid-section as Hurricane posed. He follows up with punches, but would lose control after a flying head scissors. Hurricane would then hit a Japanese Shining Wizard, as Marky Mark calls it. To me, it was a modified version of the ghetto blaster, but Lloyd is never wrong so I'll take his work. Anyway, it gets a count of two on the pin after, and now Hurricane would hit a modified bulldog as Billy went for a face-first slam. WWE's crime-fighter goes for another pin, and as Chuck tries to break it up, he ends up going into Billy as Hurricane got out of the way. Now all four men would get involved, and Hurricane and Shannon would clearly have the advantage. Hurricane gets Billy in the tree of woe, and as Shannon irish whips Chuck, the super-hero drop toe-holds him right into Billy's crotch. Oh boy, now THAT is gonna do some damage. Chuck would get his team back in the match by taking down the Hurricane, allowing Billy to tag him in. Chucky Cheese would then hit his beautiful overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall, before tagging back out. Billy comes in and hits a delayed jackhammer right off the bat for another two count, and then tags Palumbo back in. Chuck connects on consecutive elbows, all for two counts, before putting on the sleeper. Hurricane keeps the arm up the third time as referee Jimmy Kordaris was dropping it. After some elbows, Hurricane gets his boot up and into the face of Chuck in the corner. He then follows with his second rope neckbreaker, which Michael Cole once called the Overcast a few months ago, but hasn't called it that since. That's what happens when you make up goofy names without permission. Both men would be down at this point, and they both tag. As expected, Shannon keeps his team in control as he dominates Billy. He hits his cool modified swinging neckbreaker, before heading up top, where he would connect on a nice corkscrew moonsault. Chuck breaks up the pin, and now Hurricane gets involved. With all four men in, I'm gonna borrow a line from Scott Keith to say it's BONZO GONZO! Hurricane and Shannon double clothesline Chuck to the outside, and as they work on Billy, Rico pulls out Hurricane. The stylist receives some Hurripunches for his troubles, and back in, Billy hits the Fame-Asser on Shannon. A pin later sees Hurricane JUST make the save. Rico is back on the apron now, only to be knocked off by Hurricane. Our superhero then hits the HurriChokeSlam on Billy, before putting on the cape and going to the top rope. In a bit of irony, Hurricane leaps off the top on to Rico, rather than on Billy. Why is that ironic? Well HE was the one that told Shannon to keep focused on the match, rather than Rico. As Hurricane tries getting back in now, Billy knocks him off. Shannon uses this too his own advantage, as he gets Billy up top now. Chuck would get back into the mix of things, as Shannon goes for a swinging hurricanrana on him. Instead, Chuck holds him and flips the newcomer around on his shoulders, enabling Chuckabilly to perform the Doomsday Device for the win. Good, non-formulaic tag match, and Michael Cole wasn't as annoying as he always is.
Winners: Billy & Chuck
Cole and Lloyd quickly hype up Confidential coming up next, and that'll wrap things up.
Another 'five-star' Velocity report has entered the record books, so until next week, this Matt Zylbert wishing you guys a great week, and I'll see ya next week! Peeeeaaaace.
