Wrestling History Today - 28th December
On this day in history in ....
1876 - James Owens defeats James McLaughlin in New York City, New York to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title, ending McLaughlin's second reign.
1949 - Leroy McGuirk defeats Billy Goelz for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Des Moines, Iowa, ending Goelz's second reign. McGuirk had already been recognized as champion by the National Wrestling Association since 1939.
1959 - Mike Clancy defeats Jackie Fargo to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama.
1960 - Pancho Villa defeats Lee Fields for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending Fields' third reign and beginning Villa's second.
1961 - Whipper Billy Watson and Yukon Eric defeat Chris and John Tolos to win the Toronto version of the NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario.
1963 - Chris and John Tolos defeat Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon for the WWWF United States Tag Team Title IN Teaneck, New Jersey.
1963 - Bob Orton (grandfather of Randy Orton) defeats Eddie Graham in Jacksonville, Florida for the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Graham's fourth, and final, reign. This was the first of three runs with the belt for Orton.
1968 - The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser win their fourth AWA World Tag Team Title and third World Wrestling Association Tag Team Title, defeating Mitsu Arakawa and Dr. Moto (Tor Kamata) for both in Chicago, Illinois. This ended Arakawa and Moto's second WWA reign.
1970 - Gene Kiniski defeats Don Leo Jonathan for the Vancouver version NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Jonathan's second reign and beginning Kiniski's second.
1971 - Dutch Savage defeats Jonathan Boyd to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Boyd's second reign and beginning Savage's third.
1972 - Rip Hawk defeats Jerry Brisco for the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina, ending Brisco's second reign and beginning Hawk's fourth.
1973 - Archie Gouldie wins his seventh Stampede North American Heavyweight Title, defeating Omar Atlas in Calgary, Alberta. Due to that win, Gouldie's Eastern Sports Association North American Heavyweight Title was vacated, ending his third reign with that belt.
1975 - Bob Sweetan defeats Rip Tyler for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Pensacola, Florida, ending Tyler's second reign.
1980 - Angelo Mosca defeats Hussein Arab (The Iron Sheik) in Toronto, Ontario to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title, ending Arab's second reign and beginning his own second run with the belt.
1980 - Kerry Von Erich (subbing for his injured brother Kevin) defeats Gino Hernandez in Dallas, Texas to win the vacant NWA American Heavyweight Title. The title had been held up on December 20 after a match between Kevin Von Erich and champion Hernandez.
1984 - Ron Garvin defeats Bob Roop in Saginaw, Michigan to win the Georgia version of the NWA World Television Title (formerly NWA Georgia/National Television Title), beginning his fourth reign.
1984 - Terry Taylor defeats Eddie Gilbert to win the CWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Gilbert's second reign.
1987 - The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) defeat Tom Brandi and Prince Mike Kaluha for the International Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title.
1988 - Two International Championship Wrestling titles change hands in Augusta, Maine. Jonathan Boyd ends Joe Savoldi's third ICW Heavyweight Title reign and Robbie Ellis defeats Eric Sbraccia to win his second ICW Light Heavyweight Title.
1989 - Phil Apollo and Eric Sbraccia defeat The Undertaker (Henchman and Punisher) for the ICW Tag Team Title in Portland, Maine, beginning their second reign.
1990 - Super Astro wins his third UWA World Middleweight Title in Tijuana, Mexico, ending the second reign of Yoshihiro Asai.
1992 - Rachael Ellering is born.
1992 - WCW held Starrcade '92 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Omni, using the "BattleBowl/Lethal Lottery" concept again of having "random" tag team matches with the winners moving on to a battle royal. The show also featured several non-Lethal Lottery matches. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Brad Armstrong defeated Shanghai Pierce.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, Van Hammer & Danny Spivey defeated Johnny B. Badd & Cactus Jack when Hammer rolled up Jack for the pin after Badd hit Cactus while they were arguing.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, Big Van Vader & Dustin Rhodes defeated Kensuke Sasaki & The Barbarian when Rhodes pinned Barbarian after he collided with Sasaki. After the match, Vader attacked Rhodes.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, The Great Muta & Barry Windham defeated Brian Pillman & 2 Cold Scorpio when Muta pinned Scorpio with a moonsault.
- In a Lethal Lottery tag team match, Steve Williams & Sting defeated Jushin Liger & Erik Watts when Williams pinned Watts with a Hot Shot.
- NWA & WCW World Tag Team Champions Shane Douglas & Ricky Steamboat defeated Barry Windham & Brian Pillman when Douglas pinned Windham with a belly-to-belly suplex.
- Sting defeated Big Van Vader to win the King of Cable tournament by powerslamming Vader as he jumped off the top rope.
- WCW World Champion Ron Simmons defeated Steve Williams via DQ. The match ended in a double countout, but the referee disqualified Williams after the bout for continuing to attack Simmons.
- NWA World Champion Masahiro Chono defeated The Great Muta via submission with an STF.
- The Great Muta won the Battlebowl battle royal by eliminating Barry Windham with a dropkick. The match also included Steve Williams, Sting, Big Van Vader, Dustin Rhodes, Van Hammer and Danny Spivey.
1992 - Ron and Don Harris defeat The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) for the USWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending The Moondogs' second reign.
1997 - WCW held Starrcade '97 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., featuring the long awaited showdown between Sting and Hollywood Hulk Hogan after over a year of building to it. Here are the results:
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko with a frog splash to Malenko's injured knee.
- Scott Hall was having an in-ring interview, with the Giant attacking him. The Giant was supposed to wrestle Kevin Nash on the show, but Nash wasn't there (which was never quite explained).
- Randy Savage (who was subbing for Konnan), Scott Norton & Vincent defeated Ray Traylor and Rick & Scott Steiner when Savage pinned Scott with a top rope elbow.
- Bill Goldberg defeated Steve McMichael with a jackhammer.
- Perry Saturn (subbing for Raven, who came out and said he didn't feel like wrestling) defeated Chris Benoit in a No DQ match after Raven DDT'd Benoit.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Lex Luger after Scott Norton knocked out Luger.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated Curt Hennig with a Diamond Cutter to win the WCW United States Title.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Eric Bischoff via DQ to take control of Monday Nitro. Bret Hart was the guest referee.
- Sting defeated Hulk Hogan via submission to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Hogan actually won the match via a fast count from referee Nick Patrick after a legdrop (although it didn't look fast at all, it was sold as being fast, which came across very poorly to the audience). Bret Hart came out to restart the match as referee, saying he wasn't going to let anyone get screwed, and Sting won via submission with the Scorpion Deathlock. The match, the pinnacle of the NWO vs. WCW feud, was considered a disappointment, with the screwy ending annoying many fans who had been waiting over a year for Sting to score a clean win over Hogan in his return to action.
1997 - Yuko Kosugi and Jaguar Yokota defeat Cooga and Leogna in a tournament final to become the first JDStar TWF World Women's Tag Team Champions in Tokyo, Japan.
1998 - The Monday Night Wars continued on. The ratings were very close that night, with WWF RAW is WAR's 4.9 rating edging out WCW Monday Nitro's 4.6. RAW in Albany, New York's main event was WWF Hardcore Champion Road Dogg defeating Mankind after an interfering Rock hit the Rock Bottom on Mankind. Vince McMahon fired WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels after the match. Nitro was in Baltimore, Maryland, and its main event saw Ric Flair defeat Eric Bischoff to become WCW President for the next 30 days. Also, Scott Steiner defeated Konnan to capture his second WCW World Television Title.
1999 - At a SmackDown! taping in Richmond, Virginia, a title match between WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho and Chyna results in a double-pinfall, after Jericho back suplexed Chyna onto a chair, with two referees counting both competitors' shoulders down for three. Stephanie McMahon would rule on the January 3 RAW that Jericho and Chyna were co-Intercontinental Champions.
2001 - Glacier and Jason Sugarman defeat The New Heavenly Bodies (Casanova Chris and Vivacious Vito) to win the NWA World Tag Team Title in Deland, Florida.
2001 - Wrecka defeats Ron Zombie for the Assault Championship Wrestling Hardcore Title in Meridan, Connecticut, ending Zombie's second reign.
2002 - Ring Of Honor held their "Final Battle" event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, headlined by a 45-minute draw between Low Ki, Steve Corino, Samoa Joe and American Dragon in a four-way match.
2002 - Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling holds "Year End Mayhem" at Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Josh Daniels defeated Matt Striker.
- Jason Knight defeated The Blue Meanie.
- Rob Eckos defeated Damian Adams.
- Kid Kash defeated Syxx-Pac.
- Roadkill defeated Rockin' Rebel.
- Joey Matthews defeated Nosawa.
- Abdullah the Butcher defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
- Gary Wolfe defeated 3PW Heavyweight Champion Sabu to win the title, beginning his second reign.
2002 - Shark Boy defeats Danny Daniels for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Clarksville, Indiana.
2002 - Rainman defeats Tony Mamaluke in a tournament final to win the NWA Wildside Television Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2002 - Club International (Seth Knight and Skag Rollins) win their second ECCW Tag Team Title, defeating Larry Blackwell and James Watkins at a Bay Area Wrestling event in Hayward, California, just one day after Blackwell and Watkins won them from Club International.
2002 - Spazman Anthony and Kevin Featherstorm defeat The Highwaymen for the National Wrestling League Tag Team Title in Hagerstown, Maryland, ending The Highwaymen's second reign.
2002 - Ray Idol wins his third Southern States Wrestling Young Guns Television Title in Kingsport, Tennessee, defeating Rick Karloff.
2006 - Phat Blues, Inc. (Kelly Bell and Buzz Stryker) defeat The Bruiser and Genesis for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Dundalk, Maryland.
2010 - During a live edition of Raw from Hartford, Connecticut, Vince McMahon officially announced Bret Hart as the Guest Raw Host for the 1/4/10 Raw in Dayton, Ohio. During the announcement, McMahon played an awesome video feature on Hart before bringing up the Montreal Screwjob in 1997, the last time Hart appeared in a WWF ring. At that point, McMahon began heeling Bret to play up the heat from the Screwjob and build their new storyline and declared Hart will "never" be a Guest Host on Raw. This led to Shawn Michaels coming to the ring and Michaels goading McMahon into officially announcing Hart would return next week, promising McMahon, "Only good things will happen" when Hart returned.
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are Wild and Young and on the internet. Your announcers are Matt ‘Pulling Double Duty’ Striker and Josh ‘My Favorite Announcing Job because I get to talk’ Mathews.
Matt is in the ring and he welcomes everyone to this week’s show. He says that New Year’s is right around the corner. In three weeks, it will be NXT’s 100th episode and he says that it is thanks to the WWE Universe. So many superstars got their starts on NXT. Matt mentions Daniel Bryan. Matt brings out one of the most beloved and captivating superstar whose career was cultivated on NXT. Matt brings out Justin Gabriel.
Matt asks Justin about how it feels to be working on Raw and Smackdown and Justin jokes about wondering what shows Matt is watching.
Before Justin can continue, he is interrupted by the music for his former tag team partner, Heath Slater.
Slater tells Justin that he hasn’t done jack since leaving this miserable place called NXT. He says that he carried Justin through NXT, he carried him when they were tag champions, and he carried Justin when he drank one too many apple martinis.
Justin wants to know what a One Man Southern Rock Band is because he doesn’t play any music.
Heath and Justin argue back and forth and Matt says that this is what NXT is all about. Matt wonders if the people in Indianapolis want to see a match between Justin and Heath.
Match Number One: Heath Slater versus Justin Gabriel in an Alumni Classic Match
They exchange some words and Slater pushes Gabriel but then he retreats into the ropes. Gabriel with a wrist lock and Slater with a reversal. Gabriel with another reversal but Slater with a punch and he works on the wrist.
Gabriel with an arm drag and drop toe hold into an arm bar. Gabriel with a side head lock and an arm drag after a cartwheel. Gabriel with an arm bar on Slater. Gabriel with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Slater with a hip toss but Gabriel lands on his feet and he gets a near fall after a leg sweep.
Gabriel with an arm bar. Gabriel with a knee drop to the arm and then he returns to the arm bar. Slater with a slam but Gabriel holds on to the arm bar. Gabriel with an arm bar take down and then he applies a wrist lock into a top wrist lock and key lock. Gabriel with and elbow to the head.
Slater sends Gabriel to the apron but Gabriel returns to the ring and then he clotheslines Slater over the top rope to the floor. Gabriel with a plancha onto Slater and we go to commercial.
We are back and Slater punches Gabriel but Gabriel with an STO and he goes to the apron and turnbuckles but Slater gets up and he crotches Gabriel on the turnbuckle. Slater punches Gabriel and he falls to the apron. Slater with a baseball slide that sends Gabriel to the floor.
Slater goes to the floor and he hot shots Gabriel on the apron. They return to the ring and Slater gets a near fall. Slater with a boot to the head and a punch. Slater with a knee to the back and a reverse chin lock. Gabriel with an elbow and kick but Slater with a back body drop.
Slater gets a near fall followed by a kick to the back and chest. Slater seeks the appreciation of the crowd but they are not complying. Gabriel with an inside cradle to counter for a near fall. Slater with a boot and punches to Gabriel until the referee warns him. Gabriel with chops to Slater but Slater with a kick and punch.
Slater with a knee to the back followed by a reverse chin lock. Gabriel with an elbow but Slater with a forearm and a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Slater with kicks and punches in the corner and the referee stops him. Slater misses a splash into the corner and Gabriel with a kick to the leg followed by one to the chest and a jumping back kick.
Gabriel with a back round kick and a cross body into the corner. Gabriel with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Gabriel with a side Russian leg sweep and then he goes up top for the 450 splash and this time Slater gets up and he hits a power slam from the turnbuckles but Slater can only get a two count.
Slater punches Gabriel but Gabriel punches back. They exchange punches until Slater with a back heel kick. Gabriel with an inverted DDT into an elbow drop and then he hits a top rope quebrada for a near fall. Slater with a spinebuster for a near fall. Slater puts Gabriel on the top turnbuckle and sets for a superplex but they exchange punches. Gabriel drops Slater on the top rope and then Gabriel recovers and hits a springboard 450 splash for the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Derrick Bateman is a little bummed out and he sees Maxine and he knows that she doesn’t want to see him. He says that they are both crazy and they both love each other. Maxine says that their weekends consisted of pillow fights and watching Titanic while Derrick cried and snot rolled into her popcorn. Derrick says that he did not cry. Maxine tells Derrick that he should be preparing for his match with Johnny Curtis. Derrick says that he will defeat Johnny and they will get their love back on track so they can be the power couple in WWE. Derrick tells Maxine that he has one more thing and he kisses Maxine. Maxine slaps Derrick and Derrick likes it.
As Derrick walks away, we see that Johnny was listening in on the conversation.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Darren Young is at the announce table and he is not wearing a sling this time. We see the footage from last week when Darren attacked Titus O’Neil last week in his match against JTG.
Match Number Two: Tyson Kidd versus Percy Watson
They lock up and Watson with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Watson blocks a hip toss and hits one of his own followed by a slam. Watson with a back body drop after trapping the arm and he gets a near fall. Kidd with a kick to the knee when Watson was distracted by Young at the announce table. Kidd chokes Watson with his boot and then he snap mares Watson and kicks him in the back and gets a near fall. Kidd with an elbow to the head.
Kidd with a front face lock and forearms followed by a kick to the chest. Kidd with a reverse chin lock. Kidd turns it into a side head lock and Watson lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Watson with an enzuigiri.
Watson with punches and a drop kick or two. Watson with a flying clothesline to Kidd but Kidd rolls away from Watson. Kidd with an elbow when Watson charges into the corner. Kidd comes off the turnbuckles and Watson with a drop kick and Watson with the Showtime Splash for a near fall.
Young gets up from the announce table and he distracts Watson. Kidd with a kick and a corkscrew brainbuster for the three count.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
After the match, Young gives Watson the alley oop gutbuster and he tells Percy to give a message to Titus.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Maxine is walking in the back and Aksana says that she tells Maxine that she was looking for her because she had something to show Maxine. Aksana shows Maxine an e-mail that Derrick sent to Teddy where he did not want Maxine on Smackdown with him.
Maxine wants to know if Johnny Curtis put her up to that. Aksana says that she is trying to help.
Match Number Three: Johnny Curtis versus Derrick Bateman in the Who Does Maxine Hate More Bowl
The referee has to hold Bateman back before the bell. Curtis with punches and European uppercuts after the bell rings. Curtis punches Bateman in the corner. Curtis with a hard Irish whip and suplex for a near fall.
Derrick with a clothesline and punches to Curtis as Johnny retreats into the corner. Bateman with a chop to Curtis followed by a drop kick and punches. Bateman gets a near fall. Bateman puts Curtis in the ropes and he punches Johnny while the referee warns him. Bateman sends Curtis over the top rope to the floor.
Derrick goes to the apron and he hits a running drop kick off the apron and both men are down. Bateman sends Curtis back into the ring and Curtis rolls out of the ring on the other side and he punches Bateman and then goes up top for a clothesline and gets a near fall.
Maxine makes her way into the arena and to the ring while Johnny punches Derrick. Curtis with a cravate and we go to commercial.
We are back and Curtis punches Bateman and he applies a side head lock. Derrick tries to get out of the hold but Curtis holds on. Curtis chokes Bateman in the ropes. Curtis with a snap mare and a reverse chin lock. Bateman with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Bateman with a clothesline and back elbow followed by another clothesline.
Bateman with the running drop kick into the corner and then he hits a leaping swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Bateman runs into an elbow in the corner and Curtis with a discus clothesline for a near fall. Curtis tries for a suplex but Bateman lands on his feet and he sends Curtis into the turnbuckles and he gets the three count on a rollup with a handful of tights.
Winner: Derrick Bateman
After the match, Bateman looks at Maxine and gets on his knee. Maxine walks into the ring and she walks right past Derrick and leaves the ring. Derrick gets back on his feet and he turns around and watches Maxine walk up the ramp. Maxine sees Johnny at the top of the ramp on the stage.
Maxine walks up the ramp and she starts to walk past Johnny but she tops and slaps Johnny in the face. Apparently Johnny likes it rough because Maxine kisses Johnny and they leave.
We go to credits.
2012 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
There have been fifty-one episodes of Smackdown in 2012, but will the final episode make an impact as we get ready for 2013 and the build to Royal Rumble. After Alberto Del Rio almost killed Santa on Monday night, what will he do to make up for that near disaster? Will the Shield show up? Make your resolution to watch tonight’s episode to find out.
Previously with the World Title. Big Show suffered the wrath of Sheamus. What will happen tonight after their match on Monday? Is the couple of the last few weeks of 2012 going to be the couple of 2013? What about their chaperone, Big E Langston? Will Dolph Ziggler uphold the honor of his (earmuffs) ‘crazy’ girlfriend against Miz?
This week, we are in Rochester, New York and your announcers are John ‘Did you know that Cal Ripken played in this town’ Layfield and Josh ‘If I had a dime for every time I heard a fact more than once on commentary, I would have as much money as my broadcast partner’ Mathews.
Sheamus makes his way to the ring and he is in a festive mood. Sheamus says that he hoped everyone had a Merry Christmas. Sheamus said he had a great time. It is a special time of year for him. He drank gallons of egg nog flavored ale. He says that he got a load of dodgy sweaters and ties that he will probably never wear. He got a year’s supply of sunscreen from his mom. The biggest present he got was a victory over Big Show in the Lumberjack Frost Match. Sheamus figures that this would be a good time to become the new World Champion because the New Year is so far away.
Sheamus tells Big Show to come to the ring. He wants to face Show for the World Title, in Rochester. If Show thinks the beating he faced on Monday was bad, wait until you see what he will do to Show tonight.
Big Show makes his way to the ring.
Show has a question for Sheamus and then he tells the crowd not to boo him. Show wants to know if he looks like Santa Claus to him.
The crowd chants ‘Yes’ and Sheamus agrees, but Show is way fatter.
Show chuckles and he says that is so cute. Maybe Sheamus should make a New Year’s Resolution and go into stand up comedy. That career will be as good as his chance to get another title match. Either Sheamus has amnesia or is in denial. He beat Sheamus on pay per view when it counted. Show says that he was on vacation mode on Monday. That match did not count. Sheamus comes up short when it counts.
That is why Sheamus will never tell him when and against whom he defends his title against.
Sheamus tells Show that he is a seven foot, five hundred pound coward who is afraid to fight him. Sheamus says that Show’s pride was on the line.
Show tells Sheamus that when it was important, he came up short.
Sheamus says that he pushed Show to the limit and he beat him. Sheamus says that he came here for a fight and the championship. Sheamus says that if he isn’t going to get a title shot, he is still going to get a fight.
Booker T’s music plays and he comes out and he is indignant. He tells Sheamus that Show is right. Show beat Sheamus at the TLC pay per view. Show tells the Ginger Snap to get to the back of the line. Booker reminds Show that Sheamus beat him on Monday.
Show says that he is done with Sheamus and Sheamus is not worthy at another chance at his World Title. Show says that there is not one single athlete in the locker room who is worthy of a title match. When he walks through the locker room, it reeks of inferiority. No one is worth his World Title.
Booker tells Show that he will be in action tonight.
Show wants to know who he will be facing.
Booker says that he has been working on a plan all week. Every Superstar will come out and their names will be placed in a tumbler, including Sheamus. Booker says that he will pick the person to face Big Show tonight.
Booker wants Teddy to bring out the Superstars.
Show complains about how Booker is playing with his championship. The collection of losers will not be for a title match. It will be a lottery to see who gets knocked out. Show promises to knock that person out.
The official Smackdown Tumbler comes out on the official tumbler holding table.
Eve and Teddy argue over who picks the man who will face Show. The tumbler falls on the floor. Teddy puts it back on the table and Booker makes the selection.
The winning bingo ball is Santino Marella.
Santino is in shock that he got picked and Show is laughing uncontrollably. Santino does the trombone dance and then he turns around and sees Big Show.
Santino wants to make sure that he was picked.
Show asks Santino if he wants a chance at the title and then he laughs and walks away.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Primo (with Epico and Rosa Mendes) versus Brodus Clay (with the Funkettes)
Epico distracts Clay and Primo goes for the back of the legs. Primo with punches and double sledges to Clay. Primo with a kick when Clay holds the ropes on an Irish whip attempt. Clay with a chop and then he catches Primo on a cross body attempt and Clay with a power slam. Clay calls his mama but Epico gets on the apron to distract Clay.
Clay stops Epico and knocks him off the apron. Clay with a head butt to Primo’s sternum followed by the splash and the three count.
Winner: Brodus Clay
After the match, Rosa yells at Clay and Cameron and Naomi with kicks to Rosa followed by a double suplex and a double split leg drop on Rosa. Now it is time for Brodus and the Funkettes to dance with the children of the WWE Universe.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is trying to give Santino Marella some tips on how to beat Big Show. Santino wants Sheamus to paint a masterpiece on him. Sheamus tells Santino that the Brogue Kick is the only thing that can take Show down. Santino wants to learn the Brogue Kick. Santino says that when he adds the Brogue Kick to the cobra, Sheamus will never win the World Title. Santino with a few kicks that are not up to par, but the third one is enough to injure Santino’s hamstring and he is paralyzed in pain.
Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston, Daniel Bryan, and Kane versus Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, and Wade Barrett
Bryan and Cody start things off and Bryan with a hammer lock and drop toe hold but Cody escapes. Bryan with a kick to the chest and then Bryan catapults Cody into a boot from Kane after Kane makes the tag. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Sandow tags in and he punches and kicks Kane in the corner.
Kane with an Irish whip and side slam for a near fall. Kofi tags in and he goes up top and hits a double sledge to the arm. Kofi with a wrist lock but Sandow with a forearm and Cody is tagged in. Barrett tags in and he punches Kofi while Cody holds him. Kofi with a side head lock and Barrett with a shoulder tackle.
Kofi with a leaping back elbow followed by a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Kofi with a front face lock but Barrett backs Kofi into the corner. Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise and all six men get into the ring and we have a standoff as we go to commercial.
We are back and Cody and Damien make a wish with Bryan’s legs. Sandow with a side Russian leg sweep followed by the Elbow of Disdain. Barrett tags in and punches Bryan and puts him in the ropes for a series of knees to the chest and then he connects with a more knees before kicking Bryan to the apron with a boot to the chest. Barrett gets a near fall.
Barrett with a rear chin lock. Bryan with elbows but Barrett with a hard Irish whip. Cody tags in and he kicks Bryan. Cody with a snap mare and an arm bar and chin lock. Bryan punches Cody and hot shots him onto the top turnbuckle. Both men are down and Kofi and Barrett tag in. Kofi with a springboard clothesline followed by a double leg take down and punches to Barrett.
Kofi misses a splash into the corner but Kofi hits a pendulum kick and then hits a cross body on Barrett for a near fall. Cody and Damien break up the cover. Kane takes care of Sandow and Rhodes on the floor for a moment but they send Kane into the ringside barrier. Bryan with a running knee off the apron to Sandow. Rhodes hits Beautiful Disaster using the apron on Bryan.
In the ring Kofi avoids the Bullhammer and gets a near fall with an O’Connor Roll. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise on Rhodes when he tries to interfere but Cody is not the legal man and Barrett is able to hit the Bullhammer for the three count.
Winners: Wade Barrett, Damien Sandow, and Cody Rhodes
John and Josh mention that Santino is out of the match against Big Show.
Booker and Show are in the hallway. Show is broken up that Santino is unable to wrestle. Show says that he must have the night off. Booker says that there will be a World Title Match. Booker says that we will pick another opponent in the tumbler. Teddy the Tumbler Wrangler brings the Tumbler and Booker says that Show will find out soon who his opponent is and we go to commercial.
We are back and Show complains about needing to know so he can get ready for his opponent. Teddy brings Ricardo and Booker wants to know if Teddy told him. Show laughs even more than he did when he found out he was facing Santino.
Show asks Ricardo if he wants to be the World Champion. He puts the title belt on Ricardo’s shoulder and asks how it feels. Show wants Ricardo to announce himself as the new World Champion.
Ricardo starts to announce himself as champion but Show punches Ricardo and knocks him out.
Booker says that this is ridiculous. Show stares at Booker and walks away.
Match Number Three: Zack Ryder versus Antonio Cesaro
They lock up and Cesaro backs Ryder into the corner and he kicks Ryder and connects with a European uppercut. Cesaro with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Cesaro slaps Ryder in the head and applies a reverse chin lock. Ryder with a punch but Cesaro with a head butt to the midsection. Cesaro pulls Ryder’s arm against the ropes and then he kicks the ropes.
Cesaro with a dead lift side salto for a near fall. Cesaro with a head butt and then he punches Ryder in the corner. Ryder with a head but to the midsection but Cesaro with a slam and then he leaps onto Ryder’s chest and gets a near fall. Cesaro with a waist lock and Ryder gets to his feet. Ryder drives Cesaro into the mat and then he connects with boots to Cesaro when Cesaro charges into the corner.
Ryder with a missile drop kick followed by a running forearm into the corner Ryder tries for the Broski Boot but Ryder misses. Cesaro with a European uppercut to the back of the head and then he hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
Josh and John wonder if Cesaro can hit the Neutralizer on Khali.
We go back to last week’s Smackdown when AJ Lee, Dolph Ziggler, and Big E Langston were on MizTV. Ziggler and Miz will battle tonight.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: The Miz versus Dolph Ziggler (with Big E Langston and AJ Lee)
They lock up and Miz with a side head lock and take down. Miz with a shoulder tackle and side head lock take down. Ziggler escapes but Miz with an arm drag and side head lock take down. Ziggler with a top wrist lock and then he punches Miz and connects with an elbow to the back of the head.
Ziggler with a punch and side head lock. Ziggler with a shoulder tackle and AJ approves. Miz with a flapjack to Ziggler and then he sends ZIggler over the top rope at Langston and Langston catches Ziggler.
Ziggler returns to the ring and Ziggler with a kick and neck breaker for a near fall. Ziggler with a snap mare and a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock and Miz tries to escape. Ziggler with an abdominal stretch on Miz but Miz with an arm drag and double leg take down. Miz punches Ziggler and goes to the apron and he connects with a shoulder.
Miz goes up top but Ziggler gives Miz a drop kick when he comes off the turnbuckles and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock but Miz gets to his feet. Ziggler with an elbow to the head but Miz with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Ziggler misses a charge into the corner but Ziggler with a kick. Miz with a back elbow and then he tosses Ziggler into the air. Miz with the Reality Check and he gets a near fall.
Miz runs into a back elbow and Ziggler tries for a sleeper but Miz escapes and then hits a DDT and gets a near fall. Miz misses a running kick and Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler misses the Fameasser and Miz sends Ziggler into the corner for the Awesome Clothesline. MIz goes up top and hits a double sledge to the head after making sure that Langston and AJ were far enough away to do any damage.
Miz blows a kiss to AJ and Langston climbs the steps to distract Miz. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Miz tells AJ to face it. No matter which WWE Superstar you are with at New Year’s Eve, we all know it is going to end with a bang. Miz wishes AJ a Happy New Year and he calls her sweetheart.
Ziggler goes to the ring but Miz attacks Ziggler. Langston with a running body block to Miz followed by the Big Ending. AJ enters the ring and does laps around Langston and Miz.
Josh mentions that Ricardo is now out as Big Show’s opponent for tonight.
Booker wants to know if Ricardo will be okay. The medical trainer says that he will be okay but Ricardo will not be able to wrestle.
Brad Maddox enters to check on Ricardo’s condition. Brad wants one more chance. Booker tells Brad to get out of his sight. Booker tells Brad it is not the right time. Brad demands one more chance and he asks Booker if he can dig that suckaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Booker tells Brad that he gets one more last chance. Booker tells Brad that his match is next.
Alberto enters the trainer’s room to check on Ricardo. Alberto tells Booker the moment he sees the Big Show, it will be like a giant piñata.
Booker tells Alberto that he will give him the title match against the Big Show.
Alberto tells Ricardo this one is for him and he gets ready for his match.
We are back and Brad Maddox says that he has a New Year’s Resolution and that is to become a WWE Superstar. Every resolution has come true. He has a resolution for everyone. They will remember Brad’s name and it will be easy after this match.
Match Number Five: Brad Maddox versus Sheamus in a Last Chance Match . . . this time and until the next time Match
Brad thinks about leaving but Sheamus wants Brad to try to get that contract. Brad with a side head lock. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle and Brad goes down. Brad with a waist lock but Sheamus with a hip lock take down. Sheamus says something to Brad. Brad works on the arm. Sheamus with a side head lock take down.
Brad gets to the ropes and Sheamus releases the hold. Brad slaps Sheamus and Brad gets to the floor. Maddox returns to the ring first and he kicks Sheamus and punches him in the corner. Brad tries to Irish whip Sheamus. Sheamus sends Brad into the turnbuckles and he connects with forearms to the back and a short arm clothesline.
Brad kicks Sheamus in the leg and he tries to get out of the ring but Sheamus stops Brad and Sheamus with ten forearms across the chest. Sheamus with White Noise and then he bloodies his chest to prepare for the Brogue Kick and Brad’s face meets Sheamus’ boot with the Brogue Kick. Sheamus gets the three count.
Winner:Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Six: Jimmy and Jey Uso versus Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Jimmy and Darren start things off and Young with a single leg take down. Jimmy kicks Darren away but Young with a shoulder tackle. Jimmy with an uppercut. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and double elbow drop for a near fall. Jey with a head butt but Young with an elbow. Jey with a kick. Young sends Jey into a boot from Titus.
Titus tags in and he kicks Jey. Titus with a short arm clothesline. Young tags back in and Jey sends Titus into Young. Jey misses a super kick. Young with the gut buster from the shoulders and Young gets a near fall. Titus comes in and goes after Jimmy. The referee sends Titus to the apron and Jimmy switches with Jey and Jimmy gets the three count with an inside cradle.
Winners: Jimmy and Jey Uso
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to hear from the Shield. They introduce themselves. Dean says that another year ends, but it was like no other year. Seth says that it was a year that will go down in history. A year that will be remembered for the scar that they left. Reigns says that this was just a start.
Ambrose mentions that they warned everyone and shined a big, shining light on the injustice in the WWE. Seth says that they didn’t just talk about injustice. He rhetorically asks Ryback, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Randy Orton, and Miz if they just talked about it.
Reigns says that they rectified it.
Ambrose says that one year ends and another one begins the mission stays the same. Rollins says that 2013 is the year that the Shield will cleanse the WWE of the disease of injustice.
Ambrose says that they have no friends or allies. They don’t want any and they answer to no one.
Reigns says that in 2013, Justice Lives. They tell you to believe in The Shield.
Big Show is in the interview area. Matt Striker asks Show about facing Alberto Del Rio. Show says that this is ridiculous. Booker feels that he has to appease the WWE Universe. Show mentions that he had two opponents already. One pulled a groin and the other got knocked out. Now he has to face Alberto Del Rio. Show says that everyone was a loser, a reject, a wannabe, or a nobody. He meant Alberto Del Rio. He will make it a trifecta if Alberto goes to the ring tonight.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Big Show versus Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Title
Del Rio with kicks and punches but Show with a head butt. Del Rio with more punches and kicks but Del Rio is sent to the mat. Show sets for the shhhh chop but Del Rio with punches and kicks. Show with a chop after the referee pulls Del Rio out of the corner. Show with a forearm to the back. Del Rio with head butts.
Show with a hip lock take down into a side head lock. Del Rio with a head scissors but Show escapes. Del Rio with kicks and punches but Show with a forearm to the back. Show chops Del Rio against the ropes. Del Rio with punches but Show pushes Del Rio to the floor. Show goes to the floor. Show Irish whips Del Rio into the ring steps.
They return to the ring and Show with an arm bar. Show with a shoulder tackle and then he walks across Del Rio’s chest. Show with a slam and then he tries for an elbow drop but Del Rio moves. Del Rio with a series of kicks to Show to keep Show off his feet. Del Rio with a super kick to the head but Show kicks out.
Del Rio gets back to his feet and he works on the arm to set up for the cross arm breaker. Del Rio with an arm bar and he tries to apply the hold but Show sends Del Rio to the floor. Show rolls out of the ring on the other side and he has had enough.
Show gets counted out by the referee.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio (by count out)
Sheamus attacks Show on the ramp but Show fights him off and Show walks to the back. The rest of the locker room comes out and they force Show back to the ring. The losers, nobodies, and wannabes send Show back into the ring. Del Rio with a step up enzuigiri and Sheamus with a Brogue Kick.
