Wrestling History Today - Apr 13th

[LionDen]

Continued ..

2011 - WWE ran Glasgow, Scotland. Robbie Campbell filed the following results:
Evan Bourne def. Alex Riley after Air Bourne.

Percy Watson def. Tyson Kidd after a necbreaker combo.

Melina came out and chose 4 people from the audience for a competition later in the show.

Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (w/ Tamina) def. The Uso's after the Cobra from Santino.

John Morrison def. Dolph Ziggler after Starship Pain.

Diva's Championship Match: Brie Bella (w/ Nikki Bella) def. Eve Torres after a distraction from Nikki and a Bella Buster.

R-Truth hosted a dance off between the 4 people from the audience. The winner got to go backstage. 3 were from Scotland, and the other from England and was heavily booed.

Fans Choice Match - Fans chose Street Fight over 2 out of three falls: Randy Orton def. CM Punk in a Street Fight after an RKO.

INTERMISSION

Sin Cara def. Primo after countering a powerbomb into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb. After the match, Sheamus came out and attacked Sin Cara, but Sin Cara got the better of him, and hit him with a Plancha.

United States Championship Match: Sheamus def. Daniel Bryan after a Brogue Kick.

WWE Championship Match: John Cena def. The Miz by DQ after Riley broke up the count after an AA. The two started beating on Cena, until R-Truth made the save, and the Miz was hit with another AA.

2012 - EVOLVE held EVOLVE 11. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of EVOLVE 11!

Lenny Leonard welcomes us to the show, then introduces the Super Smash Bros. Chuck Taylor comes out to crash the party and introduce his new buddies Jake Manning and Drew Gulak, the Gentlemen's Club.

Super Smash Bros vs Jake Manning & Drew Gulak

Player Uno and Jake Manning start us off, Uno runs Manning over with a pair of shoulderblocks and Manning backs off to his corner to consult his Scoutmaster's Guide about what to do next. Gulak tags in and takes Dos down to the mat, and wrestles circles around Dos, who resorts to a flurry of lucha moves and a dropkick. Gulak with a headbutt to the midsection and Manning tags back in for a double flapjack. Dos quickly recovers and gets a double Frankensteiner to send both opponents to the floor. The SSB tease a dive to the outside, but stop at the last minute and wait for Manning to get back in. Manning sticks his hand out, then slaps Uno in the face and quickly tags in Gulak, who nails Uno from behind and the two of them put the boots to Uno. Uno is in the wrong part of town as he gets worked over in the Gentlemen's Corner, he fights his way back out to the middle of the ring but Manning gets a drop toehold and tags in Gulak, who stops Uno dead with a double axhandle to the back for 2. Uno dodges a charge and dumps Manning out to the floor and then he dives for a tag, but Gulak catches him at the last second and drags him out to the middle of the ring where he locks in an STF. Awesome sequence there. Uno makes the ropes, so the Gentlemen's Club goes back to working Uno over, but he gets away and makes the hot tag to Dos, who cleans house and drills Gulak's face into the ring apron with a beautiful springboard DDT. SSB with the assisted lungblower on Manning, but Gulak and Uno fight their way out to the floor where Gulak dodges a chop, leaving Uno cracking his arm into the ringpost. Manning swoops in with a backbreaker/Flatliner combo, but it only gets 2. Gulak comes in and nearly folds Dos in half with a backdrop suplex and goes to a really nasty looking crossface, but Uno breaks up the fall and goes back out to the floor with Uno. Manning fires forearms at Dos and charges, but Dos moves and Manning sails out to the floor right next to Gulak, then Uno follows with a dive of his own that wipes both men out. SSB with a series of double teams and a Gory Cutter for the win.

Winners: Super Smash Bros

Taylor looks unhappy, and stares a hole through the SSB's skulls as they do their postmatch promo with Lenny Leonard before running onto the apron to tell the SSB that he doesn't care about winning or losing.

Josh Alexander vs MK McKinnon

Alexander seems pretty over with the fans as he exchanges wristlocks with McKinnon. McKinnon does a series of lucha moves and a leaping enziguiri, then he blowsan attempt at a Pelle kick. He hits it on the second attempt, but then blows a springboard moonsault and Alexander capitalizes with some big hard forearms. Alexander with some hard chops and a European uppercut, McKinnon slips out the back on a vertical suplex, but Alexander catches him again right away and hits a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. Alexander with adelayedvertical suplex, Davey Boy Smith style, and covers for 2. Alexander says that's it and goes for a double underhook, but McKinnon escapes and sweeps out the ankles, then superkicks Alexander out to the floor and hits a somersault dive through the ropes. They go back inside and McKinnon gets a leaping kneestrike, but Alexander flattens him with the leaping double underhook piledriver (otherwise known as Stevie Ray's Slapjack finish he used in WCW) and gets the win.

Winner: Josh Alexander

Solid match, even though McKinnon looked like he was letting his nerves get the better of him. It happens, but both guys worked hard.

Mike Rollins vs Ashley Sixx

They circle one another and Sixx gets a side headlock, but Rollins fires him into the ropes and takes him down with a shoulderblock. Sixx slowly comes back to the middle of the ringas he sizes his opponent up, then boots him in the abdomen and unloads with some clubbing forearms. Rollins reverses a whip attempt to a fireman's carry with an airplane spin, then just bashes Sixx in the face with a big right hand. Rollins unloads on Sixx with a flurry of right hands and then dumps him out to the floor. Rollins goes out after him, but Sixx recovers and hits a Russian legsweep into the ring apron. They go back inside and Sixx immediately covers and gets 2, then rakes the boot laces across the eyes. Sixx goes to a rear chinlock, Rollins tries to fight his way out but Sixx just unloads with another hard forearm. More forearms and chops, but Rollins no-sells and starts firing back on Sixx with double handed chops. Rollins goes to the second rope and nicely waits up there for fifteen second or so while Sixx leaps out to the ring apron and climbs the ropes so he can hit a Frankensteiner for 2. Rollins goes for a kick, but Sixx catches the foot and slaps him in the face, which turns out to be a big mistake as Rollins hits a spinning Yakuza kick and a sitout Tombstone for the win.

Winner: Mike Rollins

I enjoyed this, Rollins seems like an interesting character and, while a bit sloppy, he's a big imposing guy who seemed to connect well with the audience.

Alex Reynolds vs John Silver

Silver entertained the hell out of me the last time I saw him, let's see how he does this time. They fight over a wristlock and then exchange pinning combinations. Reynolds blocks a kick and snapmares Silver, Silver picks out his leg and they go back and forth until Silver gets a springboard armdrag, Reynolds with a rollup for 2, and we're at a stalemate. Reynolds takes Silver down with a side headlock, Silver escapes with shots to the ribs, then snapmares Reynolds and gets a delayed basement dropkick for 1. Reynolds tries a springboard move that doesn't turn out like he hoped, and Silver responds by raking the boot laces across the eyes and drilling Reynolds with a running kneestrike to the face for 2. Silver misses an elbowdrop and Reynolds fires back with a chop, then dodges a charge by silver and hits a running kneestrike that throws Silver for a loop. Reynolds flops Silver onto the second rope and hits a running dropkick from the floor, followed by a slingshot elbowdrop for 2. Silver unloads with forearms and kicks, but Reynolds ducks a kick and gets a snap backbreaker followed by a Northern lariat for 2. That looked ugly. Reynolds goes to a COPS hold on Silver, but Silver gets out and flattens Reynolds with a hard clothesline. He follows up with a big leaping splash for 2 on Reynolds, Reynolds gets a chinbreaker, and they start trading hard forearms in the middle of the ring. Silver with a flurry of kicks, lands on his feet on a German suplex attempt, and double stomps Reynolds right in the chest for 2. Silver takes Reynolds down into a crossface attempt, Reynolds rolls through, but Silver tries it a second time and this time he gets it. Reynolds fights and fights, and makes it to the ropes. Silver releases the hold and stomps on Reynolds again, but takes too long going up top and Reynolds slams him into the ring and gets an O'Connor roll for 2. Reynolds pops Silver up into the air and catches him coming down with a Codebreaker, followed by a running Shooting Star Press for 2. Reynolds goes up for a moonsault and misses, Silver charges Reynolds in the corner with a leaping boot, bulldogs Reynolds into the second turnbuckle, and deadlifts Reynolds into a bridging German suplex for 2. Reynolds blocks a superkick, gets caught with a second, and Silver hits a running stomp to the back of the head, but Reynolds catches him out of nowhere with what appeared to be a pump handle neckbreaker over the knee for 3.

Winner: Alex Reynolds

Great match, all the NYWC guys impress me every time out and these two in particular showed a ton of fire tonight.

Before the next match, Johnny Gargano comes out to confront Chuck Taylor. Gargano reminds everyone of how Taylor turned on him in Miami and broke up Ronin, and he reminds Taylor of how he stuck up for him with the Dragon Gate office. I'm having a tough time making out exactly what Gargano's saying, but he mentions that AR Fox isn't here tonight, so he suggests making this match a three way dance. Looks like we've got an impromptu change!

Open The Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano vs Chuck Taylor vs Samuray Del Sol

This is going to be under elimination rules. Taylor runs to the floor right away, and Gargano and Del Sol go at it. Del Sol gets an early advantage, but Gargano hits a Flatliner into the second turnbuckle and then goes after Taylor on the outside. Taylor runs into the ring and Del Sol springboards off his back to dropkick Gargano off the apron, then takes control of Taylor with a lucha headscissors and goes to a leg submission, but Taylor goes to the ropesand escapes to the floor where Gargano wipes him out with a dive through the ropes. Gargano goes back inside and catches Del Sol with a slingshot DDT over the top rope. Taylor slips in and goes after both guys, booting Gargano out to the floor, but gets caught with a rollup by Del Sol for 2. Taylor tries to monkey flip Del Sol, but Del Sol lands on his feet and hits a dropkick in the corner on Taylor. Del Sol goes for a headscissors on Taylor, but Taylor powerbombs Del Sol into Gargano in the corner and then boots Del Sol in the face and covers for 2. Del Sol gets backdropped out to the floor and then Taylor dropkicks Gargano, but Del Sol gets a beautiful headscissors to pull himself back into the ring on Taylor, then sends Taylor to the floor and hits him with a dive. Gargano and Del Sol go at it in the ring, but Taylor sneaks in and dumps Gargano to the outside before rolling Del Sol up with a handful of tights and eliminating him.

Samuray Del Sol is eliminated.

Gargano stares Taylor down and unloads on him in the corner, putting the boots to him Steve Austin style. Gargano with a running basement dropkick and Taylor tries to escape out to the floor. Gargano goes out after him and continues the beating all around ringside, then slams Taylor hard onto the unprotected floor. Gargano comes over and punts Taylor in the ribs, but Taylor keeps his wits about him enough to counter a bulldog attempt into a back suplex onto the ring apron. Taylor puts the boots to Gargano on the outside, then rolls ihm back inside and connects with a double axhandle off the top rope to the back. Taylor grinds Gargano's face into the mat and connects with an elbowdrop to the back, then gets a bodyscissors on Gargano. Gargano makes the ropes, so Taylor slingshots himself off the middle rope and stomps on Gargano's back. Taylor continues stomping Gargano's back while snipingback and forth with some ringside fans, then rocks Gargano with a pair of bodyslams. Taylor gets a rear chinlock with a knee in the back, Gargano escapes and rolls Taylor backward, boots him in the face, clotheslines him to the floor, hits a slingshot dive over the top rope, and a somersault senton off the apron. Looks like Gargano may have caused more damage to himself on that one, but he sends Taylor inside and hits a leaping kneestrike to the jaw. Taylor tries a flying headscissors, but Gargano counters to a powerbomb and goes to the Gargano Escape, but Taylor makes it to the ropes to force the break. Taylor tries to walk out, but Gargano goes out after him and drags him back down to the ring. Gargano rolls Taylor inside, but Taylor catches him coming in with an elbow. Gargano goes for the spear through the ropes, but Taylor catches him coming through and turns it to a rolling backbreaker. Taylor again stomping Gargano's back and goes up top for a moonsault, but Gargano rolls out of the way and Taylor eats the mat. Gargano pulls himself to his feet and hits a running dropkick into the corner, the running Snake Eyes onto the second turnbuckle, and a superkick for 2. Gargano goes for Hertz Donut, Taylor escapes and goes for the Awful Waffle, Gargano slips out and takes Taylor down into the Gargano Escape. Taylor rolls out of it and catches Gargano in a half crab right in the middle of the ring, but Gargano somehow manages to get to the ropes. Taylor slaps Gargano around and Gargano spits at him, so Taylor unloads with another hard forearm. Gargano responds with a slap, then a forearm, and they're back trading blows in the middle of the ring. Gargano's having trouble staying on his feet, but he hits a superkick, Taylor hits a superkick of his own and a big boot, and then Gargano with a roaring lariat. Gargano goes for Hertz Donut, but he couldn't hold Taylor up and he collapses to the mat. Taylor goes right back to the half crab and Gargano goes for the ropes, but Taylor drags him back out to the middle of the ring. Gargano passes out and the referee checks the arm and it drops three times.

Winner: Chuck Taylor

Taylor has now not only beaten his former partner clean in the middle of the ring, but he has now surpassed Gargano to become the wins leader in EVOLVE. Terrific match, I liked how they gave Del Sol a rub by putting him in there, and Taylor and Gargano told a great story once it was down to just the two of them.

INTERMISSION

Caleb Konley vs Adam Page

Konley is accompanied to the ring by Larry Dallas and Leah, and Page is apparently a tobacco farmer from Virginia. Feeling out process to start, Konley takes Page down with a drop toehold and goes to a side headlock, Page escapes and gets a series of armdrags and Konley backs off, then piefaces him. Page gets mad and chases Konley outside, around the ring, and back in where Page knocks Konley senseless with a right hand and a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP. Page takes a run at Konley and gets backdropped out to the ring apron, but Page slips through the ropes and picks Konley up on his shoulders before dumping him out to the floor. Page comes off the ring apron with a running shooting star press, getting a big reaction from the crowd, then he rolls Konley back into the ring and comes off the top with...oops, Konley moved out of his way and Page landed on his feet, but promptly gets hiptossed into the corner. Konley yanks Page to the mat by the hair and covers for 2, then goes to a three quarter nelson. Page fights out and comes off the ropes, but gets popped into the air for a sort of hiptoss into a lungblower. Never seen that before, but it only gets 2. Page gets the boot up as Konley charges him in the corner, but takes too long getting to the top rope and Konley hits a delayed superplex for 2. Konley goes for a Regalplex, but Page slips out the back and nearly pins Konley with a rollup for 2. Page with a series of chops and a powerslam, but Konley kicks out of the pin attempt at 2. Konley sweeps the legs of Page and hits a diving lariat and a senton, but covering only results in a 2 count. Page gets Konley up in a fireman's carry and dumps Konley into a neckbreaker over the knee, but Konley drills Page with a roaring elbow and a sitout facebuster, then gets the O Face for the submission win.

Winner: Caleb Konley

Solid match to come back from intermission with before getting down to business with the last two matches.

Low Ki vs El Generico

These guys have had some real wars in years past, so they're very familiar with one another. Ki backs Generico to the corner and teases a chop, but breaks clean and they go back to the middle of the ring. Generico takes Ki to the corner now as the fans chant "let's go both guys" and Generico makes the same feinted chop. Ki doesn't flinch, so Generico lays in the chop and they go back to the middle of the ring. Ki takes Generico down with a side headlock, Generico makes it to his feet so Ki takes him to the ropes and drills him with a hard chop, then a snapmare and a quick elbowdrop. Ki goes for a cover and doesn't even get 1, then goes to a chinlock. Generico gets out and takes Ki to the corner, and breaks with a shove. Lots of headgames going on in this one, and Ki gets a SWEET single leg into a go behind, taking Generico down and slapping the back of his head. Generico rolls out and gets on top of Ki, but Ki gets an armbar and Generico has to get to the ropes to break. Ki is on his back waiting for Generico to come in so he can kick his legs out, Generico is hesitant to come in but he finally goes and gets caught in a triangle choke. Generico slips out, but Ki manages to get behind him and Russian the arm before transitioning to a side headlock. They get back to their feet and do a back and forth sequence that ends with Generico hitting a leg lariat. Generico with a hard chop in the corner, Ki responds with one of his own, and a chop exchange breaks out in the middle of the ring which Ki easily wins and hits Generico with his own brainbuster for 2.

Ki has Generico against the ropes and connects with a hard chop, a running boot to the ribs, and then just dumps Generico out to the floor. Ki goes out after Generico and hits a running dropkick that sends Generico crashing into the ring steps. They go back inside and Ki covers for 2, then traps Generico in a bodyscissors. Generico makes it to the ropes and gets into another chop exchange with Low Ki, but this one goes a bit better for Generico as he gets the advantage and dodges a charge from Low Ki that sends Ki out to the floor. Generico gets a running start and hits a somersault dive to the floor that wipes Ki out, and the crowd is going nuts for Generico. Generico sends Ki back inside and comes off the top rope with a bodypress for 2, then picks Ki up and goes for a Blue Thunder Driver. Ki blocks and goes for a big punt to the face, but Generico dodges and hits the Blue Thunder Driver on the second try for a 2 count. Generico goes for the Yakuza kick in the corner, but Ki BLASTS him with a boot to the face and gets the Dragon sleeper, scissoring Generico's body and dragging him down to the mat. Generico makes it to the ropes before he passes out, but Ki tries to go right back to the hold. Generico blocks and slides Ki around front to counter to a vertical suplex into a sitout powerbomb for 2. Ki dodges another attempt at the running Yakuza Kick and smashes another kick into the chest of Generico. Ki connects with more kicks, but Generico tells Ki to bring it on, so Ki obliges until Generico collapses and covers him for 2. Ki waits for Generico to get to his feet and goes for the Shotgun knees, but Generico moves out of the way and Ki crashes into the corner. Generico quickly comes into the corner with the running Yakuza kick and goes for the top rope brainbuster, but Ki slips out behind him and they both seem to lose their balance. I can't tell if Generico hurt himself on that, but I don't have time to find out because Ki comes off the top with the double stomp to the back for the win.

Winner: Low Ki

Absolutely amazing match. Low Ki said something to Generico that I didn't catch, but it seemed to be something untoward because it got a negative reaction from the fans, and Lenny Leonard says he doesn't know what got into Low Ki.

Dave Finlay vs Sami Callihan

This is a rematch from EVOLVE 9 when Finlay defeated Callihan in what was voted the EVOLVE Match of the Year for 2011. Finlay backs Callihan into the corner, but breaks clean and they go back to the middle for a shoving match. Finlay powers Callihan into the corner again and gets a double leg, but Callihan shoves him in the face until Finlay breaks. Finlay backs Callihan into the corner a third time and a clean break is met by a slap to the face, which Finlay responds to with a headbutt that busts Callihan open hardway. Callihan gets to his feet and tells Finlay to hit him, so he does, and Callihan tumbles out to the floor. Finlay goes after Callihan and rams him into the ring apron, and Finlay stalks him before rolling him back inside where he fires a hard elbow into the bloody face of Callihan. Callihan throws some wild kicks at Finlay, but Finlay responds with a kick of his own and a short clothesline for 2. Finlay drags Callihan out to the ring apron and smashes him chest first into the edge of the ring, then stomps right on his head. Callihan lays in a hard chop, but Finaly again is unfazed and picks Callihan up and rams him into the ringpost. Callihan finally gets some offense in, ramming Finlay's back into the apron and unloading with some right hands and kicks, but Finlay goes to the eyes and rolls Callihan back inside where he punishes him with a series of kneedrops to the head and covers for 2. Finlay with some hard overhand chops in the corner, Callihan tries a headbutt of his own, but Finlay again is not affected and takes Callihan down to the mat and into a leglock. Callihan tries to yank back on Finlay's chin to escape, and manages to roll Finlay to his chest where he can ram elbows into the back of Finlay's head over and over.

Finaly seems to be in trouble for the first time in this match and Callihan makes a cover, but Finlay is out at 1. Finlay responds with a forearm to the face and shoots Callihan hard into the corner, but Callihan lays in some more forearms and a kneelift before cinching in an Indian Deathlock and then a half crab, but Finlay won't turn over, so Callihan mounts Finlay and lays in chops. He makes the mistake of letting Finlay get back to his feet and Finlay knocks him on his ass with a hard forearm before ramming Callihan chest first into the corner. Finlay with another kneedrop and then he rams Callihan into the corner again, but Callihan dodges a charge from Finlay and connects with a leaping enziguiri to the back of the head and covers for 2. Finlay goes out to the apron and tries a big right hand, but Callihan ducks and connects with a kick to the head and then a springboard forearm that sends Finlay to the floor. Callihan comes through the ropes and wipes Finlay out with a dive. He rolls Finlay back inside and goes up top, but Finlay pops right back up and shoves Callihan to the floor. Callihan makes it back inside, so Finlay picks him up and bodyslams him into the ropes. A second one rattles the body of Callihan, and Finlay now kicks at the legs of Callihan and rams his knee into the ringpost, against the joint at that, and then does it again for laughs. Finlay torques Callihan over with a half crab while standing on the back of Callihan's head. Callihan stops moving and the ref checks the arm, but Callihan stays alive and gets to the ropes, so Finlay drops another knee on him. Finlay puts Callihan on top of the corner, and Callihan tries to fight his way free, but Finlay headbutts him square in the face and goes up. Callihan goes for a sunset flip off the top rope and Finlay holds his ground, so Callihan superkicks Finlay's knee out from under him and Finlay crashes hard to the mat.

Callihan goes for the Stretch Muffler, but Finlay simply shoves him out to the timekeeper's table where he lands with an audible WHACK. Callihan comes back in and Finlay hits the Celtic Cross, but Callihan kicks out at 1. Finlay hits a second one and then a third, but Callihan again kicks out. Finlay looks discouraged as the fans start a "this is awesome" chant, he goes for a Tombstone but Callihan slips free, so Finlay takes his head off with a short clothesline instead and this time hits the Tombstone and makes a cover, but Callihan again gets out at 2. Callihan has no idea where he is as Finlay picks him up for another Tombstone, but he slips out the back and hits a pump kick to the back of Finlay's head.

Now Finlay is rattled and he boots Callihan in return, then they knock each other out with stereo big boots and both men are down. Callihan looks exhausted as he hauls himself to his feet, Finlay waits for him to get up and they knock each other back down with stereo Yakuza kicks again. Back to their feet, and they both boot each other down a third time. They don't even bother to get to their feet the next time, kicking each other from the mat. Finlay goes for a backslide and only gets 2, Callihan goes for the Stretch Muffler but Finlay blocks and catches Callihan in a cross armbreaker and Callihan is finally forced to tap out.

Winner: Dave Finlay

This match was unbelievable, better than the first and I think EVOLVE has another MOTYC on their hands here. Crowd starts a "thank you Finlay" chant as Lenny Leonard gets in the ring to put over the war Finlay and Callihan just had, and gets Finlay's thoughts after that match. Finlay tells Callihan that he lost because he's so preoccupied with his feud with Sabu and others, and that if he gets his head on straight, he'll become something. He tells Callihan to get to his feet, but Callihan blows him off and walks out.

Excellent show overall, the three way and the last two matches would be worth the price of a normal PPV, and I have absolutely no problem recommending this show to anyone who enjoys a solid night of professional wrestling. Big thumbs up for a very strong EVOLVE 11.

2013 - WWE broadcast Saturday Morning Slam. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

Now that Wrestlemania is over, a New Era begins on Saturday Morning Slam thanks to General Manager Mick Foley.

With only two members of 3MB wrestling today, will Heath Slater be the difference in the tag match?

Your announcers are Josh Mathews and Kofi Kingston.

Match Number One: Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal (with Heath Slater) versus Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel

Gabriel and Mahal start things off and Mahal with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Mahal blocks a hip toss but Gabriel avoids a short arm clothesline and Gabriel with a leg sweep and he tags in Ryder. They hit a double hip toss and get a near fall. Ryder sends Mahal into the turnbuckles and then he waits for Ryder to try a float over and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep.

Drew tags in and he kicks Ryder and hits a snap suplex and gets a near fall. Ryder with a flap jack and then he hits the running forearm into the corner. Ryder gets his knees up when Drew charges into the corner. Ryder is distracted by Slater and that allows McIntyre to get a rollup for the three count.

Winners: Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal

After the match, 3MB send Ryder and Gabriel to the floor.

Kofi gets up from the announce table and he hits a springboard cross body on Mahal and McIntyre. Kofi sends Slater over the top rope to the floor.

Mick Foley makes his way to the stage and he tells everyone to calm down. Kofi might have been justified for what he did and even if the WWE Universe enjoyed what he did, as the boss he needs to maintain some direction. He cannot let a commentator to become physically involved. That means that Kofi must leave the commentary position.

Mick says that frees him up to compete in the ring. He will face Heath Slater. Jinder and Drew are banned from ringside for that match.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Dolph Ziggler has replaced Kofi Kingston next to Josh Mathews for the rest of the show.

Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston versus Heath Slater

Slater tries for a kick but Kofi blocks it and he hits an atomic drop after spinning Slater around. Kofi with a hip toss and arm drag into an arm bar. Slater with an arm drag and he escapes. Kofi leaps into the corner and he plays some air guitar before hitting a monkey flip. Kofi with a hammer lock and he stretches Slater.

Slater with an elbow and wrist lock. Slater with a shoulder tackle but Kofi with a leaping back elbow after a few leap frogs and Kofi gets a near fall. Slater holds on to the ropes and goes to the apron to force the referee to separate them.

Slater sends Kofi into the turnbuckles and then hits a running knee to the back. Kofi with a sunset flip for a near fall. Slater with a knee to the chest and he gets a near fall. We go to commercial.

We are back and Slater with a knee in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Kofi with a cross body and Kofi is unable to make the cover. Kofi with a clothesline and chop followed by a drop kick and a flying clothesline. Kofi with the Boom Drop and tries for Trouble in Paradise but Slater avoids it. Kofi and Slater with a series of counters and Kofi finally hits SOS and gets the three count.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

Mick Foley is in the back and he is making a list and Daniel Bryan enters. Bryan says that he has been waiting to hear for the Assistant to the General Manager position and he has not heard from Mick. Mick says that he is in the middle of something and Bryan tells Mick that there is nothing more important than this.

Mark Henry enters and Daniel throws a No Fit and says that they were talking. Mick says that he wanted to welcome Mark to Saturday Morning Slam. Mick starts to talk about Mark’s match. Bryan says that he wants to do it since he is the assistant.

Mark tells Mick to forget who he was going to have him wrestle because he wants Daniel Bryan.

Daniel says that doesn’t sound like a good idea.

Mick agrees and says that sounds like a great idea. Two former World Champions in the ring. It will be the biggest match in Saturday Morning Slam history.

Daniel wants to know if he will get the position. Mick says that he is not ready to give him the position now, but he will offer Bryan something else. Foley holds his arms out for a hug but Bryan says no and leaves. Mick says that Bryan must not be a hugger.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Mark Henry is in the Saturday Morning Spotlight.

Match Number Three: Mark Henry versus Daniel Bryan

Bryan wants a hug from Mark because what else are you going to do to a bear of a man? Mark hugs and he turns it into a bear hug. Bryan is not as happy as he was when someone did the bear hug when he was on commentary. Bryan gets out of the hold and Mark with a body block. Mark misses a splash when Bryan rolls out of the way.

Mark goes to the floor and then Dolph starts to laugh. He realizes that Mark has left the ring. Dolph stops and Mark wants to know what he is laughing at and Dolph tries to make an excuse. Bryan with kicks and a running drop kick into the corner followed by a cannonball but he can only get a near fall and Mark sends Bryan to the floor when he kicks out.

Bryan with kicks to the chest but he runs into a shoulder from Henry. Bryan with a drop kick to the knee and then he goes up top but Mark catches Bryan and he hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.

Winner: Mark Henry

We go to credits.

2014 - Ring of Honor TV aired. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We continue with Road Rage episodes of Ring of Honor. This week, the matches come from Supercard of Honor VIII from New Orleans, Louisiana. The main event this week is the Television Title match between Tommaso Ciampa and Jay Lethal.

Jay Lethal says the story of Jay Lethal and Tommaso Ciampa comes to an end. We see highlights of the Ciampa/Lethal Match from 2012 when Ciampa injured his knee. Lethal says that his deeper, meaner streak will come out because he wants what is his. He had him beaten twice. If it was not for Matt Taven, Jay says that he would be defending the title.

Your announcers are Kevin ‘Gumbo’ Kelly and Steve ‘Mardi Gras’ Corino.

Match Number One: Silas Young versus RD Evans (with Veda Scott and Ramon)

Silas picks up Evans before the bell rings but Evans pushes Young into the corner. Young blocks a kick and then Young runs Evans into the corner and he chops Evans. Young with an Irish whip but Evans flips to the apron and he connects with a shoulder. Evans tries to suplex Young to the floor but Young blocks it and Young suplexes Evans into the ring but Young is tripped by Scott.

Young chases Scott around the ring and then Evans tries for an elbow but misses. Ramon hits Young and Ramon begs for mercy. Evans with a forearm from the apron and then he sends Young back into the ring. Evans goes up top but Young stops him and Young press slams Evans to the mat. Young with kicks to Evans.

Young runs his boot laces across the face and then he chokes Evans in the ropes. Young with a kick to the ribs. Young with a snap mare and a back heel kick. Young gets a near fall. We go to commercial.

We are back and Evans goes up top for a splash but Young moves. Young with a back breaker followed by a lariat for a near fall. They go to the apron and Young tries for a German suplex to the floor but Evans holds on to the ropes. Evans with an elbow and punch. Young with a punch and Young sends Evans into the ring post and then he hits an Electric Chair Drop on the apron. Young rolls into the ring at sixteen and Evans keeps the streak alive by getting back in at nineteen.

Evans with an inside cradle for a near fall. Young with a kick and then he gets Evans on his shoulders. Scott distracts the referee and Young. Evans gets Ramon’s belt and Young attacks Evans and he takes the belt. Evans acts like he was hit with the belt and the referee thinks about disqualifying Young.

Evans with a rollup and then Young tries to hit Evans with the belt, but Evans moves and Young hits the referee. While the referee is out, Evans hits a flying clothesline and he has Young pinned but the referee is still out. Young with the Finlay Slam and then he hits the headstand into an Arabrian press and a second referee comes to the ring to make the three count.

Winner: Silas Young

The first referee recovers and says that Young was disqualified for hitting him with the belt so the pinfall does not count.

We have a video package showing the end of the alliance between Truth Martini and Matt Taven.

Truth says that he is not here to hurt. He is here to help. Fire me? Matt Taven, you fired him. When you did that, you proved to the entire world what you are. You are young, dumb, and full of complete ignorance. Truth Martini walks alone now and that does not bother him. He does not walk alone for long. At Supercard of Honor, on the biggest weekend in wrestling history, there is going to be a big surprise because that is the night that he unveils the newest member of the H.O.T.

Matt Taven makes his way to the ring for his match against Truth Martini’s ‘Mystery Challenger’.

Truth comes to the ring and he tells Matt that he should know better than anyone else, he is not here to hurt. He is here to help. Those who refuse his help are destined to hurt. When Matt fired him, he made the biggest mistake of his wrestling career. Without Truth, Matt is nothing. He knows that, the people know that, and deep inside Matt knows it.

Truth wants Kevin Kelly to come into the ring and Steve congratulates Kevin for being Matt’s opponent.

Truth says that they never got to the last chapter of the Book of Truth so he has some final words of wisdom. Truth says that when the man bites off the hand that . . .

Matt takes the book and wants to know if anyone wants to hear this. Matt opens the book and flames come from the book and then Truth kicks Matt in the ‘ding ding’ before leaving the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Matt is in the back looking for Truth. He goes into a restroom and he finds Truth. Someone screams about their face and we see Truth walking out with a cigarette and he says that he isn’t fired . . . you’re fired.

They go into the restroom and Matt is being checked on by security.

We see footage of Tommaso Ciampa defending the Television Title in WXW and PCW.

We are back and Nigel McGuinness has replaced Steve Corino at the announce table.

Match Number Two: Tommaso Ciampa versus Jay Lethal for the ROH Television Title in a Two out of Three Falls Match

Before the match starts, Ciampa removes his knee brace and gives it to Lethal instead of the handshake for the Code of Honor. The referee puts the brace at ringside.

Fall Number One

They lock up and Ciampa with a clean break. They lock up again and Lethal backs Ciampa into the corner. Lethal with a clean break and he has something to say to Ciampa. Ciampa with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Lethal with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Lethal with a La Magistral but Ciampa counters into a rollup for a near fall. Lethal gets a near fall of his own.

Lethal with a hip toss and cartwheel but Ciampa moves before Lethal can hit the drop kick. They lock up again and they go around the ring. Lethal with a chop but Ciampa chops back. Lethal with a slap but Ciampa with an Irish whip. Lethal floats over and then Lethal sends Ciampa to the apron. Lethal goes for the springboard drop kick but Ciampa goes to the floor and then he pulls Lethal to the floor.

Lethal kicks Ciampa into the guardrails. Lethal with a suicide dive and then he hits a second one. Lethal with a chop and then he sets for a third suicide dive and he forces Ciampa into the crowd.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Lethal punches Ciampa on the floor and he chops him. Ciampa pushes Lethal into the ring post and he puts him in the corner of the guardraisla nd he hits a running knee and the momentum sends Ciampa into the crowd. Ciampa sends Lethal back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Ciampa with another near fall.

Ciampa with a chop and then he sends Lethal into the turnbuckle. Ciampa with a chop to Lethal. Lethal with the hip toss followed by a cartwheel and drop kick for a near fall. Lethal with a chop and he gets a near fall. Lethal with a drop kick to Ciampa and then he connects with a forearm to the back and he sends Ciampa into the turnbuckles. Lethal with a drop kick to Ciampa in the corner followed by a snap mare and elbow drop for a near fall.

Lethal with a key lock but Ciampa bites the arm and he chops Lethal. Lethal with a kick and chop to Ciampa. Ciampa and Lethal continue to go back and forth with chops and punches. Lethal with an enzuigiri. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa is able to counter with a lungblower and both men are down.

Ciampa goes for a suplex but Lethal with a knee to block it. They go back and forth to try for suplexes as they move closer to the floor and Lethal suplexes Ciampa over the top rope to the floor and Lethal follows and both men are down on the floor.

Lethal and Ciampa exchange forearms on the floor while the referee makes his count. Lethal with a chop and Ciampa with a punch and Lethal with a chop and punch. They continue to exchange forearms as the referee gets to eighteen. At nineteen both men get in the ring. Lethal with a back heel kick and Lethal tries for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa blocks it and goes for an O’Connor Roll. Lethal bridges to get the three count.

Fall Number One to Jay Lethal

Fall Number Two

Ciampa kicks Lethal in the head and he sets for Project Ciampa but Lethal counters with a rana and he gets a near fall. Ciampa with a near fall and then he connects with a knee to the head but Lethal kicks out.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Lethal has a super kick blocked. Lethal hits the Lethal Combination and then he applies the Koji Clutch. Ciampa is able to escape and he applies the Sicilian Stretch. Lethal gets to the ropes. Ciampa with a forearm but Lethal with a forearm of his own. They start to alternate forearms but Lethal with a chop. Ciampa with a forearm as Lethal comes off the ropes. Lethal with an elbow as Ciampa comes off the ropes. Lethal with a chop and he sets for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa moves and Ciampa with an Ace Crusher for a near fall.

Ciampa gets Lethal up for the Air Raid Crash and then he goes to the turnbuckles. Lethal is able to get out of the hold and he hits Project Ciampa for a near fall. Lethal goes up top but Ciampa recovers. Lethal leaps over Ciampa and he tries for Lethal Injection but Ciampa moves and Lethal hits the referee with an elbow.

Ciampa with four rolling German suplexes to Lethal but Lethal with a kick. Ciampa with a clothesline that flips Lethal.

Truth Martini makes his way to the ring and he grabs the knee brace and he gives it to Jay Lethal. Lethal picks up the brace and he hits Ciampa with it but when the referee recovers, he can only get a two count. Lethal goes up top for the elbow drop and he gets a one count. Lethal with a super kick and Ciampa stays on his feet. Lethal with a second super kick and Ciampa stays on his feet.

Ciampa flips off Lethal so Lethal kicks Ciampa in the knee and hits Lethal Injection for the three count.

Winner: Jay Lethal (Two Falls to None)

After the match, Lethal and Martini celebrate in the ring. Truth gets on the mic and he gives it to the new champ. Jay says that there is a house in New Orleans. It is called the House of Truth. Lethal kicks Ciampa and then he continues his celebration as we go to credits.

[LionDen]

On this day in history ..

1931 - Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Ed Don George in Los Angeles, California to capture his fourth World Heavyweight Title.

1959 - Ben and and Mike Sharpe defeat Chief Big Heart and Little Eagle to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.

1964 - The late Bryan Adams aka Crush is born.

1971 - Terry Funk defeats The Grappler (Johnny Walker) for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Miami, Florida.

1973 - After 20 years in operation, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance closes. The JWA's top stars, Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki, had left and formed their own promotions. Baba founded All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling.

1975 - WWE Hall of Famer Amy "Lita" Dumas is born.

1975 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, which was televised on HBO. The results:
- Mike Paidousis pinned Tony Altimore after Altimore missed a kick off the ropes.
- Greg Valentine pinned El Olímpico after an elbow drop. The Garden didn't allow wrestlers to be fully masked at that time, so Olímpico wore a faceless mask.
- Waldo Von Erich defeated Chief Jay Strongbow by countout after Strongbow was attacked from behind and thrown out of the ring.
- Lord Littlebrook and Little Tokyo defeated World Midget Tag Team Champions Sonny Boy Hayes and Little Louie in a best-of-three falls match. Tokyo pinned Hayes after a kick and a handful of tights, Hayes pinned Littlebrook after Tokyo hit Littlebrook by accident, and Littlebrook pinned Louie after a shoulderblock.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) defeated Spiros Arion (with Fred Blassie) in a Greek Death (submission only) match with a half-crab to retain the title.
- Édouard Carpentier pinned Joe Nova after three senton splashes.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy and Johnny) defeated Pete Sanchez and Manuel Soto.
- Bobby Duncum (with The Grand Wizard) and Victor Rivera fought to a draw, due to the 11:00pm curfew.

1976 - Angelo Mosca defeats Tim Woods in the finals of a two-month-long tournament to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title in -

1976 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results were:
- Jeff Ports defeated Abe Jacobs.
- Hiro Matsuda defeated Mr. Hayashi.
- Darling Dagmar defeated Marie LeBeaux.
- Bob Orton, Sr. defeated Bill Dromo.
- Eddie Graham defeated Ali Pasha.
- NWA Florida Tag Team Champion Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Steve Keirn by disqualification.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion The Assassin and The Missouri Mauler defeated Mike Graham and Billy Robinson.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Pak Song by disqualification. Song retained the title.

1980 - Bulldog Brower and Luke Graham are awarded the WWC North American Tag Team Title after Gorgeous George, Jr. and Luke Graham left the promotion.

1982 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results:
- Jim Garvin defeated Bob Russell.
- Derek Draper and El Gran Apolo fought to a draw.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich defeated Bob Russell.
- Terry Allen and Eric Embry defeated King James Dillon and Hiro Matsuda, when Allen pinned Dillon.
- Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo.
- Kendo Nagasaki defeated Brian Blair in a Texas Death match. King James Dillon was in a steel cage above the ring during the match.
- Sweet Brown Sugar defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich by disqualification. Von Erich retained the title.
- Hacksaw Reed defeated Ciclón Negro in a brass knuckles bounty match.

1984 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated Charlie Fulton.
- Ivan Putski defeated René Goulet.
- Greg Valentine defeated Brian Blair.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
- Roddy Piper and David Schultz defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Atlas and Rocky Johnson by disqualification.
- Bob Backlund and Paul Orndorff fought to a double disqualification.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Sgt. Slaughter by disqualification.

1985 - Ray Steele defeats Tony St. Clair for the British Heavyweight Title, ending St. Clair's second reign.

1985 - Lola Gonzales wins her third UWA World Women's Title from Jaguar Yokota in Mexico City, Mexico.

1988 - Marina Shafir is born.

1989 - Jerry Lawler defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the World Class Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, a rematch from their match on April 5. Lawler unified the WCCW title with his AWA title to become the Unified World Heavyweight Champion, which would become the top title in the USWA.

1993 - WCW held its first-ever event in New York City, New York, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The results were:
- Johnny B. Badd defeated Tex Slazenger.
- Maxx Payne defeated Steven Regal.
- Chris Benoit and Ron Simmons fought to a double-countout.
- Van Hammer defeated Vinnie Vegas.
- NWA and WCW World Tag Team Champions The Hollywood Blonds (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman) defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell and 2 Cold Scorpio to retain the titles.
- Rick Rude defeated Cactus Jack.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes defeated WCW World Television Champion Paul Orndorff by disqualification to retain his title. Orndorff's title was not on the line.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham defeated Ricky Steamboat to retain the title.
- Sting defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader by disqualification. Vader retained the title.

1994 - Villanos IV and V defeat Emilio Charles, Jr. and Scorpio, Jr. for the UWA World Tag Team Title in Acapulco, Mexico, beginning their third reign.

1996 - Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeats Apolo Dantés to win the CMLL World Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

1997 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro winning the week over WWF RAW is WAR, 3.5 to 2.2 in the ratings.

WWF RAW is WAR was partially taped after the live April 7 edition of the show at John C. Worthen Arena in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the remainder taped on April 9 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The results:
Taped in Fort Wayne:
- The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) defeated The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk).
- Mankind and Vader defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) by disqualification.
Taped in Johnannesburg:
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley (with Chyna) defeated Jesse James.
- Savio Vega (with Crush) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia.
- Goldust defeated The Sultan (with The Iron Sheik) by disqualification.
- Ahmed Johnson defeated Crush.

WCW Monday Nitro was live from the CoreStates Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was WCW's first-ever event at the Spectrum, once a long standing WWF territory, before the CoreStates Center (now Wachovia Center) opened in 1996. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Ice Train and Joe Gomez defeated Extreme.
- Madusa defeated Luna Vachon by disqualification.
Televised matches:
- Chris Benoit defeated The Barbarian.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko defeated Hector Guerrero by submission to retain the title.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera.
- WCW World Television Champion Ultimo Dragon (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Lane Carlson (Lenny Lane) to retain the title.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Syxx defeated Prince Iaukea by submission to retain the title.
- Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated High Voltage (Kaos and Rage) in a street fight, when Rock pinned Kaos.
- The Giant defeated Big Al (911).
- Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) defeated Konnan.
- Jeff Jarrett and Steve McMichael (with Debra) defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) by disqualification.
- Lex Luger defeated WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash (with the nWo) by disqualification.

2000 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 25: Ultimate Japan 3 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Laverne Clark defeated Koji Oishi by majority decision in a lightweight bout.
- Ikuhisa Minowa defeated Joe Slick by TKO (cut) at 1:54 of round three in a middleweight bout.
- Sanae Kikuta defeated Eugene Jackson by submission (armbar) at 4:39 of round one in a middleweight bout.
- Murilo Bustamante defeated Yoji Anjo by submission (arm triangle choke) at 0:31 of the round two in a middleweight bout.
- Ron Waterman defeated Satoshi Honma by unanimous decision after three rounds in a heavyweight bout.
- Tito Ortiz defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision after five rounds to win the UFC Middleweight Title, which had been vacated by Frank Shamrock in November 1999 due to his short-lived retirement.

2000 - Big Bully Douglas and Air Paris defeat The New South (Ashley Hudson and Kory Williams) for the NWA North American Tag Team Title in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

2000 - Kevin Northcutt defeats Don Brodie to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in North Richland Hills, Texas. At the same event, Abdullah the Butcher defeats Necro Butcher for the NWA Texas Hardcore Title, beginning Abdullah's second reign and ending Necro's second reign.

2000 - Chad Bowman defeats Qeenan Creed and champion Adam Flash in a three-way match for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Title in Annapolis, Maryland, ending Flash's third reign.

2000 - Samu defeats Ace Darling in Belvidere, New Jersey to win the Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Darling's third reign and beginning Samu's second. At the same event, Billy Reil wins the ISPW Light Heavyweight Title from Judas Young, beginning Reil's second reign and ending Young's second.

2001 - The Golden Boy defeats Dustin Starr for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ending Starr's second reign.

2001 - Tony Jones and Robert Thompson defeat The Ballard Brothers (Shane and Shannon) to win the All Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Vallejo, California. The title was vacated in March when Boyce LeGrand and Robert Thompson had left the promotion.

2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands four times at a house show in Abilene, Texas. William Regal won the title from Bubba Ray Dudley, ending Bubba Ray's fifth reign and beginning Regal's sixth. Spike Dudley began his fifth reign as Hardcore Champion by defeating Regal. Spike then lost the title to Goldust, his seventh title win. Bubba Ray Dudley left with the title though, beating Goldust, and beginning his seventh reign. This was the fifth straight house show that this same sequence of title changes occurred.

2002 - Rey Cuervo defeats Oriental to win the UWA World Welterweight Title in Tualcingo, Mexico

2002 - Bombero Infernal defeats Pantera for the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, beginning Infernal's fourth reign and ending Pantera's second.

2003 - WWE held a live RAW and taped the April 20 Sunday Night Heat at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. RAW got a 3.5 rating. The results were:
Dark matches:
- The Navajo Warrior defeated Dean Baldwin.
- Joey Matthews and Christian York defeated Phil Brown and Pat Cusick.
Heat:
- Jacqueline defeated Molly Holly.
- 3-Minute Warning (Jamal and Rosey (with Rico)) defeated Maven and Al Snow.
- Rodney Mack (with Theodore Long) defeated Mike Hunter.
- Rico defeated Spike Dudley.
RAW:
- Chris Jericho defeated Test (with Stacy Keibler).
- Jazz (with Theodore Long) and Victoria (with Steven Richards) defeated Ivory and WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus.
- World Tag Team Champions Kane and Rob Van Dam defeated Chief Morley and Lance Storm in a no-disqualification match.
- Goldust defeated Christian by disqualification.
- Booker T and the Hurricane defeated Ric Flair and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. With the win, Booker earned a rematch from WrestleMania XIX against Triple H World Heavyweight Title next week.

2004 - TNA held its 93rd weekly pay-per-view event at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The results were:
Xplosion:
- The 3Live Kru (B.G. James, Ron Killings and Konnan) defeated Ryan Boz, Scotty Matthews and Chance Prophet, when Killings pinned Prophet.
- Christopher Daniels pinned Gabriel.
- Jerry Lynn and Elix Skipper defeated Chris Hero and Nate Webb.
- The Amazing Red pinned Seth Delay.
Pay-per-view:
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett pinned James Storm.
- TNA X Division Champion Frankie Kazarian pinned Sonjay Dutt to retain the title.
- Simon Diamond pinned Johnny Swinger.
- Monty Brown pinned Sabu in a falls count anywhere match.
- Apolo and D'Lo Brown defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Kid Kash and Dallas by disqualification to win the title.
- Chris Harris pinned Raven to become #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.

2005 - Ikuto Hidaka defeats Super Crazy for the ZERO1-MAX International Junior Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2007 - ROH held "Fighting Spirit" at the Inman Sports Club in Edison, New Jersey. The results were:
- Jason Blade and Eddie Edwards defeated Chris Hero and Tank Toland.
- Pelle Primeau defeated ROH Top of the Class Trophy holder Shane Hagadorn to win the trophy.
- Rocky Romero defeated Claudio Castagnoli.
- ROH World Tag Team Champions El Generico and Kevin Steen defeated FIP Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe and FIP Florida Heritage Champion Erick Stevens.
- Doug Williams defeated Colt Cabana.
- Sara Del Ray defeated Ernie Osiris.
- Shingo defeated Matt Cross.
- The No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards and FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong) defeated Delirious and Jack Evans.
- ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima defeated Nigel McGuinness to retain the title.

2007 - Dennis Condrey defeats Brad Armstrong in Graysville, Alabama to become the first NWA Wrestle Birmingham Television Champion.

2007 - Two titles change hands at an NWA Universal event in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Slam Shady wins a Sooner Stampede battle royal to win the NWA Universal Heavyweight Title, which was vacated when John O'Malley left the promotion. Also, Justin Lee wins his second NWA Universal X Division Title from Shane Morbid.

2007 - Jeff Orcut defeats Kid Cade for the Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero Ultra-X Title in Salt Lake City, Utah.

2007 - Brandon Thomaselli defeats Josh Abercrombie in Shelbyville, Indiana to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title, ending Abercrombie's second reign.

2007 - Cody Whitehead defeats Brandon Stone for the NWA Mid-America X Division Title in Columbia, Tennessee. At the same show, Lee Condry defeats Johnny Swinger to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

2007 - Zach Gowen and Krotch defeat Truth Martini and N8 Mattson in Berwyn, Illinois to win the All-American Wrestling Tag Team Title.

2008 - ECW founder Tod Gordon issued the following statement to PWInsider.coml



From the desk of Tod Gordon -



It was not my intention for this to become a matter of public record until after I had an opportunity to address my dressing room and my staff on Saturday night, but with the age of the internet upon us, that turned out not to be possible. It’s not a complicated story folks. A member of my immediate family is gravely ill and both my physical and financial resources must be devoted to 24/7 healthcare.



It would be virtually impossible for me to devote the time and energy needed to run PWU and my store and be a caretaker. Something had to give. It’s been 20 blessed years in this business surrounded by top notch quality talent both in front of and behind the camera. I will miss each and every one of them along with all of you fans who supported me so faithfully.



BUT THERE IS A SILVER LINING:



Two companies will emerge from what I leave behind. The owner of the New Alhambra has pledged to keep wrestling events happening in that building every third Saturday of the month. In fact, he plans on using most of the same talent you’ve come to love and/or hate in PWU with a few exciting additions.



After my last event this Saturday night, please check out www.newalhambra.com for information regarding this promotion that will run it’s first show on Saturday night, May the 17th to be followed the third Saturday in June with the annual New Alhambra Hardcore Hall of Fame ceremony.



Please continue to support independent wrestling and I’m hoping you’ll be there this Saturday night at Cuffed and Caged to say goodbye. God Bless you all.



Tod Gordon

Since issuing the announcement, Gordon has made several appearances, mostly for charity events, but for the most part, has left the business.

2009 - E:60 did a feature on Vince McMahon and WWE. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:

The show starts off with the pitch from Jeremy Schaap talking about WWE and how they were given access on the show. One of the other hosts asks if this is going to be the ‘Real’ Vince McMahon or a scripted one. Schaap says that it will be a different Vince McMahon you haven’t seen before.

They start off the segment called ‘King of the Ring’ with footage from Wrestlemania 25 where Schaap mentions more than 70,000 people were in Houston for the show. They show footage from the show. /p>

John Cena talks about how people come from all over the world to see Wrestlemania. Big Show says that if you are performing on Wrestlemania, you are the best in the business.

Schaap talks about how Wrestlemania is the culmination of the year in wrestling and how it is the vision of Vince McMahon. Schaap mentions that Vince is 63 years old before sitting down to talk with Vince in Stamford at WWE Studios.

Schaap asks Vince what inspired him to start Wrestlemania. Vince says that it was common sense and he mentions the Super Bowl, World Series, Academy Awards, and the Grammys and he asks why shouldn’t they have their special day.

We see footage from Wrestlemania I and Schaap mentioned that it could have been the last one. Schaap asks Vince about the first Wrestlemania 24 years ago and Vince says that they were rolling the dice. He says that if it was not successful, he would not be sitting with Jeremy Schaap tonight.

Hulk Hogan mentions that Vince gambled on the concept and he bet on himself and Hulk Hogan. Hogan mentions that Vince put everything on the line for this show. Schaap talks about the closed circuit broadcasts all over the country.

They show footage from Wrestlemania III and he mentions the 93,000 people in the Silverdome for Hogan/Andre. He talks about Vince bringing wrestling into the mainstream thanks to Wrestlemania which was a mix of sports, celebrity, and entertainment. He talks about how Vince redesigned wrestling.

Vince talks about how many promoters pushed wrestling as a sport but he says that it was never a sport and that it was the greatest theatrical event. Hogan says that many were not happy with what Vince said about wrestling. When it became an exhibition, the people who wanted to see the blood stopped coming and the families started showing up in the arenas. Hogan talks about the merchandise.

Schaap asks Vince who he was at that time and Vince says that he was a brilliant younger man and that he is a brilliant older man now so not much has changed over the years.

Vince talks about growing up in an eight foot wide trailer in North Carolina. He says that he is lower middle class Americana. Jeremy asks Vince about comments that he made in the past about how he wishes that his father hadn’t died before he could kill him. Vince says he needed it because of the beatings and the way that he beat his mom and family. He mentions intimidation. He says that his philosophy is that if he is in a fight and he is not dead, he won.

They talk about how Vince was reunited with his dad when he was twelve. He talks about the larger than life business his father was in. They talk about how Vince lobbied to be in the business. Vince says that his dad wanted him to be a lawyer instead of getting into the business and Vince mentions that he detests lawyers. Vince talks about the chance that he had in Maine and that he had one chance to be successful in Bangor, Maine.

They talk about how he bought out his father in 1982, and that was the start of the national expansion. Vince says that he does not think his father would have sold the business to him if he knew what his son was going to do because he did not know that Vince would compete with his father’s friends. Jeremy asks Vince if he drove them out of business, but Vince says that he thinks they drove themselves out of the business.

Jeremy interviews Mike Mooneyham and he says that Vince ran the old promoters out of business and things have not been the same since. Jeremy talks about the value of the company and how it is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Jeremy talks about how it is still a family business.

Jeremy is with Stephanie and she talks about the challenge of managing her father, but he is the ultimate creative say. Jeremy asks about the writers and Stephanie jokes that they are top secret people and then she says that they come from all different places.

We go to a production meeting where Michael Hayes talks abut the show. Vince mentions Mickey Rourke’s appearance at the pay per view. While Hayes talks about a promo involving the Undertaker, Vince asks the people from ESPN to leave.

Jeremy is in the back with John Morrison and the Miz and he tries on one of Morrison’s coats. He then goes into Big Show’s bus. They then go to the production truck.

Bret Hart comments on how they grind you up and spit you out. Hart says that all he got was a stack of airplane tickets and the name of the building. Mooneyham talks about how they are independent contractors with no pension benefits, no vacations, and no 401(k) plan. Mike mentions that the wrestlers sign contracts that give away their rights.

Jeremy mentions that some wrestlers decide to take shortcuts to be successful in the ring. Hart says that only a few were not getting jacked up but nobody forced them to do them. Schaap mentions the steroid trial. Mooneyham talks about Vince’s image and how it has been affected by the trial and the deaths of the wrestlers.

Schaap talks about the death of Chris Benoit and the toxicology results. Vince says that he does not know what went on in Benoit’s brain at that time. He says that was the darkest day in the business. Vince talks about the wellness policy and he says that it is as good as any sport, even though they are not a sport. Schaap asks why have testing if the movie studios don’t have them. Vince says that part of the reason is political. He talks about a double standard because of the history of steroid use. He says that they are not hiding behind any pads.

Hogan talks about how he has never seen Vince break down or give up.

Jeremy asks about what will happen when he is gone and Vince says that he plans not to die so he will always be around.

2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SciFi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live on tape from Knoxville, Tennessee and your announcers are Josh ‘Double Shot’ Mathews and Matt ‘Ivan Drago references are coming’ Striker.

We see footage from Raw when the Miz was sent to Raw thanks to interference by John Morrison. Then we see the end of the Bromance.

Match Number One: John Morrison versus Evan Bourne
They lock up and Morrison with a waist lock but Bourne with a standing switch. Morrison with an arm bar but Bourne reverses. Morrison with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bourne with an arm drag into an arm bar. Bourne with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Bourne avoids a missile drop kick attempt and Bourne gets a near fall. Bourne with kicks to Morrison but Morrison sends Bourne into the ropes but Bourne bounces off of them instead of landing on the middle rope. Morrison with kicks and then he hits a European uppercut. Bourne with a kick but he misses an enzuigiri. Bourne does not miss with a clothesline but he can only get a two count. Bourne with a boot to Morrison in the corner. Bourne with an Irish whip but he is sent to the apron. Morrison trips Bourne on the apron and then Morrison with a Shining Wizard that sends Bourne to the floor. Morrison does his pose as the ref continues the count. Morrison goes to the floor and he kicks Bourne in the head. They return to the ring and Morrison with a near fall. Morrison with an Irish whip and then Morrison with an inverted torture rack and it is time to play the accordion with Bourne. Bourne is able to counter out of an apparent TKO with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Bourne sets for a move to the floor, but Morrison returns and he hits a drop kick to the knee and we go to commercial with both men on the mat.

We are back and Morrison with a reverse chin lock and he has the arm isolated. Bourne with elbows and then he kicks Morrison. Bourne misses a kick, but Morrison does not and Morrison gets a near fall. Morrison with forearms to Bourne and then he stomps on Bourne’s lower abdomen. Morrison with punches to Bourne followed by an elbow. Bourne with punches of his own but Morrison goes for a cover and he gets a near fall. Morrison with a chicken wing and crossface and Bourne tries to escape but Morrison takes Bourne to the mat. Bourne gets to his feet and he runs Morrison into the corner. Bourne with an elbow and a kick. Bourne responds with a desperation clothesline. Bourne with a rana followed by a drop kick and a jumping back kick for a near fall. Bourne puts Morrison on the top turnbuckle and hits a palm strike. Morrison knocks Bourne off the turnbuckles but Bourne jumps up and hits a rana for a near fall. Morrison with a hot shot and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Bourne with a near fall. Morrison with an uppercut and then both men go over the top rope to the floor as Bourne hits a cross body as Morrison hits the ropes. The referee starts his count. Bourne goes up top and hits a double knee strike for a near fall. Bourne with a kick to the chest. Morrison blocks a kick and he tries for Moonlight Drive but Bourne with a knee as he escapes the hold. Bourne pulls Morrison into the Shooting Star Press position but Morrison with a spin kick and Morrison hits a super Moonlight Drive on the ropes and gets the three count.
Winner: John Morrison

Vladimir Kozlov is walking in the back and we will find out if he Loves E-C-W.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Wrestlemania attendance did you know got drafted to ECW.

Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov versus David Floridia
Kozlov with a boot to the chest and then he connects with forearms and shoulders in the corner. Kozlov with a head butt as Floridia comes off the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a fallaway slam. Kozlov with a head butt to the chest followed by a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov

After the match, Kozlov gets on the mic.

Finlay and Hornswoggle stretch in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Matt and Josh blend into the ringside barrier with their black jackets. They talk about Monday’s Raw not so live from London as well as the Supplemental Draft on Monday.

Tiffany is in the office with Katie Lea and Paul Burchill. Paul says that they are a bit concerned because they are brother and sister and they don’t want to see Tiffany break up a family. She says that everyone is available in the draft.

Jack Swagger enters and he wants Tiffany to make a good first impression so he suggests a Q&A session for Jack Swagger on Superstars. Tiffany likes the idea but she decides to put the final match in the Elimination Chase. She says that she wants Jack to continue with the ideas and then she says that she liked his match last night.

Match Number Three: Christian versus Fit Finlay with Hornswoggle versus Tommy Dreamer in the Elimination Chase Triple Threat Match
Finlay with a kick to Dreamer but Christian punches Finlay. Finlay punches Christian and then Finlay slams Dreamer and Finlay with a hip toss of Christian onto Dreamer. Finlay gets a near fall on Dreamer. Christian with a reverse atomic drop and a drop kick to Finlay. Christian with a snap mare and kick to the back. Dreamer with a punch to Christian followed by a back elbow. Dreamer with a back elbow to Finlay and then he tries to suplex Christian in from the apron. Dreamer blocks Christian’s attempt to suplex him to the floor and Dreamer drops Christian on the top rope. Dreamer charges into a boot and Finlay gets a near fall. Finlay with a boot to the solar plexus and then Finlay knocks Christian to the floor one more time. Finlay with an Irish whip and punch. Christian with a neck breaker to Finlay. Dreamer with a back body drop to Christian.

Dreamer with a suplex to Christian followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Dreamer clotheslines Finlay over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body onto Finlay and Dreamer. We go to commercial.

We are back and Christian with a kick to Dreamer and then Christian goes up top but Finlay pushes Christian off the turnbuckles to the floor. We see footage during the commercial of Finlay being sent into the ring steps. We are back to live action and Finlay gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Finlay keeps Christian out of the ring and he gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a cross arm breaker but Dreamer is able to get out of the hold. Finlay goes outside the ring and he slams Christian’s head into the ring steps and hits a short arm clothesline. Finlay returns to the ring and gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a kick to the back. Dreamer with a jaw breaker and a slam and then Dreamer with a drop toe hold of Christian onto Finlay. We get a multiple man rollup and the ref makes a two count. Finlay and Christian collide in the ring and all three men are down. Christian goes up top but Finlay stops him. Finlay sets for a superplex but Dreamer stops him and Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe and hits a superplex on Christian but Dreamer only gets a two count. Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe again and it is time for the drop kick in the corner. Finlay throws Dreamer out of the ring and then Christian gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Finlay with a fireman carry slam to Christian. Dreamer with a DDT to Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer with an elbow to Christian and Christian gets caught in the ropes. Dreamer with a rollup on Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer tries for a Death Valley Driver but Finlay escapes and hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Fit Finlay (and Christian advances too)

Christian and Finlay stare each other down as we go to credits.

2010 - Jim Cornette posted a commentary on his website, made up of two emails. The first is an email he sent to TNA's Terry Taylor, in which he wrote about his departure from the company and had a few choice words regarding Vince Russo (I know, shocking). Cornette made his disdain of Russo very clear, and apparently prompted quite a response, as the second part of the blog is a letter Cornette received from the law firm of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit & Hayes, LLP, a firm that handles several entertainmentpan> clients. The letter states that Cornette's comments about Russo constitute "terroristic threats" and that Russo "has understandably experienced extreme fear for himself and his family" as a result of the comments made by Cornette. You can read Cornette's email to Taylor, and the letter he received in response

[LionDen]

Continued ..

2012 - Pro Wrestling Superstars ran a live event in Toronto, Ontario Canada as part of WrestleReunion. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Pro Wrestling Superstars' debut in Toronto at the Doubletree Hilton as part of www.wrestlereunion.com

Pre-Show Notes: The Bruno Sammartino-Larry Zbyszko faceoff tonight is off as Zbyszko didn't get a renewed passport in time to make the trip to Toronto. There was some heat on Zbyszko as he was asked to order the passport with expedited shipping but didn't so. Zbyszko will be replaced by Shawn Blanchard....Smith Hart is here visiting, as are a ton of Canadian independent wrestlers.

PWS started with Sal Corrente welcoming everyone to the event and thanking them for their support this weekend. Corrente said that before they get started, he wanted to bring someone special. Out came WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. Howard said that this was his first time here and he loved being here and thanked everyone responsible. Howard said that he's been coming here for years and he knows that Toronto is A Plus. He hopes everyone has the perfect end to their day and night and said, "On with the show."

Michael Elgin vs. El Generico.

They locked up and Elgin manhandled Generico into the corner. He then shoved Generico down. The crowd chanted, "Ole Ole Ole!" Elgin shoulderblocked Generico down. Generico came back with a running boot to the face in the corner. He charged but Elgin moved. Generico drilled him with an elbow then came off the ropes with a leaping rana.

Elgin rolled to the outside. Generico faked a dive but bounced back into the ring. Elgin missed a clothesline and was drilled with a series of chops then beaten in the corner with a series of punches. The crowd chanted along in Spanish. Generico came off the top with a bodypress but was caught and slammed. Elgin worked him over on the back. Elgin whipped him hard into the corner.

Elgin continued working over Generico as the fans tried to rally him. Generico drilled Elgin with a series of rights but was cut off. He came back with several chops and clotheslines but Elgin didn't go down. He finally took the big man down with a leap into a dropkick. Elgin went to the floor, where Generico hit a flying dive over the top to the floor. The crowd chanted, "That was awesome."

Back in the ring, Generico went for a tornado DDT but was caught and turned into an over the knee spinebuster for a two count. Elgin drilled him with a running cloithesline in the corner. He went for a back suplex but Generico escaped and landed on his feet. Generico nailed a sit down powerbomb for a two count.

Generico missed his running boot in the corner. Elgin nailed him and drilled him with a sitdown driver for a two count. Elgin caught a running boot and whipped Generico into the opposite corner. Generico caught him on the charge and nailed a t-bone suplex into the corner. Generico nailed the big boot, then drilled Elgin with a brainbuster for the three count.

Your winner, El Generico!

Really good opener.

Still to come:

Shawn Spears with Jimmy Hart vs. Tito Santana with Rick Martel.

Spears was Gavin Spears for a short time in the WWE version of ECW and was never really given a chance there, although he's a strong worker. The crowd chanted "Tito" as Strike Force came to the ring.

They locked up and Santana backed Spears into the corner. Hart went nuts on the megaphone and people chanted for him. Spears controlled Santana early. When Santana came back, Spears claimed that he was hooking the tights and the hair. Spears began stalling and went to the outside. When he returned, Santana controlled him in the ring, leading to another retreat.

They locked up again. Santana was backed into the corner and when the referee broke them up, Spears cheapshotted Santana. Spears worked over Santana's back as Hart implored him to stay on Tito. He worked over Santana with a series of right hands. Tito fired back with a number of punches. Santana whipped him into the corner and charged but Spears pulled him knees up.

Spears locked Tito in a side chinlock. Tito started to fire up but was cut off. Spears went to the top for a splash but missed. He still cut off Santana. Hart tripped Santana when he fired up, so Rick Martel chased him out. Spears was distracted, leaping to Santana catching him in a small package for the pin.

Your winner, Tito Santana!

Pretty elementary but for this audience, it was fine nostalgia. Spears looked really good.

They introduced Brooke Tessmacher, who said hello to the crowd and said she was here to support some damn fine wrestling.

The Super Smash Brothers vs. The Great Outdoors (Jake Manning & Grizzly Redwood) vs. Asylum & Adam Page vs. Rhett Titus & Caleb Konley with Lia Von Dutch.

Page and Redwood started off. Redwood was nailed with a armdrag. Redwood tagged out to Rhett Titus. The fans chanted"Hepatitus" at him. Titus and Page went face to face. Page tagged Titus' partner, Konley. They tried to tag out but no one would let them and dropped down to the floor, pounding the mat. They "faked" wrestled. Konley covered Titus so everyone broke it up.

Page worked over Titus and then tagged out to the Smash Brothers, who worked over Titus for several near falls. Player Uno worked over Konley, chopping him. Manning and Redwood came in and drilled Konkey with a series of bulldog takedowns. They doubled on Konley for a two count.

Titus and Konley took over and worked over Redwood with a series of moves. Titus nailed a German suplex for a two count. The babyfaces tried to rally Redwood but Konley matained control. Titus catapulted Redwood's throat under the bottom rope. He choked Redwood against the ropes. Titus went for an over the shoulder move but Redwood dropped down. He went for the tag but Manning was nailed off the apron.

Player Uno tagged in, as did Konley. Everyone tagged in and did a crazy succession of highspots and reversals. It was really good and fun, but too fast paced to recap. You'll have to buy the DVD. Player Dos hit a twisting dive off the top to floor. They then hit a double team Buff Blockbuster on Konley for the pin.

Your winners, The Super Smash Brothers!

Fun eight man.

Sal Corrente introduced Gene Okerlund. Okerlund said it's been a great evening with more to come. He introduced Roddy Piper for Piper's Pit.

Piper said it was his first time here and said, "Holy cow." The crowd chanted for Piper. He told the crowd that he loved them. He said that he was supposed to fight Terry Funk tonight. He said Funk is one of the greatest guys he's ever known. Piper did some Funk impressions and talked about being hit by the mic in LA.

Piper talked about WrestleReunion and said that it gives a place for the younger guys to appear. He said that there's no place for guys to work anymore. He said that WWE is doing great and said that he just did Smackdown, then made a spitting noise, joking he's been fired there five times. Piper said that he saw the last match and it was amazing so he thought maybe he should let someone else do the Pit.

Piper said that he wanted the guy who got pinned to come out and host his own Pit and then Piper will tell him how he did. Konley came to the ring, As he did, Piper joked about Legends House and said, "Ha, my career is over." Piper said that in WWE, you get told you have three minutes to tell people who you are and told Konley to tell Piper who he is. Konley cut a good heel promo about hating Piper when he was a kid and then realizing that he wanted people to hate him too. It was good.

Piper said that was giving Konley some advice and that was to never let go of the microphone. Piper told him to introduce his guest and whispered a name in Konley's ear. Piper said that if he messes this up, he'll club him like a baby seal. Konley introduced Bruno Sammartino.

Bruno came to the ring. Piper said it was a pleasure to have him here and joked that Bruno still scares him. Piper said that this is a legend, since the word gets thrown around way too much. Konley asked Bruno how he is doing and Bruno said he was great. Konley asked him about where he was born and when he came to the United States. Konley said that he thought he could benchpress more than Bruno and Bruno talked about his own benchpress records. Konley asked him if he was on the juice. Piper took over and set the stage for Bruno to talk about doing 38 reps of 330 pounds. Piper then led the crowd in a Legend chant.

Konley asked Bruno how he thought he would fare against Caleb. Bruno said he was an old man and retired. Bruno said that he may be talented but in his day, he picked up and slammed Haystacks Calhoun. He still runs 5 miles several times a week and pumps iron every other day. Sammartino said that if Konley tried something, Bruno would face him and give him a little spanking.

Piper said that Konley did a good job and told him that when he had that chance, people smacked him and pushed him around. He started hitting Konley, who fired back. They slapped each other and finally Piper got the better of him and ran Konley off. He told Konley to work on winning matches and go back to kindergarden. Piper then raised Bruno's arm.

A little long and while I liked the idea of Konley getting the rub here, I think fans would have been just as happy with Piper and Bruo.

Dave Finlay vs. Harry Smith

They had some nice back and forth wrestling early. Finlay spotted a short woman in the crowd (about 4'6") and played off of her. The fans chanted "Mrs. Swoggle." They actually brought her into the ring for a comedy spot. The crowd loved that.

After that, they went into some good back and forth wrestling on the mat. Smith controlled Finlay on the mat with a side headlock. Finlay fired back up but was cut off and brought back to the mat. Finlay finally backed him into the corner, forcing a break and broke clean.

They locked up again with Harry grabbing a side headlock. Smith was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked Finlay down. Finlay sidestepped a charge, sending Harry to the floor. When Harry went back into the ring, Finlay kicked the ropes and crotched him, turning heel (I think). He attacked Smith on the floor and rammed him backwards into the ringpost.

Returning to the mat, Finlay controlled him with knees to the back and pulled him into a surfboard position. Finlay drilled him and covered him for a two count. He fired with shots to the back and uppercuts. Finlay tossed Smith to the floor. When Smith returned, Finlay worked over his arm and drilled him with a short arm clothesline. He dropped a knee and covered him for a two count.

Smith mounted a comeback with a series of clotheslines and right hands. Finlay kicked him off a charge but when Finlay tried to come off the ropes, Harry nailed him and turned him over into the Sharpshooter. Finlay made it to the ropes but was caught with a running powerslam for the pin.

Your winner, Harry Smith!

Solid back and forth match with some really nice matwork. Finlay is just out of this world as a worker.



They embraced after the match to a loud round of applause. Big Finlay chant.

Vader vs. The Necro Butcher for the first time ever.

I don't know about you, but I think Lou Thesz is on the edge of his seat watching this one from above! OK, maybe not.

They locked up and Vader muscled him into the corner. They locked up again with the same result but this time, Vader drilled him with a series of punches in the corner. He whipped Necro into the ropes and drilled him with a double arm clothesline and continued battering Necro in the corner.

Vader drilled Necro with another chest bursting double clothesline, then peppered him with punches. He choked Necro against the corner and drilled him across the chest with hard shots. Necro poked him in the eye to back Vader. Necro backed him into the corner with uppercuts and chops. Vader fired back with punches and they battled back and forth.

Necro was shoved off but was fired with a series of punches. Vader slammed him and nailed the Vader splash for a two count. Vader chokeslammed him and scored the pin.

Your winner, Vader!

OK but disapointing given the aura of the brawlers in the ring on paper. It was probably an unfair expectation but I was hoping for something a little more out of control.

Shane Douglas and Dominic DeNucci with Bruno Sammartino vs. Lord Zoltan & Shawn Blanchard with JJ Dillon.

Gene Okerlund handled the ring announcements.

There was a nice "Franchise" chant. Douglas took the mic but it wouldn't work. They ran him another to the ring. He asked Toronto how they were doing. He said that he heard a few people asking for a few shoot comments. He said that he sees the target right before him. Douglas said that he's known JJ Dillon for a long time and he represented a jackass named Dick Flair. Douglas said that he's brought a real legend to be in their corner and gave a hell of an intro for Bruno Sammartino.

Blanchard is replacing Larry Zbyszko.

A really nice "Thank you Bruno" chant. Blanchard and Douglas started out. They locked up and went back and forth in the ring. They locked up again and Blanchard sent Douglas to the mat, then started celebrating. They locked up again and this time Douglas was whipped into the ropes. Douglas reversed and hit a clothesline and several hiptosses. He locked in an abdominal stretch.

DeNucci tried to stop Zoltan from interfering but was admonished by the referee. They allowed Douglas to be hit but he regained control and went back to the stretch. Douglas was sent into the heels' corner, where Zoltan worked him over. DeNucci and Zoltan almost got into it.

Douglas made the hot tag to DeNucci, who covered Blanchard for a two count. DeNucci nailed him with punches and weak chops. Zoltan tagged in and worked over DeNucci. The crowd chanted for Dominic. They worked him over in the corner. Zoltan began working over DeNucci's arm for a long time. Douglas tagged in and backdropped Blanchard. Zoltan used a claw to work him over but Douglas made the comeback, slamming him into the turnbuckles.

Zoltan attacked him and worked over Douglas. DeNucci returned to the ring and all four brawled. Douglas nailed the belly to belly suplex.

Your winners, Shane Douglas & Dominic DeNucci!

WAAAAAAAAY TOO LONG. This should have been short and sweet and while the crowd was really, really forgiving, this went nowhere and it wasn't good, but really, you gotta understand the

Douglas did a nice speech after putting over DeNucci, which was classy.

LuFisto vs. Kalamity.

They started hot with some really good back and forth wrestling and kicks. Lufisto grabbed an anklelock of sorts but Kalamity made it to the ropes. Kalamity took control and charged, drilling a knee into Lufisto into the ropes. She drilled LuFisto with a stomp, then cinched in a rear chinlock.

LuFisto nailed Kalamity after avoiding a charge. LuFisto worked over Kalamity with a series of chops in the corner. Kalamity cut her off and then drilled Lufisto with a pair of driving knees. They went back and forth with forearms and punches. They began nailing each other at the same time, then charged and collided. Both went down.

Kalamity drilled her with a series of chops but Lufisto fired up with a series of senton splashes and a running double kick in the corner that propelled her outside to the floor, landing on her feet. Kalamity cut her off with a jawbreaker and a series of kicks for a two count.

Lufisto slipped out of a DVDR and nailed a sick looking back suplex. She ascended to the top but was cut off. They battled on the ropes. Kalamity went to the top and they exchanged headbutts. LuFisto nailed her and hit a top rope double stomp. LuFisto speared her several ties and locked on a front guillotine choke for the submission but Kalamity broke free.

They began kicking and stiffing the hell out of each other. LuFisto got the better of it for another near fall. They got a "This is awesome" chant. Kalamity hit a DVDR for a two count. Lufisto rolled her up for a two count. They did a series of near falls before battling back and forth with strikes.

LuFisto nailed a spinning backhanded fist and went to the top. She nailed a top rope splash but Kalamity came back with a Michinoku Driver for the pin.

Your winner, Kalamity!

The Honkytonk Man came out and lip synched his theme song. That never, ever, EVER gets old for me.

Roderick Strong vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger.

Nice Liger chant when he hit the ring. I never get tired of getting the chance to see Liger live. I mean, it's freakin' Jushin Liger!

They had some good back and forth wrestling early and then faced off. Liger took Strong to the mat and tied him up. Liger pulled him backward hard into a chinlock but Strong grabbed the ropes. They faced off again, this time with Strong working over Liger's arm and leg.

They faced off again and shoved each other. Strong sent Liger into the ropes but he was shoulderblocked down. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger threw him to the outside, nailed a dropkick through th ropes and hit a flip bump off the apron to the floor. Strong staggered around the ring, trying to regain his composure.

Back in the ring, Liger tried to avoid a charge but was caught in a Strong backbreaker. Strong stomped the hell out of Liger and chopped him hard in the corner. Strong suplexed Liger over for a two count. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger fired back and finally nailed a nice back throw suplex. Both men were down but fought to their feet. Liger continued to control Strong and locked on the bow and arrow.

Strong came back with a lift into a sideslam for a two count. He peppered Liger's chest with chops and nailed a running clothesline. Liger was locked in a Boston Crab. Liger fought his way to the ropes. Strong went for a suplex but Liger broke free and nailed a series of chops. Strong cut him off with a running knee to the gut and a gutbuster. They continued to battle back and forth until Liger nailed a superplex.

Liger went back to the top but Strong attacked him. Liger went for a sunset flip off the ropes but Strong held on. Liger held onto him and rose, nailing a running Ligerbomb for a two count. They exchanged near falls. Strong ducked a clothesline and used a landslide for a two count. He drilled Liger and nailed an over the knees backbreaker for a two count.

Strong nailed a sitdown powerbomb and scored the pin.

Your winner, Roderick Strong!

Very, very good back and forth match. The crowd seemed legitimately surprised by the finish.

Strong helped Liger up and raised his hand after.

Hardcore Rules: Raven & CW Anderson vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rhino.

As you would expect, there was a big ECW chant at the bell.

Dreamer and Raven started out face to face and circled each other. Raven backed off and tagged Anderson. Anderson and Dreamer locked up. Anderson grabbed a side headlock but was sent into the ropes. Each missed punches and clotheslines and faced off.

Dreamer got in Raven's face and spit at him. He and Anderson then locked up again. Dreamer went for a sunset flip but Anderson rolled through and they went back and forth. Rhino tagged in. He and Anderson locked up. Rhino shoulderblocked him down and clotheslined Anderson hard.

Rhino sent Anderson into the corner and workd him over with a series of punches. He and Dreamer double teamed Anderson. CW cut him off and tagged out to Raven, who worked over Dreamer and choked him in the corner. Raven ripped at Dreamer's face and distracted the referee, allowing CW to choke him against the ropes. Raven went to grab Dreamer who pulled him into an inside cradle for a two count but was nailed.

Anderson tagged back in and continued to work over Dreamer on the mat, running his elbow over Dreamer's throat and chest. Anderson nailed him with a elbow to the back of the neck but was drilled with an elbow as Dreamer charged. Dreamer made the tag to Rhino, who cleaned house on both Raven and Anderson. Rhino drilled Raven in the corner with a shoulderblock and then sent Anderson into him. He nailed a belly to belly suplex on Anderson and teased the gore but was pulled out of the ring.

Raven and Anderson worked on Rhino with stomps. Dreamer joined the fray and finally went facr to face with Raven. He was about to drill Raven with a punch when Anderson blocked it. Dreamer kicked him and went for a DDT. Raven could have made the save but walked out. Dreamer let him go and chased Raven up the aisle. They brawled back to the ring. All four brawled through the crowd. Rhino and Raven beat each other over a few ringside tables that vendors were using.

On the other side of the ring, Dreamer rang Anderson's nether-regions with the ring bell. Dreamer and Raven finally met in the center of the ring and battled back and forth with punches. Rhino and CW battled into the crowd. Dreamer brought a chair and a table into the ring. Raven nailed a drop toehold into the chair for a two count.

Rhino drilled Raven and went for the pin. Anderson broke it up and superkicked Rhino. Dreamer and Anderson battled back and forth until Anderson nailed an awesome spinebuster. Anderson set up a table in the corner. He whipped Dreamer into it but was caught and nailed with the Spicoli Driver for the pin.

Your winners, Tommy Dreamer and Rhino!

Solid ECW style match.

After the match, Raven tried to blame Anderson, who superkicked him in the face to close the show.

The crowd chanted "Awesome weekend".

[LionDen]

Continued..

2013 - Thanks to a push from UK fans, Fandango's theme song ended up #44 on the UK charts this week. It was only 239 sales away from breaking the Top 40.

However, The placement at #44 would make Fandango's theme the first WWE song since Hacksaw Duggan's single on the WWF Slamjam album in 1994 to hit the UK charts.

2014 - WWE broadcast Raw and the Raw Pre-Game Show. Mike Johnson filed the following report on the Pre-Game Show;

The WWE Raw Pre-Game Show opened with a graphic in memory of The Ultimate Warrior.



A solemn Josh Mathews noted that last week they learned of the tragic passing of The Ultimate Warrior following his appearance at the WWE Hall of Fame. Booker T said Warrior was outspoken, sometimes too outspoken and said he was an interesting character. Sgt. Slaughter said that he was happy they had a chance to speak at Wrestlemania 30 to discuss what they went through 18 years ago. He said that he’s sorry Warrior left so soon and said God must have needed “The Ultimate Angel” but he’s happy he received a WWE Hall of Fame ring before he passed away. Matthews said that Warrior wouldn’t want us to mourn him but to celebrate life. He said the Warrior will truly live forever.

They then showed the Raw Pre-Show opening.

The panel was far more upbeat and in pitch mode when they returned. They talked about Daniel Bryan winning the WWE World Heavyweight champion and whether the Authority’s power has begun to unravel. They aired a video feature on Bryan’s win and last week’s Raw.

The panel discussed Triple H’s reaction to everything and that The Shield is now poised to battle The Authority.

They went to the ring, where WWE Intercontinental champion Big E. worked over Titus O’Neal and scored the pin with the Big Ending.

They announced the Intercontinental contenders tournament with eight men competing. They noted that the tournament was happening because Christian was the top contender a month ago but is out injured.

They aired a Legends House preview.

They aired video footage of John Cena's win over Bray Wyatt, then showed Wyatt's awesome promo from this past Friday's Smackdown.

The panel discussed whether Cena's "dark side" was going to have to finally be revealed as their rivalry goes deeper. Behind the panel, 3MB vs. Los Matadores prepared to face off in the ring.

Renee Young interviewed WWE Divas champion Paige and asked her about preparing for her first title defense on Raw. She said that she's somewhat been here before on a smaller scale as she was the first NXT Women's champion. She seemed nervous, which she sort of admitted by saying she was so excited that she couldn't speak straight and said she was so happy, she couldn't stop smiling and said to bring everyone on.

The panel discussed her win. Sgt. Slaughter compared her win to the 1-2-3 Kid beating Razor Ramon.

They ran an Adam Rose preview.

They discussed the IC title contender's tournament. Josh Mathews noted that Cesaro has to be the favorite after winning the Andre the Giant Battle Roysl.

Renee Young interviewed WWE Intercontinental champ Big E. Langston said the tournament is the biggest threat to his title so far. He said there are guys who have been at the top and it's his biggest challenge yet. He also made a bunch of really bad, scripted jokes. That was lame.

In the background, we could hear that Los Matadores were victorious.

Richard Trionfo filed the following Raw TV report:

Tonight’s show starts off with a graphic in Memory of Warrior on the TitanTron and all of the wrestlers are on the stage for a video package to pay tribute to the life of the Ultimate Warrior.

Jerry Lawler asks for a moment of silence as they do the ten bell salute.

They play the Ultimate Warrior’s music.

We are in Birmingham, Alabama and your announcers are Jerry ‘Wrestlemania VI’ Lawler, John ‘Title Match versus Honky Tonk Man’, and Michael ‘His Hall of Fame Speech’ Cole.

Michael says that we will see moments from Ultimate Warrior’s life and career throughout the night.

Tonight, the Usos will face Batista and Randy Orton one more time.

We see the brackets for the Number One Contender Tournament and the first match will take place after this commercial break.



Match Number One: Rob Van Dam versus Alberto Del Rio in an First Round Intercontiental Title Tournament Match



Del Rio with kicks to Van Dam. Van Dam with an Irish whip and he rolls through into a monkey flip out of the corner. Van Dam with a spinning heel kick followed by a cross body for a near fall. Van Dam sends Del Rio to the floor. Del Rio wants Van Dam to stay back while he re-enters the ring. Del Rio with a kick and he sends Van Dam into the turnbuckles. Del Rio with a kick but Van Dam with punches.

Del Rio with an Irish whip and a step up enzuigiri to the shoulder for a near fall. Del Rio with a suplex and he floats over for a near fall. Del Rio with forearms across the chest and he returns to the ring. Del Rio is sent over the top rope to the floor while Big E watches from the back.

Van Dam with a baseball slide and he tries for a moonsault off the apron but Del Rio moves. Van Dam lands on his feet and Del Rio with a clothesline and then he sends Van Dam into the ringside barrier as we go to commercial.

We are back as Van Dam hits Rolling Thunder and he gets a near fall. Del Rio with a back heel kick followed by a DDT and he gets a near fall. Del Rio catapults Van Dam but Rob lands on the turnbuckles. Van Dam tries for a side kick off the turnbuckles and he barely catches Del Rio. Van Dam with a kick and then he lands on Del Rio’s knees on a split legged moonsault attempt. Del Rio with a lungblower for a near fall.

Del Rio goes to the turnbuckles and he leaps off and is met with a spinning heel kick. Van Dam goes up top but Del Rio stops him and hits an enzuigiri for a near fall. Del Rio goes to the floor and he shows some frustration. Del Rio signals for the arm and he waits for Van Dam to get up for the float over into the cross arm breaker but Van Dam counters with a body scissors for a near fall. Del Rio with an elbow.

Van Dam pulls Del Rio off the turnbuckles and Van Dam goes up top for the Five Star Frog Splash and he gets the three count.



Winner: Rob Van Dam (Advances to face the winner of Cesaro and Mark Henry in the Semi Finals)



Michael mentions that Daniel Bryan is on his honeymoon tonight so he will not be on the show, but that does not mean that Daniel did not celebrate his victory at Wrestlemania XXX last week. We see a video package.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are in the back and they turn to Orton and shake his hand. They then shake Batista’s hand when he enters.

Michael reminds us that we will be celebrating the life and legacy of the Ultimate Warrior. We go to footage from SummerSlam 1988 when he defeated the Honky Tonk Man to win the Intercontinental Championship.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Triple H tells Orton and Batista he knows that they want to be WWE Champion, but he is not here tonight. There is a bigger problem with the Shield. If they will attack him, they won’t let Batista or Orton near the title. Hunter says they remind him a lot of Evolution. Who can stop them.

Stephanie says that she knows and she is looking at them.

Hunter says that if the three of them are on the same page, nobody . . . nobody, not even the Shield . . . nobody can stop them.

Batista says that all he wants to do is be champ.

Orton says that he has proven that he is the greatest Superstar of this generation, but he agrees with Dave and Hunter is on his own.



Match Number Two: Cody Rhodes and Goldust versus Curtis Axel and Ryback



Goldust and Axel start things off and Axel with punches and kicks to Goldust. Goldust with a shoulder tackle and a reverse atomic drop and punch. Axel misses a clothesline and Goldust with an arm drag and punch. Cody tags in and hits an elbow to the arm from the turnbuckles. Cody with a gourdbuster and then he rolls up Axel for a near fall. Cody with a wrist lock and he continues to work on the arm.

Goldust tags in and he drops down and he punches Axel in the midsection. Goldust with a snap mare and elbow drop for a near fall. Axel with a head butt, but Goldust drops down and connects with an uppercut. Ryback distracts Goldust long enough to allow Axel to attack Goldust from behind and he kicks him.

Axel with punches and he tags in Ryback. Goldust with an elbow followed by a clothesline in the corner from Ryback for a near fall. Ryback chokes Goldust in the ropes and connects with a forearm followed by shoulders in the corner. Ryback with a slam and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a belly flop after Axel tags back in and Axel with an elbow drop from the turnbuckles for a near fall.

Axel with a forearm to the back and he sends Goldust into the turnbuckles. Ryback tags in and he snap mare Goldust and gives Goldust a back heel kick followed by a near fall. Ryback with a reverse chin lock. Goldust gets to his feet but Ryback brings him back to the mat. Goldust with punches but Ryback with an Irish whip and Goldust with an elbow off the turnbuckles and both men are down.

Cody tags in and Ryback is dropped on the top rope. Ryback sets for a power slam but Cody gets to his feet and he hits a drop down uppercut. Cody knocks Axel off the apron and then he hits a moonsault onto Ryback. Cody with a double jump cross body onto Ryback on the floor.

Rhodes goes to the apron for a springboard drop kick and he connects and gets a near fall but Axel breaks it up. Goldust tries for a clothesline but Axel goes down and Goldust goes to the floor. Cody with Beautiful Disaster to Axel to knock him out of the ring. Cody tries for Beautiful Disaster on Ryback but Ryback hits a clothesline for the three count.



Winners: Curtis Axel and Ryback



Michael, John, and Jerry talk about the programming on the Network this week, that you can see with a Free Week Preview. There will be Wrestlemania Recap shows as well as the debut of Legends’ House.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Bo Dallas BOliever video package.

We see footage of Paige’s title victory on last week’s Raw.



Match Number Three: Paige versus Alicia Fox in a Non Title Match



They lock up and Paige backs Alicia into the ropes and she gives a clean break but Alicia pushes Paige. Paige with a punch and Alicia goes down. Paige with a head butt and Alicia goes down. Alicia with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker followed by a second tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Alicia with a third tilt-a-whirl back breaker and Paige rolls to the floor.

Alicia pulls Paige back in and Alicia with back elbows. Alicia with a Northern Lights suplex. Alicia with a reverse chin lock. Alicia with a forearm or two and Paige falls into the corner. The referee pulls Alicia out of the corner and Paige with a back heel kick. Paige with a short arm clothesline and she picks up Alicia for a second one. Paige with a third short arm clothesline and then she hits a drop kick followed by the Scorpion Cross and Alicia taps out.



Winner: Paige



In case you missed it last week, we take a look at the Tag Title Match when Batista and Randy Orton cared about attacking the champions more than winning the match.

We go to commercial.



Match Number Four: Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso versus Batista and Randy Orton in a Non Title Match



The Usos go after Orton and Batista and they throw Orton to the floor. Jimmy and Jey hit stereo planchas onto Batista and Orton.

Orton and Jimmy start things off and Orton with a kick and punches. Orton with an Irish whip but Jimmy slides into the corner and he punches Orton. Jey tags in and he hits a forearm in the corner and gets a near fall. Orton with a punch and kicks but Jey with a forearm. Orton with a back breaker and he tags in Batista.

Batista kicks Jey and works on his back in the ropes. Batista with a hard Irish whip followed by a suplex and he gets a near fall. Orton tags in and he goes for the Garvin Stomp and he runs his laces across the face. Orton has a punch blocked and Jey with punches and a chop. Orton sends Jay to the mat and Orton chokes him in the ropes. Batista tags in and he punches Jey.

Jey with a kick but Batista with a spinebuster for a near fall. Jey with a Samoan drop and he gets a near fall. Orton sends Jimmy into the announce table and apron but from out of nowhere, The Shield attack Orton and the referee calls for the bell.



Winners: Batista and Randy Orton (by disqualification)



The Shield sends Orton into the ringside barrier and then they surround Batista, who is in the ring by himself. Batista goes after Rollins and then Ambrose to send them off the apron and to the floor. Reigns with a Superman punch and Batista goes down and he goes down hard.

We have another Ultimate Moment from the Ultimate Warrior. Hulk Hogan versus Ultimate Warrior from Wrestlemania VI.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Orton and Batista are walking in the back and they see Hunter and Stephanie. They stare at each other for a moment and then Hunter tells them he told you and walks away.

Paul Heyman comes out and he introduces himself and he says that he is the advocate for the Conqueror of the Streak BROCK LESNAR. If you think he is going to drive that fact home as often as he can, he tells everyone that his client Brock Lesnar conquered the Streak.

It is his client Brock Lesnar who has asked Paul to show these historical photographs of the Undertaker, a defeated man on the grandest stage of them all.

Paul says that it is ironic that a loss to his client has truly immortalized the Undertaker. When Brock’s advocate speaks you must listen, especially when he anoints a new man to be a top tier talent. He presents The King of Swing . . . Cesaro.



Match Number Five: Cesaro (with Paul Heyman) versus Mark Henry in a First Round Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Tournament



Henry tells Paul to stay out of his business or he will make him his business.

They lock up and Henry backs Cesaro into the corner and Cesaro uses the turnbuckles for leverage but Henry tosses Cesaro to the mat. Henry with forearms and then he sends Cesaro over the top rope to the floor. Cesaro takes his time getting back into the ring while we watch Big E watch the match on the monitor.

Cesaro with a forearm and European uppercuts to Henry. Cesaro with forearms in the corner but Henry pushes Cesaro away. Cesaro with a running European uppercut into the corner. Henry pushes Cesaro away but Cesaro with another running European uppercut. Henry with a clothesline and he gets a near fall.

Henry staggers to the ropes and Henry is dropped on the top rope. Henry picks up Cesaro but Cesaro escapes and hits a European uppercut to the back of the head and then he hits one from the turnbuckles. Cesaro with a Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.



Winner: Cesaro (Advances to face Rob Van Dam in the Semi Finals)



We go to commercial.

We are back and Hunter tells Brad Maddox to find the Shield and tell them they have a match tonight in the main event. Brad asks if he should tell them who their opponents are and Stephanie tells him no.

Match Number Six: Alexander Rusev (with Lana) versus Xavier Woods (with R Truth)



Woods tries for a kick but Rusev blocks it and he connects with knees and kicks to Woods. Rusev with a round kick to the head and Woods goes down. Rusev with a uranage into the Accolade and Woods taps out.



Winner: Alexander Rusev



After the match, Truth comes into the ring to get Rusev to release the hold and they have a stand off in the center of the ring. Truth checks on Woods and he turns his back on Rusev and Rusev gets the command from Lana and he kicks Truth.

We are back with the next Warrior Moment. Rick Rude versus the Ultimate Warrior from SummerSlam 1990.

Did you know that you could sign up for a One Week Free Trial of the WWE Network? We see a clip of the Journey to Wrestlemania: Daniel Bryan (note from me: An amazing show that you need to watch if you have the WWE Network)



Match Number Seven: Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) versus Sheamus in a First Round Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Tournament Match



Swagger with kicks and knees in the corner as the referee warns Swagger. Swagger misses a short arm clothesline and Sheamus with punches. Sheamus with a kick followed by a clothesline. Sheamus with a punch to the midsection and a kick. Sheamus with a clothesline and then he clotheslines Swagger over the top rope to the floor.

Sheamus puts Swagger against the ropes and Colter gets on the apron to distract Sheamus. Sheamus comes off the apron and Swagger catches him and hits a belly-to-belly slam while Big E watches from the back on the monitor. Swagger gets a near fall.

Swagger traps the arms but Sheamus with head butts and Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger chokes Sheamus in the ropes. Swagger gets a near fall and then he chokes Sheamus in the corner. Swagger with a snap mare and then he traps Sheamus’ arms again. Sheamus with a clothesline and both men are down.

Swagger misses a charge into the corner and Sheamus with two double sledges followed by a shoulder in the corner followed by a knee lift. Sheamus with a snap mare and kick to the back followed by a knee drop. Sheamus puts Swagger in the ropes for the forearms across the chest. Sheamus goes up top for the flying shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall. Swagger sends Sheamus over the top rope but Sheamus lands on the apron. Sheamus goes for the slingshot shoulder tackle but Swagger moves and Swagger applies the ankle lock.

Sheamus rolls over and kicks Swagger away. Swagger with a shoulder tackle that knocks Sheamus to the floor. Swagger with a running knee against the ringside barrier and then he sends Swagger’s leg into the ring steps. Swagger rolls Sheamus back into the ring and Swagger charges back in but he runs into a Brogue Kick for the three count.



Winner: Sheamus (Advances to face the winner of Dolph Ziggler versus Wade Barrett in the Semi Finals)



Sheamus collapses as he leaves the ring.

It is time to take a look at Adam Rose on the Exotic Express.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a video feature on the Ultimate Warrior highlighting the four night series that will air starting Tuesday night.

Damien Sandow is in the ring and he says regardless of how you feel about him, he is the most deserving person in the WWE. He is not finished talking . . .

Big Show’s music plays and Sandow tells everyone to sit down. He is not going to be silenced. You will listen to every single word he has to say. He is not going to be silenced by anybody. He is a former Money in the Bank Contract Holder. He was seconds away from being World Champion. You will sit here while he gets it off his chest.

He tells Show to keep it to himself because he is not finished.

Sandow asks if you are going to boo him and cheer Show. Is it because he is a giant and smiles and shakes hands. Sandow says that you should be begging to touch him when he comes to the ring because he deserves it. He has earned it.

Sandow asks Show, what about you? What does he have to say about all of this? Show says nothing and Sandow says that he deserves it and no one can say that he does not deserve it. Sandow pokes Show and says that Show knows that he is telling the truth. You look at him and you see the future of the WWE. You look at him and you see a future champion. You look at him and you see greatness.

Show punches Sandow and Sandow is not seeing too much

The Wyatt’s graphic plays and they appear on the TitanTron. Bray says that they are next.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we are told that Big Show will be facing Jack Swagger on Main Event.

Bray says that society as a whole has become this vile and putrid thing. Do as you are told so says the man. You see what they want you to see and you feel what they want you to feel. Bray says that he is different. When you see a blank canvas, he sees a beautiful painting. When you hear silence, he hears a beautiful symphony. He has many names, abuser and destroyer. You can call him whatever you see fit, but he has never once lied to you.

We all know who has. John Cena has made a career out of lying to you all. He earns your trust hiding behind his porcelain smile. He is no man, he is beast. Bray tells everyone that he won’t let John do this to you any more. He has John where he wants, against the ropes and he just needs that one little push.

Abigail shall be his sword through this crusade. He does not wish to slay this monster . . . not yet. Right now, he wants it to come out and play. How about it John? He knows that John is back there.

John Cena’s music plays and he has a mic.

Cena says that is a great idea. John wants to have some fun because the Wyatts are so serious. He tried at Wrestlemania to bring out the monster, but it does not exist.

John wants to have some fun with Bray. He doesn’t judge anybody but he looks at the Wyatts and if he could get them to happy hour, they would be the life of the party. He says that Rowan probably has jokes for days. Harper would be the guy who would go streaking right through the quad. He tells Bray that it takes a man’s man to wear the white pants. He has the Hawaiian shirt and the Michael Jackson glove. He is a party man.

Cena tells Bray that these people like to have fun and a good time so he is going to put a smile on his face. John says that Bray talks about Sister Abigail and he wonders if she is real. John says that he got on the Google Machine and he says that he found Sister Abigail.

John comments on her beauty and facial hair. John says that he sees the two of them and he wonders what Bray’s mom looks like. After a quick search, he found her on Tinder. He shows a photo of Bobbie Jo Wyatt and she looks like Luke Harper.

There is a new member of the Wyatt Family, a beautiful baby girl born a month ago. John says that he got the photos of Chastity Lynn Wyatt and she looks like Rowan.

Bray says that any time a serious threat gets in his face, all he knows how to do is make jokes about it.

John says if Bray wants serious, he says that he can get serious just as much as anyone. His back was against the wall going into Wrestlemania and when John Cena gets serious, Bray Wyatt gets beat. He tells Bray to be careful what he wishes for. This time he’s got it, but the tables are turned. What if Bray loses again? He will be the desperate man. He is going to force Bray to do something he has not before in the WWE. With all of the talk, without his family he cannot back up what he says. John tells Bray if you take out the two Santa Claus wannabes, Bray is not the Eater of Worlds, he is the Eater of the World’s Biggest Cinnabon. If you want serious, here is a serious challenge. Cena challenges Bray to a match inside a steel cage.

Bray says that he likes it and John doesn’t realize they are playing catch with knives and sooner or later one of us is going to be stuck. How can John be 100% sure that it won’t be him? If you want to see fun and see Bray have a good time. He asks his brothers and sisters in his back yard, he will not allow this fallacy to rule them any more. This is his world.

Bray starts to sing and we go to commercial.

Fandango and Layla are in the Goldman Box and he says that things with him and Summer were professional. He understands her falling in love with him, but it not him, it is her.



Match Number Eight: Santino Marella and Emma versus Fandango and Layla El



The men start off and Fandango with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Santino with a kip up and arm drag. Santino blocks a kick and Santino with a split and hip toss. Santino pulls out his cobra and Layla tags in. Emma with a Thesz Press and she slams Layla’s head into the mat. Layla with an Irish whip and she misses a charge into the corner. Emma with the DILemma into the corner and Santino knocks Fandango off the apron.

Layla pulls Emma off the turnbuckles because Emma was looking at something outside the ring. Layla gets the three count.



Winners: Fandango and Layla El



Stephanie McMahon says that your job performance is less than satisfactory. He let his personal emotions get in the way of dealing with the Shield.

Kane apologizes for the distractions.

Stephanie says that when they hired him as the Director of Operations, they thought they had a man with no moral direction, but he cannot deal with Daniel Bryan and failed three times. She tells Kane that he is weak, pathetic and a shell of himself. He was the Big Red Machine and he made children cry. What happened to the Devil’s Favorite Demon? What happened to Kane. Kane stands up and the lights go red.

Kane looks at the mask inside the case and he lifts the case and it is time for the mask to go back on. Kane says that he will eviscerate Daniel Bryan and send him to the depths of hell.

We are back with a new Bo Dallas BOlieve video talking about Change.

We have another reminder of the programming on the WWE Network to remember the Ultimate Warrior. It will air at 10PM Eastern the next four nights.

We take a look back at Ultimate Warrior’s appearance on Raw last week.

They show a quote from Ultimate Warrior.

We go to commercial and we have a new Adam Rose Exotic Express video. They are playing Hungry Hungry Hippos and the bunny loses. He tells the bunny not to be a lemon, be a Rosebud because it is always Party Time.



Match Number Nine: Dolph Ziggler versus Wade Barrett in a First Round Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Tournament



They lock up and Ziggler with a waist lock but Barrett with a hip lock take down. Ziggler holds on to the waist lock and Ziggler goes to the floor. Ziggler rolls back into the ring while Barrett starts a Bad News chant.

Ziggler goes for the leg and Barrett with a punch to the head. Barrett sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Ziggler. Barrett is warned by the referee and Barrett with a suplex and a near fall. Barrett with a knee drop but he misses a second one. Ziggler punches Barrett against the ropes.

Ziggler with a side head lock. Barrett with a forearm and a hard Irish whip for a near fall. Barrett with a kick to the ribs and Ziggler rolls to the apron and he appears to have trouble breathing. Barrett chokes Ziggler in the ropes. Ziggler is choked in the ropes but Ziggler punches Barrett.

Ziggler with a drop kick and he clotheslines Barrett over the top rope to the floor and Ziggler’s momentum sends him to the floor as well. Barrett and Ziggler exchange punches and then Barrett sends Ziggler into the ring post and we go to commercial.

We are back and Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Barrett with an Irish whip but Barrett misses a charge into the corner and Barrett hits the ring post with his shoulder. Ziggler with a cross body and he punches Barrett. Ziggler leaps into the corner and he punches Barrett and then hits the neck breaker for a near fall.

Barrett gets Ziggler on his shoulders and he hits Wasteland but Ziggler kicks out at two. Barrett sets for the pump handle slam but Ziggler with a kick to the leg and he hits a Fameasser for a near fall. Ziggler misses a splash into the corner and Ziggler goes down. Barrett goes to the turnbuckles but Ziggler stops him. Ziggler goes for a superplex but Barrett holds the turnbuckle. Barrett knocks Ziggler off the turnbuckles but Ziggler leaps to the turnbuckles and hits a Super X Factor for a near fall.

Ziggler goes for a Zig Zag but Barrett holds the ropes. Barrett hits a Blackpool Slam for a near fall. Barrett sets up the elbow for the Bullhammer but Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Ziggler goes for the DDT but Barrett pushes Ziggler away. Barrett with the Bullhammer for the three count.



Winner: Wade Barrett (Advances to face Sheamus in the Semi Finals)



After the match, Wade Barrett says that he is afraid that he’s got some bad news. Standing right here is Bad News Barrett. Mark his words, he is the next Intercontinental Champion.

The semi finals will see Rob Van Dam versus Cesaro and Sheamus versus Wade Barrett.

We have a Kane video package because the man behind the mask is back.

We go to commercial.

We are back and on Smackdown, Batista will face Sheamus.



Match Number Ten: Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns versus Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Fandango, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre, Titus O’Neil, Curtis Axel, Ryback, Alexander Rusev, Wade Barrett



They bring Slater into the ring and they surround him while the referee holds The Shield back.

Slater and Rollins start and Rollins with a kick and he punches Slater. Ambrose tags in and he punches Slater. Reigns tags in and he head butts Slater. Reigns with another head butt and he sends Slater into the turnbuckles and kicks Slater. Rollins tags in and he kicks Slater and runs his forearm across the face. Slater with a punch but Rollins with an enzuigiri and Barrett breaks up the cover.

Amborse attacks Barrett and the referee holds Ambrose back while Slater punches Rollins. McIntyre punches Rollins and he tags in Titus. Titus with a back breaker and he tosses Rollins aside and then he barks. Rusev tags in and he kicks Rollins and hits a series of elbow drops. Rusev with a head butt and he tags in Swagger. Swagger with a knee in the corner.

Ryback tags in and he presses Rollins over his head and hits a power slam. Ryback says something to Ambrose before returning to Rollins and he throws Rollins to the floor. Reigns with a spear to Ryback and everyone goes off the apron and we have a fourteen man brawl.



No Contest



Rollins with a flip dive onto everyone and then the Shield get into the ring while the remnants of their opponents are on the floor. The Shield fight off their opponents until the numbers get the better of the Shield.

The attack continues and Ambrose gets kicked in the head by Del Rio while Barrett punches Reigns and Rollins is worked over by the men in the ring.

Evolution’s music plays and Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista make their way onto the stage.

Hunter tells everyone to leave the ring so they can finish off The Shield.

Orton kicks and punches Rollins while Hunter and Batista join in. Hunter takes control of the situation. Reigns fights off Evolution but Orton with an RKO to Reigns. Orton picks up Reigns for Batista to give him a Batista Bomb. Hunter punches Rollins while Batista kicks Ambrose.

Orton with a boot to Rollins’ midsection. Orton with an RKO to Rollins. Orton and Hunter punch Ambrose while Batista gives Rollins a Batista Bomb. Batista and Orton hit a combination Batista Bomb reverse RKO combination.

Hunter takes the mic and he tells Reigns to get up and show him. Orton and Batista hold Reigns and Hunter tells Reigns to Believe in Evolution. Hunter gives Reigns a Pedigree.

We go to credits.

Mike Johnson filed the Raw Backstage Pass report:

Welcome to the Raw Backstage Pass report for 4/14/14.

They go on the air with the reunited Evolution celebrating the beating they gave The Shield, who were still out in the ring. Evolution made the Shield’s trademark pose with their fists to mock their fallen foes. Triple H removed his pink dress shirt as he and the others left the ring. Why? I guess because he’s the Game or something.

We went backstage, where the panel of Sgt. Slaughter, Josh Mathews, Alex Riley and Booker T discussed the return of Evolution. Booker said that it was a move that HHH had to make and said tonight, we saw Evolution flex their muscle with the help of the 11 thugs that beat the Shield down. Riley said that The Shield who were responsible for this because Randy Orton, Batista and HHH weren’t on the same page but The Shield ended up forcing them to unite with their actions.

They showed the beaten Shield heading to the back, hurting as they refused help from the officials. The panel reviewed the footage of the beat-down and discussed what The Shield had done to Kane and HHH in the weeks leading up to this Raw. Booker said that going forward, The Shield is going to have an uphill battle. Slaughter said that when you put HHH against the wall, this is what is going to happen.

Riley said that he never thought he’d see Evolution again. Booker talked about all the power the trio wield with HHH’s position of CEO. Riley talked about the strategy of sending 11 men out there to take out The Shield. Slaughter wondered what The Shield’s next move will need to be. Booker said that they need to get the younger talents to unite. Riley said that The Shield is not going to run this company – HHH is. Slaughter noted that Shield didn’t have a lot of friends going into this incident.

They aired a WWE Legends House promo. When they returned, WWE Intercontinental champion Big E. joined them to discuss the tournament for a title shot at Extreme Rules on 5/4 with Rob Van Dam, Cesaro, Sheamus and Bad News Barrett still in the running.

Langston said that Del Rio has beaten him twice, so he gives RVD a lot of credit for getting the job done. He said that he’s been impressed with what Van Dam has done but he’s not ducking ADR. He said that every man was bringing his best with the tournament. He was asked how his power matches up with RVD’s unique offense. Langston said it’s an interesting match. Langston said that there are no slouches on the list and he’s looking forward to sharpening himself against whoever wins.

They talked about the power of Cesaro. Langston said he’s on “another level” in terms of power and is a force to be reckoned with. Langston said he wasn’t shocked by the win over Mark Henry.

Booker asked how his confidence is. Langston said he’s looking at the list of competitors but he’s the champion and will walk out as the champion on 5/4 at the PPV.

They talked about the physical battle between Sheamus and Jack Swagger. Slaughter said that Sheamus’ leg is injured and that may work to Langston’s favor if he ends up winning. Langston said he’s one of the toughest competitors in WWE and he expects he will be back to form next week.

They talked about the Bad News Barrett win. Langston said he looks forward to facing every man’s best but promised to walk out with the IC championship.

Langston said the one he wants to face, since he’s a little rusty. He said that if he had to predict a tournament winner, he was guessing Cesaro.

Riley asks Langston if he sees himself as a future WWE World Heavyweight champion. Langston said of course and that if you don’t have that goal in mind, there’s no reason to be here.

They signed off and thanked everyone for watching.