Wrestling History Today - Aug 11th
On this day in history in ....
August 11th
1953 - Future WWF, WWE and WCW World champion Hulk Hogan is born in Florida.
1966 - Lester Welch defeats Sputnik Monroe in a tournament final in Tampa, Florida to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title.
1967 - Mr. Wrestling defeats El Mongol for the Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, ending Mongol's third title reign.
1980 - Bill Irwin defeats Bill Dundee in Memphis, Tennessee for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Dundee's second title reign.
1986 - Steve Simpson defeats Buzz Sawyer in Ft. Worth, Texas to win the World Class Television Title.
1989 - Jeff Jarrett & Matt Bourne defeat Cactus Jack & Sheik Braddock for the USWA Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.
1990 - D.J. Peterson & The Trooper (aka The Patriot) defeat Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Rochester, Minnesota. Peterson & Trooper would be the final AWA Tag Champions, as the company would shut down in 1991.
1990 - Brian Lee & Don Harris defeat Rex King & Joey Maggs for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1991 - Masahiro Chono defeats Keiji Mutoh to win the first ever G-1 (Grade One) tournament in Tokyo, Japan. Chono would go on to win the New Japan tournament on three other occasions, earning the nickname "Mr. August".
1997 - Nitro defeated Raw in the Monday Night Wars, as WCW Nitro earned a 3.8 rating with a show that featured Curt Hennig defeating Randy Savage via DQ, The Steiners defeating Chris Benoit & Steve McMichael, and Eddie Guerrero defeating Chris Jericho. Raw pulled in a 2.9 with a show that was headlined by Shawn Michaels defeating Mankind, Patriot & Ken Shamrock defeating Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith, and Flash Funk (2 Cold Scorpio) defeating Brian Pillman.
2001 - Kintaro Kanemura defeats Hayabusa to win the World Entertainment Wrestling (FMW) World Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2002 - WWE ran Vancouver, British Columbia, Glen Power filed the following live report:
1st Match: Goldust vs. Sean O'Haire
Good Match, O'Haire faked a leg injury early on in the match. Back and forth match, Goldust gets the pin with his new power slam finisher. (Unfortunately I cannot remember the name) Winner: Goldust
2nd Match: D'lo Brown & Spike Dudley Vs. Shawn Stasiak & Shelton Benjamin
Good pops for D'lo and Spike, Stasiak got some good heat. The fans were unsure of Benjamin, but a pretty good match with Spike hitting the acid drop on Stasiak for the pin
Winners: D'lo and Spike
3rd Match: Women's Championship Holly Vs. Victoria
Good crowd reaction to both women, I was confused why they were fighting each other, when they were together on Raw fighting Trish. Superb match, these ladies did a really good job. Molly retains her title with a pin on Victoria.
Winner: Molly Holly
4th Match: Bubba Ray Vs. Johnny Stamboli
Bubba got a really good pop and played up to the crowd and got the crowd hyped. After Bubba did a little dancing he got the pin on Stamboli.
Winner: Bubba Ray
5th Match: Bradshaw Vs. Christopher Nowinski
Crowd booed Nowinski, Bradshaw came out with four members of the BC Lions football team. He then got on the mic and claimed how Canadian Football was real football compared to Nowinski's Harvard Ivy League, he then claimed that he was hung over, the match then started. Both men put on an excellent show. As soon as Bradshaw hit the clothesline from hell, it was over for Nowinski. After the match, Bradshaw grabbed some beer and had the referee chug a beer, then had the Nick Patrick who was coming out for the next match, chug a beer, then made Howard Finkel chug a beer.
Winner: Bradshaw
6th Match: Intercontinental Championship Benoit Vs. RVD
This is the match I was waiting for. Benoit got a huge pop. Awesome match, I wish we could see more matches by these two, but Benoit being on Smackdown will make that tough. Guerrero came down near the end of the match and tossed the title belt into the ring for Benoit, who proceeded to nail RVD in the back when the ref wasn't looking. He slapped on the crossface for the win. CROSSFACE RULES!!
Winner: Chris Benoit
INTERMISSION
7th Match: Hardcore Championship Tommy Dreamer Vs. Steven Richards
Typical hardcore match, but still very enjoyable. Stasiak ran in the end and pinned Dreamer, then Richards super kicked Stasiak for a pin, then Dreamer Singapore caned Richards for the pin and regained his title. At the end of the match a cookie sheet flew into the audience and a fan grabbed it, but then security at ring side demanded it back, the fan was reluctant to give it back but did. He was ejected from the building. ????why I don't know, cookie sheets must be expensive these days????
Winner: Dreamer
8th Match: Hardy Boyz Vs. Raven and Justin Credible
Crowd went nuts for the Hardy's- as expected. Back and forth match. Matt hit the twist of fate on Credible and Jeff hit the Swanton and Matt pinned Justin Credible.
Winners: Hardy Boyz
9th Match: Booker T Vs. William Regal
Regal came out and got on the mic and said what a disgrace Canadians are to the Commonwealth and said that Canadians have less class then Americans. Funny stuff.
The crowd went nuts for Booker. Good match with Booker getting the pin after a scissors kick. After the match Booker treated everyone to a spin a rooni.
Winner Booker T
10th Match: Undertaker and Flair Vs. Big Show and Eddie Guerrero
Interesting beginning to this match, for Earl Hebner got the biggest heat of the night, when the crowd started chanting "You screwed Bret". Undertaker and Flair were totally over with the fans, but in the end Flair pins Big Show after Undertaker gives Big Show a chair shot.
Winners: Undertaker and Ric Flair
Biggest Pops:
1. Hardys
2. Booker T
3. Undertaker and Ric Flair
4. RVD/Benoit "Until he cheated to win"
5. Bubba Ray Dudley
Biggest Heat:
1. Earl Hebner
2. Shawn Stasiak
3. Christopher Nowinski
4. Raven/Justin Credible
5. Big Show/Eddie Guerrero
I was very impressed with the show and hope they come back soon.
2002 - WWE broadcast Heat. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Matches taped on 8/5 in Baltimore, MD.
Your Announcers are Jonathan Coachman and D'Lo Brown.
by John Keane
Show opens with video recap of the HHH/Shawn Michaels story line. Segment ended with footage from 2 weeks ago-Shawn bloodied and unconscious, victim of an unknown assailant.
Pyros hit, Coach and D'Lo welcome us in-we find out later tonight, D'Lo will be leaving the announce table to get in the ring with Raven. More on that later…
1st Match: Shawn Stasiak vs. Shelton Benjamin.
Mild heat for Shawn, respectable pop for Shelton. Lockup, Shelton forced to corner, ref calls for break, Shawn gets in a cheap forearm shot before doing so. Shelton chases Shawn to opposite ropes, ref again calls for break. The 2 circle, exchange waistlocks, Shelton manages a takedown, tries a front headlock, Shawn rolls through, Shelton applies an armbar, Shawn to feet, forces Shelton toward corner. Shelton reverses, Shawn into corner, ref tries to separate the 2, Shawn gets in a quick shot to Shelton's ear out of the refs line of sight. Both to center of ring, Shawn lays in forearms, attempts whip, reversed, Shawn off ropes, scores with a shoulder, Shelton down. Shawn off ropes, over Shelton, off ropes again, Shelton up, scores a variation of the Thesz press, Shawn down for 2. Up, Shelton scores an armdrag, Shawn down, armbar applied, Shawn to feet, forces Shelton to ropes, breaks hold, lays in more forearms to face. Shawn goes for whip, Shelton off ropes, ducks a clothesline, off again, Shawn tosses him over top, Shelton skins the cat, lands on feet back in the ring behind Shawn's back. Shawn turns, charges, Shelton tosses him over top rope and out of ring. Shawn tries to re-enter, Shelton at ropes to meet him, ref has Shelton step back, Shawn seizes opportunity, grabs Shelton's feet and drags him from ring. Shawn rams Shelton back first into apron, follows up with a suplex on the outside. Shawn re-enters, Shelton slowly follows, Shawn lays in boots as he crawls in. Shawn brings Shelton up, rams him into turnbuckles, Shelton to knees, Shawn lays in more kicks, sets boot choke, gets warned off by ref. Shawn brings Shelton up, scores another suplex, Shelton down for 2. Up, Shawn hits a snapmare into a surfboard, Shelton gets to feet, Shawn forearms him back down. Up, Shawn sends Shelton off ropes, sets for backdrop, Shelton puts on brakes, applies a headlock, follows with a rollup, Shawn down for 2. Up, Shelton ducks a clothesline, goes off ropes, attempts flying cross body, Shawn catches him, slams Shelton to canvas. Shawn pauses to berate crowd, turns back to Shelton, tries to bring him up, takes kick to face. Shelton to knees, the 2 exchange forearms, Shelton to feet, gains the advantage, whips Shawn off ropes, scores with a back elbow, Shawn down and up quickly. Shelton clotheslines Shawn down, brings him up, sends Shawn off ropes, scores a back body drop, Shawn down for 2. Up, Shelton attempts whip, reversed, Shelton into corner, Shawn approaches, Shelton scores boot to face. Shawn staggered, Shelton charges, Shawn scores a spinebuster, good for 2. Shawn argues with ref, lays in the boots, brings Shelton up, tries suplex, Shelton floats over, tries superkick, Shawn catches boot, whips the leg, Shelton scores spinning kick, Shawn down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin.
We recap last weeks Heat. Raven, who since his banishment to Heat has stated he plans on making the show his 'personal playground', joined Coach and D'Lo on commentary. Raven spent the majority of his mic time ragging on D'Lo, later took things to a physical level-D'Lo ducked a clothesline attempt and dumped Raven over the announce table. Break.
(Last commercial of break: 'The Fire Still Burns', hyping Kane's imminent return.)
Straight back to work…
2nd Match: Sean O'Haire vs. Justin Credible.
Slight pop for Sean, barrels o' hate for Justin. Lockup, Justin applies an armbar, Sean reverses, wrings the arm, Justin to mat, up quickly. Another exchange of armbars, Justin gets in a pair of punches, Sean shoulders him down, Justin quickly grabs ropes, bails to the apron as ref holds Sean back. Justin re-enters, the 2 lock up, Justin quickly forced to corner, ref calls for break, Justin gets in the requisite cheap punch to zero effect, Sean tosses him to opposite corner. Up, Sean scores a hiptoss, follows up with an armdrag takedown into an armbar, Justin to feet, grabs Sean's hair, forces him to corner. Ref calls for break, Justin gets in rake to eyes, chop, kick, tries for whip, Sean puts on brakes, scores a knee to gut, follows up with a snapmare and a kick to the back of the seated Justin. Sean to second rope behind Justin, flies, scores rolling neck-snap, Justin retreats to corner, Sean charges, Justin sidesteps, Sean goes shoulder first into ring post. Justin takes advantage, gets in a quick kick, locks in an armbar, scores pair of forearms to back, Justin goes outside still holding Sean's arm, slams it into ring post. Justin back in, approaches Sean, gets shoved away, Justin again approaches, scores kick to face, Sean crawls to ropes. Justin locks in an armbar, Sean to feet, scores trio of rabbit punches, breaks hold, goes off ropes, Justin drops to mat, Sean over, off ropes again, Justin up, attempts to leapfrog, no go, Sean catches him, scores powerslam. No pin attempt, Sean appears to be hurting due to earlier assault on arm. Both up, Sean scores a pair of forearm knockdowns, brings Justin up, whips him off ropes, scores with a back elbow, Justin down. Up, Sean ducks a clothesline, scores a superkick, Justin down for 2. Sean to 2nd turnbuckle, Justin up, Sean attempts flying double axehandle, Justin counters with superkick of his own, Sean down for 2. Up, Justin gets in a quick forearm, tries for whip, Sean puts on brakes, scores Cruel Intentions, Justin down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Sean O'Haire.
(Commentary: I know WWE isn't big on heel vs. heel matchups, but Stasiak/Credible NEEDS to occur, just so one of these poor guys can get a win.)
Backstage, Terri talks to Spike Dudley and Steven Richards about their upcoming match. Spike wants a clean, no-nonsense contest, Steven goes into his 'obnoxious jerk' routine he's rightly famous for. Spike channels RVD, plays it cool, manages to send Steven into a frothing rage with the remembrance that Terri fairly recently defeated Steven for the Hardcore title. Spike walks off as Steven sputters with rage. Break.
Extreme Blast of the Night: During the opening segment of last weeks Raw, Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho got in each others faces verbally, then physically.
Back, more on Y2J/RVD-the 2 squared off in last weeks main event. Chris appeared ready to put away Rob when Ric Flair, who'd been laid out by a Jericho chairshot the previous week, hit the ring while the ref was down and returned the favor. Rob then hit the 5-Star Frog Splash, Flair bailed, ref recovered, counted the 1-2-3. Post-match Chris stared daggers as the Nature Boy performed his patented strut atop the ramp. Break.
Boot of the Week: Bubba Ray Dudley gets some help from Trish Stratus and Spike to defeat The Big Show in a table match last Monday.
Back to business….
3rd Match: Steven Richards vs. Spike Dudley.
Hatefest for Steven, big pop for Spike. (I'll get this out of the way now; my man Nick Patrick is referee for this one). Trash talk to start, Spike gets in a couple of quick rollups, both good for 2. Steven retreats to corner, charges, Spike ducks a clothesline, Steven off ropes, Spike scores with a hiptoss, Steven quickly to feet. The 2 block each others hiptoss attempts, Spike scores with a backslide, good for another 2. Steven to corner, Spike scores with a forearm, attempts whip, Steven puts on brakes, scores knee to gut. Steven whips Spike into ring post, Spike down at ropes, Steven lays in boots. Steven brings Spike up, scores a TRIO of suplexes, goes for the cover, just gets 2. Steven hits a neckbreaker, Spike down for another 2. Steven drags Spike to corner, lays in kicks, sets boot choke, gets warned off by Nick. Steven brings Spike up, lays in a knee, sets another suplex, Spike rolls over, scores kick to gut, sets for Dudley Dog, Steven evades, shoves him into turnbuckles, Spike down. Steven locks in full nelson/camel clutch, Spike appears out, Nick drops the arm once, twice, stays up at 3. Spike manages to crawl to the ropes, Nick calls for break, the enraged Steven goes outside, comes back in wielding a chair. Spike scores head to gut, Steven drops chair, Spike ducks a clothesline, scores inverted Atomic Drop. Spike off ropes, scores running bulldog, Steven down and up. Spike again tries for Dudley Dog (unfortunately into same corner chair is laying), Steven evades, tosses Spike over his shoulder, Steven grabs the chair, Spike charges, takes UGLY chairshot to top of head, Nick immediately calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Spike Dudley.
Post-match Steven cuddles with and talks to the chair. Guess Jazz will have to find a new boyfriend when she returns. Break.
We return for more on HHH and Shawn Michaels. In a nutshell, Hunter did it and the 2 will 'fight' (as opposed to wrestle) at Summerslam. Break.
Back, D'Lo leaves the announce table to take part in our Main Event…
4th Match: D'Lo Brown vs. Raven.
Hold on, after D'Lo hits the ring to a nice pop, Raven weathers a sea of boos to walk down to the ring-on crutches. He regrets to inform us he won't be able to wrestle tonight due to a sprained ankle suffered during his encounter with D'Lo last week. He rags on the crowd then names his substitute…
REVISED 4th Match: D'Lo Brown vs. Johnny Stamboli. Raven remains at ringside. The 2 circle, lockup is attempted, D'Lo opts for boot to gut and a pair of forearms. D'Lo attempts whip, reversed, D'Lo off ropes, Johnny sets for back body drop, D'Lo counters with sunset flip, Johnny down for 2. Up, Johnny clotheslines D'Lo down, brings him up, throws him to corner. Johnny in with forearms and boots, applies choke, gets warned off by ref. Johnny tries for whip, D'Lo puts on brakes, rolls through Johnny's sunset flip attempt, scores a dropkick off ropes, both down. Up, D'Lo ducks a clothesline, scores a knockdown forearm, Johnny down and up, D'Lo scores with a straight punch, Johnny down again. D'Lo brings him up, whips Johnny off ropes, scores with a back body drop, Johnny down and up not so quickly. D'Lo scores with another dropkick, Johnny down for 2. D'Lo sets Johnny up in corner, score with a forearm, tries for whip, reversed, D'Lo into corner, Johnny goes for splash, D'Lo sidesteps, Johnny into turnbuckles. D'Lo scores a scoop slam, Johnny down, D'Lo follows up with the Famous Legdrop. Raven makes a nuisance of himself at ringside, distracts ref, D'Lo pushes him aside, Raven clobbers D'Lo with a crutch as the refs back is turned. Johnny up, takes advantage, scores the Fuggetaboutit, D'Lo down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Johnny Stamboli.
Coach hypes tomorrow nights Raw to end the show.
OK show this week-nothing earthshaking, nothing horrible. Wondering if WWE is setting up D'Lo/Raven for the pre-Summerslam Heat, possibly with some kind of stipulation in place-personally I'd like this one: Raven wins, he's back on Raw. D'Lo wins, Raven stays on Heat, gets a haircut and has to don ring attire similar to that worn by the legendary Mean Street Posse.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look back at last week’s ECW title match between Tommy Dreamer and Christian where Christian retained the title.
We are live from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and your announcers are Matt ‘Wasn’t there a former WWE Champion from Edmonton?’ Striker and Josh ‘Gretzky, Messier, Fuhr, and Coffey were the real Four Horsemen’ Mathews.
We have to relive the ECW Idol from last week’s Abraham Washington Show before our first match.
Match Number One: Zack Ryder versus Shelton Benjamin
They lock up and Ryder backs Benjamin into the ropes and he connects with shoulders in the corner. Benjamin with a knee and punches but the referee pulls Benjamin off. Ryder with a missile drop kick for a near fall and then he sends Benjamin into the turnbuckles. Ryder with a running boot to the face and then he gets a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock. Ryder with a knee and he tries for a suplex but Benjamin is able to land on his feet and he hits a neckbreaker. Benjamin and Ryder exchange punches until Benjamin gains the advantage and hits a back body drop. Benjamin with an Irish whip and a Stinger Splash but he runs into an elbow on a second try. Benjamin with a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Ryder goes to the floor and then he drops Benjamin on the ropes. Ryder with a leg lariat for a near fall. Benjamin counters the Zack Attack and he catapults Ryder into the turnbuckles. Benjamin with a power bomb into the turnbuckle followed by Paydirt for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
Gregory Helms is in the back with Paul Burchill and Katie Lea. Helms asks Burchill about his match but Burchill says that he is not going to answer questions from a laughing stock. Helms wants to know about Paul’s match with Yoshi Tatsu. Burchill says that he knows that Helms is The Hurricane. Burchill punches Helms and connects with a knee to the midsection followed by another punch.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that if you want original programming, WWE has more than HBO and Showtime.
Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov versus Kevin Brooks
Brooks with a waist lock but Kozlov with a take down and kick. Kozlov with a front face lock and then he tosses Brooks into the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a kick and a backbreaker. Kozlov with a helicopter to Brooks. Kozlov with a spinebuster for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
After the match, Ezekiel Jackson comes to the ring and it is his turn to beat up the Demento in the ring. Jackson picks up Brooks and he hits the uranage. Kozlov doesn’t appreciate Jackson upstaging him so he hits another spinebuster. Kozlvo leaves the ring.
If you missed Searching for Shawn Michaels, it is coming up next. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see a recap of Triple H making a mockery of his loss to Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, and then we see Triple H invade a cafeteria followed by the ‘Suck It’ Granny.
We have guest ring announcers for the next match and they are the Bella Twins.
Match Number Three: Paul Burchill with Katie Lea versus Yoshi Tatsu
Yoshi with a cross body and Japanese arm drag into an arm bar. Burchill with a forearm and knee to the midsection. Burchill with a gutbuster followed by knees to the midsection. Burchill with a seated abdominal stretch. Burchill with a kick but Yoshi with a series of forearms and a leg drop. Yoshi with kicks to the ribs followed by a rolling snap mare into a kick for a near fall. Burchill with a kick but Yoshi with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Yoshi with a series of elbow drop but Katie hits Yoshi with her belt and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu by disqualification
After the match, Burchill attacks Yoshi and then he sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles and he kicks Yoshi. The referee pulls Burchill away and Hurricane’s music plays and he hits a cross body followed by a Thesz Press and punches. Burchill recoils upon seeing the HurriPose and he leaves the ring.
Hurricane offers his hand to Yoshi Tatsu and Yoshi accepts it.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the return of The Hurricane
Burchill and Katie are in Tiffany’s office and he says that he will do whatever it takes to be safe. Tiffany says that she will talk to Hurricane and she tells Paul not to threaten her.
Match Number Four: Tyler Reks versus Tom James
They lock up and Reks with an arm drag. They lock up again and Reks with a clean break but James with a forearm and knee. Reks with a flying clothesline and then he sends James shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Reks works on the shoulder and he puts James in a hammer lock. James with an elbow and forearm. Reks with the punch to the midsection followed by a flap jack. Reks goes to the apron and he hits a missile drop for the three count.
Winner: Tyler Reks
Abraham Washington is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the show that makes you believe in the Magic Hour, the Abraham Washington Show. The people of Edmonton show their love for Abraham. Abraham says that he has decided to take the show on the road to get rid of the stench of Shelton Benjamin singing by going to Edmonton. Abraham says that he is not going to bash the fans for being Canadians. Washington says that he does not feel safe in a country where white people hit a black object. Abraham wishes Hulk Hogan a happy birthday.
Washington brings out his guest, ECW Champion Christian.
Christian says that this isn’t the Peep Show and then he calls Washington ‘Arsenio’. We see the video package that started tonight’s show. Washington does not approve of the match and then he comments on Christian’s looks. Washington asks Christian if he is still friends with Dreamer and he says that they are friends. Christian gets a shot in on Washington. Christian threatens to knock out Abraham’s teeth if he says anything negative about him. Christian says that he is still feeling the effects of the match with Dreamer. Christian says that he is ready to be the face of ECW. Washington says that his next guest is the number one contender for the ECW Title. He brings out William Regal.
Regal tells Christian if what he did last week was extreme, Christian hasn’t seen anything yet. Regal says that the English are the most brutal and barbaric. He tells Christian to watch what he is going to do to Christian’s friend in their match. We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Tommy Dreamer versus William Regal
Regal tries to work on the bandaged arm and he takes Dreamer to the mat. Dreamer punches Regal and follows that with a back elbow. Regal goes to the floor and Dreamer follows after him. Dreamer sends Regal into the announce table and the apron. Dreamer tries to suplex Regal to the floor but Regal sends Dreamer into the ring post. Regal with a boot to the arm against the ring post. Regal with boots to the arm and then he puts Dreamer in a hammer lock. Dreamer gets to the ropes. Regal with an uppercut to the arm but Dreamer with a punch and then he wrings Regal’s arm twice. Regal with a knee to a charging Dreamer. Regal with an arm bar. Dreamer with an elbow but Regal with forearms and he tries for a superplex but Dreamer with a clothesline from the turnbuckles. Dreamer with punches to Regal followed by a clothesline and a knee lift. Dreamer takes too long for a DDT and Regal with an arm wringer. Regal misses a running knee and Dreamer with a sit out spinebuster. Dreamer puts Regal in the Tree of Woe and it is time for the baseball slide into the corner. Dreamer with a power slam but Regal gets his foot on the rope. Regal drops Dreamer’s injured arm on the top rope and Regal with the running knee to the head for the three count.
Winner: William Regal
After the match, Regal puts Dreamer in the Regal Stretch. Christian comes to the ring and Regal scurries out of the ring. Christian checks on Dreamer and we go to credits.
2011 - Former boxer turned professional wrestler Scott LeDoux, who worked for Verne Gagne's AWA, passed away due to complications from ALS.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report, here on PWInsider.com!
We kick the show off with a look at this past weekend's PPV main event where Kurt Angle used a chair to beat Sting for the World Title, as well as postmatch comments from Angle, who says he just took advantage of an opportunity by using the chair and now he's in control, not Hogan, Dixie Carter, or Sting.
We cue the intro, and then it's off to the Impact Zone for a show-opening promo with Immortal. Bully Ray starts by telling Abyss that he's turning into a major disappointment because he lost to AJ Styles at Hardcore Justice, and tell him he's on thin ice with Bischoff. Tonight, there's going to be a Bound For Glory Series match with Bully Ray, Gunner, Scott Steiner, and Crimson, and Crimson's undefeated streak is going to end tonight when he gets the seven points. Ray turns his attention to Ken Anderson, and he says Anderson's probably expecting him to come out and talk smack to him, but he's not going to do that because Anderson stood toe to toe with him and kept coming. He underestimated how tough Anderson is, and Anderson proved how tough he is because he's a tough SOB, and Immortal benefits by having him here. Whatever problems there are between them are squashed (even though he pinned Anderson at the PPV because he's a better wrestler), and now it's about Immortal...and Ray becoming the World Champion. Ray extends his hand to Anderson, but Anderson just laughs at him. Ray is flabbergasted, and says Anderson really is a stupid son of a bitch and can't believe Anderson isn't taking him seriously. Anderson unloads on Bubba with right hands, Steiner tries to pull him off but Anderson nails him too and winds up getting beaten down by all of Immortal until Bubba lays him out with a shot from his chain. Anderson is busted open, and Steiner locks him in the Recliner while yelling "Bleed, you son of a bitch, bleed!" Security tries to run in, but Immortal gets rid of them and goes back after Anderson. Steiner chokes Anderson with the chain until D-Lo Brown, Al Snow, and Pat Kenney come in and tell them that's enough as the EMTs bring a gurney down to ringside. Immortal leaves as Anderson is left in a bloody heap.
After commercial, we see Anderson being wheeled out with a neck brace on and loaded into an ambulance during the break, then we go to Eric Bischoff's office where he admits he was wrong about Anderson, and thanks Bubba for kicking him out of the group. Hogan's on his way here and so is Kurt Angle, and he has no idea where Angle's head is at. Bischoff tells Abyss that he's not done with him, and they need to talk.
But before we hear what they have to discuss, we're off to the ring for our opening match...
#1 Contender's Match: Madison Rayne vs Mickie James
HARDCORE COUNTRY! Madison takes a little time to take her tiara off, and Mickie rolls her up for a quick 2. Mickie cocks her arm back, and Madison begs off, but sweeps Mickie's legs and covers for 1. Madison goes to the eyes and boots Mickie in the face and gets a 2 before just grinding Mickie's face into the mat. Madison with a hair pull and then she tries a stump puller, but Mickie counters to a victory roll for 2. Mickie with a roaring dropkick to the face for 2, then drills Madison with a few hard forearms and hits a flapjack. Mickie comes off the top with a Thesz Press, then puts Madison's tiara on and bows to the crowd just in time to duck a clothesline from Madison, and Mickie follows that right up with the DDT for the win.
Winner: Mickie James
Mickie will now challenge Winter for the Knockouts Title, presumably at the next PPV.
Kurt Angle arrives at the Impact Zone and there's music in the background that makes it sound like he's walking into a really crappy dance club. I discover why when I realize who's in the ring...
Robbie E vs X Division Champion Brian Kendrick
Robbie nails Kendrick from behind and puts the boots to him before choking him on the ropes. Kendrick charges back at Robbie with a wild forearm shot, but Robbie beats him back down and grounds Kendrick with a rear chinlock. Kendrick is wearing his Neidhart pants again. Robbie and Kendrick go to the outside and Robbie winds up arguing with Cookie, but gets back in the ring and goes toe to toe with Kendrick. Kendrick comes back with a series of running clotheslines and tries Sliced Bread #2, but Robbie shoves him off into the corner. Cookie gets on the apron and tries to shoot hairspray into Kendrick's eyes, but Kendrick ducks and the hairspray goes in Robbie's eyes instead. Kendrick hits Sliced Bread #2 and that's all she wrote.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Robbie and Cookie argue all the way up the ramp and into the back.
Devon walks into the Pope's locker room and tells Pope that he'll give him props: he beat him straight up because Devon wasn't going to take the points the way Pope was going to give them to him. He tells Pope he better not doublecross him out there tonight when they're forced to team together, and Pope says they both need the points and someone has to get them.
Jeff and Karen Jarrett are in the garage arriving at the Impact Zone, in full Mexican regalia.
Robbie E and Cookie are still arguing backstage, and Robbie basically dumps Cookie and walks off.
We see clips from the Bound For Glory Series matches at the PPV, and then we're off to the ring to continue the competition...
Bound For Glory Series: the Pope & Devon vs Beer Money vs AJ Styles & Rob Van Dam
Christopher Daniels joins Mike and Taz at the broadcast booth and then we go to commercial, and when we come back, Daniels challenges AJ to a rematch and walks off. Meanwhile in the ring, Devon and Pope are tagging in and out while working RVD over, and Pope drop toeholds RVD into a diving headbutt from Devon for 2. RVD comes back with a body scissors cradle for 2, then AJ tags in and hits a slam and bicycle kneedrop on Pope for 2. AJ tags Storm and they hit a Hart Attack and Storm covers, but AJ pulls him off at 2. Storm gets caught in the wrong corner and Devon rips his head off with a flying clothesline for 2, but Storm comes back with a spinning back elbow and tags Roode in. Roode runs over Pope with clotheslines and a flying forearm, followed by a spinebuster for 2. RVD comes in but gets caught with a leaping enziguiri by Storm and Roode DDTs RVD, then AJ comes in with a flying clothesline to Pope, Devon spinebusters AJ, neckbreakers Storm, and shoves Roode off the apron. Pope tells Devon to go to the ropes and he holds Roode, but Roode moves and Devon's clothesline wipes Pope out and allows Roode to hit the Perfectplex and get the win.
Winners: Beer Money (Roode scores the win and gets 7 points)
Roode now leapfrogs Storm into second place, and the current top three standings are Crimson in first with 43 points, Roode in second with 35 points, and Storm in third with 33 points.
Kurt Angle is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
The new World Champion, with chair in hand and the belt slung over his shoulder, comes out to share his thoughts with the fans in the Impact Zone. Angle thanks the fans for all their emails and tweets asking why he did what he does because he stands for truth, justice, and the American way. He apologizes to Sting and meant everything he said last week, but after that he was told things that left Sting in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it's about Angle getting his integrity back. Someone called Angle and told him that he had been talking to Jeff and Karen and they were sorry for what they did to Kurt, and Angle said there was a third person who was supposed to look out for his best interests and didn't, and that person was Dixie Carter. He went to Dixie and told her about Jeff and Karen, and she said she didn't know anything. He wanted to break Jeff's neck, but he took the high road because he thought Dixie was watching his back. Dixie was behind Sting, so Angle had to get his integrity back and that's why he took Sting out. Dixie's plan was to make him the centerpiece of the company and surround him with young talent, and now he's going to take all the young talent out one by one until there's nobody left but Kurt Angle, and he'll make sure she never gets her company back ever again.
Angle goes to leave, but is cut off by Sting, who stalks toward him with the bat in hand. He uses the bat to swat the chair out of Angle's hands and Angle drops to his knees to beg for mercy, but Hulk Hogan comes out of the back with another chair and smashes it over Sting's back. Angle tells Sting that Hogan was his informant, and he's going with Hogan because Hogan cares about him. Hogan continues beating on Sting with the chair, and takes him into the ring where he lays him out with a right hand. Angle comes into the ring as well, and he gives Hogan a big hug and then Hogan raises Angle's hand.
We go to commercial, and when we come back, we see that Hogan continued destroying Sting during the break. After that, we get a nice promo hyping Bound For Glory, and then it's back to the ring...
ODB & Jackie vs Knockouts Tag Team Champions Tara & Miss Tessmacher
Tessmacher and Jackie start and Tessmacher gets a side headlock, Jackie shoves her off into the ropes and gets a shoulderblock, but Tessmacher gets a dropkick and a drop toehold, then tags out to Tara, who comes in with a sunset flip for 2. ODB comes in and gets armdragged, then Tessmacher comes in and whips ODB hard into the corner and does her ass move.ODB is pissed off, but Tessmacher doesn't let up and gets a small package for 2. ODB has finally had enough and rips her head off with a clothesline, but Tara tags in and cleans house on the People Who Don't Work Here, and hits a rolling neckbreaker on Jackie for 2. ODB goes to rake Tara's back, but Jackie tells her no because they're trying to be on their best behavior to get jobs. ODB tags in and rams Tara to the corner, then gets a Scott Hall fallaway slam and slaps her boobs and crotch at Tessmacher. ODB goes up top, but Tara nails her and hits a superplex. Tessmacher tags in and cleans house on both ODB and Jackie, ODB nails Tessmacher from behind and they double team her, but Jackie tells her to stop because they need to play by the rules. Tara spears ODB and Tessmacher rolls Jackie up for the win.
Winners: Tara & Miss Tessmacher
The two teams have an uncomfortable staredown, but ODB and Jackie reluctantly shake their hands and leave quietly.
A bunch of X Division guys are hanging around outside Hulk Hogan's office. What could they want?
Okay, we're back from commercial and the X Division guys are in Eric Bischoff's office. He says that this will be nonviolent, but because they all had such great performances and because Abyss failed, the X Division is here to stay and now has a weight limit of 225 pounds. He welcomes them to Impact and informs them that next week, they will all be in a Gauntlet match to determine who gets the next shot at the Wizard of Oz (indicating Brian Kendrick). Aries says he and Bischoff are a lot alike and he doesn't like these guys any more than he does, but he's going to do his best to make this a division Bischoff can be proud of. Bischoff says that he wants to talk to Aries and kicks the rest of them out.
We go out to the ring, where Jeff and Karen Jarrett are back from Mexico in their Mexican clothes. Jeff says that he and Karen have been crowned the King and Queen of Mexico, but people still think it's some kind of ruse even though he singlehandedly took down the biggest wrestling company in Mexico, it's not enough. Then someone told him he needed to learn the intricacies of hispanic culture, and also get endorsed by Mexicans so that the Immortal World Title will be taken seriously. He's gone around to all the Mexican cities from Guadalajara to Vera Cruz to Houston to Miami to San Juan and all the other Mexican cities out there, and found a couple of Mexicans to endorse him: Jose and Jos-B, the undocumented and unlicensed guys who manicure the lawns here at Universal Studios. Jose and Jos-B come out and Jarrett helpfully turns them toward the camera, then asks Jose to endorse Jeff and Karen and tell everyone that they are the king and queen of Mexico. Jose says "que?" and Karen says "No, Dos J. Don't you know the freakin' alphabet?" Jose doesn't speak English, so he tells Jos-B to convince Jose to endorse him, but they see Hector Guerrero sitting at the Spanish announce table and mark out for him. Jose says stuff in Spanish I don't understand and then names all the members of the Guerrero family. Jos-B says more stuff in Spanish, so Jeff lays the both of them out until Hector Guerrero leaves the broadcast table and runs down to ringside, grabs a chair, and gets into the ring to chase the Jarretts off.
It's time for our weekly segment where Eric Young is going around trying to become a TV star. This week, he's in Los Angeles buying maps to the stars' homes to find people to beat up and, shockingly, most of their homes are gated and locked. He does find someone I don't recognize, and we'll find out what happened there next week.
We go out back where a still-bloody Ken Anderson stumbles out of his trailer and into the Immortal trailer to go after Bully Ray, but Gunner blindsides him and then Anderson gets beaten down again with the chain.
Matt Morgan joins Mike and Taz on commentary for tonight's main event...
Bound For Glory Series: Crimson vs Gunner vs Bully Ray vs Scott Steiner
The referee gets in front of Immortal and tells them that two have to get out. Bully Ray starts off and circles Crimson, but tags out to Gunner before making contact, and Crimson overpowers Gunner and runs him over with clotheslines and a big backdrop. Crimson with a three quarter nelson and kneestrikes to the head, followed byh a neckbreaker for 2. Crimson charges Gunner in the corner and Gunner gets his elbow up and hits a running clothesline for 2. Now Bully Ray wants the tag, and he comes in just as Crimson gets to his feet, again circles him reluctantly, and tags out to Steiner. Steiner just unloads on Crimson with heavy right hands, then hits an overhead release suplex for 2. Steiner with the elbowdrop and pushups, then hangs Crimson on the ropes so Gunner can choke him from the outside. Steiner puts the boots to Crimson and tags Gunner so they can give Crimson a double suplex for 2. Gunner and Steiner continue to double team Crimson, but Crimson takes Steiner out with a flying clothesline and then rams Gunner into Bully Ray, knocking him off the apron, and rolls Gunner up for the win.
Winner: Gunner
Crimson immediately ducks out to the entry ramp before Immortal can lay him out, and Kurt Angle runs out and nails Crimson, takes off his shoe and beats him with it, then rolls Crimson into the ring and repeatedly drills him in the head. Angle pulls off Crimson's knee brace and now beats him with that, then waits for him to get to his feet and lays him out with it before hanging Crimson over the second rope to the outside of the ring, and locks him in a really nasty looking leglock in the ropes as we go off the air.
