Wrestling History Today - Aug 20th
On this day in history in ....
1951 - Terry McGinnis defeats Ted Travis to win the Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu. This marks the start of McGinnis' second title reign.
1954 - June Byers defeats Mildred Burke for the NWA World Women's Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The win was controversial, as the match was scheduled for three falls, but after Byers won the first fall, the one hour time limit expired, and Byers was awarded the title.
1963 - A live event held in the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, TN featured the following results:
-Bad Boy and Billy Boy Hines defeated Bobby and Don Fields.
-Eric Steiner defeated Jesse James.
-Pat O'Conner defeated Al Greene.
-Don Greene fought Al Torres to a draw.
1963 - Crusher & Dick the Bruiser defeat Ivan & Karol Kalmikoff for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first of five AWA Tag Title wins for the legendary duo.
1986 - Alfonso Dantes defeats Cien Caras for the Mexican Heavyweight Title in Acapulco, Mexico, ending Caras' second title reign.
1987 - Kuniaki Kobayashi defeats Nobuhiko Takada in the finals of the IWGP World Junior Heavyweight Title tournament in Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
1988 - Carlos Colon defeats Ron Starr in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Television Title, ending Starr's second run with the belt.
1996 - Lord Steven (William) Regal defeats Lex Luger for the WCW Television Title in Dalton, Georgia, ending Luger's second run with the belt and beginning Regal's third.
2002 - NWA: TNA announced that Ed Ferrara, who had been part of the initial announcing team for the company, had departed the company.
2003 - Michael Shane defeats defending champion Chris Sabin and Frankie Kazarian in the first ever "Ultimate X" match to win the TNA X Division Title in Nashville, Tennessee. The match involved hanging the title belt at the center of an "X" that was formed by two steel cables strung above the ring, and the wrestlers had to climb across the cables to get to the belt and win the match.
2007 - WWE officially announces that WWE Diva Search Winner Ashley Massaro would be taking part in the next edition of CBS' reality hit, Survivor. She wouldn't last long on the show.
2008 - Gail Kim departed TNA for WWE, citing to those close to her that financially, she needed to go to WWE.
2008 - A taped AAA Best of Lucha Libre PPV debuted.
2009 - In an interview with The Baltimore Sun, Chris Jericho commented, "We’re in a crisis period in WWE and we need to build new guys. When Shawn Michaels came back to Raw, he said, “Whose been built since I left?” On Smackdown we’ve built [John] Morrison and [Dolph] Ziggler and Cryme Tyme. The Intercontinental title has been rebuilt now with Rey Mysterio. But I can’t tell you on Raw who has been built over the last six months. They better do it soon, because when this generation of performers is gone, who will replace them?"
2009 - WWE broadcast WWE Superstars on WGN. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:
We start off tonight’s show with a match from the Raw brand and it is a Divas Match.
Match Number One: Kelly Kelly versus Beth Phoenix
Kelly avoids a collar and elbow attempt by Beth. Beth with a wrist lock but Kelly with forearms and then she gets flipped over. Kelly with kicks to Beth’s leg. Kelly with a float over on an Irish whip attempt. Kelly uses the ropes to escape a back slide and then Kelly with a rana for a near fall. Kelly moves when Beth charges and Beth goes to the floor. Kelly tries for a cross body from the apron but Beth catches her. Beth tries for a running power slam into the apron but Kelly sends Beth into the apron. Kelly tries to get back into the ring but Beth with a neck breaker and then she slingshots Kelly into the ropes and gets a two count. Beth works on the shoulder and puts Kelly in a reverse chin lock. Beth sends Kelly into the turnbuckles but Kelly with a sunset flip for a near fall. Beth with punches to Kelly and the referee admonishes her. Beth misses a boot against the ropes and Kelly with forearms. Beth with a Dragon Sleeper but Kelly fights out of the hold. Beth misses a charge and she goes into the ropes. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and forearms. Beth with an Irish whip but she charges into an elbow. Kelly kicks Beth away and then Kelly goes up top for a cross body and gets a near fall. Kelly with a drop kick that sends Beth into the corner. Kelly tries for the handspring back elbow into the corner but Beth moves. Kelly with a victory roll for a near fall. Beth with a clothesline and it is time for the Glam Slam and the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
We are back and did you know that you cannot escape the WWE Universe?
It is now time for some big words to be thrown together for the ECW match.
Match Number Two: Shelton Benjamin versus Tyler Reks
Benjamin with forearms and punches to Reks. Reks with punches of his own and an arm drag. Reks misses a charge into the corner and Benjamin with a German suplex. Benjamin with a hard Irish whip to Reks followed by a snap mare and near fall. Benjamin with a rear chin lock. Benjamin with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Benjamin gets a punch blocked and Reks responds with punches of his own. Reks with a rollup for a near fall. Reks tries for a slam but Benjamin sends him off the ropes. Reks with a flying clothesline for a near fall. Reks gets kicked in the chest but he hits a standing power slam for a near fall. Reks goes up top and hits a cross body but Benjamin rolls through and gets a near fall. Benjamin hits the dragon whip and hits Paydirt for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
We are back and it is time to talk about the TLC match between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy. We have a video package.
Todd and JR remind us about the six man tag main event on Smackdown.
R Truth is walking in the back because he will be in the match after the commercial.
Match Number Three: Charlie Haas versus R Truth
They lock up and Haas with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Haas with an Irish whip but Truth floats over and splits to avoid a clothesline. Truth with a kick for a near fall. Truth tries for a wheelbarrow move but Haas drops Truth on his head and gets a near fall. Haas with an arm bar and head lock. Truth with a sunset flip for a near fall. Haas with a big boot and then he goes to a rear face lock and turns it into a reverse chin lock. Truth sends Haas into the turnbuckles to escape the hold. Truth with a few punches and a clothesline or two. Truth with a near fall. Haas slams Truth’s head into the mat again. Haas misses an elbow drop but Truth hits the twisty flying forearm for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
We are back with a John Morrison video package.
In case you missed Raw, we have the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Four: Mark Henry versus Chris Masters
They lock up and Henry sends Masters into the ropes and Henry poses. Masters wants a test of strength but it was a ruse and Masters with a kick and punches. Masters tries for a slam but he cannot get Henry up. Henry has no problem slamming Masters. Henry with a clean break in the corner. Masters with a waist lock and then he punches Henry. Henry blocks a suplex and hits one of his own. Henry with a head butt followed by a biel. Masters tries for the Master Lock but Henry is able to stop Masters. Henry with a clothesline. Masters avoids a splash from Henry and then he kicks Henry followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Masters with a reverse chin lock on Henry. Masters with a forearm to the back and he tries for the Master Lock but Henry runs Masters into the turnbuckles. Henry with a punch followed by a clothesline and body block Masters with elbows and then he tries for the Master Lock but Henry powers out of the set up. Masters tries for a clothesline but Henry picks up Masters and it is World’s Strongest Slam time but Masters grabs the ropes to break the count and then he leaves the ring and gets counted out.
Winner: Mark Henry by count out
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at Hard Justice. Remember when the Main Event Mafia was undefeated?
Mike Tenay has a special announcement. He points out that Don West has been his broadcast partner for the last seven years, but Don West was given an opportunity in the sports merchandise division of the company. Mike wishes Don his best. We have a new announcer to sit next to Mike Tenay.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘School’s Back in Session’ Tenay and Don ‘He really looks like Taz this week’ West . . . wait, that is Taz.
Mike says that he has always respected Taz as a wrestler and announcer.
What better way to start off the show than the way most of them have started and the Main Event Mafia comes to the ring. Kurt says that on Sunday at Hard Justice . . .
Kurt is interrupted by Matt Morgan’s music and he comes to the ring with an axe handle. He has a mic as well. Matt tells Angle to shut his mouth. Morgan wants Booker to make a move so he can hit him with the axe handle. Matt says that minutes before the biggest match of his life, Kurt comes into his locker room asking him for his help. He talks about the win/win situation that Angle talked about. Morgan pins Sting and becomes the new TNA champion and then he gets his spot in the Main Event Mafia. Angle could have won and Morgan gets a spot in the Main Event Mafia. Then Angle could have gone into business for himself and he screws Matt over. Matt wants to know why because he had Sting pinned in the ring but Angle took the biggest moment of his life. Matt tells Kurt that he has ten seconds to answer or he swings for the fences.
Angle tells Matt to calm down. He has answers for Matt. Kurt tells Matt that they were working like a well oiled machine. That was until Matt went into business for himself. Angle reminds Matt about the kick on the floor. Kurt says that he could not feel his arms and legs. Angle tells Matt that he could have been in a wheelchair. Angle says that he heard the count and he pulled the referee out of the ring because he thought that Matt was the one being pinned. Angle says that he was still messed up from the kick. He went to get the chair and he says that Matt made a rookie mistake and got hit in the head with the chair. Angle says that all he did was fall on a fallen opponent who happened to be Matt Morgan. Angle says that they did what they set out to do. He tells Matt that the Main Event Mafia still has the title. Angle says that he will give Matt another chance. They will tag together against Team 3D in a tables match.
Matt tells Angle that he lost his mind and he says that he will split Angle’s skull. Matt thinks about it and he decides not to hurt anyone yet. Matt says that he is with Kurt on this one. Matt says that it was his inexperience that cost him and he knows that Kurt had Matt’s best interests in mind.
Lauren sees A.J. enter the Impact Zone and she asks A.J. about his big announcement. A.J. says nothing and we go to commercial.
We are back and the referee sends the people who are not in the match to the back.
Match Number One: Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams versus James Storm and Robert Roode in a Non Title Street Fight
Storm and Roode come from the crowd and ambush the British. They put a trash can on Magnus’ head and they hit it with a kendo stick. They whip Doug Williams and then Roode chokes him with the strap. Roode goes to the floor and does the same to Magnus. Roode sends Magnus into the announce table. Storm and Roode with a double suplex onto the ramps and it is time to remember their team name. Storm sends Williams into the steps and he chops Williams. Williams Irish whips Storm into the ring post.
Back in the ring, Roode chokes Magnus. Williams hog ties Storm against the ring post while Roode kicks Magnus. Williams hits Roode with a loaded sock. Williams and Magnus attack Roode while the fans chant ‘USA’ and Roode is now bleeding. Williams chokes Roode with a pool cue and then Williams hits Roode with the trash can. Roode fights back but Williams hits him again with the trash can. Magnus has a plastic bag and he is not going to help the environment with this attack. A referee cuts Storm from the ring post. Storm has a board while Magnus suffocates Roode. Storm hits Williams and then Magnus with the board. Storm hits Williams with the trash can and then he hits a back body drop on Magnus. Storm punches Magnus in the corner but Williams knocks Storm off the turnbuckles. Roode punches Williams and then Roode hits a David Young spinebuster. Storm hits Williams with a beer bottle and Williams is bleeding. They hit DWI onto a trash can and Magnus gets pinned.
Winners: James Storm and Robert Roode
Lauren is in the back with Angelina Love and Velvet Sky. Madison is nowhere to be found. Lauren tries to point out the positive because Angelina now has a teddy bear instead of a title belt. Angelina says that there is no humor in this situation. Angelina blames Madison for the loss and she will pay tonight. Velvet says that Madison is no longer a VIP. Velvet says that they made her and they can break her. We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the women’s title match and the controversy in the trailer park over who is the current champion.
Jeremy and Mick are in the back and they talk about the pay per view. We hear ODB and Cody arguing over Foley and Borash’s conversation. Mick tells them to knock it off. Cody says that ODB does not want him to be the women’s champion even though he got the pinfall. Mick asks how a man can be a women’s champion and Jeremy insults NASCAR so the hat turns around. ODB and Cody argue semantics. Remember that ‘assume’ joke when you were six years old? Cody throws a Cena effect. Mick says that he is going to go into his inner sanctum to make a decision and we will find out his ruling next week.
Abyss stops by and he is clapping. Mick thanks Abyss for helping him on Sunday. Mick has a present for Abyss and it is a blue flannel shirt and Abyss loves it. They are now flannel brothers. Abyss hugs Foley and then they talk about the feeling of tasting your own blood.
It is time to run through the rest of the show.
Match Number Two: Madison Rayne versus Angelina Love
Angelina attacks Madison as Madison comes to the ring and Angelina sends Madison into the ring steps. The match starts while they are on the floor. Angelina sends Madison into the apron and then she kicks Madison. They get into the ring and Angelina gets the three count.
Winner: Angelina Love
After the match, Velvet Sky comes to the ring and she has a bag for Madison. The bag goes on Madison’s head but Tara’s music plays and she is joined by Christy Hemme. We go to commercial.
We are back and Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are talking about why you haven’t seen them on television too much. It is because they are not political. They are about three things, entertaining the fans, getting laid, and getting paid. Chris says that they have been getting a little less in the paycheck. They are offering their services to the fans at the low low rate of $2,000 per hour. You also get a free Shamwow.
We are back and Madison is being attacked again by Velvet and Angelina.
Match Number Three: Homicide versus Samoa Joe for the X Division Title
We are back and the match is joined in progress as Homicide attacks Joe. Homicide sends Joe to the floor and Joe moves out of the way of the tope con hilo but Homicide hits a somersault splash from the apron. They return to the ring and Homicide with a monkey flip attempt but Joe with snake eyes followed by a clothesline. Joe with knees and punches. Joe and Homicide exchange punches with Homicide getting the advantage but Joe with a power slam for a near fall. Joe works on the neck but Homicide bites Joe’s hand. Joe with a German suplex to Homicide and then he hits the power bomb for a near fall. Joe goes for another power bomb but Homicide counters it and Homicide with a drop kick. Homicide with a cross body to counter a tilt-a-whirl move. Joe sends Homicide into the rope but Homicide with an Ace Cutter for a near fall. Homicide punches Joe and then he charges into the corner but Joe with a uranage and then he tries for a clothesline but Homicide avoids it and he has Joe in a choke. Joe sends Homicide into the turnbuckles and then he hits a pele kick. Joe with the muscle buster for the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
We see some knockouts in the back with Lauren and there is going to be a big announcement. We go to commercial.
We are back and The Pope and his red shoes and pope stick arrive at the Impact Zone.
Lauren is in the back with Tara, Christy, Taylor, and Sarita and Lauren says that they will all be in the TNA Knockouts Tag Title Tournament. Tara utters the ‘W’ word and Christy and Tara are so happy to be tag partners. Taylor talks about how she is happy to be teaming with Sarita in the tournament.
Match Number Four: Awesome Kong with Raisha Saeed versus Sarita with Taylor Wilde versus Traci Brooks with Sharmell versus Christy Hemme with Tara
Kong goes after Traci and Christy and then she tries to attack Sarita but she avoids Kong. Sarita tries for a rana but Kong blocks it. Kong goes over the top rope to the floor when she charges and Sarita moves. Sarita with a head scissors to Traci. Sarita and Christy drop kick Kong off the apron. Traci takes care of Sarita for a moment. Traci goes to the apron and then she pulls Christy to the floor and then sends her into the guardrail. Kong sends Traci into the guardrails and then Sarita with a somersault splash onto Kong. We go to commercial.
We are back and things are under control with Christy kicking Kong but Kong gets Christy up for a power bomb but Sarita and Traci trip Kong. Sarita and Traci kick Kong. Sarita kicks Traci but Traci with a somersault splash onto Kong. Christy with a DDT to Traci followed by the leg drop from the turnbuckles. Kong with the Implant buster to Christy. Sarita with a drop kick to Kong. Kong catches Sarita on a cross body attempt. Kong hits a splash on Sarita and then she goes up top but Traci gets the cover on Christy for the three count.
Winner: Traci Brooks
Kong is not happy after the match and she throws a chair up the ramp. Kong is stopped by Saeed. We are told that Kong and Saeed will face Traci and Sharmell next week.
The lower body of The Pope is in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Consequences Creed with Jay Lethal versus The Pope D’Angelo Dinero
Jay Lethal is sent to the back by the referee before the match starts.
They lock up and Dinero works on the arm and wrist. Creed with a reversal but Dinero with a kick and punch. Creed goes to the apron and he punches Dinero and then hits a springboard clothesline. Creed with jabs and a split but he misses the finishing punch. Dinero with a punch that evokes some bleeped language. Dinero with a splash into the ropes that sends Dinero to the floor. Dinero with a fist drop from the turnbuckles for a two count. Dinero with elbows to the head followed by a rear chin lock. Creed with elbows to Dinero but Dinero tries for a kick but Creed blocks it. Creed with a punch to Dinero. Dinero wants a time out and then Dinero sends Creed into the turnbuckles. Dinero with a hesitation elbow drop and then the knee pads come down. Dinero with a running double knee that sends Creed into the turnbuckles for the three count.
Winner: D’Angelo Dinero
The lights go down and Suicide emerges and heads to the ring. Suicide attacks Dinero and connects with forearms. Dinero leaves the ring and Suicide wants him to return.
A.J. Styles is walking in the back and he has something phenomenal to say when we come back from commercial.
We are back and if you are in Texas, you can see Bobby Lashley wrestle.
Lauren is in the back with Matt Morgan and she wants to know if Matt is really gullible. Matt asks Lauren if she thinks he is working him. Matt says that Kurt never lies and never stabs anyone in the back. Matt says that you can trust Kurt Angle. Matt says the wrong thing for a second and he says that he is nervous about the match with Team 3D. Matt corrects himself.
It is time for A.J. Styles to return to the Impact Zone for the first time since he lost to Matt Morgan. A.J. has something to say. He says that this is one of the hardest things he had to do in the ring. A.J. says that he had it rough over the last few weeks but it is nothing new. A.J. says that he never quit. A.J. talks about the problems growing up and he says that he never quit. A.J. says that he is proud of the man that he has become. A.J. says that he is not proud of losing the Legends Title. He is not proud of losing his match with Matt Morgan. He is not proud of losing friends like Eric Young and Samoa Joe. A.J. says that when you are passionate about the company, it gets to you. A.J. says that he has missed half his kid’s lives. A.J. says that things are getting to him at home and he is yelling at his family for petty stuff. He says that he had to look in the mirror and ask himself if it is worth it. He says the answer is no. He says that it is not worth letting the fans down. A.J. says that it is time for A.J. Styles to say goodbye to professional wrestling.
Sting comes to the ring to return the favor that A.J. did when Sting made his retirement speech in 2006. Sting asks if that is the legacy that A.J. wants to leave behind. Sting is telling A.J. that he is saying that he quit. He says that A.J. is quitting on his wife and kids. Sting tells A.J. to look at the fans because he is quitting on them too. Sting says that A.J. is quitting on him and he calls A.J. a loser because losers quit. Sting says that he has been in the business for 20 years and he has suffered hardships. Sting says that he did not quit. Sting asks A.J. if this is how he wants to be remembered. Sting says that he has talked about how he wanted to bring honor, pride, and respect back into the business and he wanted somebody to step up so he can pass the torch to somebody. Sting tells A.J. that he is the person he has been talking about the entire time. Sting says that A.J. was the chosen one and that can be flushed down the toilet because A.J. decided to say goodbye to wrestling. Sting tells A.J. to look him in the eye and he wants A.J. to tell Sting ‘I quit’ and ‘I give up’. He wants A.J. to tell him ‘I’m a loser’. He tells A.J. if he cannot say it to get in the back and lace up his boots to claim what is his. A.J. turns around and hugs Sting and then Sting tells A.J. that he is supposed to be the man. Sting leaves the ring and A.J. follows after him.
Bobby Lashley is walking in the back and he is going to probably say something when we get back from the next commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Hernandez and she asks him when he will cash in his briefcase. Hernandez says that when he cashes in the briefcase, he will win the title. Eric Young stops by and he tells Hernandez that he can help Hernandez because Hernandez knows where he is from. Eric says that the World Elite will not play their games any more. Eric says that he knows that Hernandez is thinking about what he said because he did not try to crack his head open.
Bobby Lashley comes out and he shakes Taz’s hand and then joins Taz and Mike at the announce table in a shock despite the extra chair at the table. Bobby says that next week, Dixie Carter will be making her Impact debut to tell the TNA fans what his role in the company will be.
Match Number Six: Team 3D versus Matt Morgan and Kurt Angle in a Tables Match
Before Angle gets to the ring, he confronts Lashley at the announce table and he pie faces Angle. Lashley punches Angle and security needs to separate them. Lashley is escorted to the back before the match starts.
Angle and Ray start things off and they lock up. Ray with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Angle with a drop toe hold and punch to the head. Angle with punches in the corner but Ray with a hip toss and clothesline followed by a slam. Ray goes for a table but Morgan stops him. Angle with a double sledge to Ray. Devon makes a blind tag and they hit a neck breaker and belly-to-back suplex combination. Devon sends Angle into the turnbuckles followed by punches to the head. Angle with a rake of the eyes and Morgan tags in. Morgan chokes Devon in the ropes and then Angle holds him in place for the Morgan splash. Morgan goes for a table but Ray stops him this time. Ray punches Angle in the knee. Morgan with a knee to Devon followed by a slam. Morgan misses a leg drop and Devon clotheslines Morgan over the top rope to the floor. Angle charges at Ray and Ray with a flap jack and we go to commercial with Morgan and Angle on the floor.
We are back and Devon with the Wassup Head butt to Angle. It is time for the announcement you have been waiting for as the crowd calls for tables. Devon gets a table from under the ring and he decides to get another on Two for Thursday. Morgan gets into the ring and he waits for Team 3D to turn around and Morgan with a double clothesline. Morgan decides to pose for the camera. Morgan moves one of the tables and it is time for a choke slam through the table, but Ray moves the table out of the way. Morgan punches Ray for rearranging the furniture in the ring. Angle tags in and he kicks Devon. Angle punches Devon some more in the head. Angle with a running forearm to Ray and then he tries for an Olymic Slam through the table but Morgan moves the table and then Devon with an inverted slam. Morgan with a punch to Devon and the he tries for the bicycle kick but Devon moves and Morgan kicks the table. Ray with clotheslines to Angle and time for a power bomb but Angle blocks it and Angle with an Olympic Slam but Devon moved the table out of the way. Devon punches Morgan and then he fixes the table. Team 3D try for a double suplex and the move does not break the plane of the table so the match continues. Angle attacks Team 3D and then he goes for another table but there are no more tables. Ray with a big boot to Angle and then the staff gives Ray another table while Angle is sent into the ring steps. Ray throws the broken table to the floor as they set up the new table. Angle punches Ray and Devon. Angle punches Devon and then hits a European uppercut. They put Devon on the table and Angle tells Morgan to go up top but Morgan says that his knee hurts. Ray takes care of Angle and then they hit a double press slam through the table to win.
Winners: Team 3D
After the match, Angle heads to the back and he argues with Morgan as we go to credits.
2010 - World Class and Mid South/UWF legendary manager Skandar Akbar passed away at the age of 75. Akbar was a true great in the business, leading his Devastation Incorporated against babyfaces throughout the Southwest.
2010 - An Ohio man was mauled and killed by a bear used in wrestling stunts while he and the bear's owner were feeding it. The bear was outside of its cage, according to comments Capt. James Drozdowski of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office gave to the AP. There was no word as to why the bear became aggressive. Brent Kandra, 24, passed away this morning due to injuries suffered in the mauling. Kandra worked for Sam Mazzola, who maintained several bears on his property and offered the chance to wrestle bears at the Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor show. The practice had come under fire in recent years but Mazzola refused to end it. Traveling wrestling bears were commonplace as a special attraction in the territory era of professional wrestling, although they haven't been used in many, many, many years.
2010 - Forgotten Championship Wrestling ran MCU Field in Brooklyn, NY, utilizing a number of WWE legends. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Brooklyn, New York based independent promotion Forgotten Championship Wrestling debuted at MCU Field, the home of New York Mets farm team the Brooklyn Cyclones last night with a benefit for the Wounded Warriors Project, a charity which helps wounded servicemen and women and their family.
MCU Field, a baseball stadium, is the same venue that TNA ran earlier this summer. The show was held outside with the ring placed over home plate and it was your typical feel good independent wrestling event with a few "legends" appearing on the top of the card and some local indy talents working underneath. You wouldn't find any matches that were going to end up the talk of the Internet the next day but the show was about trying to raise some money and have a little fun, which based on how the audience reacted, did it's just. FCW utilized the stadium's screen to broadcast the show and also put up graphics for each wrestler during their entrance.
Full results:
*DW Dudley pinned Samuel Elias After Elias Missed a 450 splash and DW hit a moonsault. This was the same DW who worked for the original ECW. Good opener.
*Romeo Roselli with Evan Ginzberg came out. Ginzberg cuts a promo about being in The Wrestler and being too good for Brooklyn because he's a Hollywood star. Ginzberg was an Associate Producer for the film, which was the connection here. He did a promo saying he was from Brooklyn and then couldn't wait to move and get out to go to Hollywood. He got some heat for it. The bit was based on something his old friend, the late Tiger Khan did when Khan got to work Trinidad, where Khan was originally from. Roselli then cut a promo on his opponent for tonight, Tommy Dreamer saying anyone who wanted to see something extreme was in for a disappointment. Roselli was heckled by a "fan" of Dreamer's so he invited him into the ring. Roselli then said he was going to pretend the fan was Dreamer and kneed the fan in the gut. Dreamer hit the ring for the save. Dreamer said he didn't know if Roselli was late for the "Jersey Shore" but they were in Brooklyn where Dreamer had his first match and where his family is from. He challenged Roselli to take it to the extreme right now but Roselli bailed. Dreamer said it figures and put over the wounded warriors, saying he's been living his dream and they allow him and everyone to live their dreams with their sacrifices. Dreamer left and the fan followed him into the locker room.
*Little Greatness defeated Justin Cage, Manny Martinez and The Grimm Reefer for the FCW Number One Contender Trophy. Reefer has been working New York City independents for a few years. The others have been regulars here in FCW, This was your typical high flying indy match where they tried to do everything at light speed to pop the crowd and they went right into dives sequences. Reefer cut off Greatness wuth a clothesline and they brawled into the stands and on top of the dugout. Greatness took a bump off the top into the dugout. Meanwhile Cage and Martinez brawled around the ring. Cage tossed Martinez into the wall of the field. Reefer forced Martinez to tap to a crossface. Greatness pinned Cage with a frog splash off the top to the field. Reefer hit a Fireman's carry into a slingshot suplex. Greatness went to the middle rope but Reefer caught him with a Side Russian Legsweep off the ropes. Greatness shocked him with a forward roll for the pin. Miss Teen New York presented Greatness with the trophy. The idea here was he could turn it in for a title shot anytime. FCW champion Johnny LeDoux and his manager Professor Paul Pope came out. LeDoux shook Greatness' hand, then attacked him and laid him out. He then broke the trophy in the ring. LeDoux locked in a Camel Clutch.
Brutus Beefcake walked (and I mean walked) to the ring for the save. Greatness was stretchered out. Pope cut a promo and said that Beefcake was being arrested for cutting his hair on the last show. They had actually handed out fake police reports on the "crime" as fans came into the venue, which I thought was a cute idea. Out came three "detectives" who arrested Beefcake, taking him out in handcuffs. The detectives were playing to the crowd like they were heels. The promotion promised to try to get the situation sorted out before Beefcake's match with LeDeux later tonight. The crowd didn't take it seriously but seemed to enjoy the silliness of the storyline.
*In what was billed as a USO Dirty Vixens match, Divina Fly vs. Angel Orsini. Fly is an extremely attractive Latina billed from Long Island. Orsini is the former Prodigette in the original ECW, who's had some great matches for WSU in New Jersey. Fly scored several near falls early. She nailed a hangman's neckbreaker but missed a moonsault. Orsini nailed a DDT for the pin. Short but fine and everything looked good.
*Daemon Slugga & Teddy The Tank Teade with manager Manny Pockets (a Leprechaun) defeated Blackhearted Justice, Rockstar Ryan Blackheart & Justice Garrison. Reade was Swole in the WCW No Limit Soldiers. Slugga was seen in the early days of ROH as Special K's bodyguard. The crowd expected a squash once they came out but it was more of a back and forth battle. It was anything goes so they brawled all over ringside. Slugga put Garrison through a table. It then settled into a traditional tag match. Reade slammed Garrison on the floor. Slugga pinned Blackheart with a sitdown powerbomb. A guy named One Warrior Nation (guess who he was dressed and painted up to look like) hit the ring and did the complete Ultimate Warrior shtick down to shaking the ropes and clotheslined Slugga and Reade, who escaped the ring. OWN then picked up Manny Pockets and carried him out to the locker room, but tripped along the way and they both fell. That was unintentionally hilarious.
*They did a ten bell salute to Chris Kanyon, noting he had his last match for FCW. No mention of any other passings.
*Nikolai Volkoff & Tito Santana & Jimmy Snuka (with Scott Epstein) defeated a six man tag team called Badstreet USA (with manager Diamond Jim). Badstreet USA came out to the Michael Hayes song and wore Confederate colors, which was quite the sight to see considering one of them was African-American. Epstein is an agent who books a lot of veterans on the indies. Lots of stalling early. The veterans moved about as well as you would expect, except Santana who still had a spring in his step. They were there more just to be there than to have a good match and you can't expect that out of them at this stage of their life. Epstein began beating Diamond Jim with a walking stick. Badstreet got heat on Santana, which made sense since he was the most capable of working a real match. They worked him over in their corner for a long time. Santana made a tag to Volkoff but the ref missed it. Santana finally hit the flying forearm and ade the hot tag to Volkoff. Volkoff slammed him and tagged Snuka who did the Superfly Splash off the middle turnbuckle and scored the pin.
*FCW champ Johnny LeDoux came out for his title match. LeDoux said that his match wasn't taking place because Beefcake was arrested. The ring announcer said they got word from a New York State Senator that he checked into the charges and there were no valid charges filed. Beefcake came out and said they forgot that in the State of New York, he was licensed to carry his clippers and they were getting a haircut tonight. Lots of haircut chants. Pretty basic match with stalling and playing to the crowd. LeDoux began working over Beefcake and came off the middle turnbuckle with an axehandle. He went for a second and well, it was awful timing-wise. I think Beefcake was supposed to catch him and didn't, so it just sort of fell apart and the crowd laughed at it. Beefcake kicked LeDoux as he charged him in the corner. LeDoux tried to walk out. He was told by the ref that if he is counted out, he would lose the FCW title. Beefcake caught him coming off the ropes with a shot to the gut. Beefcake nailed several clotheslines and a bodyslam. He locked on the sleeper but Professor Pete Pope attacked Beefcake with a toilet seat cover. Yes, really. He pulled a toilet seat out of somewhere, like Inspector Gadget. So Beefcake wins with a DQ and LeDoux keeps the title.
Beefcake cut a promo and said that while he can't win the belt, he knows someone who can and that person has a heart as big as Brooklyn. Out came Little Greatness, who cashed in his title match. I thought using Beefcake to build to this was a good idea. They rang the bell and had a quick match. Greatness caught LeDoux with a superkick, then nailed a frog splash and scored the pin to won the title. Beefcake then grabbed LeDoux and began cutting his hair. Beefcake and Greatness ended the segment with their arms raised and Greatness as the new champ. From a storyline aspect, it worked well.
*In the main event, Tommy Dreamer won his first match in forever, pinning Romeo Roselli, who was one of the Heart Throbs in WWE. Roselli controlled Dreamer early. Roselli went to the outside when Dreamer took control. Dreamer followed him out and they exchanged chops. Roselli ran away from Dreamer and ran the bases. Dreamer pursued then turned around and returned to the ring. Roselli, not realizing Dreamer was no longer behind him, slid into the ring but Dreamer caught him and the ref ruled Roselli was out. Dreamer then stomped on his fingers. That was funny. Roselli took control and grabbed a chair. He came off the ropes with it but Dreamer kicked it in his face. Dreamer nailed a DDT and scored the pin. It looked like they were trying to end quickly to be done in time for the weekly Fireworks on the Boardwalk in Coney Island, which the stadium faces.
Notes: They drew in the area of 400-600 fans, which was probably the promotion's best crowd to date....Scott Hall was originally booked but canceled due to rehab or a pneumonia bout (both stories made the rounds last week). The promotion booked Sid Vicious as a replacement, but he didn't show....A wrestler called La Parka USA was advertised for the show as a "former WCW star." No idea who that was, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been L.A. Park....The cast of a TV series, W.E.A.P.ON. were in attendance....As part of the charity aspect of the show, they raffled off a lunch with Mick Foley and a WWE replica belt signed by Vince McMahon....The show also featured as troupe billed as the USA Cheerleaders doing a number set to a Bon Jovi song...There were a lot of servicemen and women in attendance as well as members of the USO....Many of the wrestlers did a meet and greet before the show and were interviewed by local Brooklyn media....The talents all worked especially hard since the ring was a good 15-20 feet away from the crowd....Tickets ranged from $100 ringside (maybe three rows on one side of the ring plus a meet and greet for VIPS) down to $20 for general admission....As noted, there was a big fireworks display after the show with the Stadium pumping in patriotic music for everyone to listen to during the pyro show....For more on Forgotten Championship Wrestling (what a strange and unique name, by the way), visit www.FCWrestling.net.
2010 - ROH taped Ring of Honor on HDNet. Joshua Higham filed the following report:
*The cage was set up so we're starting with a TV main event of Austin Aries vs. Delirious. Austin attacked Daizee before he tried to get into the cage. Delirious began bleeding thru his mask. Delirious won with a cobra stretch on the top corner of the cage. All Night Express came out right before the end to try to interfere but couldn't get into the cage. After the match, The All Night Express and Aries attacked Delirious and hit him with a couple spike piledrivers. Sinclair was taken out as well. No one made the save.
*Mike Bennett defeated Adam Cole rolling thru a crossbody.
*The Embassy of Necro Butcher and Erich Stevens defeated Dark City Fight Club when Stevens pinned Chavis with Ghanarea.
*Jim Cornette came out for a promo with Tyler Black. Cornette asked Tyler about his future with his ROH contract about to expire, and Tyler said "you can't outbid a billionaire in CT" and heeled out with "What if I show up with this belt on another network?"
*Colt Cabana vs. Jay Freddie. Colt started playing around with Freddie and quickly locked in Billy Goat's Curse. Right after Freddie tapped, Corino tried to attack with the fork. Colt grabbed control of the fork and Corino quickly hightailed.
*The Kings of Wrestling defeats the Super Smash Bros. with a combo of Claudio's superplex and Hero's moonsault on Dos.
*Steve Corino vs. Aiden Chambers with running commentary from Steen at ringside. Steen was hysterical on commentary. Corino won with the sliding clothesline. Corino threatened to use the fork on Chambers. Cabana and Generico hit the ring and Corino and Steen hightailed.
*Daizee Haze defeated Rachel Summerlyn with a heart punch and German suplex. Summerlyn looks to have dropped some weight since I last saw her on Shimmer 28.
*In a TV main event, Roderick Strong and the House of Truth defeated Daniels and the Briscoes.
*In the mid-show match that gave the cameramen a break, the Bravado Brothers and Bobby Dempsey defeated Julian Starr, Mike Taven, and a third guy.
*In a Pick your Poison match, Colt and Generico announced that Kevin Steen's opponent would be Steve Corino. Steen punched out the ref immediately with Colt and Generico ringside. Steen and Corino refused to wrestle claiming they've been disrespected long enough and that they quit, then they walked out the front door.
*Tyler Black beat Mike Sydal with God's Last Gift and got trash thrown at him. Tyler got some You Sold Out chants.
*Before the Ten Minute Hunt, Cornette said that Hagadorn is turning Edwards into a joke so why not let him pick the next challenger? Cornette's pick is Kenny King. Eddie finally won with the Achilles hook. Both hit most of the big stuff.
*In the second Pick Your Poison match and main event for the evening, Davey Richards made El Generico tap to the ankle lock. Davey and Generico shook hands after.
Notes: The Arena video screens were advertising the upcoming TNA house show in September....The crowd got real quiet during the women's match, and they were definitely burnt out towards the end. Eerily quiet during the last three matches.
