Wrestling History Today - 29th December
On this day in history in ....
1922 - Sam Hanna defeats Kid Ross to become the first Canadian Welterweight Champion in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada.
1937 - Lou Thesz defeats Everett Marshall for the National Wrestling Association and Midwest Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Titles in St. Louis, Missouri. Thesz would also be awarded the vacant American Wrestling Association (Boston) World Title shortly after.
1955 - Fritz Von Erich and Karl Von Schober defeat Whipper Billy Watson and Ilio DiPaolo for the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, beginning Von Erich and Von Schober's second reign.
1955 - Bob Geigel defeats Roy Heffernan to win the NWA Southwest Heavyweight Title in Amarillo, Texas.
1956 - Ben and Mike Sharpe defeat Enrique Torres and Ron Etchison in Fresno, California to win the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title for the 13th time.
1960 - Tiny Mills and Stan Kowalski defeat Whipper Billy Watson and Ilio DiPaolo for the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, ending Watson and DiPaolo's fourth reign.
1961 - Don Curtis defeats Karl Krauser (Karl Gotch) to win the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio.
1964 - Tarzan Tyler defeats Bob Orton in Tampa, Florida to win the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Orton's second reign.
1967 - Bob Kelly defeats Don Carson for the NWA Tri-State Louisiana Heavyweight Title in Lafayette, Louisiana, ending Carson's third reign.
1968 - Curtis Iaukea wins his fourth NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1972 - Rick Gibson defeats The Wrestling Pro for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title in Dothan, Alabama.
1972 - Buddy Colt wins the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating Bob Armstrong in Atlanta, Georgia.
1973 - Moondog Mayne defeats Pat Patterson for the San Francisco version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California, ending Patterson's third reign.
1973 - Don Greene and Bearcat Brown defeated The Interns (Tom Andrews and Jim Starr) to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1974 - Fritz Von Erich defeats Blackjack Lanza for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning his 13th reign as champion.
1974 - The Crusaders (Dewey Robertson and Billy Red Lyons) defeat The Love Brothers (Reginald and Hartford Love) to win the Toronto version of the NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, beginning and ending both team's second reigns.
1974 - Ron Fuller won a tournament final for the vacant Mid-America version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1985 - The National Wrestling Alliance and American Wrestling Association hold their third joint-promoted "NWA/AWA Star Wars" event at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The results:
- Ron Bass defeated J.J. Dillon.
- NWA World Midgets' Champion Little Tokyo defeated Cowboy Lang to retain the title.
- AWA World Women's Champion Sherri Martel defeated Debbie Combs to retain the title.
- Carlos Colon defeated Konga the Barbarian.
- Jake Roberts defeated Paul Ellering by disqualification.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) defeated The Long Riders (Bill and Scott Irwin) to retain the title.
- Sgt. Slaughter defeated Chris Markoff and Boris Zhukov in a handicap match.
- NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Magnum T.A. defeated Tully Blanchard to retain the title.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification to retain the title.
- The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated Ivan Koloff and Krusher Khruschev.
- Stan Hansen defeated AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel by submission to win the title. Hansen had Martel in the Brazos Valley Backbreaker (Boston Crab) and when Martel would try to power out of it, Hansen would press his head against the middle turnbuckle to keep the hold on. Martel eventually submitted.
1986 - Adrian Street defeats Wendell Cooley in Birmingham, Alabama to win the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title for the fourth time, ending Cooley's second reign.
1990 - Askari El Gringo defeats El Hijo del Black Shadow for the World Wrestling Association World Lightweight Title in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico.
1991 - Baron Von Raschke and Ken Patera defeat The Punishers (Sledge and Hammer) to win the Pro Wrestling America Tag Team Title in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1991 - WCW holds the ninth-annual "Starrcade" event, the first under the WCW name, at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. This event featured the first of two Starrcades with "The Lethal Lottery", a random drawing to pair 16 tag teams, with the 16 men on the eight winning teams competing in a two-ring "BattleBowl" battle royale. The results were.
- Marcus Bagwell and Jimmy Garvin defeated Michael Hayes and Tracy Smothers, when Bagwell pinned Smothers.
- Steve Austin and Rick Rude defeated Big Josh and Van Hammer, when Rude pinned Hammer.
- Richard Morton and Dustin Rhodes defeated El Gigante and Larry Zbyszko, when Rhodes pinned Zbyszko.
- Bill Kazmaier and Jushin Liger defeated Mike Graham and Diamond Dallas Page, when Liger pinned Page.
- Todd Champion and Ricky Steamboat defeats Cactus Jack and Buddy Lee Parker, when Steamboat pinned Parker. Abdullah the Butcher attacked Parker in the locker room before the match.
- Arn Anderson and Lex Luger defeated Terrance Taylor and Tom Zenk, when Luger pinned Taylor.
- Abdullah the Butcher and Sting defeated Bobby Eaton and Brian Pillman, when Sting pinned Eaton.
- Mr. Hughes and Big Van Vader defeated The Nightstalker (subbing for the injured Diamond Studd) and Rick Steiner, when Vader pinned Nightstalker.
- Thomas Rich and Ron Simmons defeated Steve Armstrong and P.N. News, when Simmons pinned Armstrong.
- Sting won the "BattleBowl" battle royale, last eliminating Lex Luger.
1991 - Two Pro Wrestling America titles change St. Paul, Minnesota. Jerry Lynn defeats Ricky Rice to win his third PWA Light Heavyweight Title, and Ken Patera and Baron Von Raschke defeat The Punishers (Sledge and Hammer) for the PWA Tag Team Title.
1995 - ECW made its New York City debut, with "Holiday Hell" at Queens' Lost Battalion Hall. The results:
- Taz defeated Koji Nakagawa by submission with the Tazmission.
- Hack Meyers pinned J.T . Smith.
- Mikey Whipwreck pinned ECW World Television and World Tag Team Champion 2 Cold Scorpio, after Cactus Jack double-arm DDT'd Scorpio while the referee was knocked out, to win both titles. After the match, Whipwreck tried to return the Television Title to Scorpio, saying that he didn't want to win it that way, before Cactus clotheslined Scorpio to the floor. Cactus Jack became co-holder of the title. This began Jack and Whipwreck's second reign as tag champs, Whipwreck's second as TV champ, and ended Scorpio's third TV Title reign.
- The Eliminators (Saturn and Kronus) defeated The Pitbulls when Saturn pinned Pitbull #2 after Total Elimination.
- Stevie Richards, The Blue Meanie and Beulah McGillicutty came to the ring and told Tommy Dreamer that Raven broke his leg the night before and couldn't wrestle, so Dreamer would have to face Meanie instead. Dreamer pinned Meanie in 12 seconds after a DDT, and pinned Richards in the same fashion in 12 seconds. Dreamer attempted to piledrive Beulah when Raven attacked Dreamer and they had their scheduled match. Raven pinned Dreamer after a DDT on a chair, earning an ECW World Heavyweight Title match later in the show.
- Bruiser Mastino pinned El Puerto Ricano after a powerslam. After the match, Mastino continued to attack El Puerto Ricano before 911 chokeslammed Mastino. Bill Alfonso came out and shoved 911 until Tod Gordon jumped Alfonso. Taz then came out and pulled Gordon off Alfonso. 911 hit a second chokeslam on Mastino before a stare-down with Taz.
- Buh Buh Ray Dudley pinned The Blue Meanie after a top-rope splash.
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion The Sandman pinned Raven to retain the title after a top-rope facebuster slam.
- The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustafa Saed), who subbed for The Heavenly Bodies (Jimmy Del Ray was still in ECW, but Tom Prichard had gone to the WWF to become Zip of the Bodydonnas), defeated The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) when Saed pinned Rock with a roll-up after New Jack hit Rock with a chair. Before the match, the crowd chanted "please don't go" towards Public Enemy, but after the match chanted "you sold out" before eventually applauding them. Public Enemy would wrestle two more matches for ECW before leaving for World Championship Wrestling in January 1996.
- Sabu pinned ECW Tag Team Champion Cactus Jack when Cactus failed a bodyslam and Sabu fell on top for the win. Before the match Cactus Jack said the match would be contested under Olympic rules and brought out NCAA wrestling referee John "Pee Wee" Moore, who then proceeded to go through amateur rules, before 911 came out and chokeslammed Moore, and declared himself the referee.
1996 - WCW holds the 14th-annual "Starrcade" event at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. This would be the last Starrcade in the Music City, where the previous two events were held. The remaining four Starrcades would be held in Washington, DC. The results were:
- In a Mexican Minis dark match, Octagoncito and Mascarita Sagrada defeated Jerrito Estrada and Piratita Morgan, when Sagrada pinned Morgan.
- J-Crown Champion The Ultimate Dragon pinned WCW Cruiserweight Champion Dean Malenko with a Tiger Suplex, to win the WCW title. Dragon's eight J-Crown titles were also on the line.
- Akira Hokuto pinned Madusa after a Brainbuster in a tournament final to become the first WCW Women's Champion. The eight-woman tournament began on November 4, and also included Malia Hosaka, Reina Jabuki, Kaoru, Sonoka Kato, Meiko Satomura and Zero. Hokuto defeated Satomura and Kaoru before defeating Madusa. Madusa defeated Jabuki and Zero. Hokuto would be the only person to hold the title, as she returned to Japan after making her last defense of the title at the 1997 Great American Bash, where she also defeated Madusa in a Title vs. Career match.
- Jushin Liger pinned Rey Misterio, Jr. after a Liger Bomb.
- Jeff Jarrett pinned Chris Benoit after Kevin Sullivan came out and hit Benoit with a chair.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) defeated The Faces of Fear (The Barbarian and Meng), when Nash pinned Barbarian after a Jacknife Powerbomb.
- In a tournament final, Eddie Guerrero pinned Diamond Dallas pinned Page after a Frog Splash to win the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. The title had been vacated in September when champion Ric Flair suffered a shoulder injury.
- Lex Luger pinned The Giant after hitting him with Sting's baseball bat.
- Roddy Piper defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hollywood Hulk Hogan by TKO with a Sleeper hold in a non-title match. This was Hogan's first clean loss since his loss of the WWF World Title to the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI in 1990.
1997 - The Monday Night Wars continued, WCW Monday Nitro's 4.6 rating defeated WWF Monday Night RAW's 3.6 rating. RAW in Uniondale, New York featured Owen Hart defeating WWF Champion Shawn Michaels by disqualification when Triple H broke one of his crutches over Hart's head while he had Michaels in the sharpshooter. Nitro was just over 200 miles away in Baltimore, Maryland, and featured Ultimo Dragon defeating WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero by submission to win the title for the second time, Booker T winning his first of a record six WCW World Television Titles from Disco Inferno, and a main event of WCW World Champion Sting defeating Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
1998 - Mankind (Mick Foley) defeats The Rock to win the WWF World Title at a RAW is WAR taping in Worcester, Massachusetts. The show would air on the following Monday, January 4, 1999. That night Tony Schiavone would reveal the result during WCW Monday Nitro, airing live that night, noting that Mankind as champion "ought to put a lot of butts in the seats." Schiavone would later claim Eric Bischoff fed him that line to say.
1998 - Doug Basham defeats Rip Rogers to win the OVW Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning and ending each's second reign.
1998 - Luis Ortiz defeats Tre for the NWA New England Cruiserweight Title in Somerville, Massachusetts.
2000 - Paul E. Smooth defeats Mark Wolf in Charlestown, Indiana for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title, beginning Smooth's second reign.
2001 - Jimmy Hart's short-lived X Wrestling Federation holds an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The company would hold just three more events after this. The results:
- Hail defeated Greg Valentine.
- Drezden defeated Big Vito.
- XWF Cruiserweight Champion Kid Kash defeated Josh Mathews.
- Vampiro and Johnny B. Badd defeated Buff Bagwell and Curt Hennig.
- Jim Duggan defeated The Wall.
- Ian Harrison defeated Norman Smiley.
- The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated XWF Tag Team Champions The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) in a non-title match.
2001 - One day after they were defeated for the titles in Deland, Florida at am event held by Dusty Rhodes' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, The New Heavenly Bodies (Casanova Chris and Vivacious Vito) win their second NWA World Tag Team Title, defeating Glacier and Jason Sugarman in Live Oak, Florida.
2001 - Eddie Brown defeats Madd Maxx to win the Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Graham, North Carolina.
2001 - Dirk Ciglar defeats Brandon K for the NWA East Triple Crown Heavyweight Title in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, ending Brandon K's second reign.
2001 - Jack Hammer and Latin Tornado defeat Spazman Anthony and Jake Davis for the House of Pain Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Hagerstown, Maryland.
2001 - Johnny Angel defeats Don Vega to win the South Coast Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Fall River, Massachusetts, ending Vega's second reign and beginning Angel's sixth. At the same event, "Portuguese Princess" Ariel defeats The Crazy Mexican for the vacant SCCW Women's Title.
2001 - Big Cliff and Overkill defeat J.C. Derksen and Dean Ricktor in St. Boniface, Manitoba for the Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title.
2002 - Kevin Cannon defeats Bobby Collins in Winnipeg, Manitoba to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Hardcore Title.
2002 - Los Barriquas defeat The Solution to win the Jersey Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Paramus, New Jersey.
2003 - Rising Son defeats Scorpio Sky for the Revolution Pro Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Title in South Gate, California.
2003 - Danshoku Dino defeats O.K. Revolution to win the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title in Tokyo, Japan. This ended and began each man's sixth reign. At the same event, Hero! and Kudo defeat Tomohiko Hashimoto and Seiya Morohashi for the DDT KO-D Tag Team Title.
2005 - Sonny Siaki and Elix Skipper defeated The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) to win the vacant NWA Wrestle Birmingham Tag Team Title in Irondale, Alabama. The title was vacated on October 8 when Jimmy Golden, who held the title with Robert Fuller, lost a loser leaves town match to The Bullet (Bob Armstrong). That ended Fuller and Golden's second reign.
2006 - HARASHIMA defeats Toru Owashi for the DDT KO-D Open-weight Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2010 - On an edition of ECW on SyFy from East Rutherford, New Jersey, Tommy Dreamer wrestled his last match for WWE's version of ECW, facing Zack Ryder in a match where Dreamer promised to leave ECW if he lost. Here is the original report from the show:
Match Number Three: Tommy Dreamer versus Zack ‘Attack’ Ryder with Rosa Mendes in a Could this be it for Dreamer Match
They lock up and Ryder with a side head lock take down but Dreamer with a head scissors and Ryder escapes. Dreamer with a side head lock take down and Ryder with a hip toss but he misses an elbow. Dreamer with a hip toss and arm drag into an arm bar. Ryder punches Dreamer but Dreamer with an Irish whip and bulldog for a near fall. Dreamer catches Ryder when Ryder tries to float over and Dreamer hits a running power slam for a near fall. Dreamer with a pump handle suplex and Ryder rolls to the floor. Ryder goes to the apron and he hits a cannonball off the apron. Ryder hides behind Rosa and then he punches Dreamer and sends Tommy into the ring post. We go to commercial as Ryder continues the attack and they return to the ring.
We are back and Ryder with an arm bar and then he slams Dreamer’s arm into the mat and Ryder stomps on the arm. Ryder returns to the arm bar and Rosa screams her approval. Dreamer catches Ryder on a cross body attempt but Ryder counters with a divorce court and gets a near fall. Ryder with elbows to the head. Ryder punches Dreamer in the head and then Dreamer misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post. Ryder with a baseball slide as Dreamer hangs in the corner. Ryder kicks Dreamer in the head and then he measures for the running kick in the corner but Dreamer moves out of the way. Dreamer with a neck breaker and then he drives Ryder into the mat. Dreamer with a Lo Down and he gets a near fall. Dreamer goes up top but Ryder stops him and crotches Dreamer after a punch. Ryder with a superplex attempt but Dreamer knocks Ryder off. Dreamer is met with a kick and Ryder tries for the Zack Attack, but Dreamer counters with a near fall. We get a series of near falls by Ryder and Dreamer. Ryder with a leg lariat for a near fall. Ryder goes up top but he does it slow enough that Dreamer is able to recover and he puts Ryder in the Tree of Woe and we get the E . . . C . . . W baseball slide into the corner and it was vintage. Dreamer with a DDT but Ryder has his foot under the rope despite the three count. Dreamer thinks that he won the match but the referee tells him the match must continue. Dreamer pulls Ryder from the ropes and then hits an elbow drop but Dreamer almost gets pinned from too casual a cover. Dreamer puts Ryder on the turnbuckles again and Dreamer tries for a belly-to-back suplex off the turnbuckles but Ryder counters with a cross body and gets the three count.
Winner: Zack Ryder
After the match, Dreamer has the mic and he says the first time in this building he was sitting in the building at the second time he ever saw a WWE show. He says that he saw a live Piper’s Pit. He says that there are so many people he wants to thank. He thanks everyone from the original ECW and the new ECW. He says that this has been his dream since he was nine years old. This proves that if you have passion for what you do, you can make it anywhere. He says that he made it in ECW and he made it in the WWE. He says that there are so many great people in this organization that he is going to miss. Dreamer starts to cry despite his claim that he would not cry. Tommy says that the three letters mean so much to him. He has always considered the fans his family. He talks about how his daughters have a list that says what their parents do. One daughter says that his daddy falls down a lot, but his other daughter says that he gets up a lot. Tommy says that he fell down a lot but the fans made him get up. He says that life is hard but you have to keep fighting and trying. He says that he will miss everyone and thanks everyone.
Dreamer takes off his ECW shirt and leaves it in the center of the ring before he leaves the ring. He goes over to his wife and children and brings his daughters over the ringside barrier and then he goes up the ramp and does his signature pose one last time before going to the back.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin this week’s episode of Impact with a look back at the Jarretts being sent packing by Sting. Then we see Madison Rayne setting up a ‘match’ between Tara and Brooke Tessmacher only to see them attack Madison.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘It’s the End of the Wrestling Year as we Know It . . . and I Feel Fine’ Tenay and Taz.
Gail Kim and Madison Rayne make their way to the ring. Madison wants Tara and Tessmacher to get to the ring using as few pronouns as possible.
They make their way to the ring and they stand across the ring from Gail and Madison. Madison says that she is going to cut to the chase because they longer they drag this out, the longer her and Gail are susceptible to the diseases that Brooke and Tara are carrying. Madison told them that if they screwed with her last week, they would both be FIRED. Since they SCREWED with her, they’re FIRED.
Sting’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Madison tells Sting he doesn’t have to be out here because she has everything under control.
Sting says that it isn’t over until he says it is over. Karen was the VP because she had a legally binding contract. He tells Madison that she has no power and Madison screeches at a decibel level that breaks glass.
Sting says that he is in charge and he tells Gail that she will be defending the Knockouts Title tonight.
Gail’s opponent makes her way to the ring and it is Mickie James.
Sting says that he will be watching Madison tonight.
Scott Steiner is in the back talking to Abyss talking about how they are going to be the best team out there and he tells Abyss to be a monster.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the highlights from the first round matches from the two teams in our next match.
Match Number One: Abyss and Scott Steiner versus A.J. Styles and Kazarian in a Wild Card Tag Team Tournament Match
Steiner and Abyss discuss who should start the match while Kazarian starts for his team. Steiner poses as we wait for the wrestling to start. Steiner argues with Styles and they Steiner and Kazarian finally lock up and he sends Kazarian to the mat. Steiner with kicks followed by a hard Irish whip.
Steiner with a punch followed by a chop. Kazarain with a crucifix cover for a near fall. Kazarian with forearms followed by a kick and a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Styles tags in and he punches Steiner followed by a forearm. Styles runs into a back elbow but Styles with a drop kick.
Abyss tags in but Styles gets away from Steiner so Abyss cannot take advantage of the situation. Styles with kicks to the leg followed by chops. Abyss sends Styles into the turnbuckles but Styles with a kick. Styles runs into a boot from Abyss. Abyss with a forearm to the back. Styles escapes a slam attempt and he hits an enzuigiri.
Steiner hits Styles in the back with a forearm and Abyss hits Shock Treatment but he does not try to cover Styles. Abyss chokes Styles and then he snarls at the referee. Steiner tags back in and he kicks Styles and hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Steiner with a punch to the back followed by another chop. Styles with a sunset flip for a near fall and an inside cradle for a near fall.
Steiner with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and he waits for Styles to get to his feet. Steiner misses a clothesline and Styles hits the Pele kick and both men are down. Styles tries to get to his corner and Steiner tries to stop him but Abyss and Kazarian tag in. Kazarian with a springboard back elbow followed by a drop kick but Abyss stays on his feet. Abyss misses a splash into the corner and Kazarian with a springboard drop kick.
Kazarian with a springboard DDT for a near fall. Kazarian comes off the turnbuckles and Abyss grabs him by the throat and tries for a choke slam but Kazarian with a rollup for a near fall. Abyss with a choke slam to Kazarian and then Abyss sends Styles off the apron.
Steiner wants to tag in and Abyss stares at him and then Steiner says that they are a team. Abyss with a Black Hole Slam to Steiner and Abyss puts Kazarian on top of Steiner for the three count.
Winners: Kazarian and A.J. Styles
After the match, Bully Ray comes to the ring to check on Steiner and find out from Abyss what is going on.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ray tells Abyss that he is sick of Abyss pushing him and Steiner around. He asks Steiner if he is okay. Ray tells Abyss that he is the bully. He calls this a load of crap and there was no reason for Abyss to do that to Steiner. Ray tells Abyss that they got him girls because Abyss couldn’t do it on his own. Ray wants to know if Abyss needs money. Ray stammers a bit and Abyss takes the mic. Ray wants to know what it will take to get Abyss back into Immortal.
Abyss asks Ray if he really wants to know what he wants. Abyss says that he wants Ray one-on-one at Genesis. Abyss tells Ray that if he beats Abyss at Genesis, he will rejoin Immortal.
Abyss then tells Ray to look at him when he talks to him. He tells Ray that the match at Genesis is going to be by his rules in a Monster’s Ball Match.
Sting stops Kurt in the back and he laughs about what Kurt Angle did last week. Angle says that he cowboyed up. Sting tells Angle that he could have a match tonight. Angle says that he needs a warm up match for Genesis. Sting suggests someone who can kick people in the face. Sting says that it is someone who kicked Angle so hard it split his face from ear to ear. Angle says that he is not going to do it but Sting says that it will happen. Angle does not want to wrestle Rob Van Dam, but Sting tells him it will happen.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ric Flair is in the back with Gunner and he talks about how they are trying to make Gunner into a bad man because he is injuring people. Gunner says that if you ask a stupid question, you get a stupid answer. Gunner says that this is the third time we have seen the ambulance and the third time we will see someone get carried out. Gunner says that he is a killer.
Austin Aries joins Mike and Taz at the announce table to watch our next match.
We see the highlights from the first two matches.
Match Number Two: Tony Nese versus Zema Ion in a Contract on a Pole Match
They circle each other and then Ion heads for the pole but Nese blocks the path. Ion does the same to Nese. They lock up and Ion with a kick and forearm and then he goes to the turnbuckles but Nese stops him. Ion floats over and Nese with a kick and he climbs to the top turnbuckle but Ion pulls Nese off the turnbuckles. Ion with kicks but Nese with a matrix move followed by a back heel kick.
Ion grabs the ankle and Nese with forearms to Ion. Ion tries for a kick but Nese blocks it and he kicks Ion and then Nese with a running boot to the head. Ion with a running drop kick to the back when Nese heads to the corner with the pole. Ion punches Nese but Nese punches back.
Ion with a shoulder to the midsection but Nese pushes Ion back and then Nese drops down when Ion charges at him and Ion goes to the floor. Ion pulls Nese to the floor and they fight up the ramp. Nese with an elbow and then he does a moonsault off the apron. Nese gets to the pole and he climbs and is within reach but Ion pulls Nese down and crotches him.
Ion climbs over Nese but Nese grabs Ion and hits a German suplex while Nese hangs from the turnbuckles. Nese climbs the pole while Ion struggles to stop Nese and Ion pushes Nese off the turnbuckles and to the floor.
Ion climbs the turnbuckles and he gets the contract to win the match.
Winner: Zema Ion
We go to commercial.
We see Gunner’s recent run of injuries.
Match Number Three: Douglas Williams versus Gunner with Ric Flair
Gunner with a double leg take down but Doug escapes. Gunner with forearms and then he sends Williams into the turnbuckles. Williams with European uppercuts and then he kicks Gunner in the thigh. Gunner with a forearm to the back. Gunner chokes Williams in the ropes followed by a snap mare and crossfaces.
Williams with more European uppercuts and then he tries for Chaos Theory but Gunner sends Williams shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Gunner sends Williams to the floor and then he throws the referee out of the way and he calls for the bell.
Winner: Douglas Williams by disqualification
After the match, Flair punches Williams while Gunner holds him. Flair moves the mats on the floor and Gunner gives Williams a DDT on the floor.
Bobby Roode walks through the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with the Bobby Roode has shamed his family by becoming the champion that they expected him to be at Bound for Glory.
Bobby Roode makes his way to the ring. He says that a lot of people have expressed their opinions on him. Some of those people are his family and friends. There was one friend who took the time to come on the show and say something about him. That person said that Bobby was selfish. He says that he is selfish because he is the leader of the selfish generation. He reminds us that he is the World Champion. Bobby says that he flew his friend to the Impact Zone from Toronto so he could come into his world and come onto his show to tell him face to face and man to man exactly how he feels about it.
Bobby brings Tracy Koleski to the ring. He is a friend of Bobby’s for over twenty years. He says that Tracy was in his wedding and he is an athlete who played lacrosse.
He makes his way into the ring and Bobby apologizes for not answering his calls or texts because he has been busy as the World Champion. Bobby says that he wants Tracy to tell him how he feels.
Bobby gives Tracy a mic and he wants to know how he feels about him. Tracy tells Bobby that him and Bobby’s family have been trying to call him. They don’t know who this person is. He says that Bobby is the least selfish person he knows. He wants to know what happened to the Bobby Roode that he knows. He says that he misses his buddy Bobby. He says that Bobby’s wife, parents, and kids miss him too. He tells Bobby to come home and make it right.
Bobby tells Tracy that he is wearing a $3,000 suit and a $25,000 piece of gold over his shoulder. There is nothing wrong with this picture. The fact is that in high school, Tracy was his lackey. Bobby says that he was the better athlete, he was more popular, and he got all of the girls. Bobby says that his parents want to say that they miss him now, but where have they been his entire life. They want his money and fame. Bobby says that his sister has been nowhere his life. Bobby tells Tracy never to talk about his kids. They have all had their fifteen minutes of fame. Bobby says that time is up and he has things to do.
Bobby takes Tracy to the mat by his throat and then he kicks him.
Jeff Hardy’s music plays and he slides into the ring while Roode escapes.
Eric Young is with ODB and they talk about their match tonight. Eric talks strategy and then he starts to ramble on.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Angle says that he is being forced to face a guy who doesn’t know how to wrestle. Now Angle has to worry about protecting his jaw and his face. He says that Sting has not been fair dealing with him. Angle says that he is a wrestler and he is better than everyone. He doesn’t have to prove anything to James Storm or Rob Van Dam. He wants people to wrestle him.
We see highlights from the first round matches for the teams in the next match.
Match Number Four: Samoa Joe and Magnus versus Eric Young and ODB in a Wild Card Tournament Match
Young starts off with Magnus but Young thinks about tagging in ODB and she starts things off. Magnus checks out ODB before locking up and then ODB checks out Magnus. She slaps Magnus and chops him in the chest. ODB tries for a splash but Magnus moves and ODB tries to smother Magnus with her chest. ODB with a Thesz Press and they roll around on the mat.
Young tags in and he yells at ODB before doing anything. Young removes his pants and then he takes Magnus down and punches him. Young does the Flair flip to the apron and then he slides in and hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Joe with a kick to the back and then Magnus with a kick to the chest.
Magnus with a running elbow into the corner and Joe is tagged in. Joe with jabs to Young followed by a running back elbow and enzuigiri. Joe rolls Young and Magnus with an elbow drop from the turnbuckles. Joe gets a near fall. Joe with a punch to Young followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Joe with more punches and an Irish whip.
Young with a forearm and he gets a near fall. ODB drop kicks Magnus to the floor and then she takes a drink before facing off with Joe. Magnus attacks ODB from behind and sends ODB into the turnbuckles to stop Young. Joe with a muscle buster for the three count.
Winners: Magnus and Samoa Joe
We are back and Mickie is asked for her thoughts on her match with Gail. Mickie says that she knows what kind of competitor Gail is. She says that she knows how she works in the ring and she knows what type of tactics she will resort to in order to retain the title. Mickie says that she knows that she is better than Gail. Mickie says that she gives 150% every time she goes out there, regardless of the match.
Match Number Five: Kurt Angle versus Rob Van Dam
Angle shields his face before they lock up and Van Dam with a side head lock. Van Dam with a shoulder tackle and Van Dam sets for a kick but Angle goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and they lock up. Angle backs Van Dam into the corner and Angle rakes the eyes followed by a punch. Van Dam misses a round kick and Angle blocks another one but Van Dam with a body scissors rollup. Van Dam with a kick and then he hits a twisting drop kick into the corner.
Van Dam with a kick to the head followed by Rolling Thunder for a near fall. Van Dam with a kick to the head followed by a punch. Angle with punches of his own but Van Dam with a kick to the ribs. Van Dam with an Irish whip and a running round kick into the corner. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down.
Angle with a suplex for a near fall. Angle with a waist lock but Van Dam with elbows. Angle with an Irish whip but Van Dam with a corkscrew kick when Angle charges into the corner. Van Dam with punches and clotheslines. Van Dam with an Irish whip and he tries for a monkey flip but Angle counters with an Olympic Slam for a near fall.
The straps come down and Angle sets for a super kick but Van Dam avoids it and then he hits a step over spin kick. Van Dam misses a Five Star Frog Splash and Angle applies the ankle lock. James Storm makes his way into the ring and then he hits a super kick on Angle.
The referee looks at what just happened and about five seconds later, he calls for the bell.
Winner: Kurt Angle by disqualification
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rob Van Dam says that he wanted to win the match. He did not need James Storm to come to the ring to interrupt the match. Angle says that Storm is messing with the wrong guy. The Last Call is not a wrestling move, it is a bar fight move. You don’t kick people in the head, you wrestle and Storm doesn’t know how to do it. James Storm says that he doesn’t like people messing with his family and Angle got a quick taste of what happens when you taste the Cowboy’s boot.
Angle says that the first one didn’t count because he only had ninety minutes to get ready. The next one will matter.
Match Number Six: Mickie James versus Gail Kim for the TNA Knockouts Title
Mickie with a rollup for a near fall and then a jackknife cover for a near fall. Mickie wih a forearm but Gail with a kick. Mickie with a Thesz Press and punches to Gail. Mickie with forearms but Gail runs into an elbow. Mickie with a head scissors take down but Mickie with a drop kick that sends Gail to the floor.
Mickie tries for a baseball slide but Gail moves out of the way. Mickie hits a neck breaker on the floor and both women are down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Gail with a kick. Gail and Mickie exchange forearms. Gail with a drop kick to try to knock Mickie off the apron but Mickie holds on. Gail kicks Mickie to the floor. Mickie struggles to get back into the ring and Gail with kicks as she brings Mickie back in face first.
Gail sends Mickie face first into the middle turnbuckle. Gail sends Mickie across the ring into the opposite turnbuckle. Gail with a kick to the leg after Mickie pushes her away. Gail with a clothesline for a near fall. Mickie with forearms to the midsection but Gail pulls Mickie down by the hair.
Gail with a hammer lock submission and Mickie is able to escape with an arm drag. Gail with a running double axe handle and Mickie is dazed. Gail slaps Mickie across the face. Mickie with punches and then she tries for a rollup out of the corner but Gail holds on and then she applies an octopus and Mickie goes to her knees. Mickie struggles to get to her feet but Mickie falls to the mat but Mickie rolls into the ropes. Gail with a forearm but Mickie with an Irish whip. Gail with an elbow.
Gail tries for another octopus but Mickie backs Gail into the turnbuckles. Gail holds on but Mickie is able to get Gail’s shoulders onto the mat for a near fall. Gail with a kick to the head and Mickie is back to the mat.
Gail with a forearm followed by an Irish whip and cross body into the corner. Gail goes up top for a missile drop kick and she hits it but she can only get a two count. Mickie avoids Eat Defeat and Mickie with a back heel kick and both women are down. Gail misses a charge into the corner and Mickie with forearms and she sends Gail into the turnbuckles followed by a few clotheslines.
Mickie with a flapjack and a kip up. Mickie goes up top but Gail rolls to the floor. Mickie with a Thesz Press to the floor. Mickie is limping when she gets up and she rolls Gail back into the ring. The referee is down for some reason and someone comes into the ring and hits what appears to be Madison’s finisher on Mickie. Gail returns to the ring and she gets the three count.
Winner: Gail Kim
