Wrestling History Today - Aug 17th
On this day in history in ....
1927 - Bert Willard defeats Jack Reynolds for the World Welterweight Title in Columbus, Ohio, ending Reynolds' third reign.
1945 - Georgia Championship Wrestling held an event at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia. The results:
- Dan O'Connor and Rudy Strongberg fought to a draw.
- Dick Lever and Dick Shikat fought to a draw.
- Al Massey defeated Jack Dillon.
- National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion Bill Longson defeated Barto Hill to retain the title.
1951 - Duke Keomuka defeats Ray Gunkel in Houston, Texas for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title.
1953 - Baron Michele Leone defeats Danny McShain in Memphis, Tennessee to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title.
1955 - Yvon Robért defeats Don Leo Jonathan in Montreal, Quebec for the Montreal Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Title, beginning his 15th reign.
1956 - Don and Red McIntyre defeat Eddie Gossett (Eddie Graham) and Art Neilson to win the Georgia NWA World Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1956 - Gene Kelly (Kiniski) defeats Pepper Gomez to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas, ending Gomez's third reign.
1960 - Verne Gagne and Joe Scarpello defeat Killer Kowalski and Tiny Mills for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1962 - Buddy Landel is born in Knoxville, Tennessee.
1962 - The Alaskan (Jay York) and Tarzan Tyler defeat Jerry and Nick Kozak in Houston, Texas to win the Texas NWA World Tag Team Title.
1968 - Dr. X (Dick Beyer) defeats Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in Bloomington, Minnesota, ending Gagne's eighth reign.
1968 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Irish Jackie and The Jamaica Kid defeated Little Brutus and Sky Low Low.
- Arnold Skaaland defeated Frank Hickey.
- Argentina Apollo defeated Bull Ramos.
- Earl Maynard and Dick Steinborn fought to a draw.
- Bobo Brazil defeated Virgil the Kentucky Butcher.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino and Victor Rivera defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Prof. Toru Tanaka.
1968 - The Mighty Yankees (Frank Morrell and Eddie Sullivan) defeat Dennis Hall and Ken Lucas in Chattanooga, Tennessee to win their third Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title.
1971 - Georgia Championship Wrestling held an event at the Coliseum in Macon, Georgia. The results were:
- Salvadore Lothario defeated Krusher Karlson.
- Guillotine Gordon defeated Ken Russell.
- Flash and Rocket Monroe defeated Derrell Cochran and George Scott.
- Bill Dromo defeated NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion Buddy Colt by disqualification.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr. fought NWA Macon Tag Team Champion Bob Armstrong to a 60-minute time-limit draw to retain the title.
1973 - Dick Dunn defeats Eddie Sullivan in Dothan, Alabama to win his second NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title.
1978 - Steve Rickard defeats Toru Tanaka for the New Zealand NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Title in Auckland, New Zealand. This began and ended both men's second reigns.
1979 - Georgia Championship Wrestling held an event at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. The results:
- Tony Atlas won a 16-man battle royal to earn an NWA World Heavyweight Title match in the main event. Other participants were: Bob Armstrong, Jerry Blackwell, Jonathan Boyd, Jerry Brisco, Haystacks Calhoun, NWA Georgia Television Champion Ray Candy, Carl Fergie, Bill Howard, Austin Idol, Killer Karl Kox (with Bobby Heenan), Ernie Ladd, Tommy Rich, Doug Somers, Jerry Stubbs and Mr. Wrestling.
- Ole Anderson and Ivan Koloff defeated Dusty Rhodes and Bill Watts in a Double Bunkhouse match.
- Wahoo McDaniel defeated NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion The Masked Superstar (with Bobby Heenan) in a Blindfold match to win the title. However, after the match, the blindfolds were removed, it was revealed that Tommy Rich had beaten Superstar for McDaniel, and the title was vacated. This ended the Masked Superstar's second reign.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeated Tony Atlas to retain the title.
1982 - Cheerleader Melissa is born in Los Angeles, California.
1985 - The WWF held an event at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- Johnny V pinned Steve Lombardi after an elbow drop.
- Cousin Junior (with Hillbilly Jim) pinned Moondog Spot after a mule kick.
- Adrian Adonis pinned Tony Garea after a DDT.
- Terry Funk defeated Salvatore Bellomo by submission with a sleeper.
- The Junkyard Dog and Ricky Steamboat defeated Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco, when Steamboat pinned Fuji with a sunset flip.
- The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated Swede Hanson and Lanny Poffo, when Hart pinned Hansen after Neidhart clotheslined him from behind.
- Randy Savage pinned Rick McGraw after a flying elbowdrop.
- WWF Champion Hulk Hogan pinned Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny V) with a roll-up, after Beefcake ran into Johnny V on the ring apron, to retain the title.
1985 - Eric Embry defeats Super Medico I for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ending Medico's second reign.
1986 - Nikita Koloff defeats Magnum T.A. in the seventh match of a best-of-seven series in Charlotte, North Carolina to claim the vacant NWA United States Heavyweight Title.
1987 - Nikita Koloff defeats Tully Blanchard to win the NWA World Television Title in Fayetteville, North Carolina, ending Blanchard's second reign.
1987 - George Barnes defeats Bill Dundee for the CWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Dundee's second reign.
1990 - The Thundercats (Leono, Panthro and Tigro) defeat Los Arqueros del Espacio (El Arquero, Danny Boy and Lasser) in Mexico City, Mexico to win the Mexican National Trios Title.
1991 - Billy Jack Haynes defeats Steve Doll in a full-nelson challenge in Portland, Oregon for the vacant NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, to start his fifth reign.
1991 - Combat Toyoda defeats Megumi Kudo in Tosu, Japan to become the first two-time WWA World Women's Champion.
1992 - Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett defeat The Moondogs (Cujo and Spot) in Memphis, Tennessee to win the USWA Tag Team Title. This began Lawler and Jarrett's fourth reign and ended the Moondogs' second.
1995 - Vance Nevada defeats Todd Bullet in Winnipeg, Manitoba to win the Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title for the second time.
1996 - El Pantera defeats Naohiro Hoshikawa in Noshiro, Japan for the vacant WWA World Middleweight Title. The Great Sasuke had vacated it due to a skull injury.
1997 - ECW held its fourth-annual "Hardcore Heaven" event at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This was the first edition of the show to be on pay-per-view, and got an 0.21 buyrate. The results:
- ECW World Television Champion Taz defeated Chris Candido (with Rick Rude) by submission with the Tazmission to retain the title.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Spike Dudley after a Bigelowsault.
- Rob Van Dam (with Bill Alfonso) pinned Al Snow in a Monday Night Rules match after the Van Daminator.
- The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray and D-Von (with Big Dick Dudley, Sign Guy Dudley, Joel Gertner and Jenna Jameson)) defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed) by forfeit to win the title, ending The Gangstas' second reign and beginning the Dudleys' third. Mustapha had left ECW.
- The Dudley Boyz defeated PG-13 (J.C. Ice and Wolfie D), when Buh-Buh Ray pinned Wolfie D after the 3D, to retain the title.
- Tommy Dreamer (with Beulah McGillicutty) pinned Jerry Lawler after the Dreamer DDT. Jake Roberts, Rick Rude and Tammy Lynn Sytch all interfered during the match.
- Shane Douglas (with Francine) defeated Terry Funk and ECW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu (with Bill Alfonso) and in a Three-Way Dance to win the title. Douglas and Funk both pinned Sabu after The Sandman attacked Sabu with a ladder, and Douglas pinned Funk with a roll-up. This ended Sabu's second reign and began Douglas' third.
Unfortunately for ECW, the production was atrocious with bad camera angles, poor lighting and a terrible sequence showing announce Lance Wright live in a helicoper that is best undiscussed. It made ECW look like a terrible second rate promotion and of all their PPVs, was easily the worst from a production perspective to the point Paul Heyman, while addressing fans in NYC next week, opened up his appearance by asking, "Boy did the lighting on the PPV suck or what?"
1997 - Trailer Park Trash becomes the first OVW Heavyweight Champion.
1997 - Tomoko Miyaguchi defeats Tomoko Kuzuki for the JWP Junior Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1998 - WCW beat the WWF in this week of the Monday Night War, as "Monday Nitro"'s 4.91 rating (hours of 5.01, 5.03 and 4.7) bested "RAW is WAR"'s 4.19 rating (hours of 3.93 and 4.44).
"WWF RAW is WAR" episode number 273 was taped August 11 at the Civic Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The results were:
- Dan Severn defeated Owen Hart and Ken Shamrock in a Triple Threat match, by making Shamrock pass out while in a Dragon sleeper.
- Bart Gunn defeated The Godfather in a Brawl for All Tournament semifinal bout, by knockout in the third round.
- Gangrel pinned Brian Christopher (with Scott Taylor) after an implant DDT.
- The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball and Skull (with Paul Ellering)) defeated Faarooq and Scorpio.
- The Nation (D-Lo Brown, The Godfather, Mark Henry and The Rock) defeated D-Generation X (Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, Triple H and X-Pac (with Chyna)) in a Street Fight.
- Bradshaw defeated Droz in a Brawl for All Tournament semifinal bout, 15 to 5 on points.
- Kaientai (Funaki, Taka Michinoku, Teioh and Togo) defeated Val Venis in a Gauntlet match. Val pinned Teioh with a fisherman's suplex, Val pinned Funaki after a powerslam, Val pinned Togo with the Money Shot, and Taka pinned Val after the Michinoku Driver.
"WCW Monday Nitro"'s 153rd show was live from the Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The results:
- Steve McMichael pinned Sick Boy (with Lodi) after a Tombstone piledriver.
- Disco Inferno and Alex Wright fought High Voltage (Kaos and Rage) to a no-contest, when Meng interfered.
- Raven and Saturn defeated Horace and Kanyon when Saturn pinned Raven after a Spicolli driver.
- Scott Norton (with Vincent) pinned Scott Putski after a powerbomb.
- Curt Hennig (with Rick Rude) pinned Dean Malenko with the Hennigplex.
- WCW World Television Champion Chris Jericho defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr. and Stevie Ray in a Triangle match, by double knockout, to retain the title. The Giant interfered and chokeslammed Stevie Ray, and Chavo staggered out of the ring.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Diamond Dallas Page by disqualification, after the referee found brass knuckles in Page's tights, to retain the title.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg defeated The Giant (with The Disciple) by disqualification, after Disciple interfered, to retain the title.
1999 - OVW held an event at the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky. The results were:
- The American Eagle and Juan Hurtado defeated Guido and Vito Andretti, when Hurtago pinned Guido.
- Sean Casey defeated OVW Light Heavyweight Champion Johnny Spade to win the title, ending Spade's third reign.
- Bull Buchanan defeated Jebediah.
- Rico Constantino defeated Flash Flanagan by disqualification.
- Nick Dinsmore defeated Chris Candido.
- OVW Southern Tag Team Champions Jason Lee and Rip Rogers defeated The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) by disqualification to retain the title.
- Rob Conway defeated OVW Heavyweight Champion The Damaja to win the title. This began Conway's second reign.
2001 - Hotstuff Hernandez wins his third NWA Texas Heavyweight Title, by ending Kevin Northcutt's fourth reign in North Richland Hills, Texas. At the same show, John Allen defeats Jimbo Starr for the NWA Southwest Television Title.
2001 - Momoe Nakanishi defeats Kumiko Maekawa to win the AJW Japan Grand Prix tournament.
2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands three times at a house show in Terre Haute, Indiana. Raven wins the title from Tommy Dreamer, beginning his 27th and final reign. He then lost the title to Shawn Stasiak, beginning his 14th reign. Finally, Stasiak lost the title back to Dreamer, beginning his 12th reign. Ricky Hawes filed the following live report:
This event at the Hulman Center has been hyped for awhile now. Every radio station and local news stations around the Wabash Valley area has advertised this event as WWE's return to the Hulman Center after a 10 year absence. Prior to seeing the line up of the matches I wasn't expecting a lot but throughout the card I found myself marking out for people even when I was the only one cheering. Although this card was hyped the arena was only about half full; I figure there will probably be another 10 year wait after this showing.
Before the doors opened at the event a table was set up inside where Big Show and Spike were signing autographs. The only problem with this was that this started about 20 minutes before the first bell rang. Big Show is a monster in person.
At the beginning the Fink comes out and talks about the long absence and how Terre Haute fans are the best fans the WWE has. Its obvious the man says that everywhere he goes. Personally I dont even think he knew where Terre Haute, Indiana was prior to this event.
Opening Match
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Spike Dudley vs. Sean O'Haire
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This match was a complete squash match before the end. O'Haire completely manhandled Spike before he mounted 1 comeback and connected with the Acid Drop.
Match Rating: ** - Spike got a pretty good pop and O'Haire received a pretty good amount of heel heat.
Hardcore Title
Tommy Dreamer vs. Shawn Stasiak
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This match begin with no weapons around at all. About 5 minutes into the match Dreamer began pulling trashcans, brooms, cookie sheets, and a turkey out from under the ring. Yes i said a turkey. Once back inside the ring Dreamer proceeded to stick his hand in the turkey and pull stuff out and eat it. Close to the end Raven entered and hit his DDT on Dreamer and won the title. Immediately after Stasiak hits a modified slop drop and wins. Immediately after that Dreamer drops the Spicolli Driver on Stasiak and ends the match.
Match Rating: **1/2 - Neither one of the stars seem over but the addition of Raven in the match was a big boost.
Jamal & Rosie vs. D'Lo Brown & Shelton Benjamin
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This match was advertised as a tag but ended up being Jamal vs. Benjamin. It wasnt surprising though to see that D'Lo is completely over. The crowd popped for every head movement the guy made. In the end Jamal scored with his modified Samoan drop and got the vic.
Match Rating: *** - D'Lo severely helped Benjamin get over in this one. The Island Boyz also received a nice amount of heel heat.
Bradshaw vs. Christopher Nowinski
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Bath room break time here. This match was slow and boring. Nowinski looks promising but he doesn't really have the opportunity to shine when he's up against Bradshaw. In the end Bradshaw scored the win with the Clothesline from Hell.
Match Rating: * - BORING!
Booker T vs. Steven Richards
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Richards enters with no reaction what's so ever. Booker T on the other hand recieves what was probably the 2nd best pop of the night. This guy is severely over. T scores the scissors kick to get the win.
Match Rating: *** - Complete squash here but Booker's popularity helped carry this match into a 3 star rating.
- Intermission to set up the cage for what I thought was suppose to be the main event
Cage Match
Undertaker & Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero
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Benoit and Guerrero enter together with mixed reactions from the crowd. RVD enters next with what was probably the biggest pop of the night. UT enters next after his music plays for about 4 minutes. The idea of this match seemed good but the cage and ring itself was very small. UT could literally touch the top of this cage if he wanted to. Usual spots from RVD. The ending though helps garner a higher rating. Let me explain. RVD and Benoit are both perched at the top trying to knock each other off. Then Guerrero gets up on top to try to take RVD down; UT then makes his slow way over and grabs Eddie from the top and hits the last ride. RVD and Benoit continue to fight as UT finally makes the cover. Benoit sets up for the flying head butt as UT quickly gets to his feet and catches him in a chokeslam. He begins to chokeslam him as RVD jumps OVER UT and Benoit onto Guerrero with the 5 star.
Match Rating: **** - This was a very good match excluding the fact that UT seemed like he wasn't enthused at all to be there. RVD, Benoit, and Guerrero put on a solid show and helped put some promise back into the card.
- Once again another intermission to take down the small ass cage -
Women's Championship
Special referee: Victoria
Molly Holly vs. Trish Stratus
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Victoria enters with no reaction. Molly and Trish are both over. Molly scores the pinfall after a couple blown spots from Trish.
Match Rating: ** - Pure Eyecandy
Hardy Boyz vs. Raven & Justin Credible
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Raven and Credible enter with no reaction what so over. I swear I was the only one cheering them on throughout the entire match. I actually had people threaten me because I was cheering for them instead of Jeff and his luggage Matt. Once both teams are in the ring Matt gets on the mic and says that him and Jeff have made up and there isnt an end to the Hardys he just had to turn on Jeff to get on Smackdown. He said there isnt any problems between them but Jeff doesn't agree. Half way through the match Matt walks out on Jeff leaving him to get jumped. Raven scores the Evenflow after knocking Credible out of the way. Raven goes for the win but Credible breaks up the count. Credible then gets rolled up by Jeff for the win as Raven watches on in disgust. Raven and Credible tease a fight but then hug.
Match Rating: ** - This match went without even 1 normal Hardyz spot. Raven and Credible receive no reaction what so ever. The only reason I gave this a 2 star rating is because the WWE was actually smart enough to play off television storylines.
Tables Match
Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Big Show
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Bubba and Big Show both enter to face pops. Bubba gets on the mic and announces that this isn't a normal table match its a match that hasn't even been seen before. He states that this match is a "Terre Haute Tables Match". He also completely pronounces the towns name wrong. As the match progressed Big Show started receiving a nice amount of heel heat. At the end there was a table in the ring and Big Show was gonna put bubba to it but Trish entered the ring to distract him. Trish then bags Big Show and Bubba puts Big Show through the table with his old set up for the 3d. Big Show leaves in a hurry as Bubba and Trish play to the crowd.
After the show
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Me and some friends made our way to the back where the people were leaving. When we got there Big Show left with Sean O'Haire. Then Raven makes his way up the car ramp as me and my friends begin a loud ECW chant. Raven looks up at us and starts nodding his head as he makes his way to his rental.
Overall Impressions
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The card could have been set up better match wise but im really beginning to like how the WWE is showcasing there younger talent. Or maybe they were there just because of where the event was held. Either way I feel it was worth the price of admission ($44.50).
Best Heel Heat: Matt Hardy leaving Jeff.
Best Face Heat: RVD followed by UT and Booker T.
Best Match: The Tag Team Cage Match
Worst Match: Bradshaw vs. Nowinski
2002 - Jimmy Rave defeats Star in Columbia, Tennessee for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2002 - Agente Bruno wins his fourth IWA World Hardcore Title, ending Huracán Castillo's seventh reign in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Castillo won the title right back, beginning his eighth reign.
2002 - TNT (Todd Sexton and Tony Stradlin) defeat The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) for the NWA Wildside Tag Team Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2002 - Martin Nolte wins a 20-man battle royal at "True Colors" in Essen, Germany for the vacant Westside Xtreme Wrestling World Heavyweight Title.
2002 - USA Pro Wrestling held a huge 13-match event at the Community Center in Deer Park, New York. The results were:
- The Masked Maniac defeated Iceberg.
- Larry McKenny and Storman Norman defeated USA Pro Tag Team Champions Low Ki and Xavier to win the title.
- USA Pro Tag Team Champions Larry McKenny & Storman Norman defeated Da Hit Squad (Mafia & Monsta Mack), Divine Storm (Chris Divine & Quiet Storm) and The S.A.T. (Joél and José Maximo) in a four-way match to retain the title.
- Mike Tobin defeated Tim Arson, Danny Demanto, Grim Reefer, Tom Marquez and Tyler Payne in a six-way Elimination match.
- The Wall defeated Chris Chetti.
- Wayne defeated Crazy Ivan.
- The Dead Presidents (Boogalou & Low Ryda) defeated The Anabolic Warrio & Ken Sweeney, Azrieal & Damian Dragon, Joey Braggiol & Ken Scampi, J-Silva & Brock Vendetta and The Rednecks From Hell in a Gauntlet match.
- Chris Candido defeated Steve Corino.
- Dr. Zero defeated Josh Deeley, The New Dynamite Kid, Rockshah the Pimp, Dickie Rodz and The Trekkie in a six-way Elimination match to win the USA Pro Ticket Sellers Title.
- Mike Kruel defeated Norman Smiley.
- Low Ki defeated Crowbar.
- Xavier defeated USA Pro United States Champion The Amazing Red, Brian XL and Kid Kash in a four-way match to become the first USA Pro Xtreme Champion.
- Bam Bam Bigelow defeated USA Pro Heavyweight Champion Balls Mahoney to win the title, ending Mahoney's third reign.
2002 - Kamikaze and Tenacious Z (Zach Gowen) defeated Truth Martini and Anthony Rivera in Sterling Heights, Michigan at "Bar Room Brawl" to win the Independent Wrestling Revolution Tag Team Title.
2002 - The Premiere Players (Dash Bennett and Daron Smythe) defeat Dirk Ciglar and Brandon K in Triadelphia, West Virginia for their third NWA Pro Wrestling eXpress Tag Team Title. Also at that event, Sean Stylez ends Nikita Allanov's day-long NWA/PWX Brass Knuckles Title reign.
2002 - WWE broadcast Confidential. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Recorded at the WWE TV Studios in Stamford, CT.
Your Host: Mean Gene Okerlund.
Gene welcomes us in with a preview for tonight's show-later on we'll be going in-depth with Shawn Michaels and The Rock. First up is our 'Cover Story', focusing on the recent WWE Global Warning tour of Australia.
We see Kurt Angle, Lance Storm and Christian failing miserably in their attempts to throw a boomerang, then visiting the Melbourne Zoo-Kurt was sadly unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase a koala. Jamie Noble and Nidia did a little surfing on Anglesea Beach, and Edge, Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson spent some time shopping and schmoozing at the Queen Victoria Market.
We cut to the actual show, which set an attendance record at the Colonial Stadium (56,734). No in-ring action, just a lot of stars happy to have gotten the chance to go to Australia. Break.
WWE Rewind: Clips of Shawn Michaels last in-ring appearance with the WWF at Wrestlemania 14.
Back, Gene reminds us that at next weeks SummerSlam PPV Shawn will enter a WWE ring for the first time in over 4 years to take on HHH. This leads into a 'Before They Were Superstars' segment on the Heartbreak Kid.
Shawn was the youngest of 4 kids-his mom describes the young Michael Hickenbottom as 'quiet and shy'. As his father was a military man (Air Force Colonel), the family moved around the country a lot, which led to Shawn being branded the 'new kid' at school-fights resulted. His high school pal Kenny Kent remembers Shawn as the Big Man on Campus who was fiercely loyal to his friends and very handy with girls despite his shyness. Since football was the only athletic program available at his school he played the game-enthusiastically, but with little real passion. Shawn's mom feels he only felt really committed to wrestling. Shawn's dad says his son stared watching wrestling on TV at the age of 12-a practice he was unsuccessful in discouraging. Kenny remembers watching the shows with Shawn-we see a clip of the late, great Gordon Solie with Jim Ross, also the Fabulous Freebirds. Kenny and Shawn started practicing wrestling moves in the Hickenbottom family pool, terrifying Shawn's parents. Kenny describes Shawn as 'obsessed' with the biz.
Upon graduating high school, Shawn enrolled in Southwest Texas State University. He and his parents admit this was pretty much a disaster, as Shawn had little interest in any of the subjects taught (one interesting exception-Shawn excelled in a course in psychology). Shawn partied his way through just one semester, then left to pursue a career in wrestling. His dad closes the segment by stating that he felt his son deserved the chance to chase his dream. Break.
Back, Gene presents us a segment focusing on Undisputed Champion The Rock. We see Rocky in training for his upcoming title match with Brock Lesnar, scheduled for Summerslam-People's Champ praises Brock as a worthy adversary, citing their similarities in athleticism and intensity. Rock describes the 3 focal points of his workouts-speed, agility and power. Break.
Next up, we get a segment on Smackdown color commentator Tazz. Gene flashes back to the Red Hook natives illustrious career in ECW, citing his victories over much larger opponents. On to Tazz' announcing career-Gene reminds us some have failed in making the transition from competition to broadcasting (Magic Johnson, Joe Namath, Sandy Koufax), while others (John Madden, Jerry Lawler, Jesse Ventura) only excelled in the broadcast booth after their competitive careers had (pretty much) ended. Gene (sort of) drops the bomb-he announces Tazz, while still in his prime, is 'walking away' from being an active competitor to become a full-time broadcaster.
Cut to Tazz-he states he joined the WWF for the sake of challenge, as he'd already 'done it all' in ECW. We flash back to Tazz' first appearance at the announce table-at the time (no date mentioned), Jerry Lawler did color on both Raw and Smackdown. However, when Lawler was 'injured' by Tazz on the weeks Monday night show, Tazz took over the King's chair for Smackdown. Tazz admits to being scared, as he'd never done color commentary previously. Though Tazz chiefly remembers only cracking bad jokes on that night, his broadcast partner Michael Cole feels he did a pretty good job for a first-timer. Shortly after, Cole and Tazz started getting a taste of broadcasting live, hosting Sunday Night Heat from WWF New York. Tazz feels this is where he really started learning the ins and outs of doing commentary. Tazz also got a shot at doing straight comedy-we see a clip of one of his classic 'Tazz in the Kitchen' skits from Heat.
While Tazz admits he still has a lot to learn as a broadcaster, he states he's having a great time doing so. Tributes air from Cole, Bubba Ray and Spike Dudley and Kurt Angle. Interesting remembrance from Paul Heyman-while he still had ECW running and was informed his former employee was joining the Smackdown announce team, he informed his own guys that their days of being the best announcers in the biz were numbered. Tazz closes up the segment with praise for the veterans and the new talent, and states he hopes to continue to make a positive contribution to WWE. Break.
Gene returns with more on Shawn Michaels. HBK started his formal wrestling training at the age of 19, attending a wrestling school run by Jose Lothario. After a few months of training, Shawn started wrestling in Kansas City, where he met his future tag team partner Marty Jannetty. Shortly after, Jose invited him to join a promotion he was starting up in Shawn's hometown of San Antonio. Shawn accepted, and after a short time he and Jose put together a video promo which they sent to the WWF and the AWA. Since Marty had just gone to AWA, Shawn decided to go with that promotion. The 2 formed a tag team, and soon got a call from the WWF's Pat Patterson, who apparently kept a close watch on the (then) rival promotion. Pat offered the 2 a spot in the WWF, and Shawn and Marty packed their bags for McMahon-land.
Here's where things get interesting. Shawn and Marty spent their first night in the WWF without a match, and were later persuaded to spend the evening sampling the night life with their new co-workers. At a bar, a (nameless) wrestler decided to demonstrate his toughness to the newcomers by biting off a piece of a glass and chewing it up. Shawn countered by smashing a glass on his head. OK.
Next day, Shawn and Marty were approached by Nameless. Shawn states Nameless went into an outrageous story about he and Marty demolished said bar, apparently confirmed by other wrestlers. That same evening, Shawn and Marty were scheduled to team against Nameless and Nameless 2. Concerned for their safety, Marty and Shawn decided to have a talk with Chief Jay Strongbow. Though Chief had earlier voiced his disdain for Marty and Shawn, he agreed to speak with the nameless pair, resulting in the match going off just fine. After the match, Shawn and Marty briefly spoke with Vince McMahon, who issued a friendly warning to tone down any barroom antics. Relieved, Marty and Shawn thought the whole controversy was over.
Well, no. A week later, Marty and Shawn were summoned to WWF HQ for a meeting with Vince. Though the boss professed his belief in Shawn and Marty's innocence of any wrongdoing, he fired them anyway, apparently due to negative feelings toward them in the locker room. Vince told them the door would be open again in a year or 2 and advised them to keep working. They did so, bouncing back and forth between a Tennessee promotion and the AWA. After a year, they begged for another shot in the WWF, got it, and as we all know, Shawn continues working for the company to this day.
(Commentary: As for Marty…THAT would make for an interesting Confidential!)
After a quick clip of some of Shawn's greatest moments as a solo star, he states wrestling wasn't really a destination, it was more a path that led him to his family and spiritual salvation. He finishes up by stating his contentment in simply following the path of God. Break.
Gene sends us back to Australia. Rico, stylist to Billy and Chuck, did some schmoozing with the fans down under, learning some Australian lingo in the process. Time to wrap up-Gene mentions next week we'll be going in-depth with Brock Lesnar. Show ends.
Weird show this week-first half was pretty much a puff piece, stuff with Shawn was interesting-as stuff with Shawn usually is. Tazz piece was cool too-wish I had a tape of his Heat kitchen bits, there were just a few but all were hilarious.
2002 - WWE broadcast Velocity. Matt Zylbert filed the following TV report:
WWE Velocity
Hosted by Mark Lloyd and Michael Cole
Hello all and welcome yet again to writing's excellence of execution. I am the partially-ill Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that gets attention worldwide. Now as you just read in the last sentence, I'm currently sick, but only with temperature above 100, and if you remember back to January or February of 2002, I was doing reports at 103! Of course, this is nothing for a tough-as-nails Velocity report, and the challenge lies within hearing Michael Cole every week. Ugh. Let's just sent it down to ringside, where TONY THE CHIM, will get us started for our opening contest....
Rico vs. Hardcore Holly
You look sooo.... good to me... Heheh, I couldn't resist. Kicking off THIS week's edition of Velocity is actually the only angle that exists on this show. As a result, I really have to question the match placement here. I mean, this would do better off being in the main event, rather than the opener, but as it turned out, it would all mean nothing.
Before we get to the match, we see a clip of some of the stuff that went down last week between these two, as well as my boy Marky Mark. If you don't know what happened, go read last week's 'five-star' report. Now to the match as Rico tries taking his time on the apron, but instead, Holly slingshots him back in, and now starts to nail him with some hard chops. Meanwhile, on commentary, that disgrace of a journalist who's initials are MC begins to make fun of Lloyd. Now wait a minute, Michael Cole does NOT have the right to make fun of ANYONE. I'm surprised Lloyd even takes that. It's in character, but I would never let Michael Cole get away with making fun of me in front of billions.... okay, thousands of viewers each week. Back to the match as Rico retaliates with some chops of his own, but makes the heelish mistake of yelling at the crowd. This allows that jerk Hardcore, who actually started his whole feud with Marky Mark, to take advantage with some punches, followed by his signature kick to the groin area. That, my friends, is gonna do some damage. Holly now hits a clothesline for a near fall, but would fall victim to a spinning kick to the gut soon after, giving Rico control. The Stylist would then continue his offense with a heel kick for a two count of his own, and after some martial arts kicks in the corner, Rico would get yet another two count. Back on commentary, our two hosts talk about Hulk Hogan, and I'm sorry Marky Mark, but you crack me up whenever you say his name. It's like he pronounces it, "Holk Hoagen", but it's so funny. I love you Mark Lloyd, and if it wasn't for you, Velocity would be as unwatchable as RAW or Smackdown. Anyway, Rico continues his current domination with a hip-toss for yet, another two count, and would follow up by heading up top. Unfortunately for him, Holly crotches him, enabling him to execute a superplex just moments later. A pin from Holly gets another near fall, and now we get an exchange of chops. Of course, Holly wins that battle with ease, and nails his adversary with a clothesline. Hardcore would hit his beautiful dropkick at this point, before giving Rico a gasmask. Shades of Pete Gas! Bob keeps up the punishment with a top-rope crossbody for another two count, but would lose the advantage here. Rico blocks a roll-up attempt by hanging on to the ropes, and is able to then connect on a crescent kick. Shades of Jacques Rougeau! The Stylist is now calling for the end with some weird gestures, but instead, misses on his spinning heel kick. Holly ducked it, and that allowed him to perform the Alabama Slam to pick up the win. Not a bad match, but definitely anti-climatic. I mean, these two just fought a clean match with Holly coming out on top three weeks ago, so what was the point of doing it again? I thought Lloyd would somehow get involved, or at least something would happen after the match but nothing did, and I hope this doesn't end everything right here. It's been nice having an exclusive angle on my show, so I'd like to see something useful coming out of it.
Winner: Hardcore Holly
Commercial
Highlights from the Global Warning Tour are shown. Anyone notice how one of the Hogan dress-alikes actually sounded a lot like Lord Alfred Hayes? Heh, I thought he did.
Bull Buchanan vs. Albert
There seems to be no background info heading into this certain one-on-one match-up... oh wait, I just realized. Both of these individuals, including ma' man Albert, were once the Big Bossman's partner. Let's break it down. Bull debuted and became Bossman's partner, in which they shared pretty much no success. Albert's run with the Bossman was pretty useless as well, but he was involved in Bossman's WORLD TITLE feud with the Big Show. FEEL the suspense in this one, boys and girls.
To the match now as both men meet in the center of the ring for a staredown, although the crowd could really care less. I wonder why. Albert would take control at the start, as he is able to perform an atomic drop, which is rare from him, before following up with a gorilla press slam. Bull heads outside for a breather, and I can't believe this, but it looks like he may be playing the heel role here. Huh? Well, we all expect these really dumb mistakes the booking team makes, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it. Anyway, as Bull heads back in, both big men exchange punches, before Albert takes control again and rams his opponent into the corner. However, he would miss his screaming corner squash, and Bull seeks to capitalize. After a neckbreaker, Bull connects with some elbows to the back, before resorting to a rear-chinlock. Already?! Come on. Luckily, it doesn't take long for Albert to punch his way out. Unfortunately for the North American Grizzly though, Bull is able to stay in control, as he hits his pretty nice springboard top-rope clothesline. Buchanan now works a choke using the ropes, and as the Bull tries to follow up with a powerbomb by the ropes, it's countered with a back drop. No, wait. Bull hangs on to the ropes and pulls himself back up, but would run right into a bicycle kick back in the ring. Albert gains the offense, hitting a few clotheslines here, before hitting an ugly hip-toss for two. Albert NOW connects on his "I-Like-To-Scream-Very-Loud-When-I-Squash-People-In-The-Corner" ram, and would then knock down Bull with yet another clothesline. A Vader Bomb attempt on the follow-up would not work though, as Bull gets the knees up. Buchanan would then pull himself up top, and despite Albert stopping him in progress, he is able to knock him off. From there, Bull is able to execute his top-rope leg drop for the victory. Ya know, I'm impatiently awaiting for a match between Bull Buchanan and Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli. From that, we could find out who the true "bull" is, and to make it more of a classic, we could always have Tito Santana, dressed in his El Matador gimmick, to be the special guest referee. Arriba!
Winner: Bull Buchanan
Commercial
Lloyd and Cole intros some of the highlights from Smackdown, starting off with the Angle/Mysterio/Henry interviewer. The part with Angle and Mysterio was funny, but the looks on Marky Mark's face were just priceless. Oh, and then Mark Henry had to ruin it. The Angle/Henry match is then shown, and I have to ask WHY WWE would torture its fans by showing us a Mark Henry match. And I don't get WHY they don't just give up on him already. His selling is horrible, his wrestling is horrible, and just everything about him is horrible. NO ONE likes him, as it becomes obvious that the "cheers" for him are clearly inserted in. That's why he's part of the Smackdown brand. If he appeared on RAW, a live show, he would absolutely get no reaction. Oh yeah, and Michael Cole reached a new level of stupidity during this match. "He really is the World's Strongest Man!" said Cole, after Henry had gave Angle a simple gorilla press slam, and refused to sell the damage to the left leg. God, what an idiot. Thankfully though, the tag match later on Smackdown was also shown, as the Guerreros took on Edge and Rey Mysterio. It makes me happy enough to see Chavo (With all of his 'careesma') on Smackdown once in awhile, but to see him in the SAME ring with Kurt Angle, and actually help him, brings a tear to my eye.
Commercial
JVC Blast of the Night: As Funaki makes his debut as an interviewer, "I'm not a Deacon anymore" Batista throws D-Von through a door, pretty much ending their alliance. I guess he got pissed that even after D-Von was put over Triple H a few months ago, he was unable to make anything of it.
Reverend D-Von vs. John Cena
Nice to have D-Von back on Velocity, but John Cena is another story. I mean, the guy goes from pinning Chris Jericho, not once, not twice, but thrice, to being here on Velocity. And I know it wasn't the booking team's idea, but that's one of the many problems with WWE today. The wrestlers have too much control over storylines, when they shouldn't have any at all. If the bookers could have maintained their control over everybody, the whole Stone Cold thing may not have happened at all, and maybe then he wouldn't have turned into a criminal. Ah, the power of a simple idea.
To the match as D-Von pearl-harbors Cena at the start, but is unable to capitalize as he misses a ram. This allows Cena to come back with a hip-toss, clothesline, and a dropkick, all in that order, for a two count. On commentary, Cole makes the stupid "ruthless aggression" remark about Cena, and I swear, he is really gonna piss off someone to the point where they just feel like hunting him down one day. I mean, it's NOT RUTHLESS AGGRESSION YOU IDIOT! Shut up already! Back to the match as D-Von hits a clothesline, and begins a boring offense that consists of punches, a knee, and a choke. Yawn. Cena tries coming back with some punches of his own, but D-Von thwarts his plan with a reverse elbow, and now works another choke hold. However, Cena wouldn't give up from there, as he is able to connect on a crossbody for a near fall, but would fall victim to a clothesline soon after. D-Von now scoop slams his foe, and now heads up top. Unfortunately for him, Cena corrals him, and tosses him off the top. This gives Cena some offense, enabling him to a hit a flying forearm, followed by another hip toss for two. Cena continues his dominance with a boot in the corner, before hitting a belly-to-belly for another near fall. Now Mr. "I don't want Cole to say I have Ruthless Aggression anymore" begins a 10-punch count in the corner, but takes too much time, and that allows D-Von to counter with a neckbreaker from the second rope for a close two count. The Reverend now starts to take his time, and at this point, Cole starts to point out each man's mistakes. Trust me Cole, you make PLENTY of mistakes, so just worry about yourself, jackass. D-Von would now go for a bodyslam, but Cena is able to counter it with a simple roll-up... for the three-count? After the match, D-Von regains some heat back, as he lays out Cena with that reverse inverted DDT maneuver, prior to hitting the diving headbutt from the top. Oh well, that doesn't make up for the match. There was a weak ending, and I didn't find anything good about it either. In my opinion, Cena is a little overrated, seeing as his repertoire of moves (Flying forearm, crossbody, etc) is basically the same as any other jobber his size. Nothing special about that.
Winner: John Cena
Commercial
Lloyd and Cole show us the Rock/Benoit main event from Smackdown this past week. Great match, and if you saw the looks on Brock Lesnar's face when Rock reached the ropes while in the Crippler Crossface, it almost looked like he was crying.
Commercial
Whack of the Night: From Smackdown, Jamie "THE LETTER K SUCKS!" Noble almost beheads Torrie Wilson with a clothesline, allowing his girlfriend Nidia to get the pinfall. And after that gum-chewing incident, I believe Nidia's idol is "Toilet Drinker" Tommy Dreamer.
Tajiri & Jamie Noble w/Nidia vs. Funaki & Billy Kidman w/Torrie Wilson
It's MAIN EVENT time here this week on Velocity, and a tag-team match full of Cruiserweights will definitely fit the bill. By the way, let me point out that the team of Tajiri and Noble actually came down to Tajiri's music, which may be the first time I've seen a team not coming down to the champ's music.... oh wait a minute, I was thinking about Hogan and Savage.
To our main event now as Noble and Funaki kick this puppy off, and on commentary, Cole starts to insult the heels. He calls them idiots, and goes on record to say Nidia is sick. Ya know, if anyone deserves to be picked on by the wrestlers, it's Cole because he actually insults them! Lloyd never insulted Holly, yet Hardcore turned into a complete jerk, and started to pick on Lloyd. Boy, he's lucky I'm not there, because you folks all know how I got Marky Mark's back. Heh, back to the match as Noble gets in a nee... I mean knee to the mid-section after a series of reversals, and he is able to follow up with a shoulder block and a hip toss. Funaki would come back with an enziguiri though, before tagging out to the Kidman. He rushes in, and executes a flying head scissors take-over on his nemesis, just before issuing a nice dropkick. Kidman would follow up with his fireman's carry neckbreaker for a near fall, but as he would bounce off the ropes soon after, Tajiri nails him with a kick to the back. Funaki now tries to get involved, but only ends providing distraction, and this allows for some double team work. Noble would catch Kidman on a huracanrana attempt, and as his head is by the ground, Tajiri drills him with a dropkick to the face. The heel team would take control from here, as Tajiri is now in, although a tag was never made. Funny how if they were faces, the ref would never allow it. Anyway, Tajiri scores with a scoop slam, followed by his screaming knee drop for a near fall. Tajiri now snapmares his foe, leading right into a chinlock, and that's definitely not a good sign. Kidman would punch his way out, but only before receiving a spinning heel kick for another two count. Tag to Noble, and the two heels perform a cool double dropkick. Noble would then go for the cover, only to receive another two count, and now he goes to the chinlock. Oh come on. Kidman works his way out of it again, but as he bounces off the ropes, Nidia holds his foot. Torrie would do the same to Jamie moments later, but the Cruiserweight Champion is able to stay in control with a back suplex. Tag to Tajiri, who misses the moonsault, and now both men are down. Kidman would make the hot tag to Funaki (!!), and he proceeds to clean house. This match has now turned into, and let me insert my new expression, LOW-CARD MAYHEM, with Funaki gaining the upper hand. Chaos takes place as Kidman and Noble now do battle on the outside, while Tajiri tries to cinch on the TUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHRANTULA, but Funaki counters with a face-first slam for a two count. However, Tajiri comes back with a superkick for another close two count, and as Funaki responds with a northern lights suplex, Torrie and Nidia get into a catfight in the ring. As they roll to the outside, Tajiri has Funaki set up for the Kick of Death, but misses, and Funaki is able to put Tajiri in some kind of pinning predicament... for the win!! OH MY GOD, CALL THE PAPERS, FUNAKI HAS JUST PINNED SOMEONE! Funaki and Kidman celebrate like crazy on the outside, and I can't blame them. What a week for Funaki, as he goes from star-interviewer, to gaining his first pinfall ever on Velocity, in a matter of days. Unbelievable.
Winners: Funaki and Billy Kidman
Cole and Lloyd quickly shill for Confidential, and that's that.
With another 'five-star' entering the record books, this is Matt Zylbert wishing you guys and gals a great week, and I'll see ya next week! Peeeeeeeaaaaaace.
2002 - Larry Goodman filed the following live report from the NWA Wildside TV Taping:
T-N-T beat the Briscoe Brothers to regain the NWA Wildside tag titles in the highlight match of the TV taping last night in Cornelia. Briscoes worked twice and looked great both times. The ringwork was exceptionally strong throughout a show that was hurt by a lack of crowd heat from the faithful 110, particularly during the second half. The booking was another story. There were moments that made me wonder if Vince Russo had infiltrated the creative team.
1) Cliff Compton beat Pigeon & "Titanium" John Toland in 5:45. This group came in from the Monster Factory. Compton looks something like a shorter version of Sean O'Haire. Melanie's fashion tip of the night goes out to Pigeon: lose those beyond horrible flowered trunks. Pigeon had a French pronunciation to his name, sounded like Pee-o-john but I could be wrong. Pigeon worked the match as Compton flunky heel assistant against Toland. Compton and Toland both looked good on offense. Would have been better without the green guy added. Toland hit a missile dropkick. The heels took over after Toland took a flying bump into the ringpost. Compton missed on a rocket launcher senton. Good comeback by Toland. He missed on a moonsault where Pigeon moved way too soon. Compton won it with a top rope splash. OK opening match.
2) Kevin Hardner beat Sweet Dreams with an assist from Terry Knightenelli in 5:23. Dreams' dancing intro got some response. There's no accounting for taste, especially in Cornelia. Dreams was having his way, so Hardner took a breather. Hardner hit a couple of suplexes for near falls. Dreams did a dancing elbow drop, but missed on a senton off the top. Dreams rolled out the floor after a double head butt collision. Knightenelli did something to Dreams when the ref wasn't looking and shoved Hardner on top for the pin. Knightenelli said "The Winner" had proven himself, so he was proud to introduce him as the newest member to the FBI, Kevin Hardenetti. Knight as a part of the FBI was funny. Making Harden a member is a mockery.
3) Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark) beat Future Shock (Brandon P & Jay Freeze) to retain the NWA Wildside tag team titles in 11:07. Briscoe Brothers rule. It was put up or shut up time for Future Shock and they put on a helluva show in this match. Of course, it would be next to impossible to have a bad match with Briscoes. First big spot of the match was Mark moonsaulting to his feet and dropping Freeze on his head with an overhead suplex. Briscoes doubled on Freeze. Jay got two with a sitout gourdbuster. Future Shock turned the tide when P nailed Jay with a springboard clothesline. Future Shock switched without tagging. Jay exploded with a dragon screw and dropkick to Freeze's knee. Mark followed with a springboard dropkick to the knee. P countered out of Mark's cutthroat suplex attempt with a clothesline. Fans started a Briscoes chant as Future Shock worked over Mark. They did the Rolling Thunder legdrop/slingshot senton combo. Freeze hit a stiff superkick. Mark came back with a high leg lariat, but the ref didn't see the tag. Jay forced the issue with a springboard splash. Tremendous finishing sequence. Jay laid P out with a killer DVD. Freeze broke up the pin. Future Shock went for the Aftershock, but Jay pulled the ropes down to dump Freeze. Mark hit a huracanrana on P. Freeze saved again and clotheslined Mark over the top. Jay had P beaten after hitting the J Driller. Freeze spoiled it by hitting the Icebreaker on Jay. Mark hit a sick looking version of his cutthroat suplex for the pin.
4) They did a tag team turmoil match. Scottie Wrenn & Tank beat Swingers Inc. (Michael Adrian & Vincent I. Pain) in 1:47. Swingers must be into humiliation. They did a doggie style spot with Adrian taking it up the ying yang from Pain. Tank was kicking Pain in the ass to boot. That wasn't enough I guess, so they did a 69 position. Tank won it with a cool half nelson/chickenwing vice submission that he cooked up backstage.
Rage (Scott Cage & Mike Pittman) were the next victims. Rage did stereo tope con hilos. Pittman slipped out Wrenn's powerbomb, only to run right into a Psycho Scottie slam at 1:34.
Jeremy V & Derrick Driver came out. Wrenn & Tank pretty much destroyed them. They drilled V through the mat with a double spinebuster. Just as this deal was looking like a good way to rebuild Tank & Wrenn, the three-minute time limit expired for a double elimination.
G-Rated (Kid Kool & Kid Xtasy) beat the FBI (Terry Knightenelli & Kevin Hardenetti) in 1:56. G-Rated with a double uranage on Hardner. Kool pinned Hardner with a top rope splash. Xtasy turned on Kool, laying him out with an inverted DDT. Xtasy & Hardenetti tossed Kool up for a midair spear by Knightenelli. Xtasy said it was good to be with family. Xtasy said he wasn't a kid anymore. He was Salvatore Rinauro. "I am the Godfather."
The Outlaws (John Dalton & Henry Hoss) beat Kid Kool in :56 with a slice 'n dice elbow by Hoss.
Total Destruction (Sean Royal & Rusty Riddle) and The Outlaws went to a three minute draw. TD did a back suplex/neckbreaker combo on Hoss, who is a real load. Riddle wanted to know how much Hoss weighed. Outlaws double suplexed Royal. Riddle used chairshots on Hoss and blasted him in the face with a can of Coors Light at ringside. Royal nailed Dalton with a stiff chairshot to the head. All four brawled on the outside as the time limit expired.
Royal grabbed the mic. He said that wasn't the real Total Destruction. He said using the chair was good, but they needed a table, or maybe a cage. Royal promised to give the people what they wanted to see.
5) Tony Mamaluke beat Caprice Coleman to take a 2-1 lead in their best of five series for the World TV Title in 10:13. Long collar and elbow lock up to open the match. They did some chain and exchanged pinning combinations. Crowd was quiet but seemed to be into the match. They locked up again. Mamaluke tried to cheat on the break, but wound up on the receiving end of Coleman's Thrilla in Cornelia punch combo and bumped over the top. Coleman connected on a springboard dropkick. When Mamaluke went to the floor, Coleman followed with a high springboard plancha. Both down for an eight count before Mamaluke making it back to the ring. It appeared that Coleman injured his right knee, which was heavily wrapped. Coleman missed on a slingshot senton. Great psychology by Mamaluke, as he worked on Coleman's neck in all kinds of interesting ways. Mamaluke got two with a high angle back suplex. Coleman came back with the spin scissors kick, but took a big flying bump in the corner. Mamaluke locked on a cobra clutch and Coleman made the ropes…hangman neckbreaker for two … gourdbuster into a submission. Coleman fought back with an over-the-top reverse X factor and his senton/quebrada combo for a two count. Mamaluke grabbed the ropes to block the Thermal Shock. Mamaluke crotched Coleman on the top and brought him off the top with a superplex. Mamaluke locked on a body scissors and choke out combo. Coleman fought it for a long time before unconscious. Mamaluke woke Coleman up and extended his hand. At first, Coleman wanted no part of it, but they wound up shaking. Coleman got his cockiness back and started using his belt as a mirror. "I can't let you go."
6) AJ Styles beat Sonny Siaki in 7:57. Siaki was introduced as the leader of the Flying Elvises and came out in his Elvis garb. Siaki used his strength and a ton of punches against the against the skill and quickness of Styles. Styles with a leapfrog, dropdown, and a dropkick. Siaki took timeout. Siaki went for a German suplex, but Styles landed on his feet and hit a spinkick for a two count. Siaki used a press slam hotshot for a two count. Styles went for the clash but Siaki was able to counter. Siaki used a pumphandle suplex. Stiff chops both ways in this one. Siaki blocked Styles' powerbomb attempt. Siaki sent Styles down on the ropes with a drop toe hold and went to the outside to snap his throat across the ropes. Styles came back with a discus clothesline. Styles missed big on the Spiral Tap when Siaki rolled out of the way. Styles missed on an enzuigiri, but caught Siaki with a reverse version. Siaki scored with a big uppercut when Styles had his head down. Siaki got a sunset flip, but Styles was able to counter with the Clash to get the pin. The Clash didn't look quite as impressive on a big thick dude like Siaki.
7) Onyx beat Mr. Delicious in 3:28. I guess there were no crickets out tonight because otherwise I would have heard them chirping during this match. Mr. D attacked Onyx from behind. He shocked himself by putting Onyx on the canvas with a shoulder tackle. Onyx turned Mr. D's crossbody attempt into a slam. They exchanged armdrags and missed on simultaneous dropkicks. Onyx used a neckbreaker. Delicious ducked a charge and Onyx flew over the top rope. Mr. D did a dive off the top. Back inside, Delicious hit the Iconoclasm. Mr. D hit a top rope headbutt that knocked him a little loopy, but he covered for two. Onyx won it with the Blackout (spinning implant DDT).
Lazarus hit the ring with the sexaliciously chubby Neysa in tow. Lazarus did the Blackout on Onyx. Lazarus punched and chopped. Lazarus came off the top to hit a neckbreaker on Onyx. Neysa got out her makeup bag and painted Onyx's face. Neysa gave Onyx a backhand slap and a couple of kicks. Lazarus got on the mic. He insulted the female fans for not looking like Neysa. You could have heard a pin drop. Lazarus said it was Onyx who looked like a woman. Problem was there was no make up visible on Onyx's face. Onyx recovered enough to do some mic work, calling Neysa a cheap whore. Neysa started back towards the ring, so Lazarus had to grab her. She dropped her makeup bag and ordered Lazarus to pick it up. Then came the funniest moment of the night. Neysa forgot to duck as she went up the entrance ramp and hit her head on the frame.
8) Jeremy Lopez and Slim J went to a 10 minute draw in rematch for the NWA Wildside junior heavyweight title. Lopez retains the title. J got mouthy. Lopez responded by taking him down for a quick two count. They built to a spot with J mounted on Lopez's shoulders that J somehow countered into an armdrag. J kicked Lopez off the apron and a hit crotch grabbing splash to the outside. J hit a corkscrew neckbreaker. Lopez scored with the Sudden Impact. Lopez went for a surfboard styles submission and then into a crossface. Dan Wilson made the five minute call, for a dead giveaway that this was going to the limit. That's the downside of not making the time calls routine. Lopez got J in the Texas cloverleaf and the crowd was suddenly hot for the first time since the intermission. Lopez dragged J back to the center of the ring before J was able to make the ropes on the second try. Great facial expressions by J. A great spot. Lopez did a neckbreaker across the knee out of a backdrop driver for a two count. Lopez did the rolling double underhook DDT into position for a tiger driver, but J countered nicely with a pinning combination. J hit a twisting roundhouse kick off the top for a two count. J countered a DDT with a rolling body scissors pin attempt. Lopez hit the Yakuza kick but J kicked out. Lopez hit the elevated DDT. J was able to get a foot on the ropes. Lopez hit his finisher again, and J somehow got a shoulder up. J got a roll up two count as the bell rang.
9) T-N-T (Todd Sexton & Tony Stradlin) beat Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark) to win the NWA Wildside tag team titles in 11:52. Way too much stuff in this match to cover all the detail. An outstanding match that would be worth catching on TV or tape. Sexton's chest was beet red from the slap and chops as the Briscoes controlled the early going. Jay did a dragon screw on Stradlin. Jay applied a camel clutch, while Mark did a springboard dropkick to Stradlin's face. Sexton did a rocker dropper and T-N-T got heat on Jay. T-N-T did a double team which finished with a beautiful spinning splash by Stradlin. Sexton went for another rocker dropper that Jay countered with a powerbomb. Hot tag to Mark, who caught T-N-T with a pair of exploder suplexes. Stradlin hung upside down and got Mark in a bow and arrow across the top turnbuckle. Jay broke that up with an awesome baseball slide dropkick to Stradlin's exposed face. T-N-T hit Jay with a double superkick. More heat on Jay. Stradlin used a pumphandle backbreaker. Mark made a blind tag and landed a springboard splash for a two count. The pace picked up even more. Jay hit spinning facebuster off the top on Stradlin. Mark did slingshot clothesline. Briscoes were setting Stradlin up for another killer move when Sexton saved by crotching Mark on the top. T-N-T hit the Power Keg on Mark but Jay made the save. Ref bump. Stradlin got Briscoes in a wild looking combination hold, with one of them in a Gory Special and the other in a dragon sleeper.
Lost Boyz (Azrael & Gabriel) hit the with the Holy Roller on Stradlin and the Excommunicator on Sexton. Lost Boyz put Briscoes on top of T-N-T for a double pin but they made the miracle kick out at the last instant. Mark hit the cutthroat suplex on Stradlin and Jay did the J Driller on Sexton. Meanwhile, Big Business Brown made his way to ringside for first time since Hardcore Hell. Brown got on the apron to distract the ref and tossed his briefcase into the ring. Sexton used the briefcase on Mark. 1 ... 2 ... 3. T-N-T are champions once again.
10) David Young & Rick Michaels & Adam Jacobs beat Iceberg & Rainman & John Phoenix (with Jeff G. Bailey) in 15:28. For some unexplained reason Young's Wildside heavyweight belt was on the line in this match. That made it two TV tapings in a row in which a significant storyline development was not explained to the live crowd. I guess the previous match sapped whatever energy the crowd had left because they were dead for this one. Match had some excellent action though. Rainman and Michaels started out trading punches like it was Memphis in the 80's again. Young and Iceberg faced off. Iceberg missed on a charging stinkface and slumped down in the corner. Young connected with a baseball slide to the nuts. The faces took turns dropkicking Iceberg, but they couldn't move him. They landed a triple dropkick that sent Iceberg through the ropes. A series of dives followed. Young did an Asai moonsault. Jacobs did a tope con hilo. Phoenix jumped off the top to a sit down springboard off the top rope for an Arabian press to the floor. Michaels hit Iceberg with a tope off the top. Rainman got so much height and distance on a tope con hilo that he sailed over the target. I think this is where Rainman and Michaels brawled their way out of the building and disappeared. Back inside the ring, Iceberg turned Young's crossbody attempt into a fallaway slam. Young came back with a Shining Enzuigiri. Jacobs and Phoenix in. Jacobs hit a fisherman buster. Iceberg, of all people, superkicked Jacobs to start the heel heat. Phoenix got near falls with an Asai moonsault and a spinkick. Jacobs took an upside down bump in the corner and got crushed by Iceberg's avalanche splash. Iceberg went into Abdullah tribute mode with a flying elbow and a thrust to the throat. Iceberg did a slingshot suplex. Phoenix countered a Gibson roll attempt by Jacobs with a reverse crucifix powerbomb. Very cool. Phoenix got two with a high leg drop off the top. Phoenix dumped Jacobs, so Bailey could use his Gucci loafer on him. Phoenix splashed Jacobs off the apron. Iceberg did a gargantuan legdrop, but Jacobs was able to grab the ropes. Phoenix finally missed on a frogsplash. Double clothesline, both men down, and hot tag to Young. After cleaning up on Phoenix, Young gave the heels a noggin knocker.
Michaels and Rainman reappeared as it turned into a real cluster with all six men going at it. Michaels hit the Double Shot on Phoenix. No pin there. Young hit the spinebuster on Rainman for the win. Things got a little weird here. The setup was for Iceberg to come up behind Young with a chair but he didn't, so Bailey did it instead. Styles chased Bailey out of the ring with a chair. Styles wheeled around with a superkick on Young!? Styles pummeled Young. Bailey said he knew the day would come when Styles would return to the Elite. Styles said, "who said I was part of the Elite?" and stormed out of the ring. Bailey called Iceberg out to the ring to do a number on Young with his carving toy. Young hit a gusher. Blood was instantly pouring down his face. Michaels tried to make the save with a chairshot, but Iceberg didn't sell it. Bailey was in his glory as Michaels helped Young from the ring area. There were already puddles of blood at ringside. Bailey said he loved to see the blood pouring from Young's head like a faucet. Bailey said Young could expect more of the same as long as he had Iceberg's belt. "No one can stop the Iceberg."
NOTES: Young was said to have cut an awesome backstage promo with the blood and the title belt after the show. Young's forehead required stitches because an artery had been opened up. … The SAT will be back for the next TV taping on 9/7. … The 9/21 TV Taping will be the Wildside 3rd Anniversary Show. … A lot of the Wildside talent is booked for 8/24 in Thomaston. … Bobby Fulton ran a show at University of Georgia on 8/15 using mostly Wildside talent along with the Barbarian. … AJ Styles is part of the awesome talent lined up for the Sweet Science Sixteen on 9/6 and 9/7. The single elimination technical wrestling tournament is being put on by Ian Rotten's IWA Mid-South promotion. The field includes Jerry Lynn, Christopher Daniels, American Dragon, CM Punk, Ace Steel, Colt Cabana and Chris Hero. … The UCW television taping that originally scheduled for the Roxy Theater in Atlanta on 9/13 has been moved to the larger (and significantly less expensive) Cobb County Civic Center. … Jimmy Rave was not at last night's taping because he was working the NWA Main Event show in Columbia, Tennessee, where he regained the NWA World junior title from Star. … The Wildside "invasion" of CZW has gotten over so well that it appears the monthly shows at Viking Hall will become a regular stop for a portion of the Wildside roster. … On the 8/10 show, Rainman lost to Nick Mondo in a singles match, while T-N-T and Lost Boyz teamed up to win an 8 man tag with Bailey as their manager. The CZW fans quickly developed an intense dislike for Bailey. They were eating it up when Bailey ate a quadruple superkick in the postmatch. … No card announced yet for Steve Martin's 8/31 show in Gainesville. … Wildside talent is also booked for the 9/6 show in downtown Atlanta at the Dragon Con SciFi/comics convention.
2002 - WWE broadcast Heat. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Heat Report for 8/18/2002
Matches taped on 8/12 in Seattle, Washington.
Your Announcers are Jonathan Coachman and…Crash Holly?
John Keane reporting
Pyros explode, Coach and Crash welcome us in and our regular Heat color commentator D'Lo Brown makes his way to the ring. He's WAY pissed at Raven for verbally slamming him 2 weeks ago and ducking out on a fight with him last week. Raven is called out, and the sole exclusive member of the Heat roster (hey, I remember) emerges atop the ramp. He's not in the mood to get in the ring tonight, announces his stand-in…
1st Match: D'Lo Brown vs. Justin Credible with Raven.
Needless to say, crowd is solidly behind D'Lo. Raven distracts D'Lo, Justin throws a forearm, blocked, D'Lo scores with a pair of punches, whips Justin off ropes, connects with a kick to the face, Justin down and up. D'Lo forearms Justin down, Justin up in corner, D'Lo gets in a kick to the gut, whips Justin to opposite corner. D'Lo charges, Justin gets up a boot to the face, charges, D'Lo brings him up, Justin goes face first to canvas, D'Lo covers for 2. Justin up at ropes, D'Lo tries another whip, reversed, D'Lo off ropes, ducks a clothesline, Justin scores with a Superkick, both men down. D'Lo crawls to ropes, Justin up, connects with kick, chop, follows up by tossing D'Lo face first into top turnbuckle. Justin gets in a pair of chops, forearm to face, whips D'Lo off ropes, back elbow sends D'Lo down for 2. Justin applies a rear chinlock, D'Lo gets to feet, elbows out, Justin fires back with a forearm, attempts whip, reversed, Justin off ropes, D'Lo attempts back body drop, Justin counters with sunset flip, D'Lo rolls through, scores a dropkick to the face of the seated Justin, both men down. Both men up at the 4-count, Justin in with more punches, kneelift, D'Lo ducks a clothesline, scores Sudden Impact (his finisher a couple months ago), both men down. Up, D'Lo scores a pair of knockdown forearms, Justin to ropes, D'Lo whips him off opposite, scores back body drop, Justin down. Up, D'Lo elbows Justin back down, brings him up, Justin scores knee to gut, lays in straight punches, D'Lo to corner, Justin attempts whip, reversed, Justin to mat, slides to opposite corner to be crotched on ring post. Justin up slowly, D'Lo scores a quick slam, Famous Legdrop just gets 2. Justin to corner, D'Lo gets in a shot to the face, tries whip, reversed, D'Lo to corner, Justin charges, D'Lo springboards over, Justin to corner, turns, charges, D'Lo scores the Sky High for the 1-2-3.
Winner: D'Lo Brown.
Post-match, Raven enters the ring and lays out D'Lo with the Raven Effect. Break.
Back we get a replay of Raven's assault. Next we get a video hyping the Shawn Michaels/HHH match scheduled for SummerSlam, focusing on some of Shawn's many great in-ring moments. More video previews the rest of the matches on the card:
1. Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho.
2. Booker T and Goldust challenge Christian and Lance Storm for the tag titles.
3. Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio.
4. Test vs. The Undertaker.
5. Rob Van Dam challenges Chris Benoit for the Intercontinental Championship.
6. Brock Lesnar challenges The Rock for the Undisputed Championship.
Break.
Boot of the Week: Ric Flair humiliates former Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho, pulling down his pants after a match on last weeks Raw.
Back to work…
2nd Match: William Regal vs. Shelton Benjamin.
Mild pop for Shelton, good heat for William. Lockup, Shelton forces William to corner, ref calls for break, Shelton slowly complies. Another lockup, William locks in an armbar, Shelton drops to mat, counters with an armdrag takedown, both men down and up quickly. William stalls a bit, another lockup, William applies armbar variation, Shelton forces him to ropes, tries for a hiptoss, William counters with an armdrag, both men down as William keeps working the arm. Shelton to feet, looks for a snapmare, William counters by increasing pressure on arm, Shelton gets leverage, headscissor sends William down and breaks hold. Up, the 2 circle, William goes behind, tries for a snapmare of his own, Shelton drops to mat, tosses William to corner. William appears impressed, offers handshake, Shelton accepts-then lays in a side headlock, William elbows out, sends Shelton off ropes, both men's hiptoss attempts are blocked, William wrings the arm, gets in boot to gut, Shelton counters second kick attempt with legwhip takedown, William down and up in corner. Shelton lays in forearms and kicks, whips William to opposite corner, William bounces back in, Shelton scores back body drop, William down for 2. Shelton slaps on a rear chinlock, follows up by slamming Williams head to canvas twice, William up slowly, Shelton forearms him to corner. Shelton attempts whip, William puts on brakes, sends Shelton off ropes, back elbow sends Shelton down. Up, William scores a trio of forearms, Shelton down at ropes, William brings him up, sets him in corner, lays in chops, attempts whip, reversed, William to corner, Shelton charges, William gets up a boot to the face, Shelton staggered, William goes behind, gets a quick roll-up for 2. Up, Shelton scores lightning quick Superkick, William down for 2. Shelton applies a headlock, William to feet, elbows out, Shelton to ropes, William attempts whip, Shelton puts on brakes, scores boot to gut, follows up with leg sweep, William down for 2. Shelton follows up with a slam for 2, backslide for 2, William makes it to feet, connects with a clothesline, Shelton down. William brings him up, tries for another whip, Shelton attempts reversal, William counters with sunset flip, Shelton rolls through, William works a body scissors into a roll-up, gets the 1-2-3.
Winner: William Regal.
Backstage, Terri interviews Raven. In a nutshell, he informs D'Lo it ain't over. He exits smiling and we take a break.
Back, we get footage shot during the recent WWE Global Warning tour of Australia. We move on to Raw recap-show started with Smackdown's Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman making their way to ringside seats-apparently they bought tickets to the rival show. HHH came to the ring to hype his match with Shawn and re-establish his full-time heel credentials. 'IF YA SMELL' hit, and Undisputed Champion The Rock made his way down the ramp. Rocky gets on the mic to address Brock-he suggested they get in the ring TONIGHT. Hunter took exception to the interruption of his speech, he and the Peoples Champ traded barbs, Hunter dared Rocky to get in the ring, challenge accepted. Rock asked Hunter if he's ready to go, Game replied positively, Rocky suggested he 'go' fetch him a baloney sandwich. Hunter attacked, the 2 went at it, Brock jumped the barricade and ascended the apron. Rocky went to deal with him, Hunter took advantage of the distraction and laid The Rock out with a Pedigree.
Right after, Rocky demanded that Raw GM Eric Bischoff set up a match with Hunter for later that evening. The 2 were involved in an 8-man tag match later on, and will go one on one tomorrow night. Break.
Video of Rocky training for his upcoming title match brings us back. Next we get footage of the aforementioned 8-man tag (Rock, 'Taker, Goldust and Booker T vs. Test, Christian, Lance Storm and HHH). Test got the win for his team after hitting 'Taker with the Big Boot-great match, by the way. Break.
WWE Rewind: Matt Hardy turns on his brother Jeff, costing him a victory over Rob Van Dam and a shot at the Intercontinental Championship.
Main Event….
3rd Match: Shawn Stasiak vs. Bradshaw.
Lethargic heat for Shawn, nice pop for Bradshaw. Bradshaw STRAIGHT in with a big boot to the face, Shawn down, Bradshaw drags him up, tosses Shawn over top and out of ring. Bradshaw follows, slams Shawn face first into barricade, lays in forearms, slams Shawn's face into apron. Bradshaw rolls Shawn in, follows, Shawn drops the double axehandle before Bradshaw can get to feet, lays in forearms, Bradshaw slowly up at ropes. Shawn whips Bradshaw off ropes, sets for back body drop, Bradshaw scouts it, puts on brakes, scores chop to back of neck, Shawn down. Up, Shawn gets peppered with forearms, Bradshaw scores with a DDT, Shawn down for 2. Bradshaw up, lays in a chop to the back of the seated Shawn, brings him up, gets in a headbutt, sets for powerbomb, Shawn counters with back body drop, Bradshaw down and up. Shawn clotheslines Bradshaw down, lays in the boots, Bradshaw to feet, Shawn forearms him to ropes, attempts whip…
(Quick break for line of the night: Crash announces Shawn is preparing to deliver his new finisher, the 'Ratings Drop'. Always liked that guy.)
…reversed, Shawn off ropes, ducks a clothesline, off ropes again into the waiting arms of Bradshaw, fall-away slam sends Shawn down. Shawn crawls to corner, Bradshaw lays in boots as he rises, attempts whip, reversed, Bradshaw to corner, Shawn locks in a sleeper as he bounces back in. Bradshaw counters with a belly to back suplex, both men down for a 6 count. Up, Bradshaw blocks a chop, scores a pair of forearms, shoots Shawn off ropes, back elbow sends him down. Bradshaw brings Shawn up, tries for whip, reversed, Bradshaw off ropes, shoulder charge sends Shawn down. Bradshaw goes off ropes, drops the elbow, covers Shawn for 2. Shawn to feet in corner, Bradshaw charges, clotheslines him right back down. Bradshaw breaks to pose, sets Shawn on top turnbuckle, lays in chops, joins him up top, sets for superplex, Shawn counters with punches, shoves Bradshaw to canvas. Bradshaw up slowly, Shawn goes up top, flying clothesline sends Bradshaw down for 2. Bradshaw slowly to feet in corner, Shawn gets in a forearm, whips Bradshaw to opposite corner, charges, Bradshaw sidesteps, Shawn into turnbuckles. Bradshaw off ropes as Shawn staggers, Clothesline from Hell sends Shawn down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Bradshaw.
Coach and Crash finish up by hyping tomorrow nights Main Event, HHH vs. The Rock in a non-title match. End of show.
SummerSlam hype is in full effect-matches seemed like an afterthought, though Regal/Benjamin was pretty cool. Usually I bitch about excessive recap, but you won't see me complaining when I get another look at that fantastic 8-man tag. Wonder if we'll see a blow-off to Raven/D'Lo on next weeks live show. Oh yeah, Crash did a pretty decent job.
2003 - Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeats Jun Akiyama by submission in Tokyo, Japan to win the NJPW G1 Climax tournament.
2004 - Tack wins his second HWA Television Title from Rory Fox in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the same show, Crazy J and Lotus begin their second HWA Tag Team Title reign by defeating Benjamin Kimera and Shawn Osbourne.
