Wrestling History Today - Aug 8th
On this day in history in ....
1960 - Red & Lou Bastien defeat Al Costello & Roy Heffernan for the U.S. Tag Team Title, the precursor to the WWWF (then WWF, then WWE) Tag Team Title.
1961 - Verne Gagne defeats Gene Kiniski for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota, starting his second title reign.
1963 - Verne Gagne defeats Fritz Von Erich for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Amarillo, Texas to start his fifth title reign.
1967 - Sable is born.
1980 - Shayna Baszler is born.
1981 - Wahoo McDaniel defeats Roddy Piper for the NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
1990 - Zack Gibson of NXT's Grizzled Young Veterans is born.
1993 - Tito Santana defeats Don Muraco for the ECW Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to end Muraco's second title reign.
1997 - Dutch Mantel defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. Mantel would be the final champion, as the promotion would close in November of 1997. On the same card, Steven Dunn & Flash Flanagan defeat PG-13 for their third USWA Tag Team Title run, and ending PG-13's 14th title reign.
1998 - WCW held their Road Wild Pay-per-view in Sturgis, South Dakota at the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally. Here are the results:
- Meng defeated The Barbarian, with Jimmy Hart, via disqualification when Hugh Morrus attacked Meng. Hacksaw Duggan made the save.
- Public Enemy defeated Disco Inferno & Alex Wright, with Magnum Tokyo, when Johnny Grunge pinned Disco Inferno after Tokyo accidentally splashed him.
- Saturn defeated Raven and Chris Kanyon in a Falls Count Anywhere Triangle Match with Saturn pinned Raven after a Death Valley Driver.
- Rey Mysterio, Jr. defeated Psicosis with a springboard hurricanrana.
- WCW Television Champion Stevie Ray defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr. with a Slapjack.
- The scheduled Rick Steiner vs. Scott Steiner match didn't take place, because Rick had "injured" Scott with a chairshot before the show. The match was rescheduled for Fall Brawl.
- Steve McMichael defeated Bryan Adams.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated Chris Jericho to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title with a rana off the top rope. Dean Malenko was the guest referee, and helped Guerrera by launching him into the rana.
- Bill Goldberg won a nine man Battle Royal which included The Giant, Scott Hall, Curt Hennig, Konnan, Lex Luger, Kevin Nash, Scott Norton, and Sting. Goldberg, the only non-NWO participant, pinned The Giant with a jackhammer to win the match.
- Diamond Dallas Page & Jay Leno defeated Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff when Kevin Eubanks gave Bischoff a Diamond Cutter, allowing Leno to pin him.
- Following the wrestling, country star Travis Tritt performed on the PPV.
2002 - Larry Goodman filed the following NWA Wildside TV report:
"Welcome to the nation's pro wrestling alternative. Hell, I think we're the nation's only pro wrestling TV show," as Steven Prazak took another shot at the WWE to open this week's edition of NWA Wildside.
Prazak narrated a clip from last week's main event that saw John Phoenix "rain on the parade" of his former tag team partner and newly crowned NWA Wildside Heavyweight Champion, Adam Jacobs, with a postmatch attack at Freedom Fight.
The other half of the Wildside broadcast team, Dan "The Dragon" Wilson, announced that this week's main event would be a rematch between "The Messiah of the Spinebuster" David Young and "The Inconceivable Being of Horror" The Iceberg. He explained that Young came out of Freedom Fight without regaining the Wildside Heavyweight Title. The commentators then put Young over huge for becoming the first man in Wildside to pin Iceberg, with a spinebuster off the top rope(!) in the War Games. The (Insert shameless plug number for the Freedom Fight home video here.)
1) Gabriel beat Tony Stradlin on a DQ when Todd Sexton interfered.Not much of a match (one furiously paced minute), but one hell of an injury angle. A great way to push T-N-T's heel turn to new heights. This proved to be the hottest segment of the hour.
Stradlin was playing the sly chickens*** heel as Gabriel came to ring accompanied by Azrael, who was badly favoring his left knee. Wilson announced that on doctor's orders, Bill Behrens was not going to allow Azrael to stay at ringside. Stradlin attacked Gabriel with forearm shots as he watched his partner head to the back. Gabriel reversed a whip. Stradlin pulled up short and tried for a clothesline. Gabriel ducked it and fired back with right hands. Gabriel whipped Stradlin from pillar to post. Stradlin took an upside down bump and went to the outside. Gabriel tossed Stradlin back in the ring. Stradlin begged off. Gabriel put the boots to him, showing no mercy. Stradlin ducked a clothesline and grabbed a waistlock. Standing switch by Gabriel and to the ropes for a reverse rolling cradle attempt that Stradlin blocked. Gabriel ducked a clothesline and held onto the ropes to avoid a twisting dropkick from Stradlin. Gabriel went to the top for a huracanrana and got dumped by Todd Sexton for the DQ.
T-N-T gave Gabriel a cradle stuff piledriver. "He's gonna break his damn neck!" Stuff cradle piledriver number two. Time to bring out the gimp. Azrael limped towards the ring and took a baseball slide to his bum knee from Stradlin. Azrael tried again with the same result. Sexton used a tombstone piledriver that left Gabriel grabbing his neck in agony. Azrael finally made it into ring with a chair, but the damage was done. Wilson wanted the EMTs. "That's enough to cripple any human being. I don't care if you are Children of the Night."
The World TV Champion, Caprice Coleman cut a promo to set up his match with Tony Mamaluke. The interview was handled by some guy name Dustin Fordham, who looked like he just stepped off a wedding cake. Coleman was hilarious rolling his eyes and making faces when Fordham wasn't looking, as if to say "Where did this clown come from?" Fordham asked Coleman if he was ready for the FBI. "I can tell this is your first day on the job, wearing a bow tie (Coleman straightens it). You Muslim or something?" Coleman said FBI, CIA or whatever, it took him two years to get the belt and he didn't intend to lose it in his first defense. "The sho' enuff coldest brother alive today" promised to make Mamaluke the first TV victim of the Thermal Shock.
2) Slim J won a five-way elimination match over Derrick Driver, Jeremy V, Kid Kool and Kid Xtasy to become the number one contender for the NWA Wildside Junior Title. J's well deserved push continued with another fine performance in this fast-paced match. Some good work by Kool as well. Wilson put J and V over for the guts and insanity they displayed in their match at Freedom Fight. No exaggeration there.
Match opened with J ducking a lock up with Kool to tag Xtasy, forcing the partners in G-Rated to square off. J taunted Xtasy by grabbing his crotch. They chain wrestled until both came up empty on leg sweep attempts. Prazak suggested that Kool could end the match with a nose lock on Xtasy's sizable proboscis. The partners shook hands and tagged out to Driver and V. Driver chained from the lock up into a full nelson. V escaped it and got two with a roll up. Driver worked on the arm. Driver went for an Asai moonsault, with J making a blind tag in the process. J jumped on V for a quick cover. It was Kool making the blind tag to V on a whip into the corner. J was kicking the crap out of V as Kool entered. V ducked J's flying roundhouse kick and it connected on Kool. A back and forth series ended with Kool doing a handstand on the apron to headscissor J over the top. A series of top rope dives to the outside ensued. Xtasy did a double springboard dive. Driver followed with another flop off the top. V landed with a brutal thud as he came up short on a tope con hilo. J finished the series with a spectacular springboard corkscrew plancha. Back inside the ring, Driver went for Sliced Bread Number Two (springboard reverse DDT) on J. Driver hit the move but J was able to tag Kool in the process. Driver went for his finisher again, but Kool was able to deposit him crotch-first on the top rope. G-Rated teamed up for a double reverse DDT to eliminate Driver from the match. V immediately rolled up Xtasy for a two count. V blocked one rolling reverse cradle, but Xtasy got it on the second try. Xtasy deposited V on the top buckle. Kool used Xtasy's back as a springboard for a huracanrana. V countered Xtasy's elevated rocker dropper to finish him off with a reverse crucifix powerbomb. Xtasy took a vicious looking face (and nose) bump on the move. Kool came in firing punches at V. Kool whipped V into the ropes and landed a beautiful dropkick. Things fell apart a bit here on V's superkick. V whipped Kool to the corner and charged in. Kool went up and over to hit a reverse X factor to eliminate V. Down to J and Kool now. J pounded on Kool. Kool reversed a whip only to see J step up the ropes for the 3-6 Mafia Kick for a near fall. You've got to love that move. Kool did a kip up headscissors.
Kool climbed to the top and did a somersault Ace crusher. J sold it like he was dead and barely kicked out at the last instant for a good near fall. Kool tried going up again, but J hit the ropes to cause a crotch shot. J mounted Kool on his shoulders and dropped him on his head with the Anger Management for the win. J did a crotch grab to celebrate before his probation officer put the handcuffs back on.
Fordham conducted another interview, this time with Tony Mamaluke. I liked this promo a lot. Maybe it was the old school feel. Fordham asked Mamaluke if he was going to capitalize on his opportunity. "Capitalize? What are you anyway?" Mamaluke told Fordham that he had already "danced on the grandest stage in this sport." "Caprice Coleman, welcome to the dance, you have World Champion status." Mamaluke said he knew all the tricks of the trade.
So you take all the little dance lessons that you've learned and those high flying maneuvers, and when I put you down on that mat, and you look up at me as I choke the life out of you, and you beg for forgiveness. (sinister chuckle) Remember what the FBI stands for. We stand for PAIN. We stand for PRIDE. We stand for HONOR and we stand for CHAMPIONSHIPS. Caprice Coleman, good luck my friend, you will need it when you face Tony Mamaluke at the NCW Arena.
3) Tank and Scottie Wrenn went to a double count out. Wilson portrayed the match as a way to settle personal issues between two seemingly indestructible wrestlers with mental disabilities. A short brawl that just didn't work. Almost no heat. At one point, Prazak wondered what the matchmakers were thinking. I was wondering the same thing. They don't seem to have a clue about what to do with Wrenn, who was one of the most over personalities in the promotion when he returned from hiatus in February.
Tank sat Speedy Nelson up on the turnbuckle. Wrenn pulled him down. They went collar and elbow a couple of times before Wrenn got a side headlock. Tank reversed it. Neither man budged on a collision of shoulder tackles. They took turns ducking clotheslines, before absorbing simultaneous clotheslines. Wrenn used gut shots to get an arm wringer. Tank reversed it and broke Wrenn down with a kick to back of the knee. Tank used a neat spinning armbar. Tank worked the arm. Tank telegraphed a backdrop, and Wrenn put him down with a kick to the face. They went back and forth, no-selling forearms and slaps. Tank scored with a series of forearms and took a running start. Wrenn stepped out of the way as Tank went flying through the ropes. Wrenn followed Tank out with a shot into the security rail. Tank whipped Wrenn into the rail. They bashed each other's heads into the rail. Nelson's count reached ten. Wrenn tossed Tank over the rail. They battled through the seats towards the front door.
4) Caprice Coleman beat Tony Mamaluke to retain the World TV Title. A promising start to what could be a great program, especially for Coleman, who gets the opportunity to be paired with an excellent and more well-known worker in Mamaluke. Wilson said that after suffering numerous concussions during his early years as a pro, Mamaluke was extending his career with the switch to a ground-based style.
Coleman turned the tables by thoroughly checking out ref Andrew Thomas. The commentary got more than a little anal. Mamaluke took exception to the now standard "Where's my pizza?" chant and did a slow burn on the outside. Coleman was in a playful mood as he circled to his right, boxer style. Mamaluke twice used side headlock takeovers with Coleman countering on the mat with a headscissors each time. Mamaluke kicked out and they came to a stand off. Coleman chained from a headlock to a hammerlock. Mamaluke reversed it. Coleman got a fireman's carry takedown for a count of one. Mamaluke countered with a crucifix pin for a two count. They faced off again. Mamaluke gave the Sicilian salute. Coleman rocked him with a series of Ali style punches. Coleman went for a German. Mamaluke landed on his feet and used a hiptoss to set up a submission hold on Coleman's arm. Mamaluke did a double arm DDT right into a double underhook chickenwing facelock. Thomas broke the hold because it was a choke. Mamaluke scored with an uppercut forearm. Mamaluke pounded on Coleman, until he came back with a loose rolling neckbreaker. Coleman hit a running senton and went for an Asai moonsault, but Mamaluke got his knees up. Mamaluke kicked a field goal with Coleman's gut. Mamaluke hit a gourdbuster. Mamaluke stayed on the attack with a suplex and a Russian legsweep. Mamaluke used another cool mat submission that Wilson called the Sicilian Stretch. Mamaluke did a little dance step and kicked Coleman when he was down.
Comeback time for Coleman. He hit two Northern lights suplexes in succession, followed by the Teatown Trauma (Flatliner). Coleman missed on a legdrop off the top. Mamaluke climbed to the top and crotched himself when Coleman dropkicked the top rope. Coleman tried to climb, but Mamaluke shoved him off on his ass. Mamaluke missed with a flying bodypress. Coleman hit the Thermal Shock for the finish. Once he recovered, Mamaluke shoved Coleman but then gave a sign of respect.
5) Iceberg beat David Young due to the interference of Jeff G. Bailey. Get that man some lubricant because here comes another screw job. Match only went 1:05.
Senior Official shoved to make him spread the ropes for Bailey's entrance. Young attacked Iceberg with a flurry of punches to head...7...8...9 shots. Iceberg whipped Young to the corner and missed on an Avalanche splash. More punches by Young. Iceberg blocked Young's spinebuster attempt. Iceberg used a forearm shot the back, followed by a crushing belly to belly suplex. Young was understandably slow to get up. Whip to the ropes. Young ducked a clothesline, ducked a back elbow and Bailey pulled his leg as he hit the ropes again. Iceberg pounced with a Ground Zero splash to Young's back. Young got a foot over the ropes, but Bailey knocked it off and Thomas counted three. Murder One (formerly Homicide) attacked Young. Iceberg joined One to give Young a double backdrop. Rick Michaels hit the ring swinging a baseball bat to send the heels fleeing. Young looked to be in bad shape. As Michaels helped his injured former partner to the back, Wilson summed up. "Jeff G. Bailey, again getting his slimy paws into the business of David Young. At what level is this deranged individual going to stop?"
2002 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Kelly G. filed the following TV report:
Smackdown started off with a video of Hogan and Lesnar setting up for the Hogan/Lesnar match
The video was outstanding, it showed old footage of Hogan while playing the tune of "Real American," as well as clips from the confrontations between Brock and Hogan from the last few weeks.
After the video we jump into the regular Smackdown intro to begin the show.
The show starts off with the first match.
John Cena def. Kurt Angle via DQ
While Cena was down, Benoit came out from the crowd and charged the ring applying the crossface to Cena. The ref called for the bell as Rey Mysterio ran out to stop Benoit but at the same time Eddie came to the ring to stop Rey. Edge came out as well to stop Eddie. Edge cleared the ring. Edge, Mysterio and Cena stood in the ring together as the crowd popped big for them.
Came back from commercial with Benoit and Guerrero in the back, with Mark Lloyd. Lloyd asked them why did they leave raw and move to SmackDown. Guerrero said look who your talking to, Benoit had the rock tapping out, and that Benoit was the master of submission. Then entered Kurt Angle saying that no body makes people tap like angle, he is the master of submission. Angle said that Cena would have been tapping if Benoit and Guerrero wouldn't have interfered. He asked Benoit what the big deal was. Benoit then went to say that Cena would have had Angle if it wasn't for them and that was the reason they came to Smackdown because they wanted real competition. Angle said he would give them Competition. Guerrero said Edge and Cena were the future and wanted a three way match. Angle said lets do it and as they walked off Angle said he was the master of submission.
Mark Henry def. Reverend D-Von
Out came D-von for a match against Mark Henry. Batista came out to stand ring side. Mark Henry rolled over to get the pinfall on D-Von but was attacked by Batista. Rikishi came to the ring shoved D-Von down and tossed Batista out of the ring. He then challenged Batista to a match.
Rikishi Def. Batista
The bell rang. Batista laid a full-nelson slam on Rikishi. Rikishi went for a DDT but took a shot to the kidney from D-von. D-Von again swung at Rikishi but hit Batista by mistake. Rikishi finished Batista off with a kick and got the pinfall.
D-von apologized while Batista stared at him.
Brock Lesnar was then seen in back and Paul Heyman stopped him to ask Brock what they were doing, Brock said he was going to Hogan's locker room. Paul disagreed with the idea. Brock then said to Paul your either in with this or your not you make the call.
Back from commercial Brock barged into Hogan's locker room. They shared a brief stare down and Brock asked Hogan if he really wanted to go through with the match and put his career on the line. Hogan said if he was Brock he would put his shot for the WWE Undisputed Championship at Summerslam on the line tonight. Brock agreed as he stepped out the locker room laughing.
Paul then told Brock he was out of his mind. He told Brock that Hogan played him and suckered him. Brock asked Paul, if he lost confidence in him, if he was scared.
The cameras then cut to Torrie and Nidia scuffling in the back. Jamie came to get Torrie of off Nidia, as well as Billy Kidman came out to stop the fighting between the women. More officials came out to end the fight as they went to commercial.
The Hurricane & Shannon Moore def. Billy & Chuck
(Former member of 3 count from WCW) Moore made his debut on WWE with this tag team match. Moore showed incredible aerial moves. Moore dodged the Code Red and rolled up Chuck to get a pinfall.
Then we go backstage with Edge and Cena, Edge and Cena talk about the match tonight against Benoit, Angle and Eddie, Rey walked between Edge and Cena telling them he had angle covered.
Paul walks into Steph's office, Steep asked him if he seen Dawn Marie. He told her about Brock putting his shot for the WWE Undisputed Championship on the line tonight. Steep interrupted him saying she already knew and thought it was a good idea and was a win win for SD it would either be Rock/Brock or Rock/Hogan part II. Paul told her she was getting more like her father every day as he walked out of her office.
Edge, John Cena & Rey Mysterio def. Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero.
Mysterio hit Angle with a 619 and followed it up with the West Coast Hop to get the pin.
Kurt backstage and was speechless. Kurt said he got beat by a 12 year old. He wants to know what's going on, people running in his matches, refs screwing him left and right. Mark Lloyd questioned what he meant by refs screwing him. angle said Rey was the illegal man. And said integrity wasn't part of Rey's vocabulary and said he should have broken angle in his vocabulary because he will have one from angle.
Jamie Noble & Nidia def. Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson.
Jamie Noble and Nidia get the win by Nidia catching Torrie with a schoolboy.
Dawn Marie walks into Steph's office, Stacy is there and dawn Marie asked where Steph was. Dawn said she had important papers to give to Stephanie, Stacy said she would give it to her, but dawn Marie argued saying they were important. Stacy assured her she would give them to Stephanie. Dawn Marie left the office keeping in mind that Stacy just told her that Vince was alone in a nearby hotel room. Stacy then slides the papers under the couch in Steph's office.
Steph walked into her office asking Stacy if Dawn was there that there was important papers Dawn was supposed to give her. Stacy then said that Dawn mentioned something about going to see Vince at the Marriott.
Stephanie apologized to Stacy. After Steph leaves we see Eric Bischoff come out from behind a plant and asked Stacy if she got the papers. Eric had the usual evil smile.
Backstage with Mark Lloyd and Hogan.
Mark Lloyd asked Hogan if he would make it out of the match alive.
Hogan said maybe Brock is stronger than him. That Brock was 25 and Hogan was 29. He talked that the Hulkamaniacs in the crowd would help him and not his convectional wisdom. He said it was Hulkamania that was stronger. He said the question wasn't if he would make it out of there not. He asked Brock what he was going to do when the Hulkamania and the Hulkamaniacs would run wild on him.
Brock Lesnar def. Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
A great match in my opinion. Brock got the win due to Hogan being unconscious and not able to continue the match. Lesnar refused to let of Hogan's ribs, as he continued to squeeze him, Heyman finally persuaded Brock to let go and held up Brocks hand in victory.
As Brock and Heyman started to leave, Brock returned to the ring to attack Hogan with a steel chair. Brock continued to take shots to Hogan and yell in Hogan's face. Finally Brock raised his arms with Hogan's blood running down his chest, as Smackdown went off the air.
2003 - It was announced that Takayuki Okada, who wrestled under the name Giant Ochiai, has passed away after spending several days in a coma following what was called a "training accident" at World Japan's dojo. Okada was 30 years old. Okada had worked World Japan, and had also worked for Battlarts, as well as MMA companies DEEP and PRIDE. Okada's highest profile bout had been a losing bid against Ricco Rodriguez in PRIDE. There has been some negative backlash towards World Japan from the Japanese media as the promotion, which has had lukewarm interest at best since it's debut this year, has deflected blame for the incident.
2003 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Sean K. Robb filed the following TV report:
Tonight’s episode begins with a recap of the Vince-Brock-Kurt storyline that dominated last week’s Smackdown. Vinnie-Mac made our Olympic Hero tag up with The Next Big Thing to face off against The A-Train and Big Show. Lots of foreshadowing suggested that either Kurt or Brock is set for a big heel turn. The show ended with Kurt getting a pin over the Big Show off of big Brock’s work and Kurt getting F-5’d for his efforts. Vince then pronounced that this week we’ll bear witness to the spectacle of Brock Lesnar versus Vince McMahon in a steel cage in a match to be officiated by special guest referee Kurt Angle. Dy-no-mite!
Opening credits (“I want it all and no less...”) follows. They’ve finally come to their senses and Tajiri is now included in the montage of wrestlers.
The cage hangs above the ring – goose bumps time. Michael Cole and Tazz are your announcers, bringing you Smackdown from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The main event is hyped: It’s the Kurt, Brock and Vince Show (though not necessarily in that order.)
“They lie, they cheat, they steal…” United States Champion Eddie Guerrero is introduced to a good pop as he cruises his lowrider down to the ring. Chris Benoit follows as the pair are set for a non-title match.
Lots of great action from these two – as can only be expected. Highlights include Tazz referencing Eddie’s lucha libre roots, Eddie selling Benoit’s chops by screaming “Oh my God!” and begging the ref for a timeout. Eventually Rhyno charges the ring and interferes, leading the ref to call a DQ after 6:45. Just as it looks like Benoit’s toast, Tajiri the Japanese Buzzsaw storms the ring and attacks Eddie. Out of nowhere Sergeant Slaughter shows up, says he’s sick and tired of all the run-ins (read my mind!) and orders the ref to continue the match as a tag-team competition.
Back from the break and the action’s already hot. The Canadian crowd is mad for the Canadian Crippler and chants “Benoit” the whole match. Finish comes as Tajiri – from his back – hits Rhyno with the green mist, sending him stumbling back into a German from Benoit. Eddie hits a frogsplash on Tajiri but Benoit yanks him off and slaps on the Crossface, leading Guerrero to tap at 8:12. The first half-hour of the show has been fantastic so far.
Backstage, Kurt – wearing a ref jersey AND HIS GOLD MEDAL – talks to Tough Enough 2 non-winner Josh Mathews. Kurt calls Brock a “big, angry, stupid friend” and vows to track Brock down so they can resolve their issues tonight.
A promo airs for the Elimination Chamber.
Matt Hardy and his little MF’r Shannon Moore head down to the ring in street clothes to sit in on the commentary for Zach Gowan’s match against FBIer Nunzio. During the match Nunzio mocks Zach’s missing leg while Matt Hardy calls the kid “a freak show that people feel sorry for.” Gowan hits a sweet looking Moonsault that Hardy no-sells as Gowan’s only move. Eventually, Hardy and Moore jump up on ringside to interfere and Nunzio gets the cheap victory at 3:57. Hardy proceeds to attack Gowan and deliver a stunning Twist of Fate. I don’t know why Hardy hates Gowan the way he does, but it sure makes him look like an ass.
Backstage, the Undertaker is practicing taking swings in a dark hallway, warming up for his big rematch against one of the most promising young wrestler’s in the WWE – John Cena. Taker decides to stroll over to Vince’s office, where he finds the dirty old man making kissy-face with Sable. Taker sends her out and tells Vince he’s going to teach Cena a lesson about respect. He then proceeds to tear a strip off his boss and give him hell for siccing hairy Prince Albert the A-Train on Stephanie at Vengeance. Vince – who’s arms are now the size of helicopters – tells Taker he’ll do what he wants because he’s the dominant male – whatever that means. Suddenly, Funaki runs in screaming incoherently. Vince – acting as though he’s talking to Lassie – figures out that there’s an emergency with Brock. They run down the hall to find Brock, laid out and surrounded by some nameless officials, the FBI and Kurt himself. Vince – apparently speechless – points to Kurt and then to Brock, but Kurt just shakes his head and walks away. Some good drama here.
John Cena comes down to the ring wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey and proceeds to bust an offensively vulgar dose of Thuganomics, making reference to Tyson, AIDS patients, a “Kobe Bryant violation” and scat. Nasty. Undertaker rides down to the ring, the men size each other up and it’s on.
A good long match follows with Taker doing most of the dominating early on. The fight carries into the show’s second hour and Cena has a good spot where he blocks Taker’s attempt to go for the Old School by taking the old man out at the knee. We go to commercial, come back and the two big men are still going at it. Taker superplexes Cena but lands so hard it aggravates his rib injuries from Vengeance. The Dead Man tries to finish the young buck off with a Last Ride, but Cena hops out causing a big ref bump. Taker gets a visual pin but there’s no ref there to make the count. Following tonight’s theme of not-terribly-surprising run-ins, A-Train jumps the ring, hits the Pump Kick and a back breaker and throws Cena on top. But when the ref looks up to make the count, Taker still manages to kick. Finish comes as Cena gets a second wind, hits the F-U and covers for the pin in just over twenty minutes (including commercials.)
During the commercials I wonder what Sean O’Haire’s doing tonight. Probably hanging out with Ultimo and Spanky.
Jamie Noble and Nidia come down, followed by the Basham Brothers and their valet/dominatrix Shaniqua. Jamie pins Danny in a four-minute match that features lots of interference. Afterwards, the Basham’s begin taking liberties with Jamie and Mr. Ass runs in to make the save. Billy seems to have a thing for Jamie after last week’s romp in the sack.
Kurt must have ticked off Kevin Dunn as once again he’s forced to talk to Josh Mathews. Kurt tells Josh and all the world that he wasn’t the one that took out Brock and that he still plans to talk to Brock later. It’s announced that Brock has been cleared to fight in the cage tonight.
Next up is Rey Mysterio versus one-half of The World’s Greatest Tag Team, Charlie Hass. It’s announced that next week’s edition of Smackdown will feature TWGTT versus Mysterio and Billy Kidman for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Tazz mentions that Kidman isn’t here this week because he’s off on his honeymoon, which seems odd seeing as how just a few weeks ago I could have sworn I saw him at ringside with a couple of hoochies. And where is Torrie Wilson anyway? Good, fun little match that ends with Charlie ducking the West Coast Pop and twisting Rey Rey into the Hass of Pain in 5:02.
We come back to the classic ominous scene of the cage lowering to the ring. A brief recap of the night’s main storyline ends with a shot of Kurt leaving Vince’s office.
Kurt is first to come to the ring to a good healthy pop. “No chance!” Vinnie-Mac is next. His back is the size of a hockey rink. Finally Brock comes down, the cage door is shut and we’re underway. Things haven’t been going on too long when Brock scoops up Vince for the F-5. Suddenly though, the NCAA Champion collapses. Tazz and Cole speculate that perhaps the collapse is a result of the earlier attack. Ya think? Kurt seems a bit confused as McMahon goes for the easy pin that Angle refuses to count. Vince slaps Kurt and the Champ drops him and cinches in the Ankle Lock. In a flash, Lesnar’s back on his feet and TURNING LIKE THE TIDE he and Vince begin to attack Kurt, hitting the F-5, stomping him and throwing him into the cage like he was Sean Michaels.
Michael Cole and Tazz scream that the whole thing was a set-up as Brock and Vince raise their hands at the end of the ramp and Kurt wonders what the hell went wrong.
2010 - WWE signed the then-reigning ROH champion Tyler Black to a developmental deal. Black is currently in developmental under the ring name Tyler Black.
2010 - TNA held an ECW-themed PPV, Hardcore Justice in Orlando, FL. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
The PPV opened with a "slide show" style video package of old still photos from ECW, with voiceovers from various stars putting over their past. They spliced in some shots of the outside of the ECW Arena in South Philadelphia, as it looks today. The package ended with Tommy Dreamer saying this was their "Last Stand".
Ring announcer Stephen DeAngelis welcomed us to the show, as the fans chanted "ECW", and introduced the "Human Suplex Machine", Taz. Taz welcomed the fans to Hardcore Justice, and there was a "Taz" chant. Taz said he had looked into the eyes of the wrestlers in the back, and it was going to "get extreme" tonight. There was another "ECW" chant. Taz said that there have been "haters and doubters" about what they did "back in the day." Taz said they were about more than just "violence" and that they revolutionized the business. Taz said this was a shoot, and that anyone who wants to "piss" on what they did "never got it, is never going to get it, and can kiss his ass". Taz then did his classic closing line, "I'm Taz, the Human Suplex Machine, beat me if you can, survive if I let you!"
Tazz then joined Mike Tenay at the announce table, for the opening six man tag, refereed by John Finnegan.
The FBI (Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke, Tracy Smothers with Big Sal E. Graziano) vs. Kid Kash, Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger.
Kid Kash got a "welcome back" chant as he came out. Tenay said Diamond & Swinger were angry with the FBI because the FBI got a title match with Mikey Whipwreck & Tajiri at the Hammerstein Ballroom ten years ago. DeAngelis did full introductions for each wrestler. Tony Mamaluke was introduced as "Tony Luke", even though there was a "TM" on his tights. There was a huge chant for Guido as he was introduced. There ring was bathed in blue light after the bell for some reason, with the lights on the audience dimmed.
Kid Kash and Guido started, and there was a "Where's My Pizza?" chant as Kash and Guido exchanged early pinfall and rollup attempts. Tony Luke tagged in, and Mike Tenay explained that there were names they couldn't use for legal reasons, thus the "tribute" to South Philly's best sandwich shop. Swinger tagged in and hit Tony with a back suplex. Tony whipped Swinger into Diamond and tagged out to Smothers. Tracy and Diamond faced off, with Smothers hitting a series of shots and a side kick, then elbowed DIamond, sending him to the floor. There was an "FBI" chant. Simon took the mic and said "Simon has a problem." The fans chanted "Shut The F*** Up" as Taz wondered if they were in Philly. Diamond blamed Kash for them not being a "fine oiled machine" then said they can outdance the FBI. Diamond said they were going to have an "Extreme Dance Off". Diamond and Swinger danced, while Kash just watched. Tracy got on the mic and said Michael Jackson was rolling in his grave. Smothers said if they can't dance better than them, "everybody dies" and the FBI danced. Big Sal then got in the ring and danced, to an ovation. Kash, Swinger and Diamond cleared out the FBI, except Sal. Sal knocked Swinger and Diamond out of the ring, and we had a huge brawl on the floor. Kid Kash then launched himself off referee John Finnegan, into a springboard off the top rope and into a flip dive onto the pile on the floor.
The match then settled back down, with Kash hitting Tony with a backbreaker for a two count. Kash and Luke chopped each other, then Luke hit a clothesline. Luke charged Kash, who powerslammed him into the turnbuckles. Guido tagged in and knocked Diamond and Swinger off the apron before hitting Kash with a series of kicks, a bodypress and a legsweep. Guido dropkicked Kash, but Swinger broke up the cover. Luke went to the ropes, but Diamond stopped him. Swinger and Kash went to double superplex Luke, but Tracy and Guido got in and we had a Tower powerbomb/superplex spot. Everyone started hitting their finishers, including Diamond hitting the Simon Series on Guido, Kash giving Luke a Moneymaker and Guido giving Kash a Sicilian Slice and more. Guido hit the Tomikaze (UnPretteier) on Diamond for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Winners: The FBI (Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke, Tracy Smothers with Big Sal E. Graziano)
Mike Tenay talked about calling the show, and said if Joey Styles had been "contractually available" he would give up the announce seat to him. Tenay and Taz then explained that due to Jerry Lynn's back injury, tonight's main event would be Rob Van Dam vs. Sabu.
They had a "Where Are They Now?" segment, with taped comments from ECW founder Tod Gordon, Pitbull Gary Wolfe and The Blue Meanie. They thanked the fans for their support.
They then had an "I Remember" segment with AJ Styles talking about the famous Tommy Dreamer vs. The Sandman caning angle.
Al Snow did a backstage promo with Head, telling Head to "stop chanting those letters" because Head was going to get them in trouble. Stevie Richards tried to calm Snow, who began ranting about his old WWF gimmicks. Super Nova, in Hollywood Nova gear, showed up, and they joked about how his blue shirt had no logo on it, due to legal issues. Nova then brought in a Blue Meanie imposter, with Snow joking that "legally, we can't even get the real guy!" The Meanie imposter had "BV2.0" on his shirt. Nova said it was like replacing a character on a TV show. Richards then said that tonight was his night to prove something to the fans and his peers, and that he had a match to get ready for, leaving Nova and the fake Meanie.
C.W. Anderson vs. 2 Cold Scorpio.
Mike Kehner is the referee for this one. Scorpio got a nice ovation and chant, while Taz talked about how Scorpio and Dean Malenko broke his neck during a match where Taz teamed with Eddie Guerrero. Scorpio and Anderson exchanged arm locks and holds. Scorpio offered a handshake, but Anderson spat at him. Anderson threw some punches, then they traded shots until Anderson put Scorpio in a headlock. Scorpio tossed him in the ropes and leapfrogged him, then hit a dropkick. Scorpio sent Anderson to the floor, then hit a corkscrew plancha, getting an "ECW" chant. Scorpio hit a top rope bodypress for a two count. They traded forearm shots, then Anderson hit a superkick for a two count. Anderson stomped on Scorpio's arm, then threw him into a corner, shoulder first. Anderson kept working on the arm, but Scorpio hit a back kick, and unloaded with punches until Anderson blasted him with a left hand for a two count.
Anderson went to pick Scorpio up off the mat, but Scorpio hit a legsweep for two. They traded some pinfall reversals, then Anderson ducked a superkick and backdropped Scorpio to the apron. Scorpio got back in and hit a rolling capo kick in the corner, then hit a somersault senton on Anderson. Scorpio went for a moonsault, but Anderson got his knees up, then hit Scorpio with a spinebuster for a two count. There was a chant for Scorpio. Anderson hit some forearms, but then ran into a Scorpio superkick. Scorpio went to the top rope and dropped the Bomb (moonsault legdrop) for the pin at the seven minute mark.
Winner: 2 Cold Scorpio.
After the match, Scorpio pulled Anderson back into the ring and held out his hand. They shook hands and Scorpio held up his arm.
Another "I Remember" segment. Velvet Sky said there are similarities between ECW and TNA. Matt Morgan talked about being a bouncer at Bar Anticipation, where "the Philadelphia promotion" ran a show. Mr. Anderson also put over the "Philly based promotion".
Backstage, Rob Van Dam and Bill Alfonso talked about the classic Jerry Lynn-RVD feud, and Van Dam said Lynn was training so hard, he hurt himself. Van Dam said he had to think about his opponent for tonight, and that there are many loose ends from back in the day, like his TV title reign. Van Dam said, if this is going to be for one night only, he had to pick Sabu to be his opponent. Bill Alfonso said he would "call it right now the middle" and manage both men. Van Dam did the old "Sabu/RVD" post and Bill Alfonso blew his whistle.
PJ Polaco (Justin Credible) vs. Stevie Richards.
Credible was wearing one of his ECW-era Justin Credible shirts. Richards was accompanied by Nova and "Blue Tillie", the Meanie impersonator. Credible was referred to as PJ Polaco, although the fans chanted "Justin Credible". Richards got a chant for his introduction as well. Credible hit Richards with a shoulderblock at the start, then Richards grabbed a headlock. Richards hit his own shoulderblock, backing off Credible. Credible hit some knees to the gut, then chopped Richards. Richard returned fire and whipped Credible into the corner. Credible was then slid into the ringpost, groin first. The battled went to the floor, where Credible hit a suplex. Credible got back in the ring and hit a slingshot splash onto Richards on the floor. Credible stomped Richards in a corner, then pulled him out into a powerbomb for a two count. Credible gave Richards a jawbreaker, then stomped him in a corner.
Richards reversed a whip and sent Credible into a corner. Credible tried to leapfrog him, but Richards tossed Credible to the floor. There was a "We Want Meanie" chant as Tillie did Meanie mannerisms on the floor. Richards hit Credible with an elbow and a side slam. Richards hit a powerbomb for a two count. Richards went to the middle rope, but jumped into a Credible superkick for a two count. Credible hit the That's Incredible spinning tombstone piledriver. Credible covered, but pulled Richards up at two, then argued with Nova. Credible stood over Richards and said "That's not just the coolest, that's not just the best, that's..." and Richards jumped up and superkicked him for the pin at the six minute mark.
Winner: Stevie Richards.
Post-match, Credible took a Singapore Cane and blasted Richards with it. The lights went out, and when they came back on, The Sandman was in the ring. Sandman smiled at Credible, who looked incredulous. Credible swung his cane, but Sandman ducked it and hit the White Russian Legsweep. Sandman then blasted Credible with a caneshot. Sandman broke Credible's cane in half then stood over Credible. There was a "Welcome back" chant starting up as they went to the next video package.
They had a "Where Are They Know?" segment, and showed Francine with her little daughter Molly. Francine thanked the fans, TNA, and gave best wishes to everyone she worked with in ECW. Francine noted she was retired, but had a great 15 year run in wrestling.
They put up a graphic dedicated to those men and women that were "no longer with us" but didn't name any of them.
Rhino vs. Al Snow vs. Brother Runt.
Some fans had the old Styrofoam heads in support of Al Snow. Rhino got the biggest reaction of the three during introductions. Runt went for an early cradle on Rhino after Snow got knocked out of the ring, but Rhino clotheslined him. Rhino set up for a Gore, but Snow tripped him. Snow avoided a clothesline from Runt, but Rhino knocked him to the floor. Runt dodged a charging Rhino, sending him to the floor. Runt dove off the top rope to the floor, but Rhino and Snow caught him and slammed him on the ramp. Snow tossed Rhino into the ring, but missed a slingshot legdrop. There was a "We Want Head" chant. Snow headbutted Rhino to the mat, then went for a moonsault, hitting it for a two count. They showed members of the TNA roster watching on a monitor in the back.
Rhino suplexed Al Snow, and Runt immediately gave Snow a double stomp off the ropes. Runt went for an Acid Drop on Rhino, but Rhino threw Runt to the mat. Runt kicked a charging Rhino and gave him a flying headscissors. Runt hit Snow and Rhino with punches and chops. Runt went for a double Acid Drop, but Rhino and Snow tossed him to the floor. Rhino elbowed Snow, who bumped into the referee. Snow picked up Head and hit Rhino with it. Runt picked up a chair, but instead of hitting Snow, he did the old Eddie Guerrero trick of tossing it to Snow and acting like he was hit with it. However, before the referee could see him with the chair, Snow threw the chair down and acted like he was hit too. The referee turned and didn't know who was hit with the chair. Snow went to hit Runt with Head, but Runt ducked it and hit Snow with the Acid Drop, walking up Rhino in the corner, for the pin, eliminating Snow. Rhino immediately hit Runt with a Gore and pinned him, winning the match.
Winner: Rhino.
Mick Foley, who was reading Hulk Hogan's book for some reason, discussed the Tommy Dreamer and Raven feud, noting at one point he endorsed Dreamer as being "Hardcore" and he also turned on Dreamer and followed Raven at one point. Foley said this match was going to be their final battle, and he was the man that could survive whatever happens and make sure the three count is made.
More comments from TNA stars. Chris Sabin said the first Hardcore match he ever saw was Terry Funk vs. Sabu in a barbed wire match, and that Rob Van Dam was his favorite wrestler.
Axl Rotten & Kahoneys (Balls Mahoney) vs.
The fans chanted "Balls" as Kahoneys shrugged over his new name being announced. Balls took the mic and said they were the most extreme tag team in the history of the business, but they don't have a match. They laid out an open challenge to anyone with the "guts or nuts" to come out. "Well, well, well.." out walked Joel Gertner, in a fur coat and shorts, with Team 3D. Brother Ray and Brother Devon were clad in tie-dye. The fans chanted "Dudley Boys". The fans then chanted "Testify". Joel Gertner did one of his classic innuendo laced introductions, invoking Lady Gaga, and getting a "That's Hardcore" chant. It really was a great intro, and I can't do it justice by typing it up. Gertner even teased calling them "The Du.... Team 3D".
Brother Ray got on the mic, and said the fans were looking at "four of the most hardcore men" in the history of wrestling. Ray said the fans didn't want to see a wrestling match, and they should give the fans what they paid to see. Ray said it should be a "South Philadelphia Streetfight" and the brawl was on. Balls and Ray fought on the floor, while Axl went at it with Devon. They used a split screen to follow both fights at the same time. Taz and Tenay were laughing about Balls' new name, and Taz noted they shouldn't be since they had four guys beating each other up. The fight, as you would expect, went into the crowd, Taz and Tenay were making jokes about not having HD TV back in the old days, while the fans chanted "ECW' as the brawl continued in the crowd. The participants made it back to ringside, and they started using weapons, including a frying pan and cookie sheet.
Axl Rotten gave Brother Ray a bionic elbow in the ring, and blasted him with a cookie sheet. Axl went at it with Devon, with Axl hitting him with a trash can lid. Brother Ray knocked Axl down, and Balls entered the ring with a lightsaber. Seriously. The fans chanted "Use The Force". Devon tossed Ray another lightsaber, and we had a lightsaber duel, with Balls "stabbing" Ray between the arms. Ray took the lightsaber and hit Balls in the nads with it. Brother Ray then did his old dance move before knocking Balls down. That got a "ECW" chant. Axl gave Brother Ray an inverted DDT for a two count. Devon gave Axl a neckbreaker for a two count. Balls gave Devon a spinebuster for a two count. Fans chanted "We want tables! We want fire!" as the two teams dueled with chairs. Axl and Balls got the better of it, but couldn't get the pin. Axl and Balls complained to referee John Finnegan, who tried to clothesline them, unsuccessfully. Team 3D hit Axl and Balls with hard chairshots to the head.
Team 3D gave Balls the What's Up headbutt, then did the "Get The Tables!" bit. They set up a table, and Gertner gave Brother Ray some lighter fluid. The fans chanted "ECW" as Brother Ray put the fluid on the table. Devon lit the table on fire, and they powerbombed Balls through it. Devon then pinned Balls.
Winners: Team 3D.
The fans chanted "Thank you" and Brother Ray said they are the most extreme tag team of all time. Enter New Jack and Mustafa, The Gangstas, with a generic version of "Natural Born Killaz" playing. They had a trash can full of weapons and went to town on Team 3D. They used a crutch, trash can, and staple gun. Joel Gertner tried to get in to help, and New Jack blasted him with an acoustic guitar. The brawl suddenly stopped, and all six men (Axl and Balls as well) all hugged and raised each others arms as the fans applauded. Tenay called it "a tribute to hardcore wrestling".
Raven cut a promo about how when he grew up with Tommy Dreamer, Dreamer was a better athlete and a tougher man, but as they got older, Raven became the better athlete and the tougher man. Raven said Dreamer couldn't handle that, and that's why he set out to hurt him emotionally. Raven said Dreamer stole his girl, and now has the family and life he should have had. Raven said he has waited ten years for his chance to ruin Dreamer's "moment of glory" tonight.
More comments from TNA wrestlers about that "hardcore" promotion. Kazarian talked about being in training with Killer Kowalski and being able to go to some of the shows and see those wrestlers worked. Kazarian let out an "ECW' but it was bleeped.
They had a segment about Joey Styles, with Brother Ray, Rob Van Dam, Jerry Lynn, Simon Diamond, Rhino, The Sandman, Stevie Richards, and Tommy Dreamer all thanking him for his calls of ECW matches over the years and praising him for his work in ECW. They also mentioned they wished he was there tonight. Taz also added his thanks to Joey Styles.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven, with Mick Foley as the referee.
Teresa (Beulah), the wife of Tommy Dreamer, was at ringside with Dixie Carter. Raven came out and smiled at her, as well as Dreamer's daughters. Dreamer came out with a T-Shirt that said "Thank You" on the back. Dreamer kissed his daughters before entering the ring. Foley told them that he would give them "a lot of room" and all he wanted was that they keep the match between the two of them, with no one else getting involved. Raven kicked Dreamer in the groin as Foley was still talking, starting the match. Raven immediately took Dreamer to the floor and gave him a side Russian legsweep into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Raven wedged a chair in a corner and went to whip Dreamer into it, but Dreamer reversed it and sent Raven into the chair. Back on the floor, Dreamer pounded Raven. Dreamer took a beer from a fan and spit a mouthful at Raven, then hit him with the can. Dreamer pounded Raven in a corner of the guardrail and bit him. Taz was talking about driving around with Tommy Dreamer and Paul Heyman during all this.
Dreamer set up two chairs and went to suplex Raven on them, but Raven blocked it and gave him a drop toe hold into the chairs. They went to the floor, and Raven busted open Dreamer with a chair. Tommy's family was removed from ringside. Raven missed a chairshot on the outside, but threw Dreamer into the steps. Dreamer was a bloody mess. Raven set up a chair, but Dreamer gave him a drop toe hold into it. Tommy took a sign that said "Tommy, use this sign". Dreamer hit Raven with it, and revealed it was a Dead End street sign. Raven was now bleeding as well. Dreamer suplexed Raven on the street sign. Dreamer put a ladder in the ring, while some fans chanted "This is Hardcore" while other fans were quiet. Dreamer bit the bloody Raven, then gave him a catapult into the ladder, which was laid across the bottom rope.
Dreamer put Raven on the top rope, then put the ladder across the middle rope to do a superplex, but Raven crotched Dreamer between the steps of the ladder. Raven then drove Dreamer to the mat from the top rope. Raven went for a DDT, but Dreamer blocked it and hit a Spicoli Driver. Dreamer put Raven in the Tree Of Woe and stood on his crotch. Dreamer put the street sign in front of Raven's face and dropkicked it. Dreamer went under the ring and pulled out some barbed wire. Dreamer put Raven in a crossface with the barbed wire going through his mouth. Nova and Tillie ran out and attacked Foley and Dreamer before Raven could tap out.
Nova and Tillie worked over Foley, then Dreamer. Nova helped Tillie go to the top rope, where he missed a splash. Dreamer gave Nova and Tille a DDT/neckbreaker combo. Raven then DDT'd Dreamer, and Foley crawled over to count, but Dreamer kicked out. Raven shoved Foley over not counting to three, and Foley unloaded on Raven with punches. Foley then pulled out Socko (not an ECW gimmick) and gave it to Raven. Lupus (at least they said it was him, Taz didn't even seem sure, and he looked nothing like he did in ECW if it is the same guy) came out to help Raven, legdropping Dreamer off the top rope, but Foley gave him a Barbed Wire Socko. The fans chanted "Holy S***" and Taz choked that they were indeed an alternative. Foley battered Lupus to the back.
Raven handcuffed Dreamer's hands behind his back. Foley got back to the ring. Raven hit Dreamer with a chairshot to the back. Teresa (Beyuah) came out and begged Raven to stop. Teresa hugged Raven, but Raven hit Dreamer with a chairshot anyway. Raven threatened her with the chair, but Foley stopped him, so Raven gave him a low kick. Raven blasted Foley with the chair. Raven stood over Teresa, and she hit Raven with a low blow. Dreamer, still handcuffed, gave Raven a DDT and covered him. Foley counted, but Raven kicked out at two. Dreamer went for another DDT, but Raven hit Dreamer with a chairshot to the leg, and DDT'd Dreamer for the pin.
Winner: Raven.
After replays of the Dreamer-Raven match were shown, Dreamer and Teresa were shown leaving the ring, with Dreamer getting an ovation from the crowd.
Jeremy Borash and So Cal Val were plugging TNAWrestling.com. The Gangstas showed up, with New Jack remarking how Borash used to wait in line and get autographs. New Jack told the "little white girl" that "one you go black, you get bad credit" and sent her off with Mustafa. New Jack then informed Borash that since she is now gone, Borash is his "bitch" and walked off with him.
A video package on Paul Heyman was now shown, with many wrestlers praising his passion and vision. Raven said he and Heyman were like "Scorsese and DeNiro." Simon Diamond noted how Heyman was the first person to involve the Internet in pro wrestling and "pull back the curtain."
Rob Van Dam vs. Sabu.
Rob Van Dam came out with his TNA World Title belt and was accompanied by Bill Alfonso. Fonzie then ran to the back so he could accompany Sabu to the ring. The bout was introduced as a non-title bout. Sabu dove at RVD's leg at the bell, and the fans chanted "This is Classic" before they had actually made contact. Sabu backed Van Dam into a corner, and Van Dam went to the floor and did his "Rob Van Dam" pose. There were chants for both men. Sabu grabbed a leg, but RVD kicked it away. Van Dam went for a hammerlock, but Sabu snapmared him to the mat. Sabu grabbed a chinlock, and Van Dam went to suplex out of it, but Sabu landed on his feet. RVD went for a sweep kick, but Sabu jumped over it. Both men yelled to Fonzie for a chair. He slid one in, and both men went to pick it up. Sabu got it and hit RVD with it. Sabu hit a chair launch into a leg lariat in a corner, then sent RVD to the floor. Sabu hit a baseball slide kick that sent RVD over the guard rail into the crowd.
Sabu did a chair launch into a springboard off the top rope into the crowd, landing on RVD. The fans chanted "ECW" and "This is Awesome." Back in the ring, Sabu got a two count and put RVD in a camel clutch. Sabu threw a chair on RVD's back, then reapplied the camel clutch. Sabu stomped RVD's head, then went for another chair launch, but RVD kicked the chair into Sabu's legs. Van Dam gave Sabu a monkey flip into the chair, with Sabu catching his elbow on the chair. RVD threw the chair at Sabu and got a two count. Sabu ducked a shot and gave RVD a clothesline for a two count. Sabu worked over RVD with punches. Both men went for a second rope springboard kick at the same time, and they collided. Bill Alfonso got in the ring and gave both men water bottles. Yep, we had a water break.
Sabu and RVD both went to the floor and got tables and slid them in the ring. They then fought outside, including RVD hitting a kick off the ring apron to the floor. RVD put Sabu gut first across the guard rail, then hit a legdrop from the ring apron. RVD put Sabu on the ring apron, put a chair on Sabu, then hit a slingshot legdrop. Back in the ring, RVD got a two count. Sabu ran into an RVD elbow. RVD went to the top rope, but Sabu threw a chair at him. Sabu then hit a top rope rana on RVD, sending him into the chair on the mat. Sabu hit an Arabian facebuster for a two count. The fans chanted "You've still got it" as Sabu used a camel clutch on RVD. RVD came back with a chair shot, and Sabu was bleeding from the back of the head. RVD crotched Sabu on the top rope, then measured him and had Fonzie hold a chair in front of Sabu's face so he could hit a top rope kick and send the chair into his face.
Rob Van Dam hit a split legged moonsault on Sabu for a two count. Van Dam set up a table, but Sabu threw a chair at RVD, then hit a double legdrop for a cover, but RVD was under the ropes. Taz laughed about the referee enforcing the rules after the use of chairs. Van Dam hit a Rolling Thunder backsplash on Sabu with a chair laid across him. RVD hit a dropkick to Sabu in the corner with a chair for a two count. Sabu blocked a whip and hit a nice tornado DDT for a two count. Sabu hit an Atomic Arabian Facebuster for a two count. RVD was put on a table, and Sabu went to the top rope with a chair. Sabu went for the Atomic Arabian Facebuster, but Van Dam moved and Sabu crashed through the table. Van Dam then hit the Five Star Frog Splash for the pin at the 18-minute mark.
Winner: Rob Van Dam.
The announcers wondered how Rob Van Dam would be able to handle Abyss this Thursday on Impact after such a brutal match. Other than one commercial for Impact, this was the only mention of Thursday's broadcast.
Rob Van Dam helped Sabu up, and they embraced and raised each other's arms. After replays from the match were shown, we saw most of the wrestlers on the card come out carrying beers. The fans chanted "thank you" as they toasted in the ring. Noticeably absent from the celebration was Raven. Dixie Carter was shown at ringside with a beer. The fans chanted "F*** You Vince." Tommy Dreamer got on the mic and thanked Mike Tenay and Tazz for calling the show. He then thanked Atlas Security and Dixie Carter. Brother Ray carried Dixie around the ring and put her on the apron as fans chanted "TNA". Tommy Dreamer said "To all the men and women in TNA, we set the bar, and we expect you to raise it". Dreamer said it was "One hell of an F'N PPV" and thanked Dixie as the show ended.
A commercial for TNA Bound For Glory ended the program.
