On this day in history ..
1937 - WWE Hall of Famer George Steele is born.
1960 – Jerry & Eddie Graham defeat Red & Lou Bastien to win the NWA Northeast United States Tag Team Titles.
1960 - Former ECW manager and independent talent Damien Kane is born.
1968 - Vickie Guerrero is born.
1980 - Paul London is born.
1983 - Roddy Piper defeated Greg Valentine to win the NWA United States Championship in Greensboro, NC at the Coliseum.
1994 - The first Super J Cup, a multi-promotional junior heavyweight tournament in Japan, was held at Sumo Hall. The event would become one of the most talked about events of the year, and became a huge hit amongst tape traders at the time. Here are the results of the tournament:
First Round:
- Gedo defeated Dean Malenko.
- Super Delfin defeated Shinjiro Ohtani.
- Black Tiger (Eddie Guerrero) defeated TAKA Michinoku.
- El Samurai defeated Masayoshi Motegi.
- Ricky Fuji defeated Negro Casas.
- Jushin Liger defeated Hayabusa. This was the debut of the Hayabusa character.
- The Great Sasuke and Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit) were given byes into the second round.
Second Round:
- Gedo defeated Super Delfin.
- Wild Pegasus defeated Black Tiger.
- Great Sasuke defeated El Samurai.
- Jushin Liger defeated Ricky Fuji.
Semifinals:
- Wild Pegasus defeated Gedo.
- Great Sasuke defeated Jushin Liger.
Finals:
- Wild Pegasus defeated Great Sasuke to win the Super J Cup.
2000 - WCW's last Spring Stampede PPV was held in Chicago, Illinois at the United Center. The show was the first PPV after WCW's "restart" where Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff had vacated all the championships and built the company around the "New Blood vs. Millionaire's Club" storyline in which all the veterans were positioned as babyfaces against the younger wrestlers, who were heels. Here are the results from the show:
- Ric Flair & Lex Luger defeated Johnny The Bull, Big Vito, Ron Harris & Don Harris to advance in the WCW Tag Title tournament.
- Radio host Mancow defeated Jimmy Hart.
- Scott Steiner defeated The Wall to advance in the U.S. Title tournament.
- Mike Awesome defeated Ernest Miller to advance in the U.S. Title tournament.
- Shane Douglas & Buff Bagwell defeated Stevie Ray & Big T to advance in the WCW Tag Title tournament.
- Sting defeated Booker T to advance in the U.S. Title tournament.
- Vampiro defeated Billy Kidman to advance in the U.S. Title tournament.
- Terry Funk defeated Norman Smiley to win the vacant WCW Hardcore Title.
- Scott Steiner defeated Mike Awesome to advance in the U.S. Title tournament.
- Sting defeated Vampiro to advance in the U.S. Title tournament.
- Chris Candido defeated The Artist, Juventud Guerrera, Shannon Moore, Lash Leroux and Crowbar to win the vacant WCW Cruiserweight Title.
- Shane Douglas & Buff Bagwell defeated Ric Flair & Lex Luger to win the vacant WCW Tag Title.
- Scott Steiner defeated Sting to win the vacant U.S. Title.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Diamond Dallas Page to win the vacant WCW World Title.
2004 - Steve Austin and WWE part ways when they are unable to come to terms on a new contract.
2006 - Chris Jericho announces that he will be writing a book about his life and career, "A Lion's Tale."
2007 - Santino Marella debuted on Raw as part of a broadcast from Italy. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Milan , Italy.
The show starts off with Jonathan Coachman coming out to address the Italian crowd. Coach says that he announced the main event for Backlash with John Cena facing Rated RKO for the WWE Title but that was overruled by the Genera l Manager for the Night from the Make-A-Wish Foundation Michael Pena. Michael might get his way at Backlash, but Coach will get his way as well. John Cena will face Rated RKO in a handicap match tonight in Milan . Coach brings out the Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon.
There is NO CHANCE as Vince comes out wearing his hat as he does his stunt walk to the ring to address the crowd. Vince thanks the fans for their ovation and he says that he got a much better reception in Paris as well as everywhere else on this tour. Vince says that nonetheless they are in Milan . He points out that Milan is supposed to be the fashion capital of the world, but he wants to see the fans in the crowd and wonders if that is fashion. Vince says that garlic is not an aphrodisiac before bringing out the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga.
Umaga comes to the ring with Armando Alejandro Estrada. Vince reminds everyone what Umaga did to Bobby Lashley with footage from last week's episode of Raw. Vince says that at Backlash Umaga, himself, and Shane will destroy Bobby Lashley. Vince tells us that Shane will not be here tonight. He says that Shane has a problem with Italians and had to do with the lack of deodorant. Vince also says that Bobby Lashley will not be here tonight. Vince says that you can' blame Bobby Lashley after the beating he took last week as well as the Customs problem that forced him back to the US . Umaga is here and ready for action. Vince says that he made an open challenge in the back to face Umaga. Vince asks for the challenger to come to the ring, but nobody comes to the ring. Vince then says that Umaga will put up his Intercontinental title tonight. There are still no challengers from the back. Vince says that he is not going to compete against Umaga so he will make an open challenge to anyone in the crowd. Vince wants to know who wants to face Umaga. Vince says that there is probably who is brave enough to do it despite the fact that they will be destroyed. Vince sees a kid in the front row and asks if he wants to face Umaga. Vince asks the crowd if they want a piece of Umaga. Vince chooses a man in the front row to face Umaga. The challenger comes into the ring and Vince asks him his name. Vince asks the man if he understands English and he says si. Vince wants to know what the crowd is chanting and then tells them to shut up. Vince asks the man where he is from and he says that he is from San Phillipe Calabria . Vince points out that if Umaga destroys him and breaks his arm or leg or gets a concussion, he cannot sue Vince, Umaga, or the WWE. The challenger says that he understands. He says that his name is Santino Marella. Vince says that he never saw Umaga humiliate someone like Santino and then he points out Santino's shoes and shirt. Vince wants a referee to come to the ring to make this official and one comes to the ring. Vince says that it is all on the fans when Santino gets destroyed.
Match Number One: Umaga versus Santino Marella for the Intercontinental Title
Santino with forearms to Umaga, but Umaga sends Santino into the corner. Santino with a series of kicks to Umaga but Umaga sends Santino into the corner. Umaga misses a splash into the corner and Santino gets a two count with a rollup. Umaga backs into the corner and Vince stops things to come into the ring. Vince says that there is a misunderstanding and says that this is a No Holds Barred Match. Vince says that anything goes. Vince wants to tell Santino that anything goes and there is no disqualification. Estrada slaps Santino and Santino slaps back.
Umaga attacks Santino and then he slams Marella followed by a leg drop. Estrada slaps Santino and the Umaga with a diving headbutt to Marella. Umaga pulls Santino into the corner and Umaga goes up to the second turnbuckle for a Vader Splash. Umaga slams Marella again and then Umaga goes up top. From out of nowhere, Bobby Lashley comes to the ring and he press slams Umaga. Lashley with punches to Umaga and a clothesline that takes Umaga down. Lashley knocks Estrada off the apron. Vince brings a steel chair into the ring and Vince blocks a chair shot. Vince leaves the ring and then Lashley hits Umaga in the head but Umaga does not show any effect. Lashley with two more chair shots followed by a spear and Umaga is down. Lashley puts Santino on top of Umaga for the three count.
Winner: Santino Marella
Marella celebrates in the center of the ring with Lashley as Bobby puts the belt on Marella. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Santino Marella defeating Umaga for the Intercontinental Title with some help from Bobby Lashley.
Jerry Lawler has come into the ring with Bobby Lashley and Santino Marella. Jerry asks Bobby what he is doing on Raw since he was not supposed to be there tonight. Lashley says that he was not supposed to be there tonight but he came here anyway. Bobby says that he is not supposed to be the ECW Champion after Backlash but he will hold on to the title. Bobby says that tonight is not about him but it is about the new Intercontinental Champion.
Jerry asks Santino about his victory and he thanks Lashley, the WWE, and the people of Italy . Lashley and Marella continue their celebration in the ring.
Carlito is in the locker room getting ready and Ric Flair enters to ask him how he is doing. Flair talks about the women of Milan and then he asks Carlito if he is ready for their match. Carlito says that he is not sure if he should be tagging with Flair since he let Flair down last week. Flair says that Carlito did not let him down. Flair says that they need to show everyone tonight that they are the best tag team and then get back into contention. We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Carlito (with Torrie Wilson) and Ric Flair versus Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin
Carlito and Benjamin start things off and Carlito with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Carlito with a hip toss to Benjamin and Haas followed by a slam to Benjamin and Haas. Benjamin tries for a splash in the corner but Carlito moves out of the way. Carlito with a standing drop kick that sends Benjamin out of the ring and then he clotheslines Haas over the top rope to the floor. Benjamin returns to the ring and then he tags in Haas. Flair is tagged in as well. Haas backs Flair into the corner and he connects with a shoulder and punch but Flair responds with chops. Flair with a back elbow and then he struts before connecting with a clip to Haas. Benjamin knocks Flair down and that allows Haas to punch Flair. Benjamin is tagged in and he stomps on Flair. Benjamin with a back body drop to Flair for a two count. Haas tags back in and he stomps Flair followed by a kick to the back. Haas with another kick to the back followed by punches to Flair and a knee drop for a two count. Haas backs Flair into the corner and Benjamin tags in and he kicks and punches Flair in the corner. Haas tags back in and Haas with kicks to Flair. Flair chops Haas but Haas punches Flair. Flair with a belly-to-back suplex and Carlito and Benjamin are tagged in. Carlito with punches to Benjamin followed by a kick and knee lift. Carlito with a punch to Haas and a clothesline to Benjamin. Carlito with a springboard back elbow for a two count but Haas breaks up the cover. Flair sends Haas out of the ring. While the referee sends Flair back to his corner, Haas trips Carlito from the floor and Benjamin hits an Exploder for the three count.
Winners: Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin
After the match, Torrie checks on Carlito, but he will have none of it. Flair checks on Carlito too but Carlito does not want to hear from Flair again. Carlito goes to the back while Torrie and Flair wonder what is going on with Carlito. We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at Michael Pena' role as the guest general manager and his announcement of the main event for Backlash.
Maria is in the interview area with John Cena. John asks Maria if she has any questions for him. Maria asks Cena about his handicap match tonight. Cena says that there are a lot of players, but there is only one champion. Shawn Michaels enters the interview area and he tells Cena that before Wrestlemania he made sure that nothing happened to Cena and had his back. Shawn wants to make it clear to Cena that he does not care about what happens to him. Next week when they are one-on-one, he will leave Cena on his back and he tells Cena that there is nothing that Cena can do about it.
Jim and Jerry talk about the Italian broadcast team, Luca Franchini and Michele Posa and they talk about the show in Italian.
Jerry says that one of the guys looks like Tazz but a little shorter. It is time to take a look at The Condemned.
We go to the back where Melina is getting ready for the Fashion Show and Nitro says that she is definitely going to win. Melina says that Nitro is going to win his match with Eugene . Eugene enters the area and he says hello before leaving. We go to commercial.
We are back and we have a Great Khali video package where we see the damage that Khali has wreaked on the WWE. He will be in action next week on Raw.
Match Number Three: Johnny Nitro versus Eugene
Nitro attacks Eugene as Eugene enters the ring. Nitro with a series of kicks to Eugene but Eugene with shoulders but Nitro shakes it off and he kicks Eugene . Eugene with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Nitro with a knee from the second turnbuckle into the back of Eugene R17;s head. Nitro sets up for a "Snapshot" neck breaker for the three count.
Winner: Johnny Nitro
We take a look at some of the famous designers who have boutiques in Milan and then we are reminded of the Diva Fashion Show. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Diva Fashion Show and the emcee is Paolo Marilla. Paolo addresses the crowd in Italian and he says that there will be a grand surprise. Out first is Candice Michelle. The next Diva to come out is Victoria and she almost trips so she takes off her shoes before coming to the ring in. The next Diva is Mickie James. Maria is the next Diva to come out. Out next is Torrie Wilson. Melina is the next Diva to come to the ring and she does her ring entrance in her outfit. Paolo says that the crowd will declare the winner of the fashion show. The fans declare Torrie Wilson the winner but Melina attacks Torrie but Mickie James pulls Melina off Torrie. Melina and Victoria leave the ring while the other Divas remain in the ring.
Match Number Four: Jeff Hardy (with Matt Hardy) versus Lance Cade (with Trevor Murdoch)
Cade backs Hardy into the turnbuckles and the referee forces Cade into a clean break. Cade with a kick and forearm to Hardy and Jeff goes down. Cade slams Jeff and then he tells Jeff to get up. Cade slams Jeff's head into the turnbuckles followed by an Irish whip. Hardy moves out of the way and hits Whisper in the Wind and then he hits a flip leg drop for a two count. Jeff goes up top but Cade rolls out of the ring. Jeff goes out after Cade and rolls him back in. Cade with a series of knees and then Hardy is thrown out of the ring by Cade. The referee gets in the way of Murdoch from interfering on the floor. Jeff rolls back into the ring and Cade with a forearm. Jeff with a baseball slide to Murdoch that sends him into the ringside barrier. Jeff tries for a rollup but Cade holds on to the ropes and then Cade with a boot to Jeff's head. Cade puts Hardy in the ropes and he kicks Hardy in the torso. While Cade is with the referee, Murdoch hits Jeff on the apron. The referee checks on Jeff and Cade with a boot to Jeff and then he punches Jeff. Cade with a punch to Hardy and a near fall. Cade with a slam to Jeff but he misses an elbow drop. Jeff with a mule kick to Cade and then he slams Cade into the turnbuckle. Jeff with an Irish whip but Cade with a shoulder that knocks Jeff down to the mat. Cade with a snap mare and two count. Jeff with a kick to Cade followed by a jawbreaker and punches. Hardy with a running forearm and clotheslines that take Cade down. Hardy with a flying clothesline and then he goes up top. Murdoch gets on the apron but Matt takes Murdoch down. Cade gets his knees up on the Swanton Bomb and Cade hits a clothesline for the three count.
Winner: Lance Cade
It is time for another look at The Condemned and we go to commercial.
We are back and Chris Masters is in the ring and he says that Italy is known for great works of art by the likes of DaVinci, Botticelli, and Michaelangelo. Not one of those men ever truly created a masterpiece like Chris Masters.
Match Number Five: Chris Masters versus Super Crazy
Masters sends Crazy into the corner but Crazy tries for a drop toe hold. Masters does not go down and he sends Crazy into the corner. Crazy with a drop kick from the corner followed by another drop kick that sends Masters out of the ring. Super Crazy with a somersault plancha onto Masters on the floor. Crazy rolls Masters back into the ring and then he goes up top for a moonsault but Masters moves out of the way. Masters with boots to the midsection followed by elbows in the corner. Masters with a hard Irish whip for a two count. Crazy blocks a punch and then he kicks Masters followed by more punches. Crazy tries for a crucifix bomb but Masters turns it into a modified Samoan drop for a two count. Masters with knees to Crazy's back followed by a rear chin lock. Masters with a back body drop to Crazy followed by a snap mare and knee to the back. Masters works on Crazy's neck and has him in a rear chin lock. Masters turns it into a front face lock but Crazy works on Masters' legs and then he hits a drop kick that takes Masters down. Crazy with a somersault splash followed by a standing moonsault for a two count. Crazy tries for a wheelbarrow but Masters turns it into a wheelbarrow suplex for the three count. We go to commercial.
Winner: Chris Masters
We are back with another look at Milan . We also take a look back at Santino Marella' victory over Umaga.
We return to the Italian announce team and they apparently talk about Backlash.
It is time to run through the card for Backlash on April 29th:
Bobby Lashley versus Umaga, Vince McMahon, and Shane for the ECW Title
Undertaker versus Batista for the World Title in a Last Man Standing Match
The Hardys versus Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch for the World Tag Titles
Mickie James versus Melina for the Women' Title
John Cena versus Shawn Michaels versus Edge versus Randy Orton for the WWE Title
Randy Orton comes into Edge's locker room and Edge says that he figured that Randy would show up. Edge says that Randy probably wants to blame him for the number one contender match. Orton says that they need to work together to take Cena out tonight in their handicap match. Edge says that when he was about to become Mr. Money in the Bank again, Orton pushed him off the ladder. Edge and Orton talk about the things they can blame each other for but it is necessary to rekindle Rated RKO. Edge and Orton both say that the other was the best tag team partner they ever had. We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: John Cena versus Randy Orton and Edge in a Handicap Match
Edge starts things off for Rated RKO against Cena and Edge with a kick and forearm to Cena' back. Edge with a punch to Cena but Cena with an Irish whip and fisherman's suplex for a two count. Cena with a front face lock into a side head lock take down for a near fall. Cena with a rollup for a two count and then he returns to the front face lock. Edge backs Cena into the corner and Edge with a punch on the break. Orton tags in and he punches and kicks Cena. Cena backs Orton into the corner and hits shoulders. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog for a two count. Cena with a punch to Orton followed by a forearm. Orton with a kick when Cena telegraphs a back body drop. Orton with a series of boots to Cena. Orton with forearms to Cena's chest followed by a European uppercut. Cena punches Orton and the crowd does not like it. Edge with a blind tag and Orton with a boot to Cena followed by an elbow from Edge. We go to commercial.
We are back and Edge punches Cena on the apron and then Edge hits a shoulder tackle that knocks Cena off the apron and into the Italian Announce Table. Orton tags in and he hot shots Cena onto the announce table. Orton with a boot to Cena and then he returns to the ring to break up the count. Orton rolls Cena back in and he punches Cena in the head while the referee admonishes Orton. Edge tags back in and he kicks Cena. Orton punches Cena and then Edge punches Cena. Cena punches Edge but Edge with a boot to Cena and Cena goes down. Edge with punches to Cena and then he tags in Orton. Orton with a drop kick to Cena and then he connects with forearms to the back. Orton with more punches to Cena's head. Orton with a knee drop to Cena and then he tags in Edge. Edge gets Cena up for an FU but Edge blocks it and hits a modified driver. Edge punches Cena and then he kicks Cena in the head. Edge puts Cena on the top turnbuckle and he punches Cena. Edge tries for a superplex but Cena punches Edge. Edge with headbutts but Cena with a punch that knocks Edge off the turnbuckles. Cena with a leg drop from the turnbuckles but Orton attacks Cena.
Shawn Michaels comes to the ring while Orton punches Cena. Edge gets a chair but the referee stops Edge. Michaels pulls down the top rope and Orton goes over the top rope to the floor. Cena with clotheslines to Edge followed by a shoulder tackle and Blue Thunder Driver. Cena gets ready for the five knuckle shuffle and he hits it. Cena gets Edge up for the FU but Orton with a drop kick and Edge and Cena knock over the referee. Orton with an Irish whip to Cena but Cena and Orton collide and everyone is down in the ring. The crowd chants for Shawn Michaels and he watches from ringside. Edge gets up first and he sets for the spear. Cena moves out of the way and Edge spears Orton. Michaels enters the ring and he gives Sweet Chin Music to Edge when Cena moves. Cena with an FU to Michaels and then he gets the three count on Edge.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Cena stands over his three opponents from Backlash in the ring. We go to credits.
2008 - WWE Raw ran Vienna, Austria.
Markus Gronenmann filed the following live report:
I am sending you a report on the show and surrounding events from the April 16 "WrestleMania Revenge Tour" overseas RAW house show in the "Stadthalle" arena in Vienna, Austria. I've been greatly enjoying your work for the past years and am trying to contribute a little to the information you guys provide with this report.
There were two public events scheduled in the afternoon before the show: The first one was an autograph session at a local Toys R Us (the same one where last year's pre-show SmackDown! autograph session took place, located just outside the Vienna city borders near Austria's biggest shopping mall, in Lower Austria). It featured Hardcore Holly, Cody Rhodes and Beth Phoenix and went from 3.00 to 5.00 pm. We were there by 1.45 and were first in line. The wrestlers arrived shortly after 3 with a camera team in tow. Holly & Rhodes went right into the crowd, shaking hands and taking pictures with the fans. Beth Phoenix was a bit out of the spotlight in the beginning but was really nice in person, posing for pictures with me and my brother and looks far better in p erson than on the TV. On a funny note, she pointed out how good she was looking in the ic I had taken along for her to sign.
The second event was a small fan-fest at the arena, promoted by the recently launched German language edition of the official WWE magazine (which features both parts translated from the U.S. edition, as well as some original content - on an interesting note, this German edition is being produced and edited by the same people who also publish various German "inside knowledge" magazines on pro-wrestling). Tickets to this event were only available shortly before it started and could only be purchased by ticket holders for the evening card, at a price of EUR 5,00 (about USD 8,00). It went from 4.30 to 6.00 pm and featured some competitions such as guess the theme music where DVDs could be won. They did a wrestler impersonating contest where my brother won a Rey Mysterio DVD by impersonating Ric Flair and dropping an elbow on his jacket. The overall contest was won by a Jeff Hardy impersonation, the guy got 2nd row tickets to the show. There was lots of humor directed at the natural animosity between Austrians and Germans (the hosts). The advertised highlight was a Q & A session with Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch, which should have started at 5.30. The session ended up lasting until close to bell-time, because the team arrived only shortly after 7 pm. Kudos to the hosts who really did their best to entertain the crowd, which was clearly exhausted after almost 3 hours of competitions and screaming.
Almost exactly one year ago, we finally got an overseas tour again (SmackDown!/ECW, which virtually was sold-out with an attendance of close to 8,000 people, the most successful show on that tour, second only to the RAW taping, IIRC) after almost 12 years. That's right, the WWE had been absent from the Austrian market since 1995 (by the way, HHH was in the midst of a feud with Henry O. Godwinn, Shane Douglas was getting his ass kicked by Scott Hall AND had a lame Dean gimmick, and Kevin Nash was battling Yokozuna for the world title on that tour. and I have to admit that I really marked out for Diesel slapping my hand on his way to the ring - hey, I was 13 and a major Diesel-mark).
Anyway, this time the RAW brand was sent over, so we finally got to see the designated "A-list talent" (you know - Snitsky, Val Venis and the whole lot) live. A pity it couldn't have been the other way around, as I really would have loved seeing Ric Flair one last time, and it would have been great for my younger brother, a wrestling fan for all his life (I hereby plead guilty), too. So as things stand, I guess my only live experience of "Naitch" will be a U.S. title match he had with Jeff Jarrett at the July 21, 1997 Nitro in Orlando. As you can probably guess, this was only the second show I ever got to take my brother to, since he was born just one year prior to the WWE's last show in Vienna, back in 1995 (on an interesting trivia note, I attended a major independent show, featuring guys like Mick Foley, Brutus Beefcake, Koko B. Ware and Marty Jannetty here in Vienna the night he was born. challenge to all readers: try finding out the date of that one ). Enough nostalgia already (I promise.) - the show started at around 7.40 pm and was pretty much sold out (around 8,000 - 10,000 fans)
Here are the results:
1.) William Regal beat DH Smith with a kick to the face. Lots of good mat and chain wrestling from those two.
2.) Tag Team Title, Triple Threat: Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes beat Santino Marella & Carlito and Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch after Holly pinned Murdoch with the Alabama Slam. Lots of stalling and attempted blind tags by Marella/Carlito in the beginning, as none of them wanted to be in the ring with Holly. Cade again chewed out Murdoch for losing after the match, as he does lately on house shows, so I guess those to will break up some time soon.
3.) Paul Burchill beat Val Venis after his neckbreaker-finisher. So-so match, but the crowd still ate it up. Venis bowed to the fans after the match, which was a nice gesture.
4.) Mickie James & Maria beat Beth Phoenix & Katie Lea Burchill in a surprisingly good match. Everyone was trying real hard with MAria seling nicely for the opposition and even hitting a few nice spots herself. Finish saw Maria cross body press Phoenix from the rops who caught her - Mickie then dropkicked Maria, back, throwing both Divas out of the ring. She then gave Burchill the Chick Kick and swinging DDT for the win.
Intermission
5.) Umaga & Snitsky beat Paul London & Kendrick when Umaga gave Kendrick the Samoan Spike. Surprise of the night was how unbelievably over Umaga was, up to the point where the fans cheered when Umaga went into the ring at the start of the match and booed when he left or Snitsky entered. They played the crowd with that all night, up to Snitsky blind-tagging Umaga in and out at various times. Kendrick & London did their best Colin Delany impressions, bumping and selling like rag dolls for basically everything the big guys did.
6.) Intercontinental Title: Chris Jericho beat JBL with the Codebreaker. JBL got major cheap heat at the start of the match, bragging about how great th US were and how we should be thankful for their protection. He event went as far as singing God Bless America to a chorus of boos. Back and forth match, but I was somewhat disappointed that it didn't go longer, or that we didn't get to see a Lionsault.
7.) WWE Title: Triple H beat Randy Orton by DQ after William Regal interfered. Triple H kicked out of an RKO, Orton countered a Pedigree at which point Regal came out to distract the referee. Orton went for a belt shot, but Triple H countered with a low blow, gave Orton a belt shot and went for the pin. At this point Regal got into the ring and broke up the pin for the DQ. Triple H then gave Pedigrees to both Regal and Orton to send the fans home happy.
Overall a decent show with great crowd response and a nice overall card.
I was most impressed by the women's match, they should have had that one at WrestleMania instead. The Kendrick/London/Umaga/Snitsky match was very nice too, because it had great heat and Kendrick/London sold and bumped awesome.
Both singles title matches were somewhat disappointing and relied only on star power. Mostly predictabe spots and not exactly the best effort of all four men.