On this day in history in ....
1949 - Two-time WWF and WWE Champion Bob Backlund is born.
1958 - Bobby Eaton, the heart and soul of the Midnight Express and one of the best tag team performers of all time, is born.
1961 - Buddy Landel is born.
1986 - The AWA and The Savoldi family's ICW teamed for a live event East Lyme, CT, featuring the following results:
-Scott Hall pinned Chris the Greek with a running bulldog.
-The Last Warrior (with The Judge) defeated Bill Rossi via submission.
-The Midnight Rockers, Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty, defeated The Boston Bad Boys, Tony Rumble and Rocky Raymond.
-Joe Savoldi pinned The Pink Assassin with a belly to belly.
-Col. DeBeers pinned Tom Cairo aka the future Tommy Cairo from ECW with a face-first piledriver.
-AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel pinned Phil Apollo (with Wendell Weatherby) with a piledriver.
-AWA World Tag Team Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers defeated David Foxx & Roberto Soto.
-Jimmy Snuka pinned The Inferno with the Superfly Splash.
-AWA World Tag Team Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers defeated Roberto Soto & Man Mountain Mike.
-Jimmy Snuka pinned Phil Apollo with Wendell Weatherby.
-Joe Savoldi defeated Boris Zukhov by DQ when the referee was knocked down.
1987 - Johnny Gargano is born.
1999 - Balls Mahoney & Spike Dudley defeat Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley in Toledo, Ohio to win back the ECW World Tag Team Championship only one day after losing them to the Dudleys in Cleveland. This ended Buh Buh Ray & D-Von's seventh ECW Tag Title reign. Originally taped for ECW's debut show on TNN, it was later decided to have an "ECW history" show for the first episode, and then tape an episode in New York. So, this match was instead included on the first ECW DVD, Extreme Evolution. The finish of the wild brawl saw Spike Dudley powerbombed off the ring apron through two tables that were set on fire by Buh Buh Ray, then D-Von accidentally hit Buh Buh with a chairshot, allowing Balls to deliver the Nutcracker Suite on D-Von for the pin.
Other results from the taped but never seen taping saw:
Rhino pinned Prodigy
Uganda defeated the Spanish Angel
Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Super Crazy
Little Guido defeated Nova
Sabu & Jerry Lynn defeated ECW TV Champion Rob Van Dam & Justin Credible when Sabu pinned Credible
Jazz pinned Steve Corino
Vito Lograsso defeated Simon Diamond
1999 - WCW held their "Road Wild" Pay-per-view event at the Sturgis motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. This would be the last Road Wild PPV ever held. It should be noted that because these events were held in the middle of the motorcycle rally, they never had any tickets sold and drew no live gate, thus only made money was off of the PPV buyrate. Here are the results:
- Rey Mysterio Jr., Billy Kidman & Eddie Guerrero defeated Vampiro & The Insane Clown Posse when Kidman pinned Shaggy Too Dope with a shooting star press.
- Harlem Heat defeated Kanyon & Bam Bam Bigelow to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when Bigelow accidentally collided with Dallas Page, who was trying to interfere, and Booker T hit a missile dropkick, followed by Stevie Ray getting the pin.
- Perry Saturn, Shane Douglas & Dean Malenko defeated Barry Windham, Curt Hennig & Bobby Duncum, Jr. when Saturn pinned Duncum with a Death Valley Driver.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Ernest Miller after whipping Miller into Sonny Onno, who was about to interfere.
- WCW United States Champion Chris Benoit defeated Diamond Dallas Page with a top rope headbutt in a no disqualification match.
- Sid Vicious defeated Sting with a chokeslam.
- Bill Goldberg defeated Rick Steiner with a jackhammer.
- Randy Savage defeated Dennis Rodman after hitting him with a chain.
- WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Kevin Nash in a Retirement match with a legdrop. Shockingly, Nash's retirement wouldn't last and he'd be back in October of 1999.
2000 - The Monday Night Wars continued, but it was a one-sided battle, as WWF Raw earned a 5.9 rating with a show headlined by The Undertaker beating Chris Benoit via DQ, Chris Jericho defeating Intercontinental Champion Val Venis by DQ and Kurt Angle, Shane McMahon & Triple H battling The Dudley Boys & The Rock to a no contest. WCW Nitro countered with only a 2.4 for a show headlined by Sting defeating Vampiro, The Great Muta and The Demon in a four corners match and Rey Mysterio & Juventud Guerrera winning the WCW World Tag Team Championship from Vampiro & The Great Muta. Also on Nitro, Lance Storm, who held three titles at the time, defeated Mike Awesome to keep the U.S. Title, then gave the Cruiserweight Title to Elix Skipper and gave the Hardcore Title to Carl Oulette. Oulette then lost the Hardcore Title to Norman Smiley.
2002 - Masanobu Okamoto aka Little Frankie in the ring, passed away. Okamoto was one of the most well known midget wrestlers in Japanese history, starting his career in 1976, and becoming a fixture of the undercard on All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling events. He also worked in the office of AJW, and was found dead at the AJW Office Garage in the Meguro district of Tokyo where he lived.
2002 - NWA: TNA aired their weekly Wednesday night PPV. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
NWA: Total Nonstop Action for August 14th started with a recap of Ron "The Truth" Killings defeating Ken Shamrock for the NWA World Heavyweight Title last week.
Killings came to the ring, and declared the TNA Arena to be "his house", the "TNA Asylum". He said he turned 30 last week and he became a legend. He said he came to NWA:TNA a bitter man, unsure if he would get a fair chance. He then went into a tirade about being held back because he was black, then insisted he wasn't playing a race card. He said he was told in the WWF that he could not make the same mistakes as a white man. He then proclaimed himself a legend. He said there was still prejudice in this world, regardless of what color you are. He then said when you are given an opportunity, it is up to you to make the most of it. He said he made the most of his opportunity. He said his father told him to never give up on your dream.
Jeff Jarrett came out and interrupted Killings, telling him to "put his dreams away" because he was Killings worst nightmare. Jarrett reiterated that he was a victim of reverse discrimination. Jarrett said that Killings beat Shamrock, but he was given a chance for a title match. Jarrett said he was being cheated of the chance he deserved. He asked Killings for his chance tonight. Killings said he and Jarrett had become friends in the back, but this was business. He did, however, say that the title was personal to him, and if Jarrett wanted it, to come to the ring and get it.
Bill Behrens then came out, wearing a cowboy hat, that didn't fit right, and flanked by security. "Cowboy Billy" came out and started laying verbally into Jarrett, while the announcers wondered if he had taken too many shots to the head. Behrens said Ricky Steamboat was not here, so he was in charge. He said Jarrett and Killings could fight, but it would not be for the title. The announcers put over that Behrens was taking his personal grudge out on Jarrett.
Jarrett went to go after Behrens, when Brian Lawler ran out and attacked Jarrett. Lawler went for a chair at ringside, but the fan sitting in it would not let go of the chair, despite Lawler pulling at it. Security broke apart Lawler and Jarrett, while Lawler was yelling "I know it was you that did it, Jeff", and the announcers wondered what was going on with the former friends.
Order was restored, and the announcers welcomed us to the show.
Kid Kash, Shark Boy, and Slim J vs. The SAT was the opening match. Jose started out with Kash, trading reversals on a hammerlock. Kash got a brief "ECW" chant. The two traded armdrags and hiptosses, and Kash slapped Jose when they stalemated. Jose slapped him back, then offered a handshake, but Kash gave him the finger. Joel came in, and Kash hit a drop toe hold and a shoulderblock. Joel hit a monkeyflip, but Kash backdropped him to the floor. Kash dropkicked him off the apron, then hit a slingshot rana to the floor. Jose faced off with Sharkboy, then hit a tope on Kash. Sharkboy hit a slingshot senton on Joel. Slim J and Red went at it, with Slim hitting a headscissors on Red. Slim J then hit a top rope moonsault to the floor on the Maximos and Shark Boy. Red jumped on the pile with a somersault, then Kid Kash hit a top rope somersault from the onto the whole pile on the floor. Kash hit a slingshot legdrop on Joel in the ring for a two count, then put him in a modified surfboard, using his legs to pin his arms back so he could punch at his head. Slim J tagged in, and Kash dropped him on top of Joel. Slim J missed a twisting moonsault splash, and Joel put him in a Torture Rack while Jose and Red did double stomps on his gut from the top rope. Red dropkicked (actually a missed rana) on Kash from J's gut. The Maximos applied a Boston Crab/Camel Clutch combo on Slim J and Shark Boy. Red and J squared off again, and Slim J hit a springboard kick. Kash backdropped J onto Red, then applied a double leg powerbomb and a elbowdrop for a two count. The fans chanted "SAT" to rally behind Red. Kash and Red fought on the ropes, with Kash winning with a top rope powerslam, but Jose broke up the cover. Slim J tagged in and hit a kick to the back of Red's head. Slim J missed a Phoenix Splash. Red made the tag, but the match broke down into a brawl. Kash hit a walking the ropes rana on Joel, then a swinging DDT for a two count, but Red broke it up. Everyone started hitting finishers, but had their cover broken up. Kash hit his MoneyMaker (double underhook piledriver) on Red. Kash was sent to the floor by the Maximos. Slim went to the top, but was crotched when Shark Boy was whipped in the corner. Shark Boy was given a Kryptonite Krunch by Jose. In the end, the Maximos hit the Spanish Fly on Slim J, and Red followed with the InfraRed splash for the win. The SAT are the winners.
The TNA Girls danced.
Goldy interviewed the Dupps. She told them not to touch her. They said they defended her honor on the "Crisco" (Disco) show. Stan Dupp showed her the bulge in his pants. She hit him in it. They then said they were copying the "MTB" show Cribs, and showed her their outhouse. They made lots of jokes about fecal matter, which was fitting for this segment.
Miss TNA Bruce came to the ring, wearing his wig and evening gown. Bruce thanked the fans for support in his title reign, then said he was more woman than any woman in the building, as well as Mike Tenay's wife. He said all the married men, including Tenay, were fantasizing about him. He then said he was laying an open challenge to any woman in the building to pin him in five minutes or less. He said if anyone could do it, he would give them $5000. He then started ripping on some of the female fans in attendance. A large woman at ringside was chosen, and she signed an injury release and got in the ring. She hit Bruce with a spear and a bodyslam. She hit a legdrop, and pounded him with a forearm. He tried to crawl away, and she pulled him back, then tossed him over the top rope to the floor. She slammed him on the floor. Back in the ring, she slammed him again. She went for another slam, but Bruce rolled her into a small package and got the pin. Bruce retains the Miss TNA title.
Goldy interviewed Jeff Jarrett, and asked what he did to Brian Lawler. Jarrett said he did nothing to Lawler, and then said he would handle that later. He said he and Ron Killings were not friends. Jarrett then went into the bathroom, pulled Bill Behrens from a stall, and rammed him into a wall. As Jarrett was walking off, he bumped into Low Ki, and the two had a brief staredown. Jarrett asked if he had a problem, calling him "Kojak" and Low Ki just glared at him.
Bo Dupp bumped into midget Teo in the back. He said that since they bumped into each other, they would have a match tonight.
Malice vs. Don Harris, Last Man Standing, was next. The rest of the New Church was banned from the building. Harris hit a sideslam and a chairshot at the beginning. Malice slowly got up, and Harris hit him with another chairshot. Malice got up and threw powder in Harris' eye. Malice clotheslined Harris from the ring. Malice threw powder at him again on the floor, then hit him with a chairshot. Malice hit a big boot, and they brawled up the rampway. Malice tossed Harris off the stage. Malice went back to the ring, and reached under it for a chain. Harris got to him first, and choked and hit Malice with the chain. Malice was bleeding from the head. Harris pulled out a table, but before he could use it, Malice hit a series of rights. Malice missed a chairshot, and Harris booted it into his face. Harris set up the table, which had a bad leg. Harris hit some rights, but Malice kicked him in the gut and powerbombed him. Malice went for a chokeslam through the table, but Harris broke out and hit a DDT. They fought up the ropes, and Malice hit a back superplex through the table. Both men were down, and slowly trying to get up as the referee counted. Harris barely got to his feet at ten, as Malice fell back to the mat (ala "Rocky"). Harris was declared the last man standing, and won. Harris and Malice showed respect to each other, before Malice left.
Goldy interviewed the Dupps about Teo being the challenger for the Dupp Cup. Stan is afraid of midgets. Bo explained that in wrestling, you have to wrestle someone who bumps into you. Bo told Stan to go do commentary while he handled things.
Teo challenging for the Dupp Cup was next. The outhouse from the earlier interview was now on the stage. Mike Tenay told Don West and Ed Ferrara to call this match. The announcing was done over the house mic. Teo nailed ring announcer Jeremy Borash to get early points. Teo used some weapons on Bo to earn points. Bo pulled down his pants so Teo could hit him with the hobby horse. Bo liked it, so he gets no points. Stan was scared of Teo. Bo took over, grabbing weapons from the fans. They continued to run around the arena, trying to score points. Puppet emerged from the outhouse, and attacked Bo. This allowed Teo to stuff Bo into the outhouse, and win the match. Teo is now the holder of the Dupp Cup.
The TNA Girls danced.
The history leading to tonight's Detroit Street Fight between Monty Brown and Elix Skipper was recapped.
The Detroit Street Fight was next. Elix Skipper came out in streetclothes. He said this was his house, and Brown did not have permission to be in it. As Brown's music played, Skipper waited at the entranceway, but Brown came out the other entrance and attacked him from behind. Brown pressed Skipper between the ropes and into the ring. Brown, also in streetclothes, choked Skipper with his T-Shirt and hung him over the top rope. Skipper hit Brown in the gut as he jumped off the apron at him. Skipper choked Brown with a chain at ringside. Brown came back, but as he got into the ring, Skipper hit him repeatedly with a trashcan lid. Skipper went for a cover, and Brown kicked out. Brown went for a cross bodyblock, but Skipper Matrixed under him, and Brown landed on a trash can. Brown fell to the floor. Skipper put the can on top of Brown, then hit a slingshot splash from the ring to the floor on it, crushing it on Brown. Skipper covered on the floor for a two count. In the ring, Skipper went for a Stop sign, but Brown punched it into Skipper's face. Brown hit the Alphalution (spinning side slam). Brown then hit the AlphaBomb on a trachcan and got the pin on Skipper.
Goldy interviewed the Elvises. Yang was talking about his love of the King (Elvis, not Jerry Lawler), when Sonny Siaki interjected, ripping on Elvis and saying he was the star of the team. Siaki said instead of idolizing Elvis, people should idolize him.
The TNA girls danced again.
Low Ki vs. Sonny Siaki vs. Jorge Estrada vs. Jimmy Yang was next, elimination rules for the X-Division Title. Yang and Estrada wore black armbands in honor of the anniversary of Elvis' death. Low Ki started with Siaki, with Yang and Estrada waiting in corners for the tag. Siaki tried to toss Low Ki, who landed on his feet. Siaki shoved him down, but Ki kicked him in the face. Siaki blocked a whip, but Low Ki hit a rolling kick. Low Ki went into a handspring, but Siaki caught him in a powerbomb. Jorge tagged Siaki on the back, ran in, and hit a standing shooting star for a two count. Estrada hit a rolling fireman's carry slam. He went for a Lionsault, but Low Ki got the knees up. Low Ki hit a series of kicks to the chest, and one to the face of Estrada for a two count. Low Ki kicked Estrada on the apron, and put him in the Bite Of The Dragon on Estrada, but Siaki ran in and broke it up. Low Ki put a Dragon Sleeper on Siaki, who dropped back out of it. Estrada hit an Arabian Press for a two count, but Siaki broke up the pin. Yang tagged in and hit a pair of leg lariats on Low Ki. Yang choked Low Ki with a headscissors while hanging over the ropes. Yang went for a sleeper, but Low Ki got out with a suplex. Estrada tagged in off Low Ki, and faced off with Yang. Estrada sent Yang to the floor, and hit a twisiting Asai moonsault on Yang. In the ring, Estrada went for a Tornado DDT, but Yang rolled through it and hit a dropkick. Estrada missed a dropkick, and Yang applied the Boston Crab. Estrada tapped out, and was eliminated.
Low Ki came in and hit Yang with a kick and a chop. Yang fought back with a clothesline and stomped Low Ki. Yang hit a missile dropkick for a two count. Yang went to the top, but Siaki crotched him. Yang fell into the ring, and Low Ki hit the Ki Krusher to eliminate Yang.
Siaki came in and hit a press into a Samoan Drop for a two count. Siaki and Low Ki collided on a clothesline attempt after criss-crossing the ring. Low Ki hit a series of rights and a flying forearm. Low Ki hit a springboard kick to the head. Low Ki then hit a series of kicks, but missed one and Siaki caught him with an uppercut. Siaki went to bounce off the ropes, but Yang hit him from behind (the camera missed it, but the announcers caught it), and Low Ki rolled up Siaki for the pin. Low Ki retains the X Division title.
We saw that earlier today, Goldy wanted to interview Jerry Lynn. Lynn was on his way out, and invited Goldy into his truck. As he drove, he said that he and AJ Styles were professionals, and that they would defend the titles tonight, and that what happened last week had nothing to do with tonight. Lynn then stopped the truck and went to beat up Styles, who was leaving a store. Lynn laid him out in a bathtub (part of the outdoor decor of the store) and told him it was all about respect.
Disco Inferno then came out to host "Jive Talkin" and brought out his guest, actor Dean Baldwin (Shark Boy without the mask, re-doing a gimmick he used in HWA). They talked about the more famous Baldwins, and rambled on and on. Brian Lawler came out and interrupted them, saying he didn't give a s*** about any of them. He looked into the camera, and said he wanted Jeff Jarrett. Baldwin took the mic from him, and said he knew what Lawler wanted, he wanted an autograph. Lawler then beat up Baldwin, until security dragged him away. Disco promised a famous TV star as his guest next week.
Backstage, Brian Lawler was thrown out of the building. The Dupps were with Goldy, with Bo saying he was through with the NWA, obviously upset over the Dupp Cup going to a midget.
The main event was on, with Jeff Jarrett and Ron Killings making separate entrances. Jerry Lynn came out, and was attacked by Jarrett and Killings. They double teamed him, until AJ Styles ran out and attacked Jarrett and Killings. Lynn hit a pescado on Killings, while AJ dropkicked Jarrett. AJ hit a twisting slingshot splash on Jarrett for a two count. Styles hit an Asai moonsault on Jarrett. Killings and Lynn entered the ring, with Lynn ducking a side kick, and Killings crotching himself on the top rope. Jarrett dropped Styles on the ring steps. Lynn gave Killings a monkey flip in the ring. Styles whipped Jarrett into the railing. Lynn hit a second rope bulldog on Killings, but Jarrett broke up the cover. All four men were in the ring. Styles and Lynn went for a double back body drop, but Killings kicked it off. Styles went for a moonsault that hit no one. It finally got into a tag situation, with Jarrett dropping across Lynn while he was hung on the second rope. Jarrett hit a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Killings tagged in and hit a reverse powerbomb on Lynn for a two count. Lynn battled back, and got a sunset flip in the corner for a two count. Killings hit a low kick, then an ax kick. Jarrett tagged in, and worked over Lynn with knees to the gut. Lynn escaped a Stroke attempt, and the two traded sleeperhold attempts. Lynn broke out with a shinbuster and applied a figure four. Jarrett quickly reversed it. Killings tagged in, and slammed Lynn, then made a weak cover for a two count. Lynn battled back with punches. Killings split under a clothesline attempt, then hit a sidekick for two, getting a pop from the crowd. Killings started dancing, and Lynn hit a flying DDT. Styles and Jarrett tagged in, and Styles laid into Jarrett with a barrage of kicks, including the reverse enzugiri. They went into a series of reversals, and Styles went for the Styles Clash, but Killings broke it up. Lynn and Styles hit a drop toe hold/senton splash combo on Jarrett, but Killings broke up the cover. Styles fell on a springboard forearm attempt on Killings, who was being held by Lynn. Styles accidentally speared the referee after missing a charge on Jarrett, then fell to the floor. Lynn hit a reverse DDT on Jarrett, but there was no referee to count it. Lynn hit the cradle piledriver on Killings, but there was no referee again. Jarrett hit the Stroke on Lynn, while Styles hit the Spiral Tap on Killings. Jarrett pinned Lynn, while Styles pinned Killings. A second referee ran out, and one ref counted each pin. Each ref declared a different winner.
Bob Armstrong came out, and said that because of the controversy, the Tag Team titles would be held up.
Bob Armstrong said that next week, Ron Killings would defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Monty Brown. He also said that Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles would wrestle next week, with the winner getting an X Division title shot. Jerry Lynn wanted a Falls Count Anywhere match. Styles wanted a No DQ match. Armstrong said it would be two out of three falls. The third fall, if necessary, will be a ten minute Ironman match, with the most pinfalls winning. Jeff Jarrett complained about how everyone was being given matches except him. Armstrong said he would get a match, but it would be a surprise. Jarrett grabbed the tag title belts and walked off with them, with Armstrong in pursuit.
The announcers went over the matches for next week. Don West did his hardsell.
They cut to the back, where Jarrett was arguing with Armstrong. Brian Lawler ran in the door from outside, and started choking Jarrett saying "I know what you did. I'm going to kill you" as the show went off the air.
Next week:
- Ron "The Truth" Killings vs. Monty Brown.
- Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles, two out of three falls. Falls count anywhere, No DQ, and ten minute Ironman.
- Low Ki vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Red in an elimination match for the X-Division Title.
- Sonny Siaki vs. Jimmy Yang, two out of three falls.
- A surprise opponent for Jeff Jarrett.
2007 - The Associated Press reported that an autopsy failed to conclusively prove what caused the death of former WWF and WCW star Bryan "Crush" Adams.
2007 - The United States Congress, in the wake of the Chris Benoit tragedy, issued letters to WWE, TNA and The NWA seeking information on the business and drug use within. A copy of the letter sent to TNA was leaked. The complete letter sent to TNA President Dixie Carter yesterday by Congress reads as follows:
Ms. Dixie Carter
President
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
209 10th Avenue South, Suite 302
Nashville , Tennessee 37203
Dear Ms. Carter:
We are writing to request information regarding the response of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to allegations of pervasive use of steroids and other drugs by professional wrestlers. The tragic death of Mr. Chris Benoit and his family has focused attention on the seriousness of the problem. Illegal steroid use in professional sports has gained plenty of attention, but the record suggests that the problem is most pervasive and deadly in pro wrestling, an unregulated form of entertainment that is watched on TV and in arenas by an estimated 20 million fans a week, including children. See e.g., attached USA TODAY investigative report, "High death rate lingers behind fun facade of pro wrestling."
As Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the subcommittee with jurisdiction over sports-related matters, we are monitoring this situation very closely. We request a briefing on this matter at the earliest possible time We also are considering a hearing on this matter, and whether there is a need for Federal regulation to protect the health and safety of the wrestlers. In the 109 th Congress, the Subcommittee held a hearing on "Steroids in Sports: Cheating the System and Gambling Your Health," and reported legislation, H.R. 1862, the Drug Free Sports Act
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. implemented a Talent Wellness Program in February 2006. Please advise the Subcommittee by close of business on August 28, 2007, whether TNA has adopted a similar program. If so, please provide the Subcommittee with a copy of your program, as well as any other relevant records detailing the specifics of the program as well as TNA' s implementation and interpretation thereof. Records include memoranda, correspondence, and electronic communications. Please also describe any and all actions that TNA has taken - either within or outside any such program - to detect and prevent steroid abuse. Information, including the aggregate number of random tests conducted in each month this year, would assist the Subcommittee in its review, and we request that you provide that information, as well. We are sending similar information requests to other wrestling leagues.
Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact us, or have your staff contact Christian Tomatsu Fjeld or Consuela Washington with the Majority Committee staff at (202) 225-2927 or Brian McCullough or Will Carty with the Minority Committee staff at (202) 225-3641.
Sincerely,
Bobby L. Rush
Chairman
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Cliff Stearns
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Attachment
cc: The Honorable John D. Dingell, Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce
The Honorable Joe Barton, Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
2007 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy. Buck Woodward filed the following TV report:
ECW on SciFi for August 14th opened with a recap of last night's Raw, where Vince McMahon began his search for his illegitimate child, who according to his daughter Stephanie, is a WWE superstar.
Live, Jonathan Coachman was in the ring, saying he was going to be continuing the investigation for Mr. McMahon on Raw tonight. Coach then introduced the new General Manager of ECW, "by order of Mr. McMahon", Armando Alejandro Estrada. Armando said he hoped Mr. McMahon took a lot of trips to Cuba in the 70's (in other words, he wants to be Vince's kid). Armando then said he would conduct the ECW Championship contract signing for the match at Summerslam. He then brought out ECW Champion John Morrison and CM Punk.
They sat at the table for the signing, and Morrison said sitting at the table was, for Punk, as close as he would get to "Earthly Paradise". Morrison signed the contract. Punk was about to sign, when Morrison stopped him. Morrison said Punk couldn't last 15 minutes with him last week. Punk responded that he didn't last 15 minutes because he beat him in less than 15 minutes. Morrison started putting himself over and said Punk couldn't handle the pressure of being the ECW champion. Punk told him to shut up, and said Morrison talks way too much. Punk said none of what he says makes sense. Punk said he doesn't have fancy clothes or catchphrases, he also noted he doesn't wear fur coats in August, but he will be wearing the ECW Champions. Punk signed the contract, and the two argued.
Armando said that it is good they are both fired up, because they both have matches tonight. Armando said Morrison will face The Boogeyman. Armando then said CM Punk's match would be next, and he would face Big Daddy V. Morrison smiled and they had a staredown as they went to break.
CM Punk vs. Big Daddy V, with Matt Striker.
They locked up, and V shoved Punk to the mat. Punk went for a waistlock, but V backed him into a corner repeatedly, then threw him down. V chopped Punk in a corner, then headbutted Punk repeatedly. Punk slumped in a corner and V hit some kicks. V missed a short arm clothesline, and Punk hit two jumping knees in the corner. V held onto Punk on the second knee and powerbombed Punk. V gave Punk a press slam, dropping Punk face first to the mat, then pounding him with a hammerfist. V pushed Punk against the ropes and hit a chop, then whipped him into the ropes and hit a spinning heel kick. Punk fell to the floor. Punk got on the apron and V shoulderblocked him off and into the announce table at ringside. Punk grabbed his ribs in pain, and started coughing. He reached for the ring, but couldn't get up, and was counted out at the four minute mark.
Winner via countout: Big Daddy V.
Post-match, Big Daddy V stood in the ring triumphant, while Punk was checked on by the referee at ringside. They showed numerous replays of Punk going into the announce table.
A video package on the Boogeyman was shown.
A commercial hyping Evander Holyfield vs. Matt Hardy in a boxing match on Saturday Night's Main Event was shown.
Backstage, Tommy Dreamer told Armando that he wanted a title match with the winner of the Morrison-Punk match at Summerslam. Armando said he thinks Dreamer is lazy. Armando said Dreamer has 60 seconds to get to the ring, and if he doesn't get there, he forfeits his match and proves that he is lazy. After realizing he was serious, Dreamer headed to the ring. Nunzio and Stevie Richards both tried to stop Dreamer to talk as he headed down the hallway, but Dreamer passed them by, and also walked by Extreme Expose as they were dancing in front of the Miz. Dreamer was distracted by Expose, and ran into a catering cart. Dreamer tripped and fell, but still stumbled out the entrance and made it to the ring with 17 seconds left on the clock... only to see that Big Daddy V was still in the ring.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Big Daddy V.
Dreamer threw some right hands, but was given a Samoan Drop by V. V then stood on Dreamer's back. V stood Dreamer up and hit two chops, then bounced off the ropes and crushed him with an avalanche. Big Daddy V hit a spinning sidewalk slam, then dropped an elbow for the pin in under a minute.
Winner: Big Daddy V.
The showed a clip of how Kelly Kelly helped Balls Mahoney get up off the floor last week.
Backstage, Balls Mahoney came up to Kelly and started to talk about a restaurant at Mohegan Sun. Miz walked in with the rest of Extreme Expose. Miz joked that Balls has a crush. Miz said Kelly doesn't like guys like Balls, she likes guys like him, saying he was a chick magnet. Balls was getting angry, and Layla said to Miz that they have plans. Miz and the girls walked off, and Miz told Kelly to come along. Kelly followed them, despite Balls saying her name as she walked away. Balls turned towards the camera, and you could see in the background that Kelly was looking back at Balls. By the time Balls turned back around, Kelly was already walking off again.
They showed a clip of Kevin Thorn attacking Stevie Richards backstage last week.
Stevie Richards vs. Kevin Thorn.
Stevie battled back with a double leg takedown and some punches. Richards hit a knee to the gut, but Thorn nailed him with a clothesline and a series of punches. Thorn rammed Richards into a corner, then whipped him hard into the opposite corner. Thorn hit a series of knees to the head, but Richards got back up and threw some forearms, only to get beaten down again. Thorn slammed Richards, then drove a pair of knees into his back. Thorn dove into a clothesline on Richards, who was in a seated position, and applied a chinlock. Richards fought to his feet, but Thorn decked him with a short arm clothesline. Thorn dragged him up and hit another one. Thorn pulled him up again and hit a third clothesline. Thorn covered, but Richards kicked out at two. Richards got to his feet and hit a forearm, then a kick to the leg, then a kick to the face. Richards hit a double knee driver to the chest for a two count, then a sunset flip for another two, but then Thorn caught him with a sitdown spinebuster for the three count at the four minute mark.
Post-match, Thorn kept hitting Richards. Thorn lifted Richards for a Crucifix Bomb, and the referee warned him not to do it. Thorn delivered the move anyway, so the referee reversed the decision and disqualified Thorn. Thorn slumped in the corner, then walked off, obviously enraged that he cost himself the match. Thorn is now 0-3 against Richards.
Winner via disqualification: Stevie Richards.
Backstage, Elijah Burke was telling Jonathan Coachman that his mother used to travel a lot, and they always followed WWE around the country. Burke noted that people have said he has Vince McMahon's smile.
Joey Styles and Tazz went over the Summerslam lineup, then a video package on John Morrison vs. CM Punk was shown.
ECW Champion John Morrison vs. The Boogeyman.
Morrison made his entrance, then they went to commercial. When they got back from break, they announced John Morrison & Big Daddy V vs. CM Punk & The Boogeyman for Saturday Night's Main Event.
Boogeyman immediately took Morrison down with a fireman's carry takedown, then leapfrogged him as he was on his knees. Boogeyman whipped Morrison in a corner, then the opposite corner and hit an avalanche. Boogeyman hit a clothesline, then slammed Morrison and hit a big splash for a two count. Boogey whipped Morrison into the ropes, but Morrison put the brakes on. Morrison caught a charging Boogeyman with a double boot to the face, then flipped over the top rope to the apron. Morrison went for a springboard dropkick, but Boogeyman swatted it away. Boogeyman went to the top rope, but Morrison jumped up and kicked Boogeyman to the floor. Morrison brought Boogeyman back in the ring for a two count, then slid into a clothesline on Boogey as he was in a seated position.
Morrison applied an overhead wristlock, but Boogeyman punched out of it. Boogeyman hit a clothesline, then slammed Morrison and hit a legdrop for a two count. Morrison hit a chop to the throat, then kicked Boogey in the gut. Morrison kept stomping Boogey in the gut, then went to the second rope for the twisting moonsault, but missed by a mile. Boogey didn't even roll out of the way, Morrison just totally overshot it. Boogey slammed Morrison twice, but missed a charge in the corner. Morrison went for a springboard kick, slipping on the rope, but still nailed the kick for a two count. Morrison tried another cover, but Boogey held the bottom rope. Morrison tried to pull Boogey into the ring, but Boogey kept holding the bottom rope. Morrison threw some punches, while Boogey was still on the ropes, so the referee warned Morrison. Morrison shoved the referee for the DQ at the seven minute mark.
Winner via DQ: The Boogeyman.
Morrison argued with the referee, and Boogeyman got back up. Boogeyman hit Morrison with the double handed chokeslam, then went for his worms. He put a handful in his mouth, but Morrison got out of the ring before Boogey could spit them on Morrision. Morrison stared at Boogey from the aisle as the show ended and they plugged the tag match on Saturday Night's Main Event.
2008 - Hulk and Linda Hogan came to an agreement earlier regarding how the couple will temporarily split their assets in their divorce, ending a messy court battle. In short, the agreement decreed:
*Linda will receive $40,000 a month in temporary alimony over the next year.
*Hulk will take $500,000 out of their combined assets.
*Hulk will be allowed to withdraw up to $400,000 to cover legal costs involved in Nick Hogan's criminal defense.
*Linda Bollea gets use of one home, while Hulk gets use of the other.
*The couple will have to copy and provide the other any mail addressed to the couple.
*The couple will temporarily split their vehicles during the divorce proceedings.
The court also allowed Hulk out of a previous agreement that he would have to put money into a proposed Las Vegas condo for Linda.