Wrestling History Today - 5th April
On this day in history in ....
1945 - Sika Anoa'i is born in Leone, American Samoa.
1953 - Bobby Bruns and Bobby Managoff defeats Al Kashey and Tom Rice to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1956 - Diamond Dallas Page is born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
1961 - Bobby and Don Fields defeat The Mysterious Medics in Mobile, Alabama for the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Title, beginning their fourth reign.
1961 - Skull Murphy defeats Guy Mitchell in Columbus, Georgia to win his third Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title.
1968 - Spoiler #1 (Don Jardine) defeats Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas, ending Von Erich's third reign.
1968 - Harley Race defeats Sonny Myers to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in St. Joseph, Missouri. This ended Myers' 14th and final run with the title.
1974 - Pat Barrett and Tony Kontellis win a tournament in Sydney, Australia for the NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title.
1976 - Big Bad John and Bill Dundee defeat Roger Kirby and David Schultz in Memphis, Tennessee for the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1978 - The Assassin and Ernie Ladd defeat Ray Candy and Steven Little Bear to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
1978 - Steve Grey defeats Bobby Ryan in a tournament final for the British Lightweight Title in Blackburn, England.
1980 - Ralph "Ruffy" Silverstein dies at age 66.
1980 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- Mike Duggan defeated Fred Marzino.
- Pete Doherty defeated Joe Crugnale.
- René Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- WWF World Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski and Tito Santana defeated The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) by disqualification after The Wild Samoans attacked guest referee Pat Patterson.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Bruno Sammartino by disqualification.
1980 - Roger Mason defeats Steve Travis to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1982 - In their famous match at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, Andy Kaufman defeats AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler by disqualification, after Lawler hit Kaufman with a piledriver, a banned move. After the match, Lawler gave Kaufman a second piledriver, with Kaufman being wheeled out on the stretcher.
1984 - Jerry and Ted Oates win their second NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas, defeating The Grapplers (Tony Anthony and Len Denton). This was a rematch from the tournament final a week earlier in which the Grapplers used a loaded boot in winning over the Oates. Marty Jannetty also began his career that night.
1985 - La Fiera defeats Gran Hamada to win the NWA World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1986 - Riki Choshu ends Stan Hansen's second run with the NJPW PWF Heavyweight Title in Yokohama, Japan.
1986 - Chigusa Nagayo defeats Dump Matsumoto for the vacant AJW All Pacific Title in Tokyo, Japan. The title was vacated on December 12 when Devil Masami won the WWWA World Singles Title.
1987 - Stampede Wrestling held a tournament for its International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta. The title was vacated in January after Fumihiro Niikura, who held the title with Hiroshi Hase, went back to Japan in December. The results were:
First round:
- The Cuban Assassin and Ron Starr defeated Ben Bassarab and Johnny Smith.
- Bruce Hart and Brian Pillman defeated Michael Hammer and Beef Wellington.
- Kerry Brown and Duke Meyers defeated Bill Kazmaier and Ron Ritchie to advance to the final match.
Semifinals:
- Bruce Hart and Brian Pillman defeated The Cuban Assassin and Ron Starr.
Finals:
- Bruce Hart and Brian Pillman defeated Kerry Brown and Duke Meyers to win the vacant Stampede International Tag Team Title.
1991 - Bill Dundee wins his second USWA Texas Heavyweight Title from Eric Embry in Dallas, Texas, ending his second reign. At the same event, Jeff Jarrett defeats Tom Prichard for the USWA Heavyweight Title, beginning his fourth reign.
1992 - The WWF held WrestleMania VIII at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana, before 62,167 fans. The event got a 2.3 buyrate. WrestleMania VIII, in addition to all the matches, featured the respective WWF television debuts of Lex Luger and Paul Ellering. The results were:
- In a dark match, The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke) defeated The Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake).
- Shawn Michaels (with Sensational Sherri) pinned Tito Santana with a bodypress after reversing a bodyslam attempt.
- The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) pinned Jake Roberts after a Tombstone Piledriver on the floor.
- Bret Hart pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper to win the title after pushing off the turnbuckle with his foot to roll over Piper's sleeperhold. This began Hart's second reign as Intercontinental Champion.
- The Big Bossman, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter and Virgil defeated The Mountie, The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) and Repo Man, when Virgil pinned Knobbs after Sags accidentally hit Knobbs with Virgil's protective face mask.
- Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned WWF Champion Ric Flair (with Mr. Perfect) with a roll-up and a handful of tights to win the title, and begin his second reign as WWF Champion.
- Tatanka pinned Rick Martel after a flying crossbody.
- The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Money, Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster (with Jimmy Hart)), after the champions got intentionally counted out. Money, Inc. retained their title.
- Owen Hart pinned Skinner with a roll-up.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Sid Justice (with Harvey Whippleman) by disqualification after Whippleman interfered. After the match, Papa Shango ran in to help Sid assault Hogan. Hogan was rescued by the Ultimate Warrior, making his first appearance since August's SummerSlam.
1992 - Satanico defeats Lizmark for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, beginning and ending both men's fourth reign.
1997 - Carlos Colón wins his 21st WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, by defeating Jim Steele in a rematch from their March 22 meeting in Yabucoa, when the title was held up.
1999 - The Monday Night War continued, with WWF RAW is WAR beating WCW Monday Nitro, 5.8 to 4.3 in the ratings.
The 306th episode of WWF RAW is WAR was taped on March 30 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The results:
- Kane and X-Pac defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) to win the title.
- Al Snow defeated Hardcore Holly.
- The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) defeated Edge and Gangrel.
- Ken Shamrock vs. Viscera ended in a no-contest.
- Mankind defeated Val Venis.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust (with The Blue Meanie) fought The Godfather to a double-countout to retain the title.
- Big Show defeated The Rock and Triple H (with Chyna and Shane McMahon) by disqualification in a handicap match.
WCW Monday Nitro's 186th edition was live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The results were:
- Hak (with Chastity) defeated Kendall Windham in a Kendo Stick match.
- Konnan defeated Lizmark, Jr.
- Scott Steiner defeated Meng in a WCW United States Heavyweight Title tournament semifinal match.
- Jim Duggan defeated Lenny Lane.
- Stevie Ray defeated Brian Adams, Horace and Vincent in a battle royal to win leadership of the black and white nWo.
- Raven and Perry Saturn defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio, Jr. by disqualification. Kidman and Mysterio retained the title.
- Booker T defeated Chris Jericho in a WCW United States Heavyweight Title tournament semifinal match.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
- Goldberg defeated Diamond Dallas Page, WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan in a four-way match. Flair retained the title.
1999 - Silky Boom Boom defeats Lord Humongous for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Loganville, Georgia.
2002 - Ricky Banderas and Shane the Glamour Boy defeat The Starr Corporation (Chicky Starr and Victor the Bodyguard) to win the IWA World Tag Team Title in Manatí, Puerto Rico, ending the Starr Corporation's fifth reign.
2002 - Bruce and Teddy Hart defeat Apocalypse and Dave Swift in a tournament final for the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta.
2002 - Havoc defeats Seth Knight in a tournament final to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Title in Chehalis, Washington. Tony Kozina had vacated the title earlier in the year.
2002 - OVW held "Spring Breakout", its first-ever event at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. The results:
- Leviathan pinned both Chris Cage and Johnny Jeter in a handicap match.
- Flash Flanagan and Trailer Park Trash defeated Big Bad John (Heidenreich) and Bull Buchanan, when Flanagan pinned Buchanan. The guest referee was Mark Henry.
- The Dogg Pound (Shelton Benjamin and Redd Dogg) and Nidia defeated The Disciples of Synn (Damien and Payne) and Synn, when Nidia pinned Synn.
- Danny Davis and The Lords of the Ring (Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore) defeated Victoria and OVW Southern Tag Team Champions Doug Basham and Damaja, when Davis pinned Basham.
- David and Ric Flair defeated Sean O'Haire and OVW Heavyweight Champion The Prototype, when the Flairs made their opponents submit with double Figure Four Leglocks.
2003 - The East Coast Wrestling Association held the seventh-annual Super 8 Tournament at Saint Matthews Parish Hall in Wilmington, Delaware. The results were:
- Frankie Kazarian defeated Chris Sabin in a Super 8 Tournament first round match.
- Spanky defeated Chris Cage in a Super 8 Tournament first round match.
- Chance Beckett defeated Sedrick Strong in a Super 8 Tournament first round match.
- Paul London defeated Alex Arion in a Super 8 Tournament first round match.
- ECWA Tag Team Champion Matt Striker and The S.A.T. (Joél and José Maximo) defeated ECWA Tag Team Champion Ace Darling, Mega and Prince Nana by disqualification.
- Paul London defeated Frankie Kazarian in a Super 8 Tournament semifinal match.
- Chance Beckett defeated Spanky in a Super 8 Tournament semifinal match.
- ECWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion The Japanese Pool Boy won a 19-man ECWA Summit Battle Royal to earn an immediate ECWA Heavyweight Title match. The other participants were: The Amazing Red, Billy Bax, Cheetah Master, Ace Darling, Mozart Fontaine, Mike Kruel, Joél Maximo, José Maximo, Joey Maxx, Johnny Maxx, Tyler Mayne, Mega, Mr. Ooh La La, Prince Nana, Roughhouse Rivera, Matt Striker, Trinity and Venom.
- ECWA Heavyweight Champion Christopher Daniels defeated ECWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion The Japanese Pool Boy to retain his title.
- Paul London defeated Chance Beckett to win the Super 8 Tournament.
Jess McGrath filed the following live report:
It is not an exaggeration to call the ECWA's Super 8 tournament the biggest event in the indies. It certainly is to those on the inside. There is fierce competition among talent to get booked on the show, as a show-stealing performance almost always opens the door to more bookings around the country, and hopefully as the result of that, a spot with WWE. What's more interesting to me about this tournament is not who goes over, but who grabs the brass ring, who surprises everybody and "makes himself" in one night.
This year, it was Chance Beckett. The former ECCW champion was a complete unknown east of the Mississippi. He turned in three solid performances and caught the attention of everybody, even overshadowing tournament winner Paul London to some degree. I was impressed with both Beckett's work and personality. He was a good heel and cut a good promo. And he showed tremendous toughness by going two more matches after suffering a nasty hardway cut. After his second round match with Brian Kendrick, he was so weak in the back he couldn't even stand.
There was a lot of mixed reaction to London's performance. These were his first matches back since surgery for a nasal infection. And he worked a different, less highspot-oriented style than he usually does for Ring of Honor, where his matches have received rave reviews and he's gotten over to an amazing degree as a babyface. I thought what he did was fine, and in particular enjoyed his work in the finals a lot. But if you were looking for his work to be along the lines of what he's done in ROH, you were likely disappointed.
While I thought this year's tournament overall was good, it was not at the level of the previous two years' editions. The crowd seemed to agree with me, as I noticed less reaction for the Super 8 matches than usual.
They began with a brief video package showing the eight competitors in this year's tournament. Paul London and Brian Kendrick got the best reaction, although with the former I suspect that was due more to the guys from Mike Johnson's New York bus trip. Then WWE Smackdown tag team champion Charlie Haas made a surprise appearance to a standing ovation. Haas and his brother, the late Russ Haas, were tag champions for ECWA for several months in 2000. Jim Kettner had a hand in training both Haas Brothers. He put over the Super 8, talking about how he was robbed of the opportunity to wrestle in last year's tourney due to an injury (ACL tear). They then brought out the eight competitors to pose for photos for the trophy.
FRANKIE KAZARIAN beat CHRIS SABIN. Kazarian was replacing Johnny Jeter, who dropped out due to an injury. Sabin, who was trained by Border City Wrestling promoter Scott D'Amore, works indies in Michigan and Ontario. Kazarian is a regular with UPW and other West Coast indies. Both Kazarian and Sabin are nicknamed "The Future", which provided the opportunity for some non-committal "Future" chants. I thought this was the best match of the first round. They both did very well. Kazarian showed some personality playing the heel. Sabin got a pop for a reverse neckbreaker where he dropped Kazarian across his knee. Kazarian busted out a Wild Bill Irwin-style jumping big boot to the face. They did back-and-forth cradle two-counts on the mat. Sabin did a very impressive spot where he rolled through on a cross body, got back up to a standing position and holding Kazarian in his arms in one fluid move, then swung him around and dropped his back across his knee. A short time later, he ran up the ropes and gave Kazarian a German suplex. Kazarian did a full flip and landed on his stomach. Kazarian got the pin with the flatliner.
BRIAN "SPANKY" KENDRICK beat CHRIS CAGE. Cage is from OVW. He was trained at the OVW school by Danny Davis and Nick Dinsmore. Kendrick had an excellent match with American Dragon in the first round of the 2001 tournament. This wasn't close to that level at all. The reaction to this match was disappointing considering a WWE talent was involved. Cage got out of the sliced bread #2 once. Kendrick hit it on the second try (bouncing off the ropes instead of the turnbuckle) for the pin.
1998 winner Simon Diamond came out. After briefly speaking about the tournament, he talked about the late Jeff Peterson, saying he went to Jim Kettner after Kettner asked him to train Peterson and said he didn't know what to do with him, to which Kettner replied that he should give him the same opportunity that Kettner gave Diamond when he started. They then showed video highlights of Peterson's two Super 8 matches, in 1999 vs. Christopher Daniels (it garnered rave reviews at the time) and 2000 vs. Jet Jaguar.
CHANCE BECKETT beat SEDRICK STRONG. Beckett wrestles regularly for ECCW in British Columbia. Strong is from Florida. Beckett did a great job here. Aside from Kazarian, he was the only one to play to the crowd and try to get himself over as a heel, which he did. Early in the match, Beckett got a hardway gash on his chin from a kick by Strong. I saw the cut up-close later and it was very nasty. Beckett did a spot where he gave Strong a double underhook suplex, rolled through, did it again, rolled through again, then gave Strong a double underhook DDT. Sedrick hit a spear followed by a cannonball dive outside. When they got back in, Beckett hit his finish, an Asai moonsault dive where he caught Strong mid-air and dropped him like a Scorpion death drop (or, in honor of the Godwinns, a slop drop) for the pin.
PAUL LONDON beat ALEX ARION. Arion works the New England indy scene, including for Sheldon Goldberg's New England Championship Wrestling. He's also been booked of late with Ring of Honor, where London is one of the top guys. A nothing special match. London didn't do anything spectacular in this match to get himself over. Arion used the Victoria widow's peak for a two-count. London scored the fall using a rollup. He was holding his nose afterward.
THE SAT'S & STRIKER were announced as winners over PRINCE NANA & MEGA & ACE DARLING by DQ. The storyline here was that Darling and Striker won the tag team titles at the last show, then Darling turned heel by attacking Cheetah Master. The question was whether the Striker and Darling team would continue to exist. ECWA audiences have always been more about the story and the traditional good guy vs. bad guy saga than about great work or psychology, and that was the case here, as they were very much into this match. Nana is so over with me. Just a great gimmick. He said next month he was going to turn Darling into the Honorable Ace Darling of Ghana, West Africa. SAT's were over huge coming out. And speaking of huge, Mega is a monster. He debuted in ROH recently as the second giant with the Lennox Lewis lookalike. For a giant, he was actually selling a lot. The SAT's timing was off on several spots. The SAT's worked the whole way. Darling missed a legdrop off the top, and the hot tag was made to Striker. Striker got in and immediately turned on Joel Maximo, giving him a DDT. Striker and Darling hugged. The heels trashed the SAT's as the ref called for the bell. Cheetah Master ran in and backed up Mega before Darling attacked him from behind. The J-Team (J.R. Ryder & J.J. Johnston) then came out and turned babyface by saving the SAT's and Cheetah.
PAUL LONDON beat FRANKIE KAZARIAN. Frankie took the running bump into the corner where he flies over the top to the floor. Triple H has pulled that one out before, but I thought Kazarian's was more impressive. London then dove off the top to the floor. Kazarian did a springboard off the ropes but London caught him and gave him a belly to back. I get a kick out of London's dropkicks where he does a full flip in the air after hitting them. Mike Johnson came up with the term "dropsault" to describe them. Kazarian again did the Irwin kick. He also repeated another spot from the Sabin match, where he had London his shoulders and, as he held his hands, dropped him back to the mat and bridged for a two-count. Kazarian twice got knocked off the ropes by London. The third time, he went for a huracanrana off the top, but London dumped him to the mat with a powerbomb, then gave him the shooting star press for the pin. This was stronger than London-Arion and a good match, although the crowd didn't really get into it.
CHANCE BECKETT beat BRIAN KENDRICK. Beckett came out with his jaw taped from the hardway cut. During the match, it was bleeding through his bandage. He posted Spanky early. Beckett got Kendrick in a one-legged Boston crab, but Spanky made the ropes. He later put Kendrick in a great looking move probably best described as a reverse standing Texas cloverleaf. Crowd was chanting "tap" (except for the New York bus trip guys, who were responding with "no" chants). Again, Kendrick made the ropes. Beckett pulled him back to the middle. Beckett hit his finish, then did a move where he had Kendrick on his back, holding him by his neck, and dropped down. That led to the pin. Good match.
JAPANESE POOL BOY won the annual ECWA Summit (Royal Rumble) for a heavyweight title shot at Christopher Daniels. This was ga-ga, and I enjoy a solid mix of ga-ga in with the good stuff. Kevin Kelly laid this out. Mr. Ooh La La was the first out. He's been doing the same gimmick with very little change to it for at least eight years, and he's still really over as a heel with this audience. His manager, Carlton P. Hightower, was funny on the mic. Crowd chanted "hobbit" at him since he's so short. He said Ooh La La was robbed by not being in the Super 8, and everybody has to go through him in order to prove they're the best in ECWA. Pool Boy was second. A security guy held up a disco ball over Pool Boy's head, then followed him around with it, for his entrance to Abba's "Dancing Queen". Ooh and Pool Boy did comedy spots. Roughhouse Rivera was supposed to be #3 in, but he never came out. Next in were Joey & Johnny Maxx. They combined with Pool Boy to give Ooh a three-way Garvin stomp. Mozart Fontaine, Billy Bax, Tyler Mayne, and Mega came in. Mega did the big man in a battle royal stuff where he quickly tossed out Ooh and Fontaine. Mayne ran into Mega, then fell backward over the top to the floor. Xero was next in. He and Mega had the big man vs. big man staredown. Striker came out and went after the Maxx's, who had not been eliminated but were outside the ring selling after taking bumps for Mega. Trinity, who's been feuding with Hightower, came in. She got in Mega's face after Mega dumped Xero. Ace Darling came out and attacked the Maxx's. Prince Nana ordered Mega to eliminate himself, and when he refused, he slapped him. Mega begrudgingly did so. Nana tossed Trinity out. Mega caught her before she hit the floor and put her back in. She then threw Nana out. That sequence got a tremendous reaction. Joel Maximo and Venom were next in. Venom eliminated Trinity. Pool Boy threw out Venom. Trinity and Venom had a wild brawl to the back. It looked good. Trinity tossed Venom into the lighting pole, knocking those away from the ring. Jose Maximo entered. He and Joel went for the Spanish fly, but Rob Eckos, on crutches, ran in and broke the crutches on the Maximos, who bumped out to the floor. The Maxx's, Darling, and Striker all were gone from a double clothesline spot. Mike Kruel and Red were in next. A guy wearing a hat and a baseball bat (I think this might have been Rivera) ran in and attacked Bax. Red did a swanton. Kruel tossed out Bax. Cheetah Master was introduced. Just like Ooh La La, another guy who hasn't changed his act in years and still gets a superstar reaction. He was eliminated fairly quickly by Kruel. Kruel blocked a Red huracanrana attempt and tossed him out. Then Pool Boy eliminated Kruel to win.
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS beat JAPANESE POOL BOY to retain the ECWA title. We all know the quality of matches Daniels can have with guys like Red, Low-Ki, or American Dragon. A better test of his ability was whether he could pull a good match out here. And for what it was, it was fine. It wasn't going to get any better. The only problem was that the audience did not buy the near falls. They started out with mat wrestling. Pool Boy got on Daniels' back and smacked his ass. Daniels immediately rolled through and put Pool Boy in a crossface. Pool Boy made the ropes. Daniels destroyed him most of the way until Pool Boy came back with two-counts using cradles, backslides, roll ups, etc. Daniels pinned Pool Boy using the last rites (roll of the dice). He put over Pool Boy on the mic afterward and offered to shake his hand. I think Daniels only has a problem with shaking hands in the Philadelphia city limits. Anyway, Pool Boy hugged him. Daniels then grabbed Pool Boy's ass, which got a pop.
Before the final, they showed a backstage interview with London and Beckett. London's promo was a lot like a Ricky Steamboat promo. Beckett, who said he came in an unknown and vowed to leave a legend, came off as a strong heel.
PAUL LONDON beat CHANCE BECKETT in the Super 8 final. Before the match even started, Beckett attacked London outside the ring and worked over his left leg, including slamming it into the ring post. I thought this was a really good match that told a simple story effectively. It was much different than the usual London ROH match. London did a phenomenal job selling the leg. Beckett put London in the reverse cloverleaf. He got out by rolling through, with Beckett falling face-first into the middle turnbuckle. London got a two-count with the shooting star press. Big pop for Beckett kicking out. London caught Beckett in the Great Muta "Oriental torture device", best described as a reverse chinlock with London bridging behind Beckett. Beckett passed out, the ref checked his arm three times, and London was declared winner. It was a different finish, and entire match for the matter, than had been done in previous finals. Charlie Haas and the other participants got in the ring. London was lifted up on their shoulders. He got on the mic and put over Beckett for having heart. Beckett then put over London and shook his hand.
London made an appearance on the New York bus right before it returned to NYC and gave an emotional speech, thanking the fans for supporting him and saying that even though his family won't support him in his wrestling career, he knows he always has his brothers from New York with him and that has made the difference. Beckett also stopped on the bus. He said the crowd was the best he'd ever worked in front of.
2003 - Ray Gonzalez wins his second IWA World Heavyweight Title from Ricky Banderas in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ending his fourth reign. Jess McGrath penned the following:
The IWA had their biggest show on their Juicio Final tour on 4/5 at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon. That stadium has been run many times by rival WWC in the past for their annual anniversary shows. IWA, in their first time in the place, drew an estimated 11,000+, with the gate somewhere in the $100,000 range. Yeah, this company is hot. Rey Gonzalez won the IWA title from Ricky Banderas in the main event and the best match of the night. Both guys exchanged finishers, including Gonzalez's figure-four and Banderas' frog splash, before they went to the finish, with Fernando Tonos interfering and, as Abriela distracted the ref, Victor Quinones passed a gimmick to Rey, which he used to KO Banderas for the pin. Konnan, Rick Steiner, D-Lo Brown, and Scott Hall were all brought in for the tour. Hall put over Savio Vega after Vega hit him with the bat following distraction from Tonos and Quinones. Brown lost to Shane. He shook Shane's hand and put him over afterward, then celebrated with the Puerto Rican flag. Steiner teamed with Victor the Bodyguard to beat Nord and Abyss when Victor pinned Abyss after a miscommunication by the heels. Abyss and Nord teased a breakup afterward before Savio came out and told Abyss to leave the ring and go to the back. Huracan Castillo Jr. beat Konnan by DQ when Miguel Perez interfered. Castillo did a spot where he imitated Carlos Colon. Perez beat Lobo in a kendo stick on a pole match. Lobo grabbed the stick first. Angel jumped in, so Lobo blasted him with the cane. Perez then small packaged Lobo for the pin. Slash Venom and Chicano had an excellent undercard brawl, with Chicano going over. Chris Divine put over Tommy Diablo underneath.
2003 - Billy Kryptonite wins his second Chaotic Wrestling New England Title from Vince Vicallo in Methuen, Massachusetts. At the same event, Luis Ortiz defeats John Walters to win the CW Heavyweight Title, and begin his second reign.
2003 - Papi Cholo defeats The Jett for the NWA Hawaii Junior Heavyweight Title in Kaneohe, Hawaii, ending his second reign. At the same show, Lightning Leni wins the NWA Hawaii Hardcore Title by defeating Sick Dog.
2003 - Ebessan defeats Pero to win the Osaka Pro Wrestling World's Best Attraction Title in Osaka, Japan, beginning his second reign.
2003 - Trik Nasty defeats Max Power and Rocky Reynolds in a three-way match to win the NWA Tri-State Heavyweight Title in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
2003 - Tommy Capone defeats Jeff Daniels in Columbia, Tennessee to become the first NWA Main Event Television Champion.
2003 - Several WWE developmental wrestlers were part of the monthly Heartland Wrestling Association show at the Red Barn Flea Market in Batavia, OH, on 4/5. Lance Cade, Rene Dupree, and Sly Grenier (the ref who screwed Hulk Hogan in the match with Rock at No Way Out 2003) teamed to beat Nova, Matt Morgan, and the HWA's Hoss. Main event was heavyweight champion Matt Stryker beating frequent tag partner B.J. Whitmer in a 30:00 Ironman match to keep the belt. Chad Collyer won a number one contender's match beating Chet Jablonski. Jess McGrath reporting.
2003 - IPW debuted in South Florida with a show on 4/5 in Davie, FL. They have taken over running in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale market with the collapse of Bobby Rogers' Future of Wrestling; their TV will be starting on the UPN affiliate on 4/11. Billy Fives and David Babylon, who are now teaming as Animal House, lost to Scoot Andrews and Roderick Strong of the Alliance of Defiance in the main event. Andrews scored the fall on Fives using the ropes. Fives challenged Andrews to a match for Fives' heavyweight title at the return date on 5/24. Dennis "Mideon" Knight wrestled Punisher, from south Florida indies making his debut with this promotion, in a "battle of the giants". Knight did the job. Knight jawed with Antonio Banks until Banks ran him off. Naphtali and Justice did a finish in their cruiserweight title match where Naphtali had his shoulders pinned as Justice was tapping out, so there was no winner. The Shane Twins retained the NWA Florida tag team titles over Agent Steele & Mikey Tenderfoot. Steele was supposed to team with Rod Steel, but they said that because of a shoulder injury to Rod, Tenderfoot would take his place. Banks, the "hometown babyface", won a three way match over Lex Lovett and Steve Madison. Banks scored the fall on Madison after Lovett had been knocked outside the ring. Tony DeNucci debuted, working the opener and beating Johnny Vandal. Jess McGrath reporting.
2003 - Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and the Barbarian worked for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling on 4/5 in Albemarle, NC, before an estimated 175. Eaton and Rikki Nelson, who are the tag team champions here, retained the belts against Zbyszko and Jeff Justice. Zbyszko was a sub for Rick Steiner, who cancelled because he was working for IWA in Puerto Rico. Zbyszko worked hard and actually took the heat to build to a hot tag to Justice. That led to the four way. Nelson, who was outside brawling with Zbyszko, tripped Justice, and Eaton gave him a neckbreaker for the pin. Nelson said he would give Zbyszko 5:00 in the ring. Zbyszko ran him off to end the show with the babyface pop. Pretty good match. Barbarian beat Russian Assassin (Justice under a hood). Former NWA World jr. heavyweight champion Gary Royal defended his Mid-Atlantic jr. title against David Isley. Both Royal and Isley worked for Jim Crockett in the 80s. This match was described as "old school" and solid. The ref, Scotty Piper (former Carolinas indy worker), got bumped. Royal pulled out a gimmick, but Isley stole it, KO'd Royal, and got the pin. Then the ref found the gimmick and DQ'd Isley. Isley did the Thunderfoot gimmick underneath putting over Mikael Yamaha. There was also a women's match where Amber Holly beat Brandi Wine. Next MACW show is 4/12 in Bennettsville, SC, with Rick Steiner and Eaton. Jess McGrath reporting.
2006 - K.C. James and Roadkill defeat The Untouchables (Deuce and Domino) for the OVW Southern Tag Team Title in Louisville, Kentucky.
2006 - Handsome Joe and Yasu Urano defeat Shiori Asahi and Makoto Oishi to win the Kaientai Dojo Strongest-K Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2006 - Mike Lee, Jr. and Mr. X defeat Apple Miyuki and YOSHIYA for the WEW Hardcore Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2010 - The TNA vs. WWE Monday Night War continued with Raw scoring a 3.2 rating and averaging 4,598,000 viewers. Impact did a 0.85 rating, with 1,195,000 viewers.
Here is Stu Carapola's original TNA Impact report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of TNA Impact!
The show opens with a video package recapping the formation of Team Hogan for Lockdown and Jeff Jarrett's addition to the team.
We go backstage to Christy Hemme, who details the rules for a TNA Knockouts Lock Box Showdown tonight. Christy is joined by the Beautiful People, who say that they plan on getting three of the four boxes and winning the TNA Knockouts Title. Lacey comes out in a towel and says that tonight will be a night nobody will forget, because they're going to see Lacey parading around in her bra and panties. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that she considers that more important than the Knockouts Title.
Hulk Hogan comes out to the ring with Abyss and Jeff Jarrett to kick off the festivities. Hogan says we've got some horsepower behind Team Hogan, and Ric Flair has shown his colors over and over, but if he wants to be the big dog and run with the big dogs, he needs to take on Team Hogan because he can't be a big dog unless he beats Team Hogan. Abyss says Flair may be a legend, but he has never dealt with the likes of Abyss, and at Lockdown, when they're locked in the cage, only then will he realize the definition of pain and suffering. It makes no difference who the other members of Team Flair are, because Team Hogan is going to kick their ass. This brings out Ric Flair, being wheeled out of the back by Chelsea, and joined by Desmond Wolfe, Sting, and Beer Money Inc. Flair says if that's Hogan's team, then look at Flair's team. He says there's more history between Flair and Sting than there is in the entire wrestling world. Flair says there's one more thing: he's got his Hall Of Fame ring on because he is the Hall Of Fame, and in St Louis, he's going to shove that ring down his throat. Hogan tells him to shut up, he sees what Flair's got on stage and he feels the power of Team Hogan, but tells Flair not to ever sell him short, because he's got a full team and he's going to find out who that team is when the time is right. Flair says everyone wants to be with the Nature Boy, and if he's got a problem they'll come down right now and see what Hogan's team is all about. Team Flair slowly approaches the ring, but Jarrett tells everyone to hold on because he wants to ask Sting to step in the ring without the bat and answer one question. Sting hands the bat to Wolfe and comes in to face Jarrett. Jarrett says he and Sting have known each other for over 20 years and have a storied history, so he has just one question for Steve: why now? Why now has the dark side come out of him? Yeah, because it's not like they haven't tried turning Sting heel 20 times since he's been in TNA. Sting says nothing, so Jarrett says he may not deserve an answer, but the people in the Impact Zone deserve an answer, and he again asks why now? Sting doesn't respond, so Jarrett slaps him, and Sting drops Jarrett with the Scorpion Deathdrop while Hogan and Sting just stand there. Wolfe comes in and lays Abyss out with the bat and then he and Beer Money stare down Hogan, and all of a sudden Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy come out of the crowd to brawl with Team Flair. Wolfe is left alone in the ring with all four men and gets beat up to end the segment as we go to commercial.
We come back from commercial and we're joining a match in progress...
Rob Van Dam vs James Storm
Van Dam gets a monkey flip for 2, then backdrops Storm to the apron and catches him with a springboard jumpkick to send Storm to the floor. Van Dam goes for a baseball slide, but Storm catches the legs and swings him into the guardrail. Storm goes back in the ring and hits a second rope DDT for 2. Storm with a vertical suplex and wastes a bunch of time before covering for 2 and then we HIT THE CHINLOCK! RVD fights his way out and gets a schoolboy rollup for 2, then a spinkick to the jaw. They go toe to toe until RVD hits another spinkick to the jaw. RVD with a clothesline and Rolling Thunder for 2. Storm catches RVD with an enziguiri and the Eye Of The Storm for 2. RVD blocks a ram into the corner and kicks Storm, slams him in the corner, and hits the split legged moonsault for the win.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Storm comes from behind after the match and hits RVD in the head with the beer bottle and then, as security tries to help RVD, Storm attacks him again. Security finally drags him away and we go to commercial.
We're back with a replay of the beer bottle attack from before the break, and then we see Storm mocking RVD from the ramp, when suddenly Jeff Hardy runs out and attacks Storm from behind before going to check on RVD, but now Robert Roode comes out and attacks Hardy from behind and gives him a spinebuster.
We go backstage to Tara, Angelina Love, Hamada, and . Tara says tonight's competition is a joke, and they're using her to get ratings. She's going out there to do her best and pin someone. Angelina says that sometimes life is a bitch, but with the Knockouts Title on the line she's going to go out there and win. ODB says there's a lot of PMS going on, and she's going out there to win the contract to wrestle anyone because she wants AJ. Hamada says something in Japanese, and we go back to the ring.
Global Title Match: Rob Terry vs Homicide
Holy crap, Homicide still works here! Rob Terry's new nickname is "The Freak". Homicide jumps Terry before the bell, but Terry clotheslines him down, goozles him up to the top rope, and chokeslams him off the top. Terry misses a charge and Homicide lays in some more shots, but goes for a monkey flip and Terry just shoves him off. Terry press slams Homicide, Beels him across the ring, then hits a shoulderblock and goes for a powerslam, but Homicide slips out the back and gets some shots in. Terry eats boot on a charge, but catches Homicide out of a bodypress and hits a powerslam for the win.
Winner: Rob Terry
Homicide attacks Terry from behind with a chair after the match, but Homicide no sells, so Homicide cracks the chair over Terry's head, but Terry no sells that also and chokeslams Homicide as blood starts to run down his forehead. Then the lights go out and Orlando Jordan comes out, pours some kind of cream down his face and chest, and we go to commercial.
We're back, and it's time for the Knockouts Lock Box Challenge!
Knockouts Lock Box Challenge: Tara, Angelina Love, ODB & Hamada vs The Beautiful People & Daffney
Let's see if the guy who runs Lacey's website steals my recap of her match this week, too. Angelina starts with Madison Rayne, then tags out to Tara. Rayne kicks Tara down, then humps her head into the mat. Rayne goes up top, but Tara comes out with the Widow's Peak and eliminates Rayne. Tara wins the first key and we're down to 3-on-3 as we go to commercial.
We're back, and during the commercial, Daffney pinned Hamada to earn a key, so we're down to 2-on-2. Velvet Sky has a chinlock on ODb but ODB fights out and splashes Velvet in the corner. ODB with a fallaway slam on Sky, but only gets 2. Sky slips out of a fireman's carry and gets a DDT to pin ODB and win a kep, and we're down to Lacey and Angelina. Angelina with a flying clothesline and then pounds on Lacey. Angelina whips Lacey into the corner, but Lacey gets her boot up on a charge and goes for a moonsault elbow and drops the elbow even though Angelina moved like five seconds earlier. Angelina with a Flatliner on Lacey for the win.
Winners: Tara, Daffney, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love
As a reminder, each key unlocks one locked box which contain Tara's tarantula, the TNA Knockouts Title, an open contract for a match with anyone, and a contract to have to do a striptease. Now back to the ring for our next match...after a commercial!
Ladder Match: Ken Anderson vs Kurt Angle
We're back from break, and the match is already in progress as Anderson hits a Finlay Roll on Angle. Anderson goes and gets the ladder and brings it in the ring. Anderson suplexes Angle onto the ladder, then sets the ladder up in the corner but Angle now suplexes Anderson into the ladder. Angle takes the ladder out and sets it up in the middle of the ring then goes back to pounding on Anderson, but Anderson whips Angle into the ropes and then rams the ladder into him coming back. Anderson sets up the ladder and goes up top to grab the key, but Angle hits an Angle Slam off the ladder. Angle kicks Anderson out of the ring and slowly climbs back up the ladder, but Anderson comes in and shoves him over the top and Angle takes a really nasty bump to the floor after getting caught on the top rope. Angle's okay though, and Anderson sets up the ladder and goes up, but Angle goes up top and dropkicks the ladder over. Angle with a German Suplex on Anderson, then lays the ladder down, puts Anderson on top of the ladder, goes up top and hits a moonsault onto Anderson on the ladder. Angle fires Anderson into the ringpost, then sets up the ladder and climbs back up, but Anderson grabs Angle's warrior medal and uses it to choke Angle from behind. Angle keeps fighting though, and climbs up to grab the key, but finally he loses consciousness and Anderson goes up and grabs the key.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Anderson gets on the mic after the match saying that he has a bottle of bubbly waiting for him backstage to celebrate not his victory tonight, but his victory at Lockdown, which he just secured, and the only person he's going to be partying with tonight is Mr Anderson...Anderson.
We go backstage to JB with Hulk Hogan, and JB says that Eric Bischoff went into business for himself last week, and is wondering if Hogan has any comment on the situation. Hogan says he's not happy about everything Eric's done since being in TNA, but it stays between them and he's not going to talk about it in public. Bubba the Love Sponge comes in and Hogan tells him he's making a choice to run with the wrong crowd (meaning the Band), and Bubba says he's having a better time than he was with Hogan, so Hogan tells him to have a good time and Bubba says he will and leaves. Jay Lethal comes in and says he has Hogan's back and he's going to find the Megapowers tights.
The Band is just arriving at the Impact Zone, and we're off to commercial!
We're back, and Christy Hemme is backstage with Matt Morgan, who says he's now THE tag team champions. He almost lost the title because of Hernandez, but because of an unfortunate accident a couple of weeks ago, Hernandez is out of action. Morgan says you're looking at the TNA Tag Team Champions: Matt Morgan. Hemme says next week, he's going to have to defend the TNA World Tag Team Title against the winner of the next match.
Motor City Machine Guns vs Team 3D
Sabin and Bubba do a wristlock sequence to start, but Sabin with a series of kicks to Bubba and Bubba responds with a boot to the face. Sabin ducks another boot and hits a springboard bodypress for 1. Tag to Shelley and the Guns get a double team kick to Bubba, but that just made Bubba mad because he smacks Shelley in the face and tags in Devon, who lays Shelley out and hits a diving headbutt. Devon with a bearhug, then drops Shelley with a headbutt. Shelley nails Devon on a backdrop attempt and tags in Sabin, who comes in and cleans house. Sabin off the top with a double dropkick to 3D, and Bubba accidentally nails Devon when Sabin ducks a clothesline. Guns with a sandwich enziguiri and Guns with a double team neckbreaker for 2. Bubba clotheslines both Guns from behind and 3D with the Whazzup, and it's time to get the tables...but wait, the Band comes out and attacks 3D, and the referee calls for the bell. The Band tosses Bubba into the ring with the Guns and they lay everyone out as we go to commercial. Let's call it...
No Contest
We come back and it's time to hear from the Band. Bubba The Love Sponge comes out to join the Band in the ring. Nash says he's got a message: they might not be signing the checks, but they are running the show. He says Hogan's worried about Flair and Bischoff, but that's the least of his worries, because he's looking at his worst nightmare. They've been carrying Hogan for 15 years, but now they're the show and people may not like them, but Nash has three guys in the ring who like him. The Wolfpac music hits.
We go back to JB with the Pope, who is going to attempt to avenge his loss one week ago to Desmond Wolfe. Pope says he's going to make history when he wins the TNA World Title, but even though Wolfe got one over on Pope, tonight's going to be a different story. Desmond Wolfe interrupts and says where he's from, people don't get second chances. He thinks he should get the title shot at AJ at Lockdown. Pope says that if Desmond beats him tonight, he can have the title shot at Lockdown.
Tara is backstage, and she's...STRESSING! We're going to commercial.
Doug Williams comes to the ring and takes the mic from Dave Penzer. He wants to make the point that the days of the acrobats and trapeze artists stinking up the X Division are over, and they need to go back to the circus with the performing monkeys. You tell 'em, Doug! There is an alternative: they can go back to wrestling school and learn how to wrestle. Doug thinks of himself as the master, and because of that would like to be referred to henceforth by his full name Douglas Williams. He's arranged a gauntlet match tonight with himself and Generation Me, and we're going to go right to that match now.
Gauntlet Match: Doug Williams vs Generation Me
Williams starts with Jeremy, and Williams gets a single leg takedown and catapults Jeremy into the corner, but Jermy springboard out onto Williams for 2. Jeremy with a facebuster for 2 and then a high kick to the face for 2, but Williams gets the Chaos Theory to eliminate Jeremy. Now it's Max's turn, and he dives in with a crossbody for 2, then a dropkick for another 2. Max whips Williams into the corner and follows in with an elbow, then a slam and a legdrop gets 2. Max goes up top but Williams knocks him off and gets a guillotine choke and Max taps.
Winner: Douglas Williams
Williams won't break the choke, so Shannon Moore runs out and chases Williams off. Moore says there's no place in the X Division for boring wrestlers like Williams, then challenges Williams to put the X Division Title on the line at Lockdown.
Christy is backstage with Team 3D looking for comments, and Team 3D says there's no reason for the attack they suffered from the Band. Team 3D says their paths have never crossed, but next week they will because they want the Band in the ring.
Desmond Wolfe vs D'Angelo Dinero
Wolfe goes after Pope on the rampway, but Pope fights him off and tosses him back in the ring. Wolfe nails Pope coming back in and gets a flying hammerlock. Wolfe puts Pope up top and goes for the Tower of London, but Pope fights his way out. Pope ducks a lariat and fires away with some quick punches, then hits his version of the Codebreaker for the win. That was quick.
Winner: The Pope
Pope is celebrating on the rampway after the match and AJ Styles comes out and attacks him, then tosses him back in the ring and hits the Styles Clash, then gets in his face and starts shouting at him. Abyss' music hits and out comes the big man, and AJ backs off, but Wolfe attacks Abyss from behind and while he's got Abyss' attention, AJ comes back in and clips Abyss' knee from behind. Wolfe has a fire extinguisher and nails Abyss with it as we go back to commercial.
We're back, and it's time to reveal the contents of the Lock Boxes! I can't believe this is in our main event segment. Velvet opens hers first, and she gets...the open contract! Tara's up second, and her prize is...her tarantula! But unfortunately, this means she's no longer the Knockouts Champion. And it comes down to Angelina and Daffney. They open their boxes at the same time, and our new Knockouts Champion is...Angelina Love! So now Daffney has to go to the ring and strip, and if she doesn't she'll be fired on the spot. Surely this violates some kind of sexual harassment law. Daffney makes her way to the ring and looks none too happy, but she must have picked something up during her time with the YRR. Daffney proceeds to do the worst, least enthusiastic striptease I've ever seen, and with horrible music at that, but out comes Lacey Von Erich, who lays Daffney out with the ugly stick, then she starts stripping as Tara and Angelina start fighting up on the rampway over the Knockouts Title. They start fighting into the ring and brawl on the mat right in front of Lacey...who keeps on stripping. Velvet Sky takes the mic and says that Lacey's turned up the heat, but rule #1 of the Beautiful People Club is that no Beautiful Person shall upstage another Beautiful Person, so Velvet's going to cash in her open contract next week against Angelina in a Leather and Lace match. Angelina makes mad faces at her as we go off the air.
Here is Richard Trionfo's original Raw TV report:We are live from Moline, Illinois and your announcers are Michael ‘Don’t make fun of his name’ Cole and Jerry ‘Make Me’ Lawler.
It is time for the World Champion Jack Swagger to come to the ring and Lawler and Cole talk about how it was the shortest turnaround for someone to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase. Cole and Lawler also talk about the attempt by Swagger to cash in last week only to take it back.
Swagger tells someone in the back to ‘roll it’ and we see the footage from Smackdown when Jack Swagger took advantage of what Edge did to Chris Jericho to attack Edge and then cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Last Friday on Smackdown he made history by cashing in the contract to become the new World Champion. Before he begins with the State of the World Heavyweight Championship Address, he has a few opening remarks. Last week, he was considering cashing in the contract on WWE Champion John Cena, but he thought that if he is truly going to be recognized for what he is and who he is, a champion, he needed to face a competitor better than John Cena. A competitor who says that he is the best in the world at what he does. That man was Chris Jericho. Swagger says that he would have beaten Cena faster than the nine seconds he needed to beat Chris Jericho. Swagger says that he needs to think about being exclusive to Smackdown because nobody on Raw compares to his abilities.
Before Swagger can continue, John Cena’s music plays and he comes to the ring and he has his WWE Title belt with him.
Cena starts off by congratulating Jack on his victory and calls him the luckiest man in the world. He cashed in a briefcase to become the World Heavyweight Champion. He says that is the easy part. He says that the people don’t care about what you have done. Part of being a champion is the fans looking forward to what you are about to do. Cena says that Swagger said that he is going to Smackdown. Cena says that everyone will be so sorry to see him leave. Cena says that the World Title belongs on Smackdown, but Jack said that nobody could compete with him.
Cena says that there is one Raw superstar in the ring, wearing orange, who is calling Swagger a liar. That Raw superstar is noticing Swagger sweating and he says that Swagger is not championship material. Cena says that he earned the title but Swagger hasn’t earned a thing. He calls Swagger a weasel behind all of the bravado. Cena says that Swagger probably wants to shut him up. Cena challenges Swagger to a match tonight. Cena says that he is so sure what he is going to do to Swagger what he did to Batista (make him tap out) that he is going to put the WWE Title on the line.
Swagger says that does not work for him.
Before he can tell us why, Randy Orton comes out to the ring. Orton tells Cena that Swagger is a competitor so he would want to face the man who beat him last week and that man was him.
Before Swagger says anything, the Shiz comes out and they have a lot of title belts with them. Miz throws out a few ‘reallys’ and suggests that Orton and Cena are trying to steal the spotlight. Miz says that the show isn’t about Orton, Cena, or Swagger. This show is about the Unified Tag Titles.
Before Miz can finish his ‘awesome’, tonight’s Guest Host David Otunga comes out and he lets us know who he is. He says that he is the ‘A List’ and ‘Mr. NXT’. He says that he is the most promising rookie on NXT, but tonight, he is the guest host. He says that tonight’s show will be top notch and ‘A List’ all the way around. Otunga tells Jack Swagger that he will face the man who pinned him last week, Randy Orton. Otunga tells Show and Miz that they will defend the Unified Tag Titles against Batista and John Cena.
Before we go to commercial Orton tries to RKO Cena, but Cena pushes him off and Orton hits an RKO on Swagger. Orton and Cena have a staredown. We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Kofi Kingston versus Sheamus
They lock up and Sheamus with a forearm to the back and then he tries for a power slam but Kofi escapes and he kicks Sheamus but Sheamus catches Kofi on a cross body attempt and he hits a uranage back breaker. Sheamus with a boot to the ribs. Sheamus picks Kofi up and hits a short arm clothesline and gets a near fall. Sheamus with an arm bar and cross face on Kofi but Kofi with punches. Sheamus with a forearm to the back followed by an Irish whip. Sheamus sends Kofi to the apron and he chokes Kofi in the ropes. Kofi with a round kick to the head and then Kofi with a springboard cross body followed by a series of chops. Sheamus with a kick and then he tries to throw Kofi out of the ring but Kofi bounces off the ropes and hits a drop kick. Kofi leaps into the corner and punches Sheamus but Sheamus with a few kicks to Kofi. Sheamus hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus finds his pipe under the ring and he brings it into the ring and he hits Kofi in the back of the head with the pipe.
We see Triple H walking in the back and Sheamus knows that he is coming so he shows some fear. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Sheamus’ attack on Triple H on last week’s Raw.
Sheamus is still in the ring and he has a mic in the hand not holding the pipe. Sheamus says last week, we saw the 25 year career of Shawn Michaels end, but he took eight years to win his first WWE Title. Sheamus says that he won his first title in six months. Sheamus says that he was supposed to end the greatest debut year with a win at Wrestlemania, but that was taken away from him by Triple H. Sheamus says that he took something away from Triple H. He attacked him with a steel pipe from behind. Sheamus says that he knows that Triple H is here. Sheamus says that instead of getting revenge last week, Hunter came out and cried for Shawn Michaels. Sheamus says that Shawn ended his career so he wouldn’t have to face him. At Wrestlemania, Triple H and Shawn Michaels had one great match left in him but Shawn hung it up before he could face Sheamus. Sheamus says that he doesn’t believe that Hunter has one more match left in him. Sheamus wants to know if he will have his head held high or will he be taken out in a wheelchair.
Triple H comes out to the ring and he takes his jacket off and spits some water before getting on the apron. Sheamus wants Hunter to get into the ring, but Hunter stays on the apron and then goes to the floor and backs away. Sheamus says that he didn’t have it in him. Hunter goes under the apron and gets the GameHammer. Sheamus hits the GameHammer with the Irish pipe. Hunter hits Sheamus with the sledge hammer. He misses with another shot and hits the announce table. Sheamus goes into the crowd and Hunter returns to the ring.
Hunter says that it is just like a silly Irishman to bring a pipe to a Sledgehammer fight. Hunter poses on the turnbuckles with Gamey.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Maryse is at the announce table in a Chanel dress to watch the Dress to Impress Match.
Match Number Two: Divas Dress to Impress Battle Royal featuring Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Eve Torres, and Katie Lea Burchill for a Divas Title Match
Rosa is already eliminated as the Bellas get rid of them. One Bella is gone and the other one is eliminated by Aliciia. Gail goes to the apron and Katie with a shoulder. Gail and Katie fight on the apron and Kelly with a drop kick to eliminate both of them. Alicia attacks Kelly from behind while Jillian has Eve on the turnbuckles. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors on Alicia. Jillian eliminates Kelly. Alicia and Jillian work together as they try to weaken Eve. They sends Eve into the turnbuckles. Alicia and Jillian with a double suplex on Eve and then they send her into the turnbuckles. Alicia hits the ring post and then Eve eliminates Alicia. Jillian sets for the handspring elbow but Eve gets on the shoulder. Alicia tries to eliminate Eve but she stays on the apron. Jillian charges at Eve and dives at Eve but Eve moves. Jillian hits the floor and Eve wins the match.
Winner: Eve Torres
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that Raw was the number 1 show on cable last week.
Jerry and Michael talk about David Otunga being a part of NXT and we have the video package that we have already seen twice on NXT.
We go to comments from David Otunga. He says that he is going to win. He says that he is a touch above since he is from Hollywood. He mentions that he is the fiancée of Jennifer Hudson and he has been to Hollywood parties and has been to the White House. David says that he has no flaws. He compares himself to The Rock, Triple H, and John Cena. He also mentions that he went to Harvard Law School. He says that he doesn’t care what the people think about him. He says that he is not going to fail. He says that he will be the next WWE Superstar.
David is with his minions and he says that he is Raw and then says that he is so raw that you could get food poisoning standing next to him. He mentions the 427 green M&Ms. Santino stops by and he looks for ‘The A Team’. Otunga corrects him and says that he thought Mr. T was going to be here because he is the vice president of the A Team Fan club. Santino does his Mr. T impression. We see Hornswoggle playing with the M&Ms. Hornswoggle leaves and Otunga’s minions follow. Santino says that he loves it when a plan comes together and then he leaves.
Show and Miz are walking in the back and we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: The Shiz (Big Show and Miz) versus Batista and John Cena
Cena and Miz start things off and Cena works on the arm and snap mares Miz and puts him in a reverse chin lock. Miz with elbows but Cena with a drop toe hold but Miz escapes the STF attempt. Show makes the tag and Cena punches Show but Show with a head butt. Show with a punch to the midsection and then he gives Cena a hard Irish whip. Show with a chop in the corner and then Miz tags in and he kicks Cena and punches him. Miz with an Irish whip and he sets for the running clothesline into the corner but Cena moves and Batista goes to the floor and refuses the tag. Batista goes to the back. Cena clotheslines Miz and then Cena goes after Batista and Cena punches Batista. Batista goes to the back and Cena and Batista have been counted out.
Winners: Big Show and Miz
After the match, our guest host comes out and says that Show and Miz are not going to get off that easily. They will be defending their titles again tonight. Since Cena and Batista can’t get along, Cena’s new tag team partner will be him.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Batista costing him and John Cena a shot at the tag titles by getting into a fight on the ramp leading to a count out loss.
We take a look at last week’s Legends Lumberjack Match between Ted DiBiase Junior and Christian and the brawl between the legends on the floor. Then we see Ted walk away from his dad.
Ted has a mic and he says that last week at Wrestlemania, his dad was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Ted says that prestigious honor had a profound effect on his father because he did something that he never did before. He tried to act like a father. Ted tells his dad that one act of random kindness doesn’t make up for the lost years of games, parties, and graduations that he missed. Ted says that his dad knows better than anyone how to win him over and it isn’t through his heart, but through his bank account. He thanks his dad for the trust fund. He says that it is good to be the fortunate son.
Match Number Four: Ted DiBiase with Million Dollar Belt versus Christian
Ted misses a punch but Christian does not miss with his punch. Christian with a back body drop and then he stands on Ted’s back before slingshoting to the floor. Ted is sent to the floor and then Christian with a hesitation drop kick to Ted and then he hits the double jump cross body and both men are down on the floor. Christian tries to get back into the ring but Ted hits a swinging neck breaker and he punches and kicks Christian while the referee warns him. Ted punches Christian and then he hits a running back elbow and gets a near fall. Ted with a reverse chin lock on Christian as he tries to weaken his opponent. Christian punches Ted and hits him in the head but Ted with the follow up clothesline for a near fall. Christian punches Ted but Ted punches him back. DiBiase with an Irish whip but Christian moves when Ted charges into the corner. Christian with a pendulum kick followed by clotheslines. Christian puts Ted on the ropes and goes to the floor and connects with a punch. Christian with a cross body for a near fall. Christian sets for the Killswitch but Ted punches him. Ted misses an attempt at Dream Street. Ted with a snap mare but Christian avoids a kick. Ted blocks a tornado DDT attempt and Christian is sent into the ring post when he charges into the corner and Ted hits Dream Street for the three count.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
We go to commercial.
We are back and the draft is 3 weeks away and it will be a three hour Raw.
It is time to take a look back at Shawn Michaels’ farewell video package.
Cole and Lawler briefly talk about Triple H and what Sheamus did to him last week. Then we go to what happened when we saw that an Irish pipe is no match for the GameHammer.
Randy Orton is walking in the back as he gets ready for his match with Jack Swagger.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Jack Swagger versus Randy Orton
Swagger with a kick and punches to Orton and then he connects with a shoulder in the corner. Swagger with another punch and kick followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Swagger with another Irish whip but Orton moves when Swagger charges into the corner. Orton with a kick and then it is time for the Garvin Stomp followed by a leaping knee drop to the head and he gets a near fall. Orton punches Swagger in the corner but the referee pulls him away. Swagger with a drop down and then he hits a power slam from a dead lift and then he sends Orton to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Orton punches Swagger to get out of a hold and then he hits a series of European uppercuts that sends Swagger to the floor. Orton goes to the floor and he hits a running clothesline on the floor. Orton rolls Swagger back in and then he takes too long to get back into the ring and Swagger drops Orton on the top rope and then Swagger with a running shoulder tackle that knocks Orton off the apron into the ringside barrier. Swagger Irish whips Orton into the ring post. Swagger sends Orton back into the ring and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Swagger with a suplex to Orton as he continues to wear down Orton and gets a near fall. Swagger puts Orton in an abdominal stretch to work on the back some more. Orton tries to get out of the hold but Swagger holds on and then he locks the arm. Orton with a kick but Swagger tries for a another abdominal stretch but Orton is able to avoid the hold and he sends Swagger to the floor. Orton gets to his feet and then he kicks Swagger as Jack tries to get back into the ring. Orton sets for the IEDDT and hits it. Orton has Swagger covered but Swagger gets his foot on the rope to stop the count. Orton with clotheslines to Swagger followed by a power slam. Orton looks around and he hits the Orton back breaker and then he thinks about the RKO and it is time for the push ups. Orton tries for the RKO but Swagger sends Orton into the ropes and hits a boot to the head but Swagger can only get a two count. Swagger goes for the double jump Vader splash and hits it but he can only get a two count. Swagger waits for Orton to get up and then he tries for another double jump Vader Splash and hits it. Swagger waits for Orton to get up and he tries for the Doctor Bomb but Orton escapes the hold and hits the RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Orton poses but Swagger is still the champion.
Cole and Lawler talk about the tag title match that David Otunga set up earlier tonight and we have highlights. We see Batista leave the ring and cost them the match by count out.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are reminded that David Hasselhoff is our host next week.
Match Number Six: The Shiz (Big Show and the Miz) versus David Otunga and John Cena for the Unified Tag Titles
Cena and Miz start things out again and they lock up with Cena kicking Miz in the arm. Otunga does something that Batista didn’t do and he tags in. Otunga with a side head lock and shoulder tackle or two. Otunga with another shoulder tackle for a near fall. Cena tags in and he punches Miz. Cena sends Miz into the turnbuckles and hits a bulldog out of the corner and gets a near fall. Cena with another Irish whip but Miz with an elbow. Show hits the referee while Miz distracts the referee. Miz punches Cena in the head and the referee admonishes Miz. Miz with a kick to the head for a near fall. Miz with a front face lock and Show tags in and punches Cena in the ribs. Show with another punch. Cena with punches to the gut and then he tries for a flying shoulder tackle but he bounces off Show. Show stands on Cena’s chest in the corner. Show chokes Cena with his knee and the referee warns him. Miz punches Cena while Show was with the referee. Miz tags in and then Show sends Miz into Cena in the corner and Cena holds his ribs. Miz goes for the running clothesline into the corner and he hits it this time and gets a near fall. Miz with a rear chin lock as he works on Cena’s neck and back. Cena gets to his feet and Otunga wants to tag in but Miz keeps Cena on his half of the ring. Miz with a rear chin lock but Cena gets to his feet and powers out of the hold. Miz with a knee to the back and then they each hit clotheslines and are down in the center of the ring. Cena tries to make the tag and Otunga pulls a Batista and leaves the apron. Show tags in and punches Cena and gets the three count.
Winners: Big Show and the Miz
After the match, Batista enters the ring and he picks up Cena and hits a Batista Bomb.
Batista gets a mic and demands his spotlight.
David Otunga is on the stage and he says that he is still the guest host and he says that Batista has an announcement to make.
Batista stands over Cena and says that he is invoking his rematch clause at Extreme Rules in a Last Man Standing Match.
