Wrestling History Today - Aug 25th
On this day in history in ....
1984 - The Road Warriors defeat The Crusher & Baron Von Raschke for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hawk & Animal would hold the belts for over a year, dominating the tag team scene.
1991 - Sting defeats Steve Austin in a tournament final for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The title had been vacated when Lex Luger won the WCW World Title. The brackets for the one night tournament were bizarre, as there would have been six wrestlers in the semifinals and three wrestlers in the finals (and this is before the heyday of three way matches) if the tournament wasn't booked with a draw and a double DQ in the first round. Here are the results of the tournament:
First Round:
- Sting defeated Arn Anderson.
- Diamond Stud (Scott Hall) defeated Bobby Eaton.
- Barry Windham received a bye.
- Steve Austin defeated Tom Zenk.
- Johnny B. Badd vs. Yellow Dog (Brian Pillman) ended in a draw.
- Ricky Morton vs. Dustin Rhodes ended in a double disqualification.
Semifinals:
- Sting defeated Diamond Stud.
- Steve Austin defeated Barry Windham.
Finals:
- Sting defeated Steve Austin.
1995 - 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Eddie Guerrero for the ECW Television Title in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, ending Guerrero's second title reign, and beginning Scorpio's record setting third reign with the belt. He would go on to win it a fourth time as well.
2000 - ECW makes a successful two night stand the weekend of August 25th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, their first NYC shows in almost a year (and first ever in Manhattan). The show receives mainstream press coverage, including Christian York & Joey Matthews appearing on the cover of the New York Daily News, double powerbombing Julio Dinero. The highlight of the weekend was a tag team tournament on August 25th to determine new ECW World Tag Team Champions (former champions The Impact Players split up). Here are the results of the tournament:
First Round:
- EZ Money & Julio Dinero defeated Christian York & Joey Matthews.
- Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke.
- Jerry Lynn & Tommy Dreamer defeated Rob Van Dam & Kid Kash.
- Justin Credible & Rhino defeated The Sandman & Chilly Willy.
- Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond defeated Chris Chetti & Nova.
- Danny Doring & Roadkill defeated Tony DeVito & Angel.
Semifinals:
- Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated EZ Money & Julio Dinero.
- Jerry Lynn & Tommy Dreamer defeated Justin Credible & Rhino.
- Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond defeated Danny Doring & Roadkill.
Finals:
- Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Jerry Lynn & Tommy Dreamer and Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond in a three way dance to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship.
2002 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show.
SummerSlam was excellent! That's the bottom line, and WWE did it all with wrestling. There wasn't a bad match on the show, and several of the bouts were great. There was very little in the way of backstage skits and antics. It was a true, wrestling-based show that delivered by providing top notch in-ring action. Some people may argue that there should have been different winners in some of the matches. But the fact is, there were many matches on this show where an argument could be made for either side going over. That's actually a positive, because it meant the matches were evenly booked and could have gone either way. Other than a screw-job, one side or the other had to go over, and all of the guys who did jobs put in strong showings in competitive situations so the losses shouldn't be negatives.
Commentary was great on this show. They changed the format a little again, with Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler doing the announcing for matches featuring RAW wrestlers, while Tazz & Michael Cole handled the mic work on Smackdown bouts. It's not a bad system!
There had been some fear of the crowd, since Long Island apparently has something of a reputation for having calm crowds which don't produce much heat, but that really wasn't the case here. Crowd heat was okay for the mid-card and was excellent for the opener and the top matches.
KURT ANGLE defeated REY MYSTERIO JR. in 9:20. This match had the potential for a style clash, but both guys are so great they had an awesome match. Tazz & Cole put over that Angle had threatened to break Mysterio's leg, but in the end he didn't go that far. Mysterio came in from behind and surprised Angle with a springboard huracanrana and a spinning headscissors. Angle went for an early ankle lock but Mysterio made the ropes. Mysterio went for his Lucha move where he swings through the ropes into a kick but Angle ducked and sent Mysterio out to the floor. Angle overpowered Mysterio, hitting some suplexes and doing some great counters. An "Angle sucks" chant started. Mysterio reversed a submission attempt into a near fall. Angle hit another big suplex. Mysterio escaped an Olympic slam attempt and caused Angle to bump out to the floor. Mysterio hit a springboard guillotine legdrop. The live crowd was really into this. Mysterio escaped from another ankle lock, hit his Lucha rope kick, and scored a near fall with a huracanrana. The end came when Mysterio tried for a huracanrana off the top, but Angle blocked it, and upon impact on the mat, Angle immediately hooked the ankle lock clean in the middle. Mysterio was forced to tap. A really super match which shouldn't hurt Mysterio's momentum since he was so impressive even in losing.
Backstage, Stephanie bragged about the match, saying it proves how great Smackdown wrestlers are. There was an office suite marked "General Manager", and she entered it. She was disturbed to find Eric Bischoff already there. They argued over it, but finally they agreed to share the office. Steph said she wanted to see the look on Bischoff's face when the Smackdown wrestlers put in a better showing than the RAW guys.
RIC FLAIR defeated CHRIS JERICHO in 10:23. Jericho bullied Flair early. Flair slapped him. Flair took his patented backdrop. JR went off on Fozzy, saying Jericho should stick to his day job. Geez, why don't they just put up big signs all over the place saying "Fozzy sucks"? Jericho chopped Flair and sent him into the corner for the upside down bump, but Flair didn't go over as he used to be able to do. So Jericho threw him out and dropped him on the rail. In the ring, Jericho choked Flair with tape. Flair threw a ton of chops, as expected. Jericho missed a charge and hit the post, with Flair following up with a backdrop and a suplex. Flair blocked an attempt by Jericho to hook the Walls hold. He also rolled clear on a lionsault attempt. Flair tried for the Walls, but Jericho countered and hooked Flair's own figure four. They did a controversy spot where Flair made the ropes, and then tapped when Jericho didn't immediately release the hold. Jericho, seeing the tap, thought he won but the ref said the tap came after Flair made the ropes. Flair caught Jericho with a low blow and forced Jericho to tap to the figure four. A solid match, and okay, maybe Jericho did need the win here.
Backstage, Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman watched a promo for a new Hulk Hogan history video. Heyman said it was like when a music star dies and the record company releases a "best of" CD. He said Lesnar ended Hulk's career and he gave him the usual pre-match pep talk. Lesnar laughed in a sinister-sounding manner.
EDGE defeated EDDIE GUERRERO in 11:46. Edge went on offense early until Guerrero dropped him across the ropes. Edge went for a spear but Guerrero moved and Edge sailed through the ropes to the floor. Guerrero sent Edge into the stairs and Edge sold a shoulder injury (same shoulder he legit hurt in the cage match against Angle a few weeks ago). Guerrero went after the bad shoulder, including a series of hammerlocks. Guerrero stomped on the shoulder. Tazz & Cole were really great putting this over. Edge battled back with one arm and suplexed Guerrero out to the floor. Edge dived out onto Guerrero. In the ring, Edge gave Guerrero a bodyslam off the top. Edge went for another spear but, in a great move, Guerrero dropkicked him. Guerrero went for the frog splash but Edge got his knees up. Edge got a near fall with the Edgecutioner. Guerrero scored two with the Northern Lights Suplex. Guerrero did a special frog splash on Edge's bad shoulder. The finish was great, with Edge hurling Guerrero off the top. Guerrero rolled through and landed standing, but Edge immediately speared him for the pin. Good match!
Jonathan Coachman interviewed the Unamericans. Christian said Booker T & Goldust are frauds and called the Long Island crowd lazy, unappreciative, unresponsive, and spoiled. He said they were typical Americans, greedy and always wanting more.
LANCE STORM & CHRISTIAN defeated BOOKER T & GOLDUST to retain the WWE World Tag Titles in 9:36. Goldust started out on offense. Booker came in to a good pop, dominating Storm. Christian and Goldust brawled on the floor. The heels tied Goldust up in their corner and kept making fast tags. Goldust managed to tag Booker but the ref didn't see it and wouldn't allow Booker in. This built up a bigger hot tag when Goldust finally escaped the heel corner after they missed on a "concerto". Booker came in to a big "USA" chant and chopped the hell out Christian, scoring a near fall with a missile kick. Christian avoided one scissor kick, but Booker scored with a second one. Booker did the spinaroonie to a pop and went for the cover but the ref had been bumped. Storm came in with one of the belts but Goldust fought him off. Test then did a run-in and gave Booker the big boot to the face and Christian pinned
him as the ref revived. Another strong match.
At WWE WORLD, Nidia picked a guy to make out with and then practically molested him as Jamie Noble cheered her on.
ROB VAN DAM defeated CHRIS BENOIT to regain the IC Title in 16:29. A fan had a Benoit sign that said "Toothless Aggression". This was a RAW vs. Smackdown match, but JR & Lawler did commentary. RVD kicked the hell out of Benoit early, and Benoit soon had a busted lip. Benoit neutralized RVD with a headlock. RVD did a springboard crossbody. Benoit did one of his scary suplexes. Benoit went on a period of offense and scored some twos. RVD went for the split-leg moonsault but Benoit got his knees up. Benoit went for the diving headbutt, which is a move he's avoided since coming back due to his neck. RVD rolled clear. Benoit then avoided a frog splash and hooked the crossface. RVD made the ropes after a struggle. Benoit hit a shoulderbreaker and won a test of strength. He went for another crossface but RVD elbowed his way free. RVD got sent shoulder-first into the post, with Benoit then going after the shoulder and hooking yet another crossface. RVD escaped and hooked a crossface of his own, but Benoit broke the hold. RVD hit some kicks and the Rolling Thunder for a near fall. Benoit went for a suplex but RVD reversed it and fell on Benoit. RVD then hit the frog splash and got the pin. Real good match!
Backstage, Bischoff boasted to Stephanie that the IC Title would now be returning to RAW. Instead of being upset, Stephanie laughed, as if she has something up her sleeve. I don't know for sure, but I'll guess it's Kane jumping to Smackdown.
UNDERTAKER defeated TEST in 8:17. They traded kneelifts. UT hit a flying clothesline. UT did the rope walk but got crotched. Test went on offense. UT came back and did a successful rope walk. UT escaped a pump-handle slam attempt. Test avoided a chokeslam, but UT hit it on the second try. However, Test kicked out of the pin, which was put over big. Storm & Christian ran in but UT chokeslammed the hell out of both. Test gave UT the big boot to the face but UT kicked out at two. Test got a chair, which UT kicked into his face. UT then won with the tombstone piledriver, which is only used on rare occasions since it's been deemed a risky move. Both guys worked like crazy and it was a solid match as a result. UT got an American flag from a fan and displayed it in the ring afterward.
SHAWN MICHAELS defeated TRIPLE H in 27:10 in a Non-Sanctioned match. They aired an awesome video package on the history between these two, and their recent falling out. Michaels came out wearing cowboy boots, jeans, and a T-shirt with "Philippians 4:13" on it. For the record, that verse says "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me". This match proved to me why Michaels belongs in the Hall of Fame despite any past questionable conduct on his part. Michaels attacked and sent HHH out to the floor. Michaels hit a plancha. Michaels lariated HHH on the floor, dropped him on the security rail, and hit him with a garbage can and lid (legal since this was non-sanctioned). HHH gave Michaels two backbreakers, which Michaels sold big since his back was the reason he retired a few years ago. JR & Lawler put this over very well. HHH went after the back, putting the boots to it and using a chairshot across the back as well. Michaels blocked a suplex but HHH came back with a vicious DDT on a chair. Michaels juiced pretty good. HHH continued to pound Michaels and used a belt to whip him. The crowd was big time into this and an "HBK" chant started. HHH retrieved a sledgehammer but Michaels rallied and slugged HHH till he dropped the weapon. HHH hooked an abdominal stretch and used the ropes for leverage. Referee Earl Hebner got in HHH's face and they argued, even though that part didn't make a whole lot of sense given that this was a non-sanctioned bout. Michaels went up to the top but got crotched and ended up hanging upside down, with HHH using a chair on him. The crowd was red hot by this point. HHH kept going for pins and was frustrated that Michaels kept kicking out. He slammed Michaels on the chair and then went for a pedigree on the chair, but Michaels used a low blow to block it. HHH came at Michaels with the chair but Michaels used the sweet chin music to kick the chair into his face. Both guys went down. HHH juiced a gusher. Michaels did a kip up, which got a huge pop. They kept chanting "HBK". Michaels hit HHH with another chairshot. HHH bumped out to the floor where Michaels whipped him with a leather belt and sent HHH careening over the Spanish broadcast desk. Michaels stomped HHH with the heel of his boot, prompting Lawler to quip that he was putting the heel to the heel. Michaels brought out a ladder, which was actually pretty scary given the situation. It popped the crowd huge. He hit HHH with the ladder and scored a near fall. Michaels hit a superplex, which was a high risk move given his back problems. HHH brought in the stairs but Michaels sent him into them with a drop toe hold spot. Michaels got another huge pop by bringing out a table. He laid HHH out on it on the floor and splashed HHH through it from off the top. The commentary during this match was awesome, and JR by now was literally screaming into the mic, adding enormous heat. Michaels rolled the bloody HHH back in and set up the ladder. He didn't come off the top, but he did hit an elbow off one of the higher rungs. HHH staggered up after a pin attempt. Michaels went for the sweet chin music. HHH blocked it. Michaels then blocked a pedigree and hit a bridge and roll-up for the upset pin. Huge crowd pop for the Michaels win. Great match, and one of those bouts which everyone really needs to see if they doubt how great Michaels really is as a performer. HHH was great here, too. Afterward, a furious HHH attacked Michaels from behind and hit him twice in the back with the sledgehammer. JR totally freaked out and went off on HHH, calling him a son of a bitch and saying he'll rot in hell for such a brutal attack. HHH walked out with an evil smirk on his face as Michaels did the stretcher job.
Howard Finkel got on the mic and said this was his first PPV announcing job in Nassau Coliseum since Wrestlemania II, which was in 1986. He said Major League Baseball may go on strike, but the Fink will always be there. Trish Stratus came out and acted like she was sexually interested in Howard. This was the bizarre, totally unbelievable fantasy part of the show. Howard fell for it and was about to go all the way with Trish right there in the ring, but it was all a set-up for Lilian Garcia to return and kick Howard in the balls, which was more of a bush league ball strike.
BROCK LESNAR defeated ROCK in 16:00 to capture the Undisputed WWE World Title. Cole & Tazz did commentary here, and they were very good in their first ever PPV main event. The crowd heat here was surprising. Not so much because they were into the match (which they were), but because at least half the crowd turned on Rock. There were plenty of "Rocky" chants, but also lots of "Rocky sucks" chants and babyface pops for Lesnar. I guess everyone knew Rock would be losing, plus Lesnar is now getting over in that Vader-type role as a huge guy who's technically a heel but is so impressive you want to cheer him anyway. That will set up a great turn at some point when Lesnar inevitably dumps Heyman, and Heyman then leads a series of heels against him. Rock charged in to start the match but Brock belly-to-bellied him. Lesnar, who has improved greatly and is now much smoother on transitions, shoulder-blocked Rock into the corner. Rock bumped out and Heyman took a cheap shot at him, the first of several during this match. Lesnar dropped Rock on the ring barrier, "hurting" his ribs, a follow-up to the similar rib "injury" Rock suffered on RAW last week. In the ring, Lesnar missed a charge and hit the post. Rock went for the sharpshooter but dropped it to slug Heyman, who was on the apron. Rock then hooked the sharpshooter again. Heyman threw a chair into the ring. Rock again went after Heyman. As the ref was getting Heyman out of the ring, Lesnar used the chair on Rock. Lesnar hooked his bearhug, the same one he used to put Hogan out with on Smackdown. They sold this big with Rock almost going out, but on the third arm lift, he rallied. There were actually some boos for Rock's comeback. Rock hit Lesnar with a low blow, which drew more boos. Rock hurled Lesnar out to the floor, where he lariated and posted him. Heyman kept getting in the way, so Rock chokeslammed him through the Spanish table. That was the end of Heyman, which allowed Lesnar to go over clean at the end. Back inside, Rock scored two with a Rock Bottom. Lesnar then hit a Rock Bottom, scoring a near fall of his own. Rock hit the spinebuster but when he went for the People's Elbow, Lesnar lariated him. Lesnar went for an F5. Rock escaped but Lesnar immediately hit him with a second F5 and scored the pin. Lesnar hugged the title belt as the commentators put him over as youngest WWE champ in history. Very good match, really well-booked to start Brock's title reign.
2002 - Prior to Summerslam, WWE broadcast a live Heat. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Live from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
Your Hosts are Jonathan Coachman and D’Lo Brown.
Your Summerslam Pre-game show.
Coach and D’Lo welcome us in as the crowd enters the arena. We go straight into a video piece going over all the matches on tonight's 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.
7. Shawn Michaels vs. HHH.
8. Edge vs. Eddy Guerrero.
We cut to Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble and his pal Nidia hanging at the World restaurant in NYC. Jamie gets the crowd riled up by announcing a lucky (male) audience member will get the chance to ‘make out’ with Nidia later on. Coach and D’Lo send us to break with the announcement that later on-RIGHT HERE ON HEAT!- Steven Richards will take on Spike Dudley.
Coach and D’Lo return to rag on the Un-American faction (Test, Christian and Lance Storm). Highlights (so to speak) of some of their recent anti-America promos air, then we cut backstage to see The Undertaker riding into the arena. Our hosts promote tomorrow mornings ‘Pledge to Participate’ event, taking place tomorrow morning in NYC, to send us to break.
Back, Coach and D’Lo hype Rocky/Lesnar. Video rolls of Brock training for tonight's match. Our hosts go on to quickly hype RVD/Benoit, then go a bit more in depth on Angle/Mysterio-video rolls detailing their last few weeks of feuding.
Backstage, Mark Loyd interviews Our Olympic Hero. Kurt’s pretty sick of Rey interfering in his matches and vows to get revenge tonight. Great quick promo, Kurt rules.
Coach and D’Lo talk up HHH/HBK, reminding us that the match is not sanctioned by WWE. Break.
Boot of the Week: Trish Stratus defeats Stacy Keibler in a ‘bra and panties in the mud’ match on last weeks Raw.
We return to see Raw GM Eric Bischoff arriving at the arena. Terri approaches for an interview-Eric shamelessly hypes the matches involving ‘his’ Raw talent and takes his leave.
Video of The Rock training for tonight's match follows. Break.
WWE Rewind: Chris Jericho’s band Fozzy’s performance on last weeks Raw is violently interrupted by Ric Flair. Earlier in the show the Nature Boy had been busted open by Y2J.
We see Flair arriving at the arena. Terri approaches for an interview-Ric vows to embarrass the original Undisputed Champion later on in a classic promo, even gets in a reference to Space Mountain! Ric admits he may be the ‘oldest ride in the park’, but still manages to draw the longest line. Yep, Flair rules too.
More hype for HHH/Michaels follows, followed by video detailing their long relationship. Break.
Coach and D’Lo sign off and send us down to Jim Ross and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler at the announcers table…
Heat match: Spike Dudley vs. Steven Richards.
Mild heat for Steven, nice pop for Spike. No sign of Spikes usual smile as he makes his way to the ring, Steven immediately goes for a clothesline as he enters, Spike ducks, lays in forearms to Steven’s face. Spike ducks another clothesline, scores an inverted Atomic Drop, clotheslines Steven to canvas. Spike brings Steven up, attempts whip, reversed, Spike off ropes, Steven brings him up, Spike scores with a hurricanrana, Steven down. Steven bails from the ring, Spike follows, Steven goes for a chair, Spike lays into him from behind, chair is dropped. Spike gets in a pair of forearms to the back, attempts whip, reversed, Spike down into the ring steps. Steven tosses him in, follows, gets in a quick boot to the back, brings Spike up, scores a pair of suplexes followed by a facebuster, Spike down for 2. Steven brings Spike up, tries to lock in a full nelson, Spike elbows out, scores a jawbreaker, Steven down. Spike goes to a top turnbuckle, Steven up, joins Spike in corner, connects with a punch, ascends 2nd turnbuckle, sets for superplex, scores, Steven holds on as they fall to mat, rolling Spike up for 2. Steven up, drops a double axehandle, lays in punches until warned off by ref. Steven taunts Spike, brings him up, Spike fires off forearms, Steven to corner, Spike ascends 2nd turnbuckle, just gets in a 3 count of punches until powerbombed down by Steven, Spike down for 2. Steven argues with ref as Spike crawls to corner, Steven goes to opposite, charges, Spike rolls clear, Steven crotched on ring post. Spike drags him up, scores the Dudley Dog, Steven down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Spike Dudley.
Post-match, Steven remains in the ring. As J.R. and the King engage in some last-minute PPV hype, Spike returns to the ring to beat on Steven a bit more.
Video package for Rock/Lesnar ends the show. Summerslam is next.
Standard pre-PPV Heat. Hey, at least the hype was well done. Hope WWE hasn’t abandoned the Raven/D’Lo feud, guess it’s pretty understandable it wasn’t touched on during tonight's show, since Summerslam is regarded as the second most important PPV of the year.
2002 - WWE broadcast Velocity. Matt Zylbert filed the following TV report:
Hosted by Mark Lloyd and Lita
Marky Mark has no partner this week.... that is until Lita's music hits, and lucky for us, she's our guest commentator! Hello everyone and welcome to the always-visited domain of excellence. I am your Texas Rangers fan living in New York, Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that just cannot be beat. The reason I mention myself being a Rangers fan is because I was at the Rangers/Yankees game today, and thus, this week's 'five-star' report had to be delayed. And in a little bit of irony, it was on this SAME date last year that I had to miss my one-and-only Jakked/Metal, due to me being on vacation, and that still remains as the only report I've missed ever since my arrival here at 1Wrestling.com back in May 2001. Now with ALL that aside, let's send it down to TONY THE CHIM for our opening bout.....
Mark Henry vs Mike Awesome
Oh god, it's bad enough having Mark Henry on my show, but in the opener? Come on! But what's even worse is that he's going up against the newest member to Jobbers Inc: We Job for YOU! Awesome's still looking for his first win here, but since he's going up against the impossible task that WWE refuses to give up on, I doubt we'll be seeing that oh-so sweet inaugural win.
To the match now as Awesome pearl-harbors Henry before the bell, but you really can't blame him. I mean, some people become that desperate when looking for their first win. Anyway, the attack would fail to give Mike any significant offense, as Henry fights back with a clothesline, before attempting a gorilla press slam. Unfortunately for him, Awesome gets in a rake to the eyes to get out of the maneuver, and that allows him to follow up with some punches and a rear chinlock. Already? No wonder he hasn't won yet. Henry would easily get out, and he follows with a rough shoulder block. A brief set of bearhugs would later lead into a powerslam from Henry for a near fall, and that would be it for the World's Strongest Man's control, as he runs right into a boot in the corner soon after, just before Awesome works a leg drop for a near fall. Awesome now applies a choke using the ropes, before connecting on a second rope clothesline for another two count. Henry would attempt a comeback at this point, as he launches Awesome in the air so that he drops face-first, but would miss on a splash attempt next, and now the Awesome-One would capitalize. He gets Henry in position by one of the corners, enabling him to hit the Awesome Splash.... for two. Boy, you can always count on Mark Henry to make a finisher look bad. Just ask Kurt Angle. Anyway, on commentary, Lita surprisingly makes an intelligent comment, mentioning how Awesome picked up his arsenal of high-risk moves while in Japan for a few years. I say 'surprisingly' because a guest commentator usually sucks. Jacqueline was the latest to prove that statement, and if you don't know what I'm talking about, let me put it like this. She was on HeAT one week, and gone the next. Back to the match as Awesome stupidly goes for a powerbomb, and obviously, Henry turns it into a backbody drop. He would then squash Awesome in the corner like a pancake, or as Marky Mark calls it, a "locomotive." Hey, I thought that was only Albert. Well, a running powerslam later from Henry is all it will take to give the 1,2,3. Mikey, I now officially consider you Awesome.... Awesome at jobbing that is. And well, I guess the quest for a win continues....
Winner: Mark Henry
To avoid getting any questions about this, Lita explains how she was drafted by RAW, but is "visiting" Smackdown during this appearance. Yeah, whatever Lita. Try and disguise it all you want, but all it is, is yet ANOTHER flaw in the "brand extension."
Commercial
Whack of the Night: Two weeks ago on Smackdown, Mysterio humiliates Angle with the 619, while making him bleed in the process.
Marky Mark and Lita show us the Angle/Kidman match from Smackdown, as well a highlights package recapping everything that leads up to the upcoming bout between Angle and Mysterio at Summerslam.
Boot of the Week: Funaki FINALLY picks up his first Velocity pinfall, as he pins Tajiri in the Tag Team main event last week, giving him and Kidman the win. I really wonder what Funaki did backstage that night after the win. I mean.... he actually pinned someone!
Commercial
Tajiri vs Funaki
Well, I guess it's back to the jobber role for Funaki. I mean, a pinfall over Tajiri in a tag-team match was nice, but the buck stops here, I assume. Well, at least Funaki has his interviewing job, in which he has already proved to be better than Michael Cole in a manner of weeks.
Before we get to the match, Funaki stops by ringside to tell Lloyd and Lita that he is the number one interviewer on Smackdown. Don't go that far, buddy. NO ONE is better than Marky Mark. Well, maybe Lord Alfred Hayes back in his prime, but that's all I can think of. Anyway, to the match as Funaki starts off in control after a series of basics. He would turn a hip-toss attempt into an arm drag, and then follow up with a dropkick, which is only performing some of the JAPAN MOVES OF PAIN! Funaki would go for a belly-to-back suplex now,but Tajiri lands on his feet, and then blasts his Japanese foe with a sweet crescent kick. Tajiri would follow up with a tilt-a-whirl slam, before hitting a knee to the face, WITHOUT the weird scream. Hmm that's interesting. Tajiri now cinches in a modified surfboard, and despite Funaki powering his way out, the Japanese Buzzsaw would elbow his opponent after an attempted sunset flip. Tajiri would now head to the top, and NOW he would give out his loud, annoying scream, and as he goes for a moonsault, Funaki rolls out of the way. He would capitalize from this with a bulldog for a near fall, and then an enziquiri for yet another two count. On the follow up, however, Funaki would miss a ram in the corner, but when Tajiri goes for the TUUUUUUUHHHHHHH.... Funaki cuts me off with a sit-down powerbomb for ANOTHER two count. Funaki tries to continue his offense at this point with the same modified roll-up that beat Tajiri last week, but the Buzzsaw blocks it with one of his own for a near fall. The Indeed One would take control back in the corner, and he then goes for the TUUUUHHHH.... I'm cut off again as Funaki is unable to pull off, and instead, executes another roll-up. Tajiri would roll through it, and after hitting his foe with a dropkick to the face, Tajiri drills his adversary with the Kick of Death to pick up the win. Revenge is sweet.
Winner: Tajiri
Commercial
Lloyd and Lita intro a video package featuring all the highlights leading up to the big Rock/Brock main event to take place at Summerslam. I'm actually surprised here because this match actually has more than a few weeks worth of build up! AMAZING!
Commercial
Chuck w/Billy and Rico vs Hardcore Holly
You look sooo... good to me! I assume this is a part of the never-ending series between Billy/Chuck and Rico, and Hardcore Holly, and I bet you can just FEEL the suspense in this one boys and girls, as the top superstars of Velocity head into battle!
Before we can get to the match, Rico talks with Lita at the announce table, and basically insults Lita's hair. Lita tries to respond, but Rico says, "Talk to the hand 'cuz the face don't wanna hear it anymore!" Okay, maybe he didn't say that, but he DID give Lita the hand, which is the modern-day INSULT OF FUN! To the match finally as Billy and Rico distract like hell, allowing Chuck to take advantage with punches and a snake eyes. After some rams to the back of Holly, Billy would sneak in a hard cheap shot from the outside as the ref was distracted, and Chuck would follow with a suplex for a two count. Palumbo would now take his time as he gets in some kicks, but that would prove to be a mistake, as Holly manages to lift up his foe for an electric chair drop. However, that would go nowhere though, as Chuckie takes over again soon after with a back suplex for another near fall, and now resorts to the always-useful punches. Holly would try fighting back with some punches and chops of his own, but to his dismay, he would end up falling victim to a nice overhead belly-to-belly suplex, and now Mr. Palumbo has the advantage again. He would do no good with it, resorting to the chinlock. Holly, of course, gets out, but runs right into an elbow soon after. Chuck would now try to continue the dominance with another overhead belly-to-belly, but instead, Holly counters with the gasmask, and for those that don't know, it actually is Pete Gas' old finisher maneuver. See what kind of impact the Mean Street Posse has on wrestlers today? And they said they couldn't wrestle... that's all wrong. Anyway, back to the match as both men are down, and when they get up, Holly issues an arsenal of punches and chops to gain the upper hand. A clothesline and backdrop later leads into a hurricanrana (!!) from Holly for a near fall, and he would then hit his beautiful dropkick for another two count. Chuck would end up catching Holly off guard with a powerslam for a count of two at this point, and as he goes for the jungle kick, Hardcore blocks it. He then gets Palumbo up for the Alabama Slam, but in FULL VIEW OF REFEREE JIMMY KORDERES, Rico grabs Chuck's hand to prevent the move from happening. "What the hell are you doing?!" asks Kordres, who instead of calling a disqualification like a normal referee, instead tends to Rico for distraction. All of this allows Billy to come into the ring, and give Holly his old finisher, the One and Only, which leads into a winning pinfall for Chuck. Ridiculous job by Korderes there, as there should've obviously been a disqualification, but I guess to him, Chuck is a lot like Hulk Hogan. Back in the day, Hogan would get away with some cheating, including the infamous incident where he hit Andre the Giant with a chair in front of the referee, and there was no DQ. Instead, it was later dubbed a no contest and both men were ousted from the tournament. Anyway, that was then, and right now, Billy, Chuck, and Rico are layin' a beating on Holly... that is until Randy Orton runs to the ring to make the save. And with all this action going on, it can only mean LOW-CARD MAYHEM has occurred! Yeah baby! Orton then calls for them to come back to the ring, which they do, only to be knocked right out again by Hardcore and Orton. Some pretty good stuff here, but it would not be over with just yet.
Winner: Chuck
Commercial
Billy w/Chuck and Rico vs Randy Orton w/Hardcore Holly
Marky Mark tells us that during the break, this match was announced to take place, so here we are. And to my surprise, Jimmy Korderes will be reffing this match as well, but I guess it fits with the theme: Cheat in Front of Me!
To the match now as get a clean break in the corner at the start, but that wouldn't last too long, as Billy shoves Orton in a totally expected heelish move. This, of course, pisses off the young Orton, and he fires at his foe with some hard punches, including a choke in the corner. Billy would fight back with a kick to the mid-section, but loses control as Orton is able to execute an arm drag. The rookie follows with a nicely-executed hip-toss, but would then be sent over the top rope courtesy of Rico. Chuck then gets in a few cheap shots on the outside, and AGAIN, the referee does nothing to do about. He "pretends" to be distracted by Holly, as Chuck now sends Orton back in for some more damage from Rockabilly. Billy would resort to the snapmare/chinlock combo right now, and of course, that doesn't work. IT NEVER WORKS! Oh yeah, I forgot, it's a "ware-down" move. Anyway, Orton keeps the arm up on the third drop, and he is then able to punch his way out of the submission move. He would run right into a beautiful dropkick, however, and Billy follows with a pinfall for two. The former Smoking Gunn would now work a choke in the corner, but as he tries to follow up with a ram, he ends up eating post instead, and this allows Orton to capitalize with a DDT. Both men are down, and meanwhile, Chuck does something productive on the outside as he talks with some of the fans. That's kinda funny, considering the fact that he should be concentrating on what his partner is doing in the ring, especially at a crucial point in the match-up. Anyway, Orton starts his new offense with a roll-up for two, and then manages to get the boot up and into the face of Billy in the corner. This enables him to execute a bulldog from the second rope, drawing another two count from Korderes. Orton now goes for his crossbody block, but Chuck enters the ring to shove his partner out of the way, and take the move himself! Wow, it takes tremendous courage to take a crossbody. Well in this case, it saves the match. Hardcore would now get involved, as he knocks Chuck out of the ring. Rico then tries to do something, but instead, ends up distracting Korderes, and as that happens, Billy sets up for the Fame-Asser. That would not happen though, as Holly shoves Orton out of the way, so he can give Billy the Alabama Slam, and this ultimately leads to Orton getting the pinfall win.
Winner: Randy Orton
Marky Mark and Lita get in some brief shill for Summerslam and Confidential, and that'll wrap things up.
With another 'five-star' report coming to a close, this is Matt Zylbert wishing you guys and gals a great week, and I'll see ya next week! Peeeeaaaace.
2010 - Worldwide Wrestling Promotions, a would-be start-up that claimed to have big backing that signed a number of talents, instead issued the following email to those signed to their roster just as they were scheduled to start operations:
Hello Team:
I apologize for the lack of updates lately but guys there has been ALOT going on and I really wanted to give you all as much information as I could as to where things stand in this update.
First of all I think you all know that this is a huge project that we have taken on. With WWP we are not just launching a new independent promotion or something that is going to be on the long list of fly by night wrestling companies that have come and gone. We are planning on being here for the long run and in becoming over the next decade the premiere wrestling company in the world. That obviously does not happen over night nor does it happen without hitting some bumps in the road.
Well we have hit more than our fair share of bumps recently. To be honest there are many forces in the wrestling business doing whatever they can to sabotage everything we are trying to do and doing everything in their power to make sure that this company will never launch. I can promise you though that no matter how many hurdles we have to jump over that there are people here dedicated to doing everything they can to make sure this company WILL launch and we will be a long time player in this industry.
That said guys this is a tough process and those working with us on the financing side realize now that there were mistakes made in setting things up and in order to guarantee that this company will not be one of the countless entities that have come out with a bang and have fizzled and burnt out before ever really leaving the ground we have had to make some painful decisions that we are not at all happy about.
The most serious decision is that we have been told our original time table is not at all feasible. While we were all committed to launching in October we know now that has become an impossible goal.
Our new goal is to start operations in the first part of the new year however we do not as of today have a firm date. That unfortunately means that contracts will have to be changed to a new starting date.
Now I know that none of you will be happy with this decision and I HATE to be the one that has to write this but it is something that the corporate side of this company feels has to be done. Trust me when I say that Pete and I have fought this decision KICKING AND SCREAMING (literally) but unfortunately it comes down to either this move is made or this company does not move forward.
I have been told that there will be addendums to your contracts drawn up by our attorney.
If you decide you do not wish to sign the contract addendums we fully understand. You will still be welcome to come back to work for us in the future once we are up and running in the early part of the new year. For those of you that sign the contract addendums you will be receiving extra shares of company stock and the addendums will also spell out our full health and benefits plan that will be made available to you.
I want to thank Mister St. Laurent and Kevin Kleinrock for doing a great job of signing everyone they were asked to and want everyone to know that they had nothing to do with this decision made and feel just as terrible about this as Pete and I.
I want you all to know that we are 100% committed to you being the first roster of WWP and if you stick by us through these growing pains we will make sure you have the ride of your lives as part of our company.
On the positive side of things we did sign a major deal this week that I am going to be able to give you the details on very soon along with hopefully the news of an even bigger deal that will put us in a very advantageous position to launch our product. I should be able to give you all details in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks,
R. Sean Pascoe
Vice President
Worldwide Wrestling Promotions, INC.
[phone number deleted]
To date, the promotion never launched.
